Shirlee Smith | Pasadena – How Rosy is Rosy?

The old, the new, the wise and the wide-eyed. Pasadena dazzles the world every year with its fabulous Rose Parade that moves east on
Colorado Blvd, then north on Sierra Madre to its final resting place at Victory Park located in the eastern part of our majestic city.

News camera people from countries large and small capture the blue skies we are so blessed with. Our warm temperatures make Pasadena
residents grateful that we don’t live in the Eastern or Plains states.

The snow-capped mountains in the camera footage, which are a near distance away, are a statement to everyone, everywhere, that this is the magic
place to live.

Ah, Pasadena!

Some kids who were born here have never owned a warm jacket, a hat, neck scarf, mittens or any other kind of winter garb.

That’s not to say these kind of wardrobe accessories aren’t needed, but the need is so seldom that some folks just don’t own them.

Cold spells, as we call them, blow through for a couple of days and then we’re back to sandals and shorts.

Quite often, the “foreign” camera people catch the real essence of our environment. I’ve seen footage they captured from their venture out of Pasadena to one of the nearby beach communities.

And there on camera, in winter, we’ve got pretty ladies in skimpy bikinis hanging out at the seaside.

The beach is about an hour’s drive (depending on traffic) from our fair city. The mountains are not too much of a longer drive – uh, this does
require warm winter clothes, though.

But I can tell you of the many school kids who went on field trips to the snow wearing sneakers.

Snow boots? What are those? Too many of us just don’t know what winter weather means.

Are you really in the land of Milk and Honey?

Hm.

There’s more to Pasadena than scenic views, sunshine, majestic floats and award-winning marching bands.

Meet the kids who graduated from Pasadena Public Schools and cannot read.

Meet the former Pasadena foster youth who have aged out of the child welfare system and now live on the streets.

Meet the old-time residents who are looking for housing because they can’t afford to live here anymore.

Meet the parents who’ve given up on trying to raise their children.

Well, you’re not going to meet any of these people because they’re hidden from view. They are invisible because, for one reason, cameras only want the glory – they don’t want the agony.

 

Shirlee Smith is a former Pasadena Star-News Opinion Columnist. She is a Los Angeles Press Club first place awardee and author of They’re Your Kids, Not Your Friends and the Spanish edition, “Son Tus Hijos, No Tus Amigos.” Smith can be reached by email at talkaboutparenting@gmail.com.