Farm to school: The Pasadena Unified School District received a $44,486 planning grant from the Department of Agriculture to implement a Farm to School program to better connect school cafeterias and students with local farmers and ranchers. USDA Farm to School grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms and cooking classes. PUSD will use planning funds to increase the accessibility, availability, quality and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables for students and the community.
Bench: Dr. Kwang-hee Park and Jochen Strack, owners of Spring Acupuncture and Spiritual Direction in Pasadena, have donated a public bench along the Altadena Crest Trail near the Cobb Estate. They say “Hiking, resting and viewing contribute towards healing,” and who can doubt them? The dedication will be on Sat., Dec. 14, at 10 AM along the trail (there will be signs). Besides the bench and the view, they also promise you will see a “zorse” (zebra-horse) who will carry supplies.
Magnet Schools: Pasadena High School (PHS) Assistant Principal Lori Touloumian will lead the management of a $7.9 million federal grant to create magnet schools at Washington Middle School, Eliot Middle School, Washington Accelerated Elementary School and Jackson Elementary School. As PUSD’s magnet school coordinator, Touloumian will be responsible for the implementation of the magnet program including student recruitment, budget oversight, planning, coordination and evaluation of programs that build the four schools’ capacity for effective and engaging instruction, monitoring of desegregation efforts, and assisting in the acquisition and utilization of instructional materials.
I hate to introduce a note of negativity regarding the bench at the Cobb Estate, but 40 years of experience has taught us that man-made objects along the path from the Cobb gates to trailheads act as graffiti palettes that end up adding ugliness (and controversy about their removal) instead of beauty. I hope history doesn’t repeat itself in this case, but what was that saying about doing the same thing and expecting a different result? Just ask the Audubon Society! We had lots of sore feelings and 4 years of having to walk by a series of “Interpretive signs” completely covered with spray paint on our way to the trailhead. Can’t believe Forest Service is allowing this kind-hearted gesture to move foreword.
Forwarding from Michele Zack:
I hate to introduce a note of negativity regarding the bench at the Cobb Estate, but 40 years of experience has taught us that man-made objects along the path from the Cobb gates to trailheads act as graffiti palettes that end up adding ugliness (and controversy about their removal) instead of beauty. I hope history doesn’t repeat itself in this case, but what was that saying about doing the same thing and expecting a different result? Just ask the Audubon Society! We had lots of sore feelings and 4 years of having to walk by a series of “Interpretive signs” completely covered with spray paint on our way to the trailhead. Can’t believe Forest Service is allowing this kind-hearted gesture to move foreword.