I am collecting acorns from Engelmann oaks here in South Pasadena. Engelmanns, also known as Pasadena or mesa oaks, are not only rare and unusual, but magnificent as well. When mature they have a broad crown with spreading, horizontal branches so massive that it is hard to imagine how they can hold themselves up.It is […]
South Pasadena
Back-to-school
Back-to-school used to mean to me shopping for pencils, notebooks and backpacks, and one last trip to the beach. Now that I am an empty-nester it means something new. It means nature park volunteers – YAAAY! (See pictures below.) Student volunteers,August 2013 High school student volunteers The teacher of the AP Environmental Science class in our local […]
Oaks in Garfield Park
A week ago last Sunday, on June 16, another mature specimen oak went down in Garfield Park. It was a sunny day, there had been no wind, no rain, no extreme temperatures, it was beautiful. I noticed the tree early in the morning and by afternoon city workers had removed it. I stopped by while […]
No Water Shortage in So Pas
(This post has been updated to correct changed links regarding City of South Pasadena water use ordinances. 2021) As soon as Halloween passes two things occur – commercials for holiday shopping flood the air waves, and the city of South Pasadena starts to smell like a farm. Residents here rush to spread manure and rye […]