Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce welcomes information from members. We are pleased to add items submitted by members to our monthly printed newsletter as well as post them on our blog and include the information in our email blasts. If you have information you would like to share with your fellow members, please email paul@pasadena-chamber.org.

Ribbon Cuttings and other celebrations

Modella Uniforms on East Washington Boulevard held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their new store serving the Pasadena market. Modella offers all manner of uniforms, including most required by both local public and private schools.

New member Kunau and Cline property management hosted a gala ribbon cutting and reception at their offices at El Molino and Cordova in Pasadena. Chamber staff and Ambassadors joined Kunau and Cline staff  and clients, along with representatives of local elected officials for the event. Congressman Adam Schiff also dropped by to congratulate Cliff Houser and the Kunau and Cline staff.



Jet Propulsion Laboratory held an open house to unveil the new visitor center and celebrate the return of The Camera that Saved the Hubble. Dignitaries, guests, friends, enthusiasts and Chamber Board members joined JPL engineers and scientists to celebrate the amazing achievements of the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2.




Make-It-Fly Metro LA held a ribbon cutting to celebrate their expansion into the Pasadena area. Make-It-Fly staff were joined by representatives of local elected officials and Chamber ambassadors and staff for the event. 

The Planetary Society hosted a ribbon cutting and open house at its new headquarters on South Grand Avenue. Incoming Executive Director Bill Nye and the board and staff welcomed guests. Friends of the Planetary Society, the curious and numerous fans of The Science Guy, enjoyed the tours and celebration. The Planetary Society’s next mission is Light Sail-1 a solar powered sail that will orbit 800 miles above the earth.

Pasadena Chamber Member Events

Pacific Asia Museum hosts its final Fusion Friday event on August 27th. Enjoy An Evening in 1930s Shanghai with cocktails and more. Museum members pay $10, the general public is welcome for $15. (Price includes an open bar.) You can celebrate China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910-1970 on Sunday, August 29th during the museum’s Community Partners Day. For more information visit www.pacificasiamuseum.org.

Pasadena Weekly holds the original and official Best of Pasadena balloting. Beginning this week your can find ballots in the newspaper or online at www.pasadenaweekly.com. Sign on and vote for your favorite Chamber member businesses. The Weekly’s Best of issue will be on newsstands October 14^th.

The Master’s Hair Studio is seeking hair models for the upcoming Pasadena Star-News Jewels of Pasadena Women’s Expo on Saturday, September 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  If you are interested in getting a free cut and style, please call Joseph at (626) 683-3880.

Lifeline for Pets, a Pasadena based non-profit animal rescue organization, is having a fund raising event on October 23, 2010. A USO – ONE FOR THE PETS, musical will be held at the Church of Truth at 690 E. Orange Grove. The event also includes a raffle for a 2 nights stay in Palm Springs, a set of luggage, a gift certificate towards a custom cake at a local bakery, It Takes the Cake, and possible other prizes.  For show and raffle tickets, please contact Marilyn at 626-358-3726 or Kathy at 626-797-1753″.

The Los Angeles County Fair opens at The Fairplex in Pomona on Saturday, September 4th. Visits to the fair can enjoy top flight entertainment, fun for all ages, expositions, competitions, horse racing and much more. Visit www.lacountyfair.com for more information and schedules.

Mijares Mexican Restaurant celebrates 90 years in business with a special dinner event on Monday, September 20th. Join Mayor Bill Bogaard and others for a very special event by visiting www.mijaresrestaurant.com and making your reservations.

Parson’s Nose Productions introduces classic theater to audiences of all ages beginning with n adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which will be presented at noon on Friday, September 24th and at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25th.  Parson’s Nose presents its Brownbag Classics series at lunchtime Friday’s at noon for those working (or playing) in Pasadena. For more information visit www.parsonsnose.com.

Kaiser Permanente’s leadership in using human-centered design thinking to engage frontline staff was lauded by the Harvard Business Review in a recent article.

Mama’s Small Business Kitchen Incubator hosts culinary arts and pastry classes at the facility in east Pasadena. For information on what is being offered and how you can take advantage visit www.ehala.org.

Rosemary School at Rosemary Children’s Services recently received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Green California Community College Summit hosted by Green Technology takes place at the Pasadena Convention Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 12th and 13th. For more information visit www.green-technology.org.

California General Bank and Professional Business Bank have merged forming a banking entity with more than $365 million in assets.

The Pasadena Museum of History presents a discussion and lecture on the history of the Pasadena Fire Department on September 14th at the home of Judy and Randy Wilson. For more information visit www.pasadenahistory.org.

Kidspace Museum presents Toddle Time on Saturday, August 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. Tots and parents can enjoy a morning of science and art exploration, sing-a-long time and active play. For more information visit www.kidspacemuseum.org.

Join Vroman’s Bookstore for Your Life as a Story: Creative Nonfiction/Memoir Workshop a workshop for writers. The workshops will be held Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning September 21st. To sign up call Vroman’s at (626) 449-5320 or email jennifer@vromansbookstore.com. Visit www.vromansbookstore.com for more information.

El Centro de Accion Social holds its annual Gala on Thursday, October 28th at the Westin Pasadena Hotel. For information or to receive call (626) 792-3148.

The International Association of Administrative Professionals presents How to Suck it Up when Life Sucks a presentation by certified life coach Kris Anderson at Brookside Golf Club at 1133 North Rosemont Drive on Thursday, September 9th at 6:30 p.m. For more information or to RSVP call ()323) 252-1648 or email passec2010@gmail.com by September 6th.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory took the Mars Science Laboratory rover for its first test drive. Mars Science Rover is being built at JPL in anticipation of a fall 2011 launch toward the red planet.

Pasadena Sister Cities Committee hosts a walk for the Children of Vanatzor, Armenia on October 24th at 1:30 p.m. on the track at Pasadena High School. For more information call (626) 351-8137.

Courtyard by Marriott Monrovia hosts a Casino Night to benefit the Children’s Hospital Patient Travel Fund that enables critically ill children to travel to Los Angeles for treatment. Those 21 or older can join the fun in support of this worthwhile charity on Friday, August 27th at 6:00 p.m. for $25. To RSVP call Nichole at (626) 531-8019.

Art Center College of Design hosts Projects and Partnerships in Sustainable Design on September 22nd through September 24th at L.A. Center Studios. for more information email artcentersummit@artcenter.edu or visit www.opportunitygreen.com.

El Portal Restaurant has rehabilitated its bar after nearly 30 years of white and blue tiles and tens of thousands of margaritas. Abel Ramirez notes that the drinks are as delicious as ever, but the bar is newly refreshed and rejuvenated. Stop by to check it out. You can celebrate Mexican Independence Day on September 15th with a special El Grito de Independencia ceremony. El Portal hosts another of its renowned tequila tastings on September 16th followed by Una Fiesta Denbotillo on September 17th. For more information visit www.elportalrestaurant.com.

The Pasadena Star-News hosts the first Pasadena Women’s Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center on Saturday, September 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. More than 50 exhibitors will be on hand along with informative speakers, product demos and door prizes.

Lincoln Training Center was recognized by the U.S. Congress as the recipient of the 2010 Divercities Non-Profit of the Year Award in Congressional District 32.

You can help keep local public school libraries open by donating to the Pasadena Education Foundation. To make a contribution visit www.pasedfoundation.org.

Parson’s Nose Productions received grants from the Pasadena Arts League. the City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Commission and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Beginning September 25th, Parson’s Nose will produce classics to all ages. The first production will be Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday and Saturday September 24th and 25th. For more information visit www.parsonsnose.com.

Marabel Farms sponsors the Spirathon – A Spiritual Triathlon on September 11th. The fundraising event mreged meditation, yoga and spinning to create transformation in participants.

The Pasadena Conservatory of Music received its accreditation from teh National Association of Schools of Music.

University of Redlands School of Business now offers classes in the Pasadena area through partnerships with Caltech, JPL and now the City of Pasadena. Employees of these entiteis can earn their MBA in as little as 24 months, and at a 10% discount. Any Pasadena resident is welcoem to take Redlands School of Business MBA classes at Caltech beginning this fall. For information on MBA and Master of Science in Information Technology classes offered this fall call (818) 840-1180 or email renee_avitia-rodriguez@redlands.edu.

You are invited to consign your antiques and decorative arts to the September 28^th John Moran Auctioneers event featuring art pottery, silver, Native American arts and more. Several impressive collections have already been consigned. You can consign your artworks for the October 19th sale, too. For more information call (626) 793-1833 or email consign@johnmoran.com.

Women at Work holds a Grant Writing Workshop on Friday and Saturday, August 20th and 21st. Want to learn to write for grants? Visit www.womenatwork1.org.

California PEO Home will redevelop its campus along North Stoneman Avenue in Alhambra. The new Redstone development will offer older adults new residential options in a community designed to help them pursue their passions.

Gold Class Cinemas hosts Martini Mondays every week with a free drink when you purchase a member-price ticket any Monday. Industry Thursday promotion gives you a movie, personal pizza and draft beer, wine or well drink all for $35. For more information visit www.goldclasscinemas.com.

Pasadena Child Development Associates received a $5,000 grant from the Henry L. Guenther Foundation to purchase equipment for our new Augmentive and Alternative Communication Center. This specialized technology can be used to support speech and communication for children who have limited ability to speak.

The San Marino Tribune offers multi-media advertising opportunities through their new website at www.sanmarinotribune.com.

You may be able to get 80% rebates on LED lighting for your business. Energy Innovation Group, one of Pasadena Water and Power’s rebate program operators, has made special arrangements with LED manufacturers to provide special incentives in addition to the PWP rebates to provide paybacks averaging 90 days for five year warranty LED technology. Save up to 80% on your electric use for lighting, and take advantage of incentives that total 80% off the price of LED lighting for you business. many lighting models available. For more information call (310) 313-1917 or email info@energyinnovation.net.

Smart for Life weight management offers a 15% discount. Eat cookies, lose weight and get a free body composition analysis. For more information visit www.smartforlife.com or call (626) 486-0321.

Lincoln Training Center’s golf tournament tees off Monday, September 27th. For information email noreen.baca@lincolntc.org.

Prospect Park Books hosts a web site filled with witty commentary, facts and reviews of Pasadena destinations. Visit www.hometown-pasadena.com to join the fun.

The Good Book of Pedantry and Wonder at The Theatre @ Boston Court has been extended through September 4th. The witty exploration of an intellectual British family in the 1880s is written by Moby Pomerance and directed by John Langs. For more information visit www.bostoncourt.org.

Art Center College of Design hosts the annual Car Classic 2010 at the Hillside Campus on Sunday, October 17th. Celebrate the thrill of motion, the joy and excitement of automotive transportation and the marvel of design as you view classic automobiles and motorcycles, watercraft and aircraft. For more information visit www.artcenter.edu.

Business Life celebrates Women Achievers at its 20th anniversary banquet on September 22nd. For more information email krik@businesslife.com.

Hathaway-Sycamores celebrates children with an awards reception on Thursday, September 30th at 6:00 p.m. For more information visit www.hathaway-sycamore.org.

The 53rd annual Human Resource conference hosted by the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) comes to Pasadena’s Convention Center from September 21st to 23rd. Attendees will enjoy casino night, Dave and Buster’s Evening Extravaganza, educational sessions and workshops. To take part visit www.pacificwestconference.org.

Western Justice Center hosts the Peacebuilders Gala on October 16th. For more information call (626) 584-7494, extension 31.

Sip a gin and tonic (or other favorite libation) and learn about Quackery, Snake Oil and Flim-Flam Medicine on Thursday, September 16th at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Pasadena Museum of History’s Eva’s Salon series.For more information visit www.pasadenahistory.org.

Take the Seabiscuit Tour at Santa Anita Park every other Saturday or Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. Learn the history and see the inner workings of one of America’s great racing venues. For information and reservations call (626) 574-6677.

Halper Fine Arts transforms the town of Los Olivos for Meandering Gallery which showcases the romance of wine country, the passion of vintners and the artistry of great wine. Visit Los Olivosat any time through October to view Mark Robert Halper’s work in eight tasting rooms, the Los Olivos Cafe and Fess Parker Wine Country Inn. For more information visit www.halperfinearts.com.