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Calls to add SAT/ACT scores to University of California admissions have reached a fever pitch, with droves of UC faculty signing online petitions and the New York Times editorial board weighing in from across the country. But third-party standardized tests do ... More »
Last week, while walking through Beverly Hills, I came across a stunning oversized art installation positioned on a sidewalk corner—an enormous vase overflowing with vibrant flowers. It was bold, joyful, and impossible to miss. It did not sit behind gates or i... More »
I have been a strong supporter of the Pasadena Fire Department for nearly four decades. In the March 1987 primary, I defeated three-term incumbent and former Mayor Jo Heckman in a decisive upset, winning 60.6 percent of the vote outright. That victory came wit... More »
Across the country, it has become fashionable to dismiss higher education as unnecessary, elitist, or disconnected from the “real world.” Universities are increasingly judged not by what they contribute to democracy, innovation, civic life, or social mobility,... More »
The City Council on Aug. 3 will vote on placing a parcel tax on the November ballot. The funds will be used for upgrades to the Pasadena Fire Department. Currently, the city is conducting a poll to test the water with the voters, and some locals are calling fo... More »
When you begin a puzzle, you don’t start with the pieces. You start with the picture on the box. That picture doesn’t tell you where every piece belongs, but it gives each piece meaning. Without it, you’re left trying to solve one small section at a time, hopi... More »
The Altadena and Palisades fires that swept through Southern California last year were just the latest in an escalating series of wildfires that have scorched the state. The damage has been far-reaching: Californians have lost homes, community and — in some tr... More »
Every day, my hair gets a bit more grey and my beard grows a bit more shaggy, making my morning appearance in the mirror more and more Lorax-like. (At least I’m not also getting shorter — at least not yet.) Yup, I sometimes feel like I’m transforming into that... More »
As the former Mayor of Pasadena and longtime Councilmember for East Pasadena, I have spent decades fighting to preserve our city’s unique character, protect our resources, and promote responsible growth. Today, that responsibility demands we take a firm stand:... More »
At Pasadena’s recent Planning Commission discussion on safe parking, I was struck by how quickly the conversation moved ahead of the information. The City is being asked to respond urgently to people living in their vehicles. But the discussion did not establ... More »
Stop me if you heard this one. A school board, already struggling with money and unpopular at best, decides to cut down trees on local campuses in a town full of tree huggers and climate activists. Couple that with the fact that four of that same board have be... More »
“The chilling effect doctrine is the concept of government unduly deterring free speech and association rights through laws, regulations or actions that appear to target activities protected by the First Amendment.” Free Speech Center Whenever Donald Trump is ... More »
