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January 2025

Pasadena Village

By the end of five days with two of the kindest and most perceptive people I’ve ever known, I had gained a little equilibrium with long walks, lots of quiet time and every evening with some of their friends connected to Altadena and struggling to support and understand the disaster. They helped me start looking for a Pasadena hotel that was convenient without my car which was trapped in the retirement community. I needed to be closer to Altadena and what was going on with the support community of the Pasadena Village, a loose, but effective organization for people over 55 who want to be independent as long as they can. The Village provides much of that plus a positive community. I opted to stay at the Hilton, filled with evacuated people and fire fighters. It was within walking distance of Target, a bookstore plus an overflowing secondhand bookshop, a good restaurant, places to walk and friends.

My friends delivered me to the Hilton Hotel in Pasadena where fire engines lined the street. I joined the guests carrying their belongings in a plastic bag or two. The next morning while I ate oatmeal, I watched scores of exhausted fire fighters trudge through the front door carrying oversized duffels, headed for their rooms. Presumably they’d been battling fierce flames all night. 

I let friends in the Pasadena Village know I had returned and was okay and started checking on others. I spent most of those mornings on my computer or phone--nonstop. Betty Ann took me to TJs to add to what my LA friends had given me so I had enough for several days of meals. Then to Target, a good walk. One pair of pants found. (I had only one with me. I needed them so I could wash the good ones.) They were thin and much too long, but oh well. I texted Betty Ann who lives near the hotel. “Do you have scissors I can borrow to cut off these pants? Also, some manilla envelops?”

 The next day, she appeared with those plus an office supply bag of stamps, envelopes, paper clips, sticky notes and more. What a treasure. Then began my hunt for a room where I could stay. Betty Ann heard of one that was still vacant and we went to see it immediately. The arrangements were complicated, and it wouldn’t work out. She called Paula. Yes, she had a spare room, and that afternoon we visited there. It was perfect, and we enjoyed a relaxed chat. What a pleasure. 

The Village had its first zoom meeting to help check in with each other. Many of us looked pretty haggard. Some had lost their houses completely, many others were evacuated and had had no idea if their houses stood. But it was a warm reminder that we were in this together, there was lots of support and if we were able, we could begin helping each other.

 Bruce, who was arranging a Village get together for those living in that area, made it his mission to track down those of us relocated there. And yes, he’d give me a ride. It was a major success - 21 people, good potluck luncheon, and nonstop talking. 

The next day I texted Nathan, one of a few very hardworking Village staff coordinating the various portions run by members. I had a doctor’s relocated appointment because of the fire.

“Would it be possible to get a ride to the Polenzani’s brunch after an appointment in Arcadia?” 

Soon a reply. “Wayne will be there. He’ll also take you back to the Hilton afterward.”

 The Village is a small, but mighty organization. That afternoon Betty Ann took me to the post office and worked in her car while I waited for my mail along with scores of Altadenans for well over an hour. The Altadena post office had burned to the ground. 

And so it has gone. Gatherings, opportunities – too many! – getting in touch with friends I have developed over the years of being in the Village. 
I’m now at Paula’s – in her beautiful, tranquil home. I took a moment to sit on the front porch in a comfortable wicker chair this morning and took a video for my far away family. With it I said: 

Just walked in the neighborhood and realized my body is plain tired. It needs protein and rest which it’s getting. In this home I’m surrounded by tranquility and there is a Ganehsa statue tucked in several welcoming spots – the Remover of Obstacles. Our Saturday evening group gathering of friends is tomorrow. Dump trucks are beginning to go up the street. Perhaps to take care of a huge, uprooted oak. I’ll send my new address in next text.  

*This submission is part of a four piece post. The other contributions are entitled:

Getting Mail, A Glimmer of Altadena Spirit Showing Through
The Pasadena Civic Center
Family Hunt for Our Old House