Short takes

• Debra Johnson has put together a slide show (warning: music!) a out the traffic situation at Loma Alta School.
• Property tax evaulation scam: It's happening again: a couple of readers have pointed out that they've gotten a letter from "Homeowner Property Tax Review Board," carefully designed to resemble your property tax statement.  (We got the same ourselves last week.)  For $189, they will ask the county assessor to re-evaluate your house to see if you qualify for a reduction in property taxes.  Problem is, you can do that YOURSELF FOR FREE!  Don't fall for this! (Thx to Kate Miller for sharing the graphic with us!)
• The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is seeking applicants for its Strategic Plan Steering Committee, responsible for advising the District’s upcoming strategic plan process.  Members will assist in developing a framework for community engagement, identifying focus areas for parents, businesses and community organizations, and designing a community engagement plan.
  
  This community-based committee will include five board members, parents, employees, students and representatives of local businesses, community organizations and institutions of higher education.  Individuals with a stake in the future of PUSD are strongly encouraged to apply. 
  Application is available at the PUSD website: www.pusd.us.
• s Paul Ayers writes:
  

  I am interested in the development of access restriction at Pinecrest.  It is my recollection that at one time it was your typical pipe gate and there wasn’t a real change until the present gate.  Help me out.  Dates [decades, years, seasons, months, etc.] are real important.

  Write him at ayerspaul@sbcglobal.net.