Restaurant Inspections Keep Patrons Safe

ou’re sitting at your favorite Pasadena restaurant ready to dig into a delicious meal. It smells good and tastes great – but do you know if it’s really safe?

One of the best ways to know if a local restaurant is safe is by looking at its inspection report from the Environmental Health Division of the Pasadena Public Health Department.

City health inspectors visit each of more than 1,000 Pasadena eateries regularly to check for more than 80 possible violations. Restaurants are graded on a scale of 1 to 100 on everything from food handling and food temperatures to the correct use of cleaners.

Using a laptop computer, an inspector gives a copy of the report to the restaurant manager or owner, listing any violations that need attention. If a major violation is noted, it is usually corrected immediately and the Public Health Department provides additional training to the restaurant’s employees.

The city of Pasadena expects more of restaurants than county and state requirements. For example, state law requires a minimum of one person in a restaurant kitchen to receive training in health and safety practices; Pasadena Public Health Department requires it of 75 percent of workers in a restaurant kitchen.

As a consumer, you’re allowed by law to request a copy of the most recent inspection report from any restaurant in California. (Restaurants that don’t comply are in violation of the State Health and Safety Code.) You can also find the score and a detailed health inspection report of your favorite Pasadena restaurant at www.cityofpasadena.net. You’ll find “Restaurant Inspection Database” in Quick Links and E-Government.

For more information call 744-6004.

Fight the Flu!

Spare yourself some agony this winter by getting a flu shot.

The vaccine is recommended for pregnant women, children from 6 months to 19 years old, adults 50 and older, and anyone who has a chronic medical condition, lives in a nursing home or long-term care facility, or lives with or cares for someone at high risk for flu complications.

The Pasadena Public Health Department offers low-cost vaccines October through March. Call 744-6012 for more information or stop by one of the following clinics:

• Wednesday, Nov. 5 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pasadena Senior Center 85 E. Holly St.
685-6724.

• Wednesday, Nov. 12 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Villa-Parke Community Center 363 E. Villa St. 744-6530.

• Wednesday, Nov. 19 10 a.m. to 2 p. m. Jackie Robinson Center 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. 744-7300.

Give Your Input on Proposed Zoning Code Changes

The Planning and Development Department will host public meetings this fall to consider new Zoning Code rules for maximum house size, lot coverage, setbacks and height to protect your neighborhood from overgrown homes – otherwise known as “mansionization.”

Give your input at public meetings this fall:

Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 to 8 p.m.
Victory Park Center, 2575 Paloma St.

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7 to 9 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

Thursday, Nov. 6, 7 to 9 p.m.
Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.

You may also leave your comments at www.cityofpasadena.net/planningcomments. Final drafts will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Council in 2009.

For more information call 744-6766 or email dsinclair@cityofpasadena.net.

A Roof Over Every Head

Pasadena is nearing completion of plans to champion decent, safe and affordable housing for residents citywide. Give your opinion of the Draft Housing Element of the General Plan during the Pasadena City Council meeting Monday, Oct. 20.

Designed with community input over the past six years, the comprehensive document includes almost 60 new and continuing programs, policies and goals; analyzes the housing needs of Pasadena’s current residents and a share of future growth in Southern California; describes how the marketplace, environment and local regulations may hinder housing development; and details resources for ensuring adequate housing in the future.

With the City Council’s consent, documents will go to Sacramento this fall for comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

You’ll find the Draft Housing Element at www.cityofpasadena.net/generalplan. For more information email btrimble@cityofpasadena.net or call 744-6774. To comment, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/planningcomments.

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