FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patricia Hurley April 18, 2012
(626) 590-1134

All Saint’s Ed Bacon receives the 11th Annual Thorny Rose!

It’s official! The 11th Order of the Thorny Rose has spoken. This year’s recipient, All Saints Church Rector Ed Bacon has earned its thorny nod-having stood ground against the City of Pasadena and local preservationists over expansion of the iconic church’s property. The Thorny Rose Award is presented annually at the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade to an individual or organization that has created the strongest dose of discomfort and controversy in the community.

Six years ago, Ed Bacon had a vision. The plans called for bringing progressive architecture to Pasadena’s historic Civic Center. When the Rector took it public many people railed against it as too big, too extreme, and too “out there.” Of course, the preservationists got involved. First they swooned, then they got a hold of themselves and threatened roadblocks at every turn. But Ed Bacon and his supporters battled on.

Through the process of commission and committee deliberations, the vision was pared down to accommodate design criticisms. And now, six years later, the EIR and the Master Development Plan have finally made their way to the City Council for approval. At Monday’s City Council hearing, in the face of what one city councilperson called a “brewing thunderstorm,” there was a surprising air of consensus. Of course, the fine points will still be in the hands of the Design Review Commission.

As is the tradition for Thorny Rose winners, Reverend Bacon, or a church designate, will be given an invitation to receive their award in public and be driven along the route of the 35th Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. The unique “Other Parade” takes place on Saturday, April 28th, stepping off at 11:00am at its new Colorado Boulevard location in East Pasadena. The only Thorny Rose awardee to pass up the invitation was Wayne Lusvardi who was the eighth recipient, and last year’s award winners Pasadenans for a Livable City.

The prickly honor is bestowed once a year on Pasadena’s most controversial citizen or group of citizens of the previous year. Past recipients have included former city councilperson Paul Little (twice!), Charles Cherniss, Roy Begley, the PUSD School Board, Mary Dee Romney, West Pasadena Residents Association, Ann Lau and the Falun Gong, and the Friends of Hahamongna.

Patricia Hurley
Managing Director
Light Bringer Project