altadenablog

Flash flood watch in effect for burn areas

From the National Weather Service:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES- SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS- LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE- CATALINA ISLAND-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- 457 AM PST FRI NOV 30 2007

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE BURN AREAS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY   * FROM 9 AM PST THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING

* RAIN WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE COUNTY TODAY. RAIN MAY BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES...WITH RAINFALL RATES IN EXCESS OF ONE HALF INCH PER HOUR POSSIBLE. RAINFALL AT THESE RATES WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING AND MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND AROUND THE BURN AREAS.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

Christmas Tree Lane is now go, kinda

The latest about the construction at Altadena Drive and Santa Rosa, i.e. Christmas Tree Lane:

Pasadena Now reports that work on medians, curbs, and gutters will continue, which includes the Santa Rosa/Altadena Dr. intersection, until about Dec. 14.  Work will be finished at 5 p.m.  each day.  This is not really an accommodation, because that's when the crews usually quit work anyway!

However, the resurfacing of Altadena Drive will not start until after the first of the year, allowing (we hope) the free flow of traffic on Santa Rosa during the lighting period.  There will be construction going on during the day on Altadena Drive (including the occasional lane closure), but weekends will be construction-free.

Music and math marry at library Dec. 10

The Altadena main library hosts Violinist Paul Stein and Chamber Music Express, 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10.  Stein and the Chamber Music Express blend music and imaginative storytelling, entertaining children and adults alike. The beauty and logic of music have much in common with math. The music of Mozart, Kreisler, and Brahms will share the program with gypsy music by Drdla and John Williams’ Harry Potter. And as an added bonus, there will be some memorable story problems. Appropriate for children ages 6 and up. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library.

Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside

Blair High School/UCLA standouts James McAlister and Altadenan Kermit Johnson ("The Blair Pair") are profiled in this LA Times piece that looks at their high school, college, and pro careers (biggest mistake:  signing with the WFL).   

Altadenan one of the "Greatest KC Royals"

Roger Nelson, an Altadena boy who signed with the White Sox in 1963, reached the peak of his career with the Kansas City Royals.  This page, by a die-hard Royals fan, talks about his career.

True baseball fans are very obsessive about things like this!

Sheriff's Community Campout Dec. 4

The Sheriff's Department will show off their mobile command post and provide information about department programs at Lincoln Crossing (Lincoln & Woodbury) from 3-7 p.m.  Get information on Altadena Station programs such as Neighborhood Watch, Sheriff's Support Group, Community Advisory Committee, Clergy Council, Volunteer Program, and Youth Activity League.  For more information, contact the Community Relations Office at 296-2103 or 296-2104.

(By the way, the November Sheriff's Station newsletter can be read here.)

PUSD Board, Altadena Town Council joint meeting Dec. 4

There will be a joint meeting of the Altadena Town Council and the PUSD School Board on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Eliot Middle School.  This meeting follows a successful Nov. 13 joint meeting between the Pasadena City Council and the Pasadena School Board.  A similar meeting will be held in Sierra Madre at a later time.

No agenda available as yet, but expect to hear some talk about the formation of a Joint Interest Commission, with members of the school board, Altadena Town Council, Pasadena and Sierra Madre City Councils, and Pasadena City College.

Christmas Tree Lane is Go!

Cooler heads have prevailed after the hare-brained idea we pointed out below to close Altadena Drive for repaving right at Santa Rosa, i.e. Christmas Tree Lane, during the Christmas Tree Lane season.

Pasadena Now reports that Supervisor Michael Antonovich has stepped in, and the repaving will be delayed until after the season.

However, Allen will be torn up at Mendocino and "No Parking" signs will be put up around the Balian mansion ... okay, we're kidding.

Girls Gone Wild

An Altadena woman and juvenile girl were part of a pack on a short-lived crime spree in Pasadena.  PSN has the deets.

Lake Avenue floating closure

And now it's the west side's turn to suffer:  Altadena Drive will be closed from Lake to Santa Rosa thru mid-January (which will make the Christmas Tree Lane traffic fun).

What if no deputy comes when you call?

Chaney Trail newsgroup was abuzz about a group of people, armed with beer, gathered around a telescope-like device that was belching fire (possibly firing something) on upper Chaney Trail over the weekend. Who knows what this thing was, but the dry woods are a lousy place to conduct a pyrotechnic experiment.

This led to a side discussion about what to do if you report something to the Sheriff's Department and nobody comes, as happens more often that we'd like.  Altadena Sheriff's Capt. Roosevelt Blow has recommended following up with the department, giving your name, time of incident and when you called, where you called from, and a concise incident report.  Then they can find the tape of the call to review and take the next steps.

And what WAS that flamethrower thing about, anyway?

Gravity Hill?

One of the newsgroups we monitor has a lot of discussion about "Gravity Hill" in Altadena.  Someone was stopped by a carful of young people looking for this spooky place -- where you put your car in neutral and it's pulled uphill.  Others report cars coming by the neighborhood at night, pulling this maneuver, and U-turning to try it again.

Here's how it works, according to one resident of Loma Alta Drive:

Drive your car to the top of Loma Alta Drive, before the bridge over Rubio Canyon.

Near the top.....stop your car in front of the gate on the chain link fence, when you look toward the flood control basin.

Stop your car.  Put it in neutral.  Release the foot brake and parking break.

Look at the fence and the gate.  You'll notice the car is moving backwards, but will look and feel like it's moving forward.  It should look like you're going backwards UPHILL.

As with most spooky things, it's better at night.

Yes, it's an optical illusion -- and we haven't tried it yet -- but we await your reports and fine tuning on how to maximize the experience.

Sheriff's station kicks off food and toy drive

From the Sheriff's Station:

The 2007 Altadena Sheriff’s Station Food and Toy Drive is underway. Please help our less fortunate Altadena residents by stopping by the Altadena Station, 780 East Altadena Drive, and drop off unwrapped toys (boys and girls up to the age of 14) and non-perishable food (canned goods, dry goods and other holiday type foods).

The Food and Toy Drive has become an annual tradition for our Altadena Station.

For more information, contact Sgt. Marsha Williams (626-296-2104) or Dep. Sam Estrada (626-296-2103).  Thank you for your generous contributions.

Whoosh!

The photographic Bill Westphal sends us this image this morning from the Altadena Weathercam.  He writes:

The forecasted Wind Event did seem to materialize this time for us here in Altadena.  I recorded 26+ mph gusts both yesterday afternoon and this morning.

In this Weathercam image dust and ash (from the Lowe Fire earlier this year) can be seen blowing in the wind.  Things seem to be calming down now and the High Wind Warning will be cancelled.

It sure would be nice to get a little rain though wouldn't it?

Saul Bass house

You wouldn't know it to look at THIS blog's design, but we're a fan of designer Saul Bass, who did many classic movie posters and opening credits, most notably for Alfred Hitchcock.  Little did we know that he was a resident of Altadena, and in fact lived in an architecturally significant house on Santa Rosa. Design blog Grain Edit has some classic pictures of the Saul Bass house.

Another look at Nia

An editorial masquerading as a news story from the Pasadena/SGV Journal News sheds new light on Nia Charter School's woes.  While it's not a terribly coherent story and asserts a lot of things and makes a lot of accusations without providing evidence to back them up, it does point out that ringing up debts is typical of charter schools just starting out, not just Nia.  And it ends on a ringing note:

Because of these lowered expectations, Black and Brown parents and students must work hard to BE ASHAMED TO LET OUR CHILDREN FAIL. Tell the students that they can be successful and succeed at whatever they want, but that they must work hard at it like they work hard at winning games and learning the words to popular songs. Then tell them that there are people who think they are not as smart as White and Asian students. Tell them to work hard to prove those people wrong. Tell them to BE ASHAMED TO FAIL. Schools should print and hang up banners with this theme.

High wind warning issued

Even tho' Altadenablog is putting this together from an undisclosed out-of-town location this weekend, we try to keep on the pulse of the community.  And it's gonna be blustery tonight:

From the National Weather Service for Altadena:

...WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON... ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM PST SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM PST SATURDAY. THE WIND ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

AREAS OF NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TODAY...REACHING SPEEDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH THIS AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 25 TO 40 MPH TONIGHT...WITH GUSTS TO 65 MPH POSSIBLE. WINDS WILL CONTINUE AT THESE SPEEDS INTO SATURDAY AFTERNOON...BEFORE GRADUALLY DIMINISHING.

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH OR GREATER ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Altadena soldier killed in Ariz. drive-by

Army Spec. Robert A. Glenn, 25, from Altadena, was shot and killed in his car outside a nightclub in Tucson on Nov. 3, following an altercation with another man inside the club. Glenn was attached to the 69th Signal Company, based in Ft. Huachuca, some 90 miles from Tucson.  News reports say police issued a warrant for 21-year-old Jurel Roberson in connection with the slaying.  Another soldier in the car was wounded, and a third was unhurt.

Had enough turkey yet?

Eric Spillman's KTLA blog has video of an Altadena family's interesting Thanksgiving tradition -- they dress like doctors and operate on the turkey!

La Vina trail trial starts

Opening arguments on the dispute over hiking trails in the La Vina development started Wednesday, with La Vina claiming that the county approved plans that did not have hiking trails, and the county and supporters claiming that hiking trails were one of the conditions of approval.  Whitter Daily News has the opening day's comments.

This Old Animal House

Animal House is the title of a book by Altadena photographer Catherine Ledner, who recently got some attention from the New York Times for her book combining animal portraiture and vintage wallpaper.  Seriously!  It looks very interesting.

Lincoln Crossing in the news again

Just in front of the ever-important ads for outcall massage and dating services, the Pasadena Weekly has a good article this week on Lincoln Crossing's woes: 

Due to multiple delays by Dorn Platz & Co., a shoe store never got off the ground. Brio Spa has not opened yet and is being bogged down by fees and orders to make renovations, despite the fact they still have a dirt floor. A Subway sandwich shop, one of the cornerstones of the project, is threatening to pull out altogether after promises for parking fell through.

The story talks about the frustration of the business owners and West Altadena residents who were hoping for this development to turn around their community:

Meanwhile, West Altadena residents have been waiting nearly three decades for redevelopment of that portion of the community, which has been plagued by crime, rundown storefronts, old church buildings and an excessive number of liquor stores. “This is the side of town we need to build up,” Thompson said. “Instead, Dorn Platz is tearing it down even more because they are killing people’s dreams.

We're down with that, particularly the part about the community being "plagued by ... old church buildings."

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're out of pocket thru the holiday.  Have a happy Thanksgiving, and we'll see you Monday!

UPDATE:  We're not as out-of-pocket as we thought we would be.  Altadenablog work is continuing from our undisclosed out-of-town location.

Altadena library hits basic cable

Roberta Lauderdale of the Altadena Library in a video interview for Crown City News on the library and its programs -- right about here.

Where to go for breakfast?

Comments are open -- we're looking for the best place to have breakfast in Altadena (or Altadena-adjacent).  Fox's?  Amy's? Jack in the Box?  We have food on our minds this week -- where do you go for a great breakfast?

Library hosts Mark Twain MS bell choir Dec. 14

The Altadena Library district sends us this:

Ring in the season at Altadena Library!

The whole family will enjoy a wonderful evening of musical entertainment when the Mark Twain Middle School Handbell Ringers Choir performs at the Altadena Main Library on Friday, December 14 at 7 pm in the Community Room. These talented young people have been featured at Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, the Epcot Center, and various venues across the states. Although in the past the public has had to pay to hear the group, the Friends of the Library and Library Trustees have sponsored this program so that it’s FREE to the public.

According to Library Director Barbara Pearson, “We feel fortunate to have these superb young performers at our library and thank the Friends and Trustees for making this program possible.”

The multicultural group of talented students come from diverse backgrounds within the Los   Angeles area and has been in existence since 2000. The Handbell Ringers are under the direction of Ron G. Theile, Conductor and Instructor of English Handbells and Board Member of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR)>

For more information contact Library Information Services at (626) 798-0833, ext.106, or visit the library’s website at http://www.altadenalibrary.org.

Short takes

The Inland Daily Bulletin has a great story on Altadena resident (and Scripps Home nurse) Barbara Patterson and her battle with breast cancer.  Having just lost a beloved family member to cancer, Altadenablog sends out its good wishes to Ms. Patterson and her family for continued strength and recovery.

Sharp-eyed Altadena birder Jon Feenstra spotted a Bay-breasted warbler along Legg Lake at the Whittier Narrows area in El Monte last week.  The bird is native to the East Coast and rarely seen here.  Whittier Daily News has the peep.

This Old (Altadena) House

Altadenans Frances and Gordon Stong's household deficiencies will be laid bare to the public in this Sunday's episode of "Sell This House!" on A&E.  "Roger takes the house from 50's to fabulous!" they say, whoever Roger is (Altadenablog hasn't watched home improvement TV since Bob Vila left). 

Altadena woman gets ten years

Ten years in federal lockup is the sentence for an Altadena woman who was involved in the "Untouchables" drug ring.

Mieko Choniece Jackson, 30, was convicted of six counts of conspiracy and money laundering last year, and received her sentence last week.  According to the story on KOLO-TV's (Reno, NV) website, she was "blinded by her love ... for a man authorities say was the group's ringleader."  Get the story here.

A right jolly old elf

Father Christmas delivers crystals at the Waldorf School's 22nd annual Elves Faire on Saturday.  Lots of music, crafts, fun kid activities, a not-to-be-missed festivity every year.

(Thanks to Mrs. Altadenablog for the photo!)

De Vermiis Mysteriis, or no post like compost

.. at least to Bill Ward of Pepper Drive.  PSN has a great feature about his vermicultural approach to composting.

(Extra credit if you know what the Latin reference is about)

Pair plead in Altadena murder/kidnapping

Vanessa Marie Ochoa and Mesha Arshaz Dean, both 23, pleaded not guilty to murder and kidnapping charges in the March 18 Altadena shooting of Monroe Miles, Jr., 32.  Ochoa and Dean allegedly shot Miles and kidnapped Ochoa's son, who was in the legal custody of his father, Mark Miles -- the victim was Mark Miles' brother, and the boy's uncle.  The boy was unharmed; the women remain in custody, and pretrial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 31.  PSN has the details.

Eat me (before I eat you first!)

The Chowhound website has a photo, allegedly of a burger at Hawkins House of Burgers (locally at 2664 N. Fair Oaks Ave., altho'  we don't know the location of this particular burger).  Has anybody actually tried this?  And survived?

"Ring the Register" At Lincoln Crossing Today

On Friday, November 16, 2007, 9 AM to 8 PM, a “Ring The Register” event will be held in support of two local businesses: BJR Postal/Copy Center and Bessie’s Daughter’s Soulful Tacos, both located in the new Altadena Lincoln Crossing development, on Lincoln Avenue, just north of Woodbury Road.  This event encourages community residents and companies to support these small businesses by making a purchase or stopping in learn more about their respective services and menu offerings.  Both businesses will offer special introductory savings for customers. For more information about this event, call  Bessie’s Daughter’s Soulful Tacos at (626) 798-2344 or BJR Postal / Copy Center at (626) 296-3400.  This event is organized by the San Gabriel Valley Black Business Association, in cooperation with the SGV Black Chamber of Commerce. 

“’Ring The Register’ events help support small businesses which may not have the big advertising budgets to compete with larger businesses,” says the SGV Black Business Association’s Roscoe Lee Owens. “Sometimes people are not aware of new outstanding businesses in their neighborhood.  So, we’re working creatively to let the community know about these two businesses  and give people an opportunity to show their support.”

The San Gabriel Valley Black Business Association was established in 1997 and is committed to providing a broad variety of member services designed to assist in building and promoting local businesses.

P.S.  Altadenablog was so intrigued by this notice, and so hungry, he and Spawn 3 went to Bessie's Daughters to pick up lunch.  Heartily recommend the Bessie's Taco with beef -- best thing we had all day! Looked like they were doing good business, too!

Weekendin'

So what's happening around town?

Sat:
Elve's Faire: The Pasadena Waldorf School's 22nd annual event: crafts, music, entertainment, great kid fun, and free admission: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 209 E. Mariposa.

Sun.:
Social Daunce Irregulars, a SoCal group that is trying to keep the Victorian dance spirit alive, is holding a practice session at Davies Hall in Farnsworth Park this Sunday, 2-6 p.m.  Admission is $10, and dress is casual.

Coffee Gallery features this weekend:  Friday, The Muses, "an espresso blend of Celtic music"; Saturday,  High Hills, all-woman music and comedy; Sunday, The Bilgewater Rats (music and comedy) and magician John Carney. 

Altadenablog, on the other hand, is taking Spawn 1 and 2 to the LA Auto Show.

Short takes

From our friends at the Pasadena Weekly: a sordid tale of neighborhood feuding continues.

And Lt. Gov. John Garamendi comes to Altadena, takes money, says nothing.

Urgent care at St. Luke's? One more try

The PWeekly (heh) has the story about yet another meeting to try to put an urgent care facility at the old St. Luke's Hospital.

It's a real problem: if you have an emergency in Altadena, the nearest urgent care and emergency room is Huntington Hospital, some six miles away through heavy traffic.  St. Luke's had last belonged to Tenet Healthcare, which sold it for some $20 million to Cal Tech for use in projected medical research.  Cal Tech did little more with the facility than remove the cross at the top and rent it out to Hollywood (Scrubs, 24, Million Dollar Baby).  It was sold to DS Ventures LLC last month for a reported $45 million.  DS Ventures specializes in senior housing.

Pasadena city councilman Steve Haderlein, whose district includes St. Luke's, is planning to meet with DS Ventures next week  to discuss putting an urgent care facility on the property.  Get the whole story here.

Victorian dauncing at Farnsworth Park

Altadenablog always felt he belonged in the 19th century (was it the early love for Verne and Poe, several complete editions of Sherlock Holmes tales, the annotations he contributed to the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen comic book analyses?  Who knows?)

Anyway, the Social Daunce Irregulars, a SoCal group that is trying to keep the Victorian dance spirit alive, is holding a practice session at Davies Hall in Farnsworth Park this Sunday, 2-6 p.m.  Admission is $10, and dress is casual.  This is practice for the Winter Victorian Grand Ball on Nov. 24th at Pasadena Masonic Hall.

More bankruptcy woes: Lincoln Crossing

It's potential bankruptcy day here on Altadenablog!

The Lincoln Crossing development at Lincoln and Woodbury is also in deep trouble, according to PSN reports.  The developer, Dorn Platz, just got hammered with a default notice from Los Angeles County, claiming that Dorn Platz has gathered a collection of attachments and creditor actions and "the potential exists for a judicial foreclosure action against the property." 

Right now, residential tenants at the development are paying rent into a Sheriff's Department fund as part of a lawsuit brought by a concrete contractor who claimed they weren't getting paid by Dorn Platz.  Dorn Platz has 30 days to respond to the county's notice.  This is in addition to the developer's latest woes with Ambassador West.  Stay tuned.

PUSD says Nia school skirting bankruptcy

PSN reports today that Nia Educational Charter School has until Friday to present a recovery plan to PUSD, which claims that the school at the Edison Elementary building, 119 W. Palm, is on the edge of bankruptcy.  A story by reporter Cortney Fielding says that Nia ended the last school year $41,999 in the red, and presently owes the district approximately $29,000 in lease payments, grounds maintenance, and food service fees.  There are also disputes over the number of students who actually attend the charter school and lagging accreditation issues.  The Edison building is also the location of another troubled charter school, Rhythms of the Village.

La Vina trial to go forward

Save the Altadena Trails (STAT) reports that trial will begin Nov. 21 in a county lawsuit against the La Vina Homeowners Association.  The county is trying to enforce the original developer's agreement to provide public trails in the open spaces around the La Vina development. 

Yes, Nov.21 is the day before Thanksgiving.  While that's when the trial begins, witnesses are expected to start testimony Monday, Nov. 26.  STAT estimates that the trial will take about 10-12 days.

STAT's own lawsuit against La Vina HOA is scheduled to start Jan. 22, 2008.  Both suits will be tried before Superior Court Judge Joseph De Vanon at the courthouse, 300 E. Walnut.

Weekend Warriors

Here's what's happening this weekend:

Saturday

Altadena Heritage is hosting a home tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. that features homes of Altadena artists.  Advance ticket purchase recommended: www.altadenaheritage.org

Eve of Destruction: Relive the '60's with the indestructible Barry McGuire and Terry Talbot at Coffee Gallery Backstage, 7 p.m.

For kids: Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena has a program about the Hindu festival of lights at 1 p.m., with a drop-in mixed-media craft workshop (make your own multiple-armed goddess!  Really!) 411 W. Colorado Blvd.

"Ratatouille" in the Storyhour Room at the Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut, 1 p.m., free, and fresh free popcorn.

Sunday

Veteran's Day Program: Congressman Adam Schiff invites you to join him on Sun., Nov. 11, from 3-5 p.m. to honor the Tuskegee Airmen at Farnsworth Park.  Come hear their stories and learn about Schiff's efforts to support issuing a postage stamp to honor the Airmen, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Navajo Code Talkers, and Hispanic veterans.  Schiff's staff will also be on hand to assist all veterans and answer questions about federal legislation relating to veteran's benefits and services.  RSVP to (626) 304-2727 or willam.syms@mail.house.gov

 

 

Muir prevails over PHS in Turkey Tussle

... and it's Muir 13-9 in the 54th annual intra-city rivalry game.  PSN has the story here.

Final library board election tally

Courtesy of LA County:

Thomas H. Hubbard    1332
K. Harrington                  745
David Datz                        727
Mark A. Mariscal           623

Tom has a grateful "thank you" message on his website.

Angeles Forest to re-open Thursday

Word from USFS Public Affairs Officer Sherry Rollman is that the Angeles National Forest closure will be lifted Thurs., Nov. 8.  San Bernardino and Los Padres will also re-open Thursday, and Cleveland on Saturday.  Fire conditions are still "extreme," and all prior fire restrictions will remain in effect.

Library District results

Pasadena Star-News reports that K. Harrington, Tom Hubbard, and David Datz are in the lead for positions on the library board.  Datz is only 42 votes ahead of Mark A. Mariscal (which makes 20% vs. 18% of the vote).  Good news for Tom, way ahead with 881 votes, who actually campaigned for his seat!

Don't forget to vote!

The Altadena Library District Board of Trustees election is TODAY, so don't forget to exercise your franchise!

If you don't know where your polling place is, go here.

Sheer luck - Holmes is elemental, my dear watcher!

Ok, that was the most strained headline of our career.  Bill Westphal, the camera guy, tells us that:

Comet Holmes, normally only visible with the aid of telescopes, has suddenly become brighter after emitting a large dust cloud.  Now usually somewhat visible with the naked eye, it is definitely visible with binoculars.

To find the comet, go outside a couple of hours after sunset and face between north and northeast. Locate the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. Then look to the lower right at the 5 o'clock position for the constellation Perseus, a fainter grouping of stars.  The stars will be sharp dots of light.  The comet will be fuzzy, slightly larger that the surrounding stars. 

The comet appears as a fuzzy dot with no tail.

The Altadena WeatherCam Captured a pretty good image of the comet this evening.

<<...>>
Go out and take a look.

Copper chopper shoppers

A lot of people showed up to the Pasadena Police Department's open house on its Windsor Ave. helipad in Altadena.  Besides a chance to look at the police copters, there were free drinks and hot dogs and a presentation about modern police helicopter technology in the hanger.

'Tis the season, already.

Well, Halloween's over, the Braeburn Boneyard is being dismantled, and it's already time for the snows of Christmas ...

Yes, we're still dealing with weather in the '80's, but thanks to the joy of Hollywood special effects, this house on Mendocino is enjoying a fresh coat of artificial snow for whatever-it-is they're filming there (the production assistants weren't talking to me). 

On the other hand, up the street, this IS one of the signs of the season in Altadena:  the Balians are stringing up their Christmas lights, preparing for their annual reproduction of the Close Encounters Mothership at Mendocino and Allen.