altadenablog

Rose Bowl tickets available

Monica Hubbard tells us:

Vannia DeLaCuba, field rep for Pasadena City Councilman Victor Gordo, has
a pair of Rose Bowl Game tickets that were returned as the person who
initially purchased them will not be able to attend the game.

She said that the seats are located in Tunnel 23 at the 15 yard line and
cost $135 each (face value).  Most tickets now are being sold for much
more than face value, so for sports and Rose Bowl enthusiasts this is a
good deal.

Anyone interested in purchasing the tickets should contact Vannia directly at <vdelacuba@cityofpasadena.net>.

Be aware that they may be gone by now!!!

Look out for coyotes on the loose

We don't have tiger attacks around here, but we do have coyotes. President Streets newsgroup reported a pack of four who were stalking a dog walker around 5:30 a.m. Thursday at Allen and Midwick or Meadowbrook (maybe they wanted to see the Balian Mansion lights).  They or another pack just like them were also spotted on Harding between Canyon and Berendo, and another resident reports that they seen them carrying somebody's pet away.  Be alert, especially since trash days seem to bring them out, and make sure to keep your dogs and cats inside at night.

Enforcement steps up on Altadena Drive

California Highway Patrol has assigned a fulltime officer to catch the speeders on the eastern side of Altadena Drive.  Increased enforcement will start Jan. 2. Town Councilman Gino Sund sent a letter to his constituents on Dec. 27, which said:

Doo-Dah grand marshall has Altadena connection

Pasadena's Doo-Dah parade has been moved from around Thanksgiving to Jan. 20.   This year's Grand Marshall is Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping,  star of What Would Jesus Buy?  Rev. Billy's wife is Savitri D (her blog is here), niece of the Zorthians.

Lincoln Crossing parking reduced, Town Council has spat

Altadenablog is catching up after the holidays:

PSN tells the tale of the Lincoln Crossing Project Area Committee and Town Council both voting to lop off 1/7th of Lincoln Crossing's parking.  Developer Dorn Platz is looking at valet "scrunch" parking for peak hours at the Magic Johnson 24 Hour Fitness.  A shouting match erupts at the Town Council meeting over who will be their representative to the Project Area Committee: local councilman Gene Campbell or Michele Zack, who's been to the PAC meetings.  Winner: Zack.

The Science of Journalism

Everything is back to normal in Old Town Pasadena after shooting at Fair Oaks/Colorado (LA TImes)

Except merchants fear losing business in Old Town, turning into another Westwood (PSN)

We report, you decide!

Calling Al Gore: Green Housing in Altadena from 1934

An interesting article about the William Beard house in Altadena (1918 Meadowbrook Lane), designed by Richard Neutra: it used natural sunlight to create convection to heat and cool the all-metal house.  An eco-house from 1934.  Pity it never actually worked! (Get an artsy view of the house here.)

Christmas whooshes

High wind warning for Christmas eve and Christmas Day:  from the National Weather Service:

..HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING [Dec. 24] TO 6 PM PST TUESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM PST TUESDAY. THE HIGH WIND WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 30 TO 40 MPH THIS EVENING...WITH GUSTS OVER 60 MPH POSSIBLE BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS. WINDS WILL SLOWLY DIMINISH LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

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.

Merry Christmas!

Altadenablog joins the Christmas dinosaur at the Balian Mansion to wish you a Merry Christmas!

And on a community note, don't forget that the CHP and sheriff's will be establishing random sober checkpoints (one was set up Saturday night below Lincoln and Woodbury), so celebrate wisely, and we'll see you after the holiday!

1,500!

It took us two months to accumulate our first 1,000 hits, but only 16 days to rack up the next 500! (And that was with a week off!)  Altadenablog scored its 1500th hit today.  Thank you for making us part of your surfing!

Don we now our gay apparel

The major area Christmas displays (including the Balian manse and Christmas Tree Lane) are featured on this page.  I don't know what to say, except we're surprised they chose such clashing colors ...

Back in the saddle again

Altadenablog's break was longer than expected, but we're back for the duration (Christmas shopping, kids' programs, bad health of family members and dog, you know the drill).  So we have some new nuggets for you below.

Gray vehicle linked to potential package thefts

Neighborhood newsgroups are buzzing about suspicious incidents (such as this one) of a gray car circling around the Glen Canyon/Berendo/Pepper Dr. area, apparently looking for freshly-delivered UPS packages.

One recent sighting said:

I noticed a noticed a small, gray auto with two passengers. The
driver was a young girl and the passenger (black pants, white
sweatshirt, black wool cap). They'd drive about four or five houses,
the passenger would get out, walk up to a house, and go back to the car.

Another report says:

At about 1:50 p.m.(Wed. Dec. 19) I was returning from the market and noticed a gray two
door station-wagon type car with two men slowly driving up the street
close to the curb.  They would drive up a few houses and then back up a
few houses, with the man on the passenger side looking out the window.

I parked in my driveway, got a pad and paper and started walking down my
driveway.  The driver rolled down his window and asked me if anything was
wrong.  I said, "Not yet," and kept walking behind the car to get the
license.  They drove away up to near the corner of Glen Canyon and
Pepper.

I went inside and called the Sheriff's.  Then, when UPS came back to my
house to deliver a package, I told the drivers and they alerted their
headquarters so that other drivers could be alerted as well.

The license plate of that car was recorded as 5TLC777.  If you see anything suspicious. call the Altadena Sheriff's Station at  626-798-1131.

Altadenan gets 10 years in Medicare fraud

Arthur Pilavyan,33, of Altadena was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison in a scheme that defrauded Medicare out of more than $7 million.  Pilavyan pleaded guilty to health care fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering for submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare.  Medicare's Most Wanted website (warning! music!) has the details.

"Medicare's Most Wanted" ... there's a website for everything!

Bear traps again, or altadenablog scoops PSN

Pasadena Star-News had a story yesterday about the fear of bear traps on the hiking trails in west Altadena, something we reported Dec. 12.  Now, to date, nobody has actually come forward to say they've seen a trap -- it all seems to be "friend of a friend" stuff --  altho' Chaney Trail newsgroup reports that some of the local raccoons are sporting injuries that would be consistent with being caught in a trap.  (We're still trying to get a copy of an aerial photo that shows the trap on the ground -- can anyone help?)  As well, there are suspicious indentations along trails, which suggests that the trapper may have cleaned up his evidence.  In any event, hikers, equestrians, and dog walkers are advised to be cautious! 

Short takes

Mallcraft of Altadena was one of the losing bidders to build Alga Norte Community Park in Carlsbad, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.  The winning bidder came about $10 million below Mallcraft's $39 million bid.  Since Carlsbad city engineers estimated that it would take about $39 million to build it, it'll be interesting to see how this shakes out.

The L.A. Times has a good story about Southern California Muslims going on the haj, including Ellen and Raef Hajjali of Altadena.

'Tis the season: burglaries up

Word comes down through the newsgroups (and forwarded to us by Science Correspondant Bill Westphal) about a significant increase in burglaries in town:

Be more alert to suspicious persons or activities. If you witness suspicious activities, record as much information as possible like the incident below. Include vehicle license numbers if possible. Contact the Altadena Sheriff's Station on 626-798-1131 and let them know.

"The incident below" is this one, reported by Cmdr. Linsenmayer (ret.):

Today at about 2:50pm I was finishing up the front yard work when I saw a
Dark Charcoal, Newer Model, Mid-Sized Compact car parked facing Westbound on
Glenn Canyon at Pepper drive, right at Martin's driveway. The driver was a
White Male with Black Hair. The front passengers door was open and a second
Male White, also with Black hair, ran up to the car carrying a tan cardboard
box in both hands. He was running West, on the North side of Glenn Canyon,
but I did not see from exactly where he came from. The box was a UPS style
shipping box, about 18-to 24 inches square. Once he got into the car they
speed away, west bound on Glenn Canyon.

I called the Sheriff and reported this to them. The Deputy said that they
would be aware of the incident in case someone calls in a theft over the
next few days.

Since almost everyone we know is getting shipments of presents right now, a little extra vigilance and neighborly concern is in order!

12/16 addendum: Commander Linsenmayer tells Altadenablog that the neighbor was identified -- the guys ran off with the box about 20 minutes after it was delivered.  He also tells us it was full of --- Christmas doggie treats!

Bear trap spotted ...

.. on a hiking trailridge on the edge of the Zorthian ranch, according to the buzz on the Chaney Trial Yahoo group.

Trapping bears is illegal in California.  Especially in a populated area.  Especially near a children's camp (Summerkids).

Department of Fish and Game was called.  No idea who set the trap, but several people on the list have volunteered to take a stick and snap it shut.  We're watching developments.

Lost Dog Watch

Never let it be said that any news is too small:  Anybody lose a dog lately?
Chihuahua mix?

Rottweiler/German Shepherd pup?

Christmas Tree Lane Ceremony

FemmeNoir has some great Flickr shots of last night's Chrismas Tree Lane opening.

Lights away!

Wondering what to do this wet weekend?  Go to the lighting of Christmas Tree Lane at the Altadena Library, 600 Mariposa (intersection of Mariposa and Santa Rosa), 5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 8.  It's small town Americana (and Altadena) at its best!

100!

This is Altadenablog's 100th post -- a good time to thank all of those who have blogrolled us to date:  Sheriff's Support Group/Electronic Informer,   Tom Hubbard, California City News, Altadena Library District Staff (kinda internal, hence no link), and  Wild Card Line.  (If I didn't include you, it's not personal!)

Wednesday launch scrubbed

For those of you keeping track, last Wednesday's rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base was cancelled due to high winds.  Don't think the rain's going to make it easier to launch any time soon!

Flash flood watch remains in effect

National Weather Service isn't pussy-footin' around: big rain tonight and tomorrow.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* THE BURN AREAS OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA

* THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

* RAINFALL INTENSITIES UP TO A HALF INCH PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE    DURING THE PEAK OF THE EVENT.

* THE INTENSITY OF THE RAINFALL MAY BE GREAT ENOUGH TO CAUSE MUD   AND DEBRIS FLOW IN AND NEAR THE BURN AREAS.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE BURN AREAS MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING AND MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND NEAR THE BURN AREAS. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

PERSONS LIVING IN OR BELOW THE WATCH AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS SHOULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WAITING FOR INSTRUCTIONS IF HEAVY FLOWS OF WATER OR MUD ARE OBSERVED.

LA County on Flash Flood Watch

National Weather Service forecasts rain tomorrow -- maybe a lot of it!  It probably won't affect Altadena adversely, but to all our neighbors in the canyons, the warning is out ...

LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES- VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS- SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS- LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE- CATALINA ISLAND-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- 243 PM PST WED DEC 5 2007

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE BURN AREAS...

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

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE BURN AREAS OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA.

* FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON

* RAINFALL INTENSITIES UP TO A HALF INCH PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE   DURING THE PEAK OF THE EVENT.

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

PERSONS LIVING IN OR BELOW THE WATCH AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OFFICIALS. EVACUATIONS SHOULD BEGIN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WAITING FOR INSTRUCTIONS IF HEAVY FLOWS OF WATER OR MUD ARE OBSERVED.

Sheriff's Community Campout

The Altadena Sheriff's Station showed off its new command post vehicle at Lincoln Crossing Tuesday afternoon.  Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that contributions from many community members and groups have refurbished and spiffed up the trailer, which made its public debut at Lincoln Crossing this week.  While it's now used for community outreach events, Blow said that eventually they hope to build in radio dispatch and computer capabilities so it can be a true mobile command station.

Capt. Blow meets with community members at the "campout."

It's beginning to look a lot like ...

Yes, we know about Christmas Tree Lane and the Balian Mansion, but where are Altadena's other great Christmas displays?  Send your pictures to Altadenablog, or tell us where it is and we'll try to get a photo.

(Are we begging?  Of course!)

Watch the skies!

Altadenablog special science correspondent Bill Westphal forwards to us a note that a Delta II rocket carrying Italy's COSMO-2 Earth imaging satellite is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg AFB Wednesday night at 18:31:39 PST, (or 6:31 p.m.) the start of a 1-second launch window.  If the skies are clear and view unobstructed, you may get a good view of the launch.

Altadenans to enter pleas in '71 SF cop killing

Inside Bay Area reports that seven former members of the Black Liberation Army, including Ray Boudreaux and Henry Jones of Altadena, will enter pleas next month in the 1971 murder of San Francisco police sergeant John Young. 

According to Inside Bay Area:

All seven men are also facing charges of conspiracy to murder police officers for the attempted murder of four officers,                                                                                                                                  the bombing of a police officer's funeral, the murder of two New York City police officers, the attempted bombing of the Mission police station and three armed bank robberies, all between 1968 and 1973, according to authorities.

An eighth defendant is charged with conspiracy to murder police officers, but is not charged in Young's murder.  While the pleas will be entered Jan. 10, the actual trial may not get started until 2009.

The defendants, former members of a black militant organization, now range in age from their 50's to 70's.

(You may also remember another relic of that time -- the SLA's Emily Harris -- lived in Altadena for several years until 2003, when she was convicted of second degree murder committed during a 1975 SLA bank robbery).

1000!

Sorry we've been away for awhile (crazy schedule this week) but we wanted to note that Altadenablog passed 1,000 page views on Monday, Dec. 3.  Thank you, one and all!