altadenablog

Angeles Crest 100-miler ends at Loma Alta Park Sept. 14

Altadenablog's ex-brother-in-law was an ultramarathoner -- a 26-mile marathon was only a warmup to this guy.  Once when he came to visit, his idea of a good day spent was running up to the peak of Mt. Wilson and back.  We absolutely don't understand this behavior -- and ultimately neither did our sister-in-law.

Be that as it may, Loma Alta Park has been designated as the finish line for the Angeles Crest 100-mile Endurance Run on Sept. 13-14, 2008.  The race will start all the way in Wrightwood, and continue over the trails to Altadena.  (We're tired just thinking about it).  If your'e interested in such things, start here for links to the entry forms and racebook (a description of the race and lots of photos of skinny, sweaty people). 

Friends of Obama Unite in Altadena

Supposedly there's another election to come this year.  The Friends of Obama Unite in Altadena are having a get-together June 28.  More information and reservations can be made here.

PSN finally takes notice ...

... that there's an ELECTION happening in Altadena on Saturday. 

The big quote:

Laura Graham, chairman of the election committee, said the usual tally in the Town Council elections is about 300 to 400 total votes. But this year they're hoping for more interest.

"We have a cross-section from the census tracts, and we're striving for a transparent and accountable election," Graham said. "Our big goal is to top 1,000 votes."

Don't forget that volunteers for many functions are still needed (poll-watchers, setup and breakdown, counters, etc.)  Call Laura @ 543-4844 ASAP to get started!

And a complete list of candidates, polling locations, etc. is on Altadenablog's Town Council Election page.

Don Benito subject of new book

PSN also has a little story about a new book about Don Benito Wilson, who once upon a time owned darn near everything in Southern California, including Altadena.  He held so many government offices, started so many businesses, and held so much land, we'll not see his like again.  He's buried at Church of our Savior in San Gabriel, close to a monument to his grandson, Gen. George Patton. 

Summer Beach Bus starts Friday

Once again, Supv. Antonovich's office is sponsoring the Summer Beach Bus from Altadena to Santa Monica and back again, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Labor Day, starting this Fri., June 20.

Fare is $3,  or $1.50 for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.  Anybody boarding the bus under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Full schedule is on the calendar page.  For more information, call (888) 769-1122 or visit www.LAGoBus.info.

Town council looks at own ethics, calls for grand jury for Lincoln Xing

Story #1: The Altadena Town Council spent a considerable time at last night's meeting discussing potential ethical conflicts: particularly, some councilmembers have contracts with Pasadena Unified School District.  Most pointedly: councilmember Keith "Sarge" Gibbs, who is chair of the council's Education Committee and runs training, intervention, and leadership programs at Blair.  Chairman George Lewis said that there had been numerous complaints about Gibbs requesting money for his programs.  (Gibbs was not at the meeting).  Councilmember Michele Zack (who was also absent) was also named as having a contract with the district.

Lewis said he was going to appoint an ethics committee to look into the matter and come up with rules.  In a related issue, several councilmembers had also been listed as endorsing State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino - which they can't do as councilmembers -- but averred that they were endorsing him as individuals, and their titles were used without their knowledge or permission.

Top Story #2: The council approved sending a letter to Supervisor Antonovich requesting that a county grand jury investigate the conduct of Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC), the Los Angeles County Building and Safety department and the developer of Lincoln Crossing.

The decision came after Parviz Aria of Farm Fresh Ranch Market told a long tale of woe about his company's dealings with Lincoln Crossing -- complaints of substandard construction, delays, lawsuits from the developers, etc.  Aria said that his company had invested close to $10 million in the supermarket, and they were going to the court of appeal on June 30 to fight an eviction notice from the developer for nonpayment of rent (because they had to legally pay contractors that the developer had not paid). 

(A condensed version of the whole Lincoln Crossing story went up today on councilmember Steve Lamb's blog.)

500/14,000

This is our 500th post, and today we passed 14,000 pageviews.  Thank you for supporting Altadena's community newsblog!

Last day of school @ PUSD ...

... so we're on kid duty all day.  Hopefully the babysitter will show this PM and we can update on last night's very interesting Town Council meeting (who knew so many councilors had contracts with PUSD?), election updates, and the bus to Santa Monica starts Friday!  As they say on Battlestar Galactica, "All will be revealed."

Barbara Bigby appointed to Sybil Brand commission

A notice we just received from Supv. Antonovich's office:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has appointed Ms. Barbara Yvonne Bigby to the Los Angeles County Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections.

A resident of Altadena, Ms. Bigby was the past owner and operator of the Bright-Eye Day Care Center for over 30 years.  She is an active member of her community, serving as President of the Altadena Chapter of the NAACP, which has played a major role in bridging a positive relationship between the community and the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.

She is also a member of the African American Advisory Committee for the Pasadena City College, and on the Altadena Community Center Advisory Board.

Members of the Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections visit and inspect Los Angeles County jails, lock-ups, and probation and correctional facilities, examining every department of each institution to ascertain the effectiveness of the administration, cleanliness, and discipline and comfort of its inmates.

Town council election needs a few more volunteers

Laura Graham (who is in charge of Saturday's election) tells us that:

• They still need people to cover four hour shifts (midday and evening), and might need more staffing at Farnsworth Park due to the Juneteenth festival.
• Also, counters are needed from 6-8 PM, and some healthy backs to dismantle the polling stations (teenagers and young adults are welcome) and it may take an hour or two of time.
• "Things are looking real good, we really do have a great community!"

Indeed.  If you'd like to help out, you can call Laura directly at  626-543-4844, or e-mail at bev@phlogiston-inc.com.

Another look at Henninger Flats & Mt. Wilson toll road

A.D. Odom at State & Lake blog gives a firsthand look at the toll road slide closure.

Still looking for election day help

Laura Graham, who is managing Saturday's town council election, writes Altadenablog that she's still short of help for the big day.  The town council is looking for "wranglers" (her word) to oversee the polls' setup and breakdown, and counters for the ballot count at the end of the day.  In addition, she can use people to staff a four hour shift at the polling locations.

More information is available here at the Town Council website and here at Altadenablog.  To volunteer, call the Community Center at 626-398-6174 or email: bev@phlogiston-inc.com

We love the Banana Museum a bunch

A blog entry about Hesperia's (formerly Altadena's) Banana Museum.  No reason at all.

I see a big moon a'risin ...

A note from our eye on the sky, Bill Westphal:

The Summer Solstice occurs this Friday, June 20 at 4:59 p.m. At this moment, The Sun reaches its most Northern point in its apparent path around the Earth. This marks the beginning of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and Winter in the Southern hemisphere.

Also, Wednesday June 18 is the Full Moon.  If you're watching the Moon rise in the East at 8:36 PM you may be lucky enough to witness the Solstice Moon Illusion.  Read an interesting article about it here from NASA:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/16jun_moonillusion.htm?list1093392

 

W. Altadena Community Redevelopment Project forming committee

 

The West Altadena Community Development Project (boundaries above) is looking for residents, business owners, and others to serve on the Project Area Committee.

According to a release from Los Angeles County:

The Project Area Committee (PAC) is a citizen's advisory group of residential tenants, residential owner-occupants, business owners, and representatives of community organizations who reside within, owna business within the redevelopment proejct area, or represent a community organization serving the area.  The primary purpose of the PAC is to advise the Community Development Commission of Los Angeles (CDC) on issues affecting Project Area residents and businesses and other matters relating to the implementation of the West Altadena Redevelopment Plan.

There are two meetings involved: a public information meeting on Monday, June 23, 6 PM at the Business Technology Center, 2400 N. Lincoln, to discuss the purpose and election procedures for the PAC; and an election meeting at 6 PM on Monday, June 30 (altho' the county's release puts it on nonexistent Monday the 28th).

For more information, contact Sharon Warfield, Project Manager, WARPA, at (323) 890-7108 or sharon.warfield@lacdc.org.

A berry fine day to buy fruit

Gail Murphy and friend and fellow gardener Kathryn Toth share a laugh at the first "official" COFEAltadena Yahoo group fruit sale this afternoon, on Santa Anita north of Altadena Drive.  The Yahoo discussion group, formed of Altadena and Pasadena gardenic overachievers, will be offering their wares to the public throughout the growing season.

By the way,  if you're offering backyard produce in a front yard stand, let Altadenablog know.  With gas at $5 or so a gallon, there won't be that many random drivers out there to sell to -- let 'em know you're out there so they can drive directly and save gas!

Altadena book store begets rare books on CD

Via bookofjoe, we just learned of this business that sells rare books on DVD and CD, which got its genesis from the David A. Lawyer Bookstore in Altadena:

BookFlow.com began as a traditional upscale bookstore in New York. It was founded in 1899 by Grover C. Lawyer and Wellington J. Lawyer, with the help of their father, David C. Lawyer, a successful businessman.

Many of the books from that store were eventually passed down to Grover's son, David A. Lawyer. In 1929 when the Great Depression hit America, David was 23 years old and, like many Americans at the time, looking for a good way to make a living. Starting with the books he inherited, he founded a bookstore in Altadena, a suburb of Los Angeles.

An advertisement promised, "We will undertake to procure for you any book desired. We can succeed in this where others cannot..." Gradually, his inventory of books swelled to over 250,000. He started another bookstore in the San Francisco Bay Area with his friend Herbert Bell. The College Bookstore, founded in 1935, was the first bookstore that catered to Stanford University students, and still sells books today at 536 Emerson St. in downtown Palo Alto.

David A. Lawyer passed away in 1995, leaving a large collection of books to his grandchildren, including Matthew and Michael Lawyer. In 1997, Matthew and Michael began sharing their book collection with the world, using modern technology to closely replicate the experience of reading the original book. Their proprietary process is slow, tedious, and expensive, but worth it.

Check out BookFlow here.

Town Council meeting Tuesday @7

The excitement as always is at the Altadena Community Center.

Farnsworth Park concert opener means it's summer in Altadena

The Elliot Caine Quintet opened up the Altadena Sheriff's Station Summer Concert in the Park series tonight at the amphitheater in Farnsworth Park.  After some opening remarks by Sheriff Support Group president Bob Klomburg and Capt. Roosevelt Blow, the night was filled with the sounds of cool and Latin jazz. 

Elliot Caine takes a solo.

The Altadena Posse is selling ponies.

A surprisingly relaxed Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow introduces the concert series, and threatens to sing.

Cisar out of Olympic competition

Steven Cisar of Altadena crashed at the BMX Olympic trials today, dashing his hopes for a trip to Beijing.  His training partner and roomate, Mike Day, did manage to land a berth on the US team  LA Times has the story.

Hen-Anger Flats

LA Times' Julie Sheer has a piece about the work that is being done -- or not being done -- on the three-year-old slide on the Mt. Wilson Toll Road. Work will start this fall.  Maybe.

On a more positive note,  Metblogs has a piece on the Gabrielino Trail, which is still open.

Town council election needs a truck!

If you've got a truck or other large vehicle, here's a chance to do something for our community on election day:

Have guns -- lots of 'em -- will stay at home

Thanks to one of our sources, we have a photo of the guns & ammo confiscated during the June 10 arrest of Donald Williams. 

"Hello, customer service?" is like saying "Hello, Bigfoot?"

Sorry that updating has been so spotty lately -- Thursday was one of those days where, if anybody had actually done their job, we would’ve died of shock.

Cisar at BMX Olympic trials tomorrow

They're holding the trials for the first-ever Olympic BMX team tomorrow, and Altadena's Steven Cisar, 21,  will be competing.  This article from San Diego looks at the competition, and gets some quotes from Steve about the challenges of his sport.

Twittering

We've been on Twitter for awhile, and not sure how we feel about being followed by somebody called "getleanpasadena."  For the record, we had pizza for lunch and fishsticks and mac and cheese for dinner.

Let's talk libraries June 23, 7 PM

Join the community in a public discussion about the future of the Altadena library system and the main library building, at the main library community room, 600 E. Mariposa.  Agenda includes:

• Update on strategic planning advisory committee meetings

• Results of the community needs assessment.

• A presentation from the Altadena Heritage Society Presentation on library design elements worthy of preservation or restoration

• Facility master plan pdate

• Public comment

(Full disclosure: Altadenablog is a member of the strategic planning advisory committee)

For further information call Erica Metoyer, Altadena Library District, 798-8338

Balloon fans pop off in Pasadena

In the interests of being complete, here's some coverage on a protest against our neighbor, State Sen. Jack Scott, who recently sponsored a bill to curtail the use of mylar balloons.  A couple of loud radio boneheads picked up on it, and well, you can guess the rest -- more heat than light.  But PSN was there.

P.S. Buster Balloons will be at the Altadena libraries next week -- check the calendar for details!

JPL's Mars programs get $463 million boost

A House subcommittee has passed a recommendation for funding several planetary space exploration programs, including JPL's Mars exploration programs:

"We were able to obtain $75 million more than the President requested in the budget, and this will help keep the Mars scientific laboratory on schedule and, I hope, give the pathway to launch the next Mars vehicle in 2013," said [Congressman Adam] Schiff, a member of the subcommittee of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies bill.

Full details here.

Ex-con with 60 guns nabbed on Fair Oaks

Ex-con Donald Williams, 55, was arrested at his North Fair Oaks home Wednesday in possession of more than 60 guns, sheriffs say.  Williams was convicted in 1994 of assault with a deadly weapon, and naturally he's not supposed to HAVE deadly weapons anymore.  PSN has the sketchy details.

PUSD middle school forum at Eliot tonight, 6 PM

Just got a reminder from Monica Hubbard about tonight's meeting:

District Seeks Community Feedback on Proposals to Improve 6-8th Grade Student Achievement

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) will convene three community forums on June 5, 7 and 11 to obtain feedback on proposals to improve middle school student achievement. The forums will bring parents, students, community members and staff together to discuss ways to improve the quality of instruction and enrichment for all PUSD middle school students.

PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz and the District’s Excellent Middle Schools Team will present a research-based and developmentally appropriate framework to build high quality, equitable instructional and enrichment programs for middle school students. The District will also present a proposal to restructure school facilities to promote middle school academic excellence and equity. Forum participants can provide feedback before the proposals are presented for action by the Board of Education in late June.

Spanish translation, child care and light refreshments will be provided at each meeting.

• Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 6-8 PM
• Eliot Middle School, 2184 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena, CA 9100

The meeting will be held in the school gym.

Everybody's talking about ...

• Commercial vehicles: a recurring problem with large trucks parked on city streets (the folks on Loma Alta/Sunset Ridge are particuarly perturbed), and complaining of lack of interest from the sheriff's department.  In light of the announcement from Supv. Antonovich's office, we'll see if any action's forthcoming.
• Getting out the word: discussion on President Streets about putting a neighborhood message board of some sort on the dirt strip along Altadena Drive between Berendo and Glen Canyon. This is response to a lack of enthusiasm about flyers on doorstops or pasted on poles.
  

It's the berries (and more) this Sun., June 15

Gail Murphy, one of many Altadena backyard farmers, will be selling blackberries from her garden this Sunday, 10 AM-2 PM,  on Santa Anita Ave. just north of Altadena Drive (there will be signs!).  She promises other local garden produce growers will bring their wares as well.  This is the first formal sale of the COFEAltadena Yahoo group of local produce growers.

Supes restrict commercial vehicle parking

This just in from Supv. Antonovich's office:

Large Commercial Vehicles Restricted in Altadena

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – To improve public safety and the flow of traffic for the community of Altadena, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Altadena Community Standards District restricting commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds or more on any highway or alley in Altadena, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

The County Department of Public Works will be responsible for posting signs at the boundaries of the Altadena Community Standards District notifying motorist of on-street parking prohibition for commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more.  The restriction shall apply between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m, 7 days a week. 

 

Altadena Town & Country Club Fireworks Display Thurs., July 3

The annual pre-Independence Day fireworks display over the golf course will commence at about 9 PM.  Tell your pets now!

The browning of Altadena

Now that we're officially in a drought and water rationing is being waved like a red flag, we thought we'd share this note from Mr. Weather Altadena himself, Bill Westphal:

Interesting article in the Pasadena Star News today.  Seems the County is going to seed the clouds again in the hopes of increasing rainfall. Read the article here:

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_9535981

They have been using the same company off and on for many years.  North American Water Consultants actually began in Altadena according to the article.  I'm curious why it's going to take them so long to start (2010). 

I seem to recall many years ago where the seeding actually caused more rain than expected.

Maybe Bob Kuhn from the Three Valleys Municipal Water District is right and we should invest a little more in improving ways to capture the water or flood control?

Rainfall Seasons generally run from July 1 through June 30.  At least that's the way the National Weather Service does it.  So I decided to do it that way also.

I took a look at the figures from my Weather Station in Altadena.  I've been collecting data since March 2003.  Detailed readings are available at:

http://www.westphalfamily.com/wxdata.html

Here are the total rainfall amounts for the complete seasons I have so far:

2003-2004       14.72"

2004-2005       56.66"

2005-2006       22.37"

2006-2007       6.52"

2007-2008       24.65" (Year to date)

The 2006-2007 Season was really light but the rest don't seem that bad.  Rain in June is pretty scarce so we're probably done for this season.  But I have my fingers crossed.

 

Bill Westphal

bill@westphalfamily.com
Altadena WeatherCam

http://www.westphalfamily.com/wxdata2.html

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

SGVT has a piece on Eleanor Evans of Altadena, whose family is all about baseball (including pro, semi-pro, softball, and umping).  Eleanor herself was a pretty good player in her day.  It's a fun story.

Altadena Crest Trails meeting Tues. 7 PM @ Community Center

The Altadena Crest Trail Restoration working group will have their monthly meeting tomorow.

Golden Poppy awards revealed

WriterDeb at Altadena Above It All is on the case of the best gardens in Altadena. Pictures and everything!

Average Altadena home on the market three months

It's always problematic when we have real estate news here, because the various agents tend to snipe at each other's figures in our email.  Be that as it may, courtesy of Irina Netchaev & Associates, here is a look at the local single family home market for last month:

Single Family Residence	May-08
New Listings	55
Total Listings	169
Sales Pending	13
Homes Sold	25
Listings Expired	154
Average Days on the Market	94
Average Selling Price	$680,790

Drive all night

Everlast, another musician that Altadenablog's never heard of, talks about driving all night and his creative process -- starting from his hom here in Altadena.

Altadena Community Garden Picnic June 28

Via the Meadows website: the Altadena Community Garden, located at Loma Alta Park, 3330 Lincoln Ave., will have its annual picnic on Sat., June 28, 1-6 PM.  Eat the wonderful produce, listen to the Brown Mountain Jazz Band, and enjoy meeting the gardeners and your neighbors.  There will also be a raffle and silent auction.  Last year drew over 200 people.

Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free:

The Altadena Community Garden is located on the site of the former Mt. Lowe Military Academy. An Altadena community fixture since 1974, our diverse group of dedicated gardeners tends 59 standard and 4 handicapped-accessible garden plots at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. The Altadena Community Garden is recognized as one of the leading community gardens in Southern California, opening our gates to school children, field trips, and events.

Porn king convicted in Florida

Altadena's own Max Hardcore (i.e. Paul Little -- hey would YOU use that for a porn name? ) was convicted in Florida for selling porn on the internet and sending it through the mail. 

Caribbean rhythms on irrigation pipe

Something fun for the weekend: Michael Greiner, a music teacher at Aveson Charter School, has his class construct musical instruments out of various materials.  Here is a marimba band (made out of PVC pipe with flip-flops as mallets) performing at Norma Coombs School.

Return of the foreclosure house

Anyone familiar with this site knows by now that there's only one home in the entire U.S. of A that is being foreclosed -- and it's right here in Altadena.  After making an appearance in Canada's National Post,

... the home was discovered by ABC News,

... and today by the New York Times (check the bushes).

... so it doesn't seem like a foreclosure crisis to us, when there's apparently ONLY ONE HOME BEING FORECLOSED IN TWO COUNTRIES!

(Photos by David McNew/Getty Images)

Bulgarini Gelato: "what could be better?" -- L.A. Times

One of Altadena's little treasures gets a quick rave from Times' restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila.

McNally open house Sunday

PSN's Janette Williams has a feature on the McNally House, which will be open this weekend in a fundraiser for Altadena Heritage.  (The PSN story links to some great photos) The present owners, Frank and Joanna Dupuy, bought it for just $21,950 as a tear-down in 1954, and lovingly restored it instead.  We'd like to look at the smoking room, which was originally the Turkish pavilion at the 1892 Columbian Exhibition in Chicago, which Andrew McNally bought and had shipped to his winter home.  Details on getting tickets are here.

Cisar to compete in Olympic trials next week

Steven Cisar of Altadena was named to the "long team" of finalists in Olympic BMX competition.  He will compete in team trails in Chula Vista on June 14, with a chance to be on the three-man Olympic team.  Fat BMX website has the deets.

Wall-bama

The man of the hour, on Lincoln Ave. north of Lincoln Crossing.

Crosswalk monitoring at Altadena & Maiden Lane

 A note from St. Mark's School about one of the Altadena Drive crossings;

Dear Saint Mark's School Families:

The County of Los Angeles is taking count of the numbers of children and parents that cross Altadena Drive at the corner of Maiden Lane and Altadena Drive through Friday, June 13^th (morning and afternoon monitorings are being conducted). 

In order to maintain traffic safety and accurate crossing counts, please USE THE MAIDEN LANE CROSSWALK when crossing Altadena Drive.  Do not cross at Homepark or jaywalk.  Jaywalking is a direct violation of street crossing policies and poses a dangerous situation for all using busy Altadena Drive. 

Thank you very much!

Sincerely yours,

Doreen Oleson, Ed.D.
Head of School 

(Hat tip: Tom Rosebrook)