altadenablog

Amid protests, Altadena Town Council certifies election

The Altadena Town Council certified last month's election tonight, amid protests that there were multiple irregularities in the election process.

While complimenting and congratulating his election opponent, Alice Wessen, outgoing councilman Walter Olszewski read a letter urging investigation of 11 alleged irregularities during the election, including: candidates actively campaigning within 100 ft. of a polling place; people "wearing uniforms of a certain (unidentified) organization" actively campaigning while staffing polls; polls not requiring identification; polls closing early; inaccurate maps that resulted in a number of people voting outside of their census tract; and councilmembers Eugene Sund and Ken Balder determining polling locations and staffing in their tracts, which they were not to do.

Polling irregularities were also cited during public comments, after the vote was certified.  William Bowen, a neighbor of Olszewski's and in his census tract, said that he was originally assigned to the wrong census tract due to an inaccurate map.  After phone calls to other polling places, that was corrrected, but he wondered how many people cast votes in the wrong tract before it was corrected.

Likewise, Regina Grimes, another losing candidate, said that she had found suspicious signatures on the sign-in sheets, suspicious addresses, evidence of children voting, as well as the Farnsworth Park polling place running out of ballots.

There were also multiple wrestlings with Robert's Rules of Order during the council's election discussion, and disagreements as to whether Steve Haussler, a member of the ethics committee appointed by chairman George Lewis, could present a report of the committee's investigation into election irregularities.  Some members of the council thought that the ethics committee itself was irregular ("illegal," said Balder), and by majority vote decided not to hear Haussler's report.

Eventually, the majority of the council did vote to certify the election, but in the "new business" section decided that an investigation was in order by the new board, but the method seemed to be left up in the air.   The new board was seated (Lewis lost the election, but will maintain his chairmanship until the start of the next meeting), and a committee formed to select officers for the new council.

Update 7/16 8 PM:  PSN is running a story on the council meeting, and it looks like they have a copy of Haussler's report.

ATC chair calls for Balder, Lamb to resign; Lamb does

Also at tonight's Town Council meeting, outgoing chair George Lewis went out with a bang, calling for fellow councilmembers Ken Balder and Steve Lamb to resign from the council.

Lewis said that the council is "divided and fractured," and blamed that division on personal "hatred" between Balder and Lamb.  "The two of you should resign -- it is time for the two of you to step down, and say goodbye," Lewis said, to scattered applause.

Lamb left the meeting a short time later without announcement.  During the census tract reports, Lewis said that "Steve Lamb has resigned his seat on the Altadena Town Council ...  he has agreed, and I have spoken to him earlier  Steve has taken the high road and he accepts walking away at this time."

Lamb sent out a frequently-bitter email tonight, saying in part,

For nineteen miserable years I was insulted, lied to, lied about, harassed, and endured all manner of disgusting behavior by people who were quite frankly, not sane or stable enough to to be voted into membership in a sports car club, let alone represent a community ...

It is true that I was begged to run last year in spite of my desire not to do so. Lots of people wanted me to run. all of the people I have spoken to over the last three months about resigning has told me my work was too important for me to do so, but it was not important enough for them to take upon them some of the burden when I asked for help. This is a burden no person should have to bear decade after decade.

I look forward to what is left of my life as a private person. There are cars to restore, houses to build, Organic Architecture to advocate for, silent movies to be seen, and relatives to enjoy.

Town council odds & ends

A few observations from Tuesday's town council meeting:

• Election chair Laura Graham, reporting that it was a successful election, despite the efforts of some to taint it: "There is no excuse and there is nothing to be gained by this behavior ... what is most damaging is that it’s always been accepted ... We must demand a higher standard from our community leaders and ourselves."
• Outgoing councilman Bobby Thompson, looking very tired, during his census tract report: 'I’ve lost, but I’ve won-- I’m tired of the infighting, I’m tired of the business, Lincoln Crossing -- these allegations about the voter’s fraud embarrases me ...  to just solidify this election and do it the way we did it is wrong. "
• Steve Haussler, having just been denied the opportunity to speak as a member of the ethics committee, didn't even have time to leave the podium before he was asked to speak as co-chair of the Land Use Committee.  He mentioned that his co-chair left abruptly -- his co-chair, councilman Steve Lamb, had in fact just resigned, altho' that was not widely known at the moment.
• Disturbing trend:  councilmembers who tell Altadenablog he's biased and untrustworthy, then ask him to print something.

Giving the kids their own space

It's a trend! This SF Chronicle story talks about turning that spare room into a place no teen would dare leave.  Among the ones setting the trend:  Sandy Gillis and Tom Gammill of Altadena, who have turned their lower level into a music studio for their teens.

Hat tip: Monica Hubbard

Michael De La Torre on LA Time's homicide list

Michael Anthony De La Torre, 19, Altadena's latest homicide victim, has made the LA Time's Homicide blog. This list has a story on every homicide victim in LA County.

Evelyn Mosley is also listed in the blog.

Lines

If you go to Pasadena over the next few days, here's the geography:
1.  The long line in Old Town is trying to get the new Iphone.
2.  The long line at the Paseo is trying to get tickets to "Dark Knight."
3.  The long line on Lake is IndyMac depositors making withdrawals.

(The above picture is the police line for International Monetary Fund Protests at Washington, D.C. in 2002, because it's the only public domain line we could find quickly!)

Altadenablog sez: check it out

Just came across this new blog, Second Act in Altadena.  Altadenahiker just quit his (her?) LA Times job after 20 years, and is in the process of re-creation thru writing, hiking, running, and seeing.  There are only a handful of entries to date, but s/he has revealed him/herself as thoughtful and observant.  A-blog says check it out.

July 24 update:  Altadenahiker has sent us a note, and she thanks us for the shoutout.

Chaney Trail: "we'll be back" or "Yi-Yi-Yi-Yi-Yi-Yi-Yi .."

Well, the folks at the barely-civilized Chaney Trail neighborhood are upset that the sheriff's department is not shutting the trail gate for the night in a timely manner, and they're looking for self-sufficient alternatives.

After deciding against the "head on a pike" alternative, they're discussing others.  Most popular alternatives to date:  1) Xena, Warrior Princess, or 2) a cyborg, preferably driving a Hummer.  (We could say something about after-hours visitors and hummers, but this is a family blog, so why even try?)

(Voodoo dolls and a real security guard have also been offered as alternatives, but what fun are they?)

Five Acres' art therapy

Whittier Daily News has a piece on Altadena's Five Acres program, using art as a way for the kids to get the healing they need.  Altadena artist Leigh Adams took on six kids, teaching them the art of mosaic for a project for Five Acres.

Help find Juju

Christen Buchanan has sent out an all hands bulletin to the newsgroups:

Lost Dog

sorry to bother you all with a personal issue, but we have lost our dog and are very worried. she is a rescue dog and is very scared and nervous & spooks easily.  her name is JuJu, she has acollar, she is medium size, mostly black with white chest, paws, and nose, she is about 12 years old.  if you see her, please let us know.

thank you,

~christen & mark
[phone numbers removed 2010]

Altadena Town Council, Tues. 7 PM

... at the Community Center.  Wear your helmet and waders for this one.

Altadena hosts Benbow family reunion

PSN has a heartwarming story -- no other way to describe it -- about the annual Benbow family reunion, held at Loma Alta Park over the weekend.  The Benbows can trace their family tree to slavery in the 1830's, and every year since 1937 they meet for a huge picnic.  This  year, in Altadena, next year -- in Anchorage? 

Flash flood warning (again)

Better to be safe than sorry, we guess.  National Weather Service has posted this for tonight:

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING...

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

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS...THE ANTELOPE VALLEY...LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE...LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS...AND THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY.

* THROUGH 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING

* SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING AND MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS TO THE REGION.

* THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH FLOODING OF CANYONS...ARROYOS AND LOW LYING AREAS ALONG WITH MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND BELOW RECENT BURN AREAS WITHIN THE WATCH AREA.

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.

Flash flood and thunderstorm warning (!?!?!?!)

Hard to believe, as it's 83 degrees out at six PM with no cloud in the sky, but hear it from the National Weather Service:

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OXNARD CA 440 PM PDT SAT JUL 12 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... EAST CENTRAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA...

* UNTIL 545 PM PDT

* AT 429 PM PDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 12 MILES EAST OF PEARBLOSSOM...OR ABOUT 25 MILES NORTH OF UPLAND...AND MOVING WEST AT 6 MPH.

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR... PEARBLOSSOM BY 545 PM PDT...

THIS STORM WILL AFFECT TRAVELERS AND COMMUNITIES ALONG HIGHWAY 138. IN ADDITION TO LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS...CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY! LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS.

And this:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... EAST CENTRAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA INCLUDING THE EASTERN ANTELOPE VALLEY AND EASTERN SAN GABRIELS...

* UNTIL 600 PM PDT

* AT 423 PM PDT...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A STRONG CLUSTER OF THUNDERSTORMS THAT WILL LIKELY PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING ACROSS EAST CENTRAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY...AFFECTING EXTREME EASTERN ANTELOPE VALLEY ALONG HIGHWAYS 18 AND 138...AS WELL AS THE EASTERN SAN GABRIELS...INCLUDING THE COMMUNITIES OF BIG PINES...FALLING SPRINGS AND MOUNT BALDY. THESE STORMS WERE DRIFTING SLOWLY TO THE SOUTHWEST AND WILL LIKELY PRODUCE RAINFALL INTENSITIES OF ONE INCH PER HOUR.

IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY. RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.

A bleg for the Farnsworth concert tonight

Schedule won't allow us to attend the Sheriff's Support Group Farnsworth Park concert series tonight, but if anyone would like to share pictures with us and everyone else in the world, send 'em here!  Thank you!

You never know who -- or what -- will Twitter you

Twitter is a fairly new application, where you can enter what you're doing and where you're going into your computer or cell phone, and it sends a text to the people who are interested.  A-blog's movements are being followed by 11 people to date, including the Cassini-Huygens satellite (don't want it's cell phone bill), who sends us this photo album.

4 PM Update:  The wiredwomen and the noir Frank Girardot just added us to their Twitter list.  This is gettin' scary.  If Crime Scene blog is following us, we have to clean up our act  ...

Altadena NAACP offers scholarships to 2008 grads

Via this link to Pasadena Now, the Altadena NAACP is offering two scholarships of $1,000 each to 2008 grads who are planning to enter or already enrolled in college, community college, or trade school in the fall.  For an application, call 794-7999 or obtain it at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Application deadline is Fri., Aug. 15,

Northern California fire pictures from space

Check out these breathtaking images from the NASA website, and hope they won't be taking similar pictures of us this season!

(courtesy an anonymous source).

It's dam rappellant, if you ask me ...

One more before bed:  Petrea at Pasadena Daily Photo blog has a sequence of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team practicing their rappelling at the Devil's Gate dam.

20,000!

20,000 page views as of today.  Thank you for supporting Altadena's community newsblog!

Zorthian/Feynman panel at Armory Sunday

Panel Discussion on Jirayr Zorthian / Richard Feynman exhibition
at the  Armory Center for the Arts
Sunday, July 13, 2 p.m.

A panel discussion about the exhibition “Jirayr Zorthian / Richard Feynman: A Conversation in Art” will take place in the Caldwell Gallery at the Armory Center for the Arts Sunday, July 13, at 2 p.m. Panelists will include: Michelle Feynman, the authority on her father, Richard Feynman’s, art; Seyburn Zorthian, a respected practicing artist and an expert on the art of her father, Jirayr Zorthian; and Richard Davies, a physicist, painter, and close friend of both Richard Feynman and Jirayr Zorthian. Davies’ exhibition is also on view at the Armory. Jay Belloli, curator of the exhibition and Gallery Director at the Armory, will serve as moderator. Admission to the panel discussion is free.

The Zorthian /; Feynman exhibition will be on view through August 31, and documents one of the most famous and unusual artist and scientist friendships in the history of Southern California, that between artist and public personality Jirayr H. Zorthian and Caltech Nobel Laureate physicist Richard P. Feynman. A color-illustrated catalogue has been published by the Armory in connection with the exhibition. This exhibition is made possible by a generous grant from the Pasadena Art Alliance.

The Armory is located at 145 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, and the gallery is open Tuesday – Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission is free. The Armory is easily accessible from the Gold Line Memorial Park Station in Pasadena. For information about Armory exhibitions and events, the public may call 626.792.5101 x122, or visit the Armory website at www.armoryarts.org

County offers places to stay cool

As the temperature reaches the 100+ area, remember that LA County has established cooling centers to take the edge off the heat.

The nearest cooling centers are the Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa, 798-4971, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, and the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St., 795-4331,  Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30, and Sat. 8:30 AM-3 PM. (Call ahead of time to make sure they're still open on a given day).  Otherwise, call 211.

Sgt. Yolanda Palomo of the Altadena Sheriff's Station has also sent the following advice for keeping cool:

 

If you plan to be outdoors, please take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and heat.

• Put on plenty of sun block and wear a wide brimmed hat or carry an umbrella.  

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.

• Drink water often, don’t wait until you are thirsty.

• Avoid unnecessary exertion.

• If you experience dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst you need to relax in a cooler, shaded place and drink water or a sports drink. 

• More severe symptoms (such as disorientation, pale and clammy skin, a rapid and weak pulse, and/or fast and shallow breathing)  may indicate heat exhaustion or impending heat stroke.  Seek immediate medical attention.  

• If you are traveling on vacation or running errands around town, NEVER leave a senior, child or pet in a closed car or any vehicle since temperatures can quickly rise to life-threatening levels.

• If you know seniors who live alone or people whose immune and/or respiratory systems are not working properly, check on them regularly to make sure they are staying cool.  

• Offer assistance to “shut-ins” in your neighborhood.  Check on them frequently during hot weather.

Take a breather ...

We are spending today working on a video project (!) for A-blog, so there may not be updates until late.  In addition, we're slogging thru a whole bunch of paper re: the La Vina decision for an upcoming post.  And Typepad, our provider, is making "improvements," which usually means "slowdowns" (for example, we can't get into the comments section today -- don't worry, complaints have been sent).   Bear with us!

Sunday incident @ Pepper & Glen Canyon

Gotten from several sources: a jogger was accosted Sunday by a dark-haired, bearded man wearing a tank top who began swearing at her and gave chase.  She got away and called the sheriff's station, who sent a patrol out but found nothing.  Unknown if the guy lives in the neighborhood.  Be wary and cautious when you're out.

"The American Flyers" at Farnsworth concert series Sat.

The Sheriff's Support Group "Concerts in the Park" series at Farnsworth Park continues this Saturday at 7 PM with The American Flyers:

The American Flyers came to be in the early 1990’s, born of players who had formed strong friendships in a number of different bands in the 1980’s. The Flyers have gone through numerous versions since that time with all members maintaining a strong fraternal bond with one another.

The current line up includes founding members Phil Capuano (Drums), and Van Nixholm (original bassist and current rhythm guitarist), Rex Forman (Bass Guitar) from the band’s 3rd rendition, and Gene Diorio (Lead Guitar) from our 2nd incarnation and the guy with the greatest performance longevity in the band.

As in the beginning, these guys play together because they enjoy the camaraderie they share and the music they make. The music they enjoy, mostly rock, blues, and country, all has some personal attachment to one member or another, whether they are present players or not currently performing. Please enjoy their heartfelt musical offerings. Partners, brothers, and friends.

Altadena Crest Trail meeing 7 PM tonight

Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG -- how is that pronounced?) will be meeting today at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Fourth fun

Writerdeb @ Altadena Above It All invites you to view her weekend's Rose Bowl fireworks pictures.

Monica Hubbard shares these shots of the Pepper Drive Independence Day Parade:

Scott Land Marionettes @ the Library this week.

Music, puppets, and all that good stuff -- it's the Scott Land Marionettes at the Altadena Main Library, 2 PM Tues. afternoon, and  at the Bob Lucas branch, 3 PM Thurs.

Coffee Gallery online!

The Coffee Gallery has a spiffy new website, and is inaugurating something cool tomorrow night at 7 PM!  Here's the announcement:

 

“WEBCAST LAUNCH PARTY”

with

IAN WHITCOMB & FRIENDS

at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv, 626-398-7917. Includes dinner. It’s an invitation (reservations required) to be a guest of The Coffee Gallery  and The Coffee Gallery Backstage’s new multicamera internet web video simulcast operators, and along the way, to help launch the new Coffee Gallery “front stage” website,

www.funkylittlecoffeehouse.com

. Mirror Image Sound Studios, in the same building, will host free tours of their facility. DINNER AND SHOW ARE FREE, with reservation, to help celebrate something that’s been in the works for a long time.

Bob Stane says:  I think "dinner" is a bit overstated as Larry Wines has not eaten for about a week and the usual snacks and beverages of our Open Houses takes on  exaggerated importance in his mind.  Larry has been known to sing for a Kosher hot dog, on a bun with no mustard.  An ugly thing to witness as he sang while eating.  Anyway, calories will be dispensed and a reservation is suggested.  Although there will be no admission charge, a small container will be there and we hope to collect a tiny amount of cash
for "gas money" for Ian and The Boys.  Think of it as a "rent party" but for petroleum.  A hint of things to come.

Phone For Reservations:  (626) 398-7917. 

"Roustgate"

We decided we needed some umbrella name for this kerfluffle that involve certain town councilmen, the sheriff's department, the Altadena Sheriff's Support Group, the Chamber Citizens of the Year, and now the Pederast Hilton, etc. and has caught Altadenablog in its toxic spray.  Since the precipitating event is the (unproven) accusation that the deputies are stopping people who shouldn't be stopped, we've decided to call it Roustgate.

So here's the latest:

Jamie Bissner weighs in in Sunday's PSN.

And Steve Lamb has finally taken our advice, and alerted us that he has posted his response to his critics in this blogpost. (We note with some satisfaction that he uses "Pederast Hilton," a term we coined).

(Our ban remains in place, however.)

Update 7/14: Steve's Lamb's original blogpost linked above has apparently been removed from the website.

Transparency Dept., or, the doorkeeper's lament

This post condenses a lot of what's been going on in the comments all weekend.  Many of you don't read the comments, and lately we can't blame you.  But because we believe in being open and up front in our processes, we're taking some time on the main page to explain what's going on.

We've studied and been inspired by Benedictine spirituality.  Benedictines are famous for their hospitality.  But every monastery has a brother who serves a doorkeeper.  The doorkeeper exists because not everybody who wants in should be let in.

Over the holiday weekend, while we were spending time with family, the doorkeeper was off the job. Several posts contained anonymous personal attacks against Town Councilman Steve Lamb.  We hereby apologize to him for that, and we will be scrubbing through the comments to remove any such attacks.  Personal attacks have no place on Altadenablog.

Second, Steve Lamb himself has been banned from submitting comments.  Not just for his last allowed comment, which was a doozy, but because of the increasingly-fevered emails to us that left the realm of  civilized discourse.  That old aphorism about pig-wrestling keep popping into our head and wouldn't leave.  The doorkeeper has been instructed not to let Mr. Lamb in until the season of Advent, at which time we will reconsider the ban. 

Third, because of all of this, we've had to reinstitute comment moderation.  So sorry.  As usual, the few will spoil it for the many.  But please keep commenting!

Monday, Monday ...

New week, fresh start. 

We've spent the holiday weekend in the bosom of the family and, except for putting out some brush fires (and you know what they are) we haven't been online enough to do regular news updates. That means there's lots to do, so expect updates throughout the day.

Happy Independence Day!

May you and your family enjoy the holiday as we enjoy our freedom and liberty, and remember those who have sacrificed so much so that we can have days like today.

Reward on Mosley murder doubled to $20,000

Supv. Mike Antonovich's office has issued a press release, doubling the amount offered for turning in the killer of Evelyn Mosley -- which probably means the sheriffs have nothing to go on, unfortunately:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – In an effort to generate additional information, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the death of Evelyn Mosley, a 90-year old grandmother and resident of Altadena.

On the morning of Thursday, May 8, Los Angeles County firefighters, responding to a call in the 3200 block of Lincoln Avenue in Altadena, discovered the body of Evelyn Mosley inside the home she shared with her daughter and grandson.

Homicide investigators said Mosley was killed during a struggle and that the fire was intentionally set.

The Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Homicide Bureau is seeking information to assist in their investigation.  Supervisor Antonovich encourages witnesses of this crime or anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Lt. Liam Gallagher at (323) 890-5500.

It would be nice to clear this one.

Fireworks tonight!

Don't forget -- the Altadena Town & Country Club will have its annual pre-4th fireworks display tonight, starting at about 9 PM (altho' they've run late before).  Put your animals in a safe place and enjoy the show!

P.S. These people are too darn healthy.

Trash to treasure for a cause

Cleaning out your closets and garages?  The League of Women Voters is holding a giant lawn sale to benefit ONECARENOW,  which seeks passage of  SB840 (Kuehl), the California Universal Healthcare Act.  Treasures can be delivered on Sat., July 5, and the sale is Sun. July 6 at 1474 Oakdale, Pasadena.  All the particulars are right here.

Updates ...

Please check out the latest updates on the Sheriff's Support Group letter and response right here.

Camper, 7, nearly drowns in Muir pool

A 7-year-old boy who was participating in Altadena-based Tom Sawyer camps was hauled out of the John Muir High School pool Tuesday and is in critical condition at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.  The camp was spending the day at the high school pool. PSN has the details.

Altadena lender to go national

Altadena-based ALB Commercial Capital has announced plans to expand nationally using a broker-affiliate model, kind of like a franchise.  This despite the downturn in the lending industry.  We wish 'em luck!

PUSD attempts another bond issue

Pasadena Unified School District intends to put up a bond issue in November, asking for $350 million, paid for by a parcel tax on properties in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.  The PWeekly story by Andre Coleman  says that, despite the passage of Measure Y in 1997 to improve school infrastructure, much remains to be done and in fact some of the schools that received improvements closed down (oops).

PWeekly editor Kevin Uhrich editorializes on same in this week's issue.

Caroline An of PSN front-pages her story.

Courtroom of the absurd at Henry trial

PWeekly's Andre Coleman reports on recent courtroom developments in the Irsie Henry saga.  Henry is the African-American former LAPD cop who has been in trouble for harassing his neighbors, particularly a mixed-race couple.  Henry was in court last month, acting has his own attorney in an attempt to show that his neighbor violated a restraining order.  Hilarity ensues. Soon to come to a theater near you, starring Samuel L. Jackson -- really!

Millard Canyon closing early today thru July 6

 

Sharing this note from Alice Wessen, one of the savage residents of Chaney Trail:

Hi Tim:

Well, as bloody as we may get, we all worked together to close the campground early to avoid  those carrying fireworks into the very dry forest area.

That is good for all of Altadena with all the dry brush around.

Several members of  the Chaney Trail  neighborhood pulled together to make this happen as  did several agencies. Lori Paul got the signage and flyers from me, delivered by our LA Fire Dept and folks got them put up.

Lori put out the very nice email below.

When Altadena pulls together, great things happen

-Alice

And the email from Lori Paul goes like this:

Neighbors,

I am pleased to report that there is now a large, reflective orange sign at the Chaney Trail Gate that clearly informs the public about the 4th of July holiday schedule for closing the gate early to vehicular traffic.

In addition, "Take One" dispensers containing the County "Fireworks Prohibited in Unincorporated Areas" & "No Shooting (Into the Air)" flyers have been installed at the gate and in Millard Cyn campground.

Copies of those flyers are also posted at the Chaney Trail Gate (in English and Spanish) covering the regular gate hours on the sign.

Turnouts between the Chaney Trail Gate and the campground have "Temporary No Parking" easels blocking them so that day users will not be tempted to BBQ or set off firecrackers in those turnouts near dry brush.

The Sheriffs are going to make every effort to close the gate during this week through the 4th of July weekend and to patrol our area. Heartfelt thanks to Sussy Nemer in Supervisor Antonovich's office, the Dept. of Public Works, Altadena Sheriffs, County Fire Dept. and USFS staff for working together to make this 4th of July holiday safer! We appreciate their extra time, effort, and expense to help reduce the risk of wildfire in our neighborhood and surrounding Angeles Forest.

Gladly the cross-eyed bear

Stonehill News blog hasn't had anything to say for a couple of months, but it's a doozy now:  pictures of a bear on the move in the Pinecrest area.

(And the headline is a church joke).

Letter roasts Lamb

The Sheriff's Support Group blog has posted a letter from some prominent Altadenans, presumably to the Star-News,  in support of the county sheriff.  Among the signatories is Altadena Town Councilman Ken Balder and presumed councilman-elect Tecumseh Shackelford.  This letter takes issue with the May 30 letter from councilman Steve Lamb in PSN offering himself and presumed outgoing council chair George Lewis as escorts for anyone who wants to file a formal complaint.  (Another Town Council snit for your consideration).

7/3 Update:  Transparency:  Steve Lamb has written Altadenablog with a lengthy response to the letter linked above.  However, due to its length (we're a blog -- we do short)  and certain content, we told Steve we could not run it as written. (In addition, we're not exactly sure why we're supposed to run full responses to letters that we only link to.) We informed him that, if our standards were that restrictive to him, he was welcome to post anything he wanted to in another forum, such as his own blog, and we'd happily link to it.  He does not think this sufficient, and that's where we stand now.

Latest Altadena murder is second in the family

Frank Giradot's Crime Scene Blog looks at Eustolia De La Torre -- her son Michael was murdered in Altadena on Saturday, but her oldest son, Sergio, 34, was also felled by gunfire a year ago.

The edifice has been breached, and victory declared: the crusade is over!

Dan Abendschein, blog-a-teer at Under the Dome, has sued for peace, and we graciously accept his hand in friendship and proclaim victory.  The Altadenablog link is now up at PSN's fine political/gossip blog.  (The poor man sounds overworked, and I think we frightened him!)

Thanks to Monica Hubbard, who started the ball rolling, Alice Wessen, Cmdr. Linsenmeyer, and all the other readers who have had a hand in our victory.

This probably also explains why Tuesday has been a record page view day.

Sincerely, thank you all for your support of Altadena's community newsblog.  When Altadenans get together on something, they can move mountains -- this is the lesson for today!

Under the Dome Crusade: Day 5 ...

... and no action yet. altho' there's a great story about a job at American University as a journalist/security guard.  We're not linking, because we're having the vapors at being snubbed.

Reminds us of when we were in the ministry, and the model contract said that the minister was not to be responsible for janitorial duties as well.  "Father Tim preaches a great sermon, but can't he do something about the scratchy toilet paper?"

Note to self: do not mess with Chaney Trail residents

The Chaney Trail newsgroup has gotten rather bloodthirsty of late.

Fresh on the heels of the  lung and trachea found in a resident's yard (which now appears to come from a deer, not a dog), someone submitted a recipe for beuschl, an Austrian dish that is largely comprised of lung as well as other disgusting animal parts.  The homeowner responded:

Darn! I wish I had known about this recipe before getting rid of the beuschl.we should have scaped off the dirt, flies and yellow jackets and prepared a delicious meal for the whole neighborhood. With the price of meat skyrocketing, it's economical as well!

And if that's not bad enough:  there's been an ongoing spat in the neighborhood about closing the Chaney Trail gate.  It's supposed to be shut about 8 PM by sheriff's deputies, who conduct a sweep of the area to chase out anybody before closure.  That hasn't happened lately (sheriff's are claiming "emergencies," which is probably true, altho' you wouldn't know it to talk to them), and residents are concerned, as there is already the sound of firecrackers going off in the woods (as we've said: dry forest + drunken bonehead + fireworks = trouble).  So the residents are thinking of taking matters into their own hands.

After a short discussion on spreading the responsibility for shutting the gate, one member said:

On the other hand, heads on stakes are really good at keeping the wrong people out.

To which another commenter respondied:

Heads on stakes might also work, but then the Health Dept. and Vector Control would come unglued and someone would have to put fresh ones up on a regular basis. It's just not feasible or aesthetic...

Do NOT mess with Chaney Trail residents!

PSN looks at Wall-Bama

Doesn't appear to be online yet, but Pasadena Star News has a feature on the Obama mural at Wayne Nelson's clothing store on Lincoln.  Artist Harmon Mandigo has added to it since we snapped it several weeks ago.  Nelson plans to add to it, too -- flags and all-night lights, for example.

On the other hand, we found a dried-up apple head that looks like Sen. McCain ...

Grrlie throws MTA under the bus for not knowing where Altadena is

Kelly the West Coast Grrlie rides the new 762 line (apparently alone) to see it travel to Altadena, like the brochure says.  Well, Washington and Fair Oaks ain't Altadena, last we checked, and the Grrlie knocks 'em one for it.