altadenablog

Screaming motorcycles in the morning?

Got a note from a resident complaining about a group of loud, fast motorcycles that go tearing across Loma Alta and turn down Lake at high speed, about 1:30 in the morning.  Is this happening often enough to interest law enforcement?  Are you a neighbor concerned about it?  Let us (and CHP) know!

Gunshots reported ...

... Sat. morning, about 1:30 AM in the Pepper Dr. area.  Sheriffs were called, source remains a mystery.

Smooth jazz in the night ...

... at last night's Farnsworth Park concert series, with the Robert Pope Ensemble's tribute to singer Benson Brown. Photos by Bill Westphal and us ...

Singer Robbie Brown takes control.

Hot sax and cool vibes make an exciting mix

Robert Pope lays down the bottom of a tasty musical dish.

Classical and Americana music at Beckett Hall Aug. 24

The promising new Beckett Hall concert series from Bright Moments in a Common Place will hold an exciting gathering next Sun., Aug. 24.  Artist Edward Beckett and his wife, Sharon, hold the concerts at their gracious home at 1051 E. Altadena Dr., two blocks east of Lake at Maiden Ln. 

Sharon tells Altadenablog they are privileged to host these two wonderful performers in separate performances that day:

Classical Music Radio Personality Laura Brodian: Laura shares a wonderfully fun and beautiful hour of beloved classical hits in her inimitable style. Dr. Laura Brodian Freas is a voiceover artist and classical music personality on radio station KCSN in Los Angeles. During your life, you also may have heard her at WFIUI, Bloomington, Indiana, KQED–FM San Francisco, KUSC, Los Angeles, and KMZT, Los Angeles. She is the voice of Delta Jazz for Delta Airlines.

An avid costumer, dancer in the English Regency style, science fiction artist and early music expert, Laura is the widow of Frank Kelly Freas, illustrator for MAD magazine, NASA and hailed the “Dean of Science Fiction Artists”.

Americana / Country Singer & Songwriter Brad Colerick: Colerick’s music blends Americana, Folk and Country to create smooth, catchy melodies that seep into your heart with a single listen. Brad Colerick’s finely wrought, plainspoken lyrics find the poetry in everyday language to celebrate the often forgotten moments that make life worth living.

While Colerick’s friends add plenty of sparkle to Lines in The Dirt, it’s the songs that make the album memorable. Colerick’s understated delivery and beautiful melodies reveal new levels of emotional complexity with every listen. It’s a deep, rich album -- a welcome addition to the canon of great American music.  www.bradcolerick.com

$10 per person suggested donation--all monies in the fish bowl go to the performers.

Come for one or both performances.

3:15 – 4 and 5 - 6 PM Food: bring a munchie to share with your friends, as well as your favorite beverage. Non-alcoholic punch and finger food buffet will be provided.

Please email or phone in your seat reservation—seats are reserved until 15 minutes before the event begins.

Beckett Hall--yellow and green historic house on the corner of Maiden Lane and Altadena Drive—Parking on Altadena Drive or Maiden Lane—Please RSVP—626-791-7954 x11 Sharon  sharonb@beckettadvisors.com.  Map: http://www.beckettadvisors.com/mapenlarge.html

What can't Keni do with an iPhone?

Keni Davis, who does the new-to-me art blog Plein Air XTreme, actually did this sketch on his iPhone while visiting the Altadena Library.  Keni has very interesting ideas about the value of sketching in public.  (We love artists who do their thing in public -- painters, musicians performers, etc.) Do visit the site of this very talented Altadena artist -- we like it a lot!

"I Am Legend" teen flick at the library, 3 PM

The library's summer movie extravaganza (for teens and older!) is Will Smith's version of "I Am Legend," today at 3 PM at the main library.  (For all fellow geeks: spot the "Batman and Superman" movie poster in the overgrown Times Square!")

Sheriff's training to stop the next Columbine

Mary O'Keefe at the Cresecent Valley Sun has an article on Wednesday's sheriff deputies training session at Eliot Middle School, preparing for school or workplace violence.

Snortland kills 'em in NYC

... Ellen Snortland, that is, of Altadena, whom we know from her work at the PWeekly.  She's performing her one-woman play at the NY International Fringe Festival in the Big Apple, and got his great review. (BTW -- Ellen's working on a film, too!)

(Monica Hubbard keeps 'em rolling in!)

Community Fellowship Service @ Adventist Church Aug. 17

Just received a note from the Altadena Sheriff's Station:

The Altadena Sheriff's Station Clergy Council will host a Community Fellowship Service at the Altadena Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2609 N. Lincoln Avenue, on Sun. from 3-5 PM. The theme for the celebration service is "Partnering to Build a Better Community". The guest speaker is Bishop Edward R. Turner, Director of the Sheriff's Headquarters' Clergy Council. This is an opportunity for the community, law enforcement, and faith based leaders to fellowship together.  The Zimbabwe choir, Power of Love Ministries choir and the Altadena Seventh-Day Adventist choir will be the entertainment  for the event .  We encourage all to attend.

For more information, please contact Sgt. Yolanda Palomo at 626-296-2104 or Deputy Sam
Estrada at 626-296-2103.    

Drawing a bead on beads

The Pasadena Hilton will be hosting the Pasadena Bead and Design Show today thru the weekend.  Altadena bead designer Delia Traister of Phoenix Rizing is featured in this story by Robert Hong for the SGV Tribune.

You might as well jump!

Kids in both 'Denas just finished a couple of days of immersion in competitive and expressive jumproping, thanks to community groups and the makers of the documentary Jump! Check out the coverage in their events blog.  Altadenan Brian Biery, the Flintridge Operating Foundation and Northwest ECHO (which stands for Empowering Communities, Helping Others) made it happen.

(hat tip: Monica Hubbard)

When the animals start lining up in pairs ... worry!

And just before we call it a night:  These shots courtesy Raina, daughter of JPL/ATC's Alice Wessen:

- A red dragonfly alighting on their yard this morning.
- One of two two-point bucks, sighted Tuesday morning.

- And this guy, who was going through the trash cans at about 6:15 this morning.

We just had squirrels, stray cats, and the suspicion of rats in the Altadenablog garage again.  Glad we haven't had to clear a bear out of the garage!

Thanks, Raina!

It's law enforcement Wednesday!

... or maybe not.  Two items have crossed the desk this morning:

• This PSN story about CHP operating out of the Altadena office slowing down the motorcyclists rocketing down Angeles Crest.
• Via Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow, whom we ran into at breakfast this morning:  the deputies will be conducting a training exercise at Eliot Middle School today, preparing in case of a Columbine-type event, so don't be alarmed.

Benson Brown & Pope Ensemble at Farnsworth Sat.

Benson Brown & the Robert Pope Ensemble will be the featured artists at Satuday's Concert in the Park at Farnsworth, starting at 7 PM.

Benson Brown's musical career spans a period of 40 years. His vocal stylings encompass a variety of musical idioms such as ballads and show tunes tastefully laced with jazz, R & B and gospel.

His early professional career began with singing on the piano bar circuit at various supper clubs and dinner houses on the West Coast from San Diego to San Francisco. During an engagement on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood he met Jimmy Rowles, a renowned jazz pianist and was invited to sing with him at Sherry's on the Strip, a popular jazz nightspot.

While enjoying a successful stint with Jimmy Rowles, he was heard by Louie Belson who invited him to appear with his big band at the Hollywood Palladium and various theatres in New York City.

Benson, being an accomplished pianist himself, later formed a jazz trio called Feva. He again had success playing such popular nightspots as Joan Rivers' "Ye Little Club," the National Playboy Club circuit and several European tours.

His latest endeavor is based on the nostalgic premise of bringing back the beautiful music from the 40's, 50's and 60's by such vocal icons as Nat King Cole, Billy Eckstine and Johnny Hartman, while using his own vocal stylings and interpretations. Benson Brown is a new millennium balladeer with his roots· firmly embedded in the rich sounds of jazz from a kinder, cooler, gentler time.

Robert Pope started studying and playing the upright bass in New York City in the 1960s. He studied with Ron Carter and Cecil McBee. His first professional gig was in 1965 with the original Inkspots, led by Deek Watson.

He was also a member of the Jazz Mobile Band in New York City in the late '60s. He led several groups and freelanced until 1990, when he returned to his hometown, Pasadena, Calif.

He attended Pasadena Community College's Jazz Program and played in the Studio Jazz Band and the Pasadena Community Orchestra.

Prior to forming Sounds of Jazz Quintet, he freelanced in the Los Angles area. He played the WorId Stage several times with his band, and his group played three years in a row on the Jazz Caravan. He and his band also played at the Temecula Jazz Festival and at Club 322. Today, he freelances around the Los Angeles area and performs with singer Benson Brown.

The Razor's edge ...

Oh, this Twitter thing.  Just got someone new following us on Twitter:  Razor7.  I looked it up, and found this handsome website for Razor7 Publishing.  A little more poking, and find out that it's the publishing arm of Pasadena Weekly's Andre Coleman -- his poetry, novels, and thoughts.  Andre is one of the more powerful local reporters, and this just encourages us to clean up our Twitter act!

Farm Fresh Market pot stirs some more

Crown City News prints a missive from former town councilman Steve Lamb, giving yet another iteration of the story behind the closure of Farm Fresh Market.  (Printing single-party background information from one informant who's not big on attribution generally isn't the smartest journalism, but who are we to tell CCN how to run their business? Especially since we think their blogroll is jammin'!) More food for thought.

8/17 update: He talks about it yet again (with NSFW language) in this post in his "Altadena Iconoclast" blog.

Crime Log: Aug. 2-10, 2008

Assault, vandalism, resisting arrest -- and homicide -- mark this week's Altadena Sheriff's Station crime log, after the jump:

Gold Line hits car, Altadena man injured

LA Times' website has this story about an unnamed Altadena man, about 60, who was injured when a Gold Line train crashed into a gold Geo Prizm on the tracks near the Del Mar station -- apparently the car got past the crossing gates somehow.  (We didn't see the crash, but did see the aftermath as we were taking Spawns 1-3 to lunch).   No passengers on the train were hurt, and just heard a radio report that says the vicitim is in serious condition.

8/12 update: PSN has some details, but not many.

Let's eat!

Now that he's got some free time, Steve Lamb is writing local restaurant reviews at Haunts of the Fat Man.

Louis Van Taylor rocks the house

Last night's Farnsworth Park concert series with Louis Van Taylor and his group featured smokin' jazz and ended up with everyone dancing in the aisles.  Altadenablog had to leave early, but we did sit through a hot remake of Miles Davis' So What.  Next week, Benson Brown & the Robert Pope Ensemble.

Photos by the ubiquitous Bill Westphal.
 

Who's responsible?

Mary Bogner of Pasadena (who works at St. Elizabeth's School) has a letter in the PSN about a recent accident on Lake between Woodbury and New York -- nobody stopping, people driving through debris, and cleanup consists of kicking things to the curb. 

The Perseids are coming!

The Earth passes thru the annual Perseid  meteor shower starting tomorrow, peaking at about 9 PM Monday night.  It continues through Tuesday -- if you get out of the city, expect one or two a minute.  Pull up a chair and enjoy!

Wishing a good recovery ...

to writerdeb @ Altadena Above It All/Oh Deb U Taunt, who is recovering from surgery this week.

Also, just discovered a new blog: Altadenan Susan C's Cancer Banter (subtitled "I Can't Die, I Still Have to Find the Perfect Purse"), who struggles with the disease without losing her sense of humor.

Jazz in space?

Two fun things to do tonight that won't cost a thing:

• Go to Farnsworth Park for the Sheriff's Support Group Concert in the Park, starting at 7 PM, and enjoy the jazz sounds of Louis Van Taylor and his group.
• Then start looking at the northwest horizon about 8:10 PM for a passover of the International Space Station.  ISS should be overhead about 8:12 PM.

More on Farm Fresh closing

Altadenablog reader Nicole Moore points out this story, which gives more flesh to the closing of the Farm Fresh Market. Credit to Beacon Media News' Terry Miller.

International Space Station overhead tonight

Another flyby tonight, just before 9 PM:

Start 8:52:39 at 10 degrees above the NW
Max 8:55:35 at 86 degrees straight up
End 8:56:53 at 30 degrees above the SE

"Breadcrumbs Along the Trial" @ the library Monday night

Renowned storyteller Carl Weintraub will perform Breadcrumbs Along the Trail, a collection of stories that nourish and enchant including fables, Russian folk tales, fairy tales and more at the Altadena Library on Mon., August 11  at 7 PM.

 Carl Weintraub is the founder of the well-known theatre troupe, We Tell Stories, and a recipient of the prestigious PASA Award for lifetime achievement by professional artists in schools. The program is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome.

 The award winning Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa Street.  The address of the Bob Lucas Memorial Branch Library is 2659 North Lincoln Avenue. The libraries offer many services including programs for children, teens and adults, a book club, teen advisory board, literacy classes, online tutoring, internet tutoring, passports, public computers and wireless access.  To find out more call 626-798-0833 for the main, 626-798-8338 for the branch, or visit the library’s website at http://altadenalibrary.org.

Farm Fresh Market closed

Farm Fresh Market at Lincoln Crossing, the only supermarket worthy of the name on the west side, has closed down.  According to the security guards who are keeping people out, it already has new owners and will re-open in two or three weeks, but they were a little vague on the details.

Your early morning wake-up ...

• State & Lake expounds on Lincoln Crossing.
• Plein Air Painting Extreme has a nice painting of the Farnsworth Park amphitheater (it's for sale!)

Happy birthday, Jonathan Postel

One of the first gurus of the Internet -- heck, he helped create the Internet -- Jon Postel was born this day in Altadena and would be 65 today had he lived. Check out his Wikipedia entry.

"Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others." - J.P.

.. and now with video

National Night Out last night, and our first home-brewed video:

National Night Out draws a crowd at the Equestrian Center

Thanks to the ever-present Bill Westphal, who finished his pictures before we did and shares some with us.
People from all over Altadena gathered at the Loma Alta Equestrian Center tonight to share food, drink, and conversation.

The LA County Sheriff's Department SHARE (Stop Hate And Respect Everyone) mobile interactive educational trailer made its public debut here in Altadena tonight.

The members of the sheriff's posse showed off their riding skills.

Lincoln Crossing: shiny or bumpy (depends on who's talking)

PSN front-pages Lincoln Crossing today -- all agree that it's been a rough birthing, but the future depends on who's talking.  Greg Galletly, president of Dorn Platz, is talking about getting better tenants than the departed or departing Farm Fresh Market and Bessie's Daughters Soulful Tacos, and paints a bright future.  But Bessie's Helga Kuhn, BJR Postal/Copy Center's Bobby Thompson,  and other tenants have another take on the matter.  Then there's the requested grand jury investigation.  All told, a fair story to all involved.  Check it out.

Real estate, racism, and the "wrong side of town"

Marketing consultant Susan Carrier writes about the preception vs. reality of real estate in Altadena -- for example:  how can west of Lake be the "wrong side of the tracks" when many of the large estates are there?  The answer, probably, won't surprise you.

Don't forget: National Night Out, 6-9 PM @ Loma Alta Equestrian Ctr.

National Night Out is TONIGHT, Aug. 5, at the Loma Alta Equestrian Center:

National Night Out is an event designed to strengthen our communities by encouraging neighbors to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners.  The goal is to heighten crime-prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anti-crime programs and most importantly, send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.  It’s also the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors even better.  All are invited -- see you there!        

    Date : Tuesday, August 5, 2008   

    Time:6-9 pm

    Location: Loma Alta Park Equestrian Center

What to Bring: A potluck dish to share.  Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be provided.

Event Specifics: Altadena Sheriff’s Station Posse and Altadena Mountain Resue Team are scheduled to have great displays for youth.  Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch information will be available to the public. Free give-aways for kids.

A new one of a kind mobile interactive educational trailer which highlights the new SHARE (Stop Hate and Respect Everyone) Tolerance program for fighting hate and intolerance in our communities will be available for a special preview before its formal introduction to other communities.         

National Night Out is TONIGHT, Aug. 5, at the Loma Alta Equestrian Center:

National Night Out is an event designed to strengthen our communities by encouraging neighbors to engage in stronger relationships with each other and with their local law enforcement partners.  The goal is to heighten crime-prevention awareness, build support and participation in local anti-crime programs and most importantly, send a message that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.  It’s also the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors even better.  All are invited -- see you there!        

    Date : Tuesday, August 5, 2008   

    Time:6-9 pm

    Location: Loma Alta Park Equestrian Center

What to Bring: A potluck dish to share.  Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be provided.

Event Specifics: Altadena Sheriff’s Station Posse and Altadena Mountain Resue Team are scheduled to have great displays for youth.  Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch information will be available to the public. Free give-aways for kids.

A new one of a kind mobile interactive educational trailer which highlights the new SHARE (Stop Hate and Respect Everyone) Tolerance program for fighting hate and intolerance in our communities will be available for a special preview before its formal introduction to other communities.         

Crime Log: July 1-Aug. 4

(Introducing our new feature: Altadenablog is partnering with the Altadena Sheriff’s Station to present a periodic sampling of local crime)

Rape, assaults, battery and graffiti characterize the past month’s crime log.  Details after the jump.

Homicide victim identified

PSN and Whittier Daily News' Brian Day gives an update on Saturday's killing of Jasmine Denson, 19. Sheriffs say they believe creepazoid much older boyfriend Troy Evans Taylor, 50, shot her, then pushed her out the window of the home they shared on the 2400 block of north Lincoln.  Taylor is now being held on a previous charge of making terrorist threats against Denson, and will likely be charged with murder today.

Update 6 PM: PSN reports coroner said it was a shot to the head.

Pictures, pictures, pictures

Some short shots:

• Altadena artist Susan Braig illustrates an LA Times story on health insurance or the lack thereof.
• Temple City cyclist Vu Le comes roaring down the hill to Loma Alta Park during yesterday's Naked Crow Mountain Bike Challenge.
• Yet another story about Ashton Kutcher's photo shoot at the Zorthian Ranch (no pictures on this one, but whoever heard of "Celebrity News Service"?).

Louis Van Taylor at Farnsworth Concert Series Sat., Aug. 9

The Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena presents Louis Van Taylor this Sat., Aug. 9, starting at 7 PM at Farnsworth Park in the annual Summer Concert Series.

Louis Van Taylor's musical influences can be traced to his parent’s appreciation of jazz, ranging from the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and Dizzy Gillespie.

Louis spent his first eleven years of growth in the private and public schools of Salt Lake City, Utah, enjoying the sounds of classical music and his father’s choice of Miles Davis’ "Sketches of Spain" and Cannonball's and John Coltrane's duet recordings chiming throughout the family's home.

Though interested in learning the violin, upon leaving Utah and arriving in Los Angeles during the late 60’s, Louis Taylor Sr. encouraged his son to pursue a wind instrument. His junior high school teacher at Foshay, Mrs. Bicknell, provided her students an opportunity to try out all the instruments: woodwinds, brass and percussion, before choosing the instrument of their liking. Louis’ choice was the B-flat soprano clarinet and in less than two weeks the bass clarinet.

After a brief stay in Los Angeles the Taylor Family moved to Pasadena, where Louis upon hearing a friend’s rendition of "Wade in The Water," on the tenor saxophone, made a change. From stage bands to a top-40 band, Louis abandoned the bass clarinet for the tenor, nurtured by the sounds Eddie Harris, John Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Wilton Felder, Junior Walker, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Eric Dolphy and the like.

With private study and mentorship from Warne Marsh, the LB West Coffee House early morning jams with drummer Candy Finch, Charles Owens, Bill Greene, Buddy Collete, and a dear friend Gary Hammon, the lure of mastery was on.

He attended CSLA for his bachelor degree in Music and private study through the Berkley School of Music Correspondence course while a member of the Ray Charles orchestra. Now adding all the saxophones and woodwinds to his arsenal, Louis has been much sought after with the likes of his first professional job with the Temptations featuring Dennis Edwards and Otis Williams, a twenty year association and employment with Ray Charles, to the Gap Band, Kool and the Gang, Gerald Wilson, Jimmie and Jeannie Cheatham, Maxine Weldon, Charles Wright, Eric Benet, Carl Thomas and many esteemed others.

www.louisvantaylor.com

Music of India @ Folly Bowl Aug. 23

The Folly Bowl is an only-in-Altadena attraction, and here's what's coming up:

CALCUTTA TO CALIFORNIA - JUGALBANDI ENSEMBLE

PARTHO SARATHY PAUL LIVINGSTONE ABHIJIT BANAJE

Sarod Sitar Tabla

Presented by Sangeet School of Music, Los Angeles
at the FOLLY BOWL
1601 E. Loma Alta Drive, Altadena, Ca 91001
August 23 2008, 7.30 pm, doors open 7 pm

Suggested donation $15, $10 students

Partho Sarathy is one of the finest classical musicians from India and a disciple of the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. His music embodies the true heritage of Hindustani raga music. His virtuosity on the sarod makes his exploration of ragas an exercise in harmony, tranquility and his serious meditative approach makes his music literally soar to unscaled height of fulfillment. Partho is based in Calcutta, the cultural mecca of India. He has been performing for the last 30 years in India and all over the world and will be in residence in Los Angeles this fall in collaboration with the Sangeet School of World Music and undertaking a west coast tour with the Calcutta to California Jugalbandi Ensemble.

Paul Livingstone has studied sitar rigorously for the past 22 years in India & US. Also a disciple of Ravi Shankar, Paul is also a composer and educator and has performed around US, Europe, Latin America, South East Asia & India. Paul began his studies of Hindustani music at the age of 15 and has also learned from Amiya Dasgupta & Rajeev Taranath as he contiuenes to study rigorously, teach, record new music and perform.

Abhijit Banerjee is one of the most sought after creative artists in the realm of Indian classical music. He has accompanied nearly all the top ranking luminaries of Indian classical music including Pt.Ravi Shankar, late Pt.Nikhil Banerjee, Begum Parweena Sultana, Pt.Jasraj, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Dr. Balamurali Krishnan to name a few. As a tabla soloist he has also made his mark in numerous performances including the prestigious National Program this summer 2008.

Bring a pillow, a picnic if you like, and a sweater. Rain cancels.

Directions: From 110 fwy: Go to end and proceed up Arroyo Blvd, Turn left on Green, right on Lake. Turn right on Altadena and left on Porter. Entrance is at Porter and Loma Alta, park on street.

From 134 fwy: Exit at Lake Ave, go north towards mountains. Turn right on Altadena and left on Porter. Entrance is at Porter and Loma Alta, park on street.

Update on yesterday's killing on Lincoln Ave.

Frank GIradot's Crime Scene Blog, as usual, is on top of things.  Altho' it appears a gunshot was heard, cops found the 19-year-old victim had fallen from a second story window.  The victim's live-in boyfriend, Tony Evans Taylor, 50, was arrested on an outstanding warrant (for making terrorist threats against the victim) and will likely be charged with murder.  Awaiting for next of kin to be notified before the victim's identity will be made public.

Update, 11 PM: LA Times says she was shot, and then fell or was pushed out the window.

She's got legs (eight of them)

That Bill Westphal strikes again -- found this tarantula (4 in. from tip to tip) crawling around.  RIght now, she (or he) is in a Tupperware container and will likely go back into the woods (they're an important part of the ecosystem, gettin' rid of those bugs), but notice that there is yet another Altadena creature to look out for.

Support your local sheriff

Bill "Forrest" Westphal points out this article in today's PSN, about being a volunteer at the county sheriff's Walnut Station.  But you don't have to go that far -- you can join the hardy volunteer crew here at the Altadena Sheriff's Station.  Bill writes:

I have been a volunteer there for several years and it's an interesting, exciting and rewarding way to give back to the community.

I wonder if you wouldn't mind posting something on Altadenablog to let readers know that if anyone is interested in more information about volunteering at the Altadena Sheriff's they can contact Sgt. Yolanda Palomo or Dep. Sam Estrada at the Altadena Sheriff's Station at 626-798-1131.

Jack Scott reflects

Altadenan State Sen. Jack Scott is the subject of a piece on PSN, reflecting on his time in the senate before he steps up to be chancellor of the California Community Colleges Association.  See, he's about more than just banning mylar balloons!  Caroline An wrote the profile.

The Martins don't putter around

The Concord (NH) Monitor has a story on golfer Mo Martin and her family -- or how to create a champion golfer by reading the right book!

Woman shot to death on Lincoln Ave.

... about 5:30 PM this afternoon on the 2400 block of Lincoln Ave., above Woodbury, according to PSN.  Developing ...

A story about kids and dogs

A personal, non-Altadena-related aside.  PSN has a great story about South Pasadena speech pathologist Amy Johnson, who uses Sylvie, a laborador/golden mix from Canine Companions for Independence, in her practice.  Amy has worked with our two youngest kids, and Spawn 3 and Sylvie are thatclose.  Amy's smart, a great professional, and adding Sylvie to the mix was a great choice.  (Little Estelle in the pictures is our friend, too).  Canine Companions is a great cause -- and we were privileged to have Spawn 3 appear in one of their upcoming television public service announcements (working with Sylvie, natch).

Town council web page up again ...

... but Sandra Thomas is STILL in a census tract that doesn't exist! (Of course, they're just perpetuating Altadenablog's original error!)

Another chance to do some good

An addendum to this weekend's heart-warming story (mentioned below).  We received this message from one of the players, Dr. Joyce Kohl:

Besides a new Godson from Malawi, I'm also trying to keep a family from starving in Zimbabwe, where the inflation rate is 2.2 million percent! They send me things they make & I try to sell them. I have some beautiful hand carved Shona stone sculptures and also some horn jewelery. If I sell it directly to you (cheap), all the money goes to the family--if I take it to a store, it will be marked up. Want to come see before I try to see if the Folk Tree wants to buy it? Call me at 791-4221. I'll be home until Tuesday. Thanks. Joyce.

Short takes

• The Naked Crow Bicycle Challenge starts with a pancake breakfast at 7 AM Sunday at Loma Alta Park. Proceeds benefit Altadena Senior Center, Altadena Meals on Wheels, Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, Altadena Rotary Charities and The Lance Armstrong Foundation.  For more details, check PSN.
• Bill's Droppings blog investigates an Altadena door.
• And Vogue-UK talks about Ashton Kutcher and the Zorthian Ranch.