altadenablog

Remembering ..

We never watch TV on a school morning.  My mother-in-law (who died last year) called us to tell us what was going on, and I turned on the TV immediately and called my two younger brothers who live in Manhattan -- couldn't raise them for several hours.  The one who lived on the Lower East Side fifth floor walkup told me that people were on his roof, watching the whole thing.  My boss called and said that nobody should come to work today (I worked in a 30 storey building in downtown Los Angeles at the time).  Drove through Pasadena, where we were living at the time, and everything was silent, silent.  Our church put out a sign that it was open for prayer and would have a worship service later that day.  It set the tone for the rest of our lives.

Update on Lancaster killings

Pasadena Star-News has a front pager today from Karen Maeshiro about the Lancaster killings of a mother and her three daughters.  Corey King, 18, of Altadena, has been arrested for the crime.

Crime Log: Sept. 2-5, 2008

Weapons, theft, and battery highlight the latest Altadena Sheriff's Station Crime Log, after the jump:

Faith-based and Community Preparedness Workshop Sept. 29

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security will be holding a free workshop in Pasadena on Sept. 29.  Here's the details:

Partnerships in Emergency Preparedness
A Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Workshop

The purpose of the "Partnerships in Emergency Preparedness: A Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Preparedness Training Workshop" is to engage the Homeland Security stakeholders, including the private sector, governmental agencies, non-profit groups such as non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups in a strategic partnership to develop a national culture of preparedness.

The workshop will focus on equipping Department of Homeland Security and FEMA partners in emergency preparedness with the resources, knowledge, training, and skills necessary to respond to, and recover from all threats, hazards, and adverse incidents.

The workshops will highlight the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the National Response Framework, the National Incident Management System, Homeland Security Grant Programs, and the role of grassroots faith-based, community-based, and other non-governmental organizations in emergency management and preparedness.

The workshop will also provide faith-based and community organizations with a unique opportunity to meet and discuss pertinent issues with Department and FEMA leadership, as well as state and local emergency preparedness and emergency management officials.

Eighth Workshop:
Marriott Courtyard Pasadena/Old Town
Huntington Ballroom
180 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, California 91103

September 29, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. PDT

A sample workshop agenda and registration form are linked on the Web site:
http://www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/gc_1195231910818.shtm

(Monica Hubbard needs to relax!)

"State of the Schools" event at Eliot Sept. 16

This from PUSD:

“Promise, Preparation & Progress”

Please join the Board of Education of the Pasadena Unified School District at the annual State of the Schools event where Board President Tom Selinske will address the progress and future of public schools in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.

Date:Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Time:5:30 p.m. Reception
Location:Eliot Middle School Auditorium
2184 North Lake Avenue
Altadena, CA 91001

Contact Binti Harvey at 626-568-4550 for additional information.

Officials, residents meet for emergency planning

Our roving reporter/photographer Bill Westphal (is there no end to the man's talents?) submits the following on tonight's meeting at Loma Alta Park:

There was a Community Meeting tonight at Loma Alta Park to discuss Unincorporated Area Emergency Planning. 

It was sponsored by the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management.

Representatives from different Los Angeles County Agencies were there to discuss their particular department’s responsibility during and after an emergency.  Those represented were:

Fire
Sheriff
Animal Control
Social Services
Public Works
Public Health

There was also some discussion about the upcoming Disaster Drills in November (The Great Southern California Shakeout) and Emergency Preparedness in general.

It was a very informative forum, not only about what the County can do for us in the event of an emergency but what we can do for the county and more importantly, for ourselves.  While the focus was on areas like The Meadows and the Chaney Trail area, most everything discussed applied to all residents of Altadena.

For more information check out:
Office of Emergency Management:   http://lacoa.org/
Emergency Survival Program:   http://lacoa.org/esp.htm
The Great Southern California Shakeout: http://www.shakeout.org/

Burglars steal electronics, cherished photos, neighbor says

One of our readers who lives on Morada Place east of Lake reports that a neighbor was robbed of all electronics Tuesday (TV, camera, computer, etc.), including thousands of pictures of his three-year-old son kept on two hard drives.  Suspects were four black males in a white Volvo wagon, unable to get the plate.  Reportedly a deputy, writing a citation, saw the Volvo traveling south on Lake at a high rate of speed.

If you can help in any way, call the sheriff's non-emergency line, 798-1131 or email:

altadenacrimetips@lasd.org

Problem fixed ...

Typepad has gone ahead and fixed the problem (we boggeled the entry on the environmental rendezvous in some way we don't pretend to understand) so the page should appear correctly now.  If not, let us know.

La Vina access status

Paul Ayers's "Save the Altadena Trails" update this month give us information the status of La Vina trail access:

Altadena teen arrested in Lancaster murders

Corey King, 18, was arrested today in the investigation of the killing of a woman and three girls whose bodies were found in a burning Lancaster house.  Firefighters found the bodies in different rooms of the house during the Tuesday fire.

Associated Press has details.

MSNBC version here.

"A white boy with the black press"

Boyd Lewis is an Atlantan turned Altadenan, who's talking about his years as a white reporter who worked for black newspapers in Atlanta for almost 30 years.  He has a handsome new website-in-progress that he's putting together about his experiences in Atlanta, as a inner-city schoolteacher in Los Angeles, and everything before, after, and in-between.  Check it out!

Also check out the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation website.  Executive Director Deborah B. Lewis, Boyd's wife, runs this Altadena-based foundation to include people with disabilities in the arts, advocacy, and education.

Hat tip to Monica Hubbard, who just keeps going and going and going ...

Apologies on appearance (again!)

We don't know what Typepad (our provider) is doing these days.
We're having more column squishing today
(which is why we're writing narrow columns!)

Usually this clears up after awhile.
But if you can't read a story you
want to read, click on the
headline and it will appear on its
own page.

Environmentalists rendezvous Sat., Sept. 13 @ Eaton Canyon

Join leaders of Pasadena-area environmental groups in an informal setting
and learn about their activities and programs.  Gather at 4:30 pm, informal
presentations at 5:00 pm, potluck picnic at 6 pm, under the oaks at Eaton
Canyon Park Outdoor Classroom.  The Classroom is south of the Nature Center
located at 1750 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena.   From the 210 Freeway in
Pasadena, take Altadena Drive north about 1.5 miles; about 500 feet after
 crossing New York Drive, turn right into the park.

All are welcome.  Bring a dish serving 6-8 people.  Beverages, plates and
utensils will be provided. For information and to RSVP, contact coordinator
 Ginny Heringer at 626-793-4727 or ginnyh@ix.netcom.com.

Mo Martin makes the cut

Aspiring pro golfer Mo Martin advances to the final stage of LPGA qualifying school by being one of the top winners in the Futures Tour, with over $29,000.  Get the list right here.

Viva Altadena! Summer concerts wrap with a tribute to the King

What better way tp wrap up the Farnsworth Park Summer Concert series than with Rick Alviti's tribute to Elvis?  Concert starts at 7 PM on Sat., Sept. 13.

RICK ALVITI – THE ULTIMATE ELVIS TRIBUTE

Rick as Elvis is America’s leading and most respected artist in the country today. His tribute to Mr. Presley is flawless. His admiration for the King is apparent to all that have seen him.

Rick so impressed THE LAS VEGAS CONVENTION VISITORS AUTHORITY, that they appointed him spokesperson for the largest entertainment capital in the world – LAS VEGAS.

His Elvis Tribute performances have been received with standing ovations, performing at such venues as THE LAS VEGAS ROAD SHOW in 1998 (11 city tour), PLAYER’S ISLAND RESORT SHOWROOM, HOLIDAY INN CASINO, PLAYBOY MANSION, PALM DESERT MARRIOTT and THE DISNEYLAND HOTEL.

Rick Alviti’s film and television work is impressive. He has appeared on such shows as ELVIS IS ALIVE, VICKI LAWRENCE SHOW and the award winning E.R. with GEORGE CLOONEY. And he has appeared in many music videos.

Miller Lite paired Rick Alviti as Elvis with Winston Cup’s popular Rusty Wallace in conjunction with NASCAR for a national commercial.

In 1999 to present, Rick opened his own Theatre in North Myrtle Beach. Rick Alviti is a gentleman’s gentleman. When you see his Tribute to Elvis – you will be on your feet for more !!!!

Early morning fire under control

Getting some chatter from newsgroups about an early morning fire up around Chaney Trail -- it's under control.  We have some other matters to take care of immediately, but will follow up when we return.

UPDATE 9 PM: Just received this terse and informative note from Chaney Trail Fire Marshal (well, if not she should be) Alice Wessen:

Small fire  around 1:15AM of 50 sq feet just at the turn out of Chaney Trail.   It is being investigated by the National Forest investigators (it's in their jurisdiction).

Possible arson. It is an area frequented by folks strolling in the night hours looking to either star watch, make out, or do mischief.

No more details until the report is released.  We are all grateful for the quick response of the fire dept. The fire was out in literally minutes.

There were emergency vehicles and fire trucks going up and down Chaney till at least 3:30AM.

10 PM UPDATE:  Alice tells us that the fire was spotted by a Pasadena police chopper that happened to be flying in the area -- otherwise, it could've gone very bad.

Orlandini moving up

A new jockette to watch: Tina Orlandini of Altadena is making waves with the Ithaca (NY) College Bombers.  Check out this story.

Obama needs community organizing!

Some Obama/Biden supporters are looking for people to work the precincts in Altadena & Pasadena.  If you're interested, check here.

Mercury News: let's give support to chancellor

San Jose Mercury News is running an editorial about giving more support to California's community college system and starting the new chancellor on the right foot.  That chancellor, of course, will be State Sen. Jack Scott of Altadena.  It's worth reading.

Let's give them something to walk about ...

Revvell P. Revati sends us this note:

Hi there!

I just started a new yahoo group ~ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AltadenaWalkers/. Having just moved here, I see a lot of people out walking, many of them alone. Thought maybe they'd like to join forces and create alliances and friends. 

Would love to have you post this... it's free to anyone who wants to join. 

Thank you!

Revvell

Water wasters may face $$$ penalties

Got the heads up on this from Monica Hubbard:  since many Altadena residents get their water from the city of Pasadena, it's worthwhile to note that the Pasadena municipal water utility is considering increasingly-harsh penalties  for water wasters.  Other water companies will likely fall in line behind this action.  Here's the note from Pasadena after the jump:

"Tiny Tot Adventures" start Sept. 10

The LA County Dept. of Parks and Recreation is starting "Tiny Tot Adventures," for children ages 2-5, this Wednesday and going thru June 20, 2009.  Arts and crafts, sports activities, circle time, gardening, field trips, and more are part of the fun.  It meets at Charles White Park, 77 Mountain View St., from 9 AM-12:30 PM and it's absolutely free.  For more information, call 794-3807 or 798-1173.

Alert: harassing man on President Streets

Chatter on the President Streets newsgroup (Coolidge-Harding-etc. area) have reported the reappearance of a man who has been seen harassing and threatening women on the street and in Eaton Canyon.  He's described as dark-complected, possibly Middle Eastern, and likely homeless.  He appears unexpectedly and disappears.  Deputies have been called, but there's little they can do unless something happens, unfortunately.  If you're in these areas, please be alert and keep a phone close.  Your best bet is calling the sheriff's non-emergency number, (626) 798-1131

UPDATE 9/07 2 PM: check out the comment from ATC chair Gino Sund in the comments section.

E-waste & document shredding roundup in Pasadena

Local Realtor Claire Smith tells us that her firm, Keller Wiliams Pasadena, will host an event tomorrow, Sept. 6, where they will shred documents free of charge and hold a drop-off point for old computer parts and electronics.  There will be food!

In addition, Keller Williams is askng for donations to their in-house charity, "KW Cares," which Claire says donated twice to Katrina victims as the National Association of Realtors. 

We don't have a time for it yet, but the location is  45 South Fair Oaks, Pasadena- parking behind KW's building, just north of California.

Muir, Altadena Elementary boost API scores

After four embarassing years, the API scores for Muir HIgh School have been released, and they've gone up considerably, says this PSN story:

Muir also met federal and state educational growth targets this year and was the only high school in the Pasadena Unified School District to do it. If the school posts another gain next year, Muir will be removed from state-monitoring status.

Story by PSN's educational reporter Carolin An.

UPDATE 10 AM: Pasadena Now reports that Altadena Elementary posted a 49 point gain in API this year.

Update on N. Marengo nuisance house

Just got an update from the neighbor of the ex-drug house/rat house at 3508 N. Marengo, subject of this previous posting:

I am taking pictures daily until this is CLEANED UP, It is going on TWO WEEKS, Vector Unit (White bag) , Antonovich, Health Department , Portatino etc.. Have contacted us! The Bank has been notified and they will be boarding up the house soon Thank you EVERYONE for the drive By, Blogs and information. I have been in Altadena 30 years and this is a FIRST for me... Horrible!

Food co-op report

Patrick Reagan of the  Altadena Area Food Co-op Steering Committee sends this report of the Sept. 3 Coffee Gallery meeting:

Greetings all,

A quick report on our Altadena Area Food Co-op Steering Committee presentation [Wednesday] ...  We had a standing room only crowd!  The slide presentation covered what co-ops are, a little of their history and what benefits we'd gain with one.  We got into the details of the three closest food co-ops and what it will take to establish one in our area.

Our goals were to inform the listeners and bring a few more into our group.  We seem to have accomplished both.

Thanks to everyone that came!  It was great to meet so many like-minded neighbors and to hear your suggestions.  Your input has already got us thinking of new ways to further our effort.  Hopefully we'll hear more from you at future meetings.

We meet every Friday for working meetings and every first Wednesday for a meeting that's more of a social.  All are held at The Coffee Gallery at 7:30pm.

Thanks for your interest!
Patrick Reagan

Discretion is the better part of valor, or something

Lots of updates, but we're a little under the weather and our body tells us that we need to go to bed early.  We'll have many updates tomorrow, including the co-op meeting at Coffee Gallery, e-cycling opportunity coming up this weekend, and other good stuff. See you then!

Playing catch-up today ...

...after prepping the kids for the first day of school, so things are crazy here. A couple of items:

• A beg if anyone's been to last night's co-op meeting -- how did that go?  Do you have information you can share? (Our request to join their Yahoo news group was denied, by the way).
• Similar for the Land Use Committee meeting on Tuesday -- anybody got a report for us?

And yes, we realize that the weather report has gone insane.  It reads 101 degrees outside right now, at 11 AM.  My thermometer reads 90.  We have no idea whats' going on with that.

Crime Log: Aug. 18-26

Assaults, weapons, and a little cocaine marked this period's crime log:

Aug. 23: Male Hispanic adult was arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon on the corner of Lincoln Ave. and Archwood Pl.

Aug. 24: An inert grenade was found on the 1500 block of N. Roosevelt Ave.

Aug. 24: A black male adult was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend at Santa Anita Ave. and Coleman St.

Aug. 25: A black male adult was arrested for possession of cocaine base on the corner of Mariposa St. and El Molino Ave.

Aug. 26: An adult black male was accused of sexual battery on a black female juvenile on W. Harriet St.

“The Altadena Station crime log is published for the purpose of providing the community with a sampling of reported crimes within the Altadena Station jurisdiction.  This report does not include all criminal activity occurring within the parameters of this report.  The objective of this report is to enhance community awareness and assist its members in taking proactive steps towards ensuring their safety and the safety of others within the community.”

More on Mars in 3-D

Space.com has an article on Robert Gaskell's rendering of Mars images, which we featured previously here.

California fusion: Bulgarini offers Asian cooking class

Why is the Contra Costa Times so fixated on Altadena?  This is like the third story we've picked up from them ... and it is what it says:  the Asian cooking series, "Dragon Dinners," will be held Sunday afternoon at Bulgarini Gelato. Meal, cooking, and gelato dessert.  Details here.

Altadena "green" home featured

Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch segment has a feature on an Altadena couple's "green" home staging.  The home is for sale -- and it's got a slammin' website of its own.

... and to all a good night!

Tonight's Alaska volcano-fueled sunset -- not as vivid as last night, but still pretty nice with that slight crescent moon.

Photo by the indefatigable Bill Westphal.

Artist: Chris Mathis

Via Mike of Cafe Pasadena, check out this website from Altadena artist Chris Mathis.

Altadena Emergency Planning Meeting Sept. 10

ATC member Alice Wessen's (CT4601.03) website reminds us that there will be a panel discussion at 6 PM at the Loma Alta Park Gym on emergency response and planning. 

The purpose of this meeting is to explain to the community the county emergency response system and planning as well as obtain feed back from the community on emergency planning issues. This interchange will help to identify community emergency planning needs and next steps needed to  meet the Board assignment.

Both Chaney Trail and the Meadows neighborhoods have been identified as priority areas, so feed back from residents are very important.

Details are right here.

"I don't want to work, just want to bang on the drum all day ..."

Yes, Todd Rundgren, and yes, we're showing our age.

But Caroline An of the SG News Group has a story in the Whittier Daily News and PSN today about Camp Summer Wonderland at the Altadena Christian Children's Center, and kids with drums.  It's the end of summer ...

Clear out the druggies, and the rats move in: nuisance on North Marengo

The pictures below show the situation  of the house at 3508 N. Marengo, an area of nice, middle-class homes.  The neighbor who took them tells Altadenablog that the house was used as an indoor pot farm and was busted in early August.  Since then, a cleaning crew has been in, but all the stuff they cleaned out has been stacked out front and deteriorating for weeks, attracting rats, mosquitos, and other vermin.

Our reader tells us that she's called several county authorities about the situation, and hasn't gotten any cooperation.

Trash was cleared out, then stacked in the driveway.  Our reader tells us that if you wait around long enough, you can see the rats scamper.

A daytime view of the driveway.  Some of this trash has been cleared.

The neglect has caused the brush to dry up, creating a fire and health hazard.

The view from the street.

A foreclosure notice on the front door, with the information phone number torn off.

Jack Scott honored

State Sen. Jack Scott of Altadena will be honored Oct. 28 at the inaugural "Building the Spirit of a Vibrant Community" Award Luncheon  at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena.  Says PSN:

The award is designed to honor an individual, organization, or business that has made an exceptional contribution and commitment to the advancement of the community. Honorees will have made a significant contribution to areas served by the Pasadena Area Community College District.

Full details here.

Sunrise, sunset

The Altadenablog family was returning from a party in Cerritos last night and marvelled at the amazing orange and red sunset as we drove west.

And, as usual, Altadenablog Science Correspondent Bill Westphal, as usual, is on the case, and sends us to today's Spaceweather page: a volcano in Alaska gets the credit for all the extra stuff in the atmosphere that makes the amazing colors.