altadenablog

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home; your house is on fire, your children are gone

Dave Jurasevich of the Mt. Wilson Observatory staff took some pictures of the aftermath of the Station fire on Mt. Wilson, along the route to the observatory.

(Pictured: Lady Bug Canyon). 

Intuitive Movement dance jam Mondays at Farnsworth Park

Got a note from Jean-Paul Ziinco on classes he's offering Monday nights at Davies Auditorium at Farnsworth Park:

At Intuitive Movement Jam there are no steps to learn, just your own as you let the music move you. Facilitator Jean-Paul Ziino offers up a hybrid of DJ’d music waves with live percussion and flute accentuation. What we hope you’ll find here is a sense of vitality and freedom, and the present moment. We operate under the guiding principle that broad diversity adds the spark and texture to life, and support, encourage and celebrate participation of all people from all groups. You’ll find us each week in the beautiful old Davies Theater, steps from the San Gabriel Mountain wilderness.

Intuitive Movement Jam of Altadena
Date: Every Monday 7pm – 9pm
Price: $9. First Session free (bring a printout of this)
Location:  568 E Mount Curve Ave, Altadena, CA
URL: www.IMJam.net
Facebook & Twitter: MovementJam
More info: info@IMJam.net

Get ready for mudder's day

Two items crossed our virtual desk about the next thing to worry about: mudslides!

From Supv. Michael Antonovich's office:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is offering free engineering advice for homeowners affected by the fires and concerned about erosion, mud-flows, and related issues, announced Supervisor Antonovich.

The toll-free hotline is (800) 214-4020 and will be staffed by qualified individuals from the Department of Public Works.

... and you can now sign up for mudflow alerts from the county!  Go here.

Volunteers needed to honor first responders at Oct. 1 barbecue

LA County Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for volunteers to help them hold a barbecue for firefighters and sheriff's deputies to honor them for their work on the Station Fire.

The barbecue will be Thurs. Oct. 1 at Farnsworth Park, from 11 AM- 3PM.  Wes Kawano, recreation services leader of the Altadena/Foothill District of county parks and rec says: "If at all possible, we would like to get as many community volunteers as possible to assist us in setting up, serving or delivering food to the event." 

If  you have any questions or can help out, Kawano says he can be emailed at  wkawano@parks.lacounty.gov or reached on his cell at 323.273.7090.

Hometown boy makes good

Spent a pleasant afternoon yesterday posing for pictures at Farnsworth Park and talking to Prospect Park Books' Colleen Dunn Bates for this article  appearing on the invaluable Hometown Pasadena's website today.

UPDATE 9/19:  We are pleased to announce that Hometown Pasadena's website is now hosted by Altadena-based binary-monk.com (an Altadenablog advertiser!)

Karen's Hallmark to close at Webster's complex

The faltering economy has claimed one of the family businesses at the Webster's shopping center on North Lake.

Karen's Hallmark Shop, a cards/gifts/scrapbooking shop at 2450 N. Lake Suite A, started its going-out-of-business sale this week.  Co-owner Robert Myers, who with wife Karen runs the store, said that the shop started taking a downturn with the economy a year ago and never recovered. 

The failure of the store is "devastating," Myers said, particularly in light of the fact that his wife is in the Webster family.  Karen is the stepdaughter of William Webster, who owns the properties.  His father Frank started the Webster's companies in 1926.  

The businesses along the strip were separated in 2007.  Walls went up between the stops, and the businesses were sold to different Webster family members as separate entities.

Myers said that they would be open and selling their inventory at a discount until at least Nov. 1.

Weekend open comment thread

What's on your mind this weekend?

(Pictured: Altadena's own John C. Reilly, right,  plays the blues at last year's Pasadena Waldorf School Elves Faire).

Library hosts homeschool information night Sept. 29

The Altadena Library will offer a FREE meeting on homeschooling on Tues., Sept. 29.  Special guest Tammy Takahashi (author of Deschooling Gently: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fearless Homeschooling) wil discuss homeschooling questions concerns, and joys.  Altadena Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa, 6:30-9:30 PM.

"Read for the Record" Oct. 8 chews on "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

This year's "Read for the Record" event will help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpiller" (which, with three kids, we can recite from memory!) 

"Read for the Record" is a nationwide literacy awareness event, where readers from around the country try to set a world record for the number of people reading the same book on the same day.  The Altadena Library District will be one of many special events throughout the nation.

Readings will be at the main library, 600 E. Mariposa, at 4 PM, and the Bob Lucas branch library at 4:30 PM. Participating children will receive their own limited edition copy of the book.

Schools, day care centers, and businesses are encouraged to participate.  For more information, call 626-798-8338, or surf to http://www.readfortherecord.org.  Participation forms are also available at the libraries.

Call for youth to join NAACP Youth Council

Calling all youth age 25 and under:

Come join the Altadena NAACP Youth Council and become the next political voice for your community.

Enjoy the many benefits of becoming a member of the nation's oldest and most active civil and political rights organization.

Meetings: every first Sun., 4-5:30 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  For more information, 626-398-6174.

Charles White Park improvement meeting Sept. 28 @ Farnsworth

The second community meeting to discuss future improvements to Charles White Park will be held Mon. Sept. 28, 7 PM at Farnsworth Park.  The meeting is sponsored by Congressman Adam Schiff and the LA County Dept. of Parks and Recreation.  For more information, contact Al Evans at 661-510-4149.

Altadena Children's Choir classes begin Sept. 22

The Altadena Children's Choir is starting rehearsals for its "Music for a Green Planet" fall choral concert.  Clsses begin on Tues., Sept. 24.  Performance dates on Jan. 23 and 24, 2010.  The choir is a non-profit, independent performing body with no religious affiliations.  For more information, call Dr. Karen Reinhard, director, 626-797-4758, or go to www.altadenachildrenschoir.org.

NAACP hosts health fair at the Community Center Sept. 26

The Altadena NAACP will host a health fair on Sat. Sept. 26 10 AM-4 PM, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

There will also be panels and presentations on Alzeheimer's disease (10 AM), kidney disease and transplant presentations (12 PM), and AIDS/HIV (2 PM). 

Liu to host Women's Health Conference and Expo Oct. 31

State Sen. Carol Liu will host the Ninth Annual Women's Educational Health Conference and Expo on Fri., Oct. 30, from 7 AM-noon at the Castaway Restaurant, Burbank.  Registration for workshops closes Oct. 8.  For more information, go to http://www.clwomenhealth.org/

Legislators to honor 25 outstanding women in business

Please note the date reservations are due! Some outstanding Altadena women (including Sue Kujawa and Bobbie Moon) will be honored.

State Senator Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge), Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) and Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) are pleased to announce the final 25 exceptional businesswomen from their respective districts whom they will honor at the 10th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon set for Oct. 2, 2009, at the Pasadena Hilton.

Each year, the Women in Business Awards recognize businesswomen who have contributed to the economic growth and well-being of Southern California. These women exemplify the broad range of accomplishments that women have achieved in our communities.  Go to www.senate.ca.gov/LIU for list of honorees.

You are invited to attend the Women in Business - 10th annual legislative update & awards luncheon - a legislative update on California issues and a recognition of outstanding local businesswomen.  Featuring keynote speaker Gale Anne Hurd, film producer
 
Friday, October 2, 2009
 
$30 individual ticket • $300 table of 10
 
Please RSVP with payment by Friday, September 18 • checks payable to NAWBO-LA Enterprise Institute, P.O. BOX 93935, PASADENA, CA 91109-3935
 
Pasadena Hilton Hotel International Ballroom

168 S. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena

(thx Monica!)

Play It Safe Expo Sept. 26

Very relevant to our lives right now, the "Play It Safe Emergency Expo" will be held on Sat., Sept. 26, from 10 AM-3 PM at the east parking lot of Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Rd., Glendale.  Admission and parking is free.

April Kelcy of Earthquake Solutions, chair of the expo, writes:

•  Participate in hands-on fire extinguisher practice for all ages
• Learn about disaster issues and plans for animals and pets Ride the Quaky-Shaky exhibit house;

• See large pieces of rescue  equipment up close
• Talk personally with emergency responders
• Get updates on quake activity & on the next ShakeOut scheduled for 10:15 on 10-15-09
• Meet with policy-makers from local, regional  agencies
• Find out what's new with your local CERT teams
• See a heart defibrillator demo, find out how YOU can learn to use one too!
• Discover new products for improving the safety & fire resistance of your home
• Shop for emergency supplies for at home, work or school
•  Learn how to improve internet security, to reduce the chances of ID theft
• Obtain new information & resources for preventing or mitigating losses
• Enjoy kettle corn & other treats, & a Kiwanis BBQ lunch while the children jump in the bounce house (inexpensive food prices)
• Come Together In Support of Our Communities

 

Weekendin'

Thus., Sept. 17

• Stephanie Bettman and her Boys, 8 PM at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, $15.

Fri., Sept. 18

• Mother's Boys at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 8 PM, tickets $20.

Sat., Sept. 19

• Bulgarini Gelato's summer movie festival continues with JOHNNY STECCHINO starring Roberto Benigni.  Dinner starts at 7:30 ($12/plate, includes a pasta dish, salad and a drink). Movie starts at 8 (free and open to all).  The gelateria will be open before, during and after the show.
• The Duo Tones at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 7 PM, $18

Sunday, Sept. 20

• Two Johns, No Waiting concert/recording session at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2 PM, free (reservations recommended).  Slack Key Guitar Night at 7 PM, $20.
• Pasadena Master Chorale (under the direction of artistic director/conductor Jeffrey Bernstein of Altadena) will kick off its first full season with a concert of "Songs of the World": cherished American classics, well-known European tunes, and other a capella surprises, at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Drive. 4 PM.  There is also a performance at First Congregational Church, 464 E. Walnut in Pasadena, on Sat., Sept. 19 at 7:30.  Tickets are $10-$16 at the door, call 208-0009 for recorded information.

Weekly looks at council controversy

Andre Coleman of the Pasadena Weekly runs a story on the situation with town councilman Herbert Simmons in this week's issue.

Eliot Middle School: for body and mind!

A couple of recent kudos to Eliot Middle School:

• Pasadena Now reports that the school "has won the Los Angeles Regional Award in the 2009 Governor’s Challenge for 'outstanding efforts to promote fitness for students, parents and teachers.'"  The school won a $5,000 award for fitness equipment and a $1,000 gift card to CVS Pharmacy.
• Eliot also posted a 97 point gain in their API scores, the biggest gain in the school district.  Principal Peter Pannell gives the reasons in this Caroline An story from PSN.
  

Barks and Books is back at the Library, Sept. 26

Barks and Books is back at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, on Sat., Sept. 26.

Read to Pearl, a friendly rescued poodle.  (We've read to Pearl, and it's a lot of fun!) Barks and Books starts at 11 AM.

State Assembly recognizes Altadenablog for Station Fire coverage

A surprise for us at last night's town council meeting:  State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino presented us with a certificate from the California State Assembly.

The certificate says:

California State Assembly
Certificate of Recognition

Presented to:

Timothy Rutt

On behalf of the California State Assembly, I am honored to recognize your tireless efforts to inform the Altadena community with important updates regarding the Station Fire crisis.  Your devotion to building a community spirit and empowering the residents of Altadena is truly worthy of highest commendation.  You are an inspiration to us all.

Altadena, California
September Fifteenth, 2009

(signed) Anthony Portantino, Member of the Assembly
California State Legislature

(and thanks to Bill Westphal for the photo!)

Wednesday open thread

It's the middle of the week!  What's the buzz in YOUR corner of Altadena?

Altadena Town Council highlights

It was one of those "what just happened?" meetings at tonight's Altadena Town Council.

A promised uneventful meeting was waylaid by a motion from councilman Herbert Simmons to amend the council's bylaws to comply with the Brown Act.  The Act requires and regulates open meetings for California government bodies.

Councilman Okorie Ezieme, who seconded the motion, later backed away from it, saying that they all needed time to digest the information in the Brown Act. 

Several councilmembers said that they'd previously had a briefing from an attorney that said that the council, as an unpaid advisory body, was not covered by the Brown Act.  It was also pointed out that there was a procedure to amend the bylaws -- it could not be done in one meeting by vote.

in addition, abiding by the Brown Act opened councilmembers to civil or criminal prosecution if the act was violated, some councilmembers said.

Last month, the council went into a closed session to decide whether to launch an ethics investigation into Simmon's activities. Simmons has been soliciting sponsorship and donations for a "student/teacher of the month" project, and there was some question as to whether his identification as a councilman in some of his materials and other representations violated the council's ethics rules.  An investigating committee was formed, but has not yet released a report.

In the end, the council put up for a vote whether to discuss the motion next month, and it went down to defeat, with only  Simmons and Ezieme voting for it.

That wasn't the end of it, as later Simmons insisted, "we have violated the Brown Act in several different ways ..." to which councilman Jamie Bissner replied, "We can't violate it if we're not under it."

FIre and safety occupied much of the other council business:

• The council discussed Altadena's response to the Station Fire, and the role of  blogs and newsgroups in getting information out.  Councilmember Alice Wessen, who is also president of the Chaney-Millard fire safe council and runs the Chaney Trail listserv, said that, in the concern of the neighbors and sharing of information, "I saw the best of Altadena that week."
• The council also decided to write a letter or come up with a certificate to honor first responders.
• The council is also looking into getting ATC shirts for members to identify them in public meetings, such as the recent briefing with the Governor over the Station Fire, as La Canada city councilmembers had spiffy shirts and ATC members did not.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow mentioned the community meeting on burglaries on Wed., Oct. 7, 7 PM at Daniel Webster Elementary School, 2101 E. Washington in Pasadena; and CERT training at Loma Alta Park Oct. 13-17.

and finally:

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino gave his "state of the state" address, highlighting his office's efforts through the year and bills he had sponsored, and gave us an award (above)

Brown Mountain is ashy gray

Altadenablog reader andrea damian sent us a link to her pictures:

hello not sure if you want these but im a mountain biker in the meadows and religiously ride brown mountain and el prieto,  i took a bunch of saddening photos on my ride if you want to show any to others who are hikers or riders

Link to her post-fire photos is here.

Tuesday open thread

What's happening in your world today?

Sheriff's burglary forum set for Webster School, 7 PM Oct. 7

This is your opportunity to find out what the Sheriff's Department has been doing about burglaries, what they are currently doing and what is planned. 

It is also your opportunity to find out what you can do to HELP the Sheriff's Department and your neighborhood, including ways to better protect your homes without jeopardizing your safety.

WHAT?           Altadena Sheriff's Community Forum on BURGLARY

WHEN?           Wednesday, October 7
                       7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

WHERE?           Daniel Webster Elementary School Auditorium
                       2101 East Washington Boulevard
                       Pasadena

This forum will start promptly at 7 pm.  The doors will open no later than 6:30 pm.

Be afraid ....

We just got our first Christmas catalog in the mail today.

New Heart Spirit Life Conference Oct. 2-4

Altadena’s New Heart Foursquare Church announces its premier annual event, SPIRIT LIFE CONFERENCE ’09 on Oct. 2-4. This year the theme is “Prepare to Grow! – 4 Keys to Spirit Filled Living”. Strategies for effective personal growth will be presented along with keys to building strong foundations for long-term growth and success.
 
This year the keynote speaker will be international teacher G. Agabus Lartey, originally from Ghana, Africa.  He is Senior Pastor and founder of Family Life Fellowship in Boston, a vibrant and multi-cultural church with a flourishing ministry serving as a training center for international pastors and leaders.
 
Agabus is internationally recognized for his love for people and his desire to always be led by the power of the Holy Spirit.  His vast knowledge of Scripture, coupled with his ability to expound it in amazingly practical terms is a hallmark of his ministry.  He has ministered in Nigeria, Pakistan, Greece, Senegal and England.
In introducing this year’s theme, conference host El Clark, Senior Pastor, Altadena’s New Heart Church explains: “In the world, growth doesn’t just happen. Growth that is productive and fruitful is the result of cultivation. Spirit Life Conference is designed to teach us how to prepare for effective long-term growth.”
 
SPIRIT LIFE CONFERENCE ’09
“PREPARE TO GROW! – 4 KEYS TO SPIRIT FILLED LIVING”
 
    •    Friday, October 2 – 7:00 PM
    •    Saturday, October 3 – 6:00 PM
    •    Sunday, October 4 – 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM
 
During the conference, all children are welcome at “SPIRIT LIFE ’09 FOR KIDS” featuring John Cox, nationally recognized teacher with a special gift for teaching children about God’s love in a fun and exciting way.
 
Spirit Life Conference ’09 will be held at Altadena’s New Heart Foursquare Church, located at 380 E. Woodbury Road, Altadena, CA 91001.  Registration is free. For more information or to register, call (626) 791-3313 or visit the church online at www.newheartfoursquare.org.
 

PCC to hold community meeting at Community Center Sept. 23

Received from Town Council chair Gino Sund:

Pasadena Community College is in the process of creating a ten year Educational Master Plan.  The plan will be used to develop programs and direct resources in a manner that will allow the College to meet the future needs of students, employers and the community.  

A series of community meetings have been schedule to get community input.  There will be a meeting at the Altadena Community Center next Wednesday September 23rd beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

This will be your opportunity to help focus this important institution on the programs and services that are most important to us.   I encourage your participation in helping this extremely important institution develop a meaningful plan for our community.  

Gino Sund

Altadena Town Council

Eaton Canyon is open

Received from Eaton Canyon's superintendent:

Today, Monday, September 14, 2009, Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park  is finally open -- with some parking limitations.

While the Park is open, the Nature Center continues to be closed on Mondays (except for holidays).

Portions of the upper parking lot will be closed until the last heavy equipment transporter exit the Park.

Most of the heavy equipment such as bull dozers and excavator had come out of the Canyon through Park trail and parking lot between Saturday and Sunday.  Only one heavy equipment transporter remains on the upper parking lot waiting for a broken-down bull dozer that has been stuck on the toll road waiting on repair.

The National Forest area remains closed. The fire is not completely contained and is still burning miles north east of the Park.

The Park is not in danger.

The "burn operation" over the weekend was a success. Fire crews have stopped accessing Park trails and staging at the Park.

Helen Wong

Regional Park Superintendent
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park and Nature Center
1750 N. Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107

"Creating Green Community Through People, Parks and Programs"

 

Hitting the trails -- what's hot, and what's not!

UPDATE 5 PM: Check out Stanley Zucker's video of the fire line at El Prieto.

Now that the Station Fire no longer endangers our hills, people are venturing out to see what's open, what's closed, and what still may be a danger spot.

First, it's important to remember that if the Forest Service or another agency has closed a trail, stay off of it.  There may still be dangers (smouldering ash pits can linger for quite awhile), or they may need it open to move firefighting equipment in and out.  Don't take a foolish risk, and help firefighters do their job!

That said,  we've had several emails asking or telling us about what's open or not.  Stanley Zucker wrote us on Saturday:

Hi Tim.  I was wondering if a thread about this might be useful info.  I can report this morning that hikers, bikers and runners are going up Brown Mountain trail from the upper Arroyo end and it clear with no "Keep Out" or "Closed" signs all the way up to the top (about 7 miles).  Don't know what is going on down at Millard Campground as nobody had gone down that way from the saddle and I am assuming Chaney Trail is still blocked to traffic so you can't get there that way.   At least it was closed Friday morning when I checked.  That's all I know.  I shot some video of my run through the new moonscape up to the saddle which I will upload somehwere and send a link in the comments if this thread gets going.

Greg Garner on the "neighbors" listserv reports:

I ran to Henninger yesterday.  The Toll Road is in much better shape than it was right before the fire.  It has been re-graded with a big tractor and then had many other trucks going up and down so that the loose dirt is now pretty compacted.  The big slide right below Henninger was re-shaped and is now manageable by bike.  The Toll Road is different after 4 years of neglect, but after it is re-opened post fire, it should be fine for all forms of activity.

As far as the ACT, it too was re-worked.  I only ran the section between Glenn Allen and the Eaton Canyon bridge so I don’t know what it looks like going towards Zane Grey.  The section I ran has been widened to about 4 or 5 feet and is in great shape.

So those of you who have been hitting the trails post-fire: what do you see, and what can you share with your fellow hikers/bikers/trail runners?

(Correction:  we wonder why we renamed Stanley Zucker "Zuckerman"?  Maybe because it sounds like a Woody Allen character ... or some kind of superhero from Brooklyn.  At any rate, we fixed it!!  Thank you, Stanley Zuckerman!)

Community meetings: save the dates

Two community meetings will be coming up on important topics, so save the dates for these:

• A community meeting on emergency preparedness will be held on 7 PM Wed., Sept. 30, at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.
• A community meeting on the rash of burglaries will take place Wed., Oct. 7, time and location to be determined.

Taking home (a) plate Sept. 26

Heather Morrow, one of the Covert Potters, sends us this about their next event:

"Take the Plate Picnic"

Please join me and the other Covert Potters for a fun-filled afternoon at Farnsworth Park in Altadena on Sat., Sept. 26 from 1-4 PM.

For $40, you get a delicious meal and your choice of ceramic plate on which to pile the food high. 

When you are done eating, you get to take the plate with you to enjoy for years to come.  Each additional plate is $20 on the day of the event. The plates that are coming out of the kiln at the pottery studio are absolutely wonderful. Make your reservations today or go to www.platepicnic.com.

Burbank Elementary starts Chinese language program

PSN education writer Caroline An looks at Burbank Elementary School's new dual language (English-Mandarin) program.

Super Saturday Family Storytime returns Sept. 26

Super Saturday Family Storytime returns to the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, on Sat., Sept. 26, at 10 AM, for all children age 2-8 and their families.

Monday open thread

So what's happening in your part of the 'Dena?  Comments are open!

Fire is an old enemy

The Altadena Historical Society (of which we are members) has a great story in their Sept. newsletter on fires in 1934 and 1935, which endangered La Vina and the Cobb Estate (click to get the pdf version).

Jane Brackman of the Historical Society says:

Every once in a while Altadena Historical Society sends out information on cool stuff from their files.  No membership is required. If you would like to receive the email attachments let Jane Brackman know.  Her email is ahspresident@earthlink.net

BTW– the photograph of the Cobb home featured in the attachment is one of a very few that exist.  If any readers have a picture of the house tucked away in their family papers, please please please let us know.

A Hot August Night in September

Dean Colley and Hot August Night brought the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's summer concert series to a rockin' conclusion with the songs of Neil Diamond.  The ever-dependable Bill Westphal was there, and shares these pictures with us:

Dean Colley led the audience on a road trip through the past.

Smoke effects!  Now THAT's what we came for!

Colley serenades a dancing crowd with songs sung blue (everybody knows one!)

275,000

On Aug. 20, we were celebrating 150,000 lifetime pageviews on Altadenablog.  Today, we have substantially passed that! (Amazing what a little fire will do!)

Thank you to our local advertisers, an amazing group of local people and businesses who believe in supporting your local news site -- tell 'em thank you!  Thank you to all of those who've supported us through the tip jar (on the right) -- a response that helped us upgrade our bandwidth during the fires, and will bring us a little closer to the break-even point.  Thanks to all of those who are sending good content our way -- Bill Westphal (community spirit incarnate!), Monica Hubbard, the Altadena librarians, our eye in the sky Chris Considine, Lori, Ben, Molly, Jeff, Lance and the entire Altadena Arts Coalition, Carolyn Seitz, Alice Wesson, Gino Sund, Bob Klomburg and the SSGA, Capt. Blow & Lt. Sanchez, and many, many others, including the raft of on-the-ground citizen-reporters during the Station Fire.  We salute you all!

We love this work.  We love Altadena!

Altadena Town Council meeting Tues. 7 PM

... at the community hall, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Actually doesn't look too eventful, but you never know.

USO Show rocks Farnsworth Park

Show of Support/Theater Americana put on "A USO Show" tonight at Farnsworth Park to commemorate 9/11 and pay tribute to our military and first responders.  We couldn't make it, but Monica Hubbard got a good shot of the festivities.

I am, I said ... going to Farnsworth Park Sat.

Got this note from Robert Klomburg of the Sheriff's Support Group, sponsors of tomorrow's concert:

Van, our sound engineer, also does the Concerts in the Park in La Canada on Sunday nights. He told me their audience is about the same as ours. When Hot August Night played there in August, they had 3,500 people attend! It should be interesting tomorrow night! The best we can do is 1,200 in the amphitheater.

No time to be a Solitary Man -- get on a boat or on a plane, grab your sweet Caroline and head off to see Hot August Night, Dean Colley's tribute to Neil Diamond. Concert starts at 7 PM --- but get there early.  Did we say get there early?

Rape reported Sept. 9

... from Crimereports.com, deputies took a report of a forcible rape of an adult female on the 2000 block of N. Garfield, about 6 AM Sept. 9.

More burglaries targeting East Altadena; community meeting in the offering

Pictured: from Crimereports.com: reported crimes from Aug. 12-Sept. 11: breaking & entering (B), theft from vehicle (TV), theft OF vehicle (V), and theft (T).

Got a note to share from Carolyn Seitz of the sheriff's community advisory committee:

Last week on Wednesday night, on the east side of Altadena, a resident called the Sheriff's Station to report a burglary in process, and indicated that two men rang his front door bell and when the resident didn't answer, they shook the door.   Then, one of the men went back to the sidewalk and stood, the other disappeared from sight.  The resident thought perhaps he should go look at the rear of his home.  Sure enough, the other man was trying to gain entry.

The Sheriff's deputies arrived too quickly (depending on your point of view) and the man attempting to gain entry hadn't yet succeeded.  Both men were arrested, but could only be arrested on attempted burglary.  We don't know yet what the outcome of that will be.

At the beginning of this week, the Detectives who have been working on all of the burglaries asked Captain Blow if they could set up a community meeting on the subject of burglary.  That community meeting is tentatively scheduled for early October.  We are waiting for confirmation from the school at which it will be held.

Many things are frustrating the process of capturing burglars and prosecuting them successfully.   To the Detectives and Deputies, it doesn't help if you email each other when you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, but you don't call the Sheriff's Station.

If you won't call the Sheriff's Station, the deputies cannot just stop someone from driving or parking in your area.  They have to have a cause to stop and question someone.

They have asked many times for all of us to call when you see strangers in your neighborhood.  These people may have a legitimate reason for being there, and if they do, the deputies will sort that out.

It also isn't so helpful if you call to report an attempted burglary or that someone broke into your car two weeks after the event occurred. 

Nothing works better than catching burglars in the progress.

The Detectives and Deputies need your help. 

Last Wednesday night before the resident called to advise that someone was attempting to break in to his home, two men knocked on someone else's door.   That happened earlier in the evening, but I don't know how much earlier.  In this instance, the resident answered the door, and the stranger asked if he could come in.  The resident said, "no", and shut the door.

I am currently in Northern New Mexico.  When I arrived here late yesterday, I received 2 emails from my homeowner's association advising of 3 daytime burglaries here - all described in exactly the same way - knock on the front door, no answer, they head to the back of the house and find a way to make entry, or in one incident, they forced entry at the front door.  Just like we are experiencing in Altadena, the burglars are also very bold and will enter a home through the front door if it is unlocked, even if someone is in the house.  They walk in, take the TV and any handy computer and out they go before anyone even realizes someone's been inside their home.

You can be part of the solution. 

Don't leave your doors and windows unlocked.   Don't make it any easier that it already seems to be for people to break in.

More importantly - CALL THE SHERIFF'S STATION  626 798 1131

I'll have confirmation of the date for the community meeting by Monday.

As always, if you have questions, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks very much,
Carolyn

Prepare for a little "boom-boom!"

Getting from lots of our readers that the space shuttle is likely to land at Edwards AFB about 5:52 this afternoon -- so prepare for the double sonic boom!

Weekend open thread

What's going on? Comments Open!

(Pictured: Prof. TSC Lowe)

"Staying motivated during a job search" starts at Altadena Baptist Sept. 15

Not many of us enjoy looking for work.  In a bad economy when a job search can extend for months on end, a difficult task to begin with can become overwhelming.  Finances get stretched.  Self-esteem can suffer.  Energy begins to flag.  Those around us don’t understand what we’re going through.  It becomes difficult to know whether the problem is the bad job market, your search efforts, or your qualifications as a candidate.

 
Join us for four gatherings and get yourself the resources and support you need
 
Every other Tuesday, beginning September 15
6:30 – 9:00 PM
at Altadena Baptist Church
791 E. Calaveras St., Altadena, CA 9100

(thx Monica!)

Keller Williams holds shredding/ewaste event Sat.

Altadena Realtor Linda Lane White tells us that her firm, Keller Williams Realty in Pasadena, is holding its second annual Shredding/Recycling Event this Sat., Sept. 12 from 9 AM- 1PM.

Bring your old computers, TV’s, fax machines, telephones, old documents, receipts, etc. to 445 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.  United Document Storage LLC will be destroying your documents on-site, which sounds quite satisfying!

Weekendin'

All events are free unless otherwise noted.

Thurs. Sept. 10

• Altadena author Michelle Hunevan will read from her new novel "Blame" and sign copies of her books at Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado, Pasadena, at 7 PM.

Fri., Sept. 11

• A USO Show will be presented by Show of Support/Theater Americana at 7 PM at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater.  Donna Scarantino, president of the organization, says: "Would like to let everyone know that all military, police and fire department personnel are invited as our guests and will be honored in the opening ceremony."  7 PM, admission $10, and benefits Farnsworth Park's after school program.

Sat., Sept. 12

• The Arroyo Timebank will hold a yard sale at the Zane Grey Estate, 8 AM-5 PM.
• Sometime between 11:30-12:30 PM, artist Bruce Nauman will present a skywriting artwork over the Arroyo in honor of the Armory Center for the Art's 20th anniversary.  Best places to view are the Rose Bowl, Brookside Park, La Loma Bridge, or the Colorado St. Bridge.
• Bulgarini Gelato continues its Italian dinner and a movie series with "Mediterraneo."  Dinner starts at 7:30 ($12 a plate), film at 8:15 (free), gelateria open throughout.
• Hot August Night, a Neil Diamond tribute, will cap off the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's summer concert series.  Concert starts 7 PM.

Sun., Sept. 13

• Monthly bluegrass jam at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 12:30 to 3:30 PM or so.

Firewatch: LA County deactivates fire command; fire breaks begin near Mt. Wilson

As of Tuesday noon, the LA County Office of Emergency Management as deactivated its Station Fire Emergency Operations Center, transitioning out deputies and winding down fire activities.

A planned burn from an area east of Mt. Wilson, from Mt. Waterman to Cogswell Reservoir, started Wednesday (yesterday), and was visible from the Mt. Wilson towercam last night (you can still see smoke this morning, and we could smell it in East Altadena).

And there will be a memorial for firefighers Tedmond Hall and Arnaldo Quinones at Dodger Stadium at 10 AM Saturday (click graphic for details).

UPDATE 10 AM: The staff at Mt. Wilson Observatory took these pictures of their new moonscape at Angeles Crest Highway during a grocery run to La Canada last Sunday.

And PSN talks about our next problem: mud flows!