altadenablog

Apologies ...

... but today was just totally shot, for a variety of reasons.  Thursday will be devoted to catching up.  Thank you for your indulgence!

Uneventful at tonight's town council meeting

Typepad is acting up a bit tonight, so no long story -- we'll just tell you that no decisions were made, a little shouting was done, people made speeches and presentations, and chair Ruth Edwards rocked that gavel pretty hard a few times.  We'll give you the rundown sometime Wednesday.

Editorial: Simmons needs to demonstrate leadership, restraint

Altadena town councilman Herbert Simmons has signed off his emails with the slogan:

"Linking Altadenans Through Technology to Make Our Community a Better and Safer Place"

If only he would follow his own words.

Instead, Simmons -- subject of an internal town council ethics investigation -- is using his website and emails in a way that does NOT make our community a better and safer place.

The town council formed an investigatory committee in August to determine if Simmons -- during his first month on the council -- had violated its ethical rules.  The council as a whole has had nothing to say pending the results of the investigation.  Officially, they haven’t even said it is Simmons they are investigating.

But Mr. Simmons has not followed the discreet example of his fellow councilmembers.  Take a look through his Altadenans.com website and note how much space he devotes to accusations against them. (Also note how he's removed "better" from his slogan.)

We’re not going to deal with the reasons and substance behind the investigation until the council has presented them.  However,  Simmons has used the council’s silence to mischaracterize the investigation as an attempt to “railroad community programs,” in his own words. 

In an Aug. 14 email (an edited version appears on his website), Simmons accuses councilmember Alice Wessen of “attacks upon me.”  What are these “attacks?”  She brought up to the council the possibility that Simmons may have violated ethics rules -- which was her duty as a councilmember -- and emailed Simmons a copy of the bylaws and ethical standards he signed off as receiving and understanding when he ran for office.  Some attack.

He also intimates that Wessen’s actions were motivated by her supporting his opponent in the last election.   First, as administrator of the Chaney Trail listserv, she sent both Simmons’ and his opponent’s candidate statements to her readers -- and second, if she did support his opponent, so what?  It’s not a crime, Mr. Simmons.

The “programs” Simmons accuses councilmembers of trying to “railroad” are Mr. Simmons’ naming of a student and teacher of the month at local schools. Winners get, among other things, a T-shirt with Mr. Simmons's name prominently displayed in several places. Since he has recently announced several winners, it's hard to tell how his program is being "railroaded."

(As an aside, Alice Wessen is an interesting choice to accuse of trying to thwart student achievement.  She manages Education Outreach for JPL and works with schools across the U.S. and the world, and with some of the poorest school districts in the U.S. on science and space education.)

Mr. Simmons’ latest volley calls for an investigation of chairman Gino Sund.  Among the charges Simmons is making and for which he demands an investigation:

• A second-hand report that he was called a bad name;
• That he hasn’t been trained and hasn’t received a copy of his duties, altho’ (1) he had to sign off that he had received and understood them before he could even run for office (2) they are readily available at many places, such as the library and town council’s own website, and (3) they were sent to him electronically (we have copies of the emails).
• That the investigation of his actions has dragged on too long --  which it has -- and that Sund bears some responsibility for it;
• And finally that Simmons wasn’t introduced properly during the NAACP Centennial Event, nor was he invited to a photo op with the governor.

Perhaps Mr. Simmons thinks that having his feelings hurt rises to the level of official misconduct, but we don’t think so.

This would all be rather amusing, if a waste of the public’s time, but we feel it creates two serious problems:

First, it sends the Altadena town council back to the days when it apparently was run by circus clowns.  The council has acquired a reputation over the years that has not been flattering: private agendas, unproven accusations, drama inside and outside of the council chambers, whispered (or sometimes shouted) conspiracy theories, egos run amok  -- and just generally a feeling that adults were not in charge here.  There is a reason why the meetings are broadcast, and not because they set a sterling example of how local government should work.  The rough-and-tumble contrarian image some Altadenans take perverse pride in doesn’t travel well outside of town. 

The present council, under Chairman Sund, has been working to turn that culture around, and has accomplished much.   Altadena deserves to be taken seriously. The hysterical finger-pointing of Mr. Simmons and his amen corner on and off the council threatens to undo the progress that has been made and drag us back to the bad old days.

Second, a council that spends more time dealing with vendettas than handling the people’s business is not attractive to the decent, civic-minded people that Altadena needs to lead us now and in the future.  Why run for this unpaid, essentially-powerless position if you’re going to spend your council time being shouted at, accused, threatened with lawsuits, investigating or being investigated?  Talented councilmembers and potential candidates have told us privately that they’ve already had it if this is what it’s going to be like.  That is Altadena’s loss at a critical time.

Mr. Simmons calls himself a community leader, and we want him to begin by acting like one.   If he wants to serve on the town council, it means he abides by its rules and decorum, which include being silent until the investigation is completed.  Mount a vigorous defense, if necessary.  Abide by the council’s decision, and continue to be a leader in the community.  The present course he has chosen is not that of a leader, not that of someone who professes to link people together, and certainly not good for the future of Altadena.


Comments are closed, but may be emailed to altadenablog@gmail.com for consideration.

Super Saturday Family Storytime, 10 AM Sat.

Super Saturday Family Storytime returns to the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, on Sat., Oct.24, at 10 AM, for all children age 2-8 and their families.

Complaints fire-hosed to council executive committee

Altadena town councilmember Herbert Simmons, who has been under investigation by the council's ethics committee since his first month in office, has fired back against town council chair Gino Sund in his Altadenans website, demanding an investigation for various alleged infractions.  The website also contains letters of complaint signed by councilman Okorie Ezieme and former councilmember Camille Dudley, who has added Tecumseh Shackelford and former councilman Ken Balder to her list of complaints.  Apparently we can count on any town council action on the real issues of concern to the community to be relegated to the back burner in favor of settling scores now.  Pity.

*Now's* the time for Boho-Highbrow Weekend!

We know a true bohemian never plans anything in advance, but: we just got a note from Michele Zack at Altadena Heritage, who said that they need to let the caterer know SOON how many are coming for the Boho-Highbrow weekend!  So now's your time to commit! Call 626-797-0054, email altadenaheritage@earthlink.net or visit their website: www.altadenaheritage.org.

Mt. Wilson toll road and the Pinecrest gate

Reader Paul Ayers sent us this first-person account:

On Friday, my fourth grader James had the day off so we decided to go hiking.  After finding that Pasadena had closed the lower Arroyo Seco we wandered over to Eaton because James wanted a walk by “a stream”.  Out of habit I swung by the Pinecrest gate and… found it opened; hikers were parking and walking down to the falls, up the Toll Road, etc.  James and I went down the road and up to the falls and had a fine time; I have attached a photo of James at the gate.  That’s the good news.

The bad news is that no one, including a county fire fighter I met at the gate, had any rational explanation as to when the gate openings began, what the open hours were, etc.   Most troubling was the fire fighter’s statement that the gate was “unlocked by a neighbor who has a key”.  And the signage on the gates still says the City of Pasadena has no responsibility for the gate and if it is locked when you’re inside, tough luck.

Pasadena Water & Power owns the land at the access point.  That entity according to letters I have seen signed by Mayor Bogaard, was responsible for the closure.  The closure was in many ways irrational.  There was nothing particularly unsafe in Eaton after the rains stopped in 2005 and if safety was the issue [which Mayor Bogaard stated it was] why did access to the “unsafe area” from the Nature Center and other Eaton Canyon access points remain unfettered?  Given the lack of logic of the City’s position it is no wonder that the trail community came to believe that safety was not the issue, but rather that the Pinecrest “neighbors” simply didn’t like the great unwashed in their neighborhood.  This may not be the case but when a government spreads bullsh*t all kinds of plants grow.

Be that as it may, now that the repairs are completed and the Toll Road is passable and safe it seems reasonable that some kind of rational approach to access through the Pinecrest gate be established.  In my opinion this would involve some accountable governmental entity controlling and scheduling gate openings, not the “neighbors”.

Spook-tacular bangles and bracelets @ Heart & Soul

Sat., Oct. 31, 2009
10:30 am - 12:30 pm

In this session we will create spook-tacular bangles and bracelets. You will leave with two fabulous pieces of wearable art.

Artist Heather Morrow will guide you to create a unique work of art, inspired by your own vision. Each participant will be provided with the necessary supplies; however, you are welcome to bring any objects or embellishments to add to your work (or share).

[$30 - includes materials.]

Please call (626) 798-8337 to make reservations. Reservations are needed to ensure enough materials.

Heart & Soul Healing Art Center
1167 North Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 798-8337

Altadena Town Council, 7 PM Tues. @ Community Center

The Altadena Town Council's monthly meeting (click on agenda to enlarge).  Items of note:

• Results of the ethics investigation are postponed until next month.
• The C.A.R.E. outreach team (Public Works and Forest Service) will make a presentation on the initial damage assessments of the recent wildfire burn areas including impacts to transportation systems and the potential risk to the community from anticipated mud and debris flows.
• The Census Bureau will make a presentation on the upcoming 2010 count in Altadena.  They are looking for community input to help them get a good count especially of hard to reach residents. 
• Pasadena Council Member Jacque Robinson will talk about her effort to create a standing Children, Youth and Families Commission to address as-risk-youth concerns including gang violence.
• There is also a proposal to re-stripe North Lake Avenue from Altadena Dr. to the top at Loma Alta.  Speed has always been a problem on this segment of the street and a traffic calming and speed reduction technique has been proposed . The plan is to reduce the street from four lanes to two lanes, with a two way left turn lane in the center.

Altadena arts this week

• One of our favorite young artists (and a righteous babe), Molly Tierney, the Project: Altadena gal, will be showing her photographs through Nov. 6 at Gallery Godo, 6749 E. San Fernando Rd. #C, Glendale.
• And Edward Beckett's Altadena studio show opens Oct. 24 and closes Nov. 6.  It will feature new prints, the most recent icons, paintings and photography by three significant artists, including Edward. It's at Beckett Hall, 1051 E. Altadena Dr. UPDATE: Canceled this weekend, will be rescheduled!
• And don't forget Altadena Heritage's Boho-HIghbrow Weekend coming up Sat. and Sun.  PSN front-pages it today with pictures at the Mountain View Mausoleum site in a story by Janette Williams.

Read to Pearl @ library's "Barks & Books"

Children age 5-12 are invited to visit the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, to read to Pearl, a loveable rescued standard poodle on Sat., Oct. 24, starring at 11 AM.

The Battle for Mt. Wilson: the inside story @ the library, Oct. 25

The great Station Fire raged through the San Gabriel Mountains for more than a month and came closer to destroying Mount Wilson Observatory than any event in that facility's 105-year history.  The story of how this most historic of observatories was spared will no doubt become a major chapter in the history of astronomy.

Observatory Superintendent and astrophotographer Dave Jurasevich was on the mountain through the ordeal, and on Sunday, October 25, Dave will show and tell us exactly what it was like to be there.  The talk will be generously illustrated with Dave's stunning on-the-scene photography (including many shots never seen before), plus video footage of the fire shot by him from Mt. Wilson.

This is a free talk, sponsored by the Mount Wilson Observatory Association (MWOA).  The lecture begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa, Altadena.  Refreshments will be served before the program, starting at 2:00 p.m.  We suggest you come early to be assured of good seating.

For more information, call Bob Eklund, MWOA Program Chairman, at (310) 216-5947, or email him at beklund@sprynet.com.

Owen Brown's body lies a moulderin', etc.-- we just don't know where!

Matt Horman at the (Altadenablog sponsor) Hometown Pasadena website has a nice piece on the history of Owen and Jason Brown, and the scene at Little Round Top, which suffered from the Station Fire.  Owen's headstone is still missing!

Back to work

We got back in town last night after a perfect weekend on Catalina (well, perfect except for the heavy lifting -- we were helping a friend make a rather large planter on his children's camp property), and are happy to be back in drizzly Altadena.  Expect updates throughout the day.

UPDATE:  Someone on the newsgroups has reported seeing a naked man jogging about Fair Oaks and Marathon on the morning of Oct. 11.  It's great to be back home!

Railroads, trolleys, and the Red Cars

The Altadena Library and the Altadena Historical Society are hosting a joint event for lovers of local history and transportation.

Expert Brian Marcroft will share rare images, maps, photos and documents of the Pacific Electric Railroad. Charles Seims, author of Mount Lowe, the Railway in the Clouds and Trolley Days in Pasadena will be honored at this exciting event. It takes place at the Community Center at 730 East Altadena Drive on Mon. Nov. 23 at 7:30 PM.

Halloween bleg: where are the good displays?

For those who don't know, a "bleg" is a beg on a blog.  This time, we're looking for good Halloween displays. 

Do you have or know of a great Halloween display?  Let us know and we'll try to get a picture of it (and yes, we know about the Horror House on Braeburn -- but there's got to be more out there!)

Welcome new sponsor: Danny's Farm

Altadenablog welcomes its new sponsor, Danny's Farm, 3064 1/2 Ridgeview Dr., Altadena, (626) 797-FARM.

(Pictured: employee David May, 60, who helps clean the restrooms, stalls, and other areas)

Danny's Farm is familiar to children, teachers, and parents throughout Altadena -- a chance for children to encounter real farm animals in a safe and sane setting.  But besides, that, its mission is to provide meaningful jobs for developmentally disabled adults, who handle the maintenance  and care tasks involved in running such a facility.

Says owner Cathy Gott, "Nothing in my life has been better than giving these guys meaningful jobs ... I want Altadena to set the bar for loving people with all their differences."

Cathy and her husband, former Dodger pitcher Jim Gott, have two sons with autism, CJ and Danny.  They opened Education Spectrum, an educational program for autistic children, in 1997.  The farm, which is a nonprofit foundation started in 2007, was an outgrowth of Danny's love of animals, and the fact that he was getting older. 

"There is little opportunity [for the developmentally disabled] to get jobs," Cathy said.  With help from the San Gabriel-Pomona Regional Center, Villa Esperanza, and Supv. Michael Antonovich, they stated Danny's Farm with the goal of it being self-supporting by the time Danny turned 18.

(Pictured: Reynard Franklin, 20, likes to help out with the goats)

Due to zoning issues, Danny's Farm has had to cut back on the kinds of farm animals onsite, and that meant the birthday parties and school field trips that were its mainstay are gone, too.  It still offers a Regional Center-vendored specialty autism program for after school hours, and it  will "bring the farm to you," with their mobile petting farm.  But they have plans to make it even better. (See this story about their future plans).

The mobile petting farm is licensed and insured, and will go to schools, block parties, or other events.  The price is flexible, depending on distance and the animals they bring with them.

Danny's Farm employs office manager Jenny Sukys and program director Lisa Houseman.  Most other paid employees, who  come through Villa Esperanza Employment Services, have developmental disabilities.

(PIctured: Alex Reeser, 21, helps look after the bunnies at his first real job.)

But keeping it running involves a lot of community support, Gott says, in terms of cash, in-kind donations, and volunteer work -- and anybody can help.  "Empty your fridge!" Gott said "Bring your old vegetables, leave 'em at our front door -- it keeps our costs down for food."
 

Volunteering at Danny's Farm also represents an opportunity for students who need to put in community service hours for school -- "come pet the animals, brush them, bath them " -- or take on other tasks, such as making curtains.

Gott also credits contribution of Altadena Stables, next door, which owns the land and rents it to Danny's Farm.  "They not only allowed it, they empowered us, they supported us -- it's pretty extraordinary."

All told, Danny's Farm is one of Altadena's special treasures, and we urge you to give them a try!

Barbecue at Brio Sat.

Nick and Kaye Flores, the proprietors of the fine Brio Spa and Cafe (Altadenablog sponsor) tell us that tomorrow, Sat. Oct. 17, Brio will be barbecuing all day long:

The Famous Huge Sausages with bellpepper onions and a ton of Lousiana sweet barbeque sauce to fill a belly fit for a KING and wanting more!!!! Look for the Smoke on the corner of Morada and Lake Ave.

This is just the first series of launching the FAMOUS Chicken, Pork, and Turkey Fat Sausages --   drinks and sides will be avaliable for purchase. Try an Urban Green Organic Pecan Pie normally sold at the South Pasadena Farmer's Markets to complete your meal!!!

Takin' some time off

We'll be out of pocket thru the weekend, but we do have some stories lined up to print while we're gone.  (Comments will be closed over the weekend, too -- feel free to comment, but it won't appear until Monday!) Back in the saddle Sun. night/Monday morning!

Chase Bank robbed

Sketchy details are coming in about a robbery today at the Chase (former WaMu) bank on Lake.  Labankrobbers.org has released this photo of the suspect.  If you can help, call the sheriff's station, 798-1131.

Deputies arrest two in burglary investigation

Altadena sheriff's deputies arrested two suspects today as part of an ongoing burglary investigation.

Arrested were Jabari Vanardo, 20, and Lonell Vanardo, 55, for residential burglary and firearm possession.

The Altadena Sheriff Station issued the following press release:

The two suspects were arrested by Altadena Station Detectives, in the early morning hours, during a burglary surveillance operation.

Yesterday, October 14, 2009, at about 4:45 PM, a female resident came home and interrupted a male burglarizing her home in the 1300 block Eastlyn Place. The suspect fled, and Altadena Station personnel immediately responded. Property and evidence were recovered, and information developed that lead to the identity of Suspect Jabari Vanardo.

Throughout the evening hours, Altadena Station Detectives conducted a surveillance operation, which resulted in his arrest.

Also arrested, was Suspect Lonell Vanardo, father of Suspect Jabari Vanardo. The elder Vanardo has a prior burglary conviction, and had a firearm in his possession at the time of his arrest.

Detectives will evaluate investigative leads to determine whether or not these suspects are related to any of the recent Altadena area burglaries that have been reported and received extensive media and community attention.

Shake, rattled, & roll

The Great California Shake-out earthquake drill is over, and locally the most visible sign was the schools responding as they should by evacuating the classrooms at 10:15. We made a few stops:

Taking the headcount at Loma Alta Elementary School.

Safely sitting in place at Altadena Elementary (where staff refused to let us get any closer than the public sidewalk, hence the artistic "through the fence" view);

Evacuated students gathering at Eliot Middle School.

Weekendin'

Thurs, Oct. 15

• The Great California Shake-out earthquake drill at 10 AM this morning!

Friday, Oct. 16

• Altadena Library's Friday Fun Flick is  Monsters Vs. Aliens, 3:30 today at the Main Library Community Room.
• Pasadena Waldorf School invites the public to attend a talk by Betty Staley, "Helping Our Children Survive a Media-dominated World," 7-9 PM.

Saturday, Oct. 17

• NAACP Education Forum at the Community Center, 9 AM-noon.

Sunday, Oct. 18

To come

Monday, Oct. 19

• "7 Steps to Being Gainfully Employed" workshop at the Altadena Library Community Room, 7 PM.

Organizational meeting for 2010 Relay for Life tomorrow @ Coffee Gallery

Rose West at (Altadenablog sponsor) Curves Altadena let us know thru Facebook that the American Cancer Society's next relay is on:

Thursday, October 15th is the organizational meeting of the second Altadena Relay for Life in June 2010. If you would like to be part of this 24-hour, fun, historic event, please meet us at the Coffee Gallery from 6-7pm.

Shake-out is tomorrow

The Great California Shake-out earthquake drill is tomorrow morning, 10:15 AM, and lasting for about three minutes.  More information is here.

Helping children survive a media-soaked world at Waldorf School Fri.

The Pasadena Waldorf School at 209 E. Mariposa in Altadena will have Betty Staley speaking on "Helping Our Children Survive a Media-dominated World"  -- and they're asking us (the media!) to let you know that it's Fri., Oct. 16, at 7 PM, and the public is invited.

Mudwatch: slide information

Yeah, we're on mudwatch now!

Lots of information about possible mudslides and debris flows:

First, David Datz tells us about this link at the Altadena Library website that collects mudslide-related links.

The county has also sent out a memo with some relevant websites (many of which are duplicated at the library's page):

For information on the Station Fire BAER: Watershed Rapid Assessment and Response go to:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/announcements/article/1856/9555/

 Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort (CARE): www.dpwcare.org

 LACo Department of Public Works http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/fire/

For Frequently Asked Questions on Post-Fire Flooding and Debris Flows and Protective
Measures: http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/fire/display.cfm?product=file/faq.htm

For the DWP Homeowner’s guide for Flood, Debris and Erosion Control go to: http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wmd/HomeOwners/index.cfm.

 The DWP provides advice to homeowners on the management of Flood, Debris and Erosion Control. You can contact them and have them speak at your next [Fire Safe Council] meeting.

Public Works Headquarters
900 S. Fremont Ave.
Alhambra , CA  91803
(626) 458-5100

Altadena Crest Trail meeting tonight

Trail Folks--

The Tuesday, October 13th meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) Steering Committee will be held as usual at the Altadena Community Center, 7 PM:
730 E. Altadena Drive (Just W. of Lake Ave and the Altadena Sheriffs Station, across the
street from Rite Aid)

Please report trail conditions after the Station Fire along with other issues affecting local trail systems.

Happy Autumn Trails!

Robert Staehle
ACTRWG Steering Committee Meetings Chair

Flash flood website

... shared by Monica Hubbard, this National Weather Service site has flash flood information, including evacuations:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/

Bookmark it now!

And: KPCC has an interview with Sue Cannon of USGS on the mud flows here.

Open call to artists for McGinty's Dec. show

From our friend, the "mayor of Altadena," Ben McGinty:

OPEN CALL TO ARTISTS

Gallery At The End Of The World  for our December 3 4 5 6 show

2475 N. Lake Ave. 

Saturday October  17th and 24th  noon to 5pm

Bring a sample of your work for us to see,  scope out the spaces available and sign up!

Participants share in the nominal co-op fee per space, and the gallery takes a 20% commission.

Thaxton, Rogers on Rose Court

The Tournament of Roses announced the seven lucky survivors of competition for the 2010 Tournament of Roses Royal Court (wonder if martial arts and edged weapons were involved?). Our congrats go to Altadenans Ashley Thaxton, 17, of John Marshall Fundamental and Lauren Rogers, 17, from Blair High School.

UPDATE 10 PM: Pasadena Now has more biographical details.

Now he's an air conditioner repairman!

This hit the newsgroups about 12:20 PM today to the President Streets newsgroup:

About 20 minutes ago had a "front door bell, go around to the back" incident again. 5'10" hispanic, mustache, blue jeans & shirt, tool belt. Rang the front door emphatically a couple of minutes. Then he came around back and went directly past back door to side of house. The lawn maintenance guys were here. I asked them to get the guy that went to the side (thought he might be electric meter reader). This guy said he was with A-1 Air conditioning and did I need any repair. I said the air conditioning unit was out front and he probably saw it while ringing front door and coming around to back. I told him to get out. The sheriffs have been by and are checking the street.

Please call the sheriffs (798-1131) if you see anything useful.

Ghost woods

David Datz is sharing some haunting pictures of the Station Fire aftermath -- charred landscape on a foggy day, around Inspiration Point, the Idle Hour Trail/Merrill Trail junction, Merrill trail near the ridge, and the Cape of Good Hope.

His Picasa web album is here.

Sandbagging the rainfall

Faithful reader Devon Pettengill sent us this useful note:

I did a little internet research to find more information about the debris flow, flash flood, and mudslide risks Altadena may be facing this week. Here are a few of the links I came up with:

First, here is the online version of a booklet prepared by the LA County Department of Public Works, entitled "Homeowner's Guide for Flood, Debris, and Erosion Control."  I found this in the Current Conditions section of LACounty.gov's C.A.R.E. website (http://dpw.lacounty.gov/care/), which offers resources for LA County residents affected by the recent fires. The homeowner's booklet has a lot of good information such as how to properly fill and use sandbags to deflect debris flows and flooding. There is a lot of detailed information about how to create permanent defenses against debris flows, though hopefully such substantial fortifications won't be necessary for any of us!

http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wmd/HomeOwners/enter.cfm



Second is a PDF document listing the locations where people living in the unincorporated areas of LA County can obtain sandbags. I'm not sure if the sandbags are free, but it is possible that they are.

http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/fire/file/sandbags.pdf

(Ed: we've gone ahead and published the Station Fire sandbag locations)

Lastly, for the scientifically curious, is a report from the US Geological Survey about debris flows in recent burn areas in Southern California. The report includes the why, where, and how about debris flows in burn areas, as well as a page of safety and preparedness information about what to do before and during a heavy rain storm.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3106/pdf/FS-3106.pdf


I hope your readers will find this information as useful as I did! Keep up the great work!

Opening bell: open comments Monday

What's ahead in YOUR week?

Prepare for rain and possible mudslides this week

Robert Klomburg sends us this:

I don't want to be an alarmist, but we could see the first significant rain of the season in October! This Tuesday night! How strange is that!

 

You may wish to point your readers to: http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/weather/Heavy_Rain_Forecast_Fire_Scarred_Mountains_20091010

 

And from Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/548.html#SPE

 

The County has had very little time to prepare for an event like this. Those in La Vina and the Meadows could experience significant mudslides and debris flows. If this storm develops as expected, we could be in for a heck of an event.

 

I strongly encourage all Altadena residents to keep up-to-date on the approaching storm. Visit: www.weatherunderground.com and www.noaa.gov for the latest information.

 

Now is the time to prepare!

 

Bob

And on a similar note, Whittier Daily News (poor cousin to PSN and SGVN) has an Emma Gallegos story about how La Canada-Flintridge is preparing for potential mudslides.

Larry Wilson on the boho weekend

Altadena Heritage has the Boho/Highbrow  weekend coming up -- and PSN's Larry Wilson gives his remembrances.

Monsters Vs. Aliens is Friday's Fun Flick

Get in the Halloween spirit a little early at the Altadena Main Library, where the Oct. 16 Fun Flick is "Monsters vs. Aliens," rated PG.  The flick starts at 3:30 in the community room, and popcorn is provided!

Autumn morning in Altadena

A busy day in our community.  If you weren't one of the 50 or so people who went to the membership meeting for the Arroyo Food Co-Op -- or even if you were -- there's lots to do today:

Pumpkins galore at the Girl Scout's Camp Mariposa ....

 

Arts & crafts in a beautiful setting at Art on Palm ...

... and Rod Collins takes to the trees on Santa Rosa on the first day of setting up the lights for Christmas Tree Lane.

Octavia Butler reading today in San Francisco

Via Boing Boing, today there's a reading in San Francisco to benefit the Octavia Butler Scholarship Fund.  Butler, from Altadena, was a masterful writer in a genre where there are few women or African Americans, science fiction, and a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius grant.  She died in 2006.

Burglary story hits the airwaves

KCBS just put online a story about our burglary wave.  (Keep reloading -- it took us several attempts before anything played)   KNBC was at the Wednesday meeting, too, but we can't find any story online.

(Hat tip to Jolline Hardman for pointing this out.)

Linda Dove wins poetry prize

Altadena poet Linda Dove has won the 2009 Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize from Bear Star Press. The prize, awarded annually for the best unpublished manuscript of poems by a writer west of the central time zone, includes a cash award and publication. In Defense of Objects is Dove’s first full-length collection, and several of its poems have won previous awards, such as the 2005 Stephen Dunn Award and the 2001 Alice Longan Award for a collection inspired by the American Southwest. “Eye, Appaloosa” has been nominated by Bear Star’s editor for a Pushcart Prize.


Linda Dove was born in Berkeley but grew up in Columbia, Maryland. She attended Mt. Holyoke College, where she studied with Joseph Brodsky and was awarded Highest Honors in English. She received MA and PhD degrees from the University of Maryland. After a short stint teaching in western Michigan, Dove moved to the southwest for eight years. There, she taught literature and creative writing at Prescott College and Yavapai College while ranching in Skull Valley, Arizona, with her husband.

They now live in Altadena with their daughter. Dove is president of the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Society for Aesthetics.

In Defense of Objects impressed the contest judges with its carefully nuanced observations of the concrete world in which we live: “You sit dumb on the shelf. Maybe you are an urn, a jewel box, a shell. An artist’s / scrawl.” But Dove’s project is a two-way interrogation. She “calls out” the objects and is attentive to the questions they seem to ask in return. This is a joyful book, and a debut collection that reads like the work of a mature artist.

“The meditative, quiet beauty of Linda Dove’s In Defense of Objects helps defend the reader against all sorts of daily blindnesses. Not least of theobjects worth defending, this poet shows, are words themselves, which she employs with subtlety, wit, and depth of feeling."
~ Mary Jo Salter, author of A Phone Call to the Future: New and Selected Poems

Black College Night a big success

Lots of good energy and high spirits filled the Loma Alta Park gym as students attended Black College Night Thursday.  The night was an opportunity for students to meet students and alums of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Penny Daniels of the Loma Alta Park staff, who helped organize the event, received a certificate from the county board of supervisors.

Among the attractions were demonstrations of "steppin," an HBCU tradition.

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Weekend in the 'dena free-for all

Let the open comments begin!  What's happening in your corner?

Reading for the record

Parents and kids gathered in the Altadena Library Thursday afternoon to "Read for the Record" -- joining readers around the country reading the same book on the same day.  This year it was Eric Carle's classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, read by librarian Cassandra Stearns, which, even after 40 years in print, has the power to enchant.  Readers also received a special edition of the book.

Tech Week starts at Business Technology Center Oct. 22

From PR Web:

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich, 5th District, and Gloria Molina, 1st District, the CDC of Los Angeles County and MSA Management Group, Inc. express their heartfelt thanks to the 2009 L.A. County Tech Week Premier, Platinum, and Gold sponsors for their generous and sustaining support. L.A. County Tech Week is the premier celebration of and showcase for technology innovation and leadership in LA County. Tech Week 2009, is taking place at the Business Technology Center in Altadena, CA, October 22, 2009.

"Our sponsors are the heart of L.A. County Tech Week," said Jim Schaefer, Partner, MSA Management Group, Inc. and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Los Angeles County Tech Week. "We wouldn't be able to put on this spectacular event if it weren't for the many companies and people that support us. Our largest supporters include Accenture, Oracle, The Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County, the Business Technology Center, California Community College Economic Workforce Development, and MSA Management Group, Inc. Special recognition and thanks goes to Oracle and Accenture for their consistent and generous support year after year."

"The Platinum sponsors include AT&T Interactive, Pasadena Angels, Business Life Magazine, Christie Parker Hale, Entertainment Partners, Handmade Interactive, JETRO, Amara Grimes, and QuantumMethod. Gold level sponsors include Mt. Sierra College , Pasadena City College and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)," said Mark Lieberman, Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County, and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Los Angeles County Tech Week.

"The Los Angeles technology sector is unarguably one of the strongest technology economies in the world and we greatly appreciate the support from our sponsors that will make this 8th annual Tech Week reflect this vitality. Many of the sponsors will be taking part in panels throughout the day and will receive awards as well," said Lieberman.

This year's event features four lively panels, a keynote speech from Barbara McQuiston, Special Assistant for Energy, DARPA, an award ceremony led by Michael Antonovich, 5th District Supervisor, a luncheon program and a networking hour. For tickets and more information please visit: http://tinyurl.com/ngu62e

About Los Angeles County Tech Week
Los Angeles County Tech Week is designed to inform those with an interest in technology - businesses that develop technologies, and businesses fueled by technologies, developers, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, teachers and students - about the state of the technology landscape in Los Angeles County. For more information visit: www.LATECHWEEK.com

Cop stop

Catching up on stuff ... we caught this yesterday about 4:15: Altadena deputies block off Tanoble above Altadena Dr. Wednesday afternoon to stop a man who, scanner said, had threatened suicide.  Went into custody, street was back open within a few minutes.

The return of Rambro' -- and he brought a friend

From Alice Wessen, moderator of the Chaney Trail listserv:

Chaney Trail listserve reports that there have been separate recent sightings of both the hunter known as “Rambro” a middle age, black male driving a maroon van, and another hunter, matching the following description: white male, husky build in camo-gear, with a backpack, wearing a large hunting knife.

The male wearing camo-gear was driving a white truck has been seen at other trailheads. He also had a large grey dog with him (appeared to be a pitbull, on leash) and was driving a white Chevy Silverado pick-up truck (CA lic. plate 7P29732) parked at the Sunset Ridge / Mount Wilson Fire Road trailhead (top of Chaney Trail). A man in camo-gear, was wearing a backpack, wearing a large hunting knife got out of the truck.

The vehicle has been seen there before by Lonnie, campground host of Millard Campground. The truck is covered with US Marine Corps decals and bumper stickers on the back window area that read: Body Piercing by the USMC(next to a human silhouette full of bullet holes) and I'll keep my guns, freedom & money...You can keep the "change"
Sheriffs and USFS have been notified

Please do not approach!  When Lonnie informed the man courteously that the Forest was closed and asked him if he'd seen all the signs. The man replied, "I've seen every F*cking one of them!" He then put his hand on his knife and Lonnie thought it wise to withdraw at that point.
 

 If you see any vehicles where they don't belong, or suspicious persons in the burn area or on surrounding trails, particularly if they are obviously armed, please contact the Altadena Sheriffs immediately at: 626.798.1131.

On a lighter note: we found this story about hunters in the SoCal hills -- and never (except when we were a candidate to edit an electronics engineering magazine) had we less idea of what they're talking about, starting with the subhead!

Chapman students want recognition for black umpire

An article in the OC Register about Emmett Ashford (father of Adrienne Bratton of Altadena), who was the first black umpire in the major leagues.

Weekendin'

A lot going on, and It all starts today:

Thurs., Oct. 8

• Read for the Record: help break the record for reading a single book on the same day, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."  Readings are at 4 PM at the Altadena Main Library and 4:30 at the Bob Lucas Branch.
• Historically Black College and University night at Loma Alta Park, 6-9 PM: ask questions, meet alumni, and find out about these schools of higher learning.
• Foothill Municipal Water District public forum, 6:30 PM at the Community Center.

Fri., Oct. 9

To come: check back later!

Sat., Oct. 10:

• The Girl Scouts will have a pumpkin patch and activities today and Sunday, 9 AM-4 PM, at Camp Mariposa, 615 E. Mariposa.
• Arroyo Food Co-op's big membership launch, 9-11 AM at the Community Center.
• Art on Palm's fall show, 9:30 AM-5 PM at Wildwood Park on the east end of Palm.
• Christmas Tree Lane "Lights Up" starts, 9-12 -- coffee & donuts to start, lunch provided after the end.

Sun. Oct. 11

• Bluegrass Jam at the Coffee Gallery Backstage,  12:30 - 3:30 PM.