altadenablog

Measure CC: both sides now.

We've been asked/pressured to do something on Measure CC (Pasadena Unified's measure to levy a five year parcel tax to keep the district limping along), but the blog takes no political positions on anything (sorry!)  We will, however, direct your attention to a blunt opinion piece by PSN's Shirlee Smith, and to the Yes on CC website to balance it out.

Chamber to hold annual golf tournament May 7

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce's annual golf tournament is just around the corner -- May 7, to be exact.

If you don't play golf, consider any of the following:  sponsor a tee or green sign, come for dinner, donate a raffle prize, or donate 72 goody bag items.

 

A portion of the proceeds from this tournament go towards scholarships so please put all of your support behind this fun event.

 

Paramedics called on injured child

For those on the east side of town right now (6:40 PM) the sirens are: Altadena sheriff and paramedics called to Allen and Beverly on Pasadena side: vehicle accident, injured child being transported to Huntington.

Marines at the Rose Bowl Sun.

Looking for something to do Sunday?  The U.S. Marine Corps drum and bugle corps,  Silent Drill Platoon, and Color Guard will show their stuff at the Rose Bowl.  It's free, and doors open at 1 PM.

USFS schedules "listening session" March 27

We've heard from several sources that the U.S. Forest Service will hold a "listening session" at the Community Center from 1-3 PM on Sat., March 27.  We know that part of the topic is the work on the Cobb Estate -- Outward Bound members are working to cover trails that are not actually part of the historic trails in the area, but many hikers maintain that these are authentic trails and consider the modifications "booby-trapping."  USFS has not returned our calls seeking more information yet, but we will keep you informed when (and if) they do!

Hey! Altadena! Over here!

Always good to see the Pasadena Star-News pick up on not one, but two Altadena stories -- especially the day after you read 'em here!!

Weekendin'

A packed weekend, starting now!

Thurs., March 18

• The Altadena Library will have Toddler Story Time at 11 AM;  teens and tweens games, starting at 4 PM in the main library; and the Bob Lucas branch welcomes award-winning juggler David Cousin, also at 4 PM.

Fri, March 19

• The Altadena library's Friday Fun Flick for the month is Where the Wild Things Are, 3:30-5 PM, at the community room.

Sat., March 20

• Altadena MOMS Club is at the Webster's complex from 10 AM-2 PM with their clothing swap fundraiser
• The Pasadena Police Dept. helipad on Windsor will hold an open house from 11-2 to introduce their new, quieter helicopter.
• The Covert Potters Assn. offers "Soup's Up" at Amy's Patio Cafe: have a great lunch with good company, fine soup, and keep the bowl, handmade by a local artisan, starting at 11:30.
• The bloggers of the San Gabriel Valley will welcome spring with the second annual "Primavera in Altadena" potluck at Farnsworth Park, starting at noon and going on until the last blog is hung (sponsored by Altadenablog, Altadenahiker, Altadena Above It All, and Open Mouth Insert Fork).
• And if you're not a blogger, but want to be one, Anne Louise Brown's workshop, "Blogging for fun and (maybe) profit" will be held at the ever-busy Library Community Room, starting at 2 PM.

Altadena firm conducts Hibbs' estate sale Fri-Sat

We subscribe to all kinds of interesting emails, and sometimes they're even relevant!

Altadena-based Hughes Estate Sales will be conducting an estate sale on the property of Dr. Albert & Mrs. Marka O. Hibbs on Friday and Saturday.  Dr. Hibbs, "The voice of JPL," worked on many pioneering spacecraft and authored several important scientific books and papers, occasionally with his colleague Dr. Richard Feynman.  Marka Hibbs was a longtime Altadena resident, a fine artist, librarian at Flintridge Prep, world traveler and bohemian party-thrower, and mother of PSN's Larry Wilson.  Even if you're not planning on going to the sale, gawk at the pictures, by all means!

Abstract: Altadena looking for YOUR photos!

This spring's community art project is underway from the Altadena Arts Coalition: entitled Abstract: Altadena, it's a chance to be really creative with local images.  It will all wind up in a show at Galloway Alley on May 1, part of another North Lake Ave. business open house.  Submissions are $15, and signup is at Photography by Walt at its new location, 875 E. Mariposa.  Deadline is April 13!

"Beauty Bites Beast" at the Library March 29 (part 1 of a Snortland double-header!)

The fierce Altadena author Ellen Snortland celebrates Women's History Month  on Mon., March 29 at the Altadena Library.  Snortland will present an entertaining yet practical guide to self-defense for women and girls, based on her book Beauty Bites Beast.  It starts at 7 PM at the library, 600 E. Mariposa, and admission is free.

Not enough Ellen for you?  Then check out her workshop on April 19, "Burst Out With Your Creative Juices," also at the library at 7 PM.

Town council highlights

At last night’s Town Council meeting:

• The Town Council is considering an ordinance to restrict overnight parking of RVs and other vehicles on Altadena streets.  According to council chair Gino Sund, ever since Pasadena stepped up enforcement, some out-of-town RV owners are storing their rigs on the streets of Altadena, moving them every three days to avoid getting ticketed -- and even if they do get a ticket, it’s cheaper than paying hundreds of dollars a month in storage fees.  The council is exploring issuing overnight parking permits to residents only, giving law enforcement a tool to discourage residents of other communities from using Altadena streets as storage space.
• There was also discussion on the Foothill Municipal Water District’s plans for a parcel tax to pay for up to $65 million in improvements to local water supplies and delivery.  The town council’s Water Task Force attended Foothill’s Monday public meeting in La Canada Flintridge, raising several questions about the vagueness of the plan and lack of public outreach.  Sund said that owners of undeveloped foothill land could be on the hook for several thousand dollars a year if they don’t ask to opt out by the April 5 deadline.
• Incoming Altadena sheriff Capt. Steven McLean said that in the past two weeks the deputies have arrested eight burglary suspects, two of them known gang members,  Investigation is continuing, but some of them may be tied into other thefts.  McLean said that, compared to the first two weeks in February, burglaries are down 45%.  He also introduced his replacement as lieutenant, Lt. Roosevelt Johnson (not to be confused with departing Capt. Roosevelt Blow).

Happy St. Patrick's Day

... another Day of Enforced Joy (tm).  On the other hand, Alice Wessen at JPL tells us that Saturn is Irish today (check the graphic).

Briefly ...

• Annika Lenz took a bronze at the 10 meter qualifying event in Guadalajara, Mexico last weekend, which means the 15 year old Altadenan and Pasadena Poly freshman will compete in the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore this August.  PSN has the details
• Paul Burri of Noozhawk in Santa Barbara and Goleta (probably another one of those astroturfing "local news" enterprises like the Examiner)  talks about his friend, 'Mike" from Altadena, who is also from Brooklyn, and it shows.
• Another Hollywood stalker blog -- Finding the Famous -- has just started, and host Lisa looks at 90210 Dylan's house, which is actually in 91001 on Altadena Dr.  There are a couple of Pasadena locations here as well that are worth checking out.
• And finally, Hometown Pasadena looks at this weekend's main event: The San Gabriel Valley Blogger's Potluck!  Saturday at Farnsworth Park, starts at noon, be there or be square!

March Chamber mixer March 24

Altadena Chamber of Commerce Invites you to the MARCH CHAMBER MIXER

Wed., March 24, 2010, 5:30-7 PM
Altadena Christian Children’s Center
791 E. Calaveras Street, Altadena, CA 91001
Members:  $5,   Guests $7
Bring a raffle prize to promote your business  (or just to be nice)

Arroyo Food Co-op announces coffee shop hops

The Arroyo Food Co-op folks have announced their next three "coffee shop hop" information meetings, where you can enjoy your coffee or tea uncolored by politics and talk about food instead!

This coming Tuesday, they're meeting at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena. The April 27 meeting will be at SWORK in Eagle Rock, and May 26 at the Coffee Gallery.  Details on the graphic.

Perfect Market gets $6 million in Tribune-led funding

We've been reading a lot in the business wires lately about Perfect Market, an Altadena-based business spawned in Pasadena's Idealab that unites advertising and search engines.  This Business Wire story says that Perfect Market just sold $6 million in shares to a variety of companies, led by the Tribune Co. (which we thought was bankrupt!).  This Business Wire story tells the tale.

Altadenans raise questions on Foothill Water plans, information

Veronica Rocha of the Glendale News Press attended yesterday's Foothill Municipal Water District public meeting, and the big news was the frustration expressed by attendees about the vagueness of Foothill's plans for their $20 million water bond, and the lack of information shared with the public.  Those quoted in the story are familiar Altadena names: Steve Haussler, Michele Zack, and Lori Paul.

Library offers MS Word class for kids April 20

Sign up now as the Altadena library holds a Beginning MS Word for Children class on Tue., April 20.  Children with a library card age 7-12 will learn how to create and format documents and insert pictures.  Instructions on how to sign up are on the graphic.

Down on the Farm

Danny's Farm held an open house Saturday, and all kinds of people showed up to see the animals and learn about the good work the Farm does with adults and children with disabilities.

Farm namesake Danny Gott and his large rabbit greeted all comers.

Quite a crowd of people enjoyed looking around.

Anybody who was anybody was there.  Here, Altadena Town Councilman Greg Middleton, left, talks to new Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean.

Danny's Farm gears up for spring and summer

The latest edition of Danny's Farm's newsletter, detailing upcoming activities for spring and summer (note that spring activities are coming up quickly!)  You ARE planning on going to today's open house from 10-12, right?

 

Town council meeting Tues., 7 PM

Looks like nothing too urgent on the agenda, but chairman Gino Sund tells us that (item 9.3) the council will be getting public input on a proposed ordinance for overnight parking permits for oversized vehicles.  Commercial vehicles in excess of 10,000 lbs. are already forbidden from parking overnight on our streets, but there is a problem of non-residents parking their oversize vehicles in Altadena. The proposed ordinance would provide a free parking permit for residents, in order to control the problem of non-residents who park their vehicles on Altadena streets.

Daylight savings time begins tomorrow

Spring forward starts Sunday, so don't be surprised!

Lots of help available to fill out your census form

No longer the red-headed stepchild of the foothills, Altadena boasts not one, but three census assistance centers per PSN:  the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena. 626-398-6174; the Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. 626-798-4971; and Loma Alta County Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena. 626-398-5451.  Call before visiting to ensure it's staffed -- census forms will be arriving starting Monday.

UPDATE:  It may also be timely to rerun this Better Business Bureau piece about census workers coming to your door.

Briefly ...

• Alta-diver Annika Lenz will be going to Mexico to compete for a spot in the Youth Olympic Games, to be held in August in Singapore.
• Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich named Dr. Sandra Thomas as the 2009 “Woman of the Year” for the Fifth Supervisorial District at the 25th Annual County Commission on Women Awards Luncheon.
  
  “Dr. Thomas is a superb role model and an example of how one person -- with hard work, vision and strong leadership can make a difference in the lives of young people,” said Antonovich. In 2004, Dr. Thomas founded the Quality of Life Center which provides individualized instruction and attention to youth with their studies successfully providing students with the tools they need to achieve and live productive lives.  Her Bright Scholars program encourages students to realize their goals with networking opportunities, social support, and training on how to best market themselves for both college and jobs.
• That Hollywood stalker gal Lindsay Blake takes a look at the Fair Oaks Ranch/Crank House, and its movie career (Scream 2 and Catch Me If You Can).
• ... and a mountain bike ride at El Prieto (note: not for the easily motion-sick!)

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Ode to the mothership

Start off this morning with a tip o' the hat to West Seattle Blog, which was named West Seattle's Business of the Year.   We've known the business half of the team almost 40 years now (!), the editorial half 25, and the junior member (who takes pictures and does web graphics) about 14 ('cause that's how old he is!).  They are not only close friends, but mentors in that they continue to break new ground in the new wave of neighborhood news, are the best in the world at what they do, and continue to inspire us in our work. Congratulations!

Sheriff's station marks Capt. Blow's retirement with March 31 open house

... and the open house will be at the Community Center, next door to the sheriff's station, 11 AM-1:30 PM.

Pasadena Daily Photo's creator turns her focus on blogging April 1

One of our favorite people in the universe (who shares a spot with us on Hometown Pasadena's Top Ten List), Petrea Burchard, the creator of Pasadena Daily Photo, will hold a salon at the Women's City Club of Pasadena next month.

It's everything you need to know about blogging, all in one spot, by one of the doyennes of the local blogosphere.  What more can we say?

Details are on the flyer, and Petrea tells us that, despite being held in a women's club, men can come, too!

Juggler David Cousin at the Bob Lucas library next Thurs.

Don't drop the ball on this one ... world record holding juggler David Cousin will be defying gravity at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave., on March 18 @ 4 PM.

Teen March madness @ the library March 18

Teens and 'tweens can get their game on in the community room of the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, on March 18, starting at 4 PM! There'll be Wii, PS3 and traditional board games for your gaming pleasure! Not to mention there’ll be food!!!!

 

Kogi BBQ @ the Coffee Gallery tonight

Korean barbecue tacos, from 9 PM to midnight tonight.

UPDATE 11:30 PM:  The never-fails-to-amaze Bill Westphal gives us an on-the-scene report of Kogi:

It was not as crowded as the Grilled Cheese Truck.  Lynne and I actually waited in line and sampled a couple of different things off of the menu.  It was good and worth the wait.

 

 Local celebrity Adam Bell was caught in line picking up a snack.

We need to see more of the Kogi and Grilled Cheese Trucks in Altadena.

Sheriff's Support Group Concert Series is gonna swing!

Sheriff's Support Group president Robert Klomburg give us the scoop on this summer's concert series at Farnsworth Park:

The funds we raise for the Summer Concert Series are completely outside of the funds we raise for equipment and services for the Altadena Sheriff's Station. It has always been that way, and will continue to be that way. We have a number of sponsors lined up, but we could always use more.

 

Our partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, the Altadena Sheriff's Station, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and our dedicated sponsors, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Rotary Club of Altadena, Beven & Brock, Inc., Toyota of Pasadena, Georgia Rutherford, and Dickson Podley Realtors, has, in my opinion, has made this 14 year Altadena tradition, one of the best events that happen in Altadena.

 

This year were are hoping one of local eateries will also be participating by having boxed dinners for purchase prior to the evenings concert. I don't yet have confirmation on that, but I am looking forward to a 'Hollywood Bowl' dining experience!

 

As you can see, our line-up is as diverse as the community. We had more than 40 acts apply for the 9 slots we had available. All were worthy to participate!

 

Personally, I am looking forward to our Grand Finale, yet another tribute show. In the past years we have had Elvis, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, the Diamonds, the Sounds of the Supremes, the Coasters and the Platters. This year we are doing a tribute to the great 40's & 50's swing music. Something we have never done before. The Grand Finale will feature tributes to: Gene Krupa & Buddy Rich in their infamous 'drum off'. Other tributes will be made to Connie Francis, Peggy Lee, Louis Prima and we will have, as special guests, in a tribute to the Andrew Sisters for our September 11th concert.  The show stars Randy Caputo as Gene Krupa, Jimmy Ford as Buddy Rich, Gina Harlan as Connie Francis & Peggy Lee. And MORE!

Summer can't come fast enough!  Here's a taste of the Legends band, and the flyer is after the jump.

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"Primitive" art at the Green carriage house tour

The Altadena Historical Society gives us another nugget from their upcoming event:

Something old but new to us, the large painting (10’ x 12’)  in the attached document has never been on view to the public. But you’ll have a chance to see it and learn its story on Sunday April 25, 2010, when Altadena Historical Society will open the G. G. Green carriage house for tours between 10 am and 5 pm. Tickets are  $13 for members, $16 for non-members, and $20 at the door. (The carriage house is located a half  block south of the intersection of Santa Rosa and Mariposa in Altadena.)   Send a check to AHS, 730 E. Altadena Dr., Altadena, CA 91001 or purchase tickets on-line. For details go to:

http://ahscarriagehousetour.eventbrite.com/

Tickets will be held at the door.

Water: a local look

Laura Monteros in The Examiner, as usual, has been doing some yeoman duty on hard topics.  Her latest entries look at the history of water development in Altadena and environs in light of the Foothill Municipal Water District's plan to impose a parcel tax to develop local water sources.  It all starts right here.

(BTW, Foothill's workshop with local residents to discuss their plans and financing will be held 8:30 AM on March 15 at the La Canada Presbyterian Church, 626 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada).

"Kat Scrap" fever on Lake Ave.

Karen and Robert Myers, late of Karen's Hallmark in the Webster's complex on Lake which closed last year, have something new going on across the street:

Karen has opened "KatScrap Studio...a Scrapbooking and Creative Boutique" at 2455 N. Lake Ave. at Mariposa.  Its focus is on scrapbooking AND creative workshops, paper crafts, handcrafted gifts & cards, stickers, art supplies, yarn, and more as we see what the community is interested in.  The calendar is filling up already with a variety of classes.

Karen invites all to stop by and get in touch with their crafty side.

Our store hours are:

Closed on Monday 
Tuesday - Thursday  10am-6pm
Friday  10am-8pm
Saturday  10am-6pm
Sunday  Noon-4pm

Pasadena looking for vendors for Earth Day activities

From our friend Ann Erdman, Pasadena's public information officer:

EXHIBITORS WANTED FOR PASADENA’S GREENING THE EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
 
Exhibitors that provide green services or sell green products are encouraged to display their wares at the eighth annual Greening the Earth Day and Armory Family Arts Festival in Pasadena.
 
The free event will be on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park, Armory Center for the Arts, and on Raymond Avenue between Walnut and Holly streets.
 
This year’s festival promises more exhibitors and eco-friendly vendors. Businesses and nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to display information or sell items that promote green lifestyles, composting, organic foods, hybrid and electric vehicles, alternative energy and green building design.  Last year’s event had more than 80 exhibitors and 5,000 visitors.
 
The festival is also the place to learn more about the city of Pasadena’s resources and plans for waste reduction, recycling, water and energy conservation and other Green City initiatives.
 
A guided bicycle tour of the city’s green projects and facilities organized byC.I.C.L.E. will begin at 11 a.m.
 
Entertainment will include music from local bands, an interactive drum circle and dancers.  Children can enjoy arts and crafts, live animals and more.
 
Sponsors include the city of Pasadena, Armory Center for the Arts, Conscientious Projector and Metro.
 
For an exhibitor application form or more information call (626) 744-4721 or visit www.cityofpasadena.net/earthdayexhibits.
 

Back then: the Altadena Nursery

Jane Brackman at the Altadena Historical Society writes us:

With the recent posting about the demise of the Altadena Nursery, we here at Altadena Historical Society thought readers might be interested in some background.

 Altadena Nursery, on the east side of Lake about a block north of New York, was organized in 1906 by Clyde Colby.  According to an article in the 1924 booklet, Pasadena and Pasadenans celebrating Pasadena’s fiftieth anniversary, the nursery ranked second to none in the entire Southwest.  “The stock of this nursery consists of … row upon row of trees, shrubbery, vines and plants of every description, waiting to be transplanted to the grounds that will surround the many beautiful homes now under construction (p 40).” 

Today some of those very saplings shade our neighborhoods,  but the nursery is gone. It closed its doors in late 2009 after 103 years in business.  The picture on the right is the front view of the nursery, from Lake Avenue looking east down the driveway. The picture on the left is the reverse view of the nursery looking back toward Lake Avenue. (The vacant building that exists today is approximately where the evergreen tree stands.) 

Short takes

• The county board of supervisors is expected to renew its $10,000 reward offer in the slaying of Altadena teen Jerrill Dulaney last year.  PSN has details here.
  
• Donna Barnes-Roberts is offering a new session of watercolor classes at the Coffee Gallery, starting March 15.  Details are here.
• A woman fell and was injured in Eaton Canyon Tuesday, Sketchy details here.
• A new website just went up, about the art in the Coffee Gallery: The Gallery in the Gallery, of course!
  

Aveson rejects district relocation plan for middle, high school

Brian Charles @ PSN looks at the latest Aveson news:  after PUSD rejected the charter school's plans to keep upper division classes at their Noyes location (because the neighbors sued), it offered Aveson a floor of its own at John Muir, which Aveson in turn rejected.  Grades K-5 will remain at Noyes next year, but where the middle and high schoolers will wind up is anybody's guess. 

Deep in the heart of taxes

... which is a small, cold, hard heart indeed.  Updates will be minimal until we tame this beast!

"Abstract Altadena": the Arts Coalition's new community photo project

The delightful Molly Tierney at Photography by Walt and the Altadena Arts Coalition has sent us this announcement of the next community photography happening:

Sign up to be apart of another community photography project starting March 13th-April 13th!

ABSTRACT ALTADENA!

A Community Photography Project brought to you by the Altadena Arts Coalition

Go explore, and take pictures with the idea in mind that each image you look at could be seen differently. Try different perspectives on everyday objects or scenes. Or try extreme close ups, including parts of certain objects. That light post with the weathered decay close up leaves the viewer with only the texture and color present. Shadows on a wall or reflecting colors through a car window you can see this anywhere. The idea of what the object was is excused, and you are left with something new to take in. Anything ordinary can be seen abstractly. How can you create new abstract images from everyday imagery?? Make it interesting! Most importantly have fun!!

How to participate: Sign up at Photography by Walt starting March 13th and receive the email and instructions where the photos will be sent. ($15 participating fee) Photos will be due April 13th. You will be submitting up to three Jpeg images for the upcoming event on May 1 (one will be selected). The community project will be on display in the Galloway Alley with the Altadena Arts Coalition May 1st event. Same location where Project Altadena was held!

There will be live music, food, and other art functions for the exhibition!

SIGN UP @ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WALT Starting March 13th  $15 Fee
875 E. MARIPOSA ST! (studio hours tue-fri 10:00-5:30 sat 10:00-4:00)

PHOTOS DUE APRIL 13TH VIA EMAIL (3 Jpeg maximum, 1 will be selected for show)

EXHIBITION HELD MAY 1ST IN THE GALLOWAY ALLEY!

UPDATE: Adjusted the participating fee price.

Brown out this morning

... not in our neighborhood, but we were alerted by other folks around town that there was a brownout in some parts of town early this morning that was resolved about 9:30 AM.  Edison said "an animal has come in contact with our equipment."  No clue on what the animal was, tho!

No arrests in Saturday night altercation

... at Johnny's Liquor on Fair Oaks.  Relayed from sheriff's liaison Carolyn Seitz:

Lieutenant Sanchez indicated there were multiple calls to the [Altadena Sheriff's] Station reporting a large gathering of gang members and that about ten were fighting.

All of the people standing around outside the store were detained at gunpoint. 

Ultimately no arrests were made.  That would mean there were no outstanding warrants for any of the people detained, no weapons or drugs found.

Water district extends deadline, sets March 15 meeting

Per this article in PSN, Foothill Municipal Water District will hold an open house on March 15 (altho' the story doesn't say where -- we're looking into it) to meet the public on its proposed $4/month parcel tax for its customers, which include 30,000 households in Altadena (Foothill is the middleman between the Metropolitan Water District and the local water districts).  Foothill's plan is to develop local water supplies so it is not so dependent on DWP, the bulk of which will be plants for reclaiming waste water and pumping it back into the aquifers.

Foothill has also pushed back its deadline for exemptions from the parcel tax, to April 5, 2010.    Foothill also issued a press release about its plans, after the jump.

Welcome new sponsors: The Covert Potters Assn: "Soup's Up" March 20

Altadenablog welcomes its new sponsor, the Covert Potters Association!


The Covert Potters are having another happening on Sat., March 20 at Amy's Patio Cafe, 900 E. Altadena Dr.: "Soup's Up."  For $35 ($40 on day of event), you can enjoy one of Amy's three unique soup choices along with zucchini bread and French rolls,  presented in a handmade bowl you get to choose and keep forever.  This follows last year's "Potter Picnic" at Farnsworth Park (where you got to choose your own plate) and the "Tea Party"  at Amy's (where you could pick your own tea bowl, mug, or cup). 

According to Sally Anne Stahl, the original Covert Potters are "a group of friends and potters.  Most of us at one point worked out of the same studio, but we have fulltime jobs and are trying to make opportunities to sell our ceramic wares."

The idea to create an event that featured food and functional ceramics came when they  noticed that in the hurting economy, craft sales were going down and artists were making less. "So we said, do we suck it up and assume it's going to be sucky and financially undoable, or do we just create our own events and our own excitement and see what grows from there?"

They approached Amy's with the idea for the tea party, because many of the potters live and/or work in Altadena.  "The first sitting [at the tea party] sold out. just a lot of friends, a couple of strangers, and people sitting at tables with strangers and getting to know each other with tea -- it was lovely.  It was loud and boisterous ... it was everything we could hope for.  We were quite shocked."  And Amy's said, "When are you guys coming back?"

Besides Stahl (who specializes in wood-fired kiln work) the other members are Chris McCormick, Celeste Iida (who is also President of the American Ceramic Society - Design Chapter of Southern California), Evan Vieser, Heather Morrow, Philip Hacker, and Junzo Mori. 

The "Soups Up" event will also have other works by the potters available for purchase, and the potters themselves will be there to mix and mingle. 

So why buy a handmade soup bowl .. or plate, or tea cup?  "We're saying, add that handmade enhancement to your life," Stahl said.  "Take that daily ritual of eating and make it something special."

More information on the Covert Potters is here, and signup for the "Soup's On" event is here.

A gallery of the Gallery

The fabulous Debbi Swanson Patrick of Altadena Above It All, who was one of the participating artists in this weekend' Art Bender at the Gallery at the End of the World, has some pictures of the party (including belly dancing by the equally-fabulous ex-Doo Dah queen Mickie Mills!).  Check it out!

Altadena MOMS Clothing Swap: get great clothes, help great causes

The Altadena MOMS Club will hold a Clothing Swap on Sat., March 20, at the 2460 N. Lake in the Webster's complex, from 10 AM-2 PM.

When every penny counts these days, it's nice to have an outlet for bargain clothes! EACH PIECE of CLOTHING is only $1.00. There are some larger items up for silent auction.
 
So, if you have any children under 5 -- or know anyone who does -- it might be worth your while to check this out!  They will also have women's clothing and shoes for sale, as well as some miscellaneous children/baby items, and a bake sale. 
 
All proceeds benefit Mother's Club of Pasadena and Haven House, both nonprofit groups that benefit women and child in our area.

Library Fun Flick: Where the Wild Things Are, March 19

This month's Fun Flick Friday at the Altadena Library will be Where the Wild Things Are, the film adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic book. 

The film will be shown Fri., March 19, at 3:30 PM in the library's Community Room, 600 E. Maripsoa.  Rated PG, the film and popcorn are free!

Blogger's Potluck: Primavera in Altadena a fortnight away!

It's just two weeks away, rain or shine -- the second annual Primavera in Altadena San Gabriel Valley Blogger's Potluck, at the covered tables at Farnsworth Park, Lake & Mt. Curve.  If you're a blogger, love a blogger, or are fans of bloggers, c'mon down and bring food!

(And if you are a blogger, spread the word!)

Hosted by the mighty quadrangle of Altadena bloggers (Open Mouth Insert Fork, Altadenahiker, Altadena Above It All, and Altadenablog), a good time will be had by all!

Employer webinar explains subsidized employment stimulus program

Los Angeles county is offering a webinar to inform that they have an opportunity to hire temporary workers through a stimulus program administered thru LA County.

The Transitonal Subsidized Employment program (TSE) was developed for participants who remain unemployed or underemployed after receiving services and job search assistance. The goal is to provide participants with hands-on experience in a real work setting acquiring wages and new skills, assisting them to be more marketable.

Town & Country Club breaking ground in first century

Pictured are Altadena Town and Country Club past president Caroly Siegel, Manager Craig Sloan, and Membership Committee Chairman Tom Joyce breaking ground on a new therapy pool for the club this week.  The Altadena Town and Country Club is celebrating 100 years in the community  this year.