altadenablog

Crime tip #1: residential burglaries

Despite the overall decline in residential burglaries, there has been an uptick in recent days, and the Altadena Sheriff's Station has passed on these helpful hints:

In the past three days Altadena has seen an increase in Residential Burglaries. The most recent burglaries have been occurring in the late afternoon early evening hours.  It appears that the suspects are watching the houses prior to breaking in.  In at least two of the burglaries the homes were equipped with audible alarms.  The suspects did not take any items from the homes. 

We ask the residents of Altadena to stay diligent.  Please pay attention to your surroundings.  Below is a bulletin released by the Pasadena Police Department with some helpful tips.

CRIME ALERT- HELPFUL HINTS RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Keep a watchful eye on your home and your neighbors! 

Call the Altadena Sheriff’s Station (626-798-1131) and report any suspicious activities.

• Vehicles parked in or around your or your neighbor’s driveway.
• Vehicles parked in the front of your or your neighbor’s house, with someone unfamiliar to the area sitting inside the vehicle.
• Unfamiliar people walking or driving by and looking at homes in the area frequently
• Unfamiliar people walking down driveways who you do not recognize as a resident
• Unfamiliar people looking into the windows of a home or over fences and into the rear yard
• Unfamiliar people jumping fences or running through yards
• The sound of unusual noises such as banging, crashing or glass breaking
• Subjects knocking on doors and asking for someone who does not live there.  This subject could be scouting to see if someone is not home.

Crime tip #2: package thieves are coming back

Carolyn Seitz relayed this message from the sheriffs:

A resident in the Stonehill area is reporting the possibility that a package he'd been expecting from Amazon may have been stolen from his porch yesterday afternoon.

According to the tracking information, it was delivered to his porch at 3:16 pm.  Other household residents returned at 3:45 pm and there was no package on the porch.

While we all hope that this isn't a theft incident, it's a good time to remind everyone in your neighborhood that criminals will look to take advantage of any and every opportunity they find.

Remember that people were following UPS and FedEx trucks all over southern California last year during the holiday season, stealing packages as quickly as the delivery companies were delivering them.

We all need to stay vigilant. 

If you're expecting a package delivery, ask a trusted neighbor who is generally home in the daytime to keep an eye out for it.

If you notice vehicles following delivery trucks, but staying a short distance behind them, call the Sheriff's Department.

If you see people walking slowly up the street looking toward front doors and they aren't your neighbors or other people you recognize, please call the Sheriff's Department.

Be smart - stay safe, and remember to call the Sheriff's Station early and as often as necessary until we get these burglary and theft incidents behind us.

Found dog on Pinecrest

Holly writes:

Found 6:30 AM 10/20/2010 on the mountain side of Pinecrest Drive between Bowring and Loma Alta.

He is a large (~80lb) black dog with medium length hair and pointy ears. He has bloody wounds on both ears. He was found with no collar or other identification. He is gentle, friendly, and good on a leash. He is currently in the custody of the Baldwin Park Shelter (4275 N. Elton in Baldwin Park, 626-962-3577). Anyone considering adopting a dog might also want to keep him in mind. He seems like a terrific dog.

Save the date: Waldorf School Elves' Faire Nov. 20

Mark your calendars now for the Pasadena Waldorf School's 25th annual Elves' Faire:

In an atmosphere reminiscent of a medieval faire, fairies, elves, and minstrels abound.  Live music, food, games, children’s tea garden, puppet shows, and plays.  Visit The Doll Room, King Arthur’s Market, and The Wishing Well for incredible holiday shopping and artisan crafts.   Amazing Silent Auction with one-of-a-kind items.  Fantastic fun for the whole family.  This is a zero-waste event -- free water if you bring your own cup.  www.elves-faire.com.

The Pasadena Waldorf School is at 209 E. Mariposa St., Altadena (626) 794-9564.

P.S.:Want your business to be seen by nearly 4,000 potential customers in one day?  Advertise in the Elves’ Faire program.  Email development@pasadenawaldorf.org for rates and deadlines.

"Rim of the Valley" comments due Oct. 29

The National Park Service sent this, reminding us there's a deadline coming up:

This summer, the National Park Service initiated a new "special resource study" of the Rim of the Valley Corridor in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties of southern California, and to date, hundreds of participants turned out for one or more of our nine public meetings.  For those of you who were able to participate, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas.  If you are just learning about the study or were unable to attend a meeting, the materials presented are now available online including a copy of the presentation and display maps.

As a reminder, the Rim of the Valley Corridor study's purpose is to determine whether any portion of the study area is eligible to be designated as a unit of the national park system or added to an existing national park such as the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.  The study will also explore other ways that private or governmental entities can protect resources and provide more outdoor recreation opportunities.

Please note that the public comment period extends through October 29, 2010. Once the comments have been received and reviewed, a summary report of what we heard throughout the scoping period will be prepared and distributed. In the meantime, for more information about the study and how to submit comments, please visit the study website: http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rimofthevalley/  

We look forward to receiving your comments!

Altadena Chamber looking for volunteers

The Altadena Chamber Of Commerce has volunteer openings for the following:

• Board of Directors
• Committee Chairs & Committee Members for the following committees: 

Community Activities
Membership
Merchants

• Special Events:

Citizen of The Year
Installation Dinner
Golf Tournament
Business Expo
Mixers

• Ad ho committees:

By-laws
Nominating committee

If you have an interest in any of the above please respond to this email or contact Doug Colliflower, Nominating Chair, at the following:  doug@dcgolf.info

Town council: another report-o-rama

One of those long Town Council meetings last night, despite nothing much going on.

• A great deal of discussion ensued following the report of Councilman Ken Roberts, who is also vice-chair of the PUSD school consolidation committee that recommended three Altadena schools for closure.  After reeeeeeally  extended discussion, chair Gino Sund will call PUSD Supt. Edwin Diaz to express the council’s displeasure with the decision.
• LA County Fire Department Asst. Chief Bill Niccum was introduced to the council. Niccum will be in charge of three battalions, including Battalion 4 which serves Altadena.
• Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean said that there were only eight burglaries in Altadena in September, down from the high of 35 burglaries a month.
• The council will send a courtesy letter to businesses in conjunction with the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, advising them that county code enforcement will be coming through.  The Lake Ave. business area is in a community standards district, and the county will soon begin enforcing the rules on proper signage.
• UPDATE: (This didn't make it in earlier): Sund reported that five different companies submitted bids for a trash hauling contract.  A point of difficulty is that the county is not sure whether to include Kinneloa Mesa into the contract -- so bidders had to prepare three bids: one for Altadena, one for Kinneloa Mesa, and one combined.  An evaluation team has been assembled, recommendations will be made by the end of October, by mid-November a letter announcing the winners will be released, followed by a process of appeal, approvals of supervisors, time to gear up -- the target date for new trash service is by June 1, 2011

Daz-e Shop to open new Lake Ave. store Friday

The Daz-e Shop will open at its new location -- 2450 N. Lake, in the Webster's complex -- on Fri., Oct. 22.

The Daz-e Shop has been in Altadena since 1969, most recently on the 400 block of Woodbury.  The thrift shop supports the California P.E.O. Home in Alhambra. The store will be open Mon.-Sat., 11 AM-4 PM.  Grand opening is Friday at 11 AM -- stop in to enjoy the relocated shop and have a cookie.

P.E.O. is a philanthropic, educational organization that supports education for women, which owns a two-year women's college, Cottey College, in Nevada, Mo., as well as funding scholarships for graduate and post-graduate degrees.

Another burglary, Tues. night

One of our readers says:

There was another break-in on Sonoma Drive just a few hours ago, possibly between 5 and 6pm.  Right across the street from the last break-in.  The alarm went off, so they fled without taking anything.  The resident had just left for a few minutes before it happened.  The officer I spoke with told me that there has been an uptick in break-ins again. Just thought you'd want to know.

Crime log: Oct. 11-14, 2010

Mon.,Oct. 11
Between 3 PM - 6:30 AM, Tues. – a petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1400 block of Dominion Ave. Loss: blue nylon wallet containing personal documents & a silver HP camera.

Tues, Oct. 12
Between 11 PM - 6 AM, Wed. – a residential burglary occurred in the 1600 block of E. New York Dr. Suspect(s) entered the residence via the rear sliding glass door. Loss: blue Makita skill saw, blue Makita sander & orange Echo CS400 chainsaw. Location is currently under construction.

Wed., Oct. 13
Between 4-7 PM – a residential burglary occurred in the 2000 block of Mendocino Ln. The glass portion of the rear door was previously broken and boarded with a piece of cardboard. Suspect(s) removed the cardboard and reached in and unlocked the door. Loss: none.

Fri., Oct. 15
Between 11 AM - 2 PM – a commercial burglary occurred at 24 Hr. Fitness, 2180 N. Lincoln Av.  Suspect(s) broke into a locked locker at the location. Loss: black nylon wallet containing personal documents & credit cards.

Between 9:30 - 11:30 AM – a residential burglary occurred in the 1300 block of Sonoma Dr. Suspect(s) entered the location by shattering the glass pane of the rear door. Loss: none. Deputies initially responded the location due to the activation of the burglary alarm system.

3:45 PM – a bicycle theft occurred in the 500 block of Stonehurst Dr. Suspect described as a male, Hispanic, in his 20’s. The victim heard noises coming from the backyard and looked out the window. The suspect was observed walking down the driveway with the bicycle. The victim yelled at the suspect and the suspect left riding the bicycle southbound on Casitas Av. Loss: red Mongoose mountain bike.

9:15 PM – an attempted carjacking occurred at Thurin Av. & Loma Alta Dr. Suspect, male, African American, 60 years, 5’07”, 189 lbs, attempted to steal a vehicle occupied by the victim. The suspect asked the victim for the vehicle and reached inside the open window in an attempt to unlock the front passenger door. The victim exited the vehicle to confront the suspect. The suspect pushed the victim & the victim left. The victim later returned to the vehicle and waited for deputies. The suspect was identified and arrested.

A dog lost, a dog found

About one third of a dog's brain is devoted to its sense of smell.  Dogs use smell like we use sight -- so it's not surprising that we tend to get a lot of lost dog information after a rain, when the usual smells are mixed up or erased.

Max is a missing Alaskan Malamut, 55-60 lbs.,  six months old with blue eyes, lost at about Morsley and Altadena Dr.  If you see him, call Erika at 626-644-4132.

Zak says: "We found a big tan lab running loose in the Meadows this evening around 9 PM near the corner of Hollygrove Ln. and Canyon Crest Dr.  No collar.  :("

Is it yours?  Email:
zak@mode3.com

Big storm coming closer

Just received from the National Weather Service, which says the big storm is coming uncomfortably close ...

AT 602 PM PDT... NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR WAS TRACKING A  STRONG THUNDERSTORM 7 MILES EAST OF ACTON... MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 30 MPH.  HAIL UP TO ONE-HALF INCH IN DIAMETER AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM...ALONG WITH HEAVY RAIN AND FREQUENT DANGEROUS LIGHTNING. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... SUNLAND AND TUJUNGA... LAKE VIEW TERRACE AND BURBANK... SAN FERNANDO...

Instruction:
IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES YOUR AREA...TAKE SHELTER IN A STURDY BUILDING.

County, sheriffs plan strict enforcement for lunar wedding [Updated]

While the Saturday night "purple wedding to the moon" is back on again for Annie Sprinkle and Elizabeth Stephens at Farnsworth Park, Los Angeles County officials will be holding the couple to the contract terms they agreed to when they booked the event.

According to Kathleen Witner, LA County Dept. of Parks and Recreation Deputy Director, there will be a "walk-thru" of the venue today with county officials and the LA County Sheriff's Department to discuss traffic flow and parking.  Witner said that there will be a strict enforcement of parking regulations around the park to ensure that residents will not have their driveways blocked during the event.

Both county officials and the couple, who are performance artists, have said it was booked as a "wedding," rather than any other kind of event, and for up to 500 guests.  Stephens told Altadenablog yesterday that none of the couple's multiple art-weddings attracted a great crowd.  According to Witner, there will be a strict enforcement of the number of "guests" as well, limited to the 500 in the contract -- "any more than that will be turned away."

Calls to Sprinkle and Stephens seeking comment weren't returned as of press time.

UPDATE, 6:30 PM:  Annie Sprinkle told us over the phone that she has purchased more insurance and hired more guards for the event:

"We're good to go. I guess I would have to say I'm focused on my vows, my guests, and my friends.  I'm focused on the love."

Pictured: a lunar rover parked on the Moon.  Courtesy NASA.

District releases corrected fact sheet

The PUSD Altadena school district petition page has released a new version of its fact sheet, with dates corrected (no more time travel!) and spelling errors apparently taken care of. (Earlier story here.)  The page also has links to a document from the county office of education that looks at the issues that need to be addressed for a new school district to be hived off from PUSD.

Crescenta Valley Home Tour looks at "sticks and stones"

Over at our neighbors to the north, the Crescenta Valley Heritage is partnering with the Lanterman Foundation to hold a home tour on Sat., Nov. 6, from 10 AM-3 PM. 

"Sticks and Stones" is a self-guided tour of seven La Canada/ La Crescenta structures built between 1911 and 2002. Four houses in La Canada built of "sticks" and St. Luke's of the Mountain, built of "stones," will be featured. The tour features art exhibits and a demonstration of stone building techniques.

Tickets are $25 and available to purchase the day of the event at St. Luke's Episcopal Anglican Episcopal Church (inside joke - ed.), 2563 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta beginning at 10 AM.

For additional information please call the Lanterman House at (818) 790-1421 or visit: cvhistory.org or lantermanfoundation.org

Sheriff's looking for people to play the victim

If you want to help out in a fun way -- or maybe just get your Halloween on early -- the Altadena Sheriff's Station is looking for you.  Carolyn Seitz writes:

We need about a dozen volunteers - children and adult - who would be willing to participate in Search & Rescue drills on Saturday, Oct. 23 for role-playing exercises to be conducted as part of the Community Emergency Response Team Training and also for a Search & Rescue Training Operation for deputies at the Altadena Sheriff's station as well as other deputies from nearby Stations.

We need 12 to 18 people - adults and children, who wouldn't mind pretending to have broken limbs or arterial bleeding or scrapes, lacerations and bruises.

They may be made up to look like they have bleeding wounds to add a little realism to the exercises.  All of the makeup will be similar to that used for movies and tv programs.

If you'd like to participate, please let me know as soon as possible. 

We'd need you at Loma Alta Park around 11 am for make up and assignment to different places to be "found" by CERT volunteers or rescued by Sheriff's Deputies.

The exercises will be completed no later than 6 pm.

If you're willing, you have an opportunity to help your neighbors, family members and the Sheriff's Deputies be prepared for emergencies.

Contact Carolyn at cmseitz@mindspring.com

Fashion: Victoria's (not so) secret at Town & Country Club

In the Pasadena Museum of History's continuing look at the times of Eva Scott Feynes and celebration of the Altadena Town & Country Club's 100th anniversary, the club will host a fashion show: "Straight-Laced and Buttoned-Up: Dress and Undress at the Turn of the 20th Century"  on Sat., Oct. 23, at 2 PM.

As they tell it: "Afternoon Tea and Period Fashion Show covering six decades, 1880-1930, with a special focus on the undergarments worn to achieve the highly stylized fashions of the day.  Live female and male models (both in full dress and undergarments) and period musical entertainment will take you back to the days of corsets and crinolines, garters and spats, bustles and bowlers."  Reservations required, tickets are $65 for member, $75 for non-members, call 626.577.1660, ext. 10; to purchase online visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/116414 .

Altadena Town Council Meeting, 7 PM tonight

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Should be short and sweet, we hope!

County gets mooned: big, gay, lunar wedding is back on Sat.

LA County Parks officials have backed off, and it looks like the "eco-sexual purple wedding to the moon" is back on at Farnsworth Park.

Unless something ELSE happens, the event starts gathering at 6 PM on Sat., Oct. 23, at Farnsworth Park amphitheatre.

Park officials had cancelled the event by performance artists Annie Sprinkle and Elizabeth Stephens, who have married each other and different aspects of nature in several "weddings" performed around the world.  They had planned a "purple wedding to the moon" in Farnsworth Park, which was cancelled after parks officials read about the nature of the event in Altadenablog, citing crowds and public safety.

In a press release titled "LA COUNTY PARKS AND LAPD ALLOW BIG, GAY, ECOSEXUAL ART- WEDDING IN FARNSWORTH PARK TO GO ON," organizer Lindsay Kelley writes that officials relented when faced with constitutional legal challenges and ample evidence that the park and amphitheater can handle the number of people expected.

The release says that constitutional lawyer Terry Gross, who is also the Burning Man Festival’s general counsel, "forced the LA Parks and Rec Department to withdraw its cancellation, by demonstrating to the Parks and Recreation Department that the cancellation violated state and federal constitutions and laws -- just in time for the upcoming nuptials to proceed as planned."

Found pet: black and white fox terrier, Allen & Mendocino

A male, black and white wirehaired fox terrier, about a year or so old, was found over the weekend at Mendocino and Allen.  He was taken to the Pasadena Humane Society (don't ask, don't tell!), and his picture is here if he's somebody you want home!

Marathon St. closed between Marengo & Fair Oaks

... right now (about 11:14 AM).  Sheriff station tells us that deputies are containing the area in a spousal assault situation.

UPDATE: PSN has some sketchy details.

Rain doesn't dampen Urban Farmer's Market

The first Altadena Urban Farmer's Market at the Zane Grey Estate Sunday afternoon was a big hit -- parking was hard to come by, the crowds were abundant, and the food and atmosphere was good in the former home of America's foremost Western writer.  It was hard NOT to find somebody you knew there -- and we found quite a few:

Arroyo TIme Bank board member David Cutter staffed the sign-up table (one had to sign up for a free membership to enter).

 

The rain didn't stop people from visiting the Arroyo Food Co-op booth.

Entrepreneur Earl Rothwell shared samples of his Earl's Gone Wild all-natural barbecue sauce and rubs.

 

Inside the mansion, Lori Webster (left) is disappointed that she missed Michele Zack's pies before they were sold out.

Urban market organizer Gloria Putnam (who lives on the estate) shares samples of home-made goat cheese.

And here are some of the goats, who live in the yard out back.

Jaime Rosier watches over the goat gate.

Ru and Kathleen of Madeleine's Patisserie show off their delicate sweets. (All right, settle down over there ...)

And what's a farmer's market without giant scary robot heads?  At least we THINK that's what these are!

 

 

St. Mark's School Country Fair coming up Sat., Oct. 22

Fun and activities for the whole family as St. Mark's School celebrates its 50th year with the annual Country Fair on Sat., Oct. 23, 2-8 PM. 

"Americana" is the theme, with all-American treats like barbecue, popcorn, burgers, and corn on the cob, as well as activity booths, kiddie bumper cars, crafts, and live entertainment.  Admission is free.

St. Mark's School is at 1050 E. Altadena Dr.

 

Morning jolt: looking for Dylan

• PSN's Brian Charles looks at Jackson Elementary parents "getting loud and organized" after their school was tapped for closure by the PUSD consolidation committee.
• As we write this Sunday night, we are impressed and saddened: listening to the police scanner, to Pasadena police and volunteers doing a fine-tooth-comb search of bulidings, streets, alleys,  parking structures, and parking lots in central Pasadena searching for the missing three-year-old Dylan Kurihara.  Every few minutes, somebody radios in with an address and says "Clear."  We just want to hear the transmission that says someone found him, and he's OK.  11 PM: We heard it!  Congratulations to the police and volunteers (especially Rowdy Metzger, the volunteer who found the boy). 

Cover-to-Cover at the libraries thru November 20

We're a little over a week in to the Cover-to-Cover Club at the Altadena Libraries, but that's OK -- it goes until Nov. 20. 

For every five books your child reads, they receive an achievement award and a certificate for a free hamburger or cheeseburger from In-N-Out Burger.

For more details, visit the children's desk at the main library, 600 E. Mariposa St., or the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave.

Dylan found: scanner

Listening to the police scanner, Dylan Kurihara has been found, and is being transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital.

Update 10:55: apparently he's OK enough that they're going to hold onto him for pictures before he goes to HMH. A press conference is rapidly being arranged.

UPDATE 11:04: Just heard the press conference from Pasadena Police Chief Philip Sanchez: Dylan was found in the SUV, asleep in his car seat, in the parking structure on the 100 block of east Green St. by a volunteer searcher at about 10:40 PM.  He's apparently in good shape, and is en route to HMH for checkup.

And with that news, we're calling it a night!

UPDATE: Missing, endangered child in Pasadena

NOTE:  The child has still not been found, unfortunately (we are writing at about 6 PM).  We have rewritten this post to reflect the latest information coming from the Pasadena Police Department:

The Pasadena Police Department is looking for a missing three year old by the name of Dylan Kurihara. He is 32 inches high, 35 pounds, with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and brown checkered long sleeve shirt and dark blue pants.

The call was received the call at 8:00 a.m. this morning when the toddler’s mother reported that her child and the child’s father were missing. The child and his father were last scene at 9:30 p.m. leaving a parking structure at Cordova Ave and Euclid St. in a 2001 Lexus, RX 300, four door sedan, silver in color with a license plate number of 4UHY191.

An immediate investigation was launched and it was discovered that the father had been arrested at 10:35 p.m. Saturday night for public intoxication in the area of 300 E. Green St. in Pasadena . The father, identified as Joe Kurihara does not recall being with the child due to his level of intoxication. He was on foot at the time of his arrest and officers did not know that he was in charge of the child.

Police have been conducting a thorough search or the surrounding area which includes commercial and residential buildings. Fliers are being distributed, a national alert has been posted to Critical Reach (www.criticalreach.org), electronic notifications have been made through Nixle (www.nixle.com) and the department’s e-mail notification lists and significant outreach to the media is ongoing.

Pasadena Police is seeking the public’s help in locating Dylan. Anyone who knows anything about the Dylan’s whereabouts or may have witnessed anything that may lead to the child’s safe recovery is urged to call the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744.4241.

Altadena Urban Farmer's Market is still on ...

...rain or shine, says Gloria Putnam.  The much-awaited event will be held at the Zane Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa, from 3 to 6 PM today, either indoors or out!

 

Saints alive

It's a bachelor weekend at Altadenablog World Headquarters, with just ourselves and Spawn 3.  Dr. Mrs. Altadenablog and Spawn 2 are in Montreal this weekend.

And why Montreal?  Because there are great festivities there this weekend to celebrate the canonization -- or advancement to sainthood -- of her distant cousin, Andre Bessette, who becomes St. Andre of Montreal today.

Brother Andre, as he was known, was born in 1845.  Orphaned at age 12, he was small and sickly his whole life, suffering from a stomach ailment that made physical work difficult.  He emigrated to the U.S. at age 18, worked in the textile mills, and returned to Canada a few years later.  With the help of a childhood parish priest, he entered holy orders as a brother in the Order of the Holy Cross, taking final vows at age 28.  For forty years, he was the porter at the College Notre-Dame, minding the door, cleaning, mending, running errands, and giving haircuts to the students. 

Devoted to St. Joseph, Brother Andre attracted many people who would come to him for help, to pray and for anointing with oil from the lamp that burned to St. Joseph in the college chapel.  Brother Andre began to have a reputation as a healer, much to the consternation of his order.

Andre also wanted to have a church devoted to St. Joseph on Mount Royal, from which Montreal gets its name. Starting with money he saved from giving haircuts to the boys, he built a small structure, an oratory, which grew as more funds became available.  Brother André was named custodian of the oratory in 1909, as his reputation grew and hundreds and then thousands of pilgrims made their way to Mount Royal to meet him and pray to St. Joseph.  Brother Andre died in 1937, age 91, and over a million people paid their respects at his funeral.

The lesson for us is that there is greatness even in the most humble.  In fact, some are great because they are humble.  Ever since we married into Andre's family, and living the life we do, the whole idea of imago Dei -- that we are each in the image of God -- has become very real to us.

Our family is not Roman Catholic, but we have great love and respect for those who are. It was an atmosphere where people like Andre Bessette -- humble, sickly, uneducated, the despised of the world -- could blossom into greatness.  It's what we'll be thinking about today.

And if holiness rubs off down the family line -- we'll take it!

Foothill Water District will hold California Friendly Garden Contest

Foothill Municipal Water District is having a contest, and you're invited to participate:

Foothill Municipal Water District (FMWD) is sponsoring a California Friendly Garden Contest. Three sets of prizes will be given: one in the Crescenta Valley area, one in the La Canada area and one in the combined Altadena and Kinneloa areas. First place is $500, second place is $250 and third place is $100. Judges will consider overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance and efficient methods of irrigation when evaluating the gardens.

“Water efficient landscaping is quickly becoming an important part of the conservation solution to the water supply problem in California” said General Manager Nina Jazmadarian. “The aim of this contest is to encourage residents to change out water thirsty turf to less thirsty California friendly plants. This contest goes hand-in-hand with our turf replacement rebate where customers receive an incentive for changing out lawns to California Friendly plants or pervious material.”

Customers of Foothill Municipal Water District’s retail agencies can participate.

Although applications are due April 15, 2011, now is the time to plant most California native and friendly vegetation. Judging will take place April 30, 2011 or soon thereafter in case of inclement weather. Rules and an entry application can be found on the District’s website at www.fmwd.com.

Foothill Municipal Water District provides imported water to Crescenta Valley Water District, La Cañada Irrigation District, Mesa Crest Water Company, Valley Water Company, Lincoln Avenue Water Company, Las Flores Water Company and Rubio Cañon Land & Water Association. Kinneloa Irrigation District, another retail agency, takes no water from Foothill.

Library art in November features Kathy Carvelles

The Altadena Main Library November art exhibit will display the work of  Kathy Carvelles during November.

Pasadenan Carvelles works in mixed media, collage, and assembly.  She has received “Special Recognition” for two pieces in 2007 from Upstream People Gallery’s “9th Annual Faces Online Art Exhibit”. “Will You Still Need Me” and Through the Looking Grass” both won awards of merit at the “53rd Bold Expressions International Art Exhibit” in Carmichael, California. She has had a solo exhibit at Vroman’s Bookstore as part of their “Art on the Stairwell” project, and was one of six collage and assembly artists who participated in  the "Circa Sometime" exhibit at the Gallery at the End of the World.  Most recently two pieces ("Process" and "Three") were chosen to be a part of The Central California Art Association & Mistlin Gallery's 57th Annual Spring Art Show.

Carvelles' web page is here.

There will be an opening reception for the exhibit on Sat., Nov. 6, from 4-7 PM at the Altadena Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa.

 

Conservancy offers Rubio Canyon hikes with Ayers, Zack

Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy President Nancy Steele sent this announcement about guided hikes in Rubio Canyon -- and oh, what guides!:

Join us for a guided hike in Rubio Canyon in late October or early November! Local historian and author Michele Zack and trails expert Paul Ayers will lead the hike, which follows the right-of-way trail for the old Mount Lowe Railway to waterfalls and historical sites in the canyon.

The dates are:

Saturday, Oct. 23, at 9 a.m. (led by Paul Ayers)

Saturday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m. (led by Michele Zack)

Sunday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. (led by Michele Zack)

To RSVP, e-mail Sean Howell at seanhowell@arroyosfoothills.org.

To learn more about our campaign to save Rubio Canyon, visit www.arroyosfoothills.org.

 

Fall Art on Palm Sat., Oct. 30

The fall Art on Palm sale and exhibit will be Sat., Oct. 30, 9 AM-4:30 PM at 1419 E. Palm (down in the canyon).

This one-day-only show and sale features ceramics, collage, drawings, fabric, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography and woodcarvings. The tree encircled setting for Art on Palm offers an inviting venue for guests and a stunning backdrop for the displays. According to Mary Jane Elgin, “The event benefits everyone because it brings talented artists and their finely crafted works to a discerning and appreciative clientele in a lovely setting.”  Admission and parking are free; light refreshments will be available for sale.

Art on Palm will also benefit the Fisher House Foundation.  The artists donate a portion of their sales to this non-profit organization that provides humanitarian support for wounded military personnel and their families.  For more information about Fisher House Foundation, please visit their West LA Chapter at http://www.westlafisherhouse.org/

Welcome, and thank you!

A hearty Altadenablog welcome and thank you to two new members of our sponsor team who joined this week: the returning Altadenans for Quality Education (Altadena Schools) and real estate goddess Dhari Thein.

Also thanks to several readers who hit the tip jar this week with words of support for the community news site that actually LIVES in the community.

If you have a business or organization that wants to get its message out to people living in Altadena, involved in Altadena -- and keep your hard-earned money IN Altadena -- Altadenablog/Altadena Online is the ONLY place to go.  Call (626-791-5327) or email and become a member of our sponsor team.

Morning jolt: dead tree edition

• Going through the free papers I: LA Weekly's "LA Comment" section (which basically tells print-only readers what's been happening in the online version) has a section called "Patching into Altadena" that might be worth your time.  It's helping OUR self-esteem.  Also, transparently: the "intrepid Laura Monteros" cited in the article does write for us occasionally!
• Going through the free papers II: Pasadena Weekly's "Best of Pasadena" issue came out this week, and Altadena is well-represented. "Best Interior Design" and "Best Home Remodeling" went to Navarro Construction (Robyn Navarro, also named "Best Interior Designer," lives here).  "Best Auto Repair" is Mike Gibson Auto Service Center (the Gibsons are an old Altadena family).  Best Summer Camp is Tom Sawyer Camps (yay, Horner family!)  Reader recommendation for best veterinarian is Vanderhoof Veterinary Hospital.  Best Local Charity: Five Acres.

 

Foothill Business Forum this Wed. @ Pasadena Convention Center

The 2010 Foothill Business Forum will be this coming Wed., Oct. 20, from 8 AM-12 PM at the Pasadena Convention Center.  Details in the flyer.

Celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead at the Library

Your little spooks will have a chance to enjoy Halloween and Day of the Dead crafts this Friday, Oct. 29, at the Altadena Library, starting at 3:30 PM.

Crafts include decorating trick-or-treat bags, Mexican paper flowers, and sugar skull decorating.  It's all at the Altadena Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa.

Another burglary this morning on the East side [UPDATE]

... on the 1300 block of Sonoma Avenue this morning before noon, in broad daylight, says our Skywatcher Chris Considine, who was on the scene. 

This is on the heels of a burglary on Mendocino near Midlothian/Braeburn Wed. afternoon.  In that case, Jeff Sedlick reports in his Braewatch neighborhood blog: "The victim believes that the burglars were watching the home, as he was home all day and they did not strike until he left at 4 PM. The burglars rifled through everything in the home, but nothing was reported missing. Perhaps they were scared off by something."

UPDATE: And ANOTHER, right along Borderdena.  Chris Considine tells us that the Pasadena chopper and cops were responding to a call on the northwest corner of Michigan and Topeka, about three blocks south of New York Dr., at about 1:30 PM today.

 

No bones about it: Altadena parks plan Halloween activities

The county parks in Altadena are planning Halloween activities for children and youth during the scary weekend.

Farnsworth Park will have a Halloween carnival starting at 3 PM Oct. 29.  Then, the lower Davies building turns into to a haunted house on  Sat., Oct. 30, between 6-8 PM.  Expect thrills, chills, and candy.

Loma Alta Park will hold a Halloween-theme teen dance on Thurs., Oct. 28, starting at 7 PM.  There will also be a Halloween festival for younger children starting at about 3 PM that day.  An after school "Tiny Tots" costume parade will be held in the park on Fri., Oct. 29, starting at 3 PM.

UPDATE 10/20: The Farnsworth Park information was changed from original publication due to change of program.

Storefront church @ Altadena Nursery?

These signs sprang up recently on the vacant Altadena Nursery building, 1968 N. Lake.  One is an entreaty in Spanish for new rentals, and the other says it is the future home of the Grace Community Bible Church.  We've called the number on the first sign, which sent us to a voice mail box with no other identification, but we'll keep on it.

Do you know anything?  Drop us a line!

Foothill Water Board Meeting Mon, Oct. 17, 3 PM

Foothill Municipal Water District will have its regular board meeting on Mon., Oct. 18, at 3 PM at  4536 Hampton Rd, La Cañada Flintridge.  Click on graphics to view.

 

Sheriff Community Advisory Committee Meeting Oct. 20

The Altadena Sheriff's Community Advisory Committee meets Wed., Oct. 20, at 6 PM at the Altadena Sheriff's Station, 780 E. Altadena Dr. Click to enlarge the agenda.

Weekend open thread

What're you looking forward to this weekend?  There's lots to do ...

Morning jolt: Oprahdena and Cthulhu

• We've been looking for an excuse to put Altadena and Oprah together, and now we've found it: The Oprah Book Club has named Michelle Huneven one of their favorite women writers, and her novel Blame a great read. (It's not too late to take in Michelle's workshop at the Altadena Library Tuesday night!)
• The OTHER Michele (Zack) and her designer Jeff Lapides are the subjects of this article in Mountain Views News about Southern California Story, her history of Sierra Madre.
• That red UFO showed up again says the Vike Factor, this time last Sunday night.
• PSN's Brian Charles has a story up about tennis legend Stan Smith, revisiting the place where he honed his skills -- the Altadena Town & Country Club, where he actually hasn't played since LBJ was President.
• The wonderfully named website "CthulhuWho1," a repository of all things H.P. Lovecraft, is very excited about WickedLit 2010, an evening of spooky theater to be performed at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum on Oct. 21-30.  Go to their website and get a code for $10 off tickets for performances Oct. 21, 22, and 24.  The Elder Gods are all about the discounts.

Halloween fun at Bob Lucas Branch Library

And the Halloween fun continues ....

The Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave., will have a Halloween party Fri., Oct.29, starting at 3:30 PM.

Decorate a trick-or-treat bag, or indulge yourself with face-painting -- time to get in the spirit of the season, and it's free.

Wine tasting Sunday at Altadena Ale & Wine House

The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., (Altadenablog sponsor) will hold a wine tasting this Sun., Oct. 17, from 3-6 PM.

Each wine taste is between $1 and $4, and bottles usually range from $9 to about $20.

Featured wines include:

Champagne/Spanish Cava

Juve y Camps Cava Reserva Brut, Penedes 2006  (Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada)

Juve y Camps Cava Rose (100% Pinot Noir)

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Champagne
     92 pts Wine Spectator Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

White

Chardonnay, Domaine Faiveley 2008 Bourgogne Blanc 2008 (Chardonnay)

Chablis, Domaine Faiveley 2007 (Chardonnay)

Rose

Domaine de Nizas Rose, Languedoc 2009 (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre)

Red

Merlot, Indaba

South Africa

Côte du Rhone, Maison Bouachon (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)

Côte de Ventoux, Clos de Trias (Grencache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault)

Kadette, Kanonkop 2008 (Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet
Franc)

Port/Sherry

Emilio Hidalgo, Especial Fino Sherry, Jerez (dry)

Port, Taylor 1st Estate Tawny

 

 

 

Weekendin'

Keep checking back as we replenish the stock!

Fri., Oct. 15

• The outrageous, high energy rock & soul band "Mercy & The Merkettes, " 9 PM-1 AM at The Rancho Bar, 2485 N. Lake

Sat., Oct. 16

• Outward Bound Yard Sale Fundraiser, 9 AM-3 PM, 872 Alameda St.
• "We've Got the Beat," auditions for next week's talent show to celebrate Teen Read Week -- Books with Beat, in the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, starting at 9 AM.

Sun., Oct. 17

• First monthly gathering to support the midlife journey at a private home in Altadena, 1-4 PM.  For more information go here or call 323-828-1330.
• Drop by the Zane Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa St., for the Altadena Urban Farmer's Market, 3-6 PM.  Come shop for home grown and home made stuff, mostly food, from your neighbors.  Bring your family, pet some goats, chase some chickens. Enjoy an afternoon on the grounds of Altadena's Zane Grey Estate. For more information, email zanegreyestate-altadena@yahoo.com.
• The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks, will have a wine tasting (with champagne, sparkling wines, French and South African wines, port, and sherry) from 3-6 PM.  Details here.

Morning jolt ... now in the afternoon!

Indicative of the kind of day it's been today ....

• Occasional Altadenablog writer Laura Berthold Monteros profiles Rose Princess Sarah Christine Fredrickson in the Examiner.  Altadenan Fredrickson, a Maranatha High School student, is also an equestrian who volunteers at Danny's Farm.
• The Sierra Madre Tattler (a very opinionated blog) puts in a few words of support for an Altadena School District and hammers PUSD (scroll down).  We have no opinion on their opinion, but we do want to clarify their mention of a "60 pupil kindergarten class" at Sierra Madre Elementary.  It's not a kindergarten -- it's a combined K-1.  It has three certified teachers  (making it about 20 kids per teacher, a bevy of aides, and lots of parent volunteers, including us).  It's also a class where the mission is to have special needs kids mix easily with "undiagnosed" kids and everyone learns.  We say this because Spawn 2 is a veteran of the class, Spawn 3 is a first grader there now, and we spoke in front of the school board last spring to keep the class  and its mission intact (altho' it was 45 students then, not 60!)
• PSN's Janette Williams looks at the recent acquisition of three acres of Rubio Canyon by the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy, through the eyes of Ninarose Mayer, who put $66,000 of family money toward the purchase.
• PSN has a short story about a pedestrian who was hit yesterday morning on Mar Vista.  The 59-year-old victim sustained "moderate injuries" and was taken to the hospital.

Haunted teen fun at the Community Center Oct. 29

The Haunted Jail at the Altadena Sheriff's Station won't happen this year while the station is being refurbished, but there will be big haunted activity next door for teens 13 and above.

The Altadena Senior Center is hosting its own haunted house, with raffles, snacks  and more at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Included is a viewing of the movie "Drag Me to Hell" (rated PG-13, so not suitable for younger kids).  The haunting begins on Oct. 29, from 7-10 PM.

PUSD's Altadena fact sheet needs remedial work

The Pasadena Unified School District has just put up a page on its website about the petitition from Altadenans for Quality Education to create a separate Altadena school district, and somebody needs to redo their work.

The page links to a PDF document that the District names "School District Reorganization Process and Timeline" in the link.  The document itself (pictured), however, is called something else: "Altadena School District Petition Fact Sheet."

It begins with some facts about Altadena students' attendence in PUSD schools, giving a date as of Oct. 6, 2010, just last week.

But it goes really bad at the timeline, which it calls a "tentave timeline" ("tentave" is not a word, last we checked -- "tentative" is probably better.  This is from the school district, remember).

"Time travel" would be closer to the mark: The timeline begins with "Signatures verified by the County Superintendent" -- in November, 2009.  Or about 11 months BEFORE the signatures were actually submitted.

It then calls for a series of hearings, a feasibility study, etc., with the county superintendent of education ordering an election -- in Sept., 2010, a month before signatures were submitted -- and schedules an election in March, 2011. 

If the election carries, we go back in time again to July 2010, when it says "Reorganization effective."  Which means there is an Altadena Unified School district ... uh, right now.

We've got a message in to PUSD.  We'll let you know what they say.