altadenablog

Christmas Tree Lane -- The Takedown starts Feb. 12

From Elizabeth Nelson of the Christmas Tree Lane Association:

Please come and join your neighbors and friends beginning Feb. 12th from 9 AM- 12 PM for “Take Down”. As long as the weather permits, we will be taking the lights off the trees every Saturday and Sunday thereafter from 9 to 12 until all the trees are finished. In the morning you will be greeted with donuts, coffee and hot chocolate and after 12:00 lunch will be provided.

We will be starting at the top of Christmas Tree Lane (Santa Rosa and Altadena Drive) and working our way down every weekend until finished.

Two things to know before you come: 1) If you are bringing a group of more than 5 on any weekend and plan to stay and have lunch, PLEASE call (626) 403-1123 or e-Mail us beforehand so that we will have enough food for everyone; 2) We can only move as fast as our tree climbers, so, if you would be willing to climb about one story up a ladder, please tell us when you come and we will show you what to do. (To get an idea of the height, go to any tree on the Lane, look up and see the metal box…that’s about how far up you’d need to go). If you have any further questions about the specifics of unscrewing light bulbs and taking lines off the trees, give us a call. Thank you and we hope to see you on the Lane!!

Is the "Tiger mother" Greek to you?

Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an article by Yale law professor Amy Chua, "Why Chinese mothers are superior," trumpeting the parenting style of Asian mothers in creating high achieving children.  Her secrets included not allowing her daughters to attend sleepovers, nor have a playdate, nor appear in a school play, and "not not" allowing them to play an instrument -- and the instrument had to be violin or piano: "My Western friends who consider themselves strict make their children practice their instruments 30 minutes every day. An hour at most. For a Chinese mother, the first hour is the easy part. It's hours two and three that get tough."

It created a lot of stir (as well as being a great plug for her book, which also came out last week), but the pushback has already begun.  Among those pushing back is Ioakim Boutakidis, an assistant professor of child and adolescent studies at Cal State Fullerton.  Altadenan Boutakidis wrote us that the stir about Chua's book "prompted me to collect my own thoughts on the matter as friends kept asking me about the story, given my background as someone who not only researches the effects of different types of parenting on child outcomes, but has focused specifically on Asian American parenting, and who himself happens to be married to a Chinese woman, with 2 half Greek- half Chinese sons."  Using his own training and life experience, Boutakidis started his own blog, grecoamerican, where he examines parenting styles, culture, and outcomes, and we recommend you take a look at it.

UPDATE: Our friends at Macaroni Kid, one of the premiere parenting websites, have a review of Amy Chua's talk this week at Vroman's.

Weekendin'

Keep coming back as new stuff is always added ...

Thurs., Jan. 20

• Toddler story time at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, 11 AM-noon.
• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake: Front stage, long form storytelling open mic, free;: backstage, a family friendly magic show featuring young magicians from the Magic Castle, $18, both events starting at 8 PM.

Fri., Jan. 21

• Fun Flick Friday at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa: "Despicable Me," rated PG, starting at 3:30 PM, free.
• Peace vigil at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr., 4-4:30 PM.
• Coffee Gallery Front Stage, 2029 N. Lake, music and variety open mic

Sat., Jan 22

• Altadena Community Farmer's Market, 8 AM-3 PM, Sacred Heart Church, 2889 N. Lincoln Ave.  The smart money says get there about mid-day, as all of the vendors are open and there's still stuff to be sold.
• Mt. Wilson Observatory Assn. free public lecture: Dr. Gary Peterson, professor of geology at San Diego State University, will talk about "The Capture of the Moon." Refreshments at 3:30 PM, lecture at 4 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa.
• The Caltech Jazz Bands present their annual Latin jazz concert on Sat., Jan. 22, at 8 PM in Beckman Auditorium on the Caltech campus.    There will be two great Latin jazz bands, a mariachi band, salsa dances, and vocalist Candi Sosa.  This is a free concert for the entire family.

CERT training in San Dimas Feb.-March

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has announced the availability of a CERT class to be held in San Dimas on six dates in February and March.  Click on the graphic for more details.

Celebrate Lincoln's Birthday with The Story Man

Celebrate Lincoln’s birthday with stories of inspiration and courage that foster understanding of the history of folklore and African Americans as told by Altadena’s master storyteller Leslie Perry.  This special program will take place on Sat., Feb. 12, Lincoln’s Birthday, at Altadena Library at 2 PM.

Leslie Perry, master storyteller, theater artist, and Altadena resident for almost fifty years has contributed much to the community.  He is now winding down his career, so this is a great time to hear the well-known and highly regarded storyteller in person. Perry will be joined by other renowned storytellers & performers for this important event.  Copies of his new book The Story Man: Stories and Plays by Leslie Perry will be available for sale and signing. Profits from the book go to ALS.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library, The Coffee Gallery, and Oh Happy Days.  There is no charge.

The main Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena.   For more information, please call (626) 798-0833.

 

Open house at St. Elizabeth Parish School Jan. 30 and Feb. 1

St. Elizabeth Parish School will hold an open house on Sun., Jan 30  (11:30 AM-1 PM) and Tues., Feb. 1,  from 9-11 AM.

Information for prospective parents of children in grades K-7 will be presented at noon on Sunday and 9 AM Tuesday.

The open houses feature school tours conducted by students, and a chance to meet current parents and students.  Those who attend the Sunday open house can purchase breakfast of pancakes and pozole.

St. Elizabeth Parish School is at 1840 N. Lake Ave.  For more information, call 626-797-7727 or go to www.saint-elizabeth.org.

A Chair in the Garden salon pampers you naturally

We welcome our new community correspondent, Lizze Slocum.

by Lizze Slocum
for Altadenablog/Altadena Online

Pictured: L-R, Julie Washington-Elliott, Susann Edmonds, and Chris Schumacher take care of their clients the natural way.

Inside the house, designs painted in soft colors on the walls (one has a fairyland mural) and floor beckon the eye. This 1908 farmhouse has been lovingly and romantically decorated. Soft lace adorns the living room windows. In the corner of the room stands a hammered dulcimer. Yet while inside, one’s impression is that of light and air – outside the home’s windowed doors are bright sky and an irresistible garden.

This Altadena property has been home to Susann Edmonds for the last 11 years, as well as the site of her beauty salon, A Chair in the Garden. Edmonds, a hair stylist, cook, registered Master Gardener, and ordained minister, has created a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere for her clients, who mostly find her by word of mouth and who are seen by appointment only.

A Chair in the Garden salon offers hairstyling by Edmonds as well as facials and makeup artistry (including eyelash extensions) by Julie Washington-Elliott, massage therapy by Chris Schumacher, and ear candling treatments by Gabriella Soriano. Often these services are presented with special offers that change. “There is always something special that is happening,” says Edmonds, “and all of us have affiliations with other salons.” The professional exchange of information “keeps it fresh,” according to Edmonds. She and her partners make a priority of staying current with their practices and of attending after-beauty school and educational programs.

Council says yes to another farmer's market

Despite the opening of a new Altadena farmer’s market this month, the Altadena Town Council told the county to go ahead with plans to start a farmer’s market in Loma Alta Park.


Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation had partnered with Air Machine Farmer’s Markets to start a market in Farnsworth Park, but that met with objections from residents of the area before that market got off the ground.  Since then, the county and the Altadena town council have explored using Loma Alta Park as a farmer’s market site.  Meanwhile, Air Machine (so named because it started as a business that rented inflatable bouncers) started another farmer’s market in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Altadena almost three weeks ago.

Al Evans of county parks and recreation department asked the council at its meeting Tuesday night if it was still willing to go ahead and establish a market at Loma Alta Park, in light of the market opening at Sacred Heart.  Members of the council in the area had been passing out flyers and getting feedback from neighbors at Loma Alta, and and felt it would be a good thing for the neighborhood.

Evans said that, when the county partners with a farmer’s market, it will have final say over what products will be sold and has a public infomation officer who will help publicize it and help foster a healthy lifestyle and healthy food choices to the people who patronize it.

In other action:

• Trash contract: Chair Gino Sund announced that the county had chosen a potential winner from the five bidders who were looking to handle trash collection in Altadena.  The winner will not be made public until the county supervisors approve the contract by the third or fourth week of February.
  
  Sund said that the timetable -- subject to change -- is that the winner would be known by March, there would be kickoff meetings in May, and new service would begin July 1.
  
  Kinneloa Mesa, which at various times had been folded into an Altadena trash contract, will have a separate contract instead, Sund said.
• VIDA Program:  The Vital Intervention Directional Alternatives (VIDA) program for at-risk youth through the Altadena Sheriff's Station is expected to start in February.  The 16-week course engages at-risk children ages 11 to 17 and their parents for ten hours each week in everything from group counseling to physical training drills designed to redirect anti-social behavior into socially acceptable behavior.
• Chamber of Commerce: Doug Colliflower, reporting for the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, reminded all that the annual chamber dinner will be Jan. 28.  Carolyn Seitz will be honored as the chamber’s citizen of the year.   He also said that 260 people have responded to the local business survey at surveyaltadena.com, and they were shooting for 300 responses.
• The council also approved proclamations commending local storyteller Leslie Perry, and the League of Women Voters for celebrating 75 years in the Pasadena/Altadena area.

A magic night at the Coffee Gallery Thurs.

The Coffee Gallery 2029 N. Lake, presents an evening of big magic and family fun Thursday night with some hip young magicians from the Magic Castle.

Jeff Black (pictured) will host and headline, with featured acts Joel Ward, Kyle Eschen and Farrell Dillon.  Also performing is the Crown City Combo, with Ryan Luevano on trumpet and Evan Vine on bass.  

Producer John Heinsen tellls us: "These magical folks are also quite funny, so you have a fun and funny night to look forward to.  Magic with laughs is a good time anywhere."

Showtime is 8 PM, and seats are $18.  Phone for Reservations:   (626) 794-2424.

(P.S.  Heinsen tells us that, if you bring a printout of this story, or show it on your cellphone, you get $3 off admission!)

Crime log: Jan. 10-16

A burglary-rama, with some tagging and passing counterfeit bills for variety ...

Mon., Jan. 10 

Between  9:00  AM  &  9:00  PM  ‐  a  residential  burglary  occurred  in  the  400  block  of  E.  Mariposa  Street. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear window.  Loss: white/silver Apple MacBook Pro 15.4” laptop and misc. US currency.
Wed., Jan. 12

9:55 PM – a petty theft occurred at 7‐11, 1319 N Altadena Dr. Suspect male, Hispanic, mid 20’s, 5’9”,  250lbs., wearing a black jacket, white t‐shirt, light brown pants, entered the store and attempted to use three counterfeit  $10  bills.    At  this  time  the  clerk  advised  the  suspect  that  the  bills  were  fictitious.  The suspect became irate, grabbed the counterfeit bills, three DVD’s and fled the location. The suspect was last  seen entering a new model gray Chevy Malibu 4 doors with tinted windows and large chrome rims. Loss: 3 unknown DVD’s.
 
Thurs., Jan. 13

Between  9:15  AM  &  8:00 PM  –  a  residential  burglary  occurred  in  the  600  block  of  E.  Altadena  Drive.  Suspect(s)  entered  the  location  via  the  rear  sliding  glass  door.  Loss:  black  Samsung  42”  HDTV.  Victim  advised that the screens to the rear windows had been removed; no damage or entry visible.
Between  8:00  PM  &  9:10  PM  –  a  vehicle  burglary  occurred  in  the  400  block  of  Figueroa  Dr.  Suspects  entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger window of a silver 2002 Honda Civic.  Loss: gray  Pioneer car stereo. 
8:16 PM  –  a  vandalism  occurred  in  the  2400  block  of  N.  Lincoln  Avenue.  A  witness  observed two male Hispanics tagging a wall. As deputies responded to the location they observed two subjects matching the  description  of  the  taggers.  The  subjects  were  detained  and  identified  by  the  witness  as  the suspects. Suspects were taken into custody without further incident.

 
Sat., Jan. 15

Between  12:00  PM  &  2:00PM  –  a  grand  theft  from  an  unlocked  vehicle  occurred  at  Eaton  Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Dr.  Loss: silver Apple MacBook Pro laptop, black Nikon Coolpix S8000, gray Canon digital camera, black nylon zipper bag containing makeup and perfumes, gray American Apparel sweater, misc. clothing and US currency. 
 
Sun., Jan. 16

7:10 PM – a shoplifting incident occurred at the Super King, 2260 Lincoln Ave. Suspect male, Hispanic 18 yrs., 5’4”, 145 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, entered the store with the intent to steal a bottle of alcohol. Suspect was apprehended by security pending the arrival of deputies.  Suspect was taken into custody.  Loss: one Cazadores tequila bottle; item was recovered.

PUSD candidates forum Jan. 27

The political group ACT, the Arroyo Democratic Club, AARP-California, the Senior Advocacy Council of Pasadena and the Pasadena Senior Center are co-hosting a Candidate Forum on Jan. 27.  The forum will include candidates for Pasadena Unified School District seats 4 and 6 and Pasadena City Council Districts 1, 4 and 6 (all the contested races on the March 8th ballot). The forum starts at 7 PM at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 East Holly Street, Pasadena.  The forum is free and open to the public; there is low-cost parking (first 90 minutes free) in the Doubletree garage on Raymond across from the Senior Center.

Soroptimists Seek Applicants for Women’s Opportunity Award

The Altadena/Pasadena branch of Soroptimist International is currently seeking qualified applicants for its annual Women’s Opportunity Award. Each year, Soroptimist International honors these deserving women and assists them with cash awards at various levels of the organization.

Recipients of the Women's Opportunity Awards, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the awards to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare and transportation.

Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/ skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Qualified applicants can access an online application at www.soroptimistaltapas.org by going to the ‘Apply for WOA’ page.

Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. For more information about Soroptimist International, visit www.soroptimist.org.

Senior forum on ID theft, advanced directives, frauds, & elder abuse Jan. 28

Seniors and their families will learn and get help on how to protect themselves against elder financial fraud at a free “Smarter Seniors Forum.” Seniors, family members and caregivers should attend this informative forum.

Speakers from Consumer Affairs, Adult Protective Services and several other agencies will make presentations on topics that concern seniors and their families, including:

• Telemarketing fraud, fake lotteries and prizes, and fake check scams
• Identity theft, abusive collectors, and credit problems
• Abuse by caregivers, family members and conservators
• Real estate fraud, reverse mortgages, and foreclosures
• Reassessment Exclusions for real property transfers between parents & children and from grandparents to grandchildren

Speakers and representatives will also be available after their presentations to answer individual questions and take complaints. They will have complaint forms, brochures and contact information available.

This forum is being presented by County of Los Angeles Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and the County of Los Angeles departments of Consumer Affairs and Community and Senior Services in partnership with several other government agencies.

The forum will be held on Friday, January 28, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa St., Altadena, CA 91001. For information call the Department of Consumer Affairs: 213- 974-7238.

Morning jolt

• I drink your milkshake:  Alfred Lee at LA Business Journal runs a story about the Alta Dena Dairy's founding Stueve family suing their former attorney for pocketing millions. (The dairy was founded in Monrovia, but took its name from the location of its first delivery route).
• Floods or habitat?  Frank Girardot at PSN looks at the problem of silt and sediment removal vs. trees and habitat, which is why the Arcadia Woodlands were flattened and why Hahamongna is swirling with controversy.  Economist Thomas Sowell's maxim "There are no solutions ... only trade-offs" seems to fit here.
• Michael C. Loretta, the elderly Pasadena man who went missing last week, was found Monday.  According to the Nixle alert, Loretta had checked in to a care home in Pico Rivera and didn't know that he had been reported missing.

 

MLK: closet Trekkie?

We can't end the day without acknowledging the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, and we saw this story today.  It has a special significance for us, as we interviewed Nichelle Nichols about 30 years ago when she was the spokeswoman for a NASA program to get girls interested in science.  Turns out that Dr. King was a Trekkie as well!

LA County Tech Week at the Business Technology Center Wed.-Thurs.

The ninth annual Los Angeles County Technology Week is coming up Jan. 19-20 (OK, it's really two days), which will be held at the Business Technology Center in Altadena. 

"Diverse technology businesses are being pioneered right here in Los Angeles County," said Dr. Mark Lieberman, co-founder of Tech Week, in a press release about the event. "The Los Angeles technology sector is unarguably one of the strongest technology economies in the world and our 9th annual Tech Week reflects that vitality."

The Business Technology Center is the largest technology incubator in California.  It is a project of the Community Development Commission, and will take place from January 19-20, 2011.

The week serves to connect leaders and innovators in technology and business to showcase Los Angeles’ cutting-edge approaches to enterprise.

Five panel discussions will revolve around social media marketing, tablets and smart phone apps, technology transfer and licensing, trends in funding technology companies, and the secrets of success for startup companies.  

Arroyo Time Bank looks at saving fruit in the quarantine zone

Pictured: Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine area. Click to enlarge.

With the abundant fruit trees in Southern California yards, there's usually a lot of wasted fruit which never gets eaten.  In Altadena, Pasadena, and environs, there's the added problem that we're in an Oriental Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsalis), quarantine area, where fruit grown or brought into the zone cannot leave it for fear of spreading the agricultural pest.

The Arroyo Time Bank, working with RIPE Altadena (the local produce-sharing cooperative), is creating a plan to share surplus fruit within the quarantine zone.

According to Megan Hobza, who is a member of both the Whittier and Arroyo time banks, the Whittier group -- which is not in the quarantine zone -- already has a program in place where members can bank hours by harvesting and sharing surplus fruit with neighbors, even if they don't belong to the time bank.  Kristin Petherbridge of Arroyo Time Bank and RIPE said that the local time bank wanted to start a similar program, but one that could work in the quarantine zone.

To explore those options, the time bank, RIPE, and Altadena Heritage hastily called a meeting Saturday morning where they could meet with Ernesto Marines, a plant health safeguarding specialist from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Curves opens in new location today

Curves Altadena is having a "soft opening" today at its new location, 2455 N. Lake Ave. (corner of Lake and Mariposa), starting at 6 AM.

Owner Rose West said that Curves has added Zumba Fitness sessions to its hydraulic machine-based circuit workout, which will work well at the larger location.

The new location of the local Curves was most recently Kat-Scrap Studio, and before that the location of Photography by Walt (which moved to a location two doors west). 

Curves is open Mon., Wed., and Friday from 6 AM-12:30 PM and 3-8 PM; Tues./Thurs. from 7 AM to noon and 4 PM-7 PM; and Saturdays from 7-10 AM. Zumba sessions (at $2 per workout) are Mon. and Wed. at 9 and 9:30 AM; Tuesday at 6 and 6:30 PM; and Thur. at 5 and 5:30 PM.  Phone number is 626-797-9177.

Town Council meeting Tues., 7 PM

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Click on graphic to enlarge agenda.

Two rescued in separate incidents at Eaton Canyon Sunday

[Headline revised with updated information]

Received notice about 2 PM that Altadena sheriffs and Altadena Mountain Rescue Team are in Eaton Canyon to rescue a 26-year-old male hiker who fell 200 feet.  Sheriff's alert says he is located north of the second waterfall, 1/2 way to the third waterfall.  He has sustained several injuries, unknown severity, but is alert and speaking with rescuers by cell phone.  He called in about 1:05 PM.

UPDATE 3:20 PM: Per the scanner, the victim is in a deep canyon below power lines, so they will be unable to use the helicopter to get him out unless they can move him to an approachable place.

UPDATE 7 PM:  Sheriff's Dept. alerts us there were two rescues in Eaton Canyon today -- still getting details..

UPDATE: A second hiker, in an entirely different accident, also a man in his 20's, fell about 50 feet and was injured and airlifted to the hospital by rescue workers.

 

Amazing secrets of color and style at Altadena Library Feb. 8

Coming to the Aladena Library at 7 PM, Feb. 8:

Diana Olson, an image stylist/etiquette specialist and Pasadena resident, is known for her private consultations, as a "Civility" columnist for the La Canada Valley Sun,  image coach on "Dancing with the Stars" and advisor to the movie and television industry.  In her presentation, Diana will show you how to embrace and celebrate the gifts of your personality, coloring, bone structure and energy intensity while enjoying the transformational power of image.  Come discover how really great you can be.  This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library.

The library is at 600 E. Mariposa St.

Lunar New Year Free Family Festival at Pacific Asia Museum Jan. 29

Looking for a fun (and free) family event nearby?  The Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles in Pasadena, is having a Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 29 to celebrate its 40th anniversary year. Held throughout the Museum including a fully tented parking lot, all the galleries will be open to enjoy along with crafts, demonstrations and hands-on activities, food and gift vendors, plus live music, dance, martial arts acrobatics, magic and more onstage. A great chance to enjoy the "China Modern" exhibit before it closes Feb. 6. Come help welcome in the Year of the Rabbit. Free and fun for all ages!

Co-presented by the Museum’s Chinese Arts Council, made possible by Wells Fargo. Media Sponsorship provided by KPCC.

Schedule after the jump.

Morning jolt: Danny's Farm in the news again

• Danny's Farm closing makes the LA Times. You're welcome, Times!  This is the first Altadena news story they've had in months (altho' the home and garden reporters usually do us well).
• Speaking of which, LA Times' Saturday real estate section gushes over Jamie and Matthew Brown's Georgia Colonial on Midlothian.
• A celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King., Jr., will be held at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon at Metropolitan Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena. For more information, call 626-798-8611.

 

 

"Despicable Me" is Library's January Friday Fun Flick

This month's Friday Fun Flick at the Altadena Library is Despicable Me, rated PG.  The film starts at 3:30  on Fri., Jan. 21, is rated PG, and is free.

Regional transportation conference Sat., Jan. 22 in Pasadena

One Community and Metro will hold a conference next Saturday, "Regional Transportation 101: Where Do We Go From Here?"  The conference will focus on regional planning and job creation. 

The conference runs from 7:30 AM to noon at Maranatha High School Student Hall, 169 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena.  Click on graphic for more details.

Cornell Glee Club in La Crescenta Sun.

Just got this last-minute missive from the Pasadena Master Chorale:  the chorale will present in concert the renowned Cornell University Glee Club Sunday afternoon (tomorrow), 4 PM at the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta.  Suggested donation is $20, but mention "PMCTRIBE" and get $5 off.

Dust off your cleats -- adult soccer leagues forming in Pasadena

Soccer has been called “the greatest exercise.” Yet, many adults give up the game as soon as high school ends. The Pasadena Adult Soccer League asks “Why?” and encourages people of all ages, sizes, skills and abilities to come out and join the fun. Beginning February 6th, the league will be starting up again with leagues specifically for beginners and those who have been out of the game for years.

“Although we certainly offer competitive leagues,” said Brian Sheridan, Director of Communications, “we want to encourage people of all abilities to come out and have a good time. In fact, we have plenty of men and women as old as 70 playing in the league. To us, you are never too old to play the greatest game”.

The health benefits from a typical game of soccer have been well documented. During the course of a 90 minute game, a typical soccer player runs five or more miles, which besides being a cardiovascular workout itself, requires extensive cardiovascular conditioning. About 1.5 miles are walked, 2.4 miles are jogged, 1.5 miles are run, over a half mile is sprinted, and 0.3 miles are spent moving backward. Players also must have the muscular strength to turn, pivot and kick. For this reason, soccer is a great way for adults of all ages to stay in shape.

Beginner leagues play on Saturdays in Duarte and Sundays in Pasadena with a variety of other types of leagues offered nearly every night of the week in fields from Glendale to Pasadena to Duarte. Registration is ongoing and play begins February 6th. Costs range from $50 to $85 per person for a 10 to 12 game season. For more information and a complete list of leagues, please visit www.adultsoccerleague.com or call (818) 406-4204.

Founded in 1972 as the Women’s Soccer Organization of the San Gabriel Valley, Adult Sports Management today organizes 140 teams and approximately 3000 players. 

Altadena's Charles Thomas named to National Parks post

Pictured, l-r: Charles Thomas, OBA Youth Advisory Council (YAC) member Sam Hutchins, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar and YAC member Tori Williams meet during a conference for the President’s initiative on “21st Century Strategy for America’s Great Outdoors."

Altadena resident Charles Thomas has been chosen by the National Parks Service to be the Pacific West Regional (PWR) Ranger of Youth and Volunteer programs.

Thomas, the former executive director of Outward Bound Adventures, will administer six states and two U.S. territories:   American Samoa, California, Guam, Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.  His key responsibilities will include oversight of youth internship and youth volunteer programs conducted by parks, implement a regional strategic plan and framework for youth programs and advise regional and Washington offices on status and needs of youth programs.

Thomas told Altadenablog he was looking forward to the challenge, which means "being able to have a broader impact from a national level in terms of getting underserved communities to get outdoors ... I have a huge area, and I just know there's an inordinate amount of people who don't know about the national parks."

Youth wrestling starts at Farnsworth Park Feb. 1

"Pounder Wrestling" for youth age 4 and up starts Feb. 1 on Tuesdays at Farnsworth Park.  Times is 6-8 PM,  and fee is $20 per month with $20 registration, which includes a T-shirt.  For more information, click the graphic or call 626-798-6335.

Weekendin': Jan. 13-16

Always more stuff coming in, so keep checking back!

Sat., Jan. 15

• Deadline today for submitting your poems for the Altadena Library's April 8 Poetry and Cookies program and anthology. Submit your G-rated poems, an almost Twitter-size bio (up to 200 spaces) and contact information to pdutton@altadenalibrary.org to be in the anthology. (Poetry should be up to 78 single-spaced lines, not more than 50 spaces in length, 10-12 pt type in Text, Word, or Google Docs.  Also email attachment or send/deliver hard copy as you want it formatted to the Altadena Library, attn. P. Dutton.)
• Don't forget the Altadena Community Farmer's Market today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2889 Lincoln Ave., 8 AM-3 PM.
• The Arroyo Time Bank, Altadena Heritage, and RIPE Altadena are hosting a conversation with state and federal agriculture officials about the Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine affecting Altadena and surrounding areas 10-11 AM at 2485 Marengo.  Please enter this private residence through the pedestrian gate.
• Oink! The Altadena Ale House,  2329 N. Fair Oaks, is having a pig roast today -- serving starts at 5 PM.  $10 includes salad and rice.

Sun., Jan. 16

• Altadena Urban Farmer's Market at the Zane Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa, 1-4 PM. 
• Monthly gathering to support the midlife journey, third Sunday of the month at a private home in Altadena.  For more information go to www.simpleordinarypresence.com/Monthly.html

 

Mayseo will a-Maze you at the Lucas Library Jan. 25

Illusionist Mayseo Maze will perform his magic at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave., on Tues., Jan. 25, starting at 4 PM.

Altadena Connection now available

The 2011 Altadena Connection, Los Angeles County's definitive guide to services and events in Altadena, is now available. If you didn't get your copy in the mail, it's also available at the Altadena Library, Bob Lucas Branch Library, Altadena Community Center, Altadena Senior Center, and the county parks.

It's also available as a pdf file for download here.

NOTE: That link on the county website only links to the 2010 Connection -- we're trying to find an up-to-date link for the current edition. FIXED!

If you would like to provide comments or feedback on the Altadena Connection, a survey can be completed online at:
http://portal.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/lac/residents/unincorporated"

Missing dog: Let's get Oldman home!

Oldman went missing Dec. 7 at the McDonald's at Lincoln and Woodbury, and we've featured him before.  His family says they've gotten some leads on him, but he's not home yet.  They hope whoever has him will get him home to the people who miss him. Call 626-428-9580.

Complying with the fruit fly quarantine Jan. 15

The Arroyo Time Bank, Altadena Heritage, and RIPE Altadena are hosting a conversation with state and federal agriculture officials about the Oriental Fruit Fly quarantine affecting Altadena and surrounding areas on Sat., Jan. 15, 10-11 AM. 

Arroyo Time Bank is working to create a neighborhood fruit-picking and processing project that can help utilize the excess fruit in our area in compliance with the quarantine regulations. If you have excess citrus or other quarantined fruit you would like to share, please come to this meeting to learn how to do so while complying with the quarantine regulations. Officials from the US Department of Agriculture  and California Department of Food and Agriculture will join this community meeting to answer questions about the quarantine and about the paperwork needed to complete in order to make community food programs compliant with quarantine rules. Come and participate in making Altadena a model for how communities under quarantine can eliminate food waste. Please contact Kristin Petherbridge (littlelief@hotmail.com) or Gloria Putnam (zanegreyestate-altadena@yahoo.com) with any questions or for more information.

The meeting will be held at a private home at 2485 Marengo.  Please enter this private residence through the pedestrian gate.

Millard Canyon deer breaks leg fleeing unleashed dog

Millard Canyon campground host Lonnie Fehr wrote us last night that "we now have a doe with a severely broken left rear leg at the angle, only skin holding it on" in the area.

Fehr said that a visitor let their unleashed dog run loose in the campground area, and the deer broke her leg fleeing from the dog. 

"This is one of the reasons (US Forest Service) requires dogs on leash," Fehr wrote.  "Off-leash dogs have been an ongoing problem here."

Breaking: protesters at Arcadia Oak Woodland

Today was the proposed day for the county to start bulldozing the Arcadia Oak Woodland, and reports we're getting from the field and media say the 'dozers are at work, but so are the tree-sitters, and security.

LA Times is keeping up here.  Matt Burch at the Arcadia Patch is also on the scene. 

Local forest activist Lori Paul just sent this impassioned email out (approx. 11:15 AM), after the jump.

Morning jolt: more on Danny's Farm

• One of our blog-girlfriends Karin Bugge the Altadenahiker, has a nice piece on the demise of Danny's Farm in the Patch.  (And we have lots of pictures of Danny's Farm, but we're NOT sharing them!)
• Altadena Mountain Rescue had a call about stranded hikers last night about 6 PM (two adults and a child in the dark, no flashlights). PSN had a preliminary report, and the sheriff's station tells us this morning that they were safely escorted back out. UPDATE 2 PM: The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team blog reports that they were "two adult males and an 8 year old boy" who were on "a precarious perch high atop Acrophobia Ridge in Eaton Canyon."
• Also commend you to check out our Altadena Trails beta page.  We had a profitable meeting with the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group last night, which was very buzzed about the project and made many helpful suggestions and directed us to good resources.  Email us with trail condition reports at altadenablog@gmail.com

Altadena Children's Choir: "Exploring the Americas" Jan. 29-30

The Altadena Childen's Choir is performing "Exploring the Americas:  Classical and Folk Music from the New World." at 7 PM Sat., Jan. 29 and 4 PM Sun., Jan. 30 at 4 PM at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1014 East Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA  91001.  Suggested donation for adults:  $10, for seniors and students:  $6.  Children 12 years and under are free.  Tickets may be purchased at the door. 

The Altadena Children’s Choir, under the direction of Dr. Karen Reinhard, draws its student body from local private schools, public schools and home schooled children in Altadena, Pasadena, and other nearby cities.  It is non-profit and seeks to include all members of our diverse and fascinating community.  http://www.altadenachildrenschoir.org/  The Altadena Children’s Choir is recognized within the local community for its excellence, as well as its interest in developing a love of music in children.  In the years 2007 and 2009 it was awarded grants by the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, and in the years 2008 and 2010 it was awarded grants by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation. 

 

Metro 485 bus on the chopping block

The Metro 485 bus, which leaves from the triangle park at Altadena Drive and Lake Ave., is under consideration to be shut down in June.  Reader Janet Nippell reminds us that "this is a particularly good bus for L.A. County High School for the Arts and Cal State students, who don't need any more burdens at the moment."

The Metro will be holding six hearings during February to get public input on this and other proposed bus service changes. Dates and times of hearings and the full list of proposed changes are listed in this Metro press release. 

Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the upcoming public hearings. Those who are unable to attend may submit their written comments postmarked through midnight Feb. 17, 2011, the close of the public record. Comments can be mailed to Metro Customer Relations, Attn: June 2011 Service Changes, One Gateway Plaza, 99-PL-4, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932.

Comments via e-mail should be addressed to: servicechanges@metro.net Attn: June 2011 Service Changes. Facsimiles should be addressed as above and sent to 213-922-6988.

Pasadena Educational Network announces tours, coffees

The Pasadena Educational Network has put out a schedule of activities for this week and next for parents who are considering/changing schools in the next school year:

Wed., Jan. 12,  8:30 AM - Eliot Middle School tour
Fri., Jan. 14, 9:30 AM - Jackson Elementary School tour
Fri., Jan. 14  11:00 AM- Franklin Elementary School tour

Next week:

Wed., Jan. 19, 7-8:30 PM - coffee for parents looking at public middle school options - parents from Eliot, Marshall, Blair and Wilson will participate - contact: MScoffeeJan19@penfamilies.org or call 866-216-7334 for location and other info or to RSVP.

Thurs., Jan. 20, 7-8:30 PM - coffee for parents interested in Webster or Hamilton Elementary Schools - contact: CoffeeJan20@penfamilies.org or call 866-216-7334 for location and other info or to RSVP.

And coming up this Sat., Jan. 15, starting at 7:30 AM,  Eliot campus beautification / tree-planting.  Contact Lauren (398-8711) or Barbara (396-5680) for more info - community volunteers welcome!

Pasadena police looking for elderly man

Even worse than the missing pet reports we get are ones like this, from Nixle:

The Pasadena Police Department is actively seeking Michael P. Loretta, who was last seen by a family member at his apartment on in the 500 block of E. Villa St. in Pasadena on Wed. Jan. 5 at about 1:30 pm.  Mr. Loretta is  78 years old and described as a White male, 5’-6” tall, 140 pounds, white hair, blue eyes, light complexion.

Anyone who has any information on Mr. Loretta’s whereabouts or who may have seen him recently is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department at 626.744.4241.

Trails working group meeting tonight

Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

(If all goes well, we hope to be there to discuss the Altadena Trails informational website we're developing.)

All are welcome to attend! Bring concerns regarding trail issues for discussion.

Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG)
Tuesday, 1/11/11, 7pm
Altadena Community Center*
730 East Altadena Drive
Altadena, CA 91001

Keeping up with everything

We like to give credit where it's due, and thank the Patch for pointing to our Sunday story on Danny's Farm and Saturday's stealth farmer's market (really, Air Machine Farmer's Market, one vinyl sign does not publicity make -- but we bet there are doing to be at least TWO places where it'll be on this week's community calendar from now on!)

And in that spirit, the activities involving the Arcadia Woodlands (now due to be bulldozed Wednesday) have been fast, furious, complicated, and out of our coverage area.  But Arcadia Patch has been all over it, and we commend you to catch up there.

Also: the Patch tells us that Corey King (pictured) of Altadena has a court hearing scheduled today in the Sept. 2008 murder of a mother and three children in Lancaster and arson in an attempt to cover up the crime.  At the time, King was working as a trusty in the Altadena sheriff's station, on probation for a petty theft conviction.  After his arrest for the Lancaster murders, King was also questioned in the still-unsolved May 2008 Altadena murder of Evelyn Mosely, which was also a murder with arson cover-up.  Authorities said that King apparently knew the Mosely family.

Danny's Farm shuts the gate

County zoning regulations close Danny's Farm, where autistic and other special needs children had a chance to encounter barnyard animals.  While it continues in scaled down form at the Almansor Center in South Pasadena, it's the end of an era.

The larger animals -- the goats, the horse, the pig, the miniature donkeys -- are already gone.  The bunnies are moving, and next week, the roosters will be gone, too.  And that will be the end of Danny's Farm.

Danny's Farm -- Cathy and Jim Gott's rural retreat inside the city, where children with autism and other kids with special needs had a chance to interact with and learn to care for animals -- is moving out of its home at 3064 1/2 Ridgeview Dr. in Altadena, because it couldn't meet the zoning codes for the area.  Cathy Gott said that they received a cease and desist letter last month, giving them 30 days to get rid of the animals.  And without the animals, Danny's Farm loses its reason to be.

Cathy said that, following a neighbor's complaint, they received a call from the county zoning department that the petting farm was in violation of zoning codes.  The Gotts rent space from Altadena Stables next door, which was grandfathered in as a non-conforming review (NCR) property for the horses, but that didn't cover the petting farm use that Danny's Farm required.  Gott said that she met with "every department in the county" over the course of the year as well as Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office, but in the end, the farm couldn't get past the zoning codes.

"I feel better that I'm telling people," Cathy Gott said.  "I think we explored every option we could."

Morning jolt: Atladena=waste not, Pasadena = want not (at-large board members!)

• PSN's Kevin Smith profiles Alta-business Waste Less Living and founder/CEO Christine Lenches-Hinke, who have launched waste management programs at Flintridge Center and High Point Academy.
• Issue watch: PSN also reports that the Pasadena City Council is calling for a plan to switch Pasadena Unified School District from at-large to district-based, where each member of the school board represents a particular geographic region.  Which means more Pasadena-based members vote to close Altadena schools, rather than at-large members.

 

Found dog: schnauzer on W. Las Flores Dr.

Leslie (lageneralstore@hotmail.com) has found a dog:

Today we found a dog in our front yard.  She is a gray and brown schnauzer.  She was found on W. Las Flores Drive between Glenrose and Olive. I can be contacted at this email.

Community Farmer's Market has a sedate first day

The Altadena Community Farmer's Market had a low-key first day today (we'd only heard about it yesterday ourselves).  The market will be held each Saturday 8 AM - 3 PM in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2889 Lincoln Ave. 

Pictured: produce from today's farmer's market.

The organizers, Rick Hernandez and his partner Manny Hernandez of Air Machine Farmer's Market, had earlier tried to put together a farmer's market under county auspices in Farnsworth Park last year, but met with significant community opposition. (Air Machine also rents out inflatable party bouncers, which explains the name).

Air Machine, along with People in Progress, a nonprofit organization, and groups of local farmers, put together these farmers markets.  They had been contracted by the county to put on the Farnsworth Park market, but the one at Sacred Heart is entirely private -- the church will receive a cut of the rental space for each booth.

Hernandez said they were also courted by the county to put together a market in Loma Alta Park, but with the opening of the market at Sacred Heart, that seemed less likely.  "We're just waiting for the county to give us our marching orders," he said, but he felt it unlikely that another market in the area would succeed.

Today's market had less than 20 booths, but there was an abundance of fresh produce available, as well as T-shirts, candles, and other items.  (There was even an Elvis imitator).  Rick Hernandez said that there would be more vendors next week, including prepared foods, as well as kiddy rides to make it a full family experience.

Pictured: Elvis tribute artist Donovan Chavez performs at the farmer's market.

Community correspondent Sharon Carman emailed: "We found delicious blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, fresh carrots, fresh herbs, lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage, bananas, avocados, Gala and Pink Lady apples, fresh baked goods, plus so much more."

Missing three-legged cat near Charles White Park

We received this alert from a reader who's missing their tripod tabby:

Missing cat, S'mores-  Female long haired calico tabby- brown, orange, black, only has 3 legs

S'mores was last seen at home, 100 block of Mountain View Street by Charles White Park, and has been missing since Wednesday morning, 1/5/2011.  The formerly feral cat only has three (3) legs and is skittish and fearful of people and could possibly be hiding or trapped. She is extremely fluffy and was not wearing a collar.  Please check your trees, garages, and streets.  If anyone has seen or has any info regarding a cat matching this description, please contact me at 626-421-6148 at any time of day or email n.widick@yahoo.com.  My dog and I miss her desperately. 

Caltech bands presents free Latin jazz concert Jan. 22

Altadenan William Bing, director of bands at Caltech, tells us the Caltech Jazz Bands are presenting their annual Latin jazz concert on Sat., Jan. 22, at 8 PM in Beckman Auditorium:

This is a free concert for the entire family.   There will be two great Latin jazz bands, a mariachi band, salsa dances, and a fabulous vocalist, Candi Sosa.   Last year, we had over 800 people in the audience for this special event.

Altadena Baptist hosts birthday party for Franz and Wolfgang with Musicale, Opera Pasadena

Come to a musical birthday party for W. A. Mozart and Franz Schubert, hosted by members of The Tuesday Musicale of Pasadena and Opera Pasadena, starting at 7:30 pm on Fri. Jan. 28 at Altadena Baptist Church, 791 E. Calaveras St, Altadena.

The program will include vocal and instrumental masterpieces by these two renowned composers. There is no charge for admission, but a free will offering will be accepted, and donations of canned or packaged food items for the local food bank would also be appreciated. For more information, contact Barbara Ebert, 626-398-0658 or he91001@aol.com