altadenablog

Farnsworth Park summer concert series opens next Saturday

by Timothy Rutt

The Sheriff Support Group of Altadena's Summer Concert series kicks off next Saturday with good music, great food, beer and wine, and great times with friends and family every weekend in the summer.

This year, El Patron Mexican Restaurant will be selling food at the site if you don't bring your own picnic.  The Altadena Rotary Club will be on hand to sell beverages, beer, and wine.  

All concerts are on Saturday nights at 7 PM at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheatre, Lake Avenue and Mt. Curve Drive.  Admission is free.

Performers will be:

July 7: Those Manning Bhoys and the Irish Pride Dancers (Irish music)

July 14: Downbeat Express featuring Jennifer Gates (big band music)

July 21: Wreck N Sow (Americana, folk, & more)

July 28: Susie Hansen Latin Band (Latin jazz & salsa)

Aug. 4: Upstream (reggaie, calypso, soca, & steel drum music)

Aug. 11: Sgt. Pepper (the sounds of the Beatles & more)

Aug. 18: Lisa Haley & the Zydekats (Cajun Zydeco music)

Aug. 25: Altadena's Brian Hughes & Band (contemporary Latin-jazz)

After a week break, the grand finale:

Sept. 8: Stagedoor Productions and the Sheriff Support Group present The Walking Phoenixes in tribute to Johnny Cash and other Country Classics with special guests The Red Mutts (classic rock)

Sponsors of the 2012 concert series include Warner Brothers, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, MonteCedro, Baietti Seyffert Podley Properties, the Rotary Club of Altadena, Georgie Rutherford in memory of Don Rutherford, Athens Services, the Altadena Sheriff Station, Toyota of Pasadena, All-American Audio Visual,  Pro Image Transfer, M&M Printing, My Irish Pride, and Altadenablog. 

 

Walmart Neighborhood Market opponents meet to strategize next steps

 

About 50 people attended the meeting for opponents of a planned Walmart Neighborhood Market at Webster’s Fine Stationers Friday night, June 29, 2012.

 

by Timothy Rutt

How to handle Walmart:  Educate and protest?  Or promote local alternatives?  And will it do any good in the end?

Opponents of the proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market met Friday night at Webster’s Fine Stationers to organize and strategize about how to deal with the chain’s planned move into a long-vacant location at 2408 Lincoln Ave. in Altadena. Organizer Steve Lamb told the crowd, which numbered about 50, that it may not be possible to stop the retailer from opening a store, but they should proceed as if it were.

The group, which is still informal and doesn’t seem to have an official name, first met last week, shortly after Walmart announced it was coming to Altadena when contractor’s documents with the Walmart logo came to light. 

Lamb said that there were four missions of the Walmart opponents:

1. Keep Walmart from opening, a scenario that Lamb said “probably won’t happen -- but organize like it would”;
2. Organize a community boycott;
3. Organize as a community to support small businesses;
4. Try to attract desirable businesses to Altadena.

Citing information from websites,news articles, and other research, the opponents mostly objected to a pattern they saw of Walmart hurting other, smaller retail businesses after they established a foothold.  Also raising their ire were stories that Walmart was a low wage, non-union employer who did not deliver quality jobs when they opened up stores.

Resource fair, Community Garden Picnic on tap today

Two events worth noting today:

• Resource Fair: Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will hold a "Neighborhood Resource and Opportunity Fair" from 10 AM-2 PM.  The resource fair will connect residents with a variety of services and opportunities, including employment and job development, health screenings and testing, GED and high school completion programs, vocational training and more. 
• Community Garden PIcnic: the 38th annual Altadena Community Garden Picnic & Resource Fair runs from 1-5 PM today, where the members of the community garden invite the public to join them for a barbeque lunch, self-guided garden tours and a community education and resource fair from 1 to 5 PM in the community garden and Loma Alta Park, located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street in Altadena. Lunch tickets are available for $8 in advance, $10 at the gate.
  
  Gardeners provide hot and cold foods, many made from locally grown fruits and vegetables. Several gardeners will tend barbecue grills for 24 hours prior to the event, preparing ribs, chicken, beef hot links, veggie burgers and hot dogs for diners. Lemonade and sun tea, as well as sodas and bottled water, will be served. Featured events will be garden tours, the Altadena Farmers Market, yoga and tennis demonstrations, local botanical gardens, blood pressure screenings, community safety and alert information, and information booths from Lincoln Avenue Water Company, LA County Sheriff and Fire Departments and other public and private agencies.

Deputies revive toddler while searching for missing man in Angeles Forest

by Timothy Rutt

Members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Montrose Search and Rescue Team, while looking for a missing Bakersfield man, helped save the life of a toddler Friday afternoon.

According to a press release, the rescue team was searching for  Ertug Ergun, a missing engineer from the country of Turkey who had been reported missing in the forest last week. Members of one of the three rescue teams came across a 1 1/2 year old girl face down in a creek shortly after 5 PM Friday.

The mother of the child said later that the toddler and a three year old were being watched by an adult family member while all were sitting at the creekside.  When the three year old ran away, the adult gave chase, leaving the toddler alone for a moment, which was long enough to wander into the creek.  When the family member returned, members of the rescue team were performing life-saving measures on the toddler.

According to the release, "Montrose Search and Rescue and Reserve Deputy Janet Henderson (an emergency room nurse) and Reserve Chief Michael Leum came to the aide of the girl, along with her mother. Immediately rendering aide, the girl came to life but suffered from obvious signs of water intake.   Los Angeles Fire Rescue, US Forestry and Fire Rescue responded to the location and examined the child who was already being examined by Deputy Henderson and receiving oxygen. The child was flown to a local hospital for follow-up treatment."

Once the girl was taken to the hospital, the team resumed its search for Ergun, who has still not been found.

Scissors Paper Rock offers July 4th specials

Altadenablog sponsor Scissors Paper Rock Salon, 1864 N. Allen Avenue, is offering a long-lasting gel polish manicure or deluxe manicure with deluxe pedicure including refreshing scrub and hydrating paraffin treatment for $52 (Reg. $65)  

 First time body waxing clients receive a complementary brow, lip or under arm wax. 50% off any other wax service (limit one per client).

Call for appointment or walk in: (626) 791-5354.  Open Saturday 9 AM-5 PM.

 

Found dog at Loma Alta Park

This one looks like somebody misses him (or her) ...

My hubby was at our vet when someone brought this dog in to check for a microchip (none found)… found at Loma Alta Park around 5 p.m. today.  Please contact gbaerg@gmail.com if you know of anything… we have the details on where the dog is staying!

 

 

Cultural Sunday #1: two plays by Leslie Perry

by Timothy Rutt

The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake, will present play/readings of two original one acts by Leslie Perry on Sun., July 1.  Performance starts at 2 PM, and admission is free.

"The Muse" features Ty France and Kathy Kennedy.  "The Storm" features Dargin McWorter, King, Jose Turner, Sue Ware, and Jeril Grant Law, and is directed by Meschach Taylor.

Cultural Sunday #2: Sue B. summer dance performance at Farnsworth Park

by Timothy Rutt

The Sue B. Dance Company presents its 21st  annual summer dance production this Sunday at Davies Auditorium in Farnsworth Park, beginning at 2:30 PM.

Direcor Sue Black said that this year's performance, "Fade 2 Black," tells the story of Maxy Ford,  who has gone into the forest to find himself, but gets pulled back by the need of the community to run a telethon to buy back their popcorn maker.  The performance will also have videos, commercials, and dancers ranging from age 2 1/2 to adult, including "alumni that started with me when they were very young, but coming back to tap with us," Black said.

Tickets are $15, and can be pre-purchased at the Sue B. Dance Studio, 2525 N. Lake Ave.  For more information, call 626-797-1837.

The Sue B. Dance Studio is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers classes to the community, including tap, ballet,  jazz,  hip-hop, creative movement, acting, hula, and family dance classes.  The summer session starts on July 9.

 

 

Crime blotter: armed robbers net $400

An armed robbery, a couple of stolen vehicles this week, along with the usual run of residential and vehicle burglaries.  Altadena crime blotter by Lt. Michael White of Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, June 17
Between 5:30 PM and 12:10 AM (Friday) – A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of Atchison Street.  Suspect(s) entered the residence through the bathroom window.  Loss:  $500.00.

Monday, June 18
Between 8:00 PM and 9:00 AM (Tuesday) – A petty theft occurred in the 3100 block of Rubio Canyon Road.  Loss:  brown KHS SC400 Urban Stream bicycle.  

Tuesday, June 19
7:53 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen in the area of Crosby Street. and Lincoln Avenue.  The vehicle was recovered on 6/20/12 in Los Angeles.   
Between 12:20 PM and 4:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the area of Lake Avenue. and Loma Alta Drive.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger window.  Loss:  silver Disney Mickey Mouse purse, blue Canon digital camera.

Wednesday, June 20
Between 11:15 AM and 12:25 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1300 block of E. Altadena Drive.  Suspect(s) entered the residence by removing the kitchen window screen.  Loss:  blue Rolex watch, black Zenith watch, brown fur coat, gold Cartier watch, white Macintosh computer, white MacBook Air, black Sony camera, black Nikon camera, silver Cisco flip camera, black camera bag, silver candlestick holders.

Thursday, June 21
1:15 PM – A robbery occurred in the 2200 block of E. Washington Boulevard.  The victim was sitting in the front passenger side of the vehicle and was approached by two males.  Suspect #1 male black, 20-22 years, about 5 ft. 6 ins., thin build, brown sunglasses, black t-shirt, black/white long sleeve shirt, faded blue jeans, approached the victim with a silver handgun and demanded the money.  Suspect #2 male black, 20-22 years, about 5 ft. 6 ins., red t-shirt and blue jeans, grabbed the money from the victim while suspect #1 held the handgun to the victim’s chest.  Suspects last seen eastbound on Washington Boulevard.  Loss:  $400.00.
Between 10:30 PM and 10:00 AM (Friday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 700 block of Deodara Dr.  Loss:  pink sunglasses, black shoes, Kitchen Aid culinary set.

Friday, June 22
Between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of Alberta Street.  Suspect(s) entered the location via the unlocked rear door.  Loss:  white iPhone, black iPhone.
2:00 PM – A commercial burglary occurred at Unlimited Cellular – 431 E. Woodbury Road.  The suspect entered the location and asked to see an item behind the counter.  The clerk turned around to retrieve the item and the suspect grabbed a plastic container placed on the counter.   Suspect described as a male black, 20-25 years, 5 ft. 10 ins., 170 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, last seen running from the location eastbound on Woodbury Road.  Loss:  $250.00.

Saturday, June 23
9:45 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 1600 block of N. Allen Avenue.  The vehicle was recovered on 6/23/12 in Pasadena.  

Lily is a dog that needs a new home

Reader Greg needs to find a home for this pooch:

I found a super-sweet mixed breed dog named Lily running around our neighborhood near Farnsworth Park this morning. It turns out she belonged to someone who passed away; since then, Lily had been staying with a friend of the former owner at times, migrating between houses and running loose much of the time.

I wanted to foster Lily so she isn't in danger of being hit by a car or attacked by another dog. Unfortunately, our little dog Tulip isn't Lily's biggest fan and we also aren't sure how Lily is with cats (and would rather not find out with one of our cats in her mouth.) We cannot manage her at this time, so a neighbor is continuing to help - but she cannot keep Lily.

This is my long-winded way of saying: If you are looking for a very loving dog with energy and spirit, Lily could be your soulmate. She's about 50-60 lbs (definitely too plump for her size - she's probably been eating at multiple houses!), younger (2yrs?), grey with a white flame on her chest, probably some pit/American Staffordshire or maybe boxer in her mix. She knows a few basic commands - sit, lay down, come - and she is gentle with people, rolling over to have her belly rubbed and happily sitting at your feet. She also loves to play with other dogs, but bigger is probably better - she's like a freight train in play and will knock a smaller dog over (as Tulip found out the hard way.) She has energy, so she needs someone who can walk her, play with her, and give her some structure. If we could, we would keep her. She is undeniably lovable and a good dog through and through.

Please let us know if you are interested, and if you could, please share this note. We really want to find her a good home. She has already known love and a family and deserves to have it again.

Call or email Greg: 608-320-9181 or greg@lozano-buhl.com

 

 

Food fest founder organizes Walmart opposition

by Timothy Rutt

Opponents of the planned Walmart Neighborhood Market will meet at 7:30 PM today at Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.

One of the major organizers trying to stop the retailer is Shawna Dawson.  A former Director of Marketing and Community Manager for Yelp LA, Dawson's Sauce LA firm "consults clients on the virtues of grassroots, social, and viral media."  A hard-core foodie, Dawson is also the founder of the LA Street Food Fest (the third annual will be held on July 21 at the Rose Bowl).   She also helps organize Artisanal LA, a traveling showcase for local small-scale food producers.

"There's a place for [Walmart], but certainly not in a community like Altadena," she said.  "My interest is simply this: that I don't think it's good for the community, its small businesses and small proprietors."

A native Angeleno, Dawson moved from west LA to Altadena 18 months ago, in part because of the active food scene here.

"I've known [Gloria Putnam and Stephen Rudicel, owners of  Altadena food scene hub Zane Grey Estate]  before we moved into the neighborhood," Dawson said. "You have this kind of amazing independent city vibe where you can have that little laxness with our laws , that you can have goats, you can do urban farming," Dawson said.  In her events, she relies on local business owners as much as possible, and "to have all that washed away is kind of depressing."

Dawson said that a Walmart Neighborhood Market moving in to the LIncoln Avenue/Figueroa Drive location would mean smaller, local businesses would shut down.  "I think it's a short-sighted move to say 'let's do something on that corner' when we're then going to have 25 corners just like it," Dawson said.  "I don't  think that no one else wants [the building] -- if you look at yourself as the ghetto, that's what you'll be.

"The first step is to impede the progress of this Walmart and make them move on, but there has to be another piece to that -- what do we do with the building after."  

UPDATE: Just clarified that Dawson is the founder of the LA Street Food Fest.

Morning jolt: innovators honored, Chaney Trail closes early July 4

• THE real thing: THE Magazine (which we'd never heard of, but it looks real lush) looks at "50 Innovative Men" from the local area in its latest issue.  Notable among the 50: Altadenan Isaac Garcia, co-founder of Central Desktop, "one of the first cloud-based collaboration platforms on the market"; and Mark Lieberman, executive director of the Business Technology Center, which shepherds innovative technology startups to maturity.  The website is quite handsome, interactive, and fun. 
• Chaney Trail closure:  The Forest Service will close the Chaney Trail gate at 6 PM July 4, according to Alice Wessen of the Chaney Trail Firesafe Council.

 

 

Lori Webster, Miller Hawkins honored as Women in Business

by Timothy Rutt

Several businesswomen from Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, and La Crescenta will be among 30 honorees at the 13th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon on Aug. 17.

The awards were announced by State Senator Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge) and Assemblymembers Mike Gatto (D – Los Angeles) and Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge.

The Women in Business Awards honors “local women whose exceptional abilities have contributed to the economic vitality and diversity of the 21^st State Senate and 43^rd and 44^th Assembly Districts. “

Among the Outstanding Small Businesswoman category are Inger Miller and Jill Hawkins of Miller Hawkins Productions and Lori Webster of Webster’s Fine Stationers.  Emma Garabetian of Modella Uniforms in Pasadena/La Crescenta and Patty Parker of Verizon Wireless Franchise in Los Angeles/La Canada Flintridge were also recognized.

Rubin Hughes, CEO of Abode Communities (Los Angeles/Altadena)  and Christy Zamani of Day One in Pasadena were named Outstanding Non-Profit Executive Director.

 

 

 

 

 

Fireworks: not legal in Altadena, go see a display

by Timothy Rutt

Independence Day is Wednesday, but fireworks display season in LA county starts Sunday. June 30, through July 4 (and July 6 on Catalina).

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has an online list of fireworks displays in the county right here (including the July 2 display in Altadena).  

If you want to have a display at home, you're out of luck:  the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has the lowdown on fireworks in the unincorporated county (in a word: no).  

Fireworks are illegal to possess in the Unincorporated Area of Los Angeles County, which includes the community of Altadena. Safe & Sane fireworks are not illegal to possess. However, they are only legal to discharge in a city that sells them. When dealing with Safe & Sane Fireworks, remember the difference between possession (legal) and discharging them in a prohibited area (illegal). All Safe & Sane Fireworks are marked as such. Any device that explodes, rises into the air or darts about, is illegal in California. Illegal fireworks include: bottle rockets/skyrockets, exploding firecrackers, or extremely large explosions. 

In the event you need to report illegal fireworks activity, be prepared to describe what you see. Information needs to be reported as soon as possible. If you see the violator, describe their approximate age, color of clothing, as well as how long the violation has been occurring.

Please keep in mind this is an extremely busy holiday for the County Fire Department and Altadena Station. Based upon the urgency of the call for service, our personnel will prioritize our response as needed. 

Attached below is a link to the Los Angeles County Fire Department “4th of July Safety Tips”. The advisement displays different types of illegal fireworks and the fines associated with their possession or use in the Altadena Community. 
http://fire.lacounty.gov/PressRoom/PDFs/fw_english.pdf

Sheriffs, rescue teams searching the Angeles for missing Bakersfield man

by Timothy Rutt

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are searching the Angeles National Forest for a  Bakersfield resident who's been missing more than a week.

According to a release from the sheriff's department, Ertug Ergun, 33, an engineer from Turkey who currently resides in the Bakersfield area, was reported missing June 20.  On Friday, June 22, deputies from Crescenta Valley station and Forest Service personnel found Ergun's vehicle in the Stonyvale Picnic area parking lot in the Angeles National Forest.

The Montrose Search and Rescue Team searched the area Friday and Saturday.  On Sunday, the search included personnel from the Montrose, Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team, including helicopters, search dogs, and mounted posse.  The press release said that, in addition to fulltime sheriff's department personnel, reserves and volunteers have spent more than 600 hours searching for Ergun.

According to the release, Ergun is an avid hiker, and is described as 6 ft. 2 in., 135 lbs., brown hair, with eyeglasses.  

Anyone with information about this missing person should contact the handling investigator, Bakersfield Police Department Detective William Hughes (661) 326-3501. Or, contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Crescenta Valley Station at (818) 248-3464. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org 

Land Use Committee to consider Weizmann Day School permit

by Timothy Rutt

The Land Use Committee will have its regular meeting Tues., July 3, starting at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

The only action item is a request for a conditional use permit (CUP) for the Weizmann Day School at 1434 North Altadena Dr.  The school, affiliated with the Pasadena Jewish Temple, is asking for a CUP specifically for the school. The school is not requesting any increased enrollment or new construction.

 

Lorena Martinez named Eliot Middle School principal

by Timothy Rutt

Lorena Martinez was named this week as the new principal for Eliot MIddle School, according to a press release from the Pasadena Unified School District.

Martinez most recently was principal of Grapevine Elementary School in the Vista Unified School District in San Diego County.  Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at Apollo Middle School in Tucson, Ariz., and served as a classroom teacher in California and Arizona.

According to the press release:

Martinez comes from comes to PUSD with outstanding credentials during her career as a lifelong educator.  She has proven experience at the elementary and middle school level. Schools under her leadership have shown improvement in academic achievement and parent engagement as well as implementing programs that have demonstrated progress in student behavior and attendance. She ensures that parents play a pivotal role in participating with their child’s education. She demonstrates sensitivity  when interacting with people of diverse cultural, socio-economic, disability and ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, Ms. Martinez is experienced in developing effective external outreach for building relationships with the community and nonprofit organizations.

“I am humbled to be selected as the new principal of Eliot Middle School and thrilled to be joining PUSD and the Eliot Middle School family,” said Ms. Martinez in the release. “Eliot is a school with a great history and  tremendous potential. I am committed to providing the Pasadena and Altadena communities with a quality education.”

The press release also quoted Eliot PTA President Gwendolyn Logan as saying, “All of the Eliot parents are looking forward to working with Lorena ... She had great energy and ideas during the interview. We think she will be a great fit for our school.”

Martinez succeeds Peter Pannell as Eliot's principal.

Fire crews prepare for fireworks at Rose Bowl

Pasadena Fire Dept. Chief Calvin Wells said those wanting to see fireworks should do so at a sanctioned event, during a press conference near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer, Pasadena Sun / June 27, 2012)

By Bill Kisliuk
Pasadena Sun

 

The fire hoses were out at the Arroyo Seco on Wednesday, not to put out a blaze but to prevent fires as people prepare for the Fourth of July holiday.

On Wednesday the Rose Bowl will host Americafest 2012, touted as the largest fireworks show in Southern California. In preparation, Pasadena fire crews were spraying a fire retardant on brushy areas along the arroyo's edge, and Pasadena Fire Chief Calvin Wells was warning residents to be careful with use of their own fireworks.

Temperatures are expected to reach the 80s and low 90s through the holiday.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Walmart, Chamber of Commerce meet to discuss market

by Timothy Rutt

 Four Altadena Chamber of Commerce directors met with representatives of Walmart and the property owner Tuesday morning to hear the retailer’s plans for the Neighborhood Market on Lincoln Avenue.

Daniel Harlow of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce revealed details of the confab at Tuesday night's meeting of the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA).

“Obviously, the chamber is concerned, because it’s going to have a large impact on business here,” Harlow said.  “But at the same time the chamber’s job is to promote commerce in Altadena of all sorts, not just small independent business.”  Harlow said that the chamber hasn’t taken a position on the market, but will take up that question at next month’s board meeting.

Harlow said that Walmart was investing between $4 million to $6 million in the property.  Walmart representatives said that about 60 percent or more of what is being sold in the Market will be food items.  About 60 jobs will be created, and Walmart’s usual ratio is 60 percent full-time and 40 percent part-time, Harlow said.  At least initially, the store will not sell liquor, which would require a public hearing for a conditional use permit (CUP).

Conservancy seeking donations to save Millard Canyon

from the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

Our friends at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center have challenged you to help save Altadena's Millard Canyon. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates have pledged $10,000 to help preserve the property, and has asked the local community to match that $10,000 by June 30.

Donate to Save Millard Canyon - ECNCA will match dollar-for-dollar

Millard is a true gem in our foothills -- a densely wooded area with a perennial stream, at the northern edge of Altadena. But it will only stay that way if we act now to preserve it. Doing so would complete the preservation of the entire canyon north of Canyon Crest Road, leaving only two major unprotected canyons in Altadena. To learn more about the land, click here. 

Morning jolt

Jackson pleads guilty: Raymond Jackson, 57, pleaded no contest June 21 to a charge of receiving stolen property.  Jackson was busted by tracking software on a stolen computer in his possession.  Jackson was also found with a banned SKS assault rifle, a revolver with the serial numbers scratched off and six iPhones.  .  Jackson will get three years probation, two days in jail, and 400 hours of community service. PSN has more.

Scholars: Brianna Dekine, a resident of Altadena, was among over 1900 students from Wake Forest University who made the Spring 2012 Dean's List.  Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. 

 Morayo Odujinrin, daughter of Ms. Abisola A. Odujinrin of Altadena, was named to the Spring Term 2012 Dean's List at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut. Choate Rosemary Hall is an independent secondary school enrolling 850 boarding and day students from 39 states and 46 countries.

 

Rose Bowl disaster drill today

from the Pasadena Police Department

Wednesday, June 27th, the Pasadena Police Departments Air Operations Section will host their 23rd Annual Disaster Response Drill in Lot H of the Rose Bowl. This training exercise will draw a handful of helicopter crews from police and fire agencies throughout southern California to the Rose Bowl for a simulated large scale emergency. The event will begin at 11 AM and end at 2 PM. Although this is a tremendous training opportunity, all attempts will be made to minimize the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods by way of airspace management and flight routes in and out of the area. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Air Operations Section Lieutenant Mike Ingram at 626-744-4606 or by email at mingram@cityofpasadena.net.

Meetings this week: ACONA, Hahamongna, Walmart

Meetings, we've got meetings:  

ACONA:  Tthe Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) meets today at 7 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.  On the agenda is meet Sheriff Capt. John Benedict, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce and El Patron Mexican Restaurant will have presentations, and there will be time in the open questions to talk about Walmart.

Hahamongna Watershed: The City of Pasadena will have a public meeting tomorrow night, Wed., June 27, starting at 6:30 PM at the Pasadena City Yards, second floor conference room, 233 W. Mountain Ave., Pasadena.   On the agenda is discussion of the latest plans for Hahamongna Watershed, including soccer fields, the state of the historic disc golf course, and what will be considered in the upcoming Environmental Impact Report.

Pasadena will also have two scoping meetings for the EIR: Thurs., July 12 at 6:30 PM and Sat., July 14, at 10 AM.  These meetings will be held at the Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 960 E. Walmut, Pasadena.

No to Walmart: Opponents of the Walmart Neighborhood Market will meet on Friday, June 29, at Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Ave., at 7:30 PM.

 

Missing corgi near Alameda & Lake [FOUND]

Readers Daniel and Blythe have lost their pal:

Our dog went missing last night from our apartment near Alameda & Lake, and we still haven't found him. His name is Corky, he's a Welsh corgi mix with a tail that curls up over his back and white and tan coloring. He had a collar with our address and phone number on it, but we have not had any calls yet. If anyone has any information we can be reached at 830-743-0573 or 865-850-3324. Thanks for your help!

UPDATE:  Good news -- was found by a kind soul wandering at Allen Avenue and New York Drive.  (The dog, that is, altho' kind souls also wander).  He's home now.

Folly Bowl announces shortened schedule

by TImothy Rutt

The Folly Bowl -- Susanna Dadd and James Griffith's home-made outdoor garden amphitheater -- has announced an abbreviated schedule for the summer, due to remodeling.

Performers will be:

Addi Somekh's balloon bass trio Aug. 11; Tesserae on Aug. 25; and Stacey Helley on Sept. 8.

More information to come.

 

Still space open for McNally House tour July 15

by Timothy Rutt

The Turkish Room was a pavilion at the Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893.  Andrew McNally, co-founder of one of the world's largest map publishers, was so taken with it he purchased it and incorporated it into his mansion in Altadena.

The Turkish Room will be one of the highlights of the Altadena Historical Society's lecture and tour of the McNally House, 654 E, Mariposa, on Sun., July 15, from 2-4 PM. Archivist/historian Tim Gregory will talk about McNally's life, the history of the house, and how it was successfully nominated to be in the National Register of Historic Places.

Reservations are $25 for AHS members, and $30 for non-members.  Only 30 spots will be available. Reservations must be made in advance.  To reserve a spot, send a check to the Altadena Historical Society, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, 91001.  No tickets will be issued -- reservations will be checked at the door.

 

 

Central Altadena Little League to host All-Star Tournament today thru July 9

by Timothy Rutt

The Central Altadena Little League will host the Astina Cathirell 9/10 year old District 17 All-Star Tournament at their home field, Farnsworth Park.  The tournament will run June 25-July 9

The top nine and ten year olds in Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, San Marino, Sierra Madre will play to advance to the Little League Sectional.   Come out and support all these young people and the local Altadena businesses that have supported Central Altadena Little League for 2012.  Click the bracket to see the line-up.

 

Rooster looking for a home

This urgent need came to our doorstep, and we thought maybe Altadenans could help him out:

Tad, who lives in Los Angeles, bought some baby chicks guaranteed to be hens -- but alas, one of them ended up being a rooster instead.  He doesn't have the space for a rooster (they crow, you know) and he doesn't want to turn it into soup stock, so he's offering an 11-week-old Ameraucana rooster, white with dark hackle & tail feathers, free to a good home.  Please call Tad at 818-438-0800.

Chamber, sheriff captain speak at ACONA Tuesday

by TImothy Rutt

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) will have its next meeting tomorrow, Tues., June 26, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. , starting at 7 PM.

Speakers include representatives of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, who will talk about retail issues and obstacles to improvement, as well as the recent business survey.  Alex Cortes, owner of El Patron Mexican Restaurant, will also speak about his business success.

Altadena Sheriff Station Capt. John S. Benedict is also on the program to address community issues.

 

Two arrested following sheriff rollout

by TImothy Rutt

There was a full helicopter-and-squad-car rollout around 2 PM this afternoon around the 2700 bock of Marengo.  Watch commander tells us that the initial call was of a carjacking, but as of 3 PM they believe it was a domestic dispute over ownership of a car that got out of hand.

 UPDATE 6 PM:  Two adults are in custody following this incident.  Altadena Sheriff Station watch commander Lt. Brian Fitch said that two will be charged with carjacking, but it is related to the disputed ownership of a vehicle between family members.  

It was "as much a dispute between family members as anything else, but there was some force to obtain a car there," Fitch said.  "It was bad enough to the point where  we got involved, and we responded accordingly until we could get it sorted out."

Both suspects were described as adults, but no other description or identification was available at this time.

We've changed the headline to reflect new information.

 

Scouts spiff up Cobb Estate gate Saturday

 

Scout Kyle Blair stands by one of the metal holding structures that will be removed and refurbished as part of his Eagle Scout project.

by Timothy Rutt

Some good Scouts (and adult helpers) helped spiff up the Cobb Estate gate area as part of a Long Beach Boy Scout's Eagle project.

Kyle Blair, 14, and crew spent Saturday refurbishing a bench in the old bus shelter, building a formal trail going up to the fire road, putting up a new section of fence, and removing the arch that stands over the gate and its supporting structures.  The metal pieces will be taken to the shop, refurbished, and re-installed at the site.

The idea came from Ted Hatch, who had built metal structures for the National Forest Service in the past.  He suggested the Cobb Estate gates as Blair's Eagle project, and they recently received the nod to begin.  Blair is a member of Troop 14 in Long Beach.

The original project, as proposed last fall, would have been more ambitious and created a gate on the south entrance which provides access to the property.  That was turned thumbs-down by many individuals and groups who watch the Cobb Estate, who favored unimpeded access to the property.

Blair's revised project would not create any gates, but would improve the existing gate and surrounding area.  The group constructed a retaining wall along Loma Alta Drive and created a safer trail up to the fire road that many hikers take.  They also installed eight feet of fence that matched the existing fencing behind the bus bench area.  A new wood slat bus bench was also installed in the stone structure -- although buses haven't used it as a stop for years.

The main gate to the estate is usually closed, and only opened to allow entry to emergency vehicles and Southern California Edison crews who maintain the electrical lines on the border of the estate.  The arch above the main gate has been banged up a bit by tall Edison trucks.

 

Among the improvements is the installation of fencing (left) to match the original fence, and a new bench at the former bus shelter.

The plan is for the arch to be repaired and straightened out.  The metal structures atop the stone pillars, which hold the arch, were also removed for repair and refurbishment.  Finials --  "roofs"-- that were part of the original structures will be restored.  The height of the structures will also be increased by a foot so that Edison trucks will no longer bang up the arch when they go through the gate.

 

Hatch said that another Eagle Scout project is scheduled for the summer: a raised archway for the entrance south of the gate, high enough to admit equestrians.  There will also be some flood control measures taken to allow rainwater that now flows out to the street to run into the storm drain on the estate's road instead.  

 Hatch said that the Forest Service and the Altadena Crest Trails Working Group had approved the work, although we were unable to reach representatives of either group at press time.

UPDATE: Rob Staehle of the Altadena Crest Trails Working Group said that the scouts had been working with them for several months, making presentations and incorporating suggestions for improvements.  "I wish every group working with the trails would do such a good job," he said.

Hooping it up for a cause

by Timothy Rutt

Basketball players mix it up at La Salle High School's gym Saturday during the Brandon Jackson Memorial Basketball Shootout. The all-day tournament, organized by the First Presbyterian church of Altadena, raised funds for a scholarship in the name of Jackson, a Muir High School athlete from Altadena who was shot to death in 2011.  Jackson's murder remains unsolved.

Sunday Walmart thread

by Timothy Rutt

Keeping the conversation going:

LA Weekly picks up on the story and introduces an interesting concept: that the Neighborhood Markets are "hermit crab shells."  For example, as a hermit crab does not make a shell of its own but appropriates some other creature's, so the Neighborhood Markets are plugged into vacant buildings with the proper zoning so there don't have to be public hearings -- it’s a whole 'nother beast than if you put up a building from scratch.  

They also re-quote former town councilman Steve Lamb from the Patch:  "We've worked for twenty years to get a small local market on Lincoln we have one and you were not interested before they proved there was a market here. GO AWAY."  

Gosh, a small local enterprise starts in a place where nobody else cared to go, and then a national conglomerate sees there's a market there and tries to snatch the mom-and-pop's business?  We have no idea what that's like.  

BTW, there's a "No Walmart in Burbank" Facebook group -- we're surprised that hasn't happened for Altadena yet, but we have a suspicion it'll be up soon ...  like right. about. now.

This is where you get your "Walmart in Altadena" fix.  Comment on our previous stories, things you've found, feelings, both pro- and anti- views welcome, but shed light, not heat.  Comment away!

 

 

 

Altadena Junction: seven letters, starts with a "W" ...

Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun -- what do YOU think the lead story would be?

Altadena Sheriff's Station now on Facebook

by Timothy Rutt

Hot on the heels of the Altadena Sheriff Station's new web page, they've also launched a Facebook page.  Friend them now!

Saturday Walmart thread

It's the talk of the town today:  even the LA Times and LAist have discovered DenaMart.  We're closing down our other comment threads on Walmart stories to make this your one-stop shop for Saturday.   Comment away on anything Walmart or our previous stories right here.

Astronomer's Top 20 at the Library today

If you're an amateur astronomer, what would you like to see?  Saturn?  A total eclipse?  The green flash?

Amateur astronomer Helen Mahoney will discuss her list of the Top 20 Things Every Astronomer Should See at the Altadena Main Library on Sat., June 23, starting at 2 PM.  The  presentation is sponsored by Friends of Mt. Wilson Observatory. Refreshments begin at 2 PM, program at 2:30 PM.  The talk is free

The Altadena Main Library is at 600 E. Mariposa St. 

 

Blotter: burglaries, of course

Residential and automobile burglaries this week, with an add soupçon of stolen handguns. Blotter by Lt. MIchael White of Altadena Sheriff Station.

Wednesday, June 13
11:45 PM –  Vandalism occurred at Arco – 1880 N. Lake Av.   

Thursday, June 14
Between 9:10 AM and 7:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of E. Pine St.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unsecured window.  Loss:  gold purse.
Between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Friday) – A petty theft of vehicle parts occurred in the 3000-blk of Santa Anita Av.  Loss:  black Yakima vehicle roof rack.
Between 11:00 PM and 9:30 AM (Friday) – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 100-blk of W. Figueroa Dr.

Friday, June 15
5:45 AM – An attempt robbery occurred in the 1700 block of N. Oxford Avenue.  The suspect arrived at the residence and demanded money from his father; the victim.  The victim refused to provide money and the suspect became threatening.  Loss:  none.  
Between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2500 block of Marengo Ave.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via the rear door.  Loss:  black Sig Sauer, model P220 handgun, silver Smith & Wesson, model 686 revolver, black gun safe.
Between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 500 block of Crosby Street.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unsecured rear window.  Loss:  Panasonic Viera 47” LCD, grey iMac 21”.
1:20 PM – A bicycle was recovered in the area of Woodbury Road & Raymond Avenue.  Property description:  red & black Schwinn bicycle.
Between 7:00 PM and 10:00 AM (Saturday) – A vehicle burglary occurred in the area of Highland Avenue & Altadena Drive.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger side window.  Loss:  black duffle bag.
Between 8:00 PM and 2:20 AM (Saturday) – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1700 block of Mar Vista Avenue.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the driver’s side window.  Loss:  black Magellan GPS, black power cord.

It starts: No to Walmart meeting @ Coffee Gallery tomorrow

by Timothy Rutt

We received several emails on this, and just confirmed it with the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave:  There will be a meeting starting at 10 AM tomorrow (Sat., June 23) at the Gallery's conference room to discuss the Walmart Neighborhood Market.  All are invited.

NOTE:  we are consolidating all new Walmart comments in daily threads, rather than scattering them all over the place.  Saturday's comments are here.

Kitten in crisis - can you help? [UPDATE: found a home]

Reader Tanya and her husband have found a fresh new kitten, and ... well, let her tell it:

I think mama got scared by our dog and has abandoned kitten #2.  We checked in on it and it just keeps crying.  This has been since about 4 PM today.  We read something that says they need to eat every 3 hours and if they are young (as this one is) they need help with bowel movements.  We can still hear it peeping, so we have hope that if someone can take this little one on, it may have a chance!  

We're both highly allergic (our minimal contact with the area has already left us both itching and sneezing) so we're crossing our fingers that a kind neighbor can help the little guy (or girl).  ...  I wish Humane Society could take it, but they said anything under 2 lbs is euthanized.  Our estimation is that this one is about a week old.  It's eyes are still shut and it'll need help feeding and doing its business.

Thanks for your response.  I am hoping something pans out.

UPDATE:  Some good soul has adopted the kitten, and at Tanya's request, we've removed her contact information, because good people keep calling her offering to help!

Another found dog! [Update: has gone home]

Reader Joan writes:

We found his dog running in the street at the intersection of Las Flores Drive and Marengo.  We will hold onto the dog until Monday.

Thank you. Let's hope we find an owner. Very sweet dog.

UPDATE 6/24: Doggie's home.

Brandon Jackson memorial basketball fundraiser this Saturday

The public is invited to enjoy a day of youth basketball, food and drink, and raffle prizes at the Brandon Jackson Basketball Shootout this Saturday, June 23, from 8 AM to 8 PM at LaSalle High School, 3800 East Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena.

All proceeds from admission ($5), raffle tickets, and food and drink sales will benefit the Brandon Jackson Memorial Scholarship Fund, providing college scholarships to deserving local youth. This year they anticipate giving three $2500 scholarships and a fourth (amount to be determined) based on proceeds from the raffle.

Raffle prizes have been generously donated by local businesses including: 20/10 Vision Care, Adobe Design, Altadena Hardware, Eiji's Florist, Family Fashion Clothing, Johnny's Sport Shop, Mota's Mexican Restaurant, Perry's Joint, Standard Ice Cream, Steppe's Barber Shop, Steve's Bike Shop, Toto's Beauty Supply, Wally's Barber Shop, Webster's Community Pharmacy, and Webster's Fine Wine and Liquor.

It's not too late to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund.  Checks can be made out to First Presbyterian Church Altadena, with an note on the memo line indicating it is for  the "Brandon Jackson Scholarship", and mailed to the church at 2775 Lincoln Ave., Altadena, CA 91001. 

More information at bjscholarship.org

 

Hangdog, found dog; and a cat [Unhappy update]

Reader Paul found this poor sad sack and is holding onto him for awhile,  If he's yours, call 626-390-5152 or email timmerman_paul@hotmail.com

Reader Sarah, on the other hand, has found a cat.  Contact her at  sarahjluna@hotmail.com

UPDATE 6/23: Saturday morning, Paul updates us about the poor pooch;

Our sad little bulldog house guest checked out last night. So there is a starved dog with an infected eye wandering around Altadena.  Last seen near Raymond and Mariposa.

Traveling mercies

We are traveling to Sacramento and back today, so entries will be light.  

Walmart confirms Altadena location, releases fact sheet, video

Above, Walmart's video on the Neighborhood Market.

by Timothy Rutt

Walmart confirmed today that it will locate a Neighborhood Market at the Lincoln Avenue/Figueroa Drive location, as we broke yesterday.

According to a statement from Walmart senior director of community affairs Steve Restivo, “We think Walmart can be part of the solution in the Altadena community for residents who want more affordable options close to home.  Customers and businesses always prefer a vibrant storefront over a vacant building and we look forward to creating a new option for healthy food in the community.  We expect to start construction work soon, with a planned opening next year.”

According to a Walmart fact sheet, the store will create 60-65  new jobs, and Walmart's full-time average hourly wage in California is currently $12.79 per hour.

Full fact sheet appears after the jump.

Bomb squad called to Altadena in Thursday incident

by TImothy Rutt

Getting some sketchy information about an incident this afternoon: according to the watch commander at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's station, the sheriff's bomb squad was called in to an Altadena location to deal with some suspicious-looking materials.

According to the watch commander, a man was being moved out of his residence by his family today when they found the materials.  As the man had previously been arrested for making a pipe bomb, and the materials looked like they could be used for that purpose, the bomb squad was called to investigate.

"The situation is solved, it's done, no one's in danger," said the watch commander, but neither Crescenta Valley nor Altadena Sheriff Station would release any more details, including the location of the incident.

Breaking: deputies looking for suspects in robbery at Washington and Craig

by TImothy Rutt

Altadena sheriff's deputies are searching for two armed robbery suspects in the Washington and Craig area.  

According to the Altadena Sheriff's Station, the call came in at about 1:30 this afternoon and the suspects, both described as black males, split up.  More as we get it.

If you see anything, call the Altadena Sheriff's Station at 798-1131.

UPDATE 5 PM: We have more details from the Altadena Sheriff Station: the two suspects approached two women in a car, displayed a handgun, and took $400 in cash.  Suspects were last seen running eastbound, and are still at large.

Publisher's notebook: Walmartting Altadena

by Timothy Rutt

 

graphic courtesy Walmart

It's no secret that we are not fans of Walmart -- we have used it in the past as an insult, a metaphor for a large corporation sweeping in to take over local markets (scroll down our "About" page for links to articles in other places where we've used that metaphor).  Outside of being a metaphor, we dislike how Walmart treats its workers at home and abroad.  So we freely do not patronize it.

 

But we're also not impressed with arguments (by the kind of folks who think income redistribution will cure all ills) that the family of Walmart founder Sam Walton has an incredible share of the nation's wealth.  They do.  So what?  They didn't steal it with a ravening horde -- it was earned in the free market.  You can argue about the details, but we don't have a problem with how they got their money -- providing products and services people freely pay for.  That's what it's all about.  We've never seen anyone forced at gunpoint to shop at Walmart.

We also look with sympathy at Walmart employees and customers.  Never sneer at anyone who's working hard at a job, no matter what it is, and trying to provide.  People usually patronize Walmart because it provides goods that they can afford, to stretch their dollars farther.  We all make compromises in how we spend our money -- it's hard to bloviate about our greater virtue as we write on an Apple MacBook Pro that may have been made under horrific conditions in a Third World factory.

There's something else, unspoken, about much Walmart criticism.  We once read about some activist theater group that was trying to organize a flash mob event in a Walmart -- they would all arrive separately, take a cart, and gradually form a long line of shopping carts that would wend its way through the store like some kind of model train.  Not to buy anything -- keeping the carts empty and disrupting the day's business was the point.  We wondered, why don't they do something like that in say, a Nordstrom's, or a Macy's?  Those are pretty bourgeois stores, but nobody's flashmobbing them.  There's also a website composed of pictures of people dressed bizarrely or in bad taste as they shop at Walmart.  Why Walmart and not, say, the AM-PM? Well, because it's Walmart!  

And now, with windows

by Timothy Rutt

Altadenablog sponsor The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave.,  recently refurbished its exterior, adding an attractive sign, a good paint job, and some windows.  The remodeling was paid for in part from a county program that was used to refurbish the facades of Fair Oaks businesses, according to Sussy Nemer, field deputy for Supv. Michael D. Antonovich.

Community Garden annual picnic and resource fair coming June 30

from the Altadena Community Garden

Good food and good company mark the Altadena Community Garden's annual picnic, in this photo from 2010.

June 30, 2012 marks the 38th annual Altadena Community Garden Picnic & Resource Fair. The members of the community garden invite the public to join them for a barbeque lunch, self-guided garden tours and a community education and resource fair from 1 to 5PM in the community garden and Loma Alta Park, located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street in Altadena. Lunch tickets are available for $8 in advance, $10 at the gate.

Gardeners provide hot and cold foods, many made from locally grown fruits and vegetables. Several gardeners will tend barbecue grills for 24 hours prior to the event, preparing ribs, chicken, beef hot links, veggie burgers and hot dogs for diners. Lemonade and sun tea, as well as sodas and bottled water, will be served, too.  

The picnic is located inside the gates of the garden. Tables will be set up and decorated with seasonal flowers. The resource fair will be staged outside the garden gates in the circular roundabout south of the Loma Alta Park tennis courts.  Featured events will be garden tours, Altadena Farmers Market, yoga and tennis demonstrations, local botanical gardens, blood pressure screenings, community safety and alert information, plus representatives from Lincoln Avenue Water Company, LA County Sheriff’s and Fire Department and other public and private agencies.

About The Garden

The three acre corner of Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street holds 65 plots for over 128 gardeners and associate gardeners.  All pay annual dues, $73 for gardeners, $30 for associate gardeners.  Quarterly general membership meetings are held to review the needs and activities of the garden.  Current events include the development of a water conservation plan for the garden,, rainwater fruit tree orchard, garden corner beautification project, children gardening program and Common Ground Victory Garden class. Free seed packets are available to members at meetings.

The Garden was formed in 1973 by a group of West Altadena residents who wanted to garden with neighbors. The informal group chose an undeveloped plot of land to cultivate local, healthful fruits and vegetables.  Soon the County of Los Angeles decided to build an equestrian ring at the area now known as Loma Alta Park, and the County Department of Parks and Recreation relocated the garden. Permanent fencing, irrigation and parking was installed by the County. The Community Garden members developed bylaws, installed fruit trees, herbs, roses, native plants and succulents in communal areas.  ACG continues to work with the County to maintain the garden’s infrastructure and amenities.  For members’ shared use are picnic areas, a shaded deck, tool sheds, and walkways. Membership dues provide hand tools, mulch and organic fertilizer.

Applications for new members are available at the garden.  Further information, calendar, photos and garden contacts are available at the Altadena Community Garden website, www.altadenacommunitygarden.com