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by TImothy Rutt
All that helicopter activity was the Los Angeles County Fire Department rescuing another errant hiker. Still looking for official details, but an uninjured male was observed leaving the LAFD Copter 14 (which landed at Farnsworth Park) and entering a sheriff's vehicle.
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The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures as low as 37 degrees tonight, and the Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a cold weather advisory for Lancaster, Santa Clarita Valley and Mount Wilson areas. Wind chill temperatures are expected to be in the 20s and 30s for Santa Clarita Valley and Mount Wilson areas, and in single digits and high 10s for Lancaster.
“We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbeques or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., M.P.H., Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable during such cold snaps, care should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside.”
A Winter Shelter Program is available for seniors and those looking for a place to stay warm. Locations and transportation information can be found on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's website at: http://www.lahsa.org/winter_shelter_program.asp, or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone. For the deaf and hard of hearing, please call the TDD line at 1-800-660-4026.
If you're going to see the parade, officials are advising to dress in layers of warm clothing and wear a hat, scarf, socks, and gloves to protect your extremities from the cold.
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This week in crime, from the Altadena Sheriff's Station.
Monday, December 24
Between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM – A petty theft of a package occurred in the 500 block of Punahou Street. Loss: black Diesel purse, Old & New Testament bible.
Between 7:00 PM and 1:00 AM (Tuesday) – A residential burglary occurred in the 1500 block of N. Allen Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by prying the rear door. Loss: jewelry, currency.
Tuesday, December 25t
Between 1:00 PM and 8:15 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of E. Woodbury Road. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear windows. Loss: unknown.
Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Wednesday) – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 900 block of E. Mount Curve Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the driver’s side window. Loss: orange/black/gray jacket.
Continue reading "Crime blotter: vehicle vandalisms, gunfire, and a stolen Bible" »
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Mighty La Canada Flintridge Blogger Kathy Christie Hernandez (who has just moved to Borderdena and is taking a break from online life) asked us to spread the word -- her doggie Ricky needs a new home:
When I adopted my dog four years ago, I was working at home and had backup afternoon care for this sweet little guy. But then life threw me a curveball this year, and I'm now single in a new (albeit awesome!) city. Unfortunately, that means my dog is home alone for 11+ hours at a time, and he is so sad. He needs a level of attention I can no longer give, so I'm looking for a new home for him.
I've posted some photos and more information about him at http://www.kchblog.com/?p=6275. Please let me know if you're interested, and please forward this to anyone you know who might be.
Thanks.
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Goodbye, 2012! The (Altadenablog sponsor) Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will start the New Year's Eve party at 3 PM today toasting European New Year, followed by Great Britain at 4 PM, and so on and so on.
There will also be afternoon potluck, so bring a dish to share if you're so inclined.
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by Timothy Rutt
A new year is about to begin, and we're putting a new comment policy in place.
One of the requirements of our comment policy (which you can read here) is that we need to have a working email address from all commenters. The email address is only visible to us, and it's so that we can ask you to rewrite or clarify your entry if needed (usually it's about toning down the language, and most commenters are agreeable). Also, asking for an email address discourages people from just spouting off in a juvenile manner. One can use a pseudonym, but we're quite insistent on a real email address that we can see, and up until now it's been on the honor system.
However, there has been a recent rash of comments without an email address, or with bogus ones. We think that's the equivalent of throwing a rock through a window -- and if you don't want to stand up for what you say in any way, why should we hear from you?
Per our rules, we are purging comments that have not followed the guidelines and blocking the senders.
Today we are also instituting a new policy that requires signing in before comments are allowed. We don't think this should be an impediment to good faith commenters -- and no one will know your real identity if you don't want them to. But we're finding that enough folks are abusing the honor system that we have to tighten things up a bit.
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by Timothy Rutt
There will be a " community call-to-action in response to gun violence in our streets" and press conference at 3 PM today at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Avenue in Pasadena.
Participants will include The Rev. Ed Bacon, Rector of All Saints Church; Pastor Jean Burch, Community Bible Church; Pastor Kerwin Manning, Pasadena Church; Chief Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena Police Department; Captain John Benedict, Altadena Sheriff’s Station; Ricky Pickens, Flintridge Center; William Syms and Porfirio Frausto, community leaders.
According to a press release from All Saints Church:
"When something is wrong like the gun violence plaguing our citizens, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to one another,” said All Saints’ Rector Ed Bacon. “The Pasadena community is standing strong together for peace and security in our neighborhoods,” said Ricky Pickens, Director of Prevention and Intervention Services at the Flintridge Center.
The event is in response to recent shooting incidents in Pasadena and Altadena. Long-time youth sports leader and community activist Victor McClinton, killed on Christmas Day in Pasadena, was one of the victims of this recent violence.
According to several communications we have received from various participants, the key messages of the event will be:
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Sheriff Station says that shooting off your guns to celebrate the New Year is not a good idea: it's a dangerous a felony, and "will not be tolerated."
A press release from the station says that celebratory gunfire "is an extremely dangerous practice. As a reminder, deputies from Altadena Sheriff’s Station, in an effort to stop and reduce these types of incidents will be enforcing Penal Code section 246.3." That section of the code prohibits the discharge of a firearm and anyone arrested fill be charged with a felony and their gun will be confiscated.
"Additionally, should a shooting occur, members of the community are encouraged to call 9-1-1.," the press release says. "Please help us in keeping the community of Altadena safe."
The Sheriff's Department, along with the LAPD, the Board of Supervisors, and other government bodies are promoting a Gunfire Reduction Campaign to help reduce the number of New Year's gunfire incidents. Firing into the air is not safe: the bullet will come down, accelerating at 32 ft/second and be just as deadly. According to a press release from the sheriff's office, "On July 4, 1999, Brian Perez, a young, outgoing, 9 year-old boy was playing with family members in the front yard of his home. Someone in the area shot a firearm into the sky and the stray bullet struck Brian in the head, killing him. 'Shooting guns in the air is dangerous and illegal. If you are caught shooting a gun in the air you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law', said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck."
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After a few days of technical glitches, the lost pet form is working again:
Found: On Reever Way, Cross street Glenrose and Loma Alta (near Fair Oaks), a medium sized, Female lab or pit wearing a red collar with no tags. Looks brown (or dark grey) with white spots and paws. Dog is now at Pasadena Humane Society.
Lost: "Penny," a senior Pomeranian lost on Dec 24 around 1 PM on Maiden Lane between New York and Morada. Was wearing a red jacket and has a shaved tail. Call 626 298-4128
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by Jason Wells
Pasadena Sun
Cool and breezy conditions are expected to give way to another rainstorm later this week, but forecasters say it should be mostly clear and brisk by New Year’s Day and the all-important Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.
Gusty northwest winds were expected for some areas through Thursday morning with most of the region experiencing fair weather Thursday and Friday, said experts with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
Many areas will experience 15- to 25-mph winds, they said, and the Antelope Valley and the mountains should see west to northwest winds of up to 45 mph.
A winter weather advisory was issued for Thursday until 10 a.m., with blistery snow showers expected on north facing mountain slopes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
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Sue B. Dance Studio is offering 13 weeks of classes on vintage and cultural dance and Polynesian dance on Wednesday afternoons starting Jan. 16.
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from the Pasadena Waldorf School
The Pasadena Waldorf School is pleased to announce the return of Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting and The Games Children Play, for a two-day event on January 14 and 15, 2013. A celebrated lecturer, Kim John Payne, M.ED, is also a consultant and trainer to over 110 schools in the United States. For 27 years, he has worked as a school counselor, researcher, educator and a private family counselor and now runs workshops and training seminars around the world.
Mr. Payne will present his program, “Soul of Discipline: In the First Nine Years,” addressing how parenting and discipline changes and evolves as our children mature. The lecture is on January 14, from 7 to 9 PM at Franson Hall at the Pasadena Waldorf High School, located on the William Carey International University Campus, 1539 East Howard St., Pasadena, CA 91104. The following morning, from 9 AM to 1 PM, he will conduct an interactive workshop at China Lounge at the Pasadena Waldorf High School, also located on the William Carey International University Campus.
Mr. Payne is a regular interview subject in television, radio and print. He has been featured on the CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox networks, the BBC, CBC and NPR radio networks, and in print by the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, Whole Living, Redbook and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, among others.
Tickets are $12 for the lecture and $28 for the workshop. This event is for adults only. To purchase tickets for both events and to get more information, visit www.pasadenawaldorf.org or call 626-794-9564.
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by Alene Tchekmedyian
Pasadena Sun
Authorities on Wednesday continued to try and ascertain the identity of a hiker who was found dead Saturday morning in the Angeles National Forest.
Another hiker found the man’s body around 7:47 a.m. near the Gould Mesa Debris Basin Dam on the east trail near La Cañada Flintridge, said Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Sgt. Cynthia Gonzales.
It appeared the body had been there for several days, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter. Authorities said Saturday that there had been no recent reports of missing hikers in the area.
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We spent Christmas Eve night looking at Christmas lights with our oldest daughter (there's a house on Roosevelt and Berendo that must be seen to be believed!). Christmas morning, we got up early, made mulled cider and coffee, and wrote for an hour until the children started appearing. Great haul for everybody, standing roast for dinner, spent the evening programming our new internet radio.
How was YOUR holiday? Share your stories below!
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by Timothy Rutt
.... and the tale of the gnome continues, with carolers! The Gnomehaus this morning.
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As is our custom, entries will be light or nonexistent today, as we celebrate the nativity of the Lord with our family (we celebrate Christmas without apology and with great joy in our household).
And, per our usual custom, our traditional Christmas picture: a Flemish painting by an unknown artist, c. 1515, "Adoration of the Christ Child," which is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Several years ago, psychiatrist Andrew Levitas and geneticist Cheryl Reid determined that the angel closest to Mary, and possibly one of the shepherds in the back, bore the distinctive facial evidence of Down Syndrome. They conjectured that the artist used models with Down Syndrome fully three centuries before the condition was identified by Dr. Langdon Down. And the artist didn't call attention to it -- in fact, they're representing beings (shepherds and angels) who are meant to be there. Imperfect and somewhat damaged, as we all are, but also welcomed to the Nativity. As our family has cherished members with Down Syndrome, this has particular appeal to our heart. Everyone is invited to this party!
Celebrate the day! Merry Christmas to you!
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Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.
Sunday, December 16:
Between 6:00 PM and 11:45 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the area Harding Avenue. & Washington Boulevard.
Monday, December 17:
Between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Tuesday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1800 block of E. Mendocino Street. Loss: red briefcase, checkbook, gold bracelet.
Wednesday, December 19:
Between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM – A vehicle was stolen from the 1600 block of Braeburn Rd. Vehicle Loss: black 2011 Landrover.
Between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Thursday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 700 block of E. Pine St. Loss: black Craftsman cordless drill, yellow Makita cordless drill, black Craftsman flashlight battery.
Thursday, December 20:
Between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of E. Loma Alta Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear window. Loss: black Toshiba laptop, gold/silver jewelry.
3:34 PM and 11:00 PM – A petty theft of a package occurred in the 100 block of E. Sacramento St. Loss: bath towels, comforter, cooker, cutlery set, ironing board, iron.
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The coroner's office released the name of the jogger who was killed on Mendocino Street near the golf course Friday: Robert Frank Ott, 54, of Altadena. The PSN has all details up to date.
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by TImothy Rutt
If having a tree in the living room is now wearing a little thin, Athens Services says they will provide free tree-cycling starting tomorrow, Dec. 26. To ensure pickup, remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and the stand and put the tree (or Hannukkah bush) at the curb on collection day.
Flocked or plastic trees will not be recycled or accepted, and if it's over six feet tall, cut it in half. Collections will take place until Jan. 11, 2103.
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" For Altadena Christmas Morn...."
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by Timothy Rutt
Radio station Power 106 shared this video of the toy giveaway at Loma Alta Park on Dec. 15. (We're an old guy and never heard of any of the celebrities!)
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"Home, Home, With a Gnome" ( sung to a familiar tune. : )
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The Altadena Library Community Room Presents: paintings by Burma Brown
Burma’s artwork reflects the things in life he loves the most; music, the ocean and freedom. Through his art he has found a voice to speak to the world and say “I am here!”
Artwork will be on display in the Community Room for the month of January 2013
For more information: 626-798-4033
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It was probably in mid-January when we first noticed the gnome had moved in.
There’s a sycamore tree in our front yard, facing the street, that has a hollow in the base. And one day, as we were leaving the house and drove past it, we noticed:
There was a gnome living there.
When we got back, we checked it out: a one-of-a-kind, handmade ceremic gnome with a red pointed cap had taken residence in the hollow of our tree. There was even a sign set up: “Gnome Haus” it said.
And an American flag.
We had no idea who would have set done such a thing, but figured it was one of our friends or neighbors and they would eventually tell us.
They'd say: “What do you think of the gnome?” Or, “How do you like my gnome?” The Gnomemaker would reveal themselves soon enough, we thought.
It's been almost a year. Hasn't happened. We’re still waiting.
On St. Patrick's Day, the gnome redecorated the hollow: shamrocks and leprechauns.
On Easter, bunny rabbits sprouted in the Gnomehaus.
On every holiday, the gnome festively redecorates: Mayday. Cinco de Mayo. Independence Day. Labor Day. Halloween. Thanksgiving.
The gnome always has greetings for our youngest children: “Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Rosie and Jack,” for example. (Only his name isn’t Jack, it’s Jake, so it was someone who knew us, but not that well! Sometime after Easter, the gnome finally got the name right.)
Continue reading "Mysteries of Altadena: after the gnome moved in" »
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Historical Society's quarterly meeting and lecture features Altadena artist Ian White.
White is the son of Charles White, a major African American artist of the mid-20th century and Altadena resident. The elder White created socially-conscious art in a time of great social upheaval, Ian White will talk about growing up in Altadena with parents who inspired social responsibility and creativity.
The meeting and lecture will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2013, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., at 7:30 PM. The program is free and open to the public.
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by Timothy Rutt
Body discovered: Members of Montrose Search & Rescue and LA County fire paramedics were working on recovering the body of a hiker found this morning near JPL.
According to the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station, a hiker reported finding a body at about 7:50 Saturday morning near the Gould Mesa Debris Basin near JPL. The body was located by an LA County Fire helicopter. Fire paramedics managed to get to the body, described as that of a white male. Rescue workers were working on moving the body this afternoon.
Mendocino fatality: The LA County Coroner said they were not ready to release the identity of the Altadena man who was struck by a car and killed Friday morning on Mendocino Street. The 54-year-old-victim had been jogging eastbound on Mendocino near the Altadena Golf Course about 6:40 AM when he was struck by an SUV driven by a San Marino man, which then struck another vehicle.
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by Timothy Rutt
A off-duty deputy sheriff was shot at but unhurt Saturday morning while driving in his personal vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
According to a press release, at about 3:40 AM Saturday, Dec. 22, an off-duty deputy was driving with his brother in the front passenger seat near Harriet Street and Lincoln Avenue in Altadena.
According to the release, "A dark-colored Lexus sedan pulled alongside the driver’s side of the deputy’s vehicle and a passenger from the suspect vehicle fired three rounds from a handgun at the deputy’s vehicle before speeding away. The deputy’s vehicle was struck one time. Neither occupant of the deputy’s vehicle was injured."
Altadena deputies responded to the location and searched the surrounding area, but could not locate the suspect's vehicle.
Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying any other victims and/or witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Altadena Station at 626-798-1131. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
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by TImothy Rutt
Volunteers decended on the Altadena Community Center Saturday afternoon to help distribute goods to deserving families in the culmination of the Altadena Sheriff Station's holiday food and toy drive.
Altadena Sheriff Capt. John S. Benedict said that almost 350 applications from deserving families were processed this year. The applications were filled out at local schools, the sheriff station, and other locations.
The doors opened at 8 AM for families to receive a bag of toys, a box of nonperishable food, and gift cards, all donated by members of the community over the past several weeks.
And they're not done yet: Deputy Gregory Gabriel said that he would be taking volunteers to the Viking Food Charities distribution in Santa Monica tomorrow, another sheriff's department program. Altadena volunteers will take some of the 1,200 boxes of food to be distributed locally.
Extra toys from the local drive will go to the Operation Santa program from the Pasadena Police Department, where many of them will be distributed in Altadena.
1. Volunteers sort through the rows of toys to get them to the right family.
2. Every family received a box of food as well as the toys and gift cards.
3. Community members, including the sheriff' stations Volunteers on Patrol (here, Matthew Shropshire and Deb Halberstadt) sign in families.
4. Volunteers busily working to distribute the toys and food in the Community Center.
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by Timothy Rutt
Toys are lined up, above, for Farnsworth Park's holiday toy giveaway Friday night. Just six days before, Farnsworth Park recreation supervisor Angie Calleros said that there were no toys to give away -- but the community pulled through. Calleros said that the Altadena Rotary Club, two film production companies, and many individuals donated toys for the park's annual giveaway. Before the toys went to deserving homes, the children and their families were entertained, here by a folklorico troup that braved the cold.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Pasadena Master Chorale, under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Bernstein of Altadena, will perform with the Los Angeles Daiku Orchestra on Jan. 5, 2013, in Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel.
Featured performers include Krystle Casey, soprano; Hiromi Morota, mezzo; Timothy Gonzales, tenor; and Dean Elzinga, bass.
Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors ant $15 for students. For tickets and more information, go to the website.
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On Saturday, January 12, Pasadena Waldorf School (PWS) and Pasadena Waldorf High School (PWHS) will hold open houses for the 2013-2014 admissions season.
The lower school open house is to begin at 9 AM and go until noon. There will be ongoing presentations about Waldorf education between 9-11 AM, with classrooms open for visiting until noon. Faculty from the Parent-Child program, preschool, kindergarten, and grades one through eight will be on hand to answer questions. The lower school campus is located at 209 East Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA 91001. For information on the lower school open house, please call 626-794-9564.
The high school open house for prospective 9th and 10th graders will begin at 1 PM and go until 4 PM. It will include an introduction to Waldorf high school education explaining what makes the Waldorf curriculum relevant and vital for today’s teenager. This will be highlighted through sample lessons, work displays and classroom visits. The open house also offers an opportunity to meet our teachers. Refreshments and informal discussion will follow the demonstrations. The high school is located on the William Carey International University campus on the 3rd floor of the McGavran Building at 1539 East Howard Street, Pasadena, CA 91104. For information on the high school open house, please call 626-204-0786. Additional information can also be found at www.pasadenawaldorf.org.
Pasadena Waldorf School, founded in 1979, is one of over 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide with over 90 years of experience offering inspired education. Pasadena Waldorf High School, which opened this year, joins 40 other Waldorf high schools now operating in North America. Waldorf education is the fastest growing independent school movement in the world.
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by Timothy Rutt
Chris Larson at the Rancho Bar tells us that the bar and "A Piece of Peace Carolers" will be making the yuletide brighter for charity this Saturday, December 22.
Reservations can be made at The Rancho Bar all day Friday through Saturday afternoon for carolers to appear at your home or place of business Saturday. Spaces are limited for home/business reservations so sign-up quick! All donations collected and a portion of all sales at the Rancho Bar that day will go to support Five Acres Family Services. Don't miss the finale performance at The Rancho Bar at 10 PM Saturday night.
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Reader Susan writes;I've got an abundance of Monarch caterpillars on my milkweed plants and desperately need more [presumably milkweed, not caterpillars! -- ed.]. Do any of the Altadenablog readers have any milkweed growing in their gardens? I would gladly deliver the caterpillars to you before they run out of food here.Thank you!I can be contacted directly at slafferty1976@gmail.com, or by phone (626)808-8585.
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by Timothy Rutt
The students at Focus Point Academy showed up at the Altadena Sheriff Station Wednesday in an unexpected visit.
According to a press release from the Altadena Sheriff Station, "The Focus Point staff thought his year they would return the favor of the Altadena community's generous giving to the students and bring holiday gifts for needy families to the Altadena Sheriff's Station Food & Toy Drive.
Focus Point, located in Altadena, offers a small, highly structured special educational program that incorporates daily supportive counseling and specially designed academic instruction for students diagnosed with emotional disturbances and specific learning disabilities.
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by Phillip Holland, Jr.
Assistant Coordinator,
Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development
There was an excellent turnout during the Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development’s “Lunch with the Future” program, as President Tecumseh Shackelford was proud to host U.S. Rep. Judy Chu of California's 32nd congressional district.
Chu gave a motivational address to the young men of John Muir High School. Rep. Chu is an avid supporter of MPYD and on this day she enlightened the young men with her experiences, in which they will carry with them long after high school. This was a great opportunity for the young men to see how motivation and dedication pays off.
Rep. Chu shared her personal motives for pursuing politics, her early experiences in politics, and answered a few questions about some of the pressing issues these young men face. One question that resonated over the program referred to jobs and what was being done to create more opportunities for the young leaders of tomorrow. Rep. Chu explained that the only way to create more jobs is to revive small businesses which allow small communities and cities to remain full of life. This will ultimately give the people of the community a chance to move forward.
In closing, Rep. Chu reiterated the importance of school and encouraged the young men to pursue their dreams to be successful adults in the future.
The staff and young men of MPYD would like to thank Rep. Chu for taking time out of her schedule before her departure to Capitol Hill to share her experiences and continuing to support MPYD.
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Mendocino Street is blocked off Friday morning for an accident investigation. The Altadena Sheriff's station said that a call came in about a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle at 6:45 AM.
UPDATE 11:15 AM: California Highway Patrol confirmed that it was a fatal accident, but not much more at this time. Investigators are still on the scene.
UPDATE: Victim was identified as a 54-year-old Altadena man jogging eastbound on Mendocino, and was clipped by a Chevrolet that then ran into a Mercedes-Benz. Chevrolet was driven by a 58-year-old San Marino man. Identity of victim is still pending.
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by Timothy Rutt
Well, it's here: Mayan Apocalypse Day! If you haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet ... well, why bother now?
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The combination of wind, rain, and late autumn light has made for some fantastic sunsets this week. Above, Deb Halberstadt captures sundown on the peaks, while Steve Gerow captures the light against the clouds.
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by Timothy Rutt
Every spring, the Altadena Library celebrates poets and poetry with the "Poetry and Cookies" festival, which includes the annual anthology.
Principal Libriarian Pauline Dutton says that now is the time to submit your poems to the 2013 anthology. If you'd like to submit your work, please do so before Jan. 22, 2013.
Poets should also be available to read their work at the library’s Poetry and Cookies celebration which will take place at 2 PM on Saturday, April 27 at the Altadena Senior Center. The Friends of the Altadena Library sponsor both the Poetry and Cookies program and the anthology.
For more information on how to submit your poetry, please see the library’s website at http://www.altadenalibrary.org, call 626-798-0833 ex. 115, or email pdutton@altadenalibrary.org.
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by TImothy Rutt
Sqauds of police cars reported by local residents Tuesday morning were part of a Los Angeles Police Department/ATF operation that ended up getting diverted to a Los Angeles bomb threat, said Altadena's police captain.
Capt. John S. Benedict told the Altadena Town Council Tuesday that the Los Angeles police and federal enforcers from Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms were serving two search warrants Tuesday morning in Altadena in a joint operation involving sales and distribution of illegal firearms.
As they were executing one warrant, a call came in about a bomb threat involving a police vehicle in the Wilshire area of Los Angeles. (The Wilshire Boulevard Temple in the same neighborhood was also the target of a bomb threat earlier that day). Benedict said that LAPD members left the westside scene "code 3" (with lights and sirens). Some reports we received said that a large white vehicle that resembled a bomb squad vehicle was part of the motorcade that left Altadena.
Benedict said that it wasn't unusual to have LAPD executing warrants in Altadena.
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If you attended “Altadena’s 125th Birthday Celebration,” this year, chances are you’re already familiar with the work of Hugo Arteaga, He designed the souvenir program for the event, which featured a collage of historic photographs and literature about the city.
“The commemorative booklet was actually my first solo project for Altadena, which was a lot of fun to work on,” said Arteaga. “I worked with Michele Zack on it, and it took a long time getting it just right. We really wanted it to be more than just ads, but rather a nice keepsake.{
Arteaga also designed a postcard from the collage within the booklet, which caught the eye of the local Webster’s Fine Stationers owners, who are currently selling them in an exclusive deal with Arteaga.
A former manager of design services and publications at St. Jude Medical Center, Artega recently started Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design.
Arteaga has lived in Altadena since 2001, and is also a member of the Palm Street Area Residents Association (PSARA), which holds an annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive in partnership with the Altadena Sheriff’s Department. This year, the neighborhood drive was held right in front of Arteaga's home.
For additional information about Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design, go to: http://arteagagraphicdesign.com/
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Erika McCarden is an Emmy-award winning producer who also writes about Altadena.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Town Council agreed Tuesday night to create a committee to look at revising community standards, the regulations that govern businesses and residential planning in Altadena.
And they hope to finish the job within six months.
Council vice-chair Jamie Bissner said that the last time the community-wide standards district had been revised was in the mid-1980’s. One of the outcomes of the recent Altadena community visioning process was that it was felt the current community standards -- including rules of signage, building appearance, and rules against drive-up windows -- were not serving local business.
Current residential standards are also felt to be unrealistic, with tens of thousands of Altadena homes in violation of fence setback requirements, for example.
Bissner said that he hoped that the committee could complete its work and report to the council no later than May, 2013, before the next town council elections.
Changes in community standards would have to be approved by the council and go on to the county for final approval and implementation.
The council agreed to create the committee and approved the appointment of the six applicants for the committee: Ed Meyers (town councilman and Chamber of Commerce board member); Meredith Miller (co-owner of Webster’s Community Pharmacy); Daniel Harlow (Harlow Technologies, and Chamber board member); Mark Goldschmidt (landscape designer and Altadena Heritage chairman); Marge Nichols; and Jim Osterling (adjunct professor at the University of Southern California in real estate finance and development).
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by Timothy Rutt
In a presentation to the Aladena Chamber of Commerce last week, Tony Tartaglia of the Southern California Gas Co. said that the utility’s employees will soon begin installing “advanced meters” to household gas meters in the Altadena area. There will be a similar presentation at tonight's Altadena Town Council meeting.
While the new meters will look like the spinning dials that currently measure your household’s natural gas consumption, they will also transmit information on that consumption to a data collector unit (DCU). That data will go to the Gas Co., in part to determine your monthly bill.
There are two units involved in advanced metering, Tartaglia said: the advance meter itself, and the DCU. The advanced meter goes on your home gas meter and measures gas consumption in the traditional way. It transmits data on your usage four times a day. Tartaglia said that the advanced meter is “off” most of the time, only operating about two minutes per year total. Power is supplied by two AA-sized batteries.
The meter also doesn’t change the functionality of your gas meter: gas cannot be turned on or off remotely.
Along with the advanced meters, the Gas Co. will also install 4,000 DCUs in its service area. Four of these will be in Altadena.
Continue reading "Gas Co. to present “advanced meters” concept at town council tonight" »
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by Timothy Rutt
Last weekend, I went to bury my grandmother.
Mary Ellen Dixon McClelland Allen -- Ellen to all who knew her -- was born, lived, and died in Ft. Collins, Colorado, my ancestral home. She had three daughters (one died in early childhood), four grandsons, and five great-grandchildren. She outlived two husbands.
For over 30 years, she was a member of the Senior Harmonettes, a kazoo and drum band that entertained at local nursing homes. Senior Harmonettes join the band at age 65 or over. Nobody is a Senior Harmonette for three decades.
Except my grandmother -- when she died Dec. 7, she was 102 years old.
It’s amazing to be in your mid-50’s and still have a grandmother.
Continue reading "Publisher’s notebook: the ties that bind, and are loosed" »
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by Laura Monteros
The Swan Estate on Holliston Avenue is an unusual, perhaps unique, example of early Greene & Greene architecture. While on first glance it seems to be in their Craftsman tradition, there are elements of Art Noveau and other touches requested by the original owners, James and Frances Swan. Fraser said that the Swan House was the first commission the Greene brothers received that was not for a family member, and they had to cater to the whims their client.
The Swans made their fortune in flour, and budgeted $21,000 for their dream home. It is the only Greene & Greene that uses Art Noveau, Fraser said, and is “a mishmash of a lot of different architectural styles.” The house was built in 1898-1899 on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, and moved to the current site in 1925 to allow Oakland Avenue to be extended north. Henry Greene oversaw the moving process.
The Frasers are restoring the house bit-by-bit to the original plan, currently working on enclosing a semi-circular porch outlined in Greek columns. The yard is home to a pair of goats, who made a public appearance in last summer’s Sonoma Street Independence Day Parade, a few rabbits, and a couple of pooches.
Continue reading "The Swan is no dive at Altadena Heritage annual meeting" »
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