altadenablog

Rotary offers prize for high school senior musicians

Rotary Club District 5300  is offering a grand prize of up to $5,000 to the winner of the Dan Stover Memorial Music Contest, a high school senior who displays outstanding musical ability.

The contest is open to all high school seniors who either live or attend school (including home school) within the Rotary District 5300 area (essentially the San Gabriel Valley to southern Nevada).  Contestants can play virtually any musical instrument, can perform in any style, and may have one accompaniest of their choosing, although most perform without accompaniment.

The contest honors Stover, a member of the Alhambra Rotary Club, a secondary school teacher whose classroom skills and respect for students transformed the lives of countless young people.

Applications should be received by Thursday, February 21, to compete with the Altadena Rotary Club for the first stage of the contest.  That competition will be held on February 28 at the Altadena Town and Club.  Winners of local contests go on to regional and district level competitions to compete for the grand prize.

Full rules and application forms are available from Steven Cunningham, who may be reached at <steve21@earthlink.net> or at 626-786-1937. .

 

 

Morning jolt

• Best and the brightest: The Pasadena City Council race for District 3 in the northwest just gets more and more interesting:  for starters, at least two of the candidates may be actually be living in Altadena.  Candidate Ishmael Trone is under investigation  following allegations that he’s still living with his estranged wife on MARENGO; and now Dr. Nicholas Benson may actually be living on Mendocino with two sex offenders.  Oh, and his education doesn’t seem to be as stated, and even his name is questionable.  André Coleman at the Pasadena Weekly has the full scoop.
• Oh, the Doo Dah Day:  Pasadena’s Doo Dah Parade is now open for entries (check out the website).  This year’s parade will be April 27.
• Pottermania: Come to the Pasadena Central Libray for themed games, crafts and activities for Harry Potter loving families on Saturday, February 23 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Space is limited; onsite registration is available from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Special guest speaker, Melissa D. Aaron, Professor of English and Foreign Languages at Cal Poly Pomona will present “Magical Creatures in the Harry Potter Universe, Origins and Significance,” a program specifically geared to teens and adults. In Harry Potter fandom, Professor Aaron “Moonyprof” is well known for her specialty in werewolves.
• Free student dental care: Qualifying students between the ages of 6-18 living in Altadena, Pasadena or Sierra Madre can get free dental care when the USC Mobile Dental Clinic returns to PUSD March 1.  This year the clinic will be at Jefferson Elementary School. Uninsured and underinsured children who are income eligible and have dental cavities will receive free comprehensive dental care March 1 – 8.  Space is limited to the first 120 students who pre-register.  To register, contact Young & Healthy at (626) 795-5166.
• PUSD appointment:  Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Jon R. Gundry announced the appointment of Fal Asrani, Ed.D., as Executive Director of Secondary Instruction and Curriculum, pending board approval. Among Dr. Asrani’s responsibilities will include supervising the district’s middle and high schools, managing professional development, integrating the new Common Core Standards, implementing 21^st century learning skills, and overseeing PUSD’s Linked Learning initiatives.

Related articles

PUSD facilities manager placed on leave in Measure TT probe

PUSD candidates' forum Wednesday at the Senior Center

ACONA, League of Women Voters sponsor PUSD candidates forum Jan. 30

Meetings set in January for PUSD/City of Pasadena work plan

Altadena man charged with indecent exposure to 91-year-old

by TImothy Rutt

A 38-year-old Altadena man was arrested and chraged with indecent exposure after unlawful entry following a Feb. 3 incident.

Dejuan Robertson of Altadena was arrested by deputies after reportedly entering the residence of a 91-year-old Altadena woman and exposing himself to her.  According to a release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the victim "reportedly was able to convince the suspect to leave the location without harming her."

Robertson was located a few blocks away and was arrested after the victim identified him.

The district attorney has charged Robertson with  one felony count of Indecent Exposure after Unlawful Entry.  According to the press release, it was filed as a second strike offense, and that Robertson has previous convictions for auto theft, burglary, battery on a police officer, and a weapons violation.

Afternoon delights

• Biking for a cure: Barbara Bax of Altadena will make up half of Team FARA at the 15th annual Tour de Palm Springs, a cycling event designed to raise money for non-profit organizations,.  FARA stands for  the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance: Bax and teammate Stephanie Magness are both battling the disease.  The event kicks off in Palm Springs on Feb. 9.  More details here.
• Scholar: Rachel Franco of Altadena, Calif. (91001), received a Master of Science in Nursing from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., on Dec. 22, 2012.
• Delish: Lonnee Hamilton, no stranger to these parts, is starting a recipe-sharing webiste and app, My Cookshelf.  She's looking for startup funding thru Crowdfunder, and  portion of each contribution will be donated to the Arroyo Food Co-op, Get the full scoop here.
• Glass Menagerie: Altadena's David Van Noppen is having a Valentine weekend event at the Van Noppen Glass Gallery, 25 S. El Molino (near the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena).  One of a kind gifts and refreshments from noon to 10 on Sat., February 9, and noon to 6 PM on Sunday, Feb. 10.
• Wining: The sixth annual Pasadena PinotFest is this weekend at the Altadena Town & Country Club.  It will be highlighted by a Grand Pinot Noir Tasting Saturday night.Tickets fcan be purchased online at http://www.pasadenapinotfest.com. Two levels of tickets are available: general admission for $89 and VIP admission for $119 (the latter comes with admittance to the event at 11:30 a.m. as well as access to the VIP lounge and master sommelier host George Skorka). For additional information call (626) 795-7199 or email mike@mikefarwell.com. A portion of the PinotFest proceeds—including purchased wines—will benefit Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services.

Law enforcement issues bulletin for armed suspect

Area law enforcement has issued a BOLO (Be On the LookOut) for Chris Dorner, suspected in several shootings, including one this morning:

*THE SUSPECT IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS* 

* A BLUE ALERT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: KERN, SANTA BARBARA, VENTURA, LOS ANGELES, SAN BERNARDINO, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN DIEGO, AND IMPERIAL. 
* ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013, AT APPROXIMATELY 0122 HOURS, THE SUSPECT WAS INVOLVED IN MULTIPLE SHOOTINGS WITH MULTIPLE AGENCIES IN THE RIVERSIDE CHP AREA. 
* THE SUSPECT IS CHRISTOPHER JORDAN DORNER, A 33 YEAR OLD, BLACK, MALE, 6 FEET TALL, 270 POUNDS, WITH BLACK HAIR, BROWN EYES, WITH AN UNKNOWN CLOTHING DESCRIPTION. 
* THE SUSPECT WAS LAST SEEN DRIVING A 2005 BLUE OR GRAY NISSAN TITAN, WITH A CA LICENSE PLATE OF 8D83987 or 7X09131 - THE SUSPECT MAY BE SWTICHING BETWEEN THE TWO LICENSE PLATES. 
* THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS SKI RACKS ON ITS ROOF. 
* IF SEEN CONTACT 9-1-1 

Dorner is described as a 33 year old African American male, 6 ft. , 270 lbs., black hair brown eyes.

He is  driving a gray 2005 Nissan Titan with a ski rack on the roof, California license number  8D83987 or 7X09131 (may be switching between plates).

 

Publisher's notebook: Crowdsourcing Kremlinology on Calaveras

by Timothy Rutt

The old Soviet Union was a closed society that repressed and concealed information.  During the Cold War, "Kremlinologists" were adepts who could analyze photos of Communist Party leaders at parades, or analyze the placement of stories in Pravda, and divine what was really going on behind the scenes in the regime -- who was in, who was out, what were they trying to say or not trying to say.

Tuesday night, Gene Detchemendy of the Charles Company showed some elevations (an architect's word for drawings of a building's façade) of the structure planned for the vacant site at Lake Avenue and Calaveras Street.  The Charles Company -- and the site itself -- are owned by Mark and Arman Gabay, Beverly Hills developers who also own the site on Lincoln Avenue where the Walmart Neighborhood Market is located.  When cleanup and construction began at that site, the Gabays and their entities refused to confirm rumors that Walmart was involved -- rumors that Altadenablog confirmed  on June 20, 2012.

The Gabays and Walmart are likewise playing coy with the Calaveras Crater site.  Detchemendy pointedly did not say who, if anybody, would be in the building.  Walmart's position  was "we're always evaluating new opportunities to be closer to our customers and be part of the solution for affordable groceries" in response to a direct question about the site -- in other words, not much of an answer at all.

It sounds to us like the real story isn't what's being told -- just like in the old Soviet Union.

So we decided a little Kremlinology was in order.  We took pictures of the elevations and the site plan that the Charles Company presented Tuesday night, which appear after the jump.  We know among our readers there are those with professional expertise in commercial archtiecture, construction, and engineering, and we're throwing comments open to them (or anyone else with a good idea).  What do these pictures say to you?  What kind of business could go into such a building? Let us know ....

CBS features Wally's Barber Shop: shave, haircut, blood pressure ...

by Timothy Rutt

"CBS News This Morning" had a feature this week about Wally Riddle, proprietor of Wally's Barber Shop in Altadena.  Wally has not only been cutting hair, but taking his customer's blood pressure.  Since the barbershop is a center for black male culture -- and 40% of black men have high blood pressure -- it seems like a natural fit.

Crime blotter: petty thefts and burglaries

The 24 Hour Fitness parking lot strikes again; robbing the pizza guy; and an elderly man in a wheelchair goes shoplifting.  Crime blotter by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Sunday, January 27

Between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the area of Altadena Drive & Roosevelt Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the rear passenger window. Loss: black/orange purse containing personal documents. 

Between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM (Monday) – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 1900 block of Oakwood Street., Pasadena. ***Vehicle was recovered on 1/28/13 by Altadena Deputies*** 

Monday, January 28

Between 4:50 PM and 7:15 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at (parking structure) 24Hr. Fitness 2180 N. Lincoln Av. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the driver’s side window. 


Tuesday, January 29

Between 10:30 AM and 8:30 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 700 block E. Altadena Drive. Loss: doctor prescription pad. 

1:30 PM – A petty theft occurred at Rite Aid, 735 E. Altadena Drive. Suspect was described as male, Black, elderly (in a wheelchair), wearing a black jacket, camouflage shirt, and gray shorts. Loss: Liquor. 

Between 8:30 PM and 10:10 PM – A residential vandalism occurred in the 500 block of E. Alta Pine Dr. Damage: windows punctured by BB gun pellets. 

Between 9:00 PM and 10:00 AM (Wednesday) – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 3000 block of Olive Avenue. Damage: rear window broken. 

Poetry Corner: something for Black History Month

" The Museum Dream of 1915....."

from gloriana casey

It's February-- and that means
the month for Black History.
And way back then ----1915
museum dream we'd see.

From Union Army Vets---this dream
and for their history.
one hundred years----2015
and  long time dream will be.

It took a while, of course it did
for D.C. moves so slow.
In 1929 Hoover,
he gave idea a GO!

And things happened, in politics
and budgets, they were cut,
and ideas lived and died and lived----
to dream was not enough!

Speed testing

We know that loading the site has been slow for awhile -- we have a couple of suspects as to why that is.  We made some adjustments today, please let us know if things have improved for you: altadenablog@gmail.com

Land Use Committee punts temporary moratorium to Town Council

Gene Detchemendy of the Charles Company explains his plans for the Lake/Calavaras property at the Land Use Committee Tuesday night.

by Timothy Rutt

 

The Altadena Land Use Committee -- rather than give a thumb’s up or down to a North Lake Avenue building moratorium -- kicked the can to the town council instead.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, the LUC heard spent over an hour listening to comments and discussing the idea, pushed by Neighbors Building a Better Altadena, that a temporary moratorium be imposed on commercial development above 15,000 square feet.  

Barbie Ishida of NBBA told the LUC, “We are in support of a temporary moratorium of large scale commercial development in the Lake Avenue corridor to avoid having big projects get underway while community standards are still being reviewed by the town council’s Community Standards Committee.”

(NBBA’s proposal will only affect North Lake Avenue.  Another local anti-Walmart group, SaveAltadena, has been pushing for a separate, county-wide moratorium on big retail chains.)

The Community Standards Committee is currently working to update the rules governing business and retail buildings in Altadena, which were last updated in 1986.  

Deferring decision
Tuesday night’s plan was for the LUC to send a recommendation to the council to approve or disapprove of a moratorium, but in the end they punted. The committee went with a motion by LUC member Bernardean Broadus, who is also the Town Council chair, that the matter be sent to the Town Council without a recommendation in order to get more community input at the Feb. 19 town council meeting.

The temporary moratorium proposed by NBBA would in fact only affect one property in Altadena: the vacant lot at Lake Avenue and Calaveras Street.

Stane on the culture: Bob Stane's career in music, coffee, and forks

The legendary Bob Stane spoke at the Allendale Branch of the Pasadena Library on Feb. 2. Photo: Laura Monteros.

The Ice House, Coffee Gallery Backstage, the Fork in the Road ... Bob Stane is a local international legend

by Laura Monteros

If you’re a night person, working on a farm may not be the career for you.  As a tow-headed lad of four years living on his uncle’s pig farm in Yucaipa, Bob Stane already knew that he’d better find something else to do.  Having lots of coffee on hand wouldn’t hurt, either.

Stane shared his story at the Allendale Branch Library on Saturday as the second speaker in the branch’s “Speaking of…” series, moderated by staff assistant and creator of the series, Terry Cannon.  “Terry promised me endless supplies of coffee,” Stane said.   Forty people crowded into the small space to hear Stane talk about his storied career.

In a plug for the library, Stane shared one of his inspirations, "Death of a Salesman":

 

 “If you haven’t read it, you should. ‘Oh, I get it. Don’t be Willy Loman, don’t’ be Biff, don’t be Happy.  Do what you want to do.’ Being an entrepreneur is a good way to live. Sometimes it’s not very rewarding, but you sleep well at night.”

Though he may be best known to Altadenans as the owner of The Coffee Gallery Backstage and inspiration for The Fork in the Road, Stane is known around the world as the Ice House impresario during the heyday of folk music and stand-up comics. He discovered his passion one night in 1955 at The Unicorn folk music club in Los Angeles.

What's life about?

After trying various day jobs, Stane said he asked his parents “Is this what life is really about? And they would say, ‘Yes.’” When he walked into The Unicorn as a college student, it was a defining moment for him. “People were working at night and making money! I said, ‘I can do this.’ It was my salvation.” It provided an alternative to working in the mines in Boron, following his father’s footsteps as a bridge engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad, or joining the army.

Triple-header at the Altadena Ale & Wine House

Lots of activities going on in the next week or so at the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks.  Among them:

Sunday, February 10: Wine tasting from 3-5 PM: Bordeaux wine tasting $25 per person, cheese and baguette included (tasting menu to come).

Tuesday, February 12:  Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras party. Cajun Food will be provided. Wear your favorite mask! 

Thursday, February 14: Valentine's Day dinner at 6:30 pm- $85 per person. four course meal. Call in advance to make reservation and purchase tickets:  626.794.4577 or email info@altadenaalehouse.com

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Morning jolt

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Webster's Fine Stationers announces February events from the heart

Webster's FIne Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Avenue, has announced a schedule of cultural/charitable events for upcoming weekends.

Poetry of Love
On Saturday, February 9, join Aldonia Bailey and friends for their annual  Poetry Of Love celebratory event.  Held open mic style, revel in the beauty that the feeling of love generates.  Don't be afraid to join in and read your own poem! Special guest Amin El will delight us with some impromptu acoustical guitar music, while we enjoy tasty bites and camaraderie.  The fun starts at 6 PM - don't miss this great event that will touch your heart!

 

Have A Heart Fundraising Event With Karen Bagnard

On Sunday, February 10, WFS will hold a fundraiser for Altadena Community Church's Bad Weather Shelter For The Homeless.  We will donate 20% of net proceeds from the day's purchases to them.  Join us for Krafts With Karen at 1:00 pm, when local artist Karen Bagnard will be on hand to help you embellish her beautiful Valentine's Day cards!  Hand-painted watercolor images of hearts, angels, fairies, and of course, mermaids, Karen prints and mattes them on quality card stock, as keepsakes you can frame if desired.

This event ends at 4 PM, so please mark your calendars to be here to help us raise funds for this much needed foul-weather shelter for the homeless in our community!

Book signing: "The Chocolate Princess"
Be sure to mark your calendars for this culturally significant book signing and discussion with the authors and illustrator of The Chocolate Princess In The Land Of Plenty" on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1 PM.   The authors, Valerie Jackson and Yolanda Allen, and illustrator Sylvia L. Walker, will be at WFS to sign their books and to discuss the need for positive self-images for children of color.  This lovely book  teaches valuable lessons about friendship, team work and self confidence - something we all could use!  Bring the kids. 

 

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February sponsor shout-out

Webster's Fine Stationers hosts Ertil book signing Thursday

Altadena artists go on the road

Altadena Arts Center opens exhibition for Black History Month

Webster's Fine Stationers supports Christmas Tree Lane with merchandise sales

Injury accident on North Allen Avenue Sunday night

Emergency crews work in injured victim in a rollover on Allen Avenue Sunday night, Feb. 3. Photo by Peggy Sue Davis.

by Timothy Rutt

Two people suffered minor injuries in a two-car rollover accident Sunday night on Allen Avenue.

According to Officer A. Reyes of the California Highway Patrol - Altadena Station, a Kia Sedona SUV rolled over in the collision with a Honda Accord on the 1600 block of North Allen Avenue.  CHP received the call about the accident at 8:07 PM.

Reyes said that there were two solo drivers: a 26-year-old man from Pasadena driving the Kia, and a 25-year-old Arcadia woman  who was driving the Accord.  Both were sent to Huntington Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

 

Sheriffs seeking burglary victims with LA Times vacation holds

by Timothy Rutt 

You know when they tell you to cancel your newspaper subscription when you go on vacation?  Well, that may not be such a good idea either.

Officers stand next to property recovered from a West Covina storage locker as part of an investigation into an LA Times contractor who passed vacation hold lists on to burglary suspects. LASD photo.

 

The LA County Sheriff's Department Major Crimes Bureau recovered hundreds of pieces of stolen property from a storage locker in West Covina.  Some of the property was traceable to the owners, and one commonality is that they were on vacation, and instructed the LA Times to hold delivery of the paper.

According to a press release:

Investigators believe that Duane Van Tuinen (51 of Azusa) obtained the vacation lists and passed them on to a group of thieves, including Randall Whitmore (43 of La Verne), Joshua Box (43 of Arcadia) and Edwin Valentine (52 of Covina). The suspects would visit the addresses on the lists and steal valuables while the residents vacationed. More than 25 burglaries from San Gabriel Valley Cities, Hacienda Heights, Diamond Bar, Walnut and Chino Hills have been confirmed as a part of the conspiracy.

Van Tuinen was an office machine repairman, contracted by distributors of the Los Angeles Times to repair office machines. Once inside of the businesses, Investigators believe that he repeatedly stole lists of Los Angeles Times newspaper subscribers who were on vacation. Van Tuinen passed them on to the suspects who carried out the burglaries. Van Tuinen would share in the stolen property and ultimately sell it for profit.

“Although much of the stolen property has been returned to the rightful owners, we are still trying to locate additional victims”, said Detective Jack Jordan of the Major Crimes Bureau.

Altadena Junction: sheriff's station stretched

Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun, with the lead story the sheriff's manpower issues.

Altadena Chamber honors Citizen, Business of the Year

 

Jimmy, Paula, and Jim Orlandini of Altadena Hardware shared honors with Michele Zack at the Altadena Chamber's annual dinner Friday night.

 

by TImothy Rutt

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Friday night to install new officers and honor the Citizen and Business of the Year.

Citizen of the Year for 2012 went to author/historian/activist Michele Zack, with Altadena Hardware, owned by the Orlandini family, named Business of the Year.

Besides the appreciation of the Chamber and the community, the Business and Citizen of the Year receive lots of things to hang on their wall. More pictures after the jump.

Lake/Calavaras project added to Tuesday's Land Use Committee meeting

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee has released a revised agenda for Tuesday night's meeting, which includes a ten minute presentation on the "Lake and Calavaras Project."

The empty lot at Lake Avenue and Calavaras street has been subject to much recent speculation as a possible site for a second Walmart Neighborhood Market in Altadena.

Gene Detchemendy will have a ten minute presentation about the project.

The Land Use Committee will also be considering a daycare center at 3311 Canyon Crest Drive,  a potential liquor license for a new restaurant on Washington Boulevard and Altadena Drive, and a temporary moratorium on development while community standards are being reviewed.

The Land Use Committee meets at the Altadena Community Center,  730 E. Altadena Drive, on Tuesday, February 5, starting at 7 PM.

Agenda after the jump.

Morning jolt

• 20th century campaigning in the 21st:  PSN's James Figueroa also tries to pull a story out of the unexciting Altadena candidate's forum and scores a winner: candidates Kim Kenne and Hermond Dead Cooper have almost zero web presence for their campaign in the social media age.
• Super Sunday: The Altadena Ale & Wine House is holding a potluck Superbowl party starting at 3 PM Sunday -- bring something to share!  The pub is at 2329 N. Fair Oaks Avenue. Over 21 only!

February sponsor shout-out

It's the first day of February (Groundhog Day Eve?) and time to thank Altadenablog's local sponsor team:

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Arroyo Food Co-op

Baietti-Seyffert/Podley Properties

The Coffee Gallery

Curves Altadena

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Dr. Barkman

Friends of the Altadena Library

Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design

Judy Rubin Architectural & Previews Specialist

Rancho Bar

Scissors Paper Rock Salon

St. Mark's Episcopal School 

Webster's Community Pharmacy

Webster's Fine Stationers

Altadenablog is the best place to advertise your local business to your local audience, where we've been bringing the news to Altadenans for five years.  We concentrate on the neighborhood level news that concerns Altadenans and that you can't find anywhere else.  We're not going to change our focus to be a social media website, like the New York City-based website will.  We've noticed the other website has given up covering the town council meetings -- we never will (we've attended every meeting for at least five years -- there's not even anybody on the council who can claim THAT attendence record!)  Altadenablog is always going to be about the news you need.  And we promise something else: your ad, on every page, every time, exclusively with other Altadena-area businesses.  Nobody else offers that. 

And if advertising isn't in the cards for you, but you'd still like to support Altadena's only locally-owned and -operated news website, we've opened the  The Altadena Wall of Awesome!  Anybody who buys an entirely-voluntary subscription (which gets you nothing extra, by the way!) gets our eternal gratitude and your name on the Wall for a year! (You can be anonymous, too -- just tell us!)    Your contributions will largely go to improving our coverage by providing improved rates to our freelancers and some planned upgrades in the website.  

The contribution button is here, and the Wall of Awesome is here.

The best way to thank our local business sponsors is to patronize them!

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Poetry Corner: Citizen of the Year

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Michele Zack will be honored tonight at the Altadena Chamber's annual dinner, and Gloriana Casey has composed an acrostic sonnet for the event.

"MICHELE  ZACK---CITIZEN"

from gloriana casey


Her words ---- written like Earth's tapestry

Incite our minds---connections will remain.

Surely tales of life's synchronicity

These history tales rekindle land's refrain.

Ordinary lives become part of us

Reflecting value in what's passed a pace.

Years will toll but connections have been thrust

Searing together, people, time and place.

Land Use Committee tackles daycare center, moratorium Tuesday night

The Land Use Committee will have a full docket Tuesday night, as it considers three controversial proposals:

• Proposed daycare center at 3311 Canyon Crest Drive: the owners of the building, currently a single family residence, propose to turn it into a children's daycare facility.  The proposal was to go to the regional planning commission in December without a land use committee review, but due to notification requirements that hearing was delayed and the Altadena town council expressed a desire to have it heard locally before it reaches the county.  Neighbors of the proposed facility have expressed opposition to the development.
• Conditional Use Permit for liquor license: The owner of the property at 2535 East Washington Boulevard is requesting a CUP for liquor sales and onsite entertainment at the restaurant and banquet hall being built there.  
• Temporary moratorium for commercial development:  Two anti-Walmart groups are proposing different moratoriums on commercial development in an attempt to either stall the Walmart Neighborhood Market now under construction on Lincoln Avenue or stall or prevent a rumored market from being built on the vacant lot on Lake Avenue and Calavaras Street.  SaveAltadena presented a petition to the county supervisors requesting a county-wide moratorium on major chain store development, which the supervisors said was too broad and kicked back down to town council level for hearings.  Another group, Neighbors Building a Better Altadena (NBBA) is floating a proposal to halt commercial development on the Lake Avenue corridor only while the town council is considering changes to community development standards.

The Land Use Committee will be changing its format for this meeting, allowing public comments during each hearing -- usually public comments are saved until the end.  LUC Chair Ken Roberts write to Altadenablog: "You will note that I have modified how we will be dealing with each agenda item, in that, we’ll have public comment to each agenda item as it is presented. We are striving to make this a two way, collaborative discussion for each action item. This will allow LUC members to ask questions during each presentation, and provide input from the presenters before decisions or recommendations are made."

The Land Use Committee will meet at 7 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

 

 

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Altadena Town Council meeting Tues.: meter changes, standards committee

Aveson Charter Schools to hold 2013 admissions tour Saturday

from Aveson Charter Schools

Aveson Charter Schools will hold an admissions tour this Saturday, February 2, for anyone interested in entering Aveson School of Leaders (grades K-5) and Aveson Global Leadership Academy (grades 6-12).  Tours are from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. at each campus.  Aveson School of Leaders is located at 1919 E. Pinecrest Drive, Altadena and Aveson Global Leadership Academy is located at 1206 Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena.   Applications are due February 17 and the lottery will be held on March 2. 

Kate Bean, executive director of Aveson Charter Schools, says there are exciting developments at both schools that she thinks will attract students to Aveson’s campuses. 

A new transitional kindergarten program will serve approximately 30 early kindergarten students whose fifth birthday falls between October 1 and December 1, 2013 and therefore do not qualify for kindergarten entry due to a recent state of California law that requires students to be five years old by October 1 this year.   Previous to the new law, students were allowed to enter kindergarten as long as they turned five by December 1.  Students in the transitional kindergarten program are guaranteed a spot in Aveson’s regular kinder program the following year.  The new transitional kindergarten program will be developmentally based and focus on kindergarten readiness.

The second attraction to Aveson is the move of their middle and high school, Aveson Global Leadership Academy, to a new location beginning September 2013.  The campus will be located in a new building located at the corner of Lincoln and Altadena Drive in Altadena.  Bean says the new campus will allow Aveson to increase enrollment and provide students with a more ideal space to work collaboratively in Aveson’s mastery learning environment.  Eighty additional admission spots will be available for middle and high school students.

To join either tour, send an email to admissions@aveson.org indicating which campus tour you will attend.  Interested individuals may also find information at www.aveson.org. 

 

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Aveson will open new campus at Altadena/Lincoln building this fall

Waldorf School open house on both campuses, Jan. 12

Local charter schools to conduct enrollment lotteries

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Top ten Altadena stories of 2012

Poncho Sanchez, Candi Sosa headline Caltech Latin Jazz concert Feb. 9

by Timothy Rutt 

Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Band and Candi Sosa headline the Caltech Latin Jazz Concert Feb. 9.

The Caltech Jazz Band (directed by Altadena's own William Bing) presents its fourth annual Latin Jazz Concert on Saturday, February 9 at Beckman Auditorium.

 

Special guests include Poncho Sanchez and his Latin band, along with vocalist Candi Sosa and percussionists Richardo "Tiki" Pasillas and Robertito Melendez.

TIckets are $5 for students and seniors, $10 for general admission.  Concert starts at 8 (but get there early). For ticket information, call 626-395-4652 Mon.-Fri. between noon and 5 PM.

Altadena artists go on the road

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena artists are taking their art out of town in some upcoming events.

Kasmira Buchanan is one of the participants in this Pasadena event on Saturday, Feb. 2:

GRAINS is a huge, one night only, multi-media art show providing a venue for artists to showcase their work at no cost to them, while they keep 100% of their sales. We have over 40 diverse artists stretching from LA to Paris, from 10 years old to 65. We’re focusing on the beauty of diversity and collaboration of both emerging and established artists, from the middle-school illustrating sensation, Malakai Oliver to the timeless rock n’ roll photographer, Ivy Ney. GRAINS takes the best photographers, painters, illustrators, sculptors, projectionists, and installation-makers, and makes one big tasty art pie. Don’t forget about the musical, dance, and cirque performances too! In the heart of Los Angeles, GRAINS promises to bring amazing talent, and a great night. Come try our food and drinks, while getting in some early Valentine's day shopping by some of LA’s best craft vendors. 

FREE ENTRANCE & reasonably priced art! Please help us make GRAINS an annual event for expression and livelihood for our talented friends. We hope to see you February 2, 2013. We would love to share and support our favorite artists with you! 

According to the press release, the event is fun for the general public, all ages, art connoisseurs, live music fans, dance enthusiasts, cirque/magic fans, crafts and vendors fans, young adults, the indie crowd, etc.  It's a free event, no tickets are required, and is at The Triples, 333 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena, from 6 PM-2 AM.

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Meanwhile, Alta-artist and Folly Bowl co-impresario James Griffiths will be participating in the exhibit "(Southern) California Drawing" at the Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion at Orange Coast College from Feb. 15-March 14.  There will be a reception on Feb. 15, and a "Meet the Artists" event on Feb. 27 (more details on the graphic).

 

Sue and Pollyanna Redmond release urban novel e-book

Altadenans Sue and Pollyanna Redman have just released a new e-book novel, She Ain't Your Toy - She's My Sister:

Emerald, a sexually abused eleven year old, finds herself alone in trying to take care of her four year old sister.  She strikes out into the inner city Los Angeles, searching for remnants of her family.  She encounters the dangerous and the helpful, peole who are homeless and people involved in underage sex trafficking and violence.  Resolution for Emerald comes in surprising ways.

Sue Redman lives in the Meadows and is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in Los Angeles where she works primarily with adolescent foster girls.  She was once editor/owner of the local newspaper, The Altadena Chronicle.  Pollyanna (who was called Christy when she lived in the Meadows) lives in the hills above Sacramento.  She teaches in an independent study and online high school in Auburn.  Book cover artist Peter Redman grew up here, too, and still lives in the Meadows. 

The books is available thru Amazon and other e-book outlets.

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