altadenablog

Crime blotter: don't be a distraction burglary victim

Distraction burglaries haven't gone away.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, February 24
Between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 3200 block of Raymond Avenue. Loss: pink Razor scooter. 

Wednesday, February 27
3:10 PM – A “distraction-type” incident occurred in the 700 block of New York Dr. Suspect #1 (male, White, 30 yrs, brown hair) knocked on the front door and said he was doing construction work in the victim’s neighbor’s rear yard and would like to show the victim how her property would be affected. The victim and her relatives, walked to the back with suspect #1 and suspect #2 (male, White, 30 yrs, brown hair). While they were outside, other suspects entered the victim’s house and stole jewelry and currency. 

Between 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM – A petty theft occurred at the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 Fair Oaks Avenue. Loss: purse and credit cards. 

Thursday, February 28 
Between 7:20 PM and 7:35 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2300 block of Oliveras Avenue. Loss: Schwinn bicycle. 

Between 10:00 AM and 10:45 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2700 block of Callecita Drive. Loss: laptop, safe, and currency. 

Friday, March 1
Between 2:00 AM and 5:00 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1400 block of N. Roosevelt Drive. Loss: MacBook Pro and backpack. 

Saturday, March 2
Between December 20, 2012 and March 2, 2013 – A residential burglary occurred in the 2500 block of New York Dr. at a vacant house. Loss: China cabinet. 

Snow day like today

The hills to the north had a dusting of snow today.  Deb Halberstadt captured this view on Lake Avenue and Mariposa Street, as well as this view from outside her windows, below.  Photos © Half City Productions.

Afternoon delights

• Shots fired: Dunno how much of a "delight" it is, but ... PSN reports that sheriffs are looking for a man who shot at an Altadena home on the 2500 block of North El Sol Avenue Wednesday night.  Two bullet holes found in the house, no injuries, suspect  and a companion described only as black men wearing dark clothing.  Details here.
• Bread Camp:  Yes, you heard right: the Institute of Domestic Technology is holding a two-day workshop of everything bread at the Zane Grey Estate on April 6 and 7.  Lean about wild yeast, hearth-baked loaves, whole grain breads, pretzels, torilla-making, pizza dough -- and many recipes will be baked in the new outdoor wood-fired bread oven (which is truly something to behold -- we've seen it).  Sit down: cost is $390, which will buy you a lot of loaves from Walmart, but you will learn a lifetime of skills.  For more information or to sign up, go here.
• Scholar: Magdalene Poxon, a resident of Altadena and a sophomore at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, is listed on the honor roll. To be listed on the SMU honor roll, students must be in the top 15 percent of their school of record. SMU's Fall 2012 enrollment included 10,893 students.  SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.

 

Altadena Connection for community resources now available

The 2013 Altadena Connection is now available from Los Angeles County, with information about community services and activities.

Hard copies are being sent through the mail, but are also available at the  the Altadena Library, Bob Lucas Branch Library, Altadena Community Center, Altadena Senior Center, Business Technology Center, Altadena Sheriff’s Station, and Farnsworth, Loma Alta, and Charles White Park.  A PDF copy is available for download here.

Jason Tajima of the county Office of Unincorporated Area Services says there are also survey/comment forms that are helpful for feedback.  The direct link to the PDF survey is http://file.lacounty.gov/lac/cms1_141160.pdf  and surveys can be emailed to uas@ceo.lacounty.gov or mailed to the address on the survey.  They can also be emailed directly at uas@ceo.lacounty.gov. 

Pasadena mulls moving Hahamongna soccer field to Muir campus

by Timothy Rutt

There will be two meetings in Pasadena next week to look at a city plan to install a multi-use sports field at John Muir High School, potentially saving the field from being installed at Hahamongna Watershed Park.

The state of California awarded a $1 million grant to Pasadena in 2005, intending it to go to athletic field improvements at Hahamongna.  That plan became controversial, as watershed activists objected to the alteration of the park's almost-wild state.

The favored alternative seems to be  making improvements to an existing field on the campus of Muir High School.  The Pasadena Recreation and Parks Commission will consider proposed sports field improvements at its Tuesday, March 12 meeting.   The proposed plan for Muir is to include a full-size soccer field, a reconfigured softball fields, and turf and irrigation work.  The plan calls for the fields to be available for public use during non-school hours.

Another public meeting will be held Wednesday, March 13, at the Muir High School auditorium at 6:30 PM.  Officials from the Pasadena Unified School District, Pasadena Public Works, and District 1 Councilmember Jacque Robinson will host the meeting to discuss the field improvements.  

The City must apply for the transfer of the $1 million grant funds to the Muir High School project. According to a press release from the city of Pasadena,  "strong community support is a critical first step in the process."

For questions or additional information regarding the meeting, contact Loren Pluth with Public Works at (626) 744-7329 or by email to lpluth@cityofpasadena.net.   

 

Road closures continue in Angeles Forest

by Timothy Rutt

Forest roads remained closed Friday following Thursday night's storm that the Forest Service feared would bring snow to upper elevations.

As of 8 AM Friday, Upper Big Tujunga from the Angeles Forest Highway to the Angeles Crest Highway remains closed.  Likewise, Big Tujunga Canyon Road from the Angeles Crest Highway to Vogel Flats remains closed, as does the Mt. Wilson Red Box Road.   

The Los Angeles Department of Public Works is not saying when the roads will be open.  

 

Supervisors to hear rain tax measure March 12

by Timothy Rutt

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hear public testimony on the "Clean Water, Clean Beaches" proposal on Tuesday, March 12.

The proposal is an added parcel tax on each property in the county that will go to fund flood control and anti-pollution measures.  Opponents of the measure complained that notice was mailed to each property in a flyer that resembled "junk mail," rather than something that looked official.

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has already come out against the measure, as have many residents.  Lori Paul of the Chaney Trail newsgroup in Altadena has been circulating an email opposing the tax that says in part: "Details are lacking regarding how the generated funds (estimated to be $300,000,000 per year) will be spent (no specific criteria). Exactly which organizations and agencies (such as the L. A. County Dept. of Public Works) will receive how much money and for what exact purposes over what time period. This Measure creates a big pot of money with little oversight and accountability and high potential for misuse of the created public funds."

The hearing was originally scheduled for January. The process on the tax is going forward, because a majority of property owners did not submit protest forms by the deadline. If the measure goes forward, it will require a simple majority of property owners voting in a mail-in ballot to pass.

The hearing will take place during the regular meeting in the Board Hearing Room at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street in Los Angeles.  The meeting will be webcast live via the LA County website at www.LACounty.info. Requests to address the Board on this item must be submitted in person to the Executive Officer of the Board prior to the item being called.

For more information on the measure, visit www.LACountyCleanWater.org, call (800) 218-0018

Lost cat: Rocky, Laurel/La Corona

Rocky is a ten pound, 18-month-old brown male tabby who ran out his front door at about 4:30 PM March 5.

Owner Diane says Rocky is an inside cat and not used to being outdoors.  He is microchipped.

Last seen at Laurel Drive and La Corona Avenue, may have been heading towards Fair Oaks.

Please contact  Diane with any info, alive or dead:  626-533-8581 or 626-296-1644

Found dog, Altadena/Tanoble

Reader Kerri has found a dog at Tanoble Drive and Altadena Drive, which came to her door about 6 PM March 6.

Described as male, mid-sized with  white long hair with small brown accents.  Has a green collar but no ID attached.

Is he yours?  Call her at 626-720-1813

MACH 1 walkathon at Hahamongna March 17

by Timothy Rutt

MACH 1, the therapeutic horseback riding program for riders with disabilities, holds its fourth annual Walk-a-Thon fundraiser on Sunday, March 17.  A $10 minimum donation is requested to join this fun family event.   

Experience a great morning walk in the Pasadena Arroyo Seco to support a scholarship or help feed the faithful horses. 

The route begins at Hahamongna Watershed Park and follows a 5k trail in the upper arroyo.  A shorter walk alternative is available.
Registration starts at 8 AM, walk stars at 9 AM  Free refreshments will be available. Stop at the bake sale & craft tables too. 

Enter the raffle for a chance to win several great prizes including a Kindle Fire HD7!  

Dogs on a leash are welcome!

Enter the Hahamongna Watershed Park at Oak Grove Drive and Foothill Boulevard. Follow signs to the registration area at the Pasadena Equestrian Center Rose Bowl Riders clubhouse.

For more information and to download the flyer and registration form or to donate on line please visit the MACH 1 website at http://www.moveachildhigher.org .   For specific questions please call (626) 798-1222.

 

Hahamongna walkabout scheduled for March 23

by Timothy Rutt

The third annual Hahamongna Walkabout will take place Saturday, March 23, from 9 AM-noon.

The escorted walking tour of the natural area includes information on the recreation, habitat, wildlife, birds and water resources in that basin.  This year's learning stations include Tom Sawyer Camps, Rose Bowl Riders, Oak Grove Disk Golf Club, and more.

The walkabout is free, but reservations are strongly recommended -- more information here.

 

Waldorf School musicians to join tsunami relief benefit

by Timothy Rutt

Students from the Pasadena Waldorf School in Altadena have been invited to participate in a benefit concert for victims of the Japanese tsunami.

According to a press release from the school, students have been invited to participate as singers and instrumentalists to play "Sakura," a traditional Japanese folk song, at the event, to be held at Occidental college on Sunday, March 10.

Hiromi Koyanagi, the Japanese teacher at Pasadena Waldorf School, and Dr. Yuri Inoo, the school's wind instrument teacher, have been collaborating to teach the song to the participating children as a tribute to those children still suffering from the disaster.

The event, organized by Dr. Yuri Inoo in association with Hiromi Koyanagi and the Occidental College Music Department, will take place at 2 PM on Sunday, March 10, at Bird Studio, Occidental College (1600 Campus Rd., Los Angeles CA 90041).

 

Pasadena school board incumbents reclaim seats, open race too close to call

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

Incumbents for the Pasadena Unified school board swept through the primary Tuesday night and on the first year of geographic voter districts.

Incumbents Scott Phelps, Elizabeth Pomeroy and Kim Kenne will hold onto their places at the school board dais, but the outcome in the race for a open Northwest Pasadena school board District 3 seat was too close to call. 

In District 3, Los Angeles elementary school teacher Ruben Hueso was just a few votes shy of obtaining the 50% plus one vote tally needed to avoid a runoff and win the seat outright, with a number of ballots still left to be counted.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Death and taxes

.... one or the other today!  Entries will be light, and don't mind the screaming ....

Historical society collectible and vintage book sale March 16

Altadena Historical Society members can get early-bird entry at AHS' one-day-only collectible, vintage, and rare book sale Saturday, March 16,

Early-bird members can get in at 8 AM (and the general public at 8:30 PM) to look at at the wares, many pertaining to local Southern California and California state history. In addition, there are travel, fiction, and education books, some dating back to the late 19th century. Books are priced below market value, lower than book store and internet prices. For non-collectors, there are good reading books priced as low as 25 cents. 

All proceeds from this sale will directly benefit the Altadena Historical Society, which wishes to thank the estate and family of Marie and Don Adamson, for the generous donation of over a thousand books.

DATE: Saturday, March 16, 2013 (rain date - March  23)
TIME: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm  
LOCATION:  Corner Meadowbrook and Holliston, Altadena, CA 91001 
Look for signs day of the sale

Memberships are $25.  To join, go online http://www.altadenahistoricalsociety.org/membership.htm, or send your check to AHS, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001, (Or come early and join the day of the book sale.)

 

Related articles

Walmart says over 1,100 have applied for Altadena jobs

Ian White discusses his father's legacy at Historical Society Thursday

Altadena's Walmart Neighborhood Market to open March 1

Kres Mersky returns to the Library with "Isadora Duncan"

NASA4Girls at the Library March 19

Celebrate women in science with Shari Asplund of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in a celebration of women in science at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., on March 19.

NASA Science4Girls and their families uses, videos, hands-on activities, and other resources to help the community explore the wonders of our solar system.  (Oh, and you don't have to be a girl to attend!)

The program starts a 3:30 PM.

 

Kenne comfortably ahead for PUSD District 1

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

In west Altadena school board District 1, board member Kim Kenne leads retired teacher Dean Cooper 769 votes to 274 (73.7% to 26.2%), with one of nine precincts reporting.

This is the first Pasadena school board election based geographic voter districts.

Voters approved the switch from at-large races last year after officials endorsed voter districts as a way to increase diversity on the school board and better enfranchise minority voters — particularly Latinos, who represent more than 60% of Pasadena public school students

Because of the switch from at large seats to voter districts, Kenne ran for reelection after serving only half of a four-year term.

When newly elected board members take office on May 14, Kenne will give up her at-large seat, prompting school board members to appoint or call for a special election to name a replacement until that seat comes up for a vote in 2015.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Services for Col. Donald Bagnard at Mountain View Thursday; Altadena resident was Yeager's navigator

by Timothy Rutt

Services for retired Air Force Col. Donald Bagnard, will be held at Sunrise Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery on Thursday, March 7, at 12 PM.  Bagnard died last week in  age 90.  He and his wife had recently relocated to Arroyo Grande after living for many years in Altadena.

Bagnard served in World War II as navigator to Chuck Yeager, as well as in the Korean and Vietnam wars.  He was also involved in early rocketry at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Lompoc Record had an article about Col. Bagnard on Feb. 8, 

 

New phone number: 626-201-1023

We have now officially retired our former office number (626-791-5327) and will be operating from 626-201-1023 as of today's date.  Please take a note of it!  We're still scrubbing the references to the old number from around the website ...

Marshall Fundamental girls' soccer wins CIF championship

The Marshall Fundamental girls' soccer team celebrate its 2-0 championship victory over Arroyo in the CIF Southern Section Division VII championship match at Warren High. (Photo by Tim Berger, Pasadena Sun, March 1, 2013)

By Andrew J. Campa
Pasadena Sun

 

For a school often overlooked and a girls’ soccer program lacking a ring, the first of March proved a historical day for Marshall Fundamental.

The Eagles scored two second-half goals before celebrating their first-ever championship after a 2-0 victory over El Monte Arroyo High in Friday afternoon’s CIF Southern Section Division VII championship match at Warren High’s Justice Stadium.

The title is also the first for the school since a boys’ track championship in 1996 and the first girls’ crown in any sport in exactly 30 years.

“I don’t think this feeling will fully set into us until like Tuesday when they’re in math class,” Eagles Coach Esteban Villanueva said. “For myself, I don’t think it will kick in until … I hope it never kicks in so I’m happy like this for the rest of my life.”

More at the Pasadena Sun.

ACONA March 26 meeting looks at Neighborhood Watch, traffic, robo-calls

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) looks at Neighborhood Watch, traffic issues, and those darn robot calls at its March 26 meeting.

1. Open communications with Neighborhood Watch groups.

Neighborhood Watch groups are more effective if they can freely communicate with the Sheriff's Department, and each other.  Altadena Sheriff Capt John Benedict and Jeff Sedlik, who has mapped out al lthe Neighborhood Watches in Altadena, will be there to tell us how it can be done.

But how about communication BETWEEN neighborhood watch groups?  Maye the sheriff can't share names and number of block captains, but there's no reason why the captains can't do it on their own.  Facebook?  A web page?  The possibilities are there ...

2. Traffic, parking, speeding, etc.

Have an issue with parking, speeding, the need for street improvements in your Altadena neighborhood?- ACONA has surveyed its membership, and gotten nearly three dozen requests which the county and the Highway Patrol will address at the meeting.  Paul Barbe of the LA County Department of Public Works, as well as a member of the California Highway Patrol's  COPS team will present.

3. Do Not Call list

Tired of getting those robo-calls?  Why doesn't the "Do Not Call" list seem to work?  ACONA is working to get a speaker to address this.

ACONA meets on March 26 from 7-8:30 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

 

Crime blotter: two for one day at 24 Hour Fitness

Residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries and vandalism, and the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot remains beyond shame with two vehicle burglaries on the same day.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Monday, February 18
Between 10:00 PM and 12:30 AM (Tuesday) – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 2900 block of N. El Nido Drive. *** Known suspect*** 

Tuesday, February 19th 
Between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 800 block of New York Drive. Loss: silver watch. 

Between 6:30 PM and 11:00 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 500 block of W. Palm Street. 

Between 7:15 PM and 10:00 PM –Two vehicle burglaries occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 N. Lincoln Avenue. Loss: misc. currency. 

Between 7:30 PM and 5:30 AM (Wednesday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 100 block of E. Pine Street. Loss: black backpack, green glasses, brown bifocals. 

Thursday, February 21st 
Between 10:30 AM and 11:55 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 3000 block of Doyne Rd. Pasadena. Loss: unknown. 

Between 5:00 PM and 9:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 700 block of W. Mariposa Street. Loss: cell phone, camera, earrings, vase, and misc. currency. 

Friday, February 22nd 
Between 6:30 AM and 5:15 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1600 block of Grand Oaks Avenue. Loss: laptop. 

Aveson to hold two public meetings in March about Altadena campus

The Aveson Charter School is holding two meetings mid-March to introduce residents to their plans for their new campus at Lincoln Avenue and Altadena Drive.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 6:30 PM at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. According to Aveson's website, the purpose of this meeting will be to "discuss our small, safe neighborhood school focused on personalized learning and college readiness."

The second meeting, on Tuesday, March 19, will be a meet-and-greet with the neighborhood, to be held at the Loma Alta Park Community Center, 3300 N. Lincoln Avenue in Altadena.  At that meeting, "We will unveil the new building and discuss our future partnership with the neighborhood. Parents interested in their children attending AGLA will learn about our mastery and project-based learning model and how the building is designed specifically for our model."

For more information (and to see an artist's rendering of the building) go here.

 

Alta-filmmaker Lee tells "Stories of Women's Liberation" at LA Women's Film Festival

by Timothy Rutt

Alta-filmmaker Jennifer Lee is screening her new film, "Feminist Stories from Women's Liberation, at the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival on March 24 at the Laemmle Theater in Beverly Hills.

Lee writes: "The film is the result of eight years of interviewing and editing. I made the film because a co-worker at Technicolor Studio whispered to me one day in 2004, 'Are you a feminist?' I realized I couldn't give her a pithy reason why I was a feminist because the stories of the women's movement weren't embedded in me. So, I decided to change that.

"I spent several years traveling the country (lots of red eye flights) and listened to these feminists tell me their stories. I interviewed famous feminists like Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Gloria Steinem and Betty Friedan (I shot her last interview) and not-so-famous feminists like Fran Beal, Ivy Bottini, Aileen Hernandez, and Sonia Pressman Fuentes. My film covers the major events from 1963-1970. I completed most of the interviews before I became a parent. My daughter is eight years old now and absolutely knows what a feminist is."

Music for the film includes songs from Fanny, the female rock band from the 1970's, who reunited to record songs for the film.

There's an official website, a Facebook page, and much more.  Tickets are available at Brown Paper TIckets:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/335434

 

Related articles

Alta-filmmaker Kraning looks at the occult "Devil's Gate"

Morning jolt

• Library website: The Altadena Library revamped its website last week, and it's packed full of information and resources, and looks very attractive.  Check it out here.
• Snow business: the always-busy (unfortunately!) Altadena Mountain Rescue Team completed the 2013 Mountain Rescue Association Snow & Ice Reaccreditation.  AMRT joined more than 20 teams throughout California to complete reaccreditation in mountain rescue in the snow and ice.  To see images from the exercise, click here.
• Vote tomorrow: Westsiders will choose between incumbant Kim Kenne and challenger Dean Cooper for PUSD District 1 representative in the first election since the school district went to a district representative system.  PEN has questions and and answers here.
• GIfts of Paradise:  Andre Coleman at the Pasadena Weekly, of whom we are a big fan,  has a Kickstarter project for an independent SF film, "Gifts of Paradise." (Yes, we're backers!)  Check out his page to learn more about it, and kick something in!

 

Related articles

PUSD candidates' forum Wednesday at the Senior Center

Altadena Sheriff Station to hold car show and art walk April 27

Morning jolt: Haggis, and pinot

Knitters and crocheters wanted at the Library March 16

Did you know March is National Craft Month! (Now we're informed!)

Teens and tweens have a chance to be crafty with an informal hangout for knitters and crocheters and yarn artists off all kinds on Saturday, March 16, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

There will be great knitting and crochet books to check out, all levels of skills welcome (bring your own materials(, and you could win a gift card to Michael's or your local yarn store.

The hangout starts at 1 PM.

 

Lego Club at the Library Saturday

The Lego Club at the Altadena Library meets this Satuday, March 9, from 11 AM-12:30 PM.

Open to children ages 2-13, Legos and Duplos are provided -- just bring your imgination.

Lego Club meets at the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St.  

Related articles

Kres Mersky returns to the Library with "Isadora Duncan"

"Hotel Transylvania" on Fun Flick Friday Feb. 22

Library holds bookmark contest for summer reading program

"A Tree Grows" staged reading at the Library Feb. 2

Library hosts multi-media "Impressions of China" Feb. 9

Patrick Gothard open studio March 17

Alta-artist Patrick Gothard will have an open studio on St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17.  He says: "You are invited to a special event and if you dress in green and wear a hat you will recieve a gift. If weather permits I will be showing 300 painting or more...we will have food and some drinks and a lot of art, so please come."  Gothard's studio is at 215 Laurel Drive, Altadena, California, USA

 

Altadena Junction: the journey of Victor Wright

This week's column is about the latest accomplishment of Muir Hall of Famer Victor Wright,  as well as some local arts events.

 

Related articles

Walmart Neighborhood Market opens Friday

Polly Frost looks at her Altadena bad role models

God's not done yet: Muir Hall of Famer Victor Wright ordained Sunday

Altadena student screens Holocaust film for Steven Spielberg in Pasadena

Justin Carr of Altadena, 16, dies following swim practice Friday

Fun & Games Friday at the Library March 8

It's Fun and Games Friday coming up this week at the Altadena Library for ages 11-17.

Come play games (bring your own if you like), enjoy some snacks, and hang out gaming.  Therell be a Wii and RockBand available.

It starts at 4 PM Friday, March 8, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

 

Circle of life

Entries will be light today -- we went to the Justin Carr memorial service this morning, and it's Rosie's 9th birthday today, and she owns us for the rest of the day ....

Caltech First Annual Small Group Jazz Concert Saturday

Yes, there's barely any notice for this, but ....

The Caltech Jazz Band, directed by William Bing, presents the First Annual Caltech Small Group Jazz Concert in Dabney Lounge. 

This event takes place on Saturday, March 2 at 8 PM.  It will be an informal gathering of jazz sounds featuring members of the Caltech Jazz Bands and the Caltech Jazz Improv Class with guest artist Glenn Hair on guitar as well as The Nick Broten - Chris Rolontz Ensemble. 

There will also be a discussion about how musicians improvise, giving the audience a chance to ask the musicians how they do it.

Admission is free and no tickets are required.  For more information, please visit bands.caltech.edu or call Caltech’s Performing and Visual Arts office at 626-395-3295.

Two injured in explosion at Sports Chalet flagship store

by Pasadena Sun staff

Sport Chalet on Friday released a statement hours after two employees were injured in an explosion at the store in La Canada Flintridge, calling it a “tragic event” that was being investigated by outside agencies.

The two employees -- who remained unidentified Friday afternoon -- were asked to shut off a gas valve after someone reported smelling gas, according to Los Angeles County Fire spokesman Al Yanagisawa.

The employees suffered unspecified injuries, but a sheriff's department official said they were taken to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena to be treated for burns.

- See more at: http://www.lacanadaonline.com/news/tn-818-0301-sport-chalet-called-explosion-at-la-cantildeada-store-a-tragic-event,0,3408374.story#sthash.DtwyB7Hl.dpuf

Breaking: boy jumps to death from La Canada High roof

by Tiffany Kelly
Pasadena Sun

A young boy died Friday afternoon after apparently jumping off the roof of the library at La Canada High School, according to authorities.

The boy jumped at 4 p.m. and was pronounced dead at 4:15 p.m., according to Lt. Brian Fitch of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

He apparently died from head injuries, said Fitch.

No other information was immediately available.

More at the Pasadena Sun

 

Found husky

Melanie has found a "sweet playful dog - frolicking around in the street. i was able to lure him/her over and with some effort get him/her into the car."

Found at the intersection of Mariposa and Marengo Thursday morning, no collar.

Does he or she sound familiar?  Call 626-329-2021.

Walmart Neighborhood Market attracts big crowd for opening day

 

A large crowd attended the opening of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Lincoln Avenue and Figueroa Drive on March 1, 2013. Here, the first customers surge through the doors.

by Timothy Rutt

The Walmart Neighborhood Market opened its doors today to an enthusiasic crowd in an all-American way:  color guard, national anthem, prayers, speeches by local dignitaries, and a ribbon-cutting -- followed by shopping.

The early morning Friday opening of the market was greeted by representatives of the Altadena Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and  Rita Hadjimanoukian of County Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office.  

At the opening, there was no sign of either of the local groups that have formed to oppose the market, who are now turning their attention to the vacant lot on Lake Avenue and Calavaras Street, which has the same owners as the Walmart property and have announced plans to develop it as a retail store, without specifying who will move in.

Altadena store manager Jennifer Gonzales pronounced herself "very excited," even after the long hours of work leading up to the opening and a workday that started at 4:45 AM.  

The opening ceremony started off with a color guard from John Muir High School, the national anthem sung in harmony by three market employees (or 'associates" in Walmart parlance), and an opening prayer by Pastor Tyrone Skinner of Metropolitan Baptist Church. 

It was followed with a welcome by Town Council Chair Bernardean Broadus, Chamber of Commerce President Ed Meyers,  and a certificate from Antonovich presented by Hadjimanoukian.

Walmart also held a "big prop check" ceremony, where they distributed grants to community organizations:  Jackson Elementary School received $1,500, with $1000 grants awarded to John Muir High School, Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Neighbors Acting Together Helping All, and the Altadena Senior Center.

More pictures after the jump.

March sponsor shout-out

Time for our monthly salute to Altadenablog's 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 a local business (Patch isn't).  We still cover town council meetings (Patch doesn't).  We covered the Black History Parade (Patch didn't).  We've been first with Walmart Neighborhood Market news throughout the whole process, from confirming that they're moving in to announcing their opening date (Patch lags behind).  

And we promise something else: your ad, on every page, every time.  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!

Morning jolt

 

• Book sale:  On Saturday, March 2, the Knights of Columbus Council 12452 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church will conduct its annual Second-Hand Book Sale from 9 AM-3 PM. This will take place in the St. Elizabeth Parish Hall just across from the church at Lake and Woodbury.  Proceeds will go to scholarships for children at the St. Elizabeth Elementary School. The book sale is open to the public.  Stop by and take a look.
• Scholars everywhere!: Joseph Gaule, from Altadena, Calif., was named to the Dean's List at Villanova University for the fall 2012 semester. Gaule is pursuing a bachelor's degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Villanova University Dean's List recipients are honored by their college's respective dean. To qualify, one must be a matriculated full-time student and earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5.The College of Nursing requires students to earn at least a 3.5 for the academic year.
  
  Robert Rajewski of Altadena earned a Bachelor of Science with a focus in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute & University in January 2013. Union Institute & University is a non-profit, accredited, private university specializing in adult and distance education since 1964. 
  
  Monique Bartley of Altadena, CA, a member of the class of 2016 at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., has received Faculty Honors for the 2012 fall semester. To earn Faculty Honors, a student must achieve a semester grade point average of at least a 3.667 with no individual letter grade below B-minus.

 

PUSD to send out layoff warnings for more than 80 employees

by Timothy Rutt

The Pasadena Unified School District board voted to authorize "reduction in force' notices at its Feb. 26 meeting, as it looks at cutting more than 80 certificated positions, with more to come.

The board is facing an estimated deficit of between $7 million and $12 million for the 2013-2014 school year. By law, employees with a credential -- including teachers, nurses, counselors, and administrators -- must be notified by March 15 that their positions are being considered for elimination.  The board voted 4-3 to authorize a reduction in force of 81.5 certificated positions.

“Voter approval of Proposition 30 cut our deficit in half, but PUSD is still facing the expiration of grants and declining enrollment,” said PUSD Superintendent Jon R. Gundry in a district press release. “There are still many variables to factor in this spring, including the effects of the federal sequestration, the fate of Governor Brown’s local control funding formula and the final makeup of the 2013-2014 state budget. Authorizing reduction in force notices means that PUSD has the flexibility to prepare for a worst-case scenario.”

According to the release, the school district could receive supplemental funding for English learners, foster youth, and students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals.  Such additional funding could reduce the district deficit by $5.1 million.

The relase said that PUSD has had to make more than $26.2 million in cuts since 2010.  While it has issued of a total of 365 reduction in force notices, the district has been able to restore all but 23 positions in that time.  The district currently employs 1035 certificated employees, including 922 teachers.

 

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Captain to make plea for resource officer for Altadena schools

School district prepare for funding uncertainties

Breaking Now: Walmart Market opening

Sent from my iPhone

CoFoundersLab at the Business Technology Center March 5

The Business Technology Center, 2400 N. Lincoln Avenue, will hold an event with CoFoundersLab on Tues., March 5"

If you are a Los Angeles entrepreneurs! Looking for a co-founder? CoFoundersLab is coming for you! 
 
Co-Founders Wanted is an opportunity to find a co-founder for your business, or to help you find a business to join. Brought to you by CoFoundersLab, come meet other aspiring entrepreneurs and build the team to make your business happen. Start networking now by creating a free profile a tCoFoundersLab.com!

The event starts at 6:30 PM, and cost is $10.  Register here.

Poetry Corner: pictures at an exhibition

Gloriana Casey gives us this ode -- or something -- on Walmart Neighborhood Market's opening day:

"Walmart Giggles"

from gloriana casey

Now, Gary Altadena is
photographer, you know.
His pictures show a lovely tale,
just as those words will show.

A sign, a sign, that  Walmart sign
and Gary's shot of choice
But from on high from scissor lift
At Gary----rang a voice!

"Against corporate rules----and the law"
Picture  from sidewalk? ---Gee!
Perhaps this Walmart  is not store----
 but separate country?

Oh sign man, Daniel, and Walmart!
Gary's on public street!
And what a strange peculiar way
the public you do meet!