altadenablog

ACONA looks at Co-op, MonteCedro, community standards May 28

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations has a packed agenda for its next meeting,  May 28:

Altadena resident Ellen Walton will talk about the Arroyo Food Co-op, what kind of resources are needed to convert to drought-tolerant vegetation, and organic food and grocery options in Altadena.

Mark Goldschmidt, president of Altadena Heritage and a member of the town council's community standards committee, will update on that committee's work, the Altadena Visioning Study, and lessons from the "heritage" of Aladena that can be used today.

Gregory Bearce, COO of Episcopal Communities and Services, will update on MonteCedro

Lt. Eric Lasko will give a report from the  Altadena Sheriff Station.

ACONA meets from 7-8:30 PM on May 28 at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

"Art on Millionaires' Row" vendor deadline extended thru May 17

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Library has extended the deadline for arts and crafts vendors to participate in the "Art on Millionaire's Row" festival.

Anyone wishing to display their wres has until Friday, May 17, to submit an application.

"Art on Millionaire's Row" will take place Saturday, June 8, from 10 AM-6 PM in the parking lot of the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa Street.

Applications and information are available on the library’s website at http://www.altadenalibrary.org. For questions, please call (626) 798-0833 or email MHolden@altadenalibrary.org.

Bears in the kitchen startle Altadena resident

by Timothy Rutt

 

Location of the bear that entered a Sunny Oaks Circle home Friday morning

A resident on the 1300 block of Sunny Oaks Circle was startled this morning when she saw a bear and two cubs in her kitchen.

According to Sgt. Booker Hollis of Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station, the owner of the house heard some noise in her kitchen and went downstairs to check on it.  She saw an adult bear and two cubs in her kitchen, eating either out of her trash or the cupboards, Hollis said.

According to Hollis, the owner screamed and the bears left, stopping at the trash cans in the front yard.  Altadena deputies were called at about 11:10 AM.  Deputies and Fish & Game employees went to the house, and a helicopter hovered over the neighborhood, but the bears were gone by then.

The location was not too far from the corner of Palm Street and Holliston Avenue, where a bear and cub were found rooting through trash Thursday morning.

Weekendin': Food Trucks ahoy

Time to get ready for the weekend, but first a word from our sponsors:

Fancy Food Truck Friday: It's Danny's Farm Day at Fancy Food Truck Friday tonight.  Webster's Community Pharmacy and Webster's Fine Wines & Spirits will honor the event's sponsor, Danny's Farm.  Both shops will donate 15 percent of their full day's sales (not including prescriptions), and the food trucks will donate too, to  Danny's Farm, which provides programs and job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.  Since Mother's Day is coming up, check out the sales in the stores today.  Fancy Food Truck Friday is held at the Webster's parking lot, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.

Rememories:  Alta-author Elliot Michael Gold will be at Webster's Fine Stationers today to talk about his book, Rememories: The Music and Memories that Shaped Our Lives.  Gold will talk about the Boomer music legends he has interviewed and photographed, and play some selections as well. 5-8 PM, also at the Webster's complex, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.

Altadena Ale & Wine House will have traditional Irish music Saturday night, from 7:30-10:30 PM, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Avenue.

In other events:

Relay for Life Survivor/Caregiver Breakfast:  Deadline is today (Friday, May 10) to reserve your spot for the May 14 Survivor & Caregiver Breakfast at Amy's Patio Café, 900 E. Altadena Drive, from 10-11:30 PM.  Please RSVP Heather Morrow at (818) 257-0338 or hmorrow@gmail.com.

LitFest Pasadena 2.0:  Pasadena's Central Park will be the happening place Saturday with the second annual LitFest Pasadena. The celebration of all things bookish runs from 10 AM-5 PM, with panels, discussions, a chance to meet some of your favorite authors, activities for the children and, of course, food trucks. Admission is free: get the details at their website.

Children's Clothing Sale:  MOMS Club of Altadena Children's Clothing Sale will be on Saturday, May 11, from 9 AM-1 PM at 130 W Calaveras Street All clothing items will be $1.00. Most of the clothes will be sized 0-3 months to size 5 or 6. There will also be some toys and baby gear for sale.  All proceeds raised from the sale will be donated to Mothers' Club of Pasadena. The Altadena MOMS Club is a non-profit 501(c) 3. 

Crown City Symphony: free concert Saturday at 2 PM at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Drive.  Marvin Neumann will conduct "Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna" by Suppe, and soloists Andrew Sords, violin, and Charles Hummel, violist, will perform "Symphonie Concertante" by Mozart. The program will close with "Masquerade Suite" by Khatchaturian.  They will also perform the same program at 2 PM Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Pasadena, 75 N. Marengo, Pasadena. (Validated parking in the stacked parking on Holly).

 

Sign of the times: mammoth Altadena election sign needs a home

Won't you give this sign a home?

by Timothy Rutt

The upcoming Altadena Town Council elections have a home in cyberspace: they have a website, they’re on Facebook and they have a Twitter account (@AltadenaElect) .  It’s just hard finding room in the real world.

The election committee is looking for a home for its 45 ft. banner.

As it says on their Facebook page, the usual draping over Lake Avenue isn’t happening this year: “For a variety of reasons, the county will no longer waive fees, deposits, liability insurance, etc. and a bonded installer with equipment will need to put it up and take it down.”

 

Election sign at Allen Avenue south of Washington Boulevard. Photo: Hugo Arteaga.

For an election that is being done on the cheap -- as it is every year, because it really has no budget -- this is not possible.

 

What other options are there? “Our hope was to find a location on private property, but that has proven to be harder than we had imagined.”

If you can help out, contact chair@AltadenaElection.org

Meanwhile, the 24x24 Hugo Arteaga-designed signs are doing well -- in fact, three of them have been stolen.

Bearwatch: bears in the 'hood

Are there bears in your 'hood, feasting on your trash today?  Let us know:  text 626-201-1023 or email: altadenablog@gmail.com

Fun and Games Friday today at the Library

It's Fun and Games Friday today 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 at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

Crime blotter: vehicle burglaries, stolen baseball cards, and going to pot

Lots of vehicle burglaries (24 Hour Fitness makes the list again), stolen sports cards, and somebody was smoking the wrong stuff in their car.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Monday, April 29

12:40 AM: an Altadena resident was arrested for driving under the Influence of alcohol in the area of Olive Avenue and Harriet Street. 

Altadena Detectives filed charges against a local registered sex offender who fled the state and was located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jerome Dubose (Male/51 years old) was arrested by Ohio authorities and will be extradited back to California to face charges of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender (Upon Moving). He had been living on Santa Anita Avenue in Altadena, but left the location without notifying local authorities as required by law. Mr. Dubose has previous convictions for sexual battery and indecent exposure. 

7:20 PM:  Deputies arrested two suspects for possession for sales of marijuana and possession of concentrated cannabis. Deputies contacted the suspects, who were inside a vehicle, in the 2400 block of Grandeur Avenue. Deputies were alerted to the marijuana due to the large amount of marijuana smoke coming through the open window. Both suspects are only being identified as male/18 years old and male/21 years old, both residents of Altadena. Their names are being withheld due to the ongoing investigation. 

Tuesday, April 30

Between 7:45 PM and 9:20 PM – Two vehicle burglaries occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 N. Lincoln Avenue. Loss: black shoulder bag, purse, credit card holder. 

Between 11:00 PM and 3:30 AM (Wednesday) – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 1500 block of Tierra Alta Drive. Three tires were slashed. 

Wednesday, May 1 

7:00 PM – In the 1100 block of Gravelia Avenue, deputies arrested a male/43 years old for domestic violence after his girlfriend was reportedly assaulted by him. 

Thursday, May 2

Between 8:00 AM and 12:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at Aveson Charter School, 1919 Pinecrest Dr. Loss: laptop, case, purse, and wallet. 

6:30 PM – A street robbery occurred in the 400 block of Athens Street. Suspects described as: (#1) female, black, 22 yrs, (#2) male, black, 21-25 yrs, (#3) female, black, 22 yrs,. Suspects were driving a gray Lexus or Honda. Suspects stole the victim’s (1,500) baseball, football, and basketball cards, cellphone, and currency after getting into a physical altercation with the victim’s friend. It appears that the parties are known to each other. 

Between 10:30 PM and 9:05 AM (Friday) – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1100 block of Gravelia Street. Loss: purse containing personal documents. 

Library: Last Lego Club before hiatus Saturday

It's the last Lego Club at the Altadena Main Library before it goes on summer break, so time to get your brick on!

Lego Club runs from 11 AM-12:30 PM on Saturday, May 11, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

Legos are provided (just bring your imagination), and Duplo blocks will be available for children under four years of age.

 

Deadline to apply to PUSD seat is today at 5 PM

from the Pasadena Unified School District

Friday, May 10 is the deadline to submit an application to apply to fill the vacant seat on the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education. In accordance with PUSD Board Policy 9223, the PUSD Board approved an appointment process to fill the vacant at large PUSD Board of Education seat at its regular meeting on April 9. Kimberly Kenne, who won the election for the new geographic subdistrict Seat 5 in March, vacated her Board of Education Seat 4 on May 6.

Applicants must be 18 years of age, be registered to vote in and reside anywhere within the boundaries of the Pasadena Unified School District. Visit gopusd.com/locator to determine if an address is within the district’s boundaries. Applications can be obtained from gopusd.com/boardvacancy or the PUSD Office of the Superintendent. Applications and a resume must be received either by mail or hand delivered by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2013 to:

Office of the Superintendent
Pasadena Unified School District
351 South Hudson Avenue, Room 222
Pasadena, CA  91109

To be considered for the position, applicants must submit the application and resume by the deadline and attend a special meeting of the school board tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2013 at which time all prospective applicants will be interviewed. A provisional appointment could be announced as early as that evening. The term of service for the appointment to the PUSD Board Seat 4 is from the date of appointment to May 4, 2015.

PUSD’s at large board districts became geographic subdistricts encompassing Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County after the passage of Measure A last June. Elections for geographic subdistricts 1, 3, 5 and 7 took place in spring 2013 and elections for geographic subdistricts 2, 4 and 6 will be in 2015.

MonteCedro event aims to boost brain health

from MonteCedro

Did you know that Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in America? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, death from Alzheimer’s disease has risen 68 percent since the year 2000. While there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, scientific studies have proven that specific foods can lower the risk of cognitive decline.

On May 23, MonteCedro, a new planned Episcopal Community and Services (ECS) Continuing Care Retirement Community in Altadena, will host Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Research Professor of Neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and co-author of The Alzheimer’s Prevention Cookbook: Recipes to Boost Brain Health.

During the event, attendees will be educated on specific types of foods such as, cinnamon, fish and pomegranates, that can boost brain activity and help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Dr. Sabbagh will also introduce tasty recipes from his book that are both healthy and preventative.

The event will be Thursday, May 23, at 3 PM at the University Club of Pasadena, 175 N. Oakland Avenue.  Space is limited for this event. To register, please visit www.montecedro.com/info or call 877-305-6013

Arroyo Food Co-op holds annual meeting at the new place May 18

by Timothy Rutt

The Arroyo Food Co-op (Altadenablog sponsor) will have its annual meeting on Saturday, May 18, at its new store site at 494 N. Wilson Avenue in Pasadena, from 2-4 PM.

The new board of directors slate will be announced at the meeting, and it will double as an open house for those members who were unable to attend the April 25 open house event.  A potluck dish is requested for the meeting, and it's BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair).

The first open house drew more than 100 co-op members, friends, and neighborhood residents to tour the building and receive information about the co-op's capital campaign.

"The beauty of opening our store in a neighborhood market is that we become part of the neighborhood itself. In fact, many of our neighbors came out to the Open House and are already supporting the Co-op,” said Board President Tricia Keane, one of five directors running for re-election, in a press release. “There's nothing quite like meeting the people next door and realizing that they are excited to see you move in." 

Voting for the 2013 Arroyo Food Co-op Board of Directors is now taking place online through May 17, with results to be announced at  the annual meeting. According to the bylaws, only members can attend the annual meeting; however, the co-op will continue to take memberships up to and during the annual meeting.

The Co-op is seeking approximately $320,000 in loans, primarily from its members, to refurbish the store and stock its shelves. So far, the project has taken in more than $100,000 in loans, donations, and membership fees, with nearly $10,000 raised just during the April 25 open house.  The co-op is also encouraging members to reach their full membership investment.  Memberships are $300, but it can be paid in installments as low as $30 per year.  The co-op currently counts 590 fully and partially-vested members.

 

Publisher's notebook: time to "Go Public" and celebrate

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"Go Public"'s Team 13: editor Jay Chapman, soundman Aaron Eberhardt, director Gina Long, and subject Rosie Rutt at the premiere Wednesday night; a large crowd gathered beforehand at the food booths and to meet the crews and their subjects; Team 13 descends the stage after introductions; Long and composer Tim Flukey enjoy the moment.

by TImothy Rutt

On May 8, 2012, 50 film crews descended on 50 members of the Pasadena Unified School District -- everyone from students to Superintendent Jon Gundry and then-board member Ramon Miramontes -- to capture a day in the life of pubic school.

And exactly one year later, it was ready for its close-up.

The premiere of "Go Public: A Day in the Life of an American School District" sold out two theaters at the Arclight in Pasadena's Paseo Colorado Wednesday night. The film stitched together 50 short documentaries from the crews into almost a two-hour kaleidoscope of activity that shows public schools in action and what makes them tick.

Produced by Dawn and Jim O'Keeffe of Blue Field Productions, the film premiere brought together the fifty crews and their fifty subjects -- teachers, principals, volunteers, students, and staff of all kinds, including Felix Lopez, custodian at Washington Middle School and, to judge by his part in the final film, apparently the hardest-working man in PUSD.

Each crew finished a short documentary about their subject, which has been available for viewing on the Go Public website.  The O'Keeffe's edited together all the raw footage to make the finished documentary.

We were invested in this, not only as public school parents, but because our daughter Rosie Rutt was the subject for Go Public's Team 13, led by director Gina Long. 

Bears reported on 2800 block of North Holliston this morning

by TImothy Rutt

Residents reported seeing two bears -- an adult and a cub -- rifling through the trash cans on the 2800 block of North Holliston Avenue this morning.

Community correspondent Bill Haren emailed us this morning at 9:48 AM:

Just had a brown bear walk across out front porch at 2800 N Holliston Ave.  Alerted the Sheriff’s department.

According to Deputy Marc Mrakich at the Altadena Sheriff Station, they received two calls: one the report of the cub on the front porch, and another five minutes later of a full-size adult bear rifling through a trash can on the same block

Mrakich said that the bears were gone by the time units arrived.

"Fish & Game have been notified, and hopefully we won't be seeing them again," he said, "but I kind of doubt it."

UPDATED: Robert Klomburg emails to say he spotted mama and cub on Mt. Curve, between Palm and Poppyfields, at about 3:30 PM today.

 

Sheriff looking for public's help in Altadena child molestation case

The Altadena Sheriff's Station is circulating this picture of the suspected child molester.

The Altadena Sheriff's Station and Special Victim's Bureau are seeking the community's assistance in identifying an alleged child molestation suspect. 

On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at approximately 5:15 PM, a female juvenile was walking home from school near the 2500 block of Fair Oaks Avenue, when the suspect approached her from behind, grabbed her, forced her into his vehicle, parked behind a business and molested her. 

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, black hair, brown eyes, medium build, between 40-50 years old. 

The suspect vehicle is described as an older black 4 door Mercedes. 

If you have any information regarding the identity of the above suspect, please contact Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Special Victims Bureau 24HR Tip Line (877) 710-LASD (5273). 

Sheriff issues advice after bears spotted in President Streets neighborhood

Cellphone pictures of bears lurking on the 1700 and 1800 block of Pepper Drive.

by Timothy Rutt

Tuesday night, the newsgroups around the President Street neighborhood, including Pepper and Midlothian, were buzzing about bears in the neighborhood.

Some cellphone pictures of the bruins at work (it may be a mother and two young) have been circulating among the newsgroups.  SInce they must cross several streets to make it back to Eaton Canyon, it's best to exercise some caution when you're out and about.

The Altadena Sheriff's Station sent out the following message about living in bear country:

The smell of trash drives hungry bears further into towns and the prospect of cool pools and hot tubs brings them down the hill looking for relief from heat and a water source. In light of the growing number of bear sightings over the years, the California Department of Fish and Game has issued the following advice about living in bear country... and we do in Altadena: 

Bears and other animals are attracted to anything edible or smelly. 
• Store garbage in bear-proof containers, or store garbage in your garage until pick-up. 
• Keep food indoors or in airtight and odor-free containers. 
• Put away picnic leftovers; clean BBQ grills. 
• Keep pet food inside, and bird feeders away. 
• Pick up fallen tree fruit as soon as possible, or protect fruit trees with electric fencing. 
• Remove cosmetic fragrances and other attractants, including bird feeders and compost piles. 
• Install or request bear-proof trash containers. 

Google salutes Altadena's Saul Bass on his birthday

by Timothy Rutt

 

From Wikipedia, a selection of iconic corporate logos created by Saul Bass.

We are big fans of Saul Bass, one of film's great title/graphic artists and commercial designers, who would have been 93 on May 8.  He created title sequences for many important films of the 1950's through 1970's.  He was also a resident of Altadena, who died in 1996.

 

Some of his most noted title sequences included the Alfred Hitchcock films "North by Northwest," "Vertigo," and "Psycho."  Other famous sequences included "Anatomy of a Murder," the original Rat Pack "Ocean's 11," and "West Side Story."  His last title sequence was "Casino" in 1995.  His influence can be seen to this day in film and television (for example, the opening of "Mad Men" is a tribute to Bass's style).

Google is honoring Bass with a "Google doodle" tribute to his work, which went live Tuesday night.  Check it out if you can!

Here's a tribute site, Saul Bass on the Web.

 

 

 

"Go Public" premiere tonight at the Arclight

from the Pasadena Unified School District

On May 8, 2012, 50 film crews chronicled a single day in the lives of students, teachers, parents, volunteers and officials as they experienced the triumphs and struggles of a typical school day in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). One year later on May 8, 2013, a feature length version of Go Public: a Day in the Life of an American School Districtwill be screened during a community celebration in the Arclight Theaters at Pasadena’s Paseo Colorado. The feature length version of the film weaves together the 50 stories to provide an honest look at public education in Pasadena.

The celebration begins at 6 PM with pre-screening festivities in the Garfield Plaza at Paseo Colorado.  There will be a meet and greet with the directors, camera crews and their subjects.  Music will be provided by the John Muir High School Jazz Ensemble and vendors will sell food, drinks and desserts with 20 percent of the proceeds donated to the Pasadena Educational Foundation. At 7:15 PM the event moves upstairs to the Arclight Pasadena for the screening followed by a brief Q&A with the producers.

Learn about the project, see all 50 short films and order tickets at www.gopublicproject.org.

UPDATE: The event has sold out two theaters, but there is a waiting list for tickets.  Go to the website for more information.

New Farmer’s Market vendor is pizza with a Point of View

by TImothy Rutt

 

Pizza of Venice's mushroom pizza: definitely a Point of View.

Jamie Woolner and his business partner Sean St. John started Pizza of Venice about a year ago to provide artisanal pizzas to the customers of coffee shops, wine bars, and similar businesses .  The name is not only evocative of the dish’s Italian origins, but to emphasize that Pizza Of Venice is pizza with a Point Of View.

 

POV makes “boutique pizzas that are locally sourced and seasonal as much as possible,” Woolner said.  He takes pride in producing pizzas from homemade dough that use local, seasonal ingredients, no preservatives, and no additives.

Which sounds about right for the Altadena Farmers' Market, where POV will make its local debut today.  And, just to really emphasize their local commitment, Woolner said that, if you buy cheese or other fresh ingredients at the market, bring them to POV and they’ll use them in a pizza they'll whip up on the spot.

“You buy, we bake” Woolner said.

Altadena CERT is looking for radio operators to create emergency network

Altadena's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is looking for all licensed HAM and General Mobile Radio Service operators to be part of an emergency communication network.

CERT-er Mala E. Arthur writes us that Altadena CERT is working to create an emergency communications plan for our area:

Activation of the plan will enable information to flow through Altadena and nearby areas, even when we have a serious emergency and normal types of communications are down.
Emergency responders need and want to know which neighborhoods are OK, which have serious problems and what kinds of problems or injuries there are.

Can you help? We need your assistance.

(You do not have to have completed CERT training in addition to your radio license in order to help us.)

Please contact the Emergency Communications Committee of Altadena CERT at communications@altadenacert.org

For more information about Altadena CERT (which also includes other nearby areas), see http://www.altadenacert.org

Library, MonteCedro want to improve your memory May 14

from the Altadena Public Library

 

Rebecca Gruett, Director of Life Enrichment at MonteCedro

 “Where are my keys?” “Where did I put that…” “Why did I come into this room?” If you have been having a few memory lapses lately, be sure to attend a presentation on "Neurobics"  the Altadena Library will be offering on Tuesday, May 14 from 10-11:30 AM. Find out how you can improve your memory with a few key exercises and awareness tips that may help you feel back on track with Rebecca Gruett, Director of Life Enrichment at MonteCedro.

 

Come share some of your personal experiences, play a brain “game” and receive copies of the lecture materials along with a chance to win some memory enhancement prizes.  Refreshments will be served.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and will be presented by MonteCedro, a planned Episcopal Community Services Continuing Care Retirement Community located in Altadena, CA.  All ages are welcome to this event which will take place at the Main Altadena Library in the Community Room. The Main Altadena Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street.  More information:  626-798-0833 orhttp://www.altadenalibrary.org or www.montecedro.com/info.

Looking at extreme weather at the Library Monday, May 13

Friends of the Altadena Library present: “Extreme Weather: Are You Ready for More?” presented by JPL Engineer, Robert Haw.

 

Find out about the strange weather events in the U.S. and throughout the world. Why do we have it? What can we do?

 

Robert Haw is the founder of the Climate Change Symposium, an annual event that brings together JPL scientists and policy experts

 

When:  Monday, May 13, 7:00 pm

 

Where: Altadena Library Community Room

             600 East Mariposa Street

             Altadena, CA 91001

 

Information:  (626) 798-0833; www.altadenalibrary.org

Cost:  Free

Missing cat: Kiki, last seen on Sonoma

We have a report of a missing cat before we call it a night:

Kiki,  green eyes, grey with white chest and paws, ran out the front door Tuesday morning at Sonoma.  She jumped on the neighbor's fence, frightened, and jumped on the other side when she disappeared. She has no collar, but is microchipped.

Please contact mike@siegelpartners.com or call Mimi at 626-808-5223

Geek alert: One Spock, two Spock, old Spock, new Spock

by Timothy Rutt

Had to share this Audi ad we saw online: New Spock (Zachary Quinto) vs. Spock Classic (Leonard Nimoy), who are going golfing in Altadena (yeah, they're going to the Altadena Town & Country Club, and it's the county's golf course, but just let it roll).  Nimoy particularly has lots of lines for the congnoscenti (we know the Bilbo Baggins song, that's how pathetic we are). 

 

Altadena artists at Xiem Clay Center Spring Arts & Crafts show May 10-11

Xiem Clay Center of Pasadena is hosting the 2013 Spring Ceramic Art Fair & Open Studio Sale, just in time for Mother’s Day, May 10 and 11. The show is Friday, 6- 9 PM. and Saturday, 10:30
AM- 4:30 PM.

Altadena ceramic artists Heather Morrow, Tom Glavich, Sharon Garrett, Pam Kisor and Daarina Abdus-Samad are among 50 ceramic artists participating in the semi-annual event.

At this show you will find one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items for purchase by the participating artists representing all of Southern California (you can’t get more American Made than this). Public awareness of the local crafts scene helps sustain jobs for artists and their businesses. There is a local return on that investment: in many towns, the arts help promote economic development and tourism.

Xiem Clay Center is located on the Wwest side of Lake Avenue just before Washington Boulevard. 1563 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena.

www.xiemclaycenter.com. For more information about the Xiem Clay Center Spring Ceramic Art Fair Open Studio Sale, please contact Heather Morrow at (818) 257-0338.

"Allegretto/Espinoza" CD release in Altadena June 1

by Timothy Rutt

Cowboy & western artists Gary Allegretto and Ian Espinoza return to Altadena June 1 to celebrate the release of their new CD.

Marie and Bob Mann of Big Hat Promotions write: 

You are invited to join us for an intimate outdoor concert with Gary Allegretto and Ian Espinoza. Gary and Ian have recently spent a good deal of time in the studio producing their new CD, "Allegretto/Espinoza". This new collection of work provides a listening experience that only these two talented musicians/songwriters can deliver. We were very honored when Gary and Ian asked us to host their CD release concert. Gary and Ian always rock the house when they perform here.

Their two previous Big Hat Promotions concerts sold out, so don't miss a rare chance to be part of the "Allegretto/Espinoza" CD release concert - as they debut exciting new original material, present unique takes on beloved standards, and perform all of their audience favorites!

 

The concert will be Saturday, June 1, at the Mann's home in Altadena.  Door opens at 6 PM, performance starts at 7 PM. $25 per person suggested cash donation at the door (no checks or credit cards, please). Advance reservations are required, as seating is limited.

For more information or to reserve seats, visit: www.bighatonline.com

Relay for Life dinner, team captain meeting Wednesday, breakfast next week

As the Altadena Relay for Life gets closer, the activities are picking up:

Team Captain Meeting:  Wed., May 8, 7 PM.  T-shirt order goes in, so get all of your team members registered.

Ads for the program are due by May 15:  $100 to have a business card ad in the event program., which also goes toward team fundraising goals.

The Survivor/Caregiver Breakfast is Tuesday, May 14 from 10-11:30 AM  at Amy's Patio Cafe.  Must RSVP to Heather by May 10: hcmorrow@gmail.com

Team Roll Call:

Holly Jolly Walkers with Team Captain: Heather Morrow

Daring Divas with Team Captain:  Lucy Molina

Altadena Community Church (ACC) with Team Captain: Virginia White

Isotonic Walkers with Team Captain: Wendy Schonhardt

The Ballers with Team Captain: Jerry Han

Curves Altadena with Team Captain: Rose West

Ralph's 630 with Team Captain:  Bertha Banuelos

Team Trojan with Team Captain:  John Pings

Rollin' For a Cure with Team Captain:  Alan Kunihiro

St. Mark's Parish with Temp Team Captain:  Diane Carey-Schmitz

Sprinkles With Love with Team Captain:  Erica Musich

Please mark your calendar for these upcoming Team Captain/Committee meetings:

Wednesday, May 15                    7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Wednesday, May 22                    7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Wednesday, May 29   6:30 pm -- 7:30 pm (walk-thru at Farnsworth (lower baseball field))
  El Patron Fundraiser (5:00 pm - 9:00 pm)

Saturday, June 1 - Sunday June 2 9:00 am - 9:00 am  (RELAY FOR LIFE!) @ Farnsworth Park

Relay for Life website is: www.relayforlife.org/altadenaca

LCF's Camp Runamuk has summer programs for ages 5-8

If you have a little child who is full of energy, constantly looking for ways to fill his/her summer days, and likes to run around and play, then Camp Runamuk is the camp for you.  

The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge is offering an action-packed half day summer camp that promotes plenty of physical activity and creativity through arts and crafts, cooking, fun-in-the-sun water activities, making new friends, and most importantly, having fun!  Some days will also include scheduled entertainment. Camp Runamuk t-shirts will be distributed on the first day of camp. 

Camp Runamuk Meets: Monday through Friday, 9 AM-1 PM for ages 5-8 on June 17-19, from 9-1 PM. 

Fee: $180 per week, $150 for week 3.   Sibling discount: Save $10 per camper/per week when you sign up your kids together.d Loyalty Discount: Save $50 when you sign up for all 6 weeks.

Questions?  (818)790-4353.

The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge is located at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011.

 

Sue Redman reading in West Hollywood for Foster Care Month

 

Altadenan Sue Redman, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), will do a reading from her book with Pollyanna Redman, She Ain't Your Toy - She's My Sister at the West Hollywood Library on Saturday, May 18.  The reading is in honor of National Foster Care Month.  Click graphic for details.

 

Michele Zack's LitFest panel looks at the intersection of fiction and history

Altadena historian Michele Zack, upper left, will moderate a LitFest Pasadena panel with (clockwise): Daniel Howe, Julius Wachtel, and Mary Correy on Saturday.

by Timothy Rutt

 

Michele Zack has settled into her place as a local independent historian, but then there’s an intersection she likes to explore: history and fiction.

“I’m kind of obsessed with this whole question of fiction and history and how all history is a bit of historical fiction and all fiction is historical,” Zack says.

She’s going to explore her obsession on Saturday along with writers who explore those boundaries -- and occasionally cross them --  at the second annual LitFest Pasadena, at Central Park.

About 40 years ago, Zack said, “E.L. Doctorow wrote Ragtime: it was a big ‘do that he took real historical characters and put them in a novel.  But this is just so common now that nobody blinks.  It’s happening more and more -- people consume their history through fiction.”

She cites Mary Coin by Marissa Silver, a novel that takes off from the classic Dorothea Lange dustbowl-era photo of migrant mother Florence Owens Thompson; and John Muir High School graduate Megan Marshall, with her historical novels of 19th century American feminists, The Peabody Sisters and Margaret Fuller.

Zack will lead a panel, “Are History and Fiction Converging?” with three authors who explore that penumbra:  Daniel Walker Howe, 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning historian;  Mary Corey, a cultural historian teaching at UCLA who is working on a novel and assigns fiction to her history students; and Julius(Jay) Wachtel, a former federal agent-turned novelist.

McKinley's musical Rock Stars added to Fancy Food Truck Friday

This spring's round of Fancy Food Truck Friday just keeps getting better.

Hosts Webster's Community Pharmacy and Webster's Wine & Spirits have announced that there'll be music along with the food trucks:  the fifth grade "McKinley Rock Stars" from McKinley Elementary School, led by teacher Raimer Rojas, will be performing.  The entertainers are part of a program called "Little Kids Rock," a non-profit that provides instruments and music classes to schools where music programs were victims of budget cuts.  Performances start at 6:45 PM.

They have also announced which food trucks will be at the event:

• Greenz on Wheelz
• Me So Hungry
• Bool BBQ
• The Fry Girl
• Lurdo
• My Delight Cupcakery

Fancy Food Truck Friday runs from 4-9 PM, and caps off a full day of fundraising for sponsor Danny's Farm, whose mobile petting farm will also be at the event. Fancy Food Truck Friday wll be held at the Webster's complex parking lot, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.  Parking is available in the lot and on the street.

Here's the McKinley Rock Stars in action:

 

Star-News: sheriff's detectives looking at Altadena cold case

Pasadena Star News' Brian Day has an article about the unsolved murder of Altadena resident Johnis Jackson, who was gunned down  almost 16 years ago at Lincoln and Harriet.  Cold case investigators are taking another look at the shooting, which was apparently gang-related.

 

Going whole hog in a roaring tribute to a friend

 

About 200 British cycle fans lined up to roar their engines in tribute to Bill "Bib" Bibbiani Sunday. Photo © Jeff Sedlik and used with permission.

by Timothy Rutt

Bill Bibbiani was a former member of the Pasadena Unified School Board and friend to many.  He was also an avid motorcyclist and president of the Southern California Norton Owners Club for aficianados of that British brand of cycle.

When it became known that “Bib” had pancreatic cancer and had gone into home hospice care, his fellow riders cooked up a tribute that was sure to please him:  on Sunday, May 6, 200 British cycle owners would gather at Lucky Baldwin’s pub in Pasadena.  From there, they would ride to Bib’s home at 1168 North Hill Avenue and, at high noon, surprise him by revving their engines together for 30 seconds in his honor.

Bibbiani, center, at a meetup to say goodbye to friends in Lucky Baldwin's Pub last week. Photo: © Jeff Sedlik

But Bibbiani died Saturday night, May 5, before the rally.  The riders decided to hold the ride anyway, in tribute to Bib's memory, to say goodbye.

Some of it was captured on YouTube:

Here's the parade going up Hill Street, along with the roar:

And here's another view of the 30 seconds of open throttle in front of Bibbiani's home:

 

Morning jolt

• Moving sale:  Margaret Gruesbeck and Leslie Fleming-Mitchell are holding two families’ worth of moving sale Sunday, May 5, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM at 345 E. Altadena Drive just east of Marengo.  There will be garden related items, books, toys, children's books, speaker stands and music gear, and fineries for the home.
• Dog licenses: Chatter from the newsgroups says that the Animal Control officers are going door-to-door in different neighborhoods, checking to see that Mittens and Bowser are properly registered with the county.  They do this shake-down about every year, so don’t be surprised.  Better to get ‘em licensed on the spot than pay the fine later!
• Rancho helps Five Acres: Chris Larson at the Rancho Bar writes: “The Rancho holds a few fundraisers a year for Five Acres, one at Christmas time and one or two others throughout the year.  We held the latest fundraiser on St. Patty's Day, and thanks to the good work by the Rancho crew, the music from Jet Trego, Neal Sherman, Dave Fertig & the entire band, and everyone who showed up...I'm happy to report we sent Five Acres a check for $759.” Bravo!

 

Altadena Junction: MonteCedro is shovel-ready

Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun (ignore the giant headshot), about MonteCedro and such.

 

Make a Mother's Day bouquet at the Bob Lucas Library May 9

Be nice to your Mommy this week, as the Bob Lucas Branch Library spends a crafty afternoon with paper flower bouquets.

Join the library for this special craft on Thursday, May 9, at 3:30 PM.

The Bob Lucas Branch Library is at 2659 N. Lincoln Ave. 

Casino & poker night at La Canada Flintridge Community Center May 24

Join the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge for its annual Casino Night and Poker Tournament on Friday, May 24, 6:30-10:30 PM.

Details at www.CommunityCenterCasinoNight.eventbrite.com

$30 at the door/ $60 for Poker Tournament

Appetizer and dessert buffet and fabulous prizes.

The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge is at 4469 Chevy Chase Drive, La Canada Flintridge .

Poetry Corner: Cinco de Mayo

 "CINCO DE MAYO"
"Mexican David Defeats French Goliath"

from gloriana casey

A lesson now from history-----
 BIG ARMY ---defeated!
This battle from past history,
often is repeated!

As back we look, we have to gasp,
for economic times,
can seem so current, my oh my
as deja vu rewinds !

For Mexico, with many wars,
its treasury gone bust!
Creditors: France, Britain, Spain,
then screamed,"  But PAY you must!"

Supervisor's website: Forest Service won't allow signs for Eaton Canyon dangers

by Timothy Rutt

LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky may just be applying some pressure to quell the epidemic of rescues and deaths at Eaton Canyon's second waterfall.

Yaroslovsky's’s website has a well-done article on the problems of hikers going on the often-deadly hike to second waterfall and the multi-agency attempt to stop it, and turns up this interesting nugget:

One of the questions our Altadenablog commentors frequently ask is:  why don’t they put up warning signs?  Turns out most of the involved agencies (county sheriff, fire, parks, and supervisors, and Pasadena Fire Department) agree -- but not the U.S. Forest Service.  According to the article,  the Forest Service declines to put warning signs on their land -- because “attorneys representing injured hikers might argue that, if agency officials knew there was a risk of injury, then they had an obligation to make the area safer.”

Also this money quote: 

By the second or third rescue of the day,” [Altadena Mountain Rescue Team captain Richard] De Leon says, he gets frustrated with the risk takers. “I start thinking, ‘Will you people just stop!’ ”

http://zev.lacounty.gov/news/fatal-attraction-at-the-falls

UPDATE: Eric Pierce sent this photo of a sign he found at the Amicalola Falls in North Georgia -- so some places do have them!

 

Do you think a sign would help?  What other measures would you take?  Let us know in the comments.

Geek alert: Happy Star Wars Day!

 

A promotional picture from Walt Disney Co., which owns the Star Wars franchise and will produce the 7th movie.

 

May the 4th be with you!

Poetry Corner: Some lines on a heron

" Fascinating Fisherman"

   from gloriana casey

The Heron is a lovely  bird!
Although he flies through air,
he likes to sit and walk about,
and seems so debonair.

Except for that Antarctica,
 to all continents he'll fly.
How wonderful  for DENA-town
that he has stopped on by.

And Tom and Jane, the lucky ones,
with Szabo, as last name.
Your Koi pond is quite famous now
with sushi meal of fame.

Critter-dena: Meadows' heron likes sushi

Community correspondents Todd and Jane Szabo in the Meadows took a picture of a heron who was frequenting their neighborhood.  Apparently their koi fish pond was a temptation too great to bear, as the bird managed to snatch a a snack from their pond before these pictures were taken.

Danny's Farm gets honors (and a cut of the action) at Fancy Food Truck Friday May 10

by Timothy Rutt

Fancy Food Truck Friday at the Webster's complex is coming around next week, and Webster's Community Pharmacy and Webster's Fine Wines & Spirits will honor the event's sponsor, Danny's Farm.

The pharmacy and liquor store will donate 15 percent of their full day's sales (not including prescriptions) on Friday, May 10, to Danny's Farm, which provides programs and job opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.  The food trucks will also donate a percentage of their sales that day.

 “As hosts of Fancy Food Truck Friday, we want to honor and support our event sponsor, Danny’s Farm," said pharmacy co-owner Meredith Miller in a press release. "We invite folks to shop for Mother’s Day from our creative selection of gifts and greeting cards while supporting Danny’s Farm."

Danny’s Farm, which was formerly in Altadena, has relocated to Cal Poly Pomona, but takes its mobile petting farm to Fancy Food Truck Friday every month. New to the farm is Hagrid, the miniature horse.  Children (and adults) are invited feed and play with the animals during the food truck event.  

Fancy Food Truck Friday will be held Friday, May 10, from 5-9 PM at the Webster's parking lot, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.

 

 

Masjid Al-Taqwa invites the community to May 19 festival at Farnsworth Park

by Timothy Rutt

Masjid Al-Taqwa Mosque invites the Altadena community to an afternoon of food, family, music and friends at the Straight P.A.T.H. (Positive Actions Through Harmony) Festival and Concert on Sunday, May 19, from 12 - 5 PM.  The festival takes place in the Davies Building at Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Avenue.

This year is the sixth annual Invited Guest Series, featuring Joshua Salaam of the Muslim hip-hop group Native Deen.

Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets, but pre-sale tickets are now available at the discounted price of $20 each. To get your discounted tickets, email Kameelah Wilkerson atkamelina@yahoo.com. Free shipping is available, and supplies are limited.

Webster's Fine Stationers hosts "Chocolate Princess" authors Saturday

Come meet Valerie Jackson, Yolanda Allen, and Sylvia L. Walker as they talk about their book The Chocolate Princess in the Land of Plenty this Saturday, May 4, at 1 PM at .Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 Lincoln Avenue.

Addressing the need for positive self-identification, this children's book has been called "a classically-styled, contemporary fairy take for readers of all ages".  The authors will be discussing what prompted them to write this very special book, and of course, will be signing any book you buy.

Perry's Joint will be catering this event - bring the kids and have a great time!  Did we tell you that The Chocolate Princess In The Land Of Plenty was published right here in Beautiful Altadena?  It sure was, and we think that's just fabulous!  Come meet Valerie Jackson, Yolanda Allen, and Sylvia L. Walker, this Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and tell them you think so, too!

Library's used book sale is coming May 18-19

 

Bookworms pour over the choices at the 2011 library book sale.

by Timothy Rutt

The Friends of the Altadena Library will be holding their annual book sale on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19 at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. .

 

Thousands of books, which have been donated to the library over the past year, will be available for purchase. Proceeds go to fund the Friends of the Library programs, including children's activities, concerts, guest speakers, and much more.

Members of the Friends of the Library can attend the special presale on Friday, May 17 from 3-7 PM.

The sale will take place on Saturday, May 18, from 10 AM to 4 PM,  and Sunday, May 19, from one-4 PM.

Amy's Patio Café sponsors Relay for Life breakfast for survivors and caregivers

 

Luminaria light up the walkway at Farnsworth Park during the 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

 

by Timothy Rutt

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Altadena is only a month away (June 1-2), and the activities are already gearing up.

Amy's Patio Café is sponsoring a breakfast for survivors and caregivers on Tuesday, May 14, from 10-11:30 AM.  Cancer survivors and caregivers can enjoy an egg or pancake breakfast with coffee or tea at the event. 

Please RSVP by Friday, May 10, to Heather Morrow, Relay for Life of Altadena event chair, at (818) 257-0338 or hcmorrow@gmail.com.

Amy's Patio Café is at 900 E. Altadena Drive.

 

Bill Song to take over as Crescenta Valley captain

by Timothy Rutt

Captain Bill Song, a 22-year veteran with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, will assume command of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff Station.

Song's first day as captain of Crescenta Valley will be Sunday, May 5.  Song was  previously assigned as the Executive Aide to Assistant Sheriff Cecil Rhambo.

“I am very excited to take command of the Crescenta Valley Station and to work alongside all the dedicated personnel at the station to provide quality service to the very supportive communities served by the Crescenta Valley Station,” Song said in a statement.

"Shakespeare's LOVERS" meet at Farnsworth Park on Mother's Day

The California Shakespeare ensemble begins its residency at Farnsworth Park on Mother's Day with the greatest hits of the Bard's writings about love.

"Shakespeare's LOVERS," will be performed Sunday, May 12, in the Fansworth Park Amphitheatre.  The 70-minute performance starts at 6 PM, and admission is $10 at the door.

CSE's Brian Elerding writes: "The California Shakespeare Ensemble is digging out the greatest scenes from all of Shakespeare's work and performing them live as part of "Shakespeare's LOVERS." The show comes from its popular opening day at Descanso Gardens' Earth Day 2013 celebration in April. The show is fast-paced and fun, and will even have Shakespearean newbies understanding and enjoying. The show is a series of the ensemble members' favorite love scenes from throughout Shakespeare's catalog; from the popular to the obscure, the comic to the  tragic, the epic to the trivial."

Some of Shakespeare's best writing about love rarely sees the light of day: it is buried in lesser-known plays that don't have as much box office draw. We all know Romeo and Juliet, but when was the last time you saw Henry the Sixth Part II, or Two Gentlemen of Verona? Shakespeare's lovers takes the best of all worlds. 

The California Shakespeare ensemble began when three working actors had an idea one evening over dinner: what if they got the best Shakespearean actors they knew, then stripped their favorite plays down only the words and the people? No fairy costumes. No artificial inflection. Just dogged determination to tell the story at hand. By the end of the dinner, the California Shakespeare Ensemble was born. 

The ensemble is based on the idea of a supergroup: it is a side project for currently working actors, and an incubator for up-and-coming actors. So the ensemble are stars of hit TV shows(Ken Baumann on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," David Blue from "Stargate: Universe" and "Ugly Betty," Fred Cross from "The Joe Schmoe Show"), and some in the ensemble are fresh from training at NYU. RADA, and Shakespeare's Globe in London.

Due to some innuendo and double entendre, the ensemble recommends the show for adults and teens. There is no nudity or overt vulgarity, but the show is recommended for 12 years of age and older.

Keep your cell phones on charge: hot weather, winds predicted thru Friday

The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures in the 90s, and gusty winds and low humidity at least through Friday night.

The weather service has said there is an “extreme” danger of a fire starting in counties from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on Thursday and Friday, thanks to hot temperatures, very low humidity, dry fuels, and moderate to strong Santa Ana winds.  Mountains and valleys in LA and Ventura counties are under a red flag warning through Friday night.

With the high temperatures and possibility of power outages in Altadena (we've had several already this week and the high temperatures haven't hit yet), we are recommending that you keep your cell phones plugged in and charged, just in case!