altadenablog

Athens Services holds e-waste and used clothing dropoff Sept. 21

by Timothy Rutt

Athens Services, in partnership with Supv. Michael D. Antonovich and the county of Los Angeles, will be holding an e-waste and clothing drop-off event on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the upper parking lot at Loma Alta Park from 9 AM-2 PM.

You can bring .

• Electronics: Applies to consumer electronic equipment that is no longer wanted. E-waste can include computers, printers, televisions, VCRs, cell phones, fax machines, stereos, electronic games, and more...
• Clothing & Shoes: gently used, unsoiled and wearable.

Proof of Altadena residence is required: please bring your driver's license or a utility bill.

Not acceptable are  batteries, bulbs, medical products, toxic, hazardous or liquid waste. For proper disposal of Hazardous Household Waste please call 1-888-CLEANLA or visit www.CleanLA.com

For more information,  call Athens Services at (877) 764-5551 or visit www.AthensServices.com.

 

Pasadena police warn of "grandparents scam"

An oldie-but-still-a-baddie scam is making the local rounds, according to the Pasadena Police Department, which sent this message:

One of the latest trends Pasadena and the surrounding communities have been experiencing lately is called the “Grandparent’s Scam” also known as the “Emergency scam.” 

In the typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call from a scammer claiming to be one of his or her grandchildren. Callers go on to say that they are in some kind of trouble and need money immediately. They claim to have been in a car accident, are having trouble returning from a foreign country or they need bail money. You may get a call from two people, one pretending to be your grandchild and the other pretending to be either a police officer or a lawyer. Your “grandchild” asks you questions during the call, getting you to volunteer personal information. Callers say that they don’t want other family members to find out what has happened. You will be asked to wire some money through a money transfer company or to buy some pre-paid debit cards and are asked to give up the card numbers so they can be funded by the scammer. 

Often, victims don’t verify the story until after the money has been sent. In some cases, scammers pretend to be your old neighbor or a friend of the family, but for the most part, the emergency scam is directed at grandparents. 

If you or someone you know is being scammed or has been scammed in a similar fashion, please have them contact the Pasadena Police Department, Financial Crime Unit at 626-744-4576. If the money has not yet been wired or funded, cease all communications with the scammers and do not send the money, then contact the police. 

Contact The Financial Crime Unit at (626) 744-4576 for further information or contact the Federal Trade Commission at:http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts

We Win basketball camp for ages 6-18 starts up at Loma Alta Park

by Timothy Rutt

  The year-round We Win basketball camp is starting up at Loma Alta Park.

The We Win program is intended to push youth to their full potential using basketball as a tool to educate and instill the values of hard work and dedication.

The camp, for ages 6-18, is held Monday through Friday from 6-8 PM at the Loma Alta Park gym.  Cost is $25 per quarter, shirt and bag provided.  Must show birth certificate to register.  Checks and money orders go to Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.

 

Rep. Chu sponsors forum on San Gabriel mountains and rivers Sept. 7

by Timothy Rutt

Rep. Judy Chu is sponsoring a forum in Claremont on Saturday, focused on the development of a San Gabriel Mountains Recreation Area.

The forum is presented by San Gabriel Mountains Forever (SGMF) a partnership of residents, cities, local businesses, health and environmental justice organizations, faith and community leaders, and recreation and conservation groups. SGMF will bring to the public forum dozens of community members who support a proposal to create a National Recreation Area that will include all of the San Gabriel Mountains (in the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests), the foothills, western Puente Hills, and the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers, including the urban corridors.  SGMF also supports the protection of wilderness and wild and scenic rivers in the forest.

The forum wlll be Saturday, Sept. 7, starting at 10:30 AM at the Taylor Reception Hall, 1775 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont.

According to a release from Chu's office, the San Gabriel mountians and rivers "provide beautiful scenery, healthy outdoor recreation for more than three million annual visitors and clean drinking water. A national recreation area can help improve and add more visitor services such as trail signs, rangers and safe river access to the most heavily-used forest destinations. A recreation area will also help address the lack of parks and child obesity rates above 30 to 40 percent in many LA County communities."

 

Gilbert & Sullivan & Eliot ...

Pacific Opera Project's production of "The MIkado" entertained 150 students in a special performance Wednesday morning at Porticos Art Space. All photos by Martha Benedict.

 

by Timothy Rutt

Students from Eliot Middle School and Sierra Madre Elementary School were treated to a special performance of "The Mikado" by the Pacific Opera Project Wednesday morning.  POP's production put a modern Japanese pop culture coating on the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, to the delight of the audience.  Artistic director Josh Shaw said that it was a full house with 150 students.

POP performs "The Mikado" this weekend, Friday through Sunday, at Porticos Art Space (2033 E. Washington), inside St. James United Methodist Church along the Pasa/Alta border.  Shaw says that Saturday night and the Sunday matinee are almost sold out, but some tickets are still available (and where can you see a full ensemble AND 14-piece orchestra for only $30?)  Check it out at http://www.pacificoperaproject.com/#!__mikado.  More pictures after the jump.

 

Crime blotter: vandalisms and vehicle burglaries

Some folks need to control their need for controlled substances.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Sunday, August 25 

6:15 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the area of Mountain View Street & Figueroa Drive. Suspect described as a male, black, 18-20 yrs, 5ft. 8ins. -5ft. 9ins, 150-170lbs. Weapon: rock. 

Monday, August 26 

1:00 PM – A vandalism occurred at Focus Point Academy, 3126 Glenrose Avenue. 

4:08 PM – William Farmer, 24 yrs, of Los Angeles was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. 

Tuesday, August 27

12:10 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 2000 block of Grand Oaks Avenue. 

Between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM – A vandalism occurred in the 200 block of E. Sacramento Street. 

5:05 PM – A commercial burglary occurred at Rite Aid, 735 E. Altadena Drive. Alfonso Vasquez, 19 yrs, of Pasadena and Jacquelyn White, 24 yrs, of Pasadena were taken into custody. 

2:32 AM – Robert Luter, 30 yrs, of Altadena was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. 

BTC to host women-owned business contracting program today

The Business Technology Center will host "Leveraging Your Woman-Owned Status for Corporate and Government Contracting" on Thursday, September 5, 2013, 4-7 PM at the Business Technology Center in Altadena.  This program is designed for business owners who are seeking local, federal and corporate contracts.  Guest speaker, Karen Blackwell, Manager Supplier Diversity North America, Nestle, will provide insights into corporate contracting, and will include a networking reception for woman owned businesses.  Admission is $10 and this event is open to the public.  For more information or to register online, go to http://bit.ly/pasadenawbe.

Participants will discover how being a certified woman-owned business can positively impact their businesses, as well as the importance of certification for corporate and government contracting.  This program is presented by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council West, a nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate sustainable relationships between certified Women Business enterprises and Corporate America through certification, education, and targeted networking.

About the Business Technology Center

The Business Technology Center of Los Angeles County (BTC)  is dedicated to the development of high technology firms through business management assistance, technical assistance, and the coordination of available financial resources. The BTC is presently focused on companies transferring and commercializing technologies from Federal Laboratories and Universities.  

Altadena Heritage forum looks at water issues Sept. 23

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena Heritage looks at water issues in a public forum on Monday, Sept. 23 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive:

Even forward-looking people who try to educate themselves are confused about water. Our goal is to increase Altadenans’ knowledge of and involvement in today’s water issues, including water security and water quality initiatives such as the recently dropped Clean Water, Clean Beaches Act (designed to put LA County in compliance with federal regulations.) We'll focus somewhat on Altadena's position at the top of the inhabited watershed, but on Southern California's situation as well. We'd like people to understand local opportunities for management: capture, recharge, and treatment.

We also want to clarify who does what in Altadena, including oversight of public works projects. There is interest in reducing street width on steep north-south roads via the county's "street diet" program to increase recharge with landscaping and curb cuts to channel storm water runoff into front yards, or to larger open spaces such as Mountain View Cemetery. How do we attract such projects to Altadena? Will a new version of Clean Water, Clean Beaches provide funds for such top of the watershed projects, or will the focus be on downstream mega projects and beaches?

The panel includes Chris Stone, LA County's Water Resource Manager; Rich Atwater, Chairman of Foothills Municipal Water District (FMWD); and Tim Brick of the Arroyo Seco Foundation and former chairman of Metropolitan Water District. Local water purveyors including Pasadena are also invited, and most will send representatives, according to a release from Altadena Heritage.

The forum starts at 7 PM, and admission is free.

Sheriff looking for burglars disguised as Edison workers

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Sheriff Station has put out an alert about two burglars dressed as Edison employees who distracted their victim while a third entered the house.

According to an alert from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, a residential burglary occurred on Aug. 12, 2013, at the 3100 block of Ewing Avenue.  Suspect #1 identified himself as a Southern California Edison employees who was checking on power outages. He is described as an Hispanic or Middle Eastern male, about 30 years of age, wearing a yard hat and yellow shirt.  The victim walked to the front of the residence and was joined by Suspect #2, similar description and dress.

According to the release:

As the victim and suspects walked towards the rear of the residence, the victim observed the rear door open. The victim entered the residence and saw suspect #3 exiting the bedroom. Suspect #3 fled and was seen entering an older model white minivan. 

The third suspect is also described as an Hispanic or Middle Eastern male, about 30, 5 ft. 6 ins., and also wearing a yellow shirt.

If you are able to provide any further information, please contact the Altadena Sheriff’s Station at (626) 798-113

Missing dog: Coco, may be on a trail [UPDATE: Found!]

Received this from Lori Paul:

Trail Users & Neighbors,

Coco is a small, female, terrier-type dog with collar and tags (unless they've fallen off or been removed) who apparently got out of a car and away from her owner near Farnsworth Park late afternoon today. She could be anywhere in the vicinity of that park (hopefully not in Cobb Estate, but possible... if she followed a dog walker or crossed Lake Avenue).

Coco is from out of the area, but stays from time to time at Bonny Schumaker's cabin up in Millard Canyon, so the little dog might walk up Chaney Trail. Or, Coco may try to make her way back by walking along Loma Alta or via the Altadena Crest Trail from the top of Lake Avenue, traveling westward past the top of Devonwood Rd, crossing a trailhead at the N. end of Canon Blvd. (a culdesac), or following the trail to where it ends in the Skylane Drive barn area.

Please share this info. with neighbors and hikers. Coco is small and dark, which is worrisome re: her safety on the road at night in traffic. Coyotes are another concern. Coco is friendly to both people and dogs, but may be frightened and skittish. 

Call anytime! We need to get this little dog home safely. She is not wise re: wildlife and her life is in danger.

UPDATE:  Coco's back home -- check the comments for details.

Sheriffs release video of Eaton Canyon rescue

 

 

by Timothy Rutt

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has released video of one of the Aug. 30 rescues from Eaton Canyon.  

According to the sheriff's department, a man and a woman were trapped on the side of a cliff in Eaton Canyon near the first waterfall (a popular route for people trying to reach the dangerous Razorback trail to second waterfall).

According to a rlease from the sheriff's department, the trapped hikers were a 26 -year-old Monterey Park man and a 24-year-old Los Angeles woman.  One sustained moderate injuries from a fall.  Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

 

"Hot August Night" in September: Neil Diamond tribute wraps up concert series

by Timothy Rutt

Sheriff Support Group Summer Concert Series producer Robert Klomburg passed on this warning to us: Van Nixholme, whose All American Audio Visual provides the sound and light for the Farnsworth concert series as well as others around the area, said that next Saturday's artist, Dean Colley, usually draws 2,000 people to a concert.  Then he sent this note about Colley's concert a couple of weeks ago in La Canada:  

We had well over 3000 people in attendance.  No place for a quarter to land.  To top it off Dean announced to these 3000 + people what he was going to be doing on Sept. 7th. and exactly where that is....  Be afraid Bob, be very afraid.

Since the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater only holds about 900 souls, it could get interesting.

Colley's Neil Diamond tribute band, "Hot August Night," lands at Farnsworth Park Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 PM, in a triumphant return of a popular favorite.

Colley has been performing in rock bands since 1982, after leaving the University of Southern California, where he was studying biology. 15 years of playing in bars and regional fairs followed playing rock and roll covers with other local musicians. All the while, people began taking notice of Dean’s ever more prominent resemblance to Neil Diamond. Soon, audience members were asking Dean if he did any Neil Diamond songs.

A short time later, a local businessman asked Dean if he’d like to put together a tribute to Neil Diamond. Dean accepted the challenge and began studying the songs of the legendary singer/songwriter. After a trial version of Dean as Neil Diamond in a small club, he was offered a chance to perform for a community concert put on by a local Kiwanis club. From there, the show became known as “Hot August Night”, after the title of Neil Diamond’s live album recorded at the Greek Theater.

Many versions of the band followed. Players came and went. However, a chance audition for a tribute show for military personnel in Japan introduced him to a whole new level of players. These musicians were seasoned professionals and put a whole new spin on Dean’s presentation. After arriving home after the tour of Japan, Dean convinced the band to play in Hot August Night. This led to working with better musicians and an outstanding presentation.

Today, Hot August Night has played casinos, corporate parties, fairs, and clubs all over the United States, Japan, Canada, and England.

Hot August Night has played major showrooms in Reno NV, Laughlin, NV, Las Vegas NV, Carson City NV, Minden NV, Tucson, Phoenix, Yuma, AZ, Lincoln OR, Seattle WA, Atsugi Japan, Iwakuni Japan, Oxford England, Bettendorf IA, Edmonton Canada, Stone Mountain GA, Toulumne, San Diego, Hollywood, Anaheim, Hollywood, Beverly Hills CA, and Palm Springs CA.

El Patron Mexican Restaurant is on line to serve food, with beer and wine provided by the Altadena Rotary Club. 

Get there early!  Admission is free.

Community Church host Sunday sessions on healthcare reform

Learn more about the Affordable Care Act (coming Jan. 1!) at Altadena Community Church for the next three Sundays.  Community members are welcome.  All sessions start at 11:30 AM

• Sept. 8: Insights From a Practicing Physician: Mohinderjit Neelam, MD will share his firsthand experience of many of the best practices included in the health insurance reform law that are already in use in a model clinic. 
• Sept. 15:  What Obamacare Means for You: Patricia Culross, MD will demonstrate the Covered California enrollment website and answer questions about insurance options, benefits, costs, and eligibility for subsidies or tax benefits. The Covered California health exchange opens on Oct. 1. 
• Sept. 22 : "I Was Sick and You Took Care of Me" (Matthew 25:36)  The Rev. Barbara Anderson will lead a question and answer session discussing how to help our families, friends, and community understand and benefit from the most significant healthcare reform since Medicare.

For more information, see www.altadenaucc.org or call the church office at 626-798-1185, mornings.  Altadena Community Church is at 943 E. Altadena Drive, next to the Chevron station, just east of Lake.

Fall victory gardening classes open in October

by Timothy Rutt

Become a Certified UC Victory Gardener through the "Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative" begining class at the Altadena Community Garden starting in October.

The classes, part of University of California Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program, run from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM  on October 5, 12, 19, and 26.  Cost is $55 for the series, or $15 per class.  

To register, call Jeri Huston at 626-345-5466 or e-mail at Jeri.Huston@yahoo.com

(Note: You are registered only when your fee has been received!)

Support for UC Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County has been provided by the Metabolic Studio, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.

 

"Mrs. Altadena," Rosa Johnson, dies at 103

by Timothy Rutt

 

Sandra Thomas, left, introduces Rosa "Mrs. Altadena" Johnson at the Altadena 125th birthday celebration on Nov. 3, 2012.

Rosa Johnson -- a longtime active resident, graced with the name "Mrs. Altadena" -- died  Aug. 31, the day after her 103rd birthday.

 

Daugher Rosemarie Wallack of Irvine said that Johnson died peacefully in her own home, where she had lived since 1957.

Johnson was active in Altadena Heritage, the Christmas Tree Lane Association, and the Altadena Senior Center until recent years, when she stopped driving shortly before her 100th birthday.

Born in Norwalk, Connecticut, Rosa Prima Gasponi moved from Pennsylvania  to California when she was 19, and eventually convinced the rest of her family to move west.  She married Kimball Johnson in 1933, and they had three children:  Rosemarie Wallack, Kimball Johnson, Jr. of Altadena, and Spencer Johnson of Las Vegas.  She also had six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

There will be a private celebration of her life next week.

 

 

Off to be a Poet

Sunday's entries were light as we spent the day moving our eldest into Whittier College, where she starts her freshman year.  Sigh.  Still trying to deal with all the emotions today -- plus it's a school-free day, a holiday, and there are two kids left -- so entries may be a little light!

Found: Rooster, who needs a good home

 

Hello Altadenans,

This handsome young rooster was found last week in Eaton Canyon with an older rooster pal (who is still at large.) Since it happens from time to time, we're assuming the birds were dumped there.

Can anyone provide this beautiful bird with a good home? He's extremely friendly and completely at ease with my two cats. Happily roams my yard looking for bugs. I'd love to find him a new home by the end of this week.

Please contact Melanie at mjsymonds@yahoo.com or 626-797-4225.

Poetry corner: Labor Day & MLK

"LABOR DAY AND MLK "
               or
"Dollars and Sense"

from gloriana casey

For Labor Day and MLK,
half century, we look back.
The DREAM, the DREAM, it has not died;
it grows stronger, in fact!

For Labor is the heart of all,
and with it ---- nations rise!
From scientists to school teachers---
with Middle Class the prize.

In 1963, the year!
The MARCH on Washington;
though much has changed, so much to do,
for work is still undone.

A POP Mikado at Porticos next weekend

by Timothy Rutt

The Pacific Opera Project will perform Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado this coming weekend, Sept. 6-8,  but with a Japanese pop twist.

The performance at Porticos Art Space (2033 E. Washington), inside St. James United Methodist Church, transports the opera from the days of Japanese royalty in silk kimonos to the neon-colored world of Harajuku, the modern mix of colors and styles that symbolize young people in modern Japan.  

Since the opera itself was a thinly-veiled skewering of then-current British nobility and politics, POP carries on the tradition with some slightly revamped lyrics about contemporary life. 

POP has previously performed Cosi fan tutte, Sweeney Todd, and Le nozze di Figaro, all to sold-out audiences at the space.

The Mikado features a 14-piece chamber orchestra and 19-voice chorus.  Creative team Josh Shaw (production design and stage direction) and Stephen Karr (musical direction), have put together a cast of mostly homegrown talent featuring some POP veterans and many newcomers — all hailing from greater Los Angeles or San Diego. who have performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Los Angeles Opera, New York City Opera, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Palm Beach Opera, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera Southern Illinois Music Festival and Union Avenue Opera, among other venues.

As part of their stay at Porticos, the opera company will perform for students from Eliot Middle School and Sierra Madre Elementary School on Wed., Sept. 4.  Following the weekend's shows, the production moves to Santa Monica for seven performances.

General admission is $30 and $20 for Students/Seniors.  It is POP's mission to bring affordable, accessible, and ENTERTAINING opera to audiences across Los Angeles. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit pacificoperaproject.com, write to info@pacificoperaproject.com or call the Pacific Opera Project hotline at 323-739-6122.

Pet of the week: J.D.

At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presents “J.D.,” a 3-year old Papillon Mix , one of many pets available for adoption now. 

For more information about adopting a pet, please call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-728-4610.