altadenablog

New direction for Muir

LA Times has a piece this morning on the travails of Muir and the hope of its new restructuring plan -- seems a balanced take on a sensitive topic.

Meanwhile, PSN's front page is about a "return to normalcy" at Blair after the Feb. 29 lockdown.

If a cougar attacked your dog, wooden shoe fight it?

Comes the news (making its way through the local newsgroups) that a MIllard Canyon cabin resident's dog was almost dragged away by one or two cougars this morning (Sunday).  The report says:

[The cabin resident] was awakened this morning by yelping. In her bathrobe and wooden clogs she turned on an outdoor light to see a large cougar attempting to drag Ford [her German shepherd] across the deck with the cat's jaws clamped around the dog's throat. [She] hollered at the cat, ran over, and bonked it multiple times with her wooden clog until the cougar dropped the dog and fled to the fenced front yard. [She] retreated with the dog, who was able to get himself back inside the cabin. [She] then returned with a bright spotlight and continued to yell at the cat. The cougar paced the high fence trying to escape, then pulled itself over the gate and vanished.

But that's not the end of it:

Perhaps more disquieting, [she] heard a noise on her roof a while after the attack. When she investigated, she saw a cougar up there. It may have been a second cat instead of the first cougar returning. Sub-adult males will often travel together. She again hollered at the cougar to go away, shined a bright light at it, and set off a loud air horn. The cougar left.

The incident was reported to the U.S. Forest Service and California Fish and Game.  Ford sustained a puncture wound to his neck, but his thick fur (and his owner's quick action with the shoe!) managed to minimize the damage, and it's reported he'll be fine.

A little extra caution is advised on the trails!

Summer concerts at Farnsworth announced

The Altadena Sheriff's Support Group has announced its 12th annual Saturday free summer concert series at Farnsworth Park.

June 14; Elliot Caine, Jazz Trumpet
June 28: Downbeat Express big band
July 12: Make a Face (50's-70's rock 'n' roll)
July 16: Those Manning Boys (Irish music)
Aug. 8: To be announced
Aug. 16: To be announced
Aug. 30: To be announced
Sept. 13: Rick Alviti in a Tribute to Elvis

All concerts start at 7 p.m. in the amphitheater at Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve.

AKA to recognize community leaders

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will honor the contributions of local community leaders at its regional conference on April 17-20 at the Pasadena Convention Center.  The community is invited to a public meeting and reception on April 17, honoring Sheldon Epps (artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse), Joe and Ruthie Hopkins (founders and owners of The Pasadena Journal News), Versie Mae Richardson  (founder of Alkebu-lan Cultural Center) and Dr. Juanita Watts of Kaiser Permanente, among others.  For more information on conference activities, contact Ruthie Hopkins at (626) 798-3972, ruthhopkins@pacbell.net

Library fun in April

The Altadena Library has just released its offerings for April, and they look like fun.

April 15: Heeble and Jeeble: Come experience the sweet harmonies, zany antics, and fabulous funny costume & hat changes from the World’s Only Demi-Nerd Singing Duo as they perform corny “take-offs” of familiar tunes you know and love that will keep the whole family laughing for days after.  7 PM in the Community Room

April 18:  Family Fun Friday, screening Bee Movie.  3:30 PM in the Community Room.

April 26: Barks & Books:  Children ages 5-12 are invited to read animal related short stories of their choice to a lovable dog from the Pasadena Humane Society’s Companion Animal Program. This reading enrichment program makes reading fun, boosts confidence and encourages respectful, humane treatment for all animals.  11 AM in the Children's Room.

And don't forget Teddy Bear Story TIme (bring your PJs and a plush toy for bedtime stories and snack, 7 PM Mondays; and Preschool Story Time, 11 AM Wednesdays in the Main Library community room for engrossing stories, crafts, finger plays, snacks and a musical parade. Appropriate for children ages 2-5

The main library is at 600 E. Mariposa Street.

Altadenan works to protest war

A short piece in the P-Weekly about Altadenan Stephen Gibson of the American Friends Service Committee, who has been organizing events to mark the 4,000th soldier killed in the Iraq war.

St. Luke's property still in turmoil

P-Weekly's Andre Coleman reports a rather testy meeting of residents with the developers of the old St. Luke's Hospital property.  Pasadena city councilman Steve Haderlein rips DS Ventures a new one talking about their lack of public notice for last week's meeting.  A February public meeting was even worse, with notification restricted to those living 500 feet around the property.  And then there's the issue of the nearest emergency room being many miles away ... this issue is going to go on for a very long time.

Economic woes hit close to home

CNN features Patricia Guerrero of Altadena, who went from making $70,000 a year in the most vibrant economy in the world to going to a food bank to feed her family.  They seem to attach it to the housing crisis, and she was a loan processor, but middle class layoffs were happening long before the housing crunch. 

Modernist architecture: not for everybody. Especially in a wheelchair.

Usually, we like PSN's Larry Wilson a lot, but he's way off base this time.

Yesterday's column takes issue with the comment that the Altadena Library building "stinks."  Wilson says that the Boyd Georgi 1967 building is a triumph of mid-century modernism:

His library is his masterpiece. With its built-ins, sunken reading area and big skylights, it's where the megamaniacal villain would have his headquarters if you were shooting a Bond movie on Christmas Tree Lane.

And that's about the size of it -- it's a villain's lair.  It stinks.

Wilson doesn't mention that, it addition to its clean lines and water-stained stucco, it's surrounded by a splintery wooden deck which wasn't part of the original plan.  And why the deck?  Because it's the only way anyone who isn't in the bloom of health can actually GET INTO THE LIBRARY!

Because the main entrance -- over stairs and a steep staircase -- is inaccessible to anyone who has children in a stroller or who has limited mobility, i.e. walker or wheelchair.  If you're unfortunate enough to require a wheeled vehicle to move around in -- well, you don't get to enter from the parking lot.  You have to make your way to the street side of the building, traverse the splintery deck and use an elevator to bypass the steep staircase.  And let's not talk about how the sunken reading area is basically restricted to those with working legs.

That has always been our problem with modernist architecture.  It's not for everybody. Just for adults and/or the healthy.

We once lived in West Pasadena, and there were quite a few modernist houses in our neighborhood.  They were quite beautiful, in their spare clean lines, their balconies and bridges and glass walls that thrust them into the hills and creeksides.  But we always left thinking, "I can't bring my children here, or our friends who need wheelchairs. It's too dangerous and inaccessible for them."

We have no problems with people's private homes -- they can make them as modernist as they like.  We have no problem with differences in aesthetic values.  We just knew that that kind of house was not for us, because we enjoy our children and all our friends, including the ones on wheels, and wanted a home that was welcoming for them.  Different strokes for different folks, and all that.

But a public building -- like a library -- needs to be for the public.  A library is for everyone, not just those who can climb the steep staircase of Dr. Evil.

A personal note:  one of our children has a condition that causes progressive mobility problems.  A few years hence, do we tell him that he can't go in the library with his friends because it will ruin the aesthetic?

Or to school.  Wilson also rhapsodizes about Noyes Elementary, another Georgi work, with its flat roofs and glass walls and pavilioned walkways.  Back when Noyes was Noyes, before it became a charter school, it was our neighborhood elementary school -- and one, we and PUSD agreed, that our child could not go to, because it sits on multiple levels.

No, modernist architecture isn't for everybody.  But libraries and schools are.  They need to be designed accordingly.  The Altadena Library falls short, and needs to be radically renovated or replaced.

Sheriff's share gang information

PSN's Robert Hong attended Tuesday's gang forum (as did Altadenablog), and we can't find much to improve his story as published.

We CAN tell you who is active and what the graffiti means:

Black gangs:
Crips: Altadena Bloc Crips (ABC), Raymond Ave. Crips (RAC)

Bloods: Project Gangsters (PJG or 754 -- many identifiers use the numbers on the telephone to suggest the letters), Altadena Denver Lanes (ADL), Pasadena Denver Lanes (PDL), Squigly Lane Gangsters (SLG).

Hispanic gangs: Pasadena Latin Kings (PLK), Villa Street Boys (VBP), South Side Pasadena (SSP), North Side Pasadena (NSP), Varrio Pasadena Rifa (VPR).

There are also Armenian gangs operating in the area, but sheriff's said that they mostly come here to lie low after being up to something in Glendale.

And some interesting things: confiscating a gangster's cell phone usually gives cops a nice list of his buddy's gangster nicknames; and it's hard to deny that you're in a gang when your MySpace page says otherwise (more than one gangster's tripped up on that one).

Spectacular space flybys tonight & tomorrow

After a spectacular flyby last month, the International Space Station will be soaring over Altadena again tonight.

The Jules Verne (the robotic space truck that will supply the ISS) will appear in the south-southwest at approximately 8:01 p.m., followed by the ISS at about 8:05. 

(The Endeavor space shuttle, which at last report has unhooked from ISS, should also be part of this display)

The spacecraft will reappear tomorrow night, at approximately 8:23 for the Jules Verne and 8:28 for the ISS.

Go here for an updated list of satellite flybys.

Next food co-op meeting April 17 @ Coffee Gallery

Patrick Reagan (one of the organizers of the proposed Altadena food co-op) sends us this:

The next meeting of the committee to investigate an Altadena food
co-operative is scheduled to meet Thursday April 17th at 8:00pm at the
Coffee Gallery.  Our core group is getting off to a good start but
others are welcome to attend if they are interested.

The original idea for a food co-op got started during an on-line
discussion. There's been frustration at the closing of the Pasadena Wild
Oats and an interest in a wider selection of products than offered by
existing stores in our area. Plus there are general issues, such as
rising prices, neighborhood access to organic food and the environment,
that don't seem to be addressed adequately by conventional grocery stores.

There are some wonderful co-ops in neighborhoods just like ours around
the country.  They're member owned so they're very responsive to local
needs and contribute back to the community in many ways.  They also play
a proactive role that normal businesses seem to have a hard time with -
helping communities develop demand for sustainable products. 

This next committee meeting is for people who are interested in, and
have the time to help research, what it will take to establish a food
co-op.  No prior co-op forming experience is necessary.  We'll be
addressing issues of financial management, fund raising, marketing, real
estate and grocery store management.  So if you have experience in any
of these it would be great to have you with us.  The goal of our efforts
will be to prepare for the next step - which is to hold a community
meeting to gauge general interest in our area.

If you are interested then please attend. An RSVP to would be
appreciated. Please send it to...
patricksavesworld@dslextreme.com

If you're interested but cannot make this meeting, respond with what
hours work for you and we'll factor this in to your meeting schedule
discussions.  In the last meeting we decided to try alternating between
daytime and evening meetings.

Feel free to pass this information on to others who might be interested
and to post this information to any discussion groups/blogs for our area.
Thanks,
Patrick Reagan

5000

Altadenablog has reached a major landmark today, at 5,000 pageviews.  Thank you for your support of
Altadena's community newsblog!

Parks on the move

Some Altadena parks-related information has come thru the transom:

Loma Alta Park staff is presenting a "Start Studded Event," a black tie affair at the park's new gymnasium, on Sat., April 26, 6:30 PM to midnight.  The evening features entertainment, a live band, and catering by M&M's Soul Food.  Tickets are $25, and proceeds will go toward Loma Alta Park programs.  For tickets and information, call Penny Daniels, 626-398-5451.

Loma Alta Park will also have a Spring Vacation Camp, March 31-April 11, 7:30 AM-6 PM.  Arts and crafts, cooking, sports, field trips, and working with computers are part of the program.  Cost is $45 per week for children ages 6-12.  For more information: 626-398-5451.

Farnsworth Park is holding an after school program featuring homework assistance, free snacks, golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, arts & crafts, field trips, and much more.  Times are 12:30-6 on Monday and 2:30-6 Tues.-Fri.  Cost is $15 a week, or $50/month.  For more information: 626-798-6335.

Muir reorganization forum Wed. 6:30-8 PM

A forum to discuss the smaller learning communities setting at John Muir High School will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wed. at John Muir High School, 1905 N. Lincoln Ave.  Supt. Edwin Diaz, Muir interim Principal Sheryl Orange and other PUSD staff will discuss the restructuring and answer questions.

This will be the first in a series of community forums being held to address Muir's reorganization.   For more information, call (626) 795-6981.

 

(Altadenablog's suggestion that the small learning communities be named Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindor are still on the table ....)

Rhythms interrupted

Not online yet, but PSN's front page today talked about Rhythms of the Village charter school withdrawing its request for an extension on its lease at the old Edison School.  Executive director Onochie Chukwurah said that the school will continue next year, bu t likely at another location.  The charter's request for an extension was to be considered at tomorrow's PUSD board meeting.

In addition, Diploma Plus, a program funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is ending its partnership with the school, citing low enrollment, among other issues.

Note: it's online now.

Blair student admits guilt in lockdown incident

Catching up after the Easter weekend:

The 18-year-old whose antics locked down Blair IB high school on Feb. 29 admitted to one charge of making criminal threats.  The youth, who was 17 at the time and just turned 18, was previously identified as an Altadena resident.  The sentence: probation.  Details here at PSN. 

Put on your Easter bonnet

Petrea over at Pasadena Daily Photo has a great shot of the hats at Winsome's Pretty Woman, hidden behind Steve's Pets -- a store, it will come as no surprise to you, that Altadenablog has never set foot in!

Oil roundup March 30

Used motor oil and oil filters will be collected at Dept. of Public Works, 737 E. Altadena Drive, from noon to 2 on March 30.

We are the eggmen ...

Welcome spring and Easter season!  Two egg hunts for the little ones today:

Farnsworth Park,3:45-5:30 PM today, egg hunt and spring festival.

Loma Alta Park, 5-7 ages 12 and under.  Egg hunt, coloring contest, and a "giant bunny."

Chamber Golf Tournament Fri., May 2

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce's 15th Annual Golf Tournament will be held Fri., May 2, at the Altadena Golf Course, 1456 E. Mendocino St.  Registration starts at 11:30, "shot gun start" at 12:30.  There's an early bird special of $400 per foursome (deadline April 25). Corporate sponsors ($500) receive four players, 18 holes of golf, two golf carts, a tee or green sign, and four dinners.  Individual players ($110) receive 18 holes, a golf cart, and dinner (tri-tip barbecue at 6:30 PM).  Proceeds benefit the Marion Lee Wullshlager Scholarship Fund.  For more information: 626-794-3988 or go to the Altadena Chamber website.

Community Emergency Expo April 12

Various community and public safety groups (including LA County Fire Dept., which services Altadena) will hold a Community Emergency Expo on Sat., April 12, at Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale, from 10 AM-3 PM.

Visit with Smokey Bear and Sparky the firedog, shop for emergency supplies, get fire extinguisher training for kids and adults, see rescue dogs and the Jaws of Life demonstrated, etc.  (There's also a bounce house, but don't worry --  paramedics will be available!)  For more information, contact La Canada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, 818-790-4289.

Spring Break Camp at Farnsworth Apr. 7-11

Spring break is coming, and what do you do with your little creatures? 

LA County Parks & Recreation is holding a Spring Break Camp at Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., from 8 AM- 6 PM April 7-11.  The camp includes field trips, sports programs, science experiments, hiking, and arts and crafts.  Open to ages 5 to 12, fee is $40 and a snack is provided.  For more information, call 626-798-6335.

World Down Syndrome Day

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, a cause close to Altadenablog's heart.  Down Syndrome is caused by a third copy of chromosome 21 (hence the day is 3/21).  This is just a note to let you know, if this syndrome affects someone you know, or if you're expecting a newborn with Down Syndrome, contact the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, 315 Arden Ave., Ste. 25, Glendale CA 91203 or call 818-242-7871.

Altadena dominates local news!

... or at least it does the PSN's local section today:

• A photo feature of Jeopardy champ Ken Jennings' visit to the Altadena Library yesterday by the departing Molly K. Okeon
• Robert S. Hong goes into more detail on the Town Council's support of Rhythms of the Village (yeah, Altadenablog thought trash collection was the big story, what ya gonna do?)

And in the Riverside Press-Telegram, Joe Olivarez of Altadena is found guilty of first degree murder for being the gunman in a murder-for-hire scheme.  Details here.

Busy day for Altadenablog today, and will be out of pocket for awhile.

Rene Amy's List turns 7

Pasadena Now has an article about the anniversary of PUSD firebrand activist Rene Amy's email list.  Little known fact: the list was created in a schism from  Altadena activist/town councilman Steve Lamb.  Not a great story, but it will probably get some more sign-ups for the list.

Gas price watch

Gas prices in and around Altadena this afternoon:

Mobile (Fair Oaks & Woodbury): 3.71/3.89/3.99

Arco (Fair Oaks & Woodbury): 3.51/3.65/3.72

Chevron (Lake & Altadena): 3.69/3.81/3.91

Arco (Lake & New York): 3.51/3.63/3.69

And the winner is:

*Arco (New York & Altadena): 3.49/3.60/3.70

Getting ready for Easter weekend

• Friday: Easter Egg hunt at the Loma Alta Park upper playground area, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., 5-7 PM for ages 12 and under.  There's also a coloring contest and (the flier says) a "giant bunny."  This is sponsored by LA County Parks  and Recreation.
• Saturday: Grand re-opening of Webster's contract postal unit, 2450 N. Lake Ave.  Events start with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 AM, and go on until 2 PM. Refreshments provided, and giveaways throughout the day.  And while you're there, don't forget that 25% of sales at Webster's Fine Stationers on Sat. will go to the Bright Futures Scholars to benefit Antwan Hawyard. There will also be a coloring contest and other Easter activities there.

Trash talk dominates town council

Altadenans have multiple large trash trucks from two different carriers lumbering down the streets -- and are paying ever-increasing collection rates for them-- because we want it that way.

Or so concluded the Altadena Town Council last night after a presentation by Virginia Maloles of the LA County Dept. of Public Works.  Maloles Powerpointed the differences between offering carriers an exclusive (one carrier) franchise, a semi-exclusive franchise (two carriers, as we have it now) or making trash collection non-exclusive (households can contract anybody to haul their trash).

Briefly: Maloles said that by offering an exclusive franchise, haulers can compete with each other for the franchise and sometimes offer lower rates (because there's no danger of the homeowner switching their business to someone else).  In other unincorporated county communities where this happens, rates are usually reduced or steady.  In addition, they can offer or the county can require such services as large trash collection days, collecting "sharps" (hypodermic needles and other medical waste), spring cleaning, etc.

However, council members responded that surveys and community meetings were held regarding trash collection in 2006, and 47% of those responding preferred the "semi-exclusive" franchise in operation now.   (In that same survey, 27% wanted non-exclusive, and only 23% preferred an exclusive franchise).
Councilman Steve Lamb said that it sounded like the county "didn't like our answers," and "What you're saying is free market economics don't work."  Councilman Walter Olszewski said he had not found "one person who says I want to be regulated ... this area does not like exclusivity."

The council agreed to send a letter to County Supervisor Mike Antonovich affirming the community's choice of a semi-exclusive franchise.

Public safety stuff from 3/18 town council meeting

• LA County Fire Dept: The two-alarm fire Feb. 28 at the old Washington Mutual building involved some 57 or 58 units, about 90 firefighters, and caused $1.5 million in damage.  Last month there were eight structure fires, 207 rescues, and 27 false alarms.
• California Highway Patrol: For February, there were 27 collisions, and one fatality: Jeep vs. 54-year-old black male in wheelchair at E. Woodbury Rd. and Navarro Ave.
• In public comments, neighbors complained about a lack of law enforcement response at the Cobb Estate at the top of Lake.  Graffiti, vandalism, open fires, fireworks, and threats to residents were cited, as well as a dead dog who was dumped there a week ago with no response to date from animal control.

NAACP sponsors foreclosure workshop March 27

The Altadena and Pasadena NAACP is sponsoring a free "Foreclosure 911 Workshop" on Thurs. March 27, 6:30-9:30 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  For more information, contact Debra Francis, 626-252-5943.

Lewis resumes seat, charges dropped

First droplet of news from tonight's Town Council meeting (liveblogging now):  CT 4612 rep George Lewis resumed his chairmanship of the council today.  Lewis announced that felony charges against him had been dropped.  Lewis stepped down two months ago when he was facing charges relating to spousal abuse.

Revised plan for St. Luke's on tap, Wed. 6 PM

DS Ventures, the developer of the old St. Luke's Medical Center property on Washington, is presenting their revised plan to the community tomorrow, March 19, at 6 PM.  The presentation will be at St. Luke's Medical Center Chapel - enter by the emergency entrance and walk to the very end of the hall.

Hat tip: Monica Hubbard

Residents feel powerless, palm tree snaps, TV reporters can't spell

KABC reports that 1,400 residents of Altadena and La Canada had their power knocked out by today's high winds.  Clyde and Yvonne Jennings reported that the top of their palm tree snapped right off.

(Note: this story is instructive as to the average intelligence of the TV news reporter:  revel in creative language such as: "Mother Nature was in a fowl [sic] mood overnight" and "Residents were not able to access [that is, assess] the damage in their yards until daybreak."  These people have jobs, print reporters lose 'em.  Go figure.]

East Altadena Little League

.. is the subject of this worthy editorial from one of the skeleton crew at Dean Singleton's SGV Tribune.

Hail and farewell

A selection of weird weather these past few days -- as we write, it's windy beyond belief.  And of course, it's been warm, and cold and generally bizarre.

Stonehill News has video of the weekend's brief hailstorm, for your amusement.

Town council monthly meeting Tues.

... 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 7:30 E. Altadena Drive.

"Green building" meeting Wed.

LA County is holding a series of meetings to discuss Green Building Ordinances for unincorporated county areas.  The next meeting will be held Wed., March 19, at the Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa, from 6-8 PM.  The county is soliciting feedback on proposed ordiances  for green building, low impact development, and drought-tolerant and native landscaping.  Says the release:

These ordinances are intended to help the County efficiently manage land uses to achieve its goals of environmental sustainability, carbon footprint reduction, and water conservation.  The proposed ordinances will impact [sic] all residential and non-residential development throughout the unincorporated County areas. 

There's lots more information here.

Easter Bunny headlines benefit at Webster's

Webster's is holding an Easter-themed coloring contest for kids on Sat., March 22, which will be judged by E. Bunny himself.  Easter baskets will also be raffled off for the kids.

But most important, 25% of sales that day will be donated to the Bright Future Scholars for the benefit of Antwan Havard.  Antwan was hoping to attend the Scholars' spring retreat in Washington, D.C., this April, but his grandmother passed away and the funds his family earmarked for the trip had to be used to handle those expenses.

(Bright Futures Scholars is a project of Dr. Sandra Thomas, an Altadena town councilmember and the current Citizen of the Year.  The Scholars program, for middle and high school students, helps expand their educational and life horizons).

Good for Webster's!  For more details, check Lori Webster's fine blog.

(Note to Lori:  paragraphs are your friend!)

Altadena-based composer wins composition prize

Patricio da Silva of Altadena has won the second annual International Barto Prize for his composition, "Three Movements for PIano."  The $5,000 biennial prize is for works written for solo piano and based on a poem.  Da Silva, a native of Portugal, based his piece on a work of Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's greatest poet.

The work was performed by Tzimon Barto at two concerts over the weekend at Eustis, Fla.

Says Barto:

"It is very kinetic," Barto said. "It's a brilliant piece. The first and third movements are extremely energetic, very sophisticated. The second movement is very beautiful, like a cloud of harmonies."

Get the details at the Orlando Sentinel.

Holy Week (and shameless self-promotion) dept.

The weekend starts the observances of Holy Week in the Western Christian churches, leading to  Easter festivities on March 23.

This Palm Sunday, March 16, the Altadenablogmaster will be taking off his community journalist hat and putting on his theologian hat to deliver the sermon at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1014 E. Altadena Dr., at the 7:45 and 10:30 services.  (There's also a family-friendly service at 9 a.m.)                        

Update: food co-op meeting

There was a meeting Wednesday morning at the Coffee Gallery to discuss forming a food co-op in the Altadena area.  Patrick Reagan, who got the ball rolling, writes Altadenablog:

My original hope was to have at least a two people attend the first meeting and expected that they would take some convincing to explore this idea.

Instead we had six very motivated attendees.  (Two others were interested but couldn't attend today.)  Wonderfully reflecting the character of Altadena, we have slightly [different] reasons for wanting a co-op but share a strong desire to pursue the idea.  The other thing I'm pleased about is the range of skills and experience that this group has.  We could still use some more help but are off to a good start.

The next step is for us to do research.  We have to become knowledgeable in what it takes to get such a business off the ground, how co-ops compare to normal grocery stores and to begin to get a handle on financially justifying such a business.  Along the way we need to clarify our goals and determine if it might be possible to accomplish them by some other means - working with existing businesses for instance.  We need to make sure there are no insurmountable obstacles to an Altadena area co-op and prepare ourselves to present our findings to a community meeting.  Yes this is a lot of work but I find it fun.  It would be great to establish such a valuable community asset.

We're planning on having our next meeting in about a month. If you know anyone interested in helping, especially if they have experience in small business startups, please send them my way before then.  I'll have to confer with the rest of the committee but at some point we'll stop announcing the steering committee meetings and just work with our existing group.

If you're interested in helping out, send a note to Patrick.

PUSD budget meeting March 20

From PUSD:

Meeting: March 20th: 7:00pm @ McKinley School Auditorium

What will the state budget crisis mean for our schools?

Find out about what you can do at a school forum titled *What Will the
State Budget Crisis Mean to PUSD?* on *March 20, 2008 at 7 pm at the
McKinley School Auditorium* located at 325 South Oak Knoll, Pasadena

Speakers will include: State Senator Jack Scott, Superintendent Edwin
Diaz, and Carol Liu.

This event is free, open to the general public, and sponsored by the
Pasadena Educational Foundation, PTA Council, League of Woman Voters,
Invest in PUSD Kids, UTP and Pasadena YMCA, and Partnerships for Youth
and Children.

Child care and translation will be provided.

"Bright Moments" features Scottish fiddling April 5

We've attended the Zinks' "Bright Moment in a Common Place" house concerts off and on for awhile, and had to drop out due to kids (!)  Happy to see that they're still going strong.

April 5-Saturday night at Beckett Hall

Edward and Sharon Beckett are honored to host Two-time National Scottish Fiddling Champion Colyn Fischer and Pianist Shauna Pickett-Gordon, co-founder of the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles and the Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers in a House Concert on Saturday night, April 5 at 7:45 PM (house opens at 7 PM)

Another in the Bright Moment in a Common Place series of house concerts in fine Altadena homes.

$12 suggested donation at door.
100% of all donations go to the artists.
The house is happy to host the event at no charge.

Bring munchies to share at Intermission.

1051 E. Altadena Dr.  Altadena, CA  91001
626-791-7954 x 11 RSVP to reserve your seat.

The 4500

(We bet you have NO IDEA where we got that headline!)

Crossed the 4500 threshold today, getting in lots of news tips and more comments, so thank you all for reading and contributing to Altadena's own dedicated community newsblog!

Altadena Drive closed E. of Lake on March 17

Just got this note that's circulating to the parents of St. Mark's School, on Altadena Dr. just east of Lake:  The county will be closing down that portion of the street on Mon., March 17, for repaving, starting sometime in the morning until 3 p.m.   Fun will ensue, but at least that section will be done.  Drive carefully!  Text of the note is after the jump

(hat tip: that other TR)

Another one bites the dust ... beer's on us

Comes the news from Gary Scott's fine reporter-g blog that Molly Okeon announced Tuesday that she is leaving the Pasadena Star-News for the L.A. Daily Journal.  Since Molly, along with Carolyn An, was picking up the tail of Altadena news following the layoff of Elise Kleeman last week, this comes as a huge blow for local news coverage.  According to Scott, this leaves five reporters in the PSN newsroom -- 50% of what it was just two years ago -- and with a hiring freeze in place, nobody to pick up the slack.

On the other hand, the Society of Professional Journalists is holding a mixer in downtown LA on March 26, and offered this invitation:

*** SPJ-LA Special – For anyone who was let go from the Los Angeles Newspaper Group this past month, arrive before 7 p.m. and we'll buy you ONE FREE BEER. ***

East Altadena Little League shut out

It's front page news:  the city of Pasadena is tightening its residency requirements for much-in-demand ball fields, and that's leaving the East Altadena Little League crying foul.  West Altadena and Central Altadena Little Leagues already have practice fields, but East Altadena is being left high and dry by the increased demand for youth sports and the tightened restrictions. Watch this space!  PSN tells all about it.

Rhythms not beat yet

The PUSD school board approved facilities applications from three Altadena-based charter schools (Nia, Aveson, and Odyssey), and put off a final decision about Rhythms of the Village until March 25.  Rhythms has had trouble making it's 80-student minimum, among other difficulties. PSN's Carolyn An has the deets.

Millard Canyon trail work April 19

This from U.S. Forest Servict:

USDA Forest Service Los Angeles River Ranger District

California Trails Day 2008

DATE:  April 19, 2008, meet at 8:00 a.m., registration: 8:00 to 8:30 am

LOCATION:    Millard Canyon Trail System

 (Come early to get a Parking spot.)

EVENT: The USDA Forest Service and associated LARRD volunteer organizations will celebrate California Trails Day on April 19, 2008. The celebration will include 4-6 hours of trail work on the Millard Canyon area trails and a barbecue lunch at the Campground. This event is organized by the volunteer groups of the Los Angeles River Ranger District. Lunch will be held at the Millard Campground and will include a short ceremony about California Trails Day. Lunch will be served at 1:00 PM. Activities will end at 3:30 PM.

This activity is open to all volunteers, including sponsored groups. Those who are volunteering for trail work for the first time, please identify yourself to the registrar, so we can arrange for a Trail Boss to provide instruction and proper tools. Please bring personal equipment listed below.

Personal Equipment to Wear while working:

Work gloves, work shoes, work clothes (long sleeve shirts and long pants), sun protection hat, hard-hat (if available), Ten Essentials (include personal First Aid kit), Water (2 Qt's.), snacks. Be prepared to hike about a mile and work until 12:30. Lunch will be provided at the Millard Campground.

DIRECTIONS: From 210 Fwy in La Canada, go east on Fwy 210 and exit at Lincoln. Turn left (north) onto Lincoln Avenue, and proceed to Loma Alta. Right on Loma Alta to flashing yellow light, (Chaney Trail). Left on Chaney Trail to Millard Canyon Parking Lot. Allow 25 minutes driving time from the 210 Fwy. We will meet at the Millard Campground parking lot.. Carpool if possible.

For Additional Information, contact one of the following:

USDA Forest Service, LA River Ranger District, Little Tujunga Ranger Station

(M-F, 8am – 4pm): 

Howard Okamoto

Recreation Officer

(818) 899-1900 X229  

(M-F, 9am-6pm):

Kathie Reilly

JPL Trail Builders

(818) 354-8321

(Evenings):

Volunteer Leaders, Training

John Horton  

(310) 375-5032   

&

David Ledford          

(310) 373-2111