altadenablog

Rags to Reels @ Lucas Library

Rags to Reels shared Irish music and culture this afternoon at the Bob Lucas branch library.  The performers are: Patty McCollum (whistle, banjo, fiddle), Marie Bruno (guitar), Barbara Gershman (hammered dulcimer) and Lauren Aurbach (dancer).

ISS flyovers this week -- bigger & brighter!

We're taking the easy way out -- Bill Westphal just sent us a note on the New, Improved Space Station, with New, Improved Largeness and Brightness, which will be passing overhead in the next couple of days.

Rather than figure out how to render the chart, we just cut & pasted the whole note!  Enjoy!

"Jazz Royale" at ACCC benefit May 1

The Altadena Christian Children's Center will host its annual benefit May 1, with the theme "Jazz Royale."

ACCC, a nationally recognized child care center in Altadena, is awarding Peggy Sisson of Pasadena with the 2009 “Community Partnership Award” at its annual IT TAKES A COMMUNITY benefit. Ms. Sisson will be honored for her distinguished accomplishments as a community leader and role model to youth in Pasadena and Los Angeles County.

Peggy Sisson, Child Care Coordinator for the City of Pasadena, who has committed hundreds of volunteer hours to promote, advocate and educate on issues affecting the well being of children and the Pasadena and Los Angeles  communities.  She knows the importance of community building and leadership, and has earned the highest respect from her peers and associates through her active involvement.

This year our theme is Jazz Royale. You can dance or just listen to music led by jazz great Billy Mitchell. There will be a silent auction and lots of hearty hors d’oeuvres. And you can try your luck at the casino tables to win some fantastic prizes.

The event is Friday, May 1, from 6 - 9 PM at The Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove, Pasadena.
Cost is  $40.00 per person. All proceeds benefit Altadena Christian Children’s Center.

To attend the event, please contact Tricia Delany at (626) 794-4808 or email pdelany@pdmpromotions.com by Friday, April 15

For more information you can also contact ACCC: 797-6142.

Crime Log: March 2-13

After some delay, the latest Crime Log:

March 2: A nine-year-old victim was sexually assaulted by two unknown persons.

March 8: $30,000 damage in an arson fire of a vehicle at Glenrose Ave. and Las Flores St.

March 12:  3400 block  N. Fair Oaks, two male adults disguised as law enforcement officers entered the victim's home, bound him, and stole several items.

March 13: Fair Oaks and Calaveras St., unknown persons fired several rounds, striking a parked vehicle.

March 13: 735 E. Altadena Dr. (Rite Aid), male and female adult "simulated a handgun" and stole several bottles of liquor.

March 14:  West Mountain View St., man arrested for possession of cocaine base for sale.

March 18: Lake Ave. and Wapello St., two adults and one juvenile arrested for vehicle burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen property.

“The Altadena Station crime log is published for the purpose of providing the community with a sampling of reported crimes within the Altadena Station jurisdiction.  This report does not include all criminal activity occurring within the parameters of this report.  The objective of this report is to enhance community awareness and assist its members in taking proactive steps towards ensuring their safety and the safety of others within the community.”

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church holds e-waste roundup April 25

You would think the Lutherans would be more into composting (Diet of Worms and all), but no, they're about the e-cycling!

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, 185 West Altadena Drive (corner of Altadena Drive and Glenrose) is holding a free E-waste recycling event on April 25th from 9-4.  Drive in and drop off! 

Proceeds will help support the church's work with community organizations that help the poor and homeless, such as the Altadena Food Pantry and the Bad Weather Shelter, along with maintaining their ability to host a number of substance abuse recovery groups that serve more than 500 people weekly.  

Garden Conservancy hosts Altadena tour April 26

The Garden Conservancy, a national organization, will be highlighting some of the outstanding gardens of Altadena on Sun., April 26, 9:30 AM-3:30 PM.  Maps and discounted admission tickets (a booklet of 6 tickets for $25) will be available at Nuccio's Nurseries at 3555 Chaney Trail.

Schiff addresses foster youth

Now that we can come up for air a bit, we're cleaning out the inbox.  Had to share this missive from the Quality of Life Center, after the jump:

No town like Hometown

Our friends at Prospect Park Books premiere their revamped Hometown Pasadena page today, which looks like an invaluable compendium to living here.  They also highlight 12 essential area blogs, and we're flattered to be in the same company as Larry Wilson, Petrea Burchard, Vroman's, JPL, Caltech, and ...  well, all the others!  Check it out and bookmark it now!

Town council & PUSD board joint meeting tomorrow, 6:30

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

The agenda has just been released, and includes the following discussion items:

District Budget – General Overview  – Superintendent Edwin Diaz and Dr. John Pappalardo, Chief of Finance

Multiple Pathways – Superintendent Edwin Diaz

Los Angeles Universal Preschool – Alice Petrossian, Chief of Academics

Luther Burbank Elementary School – Dual Immersion (Chinese-Mandarin) – Alice Petrossian, Chief of Academics

Facilities – Steven Brinkman, Chief of Facilities
    a)    Measure TT/Master Plan
    b)    Land Use – Altadena Campuses/Asset Management

... and taking questions from the audience.

Irish step dancing at 4 PM tomorrow @ Bob Lucas library

Rags to Reels Irish Step Dancing: Join us for Irish songs and step–dancing accompanied by live music on traditional Irish instruments. Interested members of the audience will be invited to join the show as dancers or percussionists. Tuesday. March 31st @ 4pm, Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 Lincoln Ave.

Beckett Hall announces concerts

Sharon Bailey-Beckett sent us news of these upcoming events at their home/concert venue, Beckett Hall.  Also check on our new AltadenArts page!

Edward and I would love to see you and share this wonderful music with you in the intimacy of our living room.  Please reserve these 2 dates on your calendar--if you can join us at 1051 E. Altadena Drive (opposite St. Mark's School).

 

Saturday, April 4, 7:45 pm curtain--two-time U.S. Open Scottish Fiddling champion Colyn Fischer + Bay Area composer/pianist Shauna Pickett-Gordon and founder of the Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers (see attached flyer)

 

Sunday, June 28, 2:30 pm curtain--New York tenor Darrell Lauer in Recital, specialist in German/Italian/French art songs and American works + Southern California's Twyla Meyer, pianist and accompanist par excellence

 

Bring an appetizer/munchie to share at Intermission and cash donation for the performers.  Suggested donation is on the attached flyer.  CDs will be on sale--checks are acceptable for CD purchase.  Those who RSVP will have reserved seating on a first come first served basis.

 

You will have the most delightful time being up close and personal with these world-class performers and Edward and I will love greeting you! 

Questions/RSVP  626-791-7953 sharon@beckettstudio.com   Please feel free to bring friends.

 

Warm regards, Sharon Bailey-Beckett

NEW! AltadenArts Page

There are so many artists living and working in Altadena, it's truly one of the high points of living here.  We are constructing a new page (right), AltadenArts, to showcase arts events here in town.  It's not going to look like much for awhile, but please check it frequently and tell your friends!

"Primavera" a big success

About 50 bloggers, fans, and hangers-on came to the San Gabriel Valley Blogger's Potluck, "Primavera in Altadena," at Farnsworth Park.  It was great re-connecting, meeting new friends, and tackling that groaning board of food!

Thanks to our compatriots, Susan Carrier (Open Mouth Insert Fork), Karin Bugge (Altadenahiker) and Debbi Swanson Patrick (Altadena Above It All/Altadena Daily Photo) for their help in making this a raging success!

UPDATE 3/30:  All the bloggers are raving about the event (mostly in a good way!) but of particular note is Deena @ Up2Date Real Estate has a complete list of attendees and the inimitable Petrea of Pasadena Daily Photo has a picture of Queen Mickie with your humble servant holding her cookie (settle down, over there!)

Another 'Dena

We collect mentions of other Altadenas (neighborhoods in Arizona and San Diego, a Christian rock band, etc.)  Found a new one today: a "baby designer" from the bay area (I think she knits -- I don't think she clones designer babies!).  For your consideration!

Gullon appointed to Superior Court

Gov. Schwarzenegger has made several judicial appointments, and if you crawl down this story far enough, you'll find that he appointed Christian R. Gullón of Altadena to the Los Angeles Superior Court.

"Businesses Doing Well" forum April 28

Members of any San Gabriel Valley Chamber of Commerce get a reduced rate at this conference at CTAC in Irwindale next month (click graphic to enlarge). 

(Remind us to tell you of the time when we were asked to develop a brochure to solicit funds to develop CTAC without including any contact information -- the brochure was to persuade businesses to send them money, but we couldn't tell 'em where to send it!)

Graffiti sweep nets weapons, too

We'll be real happy when these other projects are done and we can return to sanity.  Blogging will remain spotty and light  for awhile (sorry!) Meantime, PSN has a story on a sweep of graffiti vandals that netted a bunch of weapons as well, and Deb @ Altadena Above It All is covering the local angle.

Co-op social @ CJ's Wing Cafe April 1

Greetings "Altadena Wants a Co-op" friends!

“Thank you!” for your continued interest and support of the effort to
bring a cooperative grocery store to the Altadena area. Over the past months,
we have enjoyed meeting more and more neighbors and supporters at our socials
and meetings.

We hope to see you at our upcoming social next week! We’ll be meeting at
CJ’s Wing Café (2555 North Lake Avenue) on Wednesday, April 1, 2009,
starting at 7:30 p.m. Please join us to learn more about the co-op efforts,
socialize with some neighbors, and enjoy the “Boss Sauce” at CJ’s!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

the Founding Team

Weekendin'

It's a full itinerary:

• Start your weekend at the Altadena Community Center tonight with the NAACP Movie Night: "Rosa Parks" is the feature, starting at 6 PM
• Altadena Chamber of Commerce mixer Friday, 5:30-7 PM at St. Elizabeth's Church.
• The main library is hosting Saturday family story time at 10, followed by "Barks and Books" at 11;
• All San Gabriel Valley bloggers  and fans are invited to the "Primavera in Altadena" potluck at Farnsworth Park, starting at noon
• Sunday, your Altadenablogmaster will be preaching at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 7:45 and 10:30 services.

3/27 OOPS: Chamber mixer was Thursday night!  We REALLY need to get more sleep!

Mark your calendar: PUSD board and town council joint meeting Tues.

We will share the agenda when we get it, but remember that the Pasadena Unified School District board and the Altadena Town Council will hold a joint meeting starting at 6:30 PM on Tues., March 31, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Altadena sheriff's station hosts barbecue fundraiser April 2

The Altadena deputies are holding a fundraiser for the "999 for Kids" charity on Thurs., April 2, from 11 AM-1 PM.  $5 gets you burgers links, chips. soda, and the ever-important cookie! 999 for Kids helps physically and mentally challenged children throughout Los Angeles County who are victims of the most severe cases of child abuse, neglect and family violence.

Waverly School looking for volunteer opportunities

Spawn #1 attends The Waverly School in Pasadena, and one of the components of the curriculum there is that the students must complete a number of hours of community service.  if your organization has a place for volunteers, or you know of one that does, please contact dean of students Heather Brunold at 626-792-5940 x302  or  heather@thewaverlyschool.org, because they have lots of energetic middle and high school students to draw from!

Last call for the Primavera in Altadena!

Bloggers, blogger families, blogger groupies, fans, etc. -- c'mon down to THE event of the season -- "Primavera in Altadena," the San Gabriel Valley Blogger's Potluck at Farnsworth Park!

Starting at high noon and going until 4 o'clock or so, it's a place to meet, greet, and eat with fellow bloggers from around the area!

There will be a drawing and MANY suprises! (well, probably a FEW surprises!)  Be there or be square!

The incredible lightness of blogging

Blogging will be lite for a few days, as we have several deadlines to meet (taxes! Blogger's potluck!  Sunday sermon!).  We really need to be two or three people.

Man shot at Lincoln & Woodbury

PSN has sketchy details of a shooting at 3 PM this afternoon -- victim was shot off his bike, possibly (probably!) gang-related.

Vintage crime story on Tommy Bowman disappearance

Tommy Bowman was a boy who disappeared in the hills of Altadena 52 years ago, whom we've featured in several stories here.  The LA Times history blog reprints a story from fifty years ago about the Bowman case. 

CHP records Altadena traffic accidents, complaints on websites

Altadena station CHP officers Andre Primeaux and Christian Cracraft have developed two webpages using Googlemaps:  one records 2009 traffic collisions (including injuries, marked with a '+') and one that records traffic complaints.  Makes interesting viewing!

Poetry & Cookies 2009 at the library, Sat., April 4

April is National Poetry Month, and what goes better with poetry than cookies?:

To celebrate National Poetry Month, Altadena Library will be presenting a Poetry & Cookies celebration on Sat., April 4 at 2 PM. This free event will feature a reading by the Poet Laureate for Altadena Library, Marcia L. Thompson. The public is invited to hear Ms. Thompson and other local poets perform their original poems. There will also be a drawing for great prizes.  Following the main readings, there will be an open mike and a poet’s corner where poets may share their poetry publications and offer them for purchase.  The library’s 2009 edition of Poetry and Cookies, a compilation of poetry by local poets, will also be available for sale. 

Since publishing her first book, "The Wisdom In Your Wings:  A Poetic Tribute To Dr. Maya Angelou," Marcia and her family produced a theatrical adaptation of the tribute that ran in a local theater for three days last November.  The production's next run will be at Pasadena City College.

Beginning April 21, Marcia can be heard delivering her poetry along with other artists (novice and professionals) at Open Mic Under the Stars, a free spoken word community event scheduled to run every Friday evening from 7pm to 9pm at Farnsworth Park's amphitheater in Altadena. 

The main library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street, Altadena.  For more information please call 626 798-0833 or check the library’s website at  http://www.altadenalibrary.org.

Why they call it Friday the 13th

A couple of things we haven't had time to get to until now, from Tuesday's town council meeting:

Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow told the council there was a shooting on Fair Oaks and Calaveras last week, Fri., March 13.  According to Blow, a black Cadillac Escalade pulled up to a group on the street, words were exchanged, and shots fired from the vehicle.  Everyone fled, nobody's talking, nobody reported injury, and a bullet hole was found in a parked car.  Deputies suspect it was gang-related.

Also on Friday, there was an armed robbery at Rite Aid across from the sheriff's station. A suspect took liquor and tobacco, said he wouldn't pay, and showed the clerk an outline of a gun tucked in his waistband.  The suspect left the store, nobody was hurt, and detectives are looking into it.

Free concert & dinner for vets April 4 in Pasadena

Cmdr. Linsenmayer shares this April 4 event, free for veterans or active duty military.  Click graphic to enlarge.

(Molly RIngwald is a musical artist?  Who knew?)

Artists: call for submissions for Eagle Rock installations

The Outpost for Contemporary Art in Los Angeles has put out a call for submissions to a public installation project this summer:

We are interested in hearing from artists who would like to be considered for Intersection 2009; a multi-sited public installation project that brings artistic interventions into the heart of Eagle Rock's business community at the intersection of Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevard in Northeast Los Angeles.

Intersection 2009 Facts:

• Intersection 2009 is produced by Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock and organized by Outpost for Contemporary Art in collaboration with Los Angeles' Department of Cultural Affairs
• 10 artists will be selected and will each receive an honorarium of $225
• Projects will open on Saturday, June 6, 2009 with a reception and walking tour
• Projects will be focused at the intersection of Eagle Rock and Colorado Blvd.

Preference will be given to artists who live and/or work in Northeast Los Angeles. The deadline to submit a letter of interest is April 24 To find out more about the project and how to submit a letter of interest, please visit here.

Thank you for your interest and please feel free to contact Julie Deamer, Director, Outpost for Contemporary Art, at julie@outpost-art.org with any questions you may have.

We look forward to hearing your ideas!

Outpost for Contemporary Art
6375 North Figueroa Street Get map.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Office: 323 982 9461 Cellular: 323 899 3533

www.outpost-art.org

Webster's Fine Stationers' Easter coloring raffle

Altadenablog sponsor Webster's FIne Stationers is getting ready for spring by holding an Easter Coloring Raffle and continuing its food drive for Five Acres.  Lori Webster writes:

Drop by and pick up one of five different pages your child (under 12) can color for our April 11th raffle.  Your child's art will be displayed in store and he or she will be eligible to win one of 3 fabulous Easter basket prizes!
 
We're also hosting a Easter holiday food drive for Altadena based non-profit Five Acres.  Please help us in giving the families and children there a memorable Easter feast.  For further information on what you can donate, please follow this link to our blog....
http://www.webstersfs.blogspot.com

It's gardening season ...

PWeekly columnist and Altadena's own Ellen Snortland has a great column this week, a list of resources for growing/acquiring/trading your own garden goodies, including victory gardens, community supported agriculture, and COFE/Altadena (Snortland suggests joining their Yahoo list, but they've turned us down when we've tried, so caveat emptor).  Makes us inspired to try tomatos again (we have a brown thumb with tomatos).

Be a mentor at the John Muir gardening class

We're passing on this note about a great volunteer opportunity at John Muir HS from Lonnee Hamilton:

Hi all,

I would just like to encourage everyone to take part in the John Muir HS garden project. It is being offered as a science class at Muir, but you can also take it for credit as a PCC class (Botany 5B - School Gardens). The class is taught on the John Muir high school campus.

And if you don't want to sign up for the class, you can still attend the classes as a volunteer/mentor (which is what I'm doing).

The class meets Tu/Th 3:30-5:30 from now until June 11. If you just want to help out, you don't have to attend every session, just show up when you can.

It was wonderful experience working with the kids, who were very excited to learn about plants and soil. The kids were great, full of energy and fun.

It's a dynamic experience learning something new alongside a 16-yr-old. There should be more of these kinds of inter-generational classes. I think the kids enjoyed seeing the adults learning new things just like they were.

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about gardening. On Tuesday, we took soil samples from the various garden locations and learned how to analyze the air content. We're going to learn how to propagate plants, we'll plant fruit trees provided by TreePeople, and create a beautiful "Artists Garden" in a hidden courtyard.

Mark Rice is a LA County master gardener, and he is teaching the class along with a gardening expert from the Huntington Library. Doss Jones is a JMHS science teacher who is organizing the class.

The class is aimed at John Muir students, but you don't have to be one to take the class for PCC credit. If you know of any students or adults who would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please have them contact Mark Rice at 626.793.3313 or <mailto:mark@mothermagnolia.com>mark@mothermagnolia.com.

After today, I will be sending out updates about this project through <http://www.rosecityobamaworks.com>Rose City ObamaWorks. If you want to keep abreast of this project, please go to the site and join the "Community Gardens" group so that we can more easily contact you.

Happy Gardening!
Lonnee

Dancing about architecture

We ran into horn sharks back in our scuba diving days.  Horn sharks are these little sharks, maybe a foot long, with thick lips that would likely gum you -- not to death, just to annoyance -- in the unlikely event that you'd provoke a feeding frenzy.  In other words, they're just annoying little fish.

The horn sharks really come out whenever we write about architecture.  For example, whenever we mention that modernist architecture leaves us cold, we get about half a dozen spittle-flecked invectives hurled our way.  We love to hear a passionate, thoughtful, informed defense of the style like Jamie Bissner treated us to (below), but we don't get that very often.

The latest horn shark annoyance is from Curbed LA, which we referenced a couple of days ago when it featured an Altadena modernist house. We didn't even mention that the original article started by insulting Altadena (thanks to reader Snow for pointing that out), but as usual, our comments got some folks knickers in a twist, so they responded in an article nonsensically titled "Altadena Eats Its Own."  (We're still trying to figure that out). Check out the comments, too, which veer between the uninformed and the self-amused.  Any press is good press, we guess.

(Thanks again to BikinginLA, which you should be reading if you pedal two wheels!)

"Rosa Parks" on NAACP movie night next Thursday

The Altadena NAACP's free family movie night will be next Thursday, March 26, from 6-9 PM at the  Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

For more information, or a calendar of upcoming movies, call (626) 794-7999, or visit: www.naacpaltadena.org.

Sheriff's Dept. Year in Review 2008 now available

At Tuesday's town council meeting, deputies passed out copies of the LA County Sheriff's annual "Year in Review" report, which can also be read online here. Altadena Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that Altadena station was working on a similar report for our area (which we'll share as soon as we get it). 

Reminder: Chamber golf tournament May 1

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is still taking early bird entries for its 16th annual golf tournament to be held at the Altadena Golf Course.  Early-bird foursome rate will be $400 until April 24, with a variety of fees for individual and corporate entrants.   For more information, contact the Chamber at 794-3988.

Schiff, Antonovich talk to foster youth March 21

This Sat., March 21, from 9-11 AM, the Quality of Life Center will  host Congressman Adam Schiff and county supervisor Mike Antonovich in an opportunity for current and former foster youth to have a chance to talk to their elected leaders.

The event will be held at the community center, 730 E. Altadena Dr..  Breakfast will be served, and there will be door prizes and a raffle.

Mid-century modern

Curbed LA, a real estate blog, has an entry up on 1553 E. Altadena Drive, a mid-century modern house.  We are famously not fans of the modernist aesthetic (look! Plywood walls!  An absolutely uncomfortable-looking Eames sofa!)   But some of the comments are highly amusing!

(thx to political power broker Bikinginla)

Deputy kills pit bull

Just in at PSN, deputies responding to a man creating a disturbance say they were charged by a pit bull at about 6 PM tonight near Santa Anita and Calaveras St.

Space shuttle gets a stowaway

We have lots of space fans and JPL'ers in Altadena, so we thought this was worthwhile: bats hitches a ride on the shuttle!

Neighbors complain to sheriff, town council about party house

A large part of last night's town council meeting was taken up by neighbors complaining of a long-standing problem: parties -- some attended by as many as 200 people -- that are held at a private home on 325 E. Calaveras St.

About 25-30 neighbors appeared to support complaints about the most recent house party, held last Sat., March 14.  One neighbor who spoke at the meeting said that the party started at about 9 or 10 PM and went on until 1 or 2 AM, with loud music and vast numbers of people coming into the neighborhood, near the intersection of Calaveras and Marengo.  Other neighbors complained that many of these gatherings are paid parties, and that alcohol is served to minors.

Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that he keeps a file in his desk about Fred Spears, the home's owner, with whom he's had longstanding problems, but the sheriff's hands were tied for various reasons -- deputies can't go into a party without a warrant unless they see something illegal going on, and they haven't had sufficient evidence of paid parties or underage drinking.

Altadenablog's sources, however, say that the parties are frequently advertised through fliers and over the internet, and that this information is shared with the sheriff's department.

The house parties have been going on for over ten years, according to one resident of the area, and have been the subject of petitions and community meetings, and yet they continue unabated.  Shots have been fired during at least one of these parties, neighbors say, and neighbors said that they had been subject to break-ins and other crime that they traced to the parties.  In addition, there have been long-standing problems with Spears' dogs attacking people, according to some neighbors.

Councilman Allen Wasserman said at the meeting that Spears was convicted of a domestic violence charge where he spent three days in jail and had to attend a 52 week parenting program.  Blow said that Spears is presently on probation.

(Pictured: 325 E. Calaveras St. this morning).

Sheriff will swap gift cards for guns April 25

Altadena Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow told the Altadena town council last night that the department is planning a "Gifts for Guns" exchange on April 25 at the Rite-Aid parking lot, 737 Altadena Dr.

Deputies will exchange a total of $10,000 in gift cards from various merchants for guns that are turned in by the public.  The exchange will start at 10 AM, and go on until 4 PM or until the gift cards are exhausted.

In an email, Blow said that the value of the cards would vary depending on what was turned in -- $50 for a gun in bad shape , to $100 for a working gun, to $200 for an assault rifle.  Guns can be turned in anonymously.

Poachers (possibly Ram-bro') sighted near Meadows & Millard Canyon

Received this from Town Councilwoman Alice Wessen:

Please know that there have been sightings where the Millard Canyon water tank is and at the end of Risinghill road in the Meadows area of illegal hunting/poaching activities. Call the sheriffs immediately at 626-798-1131.

Watch for: camouflage hunting blinds, snares, traps, bait piles (with animal kibble, donuts, and ripe avocados and/or apples), camping gear such as foam and sleeping bags left nearby. The pattern is to place bait repeatedly in the same location for a period of weeks until local wildlife becomes accustomed to it, then lay in wait for the animal(s) one wishes to kill.

Because of prior activity from Joe Clay, who describes himself as “Black Rambo” watch for vehicles, especially a white Bronco (CA lic# 1FEC322) or any truck / van with blacked out windows parked in or near the Forest that do not appear to be hikers or that are left parked at odd hours of the night or early AM.

Use extreme caution. Clay is armed and has been known to set fires as a way to divert attention from those who might try and chase him. He has a record of game violations and a conviction. Document what you see, but do not approach him.

If you see such activity, call the sheriffs ASAP at 626-798-1131. They are aware of the recent sightings and will contact the DF&G warden as well as alert the Forest Service.

Clay may be the poacher who has identified himself previously as Ram-bro'.

Room 13 opens at Eliott Middle School

The Room 13 Network is a program to put a dedicated art studio into schools.  The latest Room 13 went up this week at Eliott Middle School.  Carolyn An of the PSN has the details here.

Sunshine Week

It's in the 80's outside, and is appropriately Sunshine Week.  Got this from the fabulous Monica Hubbard, wearing her hat as the Social Policy Director for the Pasadena area League of Women Voters:

Sunshine Week is a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include print, broadcast and online news media, civic groups, libraries, non-profits, schools and others interested in the public's right to know.

Sunshine Week is led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and is funded primarily by a challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation of Miami.

Though spearheaded by journalists, Sunshine Week is about the public's right to know what its government is doing, and why. Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in their government at all levels, and to give them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger.

Sunshine Week is a non-partisan initiative whose supporters are conservative, liberal and everything in between.

More information is here:  http://www.sunshineweek.org/sunshineweek/about

Open government links are here: http://www.sunshineweek.org/sunshineweek/orgs

Town council short takes

A few short things worth noting:

• PUSD: The Altadena Town Council and Pasadena Unified School District board will have a joint meeting on Tues., March 31, starting at 6:30 PM in the community center.
• Sahag Mesrob:  Council chair Gino Sund said that the federal court turned down the school's claims of civil rights violations that required federal court jurisdiction, and remanded the case back down to superior court.  There will be a hearing on the school's operating-without-a-permit case sometime in med-April.  Also, councilman Okorie Ezieme said that he had been in contact with a representative of the private religious school, and that their troubled Palm St. campus is for sale.

Why we're running late today

Sorry we're not filing the town council meeting as early as we usually do, but we've become the latest victims of crime.  Mrs. Altadenablog did not remove her work computer from her car last night, but somebody else did, along with a satellite radio.  This'll take awhile to deal with ...

See ya in the morning

Lots of good stuff @ tonight's Town Council, but we're fading fast.  Have a full update sometime Wed. morning.