altadenablog

Altadenan featured in PWeekly tale of forclosures

PWeekly has a feature about Pasadena Housing Services, a nonprofit that helps seniors in danger of foreclosure.  Claudia Turrentine of Altadena is featured, a victim of unscrupulous lending practices that have left her in danger of losing her home.

St. E's pastor Duyshart celebrates 25 years

In a little blurb in the Tidings (the Archdiocese of Los Angeles newsletter), it lists St. Elizabeth's Fr. Edwin Duyshart as one of 26 diocesan priests who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination.

Weekendin'

Looks like another big lineup:

• It starts today at the Altadena Library's Day of the Book/Day of the Child:  A special bilingual storytime at 11:00 AM features bilingual stories, songs, and fingerplays. From 2:30 – 5:30 PM drop in and make papel picado, crepe paper flowers, and your own piñata! At 3:30 PM Storytellers from the We Tell Stories group will present Cuentos de la Familia (Stories of the Family) to celebrate family values through Latino folktales. All children who participate in any of the day’s activities will receive a free book! Light refreshment will be provided. All activities will take place in the Community Room.
• On Friday, from 11:30 AM-5 PM is the annual Altadena Chamber of Commerce golf tournament at the Altadena Golf Course.
• "The Living Room," open mic night Friday at Farnworth Park, 7 PM.  Poets and spoken word artists welcome!
• On Saturday, Chaney Trail residents are having a brush cleanup from 8:30-1 PM.
• Also on Saturday and Sunday, 9-5 and a definite don't miss, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Open House.

Cloris Leachman shows 'em how it's done

Actor/author/comedienne/Oscar winner/Rose Parade grand marshal/geriatric dancer Cloris Leachman showed her stuff at the Altadena Library tonight. Leachman, who will turn 83 Thursday, was in town to promote her autobiography.  Here, she vamps for the audience and is interviewed by her son, actor George Englund Jr.

Nothing runs like a deer

Got this note and pictures from Ken Wilson this afternoon:

At about 5:05 three deer traveled west to east on Pinecrest Drive and stopped in front of Noyes Elementary School for a few minutes.  I took several pictures then ran to get my grandson, but they were gone when I returned.  Thought you might be interested.  This is the first incident like this I can recall in the 37 years we have been here.

We're thinking, maybe they saw the sign that said "Aveson" and thought it said "Venison" ...

Crime log: April 14-18, 2009

Now compiled from the Altadena station crime log and Crimereports.com, after the jump:

Chamber mixer time changed to 6 PM tonight

A note from C Jake at the Altadena Chamber of Commerce:

Don't forget tonight is the Altadena Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Altadena Animal Hospital located at 2071 N. Lake Avenue.

It starts at 6:00 PM instead of 5:30 to give them time to discharge their patients and be ready for us.

See you there!

Balloons in flight remember the departed at Eliot Tuesday

Reader Jamie Bissner contributes this story and pictures about a moving tribute at Eliot Middle School yesterday:

On April 28, 2006,  Aaron Anthony Breau was 19 years old.  As he waited in front of his Fremont, California, home to be picked up for a party, he was hit by random gunfire sprayed by passing gang bangers. He wasn't the target, he was just there. He never knew the party was being held for him to celebrate his entry into the Jobcorp after which he planned to join the United States Army and serve in Iraq. Aaron Anthony came from an Army family and had a plan to grow and succeed.

His mother Jasmine has moved here to Altadena to be with relatives and is serving her new community by volunteering at the Altadena Sheriff's Station and mentoring the 30+ kids at Eliot Junior High who are enrolled in the Youth Activities League (YAL). In Altadena the YAL was formed five years ago at Edison Elementary by Dep. Sam Estrada with much assistance from Dep. Greg Gabriel. YAL now meets in room 100 at Eliot  Middle School on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jasmine is affectionately known as "Mama J" and keeps the kids in line when it's called for.

Yesterday (Tuesday) at 4 PM  the members of the YAL  kids wrote names of loved  they have lost, as did Jasmine and Sam, on balloons. They were released in honor of Aaron Anthony and in remembrance of loved ones departed.

 4 PM: fixed misspellings.

Affordable housing forum at Robinson Center, Pasadena May 2

The League of Women Voters Pasadena Area will host a special community forum on affordable housing this Saturday, May 2.

Check-in, registration, and morning refreshments, 9:30 a.m.

Program, 10 a.m. to Noon
Jackie Robinson Center,
1020 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena

Plenty of free parking.
Questions?  Phone: 626-798-0965 Fax: 626-798-0966
 E-mail: office@lwvpasadenaarea.org

Click on graphic for more details.

"The Family" goes to Santa Monica

Old-timers may remember the wood sculpture "The Family" that was originally installed in the lobby of the departed Altadena Savings & Loan.  Artist Pamela Weir-Quiton created and installed the piece in 1969, and it's been missing for many years:

Meticulously made of exotic woods, the monumental piece features a father, mother, daughter and their dog. The father stands eight feet tall, wearing a double breasted suit with a pin striped shirt and tie with a pocket handkerchief. The seated mother is dressed in a turtle neck top and full skirt that forms a right angle bench for sitting. There's a little girl for children to relate to and a reclining dog whose head pivots.

Recently rescued from a warehouse, the piece will be on display at the L.A. Modernism Show in Santa Monica on May 1-3. 

PR Web has the full story.

Assemblyman Portantino offers "Senior Scam Forum"

State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino is offering a "Senior Scam Forum" on Fri., May 29, 1-3 PM at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. 

The forum will be an educational event to educate seniors on scams, fraud, and identity theft.  For more information, contact the center at 626-795-4331.

Library offers computer classes starting in May

The Altadena libraries are offering an assortment of computer classes, starting in May and going to the end of the year.

At the main library (600 E. Mariposa), three one-hour classes will be offered: Intro to Email (Wed., May 6); Intro to the World Wide Web (May 13); and Beginning Word (May 20).  All classes run from 6:15-7:15, and reservations are required.  Sign up at the Information Desk, and you must have an Altadena Library card to register.

At the Bob Lucas branch (2659 N. Lincoln), classes in basic computer skills, Word, internet, and email use will be offered starting in May.  The classes run from 6-8 PM Mondays or Tuesdays in eight sessions.  Sessions run from May 4-June 22, May 5-June 23, July 6-Aug. 24, July 7-Aug. 25, Aug. 31-Oct. 19, Sept. 1-Oct. 20, Oct. 26-Dec. 30, and Oct. 27-Dec. 29.  Class size is limited (unless you bring your own laptop). For more information on these classes, contact the library at 626-798-8338.

Ricochets and backfire

Our friend Ryan (who goes by the name "akihabro" on this Ron Paul discussion site) tells his first-person tale of his attempted gun buys at Saturday's Gifts for Guns exchange.

Arts Coalition invites you to N. Lake Ave. Open House Fri., May 15

Mark your calendar for Fri., May 15, as the North Lake Ave. Business District holds its first Open House, 4-9 PM.

Businesses on and around Lake Ave. in Altadena will be open, and there will be food, music, art, and other activities available for the family.

The open house is the brainchild of the newly-formed Altadena Arts Coalition, a local arts and business group spearheaded  by Ben McGinty (Gallery at the End of the World), Lance Anderson (Altadena Junction),  Molly Tierney (Photography by Walt) and "Jeff the Chef" Klein (Coffee Gallery).

McGinty said that the idea for the open house "morphed out of" a map he found of Altadena businesses in the 50's-60's, published by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.  To mark the open house, the coalition will also release a map of today's local Lake Ave.-area businesses.

McGinty, who has operated his gallery in Altadena since 1994, said that the whole point of the evening was "about awareness.  It's not about sales, it's about people getting excited about what we've got here."  McGinty said he has walked up and down Lake Ave. from Altadena Dr. to New York Dr., talking to each business to try to get some buy-in.

Among the activities already booked include an art opening at the Coffee Gallery, an antique car show at Ronnie's Automotive, "Spring Fever" at the Gallery at the End of the World," 20-minute portrait painting at Altadena Junction, and an exhibit of emerging photographers at Walt's.

McGinty said that the vision was an evening with "hundreds of people walking the street, meeting their business neighbors, realizing that (Altadenans) don't have to leave their back yard -- just a chance to come out and find what's in the community."

Anderson said that future Open Houses were being planned, including one to coincide with the annual lighting of Christmas Tree Lane.

Keep checking in with Altadenablog, your center of information on the Open House!

Foothills Conservancy hosts Chaney Trail cleanup May 2

Dear Neighbors & Friends--
We're doing it again...clearing flammable brush growth off the
Altadena Foothills Conservancy land along Chaney Trail that many of
you helped purchase and protect. Growth has been modest, and progress
from prior years has made the job easier, but we still need all your
help to make the job go fast, and to make our neighborhood even
safer. The oak saplings are growing, and some poppies are blooming.
They are slowly displacing more flammable vegetation.

If you possibly can, please contribute 1 to 4 hours of your time to
help clear brush off AFC's land. Refreshments will be served, and
you'll meet new people who also care about our land. We need your
help Saturday, May 2, doing County-mandated brush clearance near the
road and the two houses opposite the land preserved by Altadena
Foothills Conservancy on the west side of Chaney Trail. The Altadena
Crest Trail crosses the NW portion of this triangular parcel.  Start
time is 8:30 AM; however, you can come later, if need be.  Meet on
Chaney Trail just above Nuccio?s Nursery and the intersection with
Alzada Road. You'll see me there, or down on the slope below.

Many hands make for light work!  If we have some extra of you
volunteers, we'll assign a
 detachment to reducing fuel load (mustard) along the ACT to the
west of Chaney Trail.  Thanks to John Sweeney and others who have
already started careful neighborhood fuel reduction!

Please wear sturdy shoes for work on the slope. Long pants, long
sleeves, and garden gloves are highly recommended, and a hat if it is
sunny. Bring your own tools, or I?ll have some extra: e.g., loppers,
clippers, saw.  We?ll take care to avoid any bird nests and poison
oak.

If you would prefer not to work, but can make a contribution to cover
brush haulage or the Conservancy?s land stewardship, that would be
most welcome! Thanks to those who've already made a
 contribution! Make checks out to: Altadena Foothills Conservancy,
P.O. Box 3, Altadena, CA 91003-0003 or donate via AFC's website:
http://www.altadenafoothills.org/support.html

We hope to see you there.  And we?ll tell you more about AFC?s
plan to become the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy, expanding our
Board and service area.

Thank you!
Rob Staehle, 153 Jaxine Drive
Chaney Trail Project Area Leader
Altadena Foothills Conservancy (AFC)
626 798-3235

High life livin' 'Dena-side

Who needs Beverly Hills? We got it all here, or so says the amazing Susan C.

And don't forget, celeb-stalkers, Cloris Leachman comes to the main library tomorrow @ 7 PM!

Swine flu on the big tubes

Physician and writer Rahul K. Parikh has collected the latest information on the swine flu on the Internet on his blog (CDC twitters?  Who knew?). As far as we know, Swine Flu doesn't have a Facebook page yet, but stay tuned!

(thx 2 Monica).

Also, our friend and fellow blogger Ann Erdman, Pasadena's public information officer, has sent this message from Pasadena public health, but it's good information for everyone:

CITY OF PASADENA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NEWS FOR RELEASE:  April 27, 2009 (as of 4 p.m.)
 
PASADENA PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGES HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO BE ON WATCH FOR SWINE FLU
 
The Pasadena Public Health Department is issuing an alert to physicians to be on the watch for the A/H1N1 (swine flu) virus in humans.
 
While no individual cases have been identified in the Pasadena area at this time, as of today there are 40 confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States, with seven of those cases in California according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The illness in the U.S. currently is not severe.
 
“While this situation is fluid and changing, the Pasadena Public Health Department is implementing a response plan, and we are working with our community partners and providers to ramp up local surveillance,” said Dr. Takashi Wada, director and health officer with the Pasadena Public Health Department.  “Since the flu season is waning, we are asking doctors to please take note if they see patients with high fevers, coughs and sore throats, who have recently traveled to affected areas such as Mexico or who have been in contact with persons who had fevers and who have been in these affected areas.” 
 
Health providers should contact the Pasadena Public Health Department for clinical guidance on testing and treatment. 
 
“We are working closely with our counterparts on the county, state and national levels to be as proactive as possible to minimize the potential impact of swine flu in the Pasadena community,” Wada added. 
 
in addition, the Public Health Department urges the use of these prevention measures for the general public:
 
* As always, people with respiratory illnesses and fevers should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.
* Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Wash your hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.
 
The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza.  These include fever greater than 100 degrees, coughing, sore throat, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue, respiratory congestion and, in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.  People experiencing these symptoms should stay home and contact their medial providers.
 
Seek emergency medical care if you or someone you know is having any of following warning signs: 
 
IN CHILDREN, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 
* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash
 
IN ADULTS, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 
*Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
 
The infection appears to spread from person to person.  Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food; a person cannot get swine influenza from eating pork products.
 
For more information on swine flu, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth or www.cdc.gov or call the city of Pasadena public health information line at (626) 744-6012. 
 
The Pasadena Public Health Department will provide local updates as they become necessary. 
 

Altadena garden featured

Cheryl Bode and Robin Colman, whose garden was a stop on this past weekend's Garden Conservancy tour, earned a feature story on their garden in yesterday's LA Times.

Altadena ceramic artist sells jewelry with a message

Altadenan Susan Braig (whose story we have kept up with here and here) sent us a couple of notes of interest to artists and supporters:

The City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division is holding a free grant writing workshop at the Planning department April 30 from 6:30 to 9 PM (refreshments included) for its individual artist and arts education grants, due in June 2009.

Xiem Ceramic Center (1563 N. Lake in Pasadena) is holding its annual craft fair May 8 and 9. I will have a booth at the Xiem craft fair, selling my Designer Drug jewelry collection studded with pills - a metaphor to protest that health care in this country should not be a luxury item. I create and sell this jewelry to pay off enormous medical debts and post-cancer follow-up medical bills.   I wear this jewelry in my health care/insurance reform activism, at the local, state and national level. I have shared my Blue Cross under-insurance woes in testimonies before the California Assembly and Senate Health Committees, spoken at rallies, and have been profiled in the L.A. Times, Consumer Reports and on NPR's Morning Edition.

County hearing on MonteCedro today at 9:30

Sorry we hadn't gotten to this sooner (yesterday was kind of hellish), but the LA County Board of Supervisors will be meeting THIS MORNING at 9:30 AM to discuss various permits for the MonteCedro project. (Even tho' the project itself is on hold, the owners, Episcopal Homes, is still pursuing the permits required.)

Amendments include: changing the land use category for low-density residential to medium density; a conditional use permit; a housing permit; and an oak tree permit to remove nine trees from the property.

Meeting is at:

Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration

500 West Temple Street, Room 381B

Los Angeles, CA  90012

Click graphics to enlarge.

Volunteers sought for town council election

A note from Altadena town councilor Alice Wessen:

Dear Friends:

The Altadena Town Council elections will be Saturday June 6th. Deadline for applications are May 8th at 5PM.

This year there is an election committee chartered to assist with the process. There will be new census tract maps, training for pollworkers and so much more. Information is already posted to the Town Council website here: http://altadenatowncouncil.org/

But the most important part is the willingness of folks to share a few hours of their time being pollworkers. I will be one of them.

If you are willing, would you email me, Alice Wessen at awessen@yahoo.com with your name, email and contact phone number?  I will forward to the election chair, Bob Meyer.

Thank you in advance. It is deeply appreciated.

Alice

Pasadena: Tues. night candlelight vigil for victims of crime

Received this from a reader about a Pasadena event on Tues. night:

The families and friends of victims of violent crime are affected for the rest of their lives. In the past, the feelings of depression and loneliness have been kept private and seen by the public as shameful or unreasonable. The court system has often ignored the victims' families and friends, including never notifying them of trials for their loved ones' murderers. There are thousands of families in California that have been affected by the violent loss of a loved one. If you have been affected or just want to show support, please attend an event in commemoration of Victims' Rights Week. There are many, all over the state.Thanks!!

28th ANNUAL
NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS’ RIGHTS WEEK
SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009 ~ SATURDAY, May 2, 2009

25 YEARS OF REBUILDING LIVES:
CELEBRATING THE VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT.

Tuesday night in Pasadena,
TUESDAY:  April 28, 2009
Candlelight Vigil `                      
Time: 7:00 PM
Pasadena City Hall,
100 N Garfield Ave.

Pasadena CA Victims’ Coalition
Jan PH: 562-417-3334

More on historical society's June 6 mausoleum tour

Jane Brackman of the Altadena Historical Society sends us pictures and and update on the society's upcoming tour:

On June 6, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Altadena Historical Society will be providing tours of Altadena's (and Pasadena's) best kept secret, the 1925 Mountain View Mausoleum.  Newspapers reported that building costs exceeded $500,000, an astronomical sum in 1925 when average homes could be built for less than $10,000.  The Spanish Revival building is constructed of reinforced concrete,  clad with travertine marble, and roofed with Spanish tile.  The spectacular interior is faced with many kinds of rare marble imported from Italy.  The interior spaces are enriched with art glass windows and ornate bronze doors, light fixtures and grills.  The 180 foot entrance galleria features a vaulted ceiling. Although the building rivals some of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe, most people in Pasadena and Altadena have never been inside.   

Reminder: don't feed the wild animals!

Received a note from town councilor Michele Zack:

I met a constituent on the trail who alerted me about the common dangerous practice of many people leaving pet foot outdoors, where wild animals can eat and endanger pets, your family, and the community at large.

In a follow-up email she said: "I just got my latest National Geographic and there’s an interesting page on the topic of rabies.  It says 50,000 people around the world die from rabies, due mostly to dogs.  In the United States, however, the main perpetrators of 40,000 bite victims are  raccoons and skunks. Bats are making something of a comeback, too.  Most rabies problems in the U.S. occur all the way up eastern portion of our country but enough occur here to alert people to the facts, such as the 6-shot regimen that counters the virus."

In a word, please don'e leave pet food out to feed the wild and feral creatures -- it just brings them closer to our environment, and nothing good can come of that!

Census takers now making the rounds

A note from Carolyn Seitz of the Sheriff's Citizen Advisory Committee about census takers:

We are being told that census takers will be in neighborhoods for 2 separate reasons.

The first is they will be walking through neighborhoods in an effort to develop a good address list and to look for multiple units so the actual census taking effort is more effective.

I believe they are already in our neighborhoods gathering that information.

They will be carrying hand-held computers with gps devices.  The first round - those out identifying addresses will be in our neighborhoods from April 6, 2009 through June 19, 2009.

The Census takers will have a red, white and blue identification badge that will also say CENSUS ENUMERATOR, and will include the name of the person on the front, as well as their picture.

These actual census takers will be walking the neighborhoods between April 1, 2010 and some time in July, 2010.  They will be out making an effort to contact households that did not return the questionnaires that will be mailed in February, 2010.

The Sheriff's Department is urging all people concerned about whether they are seeing actual census takers should call the Altadena Sheriff's Station at 626 798 1131 and let the person answering the phone know that there are strangers going door to door.  It may be better to let the Sheriff's deputies determine that the people in their neighborhoods are the actual census takers.

The flyer also includes the phone number for the Regional Census Office in Van Nuys.  It is 818 267 1700, as well as numbers for other regional offices.

Please feel free to distribute the info to any or all of the lists.

As always, please feel free to let me know if you have questions.

Thanks,
Carolyn

Click graphics to see the memo.

Altadena-adjacent celebrity wedding

If you were driving down Lake Ave. Saturday, you know traffic was bollixed up around Westminister Presbyterian Church -- we saw a film crew and a lot of booth-tanned, skinny women, so we figured it was some kind of film shoot.  Turns out it was a real wedding ...

The inestimable mighty blogger Susan C sent us a note:

Hi Timothy,
When I was in Pasadena this afternoon, I saw "Spencer Loves Heidi" written in the sky. Then, on the way up north on Lake, I saw the papps out in full force in front of Westminster Pres. It turns out that Heidi and Spencer are Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from "The Hills."

And it's all over the gossip sites today.  All we remember is, when we got married, we hired a photographer, but did NOT hire a crane that blocked the street ...

Saturday in the 'Dena

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church was doing land office business in their first e-waste drive -- this was collected in the first hour!

... and there was more coming in!

Rosie and Jacob (aka Spawn 3 and 2) read to Pearl the poodle as part of "Barks and Books" at the library.

As of 1 PM, sheriff's deputies had collected 57 firearms as part of the "Gifts for Guns" program at the Rite-Aid parking lot.  Yes, the red Prius with the Obama sticker was turning in Gun #58.

Sheriff Lt. Sheila Sanchez shows off the T-shirts that were given out during the exchange, gifts from Gov. Schwarzenegger.

However, Ryan (which is the only name he would give) was at the gun exchange to make a counter-offer.

These young musicians are preforming as part of the Pasadena Waldorf School's Festival of Art, also going on on a busy day in Altadena.

Hazardous Waste Roundup May 16 at County Maintenance Yard

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009

UNINCORPORATED ALTADENA
LA County DPW Maintenance Yard
Figueroa Drive and Grandeur Ave.
(Between Mountain View and Figueroa, west of Lincoln Ave.)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Sponsored jointly by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the Department of Public Works. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program gives Los Angeles County residents a legal and cost free way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash.
THINGS WE WANT YOU TO BRING...

* Motor Oil, Antifreeze, Paint, Paint Thinner.
* Turpentine, Cleaners with Acids or Lye.
* Pesticides and Herbicides.
* Household and Car Batteries.
* Old Computers and Television Sets.
* Sharps or Used Needles.
* Expired Pharmaceuticals and Mercury Thermometers.

THINGS WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BRING...

* Explosives, Ammunition or Radioactive materials.
* Waste from Businesses will NOT be accepted.
* Trash or Old Tires.
* White Goods such as Washers, Stoves, Refrigerators or Air Conditioners.
* Controlled Substances.

HOW TO PREPARE...

* In general there is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 lbs. per vehicle.
* Bring items in a sturdy box, preferably in their original labeled containers.
* Be prepared to leave your containers.
* Do not mix products together.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:

* THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS - (800) 238-0172

Town council approves election changes

At the April 21 meeting, the Altadena Town Council considered changes to the bylaws and rules for the upcoming town council election.

The changes were proposed by an ad hoc committee of residents and councilmembers who reviewed procedures and prior committee reports in an attempt to shore up the election process following complaints about the last election.

One of the more significant changes approved was the elimination of the position of alternate councilmembers. Traditionally, the top vote-getter would get the council seat, and the next in line would serve as an alternate -- which meant that losing the election wasn't necessarily a bar to serving and voting on the council.

Two other recommendations of the committee failed in a council vote: eliminating the requirement of citizenship to vote and hold office, moving the election to a September or October date.

The council also approved Sat., June 6, as election day. Candidates must physically turn in their paperwork by May 8 to the Altadena Community Center. Candidate packages are available at the Community Center or online at the town council website.

(thanks to Alice Wessen, Gino Sund, and Bill Westphal for covering for us in our absence!)

Poetry at Farnsworth Park

Debra Johnson prepares to read her poetry at "The Living Room," the Friday night open mic night that premiered its second season tonight.  Poets and spoken word artists are welcome to share their work every Friday at Farnsworth Park at 7 PM.

Danny's Farm announces summer schedule

Is it almost summer already?  And what'll we do with the kids?

Danny's Farm has the answer for you -- they've announced their summer camp schedule, ten sessions, lots of flexibility.  Click on the flyer for details.

CalTech thespians invite you to rummage

Altadenablog sponsor K. Zachary Abbott (www.binary-monk.com) sends us a note that TACIT,  Theater Arts at California Institute of Technology (TACIT), will be having a rummage sale Saturday (tomorrow) of costumes, clothing, shoes, props, etc., 7 AM-2 PM, at 275 N. Hill in Pasadena.  All proceeds benefit TACIT and its upcoming production of Bertolt Brecht's The Life of Galileo, opening May 15.  For more information on the production check out http://tacit.caltech.edu.

"Singalong with Pete" tribute May 3 at the Coffee Gallery

Local music/advertising/all around creative guy Bill Burnett tells us that he is throwing together a date at the Coffee Gallery Backstage:

May 3rd is Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday.  People all over the world will be participating in events called "For Pete's Sake Sing!" to celebrate his birthday and his commitment to song, peace and justice.  Everyone is invited to come sing a song or singalong at the Coffee Gallery Backstage on Sunday afternoon May 3.

Our own feelings about Pete Seeger are rather mixed (to say the least), but we're always in favor of people singing together for any and all reasons, and we agree with the conservative commentator Victor Davis Hanson, who wrote something recently along the lines of "there's more talent in Pete Seeger's little finger than the whole of Madonna"!  We'll let you know when a time is firmed up for the event.

UPDATE 4 PM: Bill sends us this:

Start time is now firm at Noon, event going till about 3:00.  People should come with instruments, including percussion and those who wish to perform should sign up at the door and expect to do one or two songs--more depending on the turnout.  Songs should be in the Pete Seeger spirit--Which I guess I'd describe as Inclusive organic acoustic optimistic realistic peace & justice music.

Also, maybe you can include this in your post:  There is a movement to give Pete Seeger the Nobel Peace Prize.  People can find out about it and sign a petition at www.nobelprize4pete.org.

Also also, if you can link to

www.billburnettsongmine.com

and tell people they can find out info on all of this there, I'd appreciate it.

Consider it done!

**100,000!***

Altadenablog has passed a a couple of significant milestones today -- 1,500 entries and 100,000 page views since our debut in October 2007. 

We thank our advertisers, who help us make it better (if people are throwing good money after you, you're under obligation to make it worth their while!)  We thank all our partner correspondents, who are the eyes and ears of life here in the neighborhoods and are so good about getting us the news we inevitably miss.

And we thank our readers, who have made this a part of life in Altadena.

We will continue to strive to improve it and make it more useful for the residents of our sometimes strange and wonderful community.

We love this work.  We love Altadena.  Thank you for supporting Altadena's community news source!

Now reporting for Pasadena Now -- much to our surprise!

Pasadena Now, the place that sends its Pasadena City Council coverage offshore to India, just cut and pasted an ENTIRE BLOG ENTRY from us!  (Not that it's a big thing -- it's just a press release from the county that we printed in its entirety with a couple of introductory sentences, offsetting it in our extended quote format so you reader would know it's not our work).  They could have reprinted the entire press release and nobody would find 'em fault -- but they included our introduction and gave us a byline.  Just didn't ask permission for it. 

UPDATE 4/24 6 AM: Just got a note from James McPherson of Pasadena Now -- the item has been taken down, and someone is going to have a bad day when they get to work ...

Jazz drummer Heath "floatin' with the birds"

LA Weekly's Erica Zora Wrightson profiles Albert "Tootie" Heath, now of Altadena, who's played with the likes of John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and Herbie Hancock.  Our favorite quote:

“You know, there’s an old Duke Ellington saying,” Heath recalls. “To play jazz you got to have one foot in Africa and the other foot in today. And I think it has expanded a bit: You got to have one foot in Africa and one foot in the future. If you bring along your culture and all of the things you’ve experienced to the future, it makes it richer.”

Town council application packets now available online

From Bill Westphal, who manages the Altadena Town Council website (among many other things), potential candidates for town councll can now download the necessary documents online through the website.

The 2009 Altadena Town Council Elections will be held Saturday June 6.  Any Altadena resident who is at least 18 years of age, is a citizen of the United States of America, and resides within the Census Tract which he/she seeks to represent, may qualify as a candidate for Town Council elections.

Candidates will need to file an application and pay a filing fee. Application Packets can be obtained at the Altadena Community Center located at 730 East Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA.  Office hours are 8:00. a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Application forms and related information are also available from the Website (see links below).
 
Your complete Application must include:
-A completed and signed Application Form
-A check or money order in the amount of $35.00 made out to Altadena Town Council.
-A statement of your qualifications for office. 

Deadline for filing your application at the Community Center is May 8, 2009 at 5:00 pm.  You must bring proof of residency. 

The Altadena Town Council will hold a “Candidate’s Forum” at the May 19, 2009 Altadena Town Council meeting at which the Candidate’s statement will be read.  It is not required but recommended that each Candidate appear and make an oral presentation of his/her qualifications, explaining his/her motivations and goals for seeking office.

Dorn Platz in default, but Lincoln Crossing bizs thrive

Just received from town councilmember Michele Zack her report to the town council from the West Altadena Project Area Committee, where she is a council representative -- good information all!

WAPAC report to Altadena Town Council, April 21, 2009

At the WAPAC meeting of March 23, 2009, the board discussed moving forward to Phase 2 of the project. Mr. Bill Johnson, representing LA County Redevelopment Commission, reported that Developer of Phase 1 (Dorn Platz) was in default of provisions of the Disposition and Development Agreement. He stated that the time period of one year provided to “cure” the default had lapsed months ago. This explains why the project is running well over two years behind schedule. However, besides one building that has not even been started, the rest of Phase One is almost done: West Altadena now has several thriving businesses, including  Super King market, 24-hour fitness, Panda Express, Matt’s Pharmacy, and now Bill’s Chicken in the Bag to Go. Bank of America has not yet completed tenant improvements needed to open.

Mr. Ray Carlisle of Altadena Lincoln Crossing LLC reported that despite the current downturn, Altadena has the economic strength to attract investment, and that he is confident a new developer will step in as necessary. He stated emphatically we do not need to feel “grateful” for whatever developer we can get: the success at 24-Hour Fitness and Super King speaks for itself and is our best advertisement. Developers want to come here because the community has abundantly demonstrated that this is a place where money is to be made by well-run businesses offering the right goods and services.

I would like to back up his point by noting that a new supermarket is opening up on the former site of Jack’s Apple Market on Fair Oaks. Many improvements already made, including taking out the ugly fence, landscaping parking lot, and completely redoing of interior — by Ranch Market. Fresh and Easy is also looking to come here. Businesses are waking up to the fact that there are 43,000 people in Altadena, and most of us would prefer to spend our money here when we have viable shopping choices. 

Respectfully submitted,
Michele Zack

 

Altadenan sets up her own solar system

.. to generate electricity -- what were you thinking?  Mel Malmberg uses the Hometown Pasadena blog to tell how she wired up her Altadena home with solar power (probably isn't working today!)

Update 4/23: (Colleen Bates of Hometown Pasadena tell us that Mel is short for "Melody," so we've corrected everything!)

Altadena Junction offers yoga classes

Marisol Martinez, the other powerhouse behind Altadena Junction studios (Lance Anderson being her partner) is offering something new at the Junction, 2524 & 2526 El Molino Ave.:

Get lean, strong, and flexible with Power Flow Yoga at Altadena Junction.

Our Power Flow Yoga Classes are designed to synchronize the breath and movement in true Vinyasa style.  The continuous flow of movement creates heat in the body allowing for increased metabolism, flexibility, and detoxification, leading to improved overall health and fitness.

Sunrise Power Flow:     Thursdays 6am
Sunset Power Flow:      Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm

Sunrise Power Flow:  This class will prepare you for whatever the day may bring. Awaken your joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments and shift your metabolism into gear.

Sunset Power Flow: There's no better way to complete the day than by working every muscle, organ, and cell in your body. An invigorating class that in the end, will allow you to unwind. 

*Be prepared to sweat in both classes and above all be prepared to have fun! 

*Bring a yoga mat, a towel, a water bottle, and an open mind.

(Classes begin April 28th. $12 per class. Spring Special $10 for first class)

Altadena woman, daughter killed in Wednesday crash

Robin Shaw and her daughter Victoria, 9, were killed in a six-car pileup Wednesday morning on Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena. Seven others were injured, including two of Shaw's other children.

LA Times story is here.

KNBC has video.

PSN story is here.

Weekendin'

A lot going on this weekend, and it starts TODAY:

• The Altadena NAACP holds its monthly movie night, with "Pride" starring Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.  It's at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., starts at 6 PM, and admission is FREE.
• Friday afternoon, starting at 3:30, "The Tale of Despereux" is the free Fun Flick Friday at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa.
• Open Mic Night at Farnsworth Park debuts this Friday night at 7 PM at the amphitheater.
• Saturday, 9-4, Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church is holding its E-Waste Roundup from 9-4.
• And after you've turned in your e-waste, you can turn in your weapons: the Altadena Sheriff's Station is holding "Gifts for Guns" exchange a the Rite-Aid parking lot while gift cards last, 10 AM-4 PM
• And if that's not enough to keep you busy, the Pasadena Waldorf School at 209 E. Mariposa is holding its second annual Festival of Art from 10 AM-5 PM.
• The Altadena Library will have its monthly Family Story Time at 10 AM Saturday, followed by  "Barks and Books" at 11 AM.
• and yoga instructor Alicia Brodie will hold a 90 minute session in Zane Gray's writing studio at the Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa, starting at 10:30 ($15 cash, followed by potluck).
• The Garden Conservancy 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.

(whew!)

Family -- above it all

Deb Swanson Patrick, one of Altadena's four mightiest bloggers, and our potluck partner (I still have your picnic tablecloths, Deb!) is deservedly taking some time off from Altadena Above It All to attend to her husband, the fabulous Steve.  We wish them both well, keep them in our prayers, and look forward to her renewed and revitalized return.

Town council candidate packets available now

We missed most of last night's town council meeting, but are collecting data and will have more to share later.  However, this is important:

Election packets are now available for candidates for Altadena town council positions.  Packets must be turned in by May 8, and the election will be June 6.  There will also be a candidate forum in May.  More to come.

UPDATE 4/23: Bill Westphal writes us:

Timothy,  I've also put information about the Election on the Town Council Website.  Forms and related information are available for downloading.

http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org

Education Spectrum hosts town hall meeting on propositions April 29

Education Spectrum will host a town hall meeting at their headquarters, 2245 N. Lake Ave., to discuss the May 19 ballot measures, particularly as they affect education and special needs children.

The meeting starts at 7 PM.

County debuts new solar mapping program

Happy Earth Day everybody.

Alerted to this from the formidable C Jake:

Los Angeles County officials today unveiled a solar mapping program that will allow homeowners and businesses to go online to determine if their properties are good candidates for solar power.

The program uses roof size, pitch and shading from nearby trees, buildings and mountains to provide a building’s solar potential and the potential value of installing solar panels.

By typing in an address, a person will learn the property’s roof size, area suitable for solar panels, electricity produced, electricity savings, carbon reduction, nearby solar installations and case studies, available rebates from utility companies, and information about installers.

The level of detail provided means that residents and solar installers do not need to go up on every roof to see if it can support solar, saving time and money. Solar installers will be able to give more detailed estimates based on specific situations, but the solar portal provides generally accurate guidelines of what can be expected.  The ultimate goal is to make the website a one-stop solar shop for residents and businesses.

Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Zev Yaroslavsky praised the project, saying it will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.

The new website -- available at solarmap.lacounty.gov – went live today and will be featured Wednesday – Earth Day – at the National Conversation on Climate Action all-day conference in Los Angeles, which is part of a national effort to fight global warming.

It is the largest solar map in terms of geographic area in the world, covering 3,000 square miles, said Acting Chief Information Officer Richard Sanchez, whose department developed the site in conjunction with the Internal Services Department.

Stolen Porsche torched and scorched Saturday night

The fire department and deputies were called in at 9:34 PM April 18 to a car on fire at the 2200 block of Pinecrest Ave. in east Altadena.  According to sheriff Lt. Sheila Sanchez, the car was a 2003 Porsche Carrera that had earlier been reported stolen to the LAPD.  The incident is being investigated as arson, and no suspects were immediately identified.

Major power outage Monday night

Garfield the cat always said, "I hate Mondays."  Yesterday was one of those.

In addition to record high temperatures (we recorded 100 a few times unofficially yesterday, but haven't gotten an official high yet), the lights went out all over Altadena last night around 5:30.  (This also explains why we went silent last night!)

PSN, fortunately, has the details on the outage, which was roughly bordered by Eaton Canyon, Loma Alta, Fair Oaks, and Washington.  Cause apparently was power lines near the golf course that caught fire due to the heavy electrical usage in the heat.

UPDATE 5 PM: Several readers have alerted us (and we have confirmed) that the story is no longer up on the Star News website.  What's up with that?????

Crimes of opportunity on East side

Seems to be a trend going on.

Checking the Altadena crime map over the past few days, there seems to have been a cluster of thefts from unlocked cars on the East side above Altadena Drive, around Farnsworth Park.

And newsgroup chatter has pinpointed missing mail and packages from around the President Streets area and the 2800 blocks of Tanoble and Zane Grey Terrace. 

Whatever's not nailed down appears to be an opportunity for local thieves, so be extra cautious.

E-waste roundup Sat. @ Christ the Shepherd

Remember:  Altadenablog sponsor 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.