altadenablog

"Clambake" gets industry award for Altadena firm

MHPevents (Inger Miller and Jill Hawkins), Altadena event planners, were finalists in the 2009 Cater­source/Eventsolutions conference in Las Vegas.  They won an industry award in the "Best BBQ or PIcnic" caategory for turning the Gerrish Swim and Tennis Club into a "Concrete Clambake."   Their note on the event says:

 MHPevents along with our favorite caterer Good Gracious Events! brought New England to Pasa­dena for one of our Corporate clients summer splash.  The guests were treated to  scuba & tennis lessons, massages, manicure & pedicures, a pleth­ora of kids activities and fabulous gift bags.   Guests feasted on lobster, shrimp, muscles, tri tip and bbq chicken, stopped by the snack stations to enjoy and ice cold lemonade or grab some popcorn, sipped on a mint and peach basil mojito and finished it off with hand dipped ice cream bars.

We guess the next blogger's picnic will have some catching up to do!

(Thx to the all-knowing, all-seeing Monica.)

In deep doo-doo with Dundon

Daniel Chamberlain of the Into the Green blog files an interview with Tim Dundon, aka Zeke the Shiek, in a big steaming pile of goodness.

Moore gets 15 to life in fatal 2006 crash

Hal Lee Moore, 54, of Altadena, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison Thursday.  Moore was found guilty of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, and other charges last February.  Moore ran a red light at Hill and Washington on Nov. 29, 2006, causing a crash that killed Bertha Vasquez Arias, 30.  PSN has the details.

Dodger's Hudson to host three Altadena-connected autism events

Dodger second baseman Orlando Hudson will be participating in three Altadena-connected events in April as part of national Autism Awareness Month.

Hudson’s C.A.T.C.H. (Curing Autism Through Hope and Change) Foundation will host 15 special needs children at the 7:10 PM game versus the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, April 3. The group from Education Spectrum in Altadena will be treated to free tickets, food vouchers courtesy of Panda Restaurants, and a meet-and-greet with Hudson on the field prior to the game at approximately 5 p.m. This is Hudson’s first autism related event at Dodger Stadium.

On Sat., April 4, Hudson will host 75 pre-selected families with special needs children for a visit at former Dodger Jim Gott’s Danny’s Farm, located at 3064 ½ Ridgeview Drive in Altadena, where they will enjoy a petting zoo, arts and crafts, and carriage rides. More information on Danny’s Farm can be found at www.dannysfarm.com or by calling 626-797-FARM. Street parking is available to media and the visit will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On Thursday, April 16, Hudson will visit with special needs students at Loma Alta School, 3544 Canon Blvd. in Altadena, and read to classrooms.

Hudson, a longtime champion of autism awareness, adopted the cause when a young family member was diagnosed. Hudson’s C.A.T.C.H. Foundation founded in 2008 is based in Florence, South Carolina and provides resources and a support system for youth coping with autism related disorders. More information about Orlando Hudson and the C.A.T.C.H. Foundation can be found at www.orlandohudson1.com.

LA County Housing Element progress report up for review

LA County, in possibly the worst email press release we've ever seen (it's a PICTURE of actual text, so we have to open two windows and retype!)  has announced that the county's 2009 annual progress report on the housing element is available on a county website for review (warning! link will download a huge document to your computer!).  Comments should be in to the county supervisors by April 14.

Cloris Leachman visits the library April 29

One of our favorite actresses of youth (Frau Blucher -- whinny!) comes to call:

Cloris Leachman Comes to Altadena Library!

Actress, comedienne and 2009 Rose Parade Grand Marshal Cloris Leachman will make a special appearance at 7 PM. on Wed., April 29, at the main Altadena Library located at 600 East Mariposa Street. 

From “Dancing with the Stars” to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the Academy Award-winning actress will share how she prepares (or doesn’t) for a role, her approach to the business of show business and about her days at the Actors Studio.

Her autobiography, Cloris, will also be available for sale and signing.  There are no tickets required but seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please check the library’s website at www.altadenalibrary.org or call 626-798-0833 and ask for the Reference Desk.

Horrible accident, fatalities in La Canada-Flintridge

La Canada Valley Sun online has the story on Wednesday's  fatal accident in our neighboring city:  an out-of-control car transport big rig came off the Angeles Crest Highway, running over an occupied vehicle in the intersection and crashing to a stop at the Flintridge Book store.  Two dead, 12 injured, some seriously. KABC website also has story and aerial pictures.

UPDATE 1:30 PM: Reader Craig Snodgrass points us to this MSNBC story: the driver of the rig may have driven on a road where such vehicles were banned, and has been placed under arrest with $200K bail.