altadenablog

Altadena: the real (estate) deal

Realtor Tracy King has some interesting charts and comments on home prices in Altadena.

For the record

Part of our catch-up:

• Associated Press has a story on the rescue of the hikers in Eaton Canyon during the rainfall.
• PSN tells about a man who was robbed of $25,000 in cash Sunday on East Loma Alta Dr. while answering a Cragislist ad to buy a truck.
• An 18-year-old South Pasadena youth died of alcohol overdose after attending a party on the 900 block of east Mariposa.
• Altadena's Mel Malmberg catches up with Altadena artist Zofia Kostyrko at Hometown Pasadena. (You know, we find that their "Creative Types" articles tend to center around Altadenans!)

Teens: make a beautiful Oriental Fusion giftbox @ the Library Dec. 22

On Tues., Dec. 22, teens (12-17) come to the Library and transform an empty pint-sized milk carton into a beautiful box perfect for the presentation of that special gift or as a nice keepsake box in during this festive holiday season….

This fun Teen Program begins at 5 PM in the Community Room at the Library, 600 E. Mariposa,  and is limited to 25 participants.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and facilitated by Reiyukai America.

'Tis the season: don't leave it in your car!

Carolyn Seitz of the Sheriff's Community Advisory Committee send us this:

I have been asked by the Sheriff's Department to remind all of us that this time of year generally law enforcement agencies generally see highest reports of vehicle break-ins.

Not only are thieves out looking for gifts in your car, but they're looking for anything else they can steal - laptops, cell phones, GPS devices, Bluetooth devices, iPods, Mp3 players, expensive/designer sun glasses, cash.

Don't be a victim.

Protect yourself and your belongings by hiding the things in your car - out of sight.
Lock your car.

Remember - Lock It, Hide It or Lose It!

County starts "Crimestoppers" program

Received from Supv. Michael Antonovich:

Sup. Michael D. Antonovich joined Sheriff Lee Baca, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and police chiefs from over 20 cities to launch a new public-private partnership that will offer rewards to anonymous tipsters who provide information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of criminals.   

Anyone with information on an unsolved crime is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers by:

•   Calling 800-222-TIPS (8477)


•   Texting the letters TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 or CRIMES

•   Visiting the website online at lacrimestoppers.org
 

The Crimestoppers program was started in 1976 by a young detective in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was frustrated by the number of unsolved cases in his jurisdiction.  The detective reached out to the community, media and law enforcement agencies for help. This new partnership helped the young detective solve a murder he was investigating within 72 hours.



Since its inception, this program has led to:


•     over 500,000 arrests


•     one million crimes solved


•     4 billion dollars in drugs and drug money seized

 
There are currently over 300 Crimestopper programs worldwide.


"Blue Christmas" ecumenical service @ St. Mark's, Dec. 21

Blue Christmas: A Service of Comfort & Light

Christmas is not a joyous season of celebration for everyone. If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, your health, a relationship, your job, or a deeply held dream, if you are far from those you love, or if you have painful memories of Christmas in years past, the holidays can be agonizing and isolating.

You are invited to join St. Mark's Episcopal Church for a “Blue Christmas” service at 7 PM on Dec. 21, the longest night of the year. Our worship will be quiet and reflective, accepting the hurts we bear, and offering the hope of comfort and healing.

Blue Christmas: A Service of Comfort & Light
Dec. 21st – 7 PM
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church
1014 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena
626-798-6747

Cal. Dept. of Insurance can help with mudslides

The California Department of Insurance is offering themselves as a resource to clarify any insurance issues related to mudslide damage, in addition to being an on-going resource on fire related issues. If there are any residents of Atladena experiencing mud slides as a result of the station fires and recent seasonal rains they are encouraged to call 1-800-927-HELP (4357) or visit the Department's website at www.insurance.ca.gov

Altadena Town Council Meeting tonight, Community Center

... 730 E. Altadena Drive.

Council will have a closed executive session starting at 6 regarding Councilman Herbert Simmons, and the regular meeting will start after that -- Chairman Gino Sund said hopefully no later than 7:30.  Agenda after the jump.

Lake Ave. businesses extend qualification time for Grand Raffle to Christmas Eve

Just received this from (Altadenablog sponsor) Webster's Fine Stationers:  the Shop Hop event was washed out (we were a sponsor, too, and not happy!), but, you can still win valuable prizes!

Tis The Season To Be Hoppy!

Shop-hoppy, that is! Because the North Lake Pole Winter Festival and Shop Hop was cut short by the pounding deluge Saturday afternoon, the businesses involved will extend the qualification time for the Grand Raffle until December 24th. During this time, visit the listed merchants/businesses/restaurants and get a star affixed to your Shop Hop card.

No purchase or obligation is required for the star on your card so why not explore places you haven't been to yet, meet new people or say hello to old friends you haven't seen for awhile? What better time than the holidays, when you're out and about anyway? Once you get some stars on your card, you'll be eligible for an entry into the most exciting raffle ever! So many marvelous prizes, all generously donated by our local business owners, and just in time for the holidays. The grand prize will be a new bicycle from Steve's Bike Shop and there will be many more exciting giveaways. We'll pick the winners on Christmas Eve, December 24th, and the winner need not be present. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Altadena along with the holiday season.

Millard Creek during the rains

Lonnie Fehr, the campground host at Millard Canyon, has sent around some videos of Millard Creek during the weekend's rains.  Check 'em out after the jump:

You want some catchup with that?

We had a family emergency to cope with Sun.-Mon. (but everything's fine now), and we're spending the day emptying our massive inbox!  Please be patient with us!

Super Saturday Family Storytime at the Library, Dec. 19

Floodwatch: Sun., Dec. 13

6 PM

Relatively uneventful day, flood-wise, but we have to call it a night (family emergency).  Before we go, we do hear from the sheriff's that the four stranded Eaton Canyon hikers were recovered safely.

8 AM

National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for Station Fire areas until 4:45 PM today.

7 AM

We have lots to do outside today, so will be updating sporadically, but here's what we have now:

• Millard Canyon residents were evacuated before dark last night, per newsgroups.  There were some mudslides in the area.
• We are still in a flash flood advisory until 9 AM today, with more rain expected.

------

Friday Fun Flick: "G-Force"

They're rodents ... and heroes!  The Altadena Library's Friday Fun Flick on Dec. 18 is last summer's hit, "G-Force."

Rated PG, the show starts at 3:30 at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa. Admission is free.

North Lake Pole Shop-Hop: small but spirited

OK, the weather washed out the North Lake Pole Shop-Hop Festival, to the disappointment of many.  Some businesses (including Amy's Patio Cafe and Webster's Fine Stationers) remained open late, Altadena Junction held its photography showing, but it's tough to get people out on a night like this.

That didn't stop some people, tho'.  A pile of snow was spread on Galloway Alley for sledding, and it actually got used. PIctured is Ben McGinty of (Altadenablog sponsor) Gallery at the End of the World taking to the slope.

The Altadena Arts Coalition, which coordinated the event, is rejiggering the planned raffle, and we'll get you details once they're final.

Floodwatch: Sat., Dec. 12

As of about 4 PM Saturday afternoon, authorities are reporting mud and debris over part of the Angeles Crest Highway eight miles from the 210.  CHP and sheriff's are deployed around the area, so we (that is, me) is re-activating our emergency protocols -- which means we'll be monitoring scanner traffic and all media, give you the updates as we receive them, and ask our wonderful readers to report what's going on in their area.  Just like the Station Fire! We aren't looking at Station Fire-level disaster yet, but we want to be ready for anything.

 UPDATE 4:45 

Per scanner, sheriffs are trying to mount a rescue for four mountain bikers who are stranded by rising water on the trail behind JPL.  Air 5 (the sheriff's copter) is grounded.

KTLA has a good summary here of the situation so far. Of interest:

Multiple landslides were reported on state Route 2 between La Canada Flintridge and Mount Wilson, particularly near the Mount Lukens Truck Trail turnoff, said Captain Frank Reynoso of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The road in the area has been deemed "impassable," Reynoso said.

 UPDATE 5:25 

The overview seems to be that the sheriffs want to clear the hill of all people, because of big storms on the way.  Right now, they're preparing to rescue about 20 cars with people sheltering at Newcomb's Ranch, or see if its feasible to house them all night.  Also still trying to come up with a plan for the mountain bikers behind JPL.

We're not going to be reporting everything going on on ACH and environs, but we'll keep you informed if anything will affect the Altadena area.

 UPDATE 9:50 

Back from the Holiday Shop Hop, and catching up with what's going on ...

Right now:

• Altadena Search & Rescue is deployed in Eaton Canyon to locate four missing hikers. 
• A flash flood watch remains in effect thru Sunday morning for Station Fire burn areas.

Evacuations possible for at-risk burn area residents

Just received this message from the Coordinated Area Recovery Effort (CARE) agencies: 

Evacuation orders could be issued later today to residents of at-risk communities impacted by burn areas due to present weather conditions over the Los Angeles area.  

These weather conditions are forecast to continue throughout today and tomorrow.  

Members of the Foothill Incident Management Team including County Public Works, Fire, and Sheriffs continue to closely monitor the storm system.  Several communities are at risk to potential debris flows following the Station Fire and other previous fires.   

Residents are advised to remain on high alert today and tomorrow and continue to monitor radio and television news broadcasts for further updates information. 

Scanner chatter as of 4 PM says some debris is sliding down in the mountain areas.  Can't poinpoint any closures yet, but we'll keep monitoring.

UPDATE 4:15 PM: National Weather service:

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... THE STATION FIRE BURN AREA IN CENTRAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY

* UNTIL 615 PM PST

* AT 405 PM PST...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED FLASH FLOODING WITH MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS ON THE ANGELES CREST HIGHWAY ABOUT 8 MILES NORTH OF INTERSTATE 210.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

RESIDENTS AND MOTORISTS IN AND BELOW THE STATION FIRE BURN AREA SHOULD BE ALERT TO FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS WHICH MAY BLOCK ROADS AND CULVERTS.

President Streets steps up to the season

 

The President Streets neighbors turned out this morning, rain or no, for the final push in the Altadena Sheriff's Station Food and Toy Drive on Harding.  Deputies accepted drive-thru donations (above, with Capt. Roosevelt Blow on the right in a non-uniform hat), but some neighbors walked right up from their homes, as did Bud and Nancee Darling.

Christmas Tree Lane, now and then

Sam Watters in the LA Times writes about Santa Rosa/Christmas Tree Lane.  On first glance, you think he's celebrating it, but a closer reading shows he's decrying the whole concept. Us, we like the lights.

Come to the Shop-Hop (even if it rains!)

Dec 12th North Lake Pole "Shop Hop" Festival!

Rediscover Altadena!

The Altadena Arts Coalition and your local merchants for a evening of sledding (YES REAL SNOW!), music, food, fun, and merriment after Altadena's Christmas Tree lane lighting ceremony! (Which has been canceled! - Ed.) Raffle prizes!! Come enjoy this evening and meet your neighbors and merchants!!!

• Art show at Gallery at the End of the World
• Altadena Junction: Photography of Erik Estrada
• Photography by Walt Photo show and Frame Sale
• Webster's Fine Stationers 
• Sledding Hill!! 
• Santa's coming to town!
• Local Band 
• John O' Happy Days- Hot soup 
• Coffee Gallery- Coffee and Tea
• Park Bench Deli- Tacos
• Steve's Bike Shop- Hot Chocolate
• Dip Me in Chocolate- Chocolate Treats!
• Altees- T-shirts printed by local Altadena Artists 
• More to be announced! 

Hope to see you there! 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185155106199&ref=mf

Flash flood watch in effect

From the National Weather Service:

FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR THE STATION AND MORRIS BURN AREAS FROM 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE STATION AND MORRIS BURN AREAS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

* FROM 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING

* MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE WATCH AREA THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. RAINFALL INTENSITIES COULD REACH THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH PER HOUR... ESPECIALLY ON AND BELOW SOUTH AND SOUTHWEST FACING SLOPES. RAINFALL AT THESE RATES WOULD LIKELY BE SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE BURN AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

RESIDENTS IN OR BELOW THE STATION AND MORRIS BURN AREAS ARE URGED TO TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY. PERSONS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD REMAIN ALERT AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS OFFICIALS.

'Tis the season: thieves target holiday deliveries

Carolyn Seitz of the Sheriff's Community Advisory Council reminds us of this old perennial:

Warm greetings of the season to all, even on a cold, rainy day!

Here's your reminder to not be a victim of criminals this year.

It is being reported, although not yet in Altadena, that teams of people are again following FedEx and UPS delivery trucks, collecting what the delivery trucks drop off on porches.

If you're expecting deliveries, consider asking a trusted neighbor to watch out for the delivery vehicles to show up.  Most of us recognize the windows of time in which the trucks usually arrive.  Ask a neighbor to collect your packages for you.

We can all keep a close eye out for suspicious vehicles as well.

Don't let the thieves spoil your season of giving by giving in ways you didn't intend.

Cheers!
Carolyn

Westminster Presbyterian's Christmas brass concert Sunday

William Bing, Caltech's director of bands and faithful Altadenablog reader, sends us this about Sunday's annual brass concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake:

“A Musical Gift”
Event:  8th Annual Christmas Concert and Carol Sing-Along
Date:  Sunday, December 13, 2007
Time: 7 PM
Featured Artists:

Modern Brass Ensemble, featuring Doug Tornquist, tuba and Imre Szilas, organist

This concert is free and open to the public.   It will feature the Modern Brass Ensemble and organist Imre Szilas in traditional and contemporary settings of holiday music. .  There will be special arrangements of traditional carols by Anne McGinty, Raymond Burkhart, and Bill Reichenbach.   Members of the ensemble have played for many movies and recordings, including “A Christmas Carol”, “The Princess and the Frog”, “Transformers”, “2012”.   Artists they have performed with include Diana Krall, Barbara Streisand, and Josh Groban.

Please bring the entire family and enjoy the musical spirit of Christmas in one of the most beautiful churches on the west coast.

For further information, please call the church office at (626) 794-7141

Santeria's cause is coming to town

The Brand X blog looks at Santeria, starting with a ceremony here in the 'Dena.

North Lake Pole Shop-Hop festival is still on!

Too bad about the Christmas Tree Lane ceremony cancellation, but Molly Tierney of the Altadena Arts Coalition says the North Lake Pole Shop-Hop Festival is still on, rain or shine, starting at 6 PM Saturday.

Deputies take in suspect in gun threat

Sheriff's deputies arrest a suspect (in white T-shirt) at Skywood Circle off Holliston Ave. this afternoon about 1 PM. Deputies blocked off the street and went in with weapons drawn after a call about a resident threatening a woman with a gun.

Christmas Tree Lane events cancelled

We've been out all afternoon, so are just getting this information up: The Christmas Tree Lane Arts & Crafts Festival and lighting event have been cancelled due to the rain.  The lights will still go on, but there'll be no ceremony for it.  Very sad!

Hello Friends of the Lane,

Due to the weather forecast we will be unable to have the 89th annual lighting this year. We at the board have talked with the county and have looked at the weather forecast of tomorrow and it seams most likely that the rain for tomorrow will be coming either during the Winter Arts and Crafts Festival and/or the Lighting its self. We had hope to be able to wait until tomorrow to decide if we were going to go through with the lighting but because of the needs of the county this decision had to made today. Do not worry the lights will still go on and be on tomorrow through the 6th just without the ceremony. We hope to see all of you either in February when we start to take down the lights or next year for the lighting.

Stay Safe and Happy Holidays

Christmas season gets started in Altadena Saturday

UPDATE, 10 PM: Christmas Tree Lane lighting is off, Holiday Shop-Hop is still on.

Two exciting events happening tomorrow that you can't miss:

The first annual Christmas Tree Lane Winter Arts & Crafts Festival starts at 2 PM in the parking lot of the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa -- followed by the 89th lighting ceremony of Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane.

The Arts and Crafts Winter Festival includes  a petting zoo, performances by local choral groups and Santa Claus with his sleigh for childrens’ pictures.

At 6 PM, actor Meshach Taylor will MC the spectacular Lighting Ceremony with entertainment from local groups culminating with Supervisor Michael Antonovich and sSanta Claus flipping on the switch for the mile of lit deodar trees. Performers include the Pasadena High School Navy Junior ROTC, the Blair International Baccalaureate Singers, the Altadena Children's Choir, the John Muir High Alumni Drum Cor, and Linda Lane White.

Santa Rosa Road will be closed from 4 to 7:30 PM for the ceremony and walking tour.

And if that's not enough for you:

The Altadena Arts Coalition and the businesses on North Lake will have their first North Lake Pole Holiday Shop-Hop Festival, centered around Galloway Alley behind Altadena Hardware (Lake and Mariposa), altho' many businesses in the neighborhood will be open. There will be food, music, a raffle, Santa (who'll head over after he's done at Christmas Tree Lane) and sledding on real snow!  McGinty's Gallery, Altadena Junction, and Photography by Walt will have art shows, and many businesses will take part.

The evening is sponsored by (as of press time) Altadenablog, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, Altadena Junction, Altadena Realty, the Coffee Gallery, A Chair in the Garden, DC Golf, Gallery at the End of the World, Oh Happy Days Natural Foods & Cafe, M&M Printing/Irish Pride, Miller Hawkins Productions, Photography by Walt, Rancho Bar, Rituals Studio, Steve's Bike Shop, Steve's Pets, Sukyo Mahikari, Two Dragons Martial Arts & Physical Fitness, Webster's FIne Stationers, Webster's Liquor, and Webster's Pharmacy.

AND ...

we were out and about Thursday, and it looks as though the Balian Mansion at Mendocino and Allen will be firing up its legendary Christmas display this weekend.  We knocked on the door, nobody was home, but there were boxes of fresh poinsettias in the foyer, looking like they were ready to go.

Geminid meteor shower starts tonight

Bill Westphal emails us about tonight's big astronomical show (if the rain will let us see it!):

The Geminid Meteor Shower reaches its peak beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of Friday December 11 and should be active all night long into the early morning hours of Saturday December 12. The Geminids are bright and are often visible from suburban areas although viewing locations away from city lights will still yield the best results.  They may also be strong the following night and would be a nice addition to the Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony.

President Streets food and toy drive collection Sat.

Residents of the Presidents (streets) are getting together Saturday to collect for the Altadena Sheriff's Station toy and food drive from 10 AM to 12 PM.  All the details are on the flyer, and thanks to Lisa Gibson (of Altadenablog sponsor Mike Gibson's Service Center) for helping put it together!

Announcing ... Yahoo newsgroup ATC4601

Last week, we said we were trying to start a neighborhood newsgroup for our immediate neighborhood in East Altadena, and got a small response (about half of which were many blocks away!)

Well, the idea has adapted, grown, or metastasized, depending on how you look at it.  We've been in contact with Phil Barela on the town council, who with fellow census tract rep Gino Sund has been developing a Yahoo newsgroup to serve as a direct line to the Atladena Town Council members.  We decided to combine our efforts to create a newsgroup on Yahoo for the residents of Census Tract 4601, called ATC4601:

Manicurist joins scissors.paper.rock salon

Yolande Carson of (Altadenablog sponsor) scissors paper rock salon at 1864 N. Allen tells us that manicurist Tracy Vuong has joined their team.  Tracy will be available Wed. and Thurs. from 10 AM-6 PM, offering manicures, pedicures, gel nails, waxing, paraffin hand and foot treatment and basic cleansing facial.  Call for an appointment (altho' walk-ins are welcome) at 825-1846.

Wild animals may become a bigger problem, too

If it's not the domestic animals gone wild (below), it's the wild animals gone domestic.  Los Angeles County sent out this release today:

RESIDENTS IN BURN AREAS MAY EXPERIENCE MORE ENCOUNTERS WITH WILDLIFE

ARCADIA, CA - County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and County pest management experts remind residents in the foothills and near the recent wildfire burn areas to be cautious about wild animals that may have been displaced by the Station Fire and subsequent debris flows.  Coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, bears, and other animals may find their way into residential areas looking for food, water and shelter.

The best way residents can prevent wild animals from frequenting residential property is not to leave any food outside. This includes pet food, and pets themselves, which wild animals may consider food. Pick up fallen fruit on your property and harvest your gardens regularly. It is important to keep garbage containers tightly covered. Residents should never intentionally feed wild animals, as doing so creates a danger for residents and teaches the wild animal to depend on humans.

Additional Safety Tips:

● Do not approach wild animals, even small young ones, no matter how "cute" the animal appears.
● Consider hiking, biking or jogging with a partner.
● Try to avoid jogging or hiking near wildlife areas when wildlife is most active: dusk, nighttime, and dawn.
● Keep a close watch on small children.
● Clear brush and dense weeds on your property.

● If your property is infested with rodents, consider control measures as rodents can attract hungry predators.

Stray dogs an increasing danger

Reader Joell Peysar writes us:

There has been a rash of violent stray dogs in the Altadena area closest to Altadena Elementary.  We are residents in this area and have recently lost our loved pet chicken, Cheerio, to one of the stray dogs in this vicinity.  I am asking you to spread the word to our community that if a stray dog is discovered to please don't ignore it.  These animals are untrained, neglected & violent. 

A week ago I was out in my fenced-in yard with my small dog.  From out of nowhere a pack of stray dalmatians, shepherds & mutts tried to push one of our gates open in an attempt to attack my puppy.  When we first moved here 2 years ago our 13 year old cat, Lucifer, disappeared without a trace.  And now our chicken.

I have attached pictures of the dog that attacked and killed our chicken and I will be heading to the house with the other stray dogs to get their photos as well.
I have lost a beloved cat & chicken and am very grateful I didn't lose my dog that day.  These animals and their owners need to be dealt with immediately in order for peace to come to this community.  Please help me spread the word.

Weekendin'

Here's the calendar for the weekend:

Fri. Dec. 11

• The Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., will host an evening of holiday music with the the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena's Handbell Choir and Dulcet Singers  starting at 7 PM in the Community Room.

Sat. Dec. 12

• NAACP/LEAD program at the Community Center, 10:30-noon, followed by the NAACP Holiday Potluck from 2-5.
• Christmas Tree Lane Arts & Crafts Festival at the Altadena Library parking lot, 600 E. Mariposa, from 2-6 PM, followed by the Lighting Ceremony from 6-8 PM.
• And don't forget the North Lake Pole Holiday Shop-Hop with the North Lake Ave. businesses from 6-11 PM!

Sun., Dec. 13

• The monthly bluegrass jam at the Coffee Gallery takes place from 12:30-3:30 PM.
• Pasadena Master Chorale holiday concert at Altadena Community Church from 4-6 PM (Sold out!)

UPDATED: Simmons arrested on stolen property charges in the 1990's

Please note important updates below.

PWeekly's Andre Coleman today has a story about Altadena Town Councilman Herbert Simmons' arrests on felony charges in 1995, 1998, and 1999.

The charges related to receiving stolen property (computer equipment) while running a computer repair home business in Altadena.  The felony charges were later reduced to misdemeanors.

Says the Weekly, Simmons was sentenced to three years probation and 400 hours of community service for the 1995 offense and two years probation and 200 hours of community service for the 1998 offense, which included over $44,000 of computers stolen from Disney and Health Net.  Charges were dismissed in the 1999 case, and his 1998 conviction was expunged after he made restitution.  Read the whole thing.

UPDATE 10:30 PM: The links died (altho' we THINK we fixed the one in the paragraph above) and the story has been considerably rewritten and expanded since this morning. We have changed our headline to reflect that.  These paragraphs are rewritten or new:

According to court documents, Simmons, now 40, was arrested three times on felony charges of receiving stolen property — all later reduced to misdemeanors, with two cases expunged and Simmons exonerated on the third — in 1995, 1998 and 1999 while running a computer repair business from his Altadena residence.

“These past experiences have been wholly resolved,” Simmons told the Weekly. “I’m not surprised someone is trying to use this against me. I have never claimed to be perfect and I have always been open and aboveboard and eager to serve the community.” The Weekly received information about Simmons’ criminal past in the form of a letter signed only “A concerned citizen.” The accusations were mostly wrong.

A search of court records by the paper revealed the misdemeanor convictions. Simmons was exonerated in the last case, and the two misdemeanors were expunged, but all three cases remain on file and available for review.

There are also more details of Simmons' scrapes with the law and the letters from Antonovich and PUSD Superintendent Edwin Diaz that first appeared on Altadenablog, along with comments from Simmons's attorney Rene Amy. 

Save water: it's a good time to shut off your sprinklers

(which we promptly went out and did this morning ... ooops!)

Pasadena Water and Power services some homes in the southeast portion of Altadena, but the advice in this press release can even be taken by those of us serviced elsewhere!

PASADENA CAN TAKE A RAIN CHECK

This week’s rain may make for a traffic headache, but it’s a welcome – albeit temporary – relief for Pasadena’s water woes.

Pasadena can conserve about 175 million gallons simply by having residents and businesses skip outdoor watering until three days after the storms pass.

Altadena startup honored by Pasadena city council

Congratulations to the folks at Waste-Less Living, who sent us this:

Waste Less Living, Inc., a local, woman-owned business was one of five recipients to receive the Outstanding Recycler Award for 2009 presented by the City of Pasadena's Mayor Bill Bogard and Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works, at Monday's City Council Meeting on December 7th.   Waste Less Living was specifically honored for its educational outreach efforts at inspiring environmental strewardship. 

Waste Less Living, Inc. was nominated by last year's award recipient Miranda Marie Allen, a 7th grader at Pasadena Christian School and her mother Stella Franco-Allen.  "We believe that in addition to offering compostable products and off-site compost management services, it is the educational component offered by Waste Less Living that sets this company apart," wrote Allen and Franco-Allen. 

In the fall, Waste Less Living launched its first comprehensive compost waste management program at High Point Academy School in Pasadena.  Its success is in the numbers.  To date, the school has achieved a waste diversion rate of 76% with over 3,000 lbs of waste diverted from the landfill and composted off-site.  "We are thrilled about the results we have achieved thus far and even more excited about bringing this program to other schools in the area so that we can continue to divert even more waste," said Christine Lenches-Hinkel, Founder of Waste Less Living, Inc. 

Since its inception, Waste Less Living has diverted over 10,000 lbs of waste from reaching the landfill.  From servicing small parties to large events in the thousands, their service has now caught the attention of such distinguished organizations like the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the International Documentary Association, the Pasadena Audubon Society and the Sierra Club.  

With at least 66% of the waste stream characterized as compostable/biodegradable waste, sending such material to the landfill is counter-productive and not so environmentally responsible.  "Since landfills are not compost piles, what compostable materials discarded in landfills merely add to the toxic byproducts that are typically associated with these facilities, namely methane gas and leachate - a toxic wastewater," said Lenches-Hinkel. 

Waste Less Living will be showcasing its educational program at the Green California Schools Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center from December 9 - 11.

Golf course pro's big break

Kevin Erdman (who with wife Courtney are teaching pros at Altadena Golf Course) has made it into the finals of Golf Channel's Big Break Disney Golf.  Arcadia's Best website profiles the Arcadia couple, with some footage shot at work in Altadena.

Frost advisory Wed. morning -- SUBFREEZING?

This morning, we couldn't slide open the doors to our van -- they were frozen shut -- that's never happened before.  Tonight'll be worse!  Cover your tender plants and put your animals indoors.  From the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A FROST ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM PST WEDNESDAY. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO FALL TO BETWEEN 30 AND 32 DEGREES ACROSS A WIDESPREAD AREA LATER TONIGHT AND EARLY WEDNESDAY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... &&

Instruction:
A FROST ADVISORY MEANS THAT AFFECTED AREAS CAN EXPECT AT LEAST  TWO HOURS OF SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 28 AND 32 DEGREES... WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO CROPS AND TENDER VEGETATION. MEASURES  SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT SENSITIVE CROPS AND VULNERABLE ANIMALS SHOULD BE KEPT INDOORS IN A BARN OR SIMILAR STRUCTURE.

Area:  LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN GABRIEL VALLEY-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... PASADENA... SAN GABRIEL... POMONA

Apartment fire at Marcheta near Lake this morning

 

About a dozen fire vehicles (pumpers, ladder trucks, paramedics, etc.) who were involved in a training exercise this morning showed up for an actual apartment fire on Marcheta near Lake Ave.  Cause was likely an electrical surge, and no injuries reported at this time.

"The Health Seekers of Sierra Madre"

by Michele Zack
Special to Altadenablog

Our friend & Altadena historian Michele Zack's new book is Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre. She shares with us her Dec. 2 talk at Vroman's Bookstore about the different "tribes" that inhabit the Tricities Area (Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre), and the surprising history of how illness shaped the character of these towns, and indeed all of Southern California.

Tribes of Settlers: the San Gabriel Valley, and the Illness Legacy

My new book clearly focuses on Sierra Madre, but at the same time is outward looking, I use this little San Gabriel Valley town as a lens through which to connect to neighbors, as well as to larger histories.

An anthropological bent runs deep in me. My father in law is an anthropologist, my husband skipped the 2nd grade to live with him and his mother in a mud hut on Mount Elgin in Uganda, and I myself wrote a popular ethnography of a wandering hill tribe in Southeast Asia. Some fellow Altadenans might remember being likened to the Lisu, who are sometimes called “the Anarchists of the Highlands,” when the Altadena book came out. I also invoked a Lisu aphorism I felt resonated with my home town: “It is better to live close to the water and far from the ruler.”

In studying the San Gabriel Valley, so far I’ve focused on three places, Altadena, Pasadena, and now Sierra Madre — and the micro-histories and cultures of each has always struck me as curiously distinct, as if different tribes of people settled them, even though they obviously have a lot in common. Cultural history, which has to do with the meaning people make of the times they are living through, often through art and books and other media, is something I love to explore. Here are a few distinctions that make these three places unique:

The forest, returning

Reader David Datz has been chronicling the destruction and renewal of the forest since the Station Fire, and sent us this:

Remember those pictures of desolation I sent you in October?  I went back to Inspiration Point on 11/28, and found growing things already.  I don't know what those little shrubs are, but from around the burnt skeletons are bright green leaves.  See here:


http://picasaweb.google.com/david.datz/AfterStationFire112809#

I don't agree with those who say the forest is "gone".  I like to think of it as different.  It was damaged, but it will grow again, perhaps in a different way.

County offers mudflow information

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works offers email
alerts for up to date mudflow forecasts. Sign-up to receive this and
other e-Notifications. To start, click the link below to enter the
e-Notify system and make sure to check the Debris and Mudflow
Forecast box under Alerts.
<http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/enotify/userPages/registration.aspx>http://dpw.lacounty.gov/general/enotify/userPages/registration.aspx

Mudflow Forecast: Updated daily (PDF file)
<http://ladpw.org/wrd/forecast/file/mud4cast.pdf>http://ladpw.org/wrd/forecast/file/mud4cast.pdf

Debris and Mudflow Forecast: View the latest mudflow forecast,
including tips on mudflow protection and sandbag distribution locations
<http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/fire/>http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/fire/

Department of Public Works: Flood
<http://ladpw.org/wrd/Flood/index.cfm>http://ladpw.org/wrd/Flood/index.cfm

Department of Public Works: Runoff information
<http://ladpw.org/wrd/Runoff/index.cfm>http://ladpw.org/wrd/Runoff/index.cfm

Main page for Department of Public Works
<http://dpw.lacounty.gov/>http://dpw.lacounty.gov/

Altadena Crest Trail meeting tonight @ 7

Trail Folks & Interested Neighbors --

The Tuesday, 8 December 2009 monthly meeting of the Altadena Crest
Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) Steering Committee will be
held as usual at the Altadena Community Center, 7:00pm:

730 E. Altadena Drive
(Just W. of Lake Ave and the Altadena Sheriffs Station, across the
street from Rite Aid)

Please report any new trail conditions (including ongoing damage
associated with the fire and subsequent rain). Feel free to bring up
any other issues of concern affecting local trails.

Please join us for the last ACTRWG meeting of 2009. All are welcome!

Robert Staehle
ACTRWG Steering Committee Meetings Chair

Rain is leaving, cold is coming

National Weather Service tells us:

...THREAT OF BLACK ICE ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS...DESERTS...AND INTERIOR VALLEY LOCATIONS TONIGHT...  VERY COLD AIR COMING INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TONIGHT IN THE WAKE OF A VIGOROUS COLD FRONT. SNOW LEVELS WILL CONTINUE TO FALL QUICKLY TONIGHT...LOWERING TO AS LOW AS 1500 FEET OVERNIGHT IN SOME AREAS. IN MANY LOCATIONS...THE PRECIPITATION WILL END LATER THIS EVENING... WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NORTH SLOPES OF THE MOUNTAINS...WHERE A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT. HOWEVER...THE INFLUX OF VERY COLD AIR WILL BRING THE THREAT OF BLACK ICE ACROSS MANY INTERIOR SECTIONS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.  THE GREATEST THREAT OF ICY CONDITIONS WILL BE ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS  AND ANTELOPE VALLEY... BUT ALL INTERIOR VALLEY LOCATIONS WILL ALSO  BE VULNERABLE TO BLACK ICE CONDITIONS... INCLUDING WIND SHELTERED AREAS OF THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY...SAN FERNANDO VALLEY...AND VENTURA COUNTY VALLEYS.

Instruction:
 MOTORISTS TRAVELLING INTO THE MOUNTAINS... DESERTS... AND INTERIOR VALLEYS  SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES... VERY COLD WIND CHILL  READINGS... AND DANGEROUS BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST WINTER STORM WARNING PRODUCT FOR DETAILS ON SNOW... AND NON PRECIPITATION WEATHER PRODUCT FOR DETAILS ON UPCOMING FROST AND FREEZE POTENTIAL.

Area:  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CENTRAL COAST-SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CENTRAL COAST-SANTA YNEZ VALLEY-SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-CUYAMA VALLEY-SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST-VENTURA COUNTY COAST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES-VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE-ANTELOPE VALLEY-CATALINA ISLAND-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN FERNANDO VALLEY-LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN GABRIEL VALLEY-

New info on daylight burglary

Sheriff's deputy Mike Prince shared some info about the daylight burglary we reported last week:

We found out more on the residential burglary that occurred last Thursday (12/3) on Mendocino St near Allen.


After our investigation we found that it occurred between 12:00 and 1:00pm.

It turns out a female Hispanic with long black hair wearing a white sweatshirt, blue jeans, weight between 145-155 lbs, and approximately 5' 3" tall, was seen at the resident's front door.

A white utility truck was also seen parked near the driveway at about the same time. The utility truck had some type of plumbing pipes (not white) on the roof.

I think the M.O. is that the female gets out of the truck/van knocks on the door to see if anyone is home. Once the coast is clear they break in through the back and burglarize. We haven't had large items taken lately except for this incident. I believe they had to spend a long time at the house to take a 42" inch flat screen, computers, laptops, jewelry, etc.

I definitely think it was more than one person. They spent at least 15 minutes inside.

It's imperative that if anyone has a female Hispanic knocking on their door, or sees a similar female Hispanic, it could be the same group -- and to call the sheriff immediately. (Call 798-1131 and NOT 911.)

I also think the female doesn't pose a threat to the community as she's the one that knocks in case someone is home and could easily use an excuse why she is there. This was the second time in 2 days we heard about the female playing a role.

I would love nothing more for Christmas than to catch these criminals.

Thank you, Prince

The not-so-good old days

Apparently rainy days cause people to reminisce.  We've have a couple of items about the not-always-good old days.

Paul Ayers' father collected the first section of the LA Times during historic incidents.  Today, he shared with us pictures of mud and debris flows in the Montrose area on Jan. 2 and 3, 1934.

[This picture] is described in the LAT as “Honolulu avenue [sic] in Montrose.”  Based on the mountain profiles in the background, the fact that an intersection is depicted and that one of the major debris flows came down just to the west of Rosemont at or near where the present flood control channel is I think the view is looking west down Honolulu from a point just east of Rosemont and Honolulu.

 

Described in the LAT as “Montrose Avenue, in Montrose.”  I think this view was shot on Montrose Avenue looking east at a point between Rosemont and Briggs.  I think you can see Holy Redeemer’s spire and the rectory house in the background.  Note man on horseback to the left.

 

[This picture] is described in the LAT as “Living–room of home at Ethel and Mountain avenue [sic], Glendale, after storm waters swept through house”.  This house still stands [on] Mountain.  I have attached a present day photo of the house showing the arched window, the small square window and the fireplace/chimney depicted in the LAT photo.

The house is now unlived in and in a state of disrepair.  It is looked after by the neighbors across the street who park cars in the driveway to give some sign of life. They related the following: The owners of the house at the house at the time of the flood took many photos of the flood and damage to the home; these photos are still in the house along with a great deal of other material.  Apparently a piano that was in the house at the time of the flood was carried 2 miles downstream from the house. The home was inherited by a daughter who passed away in the last ten years; the house is now owned by her husband who lives out of the area.  I asked them to ask the husband if he would consider donating the historically significant material.  That was two weeks ago and I haven’t heard anything yet and kinda doubt that I will.

Our second blast into the past is found on Radigan Neuhalfen's site (he lives in Mongolia???) and takes us a few years ahead: Altadena resident and future Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling suffered a graffiti attack on his home in 1945.  Why?  He hired George Miniaki, a young Japanese-American whose parents lived in a relocation camp, as a gardener.  Click on the link for a fascinating walk through a not-always-proud past.

Hathaway-Sycamores looking for support this season

Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, a Pasadena-headquartered nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive continuum of therapeutic and other support services to thousands of children and families in the San Gabriel Valley, is asking caring members of the community to help brighten the holidays for the youngsters they serve.



“The kids in our care—many of whom have endured unimaginable trauma—deserve happiness, particularly during the holidays,” said Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services' President and CEO William Martone. “Agency-wide,” he added, “we're trying to provide gifts to more than 500 children.  California's budget crisis has hit our organization especially hard, so we're really reaching out for support from area residents and businesses.”


According to Martone, there are several ways to help, including:



Free oil filter @ Kragen Auto Parts Dec. 12

Merry Christmas again:  as if there isn't enough to do next Saturday, Kragen Auto Parts is offering a free oil filter if you bring in a used one (but we don't think they want you to open the hood and swap filters in the parking lot!)  It's from 10 AM-2 PM at Kragen, 737 E. Altadena Dr.