« February 2010 | Main | April 2010 »
The Altadena Community Center was the scene for a sendoff of Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow, who retires today after 33 years in law enforcement and three years as Altadena Station's commander. Many well-wishers attended the reception, including Altadena Library District board member Tom Hubbard and Star-News columnist Shirlee Smith. (Since Hubbard's wife Monica is a force on the "Yes on CC" campaign, and Smith ... is not, we see his bridge-building skills at work!)
| |
|
| |
|
Altadenablog sponsor Brio Spa & Salon, 2003 and 2009 Lake Ave., has expanded the services it offers to clients.
In addition to spa, nail, and esthetician services, Brio has opened a hair studio in their facility. In addition, Body Tech Therapy has opened a clinic in their studio. Lynwood Lanham, Ph.D. a doctor of natural health, offers body contour sculpting, pain management, massage, and detoxification services.
Owners Kaye and Nick Flores remind us that Brio can also hold private events (such as pre-wedding spa parties) after 7 PM most nights.
| |
|
Good things going down on the farm this spring! Click on the graphics for details.
| |
|
| |
|
Local songmeister Bill Burnett sent this note:
The funny musical TV spot that my little company Stretch Media created is up for a People's Telly award.
Please do me the favor of going to this url
http://www.youtube.com/tellyawards?x=xhMfKbselwM
My lovely wife Debrah shot the spot, I wrote the song and sang it and played all the instruments.
Please VOTE for it by hitting the THUMBS UP symbol under the spot. And then go back and vote again. (There doesn't seem to be any limit.)
And pass this on to all your friends.
It only takes a few seconds...and the spot is fun.
Thanks!
Yours in song.
Billllll
(Bill's the big guy with the red bandanna on this head, BTW).
| |
|
Received from Sgt. Daniel Bartlett of the Altadena Sheriff Station:
On Saturday, April 3, 2010, Sheriff’s Department personnel and volunteers will be going door-to-door handing out information on protecting people’s homes and cars from burglary. The area to be covered includes all homes south of Altadena Drive and west of Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena. The event will stage in Charles White Park and run from 9am to 2pm.
| |
|
The Mt. Wilson Bicycling Association will holds its 21st annual "Save the Trails" fundraiser at the Cobb Estate, corner of Lake and Loma Alta, on Sun., April 25, starting at 8 AM. Details in the flyer.
And for your NEXT batch of questions, we checked with USFS District Ranger Michael McIntyre, who said that MWBA has a special use permit for the event, which is in its fifth year at the Cobb Estate. (The event used to be held at Henninger Flats, until it became inaccessible after the slide).
| |
|
| |
|
Just received the following from Altadena Schools, which is trying to start an Altadena school district: television appearances and a "coffee shop hop" (all they need now is an upscale lunch truck!)
Altadena Schools Community MeetingsAt current rates, approximately half of Altadena’s demographic majority will graduate from high school. Altadena’s high school dropouts are among the estimated one million students who drop out of high school every year. Since as many as 60% of the young black men in America who drop out of high school will land in prison by the time they are in their 30s, the urgency for putting Altadena’s low income majority on the road to success in college instead of crime could not be more urgent.
Altadenans are encouraged to join us for one of these open discussions regarding what works to bring all students to academic proficiency regardless of family background!:
Thursday April 1 from 7:30-8:30PM on The Arroyo Channel (Charter 32 or http://www.
pasadenacommunitynetwork.com)
Talk About Parenting With Shirlee Smith: Measure CC - The PUSD Parcel Tax
Altadena Schools will be Shirlee’s guest on this live broadcast and call-in show. While the subject will be the parcel tax, viewers can expect the discussion to also relate the pros and cons of the proposed tax to the Altadena Schools effort. Dial-in numbers: 626-794-2552 or 626-794-2116Spring 2010 Altadena Schools Coffee Shop Hops!
These outreach efforts are intended to encourage a balanced public engagement on the reasons for and against Altadena Unified in an atmosphere of mutual respect:
7-8pm Wednesday, April 21 at Magic Johnson’s Starbucks, 671 N. Fair Oaks at Orange Grove Blvd.
7-8pm Tuesday, May 4 at Café Culture, 1359 N. Altadena Dr at Washington Blvd. Café Culture will open early for this one-hour event and will remain open until midnight.
7-8pm Thursday, May 20 at The Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave at Mariposa
| |
|
| |
|
The Altadena Historical Society is promoting our upcoming tour with facts and photos from our files about the George Gilbert Green family.
Green was a multi millionaire when there were only 4000 millionaires in the country. His modest 23 room house on Mariposa Street in Altadena was called “the ranch.” The house is gone, but the carriage house where he kept his ranch horses and numerous carriages still stands and will be open to the public on April 25, 2010 between 10 AM=5 PM.
Tickets are $13 for members, $16 for non-members, and $20 at the door. Send a check to AHS at the address below. Or purchase tickets on-line. For details go to:
| |
|
| |
|
The Friends of the Altadena Library will sponsor its annual Poetry & Cookies celebration on Saturday April 10 at 2 pm. This free event will feature a reading by the new Poet Laureate for Altadena Library, Alene Terzian. The public is invited to hear Ms. Terzian and other local poets perform their original poems. There will also be a drawing for some great prizes.
Past attendees have commented on what an “inspiring and fun event” this free program has been.
Following the main readings, there will be an open
mic and
a poet’s corner where poets may share their poetry
publications and offer them for purchase. The library’s 2010 edition of Poetry and Cookies, a compilation of poetry by local
poets, will also be
available for sale. The main
library is located at 600 East
Mariposa Street, Altadena.
For more information please call 626- 798-0833 or check the library’s
website at http://www.altadenalibrary.org
| |
|
Boy's Republic Thrift Shop Super Sale
Everything ½ Off
March 29th thru April 3rd
Clothing, Glass, Books, Videos, CDs, Records, Electronics, Children’s, Linens, Kitchen Item, Furniture
New Items Stocked Daily
Come Early For Best Selection
2261 N. Lake AvenueAltadena, CA
(Next to the Post Office)
10:00am – 3:00pm
Closed Sundays & Tuesdays
All Proceeds Benefit Boys Republic
www.boysrepublic.com
| |
|
The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team has started a blog where they detail some of their rescues: this entry has a Sunday rescue of a woman and her dog, including a helicopter landing at Farnsworth Park. Fortunately, all ended well.
UPDATE: Had a link problem, which we think we fixed!
| |
|
There was laughter, tears, and stories of heroism at the Community Center this morning as the deputies of the Altadena Sheriff's Station honored their first three female patrol deputies.
The gathering was in part in memory of retired Deputy Charlene "Charlie" Rottler, who died Jan. 3 of this year, but also in honor of Judy Preimsberger and Judy Evans, who received awards from the Sheriff's Department and the county Board of Supervisors. All were members of the first "Women in Patrol" graduating class in August, 1972. Rottler was assigned to Altadena Station the day after graduation.
(Pictured: Charlene Rottler)
The Los Angeles Sheriff Dept. had female deputies for many years in the early 1970's, but they were usually assigned to working on custody units, desk operations at stations, or specialized assignments such as vice, narcotics, or juvenile detective units. None were assigned to a radio car until 1972. The first women on patrol wore the same uniforms as they wore in custody units: white top, green skirt, and heels. Their guns and cuffs were tucked into purses.
According to a memoir by retired Commander Carole A. Freeman, who spoke at today's gathering, many captains looked the other way as their female deputies replaced their heels with black tie-on shoes, wore shorts under their skirts, and improvised gear belts. By 1976, female deputies were wearing full tan and green uniforms with pants and Sam Browne gunbelts.
(Pictured: Retired Cmdr. Carole Freeman remembers the early days)
Rottler's law enforcement career was cut short by an accident. In November, 1972, she was critically injured when she and her partner were broadsided in their radio car by a drunk driver on Altadena Drive. She spent 20 hours in surgery at Huntington Hospital, and 30 days in a coma. She had 55 operations throughout her life to fix injuries she suffered in the accident. She was forced to retire from the Sheriff's Department in 1974.
The changing face of law enforcement (Sheriff Lee Baca is to the far right).
Rottler's daughter, Los Angeles City firefighter/paramedic Denise Alvarado, fights back strong emotions.
Sheriff Lee Baca recognizes the women in law enforcement.
Altadena Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow acted as master of ceremonies in his final official act before retirement.
UPDATE 3/31: Had a technical problem that prevented putting this picture in earlier, but it's solved, and we MUST have this one:
Current deputies line up behind some of the surviving original "Women in Patrol" of 1972. Judy Preimsberger and Judy Evans of Altadena Station are fourth and fifth from the left, respectively, and Charlene Rottler's daughter Denise Alvarado is sixth.
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
One more before we sign off: some fan did a 60's opening for "Lost", as if done by (Altadena resident) Saul Bass!
-----------
Lost vs. Saul Bass from Hexagonall on Vimeo.
| |
|
We've been reading the news in the past week, as everybody has, and the behavior in the media quarters has ginned up enough disgust for a lifetime, thank you.
But folks ... this is too much. The Yes on CC website reports that a banner at Webster school was vandalized this week. It's being replaced, but we think it's very sad and un-American when people try to cut short political speech they disagree with. The way to fight that is more political speech.
UPDATE 3/27: Following her column last week, PSN's Shirlee Smith is feeling the love, too.
| |
|
Celebrate and support Altadena in the springtime tomorrow at (Altadenablog sponsor) Webster's Fine Stationers on Saturday, with the WFS Spring Celebration. Starting with the coloring raffle for children ages 1-10, there's still time to color one of three different designs and be entered in a raffle for exciting prizes -- to be given out by no less than the Easter Bunny himself, at 1 PM. (The Bunny will be posing for pictures with your young ones, too, so bring your camera!)
All purchases made between 1-3 PM will benefit Danny's Farm, which will receive 15% of the net proceeds during that period. A representative of Danny's Farm will be on hand with some of their animal residents to help explain the good things that they do (and plan to do) for the Altadena community.
And if that's not enough, Dip Me in Chocolate, Dana Gregoire's Altadena-based candy company, will debut their spring line of chocolates, just in time for next week's baskets. Gregoire will also donate 15% of her net proceeds to Danny's Farm during the spring celebration.
So come on down to Webster's tomorrow: 2450 N. Lake, Suite B.
(Pictured: the Bunny and I review "Donny Darko.")
| |
|
| |
|
Cat missing since Monday, March 22nd
Oliver – orange and white cat, 14 years old; last seen wearing a green collar
He is diabetic and takes insulin shots twice a day
Please contact – Kim at 626-993-7572 or Eileen at 626-808-1422
We live on E Calaveras, between Marengo and Raymond
UPDATE 3/30: Good news!
Thought I would send you an update on Oliver - After a week on his own, he came home this morning (around 1am), announcing his presence by getting in a fight with another cat and waking everyone up. We are thankful he is home and that neither cat sustained any injuries in the early morning encounter…
| |
|
Families and Neighbors Supporting Schools (FANSS), a parents group within the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), has extended the deadline of the Technology Challenge until May 31:
As its first project FANSS is launching a new Technology Challenge initiative to raise much-needed technology funds for PUSD schools. A local family has offered $100,000 in matching funds. Thus, each dollar you donate to PEF as a FANSS member will be matched by a gift to our schools for technology. Feel free to designate your child’s school. We have until May 31, 2010, to reach our goal to receive the matching funds. Please help us reach our goal by donating today. (No individual school will receive more than $10,000 of the matching funds. However, there is no cap on the amount that families and friends may give to the school.)
TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE MATCHING DONATION
This link has additional information including a link to donate online with credit card:
http://pasedfoundation.org/fanss.php
This link shows the amount each school has received toward it's goal as of 2/19/2010 (with Altadena schools lagging a bit behind):
Checks can be mailed or dropped off to:
Pasadena Education Foundation
351 S. Hudson
Room 214
Pasadena, CA 91101
Checks payable to Pasadena Education Foundation
Note on check that it is for Technology Challenge- and, if desired, SPECIFY SCHOOL.
| |
|
If you're still not quite over that little shaker we had a few days ago, Michele A. Judd at the Keck Institute of Space Studies at Cal Tech alerted us to a relevant public panel presentation next week from earthquake superstar Lucy Jones:
Modern Methods of Observing Earthquakes: What We Have Learned About Haiti and Chile Using Seismology and Space Observations
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
8:00 - 9:30pm
Beckman Auditorium, Caltech
Dr. Lucile Jones of the USGS will moderate a free public panel on an overview of the results obtained by analyzing data from the recent earthquakes in Haiti (January 12, Mw 7.0) and Chile (February 27, Mw 8.8).
The speakers will discuss what has been learned about these earthquakes from seismology, observations made from satellite systems, and field observations. They will also discuss how space techniques could in the future improve earthquake monitoring and help mitigate their effects.
Speakers include:
- Dr. Ken Hudnut, USGS
- Professor Mark Simons, Caltech
- Dr. Eric Fielding, NASA/JPL
- Dr. Rich Briggs, USGS
- Dr. Anthony Sladen, Caltech
Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. Parking in commuter spots is free on the Caltech Campus after 6:00pm.
http://www.kiss.caltech.edu/workshops/surface2010/lecture. html
Sponsored by: the Keck Institute for Space Studies, the USGS and The Planetary Society.
| |
|
Yolande Carson of (Altadenablog sponsor) scissors/paper/rock salon says they've got a busy weekend planned:
Celebrating our 4th anniversary and salon expansion we are hosting a weekend of food , fashion, music and give- aways!
Friday, March 26th- trunk show with Project 12/22 , 5pm-8:30pm
Saturday, March 27th- open house, 11am-4pm
| |
|
Altadena town council chair Gino Sund has sent this explanation around to the newsgroups, and we're sharing it here, regarding proposed oversize vehicle parking restrictions:
Neighbors,
The proposed overnight parking restriction on oversized vehicles i.e. large recreational vehicles, buses, large boats, etc. has already generated a good amount of community input. Most of the respondents are in favor of the proposal. Some residents do not fully understand what is being proposed and why.
Please let me spell out the problems we have been, and are, facing in Altadena and detail the proposed solution.
Continue reading "Update: proposed oversize vehicle restrictions" »
| |
|
| |
|
Friends of the
Altadena Library and The Moveable Theatre Company announce the world
premiere staged reading of the winning entry from the Zane Grey
Playwriting
Contest: “Surprise Valley” by Mary Casey.
The performance
and reception will take place Sat., May 1, 2010 at the former home
of famed western author Zane Grey in Altadena at 4 PM.
The competition asked authors to write a dramatization about the life of long-time Altadena resident, famed author Zane Grey. Zane Grey (January 31, 1872 - – October 23, 1939) was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. Zane Grey and his wife Dolly moved to California in 1918.
In 1920 they
located in Altadena, California, where Grey bought a prominent mansion
on East Mariposa Street, known locally as "Millionaire's Row".
Designed by architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey (no relation to the
author), the 1907 Mediterranean style house is acclaimed as the first
fireproof home in Altadena, built entirely of reinforced concrete as
prescribed by the first owner's wife. Grey summed up his feelings for
Altadena with this quote: "In Altadena, I have found those qualities
that make life worth living." In 1926 Mrs. Grey helped establish
the Altadena Library District, and was its first Board President.
Tickets are $75
and include a catered reception, performance and a question & answer
session immediately following with the author, cast and director.
All proceeds will benefit the expansion of the Altadena Library.
| |
|
Altadena author/actor/activist/whirlwind Ellen Snortland has packed a couple more events in her already-busy schedule, to help a friend, Robin Carlson, who is fighting cancer:
First, she tells us, they're holding a fundraising bingo night at Throop Unitarian Universalist Church, 300 S. Los Robles, Pasadena, on Sat., April 3. at 6:30 PM. TIckets are $20 (which includes three bingo cards), and there will be refreshments and prizes. To guarantee entry, reserve your tickets online by March 31:
http://www.brownpapertickets.
Second, she will hold a benefit performance of her one-woman show, "Now That She's Gone," at the Actor's Repertory Theater, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank
For more info, email ellensnortland@mac.com or call 626-798-8421.
Both events are sponsored by New Earth Organization, a 502(c)3 corporation. All donations are tax-deductible.
| |
|
Installation of an unmanned telecommunications facility disguised as a 100 foot monopine. AT&T will be installing 9 panel antennas at 95 feet with a 27 foot by 12 foot lease area for related equipment. T-Mobile will be installing a 12 panel antennas at 85 feet with a 25 foot by 12 foot lease area for related equipment. Lease areas will be surrounded by chain link fence with green slats
Applicant: AT&T Wireless
Agent: BDI –Derra Design
Owner: Los Angeles County Public Works
Location: 147 East Loma Alta
Project No.: R2010-00090 (CUP 201000014)
| |
|
Please come join us for great food, music, and shopping. There will be more than 30 vendors present. We are raising money for our school. Please come and support public education, while you have fun.
| |
|
| |
|
The Frysmith truck made its maiden voyage to Altadena tonight -- not as crowded as previous upscale lunch trucks, but the reviews were good.
UPDATE: We knew Bill Westphal would be on the case, and we get his report after the jump.
| |
|
Been so busy, haven't had time to say anything on our own event!
The second annual "Primavera in Altadena" potluck for the bloggers of the San Gabriel Valley was a hit, getting a little less than 50 people at its peak. Bloggers from Altadena, Pasadena, LCF, South Pas, and Glendale, as well as blogfans from all over, gathered in Farnsworth Park Saturday and were well-represented with good company and a groaning board of food.
Sponsored by Altadenablog, Altadenahiker, Open Mouth Insert Fork, and Altadena Above It All, it was a good time, and we're going to try to do it all again next year! Pictures after the jump.
| |
|
Continue reading "Forest Service to hold Cobb Estate "listening session" Sat." »
| |
|
The League of Women Voters in Pasadena is sponsoring a free public forum on the federal "race to the top" initiative in education on April 1 at the Women's City Club, from 9:30 AM- 1 PM. Details are here.
| |
|
Folks around Hollyslope Road have been visited by a bobcat in recent weeks. Marty Ruch took this picture, which has been shared among the Hollyslope Road newsgroup members by moderator Bill Westphal (who, as usual, is on the case and will try to take better pictures).
If you're living in the neighborhood, keep your pets inside or under close watch!
| |
|
| |
|
Yep, another gourmet roach coach is heading our way Tuesday: Frysmith will be at an undetermined Altadena location tomorrow night from 6-9 PM (it's French fries, of course!). We'll let you know where they're going to be as soon as they do!
UPDATE: No surprise, but the Frysmith truck will be at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 Lake Ave., from 7-9 PM Tues. night.
| |
|
Registration is now open for Summer Wonderland. It is a day camp just for primary grade students, students who have completed kindergarten through fourth grade.
The curriculum is DISCOVERY! Weird and Wonderful Worlds: A Voyage through Time. There will be academic fun, indoor and outdoor activities, fine arts, recreation and sports. There will be a weekly field trip related to the area of study, an annual Camp Out in July and our old-fashioned Family Picnic.
Where: Altadena Christian Children’s Center and Altadena Elementary School
When: June 29, 2010 to August 27, 2010.Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: tuition varies
For more information call the director Toni Boucher at 626 797 6142 or email altaccc@aol.com.Website: www.accc-kids.org
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
The one-day-only show and sale features ceramics, collage, drawings, encaustic, fabric, glass, jewelry, paintings, painted metal, mosaics, photography and woodcarvings. Participating artists include: Stephani Anderson, Julie and Rick Ayres, Karen
Bagnard, Erica Batchelder, Catherine M. S. Cowles, Ellen Dinerman, Mary Jane Elgin, Kaylie James Wilson, Bill Haskell, Lynn Hendricks, Jim Heuston, Sherrill Lander, Lindsay Lander, Stephen Johnson, Beverly Jones, Susan Loraine, Luz Mack-Durini, Dana Sue Miller, Betsy Miller, Katherine Nakazono, Cathy Reichel-Clark, Anne Sears, Noya Shiloni-Havi, Maryrose Smyth, Susan Spinks, Kathleen Swaydan, Tris Wasserman, Bruce Wilson, Lys Wilcox, Stephen Woodruff, Anna Vosburg, and Lucia Yang.
| |
|
We've heard through some activists on the Foothill Municipal Water District parcel tax issue that there will be a board meeting tomorrow, Mon., March 22, starting at 8:30 AM at FMWD offices at 4536 Hampton Rd. in La Canada Flintridge. There is usually time for a short public comment during the meeting. Google map here:
| |
|
| |
|
Today's the day for the social event of the year: the second annual San Gabriel Valley Bloggers' "Primavera in Altadena" potluck, at Farnsworth Park, starting at noon today. That's where we'll be!
| |
|
With clear skies ahead, there are going to be two good chances to see the International Space Station in the next few days.
Tonight, it will fly overhead at about 8:17, starting in the northwest. On Monday, it will start at 7:32, again in the northwest, and fly almost directly overhead.
| |
|
