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Received a call from Monique about 5:30 this afternoon -- she found a German Shepherd running loose around Midlothian and Meadowbrook -- they could see from the tag that her name was "Lucy," but she wasn't going to let anyone get close enough to see if there was a phone number along with it. Hope she found her way home!
UPDATE, 7AM Mon: Monique writes that the owner was found "in an amazing twist of fate." We'll take 'em any way we can!
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Pictured: reporter/blogger/bellydancer/former Doo Dah Queen Mickie Mills at last night's Light Bringer Project benefit
Photog Gary Altadena shares these pictures of last night's benefit for the Light Bringer Project -- an evening of Doo-Dah memorabilia at (Altadenablog sponsor) Ben McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World. Gary writes:
Ben McGinty was the most awesome host for the Doo Dah Photo and Memorabilia Show last night. We had the best time ever. Here are some picture to share.
More after the jump.
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What better on a hot summer night than enjoying the Sheriff Support Group's concert series? Last night was the Crown City Dixieland Band, bringing back the music of the good old days.
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Local artist Heather Morrow is announcing three workshops she will be giving at Kat Scrap Studio, 2455 Lake Ave., (626) 797-1163:
"Creative Journaling" Thursday, July 22, 7-8 PM
Come reconnect with your inner voice in this creative writing session. For this first session, we will be using a photograph to elicit a story and other creative concepts. [$15.00]
"Alphabet Soup," Saturday, July 24, 2-4 PM
Come discover your Creative Soul and awaken your artistic spirit. This month's class is "Alphabet Soup." You will decoupage and beautifully decorate a large letter, reflecting your impressions / thoughts about that letter.
Each participant will be provided with the necessary supplies. You are welcome to bring any objects or embellishments to add to your work (or share). Embrace the artist inside of you! $35 - includes all materials. Reservations encouraged to ensure enough materials, please also note the letter of the alphabet you would like to decorate. Space is limited so call to reserve your spot, now!
Kat Scrap Studio Creativity Party, Sun., July 25, 2-4 PM
Come celebrate your creativity at KatScrap Studio. We will be launching our exciting new loyalty rewards program. Come sign-up and save on merchandise and classes. There will be fun make-and-take projects, raffle prizes, delicious food and FREE gifts. So, come, take a break and celebrate your creativity with us at KatScrap Studio.
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The Altadena Community Garden held its annual picnic this afternoon, as gardeners and lovers of great food got together to enjoy and celebrate this local institution.
The picnic itself -- ranging from garden produce to ribs -- certainly had its fans. More pictures after the jump.
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Details are still sketchy --the Crescenta Valley sheriff's station reports that 13 bullet casings were recovered following a drive-by shooting around midnight near McNally.
A station deputy reported that approximately 20 gunshots were reported being fired at 12:03 AM Saturday morning. No one was injured, and there is no description yet on the shooters or vehicle.
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If you want to see some of the Station Fire-fighting choppers and thank the crews personally, you'll get a chance at next weekend's American Heroes Air Show at Hansen Dam.
(And yes, we noted that they can't spell "helicopter" correctly on the top of their flier!)
John Heinsen, who alerted us to this, says he'll be there at 8 AM to watch the choppers fly in, and says to come early to beat the heat and bring lots of water.
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That's right; I said "duct tape" from the hardware store. Teens (13-17) will be able to make a stylish and fully functioning wallet out of duct tape! Don’t believe it’s possible; well come down to the Altadena Library District Community Room on Wednesday, July 21 @ 3 PM and see for yourself.Make sure to join us in the Community Room for this fun program that is just a small part of the Teen Summer Reading Program which ends August 3, 2010. Join today for a great summer of creative programs, fantastic reads and awesome prizes. Register for your chance to win our grand prize, an Apple iPAD!!! Teens must have an Altadena Library card to be eligible to win!!!
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Now it's an "excessive heat warning", says the National Weather Service:
...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM PDT SATURDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM PDT SATURDAY.
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A new correspondent who calls himself Gary Altadena (in homage to Gary Indiana) shares a couple of images of life around town:
These roofers working at the Seventh Day Adventist Church probably have the worst job in the world today.
Boat on Lake. (It's subtle, give it time ...)
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by Chris Considine
for Altadenablog
For all those that enjoyed Bill Westphal's great shot of the International Space Station soaring across the Altadena skies on Wednesday night, there is another chance this evening to watch.
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Nancy Steele of the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy writes:
There is a trail on Eaton Wash? Well, not yet. But thanks to a grant from Southern California Edison, the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is developing a plan for a continuous trail from the Eaton Canyon Nature Center to the Rio Hondo. Join us for a series of workshops to discuss recreational opportunities along Eaton Wash. Your ideas and opinions are a valuable part of the process. The success of the Eaton Wash Corridor Plan depends on your participation! Refreshments and Childcare Provided. Note that Workshops 1 & 2 will cover the same topics, as will Workshops 3 & 4. For more information, contact Holly Thompson at hollydthompson@hotmail.com.
We hope to see you there!
Nancy Steele
Workshop #1: Site Design
July 29, Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm
ALTADENA COMMUNITY CENTER
730 EAST ALTADENA DRIVE
ALTADENA, CA 91001
Workshop #2: Site Design
July 31, Saturday,10:00 am -12:00 pm
ROSEMEAD COMMUNITY CENTER
3936 N. MUSCATEL AVENUE
ROSEMEAD, CA 91770
Workshop #3: Design Review
September 9, Thursday, 7:00-9:00 pm
GARVEY CENTER
9108 GARVEY AVENUE
ROSEMEAD, CA 91770
Workshop #4: Design Review
September 11, Saturday,10:00 am -12:00 pm
ALTADENA COMMUNITY CENTER
730 EAST ALTADENA DRIVE
ALTADENA, CA 91001
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About 250 residents came to a sweltering auditorium at Eliot Middle School last night to hear sheriff's deputies talk about the inroads they are making in Altadena's burglary wave -- a wave that just doesn't seem to go away.
Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean said that, in the last three months, deputies had jailed at least 20 suspected burglars -- some juveniles, and some gangbangers. He also said that burglary reports were going down -- from 12 in one week a month ago to three last week. The sheriff has also deployed more resources, including officers in the field, to tackle the problem.
But the wave is still going on, and deputies said -- as they had at a similar meeting last fall -- that gang members were a significant part of it.
(Pictured: Det. Lt. Joseph Dempsey addresses the crowd at Eliot Thursday night.)
Deputy Rich Pippin told the audience that Altadena was home to one of the largest Blood gangs in LA County, and that gangsters had figured out there was more money to be made from burglaries than drug dealing -- a drug dealer may score only $80 a day, but a few burglaries will net more than that, and the penalty is not as great if they're caught and convicted.
The burglary wave is following two parallel paths: thefts from cars -- either by rifling through unlocked cars or smashing windows and grabbing items left out in the open; and thefts from unoccupied homes -- grabbing high-value items quickly after gaining access through the back door, or increasingly by just kicking open front doors to grab and run.
Neighborhood burglary crews usually have one or more members doing the crime -- sometimes with a backpack to cart away the loot -- and a getaway car driver, who may wait in the the car some distance away, communicating by cellphone.
The burglar crews are sometimes casing homes by going door-to-door to see which homes are unoccupied. If the door is answered, they may offer an excuse, such as they are selling magazines or looking for a lost pet. Sometimes they will give the reason that they are workers (tree-trimmers, cable installers, etc.) in an attempt to gain entry to a house.
Deputies recommended several ways to help combat the wave, the most important of which was knowing your neighbors and who belongs in the neighborhood. They also encouraged joining or forming neighborhood watch groups. They gave special credit to Jeff Sedlick, whose new braewatch.org website monitors the area around Braeburn Ave. and has 175 members.
As well, keep your high value items out of sight -- don't leave iPods, phones, GPS devices, or purses in your car, and make sure things like widescreen TVs can't be seen from your front window.
The deputies also recommended anything that would make noise if a burglary was in progress -- such as a dog or an audible alarm system. LIkewise, if you are in the home and find a burglary in progress, they said to get out and begin to raise an alarm. "The most effective alarm is noise," said Dep. Pippin.
The sheriffs also announced that there will be a meeting of neighborhood watch block captains at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, at 7 PM on July 27. The sheriff's department line is 798-1131, and the detective bureau is 296-2131. The sheriff email is altadena@lasd.org.
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The Altadena Sheriff's Station will sponsor the local National Night Out events on Tues., Aug. 3 at the Loma Alta Park Equestrian Center, 5-9 PM.
There will be hot dogs and other picnic items available, as well as information from the sheriffs, California Highway Patrol, and county fire department.
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We're getting reports from hikers/residents that the suspected poacher known as "Rambro,'" aka Joe Clay, was spotted in the Millard Canyon area Thursday. He's an African-American man, usually dressed in camouflage and face paint, who has been seen illegally bow hunting in the forest in years past. He drives an old maroon Dodge van (CA license plate #4AGU605) with black-out windows, and now apparently uses a mountain bike in the hills as well.
In the past, he has been seen with his bow and arrows in the Meadows, in closed burn areas, and on private property hunting without permission.
If you see him in the area or his van / motorcycle, please call USFS Dispatch (661-723-2703) and the Altadena Sheriffs (626-798-1131). However, some of our readers noted that this was done yesterday and there was no response (altho' we did hear his description go out over the scanner).
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Weather: it's still going to be bad! National Weather Service needs to stop shouting:
STRONG HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE DESERT SOUTHWEST WILL KEEP A HOT AIR MASS IN PLACE OVER THE REGION THROUGH THE WEEKEND. TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE INLAND AREAS WILL REMAIN WELL ABOVE SEASONAL NORMALS THROUGH SUNDAY...WITH NEAR RECORD LEVELS EXPECTED EACH AFTERNOON. PROJECTED INLAND AFTERNOON MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 90S TO NEAR 110 DEGREES EACH AFTERNOON...WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES EXCEEDING 100 IN MOST INLAND AREAS. AREAS CLOSER TO THE COAST WILL BE MODERATED BY THE MARINE LAYER...WITH TEMPERATURES AT OR JUST ABOVE SEASONAL NORMALS FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. MONSOONAL MOISTURE EMBEDDED IN THE SOUTHEAST FLOW ALOFT WILL CONTINUE TO BRING ISOLATED TO SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA TODAY. SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS COULD CONTAIN BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL...DANGEROUS CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING...AND GUSTY AND ERRATIC WINDS. THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND INCREASED HUMIDITY...OR HEAT INDEX...WILL EXCEED CRITICAL LEVELS ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES THROUGH SATURDAY. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR PORTIONS OF THE LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTY VALLEYS AND MOUNTAINS INCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE. NEVER...EVER LEAVE CHILDREN...THE ELDERLY OR PETS IN ENCLOSED AUTOMOBILES... EVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN...TEMPERATURES CAM QUICKLY RISE TO LIFE THREATENING LEVELS.
Instruction:
IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTSIDE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME...STAY IN THE SHADE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. LIMIT ANY OUTDOOR STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OR AFTER SUNDOWN. WEAR LIGHT-COLORED AND LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING.
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This editorial in the Crescenta Valley Weekly by Mike Lawlor talks about the Crescenta Valley Town Council's tendency to get blindsided by new development along Foothill Blvd. What really struck our internal gong is the following paragraph:
The Crescenta Valley Town Council has had its share of problems managing this onslaught of undisclosed development. I sat in on a meeting they had recently with officials from County Supervisor Antonovich’s office. The Town Council met with them to try to get a handle on these situations. The officials held out Altadena’s Town Council as an example to follow. Altadena holds monthly public meetings on local developments, keeping the community and the developers in touch with one another. Altadena asked for and got the County to alert them to any and all developments way ahead of time, so that no one gets blindsided. I know from my own experience that our neighbors to the west, the Sunland/Tujunga Neighborhood Council, enjoys the same advance notice consideration from Los Angeles, and that they too hold regular public meetings. Antonovich’s representatives further urged the CV Council to be the “eyes and ears for the community” regarding local development.
What they're speaking of here is the Altadena Town Council's Land Use Committee, which meets every month to air out land use issues. For many years, the Altadena Town Council was pointed out as an example, but not as a good one. We think this speaks well of the changes over the last few years and the actions and membership of the current council that Supervisor Antonovich now uses to it as an example of how local government should be run. It's not perfect, but it's progress.
On the other hand, the Crescenta Valley Council has a really cool website.
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Apparently there's no place safe from the burglars. Lt. Joseph Dempsey from the Altadena Sheriff's Station sent us this:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Parks Bureau reported that they received three vehicle burglary reports at Eaton Canyon Park on Fri., July 2, 2010. The burglaries occurred between 8 AM and 12 PM. In all three of the thefts, the suspect(s) gained entry by smashing a window. Numerous items were stolen from the vehicles.
Please do not leave valuables in your vehicles.
Call Altadena Sheriff's Station (626-798-1131) to report any suspicious activity.
Deputies from Altadena Station and Parks Bureau will be patrolling the county parks.
Any questions or information please call or email Lieutenant Joseph Dempsey: 626-296-2131 or jedempse@lasd.org
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The Altadena Arts Council sent us this info on their summer program:The Altadena Arts Council is making it possible for Altadena/Pasadena area parents to provide their children and youth with an opportunity to be a pART of ART of the creativity this Summer at its "Creative Summer Arts Discovery Workshops!" They'll learn from experienced teachers, create exciting projects, make lifelong friends. They'll explore and discover art in its many forms as they also discover the artist in themselves.
And, how about this: "It's affordable!" Only $55/per one-week workshop; $100/per two-week workshop. Want another bonus? Families enrolling two or more children pay only $50/per child (T-shirt included!).
If you are a parent, here's a great opportunity for your child. If you are Gramma/Pa, aunt/uncle/cousin, friend/neighbor or total stranger, here's a great opportunity for you as well to pass along this information.Applications now being accepted for Session A: July 19 - July 23; and Session B: July 26 - July 30. Applications can be downloaded from www.altadenaartscouncil.org. For questions, contact the Altadena Arts Council at 626-797-5798 or e-mail: info@altadenaartscouncil.org.
Classes are from 9 AM-3 PM on the campus of Sacred Heart Church, 600 W. Mariposa.
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Mad Science!: Join us for this interactive, educational and entertaining science presentation that includes physics, chemical magic, bubbling potions, and tons more!
2 PM at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, and 4:30 PM at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave.
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Remember, drink lots of fluids, and don't leave anybody in the car! National Weather Service shouts:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING FOR THE LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS. THIS WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM PDT FRIDAY. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED... AND IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. * TEMPERATURE: HEAT INDEX READINGS...A MEASURE OF THE LEVEL OF DISCOMFORT CAUSED BY THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY... WILL RISE TO BETWEEN 100 AND 107 DEGREES IN THE LOWER MOUNTAIN ELEVATIONS BELOW 4000 FEET DURING THE LATE MORNING THROUGH EARLY EVENING HOURS EACH DAY. * IMPACTS: HEAT STROKE...HEAT EXHAUSTION...HEAT CRAMPS AND SUNBURN COULD BE POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... &&
Instruction:
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS... STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM... STAY OUT OF THE SUN... AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. ALSO...NEVER EVER LEAVE CHILDREN... THE ELDERLY OR PETS IN ENCLOSED AUTOMOBILES... EVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN... TEMPERATURES CAN QUICKLY RISE TO LIFE THREATENING LEVELS. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES COULD BE EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS... STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM... STAY OUT OF THE SUN... AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. ALSO...NEVER EVER LEAVE CHILDREN... THE ELDERLY OR PETS IN ENCLOSED AUTOMOBILES... EVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN... TEMPERATURES CAN QUICKLY RISE TO LIFE THREATENING LEVELS.
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... and immortalized in this picture by Bill Westphal -- clear night, bright flyby, just grand thing to see.
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A garden mourns: even as it prepares for Saturday's annual picnic, the Altadena Community Garden mourns the passing of one of its own, Tom Lamp.
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Keep checking back, as new things are always added!
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Another lost pet -- this message is making the rounds:
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On Wednesday, July 14 @ 4:30 Jeff t.g. - a magician and comedian will be stopping by to amaze and amuse us! His style of high energy, improvisational entertainment is filled with audience participation and great fun that you won't want to miss! Wednesday, July 14 @ 4:30pm.
Make sure to join us in the Community Room for this fun program that is just a small part of the Teen Summer Reading Program which ends August 3, 2010. Join today for a great summer of creative programs, fantastic reads and awesome prizes. Register for your chance to win our grand prize, an Apple iPAD!!! Teens must have an Altadena Library card to be eligible to win!!!
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The Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena continues its summer concert series Sat.,July 17, with the Crown City Dixieland Band at Farnsworth Park. The show is free, and starts at 7 PM.
The Crown City Dixieland Band hails from, and is aptly named after, the City of Pasadena ("Crown of the Valley").
This popular Dixieland band has been providing Wednesday night entertainment for the past quarter century (25 years!) at Pasadena's Burger Continental Restaurant (Lake at California).
Although the band's roots are in hand-clappin' Dixieland music, Crown City has
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The Philabosians (we'd describe them as "concrete music") are appearing at Altadena's intimate outdoor venue, the Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Dr., on Sat., July 24, Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8 PM, jackets/blankets suggested, bring your own refreshments and prepare to pack them out. Admission is free.
If you're on Facebook, we found this 2008 Folly Bowl performance immortalized on video.
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Lt. Joseph Dempsey of the Altadena Sheriff's Station sent this message along:
Altadena Sheriff's Station reports: There have been recent thefts from vehicles in the area north of Loma Alta Drive and west of Fair Oaks Avenue.
This weekend we experienced nine reports of thefts from vehicles. The thefts all occurred in the late night/ early morning hours. Six of the nine thefts were from unlocked vehicles.
Please remember remove your valuables and lock your vehicles!!!!!
If you see suspicious behavior call Altadena Sheriff's Station at
626-798-1131.
Any questions,concerns, or information please feel free to email or call Detective Lieutenant Joseph Dempsey.
jedempse@lasd.org
626-296-2131
Don't forget the community meeting on burglaries Thurs., July 15, at Eliot Middle School, starting at 7 PM.
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Carolyn Seitz from the Sheriff's Advisory Council sends us this:
Don't give yourselves a chance to be afraid of an earthquake occurring, BE PREPARED instead.
Here is a link to the Emergency Survival Guide published by the County of Los Angeles.
It is a 100 page guide that provides useful tools for getting yourself and your family prepared for the next big quake or other catastrophic event.
http://lacoa.org/PDF/EmergencySurvivalGuide-LowRes.
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OK, our record of pet recovery is pretty good these days -- let's see if we can send another puppy home -- this time a cockapoo named Pitufo:
Rita Ramirez emails us:
Our puppy is about 6 or 7 months. He was lost between Lake and El Molino on Sacramento St. He is light brown /cream color, about the size of a 8 size shoe of an adult, very playful, will go with anyone as long as you rub his belly. We lost him on Mon., July 5, 2010 about 5 PM, as we were having a barbecue, accidentally the door was left open as we were bringing the stuff in the house.
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As of about 2 PM today, authorities said that the suspect and vehicle were in custody but the victim is still missing. If you can help in any way or share information, please contact the Altadena Sheriff's Station, 798-1131.
UPDATE, 5:45 PM: The Amber Alert was canceled about 5 PM, as the victim was found safely in San Juan Capistrano, according to the state emergency network.
UPDATE 10:45 PM: This AP story gives a rundown of what OC sheriffs have revealed to date -- apparently the suspect was arrested in Altadena and taken to OC for questioning.
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by Devon Pettengill
for Altadenablog
Altadenablog welcomes its sponsor, McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World.
Ben McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World could easily be called the center of art culture in Altadena, a community that is already a place where many artists choose to make their homes. When McGinty opened the Gallery eight years ago as the Underground Art Society, it was in response to his artist friends complaining about a lack of local venues to show their work.
(Pictured: Ben McGinty, the Illustrated Man, selling tickets in the gallery for the recent Altadena home art studio tour).
Still operating as the non-profit Underground Art Society, the Gallery operates on a theme of inclusion. Its mission is to promote artists of all kinds, from amateurs to the well-established, while putting aside prejudice and pretense. Owner Ben McGinty describes the Gallery as a community-based art salon, where artists and the community can come together to exchange ideas and reflect upon the art.
"I've always felt that a world without art is a world without a future," McGinty says. "I think it's one of the last frontiers. We've pretty much discovered everything that there is as far as exploring goes, so now we explore within."
Unlike some galleries, McGinty's only opens to the public a few select times during the year. The core of the Gallery's events schedule are quarterly Art Benders. Artists come together to hang their art on Wednesday of an Art Bender week, and the gallery opens to the public on Thursday with a traditional artists reception that evening. Friday is the immensely popular First Friday Art Club from 7pm onward, where guests enjoy entertainment and mingling for a $5 cover. Saturday is a potluck barbecue, which runs between noon and 7pm. Sunday features a brunch that runs from noon to 6pm. During all four days of an Art Bender the Gallery remains open for the public to enjoy.
And enjoyable it is -- a unique blend of inside and outside spaces, with a performance area, many alcoves and niches with art on display, and a crawling trumpet vine that weaves its way through the gallery. Altadena author Laura Randall names the gallery in her new book, Peaceful Places Los Angeles, as one of the list of 110 places.
The Gallery's long name came at the suggestion of artist Matt Foote, who noted that its location put it not only near the end of Lake Street, but also at the fringe of the Los Angeles cultural world.
For updates on upcoming events and to learn more about the Gallery at the End of the World, visit www.galleryattheendoftheworld.com. The Gallery will be hosting a fundraiser for the Light Bringer Project this Saturday with a display of Doo-Dah Parade memorabilia, starting at 6 PM.
The Gallery at the End of the World is located at 2470 N. Lake Ave., and can be reached at (626) 794-8779.
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The booming sounds of Japanese Taiko drums will be heard in the foothills as the Akafuji Daiko drumming troupe from Otsuki City, Japan, will perform at Farnsworth Park at 5 PM Thurs., July 29. The public is invited to attend.
The group is traveling to the U.S. to play at a Colorado Rockies baseball game in Denver, followed by a stop in southern California.
The Akafuji Daiko owns the Guiness world record largest drum, the World Peace Drum. The last time they visited the U.S. was to play at a September 11th memorial in New York.
As an added bonus there's a local performer who appears with the group: Andrew Lyzenga, son of Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Lyzenga of Altadena, is currently teaching English at a high school in Japan and is a member of Akafuji Daiko. Lyzenga is an alumnus of Clairbourn School, Flintridge Preparatory School and the University of Redlands.
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Gary Barbarian (we are resisting the temptation to give him the middle name "the"), business specialist at Chase Bank at 2333 N. Lake Ave., tells us that the bank will hold a business mixer on Thurs., July 29, 5-7 PM:
We will be serving food and drinks and would like to welcome all business owners who are interested for a networking event. It is our first ever and would like to have a great turnout.
The event will include presentations from a payroll rep from ADP, cash management specialists, and merchant services reps (credit card). Barbarian says "the floor will be opened to any business owner willing to share their line of work."
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Theatre Americana, in collaboration with the LA County Dept. of Parks and Recreaton, presents actWRITE, a free workshop for writers with playwright/screenwriter Liz Cotone on Fri., Aug. 13 at Davies Hall in Farnsworth Park from 7-9 PM.
Having spent ten years as a professional actor before dedicating herself to the craft of writing, Liz Cotone has developed a technique for freeing the writer within using a combination of writing and acting exercises. The core belief of the work is that everything you need to be a great storyteller is already inside you. It is only when our fearful brains get in the way of our stories that we get stuck. Techniques in the workshop are designed to get writers into their hearts where they can tap into the truth of their stories.
For this one-time intro workshop to this technique, bring:
1. a notebook and your favorite pen
2. an idea for a story you want to tell on stage or screen AND/OR 2 - 5 pages of written dialogue from your script that you'd like to rework in the class. Class size is limited - you must make a reservation. Please make your reservation by August 7th: donna8461@sbcglobal.net
Contact: Donna Scarantino (626)840-3551
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PSN's Larry Wilson went to the Great Outdoors "listening session" at Occidental College last week -- and with all those politicos in one room, it sounded like Thorne Hall was making its own contribution to global warming. It's a good read.
Also: the Pasadena City Council is scheduled to take comments on plans for Hahamongna Monday night (tomorrow), at their meeting scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM. Somewhere in our files is the reminder (probably from Karin) that, altho' the watershed is in Pasadena, it entirely adjoins Altadena, so if you have something to say about it, tomorrow's the time.
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If you're a fan of western music, you know you're going to the Gary Allegretto house concert Saturday. In addition to being a top western singer and harmonica virtuoso, Gary has shared with us some details of his recent visit to Haiti.
Allegretto has a nonprofit organization, Harmonikids, which helps bring the power of music to children who need it in their lives. In the second week of May, Allegretto took Harmonikids on a music therapy mission to aid children in Port Au Prince, Haiti who survived the earthquake, as well as children trapped in restavek servitude. “Restavek” is a Creole word used for those who are victims of child slavery.
In Allegretto’s words: “Harmonikids effectively provided these children shiny new harmonicas and gentle, entertaining music lessons in the most devastating time of their life. In spite of their inconceivable hardships, these children were irresistibly drawn to the harmonica with it’s child-friendly simplicity, pocket-sized portability, and warm voice-like tone.
"Making music provided a positive means of creative self-expression, an emotional outlet, and stress relieving benefits crucial to their development. The sessions visibly elevated their self-esteem and confidence. And perhaps most importantly, Harmonikids gave these Haitian children an opportunity to recover some of the childhood hope and joy that had been so cruelly stolen from their young lives.”
Now that he's back in the States, Allegretto is touring and promoting his music and his Harmonikids foundation. And he'll bring it to Altadena next Sat., July 17, in a house concert from Bob Mann and Big Hat Promotions. Suggested donation is $20 (which includes a barbecue). Doors and picnic open at 5:30, concert at 7 PM. Email big.hat@sbcglobal.net for reservations and location.
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One of our favorite cowboy poets, Gary Robertson has been writing about the daily trials and tribulations of the cowboy and rancher for over 25 years. His poetry has appeared in the Chickasaw Times, Capriolas Catalogue, American Cowboy Magazine, and several local newspapers. One of his poems was chosen to be included in the book "Cowboy Poetry: the Reunion" and he is a featured poet on CowboyPoetry.com.Suggested donation $20.00 per person includes refreshments. Reserve early at big.hat@sbcglobal.net
Gary has entertained audiences at the Colorado Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Arizona Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Cowboy Hall of Fame, Autry National Center, The Conejo Cowboy Poetry Festival, and Big Bear Cowboy Poetry Gathering.
Eddie Villalobos rounds out the evening with fine Western song. Eddie is gifted with an excellent voice and fine guitar playing. When Eddie starts to sing, he quickly has the audience in the palm of his hand. Eddie has performed at the Autry National Center, Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival and the Visalia Fall Roundup.
Gary and Eddie are the genuine article. This will be Gary's third performance in our backyard concert series, and the second appearance for Eddie.
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Our new correspondent Devon Pettengill alerted us to this: the fiction story in this week's New Yorker -- "The Erlking" by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum. It takes place at a Waldorf School Elves' Faire, just like we have here. There's a Father Christmas, just like the Pasadena Waldorf School has at their faire. There are tall fir trees, just like the Waldorf School campus.
But this nails it: the mother recognizes somebody -- a man with a guitar strapped to his back:
"Oh, wow,” her mother whispers. “That’s John C. Reilly."
Yep. A New Yorker piece that takes place in Altadena. Drink it in!
"Zack and Jack" play the blues at the 2008 Pasadena Waldorf School Elves' Faire in Altadena.
Here's the New Yorker's profile of Sarah Shun-lien Bynum here.
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The Man of the Trails Paul Ayers sends us this regarding La Vina restoring historical trails to public use:
On June 9, 2010 a status conference was held in the La Vina
case. In light of the La Vina HOA’s decision not to further appeal the
County’s judgment against it, and at the urging of counsel , the Court
ordered
that the process preliminary to dedication of the trails identified in
the
judgment be completed by the next status conference which is set for
September
22, 2010.
Below is a description of the process that will take place between now and September 22nd; I have attached a copy of the February 1996 tract map that shows the subject trails.
Images after the jump.
Continue reading "Opening of La Vina trails going forward" »
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... but we know it when we see it. Webster's Fine Stationers (Altadenablog sponsor) recently commissioned local artist Gary Thomas to install some windows with his paintbrush, and the look is astonishing! Check it out next time you're on North Lake!
To give you some sense of proportion, we've stolen borrowed this picture from Webster's Facebook page, featuring Webster and Altadenablog's joint team member Devon Pettengill.
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