altadenablog

Morning jolt: insurance, Slake, crime

• Beth Capell in the California Progress Report looks at new laws getting rid of "junk health insurance," citing the case of Altadena's Susan Braig,
  whose breast cancer apparently wasn't catastrophic ENOUGH for her insurance company.
• Slake is a new LA quarterly creating some buzz in literary circles.  Brand X Daily includes a selection by Alta-novelist Michelle Huneven that appears in the magazine. (Jervey Tervalon, another Altadena writer, also appears in the magazine).
• Nancy Diaz, 18, will face a misdemeanor charge of furnishing alcohol to a minor.  Diaz hosted a party on Dec. 12, 2009, on the 500 block of W. Mariposa where a 17-year-old South Pasadena senior high school student who attended later died of alcohol poisoning.  Diaz will face at most a $1,000 fine and at least 24 hours of community service, says this PSN story by Brian Day.

Matthew Montfort, Mariah Parker at the Folly Bowl Aug. 1 [Updated]

Two exciting artists from the Bay Area, Matthew Montfort and Mariah Parker, will appear at the Folly Bowl Aug. 1 in the Swanirvar Annual Fundraiser Fusion Music Concert.

Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future.  An award-winning guitarist (Louis Armstrong Jazz Award), he is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian veena and the steel string guitar).

Mariah Parker blends the rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz music with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East Indian rhythms.

The concert will be held Sun., Aug. 1, at 7:30 PM at the Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Dr.  Doors open at 7 PM. Suggested donation is $20.  Wear casual attire, and bring cushions and/or blankets, and bring your own light refreshments.

Call (714) 572-3781 or (626) 797-1670 for more information.

UPDATE:  We found this YouTube version of the two as the duo version of Ancient Future, and it's pretty cool:

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"The Laramie Project" raises funds for AIDS Service Center, PFLAG

Altadenan Patty Loitz, president of the Pasadena chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) tells us that PFLAG is helping to support a local production of "The Laramie Project," being produced for the first time in Pasadena by the Milestone Theatre Company.

"The Laramie Project"  follows the true story of Tectonic Theater Project, a company of actors as they journey to Laramie, Wyoming and conduct several interviews with the town's people following the brutal murder of a local gay college student, Matthew Shepard. Within a year, the members of the company will return to Laramie several times and will conduct over 200  interviews in order to piece together Matthew's story. Within that time, the unraveling incidents around Matthew's death will reveal the truth behind the apparent hate crime, the media circus to follow, and a town that is ripped apart by the tragedy, all under the discerning eye of the Nation in waiting.

The production is a fundraiser for PFLAG and the AIDS Service Center, and is being held at the Church of Truth, 690 E. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena. 

Tickets are $25.  Shows are: Fridays 7/23 and 7/30 at 8 pm; Saturdays 7/24 and 7/31 at 3 and 8 pm; Sundays 7/25 and 8/1 at 3 and 8 pm.  For more information and ticket sales please go to www.milestonetheatre.org or www.plays411.com/laramiemoses.

Short takes

Playing catch-up (our old printer bricked, and installation of the new one is going about as well as we predicted, which means this became an all-day job).  But stuff still goes on:

• Charles White Park will get $300,000 in federal funds for improvement, says this PSN story.
• Dan Abendschein's story on the Whitter Daily News site talks about a reduction in crime in sheriff-patrolled areas -- except for the 40% spike in burglaries in Altadena.
• The Altadena Library District has put up a questionnaire for potential board members at their website.  The district board of trustees is looking to fill a vacancy for a term that will expire in 2011.

Weekendin' July 8-11

Keep checking back, as new stuff gets added all weekend!

Thurs., July 8

• Sand candles: Go to the Altadena Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa, from 4-5 PM as the teen reading program gets a little dirty while being creative playing in the sand to create fun beach-inspired sand candles. This 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 the grand prize, an Apple iPAD!!! Teens must have an Altadena Library card to be eligible to win!!!

Fri., July 9

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the teen movie at the Altadena Library, 3:30 PM, rated PG.  Admission is free.
• Dude Mirror (rock ... not so classic) performs at the summer music series at scissors/paper/rock salon, 1864 N. Allen, 8-10 PM, no cover.

Sat., July 10

• E-waste roundup at Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, 182 E. Altadena Dr., 10 AM-2 PM.  All electronics welcome!
• SSGA Summer Concert Series:  the swingin' sounds of the Downbeat Express, 7 PM at Farnsworth Park.  Don't forget to get your boxed diner at Amy's Patio Cafe, too!

Sun., July 11

• Monthly bluegrass jam at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 12:30 PM.
• "Jazz Lives Here": Cheryl Conley in concert in a benefit for Sacred Heart Church, 2 PM at Davies Auditorium at Farnsworth Park.

Recovery meeting bleg

(and, again, a "bleg" is a beg on a blog, altho' we're a news site!)

We're looking to establish a list of recovery meetings in Altadena or nearby that will have a permanent page for reference.  If your group would like to be listed publicly, please let us know at altadenablog @ gmail.com.  We require days, locations, times, and and any special information (i.e. women only, men only, etc.)  Also include public phone/emails if you have them.  We will treat all contacts confidentially -- please put "Recovery" in your subject line.

Odyssey Charter School book drive thru July 30

Odyssey Charter School is looking for gently used childrens' books for grades K-8. Donations help to build classroom libraries and save the school thousands of dollars each year.

Donations can be dropped off at Odyssey Charter School between 10 AM. -2 PM until July 30.

725 West Altadena Drive
Altadena, CA 91001-4103
(626) 229-0993

For questions or more information, please contact taffanylim@gmail.com

Found dog, near Coffee Gallery [Updated]

Donna Barnes-Roberts writes:

This is a picture of a dog that was seen ejected from a car in the vicinity of Morada and Lake Ave. in Aladena.  She is a real sweetie, not large, not neurotic.  We are not sure where she will be tomorrow, but if you are missing her, or want a sweet dog, check at The Coffee Gallery 398-7917, and the Barrista should know what has transpired regarding her. 

Update 7/9:  Derby is her name, and she's back home! Check out the comments.

Swazzle puppets Tues. at the Libraries

Swazzle presents "River Otter Circus."   The creative and popular Swazzle Puppets will present their Otter Circus show, "a series of the most astonishing feats by the best trained and greatest troupe of performing river otters, executing difficult tricks with ease, grace, and precision and cleverness.

2 PM at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, and 4:30 PM at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave.

Earthquake ...

5.9 at 4:53 PM,  centered 23 miles NNW of Borrega Springs, according to Caltech. Per the scanner, local sheriffs & fire are checking key facilities for damage, but we don't think they'll find much. 

Pepper Drive celebrates the Fourth

And the neighborhood parade pictures keep coming in -- these are from Pepper Drive's lengthy Independence Day parade, where anything goes!  Thanks to Joe Edmonds and Ramon Reynoso for the pictures:

Well ... it's a band!

Walkers, bikers, and dogs ... this will be a recurring theme.

... and vehicles of all kinds ...

... and all sizes!

Bikers and scooter drivers ...

 
... little dogs ...

... and Uncle Sam!  God bless America!

Short takes

• Helter Skelter:  Originally from Altadena?  Oh, my!
• Good news: the dog that was taken to the Baldwin Park shelter a few days ago has been identified and reclaimed by his family.
• It's Hahamongna Blog Day today, as area bloggers devote their efforts to saving one of the last great local almost-wild areas.  PSN's Janette Williams has the rundown here, and check out the statements from our blog-girlfriends Petrea, Karin,  Debbi,  and Lori here.

The "forgotten" Camp Sierra Trail next Tues., 7 PM

Trail guy Paul Ayers sent this about a special presentation.:

Next Tues., July 13,  at 7 PM , I will be presenting a PowerPoint slideshow on the Camp Sierra Trail which runs from the Cobb Estate up the west ridge  above Las Flores Canyon and then to Camp Sierra.  The presentation will be made at the monthly Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) meeting which is held at the Altadena Community Center located at 730 E. Altadena Drive.

The show was originally put together for a May 2010 presentation to the Forest Service as part of a pitch to have the trail restored.  It is my hope that restoration of the trail will be part of the master plan for the Cobb Estate.  It is also possible that a restored Camp Sierra Trail may serve to close the “Skylane Gap” in the Altadena Crest Trail.

This is a nice trail with strong historical documentation in the form of maps, aerial photographs, newspaper articles and trail site artifacts [see examples attached].  A restored trail would complete a nice loop from Cobb Estate up to Camp Sierra, over to Echo Mountain and down the Sam Merrill. 

 This will be the first in a series of presentations I plan to do on the major “Forgotten Trails of Altadena”.  These will not be nostalgia shows though history will play a role.  Rather it is my hope to see all these trails restored.

Graphic: 1958 vintage map of the Camp Sierra Trail.

 

Lost dog: whatever happened to Baby Jane?

Baby Jane was last seen at Mariposa and Santa Anita on Monday morning -- red collar, no tag -- if you find her, call Molly on her cellphone, 763-300-9653

Two, count 'em, two lunch trucks at Coffee Gallery tonight

Kogi BBQ arrives at 9, Get Shaved Hawaiian Ice at 10, both turn into pumpkins at midnight, so get there early!

Reserve your space by Wed. for the July 17 harmonica convergence

Reservations must by made Wed., July 7, for Big Hat Promotions'  Gary Allegretto harmonica workshop on Sat., July 17.

n his highly acclaimed harmonica workshops around the globe, "Best of the West Award" winner Gary Allegretto has proven that he can teach anyone to play a song in less than THREE minutes – NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. If you've always wanted to learn to play your favorite Western songs on the harmonica, this incredibly entertaining workshop is for you! It's designed for the complete beginner, although experienced players will enjoy and learn from it as well. HARMONICAS ARE INCLUDED. All ages, 5 and up... great fun for the whole family!

American Cowboy magazine calls singer, songwriter, and harmonica virtuoso Gary Allegretto's unique brand of music, "Amazing. You've never seen - or heard anything like it." True West Magazine declares he's "sure to impress the Cowboy hat off your head!" Indeed, Allegretto recently received a "Best of the West Award," two WMA nominations, and two Grammy Award considerations for his music. His jaw-dropping performances have captivated audiences around the globe. He's been featured on major motion picture and television soundtracks and is endorsed by the world's top harmonica manufacturer.

Extrordinary singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso Ian Espinoza will join Gary for a dynamic set of Western Roots music and Blues following the workshop.

Cost is $20 for the workshop (doors open at 4:30), $20  donation for the dinner and concert ((dinner at 5:30, concert starts at 7), or $35 for both.  Concert reservations can be made up thru the day of the concert. Email your reservations to big.hat@sbcglobal.net.

Library board looks to fill vacancy

Library Trustee Vacancy

The Altadena Library Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest from persons who would like to serve on the Altadena Board of Library Trustees. Currently one position is vacant for the unexpired 2011 term.

Those applying must be 18 years of age and a resident of Altadena. The Board meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to attend the next Board meeting on Monday, July 26, 2010.

The Board will interview potential candidates at a Special Board meeting on Monday, August 16, 2010, 5:00 p.m. The selected person may run in the November 8, 2011 election for this seat which will expire in 2015.

Interested parties should submit a letter of interest, résumé, and fill out a Supplemental Questionnaire in the Director’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2010.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA 91001. Telephone number 626-798-0833. For more information on Board responsibilities and duties, please visit the Library’s website: www.altadenalibrary.org

Down Beat Express in concert at Farnsworth Sat., 7 PM

Returning to the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's summer concert series Saturday night at 7 PM, it's the Down Beat Express with vocalist Jennifer Gates:

The Down Beat Express was founded nearly 30 years ago by Pasadena area saxophonist Safford Chamberlain. A year or so later Safford passed the baton to Pat Emmett and the rest is a long swingin’ history of concerts, corporate and charity banquets, wedding receptions, dances and the CD recording “The Silver Project”.

 

This performance will feature the band playing original arrangements of big band classics to appear on their next CD release “Big Band My Way”. New treatments of hits from the Big Band era’s Tommy Dorsey, Charley Barnet, Les Elgart, Gene Krupa and more.

 

The closing set will showcase the formidable vocal talents of MCA recording artist Jennifer Gates singing new arrangements of American Song Book standards that have made her the hit of hundreds of Down Beat Express arrangements. Jennifer can be heard regularly in area supper clubs with her trio and will appear on the upcoming Down Beat Express CD.

 

All material performed at this concert has been arranged by band members especially for the Down Beat Express and Miss Gates.

 

“Silver Project” CD’s will be available for purchase during and after the concert. Pat Emmett can be contacted at: pme@npgcable.com

Land Use Committee Meeting cancelled

Altadena Land Use Committee chair Brian League tells us that today's monthly meeting has been canceled, and:

For the August meeting we will have a cell phone antennae application to consider at the Altadena Methodist Church located at 349 West Altadena Drive.   The applicant is Anthony Serpa (T-Mobile).  I have also been asked to schedule an information item on an abandoned house located at 446 E. Mendocino.

Sonoma Drive neighbors celebrate the Fourth

One of the long-term neighborhood Independence Day parades takes place on Sonoma Drive, and Chris Considine was there, with his eyes on the ground this time, in words and pictures:

At 10 AM on Sunday morning, the 51st Annual Sonoma Drive 4th of July Parade began on time once again. 

A very local family crowd of over 80 people, dogs, and pets assembled for a group Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. A quick group photo, and the parade headed West on Sonoma Drive following the bright red pace car of Craig Boatman.

With the scooters, bikes, trikes, strollers, wheelchairs and wagon wheels turning, the parade continued up to Boston, down to Morada, with an Easterly return to the treat tables at the starting point of the parade, Reggie and Yvette Ingram's house. The kids were then released to begin devouring patriotic cupcakes, cookies, fruit, and other goodies.

It's always a special gathering for neighbors to meet and catch up from another year gone by. A chance to marvel at the dramatic changes of children growing up so fast, and to greet the new ones for the first time. It's something that I think we all wish would happen more often during the year.

With most of the snacks gone, three prizes were given for decorations of the various modes of transportation. The prizes were given to our very youngest participant at 4 months baby DJ (stroller), 8 year old Emerson (bike), and our oldest participant Hal (wheelchair).

Thanks again to all who organized, participated in, and enjoyed the 51st Annual Sonoma Parade.

Found dog on Sacramento/El Molino, now in shelter

Chris Hughes writes us:

Found sheep/collie mix dog picked up 7/3/2010 on Sacramento and El Molino by Baldwin Park animal control (626) 962-3577.  Dog is on their website #A4152928.  This is a kill facility and they will put this dog down next week on the 9th.  We all need to have active chips to avoid this happening to our dogs and cats.

Here is a link - I could not pick up the pic to install.  http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/LostFoundDetails.asp?AnimalID=A4152928

Four military jets, flying in formation

... overhead about 6 PM.  No details, but we're sure some aviation buffs will fill us in!

UPDATE: Chris Considine, the Skywatcher, comes thru again, with pictures!:

Most Altadenans heard that special low throaty rumble this afternoon from 5:15pm to the finale at 6 PM. It was a frustrating search for the multiple jets that were circling and circling around and around from waydown below us to up and over the mountains several times. Then finally, as the 6 O'clock hour arrived, the group of aircraft came in lower over Altadena to finally allow a visual on the four F-16's in a line. As this was

the first home game of the Dodger's for this special July 4th weekend I was ready to take a shot when they lined up, banked back to the West, got in line, and turned on the afterburners for the run over the stadium at  the cue point for the National Anthem before the 6:10 start.

 

As a side note, I also spotted a parasail over the Eaton Canyon area just before the jets appeared. Not sure where they are taking off from or landing. I did see another about 2 months ago in the same vicinity, and circling around Henniger Flats.

Library eliminates Sunday hours starting July 18

By Devon Pettengill
for Altadenablog

Starting July 18, the Altadena Public Library will be closed on Sundays, the result of staff cutbacks to cope with a reduced operating budget.

The Altadena Library District receives 97% of its revenue from property taxes assessed by Los Angeles County. The economic downturn has resulted in the devaluation of local real estate, and therefore less tax revenue.  The county assessor notified the library that it should expect 3% less for their budget than last year, requiring a  $174,000 cut in expenditures to make ends meet.

In order to meet the reduced revenue projections, the library will eliminate 97 part-time staff hours each week. Until now, the library's Sunday hours have been covered entirely by part-time staff. Hours at the Bob Lucas Memorial Branch, which is not open on weekends, will not change.

"The largest cost in any organization is personnel," said Library Director Barbara Pearson. The library let go of four part-time positions, and reduced the working hours of three remaining part-time positions. On-call hours have been cut completely.

Pearson says the impact of the changes on staff morale have been mixed, but that ultimately the staff is willing to do anything they can to keep the library viable. "The bottom line is we're here for the public," says Pearson.

A fact sheet about recent changes at the library will be available to the public and included with books that are checked out in the coming weeks. The library has redesigned many of their procedures to be more efficient, Pearson said, and realigned personnel to make sure necessary operations and procedures such as passport services, inter-library loan, and the circulations desks are covered. Expenditures for book-buying, staff travel, and meetings have been reduced too.

The library is able to cover some costs with grants and donations. A Library Services and Technology Act grant was recently awarded to support an online homework program and has helped cover the majority of the library's electronic database expenses, such as the World Book online database for the children's section.

Pearson said that members of the community interested in helping the library in these tough times might consider joining Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization that supports the library with everything from book purchases to sponsorship of special events. The library gladly accepts cash gifts and donations, and those interested in volunteering are always welcome.

Pearson expressed gratitude for the generosity of Friends of the Library, and hopes that their generosity continues so that the library will be able to continue provide the current level of service.

Despite cutbacks, the library also hopes to provide assistance to local schools in the Pasadena Unified School District, which are facing the closure of their school libraries. The Altadena library already strives to have a presence in local schools by arranging visits from librarians who talk to students about the resources the library provides.

In order for the library to return to its previous hours and services, the economy would have to improve enough in the next few years to increase home values.

Life continues in the forest

Jane Brackman shares this picture:

These photos were shot at 7:00 am this morning [July 2], about 1 mile north of the Chaney Trail gate.  I've been  hiking the trail for over 20 years and have never seen anything like this before.  Thought you're readers might enjoy the pictures, or better yet, hike up the mountain to see the display for themselves before it's gone.

We can affirm that.  We spent the holiday with a short afternoon hike at Buckhorn and dinner at Newcomb's Ranch, and the juxtposition of the charred trees and the riot of wildflowers is something to behold.  Get out there!

Hillside Ordinance up before Supervisors July 27

The Altadena Hillside Management Ordinance will be the subject of a public hearing on July 27.  The official announcement is below:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 9:30AM ON JULY 27TH, 2010

TO BE HELD BEFORE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, KENNETH HAHN HALL OF ADMINISTRATION, 500 WEST TEMPLE ST, ROOM 381B, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Altadena Community Standards District Amendment (Hillside Management)

The Altadena Hillside Management Ordinance is an amendment to the Altadena Community Standards District which is intended to establish standards to protect and preserve the unique hillside views enjoyed by the community of Altadena. This amendment is the result of collaboration between the members of the Altadena Hillside Ordinance Committee and the Department of Regional Planning (DRP). If approved, this amendment will create a designation of Significant Ridgelines, lower grading thresholds on hillside parcels and create stricter permitting processes for development inside designated hillside areas.

Supplemental Download(s) of the following materials in link below

• Draft Hillside Management Area and Ridgelines Map
• Hillside Community Meeting Powerpoint
• Full RPC Package
• Environmental Documents: Negative Declaration and Initial Study

http://planning.lacounty.gov/view/altadena_community_standards_district_amendment_hillside_management/

Written comments may be made to the Executive Office of Board of Supervisors in Room 383 to Sachi Hamai, Executive Officer, Clerk of Board of Supervisors, 383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles, CA 90012

If you have questions or comments about the ordinance or would like to express support or concern please let us know. You may email ehoward@planning.lacounty.gov or phone 213-974-6476 (Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)

Tea & Tunes with Ian Whitcomb July 8

Altadena's own British-Invader-pop-star-turned-vintage-tunesmith Ian Whitcomb brings his ukulele stylings to Tea & Tunes, a Pasadena Museum of History salon to be held at the Altadena Town & Country Club on Thursday at 2 PM.  An elegant tea accompanied by Victorian/Edwardian era popular music -- what could be better?  Tickets are $45 for museum members, $50 for non-members, reservations are required and are available here.

This is one in a series of salons to be held at the club to explore that era as part of the museum's current exhibition, Pasadena Patron: The Life and Legacy of Eva Scott Fenyes.   Future salons include "Quackery, Snake Oil and Flim-Flam Medicine" on Sept. 16, "Straight-Laced and Buttoned-Up: Dress and Undress at the Turn of the 20th Century" on Oct. 22; "Artful Giving," or how the era did Christmas, Nov. 11; and "Behave Yourself! Manners for Proper Ladies and Gentlemen" on Jan. 27, 2011.  It sounds like proper fun!

Found dog July 4

Received an email from a reader that this dog wandered into a yard on Calavaras just west of Marengo last night: "very old and frightened, but friendly. Please let us know if you know who he lives with."

Contact Susan at 626 345 0575 or sforrest@bhs-inc.org

We've had several stories of frightened dogs being found this weekend, usually not far from home and quickly returned to their owners, but still -- your pets don't like Independence Day, keep 'em inside if you can next year!

Celebrate Independence

 
 

It's still all about "We the People," you know.  Sometimes the folks in charge need to be reminded.  Celebrate the day!

Elks 99 Concert Band kicks off the season

The Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's annual summer concert series in Farnsworth Park kicked off last night with music by the Elks 99 Concert Band, in a program of popular and patriotic music.  Here, the band plays a medley of Henry Mancini music, and concertgoers Ingrid Meadows and Brian Biedebach were inspired to trip the light fantastic.

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There's a whole summer of concerts ahead, so come on down on Saturday night.

Uptick in burglaries & thefts?

We've been getting lots of reports from people about thefts  and break-ins in the past couple of weeks.  The map above is the crimereports.com map from June 20-July 4.  Many of the "thefts" (marked T) are property worth $400 or more taken from unlocked cars. The Bs (breaking and entering) largely represent home burglaries.  Precautions are still needed, and don't forget to attend the July 15 meeting at Eliot Middle School.

Barks and Books at the Library July 17

Children ages 5-12 are invited to read to Pearl, a lovable rescued poodle from the Pasadena Humane Society on Sat., July 17, at 11 AM at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa.

Library teen reading program: make sand candles Thurs.

The Altadena Library's teen reading program is underway, and they're offering another craft project this week:

On Thursday, July 8 from 4-5 PM, teens (13-17) can get a little dirty while they are being creative! We will play in the sand to create cool looking beach inspired sand candles.  Make sure you register for the Teen Summer Reading Program to participate in all of our fun, programs, raffles and our grand prize drawing!

The Teen Summer Reading Program 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!!!

The Library is at 600 E. Mariposa.

Give peace a chance

Altadena author Laura Randall writes us about the positive review about her new book, Peaceful Places Los Angeles, in today's LA Times travel blog.  Laura tells us that among the 110 peaceful places several are close to home, including Zona Rosa Cafe, the Pacific Asia Museum, the Wrigley Gardens at the Tournament House, all in Pasadena; and Altadena's own McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World.  This needs to be on our short list to read!

Summer concert series opens tonight: Elks 99 Concert Band

... in a concert of patriotic music at Farnsworth Park, starting at 7 PM and brought to you by the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena and its sponsors.

Don't forget that you can order a boxed dinner from Amy's Patio Cafe to enjoy as well!  This is the big time now!

Found dog tragedy last night

Eliot Gold writes us:

Last night, a speeding car coming down Fair Oaks hit a Chihuahua, leaving it in the street bleeding and crying for help. Neighbors on the La Corona-Palm St.- Upside-Down-T rescued the dog and had it transported by the L.A. Animal Control to a vet in El Monte.

We were informed this morning that due to extreme injuries and multiple fractures, the dog had to be put down.

If you know whose dog it is, please have them contact the L.A. Animal Control at 626-579-4550 and give them "ETF" number 097734. Please have them contact Elliot and Shirley Gold by e-mail (Elliot@telespan.com).

Short takes

• Food GPS blog has some details and compliments on the Altadena Ale House.
• Shirlee Smith -- who recently resigned from the Altadena Library District board of trustees -- give a few vague reasons in this weeks PSN column.

Covina crow dies of West Nile Virus; beware of mosquitos, report dead birds

We received this from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District:

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District reports the first indication of West Nile virus (WNV) activity in the area this year.

On Thursday, July 1, 2010, a crow collected from the City of Covina tested positive for WNV.  West Nile virus is endemic to California, and its reemergence serves as a strong reminder to the public of its potential danger.

Steve West, General Manager of the District notes, “Cooler spring temperatures have kept WNV activity low thus far, but as we enter the long 4th of July weekend, this infected bird should serve as a timely warning that anyone spending time outdoors in the evenings should be protecting themselves from mosquito bites.”

Dead Birds are often the first indication of WNV activity in a given area.  West Nile virus is transmitted to crows by infected mosquitoes.  Since crows are mobile, often flying more than 10 miles per day from their evening roost to their daily feeding ground; it is difficult to determine where the bird was infected.  Mosquito traps were set by the District in the vicinity of the infected crow but collected very few mosquitoes. 

The District encourages the public to help identify WNV “hot spots” by reporting dead birds to the WNV Hotline at (877) WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.  “We’re asking our residents to store this number in their cell phones to make reporting easier” says West.  While all birds might not be collected and tested, the reports are analyzed with sophisticated software by the California Department of Public Health to identify problem areas.  This helps mosquito and vector control districts expedite control measures designed to reduce risk in these areas.  We also urge our residents to call the District to report any mosquito activity.

Vacant homes with inoperable pools pose a very real risk to neighborhoods.  One ‘green’ pool can breed thousands of mosquitoes per week that affect properties for blocks around.  Residents are encouraged to report any such pools to the District at 626.814.9466 or www.sgvmosquito.org

Great American Outdoors listening sessions @ Whittier Narrows, Oxy this week

Nancy Steele, president of the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, is sending out this reminder:

Dear Friend of the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy,

The President announced a Great American Outdoors initiative last April and his cabinet secretaries and department heads are cris-crossing the country for listening sessions. I have long been concerned that that conservation in urban areas does not receive enough attention and funding at the federal level. This is our chance to tell them that nature is not an option, it is a necessity for all people. We need to tell the feds that our Angeles National Forest needs more resources to cope with the pressures of our large urban population and to be able to continue serving as our watershed and sequestering greenhouse gases. We need to give them the message that our rivers are national treasures and need funding for revitalization to serve multiple purposes of cleaning water and providing habitat and recreation for our millions. We live in a biological hotspot (California Floristic Province) which has high level of plant endemism (found nowhere else) and has more birds breeding here than anywhere else in the United States.

Attending these listening sessions will be senior representatives of the US EPA, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Departments of Agriculture and Interior and Defense. Your input is important, especially as we want to promote America's Great Outdoors right here in the urban environment. Nature is not an option for our youth and families; it is a necessity. We need to tell our federal representatives how important it is to support the Great Outdoors in Los Angeles.

1.   July 7, 6:00 to 8:30 pm, Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, 823 Lexington-Gallatin Road, South El Monte
2.   July 8, 3:00 to 7:00 pm, Thorne Hall, Occidental College, Los Angeles; RSVP to sun.nelly@epa.gov
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL LISTENING SESSION and will have all of the high level federal officials attending.

I hope to see you at one of these listening sessions.

Nancy

End of an era: Ronnie's Automotive gas pumps are removed

Mark Goldschmidt, who is appropriately chairman of Altadena Heritage, saw a little of that heritage disappear from the vantage point of his office today.  He writes us:

Looked out my office windows (upstairs from Tangles & Locks and the Coffee Gallery) this afternoon, just in time to see a couple of guys load up the old gas pumps at Ronnie's. I rushed out to take a photo.

Until last year, Ronnie's Automotive was the longest continually operating business in Altadena  (since 1923 I've been told). It has fallen on darker days since the departure of its last owner and operator George Lewis late in 2009. On Friday, July 2, the old Gilmore gas pumps, which haven't functioned in decades, but starred in countless movies, commercials, TV shows and music videos, were hauled off... who knows where. Another bit of Altadena's Heritage has disappeared.

Fireworks tonight, 9:30 PM

... at the Altadena Town & Country Club.  Get a good view, but keep your pets indoors!

Gary Allegretto, Ian Espinoza in cowboy concert & harmonica workshop

Altadenan Bob Mann's Big Hat Promotions announces its second house concert of the season July 17:

American Cowboy magazine calls singer, songwriter, and harmonica virtuoso Gary Allegretto's unique brand of music "Amazing. You've never seen - or heard anything like it." True West Magazine declares he's "sure to impress the Cowboy hat off your head"! Indeed, Allegretto recently received a "Best of the West Award," two WMA nominations, and two Grammy Award considerations for his music. His jaw-dropping performances have captivated audiences on stages around the globe. He's been featured on major motion picture and television soundtracks and is endorsed by the world's top harmonica manufacturer. 

Extraordinary singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso Ian Espinoza will join Gary for a dynamic set of Western Roots music.

Suggested Performance Donation $20.00 per person. Includes refreshments.

AND: there's going to be a harmonica workshop:

Learn to Play Harmonica!

Make reservations and arrive early for the Harmonica Workshop. Reservation deadline for the Harmonica Workshop is July 7.

In his highly acclaimed harmonica workshops around the globe, Best of the West Award winner Gary Allegretto has proven that he can teach anyone to play a song in less than five minutes – NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. If you've always wanted to learn to play your favorite Western songs on the harmonica, this incredibly entertaining workshop is for you! It's designed for the complete beginner, although experienced players will enjoy and learn from it as well. 

HARMONICAS, MUSIC SHEETS, AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE ALL INCLUDED. All ages, 5 and up... great fun for the whole family and a rare opportunity to learn from one of the best!

Workshop is only $20.00 per person.
Attend both the workshop and the performance for only $35.00 per person.
Reservation Deadline for the Harmonica Workshop is July 7.

Doors open at 4 PM for the harmonica workshop -- show is at 7 PM. Reservations required, at : big.hat@sbcglobal.com

Welcome to our new sponsors

We want to take some time out to welcome new members of Altadenablog/Altadena Online's sponsor team:

The Rancho Bar, 2485 N. Lake

Michael Baietti and Linda Seyffert from Dickson Podley Realtors

and returning Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, 185 W. Altadena Drive.

Thanks for joining our sponsorship team in the best place to put your Altadena advertising dollars!  If your business wants to join the team and support your community's only independent, locally-owned news website, email us at altadenablog@gmail.com or call 626-791-5327.

Sheriff's community meeting on burglaries, July 15 @ Eliot Middle School 7 PM

From the Altadena Sheriff's Station:

The Altadena Sheriff's Station invites you to attend a community meeting Thurs., July 15 at 7 PM at the Charles W. Eliot Middle School Auditorium,  2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena.

This year, we have seen an increase in the number of burglaries and thefts occurring in your neighborhood. We would like the opportunity to talk with you about this criminal activity and what can be done to abate it.

Specifically, we plan to discuss:

• How, where and when these crimes are occurring.
• What you can do to protect yourself and your neighbors.
• How you can help us prevent these crimes from occurring.

We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend. Because of the subject matter, we ask that you please do not bring children to the meeting. We realize that your time is valuable, but we believe the issues to be discussed at this meeting are important to the community and we thank you in advance for any effort you can make to attend.

If you have questions, contact the Altadena Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau Commander, Lt. Joseph Dempsey (626) 798-1131 ext. 2131.

Independence Day Holi-dena Weekend

Thurs., July 1

• Altadena Library Teen Program: make “Candy Sushi” at the Altadena Library: Drop by the library and show us your sushi making skills. We will also show an Anime Feature and if you haven't already you can sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Program!
• Chaney Trail gate will be closing nightly at 6 PM, beginning Thursday, July 1st, through July 5th.  Normal hours (closing at 8 PM) will resume July 6th. 

Fri., July 2

• Santa Monica Beach Bus departs from Altadena locations starting at 9 AM Fri. and Sat.
• The Fantastic Mr. Fox is the Friday Summer Film Extravaganza at the Library, 600 E. Mariposa, starting at 3:30 PM.
• scissors/paper/rock salon (and Altadenablog sponsor) continues its free Summer Music Nights with Nicole Frazier, 7:30, 1864 N. Allen, Pasadena.
• Don't forget (you will be forcefully reminded!): Altadena Town & Country Club fireworks start at 9:30 Friday night.

Sat., July 3

• Santa Monica Beach Bus takes off from Altadena at 9 AM.
• The Altadena Sheriff's Support Group kicks off its summer concert season at Farnsworth Park Amphitheater with patriotic music from the Elks 99 Concert Band, starting at 7 PM.

Sun. July 4

• Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church (185 W. Altadena Drive, www.christtheshepherd.org ) will have a Recovery Mass at 10 AM to coincide with the CA Marathon that weekend.  Jerome M. will be sharing his message of recovery.  All are welcome!

Sen. Liu does not care about your lawn [Updated]

There've been some interesting reactions to an item in Michele Zack's Golden Poppy awards story.

Winner Michael Gregory told the story of receiving a letter from State Sen. Carol Liu, complaining about a lack of front yard maintenance (Gregory and Michael Howard tore out their lawn to replace it with a drought-tolerant landscape of succulents and decomposed granite).  Steve Haussler reported looking at the letter, which came from an "Altadena Betterment Committee" that no one had heard of, with a return address in Pasadena that did not exist.

Tahra Goraya, district director at Sen. Liu's office, told Altadenablog that they read the story and were stunned to find that someone was throwing around the senator's name in a letter about yard care.  "The senator's obviously not too happy," Goraya said.  "It did not come from my office."  Goraya agreed that Sen. Liu was so busy with official business that she couldn't check up on local landscape maintenance as well.

Our guess?  Someone didn't like or didn't understand what Gregory and Howard were doing, and, rather than asking questions or complaining about it directly, fabricated an organization with letterhead and signed it with Sen. Liu's name to seem like it was official.  Goraya said that they were trying to get a copy of the letter, as it was rather serious to forge a legislator's name to anything.  Stay tuned!

UPDATE 7/2: Tahra Goraya has sent us this:

As a point of clarification, the Senator does care about the lawns in that she is happy they have xeriscaped and are saving water - consistent with her program to Green the 21st District.‬‪  We congratulate all of the Altadena Heritage 2010 Golden Poppy Award recipients. To learn more about the Senator's greening initiative, please visit www.senate.ca.gov/LIU and Greening the 21st District in the 21st Century under District tab.

"Bubble Mania" at the Libraries Tues.

Bubble Mania: Join us as Bubble Mania's Bubbleologist brings the amazing world of bubbles to Altadena!  Experience the science of bubble magic!  Audience members can volunteer to get placed inside a bubble!

2 PM at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, and 4:30 PM at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave.