Tuesday night town council rundown

• Chair Gino Sund said that they were in conversation with the people who hoped to hold a farmer’s market at Farnsworth Park.  Based on the conversation, it was felt that Farnsworth -- a walk-in park with little space for automobile parking -- was not a good location.  They will be looking at Loma Alta Park and Equestrian Center to see if there is a good space there.
• Ben McGinty announced the final art show at his Gallery at the End of the World (Dec. 2-5), and that the merchants of North Lake Ave. will hold their second “North Lake Pole” bash at Galloway Alley (Mariposa and Lake) on Sat., Dec. 4, 4-9 PM.
• Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean commented on the contentious town hall meeting Nov. 4, and said that there will be a follow-up meeting after the first of the year: “I will respond to every issue that was raised.”  Later in the meeting, he said, “It was painful for me, it wasn’t easy listening to some of the things that were said, but [the responsibility’s] on me. I left that meeting just that much more committed to bringing this community together.”
• Sheriff Sgt. Mike Randenberg said that the Altadena Sheriff Station was kicking off its annual toy and food drive.  Donations of canned goods, unwrapped toys, and monetary donations will be collected at the community center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., or the sheriff’s station next door.  The drive helped 250 families last year, and they expect more this year.  (Council members volunteered to donate $50 apiece toward the drive). Checks can be made to the Altadena Station Fund.
• And along those lines, the California Highway Patrol announced the kick off of their “CHIPS for Kids” program, collecting toys for deserving children that will be distributed at parks and recreation events.  Collection bins locally for unwrapped toys will be available at the CHP Altadena office and Walgreens in Pasadena. Monetary donations. i.e. checks, should be made out to Mattel, where it will be used to purchase toys.
• Assemblyman Anthony Portantino gave a “state of the state” presentation, talking about state budget problems and upcoming legislation.