altadenablog

Bah, humbug: Farnsworth Park toy giveaway has no toys to give away

The Farnsworth Park Holiday Program and Toy Giveaway, sponsored by the Los Angeles Dept. of Parks and Recreation this Saturday, is running into a problem: no toys to give away.

According to Angie Calleros of the LA County Parks and Recreation Dept. at the park, the popular program -- which depends on community donations to give toys and Christmas goodies to underserved children ages 5-13 -- has not yet received any toy donations from the community.

The program is scheduled for on Sat. Dec. 18 between noon and 5 PM, featuriing refreshments and entertainment.  Children have registered for the program, but as for the toys -- that's still up in the air.

Drop-off boxes for donations are in the Davies Building at Farnsworth Park.  For more information, call 626-798-6335.

UPDATE 6 PM: Our Christmas angels today are Lori Webster at Webster's Fine Stationers and Meredith Miller at Webster's Community Pharmacy, who are donating toys to the cause!  See the comments.  (A few more angels couldn't hurt!)

Webster's Pharmacy/Pokerchip Girl holiday sale Sat.

Meredith and Michael Miller, the new owners of Webster's Community Pharmacy, 2450 N. Lake Ave., are hitting the ground running, joining Webster's Fine Stationers with a customer meet-and-greet  this Sat., Dec. 18, 11 AM-2 PM.

There will also be a sample sale for Pokerchip Girl, Meredith Miller's clothing/jewelry line, which uses antique poker chips  to make necklaces, pins, and other forms of ornamentation.

Check out more about the sale on their Facebook page.

Westminister Presbyterian Christmas Brass Concert Sun.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 North Lake Avenue in Pasadena, will hold its annual Christmas Brass concert on Sun., Dec. 19, at 7 PM. The Modern Brass of Los Angeles of Hollywood and movie fame will play Christmas favorites, along with some audience sing-a-longs, brass and percussion solos, and a cameo by the Westminster bell choir. Thoroughly entertaining for all ages. Christmas carols never sounded better than played by Modern Brass of L.A. Check out their CD Fiat Lux. One night only, and admission is free.

 

Morning jolt: a small newblog article

• The rather directly-named firm Small Business PR Course, whose signature product is called .... The Small Business PR Course (and we bet it's a .. small business PR course), has announced that the two hour online course is coming out of beta test and going live.  They get a positive quote from one of their beta participants, The Coffee Gallery's Julie Sandoval, in the Small Business Trends website.
• Fionn James, an Altadena native and third grader at St. Mark's School, is performing in the prize role in the Glendale Centre Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol'': Tiny Tim. You can find out more about the production here: http://www.glendalecentretheatre.com/
• Don't forget: Christmas music program tonight at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, with the Dulcet Singers and handbell choir from First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, 7 PM.

Geminids tonight

Something a little more positive to end the day on, from Robert Klomburg:

One of the best meteor showers occurs tonight and tomorrow night, December 13th & 14th. The Geminids get their name from the constellation they appear to emanate from: Gemini, the Twins, which stand on the top of one of the most recognizable constellations in the winter sky, Orion, the Hunter.

Unlike other meteor showers, the Geminids are not the result of a comet fly-by, but are likely the result of a planetoid that broke up eons ago.

We can expect as many as 100 meteorites an hour. The best time to view is after midnight when our leading edge of the Earth encounters more of them. However, you can see them at almost any time.

Orion will be high in the sky at midnight, and the meteors will emanate from nearly overhead, above the ‘shoulders’ of Orion. Orion’s belt is the three stars close together and his shoulders are the bright stars over the ‘belt’ to the left and right. Gemini is above his ‘shoulders’.

The meteors you will see are about the size of a grain of sand. Larger ones, about the size of a pebble will be very bright. Anything larger than your fist will probably reach the ground, but that is unlikely from the Geminids!

If you don't want to go outside, there's a live feed right here.

Library hit by burglars again Sunday night

Pictured: the library's security camera captures three suspects in Sunday's burglary of the Altadena Library.

The main Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, was hit by burglars for the second time in ten days Sunday night,  sustaining a broken window and the loss of two new cash registers that were purchased to replace the ones stolen Dec. 2.

According to Steve Marsh, the library's network support specialist, the library's security cameras caught three burglars trying to enter via a fire escape in the back about 7:20 PM Sunday.  Marsh says the burglars froze when a couple with a little girl showed up to look through the pile of donated books, and were scared away by a car coming into the parking lot.  After the car departed, they resumed about 7:43 PM.

A minute later, they broke a narrow window with a baseball bat, then ran off again after the noise to the vicinity of the Altadena Senior Center next door, returning about ten minutes later.

According to the tape, they entered the building about 7:55, and were out with the cash registers five minutes later.

Library staff discovered the burglary about 7:30 this morning.  The smashed cash registers were found in the Senior Center parking lot.

According to Marsh -- who was making a copy of the video recordings for the sheriffs -- there was "virtually nothing" in the cash registers, one of which was for library fees and fines, and the other for Friends of the Library bookstore purchases.

The cash registers were brand new, purchased to replace two that were taken in a burglary the evening of Dec. 2.  In that burglary, a patio window was shattered to allow entry.

More on rescued hikers Sunday

Sgt. Marsha Williams of the Altadena Sheriff's station has given us more information on the rescue of the hikers in Eaton Canyon late Sunday afternoon:

Two Temple City men, age 21 and 22, were out hiking without backpacks, food, water, or particularly hike-worthy clothing, according to Williams.  The 22-year-old fell from the path down the mountainside, close to the edge of a cliff, and hung on to brush to prevent falling further.

He called the Crescenta Valley sheriff's station on his cell phone, and they stayed there until the arrival of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT), which called in the sheriff's Air 5 chopper to pull them off the mountain.  (We had a scanner report that the pair was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries.)

Some of our readers said that the rescue had been going on all day, but we found out that the rescue team had (perhaps fortunately) actually spent the morning in helicopter training, per the AMRT website.

Photo: rescue of the injured hiker, from LA Sheriff's Dept. website

Morning jolt

• Steve Gerow, whose photography we've featured from time to time, has one of his pictures of the interior of the Mt. Wilson Observatory's 100-in. reflector in the December issue of the Mt. Wilson magazine, Reflections.  Steve's photos first appeared right here, and editor Marilyn Morgan (an Altadenablog reader) was so impressed with them that she used the best one (the one we featured) to illustrate one of their articles.  Congratulations, Steve!
• Michael Portantino, 52, brother of Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, died in an apparent suicide last week in San Diego. Portantino was the publisher of the San Diego Gay and Lesbian Times, which closed in October.
• The Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) will have no meeting this month, but will meet again Jan. 11
• Likewise the Mt. Wilson Observatory Association, which will NOT have their monthly lecture in the library on Christmas Day!

 

"Blue Christmas" service at St. Mark's, Dec. 20

Christmas is not a joyous season of celebration for everyone. If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, your health, a relationship, your job, or a deeply held dream, if you are far from those you love, or if you have painful memories of Christmas in years past, the holidays can be agonizing and isolating. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church will offer a “Blue Christmas” service. Our worship will be quiet and reflective, accepting the hurts we bear, and offering the hope of comfort and healing.

For more information, contact the Rev. Betsy Hooper, 626-798-6747.

Blue Christmas: A Service of Comfort & Light, 7 PM at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1014 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena.

 

Fun & Games Fridays at the Library starts this week

It’s the end of the week, time to have a little fun! Teens and tweens come out to the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa,  and we’ll open up the Community Room, set-up traditional and video games and put out some snacks just for you. Come and hang out, have fun, snack and socialize. Fun and Games Fridays will happen on December 17, January 28, and February 25, from 3:30 until 5:00pm.

Rescue in progress at Eaton Canyon

... which is about all the information we can get at 5 PM.  More as it develops.

Christmas Tree Lane fires up for the 90th time

Altadena is never more like a small town than it is during the Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony that heralds the holiday season.  We have pictures of the festivities after the jump.

Weather Eye: the heart of two neighborhoods

The peripatetic Bill Westphal and his camera were very busy Saturday: 

by Bill Westphal

Two neighborhoods in Altadena had organized Food and Toy Drives to benefit the Altadena Sheriff's Station Food and Toy Drive this weekend.  The President's Streets in east Altadena held their 2nd Annual Food and Toy Drive where donations are given to the Altadena Sheriff's Station to benefit their Annual Food and Toy Drive. 

Martial arts classes for kids and adults at Farnsworth starting Feb. 1

LA County Parks & Recreation is offering martial arts training for children and adults at Farnsworth Park for just $7 per class, starting Feb. 1, 2011.

There are classes in pee-wee karate (ages 3-5), children ages 6 and up, and adults age 18 and up, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Call for complete enrollment information: 323-423-9089. 

John Denver bandmate joins Coffee Gallery tribute Sunday

 

Jim Curry, who has performed his John Denver tribute at the Coffee Gallery Backstage many times, will be performing in a two special shows in the venue this weekend.

Jim Curry's tribute to the Christmas music of John Denver will have a 2 PM matinee and 7 PM performance tomorrow, Dec. 12.  In addition to his band (wife Anne on vocals and mandolin, Diane Ireland on flutes and Marty Hillman on keyboard), this weekend's shows will feaure guest performer Steve Weisberg. 

Weisberg was a member of Denver's band at the height of his career (1973-77), playing lead guitar, dobro, pedal steel, and singing low harmony.  Weisberg also wrote songs for the last seven of Denver's nine platinum albums. They will perform Steve's song, "Christmas for Cowboys," as well as other popular Christmas tunes featured on John Denver's Christmas albums.

Tickets are $20 for each show.  Phone for reservations: (626) 794-2424.  The Coffee Gallery is at 2029 N. Lake.

 

President Streets shows the holiday spirit

For the second year, the President Streets neighborhood (Roosevelt, Harding, Pepper Dr., and environs) turned out to collect items for the Altadena Sheriff's Station Food and toy drive. Eric Pierce shared these pictures of this morning's neighborly activities.

Neighbors, deputies, and sheriff volunteers waiting to collect donations.

Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean in a nonregulation hat.

Of course, Santa was there to supervise.

And it seems that uber-volunteer Carolyn Seitz is as ubiquitious as Santa.

 

Prepare for Christmas /make time to write poetry/ cookies in the spring

Our first haiku headline.

Sharpen up your quill: if you're a poet who lives in Altadena or environs and would like to be a part of the Altadena LIbrary's annual Poetry & Cookies program and anthology, you're on a deadline.

Submit your G-rated poems, an almost Twitter-size bio (up to 200 spaces) and contact information to pdutton@altadenalibrary.org by Jan. 15 to be in the anthology, which will be available at the Poetry and Cookies Program on Sat., April 9.

(Poetry should be up to 78 single-spaced lines, not more than 50 spaces in length, 10-12 pt type in Text, Word, or Google Docs.  Also email attachment or send/deliver hard copy as you want it formatted to the Altadena Library, attn. P. Dutton.)

The upcoming Poetry and Cookies program will be held just west of the library in 2011, at the Altadena Senior Center. 

 

Morning jolt: your morning cup of nog

• If you're a Loma Alta or Burbank Elementary school parent,  The Pasadena Education Network has maps of the new school district boundary maps available (pdf documents) on their website to confirm where your new residential school is.  Priority open enrollment begins Monday for siblings of current "school of choice" students, 'Linked Learning Pathways" students, dual language immersion students, and certain district employees.
• Will there be some kind of final deathmatch between the Altadena teachers of the month and the Altadena teacher of the year?  We don't know!
• Dogs and cats living together: Editor of the La Canada Patch is married to the editor of the La Canada Sun. Or maybe it's AOL vs. Tribune.
• Doris Barnes-Roberts says she has one opening in her Coffee Gallery watercolor class that begins Monday, the 13th and runs for 9 weeks(with time off for the holidays of course).  Details are at: http://www.altadenaartist.com/other1

 

Loma Alta Park Christmas celebration on Sat., Dec. 18.

Loma Alta Park's annual "Here Comes Santa" celebration for children age 12 and under will be next Sat., Dec. 18,  10 AM-2 PM. 

There will be arts and crafts, games, a holiday carnival, coloring contests, and live entertainment.

Gifts will be given away during games, and Santa is expected to show.  Channel 4 anchor Chris Schauble will be the master of ceremonies.

Children must register by Dec. 15 to receive a gift at the celebration -- call 626-398-5451 for more information.

City of Pasadena to look at Lincoln Ave. development

Over the border, the city of Pasadena will hold a community meeting to look at the a draft plan to transform the Lincoln Avenue corridor from an industrial and commercial area to a vibrant neighborhood-oriented district on Wed., Dec. 15, at 6:30 PM at the Northwest Education Center, 2050 Lincoln Ave.

Pasadena Councilmember Jacque Robinson, District 1, encourages business owners, residents and representatives of community organizations to attend and learn more about the city’s proposed Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan, including new housing options and a complement of local-serving retail and service businesses, office spaces, and places for community uses, tied together with public improvements that will create an enjoyable pedestrian environment.

The Lincoln Avenue corridor is a 1.3-mile stretch from the city’s northern boundary to approximately Forest Avenue at the southern end.

The Lincoln Avenue Project Area Committee and Northwest Commission will host the meeting. 

 The Economic Development Division of the City Manager’s Office prepared the Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan, which is available at www.cityofpasadena.net/lincolnave.  To request meeting alerts email vgonzalez@cityofpasadena.net or call (626) 744-4660.

'tis the season for crime prevention

Via Nixle.com, the Pasadena Police Dept. is senting out this notice that's worth sharing about holiday crime prevention:

SIGNIFICANT BURGLARY TRENDS NOTICED AND HELPFUL CRIME PREVENTION TIPS - PLEASE BE ALERT!

The Pasadena Police Department would like to remind all or our, constituents, families, friends, and neighbors, that with the joy of the holiday season also comes crimes of opportunity that can ruin the holiday spirit.  Residential and vehicle burglaries increase significantly, many times, simply because the opportunities increase.  Whether in your car or at home, please consider the following tips as a way to preserve your safety and security during the holiday season.

 

More on a proposed farmer's market at Loma Alta Park

Altadena Town Council chairman Gino Sund has written a letter about the possibility of opening a farmer's market in Altadena, and the steps taken thus far:

About the Proposed Farmers Market

The issue of a farmer's market came to Town Council a couple of months ago when someone posted a notice near Farnsworth Park indicating that a Farmer's market would be coming to that location.  Based on that posting and the resulting communications to the Council by residents, we decided to look into the issue.

From what we have heard, there seems to be a conceptual interest by the community to have a farmer's market in Altadena.  But in all things conceptual, the devil is always in the details.  There are the issues of venue, parking, traffic, the day and hours of operation, the type of the vendors at the market, along with a few other issues.

We have begun the process of addressing those issues.  At this point in time, the only issue that seems to be definitely fixed is the location for a potential market.  Since this program is designed for markets on county parks property, there is a limited choice of venue.  Loma Alta park is the "only feasible" location in Altadena.  All other county park locations have parking, traffic, and existing program limitations that preclude them from consideration.

Volunteers needed for sheriff's toy drive distribution

The job of the Citizen of the Year means never resting on your laurels, so Carolyn Seitz is sharing this information about next week's activities preparing for the Sheriff Station Food and Toy Drive:

Many of you have asked how you can help the Sheriff's Department this year with the packing of the boxes of food for distribution and the sorting and packing of toys for each family that will receive them.

Here's the schedule of times when packing and sorting will take place next week, beginning Monday at the Altadena Sheriff's Station (780 East Altadena Drive):

Monday 7 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday; 7 AM to 6:30 PM
Wednesday 7 AM to 8 PM
Thursday 7 AM to 8 PM
Friday 7 AM to 8 PM

St. Mark's Christmas Services

(Just a reminder that we're looking to post your church or organization's Christmas services in our Holi-Dena page. Write to: altadenablog@gmail.com)

This is the schedule for St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1014 E. Altadena Dr.

Sun., December 12:

10:00 AM: Christmas Pageant (please note start time!) No Sunday School! Parish Advent Party immediately following the pageant; all parishioners are encourage to bring a potluck dish to share – preferably something your family enjoys during the holidays!

Fri., Dec. 24:

5:00 PM Christingle Service with Choristers and Brass

9:00 PM Carols and Anthems in the church

9:30 PM  Festive Christmas Eucharist

Sat., December 25:

10:30 AM  Holy Eucharist with Organ and Hymns

Sun., December 26:

10:30 AM One church service only…no Sunday School or Youth Group!

 

Sheriff compiling neighborhood watch/association map

The never-resting Carolyn Seitz tells us that sheriff’s department volunteer and Community Advisory Committee member Jeff Sedlik is working with the Altadena Sheriff Station to create a current and accurate list and map of all of the neighborhood watch groups and neighborhood associations in Altadena.   The new resource will be used to:

(1)    Allow the Sheriff to communicate urgent alerts and information to all groups and associations.

(2)    Support communication and collaboration between neighborhood watch groups.

(3)    Simplify the process of forming new neighborhood watch groups.

(4)    Allow Altadena residents to easily locate and contact their closest neighborhood watch groups.

(5)    Allow the Sheriff to identify areas lacking a neighborhood watch group, and to take action to support and encourage the formation of new groups in those areas.

The Sheriff is aware of 32 groups to-date, all of which are posted on the map-in-progress. Many groups overlap or lie within other groups. Also note that while  for-profit blogs, city-wide blogs or discussion groups are excluded from the map, a non-profit discussion group or blog  serving a particular neighborhood of Altadena may be eligible for inclusion if no neighborhood watch group exists for that neighborhood.

Please reply to altadenalert@gmail.com with the name, location, contact person and contact email for your group. 

Sacred Heart Church sings "The Joy of Christmas" Dec. 19

Altadena’s Sacred Heart Church Music Ministries will present “Sacred Heart Sings The Joy of Christmas,” an evening of songs celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The entire community is invited to come and share the spirit and joy of this season with the Gospel, Spanish, Filipino and Childrens’ Choirs.

As part of the evening’s festivities, a Silent Auction / Raffle will be held and light refreshments will be served. This event takes place on Sun., Dec. 19, 2010 at 6 PM, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 years of age. Sacred Heart Parish Hall is located at 2889 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena. Proceeds to benefit Sacred Heart Church

Morning jolt: keepin' it real

• Crown City News has a well-done video feature on the purchase of the former Bienvenidos Children's Center on Palm St. by the Arroyo Pacific Academy. 
• Melanoma Diagnostics, a high-tech firm operating out of the Business Technology Center in Altadena, is involved in a deal to sell its technology to Myriad Genetics, a provider of molecular diagnostic products.
• Local mom-blogger and righteous babe Jennifer Cowie King was a runner-up in the Shield of Honor, an award by Blue Shield of California. (Ignore that Blue Shield moved her to Pasadena.) Honorees are California moms who "have made an inspirational difference in the health and wellness of their families neighborhoods, or communities."  King was honored for her ongoing rumination on life and motherhood, Motherscribe.

 

Sheriff's station offers holiday safety tips

We received these tips for the holidays from Lt. Joseph Dempsey at the Altadena Sheriff Station:

With the holiday season upon us and the shopping frenzy in full swing, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station would like everyone to take extra precautions while out shopping, and also around your home or business during this festive time of year.  Suspicious activity should always be reported immediately, whether you are at home or away, and people are strongly encouraged to practice the following safety tips that may prevent you from becoming a victim:

Weather we're right, or weather we're wrong...

We're doing another format experiment:  we've received a lot of complaints about slow loading, and we think we've traced it to the weather bug, which is provided by Weather Underground.  While we like having the temperature live on the site, weather sites just seem to have a tendency to slow down page loading. Weather Underground is the third provider we've used, and they've all created problems.  So please let us know if the page loads easier, and we'll try to figure out how to give you the weather without denying you everything else!

 

Weekendin': Oh, Christmas Tree ...

Sat. Dec. 11

• It's all about Christmas Tree Lane today.  The Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, will be the site of the Lane's Art and Crafts Festival, starting at 2 PM. At 6, join us for the 90th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, an Altadena tradition with music, warm drinks, and lots of entertainment, followed by a walk down the lane.  Santa Rosa will be closed at 4 PM to allow pedestrian traffic, so get there early for a good place to park.
• Local artists Susanna Dadd, Doris Finch, and James Griffith invite you to fill those Christmas stockings with jewelry, fiber art, and paintings from their open studio sale at 918 E. Altadena Dr. on Sat., Dec. 11, from 10 AM - 5 PM.
• Cynthia Null plays a combination of traditional songs, folk, and rock on her mandolin and fiddle at 3-5 PM at Scissors/Paper/Rock Salon, 1864 N. Allen. Free.  Also, from now until Dec. 18, donate a new and unwrapped gift for a woman or child (age to 18) and receive 20% off all product purchases.
• Final day to contribute to the Sheriff's Holiday Food and Toy Drive, at the Altadena Sheriff Station, 780 E. Altadena Dr.
• Learn how to be a volunteer forest restoration supervisor and help volunteers in TreePeople's Angeles Forest restoration efforts this spring.  Register online here.

Sun. Dec. 12

• Holiday wine tasting at Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks, 4-6 PM.
• The Pasadena Master Chorale will perform its holiday program at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr., starting at 4 PM. Tickets are $20.50.

 

Editor's notebook: The Chamber tries to help local business -- except when it doesn't

Disclaimer: We tried doing this story without editorializing, but couldn't -- so we made it into an editorial!

A website has been set up to survey local residents about the kind of businesses they would support in Altadena.

The website: surveyaltadena.com -- is a collaboration between Chamber board member Ed Meyers, business owner Lori Webster,  Harlow Technologies (run by Altadena resident Dan Harlow) and New York City company AOL Patch, which has recently established one of its 500 "local" websites in Altadena.  The Altadena Chamber of Commerce itself is claiming ownership of the survey, and is encouraging any and all to take it.

In an email to Altadenablog, Meyers wrote:

With the economic climate what it is, the Chamber has been thinking about what we can do to help both Chamber members and the community as a whole. We've come out with the Shop Altadena Coupon Page to incent [sic] residents to shop locally. We're thankful that 12 local businesses chose to advertise with us for November & December.

However, long term, more obviously needs to be done. It was suggested that the Chamber may want to put together a business survey to better understand what type of retail residents may like to see as well as better understand shopping habits ...

A fairly detailed online survey was put together over a 3-4 week period. To help generate interest and increase participation, there's a $150 cash prize being offered to one lucky survey taker willing to share some contact information.

The survey results will be shared with the chamber, and with county economic development bodies and other potential business partners.

Which is all well and good, and we encourage you to take the survey. However, while we'd heard such a survey was in the works, the first official word we'd heard about it from anybody was reading about it in Patch.

Reporter's notebook: Hahamongna - the devil's in the details

The emerging issue for the next few months is easily going to be our neighbor, the Hahamongna Watershed Park, located in the city of Pasadena but adjacent to Altadena and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

First, the good news: congrats to Karin Bugge, Petrea Burchard, Barbara Ellis,  and the other  Hahamongna Bloggers, who will receive the Best Advocacy award at Thursday's Arroyo Verde Awards from the Arroyo Seco Foundation for their efforts to preserve it as open space.

And now, the bad news:  that effort may come to naught as LA County plans a mind-boggling sediment removal project to preserve the Devil's Gate Dam next to the park. 

The major culprit -- as in many things -- is the Station Fire, which caused a vast amount of sediment, about 15 feet, to wash down the hills and collect in the dam area.  The dam can't handle that level of debris flow again.

County officials say that several years of sediment -- not just Station Fire-related, but just through normal rainfall -- needs to be removed for the dam to function, to save the park and downstream Pasadena and South Pasadena.  It's an emergency, they say, which will circumvent a lot of normal environmental and CEQA planning.

The project the county is envisioning will start in September, 2011, with the construction of a two-lane paved road that will extend to Oak Grove Drive near La Canada High School.  And going on the road: dump trucks, to move out 1.6 million cubic yards of sediment.  At its height, estimates are that there will be  will be  300-400 truckloads PER DAY.  We've penciled out, for an eight hour working day, about one truck every 90 seconds.  Cost: $35 million.  Duration of this project: three to four years.

In addition to the disruption of turning a natural area into something like a quarry, according to Mary Barrie  of Friends of Hahamongna, 50 acres of land will be permanently cleared, including 15 acres of native black willows behind the dam, with loss of resulting habitat.  There will also be noise and particulate pollution, affecting not only hikers, but students at La Canada High School and staff at JPL.  Altadena forest activist Lori Paul has more information in a message she sent out to the newsgroups which the Arroyo Seco Foundation has reprinted.  PSN's Larry Wilson has also weighed in.

We're of two minds: it will totally turn the area upside-down -- but protection of lives and property downstream is also critical.  This is one of those situations where, like Michele Zack wrote in her column earlier this week, who will be allowed to be inconvenienced?

We urge the county, the city of Pasadena, the Arroyo Seco Foundation, and other stakeholders to work together to come up with a solution -- the danger of flooding needs to be taken care of, but there also need to be ways to moderate the environmental effects of removal, and a plan to mitigate its effects after the last truck drives away (roads have a way of becoming permanent).  We also think some thought needs to take place on figuring out a regular sediment removal plan so such extreme measures don't have to take place again. 

Arroyo Time Bank on "Our Town" tonight

Join guest host Michele Zack tonight on Arroyo Channel 32 at 9 PM for Our Town. Michele will interview two leaders of the Arroyo Time Bank, a local group that has  devised an alternate currency, "Time Dollars," to get people and needs together in ways that cut out greenbacks.

The Arroyo Time Bank (along with Gloria Putnam and Steve Rudicel) is bringing us such innovative events as The Altadena Urban Farmers Market — one of many examples of how applying this concept can help bring together people, skills, and needs while building community. Tune in to find out more about an idea that is currently sweeping around the world. 

Tune in live online here.

Holiday concert at the Library Tues.

Don't forget -- next Tuesday, the Dulcet Singers and Handbell Choir of the Pasadena First United Methodist Church will present a holiday program in the community room of the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, starting at 7 PM.

Mandi Antonovich, sister of supervisor, dies Nov. 30

We received word of the death of Mandi Antonovich, sister of Supv. Michael Antonovich, last week.  Burial was Dec. 4 at Forest Lawn.  Her obituary follows the jump.

Writers Reyna, Ellis share writing tips at Jan. 8 library workshop

The Altadena Library is plunging into post-holiday activities right away, with its first free writing workshop of the New Year on Jan. 8

Are you a writer looking for ways to improve your work or just interested in hearing some fascinating stories? If so, come hear authors Thelma Reyna and Gregory Ellis, who will be featured at the main Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa,  on Sat., Jan. 8 at 2 PM.

Reyna, who is an editor, book reviewer, poet, and ghost-writer, also authors the successful blog American Latina/o Writers Today to give voice to both established and emerging Hispanic writers.  At Saturday’s program Reyna will read from her book, The Heavens Weep for Us and Other Stories, (finalist National Best Books Awards, USA Book News), and offer expert tips on how to tell YOUR stories to the world. She will also discuss how she gets her inspiration for her work and preview her upcoming new books. 

Local author, attorney, and musician Ellis will read from his novel, Ride the Buffalo’s Back, a poignant story of a lost generation in the shadows of Vietnam.  He will also present his personal insights on the writing process, draw some interesting comparisons between pacing and texture in music and in writing, and will read a selection from his new historical novel in progress.

Books will be available for purchase at the event.

For more information: 626-798-0833.

Sheriff's Holiday Food & Toy Drive in its final stages

The Altadena Sheriff's Station is in the final days of its 2010 Food and Toy Drive, and the need this year is greater than ever.  The deputies are looking for non-perishable canned food items and toys for children ages 2-12 by Dec. 11 (cash or checks -- payable to Altadena Station Fund -- are welcome, too!)

Please leave your items at the sheriff's station, 780 E. Altadena Dr. For more information, contact Dep. Lamark Williams or Sgt. Michael Randenberg at 798-1131 or 296-2105.

 

 

TreePeople offers forest restoration leader training Dec. 11

The environmental nonprofit TreePeople is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to offer free training in leading reforestation efforts.

Free Restoration Supervisor training teaches how to supervise volunteers during TreePeople's restoration efforts in the Angeles National Forest this Spring 2011. Participants will learn how to teach the planting of native tree seedlings, proper safety and tool use, and how to ensure that everyone has a great time.

Training is this Sat., Dec. 11, 9 AM-2 PM in the Angeles National Forest.  Details will be given at registration.  Register online at http://www.treepeople.org/angeles-restoration-supervisor-training-0

Volunteer leaders are needed to assist TreePeople and the USFS in Forest Aid:Angeles from Sat., March 5 to Sun., May 1, 2011. Forest Aid:Angeles will enlist thousands of volunteers to plant 23,000 trees in 75-acres of the fire-damaged Angeles National Forest. Planting will take place in areas that cannot recover on their own, especially along major roads including the scenic Angeles Crest Highway. Trees will be small native seedlings, 6-8 in. tall.

The 2009 Angeles Forest Station Fire burned more than 160,000 acres, making it the largest fire in modern Los Angeles County history. This massive volunteer effort, known as Forest Aid:Angeles, is a follow-up to another post-wildfire project in the San Bernardino National Forest, where volunteers working under a partnership of TreePeople, the National Forest Association and the U.S. Forest Service planted nearly 50,000 seedlings during the years 2009 and 2010.

TreePeople is a nonprofit that unites the power of trees, people and technology to grow a sustainable future for the Los Angeles region. TreePeople's mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share the process as a model for the world. More information at www.treepeople.org/angeles-national-forest-restoration.

(Note: because someone will write about it -- yes, the graphic is of a jade plant, but you get the idea!)

Altadena Ale and Wine House prepares for the holidays

Altadenablog sponsor the Altadena Ale and Wine House 2329 N. Fair Oaks, is starting some new events for wine aficianados, and has some special plans for the holidays.

The pub is hosting Wednesday Night Wine Flight Specials, with $12 flights that include four wines with a taste of cheese, from 5 PM-12 AM.

They are also Sunday holiday wine tastings on Dec. 12 and 19, from 4-6 PM. 

On Dec. 24, join them for their Christmas Eve party (with wine raffle giveaways).  On Dec. 26, enjoy a champagne and sparking wine tasting from 3-6 PM.

For New Year's, the party is on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31: join them for champagne toast at 3 PM to bring in the French New Year, 4 PM for the British New Year, and at midnight for Los Angeles New Year.

Morning jolt

• The Altadena Sheriff's Station tells us that in the month of November, the station received 15 reports of residential burglaries and 16 reports of larcenies (petty thefts, grand thefts, and vehicle burglaries):  "While these numbers are greatly reduced from our high in May, 2010 (39 – residential burglaries and 38 – larcenies), there is still a cause for concern.  Please stay diligent and aware of the activity in your neighborhood.  As always call the Altadena Sheriff’s Station if you see any suspicious activity."
• Looking for a little something for the holidays?  The stylish bag company AltadenaWorks has its own website now that you can order from.  (We like the hold-all -- and after 3,480 trips to the grocery store, we'll start saving on the county bag fee ...)
• Farmer's Market at Loma Alta Park?  Councilmember Alice Wessen says that the land use committee and town council will be inviting county types to discuss the possibilities at their January meetings.
• Yes, Altadena has a mayor, and this time around it's Supervisor Mike Antonovich.  In Los Angeles County,  the chair of the board of supervisors is designated as County Mayor.  And, says Antonovich's office, "In addition to 88 cities, Los Angeles County has 134 unincorporated communities.  Members of the Board of Supervisors serve as the “Mayor and City Council” for the 1.5 million residents who live in our unincorporated communities."  So now you know.

Crime log: Dec. 1-5, 2010: strong-arm robbery, burglaries, vandalism

Wed., Dec. 1

Between 8:00 PM & 12:30 PM, Thursday – A vehicle burglary occurred in 2700 block of Glenrose Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via the front passenger door. Loss: (1) Storm Virtual Gravity orange and yellow bowling ball, (1) Storm black bowling ball, and a black bowling ball bag.

Thurs., Dec. 2

Between 7:00 PM & 7:15 AM, Friday – A commercial burglary occurred at the Altadena Public Library (600 E. Mariposa St.). Suspect(s) entered the location by shattering the patio window. Loss: (2) cash registers containing approximately $220.00.

Between 9:00 PM & 8:00 AM, Friday – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 200 block of W. Las Flores Drive. Loss: vehicle registration and insurance cards.

Sat., Dec. 4

3:00 PM – A strong arm robbery occurred in the 2200 block of Lincoln Avenue. The victim exited a check cashing location and was approached by a female, African‐American, who asked the victim if she was interested in purchasing shoes. The victim declined and left the location riding her bicycle. Upon reaching the corner of Lincoln Avenue. and Alvey Street., a male African‐American ran towards the victim, pulled the purse containing currency and fled southbound on Lincoln Avenue. The victim called 9‐1‐1, provided a thorough description of the male who was apprehended and taken into custody.

Between 8:30 PM & 9:25 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1500 block of Atchison Street. Suspect(s) entered the location by shattering the bedroom window. Loss: stainless steel Beretta 9mm loaded firearm and misc. currency.

Sun., Dec. 5

Between 1:00 AM & 7:00 AM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 800 block of Archwood Place. Suspect(s) shattered the rear window and poured mustard, flour, and eggs. No further.

Land Use Committee meets Tues. at 7

... and it seems to be a light agenda.  The committee meets at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Have a holly Folly (Bowl) holiday at the open studio sale Sat.

Local artists Susanna Dadd, Doris Finch, and James Griffith invite you to fill those Christmas stockings with jewelry, fiber art, and paintings from their open studio sale at 918 E. Altadena Dr. on Sat., Dec. 11, from 10 AM - 5 PM.

(The Folly Bowl is Dadd and Griffith's brainchild, hence the headline -- but you knew that!)

Griffith and other local artists will also be represented at the Off-Ramp Gallery's ArtZone, a one-stop holiday shop for affordable art at 1702 Lincoln, Pasadena.  Off-Ramp and Project 210 are joining forces for the Dec. 11-19 art sale and exhibit.  For more information, see their website here.

Young Musicians Music Project in concert at Longfellow Dec. 17

The VYMA (Verdugo Young Musicians Association) Music Project at Longfellow Elementary, in partnership with PasadenaLEARNs, is pleased to invite you to its Winter Concert . The young musicians have prepared a musical feast, with a full range of music from the movies, American soul and the classical repertoire.

The concert will be at Longfellow Elementary School Auditorium, 1065 E. Washington Blvd. Pasadena, on Fri., Dec. 17, starting at 6 PM.  This event is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.

Come hear the Orchestra, the Choir, the Kinder Music and the Musicianship Class.

This is Year Two for the Music Project, a program inspired by El Sistema, the now famous music education program that is sweeping the world with its revolutionary approach to music. (LA Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel is a supporter.) The musicians this year sound better than ever! You will be surprised! Your enjoyment will be theirs!

The VYMA Music Project at Longfellow Elementary, PUSD was launched on September 21, 2009, as an afterschool supplemental music education program. VYMA  partners with Pasadena LEARNS to give free instruments and free classical music instruction to students from grades K-5.

Carolyn Seitz is the Chamber's 2010 Citizen of the Year

Carolyn Ingram-Seitz has been named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.

A planning and zoning consultant who has worked on many projects in Altadena for over 25 years, Carolyn has been a resident since early 2000 and is a well-known activist in community safety in Altadena.

Seitz was appointed to the Altadena Sheriff's Advisory Community Advisory Committee (CAC) in 2007, and served as chair.  Seitz was particularly cited  for her work in improving sheriff-community relations, but it doesn't end there.

She  has worked with her own neighbors to develop a neighborhood watch group, and has been instrumental in helping other neighborhoods get organized to prepare for natural disasters or catastrophic events.   She has also helped organize Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, which have taken place in Altadena almost annually.

During the Station Fire, Seitz worked countless hours to make sure the community had the best possible updated information on the fire, working through local listservs.

The forces that fight change

by Michele Zack

I’d like to thank everyone who commented on the first two “Altadena Story” columns. Readers expressed a wealth of opinions: the frank and prodigious e-discourse stimulated by columns #1 and #2 offered many good ideas — let’s continue this constructive dialogue!


Re-reading every comment before wading into Column #3 reinforced a strong first impression that people care passionately about their hometown’s economy, and many have put serious thought into teasing out possible causes of the demise of Altadena businesses along Lake Avenue and elsewhere.

Among respondents, there is far more consensus on “what” — livelier, more diverse commercial options (shops and services) in Altadena — than on the concrete steps necessary to reach “how” (to transform the status quo).

But there's an equally strong force we know is out there:  Reader “Smith” boiled things down nicely to:  “Here's the dilemma - there is a fight for change and a fight against change.”

North Lake Pole is holiday fun

by Erika McCarden

Last night's North Lake Pole celebration brought an unusual taste of winter to Altadena (OK, the snow was manufactured, but still it was fun!)  We have several pictures to share of the family friendly event, after the jump:

Christmas Tree Lane festival & lighting Sat.

Next Sat., Dec. 11, come celebrate the 90th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony at the corner of Altadena Dr. and Santa Rosa in a family-friendly Altadena tradition.

Also that day will be the Winter Arts & Crafts Festival, to be held in the Altadena Library parking lot, 600 E. Mariposa, from 2-5 PM.  The tree lighting ceremony will take place thereafter.

Master of ceremonies is actor Meshach Taylor.  The Pasadena High School Naval ROTC will present the colors, and music will be provided by the Blair International Baccalaureate Singers, the Pasadena Waldorf School Sixth Grade Singers, the Altadena Children's Choir, and "The Singing Realtor," Linda Lane-White.

State assemblyman Anthony Portantino will also speak, and the first stroll through the lighted lane will be led by the John Muir High Alumni Drum Corps.

Santa Rosa will be closed to traffic from 4-7:30 PM for the ceremony and strolling.  For more information, call 626-403-1123.

A late start

A few offline projects have been keeping us busy lately (including taking the kids to the AKC dog show in Long Beach, where we saw a xoloitzcuintli!)  Look for some rockin' pictures up later of last night's North Lake Pole bash, and we promise a killer Monday: Michele Zack weighs in with a column you need to read.

(Slightly modified because we knew we wouldn't hit the deadline with the other planned story!)

 

Cops and rubber (tires) at the Tour of Altadena

 

The 2010 "Tour of Altadena" bike rider got off to a smooth start this morning at Loma Alta Park.  Riders from law enforcement agencies and the general public took to their bicycles in this fun ride, to benefit the LA County Sheriff's Annual Giving Campaign.

Making the turn out of the parking lot ...

... and they're off!