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Celebrate Earth Day and Poetry Month a hike and poetry reading/writing session this Sat., April 16, at Eaton Canyon Park.
Khadija Anderson will lead a group for an easy hike with breaks for writing (and prompts provided) this Sat., from 10 AM-noon. The hike will be followed by a poetry reading by participants.
Meet in the parking lot at 10 AM, and bring a sunhat, water, and writing materials.
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Loma Alta Elementary School, 3544 N. Canon Blvd., one of the schools that will be closed by the Pasadena Unified School District at the end of the year, is inviting the families of all alumni past and present for a a final celebration.
Sat., April 30, from 9 to noon, join the Loma Alta PTA what they call a "morning of fun, family, and fitness" with a book sale, game booths, face painting, scavenger hunt, fitness walk, and "final mile" marathon to celebrate the school's 60 years of service to the community.
Special guests include PUSD Board members Renatta Cooper and Ramon Miramontes, as well as Pasadena City Councilman Chris Holden.
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First quarter statistics released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Dept. show that Altadena Station has recorded the largest decrease in Part I crimes of any station, compared to this time last year.
In 2011, Altadena reported 175 Part I crimes, as compared to 306 at the end of the first quarter of 2010, a reduction of 42.8%.
Part I crimes include violent crimes (aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery) as well as serious property crimes (arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft).
Altadena's crime reduction rate put it significantly ahead of other stations, including Temple City Station (-29.7%) and Avalon (-28.6%).
Altadena station public information officder Det. Lt. Joseph Dempsey wrote in an email:
Altadena had the largest decrease in Part 1 Crimes than any other sheriff’s station in the county. We should all be very proud of these numbers. We strongly believe that crime prevention is a true partnership. No one group can bring down crime without the other. One of the main goals of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. is to reduce crime. This includes property crime, specifically burglary from motor vehicles and residences. Remember to "Lock it, Hide it, Keep it".
Don't leave gifts or valuables visible inside your vehicle, and always lock your vehicle and residence doors.
Also, report suspicious activity by calling (626)798-1131. Call 911 only in emergencies, or crime in progress.
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Altadena fabric artist Doris Finch will have a recepton on Thurs., April 21, from 5-7 PM at the art gallery of the USC Institute for Genetic Medicine. Eye/Hand/Eye is her exhibit of recent work that will be on display through June 20. Click on the graphic for more information about the reception.
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Who can turn down that offer?
This Friday and Saturday, the Women's City Club of Pasadena will hold a rummage sale in their parking lot, located behind the historic Blinn House, 165 N. Madison Avenue in Pasadena. Friday hours are 2-6 PM and Sat. 8 AM-3 PM.
There will be a huge selection from dozens of contributors featuring gently worn clothing items including business casual attire, evening wear and men’s clothes; baby clothes and items, shoes, purses, jewelry, sporting equipment, home décor, books, music, small household appliances, and more.
Also, from 2-5 PM on Friday, the club is s partnering with AbilityFirst in Pasadena to have them bring their document shredding machine so you can bring old paperwork no longer needed and get it shredded in a safe environment. $8 per box (12" x 15")
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Don't forget that the Altadena Sheriff's Station and Huntington Hospital is holding its first annual blood drive tomorrow, April 12, from 9 AM-3PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr..
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We're getting a lot of traffic from the Huffington Post today because a real estate story (from Altadenablog sponsor team member Judy Rubin) links to this story that ran here 11 months ago.
We haven't had a big hit like that from Arianna's minions since Ellen Snortland linked to our Zane Grey Estate story (as reprinted in Hometown Pasadena) a few months ago.
And that's all we're going to say about that.
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(This article is excerpted by kind permission from Dr. Barkman at the Altadena Historical Society, who tells us: "Anyone who has a dog or who has been bitten by a dog will be fascinated." By the way, you can become a member of the Society by going here.)
A Brief History of Rabies in Altadena
by Jane Brackman
President, Altadena Historical Society
In 1938 there were 21 confirmed cases of canine hydrophobia in Altadena. The same year a local veterinarian died after treating a rabid dog. You couldn’t say the epidemic arrived unannounced. Between 1900 and 1934, the county recorded 9,000 confirmed cases of rabid dogs. 86 Californians died, most in the greater Los Angeles area. By 1934, with no impound facilities (the county shelter in Downey wasn’t built until 1946), lax laws, no cash (during the teens and twenties LA spent its rabies funds on infrastructure) and 20,000 stray dogs, Los Angeles was looking down the barrel of a loaded gun.
In 1938 the county clamped down, enforcing a strict 90 day quarantine. The Altadenan reported, “All dogs must be confined on the owner’s premises at all times. Dogs cannot be taken out on a leash or in automobiles. All dogs, whether licensed or not, will be picked up by patrol wagons cruising the district. Five quarantine officers are assigned to Altadena.”
Impounded dogs were swiftly euthanised and examined for evidence of rabies. Reports were issued by the Department of Health and announced in local newspapers.
On July 8, 1937 the paper reported that rabid dogs had been picked up at 151 Woodbury, 462 Archwood, 200 East Las Flores and one in the 800 block of Mariposa. The Department of Health kept the community informed, “so that anyone having been in contact with such an animal can be made aware of the fact and report to clinics for treatment.”
Each July 1st, dog owners were required to secure license applications at the Altadena sheriff’s sub station. The licensing fee was $1 for males, $2 for females and $1 for spayed dogs. Even though the dog vaccine was widely available as early as 1922, it was optional. Suspicious anti-regulation proponents fought successfully against government intervention for the next 18 years.
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The County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management is hosting a series of Town Hall meetings across the County to get input on the county's Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (which means disaster preparedness plan).
The County is soliciting your input at a meeting at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., on May 23 from 6-7:30 PM. Details in the flyer.
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We were glad to get our copy of the Star-News today, with its bimonthly Rose Magazine, because this issue is all about the Women of Distinction Awards, honoring the women who make incredible contributions to our community.
The upper 'Dena is well represented with the likes of Monica Hubbard, Debbi Swanson Patrick, Sue Kujawa and Kardia Pinckney. Pick up a copy (or download it as a pdf from the website) and check it out!
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What better way to pay tribute to a coffeehouse owner than to roast them like an Arabica bean?
And that's exactly what's going to happen to Julie Sandoval, owner/muse/mother hen of the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave., who will be roasted on her own petard Sat., April 16, 8-11 PM in a fun-draiser.
In March, the Coffee Gallery skirted with being closed down by county officials for not having an entertainment license because Sandoval had opened the shop to poetry readings, standup comedy, and folksinging. (The concert venue in the back, the Coffee Gallery Backstage, is a separate business with separate ownership and was already appropriately licensed).
Fortunately, Sandoval has worked out an agreement with the county, and the benefit roast will go to help pay the about $2,000 fee for the entertainment license so the frontstage performing can continue.
Click on the graphic for more information.
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The Central Altadena Little League held "Baseball Mania" Saturday, which despite a threat of rain ended up being a perfect day for a game instead. The Farnsworth Park gathering gave fans of all ages a chance to play or watch the great spring game. More after the jump.
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The Altadena Library's annual Poetry and Cookies celebration made a good move to the Altadena Senior Center this year -- lots more room to enjoy the poetic muse. Poetry was read, chapbooks from local poets were sold, it was a great way to celebrate Poetry Month.
Principal Librarian Pauline Dutton opened the poetry festival.
Altadena's poet laureate Alene Terzian reads for an appreciative crowd of poetry fans.
Library board member Tom Hubbard animatedly reads his poem written in tribute to the retirement of former Altadena Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow. Who knew so many words rhymed with "Blow"?
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Teens and tweens come out to the Altadena Library and we’ll open up the Community room, set-up traditional and video games and put out some snacks just for you.
Come to the library and have fun, snack, socialize and have the opportunity to win a cool prize, a Target Gift Card. Fun and Games Fridays will happen on April 22, at 3:30 pm.
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Master Gardener, Jeri Huston, will be leading beginner (9am-noon) and intermediate (2:00-5:00 pm) gardening classes at the Altadena Community Garden April 9, 16, 23 and 30. Cost is $50 for the series or $15/class (classes are free for garden members). Topics will include: California natives, advanced composting, permaculture , seed saving and storage and food storage, among others. Call Jeri at 323-344-6012 or jeri.huston@yahoo.com for more information or click on the flyer below.
Both classes will be doing hands-on activities in the Victory Garden's assigned garden plots and according to Huston, "we spend a lot of time walking through the garden as there are always a lot of teachable moments there."
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This month's Boss Dog Movie Project "Movies in the Park" day at Farnsworth Park features three recent films for family-friendly viewing.
Disney Pixar's "UP" starts at 1 PM. "Tangled" plays from 3:30-5:45 PM, finishing up with a showing of "Tron Legacy" from 6:30-8:30 PM.
Free admission, with free popcorn, door prizes, snacks, and punch. It's all in Davies Auditorium at Farnsworth Park on Fri., April 22.
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Hmm ... Carolyn Seitz shot out this note on a fun event today:
Central Altadena Little League vs. Deputies from the Altadena Sheriff's Station
Date Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time Central Altadena Little League says the game will begin at 12:30 pm
Deputies say the game will begin at 1 pm
So . . .
The rivalry continues.
Like any long-standing competition, each side exercises the opportunity to intimidate the opponent. Perhaps that's why the disparity in the announcement each made for the game starting time.
Come to cheer for your side and support the great fun between two important constituencies - Little Leaguers and Deputies.
It will be a fun-filled, family event!
Carolyn
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While we fully support the Americans with Disabilities Act, we've also heard that some attorneys have been using it to shake down small businesses by setting up a professional plaintiff to sue them for minor infractions, and then making an offer to settle.
We received an email and phone call from an Altadena business owner (who wishes to withhold his name) on Lake Ave., who says his business was:
recently served a lawsuit based upon alleged non-compliance of our building with the ADA Act (Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990).
After doing a simple Google search of the plaintiffs name, It came to my attention that the plaintiff and/or his lawyer were suing or have sued over 30 businesses in LA County as of June 2010...many more by now i'm sure. (see article below) Their practice appears to be to drive down a street and serve several businesses at once.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/18/local/la-me-lawsuits-20100918
I have retained counsel who have dealt with these plaintiffs before, who might be able to provide a unified defense at a substantially reduced cost.
I would ask any other local businesses that have been served recently to please contact the law firm directly at (562) 733-2456.
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Over in western Borderdena, the Sidewalk Cafe HTS will have a grand opening tomorrow, Saturday, from 7 AM to noon. The cafe at 2057 N. Los Robles Ave. (Woodbury and Los Robles) will have live music and a raffle during the festivities, so check them out.
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Two of our community collaborators emailed us about wildife sightings -- BIG wildlife sightings.
Karen TenEyck spotted a bear last night at about 9:15 at the intersection of Tanoble and Woodglen. Then we had an email this morning from Colleen Welsh, who encountered a bear on Loma Alta between Tanoble and Skyview at 5:55 AM.
Both described the bear as big.
We're going to say it's probably the same bear, doing its own version of Food Truck Friday along the garbage cans. Be careful if you're out there this morning!
------
View Critter Map 2011 in a larger map
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And they're off ...
Fri., April 8
Sat., April 9
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Parent Revolution is sponsoring a showing of the documentary, "Waiting for Superman," followed by a discussion at the Altadena Main Library Community Room at 6 PM Mon, April 18.
"Waiting for Superman," directed by Davis Guggenheim ("An Inconvenient Truth"), looks at the problems of public education by following a handful of students through the system as they try to win a lottery to attend a charter school.
According to Yuritzy Anaya, one of the organizers, Parent Revolution is a nonprofit organization that was started as a group of moms who were working to give parents a greater voice in low-achieving schools. Parent Revolution was one of the forces behind the Parent Empowerment Act passed by the state legislature last year, creating a "parent trigger" where the majority of parents of a low-performing school can call for sweeping changes, including changes in staffing or turning the school into a charter school. The organization was involved in McKinley Elementary in Compton pulling the parent trigger last year to convert it to a charter school.
Anaya said that the organization's approach was to have parents "form Parent Union chapters to organize around issues they want to to organize around, with the idea eventually to invoke parent trigger." A parent's union provides parents with "the tools they need to achieve that and push forward and attacking the issues they want."
Anaya said that they were urged to have a presentation in Altadena after meeting with Bruce Wasson, the chief petitioner of Altadenans for Quality Education, which is pushing for an Altadena school district.
"Bruce contacted us, he had been kind of hearing what happened in Compton where we started organizing around McKinley Elmentary, the first parent trigger school, and wanted to get in touch with us ... we've been doing these screenings in other areas to get people to watch this film, and give then an idea of what Parent Revolution does, and what we could help them with if interested."
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The Altadena Sheriff Station will be hosting its first annual blood drive on Tues., April 12, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., from 9 AM-3 PM.
According to Deputy Lamark Williams, who is one o fthe organizers of the blood drive, "It's something we want to do as a community project to help those who are needy. It's a humanitarian event, it promotes goodwill, and it's something we want to do ... one of my goals when we got here was to get involved in as many community events as possible."
This event is a partnership with Huntington Memorial Hospital of Pasadena.
For questions or additional information, contact the Altadena Sheriff’s Station at (626) 296-2134 and ask to speak to Deputy Lamark Williams or Sergeant Michael Randenberg
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Altadena sheriff Lt. Joseph Dempsey said that a joint operation with Altadena gang officers and Pasadena homicide officers was conducted this morning starting at 5 AM, yielding seven arrests and the seizure of six guns.
Dempsey said that one of the arrests was at the Altadena home of Brandon Jackson, a 17-year-old Muir High School student who was shot to death earlier this year. Dempsey said that the arrest sweep was related to the wave of shootings in Altadena and Pasadena before and after Jackson's muder.
Dempsey said that were nine warrents issued, and officers are still looking for two of the persons named. While it was a joint operation, most of the warrants were served in Altadena, Dempsey said.
One of our readers wrote about what she saw:
Around 5 AM I was awakened to nearby sound of a loudspeaker, "Come out with your hands up..." and one loud popping sound ... There was a big, square-ish black truck that said Police SWAT and there were at least 10 officers (actually there looked to be several more inside the house and around the perimeter of the house). A red van/truck unit came, two officers took out a gurney and went inside or behind the house, and emerged about 20 minutes later; I saw something on the gurney, but it looked almost like a box or package, strapped down on the gurney; they put the gurney inside the back of the red van. The K-9 unit arrived and handler and German shepherd doggie went inside or behind house.
UPDATE 4/8: Frank Giardot at PSN has the list of arrestees and updated information.
Correction: Received a call from Lt. Dempsey, who said that a warrant was served on the Brandon Jackson house, but no arrest made (he'd been up all night).
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Actress and child advocate Jane Kaczmarek, known for the television show “Malcolm in the Middle” and her work on Broadway, will be keynote speaker at the 28th Annual Policymakers Breakfast to be held on April 29 from 8-10 AM at the Altadena Town and Country Club. The breakfast is hosted by Child Care Information Service (CCIS), the oldest nonprofit child care services agency in Southern California. Assemblymember Anthony Portantino and Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich will be featured speakers at the event, with presentations from Senator Carol Liu and invited guest Congressman Adam Schiff.
Every year, the Policymakers Breakfast brings together local legislators, community leaders, children’s advocates, parents and providers to share news and the status of legislation and issues currently affecting children and child care needs within the community. In addition to Ms. Kaczmarek and the legislators’ presentations, breakfast attendees will also hear from the personal perspective of a CCIS parent and child care provider.
Continue reading "Jane Kaczmarek keynotes Altadena Town & Country Club breakfast April 29" »
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From our friend Ann Erdman, Pasadena's public information officer:
The Pasadena Earth & Arts Festival returns to Old Pasadena on Saturday, April 16, from 10 AM- 4 PM, celebrating all things green and artistic through hands-on activities, product demonstrations, resource sharing, live entertainment and eco-Jeopardy.
This free, ninth annual event will take place in and around Memorial Park and the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations will display information or sell items at the eco-marketplace that promote green living, energy and water efficiency, composting, organic foods, green building design, alternative transportation and renewable energy.
The festival is also the place to learn more about Pasadena’s resources and plans for waste reduction, recycling, water and energy conservation, and parks and nature preserves.
Kids and parents can get creative together with clay, paper and other Earth-friendly media at arts and crafts tables provided by the Armory Center for the Arts.
Nonstop live entertainment will include Sue B. Dancers, Delta Psi Sigma Beta Step Dance, Danza Yankuikuitl Aztec Dancers, Drumtime Drum Circle, Folklórico Nahuatzen, Folklórico Sol y Luna, Artichoke, George Sarah and String Trio, the reggae- and Latin-infused Roots Collective, R&B artist Quamaine Jones and bluesman Buddy Zapata.
Special guests Machine Project, an experimental arts organization headquartered in Echo Park, will offer an Amplified Electric Melon workshop and drum circle.
By popular demand, Arroyo Time Bank will once again host its Free Market Swap Meet for the public to donate or trade gently used items.
A fun bike tour of Pasadena’s sustainable sites, courtesy of C.I.C.L.E., will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Popular food trucks Frysmith and Komodo will provide affordable and sustainable sustenance throughout the day.
People riding the Metro Gold Line to the Memorial Park Station will receive an Earth Day reusable bag by showing their Metro passes at the transportation booth, while supplies last.
Festival co-sponsors are the city of Pasadena, Armory Center for the Arts, Conscientious Projector and Metro. The stage will be powered free of charge by Martifer Solar USA, a company that specializes in the design, engineering and installation of photovoltaic electric systems and components.
The festival kick-off is on Friday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. with a free outdoor film screening at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. “The Economics of Happiness” is a documentary that examines the impact of shifting from a global to a local economy that is more environmentally sustainable.
For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/earthday or call (626) 744-4721.
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Budget woes and carving up the Pasadena Unified School District board into district seats dominated the discussion at Tuesday night’s joint meeting of the PUSD board and Altadena Town Council.
Outgoing PUSD superintendent Edwin Diaz told the council that there was little hope for good news in the district, budget-wise. Class sizes would remain the same, but across-the-board personnel cuts -- everyone from administrators to custodians, about 150 positions in all -- will likely be eliminated during the next school year.
“We’re down to ... every time we make a cut, it’s a person, it’s their job, it’s a family,” said Bob Harrison, PUSD board chairman.
Diaz said that, statewide, people will start to see inequities among school districts. The well-off districts that surround PUSD, like San Marino and La Canada, can ask for substantial parent donations to make up shortfalls -- “we can’t do that,” Diaz said.
The $11.1 million raised by the Pasadena Educational Foundation kept the district from having to shut down summer school, helped with the middle school program, staff development, and the Muir High school “reinvention” initiative, Diaz said, or things would be even more dire.
Diaz said that some estimates put cuts from state funding as steep as $800 per student, and there will be some districts in California that will not be able to meet their financial obligations.
Continue reading "Altadena town council, PUSD board look at budget woes, districting" »
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Jackson and Franklin Elmentary Schools got hit and several commercial thefts were the highlights (lowlights?) of this rendition of the police blotter.
Wed., March 23
Between 8:30 AM & 9:15 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of Wapello Street. Suspect(s) entered the residence by cutting the rear window screen and removing the window. Loss: gold wedding band & diamond ring.
Between 8:15 AM & 1:00 PM, Fri. – A theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1000 block of Athens Street. Loss: black XOXO leather wallet containing credit cards.
Thurs., March 24
7:02 PM – A shoplifting incident occurred at the Rite Aid, 735 E. Altadena Dr. Loss prevention was able to detain the male and notify police. Deputies arrived to the location and arrested the male for shoplifting.
Fri., March 25
Between 12:05 AM & 4:30 AM – A theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 500 block of Athens Street. Loss: iPod cassette adapter & blackberry earphones.
12:12 PM – A theft occurred at Altadena Liquor, 1850 N. Allen Ave. A male Caucasian, 5’6”, 145 lbs, 22‐ 25 yrs., entered the location and stole a case of beer. Loss: 18‐pack of Budweiser.
2:25 PM – A theft occurred at the 7‐11, 1319 N. Altadena Dr. Two male, Hispanics, 5’2” – 5’7”, 140 ‐ 175, 18 – 21 yrs., entered the store and stole a case of beer. The clerk chased the suspects and observed them dropping the case of beer and entering an older model black Honda Accord 4‐dr. The suspects were last seen in the vehicle heading westbound on Washington Blvd.
Between 10:30 PM & 6:00 AM, Mon. ‐ A burglary occurred at Jackson Elementary School, 593 W. Woodbury Rd. Suspect(s) shattered the southwest corner window of the building. Loss: None.
Between 6:30 PM & 1:00 PM, Mon. – A burglary occurred at Franklin Elementary School, 527 W. Ventura St. Suspect(s) entered a classroom via an unknown method. No evidence of entry was visible. Loss: (6) black Motorola two‐way radios, black radio charger, gray Canon camera, & currency.
6:00 PM – A theft occurred in the 2300 block of Sinaloa Avenue. Suspect(s) stole a package from the front porch which was delivered via FedEx. A citizen notified the owner and advised that the empty package was found in the area. Loss: bath mat.
Sat. March 26
Between 4:00 PM & 5:21 AM, Sun. – A residential burglary occurred in the 20 block of East Harriet Street. Suspect(s) entered the residence via an unknown method. Loss: (4) Apple iPhones, Sony flat screen, JVC flat screen, Samsung Nexus cell phone, Sony PS3, white Xbox, black HTC HD7 cell phone, Apple laptop, Asus laptop, red Apple iPod, red headphones, black diamond bracelet, black Bulova pearl face watch, & diamond earrings.
Mon., March 28
Between 3:30 PM & 5:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1800 block of North. Harding Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence via the rear sliding door. Loss: None.
Wed., March 30
9:25 PM – A burglary occurred in the 20 block of West Palm Street. The resident heard noises coming from the rear of the residence and went outside to investigate. The residence observed a male, African‐ American, hiding in the garage. The suspect stood up and fled from the garage. The victim notified police and suspect was taken into custody a short time later. Loss: None
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Millie Lee, left, organizes her circle before an opening prayer at Muir High School this morning. Lee and other longtime Muir volunteers calling themselves "Stop the Violence: Hand in Hand" stood in front of the school before noon today in tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., and two murdered Muir students, Brandon Jackson and Jerrill Dulaney.
More pictures after the jump.
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The latest in the Altadena Permit Follies: Fancy Food Truck Fridays is on this week (unless it rains), and the Altadena Urban Farmer's Market is taking another month off.
Food Truck Fridays runs from 5-9 PM this Fri., April 8, in the parking lot at the Webster's stores, Lake and Marcheta. Some parking in the lot, but mostly parking in the street. Featured gourmet food trucks this month are the Hungry Nomad, No Reservations, Shrimp Pimp, Greenz on Wheelz, the South Philly Experience, and King Cone.
Meanwhile, after taking a break in March, the Altadena Urban Farmer's Market at the Zane Grey Estate is running into some delays in the permit process and won't be able to open April 17 as planned. Organizer Gloria Putnam says: "Thanks for your patience while we try to legalize food!"
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One woman and her organization are making a symbolic gesture tomorrow morning in front of John Muir High School to try to show there is another way.
"Hands on Hands" will be a line of people holding hands on the sidewalk in front of Muir in a silent gesture to honor Martin Luther King (who was killed this month) and "standing in silent peace" for students Brandon Jackson, who was murdered in Februrary, and Jerrill Dulaney, who was murdered in 2009.
According to Millie Lee, this is a project of her organization, Concerned Community Volunteers. The Volunteers were active in Muir in 1994-95, Lee said, helping provide training in literacy, GED completion, and academic coaching.
"I'm 75 years old now, and I was 57 when we started Concerned Community Volunteers, because the students weren't passing the proficiency test back then," Lee said. ""We would be able to be on campus during the test and assist people taking the test."
Since last week's "brawl" at the school, and the murder of Jackson in February, Lee decided to re-activate the Volunteers. "When I saw Brandon's name [in the paper], that kind of woke up this old girl," Lee said. "I'm in assisted living, and that kind of woke me up to bring peace to the community."
All are invited to participate in the line, which will be in front of the school, 1905 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, from 10 AM to noon.
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One of our readers found this dog (yes, picture is at an odd angle) on their property near Lake and Morada. They called animal control to come get her, so if she's yours, that's where she is.
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Found this fun thing: they're doing live streaming broadcast of the JPL clean room as they construct the next generation Mars Rover. Get your geek on!
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While we're traveling in space today, we thought we'd share this piece we found: Astronaut Cady Coleman playing a blues on flute aboard the ISS (using a flute provided by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, no less!).
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... to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
Altadena writer/performer/activist Ellen Snortland wants to send her one-woman show, "Now That She's Gone," to the Fringe Festival in Ediburgh, Scotland, but needs to bankroll it somehow. She's opted to fund it through Kickstarter, an internet platform for funding creative projects. The idea is that you pledge something to help fund the show, and only pay up if she reaches her goal of $25,000 by April 26.
Here's the sales pitch from her husband, Ken Gruberman:
We'll be doing the show every day for the month of August at the world's largest theater festival, the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. We are swinging for the fences on this one: we have been accepted into the #1 venue in the entire city, we've got the best PR rep in London working with us (13 years' Fringe experience) and our producer is also a Fringe veteran. If all goes well, we could finally be doing this show the way it was meant to be staged in Europe and America for years to come.
As you can imagine, none of this comes cheap. That is why we are using Kickstarter.com, a new digital kind of "passing the hat," to raise $25,000 IN PLEDGES by APRIL 25th.
So here’s the challenge: if you’ll click on the link below, you can pledge your good faith support. But here’s the kicker: when you pledge, you don’t pay unless, or until, we raise enough pledges to cover the entire $25,000. If you only have $5.00, that’s OK! If you only have $1, it's still OK! Here’s the link, if you don’t need to read any further: http://tinyurl.com/ellensnortland
That means we need a LOT of you to help us with your pledges; it’s all or nothing. If we don’t reach the $25,000 goal, then your pledge is cancelled, so every dollar helps. This is literally "the more, the merrier"!
There are various premium benefits to sponsoring her as well. Check out all the details on the Kickstarter page:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ntsgedinburgh/now-that-shes-gone-to-edinburgh
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by Michele Zack
About a dozen people turned up Sunday to tidy Old Marengo Park, mainly Altadena Heritage board members, neighbors of the park, plus other friends such native plant gardener Laura Bauer who arranged for a free load of mulch.
They are getting the park ready for its dedication May 1 as an Altadena Heritage Area, or AHA! This 8,000 square foot park at the southwest corner of Woodbury Road and Marengo was developed by Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy, Altadena Watershed Committee, Altadena Heritage, and other community partners to demonstrate native and drought tolerant plants.
It has beautified the neighborhood and created welcome habitat for birds and insects, as well as those waiting for the bus.
More pictures after the jump.
Continue reading "Volunteers apply some TLC to Old Marengo Park" »
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The Altadena Town Council and Pasadena Unified School District Board will meet Tuesday night at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.
Chairman Gino Sund writes:
This meeting will give Altadena residents an opportunity to voice opinions, raise concerns or ask questions of the District. Of particular interest is the proposal to change the way School Board members are elected. This proposed change will have a significant effect on Altadena's influence on the selection of the Board and its responsiveness to our community.
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Kevin Lyman of Altadena was named to the Los Angeles County Fair Association last week. The Association helps direct he Fairplex, which runs the LA County Fair as well as many other activities year-round. Lyman is the creator/producer of the Vans Warped Tour, and co-produces tours for Rockstar Energy Drink and Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown, and founded Unite the United Foundation.
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One of our readers writes:
Three lost dogs showed up on our street this morning. They appear to be from the same household. They have choke collars, but no tags.
Since they won’t stay in our fence area, we’ve called animal control. I believe they will be picking them up. If they do, we will obtain the contact info in case the owner’s sees this note.
UPDATE: From the finders (who live at around Altadena Drive and Porter):
Regrettably, we couldn't keep the dogs from escaping from the yard so we
called the animal control people. The woman who picked them up was pretty
sure they must have had an implanted tag, so it's very likely the owners
will be notified.
If you hear from someone, they'll be able to get them at the Baldwin History facility.
Here's the contact info:
626-962-3577
4275 North Elton, Baldwin Hills Park 91705
(The facility appears to be near Irwindale)
They can pick up the dogs between 12n and 7p.
Not the best scenario, but hopefully for the best.
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The American Cancer Society's Altadena Relay for Life is already gearing up teams for this year's walk on Sat., June 11, starting 9 AM at Farnsworth Park.
The next team captain meeting will be Wed., April 13, at Rose West's house, 1025 E. Woodbury Rd., at 6 PM.
Teams registered so far are:
Hope Ryders with Team Captain Jonetta Tatum-Green
Team Prana with Team Captain Jamilyn Hunter
Little Street of Spain with Team Captain Elaine Cutri
Curves Altadena with Team Captain Rose West
Altadena Community Church with Team Captain Sharon Archibald
Altadena Ale House with Team Captain Gail Casburn
Team Trojan with Team Captain John Pings
The Coffee Gallery Javawalkers with Team Captain Julie Sandoval
Rollin For A Cure with Team Captain Alan Kunihiro
Soroptimist Strutters with Team Captain Marilyn Commodore
McMammary Clan with Team Captain Julie Manning
Webster's Fine Stationers with Team Captain Lori Webster
Enriching Lives Forever with Team Captain Doryce Bohana
Two Dragons Martial Arts with Team Captain Philandria Brown
Isotonix Walkers with Team Captain Wendy Schonhardt
St. Mark's with Team Captain Elizabeth Butler
Pink Warriors with Team Captain Seiko Richardson
Teams can register at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=29186&pg=entry
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Celebrate National Poetry Month at the Altadena Library with the library’s Poet Laureate Alene Terzian and the Zephyr Poets on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. Following the featured reading there will be an open mic and all poets are invited to bring their poems to read. Because there are often families at library events, poems should be suitable for the general audience.
Several years ago, Shahe Mankerian, Armine Iknadossian, Tina Demirdjian, and Alene Terzian formed the Zephyr Poets—a workshop group that meets every two weeks. Their poems, through the use of fresh images and language, investigate the nuances of the human condition and challenge the audience to reconsider commonplace subject matters.
This program will be featured as part of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Festival along with the library’s Poetry and Cookies program which will take place on Saturday, April 9 at 2 PM at the Altadena Senior Center.
This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library.
The main Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena. For more information, please call (626) 798-0833 or check the library’s website at http://www.altadenalibrary.org.
When: Friday, April 29 @ 7:00 p.m.
Where: Altadena Library Community Room
600 East Mariposa Street
Altadena, CA 91001
Information: (626) 798-0833; www.altadenalibrary.org; pdutton@altadenalibrary.org
Cost: Free
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We've spent about 36 hours internet-free to go on our church's first men's retreat (rules: no hugging, no sharing, no making a collage detailing our spiritual journey, no labyrinth). It was a good thing to do this Lent (and sharing happened anyway, along with some hugging that slipped by). Today we feel ready to face the world again, and so there'll be many updates.
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Join the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., on Fri. April 15, for Tangled (rated PG), this month's Friday Fun Flick, starting at 3:30 PM.
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New community collaborator Maya Arthur send in some gorgeous pictures of spring in the local hills. Above, prickly pear cactus flowers in bloom.
And new toyon leaves shooting up on a spring morning.
Get out and take a walk!
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Firefighters wheel away one man from Muir High School during lockdown following reports of a big brawl on campus.
Details are few at the moment, but John Muir High School is on lockdown following reports of a "brawl," according to the police scanner.
Ambulances took away two men -- one from inside the school, and one near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Idaho St. which may or may not be related to the lockdown.
Official word is sketchy right now, but neighbors suggested the brawl may have occured because of ethnic or gang tensions on campus.
More pictures after the jump.
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Enjoy fellowship among the weeds this Sunday from 10 AM until noon or so at Old Marengo Park, southwest corner of Woodbury and Marengo. Those interested please bring your own gloves, and other equipment is also very helpful: shovels to deliver mulch, narrow shovels or trowels to remove pesky thistles, wheelbarrows, plastic bags to fill with green debris, etc.
Old Marengo Park is a community project of Arroyo and Foothills Conservancy, Altadena Watershed Committee, Altadena Heritage, Mountain View Cemetery and others, and funded by Metropolitan Water District, Supervisor Antonovich, Pasadena Department of Water and Power, Foothills Municipal Water District and others. It is maintained solely by volunteers in the neighborhood and greater community.
What was an 8,000 square foot patch of dirt for 50 years (emptied when the county realigned Marengo in the 1960s) is now a blooming demonstration garden of California natives that enhances the neighborhood and creates interest for thousands who drive along Woodbury Road every day.
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It's a quiet weekend in Lake Woebegon, it seems. Here's what we've got:
Fri., April 1
Sat. April 2
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We have lots of personal stuff going on this weekend, so updates will be few and brief -- really, after we get these taxes done, we'll feel better!
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