altadenablog

Weekendin'

So much to do .... and keep coming back as we add things!

Thurs., Aug. 4

• Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake: The Byrds Collective (tribute band), $20, 8 PM.

Fri., Aug. 5

• Beach Bus to Santa Monica: pickups start at 9 AM. $3. See here for details.
• Come listen to the young musicians of Jazz Camp at their recital, 3 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Paul Lines, a local musician and music teacher puts together Jazz Camp every year. Come out and show your support of our young local musicians.
• Altadena Library's Summer Movie Extravaganza: "Rio": a domesticated macaw from small town Minnesota takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janiero with the bird of his dreams.  Rated G.  Starts 3:30, admission and popcorn are free. Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.
• Scissors Paper Rock Salon Music Night, 1864 N. Allen, Pasadena, starts at 7 PM, free. Fei Lau (FeiPaintings.com), atmospheric watercolors of nature, with singer/songwriter Mark Canette (mellow rock)
• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake; front stage, open mic night, starts 8 PM, free; backstage, Artistry of the Guitar. 8 PM, $15. Reservations:  (626) 798-6236.

Sat., Aug. 6

• Beach Bus to Santa Monica: pickups start at 9 AM. $3. See here for details.
• LA Folk Festival at the Zorthian ranch.  See story above.
• "Community in the Park" hosted by the Altadena Sheriff's Station at Charles White Park, 77 Mountain View St., 1-4 PM. This community event it designed to show law enforcement's appreciaton of the citizens of  Altadena.  It will also help our continuous effort to build strong, positive relationships with the community we serve, as well as give the citizens of Altadena an opportunity to come together, interact, and bond with each other.  It will be a festive famly atmosphere filled with food, fun and safety information.  (There's also free document shredding!)
• Big Hat Promotions wraps up its summer concert season with "America's Western Sweetheart" Belinda Gail.  Doors open at 5 PM, dinner is served at 5:30, show begins at 7 PM. $20 per person donation requested. A vibrant and natural entertainer with a dynamic and captivating voice, Belinda stirs the emotions and visions of the West in the heart of her audiences. Concert is at a private residence in Altadena. Make reservations at big.hat@sbcglobal.net
• Sheriff Support Group Summer Concert Series welcomes the Motown sounds of The Blue Breeze Band to the Farnsworth Park stage, 7 PM. Before the concert, you can pick up a dinner from Amy’s Patio Café  http://www.amyspatiocafe.net/id3.html or El Patron  http://elpatrononline.com/.   During the concert, beer and wine are available for purchase courtesy of the Altadena Rotary Club.  Webster's Fine Stationers provides refreshment for the performers. Concerts are hosted by the Altadena Sheriff’s Station and Farnsworth Park.  Sponsors of the summer concert series are: Warner Bros., Rotary Club of Altadena, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Toyota of Pasadena, Baietti Seyffert/Podley Realtors, All American Audio Visual,  M & M Printing, Trinity ThreadWorks, My Irish Pride,  Georgia Rutherford in memory of Don Rutherford, and Altadenablog.  The concerts this year are dedicated to the memory of Cue MacKenzie.
• Italian movie night at  Bulgarini Gelato, 749 E. Altadena Dr. Movie is "Agata e La Tempesta" (Agatha and the Storm) -- a whimsical comedy written and directed by Silvio Soldini and starring Licia Maglietta. Dinner starts at 7:30 PM, $13 (reservations required) including a pasta dish, salad and drink. The film is free, no reservations are required, and starts after dark.  Gelato available throughout. Dinner reservations must be made by Friday by email at catering@bulgarinigelato.com or by calling (626) 791-6174.
• Coffee Gallery Backstage: The Tumbling Tumbleweeds (Western), $20; 7 PM.  Reservations:  (626) 798-6236.

Sun., Aug. 7

• Reception for August artist David Grigsby at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake,  5-7 PM.  Grigsby's paintings will be on exhibit through Aug. 30.
   
• "Shakespeare by the Sea" presents the comedy "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater, starting at 7 PM.  Admission is free.  Audiences are encouraged to gather with friends and family early to dine picnic-style under the stars to make the most of this classic entertainment experience.
• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake: open mic at the front stage, 8 PM, free; The Merry Wives of Windsor (Celtic/Folk), 3 PM and 7 PM, $11 each show. Reservations:  (626) 798-6236.

 

Something Wicked this way comes on Halloween

Wicked Lit, the Los Angeles-based theater group that put together a memorable Halloween season production at the Mountain View mausoleum  and cemetery last year, is planning a supersize encore this year.

Wickid Lit 2011 is planning two productions of famous classic ghost and horror stories, both to be performed at the mausoleum from Oct. 21-Nov. 6.

Production "A" will reprise three of last year's chilling playlets: "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allen Poe, "The Chimes" by Charles Dickens, and "The Unnamable" by H.P. Lovecraft.

Production "B" will be "A Ghost Story" by Mark Twain, "Casting the Runes" by M.R. James, and "The Body Snatcher" by Robert Lewis Stevenson.

For more information, check out their website: wickedlit.org

Pictured: Michael Prichard & Tanya Mironowski in "The Unnamable." Photo by Daniel Kitayama.

The Night Out in Altadena

The Altadena Sheriff's Station held its annual National Night Out at Farnsworth Park Tuesday night. Grilled burgers and hot dogs and lots of potluck filled out the menu, public safety information was widely available, and there was possibly the world's largest bounce house keeping the kids occupied during the evening.  A highlight was Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean sitting in the dunk tank (we were hoping for someone in a donut costume to show up so we could write the headline "Donut Dunks Cop," but it didn't happen ...)

Capt. McLean prepares to meet his fate ...

... and it doesn't take too long ...

  ... and down he goes!

But he gets back up again.

The sheriff's station is also holding a community get-together at Charles White Park on Saturday starting at 1 PM.

Big announcement coming Thursday

Watch this space.  We've got a big announcement about some changes on the horizon starting tomorrow, changes that we think will make this website even more indispensible.  But we're not telling until then!

Stay-at-home mom? Join the club!

by Viyada Schultz
MOMS Club of Altadena

Are you a stay at home mother living in Altadena? Want to meet other moms like you? Then join us at the MOMS Club of Altadena August All Member Meeting on Wed., Aug. 10 from 10 AM to noon. For the location and more information, email altadenamomsclub@gmail.com

What is MOMS Club?

MOMS Club is an international non-profit organization that supports mothers who have chosen to leave their full-time paid careers to stay home to raise their children. In fact, MOMS stands for "Moms Offering Moms Support." Our chapter currently has nearly 50 members and offers many activities for moms and kids each month. Many of our members do paid work, either for outside work they do at home or for part-time work outside the home. Still, mothers who stay home have unique needs, and the MOMS Club was created to address those specific needs. Our chapter currently has nearly 50 members and offers many activities for moms and kids each month. We serve moms who live in Altadena.

The purpose of MOMS Club is to:

 1. Provide support for the stay-at-home mom;

 2. Provide a forum for topics pertinent to children, child-raising, homemaking, personal improvement, and the family;

 3. Engage in activities to enrich the lives of children in the community, which includes at least one charitable, humanitarian or social welfare project related to children each year.

Once you join you will be able to participate in playgroups and many other fun activities!  We have playgroups for all ages of children from newborn and up.  Each playgroup has its own meeting time and date, and the members of the group take turns hosting the group each week.  We have monthly club outings, Mom's Night Out and a number of interest groups, including a book club, sewing club, dinner club, hiking club and fitness group.  We also have an active fundraising and service project calendar for the year.

 

Looking for women looking to lose pounds in Aug.-Sept.

The bodacious Revvell Revati says she is looking for six women over age 40 who would like to eliminate 25 pounds or more forever:

No fee, no “catch”.... Just a commitment to 4 weeks; 3 x’s per week; 90 minutes of physical training (Playing) and counseling sessions using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and Voice Dialogue to discover your most Bodacious Self. 

• Eliminate Self-Sabotage!
• Eliminate Excess Weight!
• Become more flexible!
• Build Stamina!
• Eliminate Crimes Against Wisdom & Compulsion!
• Discover Freedom of Choice! (to choose whether, what and when to eat)

If not now, when? 

Revvell ~ 818-824-4422 

Revvell@BodaciousLiving.com

Classes will be held MWF  from 7 - 8:30 AM. You need bring nothing but notebook, pen, water and a play-filled attitude. Classes begin Mon. Aug. 15 & end Sept. 9.

West Nile Virus risk higher this year

by Kelly Middleton
Public Information Officer
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District continues to identify additional evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission.  Mosquitoes collected at the District headquarters in West Covina, and a chicken from a sentinel flock housed at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in the City of Irwindale have tested positive for the virus.  

“Los Angeles County appears to be a “hot spot” for WNV activity this year.  Residents are strongly cautioned to take precautions now to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate standing water sources” warns General Manager Steve West.  Infection with WNV can produce serious, life threatening illness and should be taken seriously. 

Visitors to the Recreation area and surrounding communities are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites if outdoors between dusk and dawn including:

• Wear long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active.  Select clothing that is light in color, tightly woven, and loose fitting to deter mosquitoes from biting
• Apply mosquito repellents to exposed skin.  Select products containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 for best results. Follow label directions and reapply as necessary.
• Do not rely on candles, electronic devices, or wristbands to repel mosquitoes.  These products have limited to no effect.

Hula, swords, and fire poi -- Polynesian dance classes starting up

Pictured: time-lapse of fire poi in action.

Polynesian dance instructor Sue Espinoza is offering a series of dances of many island cultures at the Sue B. Dance Studio, 2525 N. Lake Ave. No. 5, and at the Hathaway Sycamores Family Resource Center.  Adult Hawaiian dance starts tonight, but there's a great lineup for all kinds of dance and for all ages.  Classes are once a week, and cost $45 a month:

Sue B. Dance Studio  Schedule

6:30* Thursday - Tahitian -Teens and young adults -1 hour

7:00 Tuesday - Adult Hawaiian Dance - 1 hour

Hathaway / Sycamore Family Resource Center Schedule

6:00 Friday Keiki Beginning class Ages 4-7

7:00 Fridays Hawaiian, Maori Poi Ages 7 and up if they can keep up. Based on the individual.‎

8:00 Tahitian- Beginning Ages 7 and up‎

8:30 -10:00 Hawaiian and Tahitian - Teens and up - Intermediate

* A keiki class will be added if we get four to start: ages 4-8 boys and girls.

Private fire knife arrangements can be made with Martiza

Fire poi can be arranged with Liz

For more information contact the Sue B. Dance Studio at 626-798-8285 or Liz Espinoza at 626-797-9727.

45.00 per month - Once a week

Love Altadenablog? Thank a sponsor!

Since we're a sponsor of the Sheriff's Support Group concerts this year, we've been faithfully attending them and getting a lot of chances to meet with some of our readers.  It's moving and humbling to hear from you who make this a daily stop, an important part of their life in Altadena, who come by to say "thank you."

But the ones who really deserve the thanks are the members of our sponsor team.  In a time when business is struggling, these businesses put their money on the line and this website couldn't exist without them.  The best way to support Altadenablog is to support our sponsors, so please give 'em some business and say you read about it here:

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Altadenans for Quality Education

 Baietti-Seyffert Realtors

Curves Altadena

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Energy Upgrade California

Friends of the Altadena Library

Greg Stanton Real Estate

Home Shoot Home

Judy Rubin Real Estate

Mike Gibson Service Center

The Peace & Justice Academy

The Rancho Bar

Scissors Paper Rock Salon & Boutique

Webster's Community Pharmacy

Webster's Fine Stationers

Historical Society needs volunteers for mysteries of Mariposa St.

Jane Brackman, when she's not answering our questions about coyotes, foxes, and wolves as "Dr. Barkman," is also president of the Altadena Historical Society, and she's looking for volunteers for their next event:

Mark your calendars for October 23, 2011, when AHS’ annual tour will feature the history of Mariposa Street east of Lake Avenue – its houses, stories and mysteries, including a tour of the Chamberlain house. (Pictures attached- as it looked in 1915 and as it appears today. Photos courtesy of Cynthia and Dave Howard.)  

Many Mariposa Street homes on the walking-tour contributed to the Altadena story:

• The Neustadt/Markham house (now Sahag Mesrob school) was built by Col. G. G. Green for his daughter Altadena.
• Across the street is the McClintock house, built for Altadena Green’s mother-in-law.  
• On the southwest corner of Mariposa and Maiden Lane is a cottage built by architects Greene and Greene.
• Just east of the cottage is the home of artist and author Sara Noble Ives.
• A rediscovered Wallace Neff designed house still stands on the north side of the street, hidden behind mid century apartments.  

These stories and others, along with a scandalous mystery about a copycat Lindbergh-style kidnapping scheme will be featured on the tour.

Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for non-members and $25 at the door. Call 626-797-8016 for more information or email: altadenahistoricalsociety@yahoo.com

Please consider volunteering.  
You can call me or email.

Regards,
Jane Brackman, President
(626) 797-8016
altadenahistoricalsociety@yahoo.com

Small fire near Loma Alta Park quickly dispatched

Mike Levesque of the LA County Fire Dept. said that there was a small fire in the wash behind Loma Alta Park last night.  Firefighters were called at 8 PM, and had finished by 8:25.  Levesque said it was a "tree fire," but cause is unknown.

First waterfall again: stranded hiker rescued in Eaton Canyon

The day after a hiker died following a plunge from the first waterfall at Eaton Canyon, rescuers plucked a stranded hiker from the same location.

According to a press release from the sheriff's department, a Pasadena resident heard a male teen yelling from a ledge Monday where he was stuck near the first waterfall as she was hiking the canyon.  Members of the Altadena sheriff's search and rescue team responded at 6:15 PM.  Team members rapelled down the cliff and lowered the teen to safety using ropes and rapelling equipment.

According to the press release, "The 17-year old male resident of Altadena was uninjured and walked out of the canyon on his own accord."

National Night Out at Farnsworth Park tonight

Don't forget that National Night Out starts at 5 PM at Farnsworth Park tonight, hosted by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Fire Department will be participating, as well as local Neighborhood Watch groups.  Michael Randenberg, the Altadena station's community relations sergeant, writes that they are planning to have a bouncer, a magician, face painting, and much more.

Please bring a dish to share (beans, salads, chips, etc.)  Altadena Station will supply the burgers and hot dogs

Crime blotter; burglaries down in July

by Joseph E. Dempsey, Lieutenant
Altadena Station - Detective Bureau

The Altadena Sheriff’s Department is pleased to report that during the month of July, we received three reports of residential burglaries.  This is the lowest number of residential burglaries reported in one month for quite some time.  In the first two quarters of 2010, Altadena was averaging 35 to 40 residential burglaries a month. 

We ask that residents remain vigilant.  Secure your homes and cars.  Do not leave valuables in your cars.  Report any suspicious behavior in your neighborhoods. 

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County  via e-mail and/or text, register for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD - Altadena, Los Angeles County Sheriff"  and “LASD – HQ Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff” or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.

For a listing of previous posts from Altadena Sheriff’s Station:

http://local.nixle.com/lasd---altadena-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/

The Crime Blotter for last week is after the jump.

ACONA looks at filming, liquor stores Aug. 9

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) will meet next Tues., Aug. 9, from 7 - 8:30 PM at the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Meeting topics are:
"The Film Industry in Altadena" with Geoffrey Smith from ‘Film L.A.’

"Liquor Stores in Altadena": Alex Garcia from Dept. of Regional Planning, Christina Hernandez of Business License & Collection Services Unit, and
Anthony Posada from ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control)

Eaton Canyon hiker plunges at first waterfall, dies at Huntington

The LA Weekly, of all place, is tracking the story of the hiker who was fatally injured yesterday in a fall at Eaton Canyon.  Erwin Molina, who was in his 20's, fell 35 feet to the rocky bottom of the canyon.  Despite being airlifted to Huntington Hospital, he later died of his injuries.

LACFD brings in heavy artillery to knock down Monday morning Cobb Estate fire

A quarter acre patch of the Cobb Estate was burned in a brush fire this morning that was rapidly put out by LA County Fire Dept.

Fire Dept. spokesman Matt Levesque said that four crews, five engine companies, and three helicopters were deployed to the fire on Angles National Forest land after it was reported at 4:19 AM.  It was knocked down at 4:53 AM, and there were no injuries or structure damage, Levesque said.  The cause is still under investigation.

Thx to reader David Datz for the head's up.

 

 

Sheriff unveils hiking plan form -- hiking planning is rescue planning

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department -- which lifted another injured hiker from Eaton Canyon Sunday night -- has created a hiking/camping plan form that may help them in the event you're the one being rescued.

Before you leave for your hike or camping trip, please fill out a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue – Hiking Plan sheet and provide it to a friend or loved one who's staying home to hold onto just in case something happens to a member of you hiking or camping group . You can download the form by visiting http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_163961.pdf

The form lists the name, age, address, phone number, and medical issues of the members of your party, along with details such as starting and finishing trailhead, start date, and return date and time.  It also asks for camp sites you're planning to use, vehicle information, and what supplies you're planning to take.

(If you really want to cover your bases, we've heard it recommended that you take a photo of the bottom of your hiking boot and make that available as well!)

If you would like more information on how to prepare for your hiking / camping trip, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s camping website at http://www.cdc.gov/family/camping/

Fancy Food Truck Fridays returns Aug. 12 -- now with more Paco!

The Websters companies (Fine Stationers, Community Pharmacy, and Liquor) are promising a treat for the next Fancy Food Truck Friday gathering on Aug. 12. 

Participating trucks are:

Grill 'em All

India Jones

Greenz On Wheelz

Hungry Nomad

Shrimp Pimp
A Rockin Ice

And -- according to WFS's Lori Webster in her latest email -- special guest for the evening will be Paco the crime-fighting chihuahua.  If you've always wanted to meet a superhero face to, uh, muzzle, this will be the time!  Fancy Food Truck Fridays runs from 5-9 PM.

Morning jolt

• Five Acres is looking for a new Executive Director -- we found this on an executive search site.
• The LA Times' Esmeralda Bermudez was at the Cobb Estate presentation last week -- here's what they got.
• Along those lines, the Altadena Historical Society has a new website address, so do check it out (and buy those friut crate labels!)