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Farnsworth, Loma Alta, and Charles White Park will open up their Tiny Tots programs this coming Monday, Oct. 10.
For children ages 3-5, the preschool program offers crafts, sports, activities, field trips, circle time and more.
Hours are 8 AM-6 PM Monday through Friday, and cost is $100 per week per child. Free snacks are provided, but the child must bring lunch.
For more information and park locations, click on the graphic.
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by Timothy Rutt
Pictured: with MaryEllen Shoeman, cheetahs always prosper.
It's easy to get your cat or dog boarded or house-sat when you're going away, but what about your pet skunk, raccoon, hedgehog, or other exotic creature?
Altadena wildlife rehabilitator MaryEllen Schoeman has just started up a new business aimed exactly at those kinds of pets: Wild Things Pet Sitting. "A regular dog walking or pet sitting service is often inexperienced with pets such as birds, reptiles, farm animals, and other exotics," Schoeman writes us, "and Wild Things is there for owners of these pets. "
Mary Ellen knows whereof she speaks: she has worked with cheetahs, tigers, bears, servals, tortoises, and a wealth of other exotics. She has worked with cheetahs in South Africa and rehabbed and released monkeys, parrots, macaws, kinkajous, and coatis in Ecuador. She is vice president of Animal Advocates, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation non-profit, and boasts that she has personally has personally rehabbed and released to the wild hundreds of wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, opossums, and squirrels.
She will come to your home to care for your pets (and their dog and cat housemates, if required), and offers a variety of services depending on your pet's needs. She covers the greater Los Angeles area.
Phone (626)354-4105 on Mon-Fri. 9 AM-5 PM.
Email: maryellen@wildthingspetcare.biz
Website: http://www.wildthingspetcare.biz/
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by Timothy Rutt
Children's librarian Cassandra Stearns reads to a small but enthusiastic group at the Altadena Main Library Thursday afternoon as part of "Read for the Record Day." This year's book, "Lama Lama Red Pajama" by Anna Dewdney, was read to groups all around the country in an attempt to break the record for the number of readers of the same book on the same day. The listeners also received their own copy of the book for their participation.
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The Coffee Gallery coffee house, which is opening up its kitchen to guest chefs, will feature a fried chicken dinner with none other than Chef Talli tomorrow (Sat.), from 4:30-9:30 PM.
Chef Talli (i.e. Talli V. Counsel, Certified Master Chef) is the distinguished consulting United States Presidential Master Chef for sitting and retired United States Presidents. Chef Talli was granted the status of Master Chef by the Chef's Congress in 1987, and is often referred to as the “Nations Top Chef”. His notable awards include the “Successful Entrepreneur Award 1986” from the University of Southern California and the “Ely’s Winery Award” for wine and food pairing.
Chef Talli has a distinguished career, with several high-end clients in business and government, and is a contributing chef to the FOod News on various radio networks. He has appeared in Huffington Post, Success Magazine, Westways Magazine, Best Friends Animal Society, Sisters N' Style, Café Society, Inside Entertainment, The Los Angeles Times, CBS Radio, National Public Radio and many other national and international publications. Chef Talli is featured in the “California Restaurant Association Cookbook”, and the “California’s Top 50 Chefs” publication (2006). Chef Talli’s latest media affiliations are with Examiner.com. And Associated Content. He is an organic and sustainable foods writer, and is an accredited food news journalist.
The Coffee Gallery is at 2029 N. Lake.
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by Timothy Rutt
Altadenablog sponsor Webster's Fine Stationers is profiled in Independent We Stand, a website devoted to independently-owned local businesses and their value to local communities. Scott and Lori Webster share their story about the business's history, the struggle against big box stores and family conflict, and their commitment to local causes and local authors and artisans.
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This is the weekend for garage sales -- Phil Coombs tells us that the President Streets neighborhood will have its semi-annual neighborhood yard sale tomorrow (Saturday). We've included the flyer he circulated to the neighborhood. Over 30 households will be participating, joining the Meadows and the St. Elizabeth School parents in clearing out the house before the holidays.
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A physical clash between a John Muir High School student and the school’s football coach has prompted Pasadena Unified School District officials to review policies on searching students and their property for weapons and other contraband.
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Vehicle burglary seems to be the flavor of the week. Crime blotter by Lt. Joseph Dempsey of the Altadena Sheriff's Station.
Fri., Sept. 23
Between 4:00 PM and 9:30 AM, Saturday – A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1700 block of Harding Avenue. Loss: black/silver Apple PowerBook laptop, black Swiss Army laptop bag.
Mon., Sept. 26
Between 8:00 PM and 6:50 AM, Tuesday – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1200 block of E. Boston Street. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by punching the door lock. Loss: black HP laptop, black Meggar measuring device.
Tues., Sept. 27
Between 5:00 PM and 5:00 PM, Wednesday – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 600 block of Alameda Street. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by prying open the driver’s side door. Loss: misc. currency.
Between 9:00 PM and 2:30 PM, Wednesday – A vehicle burglary and vehicle vandalism occurred in the 2400 block of El Sol Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattered the front passenger window. Loss: tan/brown Louis Vuitton purse.
Wed., Sept. 28
Between 2:20 AM and 2:35 AM – A grand theft of vehicle parts occurred in the 2400 block of Casitas Avenue. Loss: (4) 24” chrome rims, (4) tires.
Between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM – A petty theft occurred in the 3300 block of Marengo Avenue. Loss: black w/orange trim Echo leaf blower.
Between 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at Windsor Avenue and Ventura Street. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the passenger side window. Loss: white Tom Tom GPS.
Between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 300 block of E. Calaveras Street. Suspect(s) possibly entered the residence via the unlocked front door. Loss: white MacBook laptop.
Thurs., Sept. 29
1:59 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of E. Mariposa Street. Suspect(s) entered the residence by prying open the front window. Loss: none.
Fri., Sept. 30
Between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of Sinaloa Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by removing the window screen. Loss: fire opal cufflinks, gray Toshiba Satellite E100 laptop, white iPod video, silver Sony digital camera, gold earrings, gray Sony Vaio F series laptop, gray/green wallet, (1) XBox remote control, (1) gray XBox wireless antenna, (3) XBox video games, misc. currency.
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Reader Debra found a friendly male Chihuahua on Oct. 3 near the corner of Lake Avenue and Calavaras. He was wearing a blue collar. If you are the owner please all 626 797-0911.
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Lots going on, and we usually add new stuff as the weekend progresses, so keep coming back!
Thurs., Oct. 6
Fri., Oct. 7
Sat., Oct. 8
Sun., Oct. 9
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It's "Read for the Record" day, where readers throughout the country will try to set a record for the number of people reading the same book on the same day. This year's book is "Llama Llama Red Pajama" by Anna Dewdney.
Locally, readings will be at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., at 11 AM and 4:30 PM at the Community Room. There will also be readings at Perry's Joint, 2051 Lincoln Ave.
While they last, participating readers will also get copies of the book for their very own.
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The Altadena Community Arts Center at the former Loma Alta School will start classes Oct. 24, with workshops for children and young age 6 to 18.
A project of the Altadena Arts Council, the Community Arts Center offers courses in everything from drawing and painting to theater and magic, and writing, spoken word, and poetry.
Classes run 6-8 weeks, and most cost $65 plus materials, if needed. For the full rundown or to register, go here.
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Altadena school advocate Cushon Bell tells us that her organization, http://www.educateourstate.org/, is organizing Camp Educate, a statewide conference of parent leaders "who want to turn their frustration with the troubled California public school system into activist energy and produce real systemic change."
The two-and-a-half day camp will be Nov. 11-13, 2011, at Stephen S. Wise Temple, Los Angeles. For for more information, go here.
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Weizmann Day School, New Horizon School, and St. Mark’s School invite the community to attend their 8th annual interfaith Daniel Pearl “Harmony for Humanity” Concert on Oct. 12 at 11 AM. The concert will take place on the Weizmann Day School campus located at 1434 N. Altadena Drive in Pasadena. This special concert brings together Jewish, Muslim and Christian elementary school age children singing songs of peace and understanding.
This local concert is part of a global Daniel Pearl World Music Days event (www.danielpearlmusicdays.org) honoring journalist Daniel Pearl, an accomplished musician who was killed by terrorists on assignment in Pakistan in 2002. Pearl’s tragically short life was spent in the pursuit of fellowship and understanding across cultures. This annual event, commemorating his October birthday, now includes over 4,900 performances across 102 countries including past performances by Barbra Streisand, REM, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) and The Bacon Brothers (Kevin Bacon’s band). The uniting theme is “Harmony for Humanity” to honor the legacy of Daniel Pearl through the musical medium he loved.
Continue reading "Daniel Pearl's parents to attend Pearl World Music Day at Weizmann School" »
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Altadena artist Kathleen Swaydan (she curates the Gallery at the Coffee Gallery monthly exhibits) will have a busy autumn of showings around the area:
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by Timothy Rutt
Two men were arrested following an attempted robbery at the intersection of Lake Avenue and Altadena Drive last night.
Altadena Sheriff Lt. Roosevelt Johnson said that four men attempted to rob a man on a bench at the intersection at about 8:45 PM. The victim ran off toward the Rite Aid parking lot, where the men began to beat him with hands, fists, and brass knuckles, Johnson said.
The victim sustained a laceration to the forehead and contusion to the right eye, as well as facial bruises. He was treated by paramedics at the scene, Johnson said.
Jamal Stewart and Jeffrey Butler, both 18, were arrested for attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, Johnson said. Two other suspects remain at large.
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Joe Clay, aka "Rambro'," the suspected poacher who haunts the hills near residential areas, has been spotted again. Forest advocate Lori Paul passes along the following information:
Rambro's vehicle is usually an older, maroon color Dodge van, CA license #4AGU605. He sometimes keeps a small motorized trail bike in the van for reconnaissance up fire roads and larger trails. (Yes, it is illegal to operate a motorcycle on County and USFS trails and beyond fire road gates).
Angeles Crest Highway and other roads into the Angeles Forest are now open, so there is no excuse for Clay not to hunt deer or other legal game in the high country where it is safe to fire weapons and where the wildlife is not acclimated to human presence. Hunting from local trails in close proximity to hillside homes and day use areas is not safe nor legal. Killing wild animals, such as our local deer, that have become accustomed to the presence of people, vehicles, etc. is certainly not sporting nor is it safe, since such animals are most often found close to homes and picnic areas.
Rumor has it that Clay and local hunters may have installed motion sensing cameras to track wildlife movement along certain county and Angeles Forest trails. Pot growers attempting to reestablish in the Forest may do the same to provide advanced warning of intruders near their illegal crops. Anyone finding hunting blinds, bait piles, traps, snares, and such should be aware of the possibility that you may be observed. Stay safe, leave the site and contact authorities immediately. Do not attempt to dismantle blinds, snares or traps by yourself. Report any camouflaged cameras, tree platforms, campsites outside authorized campgrounds, or other suspicious objects and activities to the USFS and Altadena Sheriffs. Photos, descriptions of what you've observed (including license # of any vehicle), and exact location info would be helpful for law enforcement.
If you see Clay hunting too close to residences and recreational areas (day use, campgrounds, or on trails), please call the Sheriffs without delay, followed by USFS Dispatch and the CA Dept. of Fish & Game wardens at CalTip.
Rambro returns like a bad penny every autumn, allegedly to kill bears, deer and other wildlife in our neighborhoods and popular recreational areas. Your vigilance helps reduce poaching and sends a message that this sort of unethical and illegal hunting is not acceptable here. With enough information and a bit of luck, perhaps law enforcement can act to stop any illegal poaching.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Pasadena Unified School District has been awarded a three year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Education to fund a program that connects arts educaton with math.
PUSD Superintendent Jon R. Gundry announced the award Wednesday. The grant was awarded to the district in partnership with Pasadena's Armory Center for the Arts, the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), and UCLA. PUSD's grant is one of only 13 federal Professional Development for Arts Educators (PDAE) grants awarded across the country this year. School districts must partner with local non-profit agencies to qualify.
"Connecting arts instruction with mathematical concepts develops the critical thinking skills that are so important for the jobs of tomorrow," said Gundry in a press release. "Coming on the final year of the PUSD/Armory Center for the Arts Artist/Teacher Collaborative, this grant continues to provide access to high quality arts instruction and to closely connect our students with the nationally recognized arts resources of Pasadena."
The federal grant will fund Artful Connections with Math, a project that was co-designed by PUSD's math coach and Arts Education Department, with the Armory Center for the Arts. The grant expands a program piloted at San Rafael Elementary School by the district's math coach and teaching artists from the Armory using visual arts lessons to target key math learning standards. According to PUSD, based on tests, the program has yielded notable improvements among underperforming second and third graders.
The UCLA National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) is the project's evaluation partner, and PEF supported the application process.
"Art can play a transformational role in student achievement by opening the door to learning. Within math, art helps to make abstract concepts more concrete, understandable, and approachable," said Scott Ward, Executive Director of the Armory Center. "The Armory's vibrant and long term partnership with PUSD allows this effort and others to flourish and this partnership will again be proven to be a true key to student success."
The federal grant will benefit an estimated 1,800 elementary school students at 16 Title 1 schools in PUSD. Title 1 schools are designated when more than 81 percent of students participate in the free and reduced school lunch program.
Local participating schools include Altadena and Jackson elementary schools.
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Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, will have a community town hall meeting at El Rancho High School, 6501 S. Passions Blvd., Pico Rivera, on Tues., Oct. 11, from 5:30-7:30 PM.
The meeting is to help engage parents, students, educators, and community leaders throughout the Los Angeles region in meeting President Obama's challenge to lead the world in college completion by 2020. All are invited, and the event is free.
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by Michele Zack
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The next meeting of the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) will be Tues., Nov. 1, and will feature speakers who will address two important issues from neighborhoods in Altadena:
1. Trash in Altadena
The first half of the ACONA meeting will feature speakers from Athens Trash Service,and the LA County Department of Public Works. Athens will address questions and concerns about how they’re doing after six weeks, and how we in Altadena can use them for recycling. LA County will address questions about what to do about neighbors who need a nudge to clean up weeds and leaves and who to contact about dry brush as the fire season looms.
Speakers:
Thor Schmidt, General Manager of Athens
Paul Alva from LA County Department of Public Works
2. How to form Neighborhood Watches/ Neighborhood Associations.
How to organize your neighborhood into a Neighborhood Watch or Neighborhood Association.
Speakers:
Natalie Salazar, Director of the Community Law Enforcement Partnership Program (CLEPP), Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Sergeant Michael D. Randenberg and Deputy Ronnie Manier, Community Relations, Altadena Sheriff's Department
The meeting will be held at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., in the Community Room, from 7-8:30 PM.
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by Timothy Rutt
LA Weekly has a story on Black Cat Bakery chef Nick Coe, and Shu Takikawa's renowned farm in Santa Barbara. In passing, it says that the two promise to be selling their goods at the Altadena Farmer's Market, which the Weekly says will be open at the end of October.
So we decided to check up on it: Altadena market manager Joseph Shuldiner emails us: " I'm still dealing with the County to get a formal agreement signed so I can assure all the vendors and farmers that this is going to happen. I'm supposed to hear from Office of the Deputy Director of Parks this week. Keep your fingers crossed. I will without a doubt contact you as soon as I have ink drying on the page! In the meantime, I have even more amazing farmers and vendors lined up just waiting for the go ahead."
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by Carolyn Seitz
For those of you unfamiliar with CERT, it is a Community Emergency Response Team training that is 21 hours as is mandated by FEMA.
A new CERT training class is being hosted by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station and presented by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
You must pre-register and can do that emailing your Name, Address, Phone Number and Email; address to: CERT@lasd.org.
Please also let me know if you're planning to attend and let me know if you have any questions.
The class will take place at 4554 North Briggs Avenue, La Crescenta, CA. It is easy access from the Altadena area. From 210 northbound, you'd exit at Ocean View, turn right and make an almost immediate left turn onto Foothill Boulevard. It is only a short distance west on Foothill to Briggs Avenue. Turn right onto Briggs and the Station is a short distance away on the right.
Here are the dates and times for the class:
There is a possibility there will be another CERT class in Altadena later in October and another in December.
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Carolyn Seitz (cmseitz@mindspring.com) is a community volunteer and is everywhere.
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by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun
Staffers for Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) gained some job security Tuesday, as the battle between their boss and Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles) took a new turn.
Pérez on Tuesday recalled orders requiring Portantino staffers to take furloughs later this month. All 11 people working in Portantino’s Sacramento and Pasadena offices had been told to take furloughs between Oct. 21 and Nov. 30.
The Assembly Rules Committee initially ordered the furloughs in July, accusing Portantino of overspending his member budget.
Portantino denied overspending and said the cuts were punishment because he refused to support a state budget proposal by the Assembly’s Democratic leadership in June. He has since pushed for public disclosure of all Assembly members’ budgets.
In a statement, Pérez said Tuesday the furloughs were cancelled after two Portantino staffers left their jobs and two others asked for leaves of absence – reducing the amount of money Portantino was spending.
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October's artist for the Gallery in the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, is Murphy Armitage, photographer:
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by Tina Wallin
Altadena Library District
The Altadena Library Community Room presents works by Ngene Mwura through October.
Ngene is a third generation artist from a family of writers and storytellers. He is from Kikuyu, a farmland outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Ngene has found illustration to be his truest form of storytelling.
The succession of his work is a timeline of his perception and experiences as of yet. His work takes you from the farmlands of Africa, through the art world of Europe, and most recently to Los Angeles, where he is currently working on “masks”, an expression of what he thinks the African Mask could have evolved into if the African tradition hadn’t progressively dissipated.
For questions or information regarding art exhibits and events:
Contact: Tina Wallin
Phone: 626-798-0833 (x118)
Fax: 626-798-5351
Email: twallin@altadenalibrary.org
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by Heather E. Firchow
Children's/Young Adult Services
Altadena Library District
Celebrate Teen Read Week (TRW) at the Altadena Library. This year’s theme. "Picture It! @ Your Library," will give teens the opportunity to express themselves as we highlight visual media and books with a visual media theme. Teen Read Week at the Altadena Library is October 16-22, 2011.
Re-Picture It! Design a new cover for your favorite YA book. The Top 5 covers will be displayed at the library and the winning cover will re-cover the Altadena Library District’s copy of that YA book. Pick up a Re-Picture it form/template at the Children’s Services Desk!
Picture Me Dancing!: We are having a Just Dance, Dance Challenge. Bring your best moves to the Library (and your Wii Remote if you have one). There’ll be prizes for our first, second, and third place dance champions. See you,Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 4PM in the Community Room.
My Picture Tells a Story: Create a personalized bookmark with your fabulous picture! We’ll create a photo-booth picture strip that you can make into a fun bookmark on Thursday, October 20 @ 4PM in the Community Room.
Picture it! The life of a Professional Photographer: Professional Photographer and Art Center Alumni/Faculty Member Dana Hursey will discuss his life as a professional photographer. He’ll share his experiences, his process and perspective on photography. Join us for an insightful program on Sat., October 22 at 3PM in the Community Room.
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Photo: Two mountain lions were spotted early Tuesday morning in Sierra Madre. Credit: KTLA News/Pasadena Sun
by Abby Sewell
Pasadena Sun
Officials are cautioning residents to be alert after two mountain lions were found early Tuesday morning sitting on the front lawn of a home in Sierra Madre.
A resident reported seeing the two cats about 12:32 a.m. in front of a house on the 600 block of Camillo Road, said Sgt. Ruben Enriques of the Sierra Madre Police Department.
The cats were still in the yard when officers arrived, but police scared them off by turning on their sirens, he said.
Wildlife encounters are common in the community, which lies in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
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by Jason Wells
Pasadena Sun
A series of storms moving through the area this week could bring periods of steady, heavy rain and chilly temperatures, weather forecasters say.
Showers today will build into a more powerful weather system on Wednesday, bringing steady rain and pushing daytime temperatures down into the 60s, or about 10 degrees below normal, according to the National Weather Service.
The unseasonal storm pattern comes as fire season starts to take hold in foothills, which continues to remain vulnerable to the effects of heavy rain in the Station fire burn area.
A chance of thunderstorms and showers will linger through Thursday.
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by Timothy Rutt
A plastics manufacturer has filed a lawsuit challenging the county's plastic bag ban, claiming that it's a hidden tax.
The county ordinance bans plastic carryout bags in unincorporated areas, which includes Altadena. Instead, customers can bring their own bags or purchase paper bags from the store at ten cents each. The bag ban went into effect for major retailers on July 1, and will apply to all businesses in July, 2012.
However, according to an article by Joel Fox, editor of the Fox & Hounds legal website, plastics manufacturer Hilex-Poly claims that the charge is a violation of Proposition 26, which requires that fees only cover the cost of service. Hilex-Poly is claiming that the charge is a hidden tax.
According to Steve Merksamer, attorney for Hilex-Poly quoted by Fox, the store is collecting the money at government behest and has to do with it what the government tells it to do -- i.e., cover costs of paper bags, fund costs of complying with the ordinance, or pay for educational materials or campaigns for reusable bags. In addition, stores have to report the number of bags sold and monies collected every quarter.
According to Fox, the retailer is acting as a surrogate for the county to promote its recycling program. If the court finds the bag fee to actually be a tax, it requires a two-thirds vote at election to become law.
More here:
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The Bright Future Scholars Program consists of “cream of the crop,” high academic achievers primarily from all Pasadena Unified middle and high schools. Students must maintain a 3.3 GPA or higher to qualify.
Since its beginning in 2004, to date, 100% of the participants graduating from the Bright Future Scholars Program have been accepted into colleges and universities across the United States.
Bright Future Scholars offers developmental training that addresses social-economic issues as well as community involvement, and produces well-rounded young people, ready and marketable in today’s society.
Also, during the orientation meeting, a team of “Robotics” experts gave an exciting presentation on robot building and competition to peak the scholar’s interest in engineering and possibly open additional doors for future career opportunities.
On the first Saturday of each month the scholars are mentored by community leaders and dignitaries such as: Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Carol Liu, Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena Council Member Chris Holden, Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck, LA County Sheriff Leroy Baca, Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez, Altadena Sheriff Captain Steve McLean, Pasadena Water and Power General Manager Phyllis Currie, Pasadena Superior Judge Philip Soto, and Pasadena City College Superintendent/President Dr. Mark Rocha.
These dedicated mentors willingly volunteer their time to mentor the Bright Future Scholars individually as well as in groups.
In April, during spring break, scholars attend a seven-day Leadership Retreat to Washington, D.C., where they have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with legislators, visit the famous Washington landmarks, spend time on Capitol Hill, and interact with youth from all around the world. This trip becomes an unforgettable and life-altering experience that enhances their leadership skills and values.
The Quality of Life Center, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit agency. All contributions are tax-deductible and welcomed! Scholars unable to finance program expenses such as the retreat would certainly appreciate sponsorship assistance.
Insuring that there is a society in which all youth, including Bright Future Scholars, have an equal opportunity, “levels the playing field,” and will make a difference in our future.
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An Altadena firefighter was slightly injured after falling off a roof fighting a fire this morning, but he's back on duty.
Spokesman Don Kunitomi from the Los Angeles County Fire Dept. said that dispatcher received a call at 6:17 this morning for a fire on the roof of a two-storey house on the 200 block of West Ventura St. The fire was knocked down only minutes later, at 6:34. One firefighter fell off the roof while fighting the fire, but Kunitomi said that his injuries were minor and he returned to duty.
There was no cause or estimate of damage available as of press time.
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The Theodore Payne Foundation is holding its annual Native Plant Sale & Fall Festival, its biggest sale of the year, over the next two weekends. Native plants and seed will be available at a discount along with vendors, music, and other activities.
Click the flyer for details.
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An all-day teen digital stories workshop for LGBTQ teens will be held at the Flintridge Retreat Center, 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena on Sat., Oct. 15, from 9 AM-6 PM:
We are offering high school seniors a 1-day Digital Storytelling Workshop. The purpose of this workshop is to gather the stories of LGBTQ teens, hear their stories about implied or overt bullying and how they survive in high school. These stories may be used in a documentary proposal.
What is Digital Storytelling? Digital Storytelling is a community movement involving real people, their authentic stories, images and video. Digital Stories are being used in social networking websites, small group discussions and documentaries.
This workshop is free. Teens will learn how to produce a 1-3 minute digital story using video editing software and storytelling techniques.
We will help teens develop and record a first-person narratives, collect still images, use small video clips and music to illustrate their short story.
Registration is required. Prep materials are sent out prior to the workshop, including suggestions about narrative writing, image selection and use of video clips.
LIMITED TO 6 participants only.
For more information on Digital Storytelling workshops: http://digitalrainfactory.org/
To Register: https://digitalrain.wufoo.com/forms/r7x3q1/
This workshop is funded by a Digital Factory Youth Leadership Initiative, inviting young minds to envision their future and the future of their communities.
For more Information email: mailto:info@digitalrainfactory.org, or call 626.344-9077
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Residents in the neighborhood around North Fair Oaks Avenue and Marathon Road have encountered a suspicious character who's knocking on doors at night.
He's knocked on at least a couple of doors -- one resident said his mother was asking him to meet the neighbors (this was on Thurs., Sept. 29, at about 8:30 PM), the other said he spoke through the door in a muffled tone of voice. He is described as Caucasian, about 19 years old, about 5 ft. 8 ins. with dyed blonde hair (his dark roots are visible).
Our line to the sheriff's department, community volunteer Carolyn Seitz, says to report incidents like this as soon as possible to the sheriff's station: 798-1131.
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from the LA County Sheriff's Dept.
In 1984, the National Crime Prevention Council designated October Crime Prevention Month.
Every year since then, government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses, and youth organizations have reached out to educate the public, showcase their accomplishments, and explore new partnerships during this special month.
October has become the official month for recognizing and celebrating the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. The month-long celebration spotlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national levels.
Safety Tips For Your Kids:
Unfortunately no neighborhood is completely immune to crime. However, there are steps you can take to help keep your family and your neighborhood safe.
Contact your local sheriff's station or police station for more information:
National Crime Prevention Council go tohttp://www.ncpc.org/
If you have any information about criminal activity, contact 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 websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org
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by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun
The number of Pasadena Unified School District students forced to sit out classes on Monday for failing to receive state-mandated whooping cough vaccinations was far lower than officials had feared.
Two weeks ago, more than 1,200 students needed TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) shots in order to attend school this week. In the end, only about 150 were forced to stay home, Ann Rector, the district’s coordinator of health programs and services, said.
Hundreds of students lined up Monday morning outside their schools to show proof of vaccination, she said, avoiding a large number of absences that could have cost the district tens of thousands of dollars in state funding.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Rubio Cañon Land & Water Assn. sent out a letter to shareholders last week saying it failed to monitor drinking water standards for uranium as required by the state health department during two quarters of 2010.
"Our water system failed to monitor as required for drinking water standards during the past year and, therefore, was in violation of the regulations," said the letter, dated Sept. 30.
Lillian Woods, the water company's director of operations, said that the water company did not complete all monitoring or testing of three water sources for uranium during the first and fourth quarter of 2010. She blamed a breakdown of communication between the water company and the lab that does the testing.
The three water sources, which include a well, a tunnel, and the stream in Rubio Canyon, come from a place with natural uranium, and are mingled with other sources in the treatment plant. The three sources are supposed to be tested quarterly, and samples are taken by a water company employee. Wood said that the uranium from the canyon water sources is usually so small, and so diluted when it leaves the treatment plant, that it doesn't present a problem.
Woods said that water samples collected during the quarters before and after the missing test periods found the water met state standards for uranium content.
However, because the company did not meet state-mandated monitoring requirements, it has to notify its shareholder/customers, including school employees, students rental property tenants, and employees of businesses that are supplied by the water company.
Woods said that there were no other fines or sanctions involved in the violation, and that new procedures were put into place to assure that it would not happen again.
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If you like Altadenablog, thank our sponsor team. They provide the support that keeps us going. Next time you patronize them, tell 'em thanks for supporting us!
Altadena Ale & Wine House
Altadena Schools
Baietti-Seyffert/Podley Properties
Curves Altadena
Energy Upgrade California
Friends of the Altadena Library
Mike Gibson Service Center
Home Shoot Home
Keni Arts: The Art of Altadena & Pasadena
Rancho Bar
Judy Rubin/Coldwell Banker
Scissors Paper Rock Salon
Greg Stanton Real Estate/Teles Properties
Dhari Thein Real Estate
Webster's Community Pharmacy
and Webster's Fine Stationers
And if you'd like to be added to this roster of leading local businesses, and be in the best place to reach your Altadena customers, give us a call at 626-791-5327
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by Elizabeth Nelson
Christmas Tree Lane Association
Hello, Christmas Tree Lane Friends and Volunteers!!
This is to ask you to please join your neighbors and friends beginning Oct. 8 from 9 AM-12 PM for “Lights Up”. As long as the weather permits, we will be putting lights in the trees every Saturday and Sunday thereafter from 9 to 12 until all the trees are finished. In the morning you will be greeted with donuts, coffee and hot chocolate and after 12:00 lunch will be served.
We will be starting at the top of Christmas Tree Lane (Santa Rosa and Altadena Drive) and working our way down every weekend until finished.
Two things to know before you come:
1) If you are bringing a group of more than 5 on any weekend and plan to stay and have lunch, PLEASE call (626) 403-1123 or E-Mail us beforehand so that we will have enough food for everyone.
2) We can only move as fast as our tree climbers, so, if you would be willing to climb about one story up a ladder, please tell us when you come and we will show you what to do. (To get an idea of the height, go to any tree on the Lane, look up and see the metal box…that’s about how far up you’d need to go).
If you have any further questions about the specifics of screwing in bulbs and hanging lines in the trees, give us a call.
Thank you and we hope to see you on the Lane!!
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More on Minnesota shooting: Via San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the Associated Press have identified Officer Robert Zarrett of the Golden Valley, MN police, as the one who shot Altadena resident Katherine Marie Gordon, 58, on Interstate 394 in Minnesota last week. According to reports, Gordon displayed a handgun after a traffic stop, but other details are lacking. Gordon died of multiple gunshot wounds.
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The Los Angeles County Flood Control District is holding a 45 day scoping period ending Nov. 11 on the proposed cleanout of the Devil's Gate Dam area (i.e. the Hahamongna Watershed).
Interested parties are encouraged to email, write, and/or attend any of the planned community meetings to submit written or verbal comments. Input can include concerns or questions about the proposed project, significant issues that should be addressed in the EIR, and/or information or data that could be helpful in review of the project. A Notice of Preparation and Initial Study for the project are available to provide background and information on the proposed project.
The first public scoping meeting will be on Oct. 5 in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl Stadium, locker room, starting at 6:30 PM. (Park in lot F, enter at Gate C)
The second scoping meeting will be on Oct. 15 at La Canada High School Cafeteria, 4463 Oak Grove Dr., La Canada.
Documents available for download are the Notice of Preparation and Initial Study. Hard copies area available at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., and the Bob Lucas Memorial Library, 2659 Lincoln Avenue.
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from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Students in grades 5-12 are invited to submit their entries for the fall 2011 Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest. Entries are due at http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/scientistforaday on Oct. 26 at noon PDT.
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants examine three possible observations taken by the Cassini spacecraft and choose the one they think will yield the best scientific results. This choice must be supported in a 500-word essay. Winners and their classmates will participate in a teleconference with scientists from NASA's Cassini mission.
The contest is open to students in grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All submissions must be the students' original work. Each student may submit only one entry, and all entrants will receive a certificate of participation. Winning essays will be posted on the Cassini website, and winners and their classes are invited to participate in a teleconference, videoconference, or webcast question-and-answer session with Cassini scientists. For complete rules, videos, and more information, visit: http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/scientistforaday/
Questions about the contest can be sent to scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov
Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute
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by Timothy Rutt
The Metropolitan Water District says that some customers may notice a "musty taste and odor" in their tap water, but it's not a health hazard, according to a press release.
MWD supplies the Foothill Municipal Water District, which in turn supplies some of the water districts in Altadena and the city of Pasadena.
"The earthy taste and smell stem from an especially large and persistant algae bloom in the east branch of the State Water Project," according to Jim Green, MWD's manager of water system operations.
The state Department of Water Resources is applying copper sulfate to control the algae bloom, and officials said that the treated water will be safe for consumers as well as boaters and swimminers at Silverwood and downstream at Lake Perris, where the bloom is growing.
The offender is 2-methylisborneal, or MIB, which is produced from the growth of certain freshwater algae. MIB levels increase when warm weather accelderates algae bloom.
MWD's Green said that sensitive persons can taste and smell MIB in water levels as low as five parts per trillion (yes, trillion). MIB-tainted water has been detected as high as 20 PPT.
"By comparison, one part per trillion is equivalent to just 10 drops of MIB in enogh water to fill the Rose Bowl," Green said.
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Next Monday, Allan Wasserman returns to the Altadena Library with "Designing Your Life, Part II." Last June, Wasserman, who juggles careers in business, music, writing, and acting with an Altadena Town Council seat, gave a beginning workshop on how to create the life of your dreams. Next Monday, Oct. 10, he takes it to the next level.
What sets this event apart from other inspirational talks is the opportunity to connect with others who may have just the experience and skills you are looking for. The program will start with a summary from Part I and lead you even further on the path to your dreams.
Wasserman has won awards for his writing, had parts on such television series as Boston Legal, The Sopranos, and The Office, received outstanding reviews for his stage roles, and acted in many well known films for over twenty-five years. Besides all this, he plays sax with the Allan Wasserman Jazz Ensemble at venues throughout Los Angeles County and has a job as a stock broker, and recently added motivational speaker to his resume. Come see how he does it all and how you can too!
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.
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