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Fun Flick Friday for November at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., is "Cars 2," rated G.
Star racecar Lightning McQueen, and the incomparable tow truck, Mater, take their friendship to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car.
The movie starts at 3:30 on Fri., Nov. 18, in the Library's community room. Refreshments are available, and it's free.
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If you don't go count when we went out on a photo run, we pretty much ended up playing hooky yesterday (but the inside of the house looks better and the "tower of paper that needs attention" has been reduced!). Also saw "Wicked Lit" last night, another bang-up show at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum. But we're back now.
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Count on Altadenablog poet laureate Gloriana Casey to have something to say ....
"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME"
from gloriana casey
Now just outside the walls of OZ,
we find a little bar.
The Rancho is Sir Larson's place.
It's known both near and far.
For citizens here, love to sing
with that karaoke.
Some songs are sweet and some are sad,
and some--- a little dopey.
One day a flying monkey came,
a monk by name of WHO.
For in compliance, business there,
a singer's fee was due.
And so Sir Larson, then he came
all set with singing check.
A second monkey said to him,
"WHO said? Well..WHAT... the heck?"
"Yes, WHO'S the one," Sir Larson said.
This second monk said, "WHAT!
No funds are due unless singers---
in one room they are stuck!"
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You just think it's too early to deal with Christmas, but it's not: St. Mark's Episcopal Church will be taking orders for Christmas trees until Nov. 18. There are a variety of trees and prices available (check the flyer for details), but they're also accepting $40 to donate a tree to a local family that otherwise could not afford one.
Trees will be available at the St. Mark's parking lot Dec. 10, and delivery is also available for a suggested donation of $20.
Buy online at www.saintmarkschristmastrees.org.
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A day late and a dollar short, but here's the 'dena weekend:
Fri., Nov. 4
Sat.,Nov. 5
Sun., Nov. 6
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WildFire Cinemas presents the heartwarming family comedy "Snowmen" on Fri., Nov. 11 at Altadena Baptist Church, 791 East Calaveras Street, 6:30 and 8:30 PM.
Starring Altadena resident Bobby Coleman (Martian Child), the up and coming young star recently played Miley Cyrus' little brother in the film "The Last Song."
Bobby will be at the screening to greet attendees, sign autographs, and answer questions directly following each screening. Also starring Ray Liotta (Wild Hogs), Bobb’e J. Thompson (That’s So Raven), Josh Flitter (The Greatest Game Ever Played) and Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), the film tells the story of three small-town boys who find adventure and purpose through their attempts to set a Guinness World Record.
"Snowmen" won the Audience Award at the 2011 Dallas International Film Festival, was named Best Feature Film at the 2011 SPROCKETS Toronto International Film Festival for Children and Youth, and won the Heartland Film Festival’s Truly Moving Picture Award. The Dove Foundation and the Parents Television Council also gave the film their seals of approval.
Robert Kirbyson (Red Line) wrote and directed the Mpower Pictures production. Stephen McEveety (The Passion of the Christ, Braveheart), David Segel and John Shepherd produced the film.
Q&A and autographs will be after the showings at 8:05 and 10 PM.
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Pictured: the Altadena Flag, Tim Dundon version.
by Laura Monteros
Like honey? Build bee frames and capture wild bee colonies (as long as you do it while they are swarming, not guarding a hive). Or just call the hotline Backwards Beekeepers and they’ll capture any swarms you see.
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Interested in helping and promoting the Altadena business community? The Altadena Chamber wants to know:
Dear Altadena Community,
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (ACC BOD) is looking for you! We're looking to add to our Board of Directors and hope you'll be able to join us.
The board currently has three vacancies with short terms remaining. Two seats are available with 2 months left. One seat has 13 months left. If you've been thinking of volunteering in the community in which you live or conduct business, but didn't want a long term committment, OR wanted to serve on a "test basis" before committing to a longer term, now's a great time to consider a vacated seat on the Chamber board.
We are also accepting applications from those interested in serving a standard three year term. You must be a current Chamber member for consideration. You may contact us at altadenachamber@yahoo.com OR 626 794-3988 for additional information.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards,
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce
About the Altadena Chamber of Commerce:
-Incorporated in 1924, The Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association was formed to promote the commercial, industrial, civic and general interests of the Altadena community and its trade area.
-The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization and relies upon membership dues and volunteer labor to staff an office and provide services to the community.
-The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity organization which strives to reflect the positive and extensive diversity of the community. Membership is open to any person, association, corporation, partnership, estate or other business entity sharing the goals and objectives of the Chamber for the betterment of the entire community of Altadena.
-The Chamber of Commerce produces special events, hosts periodic mixers, maintains a web site and provides information about Altadena to visitors, residents and businesses
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by Timothy Rutt
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct its first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wed., Nov. 9, at 11 AM Pacific standard time.
FEMA says that the test may last up to three and a half minutes and will be transmitted via television and radio station throughout the U.S. and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. When it's over, regular programming will resume (or so they say).
For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407 and www.FCC.gov.
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After a quiet period, the county enforcers have raised their heads again. Chris Larson at the Rancho Bar, 2485 N. Lake Ave. (Altadenablog sponsor team member) tells us they got a violation notice from the county czoning czars:
And so it begins again ....
(corrected Chris's last name -- I keep doing that!)
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by David Rutherford
John Muir Alumni Association
An author, a producer, a journalist, a Tournament of Roses Association board member, a police commander and a recently retired track-and-field coach have been selected for induction to the John Muir High School Hall of Fame.
A ceremony honoring the inductees will be held on campus at 3 PM Saturday,Nov. 12, at Rufus Mead Auditorium, 1905 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena.
Long-time former security guard Nettie Piggee, who worked at Muir for 35years (1974-2009), also will be honored as the latest recipient of the annual Jim Brownfield Service Award, named in honor of the late legendary football coach.
Newly elected to the Hall are:
Andre Coleman has been a staff writer for various newspapers in the Pasadena and Los Angeles areas for 20 years. He has served the Pasadena area with his careful, hard-hitting, no-nonsense, journalism. He received two Los Angeles Press Club awards for a story he wrote that became the basis for the movie "Lake View Terrace." His second award was given for the article, "Body of Evidence," about a missing Pasadena police officer whose case was first ruled a suicide and later a homicide. Coleman has also written several books.
Freeny holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Cal State L.A. He has been employed by the State of California Department of Corrections for over 20 years. Freeny has served on the Tournament of Roses board for 23 years and is scheduled to serve as the Tournament’s first African-American chairman of the board in 2019. His previous community involvement includes the Pasadena Police Foundation Board, Pasadena Police Citizens Academy, Pasadena Rose Bowl Aquatics Board, the University Club, Pasadena YMCA Board, Black Support Group at Cal State LA, Urban League Board of Governors, United Way Fundraising Committee and the Pasadena NAACP.
Continue reading "Altadenans Coleman, Freeny join Muir Hall of Fame Nov. 12" »
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Parents and families are invited to a presentation titled "Why Dual Language Immersion?" hosted by teachers and parents of students enrolled in PUSD's Spanish and Mandarin Dual Language Immersion programs.
Ana Hernandez, Eddy, Assistant Professor of Multicultural/ Multilingual Education at California State University San Marcos, will speak. Spanish translation available.
First Church of the Nazarene, Pasadena, Gilmore Hall, 3700 East Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena.
Contacts:apodaca.ana@pusd.us, kristintang9@gmail.com
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by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun
Pasadena’s city prosecutor has filed a misdemeanor battery charge against John Muir High School football coach Ken Howard for his role in a Sept. 28 scuffle with a 15-year-old student.
Howard will be arraigned Dec. 1 for “battery on a school ground,” City Prosecutor Connie Orozco stated in an email Wednesday.
A battery committed on school property is punishable by up to one year in jail and fines not exceeding $2,000, according to state law.
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Save the date: the deputies of the Altadena Sheriff's Station will be raising money for a good cause on Wed., Nov. 30, with a "Tip-a-Cop" event at Wokcano Restaurant, 33 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.
Officers will be serving, and your tips will go toward the station's charitable giving campaign.
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They keep promising gusts, but we don't see 'em. Nevetheless, the National Weather Service shouts a red flag warning to the San Gabriel Valley:
THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING. * WINDS... NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING...WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 35 MPH IN THE HILLS. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WIDESPREAD HUMIDITIES BETWEEN 4 AND 8 PERCENT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING. * IMPACTS...IF FIRE IGNITION OCCURS...THERE WOULD LIKELY BE A RAPID SPREAD OF WILDFIRE THAT COULD LEAD TO A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
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Attention birders, railroad enthusiasts and serious hikers: AFC's final docent-led hikes of the season may be right up your alley.
Paul Ayers will lead two adventurous hikes along newly restored trails to the east ridge of Rubio Canyon, Kathi Ellsworth will conduct a birding hike, and engineer John Harrigan will explain the technical workings of the Mt. Lowe Railway.
For each hike, we strongly recommend hiking boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and water in a day pack or holster to keep your hands free. Dogs are not allowed because some sections of the trails are narrow. All hikers will be required to sign a waiver at the trailhead.
Thanks, and we'll see you on the trail.
Sat., Nov. 5, 9 AM: Historic Trail Loop. Meet in Altadena at the intersection of Loma Alta Drive and Camp Huntington Drive, just east of the bridge. Join local trails expert and railroad historian Paul Ayers on a strenuous loop deep into Rubio Canyon, along recently restored trails. Ayers will discuss landmarks visible from the trails: the former site of the Mt. Lowe Railway, the Great Incline and various Echo Mountain sites. This is a difficult uphill hike of about 1.5 miles each way, with multiple sections on narrow trails near sheer drops. Experienced hikers only, please.
Sat., Nov. 12, 9 AM: Mt. Lowe Rail Mechanics. Meet at the trailhead off Rubio Vista Drive in Altadena. The Mount Lowe Railway was a feat of engineering when it was constructed in the late 19th century: the third in a series of scenic mountain railways in America, with a funicular system built by the man who designed San Francisco's cable cars. Learn about the technical workings of this incredible system in a hike along the railway's former route with John Harrigan, an electrical engineer and the author of Mt. Lowe Power. The hike is demanding at points, about a mile each way with several high narrow steps near a sheer drop, and a scramble over rocks.
Sat., Nov. 19, 9 A.: Birding Hike. Meet in Altadena at the intersection of Loma Alta Drive and Camp Huntington Drive, just east of the bridge. Learn about birds of the local foothills with Kathi Ellsworth of the Pasadena Audubon Society. Among bird species that have been observed in the local area are the red-shouldered and red-tailed hawk, the merlin, the wrentit, the northern mockingbird, the California thrasher, the California quail and the mourning dove. Remember to bring binoculars.
Sat., Dec. 3, 9 AM: Hike to Rubio's East Ridge. Meet in Altadena at the intersection of Loma Alta Drive and Camp Huntington Drive, just east of the bridge (click here for directions). Join local trails expert and railroad historian Paul Ayers on a strenuous hike to the east ridge of Rubio Canyon. From a vantage point high on the canyon wall, Ayers will discuss landmarks of the Mt. Lowe Railway, and point out artifacts he’s discovered during his decade-plus maintaining trails in the canyon. This is a difficult uphill hike of about 1.5 miles each way, with multiple sections on narrow trails near sheer drops. Experienced hikers only, please.
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by Timothy Rutt
Following a meeting where residents complained about sheriff's deputies and dispatchers' poor responses to service calls, an ACONA volunteer was placed under arrest by deputies who were waiting for him in the parking lot of the Altadena Main Library.
A deputy on the scene said that Kendall Brown, 19, was under arrest for grand theft auto. Elliot Gold, one of the organizers of ACONA, said that he was told by deputies that Brown's fingerprints were found on the trunk of a stolen vehicle that had been recovered.
Brown had been in charge of the sign-in sheet during Tuesday night's meeting of the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations in the library Community Room. Brown was named the "Best Neighbor on the Block" for the Upside Down T neighborhood in 2011.
It was a meeting that was punctuated by several complaints about how sheriff's dispatchers and deputies handled some service calls. Residents around Lincoln Avenue said that they made several calls involving "some kids running around and shooting" in the neighborhood Saturday night, Oct. 29. They said that the deputy who responded was "nonchalant" and did not take a police report nor talk to any of several witnesses.
There were also complaints that the dispatchers who answer the calls -- Altadena deputies are dispatched by the Crescenta Valley station -- don't know the Altadena area well enough. One said, referring to the dispatchers, "They are yo-yos."
The complaints came during the audience question period, following a presentation on how to set up a neighborhood watch association. Natalie Salazar, director of the sheriff's department Community Law Enforcement Partnership Program said that "there's nothing more deleterious to a neighborhood watch program than lack of [law enforement] responsiveness."
One of the Lincoln Avenue neighborhood residents who complained about the sheriff's response said, "If that’s the way it is, if we have to arm ourselves, then let us know, ‘cause that’s what it seems to me."
After the meeting -- which also included a presentation by Athens Waste Services and county officials on the trash haul franchise, and a presentation by Jeff Sedlik of the Braewatch neighborhood watch group -- the attendees put away the chairs and cleaned up the room. As the attendees were leaving, they found the driveway to the library's parking lot blocked by an unmarked sheriff's vehicle. Brown was put in back of the car by several deputies, one of whom was making a video of the arrest.
UPDATE 11:30: Lt. Duane Allen of the Altadena Sheriff's office said that Brown was arrested for grand theft and remains in custody. At this time, he could not give details of the crime, Allen said, but "it wasn't recent."
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by the Quality of Life Center
On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Quality of Life Center, Inc.’s Bright Future Scholars will be mentored by none other than Altadena’s Mayor Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich himself, along with the President/Superintendent, Dr. Mark W. Rocha, Pasadena City College, and Superintendent Jon Gundry, Pasadena Unified School District, three of our top civic and community leaders.
The Bright Future Scholars participate in leadership workshops as part of their mandatory monthly meetings.
What an excellent opportunity to learn about leadership from those who practice daily in their appointed or elected positions.
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Circulating around the newsgroups (and thanks to Jeff Sedlik of Braewatch for passing it on), there were three attempted break-ins in the Bungalow Heaven neighborhood of Pasadena on Sat., Oct. 29. Officials believe that a single perpatrator is involved. While the perpetrator attempted to enter the premises while the residents were home, nobody was hurt.
The image was captured by one neighbor on surveillance video.
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by Timothy Rutt
Christopher Mikuni of Altadena rubs elbows with Rose Queen Drew Washington, center, and Princess Sarah Zuno at the Club 21 Walkathon Sunday at Central Park in Pasadena. The members of the 2012 Rose Court made one of their first appearances Sunday morning at the fundraiser for Club 21, a resource center for people with Down Syndrome and their families.
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Reader Sonia is missing her cat, and there's a disturbing clue:
Our beloved 13 year old cat went missing on Sunday night, 10/30. His collar and ID was found in a jar at the Headstart preschool on Mendocino this morning. Can you please post something on your blog about him being lost? He's a very sweet, big (18 pounds or so) black cat who answers to the name Norman. He drools and purrs when he is petted.
My cell phone is (323) 445-3525 or via email Sonia.morin@gmail.com
UPDATE: Sonia gives us more information:
An update - the person who found the collar at the school returned it to me, and it was all chewed up. Now it might appear my cat was a victim of a coyote. I still can't figure out how the collar ended up in a jar, but maybe someone found the collar and placed it in the jar? Still very confused, alarmed and saddened by all of this.
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The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave. (Altadenablog sponsor), will hold its second annual Limerick Festival next Fri., Nov. 11, from 6:30 PM-10 PM.
Celebrities expected will be MC Mimi Chen, Tess Vigeland from NPR, with many guest poets and an open mic.
They've also included these helpful coasters (above) to write your limericks on, or you can drop by the Ale House, anytime to pick one up.
Jansplays is seeking a $10 donation for the evening to help their fundaiser for cancer research at the City of Hope.
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Dr. Randii Wessen of JPL will talk about the latest news from space: spacecraft, robotics, and the search for Earth-like planets. It's a Friends of the Library program at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., on Fri., Nov. 4, starting at 7 PM.
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Laura Milfinger tells us about Marshall High's need:
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The Mt. Wilson Bicycling Association will hold its annual pancake breakfast this year at Henninger Flats,on Sun., Nov. 6.
There will be live music by Wreck 'N' So, as well as food, entertainment, games and prizes, and a raffle.
Since it's at Henninger Flats, it means going up the Mt. Wilson Fire Road. Biking or running will take about 30-45 minutes, hiking about an hour. The breakfast starts at 8:30 AM and goes untl 11 AM.
For more information, click the graphic or go to their website.
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Relay for Life online chair Heather Morrow (left) and chair Rose West (really, this is just for Halloween) sent out a reminder that the American Cancer Society's annual Altadena relay starts Sat., June 9, and ends 24 hours later on Sun. June 10.
In addition, team registration is FREE until Jan. 1, 2012, so the earlier you sign up the better. Click here to sign up your team.
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The MOMS club of Altadena will hold an Open House on Thurs., Nov. 10, from 10 AM-noon. If you're an at-home mom living in Altadena, they want you -- to find out more information, write to altadenamomsclub@gmail.com.
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Pictured: Reader Salina Curtis shares this picture from Braeburn Road's "Haunted Yard" last night.
A safe and sane Halloween in Altadena, at least according to the latest reports.
Elliot Gold at the Upside-Down T neighborhood has already put up a video slide show of the scene over there.
And now, on to Thanksgiving!
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