altadenablog

Man sentenced in slaying of Art Center instructor

by Adolfo Flores
Pasadena Sun

A Westlake Village man was sentenced Thursday to 21 years in prison for fatally shooting an instructor from Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design in 2010.

In November Steven Honma, 56, was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Norman Schureman, 50. The two were at a Persian New Year’s Eve party on March 20, 2010, when Honma was asked to leave and returned with several weapons, ammunition and a serrated knife, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. When he was asked to leave a second time a fight ensued and Honma shot Schureman.

Schureman, a former resident of Altadena, was an Art Center alumnus and drawing instructor. After his death the school installed a memorial tree and plaque in his honor and created the Norm Schureman Sketch Garden.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Free reading tutoring program for grades 1-6 offered

from the City of Pasadena

In conjunction with the non-profit organization Kids Reading to Succeed, the Villa-Parke Community Center offers a free monthly reading assistance program for children in grades 1-6.  One-on-one tutoring is available the first Saturday of each month from 8:50 to 11 a.m. 

The Saturday Reading Program is intended to help children improve their reading skills and, in the process, develop a love of reading. 

Parents are asked to try to sign up their children at least one week in advance of each Saturday program, although drop-ins are welcome. 

To register or for more information visit Villa-Parke Community Center at 363 E. Villa St., or call (626) 744-6530.

More information about Kids Reading to Succeed can be found online at www.kidsreadingtosucceed.org.

Poetry corner: mothers and fathers of invention

Gloriana Casey has a little something for Black History Month:

"Mothers and Fathers of INVENTION"

from gloriana casey

It's February and the month,
BLACK HISTORY won't slumber.
Start out to read and marvel too.
Like Stevie, it's a WONDER!

My favorite five of inventors,
both new and older time,
 although, perhaps you've favorites too,
but these five---they are mine!

Dr. Mark Dean: COMPUTER.

SCIENCE would be his middle name,
as Stanford PHD!.
An engineer electrical
made history, you see.

At IBM, he started out;
NINE patents to his name,
plus twenty more-- and beyond that
just google for his fame.

For as we tap upon those keys
in our computer life,
Dr.  Mark Dean--- he found the way,
 giga-might insight

Rose Bowl ideas explored in report

by Adolfo Flores
Pasadena Sun

The Rose Bowl should operate more like Yankee Stadium or the Heineken brewery, according to a report issued by a private urban planning group Thursday.

Experts from the Urban Land Institute, a research institute specializing in responsible land use, called for local officials to help preserve the nature of the Arroyo Seco and offset the costs of a current Rose Bowl renovation by offering stadium tours, creating merchandise and charging for parking at the stadium, even when no official event is taking place.

Members of the group also called for the creation of a Central Arroyo Conservancy, a non-profit group to oversee all the features of the heavily-used recreational area.

“You have as many agencies managing this arroyo as Washington D.C.,” the institute’s Richard Perlmutter said at a Brookside Golf Club presentation Thursday.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

February is Scholar's Month

The Bright Futures Scholars at the Jan. 17 Altadena Town Council meeting, where the council declared February "Scholars Month."

by Timothy Rutt

February is Scholars Month in Altadena, paying honor to the Bright Futures Scholars.  It's also the month of "Dollars for Scholars" -- participating merchants will have a "Dollars for Scholars" jar by the cash register, where you can make a donation to this program that helps so many disadvantaged local youth excel in school and develop their own leadership qualities.

Edison, telecoms broke safety rules before windstorm

Santa Rosa Avenue north of Woodbury Road right after the windstorm of 2011.

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

Southern California Edison and telecommunications companies violated safety rules and are partially to blame for the lengthy power outages following the massive December windstorms, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the California Public Utilities Commission.

The agency’s Consumer Protection and Safety Division found that at least 20 poles and 17 tension-support wires controlled by Edison and telecom companies did not meet state safety requirements, contributing to the scope of the outages.

More than 200 poles snapped in the storm that caused outages to more than 430,000 Edison customers from La Cañada Flintridge to the eastern San Gabriel Valley.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Black History Month parade starts at Charles White Park Feb. 18

by Timothy Rutt  

The City of Pasadena's annual Black History Parade and Festival will be held Sat., Feb. 18, kicking off with a parade that starts at Charles White Park in Altadena at 10 AM.

The parade ends at Robinson Park in Pasadena at noon, when festivities kick off sponsored by Wells Fargo, Miller Busch, and the City of Pasadena.  There will be booths for food, items for sale, community information, and live entertainment. Vendor applications are available at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.

You can get a jump on everything this weekend with the Red, Black and Green Honors Dinner/Dance to be held at the Pasadena Hilton this Sat., Feb. 4.  Cost is $60, and tickets are available at the Jackie Robinson Center.

For more information, call 626 744-7330. 

 

Schiff looking for 'Woman of the Year' nominations

by Jason Wells
Pasadena Sun

The public has until Feb. 15 to send in nominations for the annual "Woman of the Year" award through Rep. Adam Schiff's office.

The awards are dispersed each year during Woman's History Month in March in each of the communities in Schiff's district, including Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.

In his call for nominations, Schiff said in a statement that there is no specific criteria, although he looks for those who have improved the quality of life in their respective communities.

"Recipients of the ‘Woman of the Year award’ come from all walks of life and represent the thousands of women who make a positive impact in our region," Schiff said.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Weekendin' Feb. 3-5

Keep coming back as we get more fresh catch this Super weekend.....

Thurs., Feb. 2

• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake: backstage, Mary Flower (guitar), 8 PM, $15. Reservations:  (626) 798-6236 or email: bstane@earthlink.net.

Fri., Feb. 3

• Happy Birthday Amadeus: A concert in celebration of the birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be presented by members of The Tuesday Musicale and Opera Pasadena at 7:30 PM at Altadena Baptist Church, 791 E Calaveras St, Altadena. The program will include chamber music for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, as well as excerpts from two of Mozart's operas. Suggested donation: $10. For more information, contact Barbara Ebert at 626-398-0658, or he91001@aol.com.
• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake: backstage, I See Hawks in LA plus Karen Tobin,  8 PM, $15. Reservations:  (626) 798-6236 or email: bstane@earthlink.net.  Front stage: open mic night, free.

Sat., Feb. 4

• Coffee Gallery "Got Parking" fundraiser for parking permit, 7 AM-4 PM at Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave.
• St. Elizabeth Book Sale: The St. Elizabeth's Knights of Columbus will hold a book sale to fund scholarships for St. Elizabeth School's 8th graders who will be going on to high school. Books, CDs, DVDs, video tapes, and cassettes (what're those?) will all be available for your perusal and purchase.  The book sale will be at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Hall, 1840 N. Lake Ave.  Park in the  school lot off Woodbury Road.  Sale starts promptly at 9 AM, and goes on until 2 PM.
• Open Studio Sale at Studio 918, 918 E. Altadena Dr., from 10 AM-4 PM. Artists Susannah Dadd, James Griffith,  Anita David, Sarah Newberry, and Catherine Stebbins will have an open studio sale of handmade jewelry, accessories, and more.
• The PUSD redistricting task force is seeking public input on possible redistricting plans for the school district at this meeting. 10 AM- 12 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
• Library workshop - "Finding Your Voice": A free workshop for writers with Pasadena writing teacher Esther Bradley-DeTally, 1-3 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. “Finding your voice isn’t looking at the dust balls under the bed to see if you coughed up anything in the dark,” asserts Esther. “Finding your voice is suiting up and showing up to write about the here and now and to meet other people who have written, not written, may write.”  She adds that those who attend this invigorating workshop “will increase the breadth and depth of what they know about themselves” and be able to “strip the layers of social niceties, to dig deep and find the authentic within.” Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The main Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa Street, Altadena. For more information: (626) 798-0833 or www.altadenalibrary.org.
• edited Trio in a house concert at Beckett Hall, 1051 E. Altadena Dr., on Sat., Feb. 4, at 8 PM.  Doors open at 7:30 PM.  $15 minimum donation suggested.  Please bring light fare or your favorite drink to share at the break.  The contemporary Folk/Americana trio of veteran performing songwriters Mark Davis, Brett Perkins and David Zink present songs collectively written by the three California born troubadours from ongoing discussions on life, spirit and passion, with interwoven harmonies, guitars and percussion - and a sound which has drawn early comparisons to Crosby, Stills & Nash, Counting Crows, Crowded House and The Beatles.
• Caltech Latin Jazz concert: The Caltech Jazz Bands, directed by Altadena's William Bing,  will present their annual Latin Jazz Concert at 8 PM  at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium.  Special guests will be composer Paul Lopez, vocalist Candi Sosa, Mariachi Alma de Mexico directed by Juan Gonzalez, and percussionists Robertito Melendez and Ricardo “Tiki” Pasillas. There will also be a dance number featuring dancers from Caltech's own Salsa Club. This concert is free and open to the public; parking is also free! Tickets are not required, but early arrival is recommended as the auditorium reached full capacity the previous two years. For further information, please call Caltech Performing and Visual Arts at (626) 395-3295 or visit the band's website:  http://bands.caltech.edu.
• Potlikker Showcase: Verge of the Beat: Lance Anderson debuts his "Verge of the Beat" curated storytelling series starting at 8:30 PM with "Love Gone Wrong," episodes of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" and "The Subterraneans."  Special guests include Win Goulden (journalist, jazz man, WWII paratrooper), actress/writer/storyteller Lisa K. Wyatt, and musician/singer/storyteller David Kaufman.  DJ Beat Gozon (Jeff Klein) will also be part of the proceedings.  Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake.
• Coffee Gallery Backstage:  Modal Tease String Band and The Old #7 (Americana), 7 PM, $20. Reservations:  (626) 798-6236 or email: bstane@earthlink.net

Sun., Feb. 5

• Super Sunday Activities I: The Rancho Bar, 2485 N Lake Ave, will be having a Super Bowl BBQ on the front patio.  We'll be serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, and other side dishes (while supplies last), with two extra big screen TVs for the big game.   Must be 21+ to enter, opensat 11 AM.
• Super Sunday Activities II: The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will also be Super Bowl-minded with a potluck party during the game.  Bring a dish to share!
• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake: backstage, Ukulele Bartt & Lil Rev (uke music), 7 PM, $15. Reservations:  (626) 798-6236 or email: bstane@earthlink.net. Front stage, open mic night, 8 PM, free.

 

Missing dog: Sophie, last seen Midwick & Allen

"Sophie"'s owners are looking for her:  she's a sable sheltie sheepdog, last seen in the vicinity of Midwick and Allen on Jan. 31.  A reward is offered -- call 798-3264.

UPDATE: Sophie's folks say she's back home, with "many thanks to the sheltie rescue team!"

 

Coffee Gallery to hold rummage sale for parking permit

by Timothy Rutt

The Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, is renewing its permits with the county this month, and is looking to raise funds to do it (you need to sell a lot of cups of coffee to raise $20,000).  There's already a benefit concert scheduled for Feb. 8, and this Saturday, there will be a rummage sale at the Gallery.

The "Got Parking" sale hopes to raise the $8,270 needed to pay for the parking variance on Lake Avenue.  Coffee Gallery coffee shop owner Julie Sandoval is looking for lots of donations and some volunteers to help out with the sale, which will be from 7 AM-4 PM.

The Gallery is accepting items for the sale (drop 'em off and they'll handle them).  To volunteer or donate items please contact Julie  at (626)831-8285.

 

Muir teacher gets $25,000 prize

John Muir High School Social Studies teacher Manuel Rustin was honored with the National Milken Educator Award during assembly at the Pasadena school on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Above, Rustin, left, looks at the oversized check being held by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, center, and school principal Sheryl D. Orange, right. Lowell Milken, Chairman and Co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation presided over the ceremony. (Raul Roa/ Pasadena Sun)

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

A history teacher at John Muir High School in Pasadena was presented Tuesday with a Milken Educator Award, one of the profession’s highest honors and bestowed on only 40 teachers in the nation each year.

Manuel Rustin, 32, received a standing ovation from hundreds of Muir students, faculty and school district administrators after the surprise announcement at a school assembly.

The honor comes with a $25,000 prize meant to encourage exceptional young teachers to stick with the profession, said businessman and Milken Family Foundation Chairman Lowell Milken, who presented Rustin with the award.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Super book sale at St. Elizabeth's Saturday

Under the direction of Tony Rochester, founding member of St. Elizabeth's Knights of Columbus, the church will hold its annual Super Bowl Saturday book sale. The proceeds of the sale will be used for the Knights to fund scholarships for St. Elizabeth School's 8th graders who will be going on to high school. 

Books, CDs, DVDs, video tapes, and cassettes (what're those?) will all be available for your perusal and purchase. 

The book sale will be at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Hall, 1840 N. Lake Ave.  Park in the  school lot off Woodbury Road.  Sale starts promptly at 9 AM, and goes on until 2 PM.

Christmas Tree Lane to elect directors at Feb. 8 annual meeting

by Timothy Rutt

The Christmas Tree Lane Association will hold its annual meeting Wed., Feb. 8, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. , starting at 7 PM, and is looking for members for its board of directors.

Five individuals have been nominated to fill expired Board positions or vacancies for two-year terms:  Steve Elliot, Tracey Fortich, Lucinda Haagenson, Jae Townsend, Maureen Ward, and Tony Ward. Three of the existing Board members will continue through the remaining year of their two-year term: Gisela Baker, Maggie Belker Elliston Belker. Linda Lane-White and Elizabeth Nelson are vacating their positions as they will be leaving the area.

Be a part of the historical community organization board of directors. Please attend the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 for the election for directors for 2012/2013.

If you have any questions please contact Maureen Ward, President at (626)926-5046 and Tony Ward, 1st Vice-President, at (626)926-5045.

Studio 918 open studio sale Sat. 10 AM-4 PM

by Timothy Rutt

Artists Susannah Dadd and James Griffith (of Folly Bowl fame) and Anita David, Sarah Newberry, and Catherine Stebbins will have an open studio sale of handmade jewelry, accessories, and more at Studio 918, 918 E. Altadena Dr., on Sat., Feb. 4, from 10 AM-4 PM.

 

Free windfall mulch in Pasadena today

by Timothy Rutt

The City of Pasadena is offering free ground-up tree mulch to non-commercial Pasadena residents, starting today.  (We don't think they'll check your address!)

The city has "millions of pounds of green debris collected from the December windstorm," according to a press release, ground up and available to go.  You need a shovel and something to carry it in.

Mulch will be available starting Wed., Feb. 1, from 7 AM-3 PM at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., in the parking lot on Morton Street. 

For more information about free mulch or other city recycling programs, contact Public Works Customer Service at (626) 744-4087.

Flash Gordon's motorhome [UPDATE: now with video!]

by Timothy Rutt

Bruce Wasson sends us this picture of a deputy checking out something that landed on Holliston Avenue last week -- a Streamline Moderne motorhome worthy of Flash Gordon or Doc Savage.

It's the latest creation from "automotive sculptor" Randy Grubb, who has sold his customized vehicles for the likes of Jay Leno.  Check out his work here, and check out the website devoted to the motorhome's construction.

UPDATE:  Take a look at a video of Jay Leno driving it from the flying bridge, after the jump.

Thank you to the Altadenablog sponsor team!

A First of February shout-out to our sponsors, who keep this whole thing going:

Altadena Solar

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Arroyo Pacific Academy

Baietti-Seyffert Podley Properties

Curves Altadena

Energy Upgrade California

Friends of the Altadena Library

Home Shoot Home

Mike Gibson Service Center

Rancho Bar

Judy Rubin Real Estate

Scissors Paper Rock Salon

Greg Stanton/ Teles Properties

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Webster's Community Pharmacy

Webster's Fine Stationers

Farnsworth Spring Day Camp signup starts today

by Timothy Rutt

Farnsworth Park's Spring Day Camp (because spring break is coming!) is taking signups starting today, Feb. 1.

Camp will run from April 2 through 6, from 8 AM-6 PM for ages 6-13.  There will be activities, science experiments, mummies and pyramids, arts and crafts, movies and more.

Fee is $60, and children must bring their own lunch and snack.

Check the flyer for more details.