altadenablog

Lucas Library celebration

The Bob Lucas Branch Library and LIteracy Center at  2659 N. Lincoln Ave. celebrated its 20th anniversary and re-opening celebration Sunday (the library had been closed several weeks for renovations).  

Correspondant Deb Halberstadt says the above picture shows the entire gathering, including members of the Bob Lucas family, some of whom traveled from far away to come to the celebration.

Pictured below from left are Bob Lucas's son, Bob Lucas Jr. (who came in from St. Paul Minnesota) and daughter Roberta Lucas Lauderdale (a resident of Altadena); her daughter and Bob Lucas's granddaughter Dr. Letitia Wright (from Montclair, CA); and his cousin, Francis Baptist, right.  

All photos by Deb Halberstadt, HalfCity Productions.

"Mission: Possible" for Altadena student in El Salvador

Three students from Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena work on a mural in a rural school in El Salvador.

 by Erika McCarden

 Many high school students spend spring break free of books, with lots of beach time -- but not all students spent the break catching rays. Five students from Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena traveled to El Salvador in March, where they volunteered to work with local children, and took part in an Extreme School Makeover.

“I had the most amazing time,” said Altadena’s Andrea Risolo, a senior at Westridge. “The first thing I noticed when we arrived was how friendly the people were. The poverty was pretty evident. The roads weren’t maintained, it was really humid, and there was a lot of dirt.  Plus, there were so many homeless dogs running around. But, it was also beautiful – we visited a national park, and there were a lot of vines and interesting birds.”

The trip stemmed from an experimental learning initiative during Westridge's Upper School Interim Week, in which Risolo and four other students teamed with nonprofit agency, OneKid OneWorld for an eight-day volunteer mission to San Salvador.

 “We’ve been working with Westridge for over four years as a part of their service learning class. We usually select to travel with a small group such as five because it’s easier to manage,” said Tracy McCubbin, executive director of OneKid OneWorld.

“This was the first group from the school to go on the El Salvador trip. The girls raised money to help provide supplies and activities for the local kids. And the goal of the trip was for the students to actually see how the projects they helped to fundraise get used.”

PIctured: the Westridge students explore a national park in El Salvador.

Risolo and her classmates spent their first days in San Salvador leading arts and crafts at a local after-school program for kids ages 5-12. They also participated in daily activities for the children outside of rotation – a fixed shift that rotates the children in an out of the classrooms.

“The after-school program helps to keep the kids busy and off the street. The big difference with our education in the U.S. is that the kids in El Salvador only go to school four hours a day,” Risolo said.  “One group might go at 8 AM, and another group at 1 PM. So, they don’t have a lot of time for their studies. They really only have time for two subjects a day, and maybe math once week.

“We played a lot of soccer with the kids,which they really loved, painted flower pots for their parents, and helped them with their English.” 

At the end of the week the volunteers dedicated a full day for an “Extreme School Makeover” of a rural primary school.

 “They repainted the school from top to bottom, and painted beautiful murals. The students and parents were so touched by their work and dedication. They were incredibly receptive,” said McCubbin. “One of the trip highlights was that a dance teacher was brought in on the final day, and the local students took a Latin-Reggae dance class with the U.S. kids, which they all really enjoyed.”

Pictured: the Westridge students with falconer Roy Beers in El Salvador.  Westridge School has a policy against identifying students in published photos, so there is no identification.

St. Elizabeth Fiesta: I love the nightlife

by Timothy Rutt

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church is holding its annual parish fiesta this weekend, a rare chance for Altadena residens to enjoy some carnival rides close to home.  The carnival rides always look a little better at night, so here are some choice views.

Altadena Ale & WIne House celebrates second anniversary Tuesday

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave. (Altadenablog sponsor) is celebrating its second anniversary in Altadena with a party on Tuesday, May 1.

Owners Judah and Gail Casburn say they're happy to mark two years being in business in their hometown, not only running a fine pub, but being the a favored meeting place for such community groups such as Altadena Heritage and the Arroyo Food Co-op.  

The celebration Tuesday includes potluck and jazz music, so bring something and expect to enjoy yourself from 5 PM to closing.

 

Altadena MOMS Club open house May 10

Are you an at-home mother living in Altadena?  The MOMS Club of Altadena is looking for you.

MOMS Club activities include play groups, group outings, a book club, and service projects.

The club will hold an open house on Thurs., May 10 (yes, the poster says Wednesday, it's a misprint) from 10 AM-noon with raffles, children's activities, and free child IDs.  Please contact the MOMS club for location information at altadenamomsclub@gmail.com

 

Gift your Mom with chocolate at the Library May 10

Mother's Day is coming up, and the Altadena Library wants to help you make something sweet for her.

On Thurs., May 10, starting at 4 PM, there will be an all-ages family program where you'll create a handmade bouquet for your Mom -- made from Hershey's Kisses. 

The craft workshop will be at the Altadena Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St..

 

Altadena Junction: Fr. Greg Boyle and more

Our weekly column is up at the Pasadena Sun.  When we turned it in, "Those Manning Bhoys" was spelled correctly!

 

Huntington still looking for blood donors

Huntington Hospital is still suffering a serious shortage of O Negative blood -- although all blood types are important and accepted, so they're sweetening the pot for blood donors.

If you bring a friends, colleague, or family member to also donated blood, YOU will receive a Gold AMC movie ticket (and the new donor will received a Silver AMC movie ticket).

All donors will also be entered in the quarterly drawing.  This quarter's prize is a $75 gas card.

To make an appointment, call the blood donor center at (626) 397-5422.  Parking is validated for blood donors.

 

 

Busy Altadena/Pasadena Saturday

Another "too much to do Saturday" in Altadena.  What's on today's calendar:

• Eliot Middle School E-Waste roundup, 9 AM-3 PM at the school, 2184 N. Lake Ave.
• Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy Rubio Cañon Trail Hike, 9 AM, meet at  1101 E. Loma Alta Drive.
• Intermediate Victory Garden Classes start, 9:30-12 PM at the Altadena Community Garden at Loma Alta Park, 3300 N. Lincoln Ave.
• Art on Palm spring show, 10 AM-6 PM, 1419 E. Palm St. (in WildWood Park)
• St. Elizabeth Parish Fiesta,  noon-10 PM, 1879 N. Lake Ave.

It's also the "National Drug Take-Back Initiative" today, where the Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement encourage you to turn in your expired or unwanted prescription drugs.  (It not only gets them out of circulation, but locally they are disposed of safely by burning and don't get into the ground or water table).  Locally, you can turn in your unwanted drugs (prescription or otherwise) at a drop-off box at the Altadena Sheriff Station 24/7.

UPDATE:  Nixle has put out a warning if you're planning to drive near the Rose Bowl today:

The City of Pasadena will be hosting the following events near the Rose Bowl this Saturday, April 28, 2012, between the hours of 8am to 6pm: 

AYSO Soccer Tournament - 1500 Attendees - 8am to 5pm 
Kidspace Butterfly Release - 1500 Attendees - 1pm to 2:30pm 
Grilled Cheese Invitational - 10,000 Attendees - 11am to 6pm (yes, it is exactly what it sounds like - ed.)

Additionally, Lot I of the Rose Bowl will also be utilized for Showcase House parking. 

Residents and attendees should expect delays when driving through or near the Lower Arroyo.

And don't forget the Doo-Dah Parade, from 11 AM-1 PM on Colorado Boulevard between Altadena Drive and San Gabriel Boulevard (shout out to Grand Marshal Ann Erdman and Queen Dianne Patrizzi!)

Crime blotter: let's just rename it 24 Hour Looting

Residential burglaries, a firearms theft, a vehicle recovery, an assault nobody wants to talk about, and the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot gives up more booty.  Crime blotter by Lt. Duane D. Allen of the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, April 15
6:37 PM – A stolen vehicle was recovered in the area of Yucca Lane and Wiemar Street.  The vehicle was reported stolen on  April 11, /2012 in the LAPD Devonshire area.

Monday, April 16th
Between 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2900 block of Olive Avenue.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unlocked window.  Loss:  white MacBook Pro laptop, black Playstation 3, gold necklace, off-white pillowcase.
Between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM – A petty theft occurred at 24 Hour Fitness, 2180 N. Lincoln Ave.  Loss:  black iPhone 4GS 16gb.

Tuesday, April 12th
Between 5:30 PM and 5:30 PM, Thursday – A residential burglary and grand theft of a firearm occurred in the 200 block of W. Mountain View Street.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unlocked laundry room door.  Loss:  blue steel Mav Makarov 9mm TU90 (4”) handgun w/8 round ammo.
10:53 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the 400 block of Figueroa Street.  Weapon: possible wrench.  Victims/Suspects were uncooperative and did not provide further.  

Thursday, April 19th
Between 9:40 PM and 11:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at 24 Hour Fitness,  2180 N. Lincoln Ave.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger window.  Loss:  green canvas purse.

 

Poetry corner: the search is on

"How to Crash and Burn a Childhood."

from gloriana casey


Sad Isabella, four years old,
who lives in Wichita.
Those TSA are scary guys,
imagine what she saw!

Her school, it had just taught to kids
not all adults are kind.
To keep away from strangers then,
those of the evil mind.

Poor Isabella, yes we learned
the TSA is blind.
They grabbed her and were screaming loud
for she had left the line.

Yes--- she had run  to Grandmama,
to give her a big hug.
But oh my goodness, to those men
she had become a thug!

Neighborhood watch: black Honda without license plates, near Fair Oaks

One of our readers sent this about 5 PM today:

I saw a woman driving a black Honda without license plates stopping at several homes near Fair Oaks and Manor and Terrace making snapshots of homes and even driveways. I called the Altadena sheriff to let them know that this was going on, but I was wondering if you've heard of similar activity elsewhere, especially related to the burglaries.

if you have seen this -- or anything suspicious -- call the sheriff's station at 798-1131.

Altadena Historical Society visits the Chamberlain House for a look at craftsman textiles

The Altadena Historical Society will meet at the historic Chamberlain House on Sun., June 3, for a presentation on arts & crafts in patchwork and embroidery.

Barbara Brackman will show examples of Arts & Crafts designs adapted for modern techniques and reproduction cottons. She’ll discuss quilts for walls, beds and tables adapted from London and Glasgow to Paris and Vienna.

Barbara writes about quilt history online and in books. She also designs fabric for quilters and has based several lines on William Morris designs. Her next collection will be called The Morris Apprentice, featuring designs of John Henry Dearle. She has a book coming in July with a new version of a 1930s quilt. "The Garden Quilt: Interpreting a Masterpiece" includes a pattern for a quilt by Arts & Crafts designer Rose Kretsinger.

The talk will be given at the historic 1912 Chamberlain House.  Similar to some of Pasadena’s ultimate bungalows in style and individuality, the custom designed house is accentuated with fundamental arts and crafts style details.  The architect is unknown, however, there is speculation that it may have been designed by one of the numerous architects who apprenticed under Charles and Henry Greene. 

The talk will be Sun., June 3, from 2-4 PM.    Ticket prices are $25 for AHS members, $30 for non-members.  Because seating is limited to 30 people per event, we expect tickets to sell out quickly. Reservations will only be secured by receipt of a check or money order mailed to AHS, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001. Or visit Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 9 AM and noon to purchase your tickets. Our phone is 626-797-8016

Found lab/pit mix female this morning [FOUND]

Reader Adam has found a dog:

Dog appears to be a lab/pit mix, medium size, maybe 70 lbs, black, female, no collar, anxious but very friendly, and recently fed. Found at 11 AM, Friday 4/27, corner of Braeburn and La Solana. Call 626-616-9039.

UPDATE 4/30: Adam tells us Holly has gone back home.

More information coming out on burning victim Zinn

by Timothy Rutt

More information is coming to light about Emmit Zinn, the 70-year-old man whose body was found aflame on Windsor Avenue April 15.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department inmate website, Zinn was arrested and booked for an unspecified felony on March 20 by the Los Angeles Police Department traffic division.    According to the records, he was fined $510 on March 22, and released from custody on March 28.

The Pasadena Star News has an unnamed source that says Zinn may have been involved in arson-related insurance scams.  Authorities have been keeping information close to the vest since the case broke.

Morning jolt (now in the afternoon!)

 

 A visit to the Apple Store Genius Bar will throw off one's schedule, but at least the computer is working again ....

• Salsa!  There will be free salsa dance lessons offered the next two Thursdays, April 26 and May 3, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Music Room, 1757 N Lake Ave,: "Come and learn a little salsa in a fun and friendly environment. This event is open to the public, beginning level, experienced dancers are also welcome, no partner required."
• Bees! What was all that helicopter traffic yesterday afternoon?   We called the sheriffs and it wasn't them -- but what it WAS was a TV copter checking out a bee swarm.
• Meatheads! We were amused by the name of this company: "Meathead Movers," student-athletes who will move your home: "When not carrying your items, our movers jog to give you the best value for your moving dollar."  Not sure how that works.  Anyway, what also interests us is their description of life in Altadena, obviously written by someone who never set foot in the place. (Did you know the Cobb Estate is a botanical garden?  Neither did we!)

 

Take a hike Saturday at Rubio Canyon with Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

Join the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy and local trails expert Paul Ayers for a hike of a new trail loop in Altadena's Rubio Canyon at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 28. The trail, restored by Ayers and his volunteer crew, provides a good view of the land AFC and its partners preserved in the canyon in 2011. Meet at 1101 E. Loma Alta Drive, just east of Camp Huntington Road.

 

Second visioning workshop gets fewer participants, but still lively discussion

Altadena residents gathered to discuss ideas for the future at the community visioning workshop April 25, 2012 in the Loma Alta Park gym.

by Timothy Rutt

About 75 Altadena residents attended Wednesday night’s second of three Altadena Community Visioning workshops, where the wide-ranging Post-it note-driven ideas generated from the first meeting were refined into lively table discussion on some key topics.

According to Susan Hardin of RBF Consulting, which is overseeing the workshops, what will come out of this is a document that will guide future updates of the Community Standards District, provide guidance for local decision-makers and advisors, and advise volunteer-led initiatives.

There were discussion tables set up at the Loma Alta Park gym for five key areas identified from the first workshop on April 4, comments from community group meetings, comments emailed to the county, and the Altadenablog online survey:

• Mobility and Recreation: biking, walking, riding and hiking areas across Altadena
• People and Community: getting involved & getting together: our institutions and services
• Town/District Centers: creating places for gathering, shopping, and culture
• Business Environment: encouraging and supporting businesses
• Neighborhoods: enhancing Altadena’s historic and diverse residential areas

 Those attending broke into groups discussing these key areas, where there was lots of talking and scrawling on maps.  

The consultants will take the ideas generated from this meeting and work on a document through the month of May.  A draft will be available and will be discussed in a third visioning meeting at Loma Alta Park on June 6.

There is also a website tracking the progress of the document at  http://tinyurl.com/altadenavisioning

More pictures after the jump

Friends of the Library presents Father Greg Boyle at Senior Center May 1

Father Gregory Boyle, author of the inspirational memoir Tattoos on the Heart: the Power of Boundless Compassion, will speak at a program presented by the Friends of the Altadena Library at 7 PM, Tuesday May 1 at the Altadena Senior Center.   

A Los Angeles Times best-seller for over a year, this award-winning book is filled with life-changing, uplifting stories of faith and redemption.  His cure for what he sees as a “global sense of failure” is as radical as it is simple: boundless restorative love. 

Father Greg is founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention and   re-entry program in the country.  This non-profit offers jobs, legal help, mental health services, tattoo removal, and other free programs to thousands each year.  Other enterprises include Homeboy Bakery and Homegirl Cafe and Catering.  

Learn more about this phenomenal man and how his philosophy could make a difference in your life, too, by attending this free program.

The address of the Altadena Senior Center is 560 East Mariposa Street, 91001.  For more information, visit www.altadenalibrary.org or call 626-798-0833.

 

Burned body identified -- or not: coroner gives conflicting stories

by TImothy Rutt

News reports are coming out that the identity of the man whose body was found burning on  Windsor Avenue on April 15 has been released.

However, the coroner's spokesman told Altadenablog at 11 AM today that next of kin have not been notified and that information has not been made public.  The spokesman refused to confirm the identity as given in reports so far.

So in case they're snowballing us, here's the Patch story.

UPDATE 4/26:  They WERE snowballing us: PSN likewise has identified the vicitm as Emmitt Lee Zinn, 70, and apparently homeless.  It was determined that Zinn had been bound,  cause of death after autopsy is still unknown.

Visioning workshop II at Loma Alta Park Gym tonight, 7 PM

by TImothy Rutt

Tonight is the second of three Altadena Community Visioning Workshops conducted by the county to help Altadena's future direction.

The workshop will take place at the Loma Alta Park gym, 3300 N. Lincoln Ave., starting at 7 PM.

 

 

Publisher's notebook: modern times at the airport

by Timothy Rutt

We're trying to get back in the saddle this week after a busy weekend.  It's public knowledge that our son Jacob has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, part of the interesting genetic mix that is our family.  Jake recently qualified for a trial for a promising new drug treatment, and one parent or another has been escorting him to UC-Davis for testing -- the actual treatment is to start this week (altho' we may just get the placebo -- we won't know until it's over).

Anyway, this week was critical and stressful as he had to have a muscle biopsy, which is an outpatient surgery -- they take a sample of his muscle tissue pre-treatment so they can compare the results at the end of the drug trial.  This involved flying to Sacramento on Sunday night so he could be well-rested for a final round of physical testing and the actual surgery on Monday.

It was our turn to take the trip, and Jake is a real trooper about these things.  He couldn't eat anything after midnight, so he was real hungry Monday morning, even as surgery was delayed two hours because the kid ahead of him was more complex than they thought.  

Jake came through it like a champ, and, with his leg freshly stitched and heavily-bandaged where they'd taken the tissue sample, we took a taxi to the airport and scored a wheelchair from Southwest Airlines Monday afternoon.

Then we faced airport security, and there's where it got interesting.  

Rain, thunder -- and hot weather -- all predicted for today

We just looked at today's weather report:  86 degree high, with precipitation and  chance of thunderstorms.  Somebody at the National Weather Service is just throwing at a dartboard:

A LATE SEASON STORM...LOCATED A FEW HUNDRED MILES WEST OF LOS  ANGELES... IS EXPECTED TO SPREAD RAIN AND LOCALLY GUSTY SOUTH WINDS INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY INTO EARLY THURSDAY. THERE IS ALSO A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RAINFALL ESTIMATES CALL FOR BETWEEN 0.25 AND 0.75 INCHES ACROSS SAN LUIS OBISPO AND WESTERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY...AND BETWEEN 0.50 TO 1.00 INCHES FROM SOUTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY. ACROSS SOUTH FACING MOUNTAIN SLOPES LOCAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1.25 INCHES OR HIGHER WILL BE POSSIBLE. RAIN IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF TONIGHT...WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS LINGERING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING. SNOW LEVELS WILL BE ABOVE 8000 FEET THROUGH THIS EVENING THEN WILL DROP TO AROUND 7000 FEET BY THURSDAY MORNING. LITTLE OR NO SNOW ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED BELOW 7000 FEET WITH THIS SYSTEM.  RESIDENTS OF SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS AS THIS STORM APPROACHES THE AREA TODAY.

Another mountain rescue -- retriever retrieved by LASD

by Timothy Rutt

There have been a lot of dog stories in the news lately -- this is another one.  And this pooch wasn't put in a car carrier on top of a vehicle by a former governor, nor was he eaten by the President.

But "Truman" was having trouble around Switzer Falls on Sunday.  The owner of the four-year-old Golden Retriever was severely dehydrated and cut his paws while on a hike with his owner, who called for a rescue about 6:30 PM.

According to a press release from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station activated the Montrose Search and Rescue team, which hiked deep into the Angeles National Forest and transported Truman by gurney to safety. Truman's vet says he is recovering.

Which is a way of reminding everybody that human hikers need to wear appropriate shoes, and, says the press release, "consider the hazards to dogs paws on hot days and rough terrain, especially if your dog spends a lot of time inside."

And don't forget to fill out a hiking plan sheet, available here.

Pictured: Reserve Chief Mike Leum, Truman and Reserve Deputy Doug Cramoline make their way out of the forest on Sun., April 22.

First Altadena visioning workshop notes available

by Timothy Rutt

Tomorrow, April 25, is the second of the three "visioning meetings" to look at a new Altadena community plan.  The meeting will be held at 7 PM at the Loma Alta Park gymnasium.

Mina Brown of RBF Consulting, which is running this process, has made available the Post-It notes and group notes from the previous meeting on April 4.  The documents are available after the jump.

As the weather warms, it's rattlesnake season

by the California Department of Fish & Game

As the warm weather returns, humans are not the only species coming out to enjoy the sun. Snakes, too, can be found basking in the sun’s rays. Although most snakes in the state are harmless, the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds the public to steer clear of the venomous rattlesnake and know what to do if one strikes.

All of California, from the marshlands to the mountains, is snake country. You don’t even have to be in the great outdoors to discover a snake. They can be found in your garden and sometimes even your garage, but there is no need to panic. Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem, including keeping the rodent population under control.

Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and usually strike only when threatened or deliberately provoked. Given room, they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles.

On rare occasions, rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans. The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year in the U.S. with one to two deaths. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors.

The potential of running into a rattlesnake should not deter anyone from venturing outdoors, but there are precautions that can be taken to lessen the chance of being bitten.

Activists hoping for a large turnout at 710 Freeway expansion meeting

by Adolfo Flores
Pasadena Sun

La Cañada High School will host the next local meeting on the controversial proposal to extend the Long Beach (710) Freeway, and local activists are hoping for a strong turnout as the planning for the project enters a new phase.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is embarking this year on a three-year environmental review of plans to close the so-called 710 gap between Alhambra and Pasadena. The study may rule out a surface freeway connecting the 710 to the Foothill (210) Freeway, but may give support to construction of a tunnel connecting the freeways.

City leaders and local advocates have long opposed a tunnel or surface route, saying any extension would increase truck traffic on Foothill Boulevard and generate more noise and pollution on the 210.

Helen Ortiz-Gilstrap, spokeswoman for Metro, said residents will get an overview of the environmental study process at the April 30 meeting. So far 60 people have signed up to attend.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Summer concert series lineup, sponsors finalized

 by Timothy Rutt

The lineup and sponsors for the Sheriff Support Group's Summer Concert Series has been finalized, with some returnees and some new blood in both categories.

There's even some new wrinkles ("Those Manning Bhoys" changed their spelling), and not one, but two tribute bands (Sgt. Pepper doing the Beatles, and the Walking Phoenixes tribute to Johnny Cash and others in the grand finale).

New to the sponsor roster are MonteCedro and Athens Services.  Altadenablog returns as sponsor for our second year.  Also returning are Warner Brothers, Los Angeles County Supv. Michael D. Antonovich, Baietti Seyffert, the Rotary Club of Altadena, Georgia Rutherford in memory of Don Rutherford, All American Audio Video, Toyota of Pasadena, the Altadena Sheriff's Station, and M&M Printing/My Irish Pride.

All concerts start at 7 PM at Farnsworth Park Amphitheater.  Beer and wine will be available through the Rotary Club, and SSGA President Bob Klomburg tells us that there will be food for sale, too. 

(There's even a countdown clock on on the SSGA's website -- wonder where they got THAT idea?)

Check the graphic for the full lineup of acts.

Big Hat announces ten-gallon summer cowboy music concerts

by Timothy Rutt

It's going to be a summer of music in Altadena as the concert series are releasing their schedules.

Bob and Marie Mann of Big Hat Promotions have announced their summer series of house concerts featuring some of the best of cowboy and Western music:

• Juni Fisher, Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year, returns on Sat., June 23
• Dave Stamey, Westerm Music Association male performer of the year, stops by Sat., July 7
• R.W. Hampton, WMA Hall of Fame inductee, performs on Sat., July 21.

Some things to know:

• A $45.00 per person cash donation is requested for our performers to show appreciation for their talents and to cover their expenses. We are unable to accept credit cards or personal checks.
• A pooside Cowboy BBQ dinner and beverages provided by your hosts.
• All of our gatherings are outdoor events held at our private residence in Altadena.
• Doors open at 5:30 PM. Dinner is served until 6:30 PM and the show begins at approximately 7:00 PM
• Seating is limited. Please RSVP early to reserve your seats.
• Non-smoking environment. No pets allowed.

For more information or to RSVP, visit www.bighatonline.com

PIctured: Bob Mann introduces Juni Fisher at one of last summer's house concerts, June 11, 2011.

Town council education committee seeking members

The Altadena Town Council is seeking members for its new committee on public education.

According to a release, the purpose of the committee is "to review and deliberate on matters related to the public schools situated in Altadena and to Altadena students and their families, and to help inform, involve and engage the wider Altadena community in Altadena's public schools. The committee makes recommendations for action to the Town Council which in turn and in writing, may make recommendations to the PUSD School Board, the Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor or the Los Angeles County Office of Education."

They are seeking members for three at-large positions and from census tracts CT4601, CT 4603.01,  CT 4603.02, CT 4610 and CT 4613.

Application forms are available after the jump.  The form may be delivered or mailed to: Altadena Town Council, Public Education Committee, Attn: Amy Cienfuegos, 730 E Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001.  Forms should be submitted no later than May 4.

Eliot Middle School e-waste roundup Saturday

by Timothy Rutt

Eliot Middle School will be collecting e-waste in a fundraiser next Sat., April 28, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the school parking lot, 2184 N. Lake Ave.

Bring your old computers, monitors, laptops, printers, scanners, VCR/DVD players, rechargeable batteries, and more.  For more information, call 909-591-8408 or visit attanrecyclingcorp.com.

 

 

PEN getting ready for "Go Public" documentary project

by Timothy Rutt

The Pasadena Education Network is getting ready to "Go Public."

"Go Public: A Day in the Life of PUSD" will be a two hour video documentary of one entire day in the Pasadena Unified School District.  Fifty small camera crews, including ten crews of PUSD high school students, will follow a wide spectrum of individuals involved with the school district -- as teachers, students, volunteers, principals, even cafeteria workers.  All 28 PUSD campuses will be involved in the filming.

According to a release from PEN, "This film will be the story of public school at the moment things are happening. No voice-over narrative and no expert commentaries. By filming over one complete day we will have access to the struggles and resolutions that often occur many times in a day. Through personal stories, Go Public will be a film that articulates the experiences of navigating a typical day in public school."

Each of the fifty crews will put together between 2-4 minutes of footage for the documentary, which will also be available individually online.  No date has been set for the completed film.  The filming day has been determined, but is being kept under wraps.  At least one student from Altadena will be a subject in the film.

According to the PEN release, "This project is important now because too much focus has been placed on what is broken in public school education. There is room for improvement, but we also want to capture the good things that go on every day in our public schools, the teamwork it takes and the textured richness for those involved. By telling the stories of individuals that work and participate in the schools, we will encourage viewers to become informed and compassionate advocates for their community public schools."

PEN is a parent-run public school advocacy organization for PUSD.

 

"Hooray for Hollywood" is the feel-good volunteer opportunity of the year

by Timothy Rutt

This is a fun volunteer opportunity in Pasadena that crossed over our virtual transom and we thought it was worth sharing:

The city’s Adaptive Recreation Program works with AbilityFirst to provide programs and services that help children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities reach their potential.  Each month they provide a Friday Night Social event for special-needs adults to get together and socialize in a night club atmosphere.  But once a year, Friday Night Social turns into Hooray for Hollywood, and attendees are transformed into the stars of the evening.

This year, the event is set for Fri., May 11 at Lawrence L. Frank Center, 201 S. Kinneloa Ave., Pasadena. What they're looking for are star-struck "fans" to be present from 6 -7:45 AM that evening to cheer the "celebrities" as their limos pull up to the event and the "stars" can emerge to wave to their adoring public.

If you’d like to take part as a volunteer fan at one of the best feel-good events of the year, please contact Nafiseh Arman of AbilityFirst at626-768-7022.  

If you’re a real celebrity and would like to help lend a bit more Hollywood panache to this wonderful evening (and we're looking at you, John C.), please contact Michael Barkyoumb at 626-449-5661 or Jackie Scott at 626-744-7257.

 

Torched body identified, PSN says

A report this afternoon from the Pasadena Star News says that the coroner has identified the body found aflame last Sunday morning belonged to a 70-year-old black man.  His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.  Sketchy details here.

 

Open thread: we're having visions

by TImothy Rutt

On Wednesday, the "Altadena visioning process" continues with the second meeting at Loma Alta Park gym, starting at 7 PM.  After a couple of weeks of reflection after the first meeting, what do you see as your vision for Altadena's future?  Has it changed, or evolved?  Or if you can't make the next meeting, what do you think needs to be part of the conversation?  Comment away!

 NOTE: Some people seem to be having problems commenting today.  Click the "Comment" link below, and that should get you to the comment box.  We tried it and it seemed to work OK, but if not, email us and we'll figure it out!

The last one standing: the Scripps Home's Gloria Cottage

Recently the MonteCedro retirement community gave an update on its progress to the Altadena Town Council.  MonteCedro is at the site of the former Scripps Home, and its one surviving building, the Gloria Cottage, is to be refurbished and incorporated into the MonteCedro development.  The Altadena Historical Society shares this background of the property and the Gloria Cottage.

by Kathy Hoskins
Altadena Historical Society

Anyone who has driven by the large vacant lot on the south side of Calaveras Street between El Molino and Crawford remembers the former Scripps Home that stood on the site for 100 years.  Two artifacts are left of the home.  The first is a small craftsman cottage that still stands in the middle of the lot.  The second is the Scripps Home sign that hung for years at the corner of El Molino and Calaveras.   It now hangs from the ceiling of the Altadena Historical Society archives. 
 
The story of Scripps Home began when William A. Scripps, a British-born newspaperman, moved his family from Detroit to Altadena in 1904.  Mr. Scripps became very involved in his new community and took a particular interest in the Pasadena Emergency League.  This organization was helping to house a number of elderly people.  In 1911 Mr. Scripps purchased a home on the southeast corner of Calaveras and El Molino that had been built by Prof. Thaddeus Lowe (of Mt. Lowe Railway fame) for his son Thad Jr.  In 1913 Mr. Scripps gave this property along with 8 acres of land and an additional wing to the community to be called “The William A. Scripps Home for Aged People.” The original buildings were designed by the architectural firm of Buchanan and Brockway.  The total cost of the gift at the time was $50,000. In its early years the home was always free from debt and supported by contributions, gifts and legacies as well as the Community Chest.
 
In 1914 “Gloria Cottage,” designed by architect C. F. Driscoll, was added as a gift from prominent Altadenan, Mrs. A.F. Gartz (nee Crane; heiress to the Crane Plumbing fortune).  It was named after Mrs. Gartz’s daughter and was used as a small hospital.  In later years it became the caretaker’s cottage.  In 1922 a new building was completed and additional wings were added, financed by the Scripps family and friends.  The name was changed to “The Pasadena Home for the Aged.” The buildings were updated over the years and newer additions were built.  In 1962 the name changed again to “The Scripps Home.”
 
Today the land is vacant but the rich history of The Scripps Home is documented in the archives kept by a series of dedicated residents of the home.  The Altadena Historical Society is in the process of having this collection organized and catalogued. The Gloria Cottage is the only visual reminder of one of Altadena’s finest and oldest institutions.

Altadena Saturday #1: Earth Day at Aveson

Aveson Charter School celebrated Earth Day with a festival on campus. Here, a mandala is being formed from recycled materials. More after the jump.

Altadena Saturday #2: Flag Day

The Altadena flag was officially unveiled Saturday afternoon at the community center and captured in this Bill Westphal photo. More after the jump.

Altadena Saturday #3: Poetry and Cookies

Local poet Betty Ford reads her work at the Altadena Senior Center Saturday afternoon for "Poetry and Cookies," the annual poetry festival sponsored by Friends of the Altadena Library.  The event included the crowning of Altadena's new poet laureate, Linda Dove, who here shows off a recent acquisition -- tattoos (of doves, of course).

Altadena Saturday #4: A little Scots

Westminster Presbyterian Church, just across the border, wrapped up a busy day with a pipe and drum concert in their sanctuary.  The Pasadena Scots hosted "Pipes and Sticks on Route 66," kind of a touring supergroup of bagpipers.

 

Transitions ...

We will be in transit today and tomorrow for family reasons -- we'll keep things going as best we can from our out-of-town location, but look forward to coming back to Altadena Monday night.

 

Altadena Junction: Arroyo Pacific says goodbye to Altadena

Our column for the Sunday Valley Sun is up (and was rather weirdly edited), but it's  rundown of the top stories of the week, so do check it out.

Councilman opens Altadena jobs board -- and one (unpaid) job

by Timothy Rutt

Looking for a job?  Looking for an employee?  Now Altadena has a place for that.

Town councilman Brent Musson has opened up a job board on his personal website. "The job board is free for people to post jobs, and free for people to apply for jobs," Musson said.  "It's  designed as a service to the Altadena community so they can hire Altadena residents."

It's not a full-service Monster.com type site, but Musson says "it''s a moderate-featured site … the businesses that want to post jobs can create their own profile and login, and post a job.  THey can choose to set the job up so that a person can attach their resume when they apply -- or not -- and then the applicants can also just go in and create their own profile, which will include their resume."

The first job posted -- actually an unpaid internship -- is from Musson himself.

"As a former PTA president at Blair (High School), I'm fully aware that every graduating senior in PUSD has to show community service as part of their requirement to graduate -- and what better place to volunteer than at town council?"

Library board meets Monday

The Altadena Library Board of Trustees will have its monthly meeting on Mon., April 23, starting at 5 PM in the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St.  The agenda is available here.

 

... and now, bagpipes

by Timothy Rutt

As if there weren't enough to do today, the Pasadena Scots are holding a pipe and drum concert tonight at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave.  The concert follows an afternoon of workshops in the "Pipes and Sticks on Route 66" event.  Tickets are $25 at the door, and more information is here.

Odyssey's Bilandzija receives $10,000 sur-prize

 

Daryl Bilandzija is surprised by a $10,000 check in Earth Day assembly Friday.

by Timothy Rutt

Teacher Daryl Bilandzija was surprised during Odyssey Charter School's Earth Day assembly yesterday to find that he was named the winner of Good Magazine's Great American Teach-Off.

Good Magazine's competition selected ten teachers, and two were voted off every week in online polling.  Bilandzija, a language arts and history teacher, made it all the way despite competition from much larger schools. 

The school receives a $10,000 check, which he told PSN will be used to install a stage in the sustainable garden he started on campus, and sliding glass doors between his classroom and the garden.

Art on Palm spring show April 28

by TImothy Rutt

The 16th bi-annual Art on Palm show takes place on April 28, this year featuring a tour of Charles Greene's Valentine Cottage.

The exhibit and art show will run from  9:30AM - 6 PM at 1419 E. Palm St., in Wild Wood Park on the east end of Palm St.  The show and sale features ceramics, collage, drawings, encaustic, fabric, fiber, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography, watercolors and woodcarving.

Art on Palm hosts Maryrose Smyth and Mark Pickett will give tours of the landmark cottage, renovated in 1924, the Cottage rests at the base of an ancient oak estimated to be over 650 years old. The Cottage’s exceptional stone work includes two chimneys and two gracious porches, evidence of the Craftsmen Movement’s seamless integration of indoor/outdoor living for Southern California’s lifestyle. “Art on Palm has something for everyone”, states Mary Jane Elgin, the event’s co-founder. “Art on Palm promotes gifted local artists, attracts a loyal following, builds awareness of Altadena’s vibrant architecture, acknowledges the beauty of an ancient oak canyon, and even raises funds for the Fisher House of Greater Los Angeles.”

Since 2006, Art on Palm artists have donated a portion of their sales to The West L.A. Fisher House; which provides humanitarian support for hospitalized military personnel and their families. “The West L.A. Fisher House acknowledges this generosity. The contributions from Art on Palm artists help us provide much-needed humanitarian relief to members of our military and their families who reside in L.A. County.  We look forward to their continued support.”, commented Tim Byk, Founder/Executive Director, West L.A. Fisher House Foundation.

Participating artists are: Annie Aldridge; Tyn Atol; Stephanie Anderson; Erica Batchelder, Marcia Bloom; Ovie and Catherine Cowles, Ellen Dinerman, Mary Jane Elgin, Elisa Goodman, Lynn Hendricks, Jim Heuston, Beverly Jones, Debbie Lawrence; Ron Lawrenz,  Susan Loraine, Lynn Mattiesen; Dawn Mendelson, Dana Sue Miller, Katherine Nakazono, Lucia Pasquinelli, Cielo Pessione, Detra Prete, Cathy Reichel-Clark, Anne Sears, Maryrose Smyth, Kathy Spear, Kathleen Swaydan, Naomi Tratar, Nancy Unruh, Anna Vosburg, Tris Wasserman, Lys Wilcox, Bruce Wilson, Kaylie James Wilson, Stephen Woodruff, Lucia Yang, and Denise Young. Along the meandering drive and paths of Wildwood Park, Art on Palm artists will display their finely crafted work ranging from functional to whimsical, from something to wear, to something to give. Admission and parking are free. Refreshments will be sold by Jones Coffee Roasters of Pasadena.

 

Poetry corner: nature, red in tooth and claw

" HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU....."

from gloriana casey

If Nature were like Disneyland,
nobody would get hurt.
And hikers could climb everywhere,
and fall in softest dirt!

Though Eaton Canyon's beautiful,
it has its tougher side.
One waterfall is safe, serene,
but  one can skin your hide.

So if a hilly climb looks tough
declare , and take a pass.
For truth and dare---this has no worth
when crashing head or - - -.

Altadena Heritage looks at windstorm damage at the Arboretum

Western catalpa at entrance to Kallam garden at the Los Angeles County Arboretum with its trunk completely shattered by the winds of Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2011.  Photo by Frank McDonough and used with permission.

by Laura Monteros

The Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia lost more than 240 trees and sustained about $2 million in damages in the “once-in-100-years” windstorm last fall.  Thursday evening, Frank McDonough, Botanical Information Consultant at the Arboretum, explained why.  

Rich Benson, engineer and urban lumberjack, introduce McDonough and said the program would show how to “help trees not to fall down.”  This is the second in a series of programs on sustaining the urban forest sponsored by Altadena Heritage. 

“People really love the Arboretum,” McDonough said, citing support and help from county agencies such as the fire department, urban planning, and several others in the cleanup.  “As a result, were able to open up around Christmas,” far earlier than expected.  

Crime blotter: cars and homes again

Thefts from homes and vehicles this week.  Crime blotter provided by Lt. Duane D. Allen of Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, April 8
Between 1:15 AM and 10:20 AM – Two vehicle burglaries occurred in the 400 block of W. Palm Street.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicles by shattering the driver’s side window.  Loss:  misc. currency, black iPod touchscreen, brown tobacco pipe, silver tobacco grinder.
6:00 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 2700 block of Callesita Avenue.  Loss:  black HTC cellphone.
Between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM (Monday) – A petty theft occurred in the 300 block of E. Sacramento Street.  Loss:  white/orange Echo chainsaw, orange/black Echo leaf blower.

Monday, April 9
Between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 800 block of E. Sacramento Street.  Suspect(s) entered the residence by prying open the side metal door.  Loss:  white MacBook, Toro DJ mixer-controller.

Tuesday, April 10
Between 7:30 AM and 2:30 PM – A residential burglary and grand theft of a firearm occurred in the 1100 block of Mount Curve Drive.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unlocked bedroom window.  Loss:  silver Samsung DVD/VCR,  Ithica  12g shotgun.
Between 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM (Thursday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1400 block of Roosevelt Avenue.  Loss:  Kenwood tape deck, gray Sony portable CD player.

Friday, April 13
Between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 2100 block of Oakwood Street.  
Between 11:00 PM and 11:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 900 block of E. Mariposa Street.  Suspect(s) attempted to enter the residence by breaking the window screen.  No entry was made, no loss.  Victim was home at the time of the incident.

Saturday, April 14
Between 11:45 AM and 12:45 PM – A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred at the Altadena Golf Course, 1456 E. Mendocino St.  Loss:  Cross Fit golf club bag containing (10) Vector irons, (1) Taylor, (3) Graphite putters.
Between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM – A petty theft and vandalism occurred in the 2400  block Lincoln Av.  Loss:  battery for Ritz trencher.