altadenablog

Altadena Junction: for want of a nail-scale ....

Our weekly column is up in the Pasadena Sun: something tells us we've nailed it.

Eliot MIddle School winter festival open to the community Wednesday

from Eliot Middle School

Charles W. Eliot Middle School PTA invites the community to join students and their families on Wednesday, Dec. 12, for an evening of music, art, and pre-holiday cheer.

Our LEARNS after school program will kick off the festivities with a Showcase for parents at 4:10 pm. At 5:30 pm we’ll open our doors to the entire community. Get a bite to eat from the food truck in the Quad, and some fresh-pressed cider to wash it down. Visit the Holiday Book Fair in the Parent Resource Room – great deals on gifts for the readers in your life! Check out student art work, visit the Healthy Start table, learn about parent groups and volunteer opportunities – even get an Altadena Library card for yourself or your child. Then join us in the auditorium at 7 pm for the winter concert featuring our Concert & Jazz Bands, Drum Line, Orchestra, and Spirit Team.

This event is open to the community. No ticket purchase or RSVP is required. Features of the festival include:

• Cold & warm beverages
• Student art exhibit
• PTA bake sale and crafts from local artisans
• Information for parents and community members
• Raffle (spa package, Trader Joe goody-bag, and more)
• Holiday Book Fair in the Parent Resource Room
• Winter concert

Eliot Middle School’s PTA is excited about what our students are learning and the way our school community is coming together to support them. We welcome ideas for partnering with local businesses, individuals, and organizations for the benefit of our kids and the Altadena community, and hope you’ll join us on this festive occasion.

Washington Middle School family night generates STEAM

from Pasadena Unified School District

With the high demand for graduates with an expertise in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) in California, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is introducing a new STEAM magnet middle school that is set to open for the 2013-2014 school year. Prospective students and families can preview the new academic curriculum at the STEAM Family Night on Thursday, December 13 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM at Washington Middle School in Pasadena. 

Washington Middle School will transform into an application-only magnet in 2013-2014, with admission granted to entering sixth-eighth grade students who have demonstrated an interest or aptitude in STEAM, meet academic requirements and whose parents/guardians commit to staying involved and completing campus service hours. Additional consideration will be provided for students who reside within the school’s attendance zone. Applications for the Washington Middle School STEAM Magnet Academy will be accepted during the district’s annual 2013-2014 Open Enrollment process which runs from January 23-February 12, 2013. 

“The end goal of the Washington Middle School STEAM Magnet is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the 21st century workplace,” said Superintendent Jon R. Gundry, who has made STEAM instruction a district priority. “Students in STEAM education learn to work collaboratively through projects that fuse reading, writing and math with critical thinking, problem solving, communication, creativity and innovation. This school will create a strong foundation for students to succeed in high school and beyond.” 

Five Acres looking for support for area families

from FIve Acres

Facing a high demand and a dearth of donations, Five Acres is seeking the community’s support to help grant holiday wishes for nearly 250 area families in need. Families who receive services from Five Acres are relying on the support of the local nonprofit’s "Family Angels" program, a holiday initiative where donors are matched with a family in need and grants at least one wish from each family member’s wish list. At this time, less than half of the 250 families have found holiday “angels.”

During the holidays, many families at Five Acres are in crisis and are experiencing financial hardship or overcoming trauma. Five Acres’ Family Angels program is designed to help spread holiday cheer to families in need during this challenging time of year. The deadline to deliver gifts is Monday, Dec. 17.

Interested donors are asked to sponsor a family (which ranges in size from 2 to 15 family members). Five Acres will provide a specific family’s holiday wish list and each donor is requested to provide at least one item (not to exceed $50) for each of the family members listed. Donors are also asked to provide a holiday food basket or grocery store gift card for the family they are supporting

Program participants receiving support in Five Acres’ Family Angels program are children and families in crisis who seek support services from Five Acres’ community-based and residential programs

Gifts and financial contributions are welcome daily at Five Acres’ main campus, 760 West Mountain View St., Altadena, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 PM. 

Visit http://www.fiveacres.org or contact Jasmine Abghari at (626) 773- 3744 or jabghari@5acres.org

 

Poetry corner: now to scale

"Weights and TREASURES"

from gloriana casey

There is a little hardware store
on Mariposa  street.
Small business is what city does
and life can be so sweet!

Now, County Weights and Measure ones
you have a job to do,
but surely, you love history
and that involves you too.

Now just today I saw that truth
upon the internet.
Where Kurt E. Floren, he's the one
who wrote--- and words he set.

The Star of Palawoo is lit

Check out Bill Westphal's Altadena Weather Cam tonight (or look out the window, if you're in the right place) -- the Star of Palawoo is shining tonight.

 

Altadena Baptist Church celebrates the season through the arts Dec. 15

from Altadena Baptist Church

The Altadena community is invited to an evening of celebrating the Advent/Christmas season on Saturday, December 15, 6 PM, at Altadena Baptist Church, 791 East Calaveras Street.  The evening will include contributions from artists including: international Latin percussionist and producer Mayuto Correa, singer/songwriter Amy Oden, visual artist Matt Lumpkin, woodwind soloist Amanda Domen, and members of the Altadena Baptist Church Worship Arts Team.

Produced by ABC’s Director of Worship Arts Glenn Molina, the service is part of a continuing vision to promote the appreciation of the myriad of diverse traditions in music, worship, and the arts that make up our local community.  Along with original musical compositions and arrangements, works of art in various mediums that commemorate the holiday season will be on display, created by members of the church.  A light reception will immediately follow the service. Admission is free.

Christmas brass concert at Westminster Presbyterian Dec. 16

The Modern Brass of Los Angeles will hold its annual Christmas concert from 7-10 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave.

Organist Kevin Mayse will be joined by members of the LA Philharmonic, featuring Philip Smith.

"Blue Christmas" service Dec. 17 at St. Mark's Church

Christmas is not a joyous season of celebration for everyone. If you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one, your health, a relationship, your job, or a deeply held dream, if you are far from those you love, or if you have painful memories of Christmas in years past, the holidays can be agonizing and isolating.

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church will offer a “Blue Christmas” service at 7 PM on Monday, Dec 17.  Our worship will be quiet and reflective, accepting the hurts we bear, and offering the hope of comfort and healing.

St. Mark's is located at 1014 E. Altadena Drive

For more information, contact the Rev. Betsy Hooper, 626-798-6747.

 

Soroptimist silent auction raises funds for hope

 

from the Altadena-Pasadena Soroptimists 

A little rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Altadena-Pasadena branch of Soroptimist International, as the club held its 17th annual Silent Auction on Sunday, Dec. 2.

This event took place at the Altadena Senior Center where attendees bid on treasures that included Rose Parade seats, paintings by local artists, restaurant gift cards, chic fashion jewelry, and a variety of themed gift baskets.

The members of Soroptimists lent their time and talents to making this event a success. They solicited donations from local businesses, created imaginative gift baskets, baked delicious appetizers and transformed the Altadena Senior Center into a festive shopping environment. At the end of the event, the items went to the highest bidders. Shirley Manning, 1st Vice President and Phyllis Howard, newsletter editor, presented raffle prizes to lucky ticket holders.

This auction is Altadena-Pasadena Soroptimists’ largest fundraiser of the year. With a slogan of “Women Helping Women,” the mission of Soroptimist International is to assist women and girls in the local community and around the world. Several of the agencies benefiting from the Altadena-Pasadena club’s auction include Door of Hope, Ecumenical Council, Cancer Support Community/Silver Saturday, Rosemary Children’s Services, and the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity, Ruby, and Violet Richardson awards.

Jane Harris, Silent Auction Committee Chair remarked, “I am so appreciative and grateful to be part of such a resourceful and energetic group!”

To learn more about this organization, visit www.soroptimist.org.

"Hobbit Hoopla" at the Library Dec. 15

by Timothy Rutt

Teens and tweens (ages 11-17) are invited to join the celebration at the Altadena Main Library on Dec. 15 starting at 2 PM to celebrate JRR Tolkien and the new movie "The Hobbit."

Come in your hobbit clothes and join in on the fun with raffles, games, crafts, snacks, and your own photobooth.

Prizes include "The Hobbit" movie tickets and JRR Tolkien books.

For more information, check out http://aldteenscene.blogspot.com/

 

Crime blotter: a shooting and residential burglaries

A wave of residential burglaries and a shooting this week. Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Tuesday, November 27

Between 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1100 block of New York Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence by kicking in the front door and shattering the front window. Loss: platinum wedding band, gold wedding band. 

Between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2000 block of Midlothian Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unlocked front door. Residence ransacked. Loss: gray Casio camera, large bag containing costume jewelry. 

Between 11:00 AM and 5:45 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1900 block of Braeburn Road. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear bathroom window. Residence ransacked. Loss: (2) large glass jars w/currency, shoebox containing silver foreign coins. 

Between 8:00 PM and 10:55 AM (Wednesday) – A residential burglary occurred in the 2500 block of N. El Sol Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence via unknown means. The victim believes a prior tenant may be the suspect. Loss: CD’s. 

Santa is coming to the Altadena Libraries Dec. 19

The one and only Santa Claus is coming to the Altadena Libraries on Wed., Dec. 19.

Santa will take time out of his busy schedule to talk to kids and pose for pictures at 11 AM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., and at 12 noon at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave. 

 

Update: detectives looking for leads in Thursday morning shooting

by TImothy Rutt

More details have come out as Altadena detectives seek information about a shooting this morning at West Harriet Street and Casitas Avenue.

The victim -- a 25-year-old Altadena resident who was not hit -- led deputies to the site where he said a small SUV-type vehicle opened fire on him as he was driving his car.

According to an alert issued by the Altadena Sheriff Station, deputies responded to the area of Harriet St. and Lincoln Avenue this morning on a call of shots fired.  (The Altadena watch commander said the call came in just before 9 AM).  The victim led deputies to the intersection of Casitas Avenue and Harriet Street, where deputies found unspecified evidence that a shooting had occurred.

According to the press release, while the victim was unhurt, his car had been struck numerous times by gunfire.

The Altadena Sheriff Station is seeking information from anybody who may have witnessed the shooting.  Please call Altadena Station detectives at 626-798-1131.

This story has been updated from an earlier version.

Scales over their eyes

It still weighs true, but bureaucratic bungling may force retirement of Altadena Hardware’s vintage scale

by Timothy Rutt

 

County inspectors told Altadena Hardware manager Jimmy Orlandini to get rid of his vintage scale -- not because it's inaccurate, but because another inspector gave it an incorrect serial-type number.

When the Orlandini family bought local landmark Altadena Hardware in 2010, they wanted to modernize it, but also keep its vintage hardware store atmosphere.  Manager Jimmy Orlandini said at the time,  "We don't want to take away from the old-fashioned look." 

So the family -- which has owned Newland Hardware in El Sereno since the 1960's, and became Altadena residents in 1985  -- has striven for state-of-the-art while keeping the old fashioned, friendly look and service Altadena Hardware is known for.  One of the treasures of the hometown ambiance is the 1915 vintage scale by the long-gone Computing Scale Company, which has been used to weigh bulk nails  for as long as anyone can remember.

But that may come to an end soon. The county agricultural commissioner’s office, which regulates scales, has told Orlandini that he’ll have to get rid of it.  

Why?  Not because it isn’t measuring accurately -- “the scale’s perfect,” Orlandini says -- but because an inspector transposed two numbers last year, and now Weights and Measures is saying that they can’t be sure it’s the same scale -- so it has to be scrapped.

Orlandini thinks they’re also just trying to get out of inspecting the scale every year.  Today, scales and other bulk goods measuring equipment are “certified” by the state ahead of time, and the inspector just checks it for accuracy every year.  An older, non-certified scale can challenge an inspector who’s never encountered anything like it before.

The problems began with the 2011 inspection.  Orlandini said that the inspector, a woman who seemed inexperienced, apparently hadn’t encountered a counterweighted scale.  As part of the inspection, the scale -- which normally doesn’t measure any more than five pounds of nails -- has to accurately record 100 lbs.  Orlandini said that the inspector couldn’t lift two certified 50 lb. weights on the scale herself, so the hardware store staff helped her.

PUSD facilities manager placed on leave in Measure TT probe

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

The Pasadena Unified School District has placed its top facilities manager on leave and suspended or terminated five consultant contracts in the wake of an apparent inquiry into the handling of the district’s $350-million Measure TT school construction bond.

School District Chief Facilities Officer David Azcárraga was placed on leave Wednesday, said school district spokesman Adam Wolfson.

The district also suspended its contract with bond manager Robin Brown, a consultant who oversees all Measure TT contracts and projects, Wolfson said. Brown was being paid up to $312,000 per year at a rate of $150 per hour, according to district documents.

Officials additionally terminated contracts with two other individuals and two companies also overseeing bond funds, said Wolfson.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Poetry Corner: of purloined poinsettias

"Dear Poinsettia Thief.."

from gloriana casey

Perhaps you feel a presence, thief,
so often you look back.
Well what did you expect you'd find
when porches you'd attack?

A ghost story for you is born
from your most thieving ways.
To steal Poinsettias from homes
will bring that ghostly haze.

Two Christmas ghosts are watching you
so please do knock this off.
These plants they have a sterling past
and surely you'll get caught.

Joel Roberts Poinsett,----American
will surely be inflamed.
The plant name, it does come from him
a man of varied fame.

Portantino to hold holiday open house and community appreciation Friday

by Timothy Rutt

Former Assemblyman Anthony Portantino will sign off his term in office with a final annual Holiday Open House and Community Appreciation at the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, on Fri., Dec. 7, from 6:30-8:30 PM.  

"Bring an unwrapped K-6 book and enjoy the evening," Portantino said in a press release.  "We've collected over 2,000 books over the last six years which have been donated to local elementary schools." RSVP: info@anthonyportantino.com

 

Antonovich urges protests against proposed water quality parcel tax

by Timothy Rutt

Supv. Michael D. Antonovich is warning county residents not to throw away a county mailing that "looks like junk mail," but use it to protest a proposed parcel tax increase.

The mailer, headlined "Los Angeles County clean water, clean beaches measure" outlines a plan to improve water quality by controlling storm and urban runoff. 

It proposes to fund the plan by imposing a parcel tax on every property in Los Angeles County, to be added to the annual property tax bill.  On back of the flyer is a form to fill out to protest the measure, which is to be heard by the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 15, 2013.

Antonovich's office sent out a press release stating, “While the mailing looks like junk mail, it is an important document that allows one to protest the proposed parcel tax ... It is vital that property owners return the protest form to stop this additional tax,” he added.  “Property owners, schools and businesses already pay flood control taxes and now they are being asked to fork over more money at a time when families are struggling, schools are hurting and businesses are fleeing the state.”

The release says that "Residents have until January 15 to file their objection by returning their protest form or protesting at the public hearing on January 15, 2013 at 9:30 AM in the Hearing Room of the Board of Supervisors at the Hall of Administration.  If a majority of the property owners do not object, the Board of Supervisors can approve a mail-in-ballot to be sent to all property owners in March.  Passage requires only a simple majority."

If you have misplaced this mailer, please call (800) 218-0018 or email water.info@dpw.lacounty.gov.  

And now ... poinsettia thefts

by Timothy Rutt

A neighbor from the President Streets area sent us a message that poinsettias are disappearing from front porches:

A neighbor just came to my door and told me about the four poinsettia plants that came up missing from her porch this morning. At that point, I realized that three had been removed from my porch as well. 

Something else to be wary of, in addition to watching out for holiday package thefts.

 

Land Use Committee meeting tonight at Community Center

by Timothy Rutt

The Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council will meet tonight at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

The agenda as given may be subject to modification: althought the day care center at 3311 Canyon Crest Drive  was to be heard on the county level on Dec. 5, county planners have said that they will postpone it until Jan. 15, 2013, due to the notice not being posted long enough. in an email from Diane Marcussen of the land use committee, there is no action planned on this item for tonight's meeting.

The committee is also going to announce that Altadena town councilman Ken Roberts will take over as committee chair as of the January meeting.

Full agenda after the jump.

December shout-out to the Altadenablog sponsor team!

Happy December, and Altadeblog gives a belated but still special shout-out to our authentically local sponsor team:

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Arroyo Food Co-op

Baietti-Seyffert/Podley Properties

California Bohemian Leather 

 The Coffee Gallery

Curves Altadena

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Dr. Barkman

Friends of the Altadena Library

Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design

Judy Rubin Architectural & Previews Specialist

Rancho Bar

Scissors Paper Rock Salon

St. Mark's Episcopal School (New sponsor!)

Webster's Community Pharmacy

Webster's Fine Stationers

Altadenablog is the best place to advertise your local business to your local audience, where we've been bringing the news to Altadenans for five years.  We concentrate on the neighborhood level news that concerns Altadenans and that you can't find anywhere else.  We're not going to change our focus to be a social media website, like the New York City-based website will in January.  Altadenablog is always going to be about the news you need.  And we promise something else: your ad, on every page, every time, exclusively with other Altadena-area businesses.  Nobody else offers that. 

And if advertising isn't in the cards for you, but you'd still like to support Altadena's only locally-owned and -operated news website, we've opened the  The Altadena Wall of Awesome!  Anybody who buys an entirely-voluntary subscription (which gets you nothing extra, by the way!) gets our eternal gratitude and your name on the Wall for a year! (You can be anonymous, too -- just tell us!)    Your contributions will largely go to improving our coverage by providing improved rates to our freelancers and some planned upgrades in the website.  

The contribution button is here, and the Wall of Awesome is here.

The best way to thank our local business sponsors is to patronize them!

 

Last week for sheriff's food and toy drive

 

by Timothy Rutt

The holiday tradition of the Altadena Sheriff Station's annual food and toy drive will wrap up this Saturday, Dec. 8, so there's still time to help a local disadvantaged family have a happier holiday.  The toys and food will be distributed on Sat., Dec. 15.

New, unwrapped toys and non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the following locations, among others in town:

• The Altadena Sheriff Station, 780 E. Altadena Drive
• The Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. , and Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave. (your library fines can also be forgiven with a large enough donation!)
• The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
• The Palm Street Area Residents Association will be collecting for the drive on Sat., Dec. 8, at 241 E. Palm St. from 10 AM-1 PM.
• UPDATE: President Streets will conduct their toy drive on Saturday from 9-11 AM at 126 N. Harding.

Correction-o-rama:  We've got several messages giving new details that contradict earlier information we were given:

• Eric Pierce of the President Streets Yahoo group says that the President Streets drive will be at the 1800 block of Harding;
• Capt. John S. Benedict says that the Sheriff Food and Toy Drive giveaway has been changed to Dec. 22 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

 

 

Altadena sheriffs looking for property owners

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Sheriff Station is looking for some crime victims.

Specifically, they're looking for the owners of three bicycles and a cash register, who may have been victims of crime.

Altadena Sheriff Station crime analyst Virginia Cordova sent along this flyer with pictures of the recovered items.  If they look familiar to you, please contact the station at 798-1131.

 

Holden sworn in as Assemblyman for redrawn 41st District

by Timothy Rutt

Former Pasadena City Councilman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) was sworn in Monday as assemblyman for the new 41st Assembly District.

Holden was also named Majority Whip of the California Democratic Caucus.

Holdn started his first day by introducing a bill addressing economic development and jobs creation, according to a release from his office.

“We need jobs here and we need jobs now.  AB 9 represents the first step in my commitment to creating jobs here in the 41st District, and in the State of California,” said Holden in the release. “I am honored to begin my service in the Assembly and will leverage all of my resources as a Member of the Speaker’s Leadership Team work to improve California’s economy.”

AB 9 provides the platform to develop, evaluate, and negotiate economic development policy. Holden has begun to meet with business and labor organizations, and with members of both political parties to explore areas of cooperation and consensus.

Holden represents the newly-redrawn 41st Assembly District, which encompasses the cities of Pasadena, portions of South Pasadena, portions of East Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, La Verne, Altadena, San Dimas, Claremont, and Upland.  Altadena was formerly in the 44th District, represented by Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge), who decided not to run in the  2012 elections.

PUSD Special Ed advisory committee meets Monday in new Altadena location

by Timothy Rutt

The PUSD/SELPA Special Education Dept. Community Advosry Committee will have its monthly meeting Monday, Dec. 10, at a new Altadena location: the Burbank Early Education Center (formerly Burbank Elementary), 2046 N. Allen Ave., Altadena.

This month's topic will be "

Mental Health Services - School and Community Resources For Prevention, Intervention and Care."  Speakers are Dr. Michael Jason and Mr. Eric Sahakian of PUSD and representative(s) of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

Questions and comments can be sent to: PasadenaCACchair@gmail.com.

Free childcare and translation are available.  For more details and a copy o fthe local plan, go to  http://cac.pasadenausd.org.

 

Wednesday night yoga at Farnsworth Park

by TImothy Rutt

Lauren Heller is announcing the continuation of Kundalini Yoga classes at Farnsworth Park, every Wednesday night from 7:30-9 PM.  Classes are held in the Davies Building auditorium.  Cost is $10 per class, with multi-class discounts available.  For more information, email laurenheller@sbcglobal.net.

 

A rainbow in the canyon

It's supposed to be cloudy again today, and clear up and warm up for the rest of the week.  James Romero of Blackswift Bicycles shares this rainy weekend image of a rainbow touching down on in Eaton Canyon.

Lost cat: Darwin

Delie's cat Darwin took off, and maybe we can help get him home:

My cat ran out of the house today. We live on Olive Avenue and he went in the direction of Granduer directly to the east of Olive. About 1:30 PM on December 3, 2012.

He is a male cat medium size about 5-6 lbs. White and black in color, and is called a tuxedo cat. He is a rescue cat originally and is very terrified of the outdoors. No tags.

Please contact me at (626) 376-0031. Day or night or at my email address of drbishil@yahoo.com

Baby and Me Spanish classes at La Canada Flintridge Community Center

"Con Carina" is a class focused on introducing Spanish to your baby.  Songs, games, and play are part of the time together.  There are two class levels: 1-12 months on TUesday mornings, and 1-2 years of age on Friday mornings.  Cost is $75 per six class session, which will be held at the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Dr. in La Canada Flintridge.  To register, email Rachel at ConCarinaClass@gmail.com, or call (323) 369-2125.

Two men shot in separate incidents Friday

by Timothy Rutt

Two men were shot in separate incidents in west Altadena and in Pasadena near the border on Friday.

Lt. Brian Fitch of the L.A. County Sheriff reported that Altadena deputies responded to a "shots fired" call at the 400 block of west Woodbury Road on Nov. 30, at about 11:30 PM.  Deputies were unable to locate the source of the shots after canvassing the area.

However, about 20 minutes later, deputies answered a call of a male gunsot victim sitting in a parked vehicle along the 500 block of East Alameda Street.  According to a release from the Altadena Sheriff Station, the victim had been shot once in the right side and once in the right hip, and there were several bullet holes on the passenger side of his vehicle.  The victim was treated by paramedics and taken by ambulance to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

The victim said he had been driving on Woodbury Road when he was shot by unknown persons driving an unknown type of vehicle, and was unable to provide a description of his assailants.  Deputies were unable to come up with any more information, evidence, or witnesses after canvassing the area.

Earlier in the day, according to a story in the Pasadena Star-News, another man was found by Pasadena police about 12:30 AM at a bus stop at Lincoln Avenue and Montana Street.  The report said the victim had a grazing gunshot wound to the face and would not cooperate with authorities.

. 

Altadenan property owner has history of Pasadena code problems

 

A Pasadena firefighter talks with an unidentified man who came to pick up paperwork from the gutted home on the 1300 block of El Sereno Avenue in Pasadena on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer, Pasadena Sun)

 

 

By Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

The El Sereno Avenue home in Pasadena where two men died in a Nov. 1 explosion and fire was under investigation by city officials over allegations of illegal construction and substandard living conditions that date back to 2003, according to city records.

At the time of the fire, 20 men were renting rooms in the duplex at 1385 El Sereno Ave.

Paul Richard Boyd, 75, and Cliff Juan Clark, 56, died in the blaze. Perry Simons suffered “severe respiratory distress” and minor burns to his face and limbs, according to Pasadena Fire Department documents. Sixteen others escaped.

Tenant Garth Allen Robbins, 49, has been charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office with intentionally setting the fire. Robbins pleaded not guilty on Nov. 10 to murder, attempted murder and arson. Prosecutors say they may seek the death penalty.

Jeanette Broussard, a 73-year-old Altadena resident who has owned the house since 1991, declined to comment.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Catching up ...

Had an unexpected doctor's appointment today (all is well!) but it DOES take time to deal with ... we'll be catching up throughout the day.

Super-Saturday in Altadena

by Timothy Rutt

There was literally more going on Saturday than we could cover (for example,  parking for the Village Playgarden Winter Market was so spread out we figured it'd involve about an extra half hour just to walk from our car and back, so we bailed!)  We did manage to catch the St. Mark's School WInterfest, where people enjoyed a sledding run with actual snow.  More after the jump.

Morning jolt: Eaton Canyon heroics (truthful and truthier)

• Eaton Canyon rescues: excellent report by Rachel Kim of KCBS on the problem of hiker rescues and injuries at second waterfall at Eaton Canyon.  Rich DeLeon of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team and Capt. John S. Benedict of the Altadena Sheriff Station are featured.
• Eaton Canyon rescuers:  Edward Barrerra, in this op-ed in PSN, tells about saving ten hikers single-handedly before breakfast.  And why not?  He can get a job writing press releases for the sheriff! 
• Bright Futures Scholars:  As  you're making your end-of-year tax deductible contributions consider The Quality of Life Center, Inc., which runs the Bright Futures Scholars program for students in Altadena and Pasadena.   Your tax-deductible donations may be made online to: http://www.qualityoflifecenterinc.com/donations or mailed directly to Quality of Life Center, Inc., PO Box 6158, Altadena, CA 91003-6158.  If you wish your donation to be applied to the scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors, please make that distinction as you donate.
   

 

ACONA survey now online

Elliot Gold has sent out a link for a survey of the Nov. 27 ACONA meeting, and it's right here: 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JH8CW9Y

Bright Futures Scholars hear sheriff

 

LA County Sheriff Lee Baca addresses the Bright Futures Scholars at the Altadena Community Center on Saturday. Photo by Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

 

 

Sheriff L ee Baca was one of the keynote speakers Saturday at the Quality of Life Center's Bright Future Scholars gathering in the Community Center. Dean of Scholars Dr. Sandra Thomas welcomed mentors Baca, Altadena Sheriff's Captain John Benedict, Senator Carol Liu, Congressmember Judy Chu and General Manager of the Pasadena Water and Power Phyllis Currie to speak to Altadena and Pasadena youth. 

The Sheriff spoke about growing up in Los Angeles and his journey to becoming the leader of the largest Sheriff's Department in the nation.

 

Found fluffy white dog, Marigold and Thurin [UPDATE: Back home!]

Reader Kim found a dog Saturday, near Marigold and Thurn:

My son was walking home from a friend's house and found this little dog wandering the streets. He talked to several people in the neighborhood but nobody recognized the dog. We can shelter him for a day or two.

Please email Kim, tlmkbm@earthlink.net if you recognize this dog.  Friendly and energetic. Would love to get him back home.

 UPDATE 12/4: Doggie has been returned home.

Library's Friday Fun Flick: "Arthur Christmas" Dec. 14

Fun Flick Friday at the Altadena Library takes on the holiday spirit with "Arthur Christmas" (rated PG) on Fri., Dec. 14 at 3:30 PM.

Free admission, popcorn, and drinks as you watch this family film about Arthur's mission to be completed before Christmas morning.

Fun Flick Friday is at the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Poetry, trunk show benefit, book signing ... it's Webster's Fine Stationers Open House!

by Timothy Rutt

Add this stop to your busy Saturday: The Famous Holiday Open House at  Webster's Fine Stationers (Altadenablog sponsor).

Starting at 10 AM, indulge yourself in great nibbles for the holidays while you also enjoy:

• Book signing with Margaret Finnegan, author of The Goddess Lounge (starts at 6:30);
• Spoken word live with poet Aldonia Bailey and friends (5-6:30 PM, and again at 8:30 PM);
• Holiday cards by local artist Karen Bagnard, which is a benefit for Christmas Tree Lane;
• Trunk show with Leslie Aitken
• Art by Mary and Patrick Gothard;
• Designs by Judi Stimmel

... giveaways, and much more!

Stop by at Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Ave.

 

Walmart career day at Metropolitan Baptist Church next Sat.

by Timothy Rutt

Walmart Neighborhood Market is one of the co-sponsors of "Career Day" next Sat., Dec. 8, to be held at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 North Fair Oaks Ave., from 9 AM-1 PM.

Potential Walmart employees can learn about the firm's application process and interview tips when applying for work a the new Neighborhood Market to open in Altadena next year.  Walmart has said they anticipate having 65 positions in the new supermarket.

Other sponsors include Foothill Workforce Investment Board and LA Works.  For more information, call Ron Carter at  (626) 345-1413.

Altadena Junction: the lights that never go out

Our weekly column is up at the Pasadena Sun: a meditation on Christmas Tree Lane, wind, and community.

Altadena Heritage holiday gathering Dec. 16 at the Swann Estate

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena Heritage will have its annual meeting and holiday celebration Sun., Dec. 16, at the Swann Estate, 2162 Holliston Avenue, from 2-5 PM.

Join them for an afternoon of music, food, wine, and conviviality.

It's also a good time to join or renew your membership to the organization, "dedicated to protecting, preserving, and raising awareness of the rich architectural, environmental, and cultural heritage of our foothills community."

Please RSVP to altadenaheritage@earthlink.net or call (323) 893-1318.

 

Stolen NASA laptop contained JPL workers' personal information

Pasadena attorney Dan Stormer, left, speaks about a NASA employee information security breach with JPL workers Josette Bellan and Rob Haw at a press conference in his Pasadena office. A NASA laptop was stolen Oct. 31 from an employee's vehicle in Washington D.C. and the agency informed employees two weeks later that their personal information was at risk. (Photo by Raul Roa, Pasadena Sun)

By Tiffany Kelly
Pasadena Sun.

Workers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are asking for a congressional investigation into the agency's data security efforts after learning the theft of a laptop and documents last month may have compromised information for 10,000 NASA employees.

The incident is the latest in a series of skirmishes over NASA's employee background checks.

On Oct. 31, a NASA laptop and documents were stolen from an employee's locked vehicle on a Washington, D.C., street. A few weeks later, workers at JPL and elsewhere received letters from the agency stating that personal information gathered in NASA background checks, including home addresses and Social Security numbers, was at risk.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Arroyo & Foothills Conservancy hits goal for Millard Canyon

by Timothy Rutt

A final two-day appeal by the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy manged to put them over the top to purchase lower MIllard Canyon,  preserving the popular hiking area "forever."

In an email by conservancy director John Howell,  the push for a finall $3.200 in donations by Nov. 30 met with success.  The conservancy has spent the past several months attempting to raise  $675,000 in order to purchase the canyon for preservation.

In his email, Howard said:

Here's what matters: Millard will be preserved and protected – forever. 

What also matters is that we saved it by all pulling together. Thanks so much to all who helped, and for each and every thing you did to make it happen: for money contributed, hikes led and hikes attended, bird studies completed, plant lists compiled, amphibians identified, gatherings hosted and gatherings attended, photos taken, restoration planned, canyon cleanup begun, contacts made, cooperation extended, encouragement given.

Now we celebrate together, in spirit. Soon we’ll celebrate together, in person -- stay tuned for an announcement of the Millard Celebration! 

Powell also sent a list thanking those who contributed money toward Millard's purchase and preservation, which we present after the jump.

Sheriff offers tips for holiday buying safety, online and in-store

from the Altadena Sheriff Station 

Online Shopping Tips 

Shopping online is a convenient way to shop but it also has some risks. Here are some good tips to remember: 

• Shop at secure websites. When paying, make sure the website address begins with https (the “s” at the end means it’s supposed to be more "secure"). It also means the website encrypts the information it sends. 
• Packages that sit on a porch or door step are more likely to be stolen. There have been cases where thieves will drive behind a delivery truck and wait for the driver to leave the package on the porch or doorstep and then steal the package. 
• If possible, send the package to a relative or neighbor that is home during the day and is expecting the package. 
• Always try to request signature confirmation on deliveries. This will ensure that the delivery person won’t leave the package unattended. 
• Send packages to your work rather than your home. This will ensure that you receive the package or someone will sign for it if you are not available. 

Shopping in a Store Tips 

Remove it... Lock it... or Lose it 
If you prefer to shop in the store, remember the holidays are a busy time of year and everyone has a lot on their mind. Criminals are looking to take advantage of you while you are at your busiest. Remember these tips when you’re out shopping for your holiday gifts: 

• Hold your purse close to your body with the opening facing toward you. When walking with another person, the purse should be held between the two of you. 
• Stow your purchases in the trunk of your vehicle. You may be tempted to throw your purchases in the back seat of your vehicle and return to continue shopping. If your purchases are in plain view, you may return to find your car windows smashed and your presents stolen. They don't have to be worth much, they just have to look like they are worth something. 
• Save your most expensive purchases for last, so you can head straight home. 
• Never leave your purchases unattended, even for a few minutes. 

If you see any suspicious activity either close to your home, or while you are out shopping, call your local sheriff's or police station. "If you see something, say something." Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season. We know you will enjoy the holidays more if you take some precautions and keep your hard-earned gifts. 

Next week: Christmas Tree Lane light's on, Dec. 8, 6 PM

by Timothy Rutt

Next Saturday, Dec. 8, Altadena becomes a small town as we welcome in the season with "light's on" for Christmas Tree Lane.

Christmas Tree Lane -- Santa Rosa Avenue between Woodbury Road and Altadena Drive -- will be lit up through the Christmas season after the community pomp and ceremony. now more than 90 years old.

The day begins with the Winter Arts and Crafts Festival, which begins at 2 PM at the Altadena LIbrary parking lot, 600 E. Mariposa St.  Fifteen vendors will  be selling handmade items, along with four food trucks in attendence.  Santa Rosa Avenue will be closed to traffic after 4 PM (and parking will be harder to come by), so early arrival is suggested.

The Lighting Ceremony begins at 6 PM, hosted by Altadena resident Tammy Trujillo of KPCC. The ceremony includes the Blair JROTC Color Guard and the singing of the national anthem by the Blair IB Singers.  A local musical group,  Daniel Landau and Smithfield Bargain, will perform.

When the lights are lit, the ceremony ends with the John Muir Alumni Marching Band leading the crowd down the Lane.  

 For more details visit: http://www.christmastreelane.net/