altadenablog

Altadena Junction: GOOD news, summer concerts

Our weekly column for the Pasadena Sun is up (finally!).

Also: nice to see Altadena's Shirlee Smith return to the column business, with her "Common Sense" column in the Sun.  This week, it's about Walmart, compromises, and more.

Eliot Middle School holds fundraiser at Pinocchio's Wednesday

Eliot Middle School is holding a fundraiser at Pinocchio's Restaurant tomorrow, from 11 AM-10 PM.  A percentage of sales will go to the PTA, but you need to have the flyer (click to expand).

 

Joseph Shuldiner has plans for you

by Timothy Rutt

LA Observed has a great feature about Altadena Farmers' Market maven Joseph Shuldiner: the market, the Institute of Domestic Technology classes, and his plans for the Grand Central Market in downtown LA.  As if we didn't know already, Altadena is LA Food Culture Central, and it's thanks to people like Shuldiner that it's so.

Poetry Corner: April is the cruelest month

"DEATH AND TAXES"

from gloriana casey

Ben Franklin, yes he had it right,
and that's a certainty.
For death and taxes come to all,
this curse---Humanity!

And true I've read that IRS,
is way behind in work.
Computer plans don't work for all,
for this annoying irk!

Then once this travesty begins,
the work begins to pall.
Receipts once filed  so carefully----
and all begins to fall!

Death, taxes, all of that

Entries will be light today, because we'll be filling out forms and screaming.

Erin go bragh!

And just before we shut out the lights ... the gnomes celebrate!

"This Could Be It": Arroyo Food Co-op meets to discuss potential location

by TImothy Rutt

The Arroyo Food Co-op will hold a members meeting at the Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, 3230 E. Del Mar Boulevard in Pasadena, at 7 PM March 20.  

(Ed. note: this story has been changed from its original version. Patrick Reagan of the Arroyo Food Co-op said that some more information is forthcoming, and we'll share it with you when we can!)

 

 

Holy Week blegging

We're putting together a listing of church services for Holy Week, especially Maundy Thursday thru Easter.  

Please send your church's schedule to us at altadenablog @ gmail.com so it can be part of the listing!

"Wreck It Ralph" is the Library's Friday fun flick March 22

The Altadena Library's "Fun Flick Friday" on March 22 is "Wreck-It Ralph."

Wreck-It Ralph longs to be as beloved as his game's perfect Good Guy, FIx-It Felix.  Problem is, nobody loves a bad guy!

Rated PG, the movie starts at 3:30 PM at the Community Room of the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.. Admission is free.

 

Related articles

Library hosts multi-media "Impressions of China" Feb. 9

Kres Mersky returns to the Library with "Isadora Duncan"

WRECK-IT RALPH Director Rich Moore Talks about More Ideas for the Sequel

Wreck-It Ralph Blu-ray/DVD Combo Possibly Only $12.99 at Target (Starting 3/5!)

Welcome to the holiday

Yep, it's one of those Days of Enforced Joy^tm, and Gloriana Casey remembers it in verse: 

"Cead Mile Failte" ( kaid-meela-fallta)
"A Hundred Thousand Welcomes"

from gloriana casey

So--have you seen a leprechaun?
Today-- you well may see!
Those cobblers with their pots of gold,
are jokers! Pranks to be!

But where is St. Patrick in this,
and did he vanquish snakes?
No snakes in Ireland ever lived,
though drinking can give shakes!

As eyeballs float around the head
when drinking tasty brew,
I'm sure those snakes, someone will see,
but  hopefully not you!

Polynesian dance classes start at Sue B. in April

Lynanne Hansen-Miller will be teaching classes in Polynesian Dance for ages 5-12 at Sue B. Dance Studio, starting April 9.  Click graphic for details.

Pan-STARRS in the sky

Comet Pan-Starrs Moonset from Dan Finnerty on Vimeo.

Dan Finnerty created this stunning time-lapse video of the moon and Comet Pan-STARRS in the skies above Altadena on March 12.

 

Today is Five Acres Day

 

Pictured: Chanel Bortakidis, Karen Evans, Leslie Lyons, Jay Sander, Supervisor Antonovich, Andrew Crowell and Michele Hall.

 

 

from the office of Supervisor Michael Antonovich

Supervisor Antonovich joined the staff of Five Aces in proclaiming March 16th, 2013 as “Five Acres Day” in Los Angeles County in recognition of Five Acres’ 125th anniversary. 

Five Acres was established in 1888 as one of Los Angeles County’s first orphanages.  Today, it is as the oldest non-sectarian agency in the San Gabriel Valley, promoting safety, well-being, and permanency for children and their families by building on their strengths and empowering them within communities.

They provide an array of mental health, therapeutic and educational programs to abused, neglected and disadvantaged children and their families. They have four sites in Altadena, Pasadena, San Dimas, and El Monte.

No holds Bard: California Shakespeare Ensemble will hold court in Farnsworth Park

by Timothy Rutt

"O, how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day;
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,
And by and by a cloud takes all away."

The Two Gentlemen of Verona (I, iii, 84-87)

William Shakespeare will be coming to Altadena some spring days in April and May.

The California Shakespeare Ensemble, after an April 20 season opener at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, will move to Altadena to perform on  Saturdays from April 27-May 25. According to its website:

The CSE is a theater group dedicated to professional and engaging performances of the works of Shakespeare.  We strive to bring brilliant actors from theater, film and television to some of the best written material of all time.  Minimal staging, minimal props, simply: beautiful stories told with beautiful words by brilliant performers.

Brian Elerding of CSE emailed us:"It looks like Farnsworth/LA County will be cosponsoring the California Shakespeare Ensemble's performances at the beautiful theater in the Davies Building at Farnsworth Park!  As part of our deal with them, we're going to be offering some free workshops on Shakespeare and theater for both adults and teens leading up to, and during our run there. The show and the workshops really promise to be a lot of fun."

What the play is, they aren't saying yet --- but the company promises that no two performances will be alike.  In 2012, CSE performed "Twelfth Night" in April and Dicken's "A Christmas Carol"  in December at Descanso Gardens.

The California Shakespeare Company's website is here.

 

Special education advisory committee meets Monday at PUSD HQ

Announcing the March Pasadena Unified School District/SELPA Special Education Dept. Community Advisory Committee general meeting at the PUSD Education Center.

Topic: LET’S DISCUSS OUR LOCAL PLAN-PART II.

We continue our discussion of the Special Education Local Plan, as part of this year’s formal review and revision process

Questions and comments can be sent to:joycac1@gmail.com

Please note the new venue and that the venue will periodically change.

When: Monday March 18, 6.15 - 8.30PM

Where: Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room, PUSD Education Center Room #236, 351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena

Free childcare and translation.

More details are available at: http://cac.pasadenausd.org

Morning jolt

• The silver years: On March 27 and 28,  MonteCedro will explore the meaning of “Silver Tsunami” with Dr. David Gobble, who is one of the directors of Masterpiece Living^®. During his presentation, he will also provide San Gabriel Valley seniors with a look into the future of retirement. To RSVP or receive additional information about MonteCedro, please visit www.montecedro.com/info or call 877-282-1584.
• Scholars: Altadena residents Kasey Locke and  Volney K. Youngstrom  made the academic Deans' List at Azusa Pacific University. These students are honored for a fall 2012 grade-point average of 3.5 or better. They are joined by 1,698 students receiving the same honor.

Irish dances for the whole family Sunday in Tujunga

by Timothy Rutt

Looking for something family-friendly on St. Patrick's Day?

Altadena dance instructor Lynnanne Hanson-Miller will be teaching Irish and English Country dances to live music at the Comfort & Joy Café in Tuhunga from 3-6 PM Sunday.

These are really fun partner dances but they can be a little tricky, and therefore are appropriate for ages 10 yrs. and up. But the younger ones may have fun just jiving to the wonderful music with a parent or sibling!

Food and beverages available for purchase. Hope to see you there.

The Comfort & Joy Cafe is at 10024 Commerce Ave, Tujunga. $7 per person at the door; 9 yrs. old and under free

Twilight hunt for Easter eggs at Farnsworth Park March 29

by Timothy Rutt

Ages up to 13 are invited to join in a twilight Easter egg hunt at Farnsworth Park on Friday, March 29.  

The egg hunt starts at 8 PM at the lower ball field, Lake Avenue and Concha Street.  Don't forget to bring a flashlight!

Town Council holds annual joint meeting with PUSD board March 19

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Town Council will host the board of the Pasadena Unified School District at its regular meeting Tuesday, March 29.

The annual joint meeting will largely look at joint concerns of both bodies, including educating the residents of group homes, funding a school resource officer, the African American male success initiative, and the effect of Prop. 30.

The meeting will be held at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., starting at 7 PM.

 

Two rob Lincoln Crossing Verizon store Thursday

PSN reports that two men -- one wearing a ski mask -- robbed the Verizon store at Lincoln Crossing Thursday night.  Details here.

Altadena NAACP recognizes 2013 Legacies honorees

 

Pictured: William Sims, Dr. George McKenna, Supervisor Antonovich, Altadena NAACP President Jalal Sudan, Jacques Bolton, Mrs. Victor McClinton, Dr. Hilary Dyson, Dr. Gwendolyn Bishop.

from the office of Supv. Antonovich

The Altadena Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) 2013 Tony Stewart Legacies of Community Service recipients were Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Dr. Gwendolyn Bishop, William Sims and the late Victor McClinton.

Tony Stewart was the founder and president emeritus of the Altadena NAACP.  She spent her life working for children education and civil rights. 

 

Soccer field proposal for John Muir High School gets mixed reviews

by Mercedes Aguilar
Pasadena Sun 

A proposal by Pasadena officials to relocate a proposed soccer field from Hahamongna Watershed Park, where it faced strong opposition, to John Muir High School received a mixed reception at a public meeting Wednesday, with some fearing it could impose on a student-run garden.

About 50 people attended the community outreach meeting that focused on approving the relocation of the project, which is being funded mostly by a $1-million state grant.

Concerned on how the construction of the sports field would affect the future of Muir Ranch, executive director Matthew “Mud” Baron said the project would limit the garden’s potential growth on school grounds.

The potential for expanding the garden had been discussed with city officials but nothing concrete had been set since he was unaware of the field proposal until a few weeks ago, Baron added.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

St. Patrick's weekend: too much to do!

by Timothy Rutt

There are so many things coming up this weekend, it’s hard to keep track of ‘em all, but we’ll try:

Friday

Isadora: Tonight (March 15), Kres Mersky presents “Isadora Duncan: A Unique Recital” at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa Street, starting at 7 PM.  The one-woman show celebrates the life of one of the most flamboyant and creative women of the 20th century, is adapted from Isadora’s own writings and provides a multi-dimensional portrait of a woman whose views on the arts, education, and women’s rights continue to inspire many today. the performance is absolutely free. This approximately one-hour performance is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and Poets & Writers, Inc. and directed by Paul Gersten. Following the event there will be a question & answer session with the star and author. Seating for this program is on a first come, first served basis.

Authorities continue to search Pasadena for assailants who fired on sheriff's deputies

by Joe Piasecki and Jason Wells
Pasadena Sun

UPDATE 9 PM: Pasadena authorities have announced that they have completed the search for the suspects and the neighborhood is open again.

-----

Authorities converged on a Pasadena neighborhood Thursday afternoon in search of two assailants who shot at a pair of sheriff’s deputies who were tailing them in an unmarked car.

Neither of the deputies, one of whom returned fire, were hit, but the condition of the two suspects – described as two black men with thin builds -- was not known, Pasadena police said.

The search shut down a large residential area, bordered by Maple Street to the south, Orange Grove Boulevard to the north, Hill Avenue to the east and Mentor Avenue to the west.

Police urged residents who live within the containment area to steer clear, or to head to Jefferson Elementary at 1500 E. Villa St. for regular updates should the search go beyond 5 p.m.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Crime blotter: shots fired, and 24 Hour Fitness again

24 Hour Fitness makes a return visit to our pages, as well as a firearms discharge, burglaries, and vandalism.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Monday, March 4
4:00 AM – A commercial burglary occurred in the 2000 block of N. Lake Avenue. Loss: desktop computer. ***Location equipped with burglar alarm*** 

11:09 AM – A stolen vehicle out of Altadena was recovered in the 700 block of W. Harriet St. 

Wednesday, March 6 
8:20 PM – An unlawful discharge of a firearm occurred in the 2600 block of El Sol Avenue. Suspects described as two male, Blacks, wearing dark clothing. Possible suspect vehicle: dark colored SUV, tinted windows. ***No injuries*** 

9:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 N. Lincoln Avenue. Loss: black computer tablet and currency. 

Thursday, March 7 
Between 10:00 PM and 9:00 AM (Friday) – A vandalism occurred at Verizon Wireless, 2230 Lincoln Avenue. Suspect(s) shattered the side glass door with a brick. 

Saturday, March 9 
Between 7:00 PM and 10:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block  of N. Oxford Avenue. Loss: blue cordless drill and currency. 

Visit the Altadena Sheriff's Station Web Page: 
http://www.altadena.lasd.org 

Follow Altadena Nixle: 
http://local.nixle.com/lasd---altadena-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/ 

MPYD Benefit at Brookside Golf Course April 13

by Timothy Rutt

Community members and organizations will be honored April 13 as part of the annual benefit fundraising dinner for Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD), to be held at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.

Keynote speaker will be Judge Victor Wright of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  Master of ceremonies will be Cameron Turner.

This year's honorees are:  The Vons/Safeway Foundation (Cardinal Paint Award); Helen Goodman (Volunteer Award); San Gabriel Valley National Council of Negro Women (Community Partner Award); Prof. Beverly Tate (Angel Award); and John Muir High School alum Miguel Reyes (Academic for Success Award).

Tickets are $100 each, and sponsorship opportunities are available.  To pay online, visit www.mypd.org/donate.html, or call 626-396-5600 x82009 for tickets, sponsorship, or more information.

 

Morning jolt

• Thursday night jazz: The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., hosts the Altadena Jazz Quartet tonight:  Quin Johnson, Joel Taylor, Chuck Manning, and others.
• Saturday morning martial arts:  Two Dragons Martial Arts at  2490 North Lake Avenue is offering FREE Martial Arts Classes to Altadena residents every month on a Saturday: March 16,  April 13, and May 11, from 9 AM-noon. 
• STARS for Tomorrow benefit:  The Lake Avenue Community Foundation will host its third annual "STARS for Tomorrow" benefit on Thurs., April 25. Through its STARS literacy-based tutoring program for elementary and secondary school students,  mentoring program, and other activities, the Foundation has been a partner with the Pasadena Unified School District for the past 11 years.  The benefit is at Noor - Sofia Ballroom, 260 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena.  For more information visit the event website at www.starsfortomorrow.com or call Beth Winton at 626-817-4507.

Christmas Tree Lane: the takedown is underway

by Timothy Rutt

The Christmas Tree Lane Association is seeking volunteers to help removed the lights from the deodars on Saturday and Sunday mornings.  Meet from 9 AM-noon, coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, and bagels will be provided, and lunch afterward.  Meet at Mendocino and Santa Rosa Avenue.   For information, visit christmastreelane.net,

 

Coffee with Capt. Benedict March 25 at the Coffee Gallery

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena Sheriff Capt. John Benedict and the Altadena Sheriff's Station will hold another  "Coffee with the Captain" gathering on Monday, March 25 at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Avenue, from 10 AM-noon.

This is a chance to meet with Capt. Benedict and other station personnel to learn about recent crime trends, discuss community issues, and how to start a Neighborhood Watch program.  For more information, call Sgt. Matthew Bossier, Jr., at 626-296-2106 or email: mbossie@lasd.org.

 

The Life of Pi: celebrating the irrational

Happy Pi Day, everybody (it's 3.14, therefore commemorating everybody's favorite irrational number).

The students at Caltech have already started the celebrations, and we definitely think that crusty dessert is in order today.

Peace & Justice Academy students collect 500 blankets for the homeless

 

The students of the Peace & Justice Academy deliver hundreds of blankets and jackets to My Friend’s Place teen shelter in Hollywood.

 

from the Peace & Justice Academy

This story actually began in October, 2012, when the students of the Peace & Justice Academy participated in the United Methodist Church’s Shalom Summit 2012 in downtown Los Angeles.  It was the 20th Anniversary of both the Rodney King riots and the foundation of the Shalom Zone.  The PAJA middle schoolers attended the conference at the Biltmore Hotel and then took a walking tour of the service providers on Skid Row.  Prior to this walk, most of the students had only heard about homelessness.  Now they were right in the middle of it. 

 

Alexis McLeod of My Friend’s Place, poses with three of the organizers: Adrian Arcaro, Johnny Jones and Casey Gibson.

Adrian Arcaro, a sixth-grader, was overcome by the number of people sleeping on the sidewalk -- without even a blanket.  “It was pretty cold that day,” said Adrian, “At least a blanket would help them be warm.”

 

Adrian teamed with fellow sixth-grader Madison Gibson, and tenth-graders Casey Gibson and Johnny Jones and their respective mothers to come up with a plan to do something.  They brought their idea for a blanket drive to executive director Kimberly Medendorp, who was happy to bless this community service project, the first one conceived totally by the students. 

Over the next four months the students created and implemented a plan that attracted almost 500 pieces.  They made a presentation at St. James Methodist Church asking for help and were overwhelmed with the donations, not just of blankets, but money, food and clothing, too.  They got a big boost from the father of one of their fellow students.  He works for Farmer’s Insurance. “One day, he brought in three big boxes full of blankets that were left over from a promotional event.  We had barely started and we already had 200 blankets!” said Casey.

Western singer Juni Fisher CD release party at Altadena Stables May 11

Juni Fisher performing at the Altadena Stables in April, 2012

by Timothy Rutt

With the announcement of the line-up at the Sheriff Support Group concert series, you know that summer is coming to Altadena.  One of the other summer concert series is Bob and Marie Mann's Big Hat Promotions series of cowboy and western performers.

While the Big Hat schedule is still being finalized, the Manns have announced that the first concert will be returning favorite Juni Fisher on Saturday, May 11.  According to a release from Big Hat, "the historic Altadena Stables has offered their unique location for our first event this year, "A Very Special Evening with Juni Fisher". Juni is currently putting the finishing touches on a brand new CD and this award-winning singer and songwriter has chosen Altadena Stables for her new CD release party and live concert. As Juni stated, “There could not be a better setting for a concert aimed at the horse community than the Altadena Stables!”

Gates open at 6 PM, and performance starts at 7 PM.  Light refreshments will be available. $25 per person cash donation requested at the door; advance reservations are required, as Juni's shows sell out early.  

Email big.hat@sbcglobal.net for your reservations.

Holden to hold open house, honor women of the 41st District

by Timothy Rutt

41st District Assemblymember Chris Holden wil hold an open house on Saturday, March 16, at his office at 600 N. Rosemead Blvd., Suite 117, in Pasadena.

he open house will be held from 2-5 PM, light food and refreshments will be served. A brief program will honor the 41st Assembly District 2013 Women of the Year.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information please call: (626) 351-1917 

Education advocates to be honored at PEN wine tasting

from the Pasadena Education Network

The Pasadena Education Network (PEN) will host PEN’s 5^th Annual Wine Tasting on Sunday, April 14, at the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, 270 Arlington Drive, Pasadena from 5 – 8 p.m.  The wine tasting event includes red and white wines donated by Everson Royce, light fare donated by Rachael’s Spaghetti Sauce, live music, and a silent auction.

PEN, a grassroots nonprofit organization that promotes family participation in public education in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre, believes that community and parent involvement are essential to building strong schools for all students.  Annually, PEN recognizes community and parent leaders who represent the type of involvement for which they advocate. This year, four local residents are being honored. 

• Jaylene Moseley has focused her efforts on improving resources and collaborations that benefit children and families in Northwest Pasadena and Altadena, especially under-served students and students attending John Muir High School. 
• Molly Munger is an advocate and supporter of public education in this community as well as communities throughout California, and has worked for years to improve public education for all students.   
• Ed Honowitz, who is retiring from the PUSD Board of Education after 12 years, is a PUSD parent who went from being an involved parent supporting his own student to becoming a parent leader working on behalf of all students in PUSD.
• PUSD parent Felita Kealing has served on numerous school site and district level committees.  She is one of the founders and the current Co-Chair of PUSD’s African American Parent Council.

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is a private two acre unique garden and a treasured historic landmark of Southern California.  Guests can wander through tranquil gardens, and through bridges and waterfalls while enjoying live music performed by Pasadena Unified School District students.

Morning jolt

• Energy: the Pasadena Unified School District receives an award today from Cenergistic, described as "a national company that helps organizations reduce consumption of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water."  According to a PUSD press release, the district has saved more than $1 million in utility costs through conservation.  Cenergistic's Award for Environmental Stewardship will be presented at a student assembly at Eliot Middle School, one of the top energy-saving campuses in the district.
• Scholar: Jessica Taylor Fagen of Altadena, CA (91001), was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2012 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Fagen is enrolled in the university's College of Arts & Sciences.  To qualify for the Dean's List in the College of Arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.6 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.
• Portantino joins USC: Former Assemblyman Anthony Portantino has joined the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of California's Dornsife Collegee as a visiting fellow and student mentor.  
• Spring Soiree:  the Pasadena Master Chorale's 2013 Spring Soirée will be April 27:  silent auction, hors d'oeuvres and libations, live music, a chance to meet the conductors and singers ... and a tour of the Gamble House.  TIckets are $50 and proceeds go to benefit the Chorale and the Gamble House.  Reserve your tickets now: go to http://pmc2013soiree.eventbrite.com/
  

 

Missing: female yellow lab, Brissa [gone home!]

Brissa has gone missing:  the 50-lb. femaie yellow lab went missing from her home on the 1200 block of Rubio Vista Road.  

UPDATE:  She was found by a neighbor, so all is well.

 

Off on a comet (PANSTARRS)

by Bill Westphal

Comet 2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) is visible in the evening sky for the next few days.  It is named after the Telescopic Survey that discovered it. A couple of images are attached from this evening. Taken with Canon 5D, Canon 70-200 f2.8 lens at ISO 400.

Full story with sky maps here:

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2013-088

 

Alan the family: Alan Zorthian named Doo-Dah Parade Grand Marshal

from the Lightbringer Project

Alan Zorthian, architect, art lover and proprietor of Zorthian Ranch, will serve as Grand Marshal of the 36th Occasiona Pasadena Doo Dah Parade.

Zorthian, son of well-loved bohemian couple Jirayr and Dabney Zorthian, has been responsible for renewing the life of the unique multi-acre property in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Altadena.

Alan grew up surrounded by artists and musicians and is no stranger to Doo Dah culture. Other Grand Marshals in the family include cousin, Savitri D., wife and collaborator with "Reverend Billy" and the Church of Stop Shopping who served in 2007, and of course Alan's parents, Jirayr and Dabney, who each served in previous years.

Upon their passing, many have conjectured about the fate of Zorthian Ranch. Alan took leadership by building and reinforcing structures on the property, while providing an archive for the art and life of his well-known parents.

Alan also hosts an annual International Folk Music Festival, and has invited the Institute for Urban Ecology to create an urban farm on 22-acres of ranch property. Now the Zorthian Ranch not only remains the site of eclectic cultural gatherings, it will become a hub for ecological workshops and organic 'growing.'

Odyssey School's Bilandzija: going the GOOD work

A year after winning a $10,000 grant, the teacher integrates language, gardening, theater, and nature into a wholistic experience for his students.

by Laura Monteros

Odyssey School teacher Darryl Bilandzija used his grant to integrate language arts with nature. Photos by Laura Monteros.

Remember those long, boring days in a classroom when all you wanted to do was to stare out the window?  And the teacher sharply reminded you to pay attention?

Teacher Daryl Bilandzija of Odyssey Charter School has a different approach.  With money from a $10,000 GOOD Magazine grant he received last April, he installed wide glass doors that open onto an outdoor stage overlooking the garden behind his language arts classroom.  The annual theater productions he instituted when he came to Odyssey four years ago will take place on the stage, and the garden he started provides both food and learning.

“Everything goes back to the garden,” he said when we spoke with him on Friday.  Lessons learned in the garden and in building raised beds or a chicken tractor integrate into Bilandzija’s middle school curriculum.

Lazy man's gardening
The garden is a strip of land that’s part of the grassy area at the back of the campus.  It has 40 different fruit trees, several raised beds with benches so students can converse as they garden, and vegtables growing around the trees.  The beds and several plots are sheet-mulched, which Bilandzija calls “lazy man’s gardening.”  Flattened cardboard boxes topped with compost provided by Altadena compostmeister Tim Dundon smother the grass and turn it into nitrogen.  By late spring, Bilandzija hopes to have the entire garden area sheet-mulched.

Pasadena Unified facilities chief resigns in wake of bond spending probe

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

Pasadena Unified’s chief of facilities has resigned in the wake of an investigation into alleged misuse of school construction bond funds, officials announced Monday.

David Azcárraga had been on paid leave since Dec. 5 pending the outcome of the probe by an accounting firm that specializes in fraud investigations.

School board members reviewed findings of the investigation during a closed session meeting on Feb. 26 but did not take any action, said school district attorney Nancy Doumanian.

Officials declined to discuss details of the probe and rejected a public records request submitted by the Pasadena Sun for its findings, with Doumanian saying the document falls under attorney-client privilege.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Altadena Crest Trail group meets at Community Center

There will be an Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG)  meeting Tuesday night, March 12.

The meeting will be at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive. Meeting chair Robert Staehle writes:

Please join us to work on restoration of the Altadena Crest Trail and associated issues, such as ongoing concerns re: the need for Brown Mountain Fire Road maintenance to enable local emergency evacuation and fire truck access.

Special thanks to Ray Backes for his volunteer maintenance of the Owen Brown Trail section that leads up to the peak of Little Round Top and the gravesite of Owen Brown, son of abolitionist John Brown. Ray has single-handedly restored the trail and improved runoff drainage to reduce future erosion.

Your participation and views are important. All are welcome!

Please bring trail conditions, concerns and photos to this meeting for discussion.

 

Sheriff's Support Group announces 17th annual summer concert series

by Timothy Rutt

It's just not summer in Altadena without the Sheriff Support Group's concert series at the Farnsworth Park amphitheatre.  This year's series, the 17th, was just announced, and it's a mix of new acts and crowd-pleasing returning favorites.

Producer Robert Klomburg said that the Rotary Club of Altadena will again be selling beer and wine and El Patron Mexican Food Restaurant will once again be serving Mexican food on site. (We've also heard some intel that says the beer selection will be much improved this year!)

Perennial returnees include the Downbeat Express with Jennifer Gates, Altadena's own Brian Hughes and Those Manning Bhoys, and crowd favorites Upstream, returning for their fourth appearance. New to the mix are Altadena jazzman Louis Van Taylor and his quintet, and rockers Law & Disorder and The Groove.  The Blue Breeze Band is also returning for their second appearance.

The grand finale is the return of Hot August Night, Dean Colley's Neil Diamond tribute to wrap up the summer.  All concerts are on Saturday starting at 7 PM.

The schedule is as follows:

July 6: Downbeat Express with Jennifer Gates (big band)

July 13: Law & Disorder (classic rock & roll)

July 20:  The Blue Breeze Band (R&B, soul, blues and more)

July 27:  Louis Van Taylor Quintet (cool jazz)

Aug. 3: Brian Hughes Band (contemporary Latin jazz)

Aug. 10: Upstream (reggae, calypso, soca & steel drum music)

Aug. 17:  The Groove (Oldies but Goodies)

Aug. 24: Those Manning Bhoys and Friends (Irish-American music)

Sept. 7:  Hot August Night, a tribute to Neil Diamond starring Dean Colley (presented by Community Events and SSGA)

The summer concert series is sponsored by Warner Bros.; Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Michael D. Antonovich; Biaetti-Seyffert/Podley; Rotary Club of Altadena; Athens Services; Georgia Rutherford in memory of Don Rutherford;  Toyota of Pasadena; The Printworks; All American Audio Visual; the Altadena Sheriff's Station; and Altadenablog.

Altadena Arts Center opens exhibition for Women's History Month

The Altadena Community Arts Center, 2460 N. Lake Avenue, celebrates Women's History Month with art and artists from a variety of cultural mileus:  Mika Cho, Korean; Cecilia Miguez, Uruguayan; Artis Lane and Janice Willis, African American, and Linda Arrelano, Mexican American.  The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturdays from noon to 4 PM.

 

El Portal fundraiser Wednesday for Pasadena Animal League (you can bring your dog!)

by Timothy Rutt

Come celebrate "Yappy Hour" at El Portal on Wednesday and benefit the Pasadena Animal League!

Formed in 2000 by a devoted group of Pasadena Humane Society volunteers, the Pasadena Animal League is the official auxiliary of the Pasadena Humane Society and holds charitable events to benefit the shelter’s spay and neuter programs.

On March 13, El Portal Restaurant, at 695 E. Green Street in Pasadena, will host "Yappy Hour" from 5-8 PM.  All are welcome to attend the event, where 15% of sales will be donated to the Humane Society. No reservations are needed and dogs are welcome on the restaurant’s outside patio. 

If you can't make "Yappy Hour," use the flyer anytime during the day, both eat-in and take-out.

The Pasadena Animal League (PAL) is a membership-based, all-volunteer organization formed in 2000 to hold charitable events to benefit the shelter, and operates under the humane society’s nonprofit status. Membership is $50 per year and is open to anyone who has a love of animals and a desire to support the humane society’s mission and promote its goals.

For more information about PAL, visit www.pasadenaanimalleague.org, or contact Mia Dunn, president, at (626) 497-7428.

Teen graphic novel club meets at the Library March 28

from the Altadena Library

The Altadena Library's Teen Graphic Novel Book club meets on Thurs., March 28, at the Community Room of the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

The club, open to all teens ages 13-17, is currently reading Full Metal Alchemist Vol. 1 and Neil Gaiman's Death: The High Cost of Living.

To learn more, stop by the Youth Reference Desk.  It's fun, FREE, and easy.  Space is limited, so sign up today.

 

Mysteries of Altadena: Cobb circles

Community correspondent Amy Jaecker-Jones sent us these pictures from the Cobb Estate hiking area: mysterious circular formations.  Is somebody making crop circles?  Or just further evidence that the place is haunted? Feel free to speculate in the comments!

Altadena Junction: in Just-spring (apologies to e.e. cummings)

Our weekly column is up at the Pasadena Sun, and it's a little taste of springtime in Altadena.

Poetry Corner: the times are a-changing (and did you change yours?)

Yes, it's time to jump your clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time.  It's also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.  (We don't have to, as two of them were giving the "I'm running out of power" warning beep at the same time last week, forcing a whole house late-night battery change ...)

Where were we?  Oh, yes: Gloriana Casey has some words to share about that:

"The TIMES, They Are  A Changing"

        from gloriana casey

For those of you who heed no clocks,
today is just a day.
For those who measure time all round,
you know just what I'll say!

 So---Happy Daylight Saving  Day,
for those who have time shock!
That day that takes an hour away;
so---- did you set that clock?

For this day here---move up an hour,
Spring FORWARD, in fall-- BACK!
Then if this day starts out all wrong
you've had a clock attack!

Altadena Ale & Wine House ready for St. Pat's next week

Plan on it for next week:  sponsor team member the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., opens at noon NEXT Sunday, March 17 for St. Patrick's Day, serving corned beef and cabbage, featuring Irish music, and good drinks and conviviality.

Emotional rescue: Altadena rescue team detains suspect during pit stop

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, who are all reserve deputies, had to put that status to use last week.

According to their website:

While on their way to the Winter Reaccreditation exercise being held at June Lake Ski Resort on Saturday, March 2, members of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team put their Sheriff's training to good use.

Five members of the team stopped off at a local market on their way to the exercise at June Lake Ski Resort from the hotel. It was at this market where members were approached by a female in the parking lot. She was obviously distraught and showed signs of abuse. Although shaken, the victim was able to convey to members of the team a rough description of the suspect. Moments later the suspect was spotted in the trees behind the building. Two sworn members of the team were able to detain the suspect until units from the Mono County Sheriff's Department arrived to take him into custody.

With the suspect in the custody of local law enforcement and the victim in good hands, the five members of AMRT joined the rest of the team at the winter reaccreditation exercise, where they collectively earned a nearly perfect score for the day.