altadenablog

Pasadena Master Chorale: What makes music sound American?

The Pasadena Master Chorale (PMC) will explore the answer to the question, "What makes music sound American?", when it presents “The Voice of America” on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 PM. at First Congregational Church in Pasadena. Under the direction of PMC founder and artistic director Jeffrey Bernstein, the renowned ensemble will present such works as Randall Thompson’s Frostiana, a setting of seven poems by Robert Frost, The Promise of Living from Aaron Copland’s opera The Tender Land; and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, an affirmation of the composer’s Jewish identity set in Hebrew.

 PMC will also perform Jeffrey Bernstein’s own tribute to the composer with whom he shares a surname, Elegy on the Death of Leonard Bernstein.

 “I remember vividly the day Leonard Bernstein died - October 15, 1990 – and it hit me hard,” Bernstein recalls. “He had written so much music I loved and had championed precisely those ideals which I find so dear in music that I felt a connection with him even though we never met.”

 Additionally, the Chorale will replace the traditional preconcert lecture – a staple at classical music performances worldwide – with an open rehearsal on Wednesday, May 15, at First Congregational Church at 7:30 PM. Those who attend will not only get a glimpse inside the rehearsal process but will also have an opportunity to speak with Bernstein about the music.

 Tickets for “The Voice of America” – made possible in part by grants from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts – are available for $25 general admission, $20 for seniors, and $15 for students. Admission is FREE at the door, however, to students at Pasadena Unified School District and their parents. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Pasadena Master Chorale website, www.pasadenamasterchorale.org, through any Chorale member, or at the door.

 

Altadena Town & Country Club open house April 28

The Altadena Town & Country Club will have its sixth annual Open House on Sunday, April 28 from 11 AM-4 PM.

The event will showcase the club’s elegant banquet rooms full service menus and innovative to core ideas for weddings, theme parties, and other special events.

There will be guided tours for prospective members during the day as well as hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Please RSVP at 626-794-7163.

Morning jolt

• Justice: Altadena’s David de Csepel  has been leading his family in recovering the artwork of  his great-grandfather, Baron Mor Lipot Herzog.  Baron Herzog, a Budapest-based Jewish banker, had 40 artworks, valued at $100 million, looted during World War II that are now in the possession of museums in Hungary.  Recently a federal appellate court allowed Herzog’s family to proceed with a lawsuit against the Hungarian government and the museums.  LA Times’ Jori Finkel has the details.
• Co-op: The LA Daily News has an editorial looking at the Arroyo Food Co-op ...
• Honors: The Soroptimist International Club of Altadena/Pasadena is honoring Elizabeth Claire Lambert, Philandra M. Brown, and Jackie J. Knowles at its fourth annual Live Your Dream Luncheon at the Women's City Club Wednesday, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena at 11:30 AM. Lunch is $25. 626-622-8410.

 

Bacon: is there anything it can't do? Institute has the cure

by Timothy Rutt

Bacon: the candy of meat. The gateway drug back to carnivorousness.

The Institute of Domestic Technology will hold a workshop on bacon curing, smoking, and infusing Saturday morning starting at 10 AM at the Zane Grey Estate:

 

Rashida Purifoy, Los Angeles' premier baconista, will guide us through each step in the bacon making process. We'll begin with a pork belly 101 lesson, including sourcing the best quality meat and a no-brainer discussion on food safety. 

Next it's on to the good stuff – curing! We'll learn the differences between dry and wet curing with a hands-on choice of hand-crafted rubs, bourbon, maple syrup, citrus zest and more from the Institute Flavorbar™

Bacon isn't "bacon" without the smoke-factor, so we'll assemble a home smoker that magically works in your home oven.

A class isn't complete without a tasting so of course we'll taste a variety of Rashida's Cast Iron Gourmet bacon. But in addition, the Institute has a reputation to uphold and that means alcohol infusions. Can you say bacon-infused bourbon? Yes, we'll each make a batch to take home and steep. We'll also be sure to have some on hand already steeped for you to taste, as well as a toast to a class well done!

 

Cost is $95, which includes ingredients, supplies, and tasting.  More information and signup here.

 

 

Robert Sherwin: "Who Am I" linocuts for Library's May artist

The Altadena Library Community Room Presents: “Who Am I”, linocut prints by Robert Sherwin.  Sherwin's work focuses on historical people and their accomplishments, which have also had a positive impact on us. This series is designed to be both artistic and educational.

Artwork will be on display in the Community Room for the month of May 2013.

The Altadena Main Library is at 600 E. Mariposa St. 

 

Poetry Corner: Earth Day

  EARTH DAY # 43
 " The Insect Wars"

from gloriana casey

 Our Earth, it is a lovely place,
in lively, long Earth life.
With 4.54 billion years,
you'd think we'd get it right.

For Earth Day is just forty-three,
since 1970.
So many changes-- climate made
along with industry.

For climate change brings hurricanes,
 and farm land filled with drought.
Plus don't forget the insects there,
to give us all a rout!

Found: bunny on Page Drive

Yvonne found a friendly, white, floppy-eared bunny on her front porch on Page Drive Sunday afternoon.  Any clues? Call her at 818 421-3994

 

Altadena Mountain Rescue Team goin' to the dogs last weekend

by TImothy Rutt

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team held a fundraiser Saturday, April 20,  at the Dog Haus Bier Garten in Old Pasadena.  For anyone who mentioned the team, the Dog Haus contributed 15% of sales.

Former assemblyman Anthony Portantino provided the picture, where he's mingling with members of the rescue team.  Portantino writes us that he decided to contribute after reading about the event in Altadenablog.

 

Doo-Dah Parade's Altadena roots

A drum major and bag pipers kicked off the 2012 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Photo: Raul Roa/Pasadena Sun

By Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

For an event that eschews tradition, the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade marches knee-deep in it — if only because of the loyalty Doo Dah has inspired among a lineage of artists, barflies, bohemians, exhibitionists and so-called normals craving a chance to let their freak flags fly.

Born Jan. 1, 1978 as a spoof on formalities of the Rose Parade, the countercultural creative happening turns 36 — times, not years, due to erratic scheduling — when it steps off Saturday at the corner of East Colorado Boulevard and Vinedo Avenue.

Doo Dah spectacles of the recent past have been populated by entries such as Dead Robert Palmer Girls, Benzedrine Monks, a fleet of motorized Kinetic Pastry Science Mobile Muffins, members of the UFO-based Raelian movement, a Flying Baby Street Racing and Stroller Cross competition, sword swallowers, kilted bagpipers, belly dancers, cross-dressers, steam punks, a bell-bottomed disco drill squad, hula hoopers, a completely hairless Uncle Fester, a massive robotic cat, a troupe of baguette-wielding French stereotypes, Hare Krishna, Hairy Krishna, a drawling Howdy Krishna, the L.A. Derby Dolls, a pedal-powered movable feast and costumed paparazzi pestering parade-goers.

Many faithfully return year after year to toss tortillas at spectators and be pelted in turn.

But perhaps no figure of parades past has left more of a mark on the Doo Dah milieu than the late artist Jiryar "Jerry" Zorthian, whose son, architect Alan Zorthian, reigns this year as parade grand marshal, a title bestowed on the elder Zorthian 16 years ago.

Jerry Zorthian's sprawling 40-plus-acre ranch in the Altadena foothills — then home to a menagerie of creative types and farm animals and a property that became littered with art objects, assorted junk and domiciles constructed from found objects — for years hosted raucous Doo Dah Queen selection ceremonies to kick off parade season before Zorthian's death in 2004 at 92.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Arroyo Food Co-op shows off the new place April 25

 

The Arroyo Food Co-op is holding a tour of its new building, the old George's Market at 494 Wilson Avenue in Pasadena.

by Timothy Rutt

The Arroyo Food Co-op is hosting an open house Thursday, April 25, at its new store site in Pasadena.

The open house runs from 6-8 PM at 494 N. Wilson Avenue.  Co-op board members will share plans for the store and offer tours of the property.  Light refreshments will be available.

The approximately 4,900 square-foot building, once the site of George's Market, also features a rental property on the top floor.

Now that they have a site, the co-op is reaching out to members for loans to get the store in operation. The co-op needs approximately $70,000 to renovate and refurbish the building, and another $251,000 for operational expenses and inventory.

A picture is worth a thousand words ....

It's time to bring this up again: original photos used on Altadenablog are protected by copyright, with or without watermark, and are not to be re-used without our express permission.

We bring this up because Patch has several times without permission used a photo we took of the tile mural on the floor of the Altadena Sheriff's Station in 2011  (see the original publication here, and note the angle of the photo and the flash on the point of the star at about 10 o'clock -- that's how we know it's ours).  We have reminded them of it more than once, but alas, it doesn't seem to get through to them. It's the top story today.

We have not granted permission to Patch, an arm of the New York City-based corporation America Online, to use this picture.  The also have not offered us any compensation to use this picture.  They may have gotten it from the Sheriff's Department, who has ALSO used the picture without permission, but we support the sheriff and are willing to let it slide in that case.  Maybe we shouldn't have.  Patch, on the other hand, is a large out-of-town corporation that is competing with us, a small local business, for the sponsorship dollars of other local businesses. We don't believe in supplying free content to our competitors, obviously.

We've written them several times offline and in their comments in the past, but it hasn't done any good, so we thought we'd let you know.

UPDATE:  After submitting an official Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice of violation to AOL/Patch, the picture has been removed.

 

 

 

Pet of the week: George

At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presents “George,” a 2-month old Yorkie Mix – one of many pets available for adoption now.  For more information about adopting a pet, please call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-728-4610.

Altadena Junction: Pests, poetry, and a car show

Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun (do not be frightened of the huge picture).

Teen/tween knitters and crocheters hang out at the Library April 27

Teens and tweens have a chance to be crafty with an informal hangout for knitters and crocheters and yarn artists off all kinds on Saturday, April 27, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

Open to all teens and tweens age 11-17, there will be great knitting and crochet books to check out, all levels of skills welcome (bring your own materials).

CERT classes offered at La Canada Flintridge in May

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will hold CERT classes on three consecutive Saturdays, May 11, 18, and  25 at Fire Camp #2 in La Canada Flintridge.

The Community Emergency Response Training is free, but you must register at www.fire.lacounty.gov/CERT.  Classes are from 9 AM-4 PM all days. You must attend all training sessions to receive a certificate, and lunch is provided. Click the flyer for more information.

 

 

Altadena Library looks at extreme weather May 13

Get ready for a look at extreme weather at the Altadena Library.

Friends of the Altadena Library present: “Extreme Weather: Are You Ready for More?”  presented by JPL Engineer, Robert Haw.

Find out about the strange weather events in the U.S. and throughout the world. Why do we have it? What can we do?

Robert Haw is the founder of the Climate Change Symposium, an annual event that brings together JPL scientists and policy experts

The free presentation will be  Monday, May 13, at 7 PM in the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St.   For more information:  (626) 798-0833; www.altadenalibrary.org

Monrovia fire means check your own preparedness

by Carolyn Seitz

As of about 6:15 PM this evening, Monrovia Fire Department indicated the fire was estimated to still be around 150 acres.  They issued a press release at about 6:40 affirming the information.

That was its estimated size by about 1 pm this afternoon.

The fire was moving east as of the time of their last briefing and winds are relatively light.

Those who've lived on the foothills for a while are acutely aware that wind speed and direction can change in a blink and fire has a mind of its own.

Even though it is some distance from Altadena and the foothills of unincorporated East Pasadena and Sierra Madre, it's a good idea to stay vigilant.

You're probably hearing the aircraft making round trips to drop water on the fire.

While we're all hoping for a speedy resolution for the residents of Monrovia and all of the people involved in fighting this fire, take a moment to check your own preparations just in case you're faced with little to no advanced warning that you're being asked to evacuate.  Many in the Monrovia hillside had very little notice to evacuate today.  Would you be ready to take quick action?

With hot days and low humidity, stay watchful. 

Brushfire in Monrovia [UPDATED]

by Timothy Rutt

That's what you're smelling: there's a brushfire in Monrovia, several agencies involved.  We're monitoring the scanner.  Two firemen down with injuries so far.

City of Monrovia is tweeting (3.20 PM):

Be advised @MonroviaPolice closing streets north of Foothill Blvd, Lincoln to Myrtle to thru traffic. Residents can still get to/from homes

You can follow the reports on Twitter at #monroviafire.

UPDATE: The city of Monrovia has issued the following statement: 

This candy ain't dandy: Altadena deputies break up dope candy operation

LA Sheriff Department photo of marijuana "candy" seized from an address on the 500 block of Figueroa Drive Friday.

 

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena detectives arrested two following a warrant search that uncovered a marijuana candy operation Friday.

Detectives from the Altadena Sheriff Station and narcotcs bureau received information that a location on the 500 block of Figueroa Drive contained drugs.  After receiving a search warrant and entering the location, officers discovered that the location also held a marijuana candy manufacturing and sales operation.

"Several pounds of marijuana was seized at the location along with a large amount of homemade 'candy' containing marijuana (suckers and chocolate bars), and equipment used in the "candy" manufacturing process," according to a sheriff's press release.

Two suspects were arrested at the location, but their names are being withheld as the investigation is continuing.

The sheriff has also released a photo of some of the 'candy' to alert parents, as the products are "typically targeted towards teens," according to the press release.

Park Bench Grill: not the same deli

Nancy Alvarez, a holdover from the old restaurant, now works with Park Bench Grill owner/chef Larry Quishenberry.

by Timothy Rutt

 

This week, a Lake Avenue restaurant re-opened with a new look, a new owner, and a (slightly) new name.

The Park Bench Grill -- formerly the Park Bench Deli -- opened Monday under the ownership of master chef Larry Quishenberry.  A long-time Altadena resident (and graduate of Eliot and John Muir High School), Quishenberry said didn’t think he’d ever be in charge of his own restaurant.

A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, Quishenberry’s ambition was to be an executive chef.  To that end, he’s worked at the Mariott in Los Angeles, the Granville Café in Burbank, and spent eight years in the kitchen at Brookside Park golf course, where he made some pretty high-end grub.

But then he knew the owner of the Park Bench Deli, who wanted to retire after 21 years and persuaded him to buy the restaurant.  Quishenberry said that he wanted to honor the old restaurant’s tradition:  “it’s been a deli for a long time, and they have a lot of established customers,” he said -- but also re-orient it slightly, turning it into more of a sit-down restaurant with entrees, pastas, and hot sandwiches.

Why did he decide to take the plunge with the Park Bench Grill? “I think Lake Avenue is kind of primed for small businesses,” Quishenberry said.  “It’d be nice to have a couple more small restaurants over here.”

The Park Bench Grill, 2470 N. Lake Avenue, is open Mon-Sat. from 11 AM-7 PM, closed Sundays.

 

The new Park Bench Grill sign looms over the canopy, which still has the old name.

 

Webster's Fine Stationers Poetry Jam tonight

Webster's Fine Stationers celebrates Poetry Month with an "Eccentric Poetry Jam" tonight, from 5:30-8:30 PM.

Patricipating poets include Aldonia Bailey, Amin El, Joyce Miles, and others, as well as open mic signups, refreshments, and music.  A portion of proceeds go to benefit the Young At Art Project.

 Webster's Fine Stationers is at 2450 North Lake Avenue.

Whisper Farms aquaponic farm open house today 10 AM-4 PM

A commercial aquaponics system. Picture: Wikipedia Commons.

Altadena Farmers' Market vendors Whisper Farms is hosting an open house today from 10 AM-4 PM featuring their aquaponic garden.  It's part of the Aquaponics Associations's 2013 "Tour de Tanks" promotion.  

"Aquaponics" is a system that uses aquatic creatures and plants  to grow food in a symbiotic system.

Whisper Farms is at 1522 E. Topeka St., just three blocks south of New York Drive and east of Hill Avenue.

"Writing Under the Influence" workshop at the Library Tues. April 23

The Friends of the Altadena Library District Present WRITING “UNDER THE INFLUENCE” (of music):  a poetry and prose workshop by Mira N. Mataric on April 23 from 6 - 8 PM.

Bring pen, paper and the readiness to explore new ways to contact your muse

Dr. Mira Mataric is an internationally known and award-winning poet who helps writers at all levels with pose prose and poetry.

Mataric has published 34 books of poetry, short stories, novels and translations.  She Teaches creative writing and organizes public poetry readings. She has received over 20 international awards.

Altadena Library Community Room

600 East Mariposa Street

Altadena, CA 91001(626) 798-0833 ● http://www.altadenalibrary.org

Pasadena Jewish Temple sponsors immigration discussion April 30

The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center Tikun Olam Committee and Greater Pasadena Jews for Justice invite you to: "Understanding Immigration Reform – An Evening of Learning and Discussion" on Tuesday, April 30, at 7:30 PM.

Join us for an educational evening exploring one of the most important issues facing us today.  Learn what you can do to advocate for your views.

The evening will feature a distinguished panel, including:

• Angelica Salas, who grew up and lives in Pasadena, is the director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and is  one of the most gifted activist/organizers on immigration issues in the country.
• Simon Burrow is an entrepreneur, immigration rights activist, and founder of Rational Immigration, an organization based on the belief that it is morally wrong to discriminate against people based on where they were born.  
• Moderator:  Janice Markham is co-producer and host for Press for Democracy, which airs on Free Speech TV.
• Pedro Benitez, a junior at Blair High School in Pasadena.

 

Annual picnic is off this year as the Altadena Community Garden revitalizes landscape

by Timothy Rutt

 

Silvera Grant holds up a diagram of the Altadena Community Garden revitalization project at the March meeting of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.

The good news: the Altadena Community Garden is planning to revitalize the landscaping outside of the garden.

 

The bad news:  the work means there'll be no picnic this year.

According to Silvera Grant, director of the garden at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Palm Street,  the  shrubs in the area outside of the garden fence were getting old, and full of litter and invasive plants.  Garden members, along with students from Cal Poly Pomona, drew up a Corner Revitalization Project for garden.

So far, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation "has already cleared, mulched and installed a new state of the art solar timer irrigation system" in the landscaped area outside of the garden's fence.  

"They will also provide long term maintenance of the area once the project is completed. The only parts missing now are the plants and planting supplies to cover the 3,800 square feet, estimated to cost $14,000," Grand said in a press release.  To raise that money, the garden has mounted a capital campaign, thru direct mail requests and presentations to community groups.

The landscape outside the fence will be divided into three formal planting areas: California native plants, cactus and succulents, and drought-tolerant Mediterranean plants. "They will serve as educational tools for the community, providing landscaping ideas for those wishing to create water-conserving landscapes at home. In addition, the plants will be a draw for beneficial insects and pollinators, aiding the vegetable growers inside the ACG," Grant said in the release.

Altadena Heritage, the Altadena Kiwanis Club, and a private donor have already backed the project, according to Grant.

Grant told Altadenablog that the work meant that the annual picnic would have to be cancelled this year.

The garden -- which holds a well-attended annual picnic and resource fair --  was formed in 1973 and located at the site of the former Mt. Lowe Military Academy.  When the county decided to build an equestrian ring at what is now Loma Alta Park, the garden was moved to its present location.  It has 64 plots and hosts a children's gardening program and Victory Garden extension classes.  

The garden is a 501(c)3 corporation, and donations are tax-deductible.

To donate, checks should be made payable to Altadena Community Garden, and sent to P.O.Box 6212 - Altadena, CA 91003-621

For more information,call: 626-470-7482 or go to: http://www.altadenacommunitygarden.com.

Afternoon delight

• WFS needs love:  Webster’s Fine Stationers, 2045 N. Lake Avenue, is entered in the “Small Business Going Strong”  contest with Intuit. They’re looking for a $5,000 prize to help upgrade their interior to support more arts events, which have become a mainstay with the local business.  Hit it here to vote for Webster’s!
• Garage sale:  No strangers to these pages Marisol Martinez and Lance Anderson are lightening their load this weekend with a Giant Garage Sale. “Tons of cool stuff: antiques (dressers, chairs, bridge table set), furniture, entertainment center, appliances, bookcases, vintage & designer clothes, leather belts, luggage, books, garden tools, trunks, Halloween decorations, running gear (clothes, packs), vintage industrial office desk, kitchen ware & quirky collectables.”  Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM-4 PM, 3146 Marengo Avenue.
• Rose Bowl thorns: The City of Pasadena will be hosting the "Autism Speaks" family fun walk at the Rose Bowl this Saturday, April 20. Walk Now for Autism Speaks: Los Angeles has raised over $1,585,361.00 to change the future for those that struggle with Autism (www.walknowforautismspeaks.org).  The walk is expected to attract between 35,000 - 40,000 participants who will join each other to walk around the Rose Bowl for this worthy cause. To facilitate the event, a Full Bowl Closure will be in effect from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.   Residents and participants should expect traffic delays and detours while driving in the area of the Rose Bowl. 

Altadena Heritage's April killer pest workshop is now free for all

by Timothy Rutt

From Michele Zack at Altadena Heritage, the April 24 workshop on tree-killing pests is now free for everyone.   Previous story here. 

Zack emailed that the AH board decided at the April 17 meeting "since we all benefit if fewer trees die in Altadena, we will open the April 24 Altadena: Heritage of Abundance workshop presented by Arboretum tree expert Franch McDonough as a 'free to everyone' — non-members won't have to cough up $5 after all!   Most important thing is to spread the word.  Donations always welcome ..."

The meeting is at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., from 7:30-9 PM.  Click on the graphic for more information.

The buzz: is Ralphs installing a bakery? Is AltaEats ready to talk?

by Timothy Rutt

Two things are buzzing in Altadena at the moment -- we’re on the case, but not really getting anywhere right now:

• Bakery and deli at Ralphs?  That’s the rumor going around: Greg and Ericka Lozano-Buhl have been passing around a picture in the local newsgroups that say the long-neglected Ralphs Market on Lake Avenue will start construction of a deli and bakery this summer, in an attempt to up its game.  With the Walmart Neighborhood Market moving in at Lincoln Avenue, and unsubstantiated-but-not-going-away rumors that the giant retailer is planning the same thing for the Calaveras Crater next door to Ralphs, it seems like a smart move, if maybe too late.  Greg says he took the picture of the new floorplan while the clerks were discussing it wth him (and for various reasons, we’re not running the picture he took).   We’ve left several email and phone messages with the Ralphs spokesperson this week, but no response so far.
• AltaEats:  One of Altadena’s two new restaurants opened a few weeks ago, and the reviews are really good.  AltaEats, 1860 N. Allen Avenue, is in that weird Pasadena/Altadena border (i.e. Pasadena address, but really in Altadena) and has been a long-time coming, a victim of the county’s code enforcement regime.  Again, we’d love to do a story, but our several phone calls and emails to them remain unanswered.  

Altadena's PHS standout Bayley Neubauer to go to New Orleans

 

Pasadena High 6-foot-4 senior middle blocker Bayley Neubauer signed her national letter of intent with the University of New Orleans, an independent Division I program, on Wednesday afternoon on the campus of Pasadena High. (Courtesy of Bayley Neubauer) (April 17, 2013, Pasadena Sun)

 

By Andrew J. Campa
Pasadena Sun

A historic season for the Pasadena High girls’ volleyball team included one more achievement Wednesday afternoon.

Bulldogs senior middle blocker Bayley Neubauer joined with friends and family on her Pasadena High campus in signing a national letter of intent with the University of New Orleans, an independent Division I program.

“I’m excited to be signing and to be heading to New Orleans,” said Neubauer, a 17-year-old Altadena resident. “I liked the coaching staff and the people and the area is a lot like SoCal. It’s nice and warm and I’ll enjoy that.”

The 6-foot-4 Neubauer selected New Orleans over Coppin State, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Cal State Dominguez Hills after she took an official visit to the bayou on April 9.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Three Altadenans inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

Three Altadena residents were recognized by being inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

According to a release from Phi Kappa Phi, Nancy Warter-Perez, Hengchun Ye, and Stacey Boland were inducted into the honor society.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. The Society has awarded approximately $15 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, $1 million is awarded each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad scholarships, member and chapter awards and grants for local and national literacy initiatives.

For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Webster's Fine Stationers raising funds for Texas disaster relief

Altadenablog  sponsor Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Avenue, is remember the people of West, Texas, site of the fertilizer plant explosion this week:

As the nation grieves with Boston, another tragic event took place in Texas. We are thinking about the countless people who have experienced loss, not only of their homes, but of loved ones. We are thinking about the many businesses there that were damaged or entirely decimated.

We will be taking donations at the store, and asking you if you'd like to "Round Up For Texas" - round up your purchase to the nearest dollar and we'll drop the difference into our donation box. If you'd like to make a donation yourself, please send them to: Point West Bank, PO Box 279, West, TX 76691, and identify it as a donation to the explosion victims. We send the residents of West, Texas, prayers of light, love, and healing.

Sequestration cancels JPL's open house

by TImothy Rutt

As reported in the LA Times and at its community websites, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory has suspended this year's open house, which always draws thousands to the NASA facility every spring.

The event, which had been scheduled for June 8 and 9, was a casualty of the federal government's sequestration budget cuts.

According to JPL's website, the event may be held later in the fall if the budget permits.

 

"Change" to believe in: Whole Foods Arroyo to benefit Waldorf School

from the Pasadena Waldorf School

Whole Foods Market Arroyo in Pasadena has selected Pasadena Waldorf School in Altadena as the non-profit beneficiary of its Recycle Your Change program. Beginning April 15 and going through July 7, 2013, all the change collected at each register at Whole Foods Market Arroyo will be donated to Pasadena Waldorf School.

“There are more non-profits per capita in Pasadena than anywhere else in the United States, and we are humbled that Whole Foods Market Arroyo has chosen our school as an organization that supports and shares their values of community development, education, healthy diets, and sustainability,” said Melissa Puls, Pasadena Waldorf School Director of Development. “With so many of our parents already supporting Whole Foods Market Arroyo in providing quality food for their families, we feel this is a perfect opportunity for both organizations to benefit from the Recycle Your Change program.”

In addition to supporting Pasadena Waldorf School with the Recycle Your Change program, Whole Foods Market Arroyo has also generously donated organic dairy and dairy-alternatives for the school’s new social enterprise, the coffee cart on the school’s lower campus that serves up espresso and tea drinks daily to parents, faculty and staff.

Please join Pasadena Waldorf School in supporting Whole Foods Market Arroyo and Recycle Your Change.  

Whole Foods Market Arroyo is located at 465 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105.

Now open: Shop Altadena on Facebook

by TImothy Rutt

Altadenablog, your only Altadena-based news website,  has opened up a new Facebook page exclusively for Altadena businesses.

"Shop Altadena" is a one-stop place on Facebook where local businesses can share their sales, openings, new product lines, etc.  You do not have to be an Altadenablog sponsor to participate, but we DO love our sponsors!

Please note that this is only open to local businesses (home-based, storefront, services) etc. in the Altadena/Pasadena/LCF area. We will be monitoring it to insure that everybody plays fair and respectfully.

Check it out here.  Who will make the first entry?

 

Library offers a spring and summer of entertainment and education

The Friends of the Altadena Library have announced their spring and summer program of performances and programs:

• Celebrate national poetry month in April with award-winning poet and poetry coach Mary Torregrossa on April 20 with "Essence and Essentials for Writing Poetry: go where it takes you but take only what you need." The program is Saturday, April 20 from 4 to 6 PM.
• Award-winning author, poet, and writing teacher Dr. Mira Mataric will hold a poetry and prose workshop, "Writing Under the Influence (of music.)" Bring pen, paper, and readiness to explore new ways to contact your muse. The workshop will be on Thursday, April 23. from 6 to 8 PM at the library.
• On Saturday, April 27, the LIbrary's annual Poetry and Cookies festival will be held at the Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa Street, starting at 2 PM. The event is a chance for poets and poetry fans to get together, purchase poetry books, and enjoy the poetic muse (with cookies, of course).  There will also be a short open mic.
• May opens with a world premiere staging of "Evenings with the Boys in the Backroom," a play by Peter Adum & Joyce Fante.  The Moveable Theatre Co. production is produced and directed by Holly J. Witham and features David Datz, Joe Estevez, J. Todd Howell, Karen Louis, Shaun Duke Moosekian, Bruce Nehlsen, and Evelyn Ortiz.  A Q&A with playwright Adum and reception follow the performance.  Admission is a $20 donation to the Friends of the Library for the Sunday May 5 performance, at 3 PM at the library.
• On Monday, May 13, JPL engineer Rober Haw will look at "Extreme Weather."  Haw, a founder of JPL's Climate Change Symposium, will talk about the strange weather events in the U.S. and throughout the world.
• On Tuesday, May 14, MonteCedro will present a program on "Neurobics: Memory Enhancement" from 10 AM-noon.  Learn about the brain and exercises you can do to keep it young.  There will be hand-outs and a free drawing for memory enhancement prizes.
• On Monday, June 17, after a short Friends meeting at 7 PM, JPL volcanologist Dr. Rosaly Lopes will amaze with a multi-media presentation, "Volcanoes I Have Known."  Thrill to erupting volcano sites, lave flows, and their power and beauty, both on earth and on other planets.
• And on Saturday, June 22, author Amanda Winn Lee will talk about her e-book, "The Noodle Chronicles: Everthing I Know About Cheating Death I Learned From My Kid." Come take a stroll through her consciousness as she navigates the arduous, and sometimes surprisingly hilarious, journey of her family's battles with cancer (and don't worry, the kid lives).

Programs, except for Poetry and Cookies, are held in the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., and all events (except the May 5 fundraiser) are free.

Crime blotter: arrests, Focus Point gets some calls, and 24 Hour Fitness back again

A few arrests highlighted this week, Focus Point Academy has some discipline problems, and 24 Hour Fitness, 'nuff said.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Thursday, April 4th 

A burglary and identity theft suspect was arrested (Jaime Aqualina,  female / 28 years old, resident of Pasadena) by Altadena detectives. Two search warrants were executed regarding the case and multiple items of evidence were recovered. 

Friday, April 5th 

Altadena deputies arrested an individual for possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of drugs (stimulant). 

Saturday April 6th 

Altadena Deputies arrested Sergio Huezo (male / 34 years old, resident of Altadena) for being drunk in public after he was observed drinking in public and staggering on the sidewalk near Harriet Street and  Glen Avenue. 

Altadena deputies arrested an individual for domestic violence in the 2000 block of Washington Boulevard. after the suspect’s wife reported being assaulted. 

Sunday, April 7th 

A resident in the 200 block of Poppyfields Drive reported that between 03/07/13 and 04/07/13 someone stole his handgun, which was kept in a drawer at his residence. 

Between 12:00 AM and 4:30 PM – A burglary of a storage shed occurred in the 900 block of E. Mariposa Street. Loss: vintage music records. 

Monday, April 8th 

Between 7:15 AM and 10:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1200 block of E. Calaveras Street. Loss: jewelry box and centennial coins. 

8:00 AM - A resident of Altadena reported he was the victim of a telephone scam. The 80 yr. old victim received a phone call from someone who posed as his grandson. The suspect stated he needed $3,000 to post bail. The victim wired the money overseas and later discovered his grandson was not in jail. Loss: $3,000. 

Between 8:35 AM and 3:35 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1200 block of Calaveras Street. Loss: jewelry box containing misc. jewelry. 

MonteCedro to break ground this summer

 by TImothy Rutt

MonteCedro – the along-planned retirement community on the site of the historic Scripps Home – plans to finally break ground late this summer.

Martha L. Tamburrano, president/CEO of the Episcopal Homes Communities, told the Altadena Town Council at Tuesday night’s meeting, “This project is going to be a $100 million construction investment in Altadena, but what it’s really going to be is a long – term investment in the community.”

Tamburrano said that the project is going to bring about 100 jobs to Altadena with good pay, benefits, and stability In jobs including nursing, administration, dining services and maintenance.

According to a statement from MonteCedro, due to financing requirements, the development must have 130 residences, or 70%, reserved before construction begins, and they expect to hit that mark by the end of summer. Plans call for the development to offer 186 apartments and villas for adults aged 60 years and older,

Currently, MonteCedro is “deconstructing” homes on the property on the west side of Crawford Avenue and the north side of Alameda Street. The statement from MonteCedro says that materials from these buildings, such as wood doors, cabinets and windows, will be donated to the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

The statement says that the development will have a security company patrol the property and that crossing guards will be located on Calaveras and Alameda to control traffic flow around the property, which is across the street from Altadena Elementary School. MonteCedro says it will also be working with local schools to educate students on construction science and safety.

DPR  Construction of Pasadena is the contractor of the project.

Altadena Town Council elections set for June 8

Packets will soon be available for residents to run for seats on the Altadena Town Council, with the election set for June 8.

According to Rick Keaton of the election committee, packets should be available by Thursday, April 18, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive. Completed packets should be delivered to the Altadena Community Center no later than 5 PM May 17. There will also be a candidate forum at the Altadena Town Council meeting on May 21.

There is one seat up for election in each of the eight census tracts in Altadena. Town Council members serve two-year terms.

Polish your poetry with Mary Torregrossa on Saturday at the Library

The Altadena Library continues its celebration of poetry month with a free workshop from Mary Torregrossa on Saturday, April 20.

Torregrossa is a founding member of the Emerging Urban Poets in Pasadena, dedicated to the open and welcoming free public space for writers and readers of all ages. She has taught poetry workshops to children, youth, and adults, to immigrants and individuals.

The Los Angeles poetry Festival selected Mary as a 2009 Newer Poet of LA. Mary has been profiled in the Los Angeles Times and in the Pasadena Journal, and has read her poems on Pacific Radio station KPFK. Mary's work is published in several anthologies, journals, and online.  

The workshop, "Essence and Essential's for Writing Poetry: go where it takes you but take only what you need," is from 4 to 6 PM at the Altadena Library Community Room, 600 East Mariposa St.

 

The art of tar: James Griffith's' natural paintings

James Griffith's "Studio 918" on Altadena Drive.

Carren Jao has an interesting profile of Alta-artist James Griffith in the KCET blog. The painter (and co-proprietor, with Suzanne Dadd, of the Folly Bowl) has been working in an unusual medium: tar from the La Brea Tar Pits.   Griffith paints with the tour to produce paintings that reflect the concerns of today using this most ancient of materials. There's a look at his studio as he prepares for a showing at El Camino College.

 

Morning jolt: hungry yet?

• Eat I: Shawna Dawson of Altadena and Sonja Rasula are the organizers of the annual LA Street Food Fest at the Rose Bowl on June 29. This event always sells out and tickets go quickly -- you can get more information at LAstreetfoodfest.com.
• Eat II: The Eliot Middle School PTA tells us that El Patron Mexican Restaurant, 2555 N. Lake Ave.,  will give a portion of the proceeds from every customer who eats in or gets takeout, between 2-8 PM today, Wednesday, April 17. 
• Eat III: It's Taco Wednesday at the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., from 6-10 PM today.

SGV Newcomers meet in Sierra Madre May 1

Newcomers and Friends of San Gabriel Valley is having a Meet-and-Greet Coffee on Wednesday, May 1, 10 AM-noon, at a member's home in Sierra Madre, CA. 

 

Looking to meet new friends, have some fun, and become more familiar with the area?

 

All women that are new to this area, or have had changes in their lives, or are looking for fun and interesting daytime activities and making new friends are cordially invited to stop by for socializing and refreshments (no charge to attend), and to learn about the other exciting events available during the upcoming month. Newcomers and Friends of SGV is a friendly, warm, welcoming group.

For more information, please visit our website, www.sgvnewcomers.com.

 This Newcomers chapter has existed since 1965 and has one hundred members. It is a fun way to become acquainted with the community, meet new people, and make friends through a variety of activities.

There are Newcomers chapters all over California and the world. Newcomers & Friends of San Gabriel Valley offers the following regular activities:

Altadena Heritage looks at tree-killing invaders April 24

by Timothy Rutt

Nancy Romero lives in a 1909 Craftsman farmhouse and -- up until late 2012 -- she had a row of boxelders that were the same vintage.

But now she's gone from a shady garden to a sunny garden, and not by choice.

Romero called an arborist when the trees were showing obvious signs of distress.  The arborist said they had to be cut down -- and not just cut down, but ground up, contain the dust, and make sure the sawdust never goes into any greenwaste for composting.

The reason? Her trees fell victim to an invading pest, the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer.  The beetle, named  Euwallacea fornicatus, just to let you know what scientists think of it, digs small holes into trees to move in.  The females carry a fungus with them, that  infests the tree, and the beetle and its larvae live off of it.

First detected in California in 2003, the beetle is believed to have come from Asia or Africa.  It bores "galleries" in trees where the water flows from roots to leaves, grows the fungus in them, and that's where the larvae feed.  Brothers mate with sisters, and a mated female begins to dig her own galleries and plant her own fungus farm.

Romero said that it only took a matter of months before her trees began to die.

The problem is widespread around California, as E. fornicatus can attack almost any native or fruit tree.  The total destruction of an infected tree is currently the best way to stop them.

Altadena Heritage is holding a workshop on Wednesday,  April 24, with Frank McDonough of the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden to look at E. fornicatus and another tree-killing invader, the Goldspotted Oak Borer.  McDonough will talk about the effects of the invasion, and possible ways to destroy the pests.

The meeting is at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., from 7:30-9 PM.  Admission is free for members, and $5 for non-members.  Click on the graphic for more information.

Historical society looks at the Scripps Home on April 22

Members of the Altadena Historical Society (AHS) and the Episcopal Home Communities look through the contents of a box of documents and pictures from the Scripps Home on Nov 22, 2011. From left: former Scripps resident Jeanne Guernsey, Mary Lou Langedyke of AHS, Martha Tamburrano, president and CEO of the Episcopal Homes Communities, AHS Archivist Sherry Cavallo, and Kathy Hoskins of AHS.

Historian and archivist Tim Gregory will speak at the quarterly meeting of the Altadena Historical Society on Monday, April 22, 7:30 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  

Gregory will speak on "A Place Like No Other: The Story of the Scripps Home."  While the Scripps Home is gone forever, a century's worth of residents' memorabilia, photos, scrapbooks, and ephemera was donated to the Altadena Historical Society in 2011. Archivist Gregory organized the more than 1500 documents. Please join us to hear Tim discuss the collection and the history of the home., and have an opportunity to look at some of the most significant parts of the collection.

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Pasadena Waldorf School performs "The Wizard of Oz"

 

Students at the Pasadena Waldorf School in Altadena perform "The Wizard of Oz". Photos provided by the Pasadena Waldorf School.

 

 

On Thursday, March 21, the Pasadena Waldorf School (PWS) eighth grade class presented their version of the classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” with repeat performances the next day. There were two shows on both days, allowing multiple student players the opportunity to explore various roles. All performances held in the Eurythmy Room played to capacity crowds.

Class performances are an integral part of the curriculum at Pasadena Waldorf School. Each class participates in staged productions that reflect or enhance the academics of their program. On March 13, the first grade class presented a short play as part of their Japanese program. Hiromi Koyanagi, the school’s Japanese instructor, taught the children to recite a traditional story about a family’s attempt to pick a turnip while several of the students acted out the roles in the story. The simple production was an opportunity to immerse the children in the language they are learning.

Concurrent to the eighth grade production, the second grade also presented its own production to family and friends as an extension of their language arts block. The second graders performed an adaptation of the Irish folktale, “The King of Ireland’s Son,” which had been translated from the Gaelic by Padraic Colum in 1916. The students supplemented their dramatic work with an illustrated reader to accompany the tale.

Second grade teacher Wendy Campbell elaborated on the use of drama in the curriculum. “The storylines of all our plays throughout the grades involve striving and elements of struggle, internal reflection, and action springing out of bravery, faith, and goodness,” Campbell said.

 

Celebrate Altadena Ale & Wine House's third birthday May 1

The Altadena Ale & Wine House is celebrating its third anniversary with a special party on May 1.

The fun starts at 5 PM with BBQ, potluck, drink specials,  wine raffles,  and giveaways.  Jazz music starts at 6 PM, and there'll be lots of fun to be had.

The Altadena Ale & Wine House is at 2329 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, 21 and older, please!

 

Sheriff on heightened alert following Boston bombings

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department  is on heightened alert following the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon earlier today.

"While the cause of the explosions this morning at the Boston Marathon are still under investigation, our vigilance has been raised," said Sheriff Lee Baca in a statement. "The heightened alert of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department includes increased patrols to create a more visible presence where people congregate, such as government buildings, shopping centers, athletic events, and public transit. Partnering with local police and public safety agencies and other countywide efforts have been enhanced, including opening the Sheriff's Department Operations Center to maximize communication." 

"As always, we encourage the public: 'If You See Something, Say Something.' The greatest deterrent to crime is often a phone call to law enforcement by a person who sees something that just doesn't look right," said Sheriff Baca. "Our thoughts and prayers go to the many victims, families, friends, and first responders affected by this tragedy." 

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff's Station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637,) or using the websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org/ 

Breaking: Jackson Elementary being cleared out

PUSD has reported that Jackson Elementary students are being released to their parents or afterschool programs early. According to the Altadena watch commander, it is related to the three burglary suspects currently being sought by the Pasadena police department who were last seen at Windsor/Woodbury. The authorities are setting up a containment area in the neighborhood.

Breaking: Sheriff's looking for burglary suspects, Windsor/Woodbury

by Timothy Rutt

Breaking: received about 12:45  PM, Altadena Sheriff's Station is looking for three burglary suspects in Windsor/Woodbury area.  No description of suspects yet.  If you see something suspicious, call 626-798-1131.\

 

"Go Public" premiere May 8 at the Arclight

by Timothy Rutt

"Go Public," the two hour documentary that chronicles a day in the life of the Pasadena Unified School District, will have its premiere at the Arclight Cinema in Pasadena on May 8.

The premiere will take place a year to the day after the filming day, May 8, 2012.  On that day, 50 film crews  -- everyone from experienced filmmakers to students -- spread out to all the schools in PUSD to record a day in the life of their subjects.  The subjects included everyone from board member Ramon Miramontes and Superintendent Jon Gundry to teachers, students, administrators, school psychologists, and volunteers.

Each film crew created a 4-5 minute minidocumentary about their subject, which have all been stitched together to create "Go Public."

The premiere will start with  'meet and greet" time with the directors, their crews, and their subject at 6 PM.  At 7:15, they will head upstairs to the Arclight at the Pasadena Paseo for a screening, followed by a question and answer session with producers  James W. and Dawn O'Keeffe.

The John Muir High School Jazz Ensemble will provide music, and carts will sell food, drink and desserts with 20 percent of the proceeds donated to the Pasadena Educational Foundation.

Tickets are available free or with a suggested donation.  The screening is expected to sell out, so reserve your tickets early: order tickets here.

Previous stories about "Go Public":

PEN starts Go Public project

Go Public in your private place

Go Public goes live