altadenablog

"Neuroscience of Education" lecture at Aveson May 15

The Aveson School for Leaders will present Dr. Louis Cozolino in a lecture on Wednesday, May 15 at the school auditorium, 1919 East Pinecrest Drive, at 6:30 PM.

Dr. Cozolino will discuss the topic of his latest book, The Social Neuroscience of Education, which explains how an understanding of social neuroscience – the ways in which our brains are hardwired to connect with each other – can inform, impact, and radically change our approach to education. By placing healthy and secure attachment at the center of learning, he argues, we can turn education around. He will also be available for questions and book signing.

Louis Cozolino, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University and a private practitioner.  He is the author of The Healthy Aging Brain, The Neuroscience of Human Relationships, The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy, and The Making of a Therapist.

 

John Muir thesps get tips from the pros at Playhouse theater festival

 

 

Actor Ken Baumann ("The Secret Life of the American Teenager") in white, poses with members of the John Muir High School Drama Club at the Pasadena Playhouse Theater Festival on  April 27.  Baumann and Brian Elarding, both members of the California Shakespeare Ensemble, worked with the Muir students and teacher Kathleen Parent at the festival.  The California Shakespeare Ensemble will be performing this spring at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater.

 

Flowers in May: our monthly sponsor shout-out

Time for our monthly salute to Altadenablog's sponsor team:

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Arroyo Food Co-op

Curves Altadena

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Dr. Barkman

Friends of the Altadena Library

Judy Rubin Architectural & Previews Specialist

Linda Seyffert & Associates/Podley Properties

Rancho Bar

Scissors Paper Rock Salon

St. Mark's Episcopal School 

Webster's Community Pharmacy

Webster's Fine Stationers

Want to get the word on your business out to Altadena residents?  Now we offer two ways:

1. Join the Altadenablog sponsor team!  The best businessess in Altadena advertise here -- you should, too!  Contact us at 626-201-1023 or email altadenablog@gmail.com.

2. We've just opened a new Facebook page, Shop Altadena, where any local business in Altadena/Pasadena/La Canada Flintridge can tell everyone what they're offering, at absolutely no charge!

Our promise:  your ad, on every page, every day, every time.  Nobody else offers that. 

What if you're not a business and still want to support  Altadena's only locally-owned, locally-resident news site?  We' have the  The Altadena Wall of Awesome!  Anybody who buys an entirely-voluntary, NOT-tax-deductible 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.

Please thank our local business sponsors by patronizing them! 

Elliot Michael Gold looks at the music that shaped our lives at Webster's May 10

by Timothy Rutt

If you're a baby boomer, you know how important the music was to your life.  Even if you were too young to participate in peace marches or Woodstock, you heard the music and were part of the time.  Songs bring back memories, and frequently you remember where you were when you first heard it.

Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Avenue, takes a look back on Friday, May 10, in conjunction with Fancy Food Truck Friday with author Elliot Michael Gold, starting at 5 PM..

“Nothing returns a memory as clearly as a song!” says Altadena writer Gold, who documented this in his book “Rememories - The Music and the Memories That Shaped Our Lives”, originally published in 2000.

Alta-author Elliot Michael Gold looks back at the golden years of Boomer music May 10.

Most locals know Gold as one of the drivers behind the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, but he's had a very interesting assortment of life experiences.  Next Friday he will be at Webster's Fine Stationers to not only sign his book and talk about some of his journey, but will play segments of taped interviews with luminaries of music in the rock 'n roll era of the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s.  Come hear the voices of music greats like Fabian, Grace Slick, Andrew Young, Bruce "Cousin Brucie" Morrow, among many other notables, and listen to the music that changed their (and our) lives! 

Some of the interviews are funny, some are chilling, some are heartbreaking, but all of them remind the reader, and the listener, of how important music has been to our lives.

Altadena Farmers Market today, 4-7 @ Loma Alta Park

 

It's the Altadena Farmer's Market today, 4-7 PM at Loma Alta Park, corner of Lincoln  Avenue and Palm Street.

Since it's the first Wednesday of the month, The Claremont Forum & the Prison Library Project will be at the market today to pick up your book donations.

Also congratulations to two businesses that were incubated in the Altadena market:  Sticky Rice who celebrate their official grand opening at Grand Central Market in Los Angeles this week; and  Rice & Beans, who were just accepted into the Echo Park Farmers' Market and Hollywood Farmers' Market.

 

The "Mariachi Magicians" Friday at the Bob Lucas Library

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a couple of days early as the  Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Avenue, presents Rafael & Katia, "The Mariachi Magicians," on Friday, May 3 at 3:30 PM.

Rafael & Katia bring their bilingual magic show to Altadena.  The duo has been featured on over 30 network TV shows, including America's Got Talent.  Don't miss this exciting performance.

 

LitFest writes again in Pasadena May 11

by Timothy Rutt

Pasadena's Central Park will be the scene for the second annual Pasadena LitFest, Saturday, May 11, from 10 AM-5 PM.

"LitFest Pasadena 2.0" will feature more than 75 authors, storytellers, performers, and exhibitors for a day that will explore an eclectic mix of subjects such as Southern California surf culture, local history, children’s and young adult literature, and more. 

Among the confirmed guests will be Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold; the Bob Baker Marionettes; and History Lit, a project of Unbound Productions, which puts on WIcked Lit at the Mountain View Mausoleum on Halloween.

Participating authors with an Altadena bent include Naomi Hirahara (whose detective, Mas Arai, is an Altadena gardener); novelists Michelle Huneven and Jervey Tervalon;  and local historian Michele Zack.

Parking is available on the street or at various public lots.  LitFest has something for the whole family, and admssion is free.

"No Boundaries," PUSD's art show, opens Friday

from the Pasadena Unified School District

"No Boundaries 8," the annual exhibit of student art organized by the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), opens Friday, May 3 with a reception at 6 PM. The exhibition features more than 400 drawings, paintings, sculptures and videos created by kindergarten-12^th grade students from every school in PUSD. The title, "No Boundaries," refers to the exhibit’s objective of showcasing student artwork without limits to the size or media used and to the unlimited creative potential of the students in the district.

In partnership with Vornado Realty Trust, the Pasadena Educational Foundation and the South Lake Business Association, "No Boundaries" will once again be presented at The Shops on Lake at 345 S. Lake Ave. in Pasadena. The exhibit will be on display May 4-19 in retail space located next to Corner Bakery in the space previously occupied by Stein Mart. The gallery hours will be Monday-Friday 3 -6 PM and Saturdays and Sundays 1-4 PM.

The opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will feature live music, choral and dance performances by PUSD students and music from The Staff Lounge, a band comprised of PUSD music teachers. PUSD Board of Education President Renatta Cooper, Superintendent Jon R. Gundry and Congresswoman Judy Chu (32^nd District) will deliver remarks at the reception.

Select student artists exhibiting in "No Boundaries 8" will receive scholarships to attend programs at the Armory Center for the Arts and the Art Center College of Design. 60 pieces from the exhibition will be selected by the Pasadena Arts Commission for display at Pasadena City Hall. For more information on "No Boundaries 8" and other PUSD arts initiatives visitwww.gopusd.com/arts.

 

State Sen. Liu town hall on foster youth and higher education May 4

 from Sen. Carol Liu

Senator Carol Liu invites current and former foster youth to a town hall style meeting on Saturday (May 4, 2013) in Pasadena. In recent years, California has improved permanency for thousands of children and youth in foster care, however many foster youth still lack a safety net, permanent family, housing, or income.

“Every child needs and deserves to feel love, a sense of belonging, and the continuity of family and loved ones to support and guide them in their growth and development,” said Liu, D-La Cañada Flintridge. “Caring for our youth, and ensuring the health and success of young people should come first and foremost in the State of California.”

This half-day event will provide information on employment and education resources, financial aid, and housing. Current and former foster youth will be able to ask questions, be heard, and get resources.

• WHAT:  Foster Youth Town Hall Meeting: Breaking Barriers to Higher Education

• WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2013, 11:00 am-2:00 pm (10:30 am: Registration & Continental Breakfast)

• WHERE: All Saints Church: Sweetland Hall, 132 N. Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA  91101

Interested youth please pre-register of for more information contact Andrea Lane at Andrea.Lane@sen.ca.gov or call (818) 409-0400.

Crime blotter: search for a gunman, counterfeit bills, and 24 Hour Fitness (again)

Man with a gun ... passing counterfeit bills ... and two, count 'em, two strikes at 24 Hour Fitness.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, April 21

An unknown suspect vandalized a parked car in the 700 block of Woodbury Road by firing a BB gun at the driver’s door. 

Monday, April 22 

Between 5:00 PM and 7:00 AM (Wednesday) – A grand theft occurred at Five Acres, 760 W. Mountain View Street. Loss: laptop, digital camera, video game system. 

Wednesday, April 24 

Between 8:00 PM and 7:30 AM (Thursday) – A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 700 block of W. Sacramento Street. Loss: car stereo, iPod, amplifier, and equalizer. 

9:30 PM and 10:00 AM (Thursday) – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1700 block of New York Drive. Loss: airbags, navigation system, speakers, and black tailgate. 

Thursday, April 25

4:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 N. Lincoln Avenue. Three male/black suspects were seen fleeing in a black colored car. Loss: purse, textbooks, wallet and make-up bag. 

A business in the 2000 block of Lake Avenue reported that three different suspects passed counterfeit money at his establishment within two hours of each other. The suspects were described as two female/black adults (50-60 years old) and one male white juvenile, driving a grey minivan. 

6:20 PM – A victim reported that two suspects approached her in the 2500 block of Fair Oaks Avenue and threatened her with a gun. The suspects are known to the victim. When responding deputies saw the possible suspect on El Nido Drive, he fled on foot and was not located at the time. 

Warm weather, wind, record temperatures predicted through end of week

by TImothy Rutt

Wind and warm weather are predicted for the Los Angeles area, at least through Friday.

The National Weather Service predicts very warm and dry conditions developing this morning and continuing through Thursday evening.  Offshore flow will cause near-record temperatures across the area, with 100 predicted for the valleys by Friday.

Winds are expected strongest in the morning, with northeast gusts from 30-50 mph over the valleys.  A red flag warning has gone up for the valleys and mountains in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties today, and the warm weather and wind will knock humidity down to single digits in most areas by Thursday.