The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved $320,000 in economic development funds to be earmarked for businesses along Lincoln Avenue in Altadena.
The project will provide property owners with funds for exterior improvements such as paint, signage, glass and anti-graffiti film, light fixtures, awnings, and doors.
According to a press release from Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, "Asbestos and lead testing and abatement is also included as an additional service, at no cost to the property owner."
“By providing a fresh look for area businesses, the program will remove blight in the community and stimulate economic activity on Lincoln Avenue, from West Woodbury Road to Altadena Drive, in unincorporated Altadena,” said Antonovich in a press release. “This project follows the successful façade improvements conducted on N. Fair Oaks Avenue, also in unincorporated Altadena.”
The funds will be administered by the Community Development Commission and implmented by the the Alta/Pasa Community Improvement Center located on Lincoln Avenue. According to the press release, the project will use local labor, sub-contractors, and vendors. We have reached out to the supervisor's office regarding how businesses can apply for the program, and will update as warranted.
UPDATE: The county says they are two weeks away from executing contracts, so we'll get more information on the application process then.
Teen CERT graduates show off their helmets and vests at Farnsworth Park July 27. Photo by Deb Halberstadt.
by Timothy Rutt
Pictured are graduates of the Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) class, which has spent the past two Saturdays learning emergency response skills. Here, they pose at the end of class with Sheriff's Department
trainers, CERT member Derrick Carter, and contract instructor
Dudley Rainey. Altadena CERT instructor Deb Halberstadt took the picture.
Jeff Sedlik, who maintans the Altadena Neighborhood Watch Map at www.AltadenAlert.org, says the map is approaching 40,000 visitors. This makes it a good time to add your Neighborhood Watch to the map if it isn't there already, and the Altadena Sheriff Station's Neighborhood Watch database, which he also maintains.
The map and database contain important information to have to help monitor crime and in case of emergency. If you're not on the map, email AltadenAlert@gmail.com.
If anyone believes there is inaccurate information on the map, contact your neighborhood watch block captain and have the captain contact Sedlik at the email address above.
For everyone who participated in the American Cancer Society's Altadena Relay for Life, there will be a "Relay Wrap Party" on Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Avenue.
Running from 3-5 PM, it's a potluck, so bring a favorite appetizer to share. Relay organizers will recognize individual fundraising efforts and the committee that put the event together. All are welcome to attend.
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) announces auditions for middle school- and high school-aged boys with changing or changed voices for its Young Men’s Ensemble on August 21 and 28, 2013, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. Candidates must prepare one solo art or folk song and will also be gauged on their ability to sing as part of an ensemble. Those interested in auditioning should be proficient in the fundamentals of music theory and musicianship. The vocal audition also includes a written music theory test and a sight-singing evaluation.
LACC’s Young Men’s Ensemble, the first choir in the Southern California and one of only a few in the country to serve young male vocalists with changing voices, is designed for boys who wish to pursue singing and the choral arts throughout middle and high school. Led by Dr. Steven Kronauer, it offers quality vocal and choral training in a supportive environment along with essential tools needed to bridge the gap between treble and young men’s choral singing. One of the fundamental considerations for working with the choir, Kronauer notes, is being flexible with the repertoire, which he may change from week to week based on fluctuations in the singers’ voices to ensure the voices are never “pushed” or strained.
This Saturday's Sheriff Support Group of Altadena Concert in the Park marks the return of Brian Hughes.
Altadena's Brian Hughes has carved out an impressive career in
the contemporary jazz arena. His first two albums, Between
Dusk and Dreaming and Under One
Sky, firmly established him as one of the foremost
guitarists and composers in the genre, perfectly blending his
fluid and emotive guitar style into an exciting melodic mix of
Latin, Jazz and World Music compositions.
After being picked as a
winner in JAZZIZ magazine's "Guitars On Fire" competition his
subsequent recordings Straight To You, One 2 One, Shakin’ Not
Stirred, Along the Way, Live and the concert DVD No
Reservations have received critical acclaim and major radio
air play from coast to coast. With his sizzling fret work and
infectious compositions the media are accurate in saying, "Both a
great artist and an accessible one. His passion is so obvious,
intense and contagious, that his audience shares it.” Brian has
received the SOCAN / BMI "Jazz & Instrumental Composer of the
Year" award seven times from 1997 to 2011 and the title
track from Shakin’ Not Stirred was featured on an
episode of HBO’s "Sex and the City."
Brian has performed at jazz festivals and concerts around the world
including concert dates in Germany, Holland and Switzerland, The
Providencia Jazz Festival (Santiago, Chile) and the Montreal
International Jazz Festival.
The Arroyo Food Co-op will be having an open house, with the bonus feature of a Repair Café.
On Sat., Aug. 17, the Co-op will partner with Transition Pasadena to hold an open house from 6-9 PM -- and bring your broken items, because "volunteer tinkers and tailors will be on hand to mend your broken items and make them like new."
The Repair Café movement brings people together to share coffee and repair household items together. There are usually tools and experts to help fix things, with the idea that too much gets thrown away, already.
In addition, it will be an opportunity to see the co-op building and meet with members of the board who will talk about plans for the co-op.
The open house and Repair Café will be at the Arroyo Food Co-op, 494 N. Wilson Avenue, Pasadena.
Guerilla Chef Mateo (he of Taco Thursdays at that other place across town) is serving up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and sides tonight at the Rancho Bar, 2485 N. Lake Avenue.
Every Tuesday, enjoy some reasonably-priced cheesy goodness from 8 PM to midnight.
That chopper you hear is from a completed rescue around the Eaton Canyon area. According to the scanner, two were hoisted out, not injured, and they are being transported to Farnsworth Park and landing just east of the baseball diamond. More details as we get them.
UPDATE: Deputy on duty at Altadena Station confirms two uninjured "hoisted out of the canyon."
UPDATE: The Altadena Sheriff's Facebook page reports:
On July 29, 2013, at approximately 1904 hours (7:04 PM), members of the Altadena Search and Rescue Team responded to Eaton Canyon to search for two lost hikers. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopter Air 5 assisted in the search and located the hikers on the Mount Wilson Toll Road. The Air 5 crew air lifted the hikers, both residents of Los Angeles, from the road to Farnsworth Park. Neither hiker was injured.
Map of the past: Sid Gally's history tale in the Pasadena Star-News this week is the tale of Andrew McNally, who made his buck in Chicago (Rand McNally, anybody?) and bought 400 acres of ranchland in what is now Altadena. He built his mansion on Mariposa and Santa Rosa, of course, but also ended up selling much of his holdings to other "rich Chicagoans," Gally says (including Arthur Woodward, who built what is now the Zane Grey Estate). McNally also had a role in the building of La Mirada, and his grandson Wallace Neff was a major local architect. Story is here.
Altadena Chamber board members welcome Rhythms of the Village in a ribbon-cutting Saturday afternoon. From left, Meredith Miller, Daniel Harlow, Onochie Chukwurah, Chamber President Ed Meyers, unidentified employee, and Marilyn Chukwurah
by Timothy Rutt
With drumming, color, and pageantry, Rhythms of the Village, a new shop dealing in African diaspora arts, held its grand opening Saturday afternoon.
The opening was marked by African drumming and an invocation from Rev. C. Eiokwu Washington, who called forth the ancestors, in this case men and women of African descent who started successful businesses in the past.
The event also featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony from the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.
Altadena's Louis Van Taylor Septet (yes, it was advertised as a quintet, but we counted) got a late start Saturday night, but made up for it at the Farnsworth Park concert series.
Van Taylor, whose credits are longer than your arm, just got back from a gig in Colorado backing Kool and the Gang, but worked with his own group like they'd been rehearsing all week. All this despite some of the musicians being held up in Dodger game traffic.
The contemporary jazz seemed to attract the dogs -- we counted at least nine in the amphitheater, bopping with their owners. Other good news: finally, El Patron Mexican Restaurant was there to serve the hungry crowd.
Next week: another Altadena jazzman, guitarist Brian Hughes brings Latin Jazz to the Farnsworth Park amphitheater.
The Altadena Sheriff's Station is hosting Natiional Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Loma Alta Park, 3330 North Lincoln Avenue.
Activities include a bounce house, "dunk-a-cop," along with booths from the deputies, Neighborhood Watch, and Altadena CERT. Bring a potluck dish, dessert, or drink to share at this annual gathering, where the deputies will provide hot dogs and hamburgers.
There will also be a dunk tank, and rumor has it you may get a chance to dunk Capt. Benedict. The event runs from 5-8 PM.
Familiar grounds: The Santa Paula Times has a great interview with its new Police Chief Steven McLean, formerly Altadena’s sheriff captain. Why does he like Santa Paula? He says: “It reminds me of Altadena.” Story here.
Altadena in LA: Bulgarini Gelato has announced that it’s now operating a cart at the Grand Central Market in downtown LA. The cart will be there Monday-Saturday from 11:30 AM-6 PM.
Intimidated by computers? Chances are if you’re reading this on Altadenablog, you’re not. But we bet you know someone who is! Sign them up for Women At Works new "Introduction to Computers" 2-day workshop!
Learn about hardware and software definitions, the components of the system unit, ways and means of storage, computer security, internet basics, system software and application software basics, and social media basics. “This class is a great opportunity for those who are just getting acquainted with computers and want to learn more,” says Janet Pope Givens, Assistant Director at Women At Work. “So many of our clients who are re-entering the workplace have never had to use a stand alone desk or laptop computer. They may have worked on a computer terminal but have not had training and experience personal computing.” This is also a perfect workshop for what I call the generational cusp that just missed the technology boom and would like to get connected with family and friends who are now on line.”
This first workshop is offered Tuesday and Thursday, August 6 and 8, 10 am-1 pm at the Women At Work Career and Resource Center, 3871 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena (Cross street – Michellinda), Call the Center for more information and if you’re ready, check out our website at www.womenatwork.org!
Rescue worker is lowered from Sheriff's Air 5 helicopter in Saturday's rescue. Photo by Andrea Calderwood.
A 17-year-old male hiker was airlifted out of Eaton Canyon Saturday afternoon after suffering head trauma at the end of a 30 foot fall near the first waterfall.
The Altadena Sheriff's Station reports that the call came in about 3 PM about the injured hiker. Community correspondent Andrea Calderwood of Pasadena shared pictures of the rescue and gives her own on-the-scene report:
My boyfriend and I were hiking up and spotted the man about a hundred yards before the waterfall. His friends were with him, he was partially bent backwards over a rock, and his arms and chest were covered. His friends told us they had help on the way and we moved on to avoid blocking the path (this is a very popular local hike for families).
About five minutes later we sat down at the pool of the waterfall, on the right hand side, and heard a helicopter approaching. It approached very quickly, and very low, and gave no warning bell or siren to warn the 50 or so people (including families with small children, and elderly) that they were approaching the popular destination. Suddenly there were rocks, branches, and debris flying very quickly, hitting heads, and one man whose back was gashed open. The dust made it difficult to breath and see. We ran over the rocks to get to cover and waited out the hovering helicopter. The injuries of those at the water seemed to be minor, but it's possible other hikers were injured from the wind and flying branches.
A few minutes later the helicopter returned, and lowered down a rescue worker to assist. It circled back a few times, making it dangerous to begin the trek back to the road, so the crowd waited out the rescue. It then came back and hoisted up the forestry service worker, and then later the stretcher with the injured hiker. These are what the photos show.
Upon reaching the exit at Crescent Drive, there were four fire trucks, and a new ambulance was just arriving, although it was 30 minutes after the hiker was lifted out. It is likely that it was for someone else.
The hiker was airlifted to Huntington Memorial Hospital.
Altadena Town Council chair Bernardean Broadous has sent out an email notice announcing that the council will consider applications for the vacancy in Census Tract 4603.02.
No one ran for the open council seat in last month's elections.
Resident Ron Adams had submitted an application for the seat after the election and was to be appointed at the July town council meeting, but the council decided to keep the position open another month to allow more candidates to come forward.
Applications are available at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive. Application fee is $35. According to the email from Broadous, the council will take action on the candidates after an executive board has been seated -- another action that was delayed at the July council meeting.
According to the town council bylaws, the council can fill vacant seats by appointment.
The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is looking for volunteers for "Rubio Restoration Day" on Sunday, Aug. 4.
The Conservancy recently acquired significant property in Rubio Canyon, and offers an opportunity to help restore the area and learn more about plants, both native and invasive.
Join AFC board member Tim Martinez for a day of invasive plant removal and habitat restoration. Learn to identify native California plants and their uses while removing invasive mustard and grasses from the beautiful, mountainous terrain. Meet at 1101 E. Loma Alta Drive at 9 AM, and the event runs until noon.
Be sure to pack water bottles and to wear long pants and work clothing. Gloves will be provided, and there is a bathroom with running water on site. For more information, contact Tim Martinez: timmcmartinez@yahoo.com(626) 808-7964.
Join us for our annual Summer Movie Extravaganza! From June 14 to July 26, every Friday at 3:00pm, the Altadena Library Youth Services will screen an exciting summer movie. It's like Fun Flick Friday, every Friday in the summer!
Smurfs (Rated PG; 103 minutes)
When the evil wizard, Gargamel, chases the tiny blue Smurfs out of their village, they tumble from their magical world and into ours -- in fact, smack dab in the middle of Central Park. Just three apples high and stuck in the Big Apple, the Smurfs must find a way to get back to their village before Gargamel tracks them down.
Lots of thefts from vehicles this week. Crime blotter
provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station
Monday, July
15th
10:00 AM – A residential
burglary occurred in the 900 block of E. Mariposa Street. Loss:
gold necklace, currency.
10:35 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen
from the 400 block of Figueroa Drive. ***Vehicle was recovered on
7/23 by Pasadena PD***
4:41 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon
occurred in the 2200 block of Oakwood St. Suspect was taken into
custody.
Between 10:00 PM and 6:30 AM (Tuesday)
– A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1400
block of N. Grand Oaks Avenue. Loss: black wallet,
cellphone.
Wednesday, July
17th
Between 2:00 AM and 7:45 AM – A
vehicle burglary occurred in the 1600 block of Grand Oaks Avenue.
Loss: diaper bag.
A masked, wandering physician during the Black Plague in 14th century Europe. Such measures probably won't be necessary.
The county department of public health and the U.S. Forest Service have closed three loops of the Table Mountain Campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest after finding a ground squirrel with plague.
The Broken Blade, Twisted Arrow, and Pima Loops, near Wrightwood will be closed for at least a week, according to a press release. The areas were closed after a ground squrrel, trapped during routine survelliance activities, tested positive for plague Tuesday.
Campers have been notified and squirrel burrows are being dusted for fleas. Further testing of squirrels will be done before the area is re-opened.
Officials are advising that visitors to the forest should not feed wild animals, leave edible trash out where wild animals can get to it, avoid picnicking or camping in the immediate vicinity of ground squirrel burrows. and avoid taking pets into tareas wehre they could be exposed to fleas. If you must take your pet into areas with fleas, please ensure your pet has appropriate flea control and vaccinations, as recommended by a veterinarian. Officials are also adivsing that visitors to the forest use an insect repellent containing DEET, remembering that DEET products are not safe for use on pets.
Bubonic plague circulates mainly in fleas on small rodents. Without treatement, it can kill two thirds of infected humans within four days.
Loma Alta Park's "Parks After Dark" program continues tonight through Saturday from 5-9 PM, with an added twist tonight: food trucks!
A Rockin' Ice, My Tornado Potato, Burger Lunchador, and Macolicious have been burning up the Twittersphere with announcements that they will join tonight's family-friendly and free activities at the park. Our earlier story on Parks after Dark is here.
Uber-volunteer Deb Halberstadt shares these pictures of
Saturday's training for Teen CERT members at the Davies Building
in Farnsworth Park. Community Emergency Response Team
members are offering training Juy 20 and 27 for teens who are
interested in developing the skills to respond to a crisis.
Above, instructor Wilson Lee lectures to the assembled
teens; and below, instructor Dudley Rainey evaluates how the
students conducted a triage exercise with stuffed animals as
victims..
Rhythms of the Village's colorful storefront celebrates African
Diaspora culture.
The community is invited as the newest two shops on Lake Avenue
will have a grand opening event Saturday afternoon.
Rhythms of the Village, 2279 N. Lake Avenue, and Angel Moments
Spiritual Resource Center, 2285 N. Lake Avenue, will have a
celebratory opening from noon to 6 PM Saturday, July 27.
Onochie Chukwurah at Rhythms said that there will be music,
drumming, and other activities for the store's official opening.
Chukwurah said that his shop features items from the
"African diaspora," with items from Africa and the Caribbean,
along with Rasta and hip hop goods.
If the name sounds familiar, it should: Chuckwurah was executive
director of the Rhythms of the Village charter school located at
the old Edison School building. The school closed in 2008.
Altadena Sheriff Station Detective Ruby Munshi sends the following:
US Currency found near the intersection of Morada Pl. and Lake Ave. on 07-19-13. To claim, contact Detective Munshi at Altadena Sheriff’s Station (626) 296-2119. Must identify the exact amount and the container.
Janette Williams was the class act of the Pasadena
Star-News and its allied papers. While we didn't know her
personally, we saw her at several events we were both covering
and appreciated her fine writing style and reporting skills, as
well as her Scottish burr.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department
recognized 32 deputies and reserve officers on Tuesday with
the department's Lifesaving Award.
The Lifesaving Award is given to "employees or reserve
members of the Deepartment whose actions result in the
saving or preservation of a human life that otherwise would
have been lost without the employee’s direct involvement,"
according to a sheriff's department press release.
Those recognized include:
Reserve Chief Michael R. Leum and Reserve Commander Janet K.
Henderson of the Crescenta Valley Station Montrose Search and
Rescue Team. According to the press release, the two were
walking in a river searching for a missing person in the
Stoneyvale picnic area of the Angeles National Forest when they
noticed a family playing in the water upriver. Henderson
saw a toddler lying face down in the water near the family and
yelled at the family to get their baby. The girl was already blue
and not breathing when the deputies arrived. Leum held the
baby face down on his forearm and delivered back blows so the
baby could cough up water. Henderson, who is also an
emergency room nurse, administered oxygen and monitored the
baby's vital signs. The baby was airlifted to the hospital
for emergency medical treatment, and was released the next day in
good condition.
Depty Michael L. Winter of Crescenta Valley Station and his
partner responded to a 911 call of a year-old child choking at
home in La Canada Flintridge. Arriving before the rescue
squad, Winter put the child on his stomach and carefully struck
him several times to dislodge an obstruction from the child's
airway. Once the obstruction was cleared, he immediately
began to cry. The child was transported to the hospital and
made a full recovery.
In addition to honoring the deputies, Sheriff Lee Baca honored
two civilians: Gregory Lindamen, who saved the life of LASD
Capt. Carrie Stuart, who was victim of a car crash; and Explorer
Nicholas Hicks, who assisted two deputies in extracting a man
trapped underneath a vehicle.
Altadena Mountain Rescue Team and the Montrose
Search and Rescue Team, as well as sheriff's deputies, searched
Eaton Canyon Tuesday for an 82-year-old woman who had been
missing since Monday morning.
According to a release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department, the rescue teams were deployed to search
Altadena areas near her home and in the canyon, where she was a
frequent visitor. She was reported found by the
Pasadena Police Department at about 9 PM Tuesday evening, when
she was transported to an unidentified local hospital with minor
injuries, and reuinted with her family, the report said.
Patrol units from Temple City, Santa Clarita, and Crescenta
Valley as well as Altadena Station volunteers assited in the
search. Two scent dogs used in the search were led to Eaton
Canyon, where the scent was lost.
The Fraternal Order of the Eagles is holding
a pancake breakfast on Sunday, July 28, from 9 AM-12:30 PM.
Proceeds are going to diabetes research. Everyone's
invited, take out is available, plates are $6 and up. Cash
only, please, at 455 East Woodbury Road.
Workers at the Pasadena Waldorf School in Altadena work on the school's community building. Photo by Pasadena Waldorf School.
The summer of 2013 brings the fulfillment of the vision to complete the multi-functional PWS Community Room on Pasadena Waldorf School’s lower campus. Thanks to a generous grant from the Judith L. Chiara Charitable Trust, the school began the renovation of the interior in 2012 with the installation of hardwood flooring, new heating and cooling systems, new windows and doors, and a reorientation of the room to make more efficient use of space. Currently underway is the completion of the project, including a new public entry ramp and stairs, covered porch and deck, walking path and landscaping. The stand-alone building has already proven its versatility while hosting movement classes, music rehearsals and performances, school plays, class meetings, guest speakers and receptions.
The Sheriff Support Group of
Altadena's Summer Concert Series at Farnsworth Park presents
Louis Van Taylor and his quintet.PP The Altadena resident started
young, playing with the Ray Charles Orchestra in 1981. Van
Taylor has backed up a Who's Who of modern music, including The
Temptations, the Four Tops, Little Anthony and hte Imperials, the
Chi-lites, Mary Wison, Shiela E., BIg Joe Turner, Billy Vera,
Johnny Otis, Mariah Carey, and many, many others. He has
also played in sessions for TV and film scores.
A woodwind specialist, Van Taylor plays all ranges of saxophones
as well as flute, bass clarinet, and oboe. The Sheriff Support
Group of Altadena's summer concert series starts at 7 PM on
Saturday, July 27, at Farnsworth Park Amphitheater, corner
of Lake Avenue and Mt. Curve Drive. Get a box lunch from
the Park Bench Grill ahead of time. Beer and wine sales by
the Altadena Rotary Club, with consultation from the Altadena Ale
& Wine House. Green room refreshments provided by
Webster's Fine Stationers.
The summer concert series is sponsored by Warner Bros.; Los
Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Michael D. Antonovich;
MonteCedro; 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; El Patron Mexican Restaurant; and Altadenablog.
An SCE crew member escorts a couple with a baby through the construction on Marathon Road last week. Photos by Deb Halbertadt, Half City Productions.
by Timothy Rutt
Residents of Marathon Road are dealing with construction and power outage headaches, as Southern California Edison crews are replacing poles and other equipment in construction that started last week. According to community correspondent Deb Halberstadt, residents have been warned that they'll be without power during the day Monday and Tuesday.
Following are some of Halberstadt's photos of construction in progress, after the jump.
The Blue Breeze Band brought back some of the great soul and R&B from years past to the Farnsworth Park concert series Saturday night. It was a crowd that was ready to dance, because they started early and kept it up under an almost-full moon.
Next week, the Altadena jazzman Louis Van Taylor and his quintet.
Bill Westphal shares these pictures from the CritterCam last week: a buck (who's been around before, but his antlers are bigger now); a doe less than one minute before; and the bear -- Bill writes that he changed the memory card on the cam at about 8:30 at night, and the bear came by 16 minutes later!
Found July 20th in the evening a "Birmingham Roller" Pigeon. Its blue tag says NBRC 13 M 0550.
Please contact us at jslvrmn@sbcglobal.net. if this is your pigeon or you have any information that would help locate its owner I have sent in a notice to the National Birmingham Roller Club with the tag information.
UPDATE: The club located the owner, who is Joy's neighbor, and bird is happily at home now.
The Town Council is the government we have. Many people are torn between working to improve it by showing up, asking questions, applying pressure when needed — and giving up on it. But not having a Town Council (or a dysfunctional one that does actual harm) would mean the loss of a great conduit to the “real” government, the Board of Supervisors, on key issues such as local land use. Attending an evening meeting on Altadena Drive about your house remodel is much more convenient than going to downtown LA on a workday.
Despite the good will of several individual council members, and non-council members like Eric Pierce who stepped up to lead the Election Committee, the Town Council continues to operate at far below its potential in the estimation of most Altadenans, who, it should be noted, fail to either vote in elections or attend meetings.
I will provide one example of how the council has operated in the many years I’ve observed or been involved, to illustrate the crux of the problem and to try to answer the question: why does it seem so hard for the Town Council to accomplish great things for Altadena?
Beautification committee Former Town Council chair Sandra Thomas asked me to lead a new Altadena Beautification Committee in the fall of 2011 to present proposals for the council to consider and act on. With other time-consuming duties, the issue of overall community aesthetic development was something TC members never seemed to get around to. Chair Thomas asked me to form a committee “that considers everything and anything about the way Altadena looks.” What a great project!
We got off to an enthusiastic start, with reps from all around Altadena: the Historical Society, The Chamber, Altadena Heritage, TC member Greg Middleton, and a community member or two. We were first asked to consider "Welcome to Altadena" signs the county had budgeted for; we did research and with the help of AHS came up with a couple great designs to consider. I wrote about the process in this blog as part of the committee’s public outreach and received good feedback and comments.
We also met with the County Project Managers of the Woodbury Median project, then about to be built, and made specific tree recommendations. We applied through the Supervisor’s Office for a street tree grant to add street trees to the design. All our activities were well received, we felt heard and as if our efforts were appreciated.
Leon Rick's photo of the Market Basekt, which was on the site of the current Ralphs market.
Leon Ricks, "The Mayor of Maiden Lane" (1928-2013) was an accomplished and dogged photographer who documented four decades in the life of Altadena.
On Monday, July 22, the Altadena Historical Society will look at a fraction of the 1,000 slides in the Ricks collection that were donated after his death. The evening ofers a chance to see how Altadena was, and how it relates to how Altadena is today.
The meeting, open to the public, starts at 7:30 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive. Admission is free.
At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presents “Jax,” a 2-month old Papillon 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.
It’s the end of graduation season, and the following Altadena residents were honored and/or graduated during the spring term of their respective colleges:
Jessica Webster is among the 219 high achieving students from Whittier College who made the Spring 2013 Dean's List.
Amelia M. Garrison has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2013 semester at the University of Vermont. Garrison is a first-year student Undeclared major in the College of Arts & Sciences.
Morayo Odujinrin, daughter of Ms. Abisola A. Odujinrin of Altadena, was named to the Spring Term 2013 Dean's List at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Brianna Dekine from Altadena, CA was named to the Spring 2013 Dean's List and graduated from Wake Forest University.
Karina Nazarian and John Deagon were named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2013 semester at Loyola Marymount University
Samuel Nemati was named to the Spring 2013 President's List at LeTourneau University. Nemati achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average to receive this honor.
Kirstie Mitchell majoring in Business Administration was among 1,852 students from Tennessee State University who were named to the Spring 2013 Dean's List. She also graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.
Hannah Wear graduated with a degree in Sociology from Colorado College. Hannah is the daughter of Bruce and Winnie Wear of Altadena, CA.
Michael Bowerman graduated from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA, on May 19, 2013, earning a bachelor of science degree in engineering, and graduating with Distinction. Bowerman attended Maranatha High School.
Altadena's Diane Treister made the cover of last year's race book.
The 26th annual Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run will be Aug. 3-4 this year in a wilderness run starting at Wrightwood and ending at Loma Alta Park.
Runners will start at 5 AM sharp on August 3 in Wrightwood, taking a 100 mile route following the Pacific Crest Trail that leads to the finish line at lower Loma Alta Park, with the first runners expected to show up Sunday morning.
Altadena will be represented by returning runners Marisol Martinez and Diane Treister.
Marisol Martinez flashes a big smile after finishing last year's run in Loma Alta Park.
Assault with a deadly weapon, domestic assault calls, burglaries (including one stopped in progress), stolen cars, fireworks, and the 24 Hour Fitness count this week is two. Blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.
Sunday, July 7
12:50 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 900 block of Kent Street. Loss: purse, ID, credit cards.
7:00 AM – A suspect (male/20 years old) was cited/released for possession of illegal fireworks in the area of Lake Avenue/Loma Alta Drive after a citizen reported hearing fireworks in the area.
Between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – Two thefts from automobiles occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 Lincoln Av. Loss: purses, laptop, digital camera.
7:32 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the 2200 block of El Sereno Avenue. Suspects described as (2) male, black, 18-25 yrs. driving an older model white Toyota Camry. Incident was gang-related.
8:45 PM – Deputies arrested a male suspect (34/Altadena) in the 400 block of Figueroa Drive for domestic assault.
11:20 PM – Deputies arrested Margie Washington (42 years old / Altadena) in the 2500 block of Fair Oaks Ave. for public intoxication.
Monday, July 8
Between 1:00 PM and 2:15 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 3000 block of Ridgeview Dr. Loss: iPad.
Between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM – Two thefts from automobiles occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 Lincoln Avenue. Loss: purse, stereo.
Lots of stuff goin’ on, as usual. Keep checking as more stuff comes in all the time ....
Friday, July 19
Library Summer Movie Extravaganza: “Escape from Planet Earth" (rated PG), 3 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa Street. Free admission and refreshments.
Hotshots Fundraiser at the Fork: The Fork in the Road will be the place to make donations to the families of the 19 Prescott, Arizona hotshots who perished in the Yarnell Fire last month. The Fork Foundation with the cooperation of the Pasadena Fire Department, City of Pasadena, Los Angeles Firefighters and The Pasadena Foothills magazine will be collecting donations on Friday, July 19, from 7 AM-5 PM and Saturday, July 20, from 8 AM-4 PM. Drive by and fill the boot at the Fork, 200 Bellefontaine St. in Pasadena at the confluence of Pasadena Avenue and St. John Avenue. All checks made payable to Yarnell Hill Firefighters Fund. 100% of donations will go straight to this fund that helps the firefighters' families.
Park after Dark: Swimming, sports, games, and so much more Friday and Saturday night at Loma Alta Park, 6-9 PM. Something for all ages, and it’s free.
Saturday, July 20
Bulk trash pickup: Athens Services customers with Friday pickup days get to leave their bulk trash out for collection today, no later than 6 AM.
Smart Gardening Workshop: Learn backyard composting, water-wise gardening, worm composting, and grass recycling. No reservation is needed. Sponsored by the Board of Supervisors, discount compost bins and worm compost bins (with worms) will be available. The workshop runs from 9:30-11 AM at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive.
Teen CERT Training: The Altadena Sheriff Station will be conducting a TEEN CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training the next two Saturdays, at Farrnswoth Park from 8 AM-4 PM. For more information on how to sign up, call 323-526-5015 or email cert@lasd.org
Summer Concert Series: the Blue Breeze Band with Motown, soul, R&B and more in a free family show at the Farnsworth Park amphitheater, starting at 7 PM. Presented by the Sheriff Support Group of Altadena.
Bulgarini Gelato Summer Movie Night:La gloire de mon père ("My Father's Glory" - French), a sentimental story of a young boy's life in turn-of-the-century France. Movies are always free. Dinner will be offered - by reservation only - for $13.50, which will include a homemade pasta dish, salad, and a drink. Reservations may be made by Friday (ttha’s today!) by email at catering@bulgarinigelato.com or by calling (626) 376-7662. Dinner is at 7:30, movie starts at dark. Bulgarini Gelato is at 749 E. Altadena Drive.
Sunday, July 21
Bad Role Models: Polly Frost returns to Altadena in her one-woman show, “Bad Role Models and What I Learned From Them,” 5 PM at Webster’s Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Avenue. TIckets $15, and reservations are avalable Tickets are $15, and you can make reservations at by calling Webster's at (626) 797-1135 or Frost's reservation line: (805) 450-9955. “Bad Role Models” goes dark July 28, but will be performed on Sundays through August.
Finding her balls: Altadena’s Emily Green usually writes about gardening and such, but her recent LA Weekly article talks about her vintage balls .... BASEBALLS! And how they weren’t so vintage, after all.
Meet the Beatle: Alta-artist Andrew Cartwright Robinson is at ComicCon in San Diego this week -- his latest graphic novel, “The Fifth Beatle” will come out in November, and he’s working the crowd with writer Vivek J. Tiwary. Check out the trailer! http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/07/16/beatles-brian-epstein-graphic-novel/
Google-lele: Man-about-town Ian Whitcomb gave a Google talk about his book Ukulele Heros, and you can see it here.
A neighbor on Athens Street died after a very long and brave (and to most of us, unknown) battle with cancer. Lori would disappear for a week or more at a time, and tell me she had been to a college reunion out east. Gosh, I thought, that school sure has a lot of reunions. The truth, which I found out later, she was in the hospital undergoing extensive surgeries.
Aside for her courage, among Lori’s many virtues was growing beautiful roses simply to give her neighbors pleasure (she herself was allergic), and adopting rescue cats. She never had more than two or three, and at the time of her death, she had two. They need a home. Lori was an excellent neighbor and loved by all who knew her, and I’d like to think her cats have a happy ending.
The cats are young, but not too young, well behaved, ever so pretty, and from a very loving home.
Join us for our annual Summer Movie Extravaganza! From June 14 to July 26, every Friday at 3:00pm, the Altadena Library Youth Services will screen an exciting summer movie. It's like Fun Flick Friday, every Friday in the summer!
Escape from Planet Earth (Rated PG; 90 minutes)
On the planet Baab, admired astronaut Scorch Supernova is a master of daring rescues with the aid of his by-the-rules brother, Gary. When the brothers are informed of an SOS from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects Gary's warnings and bounds off for yet another exciting mission. But when Scorch finds himself caught in a fiendish trap set by the evil Shanker, it's up to Gary to do the real rescuing.
The movie is free, refreshments are provided, and it starts at 3 PM today at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.
41st District Assemblyman Chris Holden invites the community to a block party and resource fair on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 11 AM-3 PM.
The event is an effort to distribute information about state and local programs and services available to residents of the district.
The fair includes rides, entertainment, a car show, and state and federal government informational displays. Pasadena Fire Fighters will be cooking up free hot dogs.
The location is the 500 block of Jackson Street in Pasadena. Parking will be located on El Molino, Los Robles, and the open secitons of Madison and Oakland Avenue.
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