El Patron Mexican Restaurant will host a fundraiser on Wed., Jan. 22, for St. Mark's Church and School Haiti Partnership. 15% of all food sales will go to help support the lunch program at Ste. Marguerite's School in La Tournelle, Haiti - where for many students it is the only solid meal of the day.
The fundraiser will be from 2-9 PM. El Patron Mexican Restaurant is at 2555 N. Lake Avenue.
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by Timothy Rutt
Webster's Fine Stationers announced today that they have found a new Altadena location and will be back in business in February.
Scott and Lori Webster will move their shop to a storefront at 2591 N. Fair Oaks Avenue. Lori Webster said of the new location: "It's immaculate, it's just perfect. It's teeny tiny, but we'll do it."
The Websters have until the end of January to move out of their current location at 2450 N. Lake Avenue. The Webster family-owned property, an Altadena landmark, was recently sold to Greenbridge Investment Partners of Beverly Hills, which is planning a facelift of the building and is seeking new tenants, displacing the last of the family-owned businesses that once occuped the complex.
(Webster's Community Pharmacy passed out of family hands several years ago. The pharmacy, which has a long-term lease, will remain in the location).
Lori Webster said that the the store will keep the personal mailboxes and the emphasis on locally-made products from books to food. They will keep the "fine stationery" part of the business, along with a "fine pen bar," but will drop office products and school supplies from their line. "Well be keeping everything in relation to writing, but won't be doing office supplies," she said.
Lori Webster said that they were still deciding if they would continue to handle shipping in the new space. She said that the personal mailboxes would continue to be available during the transition period, but details had yet to be worked out.
The store won't be fully up and running for three to four weeks after the move, she said, as they reconfigure the space and set up display areas.
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Do you think that that your roof is fine (just because it's not raining)? Don’t let the lack of rain in 2013 fool you. It will rain again, and you should be prepared.
You want your home -- for most of us our largest investment -- to be protected. Have you maintained your roof lately? Do you know what roof maintenance means? Massie Roofing is here to answer your questions and help protect your home.
You rotate your tires every 3000 miles, shower daily, and your gardener and house cleaner come every week. Do you give any thought to your roof? Roof maintenance is like preventative medicine. An annual review of the roof condition from an expert will tell you if there are potential problems and offer solutions like resealing any flashings to cleaning the roof and gutters, to locating win- damaged roof areas or providing an estimate for any repairs which may be observed during the inspection.
Serving Altadena, Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley since 1920, Massie Roofing Company is the perfect partner to check your roof and perform roof maintenance. The office of Massie Roofing is located on Walnut Street in Pasadena. To reach Massie Roofing, call (626)796-3928 or email us at
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by Timothy Rutt
A former Altadena town councilman's corporation is collecting funds to repair the Coffee Gallery's broken window, even as the owner of the business is working with her landlord and insurance company to repair the vandalism.
One of the front windows at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Avenue, was reportedly broken by a man with a hammer as the business was opening Sunday, Dec. 29. The man also reportedly shouted a racial ephithet as he ran from the scene.
Coffee Gallery owner Julie Sandoval said in an email that "Right now I have no idea how much the CG needs to cover the cost. I paid to have it boarded up and will hopefully work out something with the landlord. I am more upset and saddened by the words that were said by the person throwing the hammer." Sandoval wrote that she has paid $458 for the board-up, and was going to get estimates and see what the landlord wanted to do after the New Year's holiday.
Continue reading "Plans underway to collect funds for Coffee Gallery window repair" »
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association has named the Altadena Farmers’ Market as Business of the Year. In just a short time since the market's opening in May 2012, the Wednesday market has become the crown jewel in Altadena’s growing reputation as a center for food culture in Los Angeles.
Altadena’s Farmers’ Market gets rave reviews in the LA Times, LA Weekly, and Bon Appétit Magazine for its mix of organic small farmers, urban growers, and artisanal food vendors. Only a year-and-a-half old, it’s already a local institution. Not bad for an enterprise that was unlikely from the start.
Altadena and Los Angeles County officials spent years trying -- and failing -- to set up a local farmers’ market. Until Joseph Shuldiner stepped in.
Shuldiner is a most unlikely market manager. He isn’t a farmer, chef, or restauranteur by training. A former art director for the Los Angeles Times, Shuldiner designed print publications for a living, and said, “I found that field dwindling, and wasn’t interested in designing for digital media at the time.”
He found a niche doing cookbook design. He worked with Sue Campoy, founder and chef at Julienne in San Marino, on the distillation of her life’s work, Celebrating with Julienne (Prospect Park Books). Working so closely with one of the great local chefs made Shuldiner want to write his own cookbook.
Continue reading "The Altadena Farmers' Market named 2013 Business of the Year" »
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by Timothy Rutt
Ben McGinty’s back.
Not that he ever went away. But after closing his legendary gallery/performance space/hangout on Lake Avenue, the Gallery at the End of the World, in 2010, McGinty has kept a lower profile. He always made his nut dealing in antiques and vintage goods -- the Gallery never turned a profit nor provided him a living, he said at the time -- and he developed a good business running estate sales.
But now he’s back with Gallery McGinty at 869 E. Mariposa Street, around the corner from his old digs. “I missed having a shop, I like having a shop,” McGinty said. “I’m a shopkeeper.”
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by Timothy Rutt
“I initially started doing work for myself,” Frank said, “because I would buy houses and flip them.” He found that he had a particular affinity with kitchen and bath design.
“Doing a whole house is a good foundation for my knowledge base,” Frank said,but he enjoyed the challenges involved with rooms that required plumbing. “I think I enjoyed doing kitchens and baths more -- it’s more system-related, and like a puzzle.
“I get systems to work together and make it into a beautiful space.”
Architecture as foundation
Soon, he started getting work designing kitchens and baths for others, which led to forming Robert Frank Design, which he operates from his Altadena home. “I do interior design, but my specialty has been in kitchen and bath design,” Frank said. “It’s a smaller version of doing a whole house, but the more challenging part of doing a whole house.
Continue reading "Robert Frank Design: making a beautiful space" »
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is still looking for a few good nominations for Altadena Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year.
The Chamber annually honors an outstanding local resident and a business or other organization at the installation of new officers in January.
Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year can be nominated by anyone. Winners are chosen by a committee consisting of representatives of the Chamber, Altadena Heritage, Altadena Historical Society, Foothills Conservancy, Altadena branch of the NAACP, the Altadena Sheriff Support Group and Altadena Town Council, as well as past Citizens of the Year.
For more information and nomination forms, go here. Nominations must be in to the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., by close of business Nov. 30.
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Is your business facing economic and/or other challenges?
Come link arms with other area small businesses in a creative networking environment - join us as we work to empower one another to not only stay in business, but to thrive in business! We are more powerful together and you never know when or where you'll meet someone that can help you make that step to the next level.
This is the first networking event hosted jointly by Webster's Fine Stationers and Zenobia "The Tech Diva" Millet. Each business person attending will have 2-3 minutes to advertise their business, so polish up that elevator speech and don't forget your business cards! Refreshments will be served, and if we get enough positive feedback, we'll make this an on-going, monthly meetup!
Time: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6-8 PM.
Where: Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Avenue
Reservations: $5 for WFS boxholders, $10 at the door, $7 if reserved ahead thru email or Facebook.
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by Timothy Rutt
Five new gourmet food trucks will be on deck at Fancy Food Truck Friday Aug. 9.
Tainamite Truck, The Lobos Truck, Crepe’N Around, The Sushi Pirate and Wings On Wheels will make their first appearance at the event, co-sponsored by Webster's Community Pharmacy, Webster's Liquors, and Danny's Farm. “We want to give our Altadena friends some exciting new tastes and flavors this month” said Meredith Miller, , event coordinator and co-owner of Webster's Community Pharmacy.
Returning favorites A-Rockin Ice will also return to bring up the dessert menu.
The Danny's Farm petting zoo is off this month, but they will be appearing at the Orange County Fair.
In the meantime, the pharmacy and liquor store will offer 20% off on many items during the event. Since it's back to school time, it's a good time to stock up on Hello Kitty backpacks, pencil holders, and superhero lunchboxes.
Fancy Food Truck Friday runs from 5-9 PM at the Webster's parking lot 2450 N. Lake Avenue. There's ample street parking and some limited parking in the Webster's lot.
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by Timothy Rutt
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.
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by TImothy Rutt
Amie Moore at Amy's Patio Café says that they're inaugurating "Burger Thursday" tonight. The restaurant is going to do different kinds of burgers every Thursday night from 5-9 PM.
This is just one of the changes at the restauarant, as Moore says they're no longer going to close between breakfast and dinner Thursday thru Sunday. New hours are Monday thru Wednesday 7 AM-3 PM, Thursday-Friday 7 AM-9 PM, Saturday 8 AM-9 PM, and Sunday 8 AM-7 PM.
Amy's Patio Café is at 900 E. Altadena Drive.
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Danny's Farm, the formerly-in-Altadena organization that provides educational programs and employment for persons with autism and other developmental disabilities, received $500 from May's Fancy Food Truck Friday event.
Webster's Community Pharmacy, Webster's Wine & Spirits, and the participating food trucks raised the money from proceeds of the monthly event. Danny's Farm is the sponsor of the fancy food truck event.
According to Cathy Gott, the contribution was welcome as Danny's Farm is expanding its mission, as children with autism become adults with autism and will need to find meaningful employment as they age out of school and other services.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, will have a wine tasting on Sunday, June 2, from 5-6 PM:
The owner's son of Domain Brotte, Thiebault, will be presenting seven wines from six of his wineries located in the Rhone Valley. He is going to take us on a tour that includes two CHATEAUNEUF-DUPAPE wines on top of the other five fabulous wines we are tasting this Sunday. In addition, we will be raffling off one of each of those bottles to those participating in the tasting. The cost is $20 per person, cheese and baguette included.
This is a special tasting not to be missed. Please read the attachment for wine descriptions. There are special bottle pricing out-the-dooron Sunday as well.
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Katherine Oschin Rodriguez, owner of Party Time Faces in Altadena is hosting a free face painting event for the community at her home on Wednesday, May 29. Local face painters from around the area will be practicing their designs and are looking for children and adults who want to be painted to come and join in on the fun. Everyone is welcome -- the more participants to paint, the better.
The event will be at 200 E. Loma Alta Drive from 4-7 PM.
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by Timothy Rutt
After a year of his new restaurant hanging in limbo thanks to county rules, AltaEats’s chef and co-owner Paul Ragan was so anxious to get going that, when he finally got approval to open, he went ahead and did it, even though he didn't yet have a sign on the building.
And almost two months later, there’s still no sign, but the customers are coming, anyway.
Andt that’s OK, he said -- some customers bring out-of-guests, and give them the impression that the Altadena/Pasadena border's new restaurant is a secret known only to the locals.
But if it’s a secret, it won’t be much longer: after spending a year in county permitting and financing hell, Ragan, who opened his restaurant in March, has been doing a steady business, sign or no. A recent glowing review in LA Weekly is bringing more attention to what some people say Altadena’s vibrant food culture really needs -- an interesting, destination restaurant.
His experience also includes a Mediterranean sensibility: he was a private chef for a client who would take him to Portugal every August to cook in their summer home, and he and Visca ran a small restaurant for five years in Madrid.
That restaurant was half the size of his current one, Ragan said -- big enough to squeeze out a living, but just that.
Ragan and his family (they have a daughter) moved to Altadena two years ago. He was looking for a location for his own restaurant, and found one right in the neighborhood, at 1860 N. Allen Avenue. The building, which lived an earlier life as a restaurant named Jack’s Casbah, was being used by a catering business and the building was for sale.
Part of the year-long delay in opening was “a bit of my inexperience of how to go about it,” Ragan admits. “Find the right people and funding.”
Continue reading "AltaEats: the secret restaurant at the border is not so secret" »
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by Timothy Rutt
After five years of meeting, planning, and organizing, the Arroyo Food Co-op (Altadenablog sponsor) has signed a lease on a site in Pasadena, and has started a capital campaign to finally open its long-awaited community-owned grocery store.
Over 98% of the co-op members who voted gave their approval for the Board of Directors to lease the former George's Market at 494 N. Wilson Avenue. The approximately 4,900 square-foot building is at the corner of Wilson and Villa Street
"We looked high and low to find just the right spot to open the Co-op. We looked for all those things that make a location a good location,” said co-op president Tricia Keane said in a press release. “We wanted it to be as close to our members as possible, and conveniently located for members of the public. I always had a dream that we would find a former grocery store just waiting for new people to move in, and, apparently, dreams do come true. The former George's Market site has all the things we were looking for—and then some. This is truly an exciting time to be part of the Arroyo Food Co-op.”
The press release says that:
Along with signing the lease, the Co-op announced the kick off of its capital campaign to raise the final funds necessary to open its doors. The Co-op needs approximately $70,000 to refurbish and renovate the site and another $251,000 for operational expenses, primarily inventory. Although loans from the co-op’s existing members will form the bulk of these funds, the co-op is actively seeking new members. Furthermore, current members are being encouraged to reach their full membership investment if they have not already. The Co-op currently counts a total of 550 members, both full- and partially-vested.
Patrick Reagan, o-op CFO and founder, said in the release: “This wonderful site, the strong health of the Co-op’s finances, and the promising response we’ve received from the community, all compelled us to jump when this lease opportunity came up. Years of hard work have brought us to these last steps before we open our doors. With the community’s continued support, we’ll clear these remaining milestones, establish a significant resource for healthy food, and provide yet one more example of how well the cooperative business model works for a local economy.”
The co-op, formally established as a California Consumer Cooperative Corporation in 2009, says it is an alternative to corporate-owned grocers, and it entirely owned by its members. It will offer organic, sustainable, and locally sourced products along with humanely raised meats, fair trade items, and non-GMO produce. Features such as a deli, coffee bar, and community space are also being considered for the site.
Membership to the co-op is $300, which can be paid in installments of as little as $30 a year. Member-owners receive additional benefits, including patronage refunds during profitable years. Everybody, not just members, is free to shop at the co-op.
For more information about the Co-op’s location, its capital campaign (including how to make a loan) and becoming a member, visit www.arroyofoodcoop.com.
More views of the market site are available here.
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A message from Webster's Community Pharmacy, a member of the Altadenablog sponsor team:
Back By Popular Demand!
On, March 29 through March 30, Easter “Egg-Stravaganza” returns to Webster’s Community Pharmacy by popular demand. Customers who spend $25 or more in our Gift Boutique will be eligible to pick out a special Easter Egg filled with an instant savings between 10%-50% off their purchase. All customers can enter our egg-clusive Easter Basket drawing filled with egg-citing goodies from our Gift Boutique. Tasty bunny sized bites will be available for all to enjoy while they shop. And many more surprises will be had!
Egg-y Details
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41st District Assemblyman Chris Holden is seeking nominations to honor a "Small Business of the Year" from his district.
According to a press release, "The San Gabriel Valley has over 69,000 small and medium sized businesses, and I look forward to receiving nominations for these great businesses within my district. Small businesses are doing great things for our economy and communities and I want to hear about their successes," Holden said.
In order to qualify, the business must have a physical location within the 41st Assembly District, have two hundred (200) or less full-time employees, and have been in business for at least two years. A business may be self-nominated, nominated by municipal and chamber of commerce staff, and/or by any business or resident within the 41st Assembly District. I hope to select one small business from each city for honors and one of these will be recognized in Sacramento on June 10, 2013 at a Small Business Luncheon.
Complete and submit the nomination form by April 10, 2013."
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Plan on it for next week: sponsor team member the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., opens at noon NEXT Sunday, March 17 for St. Patrick's Day, serving corned beef and cabbage, featuring Irish music, and good drinks and conviviality.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Walmart Neighborhood Market opened its doors today to an enthusiasic crowd in an all-American way: color guard, national anthem, prayers, speeches by local dignitaries, and a ribbon-cutting -- followed by shopping.
The early morning Friday opening of the market was greeted by representatives of the Altadena Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and Rita Hadjimanoukian of County Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office.
At the opening, there was no sign of either of the local groups that have formed to oppose the market, who are now turning their attention to the vacant lot on Lake Avenue and Calavaras Street, which has the same owners as the Walmart property and have announced plans to develop it as a retail store, without specifying who will move in.
Altadena store manager Jennifer Gonzales pronounced herself "very excited," even after the long hours of work leading up to the opening and a workday that started at 4:45 AM.
The opening ceremony started off with a color guard from John Muir High School, the national anthem sung in harmony by three market employees (or 'associates" in Walmart parlance), and an opening prayer by Pastor Tyrone Skinner of Metropolitan Baptist Church.
It was followed with a welcome by Town Council Chair Bernardean Broadus, Chamber of Commerce President Ed Meyers, and a certificate from Antonovich presented by Hadjimanoukian.
Walmart also held a "big prop check" ceremony, where they distributed grants to community organizations: Jackson Elementary School received $1,500, with $1000 grants awarded to John Muir High School, Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Neighbors Acting Together Helping All, and the Altadena Senior Center.
More pictures after the jump.
Continue reading "Walmart Neighborhood Market attracts big crowd for opening day" »
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by TImothy Rutt
The newest Walmart Neighborhood Market, the mammoth retail chain's grocery store format, will open in Altadena on Friday, March 1, with a weekend of giveaways and events.
According to a Walmart press release, opening ceremonies will start at 7:30 AM Friday, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The doors will open to the general public at 8 AM. The store is located at 2408 Lincoln Avenue, at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Figueroa Drive.
“I’m excited to see this new Walmart Neighborhood Market open and occupy a building that has been vacant for nearly a decade,” said Altadena Town Council chair Bernardean Broadous,who was quoted in the press release. “I believe this Neighborhood Market will offer a positive impact to the Altadena community as it has already created much needed good local jobs and contributed to local charitable organizations.”
The store will employ 65 full- and part-time workers, or "associates' in Walmart parlance, according to the press release. The store will also give $6,500 in grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation to local organizations, including John Muir High School, Andrew Jackson Elementary School, Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) and Neighbors Acting Together Helping All (NATHA).
“This store will be a great fit for this community,” said Jennifer Gonzales, Altadena market manager, in the press release. “The smaller Walmart Neighborhood Market format will fill a need for shoppers seeking lower prices and quality merchandise, with a full selection of groceries and health and beauty items.”
Gonzales expects the store to draw customers from Altadena, Pasadena and La Cañada, according to the press release.
Walmart says the grand-opening day celebrations will include product samplings and giveaways from companies including Wonderful Pistachios, Pepsi, Bimbo Bakeries, Monster, 7UP, Frito-Lay, Kellogg’s, Nabisco and more. Other activities scheduled include face painting and a character appearance by the Bimbo Bear. The grand-opening activities will continue through Sunday, March 3, including more character appearances, vendor samples and events. All events are family-friendly, free and open to the public, according to Walmart.
The market promises to offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, fresh cakes and bread, as well as meats, cheeses and prepared foods. The deli will feature a Grab-and-Go section with rotisserie chicken, fresh-baked pizza and standard deli sides. In addition to the fresh produce, bakery and deli items, the store will carry a full line of groceries, including frozen foods, meat and dairy products and organic items. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store. The approximately 28,000-square-foot store will be open from 6 AM. to 10PM., seven days a week. The store will also offer Site-to-Store, a free service that allows customers to ship online orders from Walmart's website free to the market for pickup.
Walmart says that the store also features a pharmacy, paper goods, pet products and hardware items -- all things which have been a concern to Altadena businesses that already trade in these items, and are worried about Walmart's reputation as a local small business killer. Since the announcement that Walmart was going to move into the location, two local anti-Walmart groups have sprung up.
UPDATE: Gary Altadena sent us this interesting encounter today, along with his own pictures:
Driving by the Lincoln/Figoura Walmart site and found workers installing the new signage. After taking a few snaps a middle-aged man named Daniel from atop the scissor lift , barks out "No pictures of the sign going up" Why? "Against corporate rules and it's also against the law."
I inform Daniel that I'm standing on the sidewalk witch is public property and of the concept of public domain. "If you don't stop talking photos I'll call the police" says Daniel. Alright then.
I walk to the east side of the store to find a second sign going up and Daniel is right behind me. "Someone from Wall Mart is coming out." Yep, Her badge says Walmart, Karen Keyes, 20 years. "Corporate meeting going on inside, no pictures of the sign going up." OK, don't need any trouble. Not very neighborly.
For future reference, everybody: if you're standing on the sidewalk or another public right-of-way, you can take pictures of anything you see.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Town Council said “no” to a six month moratorium on development on Lake Avenue, or anywhere else, at Tuesday night’s town council meeting.
Following about a total hour and a half of public comments and discussion, where the council members sometimes exchanged tart words among themselves, the council turned down a motion by councilman Jamie Bissner to impose a six month, townwide moratorium on commercial development while new community standards are being drawn up. Despite Bissner adding the proviso that the moratorium could be superceded by the Land Use Committee or Town Council as they desire, the measure went down to defeat.
The council then passed a follow-up motion by councilmember Diane Marcussen to specifically NOT request a moratorium from the county Board of Supervisors.
Councilmembers opposed to the moratorium pointed out that it would be ineffective, anyway -- community standards are currently being updated by a town council committee, and are probably two years away from being put into action. Any development until then would have to be governed by the current community standards.
They also pointed out that, in practical fact, the moratorium would only be imposed on development of the empty lot at Lake Avenue and Calaveras Street. That lot is owned by the same company that owns the Walmart Neighborhood Market lot on Lincoln Avenue. Local anti-Walmart activistis have been pushing for the moratorium, fearing that the lot will be developed into another Neighborhood Market.
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by Timothy Rutt
"CBS News This Morning" had a feature this week about Wally Riddle, proprietor of Wally's Barber Shop in Altadena. Wally has not only been cutting hair, but taking his customer's blood pressure. Since the barbershop is a center for black male culture -- and 40% of black men have high blood pressure -- it seems like a natural fit.
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Book signing: "The Chocolate Princess"
Be sure to mark your calendars for this culturally significant book signing and discussion with the authors and illustrator of The Chocolate Princess In The Land Of Plenty" on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1 PM. The authors, Valerie Jackson and Yolanda Allen, and illustrator Sylvia L. Walker, will be at WFS to sign their books and to discuss the need for positive self-images for children of color. This lovely book teaches valuable lessons about friendship, team work and self confidence - something we all could use! Bring the kids.
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by TImothy Rutt
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner Friday night to install new officers and honor the Citizen and Business of the Year.
Citizen of the Year for 2012 went to author/historian/activist Michele Zack, with Altadena Hardware, owned by the Orlandini family, named Business of the Year.
Besides the appreciation of the Chamber and the community, the Business and Citizen of the Year receive lots of things to hang on their wall. More pictures after the jump.
Continue reading "Altadena Chamber honors Citizen, Business of the Year" »
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It's the first day of February (Groundhog Day Eve?) and time to thank Altadenablog's local sponsor team:
Baietti-Seyffert/Podley Properties
Friends of the Altadena Library
Judy Rubin Architectural & Previews Specialist
Rancho Bar
Altadenablog is the best place to advertise your local business to your local audience, where we've been bringing the news to Altadenans for five years. We concentrate on the neighborhood level news that concerns Altadenans and that you can't find anywhere else. We're not going to change our focus to be a social media website, like the New York City-based website will. We've noticed the other website has given up covering the town council meetings -- we never will (we've attended every meeting for at least five years -- there's not even anybody on the council who can claim THAT attendence record!) Altadenablog is always going to be about the news you need. And we promise something else: your ad, on every page, every time, exclusively with other Altadena-area businesses. Nobody else offers that.
And if advertising isn't in the cards for you, but you'd still like to support Altadena's only locally-owned and -operated news website, we've opened the The Altadena Wall of Awesome! Anybody who buys an entirely-voluntary subscription (which gets you nothing extra, by the way!) gets our eternal gratitude and your name on the Wall for a year! (You can be anonymous, too -- just tell us!) Your contributions will largely go to improving our coverage by providing improved rates to our freelancers and some planned upgrades in the website.
The contribution button is here, and the Wall of Awesome is here.
The best way to thank our local business sponsors is to patronize them!
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The new owner of Amy’s Patio Café has a feeling that buying the Altadena business was just meant to be. It’s not just that as a trained chef, she had been looking for a business to buy for the past 15 years when the restaurant became available. It has to do with something more coincidental: Amie Moore was born an Amy, and her mother’s maiden name is Clark, the same last name as previous owner Lauren Clark.
Since taking over on Oct. 8, Moore has kept the menu pretty much the same because “the regulars like it,” but has added dinner hours and lengthened the breakfast and lunch hours to accommodate early commuters and late lunchers. The café is also open on Mondays now.
“One of things told to me by the old owner and customers was that there is a real need for another dinner place,” she says. In December, she started serving dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. “It’s pretty slow right now, I think people are just discovering it.”
Moore also bakes up made-from-scratch desserts, including tempting sweets such as apple crisp, Grand Marnier cake, blueberry chiffon cake, mud pie and mocha Kahlua layer cake. “I do whatever comes to mind when I feel like it,” she says.
There’s also a new soup special, and as a former sous chef with a certificate in Advanced Food Management from the Pacific School of Restaurant Management, Moore makes everything from scratch. Cappuccino and lattes are now served and the café is wired for Wi-Fi.
Continue reading "Amy's Patio Café: new look, new owner, new Amie" »
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Katherine Oschin Rodriguez' new business, Party TIme Faces, can add entertainment to your parties and other events with face painting, glitter tattoos, and hair feathers.
Rodriguez works in Altadena and surrounding communities, and says: "I often donate up to 1 hour for free for community, school, and non-profit groups whenever possible. It helps them and it helps me get my name out there. I just donated two hours for a military fundraiser in Azusa. It was a great time painting all the kids."
HEr website is www.PartyTimeFaces.com, and phone is (818) 402-2412.
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce will honor Citizen of the Year Michele Zack and Business of the Year Altadena Hardware at its 89th annual Awards and Installation Dinner on Feb. 1 at the Altadena Town & Country Club.
New chamber officers will also be installed at the dinner,
Tickets are $75, or $140 for a pair, and are available through the chamber website. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 23.
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If you attended “Altadena’s 125th Birthday Celebration,” this year, chances are you’re already familiar with the work of Hugo Arteaga, He designed the souvenir program for the event, which featured a collage of historic photographs and literature about the city.
“The commemorative booklet was actually my first solo project for Altadena, which was a lot of fun to work on,” said Arteaga. “I worked with Michele Zack on it, and it took a long time getting it just right. We really wanted it to be more than just ads, but rather a nice keepsake.{
Arteaga also designed a postcard from the collage within the booklet, which caught the eye of the local Webster’s Fine Stationers owners, who are currently selling them in an exclusive deal with Arteaga.
A former manager of design services and publications at St. Jude Medical Center, Artega recently started Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design.
Arteaga has lived in Altadena since 2001, and is also a member of the Palm Street Area Residents Association (PSARA), which holds an annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive in partnership with the Altadena Sheriff’s Department. This year, the neighborhood drive was held right in front of Arteaga's home.
For additional information about Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design, go to: http://arteagagraphicdesign.com/
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Erika McCarden is an Emmy-award winning producer who also writes about Altadena.
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by Timothy Rutt
The family-owned Webster's complex at 2450 N. Lake Ave. is for sale, but has not been sold, according to the commercial property firm handling the shopping center.
Norm Sauve, a partner at Suave Riegel Commercial Real Estate, said that the property is on the market, but "it has not been sold and nothing can be disclosed."
Rumors have been circulating that the complex has a new owner, but Sauve denied that a sale had been closed at this time. However, he didn't deny that a buyer was considering the property. "That's all I can say" at the present time, Sauve said.
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by TImothy Rutt
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is hosting a "Holiday Shop & Dine" event with the businesses along North Lake Avenue and Mariposa Street.
All week, shoppers at participating locations can enter for a drawing that will take place at Fancy Food Truck Friday Dec. 14.
Look for the Altadena Chamber poster in participating businesses, drop in and fill out an entry form. You will automatically be entered into the Chamber drawing to be held at 7 PM at Fancy Food Truck Friday in the Webster’s Parking Lot. The Altadena Chamber will have a special table outside to announce the winners. Please be present to win.
Some participating stores will stay open late on Friday, December 14, for your shopping convenience. Stroll and shop along Lake & Mariposa after enjoying a scrumptious gourmet dinner at the final 2012 Fancy Food Truck Friday.
Participating businesses include: Webster’s Community Pharmacy, Webster’s Fine Stationers, Altadena Hardware, Steve’s Pets, Steve’s Bikes, Curves, Ca. Property Solvers, El Patron, Amy’s Patio Cafe, Merit Cleaners/Sprint and more!
In case of rain drawing will be held at Webster’s Community Pharmacy at 6 PM. For more information: 626-794-3988
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by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce has named its annual Citizen of the Year and, for the second time, its Business of the Year.
Citizen of the Year for 2012 is author/historian/activist Michele Zack, whose award-winning Altadena: Between Wilderness and City is the definitive history of the town.
Altadena's Business of the Year is Altadena Hardware, 849 East Mariposa Street. Altadena Hardware was already a local institution that was purchased by Jim Orlandini and his family in 2010, and today serves Altadena both as a thriving business and good community citizen.
Michele Zack
Coming back home to Altadena, Zack immersed herself in the community, serving on the Watershed Committee and the Altadena Foothills Conservancy (now Arroyo & Foothills Conservancy) and serving three terms on the Altadena Town Council. She was also involved in the Altadena Hillsides Working Group, whose efforts resulted in the county's approval of an Altadena Hillside Management Ordinance to preserve the foothills from encroaching development.
Zack was just beginning her career switch from journalism to writing about local history when she was commissioned by the Altadena Historical Society to write Altadena: Between Wilderness and City, published in 2004. The book was recognized for excellence by the American Association of State and Local History, and in 2006 she received the Donald Pflueger Award from the Historical Society of Southern California.
In 2009, she published Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre, commissioned by the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society. It was honored by the American Association of State and Local History at its 2010 annual meeting.
But Zack does not only write about local history: she makes it. You'll find evidence of her activity all over town, from the Marengo Avenue Pocket Park, to the the oak trees that now grace the corridor at Fair Oaks Avenue, and most recently as one of the key organizers of Altadena's successful 125th Birthday Bash on Nov. 3, a party that celebrated all things Altadena.
In 2011, she joined the The Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West as Senior Advisor, Local History and K-12 Outreach. ICW pairs a great research university (USC) with a great research library (The Huntington) for a number of projects in doctoral education, public outreach, and thematic and innovative investigations of Western History. She is also an avid and ambitious home gardener.
Currently, Zack writes an occasional column for Altadenablog and is on the board of Altadena Heritage, the platform for much of her activism, where her husband Mark Goldschmidt is chairman: “We really are a team,” she says. As for being named Citizen of the Year, Zack says,"It's a big honor, and I'm very gratified and a little surprised and happy … I think of myself as an activist, sort of a rabble rouser, although I like to work in the institutions we have."
Altadena Hardware
Altadena Hardware has been a community institution for over 80 years. After being owned by one family for three generations, it was for sale In 2010 and some feared it might close. But Altadena resident Jim Orlandini purchased the store, and he may have been the best one to take it on.
In the late 1970’s. Jim took over running the store on a day-to-day basis with sister Janet in the back office. Jim’s wife Paula has also worked there for over 30 years.
Jim and his family moved to Altadena in 1985, becoming actively involved with St. Elizabeth’s Church and School. Jim had been wanting to branch out, and Altadena Hardware had been on his radar for awhile. When owners Don Thomas and his sister Shirley Harrington wanted to retire and were looking for a buyer, Jim Orlandini stepped up.
Today, Jim still works at Newland Hardware, with his son Jimmy managing the Altadena store and wife Paula serving as its bookkeeper.
Since taking over the store, the Orlandinis have expanded the inventory and updated the displays, but Jimmy says that they’re determined to keep the vintage small town hardware store look and feel. They recently won the battle with county inspectors to keep the store’s original 1915 vintage scale for bulk nails in operation.
Altadena Hardware and the Orlandinis also give back to the community in many ways. They have helped the Pasadena Waldorf School Elves’ Faire, the local Church World Service CROP Hunger Walk, the City of Pasadena’s Human Services and Recreation Department for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Pasadena Christian School, the Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital, and the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena, among others. And, Paula says, “We are always willing to help Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.”
Citizen of the Year Michele Zack and Business of the Year Altadena Hardware will be honored by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce at an event at the Altadena Town & Country Club on Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.
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by Timothy Rutt
"Hiring Altadena," a workshop for potential employees of Walmart Neighborhood Market, will take place today from 9 AM-1 PM at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
Potential Walmart employees can learn about the firm's application process and interview tips when applying for work at the new Neighborhood Market to open in Altadena next year.
Other sponsors include Foothill Workforce Investment Board and LA Works.
Walmart has said it will open a temporary hiring center near the planned store before the end of the year. "The hiring center will be open during the months leading up to the store opening, and will offer computer kiosks for the online application process and facilitate job interviews," according to a press release. "New hires will begin training at local stores or begin preparing the store for grand opening when construction is complete. All interested applicants will be able to apply online at http://careers.walmart.com beginning mid-December.
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by Timothy Rutt
When the Orlandini family bought local landmark Altadena Hardware in 2010, they wanted to modernize it, but also keep its vintage hardware store atmosphere. Manager Jimmy Orlandini said at the time, "We don't want to take away from the old-fashioned look."
So the family -- which has owned Newland Hardware in El Sereno since the 1960's, and became Altadena residents in 1985 -- has striven for state-of-the-art while keeping the old fashioned, friendly look and service Altadena Hardware is known for. One of the treasures of the hometown ambiance is the 1915 vintage scale by the long-gone Computing Scale Company, which has been used to weigh bulk nails for as long as anyone can remember.
But that may come to an end soon. The county agricultural commissioner’s office, which regulates scales, has told Orlandini that he’ll have to get rid of it.
Why? Not because it isn’t measuring accurately -- “the scale’s perfect,” Orlandini says -- but because an inspector transposed two numbers last year, and now Weights and Measures is saying that they can’t be sure it’s the same scale -- so it has to be scrapped.
Orlandini thinks they’re also just trying to get out of inspecting the scale every year. Today, scales and other bulk goods measuring equipment are “certified” by the state ahead of time, and the inspector just checks it for accuracy every year. An older, non-certified scale can challenge an inspector who’s never encountered anything like it before.
The problems began with the 2011 inspection. Orlandini said that the inspector, a woman who seemed inexperienced, apparently hadn’t encountered a counterweighted scale. As part of the inspection, the scale -- which normally doesn’t measure any more than five pounds of nails -- has to accurately record 100 lbs. Orlandini said that the inspector couldn’t lift two certified 50 lb. weights on the scale herself, so the hardware store staff helped her.
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Get ready for the holidays: the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., is having its annual French Champagne, Sparkling Wine and Spanish Cava tasting this Sunday afternoon, from 4-6 PM. Cost is $20 per person.
And, the Ale House is also a drop-off location for the Altadena Sheriff Station Food and Toy Drive, taking canned goods and new toys until Dec. 7.
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by Timothy Rutt
After surviving Black Friday, it's time to give some support to the local small businesses in Altadena that help provide jobs and bring character to our town.
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is promoting "Small Business Saturday," a promotion from American Express, that urges you to make some of our holiday purchases (heck, some of your everyday purchases) from local merchants.
Many of the local participants will have "Small Business Saturday" welcome mats at the door, but you don't need the mats to shop small and local today!
In that spirit, we're passing along this editorial about buying from local business by Tom Prete, a fellow local news publisher whose Ocean Beach Bulletin covers the western edge of San Francisco.
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by Timothy Rutt
After Thanksgiving ... and Black Friday ... and before Cyber Monday ... the Altadena Chamber of Commerce is urging residents to "shop small" at local independent businesses Saturday.
American Express is promoting November 24 as "Small Business Saturday," "a day dedicated to helping small businesses and their communities. By supporting local, independently-owned small businesses, we're helping create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country."
At the shopsmall.com website, customers can find a map of businesses that are participating in Small Business Saturday. There are also promotional materials available at the website for busiensses that accept American Express cards.
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by TImothy Rutt
MonteCedro, the planned Altadena retirement community, will be spreading some holiday cheer from now until Dec. 5.
The MonteCedro "Good Deeds Gal" will be visiting local businesses and picking up the tab for random customers. The push started yesterday, with "Good Deeds Gal" Jenny Buchanan surprising patrons at such places as Super King grocers and Fox's Restaurant with gift certificates.
Lois Bascom, a teacher at St. Mark's School, was surprised Wednesday at Webster's Community Pharmacy with a gift certificate.
The "Good Deeds Gal" will show up at various locations once a week until Dec. 5. MonteCedro will also be making a $1,000 donation to a local non-profit organization.
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On Sat., Nov. 17 Webster’s Community Pharmacy (Altadenablog sponsor) along with Webster’s Liquors will be celebrating the holidays with their annual Holiday Open House.
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A note from SaveAltadena's Steve Lamb says:Poncitlan has been in this location since the early 1990's. In spite of the belief that Poncitaln had a strong ethnic following and most Altadenans believed its business would not be effected by the opening of a supermarket at Lincoln Crossing, the supermarket cut her sales 50%.Mrs. Vega, the owner, expanded her Burrito, Taco and Torta business. Today Poncitlan is a take out food diner and most of the business is derived from sales of to-go food.The beef burrito is excellent. It comes with either a mild or hot sauce, but the hot sauce can be handled by the most tender of tongues.Let's support this scrappy business owner who is constantly adapting to survive.
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by Timothy Rutt
Some people hate nit-pickers -- until they, or their kids, have nits to pick.
Altadena resident Hilary Scofield has a business where nit-picking is a necessity: her service, The Hair Angels, specializes in removing head lice.
Scofield and her partner Michelle Aloisio founded the business five years ago while battling head lice in their own children. "Our frustration in removing it led us to the realize that a huge need existed in our community, for a professional service, to help frantic parents like ourselves," she writes.
Both women are trained and certified in professional lice removal. They began by offering in-home service in the San Gabriel Valley, but grew the business to offer treatment in San Diego, Orange, and San Francisco counties and also in Arizona.
The demand for the service has grown so much that they opened a lice removal salon in Pasadena in August. The salon, at 259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave. in Pasadena, is the only one of its kind within a thirty mile radius.
To celebrate the opening of their salon (and because September is National Head Lice Awareness Month -- who knew?) they will offer a free in-salon lice screening for local children and their parents through the month of October.
"We provide a professional, fast, non-toxic and guaranteed service for the entire family, and have successfully helped thousands of families win their battle against lice," Scofield writes. "We use a professional grade comb to remove as much as we can and then we divide the hair into sections and go through layer by layer, strand by strand to make sure we didn't miss anything.....we guarantee children back to school the next day or we will treat again for free."
To schedule an appointment for treatment (which can be at the salon or your home) or the free in-salon screening, call 877 543-8881 or the direct salon number, 626 577-2217.
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by Timothy Rutt
From left, Joan Bowdoin, Curves owner Rose West, and Kim Watkins celebrate the fourth anniversary (plus one month) of Altadena Curves at a party Aug. 23. West says that they currently have 178 members who enjoy the equipment, the stretching circuit, Zumba, and soon yoga. Curves is also planning a "Not for Sissies Event" Sept. 15 which will involve a walk from the facility at Lake and Mariposa to New York Drive and back, with details to come.
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By Timothy Rutt
Lori Webster at Webster's Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Ave., is holding a "savings oppportunity" through Friday, Aug. 10 to promote local businesses:
Customers can save 20% off their purchase if they show a receipt (dated within the week the sale is running) from another local, independently owned Altadena shop, service or restaurant. Savings can't be applied to consigned artists' merchandise, one savings per day, per person. Please see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Webstersfs.
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by Timothy Rutt
After a several-month lapse, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce is putting together a new coupon page and is offering Chamber members free ads on it for the months of August and September.
The page will go the Chamber website, local email news groups, the Chamber distribution list, and other venues (we always run them on Altadenablog, too!) offering coupon deals to your customers.
Please reply by Aug. 13 for your free ad -- if you don't have one put together, contact the Chamber.
The ad rate for non-members is $50 (or you can become a member and make it free!).
Contact the Chamber at office@altadenachamber.org
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"Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" will screen at First Presbyterian Church tonight at 7 PM.
Immediately following, viewers will have the opportunity to "sign up for small-group discussions about the effect Wal-Mart will have
on Altadena, and the entire nation," according to a press release.
the film, by director and producer Robert Greenwald, looks at the lives of people "struggling to fight against a goliath," according to the release:
From a small business owner in the Missouri to a preacher in California, from workers in Florida to a poet in Mexico, dozens of film crews on three continents bring the story of an assault of families and American values. Current and former employees, managers and executives will tell all about the corporation’s inner-workings. Wal-Mart is based on individual human beings, all over the world, at all levels of society, telling their story in very personal terms.
Community members and local business owners are invited to attend. First Presbyterian Church is at 2775 Lincoln Avenue in Altadena.
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Altadena resident Terry Moore advocates showing some love to local Altadena businesses. She writes:
In the passionate debate going on about Walmart’s pending arrival in Altadena, many folks have expressed frustration that there weren’t enough solutions being discussed about the real issues in our community of shuttered buildings, empty lots and a lack of jobs. They have asked for ways to enact positive change in Altadena.
Can a Phoenix rise from all of this? Can we use this as a call to action that everyone can answer? Can this be a beginning to a new level of participation in this town we all hold so dear? Can we all start working together to start addressing these pressing issues?
So, here is the first tiny step, the first, hopefully of many steps toward building a better Altadena.
On Saturday, July 21st, there will be the first of a series of "Cash Mobs" held throughout Altadena.
There will be a new cash mob announced here and around Altadena, every week, so that Altadena residents have a way show our support of Altadena small businesses and to further the discussion of how we can all work together to make our community the best it can be!
Hopefully there can be a Cash Mob at every Altadena retail business over the upcoming year. But it is one at a time, and it will take time, so please let us not use this as another opportunity for divisiveness by debating the merits of one business over the other -- they all have equal value. All retail businesses have equal standing, and if all goes according to plan, everyone will be Cash Mobbed!
The first cash mob will be at Webster’s Fine Stationers at 2450 Lake Avenue. ( This idea came to me while standing in the store buying some supplies.)
Go there at any point in the day, and spend what you can.
Continue reading ""Cash Mob" planned for Websters Fine Stationers July 21" »
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by Timothy Rutt
John Moran Auctioneers of Altadena had a hand in this happy story, as an old family Navajo blanket belonging to Loren Krytzer of Antelope Valley brought $1.8 million at auction and changed his life.
Krytzer, who was living on disability payments following a foot amputation, saw a blanket similar to his appraised on the "Antiques Roadshow" for up to $500,000. He took his blanket -- handed down in the family for generations -- to John Moran's monthly "What's It Worth" valuation day in March.
Moran recognized the blanket as a First-Phase chief's wearing blanket with lac-dyed red stripes. Only four are known to exist outside of public collections, and, according to information provided by Moran, fewer than 100 First Phase blankets are known to exist. According to a press release from Moran, "this design variant of the 19th century artifacts is considered the holy grail of Navajo textile collectors." One example nearly identical to Krytzer's is "a star exhibit of the Smithsonianʼs National Museum of the American Indian."
Moran named it the "Chantland Blanket" after the first known owner John Chantland, a Norwegian immigrant turned tradesman who acquired it in the 1870s after settling in the town of Mayville, Dakota Territory.
The blanket went up for auction at the Pasadena Convention Center on June 19. According to Moran's release, "After a pitched battle between phone and floor bidders from across the country, the well-known dealer Donald Ellis of Donald Ellis Gallery in New York and Ontario, bidding from the floor, emerged the victor as the stunned consignor looked on." The total price, including 20% buyer's premium, was $1.8 million.
Moran's release goes on to say, "This sale price eclipses the previous record for a Navajo blanket when a similar example sold for $522,500 to a buyer at Sothebyʼs New York in 1989. It is the second-highest price ever realized at auction for a Native American artifact of any type."
The video above tells the story of Krytzer's change of luck with the help of an Altadena auction house.
Want to try your luck? The next "What's It Worth" is on July 18 at John Moran Auctioneers, 735 W. Woodbury Road from 9 AM to 1 PM.
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Altadenablog sponsor The Rancho Bar will have a July 4th barbecue today. Owner Chris Nelson says there will be burgers, corn on the cob, watermelon, and more. Food will be served starting about 1 PM and go on until it runs out.
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