altadenablog

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

by Timothy Rutt

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

from the Pasadena Waldorf School

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

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

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

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

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

"Big Night Out" to benefit AIDS Service Center May 4

 by Timothy Rutt

The AIDS Service Center will have its annual "Big Night Out" on Saturday, May 4, starting with a kickoff gala reception and auction, followed by dinners in different venues around the area.

One of the dinners, A Night in Spain, will be held at a private Altadena home.

The 16th annual fundraiser goes to help provide free care for individuals and families whose lives have been affected by AIDS/HIV.

Tickets to the Gala  reception and dinner parties are $250 each. Tickets to the gala only are $125. Visit www.AIDSserviceCenter.org for tickets and information.

 

NFL's Rameses Barden returns to Boys & Girls Club

NFL wide receiver Ramses Barden visited the Boys & GIrls Club of Pasadena last week, paying a spring break visit to the place where he spent so many hours himself as a youngster.

Rameses Barden's draft picture from NFL.com

The Altadena-born Barden was a member of the New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI championship team in the 2011 season, and is currently a free agent.

Barden, an alumnus of the Boys & Girls Club Mackenzie-Scott branch at 2020 N. Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, spent two hours visiting with club members and answering a host of questions, according to a relea

se from the club.  He also spoke to the members about the importance of doing their best and staying in school.

Barden was a member of the Mackenzie-Scott branch in the late 1990s, where his favorite activity was basketball.  He attended Flintridge Prep high school in La Canada on a full scholarship, where his mastery of several sports earned him the title of High School Athlete of the Year for small schools.

Barden later attended Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo, and was drafted by the New York Giants.

“Ramses is proof that great futures start at the Boys & Girls Club, and he is a wonderful example of how our alumni continue to make a positive impact on the Club and the community,” said Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Rachel Estrada.  “It was such a pleasure to see how positively our teens reacted when talking with Ramses as they realized that anything is possible when they follow their dreams.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena was founded in 1937 and today serves more than 4,000 youth, ages 6 to 18, annually at two branch sites in the city of Pasadena. Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. It offers programs in five core areas: Education & Career Development; Character & Leadership Development; Health & Life Skills, Arts, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation.

Still time to get involved with the MPYD benefit dinner at Brookside

 

Director John Singleton, center, with the young men of MPYD.  Singleton was the keynote speaker at last year's benefit dinner.

 

by Timothy Rutt

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available for the annual fundraising benefit dinner for Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD), to be held April 13 at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.

This year's keynote speaker will be Judge Victor Wright of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.  Master of ceremonies will be Cameron Turner.

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

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

 

 

"Relay Rally" in Pasadena for American Cancer Society

from the Altadena Relay for Life

The American Cancer Society invites individuals who want to celebrate the lives of those who have faced cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease to join its Relay For Life, scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2013 in Altadena at Farnsworth Park.  Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, barbecue, dance, and take turns walking around a track relay style to raise funds to fight cancer.  At nightfall, participants will light hundreds of luminaria around the track in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors as well as friends and family members lost to the disease. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

On Thursday, March 21, we will be hosting a Relay Rally.  Anyone -- families, caregivers cancer survivors, schools, companies, etc., are invited to come learn how the can become involved annual Relay For Life activities.  

WHAT -- Relay for Life of Altadena Rally

WHEN – Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

WHERE – American Cancer Society Office
50 North Hill Ave. Pasadena, CA 91106

Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

For additional information call or email:  Event Chair Heather Morrow  at 818-257-0338 or hcmorrow@gmail.com

We are “In It to Win It” here in Altadena.  To join a Relay For Life of Altadena, visit www.RelayForLife.org/altadenaca.

MPYD Benefit at Brookside Golf Course April 13

by Timothy Rutt

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

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

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

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

 

Christmas Tree Lane: the takedown is underway

by Timothy Rutt

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

 

Peace & Justice Academy students collect 500 blankets for the homeless

 

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

 

from the Peace & Justice Academy

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

MACH 1 walkathon at Hahamongna March 17

by Timothy Rutt

MACH 1, the therapeutic horseback riding program for riders with disabilities, holds its fourth annual Walk-a-Thon fundraiser on Sunday, March 17.  A $10 minimum donation is requested to join this fun family event.   

Experience a great morning walk in the Pasadena Arroyo Seco to support a scholarship or help feed the faithful horses. 

The route begins at Hahamongna Watershed Park and follows a 5k trail in the upper arroyo.  A shorter walk alternative is available.
Registration starts at 8 AM, walk stars at 9 AM  Free refreshments will be available. Stop at the bake sale & craft tables too. 

Enter the raffle for a chance to win several great prizes including a Kindle Fire HD7!  

Dogs on a leash are welcome!

Enter the Hahamongna Watershed Park at Oak Grove Drive and Foothill Boulevard. Follow signs to the registration area at the Pasadena Equestrian Center Rose Bowl Riders clubhouse.

For more information and to download the flyer and registration form or to donate on line please visit the MACH 1 website at http://www.moveachildhigher.org .   For specific questions please call (626) 798-1222.

 

Grand opening for Gold Scout Lambert's Eliot project Friday

 

From left, Rhonda Stone (field representative for Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard), Elizabeth Claire Lambert, and Eliot MIddle School Principal Lorena Martinez cut the ribbon for the school's new Opportunity Room on Feb. 22, 2013.  Lambert pulled together a vast array of donors to convert a little-used storage room into an attractive, private location for students and counselors to meet.  The project not only meets a need for students, but helps Lambert toward earning a Gold award, the highest rank in GIrl Scouting.  The signatures on the wall came from every student at Eliot.  An earlier story about Lambert and her project is here.

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Elizabeth Claire Lambert helps out Eliot while going for the gold

Altadena's Walmart Neighborhood Market to open March 1

Crime blotter: burglaries (of course), petty thefts, vandalism

NAACP to honor Victor McClinton, others March 10

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena branch of the NAACP will honor slain youth worker Victor McClinton as part of its annual Tony Stewart Freedom Fund Luncheon on Sunday, March 10.

Other honorees include Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Dr. Gwendolyn Bishop, Dr. George McKenna, and William Syms.

Former assemblyman Anthony Portantino will be the master of ceremonies at the luncheon, which starts at noon at Castaway Restaurant, 1250 Harvard Road in Burbank. Cost is $100 per person. For more information: naacpaltadena@gmail.com or (818) 517-2099

"Giving Bach" performs at Five Acres

Incoming!  Richard Meyer conducts the "Giving Bach" orchestra as they perform at Five Acres Wednesday. Photo by Alice Park.

by Timothy Rutt

Richard Meyer, orchestra teacher at Temple City's Oak Avenue Intermediate School, had been teaching almost three decades when he thought, "I've done all the other stuff -- it's time to do this, it's very important."

 

A GIving Bach cellist demonstrates her instrument at the concert at FIve Acres Wednesday. Photo by Alice Park.

"This" is his "Giving Bach" orchestra, where his advanced students give interactive, educational concerts, usually to special needs students or others in special circumstances.  The first Giving Bach concert was held at Five Acres in 2009, and this Wednesday, Feb. 21, they returned to the place where they began.

 

Giving Bach started because Meyer said that he "just got to the point where I wanted to build character in my students using music."  For his student performers,  "especially in middle school, they're socially learning -- many of these kids are shy and quet, and it's a little confidence booster."

For their audience, it's often a revelation:  the concerts are interactive, meaning at different points the audience can mingle with the musicians as they play, even try out an instrument themselves.

"It's informative, we explain different kinds of instruments," Meyer said.  "They get to play percussion, and ultimately thye sit in -- they sit right next to our kids -- and they'll let them hold (the instrument)."

The audience also gets a chance to form an orchestra of its own, putting on hard hats and playing "boomwhackers" against their heads.

 

 

Five Acres students with hard hats turn into a living marimba at Giving Bach concert. Photo by Alice Park.

 

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How Long Did the Musical Bach Family Remain Significant?

A bleg ...

... and a bleg is a beg on a blog!

One of the "good works" group we're in contact with wants to acquire iPads for educational programs for the children it serves.  If any of our readers would have some connections on (1) funding sources, and/or (2) acquiring iPads at a price below standard retail, we'd like to get something hooked up.  (This can even be a service group project).  Email us at altadenablog@gmail.com or call us at 626-201-1023 and we can give you details.

 

Five Acres Children's Guild looking for more members to support more children

 

Members of the Five Acres Children's Guild: From L to R: Melissa Kobe, Carol Williams, Maria Lopez, Danielle Barr, Nancy Lahey, Sandra Goto-Hochman, Linda Sakellariou, Veronica and Tim Kellar, Sally Olson, Louise Wannier, Erin Kaneko and Travis Young.

 

 

from FIve Acres

The Five Acres Children’s Guild, a service group dedicated to advancing Five Acres’ mission and vision, will host an informational meeting on Thursday, Mar. 7, 6 PM at Five Acres’ Zeilstra Research and Training Center.

Established in 1990, the Five Acres Children’s Guild consists of volunteers committed to being positive role models for children living in residential care while raising public awareness of Five Acres in the greater Los Angeles area. This event is open to all individuals interested in learning more about or joining this vital service group.

Members of the Children’s Guild develop and implement programs targeted at supporting the children of Five Acres and increasing the agency’s volunteer and financial support.  Guild volunteers work directly with the children living in residential care at Five Acres, forming consistent and meaningful relationships. The Children’s Guild is seeking additional members with the goal of supporting a greater number of children.

Guild members meet once monthly to discuss upcoming events, cottage activity schedules, Birthday Angels program and introduce new members. They host a monthly on-campus cottage activity, such as playing sports, arts and crafts projects, cooking meals, jewelry making and dance parties, to name a few. The Guild also treats the children to a quarterly off-campus outing; past venues have included Kidspace Museum, Griffith Park Observatory, the California Science Center and a local Halloween carnival.

Five Acres, a pioneer in providing successful solutions that ensure safety, well-being and permanent homes for children and their families proudly celebrates 125 years of service. Throughout its history, Five Acres has continued to provide programs that have a measurable impact on the nearly 5,500 children, members of their families and support networks who are served each year. Since 1888, Five Acres has touched the lives of nearly 100,000 children and families.

For more information about the Five Acres Children’s Guild or to learn how to become a part of this vital service group visit www.fiveacres.org or contact Susan Lowe at 626-773-3751 or slowe@5acres.org.

Five Acres is a pioneer in providing successful solutions that ensure safety, well-being and permanent homes for children and their families. Founded in 1888 as one of Los Angeles County’s first orphanages, Five Acres has been committed to preserving effective programs and developing more effective prevention services for children and families in crisis. Services include: residential care and education, a non-public WASC accredited school, mental health services in homes and schools, foster care and adoptions and domestic violence prevention. For more information on ways to help, visit www.fiveacres.org or contact Kristina Sarenas at ksarenas@5acres.org or 626-773-3779. 

 

Forest Service, TreePeople looking for tree planting volunteers

by Timothy Rutt

TreePeople and the US Forest Service are looking for volunteers to plant seedlings within the Station Fire burn area, to help restore burned areas that can’t recover on their own.

About 15,000 trees  are to be planted:  a mix of Jeffrey pine, Coulter pine, and Douglas-fir seedlings grown from native seeds harvested on the Angeles National Forest.

Plantings  will be Thursdays through Sundays (9:00 AM. – 1 PM), from Feb. 23 until the middle or end of April. 
You’ll need to pre-register for this event, so that TreePeople can coordinate crew sizes and other planting details. Follow this link to find and register for the planting day(s) that work for you: http://www.treepeople.org/volunteer-search

TreePeople says:

We encourage you to wear long pants, dress in layers, and bring a jacket. All volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes (hard sole boots strongly recommended). Also, bring sunscreen, a full water bottle, your own snacks and a sack lunch. Forest Aid recommends that you bring a day pack to make sure you have all the necessary items for mountain planting. Bulk water will be available to refill your water bottle. Please remember: Tree planting at high elevations can be rigorous work, so enjoy a hearty breakfast before you arrive.

If you are under the age of 16, you must have a parent or guardian attend the event with you. If you are over 16 but under 18, you must have the attached parent consent form completed and turned in at the beginning of the event.

Because of the dynamic nature of wilderness plantings and tree care, please check our Mountain Forestry Hotline for event location and last minute changes due to rain, fire, etc.(818) 623-4871.

There will be locked gates so please be on time to get into the planting site! Also, remember to fill your gas tanks for the round trip up and down the mountain.

Friends in Deed food bank will take your excess fruit

Steve and Judy Bass write:

Do you have a fruit tree that needs picking? Instead of letting the fruit land on the ground and go to waste, consider turning the fruit into a tax-deductible donation by giving it to Friends in Deed, a Pasadena-based, non-profit  food bank.

In fact, if you're planning and preparing a garden, why not consider planting a few extra rows or vegetables for Friends in Deed.

It's all for a good cause. In fact, last year, our garden club's organizers donated 2000 pounds --yes, that's one ton -- of fruits and vegetables to Friends in Deed. (Learn more about the First Fruits Garden Club goals and meetings.)

If you have questions, or want to get involved helping feed people who are truly in need, send me a private e-mail.

Steve and Judy Bass
mailto:stevebass@gmail.com 

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Altadena Rotary distributes mini-grants to PUSD teachers

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Rotary Club has distributed over 30 "mini-grants" of $300 to teachers in the Pasadena Unifeid School District.

The mini-grants, which are given every year, help pay for special programs and projects of the teachers who apply.  According to Rotary Club Mini-grant Chairman Ed Jasnow, it's a difficult decision to decide among som many excellent programs submitted each year. 

2013 grant awardees after the jump.

Elizabeth Claire Lambert helps out Eliot while going for the gold

From left: Ed Jasnow of the Altadena Rotary Club; Elizabeth Claire Lambert; Dr. Jane Lambert, and Eliot Principal Lorena Martinez.  The Rotary Club gave a $300 grant toward Elizabeth's project, creating a dedicated counseling room.

 

by TImothy Rutt

 Elizabeth Claire Lambert may be one her way to being one of those movers and shakers.

 

Elizabeth Lambert chooses paint colors for her counseling room rehab project.

The 17-year-old  Ambassador Scout was looking for project for her Gold Award, to reach the highest level in Girl Scouting. Her mother, Eliot Middle School math teacher Dr. Jane Lambert, steered her in the right direction: a large number of Eliot students live in group homes, or come from families struggling with poverty or abuse, or have other issues, and counseling is a constant need.  Unfortunately, counseling sessions had to take place in a quiet corner of the library, without any sense of privacy for the child.  What the school really needed was a designated private room for counseling.

 

Elizabeth met with Principal Lorena Martinez, who approved the project and pointed her to a vacant, unused room on campus.  

"It was completely empty," Elizabeth said.  "No furniture, and it hadn't been painted in 30 years."

Elizabeth estimated that it would take somewhere between $2,500-$4,000 to rehab it into a counseling room.  She said she felt the project was "ambitious enough, but not overly so."  

And then she started making phone calls and knocking on doors.

Her father Hank Lambert said that he told her that the hardest part would be getting people and businesses to donate money and materials.  But, he said, she's proven him wrong.

The project is now expected to be completed by her Feb. 28, 2013 deadline and -- at least as of last week -- she hadn't yet spent a dime on it. Everything to date has been donated.

 

Elizabeth and her Partnership Painting crew (with owner Scott Penn in the jacket) at Eliot Middle School.

Among the donations: Vista Paint, which donated $125 of paint for the room; Partnership Painting, which donated a three-man crew to paint the room; Altadena Hardware, which donated blinds; and labor and materials donated by volunteers, parents, Girl Scouts, the Eliot PTA, Ikea, Scholastic Books, Crest Furniture of Burbank, and many others. About $700 of books and games have been donated to the room.

 

Not that she's not against collecting money, too: her project received a $300 grant from the Altadena Rotary Club last week, and she's taking donations through a website she's set up.  

"I'm accumulating funds, and will use them for a lot of things -- I can do more now than I anticipated," she said. 

UPDATE:  Elizabeth's father Hank Lambert emails that there were two other significant donations: First United Methodist Church's men's group gave $200; and Learning Works donated $500.

 

 

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Season of giving from Altadena Sheriff's Station

Season of giving from Altadena Sheriff's Station

by TImothy Rutt

Volunteers decended on the Altadena Community Center Saturday afternoon to help distribute goods to deserving families in the culmination of the Altadena Sheriff Station's holiday food and toy drive.

Altadena Sheriff Capt. John S. Benedict said that almost 350 applications from deserving families were processed this year.  The applications were filled out at local schools, the sheriff station, and other locations.

The doors opened at 8 AM for families to receive a bag of toys, a box of nonperishable food, and gift cards, all donated by members of the community over the past several weeks.

And they're not done yet: Deputy Gregory Gabriel said that he would be taking volunteers to the Viking Food Charities distribution in Santa Monica tomorrow, another sheriff's department program.  Altadena volunteers will take some of the 1,200 boxes of food to be distributed locally.

Extra toys from the local drive will go to the Operation Santa program from the Pasadena Police Department, where many of them will be distributed in Altadena.

 

 

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 1. Volunteers sort through the rows of toys to get them to the right family.

2. Every family received a box of food as well as the toys and gift cards.

3.  Community members, including the sheriff' stations Volunteers on Patrol (here, Matthew Shropshire and Deb Halberstadt) sign in families.

4.  Volunteers busily working to distribute the toys and food in the Community Center.

 

Sharing is caring in neighborhood food and toy drives

 

The Palm St. Area Residents Association was one of the neighborhood associations collecting for the sheriff's food and toy drive Saturday. Here, Hugo Arteaga, son Riley, Suzanne Spitz, and Nancy Rothwell are ready for business.

by Timothy Rutt

 

Three Altadena neighborhoods held a collection for the Altadena Sheriff Station's annual food and toy drive this weekend, 

The Palm Street Area Residents Association, the President Streets neighbors, and La Vina had all designated places to drop off unwrapped, unused toys and non-perishable foods for the annual giveaway to needy residents, to take place December 22.

 

 

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 President Street neighbors (along with sheriff's station Volunteers on Patrol Matthew Shropshire and Bill Westphal) gather for music, snacks, and to collect goods from people who drove by (also pictured).

 

 

 

Five Acres looking for support for area families

from FIve Acres

Facing a high demand and a dearth of donations, Five Acres is seeking the community’s support to help grant holiday wishes for nearly 250 area families in need. Families who receive services from Five Acres are relying on the support of the local nonprofit’s "Family Angels" program, a holiday initiative where donors are matched with a family in need and grants at least one wish from each family member’s wish list. At this time, less than half of the 250 families have found holiday “angels.”

During the holidays, many families at Five Acres are in crisis and are experiencing financial hardship or overcoming trauma. Five Acres’ Family Angels program is designed to help spread holiday cheer to families in need during this challenging time of year. The deadline to deliver gifts is Monday, Dec. 17.

Interested donors are asked to sponsor a family (which ranges in size from 2 to 15 family members). Five Acres will provide a specific family’s holiday wish list and each donor is requested to provide at least one item (not to exceed $50) for each of the family members listed. Donors are also asked to provide a holiday food basket or grocery store gift card for the family they are supporting

Program participants receiving support in Five Acres’ Family Angels program are children and families in crisis who seek support services from Five Acres’ community-based and residential programs

Gifts and financial contributions are welcome daily at Five Acres’ main campus, 760 West Mountain View St., Altadena, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 PM. 

Visit http://www.fiveacres.org or contact Jasmine Abghari at (626) 773- 3744 or jabghari@5acres.org

 

Soroptimist silent auction raises funds for hope

 

from the Altadena-Pasadena Soroptimists 

A little rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Altadena-Pasadena branch of Soroptimist International, as the club held its 17th annual Silent Auction on Sunday, Dec. 2.

This event took place at the Altadena Senior Center where attendees bid on treasures that included Rose Parade seats, paintings by local artists, restaurant gift cards, chic fashion jewelry, and a variety of themed gift baskets.

The members of Soroptimists lent their time and talents to making this event a success. They solicited donations from local businesses, created imaginative gift baskets, baked delicious appetizers and transformed the Altadena Senior Center into a festive shopping environment. At the end of the event, the items went to the highest bidders. Shirley Manning, 1st Vice President and Phyllis Howard, newsletter editor, presented raffle prizes to lucky ticket holders.

This auction is Altadena-Pasadena Soroptimists’ largest fundraiser of the year. With a slogan of “Women Helping Women,” the mission of Soroptimist International is to assist women and girls in the local community and around the world. Several of the agencies benefiting from the Altadena-Pasadena club’s auction include Door of Hope, Ecumenical Council, Cancer Support Community/Silver Saturday, Rosemary Children’s Services, and the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity, Ruby, and Violet Richardson awards.

Jane Harris, Silent Auction Committee Chair remarked, “I am so appreciative and grateful to be part of such a resourceful and energetic group!”

To learn more about this organization, visit www.soroptimist.org.

Last week for sheriff's food and toy drive

 

by Timothy Rutt

The holiday tradition of the Altadena Sheriff Station's annual food and toy drive will wrap up this Saturday, Dec. 8, so there's still time to help a local disadvantaged family have a happier holiday.  The toys and food will be distributed on Sat., Dec. 15.

New, unwrapped toys and non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the following locations, among others in town:

• The Altadena Sheriff Station, 780 E. Altadena Drive
• The Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. , and Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave. (your library fines can also be forgiven with a large enough donation!)
• The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
• The Palm Street Area Residents Association will be collecting for the drive on Sat., Dec. 8, at 241 E. Palm St. from 10 AM-1 PM.
• UPDATE: President Streets will conduct their toy drive on Saturday from 9-11 AM at 126 N. Harding.

Correction-o-rama:  We've got several messages giving new details that contradict earlier information we were given:

• Eric Pierce of the President Streets Yahoo group says that the President Streets drive will be at the 1800 block of Harding;
• Capt. John S. Benedict says that the Sheriff Food and Toy Drive giveaway has been changed to Dec. 22 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

 

 

Farnsworth Park collecting new toys until Dec. 19

by TImothy Rutt

Farnsworth Park is collecting new toys from now until Dec. 19, to help brighten the holiday of children in struggling families.

Please bring your toys to the park office from 10 AM-5 PM.

 

Sheriff's station now collecting for food and toy drive

The Altadena Sheriff Station annual  Food and Toy Drive in now underway.

Help a family in need this season by donating non-perishable, canned food items or new, unwrapped toys to the station at 780 E. Altadena Dr. through December 8.

Distribution to families this year will be Dec. 15 at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr.

For more informaiton contact Deputy Ronnie Manier or Sgt. Matthew Bossier at the Altadena Sheriff Station, 626-798-1131 or 626-296-2105.

 

Altadenans shine at Hurricane Sandy fundraiser Sunday

Leslie Perry will host a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Sandy on Sunday afternoon at the Church of Truth, 690 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena.

Besides Perry, performer include such other Altadena fixtures as Julie Sandoval and Robert S. Hilton.

The fundraiser starts at 2 PM Sun., Nov. 18, and donations are requested.  All donations will benefit the Red Cross.

 

Pasadena Mental Health Center fall fundraiser Sunday

The Pasadena Mental Health Center is holding its first Fall Fundraiser this Sun., Nov. 11, at Beyond the Olive, 10 N. Raymond Ave. in old town Pasadena from 6-8 PM.

Enjoy fabulous wine, appetizers, and cooking demonstrations by a renowned chef at 6:30, 7, and 7:30.

$20 donation at the door, and 10% of all sales will go to PMHC.  Photographer Brian Biery will have his photographs on display and for sale at the event, where 30% of all sales will go to PMHC.

The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $5,000 to provide free mental health services for 10 families who might not qualify for help elsewhere. 70% of the families served by PMHC are living below the poverty line and are uninsured or underinsured.  PHMC is one of the few providers of affordable, non-acute mental health services in the Pasadena area for low-income individuals and families who are uninsured and do not qualify for Medi-Cal.

 

Young musician's program looking for your unused instruments

Do you have a musical instrument languishing in the closet?  

The Verdugo Young Musicians Association is looking for a chance to help a student make the instrument sing again.

VYMA is looking for unused orchestral instruments as it expands its free music program for at-risk children to Washington Elementary School.

The VYMA Music Project, currently at Longfellow Elementary, is inspired by El Sistema, the famed program that produced Gustavo Dudamel, now music director of the L.A. Philharmonic. The VYMA Music Project, a partnership with PasadenaLEARNs, seeks to transform young lives by providing at-risk children with a comprehensive, high quality classical music education that is entirely free to the participants – including the loan of a string instrument.

Following  Artistic Director Sam Chilingarian and retired Chair Louise Ghandhi’s two-week journey to Venezuela in 2008 to study El Sistema and meet with its founder and teachers, VYMA selected Title I PUSD school Longfellow Elementary to launch the project in fall 2009.  Now in its third year, the program thrives with a more comprehensive curriculum, an expansion of its high caliber faculty and graduate mentors, an on-site parent council and the addition of a skilled coordinator.  The unique curriculum is a comprehensive journey of musical development: Kinder musicianship, Musicianship Levels I & II, Strings Fundamentals, Beginning and Advanced Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble and Choir.

VYMA Music Project is part of a larger effort to provide underserved youth with after-school music immersion. VYMA is a stakeholder in YOLA – the LA Philharmonic initiative to develop such programs in L.A. County – and is an active participant of the El Sistema USA National Network. VYMA Music Project at Longfellow puts the City of Pasadena on the musical landscape map, joining a growing number of cities in the US in globally in emulating a music program with profound social impact.  VYMA is one of only three youth orchestras in the country to offer such a program.

Now, following the success of the program at Longfellow, VYMA wants to launch a program at Washington.  For that, they are looking for donations of unneeded instruments that can be available for loan to the students.  

If you'd like to donate your unusued musical instruments, please contact France Meindl at 626-794-5314.

Club 21 walkathon at Pasadena's Memorial Park Sunday

Club 21, the support group for persons with Down Syndrome and their families, will hold its fifth annual "Together is Better" fundraising walkathon at Memorial Park in Pasadena on Sun., Oct. 28, from 9 AM-2 PM.

Team and individual walker registration starts at 9 AM, with opening ceremonies from 10:30, followed by a walk through Old Town Pasadena.  Food trucks will be available for lunch.

Entertainment includes DJ Willpower, a live performance by Melissa Green, and a special appearance by Brobee from "Yo Gabba Gabba."

5K Run/Walk at Devil's Gate Dam to benefit Danny's Farm

The inaugural Devil's Gate Dam 5K Run/Walk and Kiddie Run will take place on Sat., Aug. 25,

The run,  which includes a special needs awareness expo, will benefit Danny's Farm.

Registration is $30, kids 12 and under $20, or $275 per team of up to 10 runners.  Runners can also collect pledges to help support their efforts.

Danny’s Farm, formerly in Altadena but now on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona,  offers a safe and nurturing working farm and social environment for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Danny's Farm provides meaningful employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to help them reach their fullest potential by developing special skills through their work and mentoring; and serves children on the autism spectrum ages 5-17   by providing behavioral and social experiences through an individualized Specialty Autism Program.

The Devil's Gate Dam event runs from 8 AM-noon.  Event organizer is Aztlan Athletics-St8UpTv.  Major sponsors include South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD),  Molina Healthcare, President Charles Trevino and Upper San Gabriel Water District, Mamma’s  Brick Oven Pizza, City of Pasadena, Luchas Comfort Footwear, and Senor Fish.

For more information or to register, go to http://www.devilsgatedam5k.com/ or their Facebook page.  

 

"Cash Mob" planned for Websters Fine Stationers July 21

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.

How do we as a community use this occurrence as an opportunity? How do we use this as a wake up call? All of us who have entered into the many passionate discussions going on in our community about this issue share a common bond, we care about this community, no matter if we are pro or against.

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.

Yard sale for Bo July 28

by Timothy Rutt

Bo the Rottweiler (whom we've covered previously, here and here) is doing well and is in remission from his canine lymphoma, but treatment continues. Trained Dogs for Adoption will be having another fundraiser yard sale on Saturday, July 28, to help pay for the cost of his chemotherapy.

Trained Dogs for Adoption is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dog rescue organization, founded by Catherine and Tom Peters.  Specializing in hard-to-place adult German Shepherds, they will sometimes take on other promising but difficult-to-place dogs. In the case of Bo, he was a long-term resident at the place where they kennel some of their other dogs, and the Peters decided to take him under their wing.

The yard sale will take place Sat., July 28, from 7 AM-noon at 1836 Roosevelt Ave., Altadena.  Furniture, clothing, household items, crafts, and baked goods will all be available.

To make a tax-deductible contribution (and no donation is too small), write your check to Trained Dogs for Adoption, and mail to:

Trained Dogs for Adoption
301 E. Loma Alta Dr.,
Altadena, Ca. 91001

 

 

 

 

Soroptimists award money to local nonprofits

by the Altadena/Pasadena Soroptimist Club

During one of the final meetings of its club year, Soroptimist International of Altadena/Pasadena honored two non-profit organizations with service award money at a luncheon held at the Women’s City Club in Pasadena. The Soroptimists gave The Women’s Room At Friends In Deed and The Door of Hope $2,000 each to help with their continuing efforts to assist the homeless and women in need in the Pasadena area.

 

Hazel Saloman-Jimmy, 1st V.P. of Programs for Altadena/Pasadena Soroptimists, with Reverend Pat O’Reilly, Executive Director of the Ecumenical Council.

The Women’s Room is a daytime refuge for women who are homeless or at risk. They serve lunch to these women several times a week, and offer services such as warm showers, free dentistry and counseling. The Rev. Pat O’Reilly, Executive Director of the Ecumenical Council Pasadena Area Congregations – which sponsors the Women’s Room - accepted the monetary award from Soroptimists.

The Door of Hope in Pasadena is a faith-based organization that offers transitional housing for homeless families and equips them with the means to rebuild their lives. Their goal is to help families with children to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Tim Peters, Door of Hope Executive Director, and Donna Arnds, Director of Development, were on hand to accept the award. Soroptimists specified that $1,000 of this money be slated for a room sponsored by the club.

(from left:) Donna Arnds, Director of Development of Door of Hope Pasadena, Hazel Saloman-Jimmy, Altadena/Pasadena Soroptimists, and Tim Peters, Executive Director of Door of Hope Pasadena.

During the spring of 2012, Soroptimists of Altadena/Pasadena honored Door of Hope’s case manager, Lonnene Vreede, with the Women’s Opportunity Award. This award is given annually to a woman who has overcome adversity and is supporting her family as head of household. The mission of Soroptimist International is to help women and girls in their local communities and around the world.

 

 

 

 

Lake Avenue Community Foundation benefit for local youth

from the Lake Avenue Community Foundation

On Friday, June 15, Lake Avenue Community Foundation will host its second annual "STARS for Tomorrow Benefit" to honor local youth and to raise support for the foundation's academic, technology and enrichment programs for young people and their families.

The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Noor Restaurant and Ballroom at 260 East Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.

Over the past eleven years LACF has been a partner to Pasadena Unified School District and other local organizations engaging students and their families through its STARS tutoring program for elementary and secondary school students, its Mentoring Program for middle school through college-age students, its Adopt-A-School program, summer SKILLZ program for students in need of remedial support, and its social/emotional health counseling programs.

For more information about the benefit, go to http://www.lakeavefoundation.org/stars-for-tomorrow/ or call Linnie Riboli at 626.817.4505.

 

Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development: live men walking, ten years later

Photo: MPYD

MPYD celebrates ten years of success mentoring young men at Muir High School.  But there's still more to do.

by Timothy Rutt

Ten years ago, Eddie Newman, principal of Muir High School, was looking for a few good men.

Back then, Muir was having a problem with the football players, said one of the men she recruited, Tecumseh Shackelford.  After football season, the players were skipping class, wandering the hallways, and creating problems.  "The way that the athletes go, that's the way the student body goes, so she was having a challenge," Shackelford remembered.

Newman came to the Black Males Forum in Pasadena, a group of community leaders and activists who would meet to talk about issues in Altadena and Pasadena.  She wanted some men to walk the hallways.

"She just needed some men to walk the campus," said Shackelford, "so we just walked the campus.  We started walking the campus at lunchtime -- we weren't security guys, we just walked.  But you know when the kids see men walking around, they say, 'What are these men, walking around?'"

MPYD is formed
The men would meet the boys in the hall and talk --  just talk.  Ask them why they weren't in class.  These men weren't teachers or administrators, who might get some guff from somebody showing off to his friends -- they were adult men the kids might have seen in the community.  Some were their pastors or deacons.  They'd talk.  Then the students would go back to class.

From left, MYPD co-founder Altadena Town Councilman Tecumseh Shackelford with Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard at an MYPD lunch talk.

After awhile, some of the key men -- Shackelford, Gene Campbell, Velton Paggett, Johnnie Driver, Del Yarbrough and Gary Moody --  decided to form a formal organization, and down in the Pasadena NAACP office Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) was born. 

John Singleton will keynote MPYD fundraiser May 12

by Timothy Rutt

Academy Award-nominated writer/director John Singleton will be the keynote speaker at the annual fundraising dinner for Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) on May 12 at Brookside Golf Course.

Singleton, director of "2 Fast 2 Furious," "Higher Learning,"  "Boyz n the Hood" and other films, will be part of the late luncheon that raises money for MPYD's programs benefitting high school youth, now commemorating its tenth year.

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will be honorary chair of the event, which also honors restaurateur Robin Salzer (Cardinal Paint Award), Robert Farias (Community Partner Award), Manuel Almanza (Angel Award), Muir High School principal Sheryl Orange (Academics for Success Award) and the Real Men Mentoring Group (volunteer award).

Luncheon starts at 6 PM.  Tickets are $75 each, or $700 per table.  Order tickets from MPYD at 1905 Lincoln Ave., E509, Pasadena CA 91103.  For more information, call (626) 396-5600 x 82009, or email: info@mpyd.org.

Photo of John Singleton by Bobak Ha'Eri.  Rights granted under Wikipedia Commons.

MS Walk April 15 at the Rose Bowl

On April 15, join the movement at Walk MS to bring us one step closer to a world free of MS!

Come and celebrate with thousands of fellow friends, co-workers and families that, like you want to stop MS in its tracks. There will be fun for the whole family as you enjoy a beautiful 5K walk, roll or stroll around the Rose Bowl. There will also be entertainment on the route and at the finish festival with food, music, jugglers, face painters, team booths, fun give-a-ways and more.

What: Walk MS: Greater Los Angeles 
When: April 15.
Opening Ceremonies: 9:30 am; Start: 10:00 am
Where: The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Email  walkms@cal.nmss.org

Phone  1.800.344.4867

Website http://walkcal.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/CALWalkEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=18105

A special guest at the Ampyra booth at Walk MS will be Kristie Salerno Kent. Kristie is a well-known singer and entertainer with MS. She is also a prominent patient advocate who works to help others understand what it is like to live with this condition. She has toured the U.S. with a special performance piece where she visits malls and asks shoppers to take a moment to find out what it’s like to live with MS.  You can see her in action here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oraM8IF2Gc

Learn more about Kristie at: http://www.ampyrajourneys.com/storyKristie.aspx

 

 

Commit II Achieve Fundraiser April I4

On Saturday, April 14,, Commit II Achieve, a life skills training program, will be hosting a dinner and fundraising gala at the Sheraton Pasadena Hotel, 303 East Cordova Street. This is the organization's third year presenting this event. Previous events have included celebrity comedy acts and keynote speakers of highly decorated military personnel.

Commit II Achieve is a component of Sarges Community Base, Inc., a non-profit organization designed to develop and encourage at risk young men and women to become leaders. By using a highly structured military model, participants become committed to reducing violence in their lives, and learning basic life skills, leadership principles, respect, responsibility, and personal discipline. Sarges Community Base, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax deductable to the full extent of the law.

For more information, call 626-797-4882 or email: sarge@sargescb.org

Altadena Rotary gives 35, $300 grants to local teachers

Rotarian Ed Jasnow presents teacher Mary Hines (PHS) with grant check while her class looks on. Hines is a 4-time grant recipient.

February is the month that Altadena Rotary gives money to local teachers to enhance their teaching experience and the learning experience of their students.

This year Altadena Rotary gave $10,500 in grants to local teachers. This divides into thirty-five $300 grants: Twenty-five are unrestricted grants, and ten are Americanism grants. The teachers fill out a one-page form that describes the envisioned project for which the grant will be used.

Altadena Rotary received 40 grant requests from eight schools in the Pasadena Unified School District – 25 for unrestricted grants and 15 for Americanism grants. Their budget was for 25 unrestricted grants and 10 Americanism grants. Ed Jasnow, Altadena Rotary's Community Service Chair, assembled a committee of four Rotarians to help him evaluate the 15 Americanism grant applications and choose the 10 that would be funded.

The teachers will be Altadena Rotary guests at a meeting at the end of the school year, where each instructor will share how his/her grant was used.

Unrestricted grants have been used to purchase such things as sets of audio and printed books along with CD players so children could listen to and read books at the same time, boosting their ability to recognize words. Elementary math teachers have purchased sticks and orbs that come apart to help their students visualize fractions.

MACH1 walkathon at Hahamongna March 18

The MACH 1 therapeutic horseback riding for riders with disabilities third annual Walk-a-Thon fundraiser is on Sunday, March 18.  Any amount is welcome to join this fun family event.

DOGS ON LEASH ARE WELCOME!   The route begins from Pasadena’s Hahamongna Watershed Park and follows a 5k trail in the upper arroyo.  A shorter walk alternative is available.
 
Registration starts at 8 AM.  Walk starrs at 9 AM.  Free refreshments will be available. Stop at the bake sale for people and dogs.  Enter the raffle for a chance to win several great prizes including a Kindle Fire  
 
Enter the Hahamongna Watershed Park at Oak Grove Drive and Foothill Bl.  (4750 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena).  Follow signs to the registration area at the Pasadena Equestrian Center Rose Bowl Riders clubhouse.
 
For more information and to download the flyer and registration form or to donate on line please visit the MACH 1 website at http://www.moveachildhigher.org .   For specific questions please call (626) 798-1222.

 

PEN wine tasting to honor school advocates

The Pasadena Education Network (PEN) will be hosting PEN’s Fourth Annual Wine Tasting on Satt., March 24, at Podley Properties office, 897 Granite Drive, Pasadena from 5 – 8 PM.  The wine tasting event includes red and white wines, live music, light fare, desserts, and a silent auction.

Honorees for the event are Pasadena community and business leader and public school advocate Bill Podley, and Pasadena Unified School District parents Dawn O’Keeffe and Blanca Siebels.  The three are being recognized for being outstanding volunteer leaders, school district partners and advocates for all students.  They represent the type of parent and community involvement for which PEN advocates.                

Tickets for the event are $75.  Opportunities to recognize the event honorees and purchase sponsorships are available by visiting www.penfamilies.org.

Silent Auction items include VIP tickets to the Ellen DeGeneres Show, a birthday party at a Pasadena Fire Station, vacation and hotel stays, theatre tickets and more.

The Pasadena Education Network is an independent grass-roots nonprofit organization that promotes family participation in public education to benefit all students in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.  PEN provides programs and services to help parents explore and evaluate their public school options as well as become volunteer leaders in their schools and in the district.

For more information contact PEN at (866) 216-7334 or www.penfamilies.org.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Bundle Sunday at St. Elizabeth's

St. Elizabeth's Church is holding "Bundle Sunday" for he St. Vincent de Paul Society in the church parking lot at 1879 N. Lake Ave., from 9 AM-1PM.

Please bring useable clothing, household items and small appliances in good condition.  Al proceeds of sales will benefit people in need in the community.

For larger items, appliances, or furniture, call the free pickup line at 800-974-3571.

 

 

COPA holds fundraising "Second Time Around" boutique March 3

by Timothy Rutt

COPA, the Community Organization of Pasadena for Advancement in Education, will hold a fundraiser "Second Time Around Women's Boutique" on Sat., March 3, from 8:30 AM-3:30 PM. 

Good used clothing and household items will be available for sale, proceeds of which will provide scholarships to underprivileged women entering college.

The sale will be held at 2633 Highview Ave. in Altadena.

 

Super book sale at St. Elizabeth's Saturday

Under the direction of Tony Rochester, founding member of St. Elizabeth's Knights of Columbus, the church will hold its annual Super Bowl Saturday book sale. The proceeds of the sale will be used for the Knights to fund scholarships for St. Elizabeth School's 8th graders who will be going on to high school. 

Books, CDs, DVDs, video tapes, and cassettes (what're those?) will all be available for your perusal and purchase. 

The book sale will be at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Hall, 1840 N. Lake Ave.  Park in the  school lot off Woodbury Road.  Sale starts promptly at 9 AM, and goes on until 2 PM.

Soroptimists offer Women's Opportunity Award

Soroptimist International of Altadena/Pasadena is seeking applicants for the 2012 Women’s Opportunity Award.  

This cash award is given each year to a woman who serves as the primary wage earner for her family, and who is also enrolled in, or been accepted by, an undergraduate degree program or vocational school. She must also demonstrate financial need.  

The Altadena/Pasadena chapter will announce the recipient at an awards luncheon on March 28.  The local WOA winner will receive a $2,000 cash grant, and advance to the regional level to vie for a grant of $5,000.  The program culminates at the national level with three winners each receiving a $10,000 award. 

Additional information and applications may be obtained by calling (626) 398-1703.

Still time to give to the Altadena Sheriff's Station Food and Toy Drive

by Timothy Rutt

There's still time to donate food, cash, or a new and unwrapped toy to the Altadena Sheriff Station's food and toy drive,

The Altadena Sheriff Station is still looking for donations of non-perishable canned food items, cash, and/or unwrapped toys for children ages 2-12 for its annual holiday food and toy drive.  Altadena Capt. Steven McLean said that the need is great, and they are looking to assist 300 families this year.

Donations can be left at the Altadena Sheriff's Station, 780 E. Altadena Dr.; Bank of America, 2345 N. Lake Ave., or Chase Bank, 2333 N. Lake Ave., through Dec. 11.  

The President Streets neighborhood group will also be collecting donations on Harding Drive on Sat., Dec. 10, from 9-10 AM.

Distribution to families will be on Dec. 17.

You can also drop off cash or checks payable to "Altadena Station Fund" at the station.

For more information, call Dep. Ronnie Manier or Sgt. Michael Randenberg at the Altadena Sheriff Station at 626-798-1131 or 626-296-2105.

Pictured: Nancy Rothwell and Hugo Arteaga at the Palm St. Area Residents Association collection for the toy drive on Dec. 3.  What is it with these people and the red shirts?

UPDATE: Carolyn Seitz sends this schedule, if you'd like to volunteer:

Fri., Dec. 9: Help us from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Altadena Community Center as we set up the Center for the sorting and packing of the food and toys.  We'll be taking everything out of the Pods and into the Center and setting up tables to help facilitate the inventory of food and toys so we know whether the Station needs to purchase more or find a way to get more donated

Sat., Dec. 10: From 7:30 am to Noon or 1 or whenever we finish, we will be at the Community Center sorting toys and bagging them for each family we hope to serve and packing food boxes.  When we're done, everything has to be packed back into the storage Pods.  The briefing of the team and assignment of tasks will begin at 7:30.

From 9 am to 10 am - the President Streets area will hold its 3rd Annual Food & Toy Drive at 1826 N Harding.  You can drive by and drop off food and toy donations - all will be gratefully accepted.  Have small kids who would like to have mom or dad take their photo in a Sheriff's car, come on over and have some fun with us.

Fri., Dec. 16  We can use many hands again to unpack the Pods and set up the Community Center for the food and toy distribution.  We will be stacking the food boxes and organizing the bags of toys for each family, by the source who provided their information.  That will take place on Friday afternoon.

Sat., Dec. 17:    From 7 am to 12:30 pm at the Community Center.  We will have a briefing and assignment of tasks then we will sort the bags of toys in each group alphabetically.  The distribution will begin at 8 am and will be completed by noon.  We will also have groups of people making phone calls to those who haven't yet arrived to pick up their food and toys by about 10 am.  In that process sometimes  we've discovered that the custodial adult in some families is an elderly grandparent or a parent who is disabled, so volunteers deliver their food and toys.

If you can participate in any of these events, please let me know which day and event.  It'll help us know for which we need to look for more volunteers.  

If you'd like to donate non-perishable foods - canned corn, green beans, carrots, boxes of stuffing mix, cake mix, brownie mix, Jiffy Cornbread, jello, pudding or other similar foods, you can drop them off at the Sheriff's Station until Friday the 9th, or bring them to the Community Center on Saturday morning the 10th.

You can also drop off new toys at the Sheriff's Station until Friday the 9th or bring them to the Community Center on Saturday morning, the 10th. 

You can also bring cash donations or checks payable to "Altadena Station Fund" to the Sheriff's Station until Thursday, December 15th.

Many thanks to all who have donated and/or volunteered and special thanks to the President Streets area for their very generous support for the food and toy drive for 3 years and for the La Vina community for having supported the food and toy drive for many more years.

We have extraordinary need this year.  Your generosity is much appreciated.

"Star" art exhibit, benefit at Sidewalk Cafe tonight

Almadeus "Star" Gioeli will have an art exhibit and sale tonight at our currently-powered perch, Sidewalk Cafe HTS, from 7-9 PM.

The event is a benefit for the Alternative Cancer Research Project.  

Sidewalk Cafe is at 2057 N. Los Robles Ave. (Los Robles and Woodbury Road) in Borderdena.

Help make Bright Futures Scholars' holiday bright

from Dr. Sandra Thomas,
Quality of Life Center

Dear Bright Future Scholars Mentors, Donors, Partners, Sponsors, and Parents.

As you know the Holiday Season is quickly approaching. We have more than 250 brilliant and gifted young academic achievers in the Bright Future Scholars Program this year. The December 3, 2011 meeting will also be the Christmas Celebration for these outstanding youth.

We want to make it special and a joyous time that they will always remember; therefore we are soliciting your help. If you have any teen-appropriate items that you are willing to donate we will make them “special holiday gifts” and incorporate them into our December Leadership Development Session. If you don’t have items available, any financial contribution that you provide will be used to purchase gifts for the students. All contributions are tax-deductible and may be sent to the Quality of Life Center, Inc., 3544 Canon Boulevard, Room M101, Altadena, CA 91001. Please make checks payable to the Quality of Life Center, Inc. and note, “Bright Future Scholars” on the “memo” line. Since time is of essence, let us know immediately if you will assist and we will make the necessary arrangements to collect your donations and/or to purchase a special gift for the students on your behalf.

As always your contributions, as well as all you do for the Quality of Life Center Inc., Bright Future Scholars Leadership Development Program is greatly appreciated. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do for our scholars if it weren’t for the generous contributions that you so freely give. If further information is needed contact Greg Middleton: (626) 798-5433 at the Center. The Quality of Life Center Inc., boards and staff wish you and yours a Happy and Bountiful Holiday Season!

 

Scissors Paper Rock Salon starts holiday gift drive to benefit URDC

Scissors Paper Rock Salon (Altadenablog sponsor) has started its annual Holiday Gift Drive benefiting URDC Human Services Programs of Pasadena. Donate any new gift item suitable for woman (any age) or youth (ages 12-18 in great need). Monetary gifts or gift cards also appreciated.  Contributors will be entered into a raffle with a chance to win prizes.

The salon also has a new manicurist:  Ana brings 30 years' experience offering manicures, pedicures, &  now gel polish manicures. on Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays (please call for appointment)

Scissors Paper Rock Salon is at 1864 N. Allen Ave., phone 626-825-1846.