altadenablog

Crime blotter: vandalism & theft

Merry Christmas: another 24-Hour Fitness break-in.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Tuesday, December 17

Between 10:00 AM and 10:47 AM – A petty theft occurred in the 1900 block of Lake Avenue.  Loss:  vehicle registration tab.

Wednesday, December 18

3:00 PM – A grand theft occurred in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard.  Loss:  black HP laptop, black Sony PSP game console, black Razor computer mouse, black iPhone charger, black HP charger, headset, earphones, black backpack.

Thursday, December 19

Between 10:00 PM and 8:30 AM (Friday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 3500 block of Leilani Way.  Loss:  Barbie doll, accessories, Legos, PS3 games, game controller, children’s clothing, black storage device, gift card.

What does the fox say? (Update: Hello, Bing users!)

Wynne Wilson and Brian Leach on Anna Maria have a Certified California Native Plant and Wildlife Habitat garden, and their wildlife camera picked up a visitor this morning:

 

Look who is happily visiting our California native garden during the early hours! Our wildlife camera caught one great image of this grey fox under the oaks this morning.

  

Some info:  In the summer, the gray fox devours such foods as blackberries,  native grasses, grasshoppers, crickets, and acorns.  In the winter, small mammals comprise the bulk of the diet.  The grey fox eats squirrels, rats and rabbits, along with mice and voles, when the weather turns colder.

 

Happy to share the nature in our garden!  Merry Christmas!!

 

 Welcome BIng users!  Apparently this post is coming up high today when you ask Bing, "What does the fox say?"

Christmas Eve potluck at the Ale House tonight

by TImothy Rutt

The Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, will have its annual Christmas Eve potluck and wine giveaway tonight, from 6 PM-midnight.  Bring some specialty of yours and drink a few fine beverages -- and maybe win a bottle or two.

Help the Bright Futures Scholars in your year-end giving

from the Bright Futures Scholars

TODAY IS YOUR DAY - make it special by making a difference in the Quality of Life for over 500 hundred of our community's highest academic achievers in the Bright Futures Scholars Leadership Development Program. As you know, knowledge is power and education secures our future. Our programs at the Quality of Life Center, Inc. are designed to develop leaders, build self-esteem while increasing marketability, promote healthy living, and equip youth to become productive citizens.  These dedicated, hard-working young people need our assistance. If we don't help them, who will?

As the year 2013 comes to an end, we hope that you will be heart-driven to join with our mentors and other faithful supporters in donating $25 or more to our "Dollars for Scholars Campaign”.

As you review your annual charitable contributions, please consider the Quality of Life Center, Inc. as one of your choices.  We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Your tax-deductible donations may be made on-line to: http://www.qolcinc.com/donations.htm, or mailed directly to Quality of Life Center, Inc., PO Box 6158, Altadena, CA 91003-6158.  If you wish your donation to be applied to the scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors, please make that distinction when you donate. Please forward this request to any and all that you feel would join with you in supporting our community's brightest scholars. Without donors such as yourselves, we would not be able to provide services to countless youth and others in our communities.

For further information about our organization, visit our website at www.qualityoflifecenterinc.com , call our office: (626) 798-5433 (798-LIFE) / (626) 399-5007, or send an email to: qualityoflifecenterinc@yahoo.com .

We are counting on your support and thanking you in advance for your generous donation.

Obituary: Judy Wheeler

Received this note from Steve Lamb, and photo from Camille Dudley:

 

by Steven S. Lamb

 

It is my sad and unfortunate duty to inform you that our fellow Altadenan, Judith Payson Wheeler died Dec. 20 at 4:20 a.m.

 

Judith was descended from a pair of early New England families, the Wheelers and the Paysons. Judith was a third generation Smith College graduate and a housemate of Gloria Steinem. Early in her working life Judith compiled the Fortune 500 and edited Alan Greenspan's doctoral dissertation.

 

Judith lived the life of a modern liberated woman that others only wrote about. She refused marriage, unlike many of her contemporaries, to wealthy and powerful men, believing she could and should make her own way. Judith worked for the Rand Corporation becoming its first credited female analyst, and she gender integrated the executive lunch and board rooms at Lockheed.

 

Judith was active in the Smith College Alumni Association, the Pasadena Chapter of the League of Women Voters (in both cases she served as newsletter editor), in the committee overseeing the Altadena Community Center, the West Altadena Neighborhood Association and in the effort to revitalize the Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment into a thriving commercial district. For that effort, Judith a consummate researcher, relied on her business experience and crunched all of the numbers of the competing proposals and analyzed each of them, giving the public hard numbers to make factual comparisons.

 

Judith suffered a serious stroke in in 2006 and never fully recovered the use of her body, but her mind remained sharp and brilliant to the end. 

Obituary: Remembering Sue Redman, Altadena Chronicle editor

by Christopher Nyerges

 

During the second week of December, I got a message: Sue Redman had died. This came as a great shock.  Sue (and her husband Rich) were longtime friends.  Sue was 72 years old, but I still had the sense that she would live forever.  Here are my thoughts about Sue as I reflected over the years.

 

It was 1976 and I had just moved out of my home with my parents. I’d gone to my grandfather’s farm in Ohio to live for 6 months after high school, came back to California, and then decided it was time to set out on my own. I was living in a small hut in Highland Park, searching for the meaning of life, and needing a job.

 

I walked into the office of the Altadena Chronicle on North Lake Avenue looking for work.  I met Sue Redman, and we got along great. She wasn’t anything like the front desk secretary at the Star News, whose job was to repel anyone who walked in the front door.

 

Sue spoke with me like a real person, and we quickly became friends. I became a typesetter and a columnist for Altadena’s only hometown paper. It was the beginning of a great relationship

 

 

Sheriff and volunteers making Christmas bright

Sheriff volunteers, seated, and members of MPYD get ready to start the Altadena Sheriff Stations' Toy and Food giveaway Dec. 21 at the Altadena Community Center

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Sheriff Station gave away about 280 "care packages" to deserving familes Saturday, Dec. 21, after a successful 2013 toy and food drive.

Families (who filled out forms at schools and the Sheriff Station in order to qualify) received a selection of toys and a box of food to help make the holiday a little brighter.

Volunteers -- largely Volunteer on Patrol members --  checked in the recipients, and members of Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development from John Muir High School and county jail trustys did the heavy lifting.  More pictures after the jump.

Rhythms of the Village celebrates Pan-African heritage

 

Marilyn Chukwurah shows off some of the colorful clothing available at Rhythms of the Village.

 

 

by Timothy Rutt

Rhythms of the Village at 2279 N. Lake Avenue represents a labor of love:  the Chukwurah family’s love for all aspects of Pan-African culture.

The business offers gifts, clothing, oils, crafts, and classes, all with an African beat. Not bad for something that, until recently, was located in the family’s garage. 

 

Onochie Chukwurah leads a free freestyle drumming class on Friday nights.

According to Emeka Chukwurah, the business (Rhythms of the Village Productions) was started by his parents, Onochie and Marilyn Chukwurah, over 30 years ago as a performing arts ensemble, later branching into arts and crafts reflecting their interest in African heritage.

 

Born in Nigeria, Onochie Chukwurah is a folklorist who shares singing, dancing, drumming, and storytelling traditions from his background.  Rhythms of the Village perfomed and sold at schools and cultural marketplaces in the Pasadena area until they opened their Altadena shop this year.

Marilyn Chukwurah specializes in products from the Caribbean and the Old South.  Emeka and his wife Zjaleece represent the younger generation, curating the urban and hip-hop manifestations of African culture.

Search and rescue looking for four missing bikers [UPDATE: Found uninjured]

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Search and Rescue team is still (7:30 AM) looking for four  mountain bikers who went missing Sunday night.

According to a press release from the Altadena Sheriff Station, search and rescue was activated at about 7 PM Sunday when the bikers were reported several hours overdue from a bicycle ride from Mt. Wilson to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory turnout on Windsor Avenue.

The four men, ages 28-38, left for the ride from approximately 10 AM-3 PM Sunday.  According to the press release,  family members located the grouop's automobiles at the Windsor turnout.  The release says that  Montrose Search & Rescue team members were requested at about 9 PM.  One sheriff's department helicoper aided in the search, which went on through the night until 4 AM this morning.

According to the release, other search and rescue teams will be requested and search aircraft resumed this morning. 

The missing cyclists are from Glendale, North Hollywood, Rialto, and Sunland.

UPDATE:  Watch commander Lt. Angela Shepherd said that  the four were spotted in Bear Canyon by the helicopter, and were walked out by search and rescue.  There were no injuries, she said.  Scanner just said (10:08 AM) that they're in a van, warming up.

 

 

Good scouts: six from Troop 1 earn highest honors

 

Eagle Scouts from Troop 1 at their court of honor: L-R, Jesse Adamczyk, Alan Sun, John Boden, Joe Tang, Justin Budge, and Kyle LaBrecque.

 

by Timothy Rutt

Making Eagle Scout is a rare achievement:  depending on who you ask, only 5-7 percent of scouts make it to that level.  Those achievers include Gerald Ford, Neil Armstrong,  and Steven Spielberg.

Boy Scout Troop 1 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church has an even rarer achievement: honoring six Eagle Scouts at once, which they did during Court of Honor ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 21.  The scouts are:  Jesse Adamczyk, John Boden, Justin Budge, Kyle LaBrecque, Alan Sun, and Joe Tang.

Speakers at the ceremony included:  Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Peter Theisinger (JPL project manager for the Mars Curiosity Rover), and US Forest Service Battalion Chief Oscar Vargas,  who had just returned from fighting the Big Sur fire.

 

Pets of the week: Dave and Mark

from the office of Michael D. Antonovich

 At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presents “Dave,” a 1-year old Rat Terrier Mix and “Mark,” a 1-year old Chihuahua Mix, a couple of the many pets available for adoption now. 

For more information about adopting a pet, please call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-728-4610.

Another opening, another show at McGinty's

Gallery McGinty features many vintage items - including the sign from Ben McGinty's previous gallery.

 

 

by Timothy Rutt

Gallery McGinty held a holiday celebration and grand opening Friday night, Dec. 20, which was also a fundraiser for ArtAIDSArt.  It was the scene Friday night, a chance to scope out the latest effort from owner Ben McGinty.  More pictures after the jump.

 

Michele Zack looks at the longevity of roses

by Timothy Rutt

We seem to spend a lot of time this week keeping up with Michele Zack, and here's another one:  Altadena's historian tracks down the secret of the longevity of the Tournament of Roses in the newest Pasadena Magazine (and we have a link here). 

Lost dogs: Loca and Scurry

We have two dogs that left our yard Dec.19 around 2:30 PM.  One dog named Loca is an Alaskan Husky mix with a caramel colored coat and white face and legs.  She is about 14 years old.  The other dog named Scurry is jet black with a black spot in the middle of her tongue and a sore on her back near her tail.  We're not sure what breed of dog she is.  She is about 5 years old.  Please contact us at (626) 712-7659 Rachel Spurgeon or (626) 712-7662 Tim Spurgeon.

The Chosen Few: Elliot Gold's new book looks at outlaw bikers, then and now

The Chosen Few outlaw motorcycle club on a run in the 1970's. Photo: Copyright Elliot Michael Gold, Gold Mustache Photography

  

by Timothy Rutt

Elliot Michael Gold is mostly known around Altadena as one of the forces behind the Upside Down T Neighborhood Association and the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations.  He recently retired after 33 years as a “teleconferencing guru” with his own business. 

Altadenan Elliot Michael Gold's new book looks at biker club The Chosen Few -- then and now.

And as with many retirees, it’s a time to catch up on things -- in his case, finishing the book he started 40 years ago.

It started for Gold when bikers came roaring into a school gym 

An engineer and statistician with JPL, “in the late 60s-early 70’s, I was involved in the sheriff’s department in Altadena, and I used to go to their community meetings,” Gold recalled.  One meeting in 1971, held in a local school gymnasium with sparse attendence, was interrupted by a loud noise.  

“As we started to ask questions, there was a noise that became a rumble, became a roar, and became the sound of motorcycles riding INTO the gymnasium ... riding  down the center aisle, in the building,” Gold said.

About a dozen bikers came through the back doors and into the gymnasium, engines roaring. The deputies drew  their guns, but were waved off by Lt. Clarence “Sonny” Elmore of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.  Elmore, it seems, had invited them to the meeting -- and he was a bike rider himself. 

Obituary: Barbara J. Pearson, Altadena Library District Director

from Pauli Dutton, Principal Librarian
Altadena Library District 

On Saturday, December 14, at 10 PM., Barbara J. Pearson, Director of the Altadena Library District for the previous nine years, passed away.  She had been at Pomona Valley Hospital recuperating from pneumonia.

 

Barbara J. Pearson

While at Altadena Library, Ms. Pearson updated its integrated library system, modernized the interior of both main and branch libraries, and renovated the infrastructure with new wiring to expand the library’s public computers from ten to 40. She began the library’s Art on Millionaire’s Row annual arts and crafts fair and salon. She had also worked hard on planning and raising funds to update the main library facility to bring it into ADA compliancy but passed before this goal could come to fruition.

 

Previous to her position at Altadena Ms. Pearson also served as chief librarian for the city of Burbank Public Library.  While there, she oversaw the construction of Buena Vista Library Branch which was labeled a high-tech yet homey example of excellent library design and quickly became a popular destination for its community and librarians throughout California. Before this time she served as the library director for the city of El Segundo for ten years where she was credited with leading a library renovation and expansion project.

Altadena Chamber names Mark Goldschmidt Citizen of the Year

by TImothy Rutt

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association has named a long-time planning and preservation activist as Altadena's 2013 Citizen of the Year.

 

Citizen of the Year Mark Goldschmidt, left, presents Altadena Heritage's Golden Poppy award to guerilla gardener Cody Howard in 2012.

 Altadena Heritage Chairman Mark Goldschmidt, a retired landscape architect, was named Altadena’s Citizen of the Year for his work on the town council’s Land Use Committee and as a board member and chairman of Altadena Heritage.  Goldschmidt’s honor is notable in that he is married to last year’s Citizen of the Year, local historian Michele Zack.

 

Goldschmidt, 67, has been active in Altadena Heritage as a board member and two-time chairman, as well as serving on the Altadena Town Council’s land use committee from 2007-2011.  

 Altadena Heritage describes itself as a “non-profit, volunteer-based advocacy organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and raising awareness of the rich architectural, environmental, and cultural heritage of our foothills community.”

Goldschmidt comes to his interest in place after a life of international travel.  Born in Berkeley and raised in Brentwood, Goldschmidt spent his early grade school years living in a hut in Uganda where his anthropologist father was doing field work.  “Later, we drove to Capetown in our 1953 VW microbus via the Congo and the Rhodesias. That's what sparked lifelong interest in land and landscape,” Goldschmidt says. 

The Altadena Farmers' Market named 2013 Business of the Year

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 Farmers' Market Manager Joseph Shuldiner.

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.  

Altadena Heritage selects board members, will comment on Haha sediment project

by TImothy Rutt

Altadena Heritage held its annual meeting Dec. 15 to vote on new board members, and decided to submit comments  on the county's environmental impact report for the Hahamongna sediment removal plan.

According to Michele Zack at Altadena Heritage, the organiztion decided by voice vote to submit a comment on the Draft EIR "in the form of some questions the public needs to have answered for before moving forward on any plan."

The vote came after a presentation on the Hahamongna plan by new board member Marietta Kruells.  Other new board members include Alyssa Ribeiro, Bruce Baldwin, Vanessa Mirro, Bill Ellinger, William Seiter, and Linda World.  Current board members Richard Benson and David Mosher were elected to second terms.

 

Family sing-along at Altadena Community Church Dec. 22

On Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7 PM., gather around the piano at Altadena Community Church (943 E. Altadena Drive) for a holiday sing-along.  Kids from one to 92 are welcome.  A goodwill offering will benefit the ACTS food pantry, a cooperative ministry of several Altadena congregations.  

 

Then, on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m., "Go, See, and Praise!" with Pastor Joe McGowan, choral music and a candlelight to celebrate Christmas Eve.  Nursery care is provided for children four and younger, and older children are invited to enjoy the service.

 

All are welcome at ACC, part of the United Church of Christ denomination.   For more information, visit www.altadenaucc.org or call (626) 798-1185.

Crime blotter: multi-agency drug distribution bust made our week

This week's selection: residential burglaries, 24 Hour Fitness returns, and a couple of big busts Thursday.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, December 8

Between 11:25 AM and 5:40 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of W. Pine Street.  Possible suspect described as a male, Hispanic, 20 yrs, 5 ft. 5 ins, wearing a white beanie w/black leaf design, gray sweatshirt.   Loss:  laptops, watch. 

Monday, December 9

11:50 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1300 block of Morada Place.  Loss:  none.

Between 4:40 PM and 5:20 PM – A petty theft occurred at 24Hr. Fitness, 2180 Lincoln Avenue.  Loss:  black iPhone. 

Town council denies group home expansion, hears of library director's death

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Town Council turned down a request to expand a group home from six to ten beds Tuesday night in the final council meeting of the year.

An almost-complete council* voted to recommend denying a conditional use permit for the home at 3085 Ridgeview Drive to the county planning commission.  The town council land use committee had earlier also recommended denial.

(*Councilmember Bernardean Broadous of CT 4610, who has not attended a meeting since August,  and Gretchen Seger were absent (thx Monica Hubbard for the correction!)

Also during the meeting:

Grand opening and benefit at Gallery McGinty Friday

by TImothy Rutt

Gallery McGinty, the new gallery of vintage items and contemporary art, will have a holiday grand opening this Friday, Dec. 20, from 6-10 PM.

The opening is also  a benefit for the Art AIDS Art Project, an Altadena-based group that educates the public about South African culture and the HIV/AIDS crisis there, as well as stimulating opportunity for South African artist collectives.

Among the local artists represented are Ashoka, Brian Dario, Eve Kessler, Evan Chambers, Kathy Swaydan, Ngene Mwaura, and Paulo of Fiesole. 

Gallery McGinty, 869 E. Mariposa Street, is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 AM-5 PM, and Thursday evenings from 7-9 PM. 

Toys for Tots drive ending soon at Webster's Pharmacy

by Timothy Rutt

Webster's Community Pharmacy wants to share that -- if you haven't done your good deed buying yet -- they are still accepting toys for the U.S. Marine Corps' "Toys for Tots" drive.  Please put a new unwrapped toy in the box at the pharmacy, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.  Time's short -- they're picking up the bin on Friday!

I

Last Farmer's Market of the year today, 3-7 PM at Loma Alta Park

by Timothy Rutt

The final Altadena Farmers' Market of 2013 will be held today, from 3-7 PM at Loma Alta Park, 600 W. Palm Street.  The market will be closed the following two Wednesdays, Dec. 25 (Christmas) and Jan. 1 (New Year's Day), but will return at the same time on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014.

Market manager Joseph Shuldiner sent out a reminder:

WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks expired November 30. If you received these checks and/or EBT, SSI, SSDI or Social Security benefits, you are eligible for our Market Match program. Get up to an additional $10 to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables every week at the farmers’ market. See us at the Information Booth for more details on Market Match. 

And to all a good light

The Balian mansion fired it up tonight. Catch one of the best displays in the nation by the corner of Allen and Mendocino.

Count down those shopping days in Altadena!

by Timothy Rutt

Christmas is only a week away, and what better place to fill those stockings than in Altadena? Fortunately, our sponsors can probably help you out, after the jump

 

:

Meher Montessori visits fire station

from Meher Montessory School

The children of Meher Montessori School were given the VIP treatment Monday, Dec. 16,  on their walking field trip to the Altadena Fire Station to deliver new, unwrapped toys for their toy drive.  The firefighters went above and beyond -- not only were the children able to pose for a group photo in front of the fire engine, they were also allowed to pose for individual photos in the driver¹s seat!

The firefighters gave each child a red "Stay low and go" safety bracelet after they delivered their toys in the toy box. After singing a song to thank the firefighters for all their hospitality, the children were in store for yet another treat: they were invited to go on a tour of the station house. Unfortunately the tour was cut short due to a call coming in. The children did enjoy watching the fire engine take off though. We hope everything turned out ok!

Morning jolt

 

• ESL volunteers needed:    Become a caring teacher and mentor to a small group of non-English speaking adults who want to communicate more effectively.  Any adult who speaks English fluently and can volunteer 4-10 hours a week is welcome. Training for San Gabriel Valley Literacy Council ESL classes is on Saturdays, January 18 and February 1, from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. You must attend both sessions to volunteer in a San Gabriel Valley Literacy Council classroom. $25 covers training, lunch, and council membership. For more information about the training sessions or other volunteer opportunities contact us at 626-298-4731 or www.sgvlc.org.
• Clay & Candles Boutique: Scissors Paper Rock is hosting a Clay & Candles Holiday Boutique on December 21 from 10 AM- 3 PM Showcasing local artists and their amazing clay pieces and candles, all pieces make for great gifts or stocking stuffers this Christmas  Also: the 2013 Christmas Toy Drive for URDC Human Services is still going on. Come on in and pick off a gift tag to help undress our Christmas tree. Be sure to bring your gifts and donations by December 20. Scissors Paper Rock is at 1864 N. Allen Avenue. 
•  Waldorf Open House:  The Pasadena Waldorf School announces two open house events on Saturday, January 11 for both the lower school (toddler through grade 8) and the high school. Part of a worldwide educational movement that began over 90 years ago, Pasadena Waldorf School is a leading independent school in the San Gabriel Valley. The Waldorf approach recognizes the simple insight that children learn in distinctly different ways at different stages of their development. Waldorf teachers are dedicated to teaching in ways that profoundly foster an unfolding of the student’s natural capacities.  Open houses are: 9 AM for the lower school (for toddler through grade 8), 209 East Mariposa, Altadena; and 1 PM for the high school (for prospective high school students and their parents), 1539 East Howard Street, Pasadena,  No reservations are required for either location.  The lower school campus will provide free childcare for children age 5 and older during the morning open house.  Please visit www.pasadenawaldorf.org for more information or call the Admissions Office at (626) 794-9564.

Missing cat and missing dog

Two critters left their home:

 

Lost cat named "Casper", orange male tabby, very shy. One year old.

 

Last seen Thursday night Dec 12, Page Dr., Altadena. Normally doesn't leave the back yard.  Contact Yvonne at 818 421-3994

 

----

 

Chloe, our female chihuahua miniature pinscher, went missing Saturday, December 14.  It is possible that she escaped through our backyard fence to our neighbor's on Laun Street.  She is black with symmetrical brown markings on her eyebrows, chest, and legs.  She was not wearing her collar, but is microchipped. Please contact Cecilia at 626.437.0386. Thank you.

 

Arroyo Food Co-op proposes to start with "pre-order" model

 

Members of the Arroyo Co-op Board of Directors explain the prepay preorder proposal to members at the Co-op's annual meeting December 14.

by Timothy Rutt

The directors of the Arroyo Food Co-op proposed starting the long-birthing community market up as early as next month, using a "prepay pre-order" model leading up to the eventual opening of a store.

The proposal, which will be voted on by the membership, is a plan to create cash flow for the organization as it works toward opening its storefront at 494 N. Wilson in Pasadena.

The proposal would set up an online ordering portal for members, as well as making printed ordering forms available for offline orders.  Products would be prepaid online or by cash or check.  The products would then be available for pickup, with at least one pickup time during the week and one for the weekend.

Looking back at a busy Altadena weekend

by Timothy Rutt

In the lead up to the holidays, there was just a lot going on, and we did our best to cover it all!  Some highlights -- in pictures and video --after the jump.

 

Altadena's "Top Cop" narrates an act of heroism

 

Thanks to community correspondent and steadfast Altadena Sheriff Station volunteer Deb Halberstadt for unearthing this gem: "Top Cops" was a re-enactment series from 1990-1993, with police officers narrating some of their most dramatic experiences.  One of them was then-Sheriff Detective John S. Benedict, now Altadena's Sheriff Captain, who tells the tale of an heroic rescue he made as a patrol deputy in the hills of Malibu in 1989.  

Altadena Heritage this afternoon at 234 E. Mendocino

NOTE:  Address corrected!

Just got a call from Michele Zack at Altadena Heritage that this afternoon's gathering may have been subject to an earlier typo:  The annual annual meeting/holiday celebration will be this afternoon, running from 3-6 PM, at 234 E. Mendocino Street. 

This is members-only event, but new and lapsed members may join at the door or online at altadenaheritage.com or altadenaheritage.org. More info: altadenaheritage@earthlink.net

.

Home for Christmas on Santa Rosa Street

by Timothy Rutt

It was community among the deodars Saturday night, as the 93rd annual Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony turned out people from Altadena and beyond to enjoy an old-fashioned holiday tradition.  Arts and crafts vendors and food trucks at the Arts and Crafts Fair kept people busy before and after the lighting ceremony.  Before the lights went on, there was entertainment and speeches by dignitaries including Congresswoman Judy Chu, Assemblyman Chris Holden, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, and Christmas Tree Lane Associaton President Maureen Ward. Check out our photo album on Facebook at this link.

 

Last Town Council meeting of the year Tuesday

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Town Council's final meeting of 2013 will be held Tuesday, December 17, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., at 7 PM.

The only action item is a conditional use permit for 3085 Ridgeview Drive.  There will also be a presentation by the Pasadena Education Foundation about the City/School/Community workplan between the Pasadena Unified School District and the city of Pasadena; and a presentation on the plan to include a performing and visual arts magnet program at Eliot Middle School.

 

Pets of the Week: Mary and Benji

from Supv. Michael D. Antonovich

At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presents “Mary,” an 8-month old Terrier/Chihuahua Mix and “Benji,” a 10-month old Terrier Mix, a couple of the many pets available for adoption now. 

For more information about adopting a pet, please call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-728-4644.

Go Santa, or go home

Just captured this guy among a pack of runners heading south on Altadena Drive. Sometimes we really love living here.

Lights on tonight: Christmas Tree Lane fires up in 93rd annual ceremony

by Timothy Rutt

Appropriately for the day, KCET's website has a history of Christmas Tree Lane.  Don't forget: tonight is the lighting ceremony, which starts at 6 PM at the corner of Santa Rosa and Mariposa.

Giving a dam

Community correspondent Gary Altadena shares this picture of this morning's "Hands Across Devil's Gate Dam" event to protest the sediment removal plan for Hahamongna Watershed.

(Full resolution -- about 7.0 megs -- is right here).

UPDATE: Just received this statement in the raw from the county Department of Public Works: 

STATEMENT ATTRIBUTABLE TO 
GAIL FARBER, DIRECTOR OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

 

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, has engaged the public in identifying a method of reducing flood risk for communities downstream of Devil’s Gate Dam in a way that is economically viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally sound.

Five Acres hosts supporters in holiday open house

 

Members of the Rose Court In black) flank guests Emily Deschanel and Matthew Lillard, with Five Acres executive director Chanel Boutakidis at cocktail reception Dec. 5.

from Five Acres

Five Acres hosted its annual holiday open house on Thursday, December 5, and the support from the community was abundant with more than 200 supporters and their families in attendance. Special guests included Emily Deschanel ("Bones") who read The Night Before Christmas to children in attendence, Matthew Lillard ("Scooby Doo," "The Descendents"), Tena Clark and Michelle LeClair and the Pasadena Rose Queen and Court.

Christmas bells are ringing ...

by Timothy Rutt

The Mark Twain Middle School Bell Ringers put on their annual holiday show Thursday night at the Altadena Main Library to an appreciative crowd.  Director Ron Theile told the audience that he was retiring as a teacher after this year, but he'll continue to direct the schools prize-winning bell choir -- he wants to get them to the 2016 Olympics in Rio!

Traveling mercies

Jake and Dad are flying to UC Davis Medical Center and back today for some tests, so entries will be light. 

Injured student airlifted from Eliot Middle School Wednesday afternoon

by Timothy Rutt

An Eliot Middle School student was airlifted off the school grounds Wednesday afternoon by helicopter and taken to a trauma center.

LA County fire inspector Anthony Akins said that paramedics were dispatched to  the school at about 2 PM Wednesday with the report of an unconscious person.  Akins said that units on the scene requested an air squad, and a county fire helicopter arrived at about 2:22 AM to transport an injured minor.

According to a staffer at the middle school, a female student was injured during physical education, and was airlifted to USC Medical Center. According to the staffer, "she's at home and she's fine."

Webster's Fine Stationers raffling Saigh sisters' painting this weekend

Altadena artists Arianna and Alexia Saigh have donated a matted and framed print of their painting "Saint Jack,"  as a prize to the winner of the Holiday Raffle at Webster's Fine Stationers. 

From now until Sunday, Dec 15,  email webstersfinestationers@gmail.com to enter, or fill out an entry form at the store and drop it into the sealed raffle box.  Winner will be announced Monday, Dec. 16.

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

 

MonteCedro hosts discussion on transitioning to retirement communities ND

from MonteCedro

On Wednesday, December 18, 2013 and Thursday, December 19, 2013, MonteCedro,  a planned Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Altadena, will host nationally recognized senior transition expert Mary McMullin, President of New Life Management & Development in La Canada, to share her insights on the hidden benefits of living in a continuing care retirement community.

The event will be Wed., Dec. 18, at 3:30 PM, and Thurs., Dec. 19, at 10:30 AM, at the MonteCedro Presentation Gallery, 153 E. Holly Street, Pasadena.

Seating for this event is limited.  To register, please visit www.montecedro.com/info or call 877-305-6013.

Publisher's notebook: getting your message to Altadenablog readers

Dear Altadenablog readers:

This time of year, there are a lot of organizations doing a lot of things that they want people to know about.  We've been getting about half a dozen announcements a day to be posted.

And we're happy to do it -- but some get in faster than others.  How come?  Confidentially -- we tend to prioritize things that require less work on our part.  The less work WE have to do, the more likely YOU will get your event posted! 

Here are the secrets of getting your announcement in Altadenablog:

Happy Altadena Holiday Weekend!

TOO MUCH TO DO this weekend, but it's all good, as the holidays draw near.  Check them out after the jump.

Crime blotter: burglary-rama

Vehicle and residential burglaries and a few controlled substance arrests.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, December 1

7:50 PM – Syntyshe LePerry, 21 yrs, of Pasadena and Dejan Anderson, 21 yrs, of Pasadena were arrested for driving a vehicle without owners consent, possession of marijuana for sales, and receiving stolen property. 

Between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM (Monday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 2900 block of Mount Curve Avenue.  Loss:  red coin bag, currency.

Monday, December 2

Between 12:01 AM and 7:00 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 300 block of W. Crosby Street.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the rear passenger window.  Loss:  brown bag, shoes.

Between 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of W. Mountain View St.  Loss:  laptop.

UPDATE: Human remains found, 3900 block N. Fair Oaks; detectives investigating

by Timothy Rutt

Sheriff homicide investigators are en route to the 3900 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue following found human remains at the site.

According to release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the remains were discovered today, Dec. 11, at about 12:25 PM.  The Altadena Sheriff's Station is not commenting, citing that watch commander is currently (5:45 PM ) on the scene.

UPDATE:  The Sheriff's Department sent the following update at 6:44 PM tonight:

Sheriff's Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the human remains found on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, in the 3900 block of Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena.

Due to the terrain, weather, and hour of darkness, detectives will respond tomorrow, along with personnel from the coroner's office, and continue their investigation.

There is no additional information available at this time.