altadenablog

Bright Futures Scholars celebrate STEM education month

The Bright Futures Scholars stand in front of the "Shakey Quakey" earthquake simulator at the Jan. 5, 2013, meeting for STEM Education Month. Photo: Quality of Life Center.

from the Quality of Life Center

The Quality of Life Center Inc.’s Bright Futures Scholars (BFS) Leadership Development Program, under the direction of Dean of Scholars Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, celebrated S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education month at the Altadena Community Center on Jan. 5. The event featured three outstanding BFS mentors: LA County Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, LA County Fire Department Battalion Chief Dave Toigo and Pasadena City College President and Superintendent Dr. Mark Rocha. In addition, the Shakey-Quakey Earthquake Simulator Wagon was present where each scholar experienced major earthquake simulations, while receiving instructions as to what to do when such an event occurs.

There are currently 283 students from the Pasadena Unified School District enrolled in the Bright Future Scholars Leadership Development Program. They are mentored monthly by a very impressive team of (BFS) mentors including: Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Carol Liu, LA County Sheriff Leroy Baca, outgoing Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, newly elected Assemblymember Chris Holden, Altadena Sheriff Captain John Benedict, Altadena Highway Patrol Captain Steve Strull; from  Pasadena, Mayor Bill Bogaard,  Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, City Manager Michael Beck, and Water & Power General Manager Phyllis Currie; Superior Court Judges Judge Phillip Soto, Judge Lia Martin and Judge Michael Carter; Pasadena City Attorney Michele Bagneris; and past Altadena Sheriff Captains Roosevelt Blow and Steve McLean. 

RIP Huell Howser

"California's Gold" host Huell Howser died Jan. 6. Photo from Wikipedia Commons.

by Timothy Rutt

 

We say goodbye with sincere sadness to KCET stalwart Huell Howser, whose "California's Gold" series was a mainstay with us for many years. It encouraged our own journey into looking at the little-known corners of wherever we happened to live at the time, in our own Southern California sojourn before (and after) settling in Altadena almost twelve years ago.  We discovered a hiking trail through Monrovia backyards that required a trail pass (!), the alleged site of the first Easter celebration in California (a monument along Arroyo Boulevard), hidden but public staircases in West Pasadena, etc. Occasionally, for friends or as a service for fundraising auctions, we lead a tour of famous Los Angeles crime scenes, or a walking tour of the architecture of Pasadena's Prospect Park neighborhood, and Huell has served as an inspiration for those.  One could say that some of the Howsereque stories we run of Altadena life are a continuing tribute to his curosity and wonder about place, a love that has rubbed off on us.

We also want to point you to this article we ran in 2010, when Howser was attempting to sell a home out in the middle of the desert.  The mid-century modern house was on top of a volcanic cinder cone, and the architecture suggested the lair of a Bond villain (if there was a trap door in the floor directly to the volcano it would've been perfect).  The house was designed by local architiect Harold Bissner, Jr., whose son Jamie runs a forensic architectural firm in Altadena and is a member of the town council.  Howser ended up donating the house to Chapman University -- where they're thinking of using it as a film set ("You disappoint me, Draco," he said, dropping his henchman through the trap door into the yawning mouth of the volcano ...)

 

 

Meetings set in January for PUSD/City of Pasadena work plan

from the Pasadena Unified School District

A series of meetings are being held in January for interested stakeholders to help focus strategies being developed by the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) as part of the 2013-15 School/City Work Plan. The first successful meeting was held today, with several more planned throughout the month. 

Feedback is needed to ensure the work of partnering agencies and educators is captured in the Plan’s strategies. The Work Plan will be presented at the Annual Joint Meeting of the PUSD Board of Education and City Council at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Council Chambers at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. 

The Draft Work Plan and additional outreach information regarding the annual Joint Meeting is available at www.cityofpasadena.net/humanservices. Or, contact Lisa Fowler, Human Services and Recreation Dept., at lfowler@cityofpasadena.net. 

The Draft 2013-15 School/City Work Plan was developed to align PUSD, the City and available community resources around specific results to bring greater accountability in student achievement and quality of life outcomes while also addressing service gaps and avoiding duplication of services. The Work Plan builds on existing commonalities and shared values. Although no new PUSD or City funds are identified, the Work Plan’s success is seen in the positioning of resources towards key results and the partnerships created.

Back again ...

Thank you for all your good wishes -- Jake weathered surgery fine, and is taking a day off of school to sleep and rest at home.  Which means we're back to work ...

We're out today

Jake is having minor surgery at UC Davis Medical Center today, so we're out of the office. Have a wonderful Altadena day!

Fun & Games Friday at the Library

Start off the new year with your friends -- or make a few new ones -- at the Altadena Library's first Fund & Games Friday Jan. 11.

Teens/tweens (ages 11-17) can play a number of board games (or you can bring your own cards and board games) and hang out.  There'll also be Wii Rockband to play.

It starts at 4 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

 

Young men casing the neighborhoods, witness says

We have a note from the ACONA newsgroup about two young men apparently trolling for booty:

I had an attempted break in at my house on Santa Anita, just above Athens on Wednesday (1-2-13) in the morning. They tried to break the glass in my side door but couldn't (safety glass installed) so left. Two other members of our Neighborhood Watch saw two young men in a white car driving around, walking up driveways, ringing doorbells--basically looking for a home that was unoccupied to hit. I notified the sheriff and they took a report, but I'd like you to get the word out to other Neighborhood Watch groups to be on the look out. Thanks for your help.

Altadena Junction: stories of the year, Part II

Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun, but you know all this already.

Coyotes nab pet cat near Charles White Park

Some correspondants from the area of Charles White Park told us that they found the mauled body of their cat in the front yard Saturday morning.  Suspect: coyotes.  Our Dr. Barkman tells us hat the coyotes are denning this time of year, so feeding Mama is a priority -- watch out for your pets.

 

Traveling mercies

Yes, we're in Sacramento for the second time this weekend -- Jake is having a surgical biopsy Monday as part of his drug trial, and we're back in Altadena that evening.  Today we're traveling.

Market matters: the Altadena Farmers' Market story

By Joseph Shuldiner
Market Manager, Altadena Farmers’ Market

We were thrilled to be included in last Tuesday’s post, Top Ten Altadena stories of 2012, by Timothy Rutt. In his remarks Tim offered the following observation, “…the high prices [at the Altadena Farmers’ Market] are prohibitive for people who actually live in the neighborhood.  This is an issue the market needs to solve.” The following is my response.

A Market is Born
As an original board member of the Arroyo Food Co-op as well as a co-organizer of the Altadena Urban Farmers' Market, I constantly heard pleas for a weekly farmers' market from Altadena's healthy food advocates, political "locavores," home cooks, and even the Town Council. When I accepted the invitation from the County Department of Parks and Recreation to establish a farmers’ market in Altadena, I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of market it should be. I didn't feel there was any reason to simply replicate something that already existed nearby or to duplicate products already available at existing neighborhood markets. Altadena is not a food desert. We have Super King, Baja Ranch and Ralphs, in addition to many independent mom & pop stores. These markets all provide produce, meats, dairy and pantry staples. What they don't offer is a significant source of pesticide-free produce (whether certified organic or not), nor anything sourced from local farmers in our own neighborhood or the small farmers in our neighboring counties.

We now have our own weekly farmers' market in an idyllic, Altadena location. We also have what no other market in our community offers:

• Access to healthy food directly from the farmers who grow it

• Fruits and vegetables picked the same day of the market

• Food grown organically or with other types of sustainable practices (preventing pesticide exposure to farm workers or consumers)

• Farmers growing food in Altadena and start-up local business' incubated by the market

• Farms that practice biodiversity versus monoculture

• Farmers that are connected to feeding a local community (rather than large, distant, industrialized farms)

NBBA: "no irregularities" on Walmart filings is "a huge disappointment"

by TImothy Rutt

A group that wants to stop the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Lincoln Avenue and Figueroa Street said that their search for irregularities in the location's documentation came up empty.

"While uncovering some anomalies, we found no irregularities in the documents submitted by Walmart to the County that could slow down or halt construction of the Walmart [sic]... based on the current (1986) Altadena Community Standards District guidelines and County regulations," said an email announcement from Neighbors Building a Better Altadena (NBBA).  "While this is a huge disappointment, we shall continue to monitor this situation, and look for alternative pathways to slow or stop their development."

NBBA was raising $2.500 to hire  LAANE (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy), a community organizing group,  to research Walmart's permit and other filings with the county.  Walmart is planning to construct a Neighborhood Market, its smaller-footprint grocery store, at the Altadena location.  The Neighborhood Market is to be a "site-to-store" location, where any item available at a Walmart can be ordered and delivered to the grocery store.

In the email, NBBA said that they are continuing to build connections with the "OUR Walmart" organization of Walmart employees and "to people who are working to improve job opportunities in the Altadena area." 

NBBA also said they support a temporary halt to new local development while the Community Standards District is being reviewed and updated by a town council committee. Citing the sale of the Blockbuster property, the in-process sale of the Webster complex, and the documents filed to develop the Lake/Calavaras vacant lot, "NBBA wants to support that visioning committee's research and community outreach, and think that their activities can best be conducted in an environment free of concerns about imminent development on Lake Avenue. We strongly support a temporary halt to development until the subcommittee completes its work and makes its report for new community standards to the County Board of Supervisors."

 

Alta-novelist Tervalon to read at Art Center exhibition Sunday

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena novelist Jervey Tervalon will be one of the readers at an event at the Art Center College of Design Sunday night.

LitFest Pasadena and the Art Center are sponsoring a reading by LA are writers as part of the "Pages" exhibition at the Alyce de Roulet Williamson Gallery on the Art Center main campus, 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena.  The reading starts at 6:15 PM.

"Pages" looks at the written and drawn-upon page as a space of working imagination for artists, writers, and scientists.  

Other readers include LA Reivew of Books editor Tom Lutz, mystery writer Gary Phillips, Slake Magazine editor Lauri Ochoa, and poet and young adult novels Ron Koertge.

Admission is free.

 

ACONA, League of Women Voters sponsor PUSD candidates forum Jan. 30

by Timothy Rutt

The two candidates vying for the new Pasadena Unified School District representative seat will meet each other in a candidate's forum at the Altadena Senior Center on Jan. 30.

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) and the League of Women Voters Pasadena Area (LWV-PA)  will jointly present the forum for candidates Hermond Dean Cooper and incumbent Kim Kenne from 7-8:30 PM.

Marge Nichols of the League will moderate the forum and present questions to the candidates, who will be given equal time to respond.  The audience will also be invited to submit questions as well, which will be given to representatives of the LWV, who will select the questions to be asked.

In addition to the questions, each candidate will present a brief statement both at the start and the conclusion of the forum.

This will be the first election where PUSD board members run by district, rather than at large.  Altadena comprises 87% of the voters in District 1, who will vote on March 5.

 

Morning jolt

 

• In for a Penny: Penny University, who describe themselves as "a unique trivia story telling Instrumental group spanning jazz/ fusion / latin /rock /global" is appearing tonight at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Avenue   They've just released their first CD, and Altadena is the first stop on their Southern California tour.  We were asked to plug them.  Check them out.
• Emotional Freedom can be yours: Revvell Revati's Bodacious Living Center is holding the first of a series of Sunday evening events this weekend. EFT or, Emotional Freedom Technique is often called "acupuncture without needles" or, "tapping." Practitioners ~ that would be you ~ tap on various points of the body to eliminate sub and unconscious emotions which prevent them from being, doing and having the life they say they'd like to create. Easy to learn; can do it anywhere in a very short amount of time with no equipment, special clothing etc.  If you're looking to stop self-sabotage, eliminate excess weight, gain financial freedom, enhance relationships, you may want to check this out. Fee is $5 cash, place is a private residence, starts at 6 PM Sunday, Jan. 6.  Contact for exact address and reservations. Revvell@gmail.com or, 818-824-4422
  
  
  

Traveling mercies

We're on the road to Sacramento and back today, some minor tests at UC-Davis Medical Center for Jacob, and we're participating in an interview and video for a PR effort of theirs.  Be back this evening, but we have another trip later in the weekend, so keep it under control over there!

 

Survey: Neighborhood Market at Lake & Calavaras, or not?

by Timothy Rutt

Before we say anything else, remember that any talk of opening a second Walmart Neighborhood Market at the Calavaras Crater (Lake Avenue & Calavaras Street) are entirely speculative right now.

But knowing that, it doesn't stop the rumor mill, nor the other possibilities for the site.  Altadena Town Councilman Ed Meyers, who is also a member of the Altadena community standards committee, told us he wants to take a survey of residents, entirely for his own information and not in any official capacity.

"Please note that this is from Ed Meyers ONLY,' he writes. "It really is 'an inquiring mind wants to know' sort of thing. I may share results with the other groups I'm involved with but it's not something that's part of any of the groups."  Meyers said that the survey would be up about a month.

The survey asks a few simple questions about what people would like to see at the Lake/Calavaras site.

The survey is anonymous, and is designed to be taken only once per IP address (i.e. one per computer), but Meyers asks "PLEASE, in the spirit of being fair,  only take it once per person."

Link to the survey is here. 

"Coffee with the Captain" at Perry's Joint Jan. 22

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena Sheriff Capt. John S. Benedict will hold another "Coffee with the Captain" event on Tues., Jan. 22, at Perry's Joint, 2051 Lincoln Ave.  The event will be from 6-8 PM.

According to a press release from the station, "Perry's Joint is located just south of Woodbury Road on Lincoln Avenue and was selected again as a location following the great turnout at the prior event in July of this year"

Feel free to stop in and give your concerns to the captain and his deputies in this informal setting.

First look at 2013

Photo: Mason Sedlik

It's a good thing we didn't have the Mayan apocalypse, because 2013 is already turning out to be a good year for photography!

Community correspondant Mason Sedlik got some great shots of the B-2 bomber flying over Pasadena for the Rose Bowl game, taken from Devil's Gate Dam.

Photo: Mason Sedlik

And Camille Dudley's picture,  taken at Loma Alta Drive just east of Marengo Avenue, is self-explanatory.

Photo: Camille Dudley

Happy Gnome Year!

 

by Timothy Rutt

The Gnome Maker strikes again, for the gnew year (those are glasses and noisemakers, by the way).

... and a happy new year!

by Timothy Rutt

Here's wishing you a good New Year -- ours had a great start.  We along with other members of Down Syndrome in Arts and Media got some great seats at the Rose Parade as guests of Best Buddies and th ATT Pioneer Council (thanks to DSiAM's Gail Ford Williamson for inviting us).  Here, the DSiAM crew poses for a picture after the parade.

 

 

Top ten Altadena stories of 2012

 

Space Shuttle Endeavour's Altadena flyover was one of the memorable events of 2012. Photo by Chris Considine.

 

by Timothy Rutt

The year 2012 was a very busy year in Altadena: some endings, some new beginnings, and the promise of change to come.  Here’s our annual totally biased and opinionated look at the Top 10 Altadena Stories of 2012, in no particular order:

C Jake Truman admires Ken Sakamoto's metal sculpture as part of the 125th Birthday Bash Nov. 3.

1. Altadena’s 125th Birthday:  Somebody noticed that Altadena was 125 years old in 2012. A  small but mighty group of women -- current Citizen of the Year Michele Zack from Altadena Heritage; Jane Brackman of the Altadena Historical Society; Monica Hubbard of the Altadena Women's Network; Dolores Hickambottom, former Citizen of the Year; and Sussy Nemer, senior deputy for Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich --  along with token male Altadena Heritage president Mark Goldschmidt -- put together, in only six weeks, a party to be remembered.  Many Altadena businesses, groups, and individuals contributed to a Nov. 3 Birthday Bash at Farnsworth Park  that featured historical displays, music, entertainment, and great food from Altadena sources. Don’t want to wait another 125 years for the next one.

 

2. Altadena visioning process:  in the spring and summer, consultants hired by Los Angeles County set about to survey Altadena residents on what direction we needed to go:  what did we like about living here, what do we need, how can we make it better?  After several interviews with leading citizens and groups, online surveys, and three public “visioning meetings,”  the end result is a document that identifies some desirous characteristics of Altadena living (including “Diverse, eclectic, unique character” and “Community cohesion and strong institutions”) and suggests some directions to go.  The Altadena Town Council has already started that process by forming a committee to update the community standards, but volunteer organizations and individuals have an opportunity to contribute, too. 

3. West side shootings:  the west side of Altadena became a firing zone during the latter part of the year, with multiple drive-by and car-to-car shootings, culminating in an off-duty deputy and his brother becoming targets in December.  (Another sheriff’s department employee, Law Enforcement Technician Victor McClinton,  was killed in northwest Pasadena on Christmas Day, so the shooting zone wasn’t just restricted to Altadena).  Several people were wounded in the incidents -- and nobody in Altadena died from gunfire this year -- but gang activity has been blamed for much of it.  Local clergy and law enforcement leaders held a rally on Dec. 30 to decry the violence.

Residents gather in the Loma Alta Park gym for one of the Altadena visioning meetings.

4. Lower Millard Canyon:  this beautiful, undeveloped piece of secluded nature inside LA County was offered to the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, which mounted a public appeal for the $675,000 needed to buy it. Thanks to donations from many groups and individuals, ending with a push to close a $3,200 gap by Nov. 30, the funds were raised, and the 13 acres of lower Millard Canyon were preserved forever.

 

5. Food Culture:  Altadena’s burgeoning food culture really came into its own this year.  Key to this was the opening of the Altadena Farmers' Market in May, where organic, sustainable, small-scale farmers and foodcrafters have a place to ply their wares to an enthusiastic public every Wednesday.  It was a long haul through the county process for market manager Joseph Shudliner, a world class foodie and cookbook author who also founded the Institute of Domestic Technology.  People come from all over Los Angeles County to check out the market -- and that's one of our major criticisms of it.  While the market handles very interesting goods from interesting places and attracts buyers from far away, the high prices are prohibitive for people who actually live in the neighborhood.  This is an issue the market needs to solve.

First Presbyterian Church opens sanctuary to talk about Victor McClinton

On Wednesday, January 2 from 7-9 p.m. the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church- Altadena will be open, offering space for children, youth and families to talk and to share feelings around the tragic death of Victor McClinton.

The community is invited to drop in anytime during those two hours where there will be people to simply sit or pray with.  There will be time to talk or share with others, engage scripture, remember together, and/or create some art as a way of expressing our sorrow. The church is located at 2775 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, CA 91001, at the corner of Lincoln and Harriet across from the fire station. The parking lot entrance is off Harriet.  For more information, contact Debra Williams at 626/791-4271 Ext. 302

Poetry corner: a look back at 2012

"The World in 2012"

from gloriana casey

JANUARY of twenty -twelve,
Quadrantid---in  the air!
 Meteor shower gifted us!
Space life shows off its flair.

Republicans, they start campaign;
numbers reach a gaggle.
Though many drop from race,you see;
onward goes the battle!

The ocean's on the front page news,
a tragedy at sea.
Costa Concordia, the ship
it sinks so horribly.

Helicopter rescue tonight

by TImothy Rutt

All that helicopter activity was the Los Angeles County Fire Department rescuing another errant hiker.  Still looking for official details, but an uninjured male was observed leaving the LAFD Copter 14 (which landed at Farnsworth Park) and entering a sheriff's vehicle.

 

Brrr! It will be a cold one tonight

The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures as low as 37 degrees tonight, and the Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a cold weather advisory for  Lancaster, Santa Clarita Valley and Mount Wilson areas. Wind chill temperatures are expected to be in the 20s and 30s for Santa Clarita Valley and Mount Wilson areas, and in single digits and high 10s for Lancaster. 

“We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbeques or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., M.P.H., Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable during such cold snaps, care should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside.” 

A Winter Shelter Program is available for seniors and those looking for a place to stay warm. Locations and transportation information can be found on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's website at: http://www.lahsa.org/winter_shelter_program.asp, or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone. For the deaf and hard of hearing, please call the TDD line at 1-800-660-4026. 

If you're going to see the parade, officials are advising to dress in layers of warm clothing and wear a hat, scarf, socks, and gloves to protect your extremities from the cold.

 

Crime blotter: vehicle vandalisms, gunfire, and a stolen Bible

This week in crime, from the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Monday, December 24

Between 4:00 PM and 8:30 PM – A petty theft of a package occurred in the 500 block of Punahou Street. Loss: black Diesel purse, Old & New Testament bible. 

Between 7:00 PM and 1:00 AM (Tuesday) – A residential burglary occurred in the 1500 block of N. Allen Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by prying the rear door. Loss: jewelry, currency. 

Tuesday, December 25t 

Between 1:00 PM and 8:15 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of E. Woodbury Road. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear windows. Loss: unknown. 

Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Wednesday) – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 900 block of E. Mount Curve Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the driver’s side window. Loss: orange/black/gray jacket. 

Ricky needs a new home

Mighty La Canada Flintridge Blogger Kathy Christie Hernandez (who has just moved to Borderdena and is taking a break from online life) asked us to spread the word -- her doggie Ricky needs a new home:

When I adopted my dog four years ago, I was working at home and had backup afternoon care for this sweet little guy. But then life threw me a curveball this year, and I'm now single in a new (albeit awesome!) city. Unfortunately, that means my dog is home alone for 11+ hours at a time, and he is so sad. He needs a level of attention I can no longer give, so I'm looking for a new home for him.

I've posted some photos and more information about him at  http://www.kchblog.com/?p=6275. Please let me know if you're interested, and please forward this to anyone you know who might be.

Thanks.

New Year's Eve potluck at the Ale House today

Goodbye, 2012!  The (Altadenablog sponsor) Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will start the New Year's Eve party at 3 PM today toasting European New Year, followed by Great Britain at 4 PM, and so on and so on.  

There will also be afternoon potluck, so bring a dish to share if you're so inclined.

 

End of year madness

Entries will be light today as we have to hit several tax-related deadlines!

New comment policy

by Timothy Rutt

A new year is about to begin, and we're putting a new comment policy in place.

One of the requirements of our comment policy (which you can read here) is that we need to have a working email address from all commenters.  The email address is only visible to us, and it's so that we can ask you to rewrite or clarify your entry if needed (usually it's about toning down the language, and most commenters are agreeable).  Also, asking for an email address discourages people from just spouting off in a juvenile manner.  One can use a pseudonym, but we're quite insistent on a real email address that we can see, and up until now it's been on the honor system.

However, there has been a recent rash of comments without an email address, or with bogus ones.  We think that's the equivalent of throwing a rock through a window -- and if you don't want to stand up for what you say in any way, why should we hear from you?

Per our rules, we are purging comments that have not followed the guidelines and blocking the senders.  

Today we are also instituting a new policy that requires signing in before comments are allowed. We don't think this should be an impediment to good faith commenters -- and no one will know your real identity if you don't want them to.  But we're finding that enough folks are abusing the honor system that we have to tighten things up a bit.

 

Local leaders call for action on gun violence in Pasadena today

by Timothy Rutt

There will be a " community call-to-action in response to gun violence in our streets" and press conference at 3 PM today at All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Avenue in Pasadena.

Participants will include The Rev. Ed Bacon, Rector of All Saints Church;  Pastor Jean Burch, Community Bible Church; Pastor Kerwin Manning, Pasadena Church; Chief Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena Police Department;  Captain John Benedict, Altadena Sheriff’s Station;  Ricky Pickens, Flintridge Center;  William Syms and Porfirio Frausto, community leaders. 

According to a press release from All Saints Church:

"When something is wrong like the gun violence plaguing our citizens, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to one another,” said All Saints’ Rector Ed Bacon. “The Pasadena community is standing strong together for peace and security in our neighborhoods,” said Ricky Pickens, Director of Prevention and Intervention Services at the Flintridge Center. 

The event is in response to recent shooting incidents in Pasadena and Altadena. Long-time youth sports leader and community activist Victor McClinton, killed on Christmas Day in Pasadena, was one of the victims of this recent violence.

According to several communications we have received from various participants, the key messages of the event will be: 

• We will restore peace and hope ;
• We will respect law enforcement and be respected by law enforcement;
• We will help those who want to get out of gangs.

Sheriff warns New Year's gunfire is still dangerous and illegal

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Sheriff Station says that shooting off your guns to celebrate the New Year is not a good idea:  it's a dangerous a felony, and "will not be tolerated."

A press release from the station says that celebratory gunfire "is an extremely dangerous practice. As a reminder, deputies from Altadena Sheriff’s Station, in an effort to stop and reduce these types of incidents will be enforcing Penal Code section 246.3."  That section of the code prohibits the discharge of a firearm and anyone arrested fill be charged with a felony and their gun will be confiscated.

"Additionally, should a shooting occur, members of the community are encouraged to call 9-1-1.," the press release says.  "Please help us in keeping the community of Altadena safe."

The Sheriff's Department, along with the LAPD, the Board of Supervisors, and other government bodies are promoting a Gunfire Reduction Campaign to help reduce the number of New Year's gunfire incidents.  Firing into the air is not safe: the bullet will come down, accelerating at 32 ft/second and be just as deadly.  According to a press release from the sheriff's office, "On July 4, 1999, Brian Perez, a young, outgoing, 9 year-old boy was playing with family members in the front yard of his home. Someone in the area shot a firearm into the sky and the stray bullet struck Brian in the head, killing him. 'Shooting guns in the air is dangerous and illegal. If you are caught shooting a gun in the air you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law', said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck."

Missing pets, holiday edition; one found, one lost

After a few days of technical glitches, the lost pet form is working again:

Found: On Reever Way, Cross street Glenrose and Loma Alta (near Fair Oaks), a medium sized, Female lab or pit wearing a red collar  with no tags. Looks brown (or dark grey) with white spots and paws. Dog is now at Pasadena Humane Society.

Lost: "Penny," a senior Pomeranian lost on Dec 24 around 1 PM on Maiden Lane between New York and Morada.  Was wearing a red jacket and has a shaved tail. Call 626 298-4128

Altadena Junction: an early look backwards

Our weekly column for the Pasadena Sun is up, and it'll give you a little taste of our annual Top 10 Altadena Stories of the Year that'll be up New Year's Day.

Morning jolt: Obit for former Claim Jumper CEO Robert Ott

• Robert F. Ott obit:  Pasadena Star-News has an obituary for Robert F. Ott, former CEO of Claim Jumper Restaurants, who was killed while jogging next to the Altadena Golf Course on Mendocino last week.  Ott was also a restaurant consultant, and philantropist and community volunteer. Obit here.
• SaveAltadena will have a holiday potluck on Sat., Dec. 29 at 4 PM at the Altadena Ale & Wine House.  (Thank you to our inside sources on this one -- Altadenablog is shut out of the SaveAltadena Facebook page, so we depend on members of the organization to slip us information -- write to altadenablog@gmail.com.  Your confidentiality is assured!).

Morning jolt: Shuldiner to remake LA's' Grand Central Market

• Grand Central Market revamp:  Altadena Farmer’s Market Manager  and Institute of Domestic Technology founder Joseph Shuldiner has been hired as a consultant to remake LA’s Grand Central Market.  The LA Times’ Betty Hallock writes of the almost-100-year-old market’s revisioning, which will include a lobby with tables and wi-fi, a “foodcrafting space” in the basement for small food entrepreneurs, and the addition of the kind of handcrafted, sustainably-raised food that defines the Altadena Farmer’s Market.  Story here.
• DUI checkpoint Friday: The Altadena Area office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will conduct a sobriety/driver license checkpoint on Friday, December 28, within the unincorporated area of east Altadena. “We would like to remind everyone to designate a sober driver.  Driving under the influence is inexcusable and has cost the lives of too many people,” said Captain Steve Strull, Altadena Area Commander.  The mission of the CHP is to ensure the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.  Sobriety/Driver license checkpoints are proven, effective tools for achieving this mission and are designed to augment existing patrols.

 

Another rain storm this weekend to clear out in time for Rose Parade

by Jason Wells
Pasadena Sun

Cool and breezy conditions are expected to give way to another rainstorm later this week, but forecasters say it should be mostly clear and brisk by New Year’s Day and the all-important Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.

Gusty northwest winds were expected for some areas through Thursday morning with most of the region experiencing fair weather Thursday and Friday, said experts with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

Many areas will experience 15- to 25-mph winds, they said, and the Antelope Valley and the mountains should see west to northwest winds of up to 45 mph.

A winter weather advisory was issued for Thursday until 10 a.m., with blistery snow showers expected on north facing mountain slopes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

Vintage/Cultural & Polynesian dance classes offered at Sue B.

Sue B. Dance Studio is offering 13 weeks of classes on vintage and cultural dance and Polynesian dance on Wednesday afternoons starting Jan. 16.

 

In Vintage & Cultural Dance, boys & girls will learn traditional dances, songs & games from various cultures around the world as well as select

vintage dances from the 1890s to the 1980s. (Ages 5 to 10 yrs.)

Polynesian Dance: Fun Hawaiian Hula’s for the younger group and more challenging dances from Samoa & the Philippines for the older students. All will participate together in warm-ups & Polynesian dance technique! (Ages 6 to 9 yrs. and ages 10 to 13 yrs.)

Instructor is Lynanne Hanson MIller. "Ms. Lynnanne" has 25 years of dance instruction, performance and choreographic experience.  She is a Teaching Artist with the Los Angeles County Music Center’s Education Division, The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission Arts for All Initiative, the Pasadena Unified School District, and Member of the AMAN Dance Educators.

 

Fee is $120 per student per class ($40 sibling and/or multiple class discount).  For more info. & to pre-register by Jan. 14th, please send an email to dancecommunity@earthlink.net . A registration form will be emailed to you to mail or deliver with your payment (cash or checks accepted).

The classes will be held at Sue B. Dance Studio, 2525 N. Lake Ave., Altadena.  See graphic for more information.

 

Parenting expert Kim John Payne returns to Waldorf School

from the Pasadena Waldorf School

The Pasadena Waldorf School is pleased to announce the return of Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting and The Games Children Play, for a two-day event on January 14 and 15, 2013. A celebrated lecturer, Kim John Payne, M.ED, is also a consultant and trainer to over 110 schools in the United States. For 27 years, he has worked as a school counselor, researcher, educator and a private family counselor and now runs workshops and training seminars around the world.

Mr. Payne will present his program, “Soul of Discipline: In the First Nine Years,” addressing how parenting and discipline changes and evolves as our children mature. The lecture is on January 14, from 7 to 9 PM at Franson Hall at the Pasadena Waldorf High School, located on the William Carey International University Campus, 1539 East Howard St., Pasadena, CA 91104. The following morning, from 9 AM to 1 PM, he will conduct an interactive workshop at China Lounge at the Pasadena Waldorf High School, also located on the William Carey International University Campus.

Mr. Payne is a regular interview subject in television, radio and print. He has been featured on the CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox networks, the BBC, CBC and NPR radio networks, and in print by the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, Whole Living, Redbook and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, among others.

Tickets are $12 for the lecture and $28 for the workshop. This event is for adults only. To purchase tickets for both events and to get more information, visit www.pasadenawaldorf.org or call 626-794-9564.

Identity of dead hiker found on Saturday still unknown

by Alene Tchekmedyian
Pasadena Sun

Authorities on Wednesday continued to try and ascertain the identity of a hiker who was found dead Saturday morning in the Angeles National Forest. 

Another hiker found the man’s body around 7:47 a.m. near the Gould Mesa Debris Basin Dam on the east trail near La Cañada Flintridge, said Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Sgt. Cynthia Gonzales. 

It appeared the body had been there for several days, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter. Authorities said Saturday that there had been no recent reports of missing hikers in the area.

More at Times Community News.

Open thread: how was YOUR Christmas?

We spent Christmas Eve night looking at Christmas lights with our oldest daughter (there's a house on Roosevelt and Berendo that must be seen to be believed!).  Christmas morning, we got up early, made mulled cider and coffee, and wrote for an hour until the children started appearing.  Great haul for everybody, standing roast for dinner, spent the evening programming our new internet radio.  

How was YOUR holiday?  Share your stories below!

No place like gnome for the holidays

by Timothy Rutt

.... and the tale of the gnome continues, with carolers!  The Gnomehaus this morning.

Merry Christmas!

As is our custom, entries will be light or nonexistent today, as we celebrate the nativity of the Lord with our family (we celebrate Christmas without apology and with great joy in our household).

And, per our usual custom, our traditional Christmas picture: a Flemish painting by an unknown artist, c. 1515, "Adoration of the Christ Child," which is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  Several years ago, psychiatrist Andrew Levitas and geneticist Cheryl Reid determined that the angel closest to Mary, and possibly one of the shepherds in the back, bore the distinctive facial evidence of Down Syndrome.  They conjectured that the artist used models with Down Syndrome fully three centuries before the condition was identified by Dr. Langdon Down.  And the artist didn't call attention to it -- in fact, they're representing beings (shepherds and angels) who are meant to be there.  Imperfect and somewhat damaged, as we all are, but also welcomed to the Nativity.  As our family has cherished members with Down Syndrome, this has particular appeal to our heart.  Everyone is invited to this party!

Celebrate the day!  Merry Christmas to you!

 

Crime blotter: thefts and shooting

Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Sunday, December 16: 

Between 6:00 PM and 11:45 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the area Harding Avenue. & Washington Boulevard. 

Monday, December 17: 

Between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Tuesday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1800 block of E. Mendocino Street. Loss: red briefcase, checkbook, gold bracelet. 

Wednesday, December 19: 

Between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM – A vehicle was stolen from the 1600 block of Braeburn Rd. Vehicle Loss: black 2011 Landrover. 

Between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Thursday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 700 block of E. Pine St. Loss: black Craftsman cordless drill, yellow Makita cordless drill, black Craftsman flashlight battery. 

Thursday, December 20: 

Between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 200 block of E. Loma Alta Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear window. Loss: black Toshiba laptop, gold/silver jewelry. 

3:34 PM and 11:00 PM – A petty theft of a package occurred in the 100 block of E. Sacramento St. Loss: bath towels, comforter, cooker, cutlery set, ironing board, iron. 

Jogger identified in fatal accident

The coroner's office released the name of the jogger who was killed on Mendocino Street near the golf course Friday: Robert Frank Ott, 54, of Altadena.  The PSN has all details up to date. 

 

O Christmas Tree ... can leave, starting tomorrow

by TImothy Rutt

If having a tree in the living room is now wearing a little thin, Athens Services says they will provide free tree-cycling starting tomorrow, Dec. 26.  To ensure pickup, remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and the stand and put the tree (or Hannukkah bush) at the curb on collection day.

Flocked or plastic trees will not be recycled or accepted, and if it's over six feet tall, cut it in half.  Collections will take place until Jan. 11, 2103.

Poetry corner: Christmas morn

" For  Altadena  Christmas Morn...."

        from gloriana casey

For Altadena,  Christmas Morn,
the birds will start the day.
They think they sing the up sun too;
that's Twitter.... Nature's  way!

And some will rise up with the birds,
then to church will travel.
Though some will sleep a bit in peace
before the gifts unravel.

Now some will have those visitors,
while others will have none.
 Some more wish Midwest snow away,
so airlines--- they will run.

Loma Alta Park brings the Christmas happiness Dec. 15

by Timothy Rutt

Radio station Power 106 shared this video of the toy giveaway at Loma Alta Park on Dec. 15.  (We're an old guy and never heard of any of the celebrities!)

Poetry corner: gnome on the range

"Home, Home, With a Gnome" ( sung to a familiar tune. : )

from gloriana casey


Oh give gnome a home
in the sycamore zone,
where the spirit's refreshed all the day.
Where never is heard a discouraging word
for gnome, he loves all holidays.

Gnome, gnome in the zone
where  mystery lives all the day.
For never is heard benefactor's name word
but kindness is heard all the day.

In Dena land here, where  this gnome love is clear,
for gnome life is grand on this earth.
For the spirit is right
for a gnome worthy life
and mystery a fine thing to play.