altadenablog

Altadena Junction: 'tis the season

A first look at the holidays in Altadena this week (and yes, we know that Thusday is the 29th, not the 26th, but we were still recovering from turkey overload when we wrote that ...)

Altadena groups join Black Friday anti-Walmart protests

 

Members of Neighbors Building a Better Altadena put up a sign near the site of the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Black Friday, Nov. 23. Photo: Monica Hubbard.

 

 

by Timothy Rutt

Members of Neighbors Building a Better Altadena took part in Black Friday demonstrations against Walmart labor practices.

A contingent of NBBA members put signs up near the site of the Walmart Neighborhood Market now under construction at Lincoln Avenue and Figueroa Street in Altadena, before carpooling to Paramount to join a demonstration there.  NBBA's Monica Hubbard reported "lots of marching, chanting, short speeches from Walmart workers and others; hard to hear due to the PA system."

LA Times has a story about the Paramount rally here.

Adolfo Flores of the LA Times Newspaper Group covers a protest at the Duarte store here where another local anti-Walmart group, SaveAltadena, participated.

 

Poetry corner: Bobcat ramble

"MaryEllen and  Bob"

from gloriana casey

In KINGDOM ----Animalia,
PHYLUM--------- is Chordata.
Now,  look around your backyard then,
maybe one you've gotta!

MAMMALIA ---is the Class, you see,
ORDER---------Carnivora!,
 He eats up those small rodents then;
Gopher kind--he'll  score-a!

Pet of the week: Sheeka

 At a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich presents “Sheeka,” a 4 month-old Husky/Terrier Mix – one of many pets available for adoption now.  For more information about adopting a pet, please call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at 562-728-4610. 

 

NAACP Veteran's Seminar/Workshop Dec. 15

The Altadena Branch NAACP Veterans Committee will hold a seminar/workshop on Sat., Dec. 15, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr..

Information will be shared about veteran's benefits, including burial and memorial, dependent and survivor healthcare benefits, education and training, women's health, PTSD, store discounts, VA healthcare benefits, and many other topics.

If you or your family member is a veteran from any theater of conflict, including the war on terror, Kosovo, Iraq or Afghanistan, this is for you.

RSVP preferred, but all are welcome.  Call 626-791-4745 or 626-794-7999, or email Nat Haynes at: lr2422@earthlink.net.

 

 

Altadena Community Church offers Advent centering prayer

Thursdays in Advent season, starting next week, the Altadena Community Church is offering centering prayer at the church's Jesus Chapel, from 7-8 PM.

Centering Prayer will be offered on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at the church, 943 E. Altadena Drive.  For more information, call 626-798-1185.

Olympic bell ringers to perform holiday concert at Library Dec. 11

from the Altadena Library

Not many bell ringers ever get to show their stuff at the Olympics, but the Mark Twain Middle School Bell Ringers performed not once but five times in London as part of a national bell-ringing extravaganza that opened last summer’s games and gave four other Olympic performances as well.  They returned home to even further acclaim when the Los Angeles City Council proclaimed October 4 as Mark Twain Bell Ringer Day. 

Twain Music Director Ron Theile says of all their accomplishments, “Hard work pays off…I am the one who's supposed to coach them in that direction. They know what they want to sound like… And they've never been wrong."

You are invited to hear these young performers who are in such great demand in all their bell-ringing glory at the Altadena Library’s holiday concert on Tuesday, December 11 at 7 PM This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and is sure to be delightful evening for all ages.  The Altadena Main Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street.  For more information, visit www.altadenalibrary.org or call 626-798-0833.

 

On the hunt for some holiday .... gopher

MaryEllen Schoeman shares this picture of a bobcat visitor to her Meadows yard:

Saw this lovely creature hanging out on the hill behind my house on Thanksgiving - I am thankful that he is there, as he seems to be helping me with my gopher problem!

It's Small Business Saturday

by Timothy Rutt

After surviving Black Friday, it's time to give some support to the local small businesses in Altadena that help provide jobs and bring character to our town.

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce is promoting "Small Business Saturday," a promotion from American Express, that urges you to make some of our holiday purchases (heck, some of your everyday purchases) from local merchants.

Many of the local participants will have "Small Business Saturday" welcome mats at the door, but you don't need the mats to shop small and local today!

In that spirit, we're passing along this editorial about buying from local business by Tom Prete, a fellow local news publisher whose Ocean Beach Bulletin covers the western edge of San Francisco.

Family fun at the Library: decorate a graham cracker gingerbread house Dec. 4

The Library kicks off a month of holiday fun with an activity for the whole family:  a "gingerbread" house decorating party on Tues., Dec. 4.

It's not really gingerbread -- it's graham crackers, which you can assemble using frosting and candy into the holiday house of your dreams.

Sponsored by Friends of the Library, it starts at 6:30 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

 

Sheriff looking for public's help in Thanksgiving shooting

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Sheriff's Station has put out a public appeal for help on Thursday afternoon's drive-by shooting of two men on west Altadena Drive.

Our earlier story is here.

According to a press release, the station is asking the public for any information regarding the shooter's vehicle, described as a full-size van with Oregon license plates, occupied by two black male adults.

If you have information about the assault, call the Altadena Sheriff's Station at 626-798-1131. 

Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website  http://lacrimestoppers.org 

Gas Co. offers tips on how to spot utility worker imposters, avoid CO2 poisoning

from Southern California Gas Co.

As preparations begin for the holiday season, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is reminding its customers of important safety tips to keep friends and loved ones safe during the holidays and year-round.

Customers should be vigilant and question anyone who presents themselves as a representative of SoCalGas. The following tips can help you protect your home from utility-worker imposters:

• All SoCalGas employees carry proper photo identification when called out to any job. 
• Verify the employee's uniform and identification before letting anyone in the home or on their property. Most field employees also drive a company vehicle.
• Customer safety is a top priority for SoCalGas and employees will always be happy to wait while the customer confirms their identity.
• Never leave the house unlocked and unattended. SoCalGas does not ask customers to leave their homes unattended.
• Most of the time a SoCalGas employee visits a home or business in response to a service request. If no one scheduled an appointment, call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 (or 1-800-342-4545 in Spanish) before allowing anyone inside the home or property.

As temperatures drop, another threat to safety is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO poisoning can occur as a result of a poorly ventilated heater or a CO leak from another source. Symptoms can include nausea, headaches, paralysis and even death. SoCalGas wants its customers to remember the following tips to help prevent CO poisoning:

Two wounded in drive-by shooting Thursday

by Timothy Rutt

Sheriffs are looking for two suspects in a Thursday afternoon drive-by shooting that left two wounded.

A sheriff's spokesman said that a black full-size van with Oregon plates drove up to a house at the 150 block of West Aldadena Drive at about 3:20 PM Thursday.  According to the spokesman, no words were exchanged, but the suspects in the vehicle -- described as two African American males -- fired at the two male victims and sped away westbound on Altadena Drive.

Both victims were treated at the scene.  One victim was released at the scene, and the other was taken to Huntington Hospital where he is expected to make a full recovery, the spokesman said.

 

Abandoned cat on Beverly Way

Heartbreaking story, this. Reader Dan emails:

While walking our dogs, we noticed an abandoned cat at a house that has been foreclosed. The cat is very friendly. If you walk up to the house, it runs up to the front door waiting to be let in. We've been feeding it (along with some other neighbors) for the last week waiting for the owners to come get it. It's been a week, so I think this poor guy's on his own. If anyone is interested, go by the house, the cat is usually near the front porch.

The house is at 916 Beverly Way.

 

Altadena sheriff station offers holiday crime prevention tips

from the Altadena Sheriff's Station

Captain John Benedict and the men and women of the Altadena Sheriff’sStation wish you a happy holiday season and offer these reminders for a safe and crime-free holiday season. 

Always 
• Remain aware of your surroundings, at home, in parking lots, in your driveway, in stores, everywhere you go. 
• Keep records of your credit/debit card numbers and phone numbers in a safe place in case you need to report a stolen or lost card. 

Shopping Safety 
• When shopping, take only what you need--identification and the credit card or debit card you intend to use. 
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash; carry only the amount you need. 
• Stay alert! Be aware. Pay attention to activity around you.  Busy and distracted shoppers are a target for any criminal looking for an easy opportunity. 
• Park in well lighted areas. 
• Lock your vehicle. 
• Do not leave your purse or any other valuables in a shopping cart unattended. 
• Do not leave items in plain view. 
“Window shopping” thieves will break vehicle windows to get your valuables.
• Do not carry a purse or wallet that has long straps that dangle. 
• Carry your purse/wallet close and tight to your body. 
• Put a wallet in an inside pocket of your jacket or front pants pocket. 
• Have your car keys in hand and ready to use when you reach your vehicle. 
• When you arrive home from a shopping trip, have your keys ready to use when you approach the door.  Don’t be digging in your purse or shuffling packages to get to your keys. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a wonderful holiday with those you love.  We will be having the same, so entries will be light today.

Poetry corner: Thanksgiving, turkey

   " Ode to Tom Turkey"

        from gloriana casey

Dear Tom: this day we celebrate;
this dinner it is blessed.
A cornucopia of foods
within each family's nest.

Now Tom, you are the bigger bird,
much bigger than the hen.
Big celebration rates big bird
in households full of kin.

There are two turkeys we don't eat,
tradition will decree;
a Presidential Pardon too!
Those turkeys will live free.

Wild Toms are almost all dark meat;
the breast meat is that too.
Light meat or dark, the choice is twain,
if factory farm is you.

Champions for CERT

The Altadena Community Emergency Response Team was honored at Tuesday night's town council meeting for their outstanding performance in triage during a CERT competition in Burbank last month.  Altadena Sheriff Capt. John Benedict, on the far right, gave certificates honoring team members for their performance.

Town council wants local hearings on day care center site

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena town council agreed at Tuesday night’s meeting to send a letter telling the regional planning commission that the applicant for a planned day care facility at 3311 Canyon Crest Dr. has not been before the town council since their plans were revised. 

The application for a conditional use permit for the property, on a busy corner, was turned down by the town council in 2006 and 2007, according to former councilman Dennis Bridwell, who spoke at last night's meeting.

The application has since been revised and resubmitted to county planners without going through Altadena’s land use committee or town council. According to council member Diane Marcussen, who spoke with county staff, the applicant has said that they will not come before the Altadena bodies in seeking approval for their day care center.  As the Altadena bodies are only advisory, no applicant legally has to go through approvals in Altadena -- only the county planning committee and board of supervisors have thumb’s-up or -down power to approve permits.

Ever since an announcement for a county hearing went up on the property, neighbors have registered objections to allowing a permit. The single-family residence, which plans to take in 28 children, is without sidewalks and is at the corner of the only entrance and exit roads to the Meadows and La Vina neighborhoods. Marcussen said that, due to county schedules, the planned December county hearing for the day care center will probably be delayed at least until January 15.

 

 

Gov. Brown appoints Altadenan Landolph to health commitee

 

Dr. Joseph R. Landolph

Gov. Jerry Brown has re-appointed Joseph R. Landolph, 64, of Altadena to the Carcinogen Identification Committee, where he has served since 1993, according to a press release from the governor's office.

 

Landolph has been associate professor of molecular microbiology, immunology and pathology and associate professor of molecular pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Southern California since 1987. He is a member of the University of Southern California, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Keck School of Medicine. Landolph earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Landolph is a Democrat. 

Two juveniles detained in Altadena burglary

by Timothy Rutt

Officers of the Pasadena Police Department arrested two 17-year-olds at John Muir High School Tuesday afternoon when the youths were found with items linked to an Altadena burglary.

According to the Altadena Sheriff's Station, officers were investigating a report of marijuana possession on or near the campus of John Muir High School.  During the course of the investigation, officers discovered the suspects in possession of an iPad and iPhone, along with women's jewelry.  It was discovered that the items had come from a residence on the 3200 block of Thurin Avenue in Altadena, which had not yet reported a burglary.

The 59-year-old victim was contacted, and confirmed that her home had been burglarized.  She was transported to the school where she identified the stolen items and the two suspects, whom she'd seen loitering around her home before the burglary occured.

Both suspects were taken into custody by Altadena deputies and were booked for residential burglary.  They were eventually released to famly members, according to the sheriff's station.  Both are scheduled to be arraigned in January.

 

 

NBBA announces "Black Friday" Walmart plans

by Timothy Rutt

Neighbors Building a Better Altadena announced that they will be taking part in two demonstrations in "support of Walmart workers" on "Black Friday."

NBBA will post signs of support on the corner of Figueroa Street and Lincoln Avenue, near the Walmart Neighborhood Market.  They will also carpool to a demonstration at the Paramount Walmart, which takes place at 10 AM, to return to Altadena around noon.  If you'd like to carpool, email  mail@buildingabetteraltadena.org  with "Carpool" in the subject line and indicate if you need a ride or would be willing to drive.

 

Crime blotter: vehicle, residential burglaries mark the week

Residential and vehicle burglaries seem to fill most of the plate this week.  Crime blotter provided by the Altadena Sheriff's Station.

Sunday, November 4

Between 8:30 PM and 7:15 AM (Monday) – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 500 block of E. Altadena Drive. 
Between 9:00 PM and 6:30 AM (Monday) – A grand theft and vehicle vandalism occurred in the 3100 block of N. Marengo Ave. Loss: Lumens LED lights, silver Coleman ice chest, red/black Craftsman table saw. 

Tuesday, November 6 

Between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM (Wednesday) – A grand theft from a vehicle occurred in the 2300 block of Galbreth Road. Loss: silver/black SkillSaw, blue Makita roto hammer, white survey instrument, blue Makita drill. 

Wednesday, November 7

Between 10:30 PM and 10:40 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 3300 block of N. Lake Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger window. Loss: black leather purse containing personal documents. ***Suspect vehicle possibly a late model gray Chevrolet Tahoe, last seen westbound on Loma Alta Dr. 

Thursday, November 8

Between 10:30 AM and 10:45 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 3200 block of Crestford Drive. Suspect(s) attempted to enter the residence by prying the door. Suspect described as a male, Hispanic, ft. 2 ins., 240 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes. Suspect was seen entering a gray 2004-2008 Infiniti 2-door, tinted windows, chrome rims; partial plate G64, driven by a male, Hispanic. No further info. 
Between 3:00 PM and 11:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 100 block of W. Pine Street. Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unlocked door. Loss: various gold necklaces, gold diamond rings, blue Chicago saw, orange Dewalt drill, red Craftsman drill. 
Between 10:00 PM and 8:10 AM (Friday) – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 100 block of E. Woodbury Road. ***Suspects possibly neighbors*** 

Walmart NOT attending town council meeting tonight

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena town councilman Jamie Bissner just contacted us to say that Walmart representatives will not be attending and taking questions at tonight's town council meeting.  Apparenty the agenda item was an artifact of last month's agenda that didn't get taken out when they wrote the new one (gee, that never happens to US!).  So it looks like it's Coffee Gallery and child care center tonight.

Skywatching: 30 seconds (or more) over Altadena

by Timothy Rutt

Cameron Cox shares this dramatic picture of Eaton Canyon Wash and the intersection of Altadena Drive and Washington Boulevard taken during Saturday's flyover of the USC/UCLA Rose Bowl game.  Cox says that the photo comes courtesy of the weapon systems officer of one of the F-18 Hornets, who saw Cox's own video of the flyover on Youtube.   Cox's video -- and a Hornet's-eye-view of the Rose Bowl -- are after the jump.

Walmart answers remaining ACONA questions

by Timothy Rutt

Now that the confusion has been cleared between ACONA and representatives of Walmart Neighborhood Market, here are the remaining questions submitted by ACONA.  Randy Terrell of Passantino Andersen Communications, Walmart's public relations firm, compiled the answers from Walmart representatives and sent them to Elliot Gold on Nov. 6: 

1.       Do you plan on opening a store on Lake and Calaveras?  
While we don't have any new sites to announce in Altadena, we're always evaluating new opportunities to be closer to our customers and be part of the solution for affordable groceries.

2.       Will guns and/or ammo be sold at this Neighborhood Market?
No.
 
3.       Employee Work Schedules?
In retail, you’re always looking for ways to best serve our customers during the times they choose to shop – typically mornings, evenings and weekends. This includes scheduling associates during those peak times when customers are in the stores. As part of our commitment to using technology and innovation we’ve implemented an automated scheduling system to create a better shopping and working experience for our customers and associates.  Our scheduling system is designed to build associates schedules around the times they tell us they are available.  We work with associates to accommodate their scheduling requests whenever possible.

Town council meeting tonight, 7 PM at the Community Center

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Town Council will hold its monthly meeting tonight, Nov. 20, starting at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Of interest on the agenda is a hearing for the Coffee Gallery's renewal of its conditional use permit; and a hearing on the child care center proposed for  3311 N. Lincoln Ave.  

A presentation on "smart meters" by the Southern California Gas Co. has been removed from the agenda.

 

NTSB to investigate Altadena helipad crash

by Timothy Rutt

The Pasadena Police Department said that the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate a Nov. 17 crash of two helicopters at the department's Altadena helipad.

Six individuals, including five officers, were injured in the crash, which extensively damaged two Bell OH-58 aircraft.

According to a press release, the rotor blades of both copters touched during a landing maneuver at the helipad.  Aircrews from both helicopters were injured "with minor cuts and complaint of pain," the release said.

Those injured included an unnamed civilian contractor and five Pasadena police officers: Lt. Michael Ingram, Lt. Randell Taylor, and officers Carol Eldridge, Markus Mendenhall, and Ryan Smith. Eldridge and Mendenhall were the pilots of the aircraft.

On Sunday, November 18, members of the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration met with Pasadena Police Chief Phillip L. Sanchez and Deputy Chief Darryl Qualls to conduct a preliminary investigation. The NTSB will be the lead agency into the investigation of the accident.  Sanchez said, “The NTSB and FAA have the full cooperation of the Pasadena Police Department in their investigation.” 

The release said that the NTSB will post their preliminary findings in approximately 10 days, but it's a long walk to a final report: the factual findings will post in one year and the final report will post in three years, per the National Transportation Safety Board guidelines, according to the press release. 

SaveAltadena announces upcoming events [UPDATED]

by Timothy Rutt

SaveAltadena, one of the groups opposing the Walmart Neighborhood Market that is to open early next year, has announced some upcoming organizing events:

According to an email from SaveAltadena's Steve Lamb, members of the group will join with anti-Walmart protesters at the Duarte Walmart on Sat. Nov. 24, Friday, Nov. 23, from 7-9 AM. At 10 AM, there will be a "local Altadena action," details of which he says "contact us at our website for more info."

(UPDATE: Steve Lamb has since corrected the date to Nov. 23, and said that the local action will be a protest at the Altadena market site that same day.)

On Dec. 1, there will be a regularly scheduled SaveAltadena meeting at 4 PM at the Altadena Ale & Wine House: "We will be discussing using music as a tactic and what potentialities there are for music in our various efforts."

On Dec. 5, they plan to attend the county Planning Commission meting to speak in favor of renewing the conditional use permit for the Coffee Gallery/Coffee Gallery Backstage:  "We will be repeatedly pointing out to the Comission the glaring disparity between this locally owned business with slight impact and a multinational chain store with massive impact, who are not required to get a CUP. We will be requestiong the Commission direct its staff to study the matter."

On Sat. Dec 8, they will have a "cash mob" at Jim's Burgers, 2185 Lincoln Avenue.

Morning jolt

• The Altadena lensmen:  It's all about Altadenans as local photog Ibarionex Perello interviews another local photog, Jeff Sedlik,  about licensing, copyright, and keeping the rights to your pictures in the latest podcast in Perello's series The Candid Frame.
• Eyeroll: We were amused to find that American Express -- a large multinational corporation -- bought a large ad in the Altadena Patch -- a branch of a large corporation (AOL) -- to encourage people to shop local.  Our reaction was ... well, like this (SLYT).

 

 

Teen graphic novel club tackles "The Runaways" Nov. 29

The teen graphic novel club at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., meets Friday, Nov. 29, at 4 PM in the Comunity Room.  Currently, the book club is reading "The Runaways Vol. I: Pride and Joy."

The club is open to all teens ages 13 to 17, meeting once a month.  To learn more stop by the youth reference desk.  It's free, but space is limited.

 

La Salle volleyballers go to state playoffs

 

The LaSalle High School girls varsity volleyball team won the CIF 1A SS (southern section) this weekend. Reilly Spriestersbach is just one of the Altadena girls on the team, and we're trying to run down the others.

Tuesday, they go to Fresno for the first round in the state playoffs.  They have been undefeated in their Del Mar League and 40-2 overall.

 

Daisy, missing Yorkie; and found cat on Braeburn

A lost dog and a found cat:

Daisy, a small brown and gold 7-year old Yorkie, got away from her family during a walk Sunday.  Owner Kathy says: 

We were walking her and she got out of her collar. A car came by and scared her so she started running up Fair Oaks north of Loma Alta. We searched and searched for her with no luck. We miss her dearly and want her home.. Small in size.. Short hair cut. Female. No collar. No microchip. Needs meds!!!!

If you can help, call any of the following numbers: 626-318-1008, 626-755-7268, or 626-399-1829.

Meantime, Marianne has found a cat Sunday night on the 1700 block of Braeburn:

Well a black longish haired juvenile cat came walking by the steps of my mother's apartment as me and the kids were leaving. At seeing it, my son carefully grabbed and held it and convinced my mom to keep it the night till we could find its owner. What we have assessed so far: a male very hungry young cat though very soft and clean to be a stray, perhaps somehow lost its home with no micro-chip. He was very grateful to my mom for food, and warm shelter.

Sound like someone you know?  Call 626-345-5587.

 

ACONA, others still waiting for answers from Walmart [UPDATED: apparently sent but not received]

by Timothy Rutt

In September, the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations used Altadenablog to gather questions to ask representatives of the Walmart Neighborhood Market under construction.  The result was a long list of questions, which were forwarded to Walmart, and Walmart responded at the October 9 ACONA meeting.

“When Wal-Mart was invited to address the ACONA open forum on October 9, their Director of Community Affairs agreed to answer any questions posed by residents of Altadena, as long as the questions were submitted in advance,” Elliot Gold of ACONA wrote Altadenablog in an email.  “While some of the questions were answered at the ACONA public forum, a significant number were not,”  

Gold sent a pared-down list of unanswered questions on Oct. 13 to Walmart Director of Community Affairs Javier Angulo, who was at the Oct. 9 meeting, and to Randy Terrell, of Passantino Andersen, Walmart's public relations firm.  During the past 30 days, Gold told us that ACONA has received assurances from Wal-Mart and Passatino Andersen that the questions would be answered.

But to date, Gold said, they have not responded. 

The questions include the makeup of part-time vs. full-time employees, what Walmart has identified as the "big issues ...[that] matter to Altadenans and how does Walmart plan to address them."

Also left hanging are questions about Walmart and the vacant lot at Lake Avenue and Calavaras Street. Walmart has said they are considering it but are not committed to it.  Other sources say -- with a Walmart Neighborhood Market going in an existing building not too far away -- the odds of Walmart actuallly building a second Altadena market are remote.

Gold admits that his list of questions could be  confusing -- it includes the answers given in the Oct. 9 meeting to earlier questions that were asked -- but is not happy that a month has gone by with submitted questions left unaddressed.  Gold said that ACONA has to take a neutral position on Wal-Mart’s desire to open stores in Altadena, but  “that said, I wonder how many people in Altadena will shop at an Altadena Walmart, based on Walmart’s attitude towards our community.”

Altadenablog has reached out to Walmart's Javier Angulo requesting comment, but none were recieved by presstime.

Update 11/20: Elliot Gold said this morning that Randy Terrell contacted him after reading the above article and said he'd sent answers in an email on Nov. 6 -- timestamp indicates that he had, but somehow didn't make it to Gold's email box and followup  was inadequate despite subsequent requests.

Update on chopper crash at Altadena heliport

by Bill Kilsliuk
Pasadena Sun

Five police officers and one other person were injured when two Pasadena police helicopters collided late Saturday afternoon, according to Pasadena police.

At around 4 p.m., one chopper was arriving at the Pasadena Police Department's airfield in Altadena and the other was preparing to take off, according to Pasadena Police Lt. Phlunte Riddle. The rotor bades of the two heicopters touchedd, and both OH-58 aircraft ended up on the ground with substantial damage. Rain was falling at the time of the accident.

One helicopter was assisting traffic officers as tens of thousands of fans departed the Rose Bowl after the UCLA-USC football game, Riddle said. The other was on routine patrol above Pasadena and other San Gabriel Valley cities.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Board of Education election filing period open until Dec. 7

The Pasadena Unified School District has announced that the official filing period for candidates for Seats 1, 3, 5 and 7 on the PUSD Board of Education is now open (District 1 includes west Altadena and a small section east of Lake Avenue).

With the new redistricting in place since the passage of Measure A in June, interested candidates can only run for the seat that is in the geographic subdistrict where they reside. Board members will be elected to a four year term for subdistricts 1, 3, 5 and 7 next year and subdistricts 2, 4 and 6 will be on the ballot in 2015.

The filing period to run for the PUSD Board of Education will close December 7, 2012. Voters in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre will go to the polls March 5, 2013 for the primary nominating election and April 16, 2013 for the general election (if necessary).

The map of the new geographic subdistricts is available at www.measurea.pasadenausd.org or www.cityofpasadena.net/cityclerk. Information for candidates is available online at the City Clerk’s website or by calling the Pasadena City Clerk’s Office at (626) 744-4124. 

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.

 

Missing dog: Abbey, Pinecrest/Allen/Altadena Drive [She's home]

Abbey the dog went missing from her family Sunday in the area of Pinecrest and  Allen Avenue and Altadena Drive.  They left, and when they came back home, she wasn't there -- no idea how she got out.

She is described as a "30 lb older female, black with tan and white marking on face and paws. Red collar with chip ID and name tag."

Can you help?  Email to scout76@earthlink.net or call 626-791-6826.

UPDATE:  Abbey apparently spent a couple of nights in Eaton Canyon and got in a fight with something, but she was picked up and taken to the Pasadena Humane Society.  She's home now and doing fine.

 

Bow hunter spotted on La Vina trail

One of our readers called to warn hikers that she spotted a bow hunter on a trail near La Vina while horseback riding. He was described as around 30, Hispanic and in pretty good shape. Sheriff has been called.

Read until you drop at Eliot

 

Eliot Middle School students listen as guest author David Smith introduces his book First Flight. During Eliot's fall read-a-thon, students read from 6 PM until midnight Friday with breaks for popcorn, cocoa and guest readers, then sleep overnight in the school library.  Photo: Susan Savitt Schwartz

Gothard Art open studio event Dec. 2

Patrick and Mary Gothard's annual studio open house will be Dec. 2 from 10 AM-5 PM.

Patrick and Mary Gothard will hold an open studio event on Sun., Dec. 2, from 10 AM-5 PM at 215 Laurel Drive in Altadena.

Over 300 original paintings will be on display along with samplings of homemade textile items.  The studio will be "warmly open so you can plan to sit a spell, have a bite to eat and be surrounded by the aromas and delicious samplings of the holiday season."

 

Flintridge Prep holds open house Dec. 9

Flintridge Preparatory School will hold an open house on Sun., Dec. 9, from 1-3 PM.

Flintridge Preparatory School's Admissions Open House gives you an opportunity to explore Prep's classrooms, art studios, athletics facilities, and Human Development programs (including peer counseling, outdoor education, and community service). There will be special presentations about middle school and high school programs.

Headmaster Peter Bachmann will speak and answer questions at 1:15 and 2:15 in Norris Auditorium.

Early registration ends Friday, December 7, at 1:00 PM, but you are welcome to register at the door.

Web www.flintridgeprep.org

Email admissions@flintridgeprep.org

Phone 818-949-5514

To register, visit http://fpopenhouse.eventbrite.com/

 

Rain doesn't dampen Elves' Faire

by Timothy Rutt

Fortunately, elves are not like witches and don't melt when you pour water on them -- which was a good thing for the Pasadena Waldorf School's annual Elves' Faire, held Saturday despite being bookended by rain showers.  The booths, games, handcrafted items, music, and food went on for the appreciative crowds for the 27th year.  Here, Waldorf dad Julian Koziak risks rust in his full suit of armor.

More pictures after the jump.

Breaking: six injured in Altadena heliport mishap

The Pasadena Star News is reporting that six people were injured and taken to the hospital in an accident involving two helicopters at the Pasadena Police Department heliport on Yucca Drive in Altadena. 

Skywatching: jets above

 

 

All of that military jet activity earlier today was for the USC/UCLA game at the Rose bowl.  Skywatcher Chris Considine sent us these pictures of this morning's flyover over Altadena.

 

Altadena Chamber, American Express urges you to "shop small" next Saturday

by Timothy Rutt

After Thanksgiving ... and Black Friday ...  and before Cyber Monday ... the Altadena Chamber of Commerce is urging residents to "shop small" at local independent businesses Saturday.

American Express is promoting November 24 as "Small Business Saturday," "a day dedicated to helping small businesses and their communities.  By supporting local, independently-owned small businesses, we're helping create jobs, boost the economy, and preserve neighborhoods around the country."

At the shopsmall.com website, customers can find a map of businesses that are participating in Small Business Saturday.  There are also promotional materials available at the website for busiensses that accept American Express cards.

 

 

Altadena Junction: composing a life

Our column is up on the Pasadena Sun website: the story of Altadena cellist Cécilia Tsan, who will be premiering a composition inspired by her life this every evening.

 

Daycare center plan earns ire of neighbors, town council

 

 

The home on Lincoln Avenue and Canyon Crest sits at the junction of the only entrance and exit to two neighborhoods.

 

 

by Timothy Rutt

Neighbors objecting to a plan to convert a single family dwelling on a busy corner into a children’s daycare center may be getting some relief, for at least a few weeks.

The county planning commission had scheduled a Dec. 4 hearing in downtown Los Angeles for a conditional use permit for the home at 3311 Canyon Crest Drive.  Many neighbors had no notice of the homeowner’s plans until they received an announcement in the mail, or saw the posting on the property.

Frequently, major changes in zoning are aired before Altadena’s Land Use Committee and the Town Council.  While neither body can give an official thumbs-up or -down to a conditional use permit, they can recommend whether to approve the permit and send their recommendation in a letter to the county planning commission, and then to the Board of Supervisors.  The local bodies are considered the local “voice of the people,” and the planning commission usually gives the town council some deference.

An end run?
However, someone seeking a conditional use permit  for their property does not legally have to go through Altadena first, according to Maral Tashjian of the Department of Regional Planning.

In the case of the Canyon Crest property, the owner did present a plan to the council in 2006 and was turned down.  Tashjian said that the owner made several revisions, but “the applicant in this case chose not to go back.”

That has only earned the ire of the neighbors and members of town council.  In an email to county planners shared with Altadenablog, town councilman Jamie Bissner said “This has not been presented to the town council since 2006 when it was roundly rejected.  This is clearly an end run.”

The house is in a sensitive area. In an email to Tashjian by neighbor Tina Van Duran and shared with Altadenablog, she said:

This is already a busy and dangerous intersection.  Canyon Crest Drive is the only ingress and egress for the residents of the Meadows.  Lincoln Ave. is also the main entry and exit route for La Vina.  Traffic is especially busy during the early morning and late afternoon/early evening.  Visibility from Canyon Crest is poor when there are no parked cars.  Allowing a day care center would add traffic and parked cars at the busiest times of the day.  Not only will this add pollution, noise and frustration but will certainly cause accidents.  There are no sidewalks on either side of the property.  Parents and small children will be walking in the street amid rush hour traffic.

However, it looks as though the planned Dec. 4 hearing will be postponed.  According to  Diane Marcussen of the Altadena Town Council, who is recording secretary this term, the posted hearing notice on the property did not go up the proper number of days before the county hearing, and Tashjian told her that they would have to delay it for at least two weeks.  Since the Dec. 18 agenda is already filled up, and the holidays are coming, Marcussen said that the earliest the planning commission could hold a hearing would be Jan. 15.

And in the meantime the Altadena Town Council is taking some action:  according to chair Bernardean Broadous, a letter will be sent to county regional planning director Richard Bruckner today requesting a delay in the hearing.  The council has also put the property on the agenda for next week’s meeting, Nov. 20.  

What do you think of the location as the site of a daycare center?  Tell us in the comments.

 

November Town Council meeting Tuesday

by Timothy Rutt

The next Altadena Town Council meeting will be on Tues., Nov. 20, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Among the highlights to be discussed: a public hearing for the conditional use permit for the Coffee Gallery; a discussion on the planned daycare center at 3311 Canyon Crest Dr.; and an open forum with Walmart Neighborhood Market manager Jennifer Gonzales.

Full agenda after the jump.

Not much time to nominate Altadena Chamber's Citizen and Business of the Year

by Timothy Rutt

 

Supv. Michael Antonovich's aide Rita Hadjimanoukian helps honor Bill Westphal, 2011 Citizen of the Year, and Altadenablog publisher Timothy Rutt, Business of the Year. Photo: Whitney Westphal

Working with a tight deadline, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce is looking for nominations for next year's Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year.

 

The Chamber wants nominations in to the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr. by Fri., Nov. 30. 

Says the Chamber: 

The Altadena Chamber Board of Directors has selected a citizen of the year since 1945. The nominees come from local community-based organizations, Chamber members and local residents. The recipients have been honored at a dinner that also names new Board members and a silent auction that benefits a local non-profit organization. As of this writing, we have not confirmed a date for this celebration but you can mark your calendar for late January, 2013.

The criteria for this selection is a person who has made a significant contribution to the community at large. Last year the Board of Directors also agreed to select a Business/Organization of the year subject to similar criteria. We hope you will help us by selecting a new addition to our list of distinguished honorees as there are assuredly many worthy businesses here in Altadena.

Please feel free to nominate a person, business and/or organization that has worked to make Altadena better. The nominees must live in or operate their business/organization in Altadena, respectively, and may not be a current member of the Board of Directors. Please mail, email or drop off your nominations at the Altadena Community Center by the 11/30/12 deadline. Thank you

 

Last year's Citzen of the Year was Bill Westphal, and Business of the Year (the first) was Altadenablog.

Chamber nomination form after the jump.