altadenablog

Altadena Trails meets tonight at the Community Center

from Robert Staehle
ACTRWG

There will be an Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) Meeting 7pm, Tuesday, 11 September 2012. 

Location: Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, just west of Lake Avenue, next to the Sheriff's Station and across the street from Rite Aid.

Please join us to welcome Lorrie Bradley, L. A. Dept. of Parks & Recreation's new Park Planner for Special Trails Projects to the ACTRWG. With the final resolution of the protracted La Vina litigation last week, we are hopeful that the County will resume promised work on restoration of the Altadena Crest Trail. Your participation and views on this project are important. All are welcome!

Bring trail conditions, concerns and photos to this meeting for discussion.

 

Fancy Food Truck Friday preview: cupcakes and more

by Timothy Rutt

Fancy Food Truck Friday returns to the Webster's complex parking lot this week, with the featured food truck Sweet Arleen's, champion of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars.

This month’s food trucks include: 

• Sweet Arleen's
• Baby's Badass Burgers
• The Greasy Wiener
• Greenz On Wheelz
• Waken Bake Wagon
• Cairo Cowboy

Penelope The Pig and other denizens of Danny's Farm will be there between 6-8 PM.

Also: save 20% off on selected items at Webster's Community Pharmacy and Webster's Liquors during the event.

Fancy Food Truck Friday runs from 5-9 PM on Fri., Sept. 15, at the Webster's parking lot, 2450 N. Lake Avenue.  Parking is available in the lot or on the street.  

Autumn colors have “fallen” into Webster’s Community Pharmacy.  Step into the pharmacy and liquor store during Fancy Food Truck Friday and save 20% OFF on selected items.  Ask our friendly staff for more details. Webster's Community Pharmacy will be open until 9PM on Fancy Food Truck Friday!

Coffee Gallery artist is Kathleen Ballard

Altadena artist Kathleen Ballard is the September artist at the Gallery at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave.  There will be a reception Sunday, Sept. 16,  from 4:30 - 6:30 PM.

Ballard says:

Being a Southern California native, I have resided in this area all my life. I have been painting in watercolor since the mid-1980’s and attended many workshops with well known watercolorists whom I admired. In the summer of 2005, I left my position at Paramount Pictures to concentrate on painting full time after working in the motion picture studios for twenty years as a signwriter and previously as a partner with my husband in our own Pasadena-based sign company for twelve years. I am now able to paint nearly every day and pursue my career as an artist which is a wonderful dream come true.My paintings are done in a realist and traditional style of transparent watercolor leaving the paper for the whites. Painting in series is a great way for me to explore a subject in depth. In my still life paintings, “Wrapper Series” and the “Foil Series”, I find the reflective and transparent surfaces of the objects compelling as in my “Pond Reflection series. I also can’t resist floral subjects, especially cactus flowers in their contrast of beauty and severity.

As an artist who loves the beauty of nature, I feel fortunate to have beautiful botanical gardens closeby in my area such as The Huntington Library, Descanso Gardens and The Los Angeles County Arboretum for inspiration and to use as wonderful subject matter for many of my paintings which depict nature.

 

Sheriffs arrest two in garage burglary

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena deputies arrested two men last week on charges related to stealing gardening equipment.

According to a press release from the Altadena Sheriff's Station, a resident heard noises in her backyard on the 1100 block of New York Drive at about 11 AM on Sept. 5.  She saw two men removing gardening equipment from an unlocked garage and called the sheriff. A 1990's white Dodge Ram van was also involved in the incident.

Deputies arrived and two men were detained and identified by the witness.

According to Lt. Michael D. White of the Altadena Sheriff's Station, the two suspects are Rodolfo Guillen, 29, and Noe Ramirez, 26, both Pasadena residents.

 

League of Women Voters hosts ballot forum in Pasadena Oct. 6

by Timothy Rutt

The Pasadena area League of Women Voters will present a free public forum on the 11 propositions on the November ballot.

Titled “Are You in the Know?” it will be held Oct. 6, 9:30 AM-noon at the Women’s City Club, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena:

A team of League members who have studied the measures in depth can help people separate fact from fiction regarding the hotly debated, competing tax measures of Gov. Jerry Brown and education advocate  Molly Munger.  Speakers also will analyze and present background information and prospective effects on each of the other 10 measures, including a business tax.

Three other propositions address criminal justice issues: ending the death penalty, tougher penalties for human sex trafficking and modifying the three-strikes law.  Another three affect the legislature: a two-year cycle for the state budget, limits in campaign donations, and a challenge to the recently redrawn political boundaries for state senate district. Two address consumer issues: genetically altered food and auto insurance.

As a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government, the League invites people at the forum to share information and express divergent views. While the Leagues does not support candidates, it influences public policy through education and advocacy, often making recommendations on ballot measures. At this forum, however, the League will only analyze the measures.

The election is Nov. 6. The last day to register to vote, if you have moved or wish to make other changes to your registration, is October 22.

Lunch will follow the program and costs $20, including tax, tip and parking. Information and reservations are available by calling 626-798-0965, 10 AM-1 PM Monday through Friday. Walk-ins for the program are invited with not cost for admission.

 

Morning jolt

 

• What's that smell?  Some folks in the LA Basin could smell it (we couldn't, but our smeller isn't that good).  LA Times says the mystery smell could be a fish die-off in the Salton Sea.
• Night flight:  even tho' it's authorized now, the National Forest Service opted not to use night flights to put down the Williams Fire.  Steve Scauzillo reports that not everybody was happy about that in PSN.
• Fathers and sons: Gale Holland at the LA Times takes a look at the Owen Brown tombstone recovery, focusing on its finder, Ian White.
• Studies in black and white: PSN's Mickie Mills interviews Altadena filmmaker Juliette Fairley, Her film, "Mulatto Saga," a fictional exploration of her engagement to a white man, is in the New York International Film and Video Festival, screening locally at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

Weather Service sends out storm, flood warning; mostly affects mountain and desert

Here we go again: National Weather Service shouts:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... EAST CENTRAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA... * UNTIL 415 PM PDT * AT 345 PM PDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL...AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 10 MILES EAST OF PEARBLOSSOM AND 7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF LAKE LOS ANGELES. THIS STORM WAS NEARLY STATIONARY. * THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL REMAIN OVER THE EASTERN ANTELOPE VALLEY AND THE ADJACENT FOOTHILLS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER... PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

It looks like we'll just be on the edge of it, but it's good to be ready!

Map from Google Maps/NWS

 

Walking Phoenixes walk the line to the end of summer

by Timothy Rutt

The Sheriff Support Group's summer concert series had a big finish for the season Saturday night with a visit to the past with The Walking Phoenixes and opening act The Red Mutts.  Pictures after the jump.

Weather service issues storm. flash flood warning

by TImothy Rutt

In about the past hour (writing at 6:15 PM) the weather has turned from blue skies to clouds and hot, humid breezes.  The National Weather Service has issued a thunderstorm and flash flood warning for our area, but so far it seems like the high desert and mountains will be most affected.  Radar for our area (pictured) looks like we'll catch the edge of it:

FLASH FLOOD WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OXNARD CA 522 PM PDT SUN SEP 9 2012

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... EAST CENTRAL LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA...

* UNTIL 815 PM PDT

* AT 513 PM PDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED FLASH FLOODING FROM A THUNDERSTORM 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PEARBLOSSOM...OR 10 MILES NORTH OF FALLING SPRINGS. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR ESTIMATES RAINFALL RATES BETWEEN 1 AND 2 INCHES PER HOUR MAY HAVE FALLEN ACROSS THE AREA. FLOODING WILL LIKELY OCCUR ACROSS THE HIGHWAYS 2 AND 138.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE PEARBLOSSOM AND CRYSTALAIRE.

And earlier:

 AT 439 PM PDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A 
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING NICKEL SIZE HAIL...AND 
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 7 MILES 
NORTH OF FALLING SPRINGS...OR 21 MILES NORTHEAST OF SIERRA MADRE... 
AND MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 5 MPH. 

* THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL CROSS OVER THE ANGELES CREST HIGHWAY 
IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS WITHIN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH...PREPARE 
IMMEDIATELY FOR DAMAGING WINDS...DESTRUCTIVE HAIL...AND DEADLY CLOUD 
TO GROUND LIGHTNING. PEOPLE OUTSIDE SHOULD MOVE TO A SHELTER... 
PREFERABLY INSIDE A STRONG BUILDING BUT AWAY FROM WINDOWS. 

 

Altadena pilot's "Bessie" survives Hurricane Isaac, may take to the skies this week

 

"Bessie," Bonny Schumaker's airplane, was soaking in floodwater in New Orleans during Hurricane Isaac. Photo by Bonny Shumaker.

 

by Timothy Rutt

Altadenan Bonny Schumaker's highly-modified airplane was inundated by flood waters, but there's a good chance she'll be back up in the air helping animals soon.

Schumaker, a private pilot and Millard Canyon resident, runs On Wings of Care, her organization which transports rescued animals to new homes.  She's also involved in conservation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, flying scientists and researchers over areas affected by oil spills to monitor wildlife.

Schumaker was in New Orleans when Hurricane Isaac hit.  Her Cessna 172, nicknamed "Bessie,"  was hangared at Lakefront Airport, and officials said that the planes would be safe from the hurricane.

They didn't mention that they'd be endangered by New Orleans officials themselves.

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association website, officials decided to shut off the drain valve that serviced the airport for fear that the water would overwhelm the nearby levee and threaten nearby homes and businesses.  With nowhere to go, the estimated two feet of water dumped by Hurricane Isaac covered the airfield and crept into the hanger -- leaving Bessie marinating in three feet of brackish water.

Backyard bear takes a stroll

 

Ray Leier caught these pictures of the bear leaving his back yard Friday morning.

 

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena's latest bear sure gets around.  Ray Leier shared these photos of a backyard encounter Friday morning at around 7 AM:

The neighbor to the rear of our property on via Maderas in Altadena alerted my wife, who was in our back yard watering her garden, that there was a small bear tromping around on our hillside.  She ran into the house to get me so I could get a look and I grabbed my iPhone. I was able to get some shots of him just as he scampered over the fence and into our neighbors house to the north of us.  I lost sight of him after he scaled the fence.  

Altadena Junction: all the world's a stage

In Altadena, where we don't have a professional theater space, we have to use libraries and cemeteries.  It works, tho'!  Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun.

 

It's Altadena vs. Sierra Madre CERT teams in rescue roundup Saturday

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena and Sierra Madre CERT teams will go head-to-head in competition Saturday.

But it's a friendly competition: the Community Emergency Response Teams will compete in training exercises in a family-friendly community event at Sierra Madre Memorial Park, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre, from 10 AM-3 PM.

CERT team members will compete in putting out small fires, rescuing victims, and demonstrate disaster medical operations.   You'll also have a chance to find out more about how to be better prepared when disaster strikes and find out about the CERT program and training.

Carolyn Seitz tells us that they're also looking for "victims" to e rescued.  You need to be at the park at 7:30 AM, "dressed in clothing you won't mind getting dirty or damaged.  We hope to only damage your clothing, not you!!" (Email her at cmseitz@mindspring.com)

Hot dogs and drinks will be available for a small charge, and you're welcome to bring a potluck dish to share.

 

Crime blotter: don't make it easy on thieves -- lock your car

Lots of thefts from vehicles this week -- and some of the vehicles were unlocked.  It's simple to avoid these!  Crime blotter by Lt. Michael White of the Altadena Sheriff Station.

Sunday, August 26

3:00 PM – A petty theft occurred at the Altadena Golf Course, 1456 E. Mendocino Av.  Loss:  (3) gray TaylorMade golf clubs.  

Wednesday, August 29

Between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 4400 block of El Prieto Road.  Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering a window.  Loss:  blue Toshiba laptop.

Between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 500 block of Ventura Street.  Suspect(s) entered the location via the unlocked front door.  Loss:  black Samsung flat screen, black/gold Rado watch, white/silver MacBook. 

Thursday, August 30

4:10 PM – A robbery occurred at Tobacco House, 1920 N. Lake Av.  Suspect male, black, 21-25 years, 5 ft. 8 ins. -5 ft. 11 ins., 160-180 lbs., shaved head, wearing a dark bulky jacket w/brown fur trim and dark pants – entered the location, pulled out a handgun, and pointed it at the victim.  The suspect demanded money and the victim fearing for her safety opened the register, retrieved the money and placed it in the suspects black bag.  Suspect last seen leaving the business and entering a dark green 1990’s model Toyota Celica 2-dr. Weapon:  silver handgun. Loss: $100.00.

Between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at Altadena Drive & Midwick Street.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger window.  Loss:  personal documents.

Friday, August 31

Between 8:40 AM and 3:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2500 block of N. Lincoln Ave   Suspect(s) entered the residence by kicking in the front door.  Loss:  silver MacBook, black Sony cybershot, black PS3, black Gucci watch.

Saturday, September 1

12:30 PM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 2200 block of Lincoln Avenue.  ***Vehicle was recovered the same day in the City of Rialto***

Between 5:30 PM and 9:30 AM (Sunday) – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 2800 block of Stonehill Drive.  Loss:  white Coach purse, black Lodi wallet, red eyeglasses, personal documents.

Between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred at Roosevelt Avenue. & Altadena Drive.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the front passenger window.  Loss:  tan Cole Hahn purse, personal documents. 

 

Sheriff shares the ways of identity thieves

Lt. Michael White of the Altadena Sheriff Station shares these tricks used by identity theives:

• File a change of address form in your name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data.
• Steal credit card payments and other outgoing mail from private, curbside mailboxes.
• Lift driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, or other identifiers from checks.
• Steal mail, especially envelopes containing bill payments, from unlocked, unguarded, “out boxes” at work.
• Go “dumpster diving” by digging through garbage cans or communal dumpsters in search of cancelled checks, credit card and bank statements, or preapproved credit card offers.
• Steal discarded applications for preapproved credit cards and fill them out with a different address.
• Steal wallets and purses—and all the credit and identification cards inside them.
• Take important documents such as birth certificates, passports, copies of tax returns and the like during a burglary of your house.
• Steal Social Security cards and the Social Security numbers and identities of children who are especially vulnerable because they don’t have credit histories and it may be many years before the theft is discovered.
• Lift names and Social Security numbers from such documents as a driver’s license, employee badge, student ID card, check, or medical chart.
• Use personal information from a Who’s Who book or a newspaper article.
• Use the personal information of a relative or someone he or she knows well, perhaps by being a frequent visitor to their home.
• Pretend to be government officials or legitimate business people who need to gather personal information from credit reporting agencies or other sources.
• Hack into a computer that contains your personal records and steal the data.
• Buy records stolen by a fellow employee who’s been bribed.
• “Shoulder surf” by watching from a nearby location as he or she punches in a telephone calling card number or listens in on a conversation in which the victim provides a credit card number.

 

He's back *...

 

Kristan Opdahl shared this picture of Altadena's latest roaming bear.

by Timothy Rutt

We are getting reports that yesterday's bear has shown up again this morning around the Via Madera neighborhood.  Kristan Opdahl shared this stunning picture with the Neighbors newsgroup this morning.  If you're in the neighborhood, be alert!

(*Or maybe "she's back."  We don't really want to get close enough to find out for sure!)

The nit-picking Hair Angels take on the lousy jobs

by Timothy Rutt

Some people hate nit-pickers -- until they, or their kids, have nits to pick.

Michelle Aloisio and Hilary Scofield, The Hair Angels, take on the lousy jobs in their Pasadena salon.

Altadena resident Hilary Scofield has a business where nit-picking is a necessity: her service, The Hair Angels, specializes in removing head lice.

Scofield and her partner Michelle Aloisio founded the business five years ago while battling head lice in their own children.  "Our frustration in removing it led us to the realize that a huge need existed in our community, for a professional service, to help frantic parents like ourselves," she writes.

Both women are trained and certified in professional lice removal.  They began by offering in-home service in the San Gabriel Valley, but grew the business to offer treatment in San Diego, Orange, and San Francisco counties and also in Arizona.

The demand for the service has grown so much that they opened a lice removal salon in Pasadena in August.  The salon, at 259 Sierra Madre Villa Ave. in Pasadena, is the only one of its kind within a thirty mile radius.

To celebrate the opening of their salon (and because September is National Head Lice Awareness Month -- who knew?) they will offer a free in-salon lice screening for local children and their parents through the month of October.  

"We provide a professional, fast, non-toxic and guaranteed service for the entire family, and have successfully helped thousands of families win their battle against lice,"  Scofield writes.  "We use a professional grade comb to remove as much as we can and then we divide the hair into sections and go through layer by layer, strand by strand to make sure we didn't miss anything.....we guarantee children back to school the next day or we will treat again for free."

To schedule an appointment for treatment (which can be at the salon or your home) or the free in-salon screening, call  877 543-8881 or the direct salon number, 626 577-2217.  

Poetry Corner: Tim Dundon's house at POO Corner

"The House at POO Corner"

from gloriana casey

A man named A.A. Milne he wrote
of Winnie, the Pooh bear.
A man named Tim Dundon, he has
some compost large--- I swear!

And now there is a garden gate,
of iron and stained glass.
With magnifier center struck,
an eye feast, come to pass.

Two artists Ray Cirino there
and with Leigh Adams work ,
you've built a Planet Wonder Gate
for  Dundon's  earthy perk.

The House of POO, we celebrate,
and so does Mother Earth.
The county got its two cents in
by stirring up the dirt.

Working for the weekend: Saturday in Altadena

Just an abundance of culture this Saturday:

• Altadena Baptist Church has food trucks and family activities, 5-8 PM Saturday.
• The Summer Concert grand finale, The Walking Phoenixes with The Red Mutts:  Johnny Cash and country tribute with classic rock 'n' roll, what could be better? Producer Robert Klomburg says that there'll be a special surprise guest that will bring people roaring to their feet, so you can't miss this!
• If you want something a little more cultured and sedate, the Folly Bowl hosts Stacey Helley (mezzo), Jason Yoshida (lute and theorbo), and Aki Nishiguchi (Rennaisance and baroque recorders) as they play some of the "greatest hits of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries"  starting at 7:30 PM. 
• The guitar trio Incendio return to the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave.  In the coffeehouse, it's open mic night.

 

Traveling mercies

We are in Sacramento today for medical science, so thing's'll be light.

 

Aveson School on lockdown following bear sighting

by Timothy Rutt

That helicopter you hear (@3:15 PM today) is a CBS-2 chopper looking for a bear.

The bear was spotted on Skyview Drive, creating a lockdown on the Aveson Charter School campus this afternoon.  Children are being released to their parents, and not much more information is currently available.

The Altadena Sheriff's Station says that they looked for but hadn't found the bear.

 

Walking Phoenixes: men in black wrap up the summer concert series

by Timothy Rutt

Summer in Altadena draws to a close with the final concert in the Sheriff Support Group concert series in Farnsworth Park on Saturday, Sept. 8:  The Walking Phoenixes with special guests The Red Mutts.

The Walking Phoenixes

When the Walking Phoenixes take the stage in their signature black three-piece suits, you can’t help but wonder how four young guys have even heard of Johnny Cash much less learned to accurately perform his groundbreaking hits from “Folsom Prison” to “Cocaine Blues.” The Walking Phoenixes mix three-part harmonies, explosive guitar solos and a stage presence that has rocked countless venues all over Southern California to create a show you won’t want to miss. In addition to paying homage to the original Man in Black, The Walking Phoenixes play songs made famous by other artists including Waylon Jennings, John Denver, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, The Allman Brothers and The Eagles.

The Red Mutts

The Red Mutts are an explosive power trio based in the San Fernando Valley and have developed a reputation for bringing new life to the LA music scene and rockin' the house wherever they perform for over ten years.

The Red Mutts are known for their rich and powerful, three piece vocal harmonies combined with a bombastic drumming style. The Red Mutts' charismatic personalities and exhilarating blend of Classic and Modern Rock 'n' Roll turn the Valley's most popular concerts and nightclubs completely upside down every time they play. The Red Mutts are a band for all ages with great respect for their audience. The Red Mutts are serious entertainment and pure talent!

El Patron Mexican Restaurant will provide food before and during the concert, and the Rotary Club of Altadena will provide beer and wine.  All ages are admitted, and admission is absolutely free.

The Sheriff Support Group 2012 Summer Concert Series has been sponsored by  Warner Brothers, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, MonteCedro, Baietti Seyffert Podley Properties, the Rotary Club of Altadena, Georgie Rutherford in memory of Don Rutherford, Athens Services, the Altadena Sheriff Station, Toyota of Pasadena, All-American Audio Visual,  Pro Image Transfer, M&M Printing, My Irish Pride, and Altadenablog. Refreshments for the performers were provided by Webster's Fine Stationers.

The concert starts at 7 PM at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheatre, Lake and Mt. Curve Avenues.

 

Hungry Nomad food truck at Altadena Baptist Saturday

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena Baptist Church's monthly "Food and Fun" gathering Saturday features the Hungry Nomad food truck, 5-8 PM.

Other trucks are still in the works, but they promise a fun community evening outdoors in the declining days of summer with music and children's activities available.

Altadena Baptist Church is at 791 E. Calavaras St.

 

Sheriff's Support Group receives $1,000 from Pasadena Elks

by Timothy Rutt

The Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena received a $1,000 donation this week from Pasadena Elk's Lodge #672.

According to SSGA vice-president Jamie Bissner, "The donation was not specifically earmarked, permitting the SSGA to exercise discretion as to the best application of the funds."  

The SSGA's purpose is to support the Altadena Sheriff Station "with services and materials not available through the budget, and to assist the community with those activities sanctioned by the commander."  

 

According to Bissner, SSGA came across the Elks' radar last year, when the station was looking for large screen monitors following the station's remodeling.  Altadena resident and Elk member Rick Keaton arranged a donation of $500 toward that need.

 

"The SSGA sincerely appreciates this and all donations which so benefit law enforcement efforts in Altadena and we look forward to an ongoing relationship with Elks and all others who benevolently aid our community," Bissner said in an email.

 

Walmart movie at Altadena Community Church Sunday

by Timothy Rutt

The movie "Wal-Mart: the High Cost of Low Price" will be shown at 2:30 PM Sunday at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Drive.  There will be a question and answer session folllowing the showing of the movie.  The screening is free and open to the public.  Please Call Elsa at 626-791-4811 for further information.

Morning jolt

• Greece is the word: Visit Greece without driving too far at the 54th Annual Pasadena Greek Fest,  Fri., Sept. 14-Sun., Sept. 16,  at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.  Fest hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 10 PM on Saturday and Sunday.  The event, one of the oldest and largest of its kind in Los Angeles, costs $5 and children under 12 years free. Parking is $4 per car at the main entrance of Holly and Huntington Drive at Santa Anita Park.  Highlights of the weekend festivities will include live Greek entertainment from the Olympians and other live performers. Planned are many exciting exhibits, including cooking demonstrations, live wine chat with wine makers from Greece, lectures about Greek history and culture, as well as the very popular Olympic Taverna Sports Bar & Cigar Lounge, authentic homemade Greek cuisine and pastries, Greek folk dancing by several award winning youth groups and an expanded Kid’s Fun Zone with rock climbing, carnival games, rides and prizes.  For ticket information or to obtain additional information regarding the event, call 626-600-1OPA/626-600-10PA/626-600-1672 or visit the official website of the festival at www.pasadenagreekfest.org.  Proceeds from the event benefit cultural, educational, and community outreach programs run by Saint Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena. Event sponsors include Methodist Hospital, Mountain View Tires, AAA Auto Club, Santa Anita Park, Pasadena Star News, and NRS Media Group.
• Tomatomania:  There's a few spaces left in Altadena Heritage's celebration of the tomato on Sun., Sept. 9 with Kazi Pitelka, 1-3 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  $5 for Altadena Heritage members, $10 for all others -- reserve and pay at altadenaheritage.com.
• You've got trail: PSN's Janette Williams writes on a court ruling that frees up the east trail around the La Vina development.  Altadena trails advocate Marietta Kruells petitioned the court to insure that the trail would be restricted to hikers and equestrians, and not mountain bikes.  Another chapter in the long and convuluted story of the La Vina development vs. trail users.
• Being poo-pular:  James Figeroa of PSN has story, pictures, and video of a new project on Tim Dundon's property: a gate to keep his animals coralled and keep Dundon in the county's good graces.  Dundon, aka Zeke the Shiek, Altadena's king of compost, was code-bombed earlier this summer because, well, he's Tim Dundon.  Over the weekend, many of his friends gathered together to help make a one-of-a-kind gate for Dundon's Mountain View jungle, which hopefully will keep the neighbors and the county happy.
• Readers wanted! PUSD’s prekindergarten and kindergarten classrooms are looking for volunteers to read aloud to students. Children who are exposed to reading during their early years are more likely to read at or above grade level and being read to stimulates language and cognitive skills and increases vocabulary. A training for interested volunteers is scheduled Friday, September 7, 2012 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m in the Elbie J. Hickabottam Board Room, 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena. Call (626) 396-3600 x88340. Refreshments will be provided by New Hope Christian Fellowship. 
• Estate sale for the estate of longtime Altadena resident Virginia Lance will be Sat., Sept. 8, at 2919 N. Lake Ave., from 8 AM to 2 PM.

 

 

 

Found: parakeet

Reader Janie writes:

Around 7 pm, Sept. 4, in the parking lot at the top of Chaney Trail, we found a bird.   We brought it home.  We have had birds before.  It has water, seed, millet, and a quiet cage.  Please call if you have lost this pet.  

On the phone, Janie says that the bird is a very tame parakeet -- obviously not a wild denizen of Chaney Trail.  If you've lost your bird, give her a call: 626.797.9102

Catch-up

Ended up getting overwhelmed by personal business yesterday, so today should be chock full of goodness!

Sandra Thomas re-appointed to Human Relations Commission

from Supv. Antonvich's office

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has reappointed Dr. Sandra Thomas to the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations.

A resident of Altadena, Dr. Thomas founded the Quality of Life Center, Inc, where she serves as President/CEO to the Bright Futures Scholars. She currently serves as an Altadena Councilmember, and is a life member of the NAACP.  Dr. Thomas is also a member of the Altadena Sheriff’s Clergy Council, the Altadena Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters, the Altadena Crown City Kiwanis-Past President and the Altadena Community Center Board of Directors.

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is dedicated to promoting positive race and human relations in an increasingly complex and multicultural county. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to inter-cultural tension, hate crimes and related violence.

Williams Fire holding steady

 

 

by Timothy Rutt

Inciweb reports as of this morning that the Williams Fire has consumed 3,600 acres (figure was revised down yesterday), and is 15 percent contained. Currently there are 771 personnel working on it. The National Forest Service reports that "good progress was made yesterday," with evacuations of San Gabriel Canyon and Camp Williams, but 25 idiots people have opted to stay in place and ignore the evacuation order.

The photo above comes from the Mt. Wilson Towercam.

 

Altadena Library hosts September youth events

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. , has announced events for children and younger youth upcoming in September:

39 Clues Book Party
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 @4:30 pm

The Altadena Library invites kids ages 9-12 to the library for some 39 Clues fun! Join us for snacks, and activities based on the popular 39 Clues series. We’ll be raffling off a couple of copies the new book Cahills vs.Vespers #4 - Shatterproof!

FREE Parent/Child Workshop Series

Thursdays, Sept 13 – Oct 11 @ 11:00 am (Altadena Library Community Room)

The Altadena Library is pleased to announce a new program for families and young children to share together. The five week Parent-Child workshop is set up as a one-to-one program and will be held at the Library on Thursdays Sept 13-Oct 11 at 11:00 am. The workshop features toys, crafts, books and play. Community resource professionals will be on hand to discuss weekly topics and answer to parenting questions and concerns. In-person pre-registration at the library is required. Space is limited to 20 registered children between the ages of 6 months-41 months and their parents/caregiver. Older siblings up to age 5 may also attend.

This project is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. For more information please contact the Children’s Services Department at 626-798-0833.

Fun Flick Friday: Pirates! Band of Misfits

Friday, September 21, 2012 @ 3:30 pm

Rated PG (88 min)

The luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain and his rag-tag crew face impossible odds stacked against them to beat Pirate Captain’s bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It’s a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist, but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure

Altadena Library LEGO Club!
Saturday, September 29^th 2012

11:00am to 12:30pm

Open to children ages 2 to 13. Legos are provided, just bring your imagination! Duplo blocks will be available for children under 4 years old. The LEGO club will meet once a month. There will be no meeting in December. Held in the Altadena Library Community Room

 

 

Sheriffs warn: the *72 phone scam is back

by TImothy Rutt

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs have put out an advisory that the *72 phone scam seems to be coming back.

It works like this:  the victim receives a call from an imposter claiming to be a deputy.  The "deputy" tells the victim that a family member has been involved in an accident or is in jail, and the victimi was listed as the contact.  The victim is then told that they can get the information they need by dialing a number that begins with *72 (star-72), for example, *72-626-XXX-XXXX.  

When the victim hangs up and calls the number provided, the person on the other end tells them that they have a wrong number and hangs up.

What has just happened?  By dialing *72 plus the number, the victim has instructed the phone system to forward all calls going to the victim's number to the *72 number instead.  So all calls that go to the victim's house go to the forwarded number instead -- but the victim gets to pay for them.  According to a press release from the sheriff's department, these can include collect calls from inmates who want to avoid paying for collect calls. This will continue until the victim dials *73 to stop it.

If you feel like you've been victimized by such a scam, call your phone company.  The California Public Utilities Commission also has a press release on the subject, after the jump.

Morning jolt

• Sue B's vintage & cultural dance classes for children ages 5-10 have extended pre-registration to Sept. 4.  Email by then (today) and you'll be sent a registration form to fill out for your first class.  The fall session begins Wed., Sept. 5.  Earlier story with more details here. 
• Emotional Freedom Workshop:  Also today, Revvell Revati's workshop on Emotional Freedom Technique and Voice Dialogue at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave. Entry is $10 with reservation, or $15 at the door -- light snacks and a digital download are provided.  Call 818 624-4422 or email revvell@BodaciousLiving.com to reserve your space
• Free practice SAT test will be offered at no charge at Pasadena's La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.  The test, proctored and scored by Ucan Prep 4 College at no cost to participants on Sat., Sept. 29 from 12:30 to 5 p.m.  Tests will be taken Saturday and scores returned the following Thursday, October 4 at 5 p.m., The co-directors of the Ucan Prep, both test-prep veterans for over 20 years, will give valuable tips to teens and their parents that will instantly help raise their scores! Space is limited. Call 744-7268 to register. Sponsored by Ucan Prep 4 College. This program will be offered again in October and November 2012,  and January, March and May 2013. For more information call (626) 744-7272 or visit pasadenapubliclibrary.net.

Williams fire update: 4,000 acres, San Gabriel Canyon evac'd

by Timothy Rutt

8 AM: Inciweb reports that the fire has burned 4,000 acres.  400 fire personnel are involved, as well as six heavy air tankers, eight helicopers, 30 engines, two bulldozers, and 25 hand crews, in a mix of federal, state, and local resources.  Structures in Camp Williams are threatened, and there are evacuation orders for the entire San Gabriel Canyon, including recreation along Highway 39.

Inciweb is here.

 

Film festival looking for local filmmakers' short subjects

by TImothy Rutt

"Film Festival Flix" is a monthly "Best of the Fests" film event at the Pasadena Laemmle Playhouse 7, launching Wed., Sept. 5.  They're looking for locally-made short subjects (10 minutes and under) to be paired with features at each monthly screening.  Film Festival Flix brings critically-acclaimed films and audience favorites from top film festivals around the world to a local theater, and enables attendees to interact with the filmmakers and actors via live simulcast or online.  This month features "Face to Face" (Australia) and "Expiration" (South Africa), and the filmmakers and talent will actually be in attendance for Q&A.  

To apply for your film online, go to  http://filmfestivalflix.com/short-film-competition/.  If you want to attend the inaugural event, it starts at 7 PM at the Laemmle Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.  Check out their Facebook group at:: https://www.facebook.com/groups/filmfestivalflixinpasadena/

Poetry corner: labor of love

"The First Monday in September"

from gloriana casey

"Labor Omnia Vincit "----or
 Hard Work conquers all!
To have the WORK you truly love
in answer to Life's call!

For Grover Cleveland signed the act
to make this holiday.
As life before was truly sad
for workers held no sway.

In time now passed, the children worked
at age so very young.
At 5 years old,----worked in the mills!
Such cruelty! Bite my tongue!

But Labor fought--- and also died
to make the workplace fair.
Minimum wage and 8 hour day;
Democracy's sweet  share.

Fire in Azusa Canyon already consumed 700 acres [UPDATED]

Reader Juan Motta captured this view of the fire now raging in Asuza Canyon near Glendora.  According to reports, the fire has already consumed 700 acres as of this afternoon.

UPDATE 11:30 PM:  The National Forest Service says that the fire (now named the Williams fire) has consumed 3,600 acres, and all campers have been evacuated from the San Gabriel Canyon,  East Fork Area in the mountains north of Azusa / Glendora where the fire is currently raging.  You can keep up with it on Inciweb here.  

MonteCedro sponsors talk on active and healthy senior lifesyles

Dr. William J. Evans  will share his theory on how seniors can overcome the age barrier by maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle with San Gabriel Valley residents at a presentation at the Caltech Athenaeum on Sept. 15.

Sponsored by MonteCedro, the new planned Episcopal Communities and Services (ECS) continuing care retirement community,  Evans will share the latest research and medical findings to explain how older adults can achieve their fitness goals at any age. Additionally, he will outline the 10 key factors in prolonging vitality and minimize the effects of aging.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to receive a copy of “Biomarkers: The 10 Keys to Prolonging Vitality” and speak with Evans during the event. 

Space is limited for this event. To register, please visit www.montecedro.org or call 877-282-1584.

The event will be held at The Athenaeum at the California Institute of Technology, 551 South Hill Ave., Pasadena, on Thurs., Sept. 13 at 10:30 AM.

 

Veterinarians, Fish & Game talk about preventing and coping with coyote attacks

by Timothy Rutt

The Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles will share tips on how to prevent coyote attacks, and what to do if your pet is attacked in a presentation with the Department of Fish and Game on Wed., Sept. 5, at 10 AM:

The UC Davis Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Extension Centers attribute the increase in coyote population in urban areas not only to urban sprawl, but also to recent coyote adaption to more urban environments, poor trash handling practices, insufficient rodent control programs, and feeding of coyotes by well-meaning citizens. In recent months, Animal Specialty Group (ASG) has noticed an increase in the number of pets attacked by coyotes either in their own backyard or while on walks or hikes with their owners. Coyotes appear to have become more brazen in recent attacks and are not afraid to climb backyard fences and walls or even approach pets who are on leash.  

Residents are advised to keep their pets indoors as much as possible, but are there other precautions pet lovers need to take? And what should an owner do if their pet is attacked?  Veterinarians from ASG join the California Department of Fish & Game to share tips on preventing coyote attacks and what to do if your pet is attacked. 

Speakers include Kirk Wendelburg, DVM and Adam Strom, DVM, MS,  from Animal Specialty Group; a game warden from the California Department of Fish and Game; and ASG patients (pets) who survived a coyote attack, along with their owners.

Animal Specialty Group is at 4641 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039 (east of the I-5 in the Glendale area, across from Griffith Park).  For more information, call (818) 244-7977.

Altadena Junction: the saga of Owen Brown

This week's column in the Pasadena Sun -- hat tip to editor William Kisliuk for making this one bright and shiny.

Found: beautiful brown pit mix, Loma Alta and Fair Oaks

Reader Andi says:

I found this very young and beautiful male pit mix wandering loose near Loma Alta and Fair Oaks two days ago. He's un-neutered, very sweet and a bit frightened. no collar or microchip. if anyone recognizes him please call me at 323-273-2443.

Shout-out to our Altadenablog partners, and how you can help!

Happy September, and it's time to give a shout-out to our sponsorship team members:

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Altadena Heritage, sponsors of the Altadena Farmers Market

Arroyo Food Co-op

Baietti-Seyffert/Podley Properties

California Bohemian Leather

The Coffee Gallery

Curves Altadena

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Dr. Barkman

Friends of the Altadena Library

Judy Rubin Architectural & Previews Specialist

Rancho Bar

Scissors Paper Rock Salon

Webster's Community Pharmacy

Webster's Fine Stationers

Remember: your ad, on every page, every time, with other local businesses.  Nobody else offers that.  And we mean nobody.

Many of you who do not run a business or organization have asked how you can support Altadena's only locally-owned and -operated news website.  So we've opened a new page:  The Altadena Wall of Awesome!  Anybody who buys an entirely-voluntary subscription (which gets you nothing extra, by the way!) gets our eternal gratitude and your name on the Wall for a year! (You can be anonymous, too -- just tell us!)  (If anybody asks, we recommend $50/year -- that's less than $1/week, or 14 cents a day, but all contributions are gratefully received!)  Your contributions will largely go to improving our coverage by providing improved rates to our freelancers and some planned upgrades in the website.  

Our first posts were in September, 2007, so we're closing out our fifth year serving Altadena!  Thank you for your support, and we look forward to growing together!

The contribution button is here, and the Wall of Awesome is here.

 

Altadena Community Church announces September programs

As Altadena Community Church enters the second month of Pastor Joe McGowan's sabbatical, Jerod Yates picks up the baton from the Rev. Wendy Tajima, for 10 a.m. worship, continuing the theme of what it means to "be church."  A Fuller Theological Seminary student who just completed his internship at ACC, Jerod will preach a three-part series on what it means to be a multiracial-multicultural church, on Sept. 2, 9, and 16.

On Sept. 23, 10 a.m. worship at ACC itself will be informal, and many in the congregation will join West Hollywood United Church of Christ for Worship in the Park, at Griffith Park.  On Sept. 30, the congregation returns for worship led by the Rev. Barbara Anderson.

Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Drive, celebrates diversity and freedom of conscience in faith.  For more information on the United Church of Christ denomination and the welcoming community at ACC, please see www.ucc.org and www.altadenaucc.org.

Education leader comes to Pasadena to tout test scores

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson came to northwest Pasadena’s Washington Accelerated Elementary School — a once-struggling campus of primarily low-income students that now ranks as the school district’s most improved — to announce statewide Standardized Testing and Reporting program results.

STAR tests in math, English and other subjects are used to determine how public schools rank in state Academic Performance Index and federal Adequate Yearly Progress reports, due out in October.

The tests measure student comprehension on a sliding scale, with those ranking as proficient or advanced also meeting or exceeding federal Department of Education standards.

In the Pasadena Unified School District, 52% of students hit the mark in English, up from 50% last year. Math scores remained even at 46%.

More at the Pasadena Sun.

 

Walmart's on the agenda at the next ACONA meeting Oct. 9

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) will meet in a new location at its next meeting: the Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa St.

The meeting will be Tues., Oct. 9 starting at 7 PM.  Speakers include Capt. John Benedict of the Altadena Sheriff Station and Javier Angulo, Director of community affairs for Walmart.

Morning Jolt: where you read it first!

• Check out this great video about the California Conservation Corps as they work  on Rubio Canyon.
• Can Wamart help small business, especially Latino businesses?  Hector V. Barretto, writing for the LA Business Journal, thinks so.
• LA County health has been keeping track of rabid bats all summer.  They've even appeared in Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre this year.  It's not unusual -- some bats are rabid.  And it's usually not that newsworthy.  But  the Pasadena Star-News finally takes notice of a rabid bat in Altadena -- in a story published seven hours after our own "rabid bat in Altadena" story.  When the Star-News wants to know what's going on in Altadena, they read Altadenablog!

 

 

 

Wink at the blue moon tonight

by Timothy Rutt

Tonight we'll see a "blue moon," which is the name for the second full moon in a calendar month.  Best time to see tonight's is at 7:13 PM, as it rises.  The next one won't be until July, 2015.

And when you see it, wink at it to honor Neil Armstrong, who was put to rest earlier today. Rene Lynch at the LA Times has a nice piece today.

 

DUI checkpoint in Altadena tonight

by TImothy Rutt

The Altadena office of the California Highway Patrol will be conducting a sobriety/driver license checkpoint somewhere in East Altadena tonight, according to a release from the CHP:

"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.

Captain Strull added, “Traditionally, we see an increase in the number of arrests and collisions involving drivers under the influence during the summer. These last few months have been no exception. Whether you are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, we will be looking for you. Be responsible: designate a sober driver.” The objective is to send a clear message to those individuals that consider mixing alcohol or drugs and/or drive when unlicensed.

Rabid bat found in Altadena

by Timothy Rutt

One of our readers says that they found the Altadena rabid bat listed here:

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabiesmap2012.htm

[The bat] was found in our backyard, alive, on the pool deck between our pool and home, a couple of weeks ago.   It was clearly not well - all curled up into a little ball.  I coaxed it into a box with a piece of cardboard, taped it up, and the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control literally had a truck there within 5 minutes of calling to pick it up (I'm sure that was simply fortuitous).   We are not far from Lake and Loma Alta.

Something else to be wary of in the warm weather.

See Team Chivas vs. Real Salt Lake for free Sept. 29

by Timothy Rutt

Soccer fans (or football fans, depending on how hard-core you are) have a chance to see Chivas vs. Real Salt Lake on Sat., Sept. 29 at the Home Depot Center in Carson for free.

The Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a free bus from Farnsworth Park to the game.  Bus departs at 5:30 PM and will return at 10:30 PM.  Space is limited to the first 56 registrations.  One registration handles both bus transportation and admission.

To register, come to the office at Farnsworth Park and register in person, no phone registrations accepted.  Registrations will start on Sept. 8 at 10 AM.