altadenablog

Project: Altadena -- turn in your cameras now!

Just got this email from Photography by Walt and Molly TIerney about the status of Project: Altadena, 100 photographers and 2700 pictures of life in Altadena in July, 2009:

Half the cameras have been turned in! Today was the original deadline to return the cameras. There is going to be an extension no later than Aug 15th. You can bring in the camera to Photography by Walt durning normal business hours. There are a few cameras left as well, if you know anyone who wants to participate still! Photography by Walt tue-fri 10:00-5:30 sat 10:00-4:00 (maybe on location)

2455 N. Lake Ave Altadena, Ca

 626 797 7207

Project: Altadena exhibit!

Sept 5th 5:00-10:00

2700 photos will be on display in the alley beside Steve's Bike Shop. Another 100 photographs, one pulled from each participant will be displayed at the Altadena Junction.  Altadena Junction is located kitty corner to the main event! (El Molino-Mariposa) Food, music, and other fine art events will be happening the same night! Remember to invite your friends and family to come out to beautiful Altadena!

After the show the photographs will be available for a month after the exhibit for participants to pick up n/c @ Photography by Walt

I cannot wait for this event! Thank you so much for being apart of this project!! -Molly

any Q's email photobywalt@yahoo.com

... and another one rides the bus

Sheriff's deputies were called out a little before 10 AM this morning at Lake and Mendocino.  Sheriff's station reports that it was a "disgruntled passenger" on the Metro bus.

Shout out to LA's biking spokes-man

KCET's website has just inaugurated a new feature, "Better Know a SoCal Blogger," and the first one they feature is Ted Rogers of Bikinginla, the indispensible guide to anyone traveling on two wheels in the city.  We have to give the shout-out because we've known Mr. Rogers for darn near forty years, we even married him (no, not like you're thinking -- we presided at his wedding), and he was best man at our wedding  -- er, at both our weddings!  It's a smart blog about biking issues, food for thought if you take alternative transportation seriously, and a well-deserved honor!

Library hosts Fun Flick Fridays in August

Summer's not over yet, and the Altadena Library continues its menu of summer fun flicks every Friday, starting at 3:30 PM in the main library, 600 E. Mariposa.

All films are free, and include free popcorn!

Films include:

Aug. 7: Fast and Furious (rated PG-13)
Aug. 14: Race to Witch Mountain (rated PG)
Aug. 21: 17 Again (rated PG-13)
Aug. 28: Hannah Montana: The Movie (rated G)

Dangers on the trail

In light of two hikers falling off the trails and two others getting lost near the "second waterfall" in Eaton Canyon recently, PSN's Alfred Lee talks to the members of Altadena Mountain Rescue corps about the dangers of hiking in the canyon.  (Oh, yes -- there's also the bear). 

August land use committee meeting cancelled, cell tower deferred

Just got a note from Altadena Town Council's land use committee chair Brian League:

Due to lack of an available quorum the August 4, 2009 meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council has been canceled.  Our next regular meeting is Tuesday September 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM.   The Cell Site Conditional Use Permit at Loma Alta and Fair Oaks will be rescheduled for our September Meeting.

Man shot on 2400 block of LIncoln this evening

PSN reports a shooting on the 2400 block of LIncoln this evening at about 7:20.  An altercation between the victim and a young black man in his 20's, white T-shirt, shorts, and handgun, in front of a liquor store.  Injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Coffee Gallery Comedy Festival to help Relay for Life Aug. 13-15

Alerted to this message by Sarah Eagle of the American Cancer Society:

INAUGURAL ALTADENA COMEDY FESTIVAL

SET FOR AUGUST 13-15

Major Three-Day Comedic Event to Help Raise Funds for the American Cancer Society

ALTADENA, Calif. - July 28, 2009 - Funnier than playing chess blindfolded, organizers of the Altadena Comedy Festival today announced the inaugural event will take place from August 13-15, 2009.  Rather than just another local open mike, the cutting edge festival is a major, three-day exhibition of comedic talent, with over five hours of comedy each night.  The event will take place at The Coffee Gallery (2029 N. Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91101), an award-winning entertainment venue at the heart of Altadena.

The festival features three days of hilarious shows highlighting some of the hottest comic talent in Southern California performing a variety of stand up, sketch, musical comedy and improv.  There will also be four, three-hour interactive workshops run by leading entertainers focusing on writing, character development, improv and stand up.

"We are thrilled to bring this unique comedic event to the San Gabriel Valley," said John David Heinsen, co-founder and executive producer of the Altadena Comedy Festival.  "The festival will have a look and feel similar to major festivals around the country, while retaining Altadena's unique small town feel.  The festival will feature both nationally-known and upcoming talent, providing them with the ideal vehicle for showcasing their talent.  In addition, all event proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society, aiding them in their goal of eliminating the scourge of cancer."

The festival is being put on to support the American Cancer Society (ACS), with all proceeds going directly to the ACF's "Relay For Life - Team Altadena."  Beyond ticket sales, additional donations will be collected throughout the festival from special events, food sales and a charity art auction.

"The Coffee Gallery is well known in the Altadena/Pasadena area as a fantastic music venue, but we will show that it's also ideal for hosting this new type of entertainment vehicle," said Julie Sandoval, co-founder and executive director of the Altadena Comedy Festival.  "The festival will showcase some of the funniest performers active today, and will be extremely entertaining for audience members of all ages.  This is a terrific community event that will have a great local presence, as well as be supported by many local businesses."

Thank you for your support!

Your Relay for Life of Altadena

Flintridge Bookstore & Coffee House re-opens

From one of our neighboring cities, good news:  The Flintridge Bookstore & Coffee House is having a grand re-opening this Sat., Aug. 1.  The bookstore was damaged and closed down after a tractor trailer came careening down Angeles Crest Highway this April, smashing into cars and the bookshop and killing a father and daughter in the process.  Click on the link for details.

Federal funds put library on the road to expansion

PSN's Altadena beat reporter Janette Williams front-pages a story about the $400,000 in federal money to go to the Altadena Library renovation and expansion.  The library will need $20 - $24 million to complete the changes, and will require all kinds of fundraising, but the seed money is a good start.

(Graphic from architects CWA AIA.  Note how the new space will fly over the existing parking lot)

Weekendin'

Thurs., July 30

• Foodtastic!  Altadena teen reading program activity, only this time at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., 4 PM.
• Altadena Chamber of Commerce mixer at McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, 5:30-7 PM.

Fri., July 31

• Project: Altadena participants:  start turning in your cameras to Photography by Walt to get ready for the big exhibit in September!
• Friday Fun Flick: Jonas Brother in Concert at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, 3:30-5:30 PM.
• Open mic: spoken word and poetry at Farnsworth Park, 7 PM.

Sat., Aug. 1

• Latin jazz with Melena at the Sheriff's Support Group Summer Concert Series, Farnsworth Park, 7 PM.
• Bulgarini Gelato's Italian Movie Summer Series continues with Divorzio All'Italiana with Marcello Mastroianni.  Italian dinner starts at 8 PM for $12, film is free and starts at 8:45, and gelato is always available.

Ice cream finale for library's summer reading program Tues., Aug. 4

Beat the heat and celebrate your summer reading adventures with the Altadena Library's Ice Cream Finale for this year's summer reading club participants!  There will be drawings and other fun activities, too, starting at 2 PM at the main library, 600 E. Mariposa.

Injured hiker rescue going on now

... in case those of you on the east side wondered what all the chopper traffic is.  Sheriff's station says an injured hiker just beyond the falls, search and rescue has been activated, but fire dept. is up there now.  They know where the hiker is, they're just in the process of extraction.

UPDATE: The hiker was critically injured and airlifted to Huntington.  LA Times has details.

Lake Ave./Arts Coalition Open House set for Sat., Sept. 5

You can't get too much of a good thing.  After May's first (and wildly successful) open house, the North Lake Ave. Business District in conjunction with the Altadena Arts Coalition will have another open house over Labor Day weekend -- Sat., Sept. 5, from 5 PM until 10 or so.

Highlight of the event will be Project: Altadena -- a display of the work of 100 local photographers armed with disposable cameras who recorded 2,700 pictures of life in our town over the month of July.  According to Lori Webster of (Altadenablog sponsor) Webster's Fine Stationery, and a member of the Arts Coalition, "The Project: Altadena! photos will be displayed in the alley behind Altadena Hardware.  We plan to take one photo from each submission, enlarge it and display those at Altadena Junction.  All photos will be returned to the photographer after the exhibit.  Food and entertainment will be available in the alley, and also at different business locations." 

Among the businesses reporting in so far: Webster's Fine Stationery will host another Blogger's Cafe and a book signing by novelist and Pasadena Weekly reporter Andre Coleman. Webster's will also showcasing new products with free samples and givaways.

Ben McGinty, owner of (Altadenablog sponsor) the Gallery at the End of the World, will hold another "Art Bender Weekend" highlighting local artists.  McGinty says that "Wreck N Sow will be playing on the 'Cement Stage', John from O Happy Days will be catering to the delights of the vegetarians in our midst and The Coffee Gallery will be serving caffeinated treats!"  Julie Sandoval of Coffee Gallery told Altadenablog that they would have their mobile unit up to to make it more convenient for everyone attending.

There will be lots more, so keep checking Altadenablog for the latest details!

Melena at Farnsworth Park Concert Series Sat. @ 7

Appearing this Saturday night at the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's Summer concert series in Farnsworth Park is Afro-Cuban percussionist Melena.  Concert starts at 7 PM.

Melena, born in Havana Cuba, has mastered the traditional rhythms that have traveled from Africa to Cuba, to the dance floors of America. Her Afro/Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies which she plays with fierce passion. Whether she is playing Congas, Timbales, Batas or a range of other percussion instruments. Melena is someone to be recognized as one of the most accomplished and proficient female percussionist in the music community.

Melena has been traveling the world and performed with legendary artists such as: Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Macy Gray, Chayanne, Julio Iglesias, Eva Ayllone, Chucho Valdes and Irakere and many others. Melena returned to her native country in 1997 and 2000, to study with Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, as well as with many other gifted percussionists on the island. Melena has also studied with Roberto Vizcaino Guillott, Miguel “Anga” Diaz, Yaroldy Abreu, Jose Miguel Melendez, Adel Gonzalez, Mario Jauregui and Daniel Herrera. Melena has been blessed to share the same stage with her biggest inspiration, Giovanni Hidalgo!

In 2005, Melena performed with her Afro Cuban band at the Ninth Annual Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival in Texas. Melena, was the opening act for both Giovanni Hidalgo and Chuchito Valdes. During her visit in Texas, she also conducted a percussion clinic at the Brownsville University.

Melena has been featured as a guest musician for several recordings and Live DVD/PBS specials for artists such as: John Tesh, David Longoria, Eva Ayllone, Peru Negro, Joel Holmes and Unwrapped Vol. 2 & 3 for Hidden Beach Records and many more.

Most recently, Melena was the featured percussionist on the Fox Television show, “Prison Break” playing congas and dancing alongside actor, Amaury Nolasco. Melena is also a featured percussionist with singer/songwriter Janel Parrish who plays Jade in the Bratz movie.

Festivals Melena has performed at include: Jazz at Drew, African Village Festival, Latin Music Festival, Puerto Rico Percussion Festival, Santa Barbara Carribean Festival, Montreal Drum Festival and more. Melena also conducts workshops and clinics nationally and internationally. She has specialized her studies in the Afro-Cuban tradition and on the Sacred Bata Drums and has taught her students the importance of the history and knowledge of Afro-Cuban drumming and the language of the Batas.

The following companies endorse Melena: DW, Sabian, Vic Firth, Remo, Hansenfutz, Beato, Rhythm Tech and Flawless Vodka.

Aug. 4 NOW meeting to stop neighborhood violence

Received the following from Altadenan Ashton Rice, who is involved in NOW:

The next meeting of the Neighborhood Outreach Workers (NOW) will be Tuesday, August 4th, 5 - 7 PM at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.

NOW's mission is to "stop the violence and take back our streets through prevention, intervention, and mentorship." The 2009-2010 NOW workers will have their first meeting on August 4, 5 PM. After that, every Tuesday, 5-7 PM at Jackie Robinson Center.

The Program Director is Yvette McDowell, former LA County prosecutor.

You may also read about the organization at this website: http://www.westernjustice.org/conflict_resolution.html

All are welcome. Drop in and see how we work! If there are any youth (or their parents) that you know of personally who might benefit, please encourage them to attend.

Dodger benefit for LAUP

Jim and Cathy Gott of Education Spectrum and Danny's Farm lets us know about this Sept. 14 fundraiser for Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP):

Attached you will find the flyer for the upcoming LAUP Dodger Day event.  I'm really excited about what promises to be an amazing event.  There are seats available throughout the stadium, as well as VIP packages up in the Hollywood Suite.

The Dodgers have also graciously allowed for 20 lucky people to go and join the team for batting practice before the game -- but those will go quickly! More details to follow, but make sure to save the date and get your tickets early!

Aveson at the crossroads: what's next?

PSN ed reporter Caroline An looks at the decision Aveson Charter School must make.  Neighborhood concerns put the kibosh on housing an elementary AND high school at the site after the coming school year, so Aveson leadership needs to decide on their next move. (The article seems to imply that the high school component has always been at the site, but it's just starting). 

Skies above: ISS & Shuttle tonight

Chris Considine, the Skywatcher (insert dramatic music here -- he needs a theme song) tells us that the space shuttle will be chasing the International Space Station in the skies above Altadena starting at about 8:44 tonight.

Chris reports:

13 PEOPLE are now orbiting the earth...quite exciting.

UPDATE 9 PM:  A spectacular viewing from Altadenablog World Headquarters, and the Skywatcher sends us a poetic email:

The ISS  was chasing the Shuttle tonight over the skies of Altadena with a perfect trajectory from the Northwest skies to the South.

One followed the other on a beautiful night sky when the planets and stars were first coming into view.

Just as the two 'spaceships' were in full view, the first of 3 meteorites streaked across the sky, coming from the east to the west.

The first one was really a nice full chunk of space burning up over Altadena, leaving a long white line in the fading sky.

Then two others joined the club, entering the atmosphere and making their marks in the evening darkness.

Two spaceships with 13 people aboard chasing one another and 3 excellent 'shooting stars' made this a very memorable evening of sky spectating.

Farnsworth Park concert series to salute local jazz legend

Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena will salute local jazz legend John Levy during the Aug. 15 Concert in the Park with jazz guitarist Brian Hughes.

Altadenan Levy, 97, was named to the International Jazz Hall of Fame 1997, and was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2006.  Starting as a bassist for the likes of Ben Webster, Erroll Garner, Milt Jackson, and Billie Holiday, Levy also played in the original George Shearing Quintet and acted as Shearing's road manager.  In 1951, Levy became the first African-American personal manager in the pop or jazz music field.  His clients have included Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Wes Montgomery, Joe Williams, and Ramsey Lewis, to name just a few. 

The concert will start at 7 PM at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater.  For more information contact (626) 296-2128.

FOODtastic fun at the Altadena Community Center Thurs.

As part of the Altadena Library's summer activities for teens, "FOODtastic!! Express yourself with food" 
is going on this Thurs., July 30, at 4 PM -- but not at the library -- at the Altadena Community Center , 730 E Altadena Dr.

Altadena Heritage honors Golden Poppy winners

by Michele Zack
Special to Altadenablog

There is no more fun (or funny) volunteer job in the world than contacting winners of Altadena Heritage’s Golden Poppy Garden Award to break the news to them. This generally happens over the phone, and reactions vary. The winner is often skeptical, as in: “Are you trying to sell me something?”

 When it sinks in that all Altadena Heritage wants is to honor the gardener and garden, the tone switches to general astonishment and joy at this small but significant recognition of the labor of love that is gardening. “What! We’ve never won anything in our lives, this is amazing. . . I’m going to call my Aunt Barbara, she will be so thrilled!”

The above was Lon McCoy’s first thought when Altadena Heritage Board Member and event chair Anita David called him in advance of Sunday’s Annual Golden Poppy Urban Homestead Fete, which this year attracted 130 people to Kazi Petelka and John Steinmetz’s incredible urban farm. McCoy and partner George Feaster have worked for 15 years on their Highview Avenue drought tolerant garden. They reside in the Gregory Ain modernist neighborhood designated as an “AHA!” or Altadena Heritage Area in 2002. (Aunt Barbara, 87 and ailing in Seattle, was indeed happy, according to Lon, when he told her of the honor.)

This year’s other winners included Jennifer Shepard and Pam Forrest’s edible landscape on Glenrose, and Dr. Jason and Jane Yoo’s and Mark and Susan Sironi’s drought tolerant gardens on Altadena Drive and Athens Street. All were present, and all spoke eloquently about their efforts to create beautiful and personally meaningful landscapes. Their neighborhoods have benefited, too, and we’re sure our Golden Poppy gardeners will inspire others. Each was presented by Chairman Mark Goldschmidt and Vice Chair Lili Etezady with a beautiful bronze plaque to display in their garden for two years, when it is passed on to other winners. This year’s theme, drought tolerant and edible landscapes, is part of Altadena Heritage’s current “Sustainability Series.”

Farm tours, personally guided by Kazi Petelka, farmer/gardener extraordinaire, were the other highlight of the event. Kazi took groups through her orchard of rare fruit, vegetable gardens, and poultry area, sharing her vast knowledge with Altadena Heritage’s guests. She sent them home with a handout listing recommended tomato and other vegetable varieties, as well as a list of all her fruit trees. She also generously provided party favors: a choice of iris rhizomes in shades of purple!

A word about the food: scrumptious. This year, board members and spouses made everything from scratch, in keeping with the sustainability theme. Many ingredients, such as ripe tomatoes, came from Altadena Gardens — and all dishes came from Altadena kitchens (with wine and cheese from Trader Joe’s!) Delicious canapés, from onion marmalade with herbed goat cheese to cucumber dill sandwiches, were followed by numerous salads, Chairman’s Chili, apricot tarts, and rhubarb-peach crumble. 

 Visit Altadenaheritage.org for more information on this community based organization.

Photos, top to bottom:

Kazi Petelka conducts farm tour

Golden Poppy Garden Awards

Chair Mark Goldschmidt with Golden Poppy winners Lon McCoy and George Feaster

130 guests (including 30 new members) enjoy the garden fete.

Aveson to move, PSN reports

Drill down into today's Citybeat section of the Pasadena Star-News to find that Aveson Charter School will be moving out of the Noyes school building at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.  PSN cites neighbors complaints about excessive noise, which probably helped put the kibosh on Aveson's plans to expand to a K-12 program.  (Probably this didn't help.) PUSD will work with Aveson to find a new location.

Flower Power Painting on Sat.

A little out of our borders, but Altadena artist Heather Morrow will be leading a class, "Flower Power Painting," on Sat., Aug 1, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM  at the Heart & Soul Healing Art Center, 1167 North Lake Ave., Pasadena.

Come discover your Creative Soul and awaken your artistic spirit. In this workshop, we will painting a colorful flower(s) on Aluminum sheeting attached to a piece of ¼ inch plywood. This splash of color against the contrasting elements is sure to draw attention. Artist Heather Morrow will guide you to create a work of art, inspired by your own vision. Each participant will be provided with the necessary supplies; however, you are welcome to bring any objects or embellishments to add to your work (or share). [$30 - includes materials.] Reservations are recommended to ensure enough materials.

For more information, call (626) 798-8337

Some like it hot at the Music and Arts Festival

A modest but enthusiastic crowd showed up at Loma Alta Park today for the first Altadena Music and Arts Festival.  Besides the booths featuring the work of local artisans, the stage was alive with local musicians.  Here, the Pirates of the Black Swan perform their nautical peg-leg pop.

Altadena skies alive with music Saturday night

Jazz trumpter Elliott Caine and his group filled the night with music in the Altadena Sherrif's Support Group Concert Series at Farnsworth Park last night.  Bill Westphal was there to capture the magic.

And, Bill tells us:

I'd like to add that Elliott Caine finished his last set with the title track from his latest album "Blues From Mars" just in time for the audience to see a beautiful flyby of the International Space Station with the Shuttle Endeavour (STS-127) attached.

Fire expo at La Canada Aug. 8

The Los Angeles County Fire Dept. is sponsoring a "fire expo" on Sat., Aug. 8, from 10 AM - 2 PM.  The expo will be held at Memorial Park in La Canada Flintridge.  Click on the flyer for more details.

Sunday's Altadena Music & Arts Festival has impressive lineup

Just got the bullet from Julie Sandoval, mistress of the Coffee Gallery, who is spearheading the first Altadena Music & Arts Festival at Loma Alta Park this Sun.,  July 26, 10 AM - 3 PM.

"I serve a lot of artists in the Coffee Gallery, and a lot of them told me that the arts festivals are too expensive for them," Sandoval said.  Knowing the large number of artists in Altadena, she said, it just made sense to put together a festival to celebrate that community.

The festival will be in conjunction with the Naked Crow Mountain Bike Challenge taking place earlier in the park that morning, which raises funds for Altadena Meals on Wheels, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House.  The Altadena Rotary will be serving a pancake breakfast during the race, and will also be serving hamburgers and hot dogs at lunch time.

"This is our first time doing this arts festival -- I didn't make it that big," Sandoval said, pointing out that they only have 20 booths, and will use the $40 per booth fee to pay the musicians.  She does plan to double the number of booths by the next festival, which will be Oct. 4, and headlined by a Beatles revival band.

Acts scheduled for Sunday's festival include:
10 - 10:30:  Bluegrass jam
10:30-11:  Bill Burnett
11-11:10: Storyteller Leslie Perry, backed up by Robert Hilton, an Altadenan who makes his own instruments
11:10-11:30 Robert Hilton and his instruments
11:30-11:40:  Storyteller/podcaster Lance Anderson
11:40-noon:   Songnet.org
noon-1 Pirates of the Black Swan
1-1:20 Brothers Landau
1:20- 1:50   Bohemia Soul Wrestlers (which Sandoval said Bill Burnett calles "the next Association")
1:50-215: singer/songwriter Dale LaDuke
2:15 -close  Sligo Rags

Booths include jewelers, potters, clothiers, masseuses, the Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists, and Altadena Junction.  Pirates of the Black Swan supplied the PA system for the festival.

"It'll be awesome," Sandoval said " ... we'll raise a barn!"

Carol Channing to do Sept. 6 benefit for Altadena Community Church

Yes, that Carol Channing, star of Broadway, who will present an unplugged evening on Sun., Sept. 6, in a benefit for Altadena Community Church's Roof Repair Fund at the church, 943 E. Altadena Drive.

Full details are here, but here are the highlights:

An unplugged evening that follows a simple format, as Carol Channing offers memories, humorous storytelling and an advance preview of her new gospel CD entitled "For Heavens Sake" and several of her signature tunes, including "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," " Little Girl From Little Rock" and, of course, "Hello, Dolly!" that brings the audience up close and personal with the Ultimate Broadway Baby. Hurry!

For tickets, call 626-395-9923.  TIckets are $75 for main floor, $35 for balcony ($10 for children 10 and under), and VIP tickets (including a reception with Channing) are $125.

For more information, go to www.altadenaucc.org.

Library renovation plan gets $400K in congressional funding

From our friend, Pasadena PIO Ann Erdman, who forwards to us a news release from Rep.  Adam Schiff:

Last night, the House passed the Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 3288), which included funding Rep. Schiff helped secure for three local construction projects in the 29th Congressional District.  The three programs will help the region’s economy, relieve congestion, add to the quality of life of local residents, and improve safety.

Among the projects:

The bill also included $400,000 for a renovation and addition project at the Altadena Library.  The Main Altadena Library is 41 years old and in desperate need of repair, renovation, and expansion to provide modern library services.  It is overcrowded and shows the effects of past earthquakes with cracks in the ceilings, concrete slabs, and windows.  It lacks energy efficiency, has antiquated lighting, has encapsulated asbestos throughout which needs removal, and is non-ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.  In addition, old bookstacks do not meet seismic codes and cannot be retrofitted because of age and welding.  This funding will be used for design and engineering studies as well as construction.  This funding will improve the quality of life for the entire community and will assist the library in continuing providing much needed public services in a safe environment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Altadena Library which, as an independent library district, is traditionally wholly dependent on property tax revenue for its funding,” said Dale E. LaCasella, President, Board of Trustees.  “It will be a substantial step toward realizing our goal of making the library fully accessible to all residents.” 

St. Elizabeth's hosts classic short films under the stars Aug. 7

Enjoy a family summer night with classic short movies and cartoons under the stars at St. Elizabeth's grotto, 1849 N. Lake, on Fri., Aug. 7.

Admission is free, and food will be for sale.  Activities start at 6:30 PM.

Lincoln Crossing: the latest from WAPAC

The saga of Lincoln Crossing continues -- Michele Zack, outgoing town council representative to WAPAC (West Altadena Project Area Committee), contributes this report on the latest, delivered to the Altadena Town Council earlier this week, after the jump:

Homesteading ain't for chickens

Janette Williams on PSN's Altadena beat contributes a nice story about Kazi Pitelka, whose urban homestead is the site of this weekend's Golden Poppy Awards from Altadena Heritage.  We like that she named her chickens after chicken dishes, such as Tetrazzini and McNuggets -- we had a boss with four flightless geese that he named Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Chuck's Birthday.

UPDATE 7.24 3:30 PM:  Michele Zack, wearing her Altadena Heritage hat, writes us that besides the tour, there will be food, music, and some special Altadenans will be honored who beautify their neighborhoods with drought-tolerant and/or edible landscapes.

A life

Thought this was worthwhile, from the San Luis Obispo Tribune site -- an obit for Dr. Daniel Blackburn Frost, who lived in Altadena as a child, came from pioneer stock, and had a distinguished medical career until he contracted Parkinson's disease.  Short but sweet (we're a fan of obits).

Weekendin'

Thurs, July 23

• Make jewelry out of computer parts at the Main Library, 4 PM.

Fri., July 24

• Library's Friday Fun Flick: Coraline, starts at 3:30
• Open Mic Night, spoken word at Farnsworth Park, 7 PM.

Sat. July 25

• Altadena Main Library: Family Story Time starts at 10 AM, and "Barks and Books" (read to a dog!) at 11 PM.
• Elliott Caine jazz at the Altadena Sheriff's Station Support Group Concerts in the Park, Farnsworth Park, 7 PM.
• Italian Movie to be announced at Bulgarini Gelato.  Dinner starts at 8 PM ($12), film (open to all) at 8:45, gelato available throughout.

Sun., July 26

• Naked Crow mountain bike challenge at Loma Alta Park, check-in starts 6 AM, race starts at 8 AM.
• Altadena Music and Art Festival at Loma Alta Park, 10 AM-3 PM.
• Altadena Heritage's Golden Poppy Awards, starts 6:30 PM

Apologies in advance

... but Typepad (our provider) has switched to a new interface for adding content, and we're still figuring out how it works.  All kinds of formatting weirdness are promised until we get the hang of this!

Mr. Twister at the libraries, Tues. July 28

The balloon magic of Mr. Twister will entertain the kids during two shows this coming Tuesday:  one at the Altadena Main Libray at 2 PM, at at the Bob Lucas Branch at 4:30. Absolutely free!

Music & Arts festival, mountain bike challenge this weekend at Loma Alta Park

How come nobody tells us about these things and we have to discover them by accident?

Case in point:  this Sunday, the Altadena Music & Arts Festival will take place at Loma Alta Park from 10 AM-3 PM.  Performers include Sligo Rags, Pirates of the Black Swan, Lance Anderson, Leslie Perry,  Bill Burnett, and many others.  

As well, the Naked Crow Mountain Bike Challenge will take place that day, a fine festival for elite mountain bikers.  SIgn-in starts at 6 AM, race starts at 8 AM, again at Loma Alta Park.

Town council meeting highlights

We'll have a full story at this headline later today, but we thought we'd share a Bill Westphal photo of the new Altadena town councilmembers being sworn in: from left, Dennis E. Bridwell (4603.01), Gaurav Malhotra (4611), Herbert Simmons (4602), Phil Barela (4601), Jamie Bissner (4612) and Ken Roberts (4603.02).  Swearing them in at the podium is Rita Hadjimanoukian of Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office.

Some other highlights of last night's meeting:

• Executive council positions will be: Chair Gino Sund, Vice-chair Dennis Bridwell, Corresponding Secretary Ruth Neilan Edwards, Recording Secretary Alice Wessen, Treasurer Tecumseh Shackelford.  All were recommended as a slate by a nominating committee of outgoing councilmembers.  Councilman Okorie Ezieme nominated himself as vice-chair, so there was a separate election for that position, which went to Bridwell.
• Gene Campbell also won the internal council election for WAPAC representative, over former councilmember MIchele Zack.
• A presentation by Steve Wilks of IBI Group consulting firm, which is conducting a public transit needs study of Altadena (the council decided that they would form an ad hoc committee to work on this study);
• Another presentation by Altadena resident Robert Gomperz, president of the Lincoln Ave. Water Co. and chairman of the Foothill Municipal Water District board.  Gomperz said that Foothill is looking at spending $7 million to improve and renew  various part of its plant (some parts are 50 years old), and $13 million to create a recycled water program.  Foothill, the wholesale water supplier for Altadena, La Crescenta, and La Canada Flintridge, is looking at various ways to finance these changes, including rate increases or a parcel tax to pay for improvement bonds.  The average cost of a bond measure would be $4 per property per month.
• Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that the local youth activities league went on a beach camping trip this week (12 members of Eliot Middle School had to earn the right to go);  that the county board of supervisors offered a $10,000 reward for information on the murder of Jerrill Dulaney;  and the local sheriffs were going to increase gang suppression efforts over the summer.  "You're gonna see a lot of people going to jail," Blow promised.
• Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School was up again, as Sund announced that the temporary injunction to close the Palm St. campus was overturned by the state appellate court, and a hearing for a permanent injunction is scheduled for September.
• Campbell said that Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) will be taking some of its young men to camp at San Diego in August, and was looking for donations to help fund the camp -- website is www.mpyd.org.

Water district schedules forums on upgrades, conservation, sustainability

The Foothill Municipal Water District (which is the wholesale supplier to water districts in Altadena, La Canada Flintridge, and La Crescenta) will hold two community forums about their strategic plan to repair and upgrade the water system and develop new local sources of water and increased conservation. 

Wed., July 22, Eliot Middle School, 2184 Lake, Altadena

Thurs., July 30,  Verdugo Hills Hosptital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale

For more information, call 818-790-4036, or email info@fmwd.com.  Their website is www.fmwd.com.

Geek fashion at the Library Thurs. -- turn old computer parts into jewelry

How do you transform old computer parts into awesome jewelry? Come to the Altadena
Library and find out! All it takes is a little elbow grease, a little patience and your awesome creativity!

Thursday, July 23 @ 4 PM at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Elliott Caine Sextet at Farnsworth Park summer concert series Sat.

Trumpter Elliott Caine and his sextet headline the Sheriff's Support Group summer concert series at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, July 25, starting at 7 PM.

The Elliott Caine Sextet

Inspired by '60 "Blue Note" style jazz, as well as by the music of Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria, the Elliott Caine Sextet plays original compositions, as well as the works of Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Donald Byrd, et al.

The group's critically acclaimed first release, Orientation, has received generous radio airplay across the USA, being the "#1 most added" for jazz, nationally, for the week of 11/5 to 11/11/99, eventually reaching #29 on national radio's Gavin List in January 2000. Two of Elliott's original compositions from the CD are featured in the film, "Relax...It's Just Sex,” starring Jennifer Tilly, Paul Winfield, and other notables. The film has headlined at many film festivals and has been distributed internationally.

 Le Supercool, the 2nd CD release by the Elliott Caine Sextet, further explores musical ideas initiated with Orientation. Released in early 2001, Le Supercool received impressive notice nationally and internationally, attaining the rank of #14 for radioplay in the USA in early February 2001 (Gavin Jazz List). Additionally, music from Le Supercool has been used as interlude music for radio station WBAI in New York City. Selections from Le Supercool have been played on radio stations in Russia, France, Indonesia, Mexico, Canada and other nations in addition to the USA. Additionally, music from both CDs has been used for television and other "independent" films.

The 3rd CD release from Elliott Caine, "Blues from Mars", from 2006, showcases further compositional development from Elliott as well as the musical cohesiveness of the group. The CD has received enthusiastic reviews from Jazz Times (USA), Swing Journal (Japan), Cadence (Canada), Sonic (Germany), and numerous other print, radio and online sources from around the world. A new CD by the group is being planned.

Town council meeting Tues. @ 7 PM

And the major event seems to be swearing in the new council members (before they are sworn AT). 

Full agenda after the jump.

PUSD board considers Aveson issues

Along with the Altadena Town Council meeting Tuesday, the Pasadena Unified School District board will be looking at reauthorizing Aveson Charter School , specifically: adoption of a mitigated negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting plan; approval of facilities use contract and lease agreement on the Noyes school site; and considering a future facilities plan.

The Aveson items are scheduled for consideration early at the open meeting, scheduled to start at 6:30 at room 236 at PUSD headquarters, 351 S. Hudson, Pasadena.  The entire agenda, including attachments, is available at:

http://www.pusd.us/boardmeetings

Let's go surfin' now, everybody's learning how ... at Farnsworth Park!

We had some other obligations tonight and couldn't make it to the Altadena Sheriff's Station concert, but the ever-reliable Bill Westphal was there, camera in tow, and immortalized the evening:

The Surfin' Safaris playing that old time rock n' roll with a beach attitude.

State Sen. Carol Liu was there to thank the Sheriff Station Support Group for all its good work.

What's a beach party without classic cars?

A good time was had by all ages!

Altadena Heritage's Golden Poppy Fete next Sun., July 26

Click on the graphic for juicy details about Altadena Heritage's annual Golden Poppy Awards, next Sun. at 6:30 PM. 

Deborah B. Lewis named to San Pedro arts center

Deborah B. Lewis, executive director of the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation in Altadena, has been named the new executive director for Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro. Daily Breeze has the deets.

National Night Out Aug. 4 at Loma Alta Equestrian Center

The Altadena Sheriff's Station is participating in National Night Out on Tues., Aug. 4, at Loma Alta Park Equestrian Center from 5-9 PM.

National Night Out is a crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.  The Night Out is designed heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood and law enforcement-community partnerships in Altadena, and  send  a strong message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized.

There will be hot dogs available as well as a selection of law enforcement and fire department displays.  For more information, contact Dep. Sam Estrada at the Altadena Sheriff's Station, 626-798-1131.

Altadena Chamber mixer at McGinty's Gallery, Thurs. July 30

Gallery At The End Of The World
   Hosted by Ben McGinty

On Thursday July 30, 2009
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
2475 N. Lake Ave
Altadena, CA

There will be a special Art Exhibit
Live Band with good food.

Members $5, Guests $7

Bring a raffle prize & get free commercial time for your business.

Weekendin'

Fri., July 17

• Confessions of a Shopaholic is the Friday Fun Flick at the Altadena Main Library, 3:30 PM.  Rated PG, admission is free.
• Open mic night at Farnsworth Park, 7 PM.

Sat. July 18

• 3:30-6 PM: Tea Cup Party at Amy's Patio Cafe.
• 7 PM: The Surfin' Safaris perform at the Altadena Sheriff's Station Support Group's Concerts in the Park, at Farnsworth Park. Free.
• 8 PM: Italian dinner and a movie (Cinema Paradiso) at Bulgarini Gelato.