altadenablog

Short takes

• Angela Odom's FemmeNoir page looks at local haunts.
• PSN's Mickie Mills looks at glass artist Leigh Adams, the featured artist in Dec. 3's Art Bender at McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World.

Land Use Committee meeting Tues. night, 7 PM

... at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Click on agenda to enlarge.

Odyssey Charter School: pancakes, rummage sale, books Sat.

Odyssey Charter School, 725 W. Altadena Dr., is holding its Big Fall Fundraiser on Sat., Dec. 5, 8:30 AM-1 PM (altho' pancakes end at 11:30!)  Pancake breakfast ($4), rummage sale, and Scholastic books for sale as well.

Center for Community and Family Services gets $1.6 million grant

Per PSN, the Center for Community and Family Services of Altadena will get $1.6 million in federal stimulus dollars to, among other things, hire 29 more teachers and serve 114 more children for the Early Head Start program. (The Center has its headquarters in Pasadena, and runs programs in Altadena and Glendale). 

The early press release is here, and PSN's story is here.

Back in town ...

... stuffed with turkey (still!) and Dr. Mrs. Altadenablog's birthday cake, so we're back at work again.  Expect some catchup stories throughout the day.

Tours of Eliot, Altadena Elementary available next week

This note from Susan Savitt Schwartz, Program Director of the Pasadena Educational Network (PEN):

More opportunities to tour neighborhood schools this week:

Tues., 12/1 - Eliot Middle School principal Peter Pannell welcomes prospective parents and community members for a tour of the school on Tuesday, December 1, beginning at 9:00 am. (Q: Why is there often a Sheriff's car parked out in front of Eliot? A: The Altadena Sheriff's station partners with Eliot Middle School to offer a very popular student leadership program on campus.)

Thurs., 12/3 - Altadena Principal Gregory White will give a tour of Altadena Elementary School (743 E. Calaveras St) beginning at 8:00 am.

Also, Pasadena Education Network (PEN) will offer a free program this coming Weds. (12/2) for families interested in learning about PUSD's Open Enrollment program. The earliest phase of open enrollment for the 2010-11 school year begins this Monday, 11/30, with sibling registration and priority application for the District's two dual language immersion programs (Mandarin at Burbank, Spanish at San Rafael). For more information visit the PEN website (www.penfamilies.org) or the PUSD website (www.pusd.us).

ISS flyby tonight ...

... start looking in the northwest about 5:35 tonight -- supposed to be very bright and will fly overhead.

Stupid criminal tricks

Writing from our undisclosed location ...

and saw this story on the La Canada Valley Sun website: Ara Badashian, 35 of Altadena was arrested for the very retro crime of stealing hubcaps.  (Wonder if he was armed with a zip gun and switchblade, too? When you're a Jet, you're a Jet all the way ...)

This is mostly a stupid criminal trick because a smart crook WOULDN'T STEAL HUBCAPS IN A SECURE NASA FACILITY!  If you can avoid the cougars, you probably can't avoid the guards!

Some closed roads will re-open Monday

From the KCBS/KCAL site comes word that some roads that were closed by the Station Fire will re-open Monday, with the proviso that they may close again if rain beckons:

Parts of the Angeles Forest Highway, Angeles Crest Highway and Big Tujunga Canyon and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon roads that were closed due to the Aug. 26 fire will be reopened about 5 a.m. Monday.

Sheriff's station toy drive continues thru Dec. 12

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're on the road, so no blogging today, and will probably be light through the weekend. 

Have a wonderful holiday -- we have much to be thankful for this year, and hope you do too!

ISS/Shuttle flyby 6:20 tonight

Chris Considine, the Skywatcher (we really need to find him a theme song!) tells us:

Just BEFORE 6:30...at about 6:20 it's one of the last shuttle missions...they are coming to a close!....
the double sized ISS and SHUTTLE 'spaceship' tonight should be super bright and directly OVERHEAD from
the NORTH WEST to the SOUTH WEST....
http://heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=25544&lat=34.190&lng=-118.130&loc=Altadena&alt=400&tz=PST

http://heavens-above.com/gtrack.asp?lat=34.190&lng=-118.130&alt=400&loc=Altadena&TZ=PST&Date=40143.1016639464&satid=25544

I wish ALL of you a WONDERFUL and HAPPY THANKSGIVING...
We all know we are having incredible weather for the holiday weekend...
Almost unfair compared to the rest of the nation...but that's WHY WE LIVE HERE!!!

Dec. 12 in Altadena: start with the Christmas Tree Lane crafts & lighting ...

On Dec. 12, 2009, the Christmas Tree Lane Association will be hosting its 89th Annual Lighting Ceremony and its first Winter Arts and Crafts Festival at the Altadena Main Public Library.

Beginning at 2 PM, there will be arts and crafts, a petting zoo, performances by local groups and Santa Claus with his sleigh for childrens’ pictures. At 6 PM, actor Meshach Taylor will MC the spectacular Lighting Ceremony with entertainment from local groups,  with Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Santa Claus flipping on the switch for the mile of lit deodar trees. Then, over 1,000 spectators will be led down the Lane canopy of colorful lights by the John Muir Alumni Drum Corps. All are invited! 

The Altadena Public Library is at 600 E. Mariposa St.

For more information visit www.christmastreelane.net , or call 626-403-1123.

... and finish at the North Lake Pole Shop-Hop Festival!

Come join the Altadena Arts Coalition and your local merchants for a evening of sledding (yes, on real snow!), music, food, fun, and merriment after Altadena's Christmas Tree lane lighting ceremony! Raffle prizes!! Come enjoy this evening and meet your neighbors and merchants!!!

• Art show at Gallery at the End of the World
• Photography by Walt - Capture the World (photo exhibit)
• Sledding Hill!!
• Santa's coming to town!
• Local Band
• John O' Happy Days- Hot soup
• Coffee Gallery- Coffee and Tea
• Park Bench Deli- Tacos
• Steve's Bike Shop- Hot Chocolate
• Dip Me in Chocolate- Chocolate Treats!
• More to be announced!

It's all happening on North Lake Ave. and Mariposa on Sat., Dec. 12, from 6-11 PM.

Author, author: Michele Zack makes the news

It's unofficial Michele Zack day here at Altadenablog:

• First, a wonderful feature at the Hometown Pasadena page about Michele and her new book;
• And second, a Pasadena Now announcement about Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre and her booksigning event at Vroman's on Dec. 2.
• and finally Larry Wilson in PSN looks at the book as well (and puts in a plug for EAT: Los Angeles, compiled by Colleen Dunn Bates, who interviewed Michele in the first entry above!)
• UPDATE 11/30: The Sierra Madre Tattler also weighs in with a great story.

Photo borrowed from Hometown Pasadena, but we'll return it!

Raising educational achievement for foster, probation youth is NAACP topic

The Altadena NAACP will hold a presentation on "Raising Educational Achievement for Foster and Probation Youth" on Sat., Dec. 5, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., from 9:30 AM- 12 noon.

Guest speaker is Carrie Dunbar Miller, Ph.D., of the Los Angeles County Education Coordinating Council.

The presentation is free.  For more information, contact the community center at 626-398-6174 or Gregor Edwards at 626-676-1921

Antonovich launches information effort on Angeles Crest highway closures

From Supv. Michael Antonovich's office:

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to direct the Department of Public Works to conduct a media and public outreach campaign to ensure the public is alerted in advance of any possible closures of Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2) and the Angeles Forest Highway due to weather or repair work.

Supervisor Antonovich’s motion includes the following recommendations:

• Organize a town hall meeting in the Antelope Valley in December (and publicize the meeting information in advance in the local media) to address the repair work on Angeles Forest Highway associated with the Station Fire, and publicize the meeting in advance in concert with Antelope Valley media outlets;

•  Keep the existing “Driver Notification Signs” in place on south-bound State Route 14, and activate them as far in advance as possible to alert motorists to impending temporary closures due to anticipated inclement weather;
• Identify the feasibility of creating a “Road Conditions” AM radio broadcast for information pertaining to the opening and closing of Angeles Forest and Angeles Crest Highways between Antelope Valley and La Canada Flintridge;
• Establish an e-mail alert notification system that will alert Antelope Valley residents (and other interested parties) concerning upcoming closures of Angeles Forest Highway due to anticipated inclement weather;
• Conduct additional media and public outreach concerning road condition information available on the Department’s CARE web-site; and
• Report back to the Board in 30 days concerning progress on these issues.

A big Blue Lobster thank you ...

goes out to all Altadenablog readers and friends who contributed to our team, Rosie's Blue Lobsters, at last weekend's Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles Buddy Walk! We raised over $1,300 to support families and individuals with Down Syndrome!  Thank you again for your support!

(Photo: Rosie's big sister Mimi and hidden friend Lilly carry the Blue Lobster banner at Santa Anita Park on Sunday).

Altadena Elementary technology challenge underway

This note has been circulating from Edith Grady about the Altadena Elementary School Technology Challenge:

Fellow Volunteers,
As some of you know but many of you may not, Altadena has been given an exciting opportunity to raise money for much needed technology programs.  A local family has provided a challenge grant of $100,000 to encourage PUSD families and friends to provide financial support for teaching our students a skill so important in today's work force.  No individual school will receive more than $10,000 in matching funds but will receive any money restricted by the donor for use at Altadena. 

As you think about your year-end charitable giving I hope that you will include a gift to the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) which is responsible for the distribution of these funds to the schools.  PEF is a 501c-3 organization.  Its ID No. is 23-7149451.  Checks can be mailed to Pasadena Educational Foundation, 351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena 91109 and should be identified for Altadena Elementary School FANSS..(See below*)

Altadena has been fortunate in receiving donations recently to be used for teacher supplies (an urgent need), continuing the third grade recorder lessons, the Friday enrichment program, and even a commitment to pay for pizza at the spring Family Math and Reading Night.  All of these contribute in a significant way to the remarkable API improvement Altadena has shown in the last two years.

A contribution in any size is valuable.  You will find envelopes for the purpose and more information in the volunteer sign-in binder at the front desk or you can also find out more at www.pasedfoundation.org/FANSS. As a volunteer you are already contributing in a significant way but with the bare-bones budget every school has been faced with, your dollars are also important.

My warm regards to each of you,

Edith

 (*Friends and Neighbors Supporting Schools)

Another bear over there

Reader Sonya says she spotted a bear feasting in her trash cans last night around 10 at the end of Skyview.  The bear map is coming along nicely!  Be careful out there!

View Critter Map in a larger map

"Damascus Speaks" at Altadena Baptist Sun.

Altadena Baptist Church will offer the local premier showing of a very unusual and inspiring movie, a film called "Damascus Speaks." The viewing will be on Sunday, Nov. 29, 6 PM, and is open to the public free of charge. This is the first movie developed by Christian Arabs in Syria, most of them associated with Eastern Orthodox churches.

The film tells the story of the first group of Christian believers in Damascus, the world's oldest city. It focuses on the martyrdom of St. Stephen, as well as the conversion of the Apostle Paul and his earliest church fellowship, where he was nurtured in his new faith.

Dramatic sequences are interspersed with a narrated tour of many of the ancient sites, where modern churches and monasteries mark significant events. All the actors are Syrians from a Muslim background. The film is done in Arabic, with English subtitles. The use of this Middle Eastern tongue, speaking the actual words recorded in the Bible, brings a sense of authenticity to the reenactments of first century events.

Millions of people in the Middle East have already experienced this unique film, since it focuses on some historical events important to both Muslims and Christians. Because it highlights the historical significance of Damascus, the Syrian government has promoted it as an expression of patriotic pride.

For more information, call the church at (626) 797-8970.

Webster's Fine Stationery has a "Black Friday" sale

Gearing up for the holidays already?  Lori Webster of (Altadenablog sponsor) Webster's Fine Stationers is holding a "Black Friday" sale, 8:30-4 PM:

In these hard economic times, we want to show our appreciation for our customers by providing the opportunity for exceptional savings on your favorite fine stationery, select office supplies, unique gifts and elegant home decor. Come early, leave late....but remember, sale prices only good for these 7 1/2 hours!

Altadena Elementary holds rummage sale Dec. 5

Sheriff Station bike tour of Altadena Dec. 5

Community Development Corp. looking for board members

The Community Development Corporation of Altadena (CDCA), a not for profit community development corporation, is seeking candidates to serve as members of its founding board of directors/officers of the board.

The mission of this newly formed organization is to promote community and economic development and to promote community education and leadership development in order to empower the community to advocate on its behalf.  Some of the organization’s goals include the following:

1.    Promoting and enhancing citizen participation in decisions which affect the quality of life in Altadena.
2.    Ensuring that Altadena residents are properly served with basic public services and facilities, including schools, health services, transportation, roadway maintenance, parks and recreation programs, businesses that are accessible and summer youth employment opportunities.
3.    Working with local organizations to support the implementation of green spaces, neighborhood beautification and public art projects, youth education and the arts, increased access to technology training, and community gathering events.
4.    Sponsoring/supporting cultural programs and activities that educate and enrich the lives of Altadena residents, especially its young people.
5.    Serving as a community advocate to ensure accountability and integrity in the use of public funding for economic development projects.

The CDCA is seeking a diverse group of candidates for members of its board of directors who are bright, willing to explore all possibilities/”think outside the box”, energetic and enthusiastic about being of service to the Altadena community.  It is looking to establish a board that is representative of a broad range of occupations, skills and Altadena’s diverse population. Prior service on a board of directors is desirable, but not necessary. In-service training workshops on board service and community development principles/practices will be provided for candidates selected to serve.  Interested individuals who have what it takes should forward a letter of interest and resume to the following e-mail address: cdcaltadena@att.net.

NAACP to hold LEAD information reception Dec. 12

 
The Altadena NAACP and the LEAD Program cordially invites prospective LEAD participants and their parents to an information reception on Sat. Dec. 12, from 10-11:30 AM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E Altadena Dr.  The reception is hosted by the Altadena NAACP and the Roye family.

LEAD President/CEO Ric Ramsey will speak about the diversity programs at Wharton, Stanford, University of Michigan, Dartmouth and other top universities. Apply for Summer Internships at these universities.

• Current high school juniors can apply to LEAD Program for Business
• Current high school juniors and sophomores can apply to LEAD Program for Engineering

 
Please RSVP by November 30: cyproye@charter.net or 818-864-6111
 
 
TO SEE MORE ON THE PROGRAM, VISIT
www.leadprogram.org
 
For additional information, contact:
Scott F. Blacker, Director of External Affairs
Leadership Education and Development
215.753.2490
sblacker@leadprogram.org

Tierra Del Sol exhibit at library community room

Thru Nov. 30, the Altadena Library  Community Room presents an exhibit by the Tierra Del Sol Foundation, Sunland Studio.

Tierra del Sol Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides training, employment, and support services for nearly 500 men and women with developmental disabilities, including autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

Tierra’s Sunland Studio Artists each bring diverse experiences, backgrounds and skill levels to producing artwork. Each artist has their own style and through their work, these artists enter a visual dialogue and share the language of fine arts. This group of works includes figurative, landscape, still life and art historical references. The vibrant colors and confident use of mediums engage the viewer and delight.

Featured artists include: Sarit Halo, Trina Kirkman, Sarkis Keushkerian, Harold Sakamoto, Isabela Diana Vartanian, and Clare Zeitlin

For more information about the art and artists of Tierra del Sol, contact Maria Jones at: mjones@tierradelsol.org

Power outages in parts of town

Altadenablog World Headquarters is fine, but we're hearing reports of power outages in La Canada and parts of Altadena tonight -- some reports are Lake north of New York, but we're trying to confirm the areas.

Going medieval

The Pasadena Waldorf School celebrated its annual Elves' Faire today, a family event that's part Ren faire, part hippie happening, all fun.

Of course, Father Christmas was there.

Kids clapped, drummed, and danced in the drum circle.

Aerial jousting?  Why not? (Yes, that's John C. Reilly setting up the next flying knight).

And this one almost gets the brass ring!

Marla Frazee @ Vroman's Sat.

Just picked this up from our friends at Hometown Pasadena: Altadena-based children's illustrator/author Marla Frazee will be signing her new book, All the World, at Vroman's tomorrow at 10:30 AM.  (Harriett You'll Drive Me Wild is a staple in our house!)  Be there!

350,000

Hit another milestone today -- 350,000 pageviews to date.

Again, thank you to all our sponsors for believing enough in us to support the work in the most concrete way.  Thank you to our mighty contributors, especially Hall of Famers like Bill Westphal, Chris Considine, Monica Hubbard, Carolyn Seitz, Alice Wessen, and Michele Zack.  Thank you to all of our readers, whose tip jar support since the Station Fire has made this website more financially stable, given us more bandwidth, and helped improve the technology we use to bring this to you. 

And a hat tip to folks like Hometown Pasadena, the LA Times, the California State Assembly, and the LA County Board of Supervisors, who felt this site was worthy of their attention and praise.

Thanks to you all.  We love this work.  We love Altadena!

Pasadena Master Chorale holiday program @ Altadena Community Church Dec. 13

The Pasadena Master Chorale will be performing at Altadena Community Church on Dec. 13 at 4 PM (also at Pasadena's First Congregational Church on Dec. 11 at 7:30 PM).  The 75-voice choir will be augmented by children from three area schools. California Chronicle has the deets.

Aveson's culinary arts students feed the homeless

Educaton writer Caroline An has a story in this morning's PSN about Aveson Charter School's culinary arts academy.  One of their projects is to prepare a meal every month for residents of Union Station homeless shelter, and they're going all out for Thanksgiving (but no turkey!). 

Salon taking donations for URDC Human Services

Received this message from Yolande Carson of (Altadenablog sponsor) scissors paper rock salon, 1864 N. Allen:

Each year at Scissors paper rock salon we gather gifts for the women and children of Casa Maria and Choices, programs of URDC.

We ask for a donation of an unwrapped gift suitable for a woman or child (ages 0-18) which may be brought by the salon anytime between now and Dec.12th.  Monetary gifts also appreciated.

 

URDC Human Services is a non-profit corporation which significantly impacts our community, targeting under served children , youth, adults and seniors in need of health and social service programs.

 

Programs offer women assistance recovering from substance abuse , early intervention services for their children, transitional housing, as well as obtaining vocational and employment training and much much more.

PUSD opens universal preschool at Loma Alta

We were unable to make this event, but they kindly sent us this release:

ALTADENA – Parents, children and representatives of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on Nov. 19 to celebrate the opening of a preschool in Altadena that caters to the needs of autistic children.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Loma Alta Preschool, 3544 N. Canon Blvd., Antonovich praised LAUP and the school district for working together to create an early childhood education program that will meet the special needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“Not only will this site provide quality preschool services as we traditionally know it, but it will also address the core components of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a key method to early detection – a very critical step in helping children with this disability early on in their lives,” he said.

“With specially trained teachers, the class will address areas of impaired social interaction, communication and restricted or repetitive behavior, which are all critical strategies in working with children with disabilities.”

Missing dog around McNally

Just came in thru the newsgroups:

Spaniel mix, brown, white, tan; male. Just wandered off around 12 noon - 3590 McNally. Please call if u spot him, name is Charlie - 626-794-5352. Pls circulate. Thanks!

UPDATE: He's been found!

Ashton & Greg

Free firewood at the Meadows

Greg Stanton's fine Meadows blog tells us that the Meadows' Fire Safe Council has begun tree removal this week, and there are stacks of free firewood for the taking.  More here.

Weekendin'

Fri., Nov. 20

• Altadena Library Fun Flick: This summer's Pixar hit, "Up", in the Community Room, 3:30-5. Free admission, free popcorn, 600 E. Mariposa.
• Altadena Community Church fundraising concert, Quartetto Nuevo, 8 PM.
• The Cal Tech Glee Clubs in concert at Westminster Presbyterian Chuch,  8 PM, admission free.  Concert repeats at the same time Saturday.

Sat., Nov. 21

• Altadena Christian Children's Center fundraiser yard sale, 7 AM-2 PM.
• The Pasadena Waldorf School Elves' Fair, 10 AM-4 PM.
• The Altadena Library has Super Saturday Family Storytime at 10 AM, and Barks and Books at 11 AM.
• Crown City Symphony in concert at the Senior Center, 2 PM.

Sun., Nov. 22

• Altadena Congregations Together Serving will hold its annual Community Thanksgiving Service at 7 PM at he Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.

Mon. Nov. 23

• The Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., is the site of a presentation on the Pacific Electric Railroad, 7:30 PM.

Stimulus in Altadena: show me the money!

Okay, this is fun: one of our readers, going by "Altadena Taxpayer," has surfed the Recovery.gov website and has found the following:

ZIP Code 91001 ... Stimulus funds $257,073... Jobs created/saved 0 (ZIP)

Maybe the folks in Altadena can do a little "Where's Waldo" and someone can find the money or the person who has it.  Then you can ask when they plan to save/create a job.  Folks might also suggest where the money could be best spent in order to help this person make a decision.

OK ... who's got the money?  And what can we do with it?  Comment away!

County issues Station Fire report, conflicts with Forest Service

Los Angeles County fire officials released their report on the Station Fire, and their recommendation of night-time and first-light aerial attacks goes against the Forest Service practice, which some critics say caused the growth of the fire in its earliest hours. 

Here's a link to the county's report (thanks to reader Andrew Bingham) (a pdf document). The observations starting on page 35 are fruitful.

Also, Supervisor Antonovich's office has weighed in:

“The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s recommendations encouraging the Forest Service to allow night time and first-light air attacks would have prevented the Station fire’s rapid growth and mitigated its catastrophic toll,” said Antonovich in response to the Department’s report on the Station Fire.  

The Supervisor also supported the County Fire report calling on the Forest Service to adopt tougher brush clearance requirements increasing the distance from 30 feet to 200 feet -- which is the County’s current requirement.  He also agreed that a protective barrier will help prevent future damage to the communication infrastructure and the historical resources at Mt. Wilson.   

In addition, Supervisor Antonovich suggested that in fire incidents occurring in National Forest that the County Fire Department should be the lead agency with support from the United State Forest Service. 

The Arc names Liu legislator of the year

State Sen. Carol Liu was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Arc of California, the state’s largest organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 

Liu, D- La Cañada Flintridge, received the honor from The Arc of California for her legislation and for serving as Chair of the Senate Human Services Committee.
 
The Arc of California is a statewide organization committed to securing for all people with developmental disabilities, in partnership with their families, legal guardians or conservators, the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work, and play.
 
“I am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens and their families,” Liu said. “The difficult budget challenges facing the state mean that we must pay careful attention to the people most in need of our assistance.”
 

Liu in 2009 authored SB 110, the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act. The Senate Human Services Committee, which Liu Chairs, has jurisdiction over child welfare services, foster care, adoption assistance, childcare, nutrition programs, developmental disability services, Adult Protective Services, In-home Supportive Services, and community care licensing.

(Photo: Liu at Tuesday's Altadena Town Council meeting, courtesy Bill Westphal)

 

Last night's town council meeting: the bullet

No drama, no surprises, workmanlike, nay, dull.

Action-wise, at last night's town council meeting, the major action was donating $500 to the sheriff's food and toy drive, and writing a letter of appreciation to CHP Officer Andre Primeaux, who has patrolled the area for awhile and is transferring elsewhere.

Other than that, lots of announcements, housekeeping, and a few presentations, including a visit from State Sen. Carol Liu, who brought the council up-to-date on her activities and answered questions, particularly about the state budget and effects on education.

Some items of interest:

• An application form is available at the sheriff's station and community center to name families to be recipients of the sheriff's food and toy drive.
• Councilman Herbert Simmons asked why there was only one sheriff's station in town and if it was possible to open a station on the westside.  Capt. Roosevelt Blow said that the sheriff's department does  a survey every few years, looking at demographics, geography, the level of crime, etc. to determine the level of police services to have, and based on size and population... we don't get one. 
  
  What we DO get is a two-man detail working burglaries all day with a mandate to get results.

Updates will be late today ...

... dealing with a sick child this morning who demands our full attention!

Uneventful town council meeting tonight

... so we're going to bed, and we'll have a rundown in the morning.

Community Thanksgiving Service Sun., Nov. 22

In an annual interfaith expression of Thanksgiving, several religious congregations in Altadena will join for an Altadena Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday, November 22, at 7:00 PM.   This year's event will be hosted by the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, with the music under the direction of the Temple's Cantor, Judith Sofer.

The featured speaker will be Rev. Ruth Sievert, who is the pastor of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church.   Other participants in the service will represent the Bahai Faith, St. Marks Episcopal Church, First Christian Science Church, Altadena Baptist Church, and Altadena Community Church.

These various religious traditions will express their unique ways of worshiping, but will also demonstrate their common dependence on God's care and provision.   A high point of the service will be a prayer specifically for the community of Altadena and an acknowledgment of our interdependence on one another in spite of our diversity in beliefs.

ACTS (Altadena Congregations Together Serving) is the informal fellowship of local church leaders who sponsor this annual celebration.   Meeting monthly to discuss common community concerns, ACTS focuses its energies on programs for children, the homeless and the hungry.   The Altadena Food Pantry is its major continuing outreach program.   Many local families are helped through hard times by weekly distributions of food from the Pantry's center at Altadena Community Church.   Donations to the Pantry are always welcome.                 

Altadena Christian Children's Center yard sale fundraiser Sat.

Ann emails us:

This weekend my husband and I are hosting a Yard Sale Fundraiser where ALL proceeds are going directly to Altadena Christian Children's Center.  The families from the school are coming together and donating items to raise money for a school that means so much to us.  As with all non-profit organizations, they have also had a difficult fundraising year.  We'd like to spread the word in the community and need your help.

Fundraiser Details:

Yard Sale Fundraiser for Altadena Christian Children's Center
Date: Saturday, November 21st
Time: 7 AM - 2 PM  
Address: 2326 Garfield Ave. Altadena
Contact: Ann
Phone: (626) 437-7602
Directions: From Lake, take Calaveras west. At Garfield turn left and it's at the end of the block.

Loma Alta opens new preschool serving autistic children

This Thurs., Nov. 19, starting at 11 AM, Supv.  Michael D. Antonovich will  join parents, children and representatives of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) to celebrate the opening of Loma Alta Preschool in Altadena. The preschool, which serves 40 children, is unique in that it is a blended inclusion site that enables staff to meet the needs of eight children with autism, as well as 32 typically developing children. PUSD’s innovative blended-inclusion preschool model will provide a high-quality education program for both typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Loma Alta Preschool is the only site district-wide to provide a 23-hour-a-week educational program for children with ASD in a "blended inclusion" format with typically-developing peers.

This preschool will address the need in the Pasadena area to provide services to children and families of four-year-olds with ASD. Antonovich directed LAUP to invest money in the development of this preschool, which is located in the supervisor’s Fifth Supervisoral District, to serve the dual needs of high-quality preschool education and the special needs of children with ASD.

LAUP funding in the amount of $264,000 was used to renovate a classroom to meet the students’ needs, as well as accommodate an activity room, teacher work room, renovation of outdoor playground and the purchase of educational material. In addition, LAUP will invest $152,000 annually through 2012 to provide a high-quality preschool program at this site, in partnership with the PUSD. The school district has pledged to continue this program beyond 2012, using preschool funding from the California Department of Education.

 Loma Alta Preschool is located at 3544 N. Canon Blvd., Altadena.

On the trail of "Ram-bro'" this morning

Getting from the news groups that there have been sightings this morning of Joe Clay, i.e. "Ram-bro'", in full camo hunting gear.  One dispatch read:

This morning at about 6:30  I saw a middle aged African American male with a cross bow dressed in camouflage hiking up the fire cut directly above Lake Ave at the westerly edge of the Cobb Estate.  I also noticed a maroon van which I have read about on other posts parked at the top of Lake Ave.

As I continued my morning run, I saw the hunter again 15 minutes latter hiking west on the Altadena Crest Trail between Devonwood and Lake Ave.

Seeing someone dressed in full camo with a bow in the hills above the Cobb Estate is disturbing and not my idea of an earlier morning encounter.

Another dispatch read:

As stated in prior e-mails, this camo-dressed hunter has a history of poaching arrests and convictions. He can be threatening and is often armed with a hunting knife, large compound cross-bow and possibly a firearm. He is reportedly hunting bears in the closed burn areas and may be aware of recent cougar sightings, which could bring him in close proximity to residences near and in the Forest, particularly on Chaney Trail, in the Meadows (off Canyon Crest) and up in Millard Canyon.

Be safe if you're going out in the forest today. The direct line to California Fish & Game is 951-443-2928, or call the sheriff's station, 798-1131.

Westminister Presbyterian hosts Caltech Glee Clubs in winter concert

The Caltech Glee Clubs will perform a concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church, at 1757 North Lake Avenue in Pasadena, on Friday and Saturday night from 8-10 PM. The program will feature music by Homilius, Salas, Handel, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Casals, plus arrangements of songs from India, China, Japan, Kenya, and the United States. The Caltech Chamber Singers will also share gems of the holiday season. Information: http://events.caltech.edu/events/event-7001.html[1].

Remembering the Red Cars at the Community Center next Mon.

The Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Library are pleased to announce a presentation by railroad expert and co-founder of the Scenic Mount Lowe Group, Brian Marcroft. who will be sharing rare, never before seen images, maps, photos and documents of the Pacific Electric Railroad from the Ray Younghans estate, courtesy of the Orange Empire Railway Museum.  Altadena’s historic Mount Lowe Railway became part of the PE in 1902.  Charles Seims, author of Mount Lowe, the Railway in the Clouds and Trolley Days in Pasadena will be honored at this exciting event.

The presentation will be Mon., Nov. 23, at 7:30 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Admission is free.

For more information, contact Jane Brackman at the Altadena Historical Society, ahspresident@earthlink.net (626-797-8016) or 
www.altadenalibrary.org ; 626 798-0833; pdutton@altadenalibrary.org