altadenablog

Late night magic at the Coffee Gallery tonight

The Coffee Gallery Backstage,  2029 N. Lake, offers a late night magical offering tonight at 10:30 PM (after Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys): producer John Heinsen promises an evening of :

hot, young magician/funny men from The Magic Castle and tickets are only $10. Have you ever been to a 10:30 P.M. show? Everyone is giddy with the novelty. And these guys are funny. And there will be live music. And it is Saturday. A little extra and you can sleep in the next day. And yes, you will see new tricks. No tired, old sleight-of-hand allowed.

Sheriffs looking for vehicle in Chantry Flats slaying

The sheriff's department has put out a call for help following the slaying of a man found in Chantry Flats Thursday:

Detectives are currently searching for the victim's vehicle in connection with the investigation. The vehicle is a Silver, 1993 BMW 740, 4-door, California license plate 3XKB366. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau , 323-890-5500. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website
http://lacrimestoppers.org

ADDENDUM: KTLA has a story about a man who was arrested following the dumping of another body at the La Crescenta offramp at the 210.  This seems to be a disturbing trend ...

Need help to spread mulch at Old Marengo Park this afternoon

From Michele Zack comes an all-hands-on-deck call just before tomorrow's dedication of Old Marengo Park (at Marengo and Woodbury):

Laura Bauer arranged to have a lovely load of mulch delivered to Old Marengo Park in time for Park Dedication on Sunday. Please come by to help spread it!! Bring a rake, pitchfork, shovel, and recepticle such as plastic trash can or wheelbarrow at 4 PM [Sat.]. If we can't get it done in an hour, we'll finish up next morning, Sunday at 10. Please help!

Nella Finestra is Folly Bowl season opener

Nella Finestra kicks off the Folly Bowl's season with "A salad night of Baroque Music, Improvised Music, Electronics, and Video Art" at the backyard amphitheater, 1601 E. Loma Alta Dr., at 7:30 PM Sat., May 7.

Performers include Carmina Escobar (voice/electronics), Sepand Shahab (harpsichord), Vinny Golia (winds), Theresa Wong (cello/voice), and Carole Kim (video).  Bring your blankets and a picnic to enjoy the music (and pack out your detritus, it's bear country).  Suggested donation $10.

 

JPL Open House May 14-15

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will hold its popular annual open house on Sat. May 14 and Sun., May 15, from 9AM-5 PM both days.  Admission and parking is free:

This popular event celebrates JPL's accomplishments with exhibits and demonstrations about the Laboratory's ongoing research and space exploration. Many of the Lab's scientists and engineers are on hand to answer questions about how spacecraft are sent to other planets, how scientists utilize space technologies to explore Earth and how researchers are searching for planets beyond the solar system.

The Open House is a fun and educational experience for children too, with special hands-on activities designed for kids. Admission and parking are free. 

The following items are not permitted at this NASA/JPL Event: weapons, explosives, incendiary devices, dangerous instruments, alcohol, illegal drugs, pets, segways, and all types of skates including skateboards. No bags, backpacks or ice chests are allowed, with the exception of small purses and diaper bags. 

Your entry on NASA/JPL property constitutes your agreement that you, your vehicles and your personal belongings are subject to inspection. 
JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Drive in Pasadena, off the 210 (Foothill) Freeway at the Berkshire Avenue/Oak Grove Drive exit. Parking is available near the Oak Grove main gate and the eastern boundary of JPL, accessible from Windsor Avenue via the Arroyo Boulevard exit off the 210 Freeway.

Burglar/vandals strike south of Washington Boulevard

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Public safety maven Carolyn Seitz has shared this message from the Brigden Ranch Neighborhood Association, south of Washington Blvd. pretty close to Borderdena.  Now, it's not just thievery, but mindless destruction ... be vigilant!

Two homeowners in the 2200 block of Brigden Road came home about 5 p.m. today [Thursday] to find their houses broken into and ransacked.

A witness said it appeared two young girls were going door-to-door to see if anyone was home.  They rang the doorbell and stayed around longer than someone might have if it was apparent no one was home.

The homes were later broken into.  The thieves stayed in the houses quite awhile.  Jewelry was taken.  Drawers were taken out and the contents scattered throughout the houses.  Shaving cream and glue were used to ruin laptops.  Paint was sprayed throughout the houses and on big screens.  In one house, the thieves used a kitchen knife to rip apart all the upholstered furniture.  Knives were stuck into the walls.  

Both houses appear to have been broken into at a rear window using a screw driver.  

At one house, clues were left that may lead to the burglars.

The police theorize that the thieves are not from this area, but were looking for opportunities.

It should be noted that seems to be a pattern in the string of houses where the burglaries occurred -- one house with a dog outside but no car in the driveway; one without a dog or car in the driveway -- broken into; a house with a dog and car; a house with a car in the driveway; a house with no car but a dog outside; a house without a dog or car in drive -- broken into.

Burglars don't want to chance breaking into a house with a car in the drive, or a barking dog.

The police also recommend considering alarm systems.  Again, thieves don't want to take a chance.

The poor economy is forcing more people to steal.*

A reminder:  If you see someone like the two girls mentioned, PLEASE get involved.  Call the police non-emergency number immediately.  If this had been done, perhaps these burglaries could have been avoided.

We must watch out for our neighbors or we may come home to find the mess and thousands of dollars worth of damage that happened today.

Donn Dufford
President
Brigden Ranch Neighborhood Assn.

*Editor's note, because we have to say it: the economy isn't forcing anybody to steal -- most people cope with bad times without turning into criminals!  You're the agent of your own behavior!

Paul Ayers and the Red Cars at Glendale Library May 12

Tireless trail defender and local historian Paul Ayers has something coming up in Glendale:

On May 12, 2011 I will be presenting my slide show on the Pacific Electric’s Glendale Line at the Glendale Public Library’s main auditorium. The poster for the show is pasted in below; my 3 year old self is shown hanging out of the back window of P.E. #5010.

Featured will be over 270 views including personal material and comparison shots of line locations as they appear today.  P.E. shows are very popular and we expect to fill the auditorium early and have to turn people away.  A second presentation is tentatively scheduled for June 1.

Note to dumpers: Palm/Olive does not mean it will clean itself

Reader Michele had an unwelcome suprise Thursday morning:

I live at the corner of Palm Street and Olive Ave and it is not even a secluded spot.I got a rude surprise this [Thursday] morning. Someone dumped at least two trash cans worth of construction debris on the side of my house. This is a busy intersection and a very narrow street, yet some jerk was too lazy to take it to a dump or put it in their trash. Now I am the one that has to pick it up and add it to my trash. As you can see by the picture it is another example of the laziness of some person. I might also be late for work because of this.
Please let your readers know.

Usually illegal dumpers take it to the Cobb Estate or Chaney Trail, but this group was too lazy to even do that.  Please report such activity to the sheriff if you see it.

Morning jolt

• 
  Catching up: Vernon Fisher, 38, of Altadena, has been named as a second suspect in the slaying of Pasadenan Donnell Taylor in January. Steven Wright, 32, also of Altadena, is already in custody for the murder.  All involved were members of the Altadena Block Crips gang.  Brian Charles at PSN files the story.
• The LA County Sheriffs have designated Sat., April 30 as "Prescription Drug Take-Back Day."  Take the opportunity to rid your home of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.    Last year, the sheriffs collected and safely disposed of nearly eight tons of prescription medications, nearly 3 1/2 tons of syringes, and over five pounds of illicit drugs.  The sheriffs have "Safe Drug Drop-Off" boxes available 24/7 at various locations,  the nearest one at the Crescenta Valley station, 4554 N. Briggs Ave, La Crescenta.
• E-waste event at Willard School, 301 S. Madre St., Pasadena, on Sat., April 30 from 8 AM to noon.  Looking for computer monitors, TVs, computers, laptops, servers telephone equipent, PDAs, iPods, gaming stystems, fax machine copiers,  calculators, printers, uninterruptible power suppies, cables, telephones, scanners, radio/stereo/DVD/VCR players, etc.  No batteries of any kind or appliances.

CHP says boy, 10, OK after being struck by car

A 10-year-old boy on a bicycle walked away after being struck by a car Thursday night.

According to Officer Ming-Yang Hsu of the California Highway Patrol, the non-injury collision occured at the intersection of Glenrose Avenue and Poppyfields Drive shortly after 6 PM.  The boy and the driver of the car, 76, are both Altadena residents.

According to Hsu, the initial investigation shows that  both were traveling southbound on Glenrose Avenue.  As they entered the intersection with Poppyfields, the boy turned in front of the car due east, and they sideswiped.  Hsu said that the boy walked away from the collision.  The motorist followed and contacted an adult at the residence.  The initial investigation shows that the boy made an illegal left turn, Hsu said.  The boy was wearing a helmet at the time.

 

Showing some love to the Coffee Gallery

The top performers at the Coffee Gallery coffeehouse showed up for a benefit performance last night at Altadena Community Church.  The benefit was to collect enough money for the coffeehouse to pay the onerous county entertainment license fee. 

Duane Thorin served as master of ceremonies.  More pictures after the jump.

Crowd expresses anger and distust at Station Fire meeting, slow pace of answers

Almost two years later, anger remains about the National Forest Service's  handling of Station Fire's early hours, and now those who were affected by the fire are continuing to be angered at the slow pace of the investigation into answers.

That was the mood of the crowd at Congressman Adam Schiff's Station Fire Update meeting Thursday morning at the Altadena Library.  Around 70 people attended the meeting -- and, by a show of hands, about a dozen said that they'd lost homes in the fire.

Schiff's panel included (pictured, left to right) Schiff; Stephen Gaty from the Government Accountability Office, National Resources and Environment team; Tom Harbour, director of fire and aviation for the U.S. Forest Service;  and Marty Dumpis, deputy forest supervisor of the Angeles National Forest.

Among the contentious topics was the balky response by the Forest Service in the earliest hours of the fire.  Harbour said that the forest service, which has not sanctioned night flying for firefighters, is now working with Los Angeles County which can supply helicopters for nightime drops.

The forest service spokespeople couldn't give direct answers as to why -- even if there is a policy against night flying -- firefighting aircraft didn't start at dawn the day after the start of the fire.

But several in the audience -- residents of the Stoneyvale area in Big Tujunga Canyon, many of whom lost their homes -- were not only concerned about the gaffes in fighting the fire, but the slow pace of the government's investigation and their distrust of the Forest Service.

Burt Vorhees, a Stoneyvale resident whose home is still intact,  said that "lies get told repeatedly by the forest service."

Gaty, who is leading the investigation effort called for by Schiff and other California representatives, said that  a full report likely wouldn't be available until the end of the year. 

Also during the meeting, it was announced that about 90,000 closed acres should be opened up this year, and Angeles Crest Highway may be open by Memorial Day.

Man found dead in Chantry Flats Campground -- homicide detectives on their way

Just received word from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department that homicide detectives are en route to Chantry Flats Campground in the Angeles National Forest to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a man.

The victim was a white man, who was discovered about 5:40 PM tonight.  He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff's statement.

 

Weekendin' April 28-May 1

Keep coming back as we refresh the stock ...

Thurs., April 28

• Altadena Chamber of Commerce monthly mixer at Steve's Pets, 2395 N. Lake Ave. 5:30-7 PM.  Members $5, guests $7 (bring in your dog for a quick wash, too!)
• "A Concert By the People and For the People of Altadena" -- and chili tasting -- will be held starting at 7 PM at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr., to raise funds for an entertainment license for the Coffee Gallery coffeehouse.  Hosted by Duane Thorin, with special guest Leslie Perry, the concert features many favorite Coffee Gallery front stage performers.  Donations are gratefully accepted.

Fri., April 29

• Come celebrate Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. on Fri., April 29. There will be crafts in the children's room all day from 10 AM to 6 PM, so drop by and join in anytime.  All children who participate will receive a free bi-lingual book.
• Later in the evening, Alene Terzian and the Zephyr Poets will wrap up poetry month at the library.  Enjoy a delightful evening of fresh images that explore the human condition in a new light with Altadena's poet laureate and friends.  Poets include Shahe Mankerian, Armine Iknadossian, and Tina Demirdjian.  Open readers are invited to the program.  Starts at 7 PM.

Sat., April 30

• E-waste event at Willard School, 301 S. Madre St., Pasadena, from 8 AM to noon.  Looking for computer monitors, TVs, computers, laptops, servers telephone equipent, PDAs, iPods, gaming stystems, fax machine copiers,  calculators, printers, uninterruptible power suppies, cables, telephones, scanners, radio/stereo/DVD/VCR players, etc.  No batteries of any kind or appliances.  Proceeds benefit the Willard annual fund.Join Loma Alta Elementary School, 3544 N. Canon Blvd., for a a final celebration in a morning of "fun, family, and fitness" with a book sale, game booths, face painting, scavenger hunt, fitness walk, and "final mile" marathon to celebrate the school's 60 years of service to the community.  Special guests include PUSD Board members Renatta Cooper and Ramon Miramontes, as well as Pasadena City Councilman Chris Holden.  9 AM-noon 
• Hollywood Comes to Muir Dinner Fundraiser at John Muir HIgh School Cafeteria, 6:30-11 PM. Tickets are $10 for adult, $5 for children 12 and under, and $25 for a family of four, and are available at the door. Please come out and support the John Muir Community.
• The AIDS Service Center's Big Night Out begins with a reception in San Marino and dinners at various stylish homes around the area, including three in Altadena.  Seats are disappearing fast, so call 626-441-8495 x241 for tickets ($250, but reception only tickets are $100).

Sun., May 1

• "At Home in Wild Wood," The Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital's 60th Annual Home Tour features four unique Altadena homes and two gardens. 10 AM-4 PM, tickets $25 in advance, and $35 on the day of the tour. For more information and to buy tickets on line, visit the Altadena Guild of HMH website at www.altadenaguild.org or call (626) 304-4678 .
• Dedication of Old Marengo Park, corner of Marengo and Woodbury Road, 3 PM.
• Celebrate the first birthday of the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2320 N. Fair Oaks, 3-8 PM. Drink specials, jazz, and more fun than you should be allowed to have.
• Reception for Richard Davies exhibit at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave.,  5 - 8 PM

 

Altadena Ale & Wine House: the neighbors with the neighborhood pub

May 1 marks the first birthday for the Altadena Ale & Wine House, and the fulfillment of a dream for Gail and Judah Casburn.

The Casburns, 22-year Altadena residents, have created the pub experience they've always wanted -- and it's only four blocks from home.

"We like to call it the neighborhood pub," says Gail.  Judah chimes in: "Not just Altadena, but people in Pasadena consider it their neighborhood pub ... [Customers]  actually thank us and shake us by the hand for that very reason.   So it is very much a local spot."

Pictured: Gail and Judah Casburn

 

Originally from Yorkshire, England -- "which is where the best beer comes from, but you can't bring it here"  -- Judah moved to California to "get away from the bloody rain."   He and Gail have been married for 23 years.  They became interested in running a pub in the early 1990's because, Judah says, "there was nowhere in the Pasadena area where you could enjoy a pint of good beer or wine at a reasonable price."

What's the difference between a pub and a bar?  "A pub is a place for social intercourse, instead of a place for getting blasted, getting [drunk] ," Judah says.  He compared it to the bars in Old Town Pasadena, which are sports bars, have big TVs, and are very loud and not conducive to conversation.

The Casburns purchased a Pasadena deli and sandwich shop with a beer and wine license -- Lucky Baldwins -- and turned it into nighttime pub.   It enjoyed considerable success, but they ended up selling it to one of their bartenders sometime later. 

"The city of Pasadena was impossible to deal with," Gail says.  "And, with two young kids, it's difficult to raise a family and be away in the evenings."  Judah affirmed that "we decided our kids were the priority," but also says, before the indoor smoking ban, "the smoke was making me ill, it was really getting to me."

Pictured: The Ale & Wine House also offers an extensive wine selection.

After selling Lucky Baldwins, Judah spent some years buying, selling, and renovating British sports cars.  ("I've always been working on old cars, old houses," Judah says.  "We have a home in the south of France we're restoring.")  Gail still keeps a day job teaching math and computer science at Baldwin Park High School.

But as their sons, Gareth and Owen, grew older, the Casburns wanted to find a place where they could create a new pub and put to work Judah's expertise with beer and Gail's with French wine.  A ranchero bar on Fair Oaks went on the market, not far from where they live, and the Altadena Ale & Wine House was born.

Altadena Ale & Wine House celebrates its first anniversary Sunday

The Casburns are celebrating the Altadena Ale & Wine House's first anniversary this Sun., May 1, with a party: an all-out celebration at Altadena's neighborhood pub at 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

The party runs from 5-8 PM Sunday, with music by the Allan Wasserman Jazz Band and beer and wine specials throughout. 

It's one of those days ...

We spent a lot of hours in the dark caverns of medicine yesterday, so we're lagging behind.  (Don't worry, all is well, it was just frustrating and time-consuming.) Should be stories available later this morning, as we have the weekend calendar coming up and a great feature on the Altadena Ale & Wine House.

Also, don't forget today:

10:30 AM - noon: Congressman Adam Schiff will update us on the Station Fire at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

5:30-7:30 PM: Chamber of commerce mixer at Steve's Pets, 2395 N. Lake Ave.

7-?: The Concert for the People fundraiser for the Coffee Gallery frontstage, Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr.

 

More chopper traffic ...

There's been a lot of helicopter traffic today (15 year old rescued in Eaton Canyon earlier today, choppered out to Huntington).  Currently (9 PM) sheriffs are looking for two kids who left a group home, according to the watch commander -- one of them is ten years old, so sheriffs are doing a full court press to find them including using the chopper. Raw scanner traffic says they may have been found, but nothing confirmed as of yet.

Gail Casburn is first declared candidate for town council election

Gail Casburn, co-owner of the Atladena Ale and Wine House (Altadenablog sponsor), said Tuesday that she intends to run for the town council seat in Census Tract 4610.

Casburn -- whose home and business are both in the census tract -- said that as a longtime resident, new local business owner, and educator, she can add an important voice to the council.

The seat is presently held by Gene Campbell.

Casburn and her husband Judah have lived in Altadena for 22 years.  In addition to owning the Ale House (which opened a year ago), she is a mathematics and computer science teacher with the Baldwin Park Unified School District.  The Casburns formerly owned Lucky Baldwin's in Pasadena.

Candidates must file their paperwork at the Altadena Community Center by 5 PM May 10.  More information on applying is available here.

We'll have more on the Casburns and the Ale House in a story tomorrow.

 

Signs opposing controversial school site stolen or destroyed

Palm Street area residents near a contested school location claim that their prominent "No School on Palm" signs were vandalized the same day that the property's owner -- an Arcadia private school -- was circulating flyers to gain neighborhood support for their planned campus.


According to Nancy Rothwell, spokesperson for the Palm St. Area Resident's Association (PSARA), about four or five "No School on Palm" signs were destroyed or removed from the yards of homes directly facing the school property last Friday.  At least one resident called the sheriff, Rothwell said. 

On that same day, residents found flyers in their mailboxes from the property owner, the Arroyo Pacific Academy, that explained its plans for the property.

"We talked to several people who said the person putting out the flyers did this to the signs," Rothwell said, although nobody provided a description of the vandal.  The signs have since been replaced, and, says Rothwell, "we put even more signs out."

The property at 183-205 Palm St. was most recently the site of an unpermitted school shut down by the county in 2009.  It was purchased last November by Philip Clarke, president of the Arroyo Pacific Academy in Arcadia. At the time, Clarke said that he envisioned the Palm St. property as "another campus for our school to be used for specialized work."

Since then, he has applied for a conditional use permit for a 250 student school at the location.  The flyer circulated to residents last week  says that the Arcadia campus is "reaching capacity (150 students) and the school needs facilities for the arts, environment and technology, as well as the standard college prep subjects.  We believe the Palm Street property to be ideally suited to serve as a secondary campus."

Home Shoot Home: giving Altadena the star treatment means giving back

Russ Fega knows how to give your home the Hollywood treatment.

"I was a location manager for 15 years," Fega said, "and I decided about eight years ago to start this company because I have a lot of friends in Altadena who asked 'how can i get filming at my house?'"

The company is Home Shoot Home. Starting with just 30 houses, Fega's Altadena business now represents 800 homes that are available for films and television.

Fega represents homes in Altadena, Pasadena, South Pasadena, and other areas around the San Gabriel Valley.  "There's really nobody else who specializes in areas," Fega said.  "I like to have it very specifically in [the San Gabriel Valley].  I go to the jobs to make sure everything's OK -- it's a much more personal approach for me."

Home Shoot Home "has really grown through word of mouth, rather than anything else," said Fega, who has contacts with 500 scouts and location managers.

Pictured: Russ Fega

House goes Hollywood
How do you get your home on his list?  "People call me all the time.  What I do is send them out a very concise email that tells them generally what I do and how it works.  Then they send me the address, I drive by to assess the home and the neighborhood, and if I'm interested I book an appointment.

"What I look for is a home that has enough room for a crew, the equipment, the actors, all the things that are in there."  About 85% of the shoots are for commercials, Fega said.

It doesn't cost anything to be listed with Home Shoot Home, Fega said.  "I get paid a percentage of what I negotiate for the homeowner, but I always clear the rates with the homeowner."

"All-American homes"  are usually what producers are looking for.   "Palm trees are a bad thing," Fega said, although sometimes there are calls for a specific look, such as Spanish-style homes for "CSI: Miami" that look like Florida.

Giving back
After the success of his business, Fega has started a new project:  "The Altadena Community Chest is something I decided to put together to benefit a large segment of people from Altadena who don't benefit from shooting."

The Altadena Community Chest is a 501 (c)3 organization that collects voluntary donations from the general public, altho'  "I hope that a significant amount of support will come from production companies that film in Altadena," Fega said.  "For years, Altadena has been host to many film projects.  Production companies enjoy the wide variety of architecture and landscapes here, as well as the film-friendly environment.

"As a unincorporated community, however, Altadena does not benefit directly from the filming that takes place here," Fega said.  "Other than those fortunate residents who rent out their homes and businesses, the community, at large, does not get a lot in monetary terms for its cooperation."

Fega said that the Altadena Community Chest plans to make grants to qualified Altadena-based charitable organizations.  Some of the organizations that are listed on the website include Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, Friends of the Library, Five Acres, Altadena Heritage, Altadena Elementary School, and the Altadena Library Foundation.

"[Home Shoot Home] has been a good business for eight years, and now there's a chance to give something back to the community," Fega said.

Home Shoot Home: 626-794-1616, homeshoothome.com

Altadena Communty Chest: altadenacommunitychest.org/

Schiff hosts Station Fire update Thurs. at the Library

Congressman Adam Schiff will host and moderate an update on the Station Fire this Thurs., April 28, from 10:30 AM-noon at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St..

According to a statement from Schiff's office, "Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has worked with local fire agencies, the US Forest Service and many others to learn from what went wrong in the effort to extinguish the fire and implement changes to make sure those mistakes are not repeated. There has been some progress, although much more needs to be done, and Rep. Schiff is hosting a meeting with representatives of the Forest Service and the Government Accountability Office at the Altadena Library to inform residents about these efforts."

Speakers include Tom Harbour, Director of Fire and Aviation, U.S. Forest Service, and Stephen Gaty, Assistant Director, Government Accountability Office, Natural Resources and Environment Team.

 

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Open thread: anonymity, yes or no?

We belong to several formal and informal online discussion groups for people in our business, and (other than serving as an opportunity to talk about the latest local AOL miscue), we discuss things that affect us in our new online news medium.

One of the discussions involves anonymous commenting vs. registration.  Many news sites either never had or have stopped comments by anonymous or pseudonymous commenters, and are requiring commenters to register with a real name.  The rationale behind this is that you get more responsible comments -- people can no longer hide behind a screen name to vent, troll, or babble.  You have to stand behind what you say.

The negative to that is that sometimes people want to use a screen name to make a responsible comment and not have to feel repercussions, i.e., complain about a neighbor.  Having the option of a screen name can make discussion more frank.

Coffee Gallery features the work of Richard Davies in May

The gallery at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, features the work of Richard Davies during the month of May.

Davies is one of Altadena's unique treasures: a former physicist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory who also lived a bohemian artistic life with the likes of Jirayr Zorthian, Richard Feynman, and Albert Hibbs, he is noted as a painter of vibrant colors and cosmic images.

The artist works that are presented in this exhibition consist of two elements: the oil painted images created by Richard Davies, and the unique frames crafted by Richard Benson.  Davies and Benson are former colleagues at the Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory where they pursued efforts to explore the planets in our solar system.

The images in the paintings are extensions of landscapes and skyscapes, all related to the various creations of Mother Nature.  The oil painting techniques are several but the most easily recognizable is the use of pointillism.  The paintings are contemporary in feel because of their abstract construction, but they are nonetheless about something natural.

Once one of these paintings was begun, it took on a life of its own, leaving the painter Davies somewhat at a loss to explain to others his mental processes during the painting.  Davies hopes a viewer will be instantly intrigued by the images and will wish to take a second look and a third and other longer looks.

The materials used in the frames made by Benson are cherry and dark walnut wood that Benson took out of forestland his family owns in Michigan.

Davies has exhibited elsewhere.  Locally he has shown his work at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena and the Gallery at the End of the World on North Lake in Altadena.

Catherine Chan is Library's May artist

“Joie de Vivre,” paintings by Catherine M. Chan, will be on display at the Altadena Library Community Room from May 7-31.

"From her box of paint, Catherine M. Chan presents a record of fleeting moments and images that come like rainbow after the rain. Where there is light, there is colour – Joie de Vivre!"

The exhibit will open with a reception on Sat., May 7, from 4-6 PM at the Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

 

AHA!: Old Marengo Park dedication Sunday

In the 1960's, Los Angeles County realigned Marengo Avenue, it left a roughly triangular patch of dirt on Marengo and Woodbury Road.

But now, thanks to the efforts of residents, Altadena Heritage, and the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy, the dirt patch has become a pocket park of drought-tolerant California native plants and trees: Old Marengo Park.

On Sun., May 1, Altadena Heritage will dedicate the park as an Altadena Heritage Area (AHA!) starting at 3 PM, thanking the organizations that helped turn a vacant dirt lot into a demonstration garden. 

Police log April 15-22: residential burglaries dominate

Fri.,  April  15
Between  6:00  PM  and  7:00  PM  –  A  residential  burglary  occurred  in  the  4400 block  of  Rising  Hill  Road.  Suspect(s)  entered  the  residence  by  removing  the  rear  bathroom  screen  and  prying  the  window.   Loss:  black  Lumix  camera  and  Lumix  camera  lens.  
  
Sun.,  April  17
Between  7:00  PM  and  8:15  AM,  Monday  –  A  petty  theft  from  an  unlocked  vehicle  occurred  in  the  1100 block  of  Mendocino  Street.   Loss:   brown  leather  Merona  purse,  red  Casio  Exlim  camera,  Target  gift  card, blue  hairbrush,  brown  Target  sunglasses,  misc  currency,  and  personal  identification  cards.   
  
Mon.,  April  18
Between  1:20  PM  and  2:00  PM  –  A  petty  theft  occurred  in  the  200 block  of  Acacia  Street.   A  package  was delivered  to  the  front  porch  of  the  residence  and  was  stolen. Loss:   vehicle  clutch  plate.   
  
Thurs.,  April  21
Between  8:00  AM  and  10:30  AM  –  A  residential  burglary  occurred  in  the  2200 block  of  El  Sereno  Avenue. Suspect(s)  entered  the  residence  by  tampering  the  rear  door  lock.   Loss:   burgundy  wallet,  Best  Buy  gift cards,  Pottery  Barn  gift  cards,  and  a  black  Sony  Vaio  20”  laptop.   
  
Friday,  April  22
11:41  AM  –  A  residential  burglary  occurred  in  the  2300 block  of  Garfield  Avenue.   Deputies  responded  and contained  the  location  due  to  the  suspects  being  seen  in  the  area.   Two  suspects  were  apprehended  and taken  into  custody.   Items  stolen  were  recovered in the  immediate  area.

Morning jolt

• 
  Altadenans for Quality Education (Altadenablog sponsor) have revamped their website, calling for support of the Altadena Declaration, the latest refinement in their quest to create a separate, high-achieving school district. 
• LA Weekly's Tanja Laden looks at last weekend's gathering of the Los Angeles Visionaries Association (LAVA), which started off with a presentation by Altadena's Ian Whitcomb at the legendary Clifton's Cafeteria.
• The fine folks at the Altadena Community Garden are featured in a podcast by Cindy Dole of Home Wizards, who talks to Master Gardener Jeri Huston, who taught Victory Garden classes in the Garden.  Sandy Gillis (an ace gardener herself) who talks about how to get started, as well as the Garden's annual picnic and resource fair  (We just put a Square Foot Garden in the backyard and are feeling very earthy right now!)
• The Pasadena Education Network has announced three community meetings next week to discuss the search for the next Pasadena Unified School District superintendent. The community input forums will be: Wed. May 6, 6-8 PM, Muir High School Auditorium; Thurs., May 7, 6-8 PM, Pasadena High School Auditorium; Fri., May 6, 10 AM-12 PM, McKinley School Auditorium.
• Altadenans love our food trucks, and wouldn't you know, somebody's written a book about food trucks and food truck culture.  Here's a review.

 

 

Coffee Gallery "Concert for the People" fundraiser Thursday

Here's the poster for the Coffee Gallery's fundraiser Thursday night at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr., starting at 7 PM.

There's not only music and storytelling, but chili tasting involved in this fundraiser, called "A Concert For the People By the People of Altadena."

This is the second event to raise money for the Gallery's frontstage entertainment license, so donations are gratefully accepted. 

Hosted by Duane Thorin, performers include Leslie Perry, Dave Morrison, Raspin, Garrett Swayne, Mr. McZeal, and Nancy and John Halpin, among others.

Morning jolt: Wild Wood Park and sword-dancing -- only in Altadena!

• PSN's Larry Wilson has a memoir of Wild Wood Park, on Palm east of Holliston (near Bear Country) which is also the scene for this year's Altadena Guild of Huntington Hospital's annual fundraiser on May 1, and  the spring Art on Palm extravaganza May 21.  (It's a private drive, but we used to walk the dog there because we had friends who lived in the Henry Green Valentine cottage!) 
• The fabulous ex-Doo Dah queen MIckie Mills tells about the gig she picked up from performing at the Coffee Gallery -- of course, the gig was belly dancing with swords at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.  But it's all about being in the right place at the right time, which is frequently in Altadena ...

 

... the Lord is risen indeed!

We celebrate Easter in our household, and wish you a happy one! 

UPDATE: We forgot to put in any information about this piece: It's the ending of Mahler's 2nd Symphony in Cm, "Resurrection," conducted by Leonard Bernstein.

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Barks & books @ the Library May 4

Kids age 5-12 can read to Pearl, a loveable rescued poodle from the Pasadena Humane Society at 4 PM Wed., May 4, at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Save the date: next ACONA meeting May 24

ACONA (the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations) has set its meeting and agenda for next month, Tues., May 24, 7-8:30 PM at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Speakers include Tanganica Turner, field representative for Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who will give a brief presentation on group homes in Altadena, and open the floor for your questions.

Altadena Sheriff Lt. Roosevelt Johnson will address the Altadena station's dispatchers: "The dispatchers, who are the first impression of the Altadena Sheriff's Dept., should communicate concern, empathy, clear information, and a speedy response to al callers. It's sad that at many local public meetings we have heard that this is not occurring on a regular basis."

Animal care and control (speaker TBD).

Altadena Guild Home Tour next weekend

The Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital hosts its 60th Annual Home Tour, “At Home in Wild Wood,” featuring four unique Altadena homes and two gardens next Sunday, May 1, 10 AM-4 PM.  TIckets are $25 in advance, and $35 on the day of the tour.

For more information and to buy tickets on line, visit the Altadena Guild of HMH website at www.altadenaguild.org or call (626) 304-4678 .

Easter egg-stravaganza at the Green Carriage House

Tim Borquez enjoys his haul Saturday morning.  Club 21, the organization for young people with Down Syndrome and their families, held an Easter egg hunt this morning at the Col. G. G. Green Carriage House on Santa Rosa, and a good time was had by all.  More pictures after the jump. 

Historical society tells the tale of tile Monday night

Got tile?  If you live a Spanish style home or California craftsman you most likely do.  Bungalows, particularly those in the Pasadena/Altadena area feature tile bathrooms, fireplaces, and floors.  Tiles of bright colors reminiscent of old California are splashed across the interiors of Caltech and Mountain View Mausoleum, too. The Adamson house in Malibu, California, now a State Park, maintains the most comprehensive collection of original historic Malibu tile remaining today.

Please join the Altadena Historical Society on Mon., April 25, 7:30 pm, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.,  for a lecture on the Treasures of the Malibu Potteries presented by William Clark.

Art on Palm spring show May 21 at Wild Wood Park

Pictured: Last year's spring Art on Palm show at Wild Wood Park.  Photo: Bill Westphal.

For one day only artists and artisans will exhibit their work at the 14th bi-annual Art on Palm, held Saturday, May 21st, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. in Wild Wood Park, a secluded canyon garden of Altadena, at 1419 E. Palm Street, Altadena, 91001.

The one-day-only show and sale features ceramics, collage, drawings, encaustic, fabric, fiber, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography, watercolors and woodcarving and turning, 

Encircled by ancient oaks, the canyon setting for Art on Palm is a restorative venue for guests and a stunning backdrop for the artists’ works. According to the event’s co-producer Mary Jane Elgin, “Art on Palm achieves many goals. It selects exceptional artists whose beautifully-realized works attract a discerning clientele to a foothill canyon of remarkable beauty, supports our local economy and raises funds for the West L.A. Fisher House.”

Library used book sale coming May 13-15

The annual Friends of the Altadena Library Used Book Sale is coming May 14-15.  Books, CDs, DVDs, and other things for sale all weekend to benefit the Library and programs.  Members of the Friends of the Library get first crack at them in the pre-sale Friday, May 13.  Click on the graphic for more details.

 

Scissors Paper Rock continues shoe drive for Japan

Altadenablog sponsor Scissors Paper Rock, 1864 N. Allen, lets us know that they're still collecting shoes for Japan in their Soles 4 Souls drive for another week.  Please rubberband or tie shoes together.

Also: enjoy their special Easter baskets (any three Enjoy products 20% off), and lotsof new boutique items and gift certificates for Mother's Day (yes, that's coming up, too!)

 

"The Gift of Jazz" is the Robert Kyle Trio at Altadena Community Church May 7

Moonglow Productions' "The Gift of Jazz" series at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr., is saxophonist Robert Kyle and his Brazilian trio.

The concert starts at 7 PM Sat., May 7, and donations are accepted.

Wasserman Ensemble (big and small) next week.

The Allan Wasserman Jazz Ensemble (a sextet) appears this Tues., April 26, at Big Mama's Rib Shack, 1453 N. Lake, Pasadena, starting at 6:30 PM.

The big band version of the Ensemble (18 members!) will appear down the street at Pinocchio's PIzza, 1449 N. Lake Ave., on Sat., April 30, starting at 8 PM.  Cover charge $4.

Morning jolt

• The county Dept. of Public Works will present an update on the post-Station Fire sediment removal short-term plans at Hahamongna Watershed on Tues., A;pril 26, at the next meeting of the Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee, 6 PM at Flintridge Retreat Center, Roomo 117, 236 W. Mountain St., Pasadena, altho' it sounds like the same presentation we covered here.
• Sounds like the bear who's been running rampant lately has scored some chickens.  PSN has the story of state fish and game officials warning people that the Altadena bear has staked its territory, and your garbage, chickens, and small pets are endangered.
• An Altadena man was arrested by Pasadena police after trying an automobile break-in.  Elvis Cabral, 30, was already on parole but was found with a backpack with suspected stolen electronics in it.  PSN has details

 

Town council candidate packets available today

Application packets for candidates for Altadena Town Council are available starting today at the Altadena Community Center; 730 East Altadena Drive, between 8 AM-5 PM Monday through Friday.  

Completed applications will need to be returned to the clerk at the Community Center IN A SEALED ENVELOPE along with a non-refundable application fee of $35 by 5 PM May 10.  Candidates will need to have been residents for the last two years, and be registered voters in Los Angeles County.

A candidate’s forum is scheduled for May 17 during the regular town council meeting. 

Town Council consists of two representatives from each of the eight census tracts in Altadena, with each representative serving an alternating two-year term.  Meeting the  third Tuesday each month, the Council’s 16 members are elected as an advisory body that communicates and coordinates residents’ needs with public agencies and to Supervisor Michael Antonovich of the Fifth District, Altadena’s official representative on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.              

Any resident interested in serving their community as a town council representative is encouraged to pick up an application package and return it by May 10.  Census tract maps can be viewed a altadenatowncouncil.org

 Up-to-date election information can be found at our Town Council election page.

New Altadena Chamber coupons available

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce has released its new coupons, which are available at our coupon page here.  Coupons are also available at merchants around town.

Represented merchants this month are the Altadena Golf Course, Body Freedom, Dr. Jon M. Postajian, Sun Realtors, We R Paw People, and Arbonne International.

 

CERT refresher drill reset for June 4 at PasNaz

from Carolyn Seitz

The date for the CERT/PERT Refresher and Drill has been changed.  This refresher and drill is for those who have already been CERT or PERT trained.

Please plan to be with us for this important exercise:

DATE:            Saturday, June 4, 2011

TIME:             8:00 am to Noon

PLACE:      The First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena
                     3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard
                     Pasadena, California  91107

This event is co-sponsored and co-hosted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Pasadena Fire Department.

It will be a very full morning.  Please to be onsite, parked and ready to check in around 7:30 am so we can start on time.

An E-Vite will be distributed in the next few days with instructions for reserving your space.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks.
Carolyn

cmseitz@mindspring.com

 UPDATE:  You MUST register to attend, and registration is here.

"Adventures of a Mt. Wilson Telescope Operator" at the Library Sat.

PJ Sallave-Goldfinger tells what it’s like to operate Mt. Wilson Observatory’s CHARA Array and the famous 100-inch Hooker Telescope.

A research technician for Mt. Wilson Observatory’s CHARA Array, Ms. Sallave-Goldfinger gives an informative talk on the adventurous undertaking of running this coordinated array of six telescopes.  This free lecture will be held tomorrow, Sat., April 23, at 2:30 PMin the Community Room of the Altadena Public Library.  It is being presented as a public service by the Mt. Wilson Observatory, and all are welcome. 

Ms. Salave-Goldfinger, who describes herself as “an amateur astronomer at heart,” has worked at Mount Wilson Observatory for over ten years.  She presents a unique and enjoyable discussion about this mountain observatory and her interesting experiences there.

The Altadena Library is at 600 E. Mariposa St.  

For more information about this lecture, contact Bob Eklund, lecture coordinator, at (310) 216-5947 or beklund@sprynet.com.  For information about Mt. Wilson Observatory, go to: www.mtwilson.edu.

Photo of the 100-inch Hooker telescope by Steve Gerow.

Work party at Silver Moccasin Trail tomorrow

Forwarded to us from the Altadena Ale & Wine House, a chance to do some good work in the forest tomorrow (but you have to let them know NOW):

Hey Trail Runners, Trail Riders, Trail People, Mt. Disappointment Race Conservation Group is having a trail work outing this Saturday, April 23, 2011.

It will be from the Westfork Trail Camp out on the floor of the Silver Moccasin Trail canyon floor.  Truly this is a remarkable part of forest history in the Angeles.  Very badly burned above, the Silver Moccasin has sustained bad flood damaage caused by the runoff  of two wet years with no vegetation slowing down the flow.     Be ready to work and be part of the recovery!

Things to bring for trail-work (USFS wants proper clothing…please try).

•   Hat, gloves, long pants, bring a long-sleeve shirt, sturdy shoe/boots

•   NO Sandals, no fabric shoes (please try…but don’t stay home)!

•   Sunscreen, Ivy Block, bug repellant, netting if preferred.

•   Food & water (enough for a full day’s hike/work).

•   Personal first-aid kit, band-aids, blister kits.

•   The USFS will supply the Hard Hats (yes Hard Hats).

•   People have gotten injured so by law we must be OSHA compliant.

You MUST e-mail Gary during the week before the trail-work day so we have enough tools!!

 

Lost cat: Lucky, 13

(Unfortunate juxtiposition, that!)

Leonardo emails:

Our cat lucky got out last week and hasn't come back. If anyone has seen him please let us know.

He is 13 but in fairly good health.

We live on Wapello between Lake and Fair Oaks. We last saw him last Thursday. I figure he's gone but worth a try to see if anyone has seen him.

Call 310.994.9025 or email: leonardo@railproductions.com

Happy Earth Day -- 60's flashback edition, with special appearance by Elvis!

 

With photo and video courtesy Donna Barnes Roberts and Duane Thorin, three 60's musical icons visited Tim "Zeke the Sheik" Dundon in his Altadena jungle yesterday in an early celebration of Earth Day.

Says Duane: "Every year when Spring hits, Altadenans flock to Mr. Dundon's yard or call him up for the best compost in town. Here are some celebrity musicians who frequently play the Coffee Gallery in Altadena, paying their respects to one of Altadena's most famous citizens, the Compost King of Southern California. The occasion is Earth Day, with the amazing Mr. Dundon ready and willing to drop a full truck load of great compost for your organic garden for the mere cost of gas to get it there. Leigh Adams of the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia recently described Tim Dundon as the single most important figure in organic gardening in the entire area."

From left to right:

Tim Dundon, who provides a jungle home for many birds, including "Elvis," the turkey in the photo.

Barry McGuire was in the New Christy Minstrels, then came out with "Eve of Destruction" as a solo.  He also was the lead in the Broadway production of "Hair" (a role he probably wouldn't get today!).

Terry Kirkman was a founding member of the Association, and wrote the hit "Cherish".

John York was a member of the band that started folk rock, the Byrds. 

All of these cats frequently play or frequent The Coffee Gallery in Altadena, 2029 N. Lake Ave. (Barry and John played a sold out show Thursday night, and York will be appearing there as "Byrds and Beyond" on June 30)

-----------

We confess that we have no idea what Dundon's talking about.

Water war: Rubio Canon gets restraining order against husband of ex-employee, sends warning to shareholders

Last month, at the Altadena Community Center, there was something unusual at the annual meeting of the Rubio Canon Land & Water Association: security guards.

Pictured:  the water district's
warning was put just above
the water bill drop slot last week.

Last week,  the water association put out a message warning that  "a purported shareholder of Rubio is spreading false rumors and innuendo regarding the business and operation of Rubio and its directors and employees."  The urgent message also says that "this individual is also reportedly going door to door requesting signatures on petitions ... Should you feel harassed or violated by this individual in any manner, you should contact local law enforcement."

The object of all this attention, water company staff say,  is Richard Vartanian, who has mounted a crusade against the water company after it dismissed his wife, Elvira, a 30-year water company employee.  Vartanian said that, now that she no longer works there, he is free to say what he thinks about the water company and the members of its board.