altadenablog

"This is the people's bid": the nail-biting drama of the Cobb Estate

Bob Barnes told the dramatic story of the purchase of the Cobb Estate  Monday night -- and has a surprise reunion with the student who made it possible.

by Laura Monteros

Maggie Stratton has impeccable timing and a flair for the dramatic.

She had it on Oct. 1, 1971, when she led a band of students in claiming the Cobb Estate for the people in an eleventh-hour nail biter of an auction. She had it on Monday night when she stood up at the end of Bob Barnes’ presentation and announced, “I am Maggie Stratton.”


Pictured: "I am Maggie Stratton."

Barnes, a social studies teacher at John Muir High School who was instrumental in organizing students and raising money to purchase the 107-acre estate to keep it out of the hands of developers, had lost track of the girl he had worked with so closely for eight days in 1971.  He had no clue that she was sitting in the middle of the audience, listening to make sure the story was told correctly.

And what a story it is.

The call to action
Barnes was the speaker last night at the Altadena Historical Society's presentation on the acquisition of the Cobb Estate, the hiking area behind the gates at the top of Lake Avenue.  As Barnes told it, it was a story full of suspense and game-changing events, and at the last minute good prevailed in a way as corny as the ending of a Frank Capra film.  But it really happened.

Back in 1971, Barnes was only filling in for a colleague who was the faculty advisor of the Muir Conservation Club when he drove Maggie, the president of the club, to a conservation meeting on a September evening.  The topic of the meeting was the impending sale of the Cobb Estate, a former grand estate that had sunk to dereliction and finally disappearance, as the land changed hands many times over the years.  Formerly owned by the Marx Brothers, among others, a developer was now eyeing the estate for a housing development, which raised the alarms of the Audobon Club and other conservationists.

“We need help from the community and the young people here tonight,” Barnes remembers the leaders of the Audubon Society saying.  He slunk lower in his seat as Maggie sat taller in hers.

“Barnes, we need to do this,” she told him.

Millard Creek: and now, foam

Millard Creek suffered yet another insult this weekend.  After being shut off for almost three days last week -- endangering the frogs, newts, and other riparian life -- a large amount of pungent, soapy foam was reported in the creek on Saturday and Sunday.

Emails from wildlife biologist Lori Paul, who has been following the creek story all week, said that she was informed of "a very large quanitity of thick suds and foamy bubbles" that filled the creek starting Saturday morning.  The foam reportedly smelled like "body odor" or "dirty socks,"  and tapered off in the afternoon.  The sighting was also confirmed by Lonnie Fehr, the campground host.

However, on Sunday, Paul reported big clumps of suds were again floating in the creek.  Her calls to Lincoln Ave. Water, which diverted the creek early last week, found them denying it was part of their work, but water company employees did report red and discolored water from their dam above the Millard Creek waterfall, which they blame on chemical fire retardant used to fight the Station Fire.

The source of the foam is being investigated.

Photos:  Lori Paul shares photos she received that claim to document Satuday's foam release.

Hahamongna plan goes to Pasadena City Council

Mary Barrie of the Friends of Hahamongna has sent out the following email about the city of Pasadena's plans for our neighbor, Hahamongna Watershed Park:

Friends,

At long last it looks like the Hahamongna Annex Plan is finally going to the Pasadena City Council.  The hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2010 at 7:30 pm in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, 100 N. Garfield St.
 
And what a plan it is!
 

Water quality: you can even say it glows

Siddharth Dasgupta at Zane Grey Terrace points us out to this chart as part of a New York Times story about water quality -- for those of us who use Rubio Canyon Land & Water Assn. have good water quality (except for the mild radioactivity!)

Free oil filter @ Kragen Auto Parts Dec. 12

Merry Christmas again:  as if there isn't enough to do next Saturday, Kragen Auto Parts is offering a free oil filter if you bring in a used one (but we don't think they want you to open the hood and swap filters in the parking lot!)  It's from 10 AM-2 PM at Kragen, 737 E. Altadena Dr.

Altadena Heritage energy efficiency workshop Nov. 14

Altadena Heritage continues its "Altadena: Heritage of Abundance" series with a workshop on Sat., Nov. 14, 9-11 AM at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Join us for a morning of sustainable strategies to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Speakers include Andrew Durben and Devon Hartman of Hartman/Baldwin design/build, and David Ford of Southern California Edison.  Free for members, $5 donation for non-members.

Please RSVP to (626) 797-0054 or altadenaheritage@earthlink.net

Boneheads on the loose at Cobb Estate

Janette Williams of PSN writes in this morning's paper that six Audobon Society interpretive signs, installed 18 months ago on the Cobb Estate at a cost of $11,000, have instead become magnets for vandalism -- excuse us, canvases for graffiti art.  Now, as someone once cautioned us, "there is actually a history to the role that graffiti art plays in our culture, and that in some quarters it IS considered art" -- apparently people are upset, anyway.  Michele Zack makes a good point in the story that the signs probably weren't well-thought-out, anyway -- a sad but true commentary on the state of things.

Altadena Heritage efficient irrigation workshop Aug. 29

From Michele Zack, we receive word that Altadena Heritage is holding a morning of presentations and practicum on making every precious drop of water count. 

Zack will speak on "Eaton's Water: Altadena's first irrigation system."  Tom Poplin of Horizon Landscaping will talk about irrigation systems, water-saving landscape practices, and retrofitting existing systems for efficient irrigation.  J. Harold Mitchell of Irrigation and Landscape Supplies will answer all your questions.

In addition, attendees will critique the irrigation system at the Altadena Community Center, where the event is being held.  9-11 AM on Sat., Aug. 29, free to Altadena Heritage members, and $5 suggested donation for non-members.  Please RSVP at (626) 797-0054 or altadenaheritage@earthlink.net

New restrictions on Pasadena water users

Monica Hubbard shared with us this press release from the Pasadena Dept. of Water and Power.  Pasadena provides water for many Altadena residents, and new water waste restrictions are going into place July 4.  Other water districts will probably follow suit, after the jump:

Hazardous waste and e-waste roundup at the Rose Bowl today

Household Hazardous Waste and eWaste Collection Event

*Rose Bowl Parking Lot "K"
*June 20 9am to 3 pm

They are accepting:

Batteries
Chemicals
Paints
Household products
Automotive fluids and batteries
Many other items...

PLUS:
eWaste electronic itmes: computers, TVs, montiors

Go to this link for more info:
www.ladpw.org/epd/hhw/

Sustainable Altadena draws an abundant crowd

Attendees enjoy some home-grown produce at Altadena Heritage's "Heritage of Abundance" workshop at the Community Center this morning.  Besides all the backyard goodies, those attending heard speakers on a variety of topics on making Altadena a more sustainable place to live and were entertained by Ian Whitcomb on the piano.

Photo: Monica Hubbard

Hazmat roundup today

The county is running its hazardous waste roundup today (see story here) but we were fed bad information -- the corner of Figueroa and Grandeur is EAST of Lincoln.  Anyway, it looks like this:

******

View Larger Map

View Larger Map

And in related news, we got a note from Laura Steen Mulfinger, who helped organize Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church's e-waste roundup last month, saying that they collected over 8 tons of electronic waste, "including 7,173 pounds of TVs and computer monitors".
!

Hazardous Waste Roundup May 16 at County Maintenance Yard

SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2009

UNINCORPORATED ALTADENA
LA County DPW Maintenance Yard
Figueroa Drive and Grandeur Ave.
(Between Mountain View and Figueroa, west of Lincoln Ave.)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Sponsored jointly by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the Department of Public Works. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program gives Los Angeles County residents a legal and cost free way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash.
THINGS WE WANT YOU TO BRING...

* Motor Oil, Antifreeze, Paint, Paint Thinner.
* Turpentine, Cleaners with Acids or Lye.
* Pesticides and Herbicides.
* Household and Car Batteries.
* Old Computers and Television Sets.
* Sharps or Used Needles.
* Expired Pharmaceuticals and Mercury Thermometers.

THINGS WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BRING...

* Explosives, Ammunition or Radioactive materials.
* Waste from Businesses will NOT be accepted.
* Trash or Old Tires.
* White Goods such as Washers, Stoves, Refrigerators or Air Conditioners.
* Controlled Substances.

HOW TO PREPARE...

* In general there is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 lbs. per vehicle.
* Bring items in a sturdy box, preferably in their original labeled containers.
* Be prepared to leave your containers.
* Do not mix products together.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:

* THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS - (800) 238-0172

Altadenan sets up her own solar system

.. to generate electricity -- what were you thinking?  Mel Malmberg uses the Hometown Pasadena blog to tell how she wired up her Altadena home with solar power (probably isn't working today!)

Update 4/23: (Colleen Bates of Hometown Pasadena tell us that Mel is short for "Melody," so we've corrected everything!)

County debuts new solar mapping program

Happy Earth Day everybody.

Alerted to this from the formidable C Jake:

Los Angeles County officials today unveiled a solar mapping program that will allow homeowners and businesses to go online to determine if their properties are good candidates for solar power.

The program uses roof size, pitch and shading from nearby trees, buildings and mountains to provide a building’s solar potential and the potential value of installing solar panels.

By typing in an address, a person will learn the property’s roof size, area suitable for solar panels, electricity produced, electricity savings, carbon reduction, nearby solar installations and case studies, available rebates from utility companies, and information about installers.

The level of detail provided means that residents and solar installers do not need to go up on every roof to see if it can support solar, saving time and money. Solar installers will be able to give more detailed estimates based on specific situations, but the solar portal provides generally accurate guidelines of what can be expected.  The ultimate goal is to make the website a one-stop solar shop for residents and businesses.

Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Zev Yaroslavsky praised the project, saying it will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.

The new website -- available at solarmap.lacounty.gov – went live today and will be featured Wednesday – Earth Day – at the National Conversation on Climate Action all-day conference in Los Angeles, which is part of a national effort to fight global warming.

It is the largest solar map in terms of geographic area in the world, covering 3,000 square miles, said Acting Chief Information Officer Richard Sanchez, whose department developed the site in conjunction with the Internal Services Department.

E-waste roundup Sat. @ Christ the Shepherd

Remember:  Altadenablog sponsor Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, 185 West Altadena Drive (corner of Altadena Drive and Glenrose) is holding a free E-waste recycling event on April 25th from 9-4.  Drive in and drop off! 

Proceeds will help support the church's work with community organizations that help the poor and homeless, such as the Altadena Food Pantry and the Bad Weather Shelter, along with maintaining their ability to host a number of substance abuse recovery groups that serve more than 500 people weekly. 

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church holds e-waste roundup April 25

You would think the Lutherans would be more into composting (Diet of Worms and all), but no, they're about the e-cycling!

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, 185 West Altadena Drive (corner of Altadena Drive and Glenrose) is holding a free E-waste recycling event on April 25th from 9-4.  Drive in and drop off! 

Proceeds will help support the church's work with community organizations that help the poor and homeless, such as the Altadena Food Pantry and the Bad Weather Shelter, along with maintaining their ability to host a number of substance abuse recovery groups that serve more than 500 people weekly.  

JPL breaks ground on water cleanup plant

From PSN, ground was broken for a water cleanup plant at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  As were many rocketry research sites (such as the Rocketdyne Santa Susanna test site in the San Fernando Valley), the water around JPL is polluted with perchlorate.  The water will be cleaned, disinfected, and put in the Pasadena water supply.

Only the Pasadena city council can fell a tree ...

Pasadena Star News has been on top of the insane idea of the Pasadena City Council  and the merchants to remove the ficus and carrotwood trees along Colorado Boulevard, and replace them with sparse ginko trees (like the ones that have been dying for about a decade in front of the Playhouse) and the ever-popular fan palm (which is not only an invasive species, but possesses all the character of a telephone pole).  Larry Wilson's column in the Wednesday PSN (which is online now) looks at some of the objections, and quotes mega-tree-huggers Lori Paul and Susanna Dodd of Altadena.  The mature trees are major reasons why we like to hang out at Vromans and not the heat sink that is Old Town during the summer.

NASA releases JPL water cleanup report

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has released a report for 2008 on efforts to clean up chemicals from the groundwater along the site.  Some of the groundwater affects wells from Lincoln Ave. Water, which serves Altadena, and Pasadena Water and Power.  (Click images to enlarge).  There's also a website, http://jplwater.nasa.gov/, that updates cleanup progress.

(thx to Alice Wessen)

Altadena Crest Trail meeting Tues. @ 7

The next meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working
Group (ACTRWG) will take place this Tuesday, 7 PM, at the Altadena
Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive (just W. of Lake Ave, adjacent
to the Altadena Sheriffs Station, and across the street from Rite
Aid). All are welcome!

Arroyo council honors Michele Zack

Planning a major update later today (last Saturday before the holiday -- uber-busy, as are you, probably), but this rates first post of the day:

The Council of Arroyo Seco Organizations honored Altadena's own Michele Zack during their 2008 Arroyo Verde Awards.  PSN's Steve Scauzillo says:

Zack has been a tireless advocate for cleaning up the arroyo and serves on the Town Council's Watershed Committee. She also knows alot about the origins of water and development in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre. She's the author of the highly praised book on the history of Altadena called "Altadena: Between Wilderness and City" and wrote the story for the 15-minute docudrama "Eaton's Water."

I'm glad to see CASO giving credit where credit is due.

Indeed!

Altadena Crest Trails meeting 7 PM tonight

Just received:

Trail-interested Folks --

The next meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working
Group (ACTRWG) will take place this Tuesday, 7 PM, at the Altadena
Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive (just W. of Lake Ave, adjacent
to the Altadena Sheriffs Station, and across the street from Rite
Aid). All are welcome!

Robert Ettleman, County Parks & Rec. rep. to the ACTRWG, has let us
know that Manny Moreno (also from County Parks & Rec.) will attend
tonight to discuss volunteer training and opportunities. Please come
to learn how you can help maintain our local trails, benefit from
learning new skills, and enjoy outdoor exercise.

For those who asked, we are unsure if other County representatives or
anyone from Sapphos Environmental will be present. We hope so, but
they have not been at recent meetings. If we hear from them, we will
let you all know.

With any luck, an agenda will follow by email or at the meeting.

See you there,
Robert Staehle, Meetings Chair
Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG)
Steering Committee

Millard campground gets the LA Times treatment

"Adventure on the urban edge" is what the LA Times calls Millard Campground in a story today.  Wilderness just two miles from Starbuck's, the feature includes an interview with camp host Lonnie Fehr.

Eco-art at Eaton Canyon

The Cali-Fauna blog has an appreciation of an improvised bit of natural artwork at the Eaton Canyon Falls -- fortunately, it's not graffiti!

More weed-whackers needed at Millard Canyon Nov. 8

This message from Mike Hickman, who is spearheading the Millard Canyon Conservation Project, is making the rounds -- more whacking non-native plants next Saturday:

Hi Gang!

Well, our 2nd volunteer work day is behind us. I am thrilled to say that we are making some real progress. It is really great to see the  rocks and streambed and natural terrain again after so many years of  being overgrown and covered with weeds. There's plenty more to do, but  our efforts are having a significant positive impact, especially  considering the relatively short time we've been working.

I want to thank everyone who has come out and worked (and Betsy for  letting us troop through her yard to get into the canyon). Each  person's contribution is important, and the results are evident at the  end of each work day.

I also want to thank several of you who have learned of the Project and  contacted me to volunteer (and please, continue to spread the word!).

On that note, I'll mention the next volunteer work day is scheduled for SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 9AM.

As usual, we will meet in my driveway at 9am sharp, take a short hike into the canyon and work for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Gloves, tools, water and snacks will be provided.

Long pants and hiking boots are a must and I recommend bringing a long  sleeve shirt.

If you have any questions, you can contact me at (626) 398-6471 or  vht@att.net

Thanks again for your support and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Mike Hickman

St. Mark's school goes green

PSN has a story today on St. Mark's Episcopal School's program of healthy, wasteless lunches, thanks to two local operations, Green Apple Gourmet and Wasteless Living.

Scratched and sore, Millard Canyon neighbors go weed-huntin'

The hyperkinetic Alice Wessen sends us this missive about a cleanup around Millard Canyon:

This is a very sensitive and important wildlife corridor and, for the past several years, the area of Millard Canyon below the road crossing has been invaded by an increasingly varied group of non-native weeds that are choking out everything else and seriously threaten the ecosystem.

A $25,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through their "Partners for Fish and Wildlife" program has been received to begin addressing this problem.  The grantees are working in cooperation with the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy and have also attracted the attention of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

A few folks (including yours truly) got together this last Saturday Oct 25th and we cleaned out about 1,000 feet of streambed, pulling out non natives that had choked the area. The group photo shows us after our work. We are scratched up and are sore, but it was a great day.

Group Photo:
John and Michiko Lynch, Mindy Hickman, Alice Wessen, Eric Hochberg
Photo by Mike Hickman.
Also helping John Kimble (not shown)

Mike's contact info for folks who would like to volunteer in the future is:
Mike Hickman
vht@att.net, or by phone at 626.398.6471

Altadena Crest Trail meeting 7 PM tonight

The next meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) will be tonight at the  Altadena Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive.

Green California "Community College Summit" Oct. 8-9

From the never-downshifting Monica Hubbard comes word that Green California will be holding a Community Colleges Summit at the Pasadena Convention Center next week.  The emphasis is not only on "greening" the campus, but using community college resources to train tomorrow's workforce in the "green economy."  For more information, check out their website here.

Environmentalists rendezvous Sat., Sept. 13 @ Eaton Canyon

Join leaders of Pasadena-area environmental groups in an informal setting
and learn about their activities and programs.  Gather at 4:30 pm, informal
presentations at 5:00 pm, potluck picnic at 6 pm, under the oaks at Eaton
Canyon Park Outdoor Classroom.  The Classroom is south of the Nature Center
located at 1750 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena.   From the 210 Freeway in
Pasadena, take Altadena Drive north about 1.5 miles; about 500 feet after
 crossing New York Drive, turn right into the park.

All are welcome.  Bring a dish serving 6-8 people.  Beverages, plates and
utensils will be provided. For information and to RSVP, contact coordinator
 Ginny Heringer at 626-793-4727 or ginnyh@ix.netcom.com.

Water wasters may face $$$ penalties

Got the heads up on this from Monica Hubbard:  since many Altadena residents get their water from the city of Pasadena, it's worthwhile to note that the Pasadena municipal water utility is considering increasingly-harsh penalties  for water wasters.  Other water companies will likely fall in line behind this action.  Here's the note from Pasadena after the jump:

E-waste & document shredding roundup in Pasadena

Local Realtor Claire Smith tells us that her firm, Keller Wiliams Pasadena, will host an event tomorrow, Sept. 6, where they will shred documents free of charge and hold a drop-off point for old computer parts and electronics.  There will be food!

In addition, Keller Williams is askng for donations to their in-house charity, "KW Cares," which Claire says donated twice to Katrina victims as the National Association of Realtors. 

We don't have a time for it yet, but the location is  45 South Fair Oaks, Pasadena- parking behind KW's building, just north of California.

Altadena "green" home featured

Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch segment has a feature on an Altadena couple's "green" home staging.  The home is for sale -- and it's got a slammin' website of its own.

Caltech does recycling

Did you know that Caltech has a recycling center that processes darn near everything? And is open to the public? And can even take your e-waste the first Wednesday of the month?  This website gives the deets.

(from Monica Hubbard, some time ago -- she just works too hard!)

Foothill Municipal Water Dist. looking for docent volunteers

Foothill Municipal Water District and its retailers (which include Rubio Canon Land & Water Assn. and Lincoln Ave. Water Co.) are forming a volunteer Water Conservation Team.  Team members will spend a few hours each week in the community, spreading the word that water conservation is a necessary way of life.

Docents will be speaking to clubs and organizations, staffing water conservation booths at community functions, assisting in the office compiling and interpreting water use data, and making recommendations about additional activities "that will make our foothills the gold standard of water conservationists."

No experience is needed: "We are looking for enthusiastic, involved people in the community who can spare a few hours each week.  We will train you, which includes tours of local water facilities, and we will provide all the materials you need including identifying polo shirts and caps."

Call (818) 790-4036 or fill out the form at www.fmwd.com.

Sierra Club looks at Rubio Canyon restoration

On August 6, 2008, at the Sierra Club Pasadena Group's monthly meeting, Mike McIntyre, district ranger for the Los Angeles River Ranger District of Angeles National Forest will present a slide-illustrated program concerning current plans for restoring Rubio Canyon and will provide an update on other environmental issues in his ranger district.

Social hour begins at 7:00 pm, program starts at 7:30 pm.  The meeting will be held, as usual, at Eaton
Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N Altadena Dr. Pasadena. For additional information see the Group's website at

http://angeles.sierraclub.org/pasadena.

LIncoln Ave. Water cuts back

Lincoln Avenue Water Co., which serves northwest Altadena, has put a moratorium on new hookups and issued a water supply alert to its customers, PSN's Janette Williams reports.  A conservation program started a year ago to cut water use 10 percent has worked, but if the water isn't there, it isn't there.   Lincoln Avenue Water has several sources, and they're all running low in this drought year.

E-waste roundup at Business Technology Center July 25

This in from the BTC:

The BTC will sponsor a community wide electronic waste round-up in the parking lot. Bring items from home, clean out offices & garages, and tell your friends. It is now mandatory that all electronic waste is collected and handled separately from other trash and hazardous waste.

Be a part of the solution and help the environment.
Friday, July 25, 2008
10AM to 2PM
2400 N Lincoln Ave
Altadena** CA 91001

        Contact Ingrid Goodman at 626.296.6302 or Ingrid.Goodman@lacdc.org

Items Accepted: TV's & Monitors, Computers, Cell Phones, VCR & DVD Players, Fax Machines, Phones & Systems, Printers, Stereos, Modems, PDA'S, Power Strips , Cables & more. Visit

www.californiarecycles.com

for a compete list of electronic recyclables and further details about recycling.

--

Altadena Crest Trail meeing 7 PM tonight

Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG -- how is that pronounced?) will be meeting today at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Another look at Henninger Flats & Mt. Wilson toll road

A.D. Odom at State & Lake blog gives a firsthand look at the toll road slide closure.

Hen-Anger Flats

LA Times' Julie Sheer has a piece about the work that is being done -- or not being done -- on the three-year-old slide on the Mt. Wilson Toll Road. Work will start this fall.  Maybe.

On a more positive note,  Metblogs has a piece on the Gabrielino Trail, which is still open.

Altadena Crest Trails meeting Tues. 7 PM @ Community Center

The Altadena Crest Trail Restoration working group will have their monthly meeting tomorow.

STAT looks for support

Flush with victory, but Save the Altadena Trails is looking for a hand:

Hello Save the Altadena Trails (STAT) supporters.

It is likely you have learned of the recent victory in the case of Los Angeles County vs. La Vina Home Owners Association (HOA), which was well covered in the Pasadena Star News.

On April 22, 2008, the Honorable Joseph F. De Vanon ruled in the case of the County of Los Angeles v. La Vina Homeowners Association. In short, Judge De Vanon rejected each and every one of the HOA’s defenses to the County’s position that the trails were promised to the people in the development process and the promise must be fulfilled.

Altadena Crest Trails discusses La Vina May 13

From ACT:

All People interested in Altadena Trails--

The next meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working 
Group will take place this Tuesday [at the Altadena Community Center}.  All are welcome.
A County representative has agreed to describe the route of the ACT 
recently affirmed by Court ruling in the vicinity of the La Vina 
development.

We look forward to seeing you there,
Robert Staehle
Meetings Chair
Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group Steering Committee

Commuter dumps the bus, gets a car

Is this called "going brown?"

LA TImes business section profiles Cliff Moore.  The Altadenan used to ride the bus for four hours every day to get to his job in Sun Valley and back.  Now, in his own car, it takes 25 minutes.

Bus service is very Wonderland-like around here.  When Altadenablog was young, lived in Arcadia and worked in the Wilshire District, a bus stopped in front of his apartment, took him to El Monte where he'd hop an express bus, and it dropped him in front of his office, 75 minutes total time, tops.

But, when we were older, lived in West Pasadena and worked downtown -- a considerably shorter distance -- it would've taken us 25 minutes just to hike to the bus stop.  Spending an hour just on foot for the commute seemed like diminishing returns to us.  Driving one way took 45 minutes to an hour total.

Something else for the mix ...

Can you garden?

Larry Wilson's blog has a picture of Altadena sculptors and landscapers Karen Bonfigli and Andreas Hessing and their contribution to the L.A. Garden Show section on gardens in cans.

Mt. Wilson bikers pancake @ Cobb Estate Sun.

The Mt. Wilson Bicycling Association will hold its 19th annual  fundraising pancake breakfast, starting with a 7 a.m. ride, then breakfast from 8-10 AM Sunday at Cobb Estate at Lake Ave. and Loma Alta Dr.

This year's fundraiser, which benefits MWBA's Save the Trails campaign, will feature guests Keith Bontrager and Gary Fisher.

Suggested donations are $12 per person. For information, visit www.mwba.org

Echo Mountain Hike/Picnic April 26

If you're a fan of the Mt. Lowe Railway and assorted ancient tourist spots, Altadena Conservancy has a hike for you this weekend!

ECHO MOUNTAIN RAIL FAN PICNIC

April 26,2008 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Meet at the north end of Lake Ave. in Altadena at 7:30 AM.

Carpools will be organized and will depart at 8:00 AM

After arriving at the Cape of Good Hope there will be a one-mile hike 
down the railway grade to Echo Mountain.

Tour of the mountain complex will include

• Seeing remnants of the Echo Mountain House and Chalet Hotels
• The power plants, tennis courts, observatory, Zoo, Section House, 
• Cable house and Incline.
• See ongoing work performed by the volunteer groups.

For reservations email or call Brian at:

emworks@verizon.net or call 562-868-8919

There will be a limited number of visitors.

We will be behind a locked gate and those attending will be required 
to stay with the group from 8:00 AM to 1:00PM

Chaney Trail cleanup May 3

Altadena Foothlls Conservancy has planned a brush clearance along Chaney Trail on May 3.  Sounds like a vigorous spring activity that will help our foothils, too.  The announcement:

            Dear Neighbors & Friends
We're doing it early this year...clearing the flammable brush off 
the Altadena Foothills Conservancy land along Chaney Trail that many 
of you helped purchase.  Growth has been modest, and progress from 
prior years has made the job easier, but we still need all your help 
to make the job go fast, and our neighborhood even safer.

Please contribute a couple of hours of your time to help clear brush 
off AFC's land.  Refreshments will be served, and you'll meet new 
people who also care about our land.

We need your help Saturday, May 3, doing County-mandated brush 
clearance near the road and the two houses opposite the land 
preserved by Altadena Foothills Conservancy on the west side of 
Chaney Trail. The Altadena Crest Trail crosses the NW portion of this 
triangular parcel.

Start time is 8:00 AM; however, you can come later, if need be.   
Meet on Chaney Trail just above the intersection at Alzada Road and 
above the Chaney Trail Gate. You'll see me there, or down on the 
slope below. Please come for an hour, or more if you can.  The 
earlier we start, the cooler it is.  We plan to quit by noon, but you 
can leave earlier if you need to. Many hands make for light work!

I