altadenablog

Tiny Tot T-Ball registration starts Monday

Registration for Farnsworth Park's Tiny Tots T-Ball League (for ages 3-5) will start Mon., Feb. 13, and run though March 17.  Late registration is March 17-28.

Cost is $50 ($60 after March 17), which includes uniform, trophy, and banquet.  The season starts April 2.

Volunteers are needed to help coach teams.  If you'd like to volunteer, please talk to the park's staff.

Registration is at Farnsworth Park 568 E. Mt. Curve.  Phone 626-798-6335.

 

Alexis Genske makes All-Area Player of the Year

The Glendale News-Press has a story on Altadena's Alexis Genske, a senior at Pasadena Poly, who was voted the All-Area Girls' Volleyball Player of the Year by the sports writers and editors of the Pasadena Sun, Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun.  She also earned  Prep League Most Valuable Player and CIF Southern Section Division III-AA Player of the Year for her volleyball prowess.

Panther Gremlins advance to conference championship

Adam Bell tells us the Pasadena Panther Gremlin (8, 9, 10 year old) Youth Tackle football team beat the Montebello Indians 6-0  in overtime at Bishop Amat High School Saturday.  With that win, the Panthers earn a berth to the San Gabriel Valley Junior All-American Football Conference Championship game next Saturday at West Covina High School.  The conference comprises  28 teams in the San Gabriel Valley and Foothill area. The Pasadena Panthers consist of of mostly Altadena and Pasadena kids and are based at John Muir High School.  Panthers are undefeated at 9-0.

 

 

Mo Martin to join LPGA tour in 2012

Mo Martin in the big leagues: Altadena golfer Melissa "Mo" Martin has secured privileges to play in the LPGA 2012 Tour.  SGV Tribune staffer Larry Morgan has a feature on the latest addition to pro golfing's elite.

 

Espinoza on fire for competition

Altadenan Maritza Canto Espinoza will be competing in Tahitian fire knife competition this this weekend at the Weekend in Polynesia Event to be held on today through Sunday in Anaheim (more details, including location and tickets, here.) Pictured is Espinoza both in practice and in full flame.

Mo Martin wins Eagle Classic Sunday, on her way to LPGA in 2012

Altadena's Mo Martin won the Futures Tour's Eagle Classic Sunday in Richmond, VA, earning $14,000 and making her season earnings $48,208.

Golfer Martin, 28, is now a virtual lock to become a player in the 2012 LPGA tour.

The Futures Tour is LPGA's farm club, where the top earning winners earn playing cards for the big pro tour.

More here.

And here's her Futures Tour stats page.

And here's more.

 

Angeles Crest 100 miler starts Saturday, ends at Loma Alta Park Sun.

The 2011 Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run from Wrightwood to Altadena takes place this weekend.

Runners will start at about 5 AM at the Community Building in Wrightwood on Saturday, and take the Angeles Crest Trail all the way to Loma Alta Park to arrive Sunday.  The race stops at 2 PM Sunday in Loma Alta Park, altho' runners are expected to continue coming in well into the afternoon, folllowed by a picnic and award ceremony in the park after 5 PM.

Local runners include Altadenans Marisol Martinez and Diana Treister

You can keep up with the progress on the race via Twitter -- check out the http://www.ac100.com/live/ page for details.

Pictured: 2010 finisher Lorraine Gersitz (with friend Marisa Willment, left) at the finish at Loma Alta Park last year.  Gersitz ran the whole race in her green plastic Crocs.

Central Altadena Little League tryouts start this weekend

Central Altadena Little League (CALL) is ready to start forming teams. Therefore, all Bantam (Farm), Coast (Minor) and Mountain (Major) players must try out on Sat., Jan. 8 or Sat., Jan. 15 anytime from 9 AM - 1 PM at Farnsworth Park.   A player must try out in order to be drafted. Tee-Ball, Softball and Juniors do not try out.

In order to try out, all players must complete registration. You can still register online at www.playcall.org .  We will also take registrations at the try outs. However, all documents (proof of residence, birth certificate, medical release form) and payment must be completed before your player is eligible to try out.  For Girls Softball and Juniors we will combine teams with East Altadena Little League.

We are also looking to host a two day baseball clinic in conjunction with Marshall High School Baseball program and various coaches within the area on Sat. and Sun., Feb. 5 and 6. The Super Bowl does not start until 2:30 PM so your players should be able to attend. The cost is about $50 for 2 days for ages 7 – 12, at Farnsworth Park.

CALL opens registration for spring season

No, it's NOT to early to think about spring: Central Altadena Little League (CALL) has started registration for next season's boy's baseball and girl's softball.  You can register online at www.playcall.org.  Document verification starts TODAY at Farnsworth Park, but check the flyer for other opportunities and important information.

Endurance and the human spirit at Loma Alta Park Sun.

The Angeles Crest 100 mile Endurance Race started early Saturday morning in Wrightwood, and came to a glorious end at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Sunday.

 

Spectators, support crew, and early finishers wait to cheer on the next runners.

Thomas Kuerton of Los Angeles by way of Germany savors his accomplishment.

Lorraine Gersitz (with pacer Jennifer Johnston, left) comes home to smiles and hugs.  Gersitz (with friend Marisa Willment, left) ran the whole race in her green Crocs.

UPDATE: Lance Anderson tells us that two Altadena women finished the race -- Marisol Martinez and Diana Treister.  Congrats to them both!

Weather Eye: Angeles Crest 100 this weekend

By Bill Westphal
Special to Altadenablog


The annual Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run (AC100) will be held this weekend (8/28-29). Canceled last year after the Station Fire, the race organizers have received a Special Use Permit to conduct this year's race.

This Ultra-Marathon begins Saturday morning in Wrightwood at 5 AM and continues non-stop until the 2 PM cutoff time, Sunday, at the Finish Line at the Loma Alta Park Equestrian Center here in Altadena.

 

In addition to the Start and Finish Line, there are 16 Checkpoints along the Race Course.  Each checkpoint is staffed with volunteers that include Race Support Personnel to provide needed refreshments and nourishment to the runners, Medical Personnel to assess the physical and mental condition of the runners and provide aid if necessary and Communications Personnel to track the runners from one checkpoint to the next.

This is a grueling race and runners go to great lengths to condition themselves both physically as well as mentally.  The course record of 17 hours, 35 minutes and 48 seconds was set by Jim O'Brien in 1989.   Can you imagine running 100 miles through the mountains and valleys of the San Gabriels in just over 17 hours?

 

Read more about the AC100 at http://www.ac100.com .   There, you can also view live results during the race and this year the lead and tail runner's progress will be posted via twitter on the "AngelesCrest100" Twitter account.

As in years past, I will be volunteering at the Sam Merrill checkpoint providing radio communications for the health and safety of the runners.  The Sam Merrill Checkpoint is at the 89 Mile mark of the course and is located near the site of the famous Mt. Lowe Tavern at the intersection of the Mt. Lowe Motorway and the road to Inspiration Point. 

The Lenz diving dynasty does well at national championships

Got some good news about Altadena's diving Lenz girls, who competed in the National Championships in Diving in Tucson, Ariz. -- this information direct from their proud father, Heinz-Josef Lenz:

Annika (15)  (sophomore at Polytech) finished 9^th on 1 m and 2^nd on platform in the 16-18 year group and qualified for Junior World Championships.
Daria (10) (5^th grade Mayfield junior) is the National Champion on 1m and was second on platform and was 4^th on 3m in the 11 year and under.
Cosima (17) (going is to be freshman at Northwestern) was 7^th on platform (same event as Annika 16-18).

Mo Martin: winning isn't just a sports thing

Reader Marc Striegel sends us this link from the Concord Monitor: a feature on Altadena's Mo Martin and her family .  It looks like columnist Rebecca Lavoie fell a little in love with Martin, an LPGA contender, and her family (including 96-year-old grandfather Lincoln):

What struck me at that simple moment, watching a mom snap a picture of her daughter holding an oversized check and an elderly grandfather reveling in a beautiful day with his family, was that they didn't know she would win, and that she did was beside the point. It was the support of her dream, a dream that began with the quality family time designed by Dad all those years ago that mattered. This family had beautiful memories they loved to share; this family had love and devotion in spades; this family on this day was the personification of success.

(Update 11 AM: text slightly revised to reflect new information)

Baseball mania fundraiser at Farnsworth Park Sat.

Central Altadena Little League (CALL) will be holding its Baseball Mania and Picture Day Event on Sat., April 10 from 8 AM- 5 PM  at the lower field of Farnsworth Park in Altadena. This annual fundraiser will challenge Little Leaguers in friendly competition in areas of running, throwing and pitching while obtaining sponsorships for their efforts. The event will be highlighted by a homerun derby at 12:30 p.m. with the Major Little Leaguers, followed  by a softball game with  Junior/Major Players versus the Altadena Sherriff’s department at 2 PM.

This all day family fun event will include face painting, jumpers, popcorn, snow cones, and great food for everyone.  All community members and political dignitaries are encouraged to attend and support the youth of Altadena and the Altadena Sherriff’s department.

Farnsworth Park is located at the top of Lake Avenue at the corner of Lake Avenue and Concha Street in Altadena. For more information please visit www.centralaltadenalittleleague.org.

Central Altadena Little League starts tryouts Sat.

Central Altadena Little League (CALL) will be holding sign-ups for its 2010 Baseball Season on Saturdays, January 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th. Sign-ups will be held at the lower baseball diamond at Farnsworth Park, Altadena (corner of Lake Ave. & Concha St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Try-outs will also be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, January 23rd and 30th. Tryouts are required for team placement for all players except for those in T-Ball.

Boys and girls, ages 5 through 16, living in Central Altadena who are interested in playing are encouraged to sign-up on one of these days. Games are held at Farnsworth Park, and the season runs from March to mid-June. Children will learn baseball skills, help gain overall fitness, and learn the importance of good sportsmanship, while having a good time.

New players must bring proof of their age (birth certificate) and address (utility bill).For more information, please call the CALL voicemail hotline at (626) 236-4969 or our web site at www.centralaltadenalittleleague.org.

Golf course pro's big break

Kevin Erdman (who with wife Courtney are teaching pros at Altadena Golf Course) has made it into the finals of Golf Channel's Big Break Disney Golf.  Arcadia's Best website profiles the Arcadia couple, with some footage shot at work in Altadena.

Orlandini helps win, sets record

Ithaca College junior Tina Orlandini (of Altadena) helped the Bombers win their first match in the New York State Regional Championship, and put herself in the record books as the second player in all of Ithaca history to get 600 or more digs.  A story and picture of her in action at the link.

Chapman students want recognition for black umpire

An article in the OC Register about Emmett Ashford (father of Adrienne Bratton of Altadena), who was the first black umpire in the major leagues.

Rameses Barden: small college to NFL

Umar Hussein of the New University website interviews New York Giant (and Altadenan) Rameses Barden.  This is apparently an old story, before Barden made the pros, that just recently came online.

PHS senior remembers friend's Eaton Canyon death

Miguel Melendez @ PSN has a moving story about Jesse Hernandez, starting center at Pasadena High School, who was hiking in Eaton Canyon with Arturo Beristain last spring when the latter fell 200 feet to his death.

Hail Sumiyasu, Yale Sumiyasu!

Altadenan (and junior goalkeeper for Yale's soccer club) Ayana Sumiyasu is the Ivy League Player of the Week. (More here).

Mo Martin on the links

Budding pro golfer Mo Martin of Altadena played hurt and still came in as one of the second place finishers at the Futures tour "I Love NY" championship.

The Lenz dive-asty

PSN has a short feature on Annika Lenz.  The Pasadena Poly freshman is the third member of a dynasty of champion divers from Altadena (including sisters Felicitas and Cosima).  We also like that they seem to be named for Byzantine saints.

Dodger benefit for LAUP

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

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

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

The Saga of Ramses

... Ramses Barden, that is, whom we're going to start calling the "Giant of Altadena."  Not only because he's six foot six, but because this hometown-boy-made-good is in training with the NY Giants.

We had the privilege of running into his dad, Al Barden, at the Old Dutch Oven Bakery last week.  "That's my boy," he said, pointing out Ramses' picture on the wall, and we knew exactly who he was.

Well, the New York Times is running a story -- and an epic it is -- on Al, Ramses, and how he got the name of a pharoah. It's really fun.

Central Altadena Little League closing ceremony Sat.

Adam Bell lets us know of yet ANOTHER event this Saturday -- but it's a good one!

Central Altadena Little League will be conducting their league closing ceremonies Saturday June 6 at 10 AM in the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater. All players, parents, former players and community members are encouraged to attend and show supports for the children of Altadena. Players, Coaches, team parents and volunteers will be honored for all their contributions to a great 2009 season.  

Rameses Barden is a Giant

... a New York Giant that is (or Jersey Giant, if you want to be REALLY accurate!)  NJ.com has a feature on the Giant's new wide receiver from Altadena, whom they describe as:

a well-behaved wide receiver who doesn't have a blemish on his academic, personal or legal record.

Well -- it's New Jersey.

"Ain't gonna work on Danny's Farm no more ..."

Apologies to Bob Dylan, but Danny's Farm is all about the fun, not the work!

Dodger second baseman Orlando Hudson was at the Altadena kid farm this morning to support C.A.T.C.H., his foundation for autistic children, and it looks like a good time was had by all.

Hudson posed for photos and signed autographs, while the musical group The Conductors entertained the crowd.

Hudson was also profiled in the LA TImes today.

UPDATE 4/6: Karin the Altadenahiker points us to some pictures of Hudson taking the ride of his life at the Altadena Stables next door (attrib ution corrected, thanks Karin!)

Snelgro bats 1,000

Ok, that's kind of a mixed metaphor since we're actually talking basketball, but ... Danyelle Snelgro joined the 1,000 point club for the Utah State Aggies Thursday night.  Details here.

Snelgro is WAC Player of the Week

Altadenan Danyelle Snelgro, a guard for Utah State, was named the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for Feb. 16-22. This is the second WAC Player of the Week honor of the season for Snelgro.  The official WAC website has the details.

Altadena golf legend passes

PSN's Larry Morgan notes at the end of today's column the passing of a local golf legend:

Altadena's Ed Casebier, who helped found the Pasadena YMCA's Future Stars Golf Program, died at the age of 84 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Casebier, who grew up playing golf with the likes of Clark Gable, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, started the program in 1998 as a way to keep troubled and disadvantaged youths off the streets.

"I get a lot of satisfaction out of it," he once said, "seeing these kids develop."

We got yer sports right here

• A horse named "Blue Exit"  came from last to win the Altadena Purse (worth $64,000) at Santa Anita on Thursday.  He paid out less that $15, tho', and we have no idea why it's called the Altadena Purse.
• Beacon Media News reports that Demitri Camperos of Altadena placed first at the Huntington Beach Pokémon Trading Card Game  (TCG) City Championships. (They're still playing Pokemon?  Then there's hope for our pog collection ...)
• And there's this month's Altadena Chamber mixer, at the golf course ...

Barden to be a Dolphin?

The Miami Dolphins are sniffing around Cal Poly wide receiver Ramses Barden of Altadena.  Palm Beach Post has the deets.

Central Altadena Little League extending signups

Central Altadena Little League (CALL) will be extending sign ups and tryouts for its 2009 Baseball Season to Sat., January 24 and 31. Sign-ups and tryouts will be held at the lower baseball diamond at Farnsworth Park, Altadena (corner of Lake Ave. & Concha St.) from 9:00 AM to 1 PM. Tryouts are required for team placement for all players except for those in T-Ball.

 

Boys and girls ages 5 through 16, living in the Central Altadena boundary are encourage to sign-up on one of these days. Games are held at Farnsworth Park, and the season runs from March to mid-June. Children will learn baseball skills, help gain overall fitness and learn the importance of good sportsmanship, while having a good time.

 

New players must bring proof of their age (birth certificate) and address (utility bill).

 

For more information, please visit our web site at www.centralaltadenalittleleague.org.

Barden opts for Senior Bowl

Altadenan Ramses Barden, a senior at Cal Poly SLO and receiver for the Mustangs, has opted to play in the Senior Bowl.  Says the SLO Tribune:

The Cal Poly senior receiver will be the first-ever Mustang to play in the Senior Bowl after opting out of his previous commitment to play in the East-West Shrine Game, which will be held Jan. 17 in Houston, Tex.

The Under Armour Senior Bowl will be played in Mobile, Ala. and is scheduled to be televised on the NFL Network at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24. The annual event features the country’s best senior NFL Draft prospects.

Details here.

Barden named to FCS Camp All-American Team

Altadenan Rameses Barden, a wide receiver at Cal Poly, was named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation FCS All-America team for the second year in a row.  Barden, who graduated this weekend, is now in training for potential bowl games and is preparing for the NFL draft in April.

Central Altadena Little League signups start soon

Central Altadena Little League (CALL) is starting sign-ups for its 2009 season of boy's baseball and girl's softball.

Sign-ups (rain or shine) will be on the following Saturdays; Dec. 6, Dec. 13, Jan. 3, Jan 10, Jan. 17 at Farnsworth Park, lower field (Lake Ave. and Concha St.) , from 10 AM-noon.

Youth basketball winter league starts soon

Registration will be open until Dec. 5 for the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Youth Basketball Winter League at Loma Alta Park.  Registration for ages 3 to 15 is $45, $55 after Nov. 29.  The season starts Jan. 10, 2009, and ends March 14.  Performance evaulations will be held Dec. 9-12, and practices will be Mon., Wed., and Thurs., 5-7 PM. 

All registrants will recieve trophies, a jersey and shorts, and two private lessons free with league signup. Volunteers are also needed! For more information contact Mister or Dana at Loma Alta Park, 626-398-5451 or -5452, or Roger Franklin at 310-689-4633.

Ramses Barden named player of the week

Wide receiver Ramses Barden of Altadena, a senior at Cal Poly, was named "Offensive Player of the Week"  by The Sports Network.  Says the network of his recent game against Southern Utah:

Barden had 12 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns for Cal Poly, breaking Darrell Jones' school record for career receptions with 181 and snapping Jerry Rice's mark for touchdown receptions in 27 games. Barden had TD catches of 12 and 41 yards in the first period.

Vintage bike rides first of the month

bikeboom los angeles promotes a ride, starting at the Rose Bowl, and hitting points in Altadena, San Marino, Temple City, etc.  It calls it a casual and almost flat 25 mile ride. We're trying to figure out how a ride that includes both San Marino and Altadena is qualified as "almost flat."  (We once rode from our home in Arcadia to JPL, and basically coasted on the trip back).  Be that as it may, we note with some satisfaction that our bike is considered "vintage."

Mo Martin makes the cut

Aspiring pro golfer Mo Martin advances to the final stage of LPGA qualifying school by being one of the top winners in the Futures Tour, with over $29,000.  Get the list right here.

Orlandini moving up

A new jockette to watch: Tina Orlandini of Altadena is making waves with the Ithaca (NY) College Bombers.  Check out this story.

You might as well jump!

Kids in both 'Denas just finished a couple of days of immersion in competitive and expressive jumproping, thanks to community groups and the makers of the documentary Jump! Check out the coverage in their events blog.  Altadenan Brian Biery, the Flintridge Operating Foundation and Northwest ECHO (which stands for Empowering Communities, Helping Others) made it happen.

(hat tip: Monica Hubbard)

The Martins don't putter around

The Concord (NH) Monitor has a story on golfer Mo Martin and her family -- or how to create a champion golfer by reading the right book!

"Mighty Mo" Martin takes title

"Mighty Mo" Melissa Martin, 25, took the championship at the Duramed Futures Tours' $80,000 USI Championship at Beaver Meadow Golf Course (Concord, NH) this weekend.  The Union-Leader says:

The Altadena, Calif., resident shot a 5-under-par 67 to capture the title by four strokes over Gerina Mendoza, a 23-year-old tour rookie from Roswell, N.M.

With her 12-under-par 204 total for 54 holes, a tournament record, Martin earned her second career Futures victory and the $11,200 winner's check. The victory moved her to 10th on the tour's 2008 money list, within striking distance of the LPGA Tour cards awarded to the top five Futures earners at season's end.

Congratulations, Mo!

In other sports news, Felicitas Lenz came in third in her platform diving competition at the Rose Bowl event this weekend.

(Photo courtesy NH Union-Leader)

Mo Martin leads in LPGA hopefuls tourney

Altadenan Mo Martin, 24,  is six under par, leading by two strokes in  Futures Tour's USI Championship in New Hampshire.  Purse is $80,000 for the tournament, and the young pro has a promising future.  Deets at the New Hampshire Union Leader.

More on diving

Cosima and Felicitas Lenz are interviewed in this Whittier Daily News piece on the diving championships going on this weekend at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center (toward the end).

Lenz competes in national diving championships.

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center has been hosting the Kaiser Permanente National Diving Championships for the past few days, one of the final sifting processes to see who gets into next month's Olympics.  One of the competitors. Cosima Lenz, a junior at Pasadena Poly, was one of the competitors, coming in eighth in 1m diving board competition.

But we think the real fun is found diving off the "Dr. Gene Scott Diving Platform" at the Aquatics Center.

Angeles Crest 100-miler ends at Loma Alta Park Sept. 14

Altadenablog's ex-brother-in-law was an ultramarathoner -- a 26-mile marathon was only a warmup to this guy.  Once when he came to visit, his idea of a good day spent was running up to the peak of Mt. Wilson and back.  We absolutely don't understand this behavior -- and ultimately neither did our sister-in-law.

Be that as it may, Loma Alta Park has been designated as the finish line for the Angeles Crest 100-mile Endurance Run on Sept. 13-14, 2008.  The race will start all the way in Wrightwood, and continue over the trails to Altadena.  (We're tired just thinking about it).  If your'e interested in such things, start here for links to the entry forms and racebook (a description of the race and lots of photos of skinny, sweaty people). 

Cisar out of Olympic competition

Steven Cisar of Altadena crashed at the BMX Olympic trials today, dashing his hopes for a trip to Beijing.  His training partner and roomate, Mike Day, did manage to land a berth on the US team  LA Times has the story.