altadenablog

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.

Cisar at BMX Olympic trials tomorrow

They're holding the trials for the first-ever Olympic BMX team tomorrow, and Altadena's Steven Cisar, 21,  will be competing.  This article from San Diego looks at the competition, and gets some quotes from Steve about the challenges of his sport.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

SGVT has a piece on Eleanor Evans of Altadena, whose family is all about baseball (including pro, semi-pro, softball, and umping).  Eleanor herself was a pretty good player in her day.  It's a fun story.

Cisar to compete in Olympic trials next week

Steven Cisar of Altadena was named to the "long team" of finalists in Olympic BMX competition.  He will compete in team trails in Chula Vista on June 14, with a chance to be on the three-man Olympic team.  Fat BMX website has the deets.

Steven Cisar gets silver in world BMX championships

Steven Cisar of Altadena was barely nipped by a Latvian athlete to come in second at the world BMX championships in Taiyuan, China today. This helps his standing -- if he wins the BMX trials in Chula VIsta on June 14, he'll be one of three men representing the USA BMX team at the Olympics this summer.  Here's ESPN's story.

Tennis, anyone? (age 8-17 only?)

The LA84 Foundation, along with the Southern California Tennis Association and the National Junior Tennis League, is offering a youth tennis program for children ages 8-17.

The six-week session is scheduled from July 7 to Aug. 15 at the following area locations: Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mount Curve Drive; Loma Alta Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave.; and Monrovia High School, 845 W. Colorado Blvd., Monrovia.

Registration fee is $10. For information, call program director Arlene Barco at (310) 208-3838, Ext. 234.

Last chance for AYSO registration Friday

Missed the in-person soccer registration deadlines for AYSO 13?  Last chance is this Friday, May 30, from 6:30-7:30 PM at AYSO 13 Clubhouse, 711 W. Woodbury #E, Altadena.  Bring ID and $125 in cash or check.

Kenny Patton signs with Jets

Kenny Patton of Altadena just signed as cornerback with the NY (or is it NJ?) Jets, says scout.com:

Patton, (5-11, 193, Hawai’i/Altadena, CA) was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Oakland Raiders on May 4, 2007 before being released May 15, 2007. At Hawai’i, Patton was a four-year starter at cornerback, totaling 139 tackles and three interceptions in 42 games.

Altadena's Rachel Cota receives Notre Dame award

Rachel Cota of Altadena, captain of Notre Dame University's fencing team, was selected for the Ray Siegfried Award for Leadership Excellence.  The award recognizes a Notre Dame senior who exemplifies the qualities of leadership, generosity, devotion to the Catholic faith and athletics.  The full story is here.

Oscarsons in the swim this weekend

Berklie & Oscarson are competitive swimmers at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, and they're looking for sponsors for their swim-a-thon this weekend.  It's a great cause.  Get the details after the jump.

East Altadena Little League

.. is the subject of this worthy editorial from one of the skeleton crew at Dean Singleton's SGV Tribune.

East Altadena Little League shut out

It's front page news:  the city of Pasadena is tightening its residency requirements for much-in-demand ball fields, and that's leaving the East Altadena Little League crying foul.  West Altadena and Central Altadena Little Leagues already have practice fields, but East Altadena is being left high and dry by the increased demand for youth sports and the tightened restrictions. Watch this space!  PSN tells all about it.

Beth Andrews is never late to the ball

Whittier Daily News has a nice piece on Altadena resident Beth Andrews, one of Golf Digest's best golf instructors, who is introducing the game to women in business.  (And of course she has a website, too!)

(Girls are just different.  It's the Beth Andrews Golf COMMUNITY, whereas Arnold Palmer fans were Arnie's ARMY!)

(Correction:  We put one in the water -- Beth's husband, Jerome Andrews, is one of Golf Digest's best golf instructors!)

Cal Poly's Barden opts for school over NFL

Altadena native Rameses Barden told the NFL advisory committee that, rather than be a projected fifth-round draft pick right now, he's going to take his senior year at Cal Poly SLO.  The wide receiver says he wants to continue on the football team and join the track team to increase his speed. The SLO Tribune has the deets.

Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside

Blair High School/UCLA standouts James McAlister and Altadenan Kermit Johnson ("The Blair Pair") are profiled in this LA Times piece that looks at their high school, college, and pro careers (biggest mistake:  signing with the WFL).