When the first group of vendors gathered at the Zane Grey Estate to set up their tables on a drizzly morning last October, none of us knew what to expect. The Altadena Urban Farmers Market is more social experiment than commercial venture. The Market is operated as a fundraiser, and the organizers and workers are paid in Arroyo Time Bank time dollars rather than cash.

Car wash fundraiser is just one of the ways that people from Altadena, Pasadena — and even Texas — are helping the Lopez family.  But there’s always the complaining neighbor.

Pictured:  It was a busy day at Carl’s Jr. in Pasadena at the carwash fundraiser for Katherine Lopez.

There was steady business at today’s carwash fundraiser for the family of Katherine Arlene Lopez,

Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

The Irish Volunteers are a traditional Irish band new to the L.A. Irish music scene. The group is made up of John McKenna on accordion, Timothy Moynahan on tin whistle, Mike Manning on guitar and Sean Manning on lead vocals. They have combined their years of experience in Irish music to make a sound that is unique to their American Irish experience.

The county’s Boundary Review Committee meets this week to consider maps that could move Altadena from the Fifth District, or split it among districts

Pictured: Altadena is currently in the Fifth Supervisorial District under Michael D. Antonovich, but that could change as new district boundaries are drawn in coming months.

While one citizen’s panel is reviewing changes in congressional districts that may affect Altadena,

Triple-digit temperatures and increased humidity today — some areas may even see thunderstorms and rain!  It's just going to be miserable, so drink plenty of fluids today.  The National Weather Service shouts:

…INCREASING THREAT OF THUNDERSTORMS ON FOURTH OF JULY…  A STRONG UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED OVER SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA WILL CONTINUE TO BRING HOT TEMPERATURES TO THE INLAND AREAS TODAY.

July’s featured artist at the Gallery at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, is Bonnie Bostwick.

Bonnie Bostwick is a local artist and high school art teacher. She works with both gouache and acrylic paints as well as a variety of three-dimensional media. Many of her paintings explore the deep emotions and compassion found in faces across all cultures and the unexpected beauty found in unlikely places. Some pieces focus on the bonds and interconnection between feminine archetypes from infancy throughout old age.

Celebrate liberty and let your flag fly today, like this one overlooking Lake Ave.  Some of the area merchants were already celebrating independence, after the jump.

Yes it does, and they had brass (and more) to spare on Pepper Drive this morning as they celebrated Independence Day.  We’ve got pictures of Pepper Drive and the Sonoma Drive neighborhood parades after the jump.

• Yes, it’s Mayor Antonovich: Looking through the comments and email in recent days, sounds like a reminder is due: Several stories and comments refer to Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich as “Mayor Antonovich.”  (People are sending us messages which more or less say ‘He’s a SUPERVISOR, not a MAYOR — now bask in my anal-retentive superiority.”)  The chair of the Board of Supervisors — a position that rotates every year —

Reader Karen says:

We're babysitting a friend's dog and the fireworks empowered him to bend open the metal gate latch and escape. Older, large black short-haired dog with white chest markings and a somewhat knobby head (in a good way.) Friendly, answers to Hobbes; last seen approx.

Lost pet white rabbit w/ pinkish eyes (no pic available). Disappeared around 4p on Tuesday around the area of Maiden Ln/Rubio Rd. We call him “Coco”, but not sure he knows that.

With the recent coyote situation, it’s a shot in the dark anyone will spot/find him. If anyone does,

Pictured: East Altadena Little League All Stars at last month’s game against the Challengers.

Central Altadena Little League’s Adam Bell tells us that  CALL beat Arcadia American Little League 13- 11 Tues. night to advance to the single elimination rounds of the 9 and 10 year old Little LeagueAll-Star Baseball Tournament.   As a result, all three Altadena Little Leagues will advance to the single elimination rounds.

Mon., June 27

Tues., June 28
Between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM, Wednesday: A grand theft occurred in the 40 block of W. Figueroa St. Suspect(s) broke the lock securing the gate and stole the following items: red Honda lawnmower,

• PSN reports that Supv. Gloria Molina has introduced a county ordinance prohibiting parking cars and trucks with “For Sale” signs on certain streets.  The ordinance would affect streets in unincorporated county areas, such as Altadena.
• The Real La Canada, one of our fellow Authentically Local websites, has this great tribute to our friend Kathy Christie Hernandez, a primal force in the La Canada Flintridge school system and one of the San Gabriel Valley’s mighty bloggers.  

Here’s a couple of examples:

On Saturday, the Allan Wasserman Jazz Ensemble will be playing at one of their favorite places,

While the open house for the building was Wednesday night, Penny Daniels, Loma Alta Park manager, said that the building opened up for park programs Monday. 

Thurs., June 16

• It’s a Boomer cartooner festival at the Coffee Gallery Backstage tonight, 2029 N. Lake Ave., starting at 8 PM.  Will Ryan and the Cactus Cowboys, a combination of the Marx Bros. and the Sons of the PIoneers, will perform, led by cartoon voice guy Will Ryan.  Special guest is the one and only June Foray,

from Pasadena Musical Theatre Program

The Pasadena Musical Theatre Program (PMTP) announced that June 21 is the last day for students to register to perform in their summer production of Jasper in Deadland.  Written and directed by award-winning composer and lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver, the pop-rock musical is a featured event in the 2011 Festival of New American Musicals. 

Oliver, who is the Artistic Director for PMTP,

An environmental engineer by profession, Wendler is active in local open-space efforts as the former chair of Pasadena’s Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee and the former Chair of the Pasadena Recreation and Parks Commission and continues to serve on both organizations. Wendler is also a member of the advisory committee to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Chris Nelson from the (Altadenablog sponsor) Rancho Bar, 2485 N. Lake, says he is offering a "Feast on Friday" for your TGIF today:

Come enjoy a savory lunch creation with your favorite libation at The Rancho on Friday from 11:30 AM – 3 PM. 

Breakthru Fitness, 345 S. Lake Ave., Pasadena, will hold a "Spin-for-Kids" benefit for Young & Healthy on Sat., July 9, 4-7 PM.

Click hear to donate or line up your own fundraising page.

http://www.stayclassy.org/pasadena/events/breakthru-fitness-spin-for-kids-benefiting-young-healthy/e5294

There will be music and prizes, and limited childcare available for ages six month- six years. 

Gail Casburn at the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks, says: "Join our National Forest Trail Volunteers,Gabor & Gary,  to go repair trails this Saturday, tomorrow, to repair the Silver Moccasin trail. Meet us out front of the Altadena Ale House at 6:40 AM to carpool or follow to trailhead."

Since we can’t dance to save our life, we were left chronicling the event .  

And we were pleasantly surpised to find that it’s the working studio of Altadena’s creative power couple James Griffith and Susanna Dadd.  

Al Evans of the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Dept. said that the county was talking to two different potential managers: one who could manage a regular certified market, and one who specialized in organic markets.

Artistic director for the camps is Sabina Luniga Varela, MFA.  There will be two sessions: the first session, July 11-22, will be a program using theater games, improvisation, basic elements of dialogue, character and movement.  Students will create, write, and produce an original work.

On the agenda is certification of the election, and a report on Devil’s Gate Dam debris removal.

Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo, instructor and service coordinator, of the Arroyo Pacific Academy, says that her students raised over $4,000 of the monies so far in their Blue and Silver teams.  

According to Altadena Sheriff Station Lt. Joseph Dempsey, there was a call from a resident about a burglary in progress in their home.  

• Bag Day is coming July 1.  If you don’t have reusable bags yet, LA County will be giving ’em out Wednesday at both Ralphs at 2270 N. Lake Ave. and Super King at 2260 N. Lincoln Ave. from 10 AM-3 PM.
• Petrea is in rare form, with a delicious picture and some delicious words about Bulgarini Gelato.

5:25 PM – A shooting at an inhabited dwelling was reported in the 1900-block of Sinaloa Avenue. Suspects described as three male Hispanics. Suspect vehicles: white pick-up, green 4-door sedan, gold 4-door and an unknown model vehicle with a partial license plate of ‘5CF.’ No injuries reported. 
Between 10:45 PM and 11:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Galbreath Street.

Sheriff's deputies are looking into the possibility that an Altadena shooting on June 15 may be connected with another shooting in the same neighborhood the night before.

According to Altadena Station Lt. Joe Dempsey, a mid-1990's vehicle with rear tinted windows containing four African American men pulled up to a Pasadena man at Figueroa Street and Navarro Avenue at about 9:21 PM on June 15. 

Please bring usable clothing, household items, and small appliances in good condition.  All proceeds of sales will benefit the programs of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for people in need.  To donate large items, appliances, or furniture, call the truck pick-up line at 800-974-3571.

St. Elizabeth’s Church is at 1879 N.

• Assemblyman Anthony Portantino in an interview on KNBC about the state budget.
• Ioakim Boutakidis of Altadena, an assistant professor at Cal State Fullerton, looks at an LA Times Op-Ed by Naomi Schafer Riley and offers this rebuttal.
• Speaking of the Times, they also recently ran this article on the lives of the grounds crew at Mountain View Cemetery.  They work there for decades, and some of them never plan to leave …

RIPE member Christina Wenger will offer a class on the ins and outs of seed saving.  Christina is the author of A Thinking Stomach.  For more information, click the graphic or go to www. RipeAltadena.com.