• Altadena company Nila, Inc., a firm that makes low-energy LED lighting products for film and television,  is involved in a renovation of the largest hearing room of the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.  The renovation includes replacing traditional incandescent lighting with Nila’s LED system for video-friendly lighting.  According to the Marketwire piece, the incandescent lighting consumed 55,000 watts of electrical energy.  After replacement with the LEDs, the room will only consume 7,300 watts,

The Christmas Tree Lane Association will have its annual meeting on Wed., Feb. 9, starting at 7 PM at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. The association will elect officers to two year terms for the coming year.

Diana Olson, an Image Stylist/Etiquette Specialist, image  coach on “Dancing with the Stars, ” and advisor to the movie and television industry, will show you how to embrace and celebrate the gifts of your personality, coloring, bone structure and energy intensity while enjoying the transformational power of image.  Come discover how really great you can be.  This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library.

Devon Pettengill alerted us to this Super Bowl ad — remember when they blocked off most of Lake Ave. around Ronnie's Automotive last month?  Here's why:

There were nine speakers, each restricted to five minutes (more or less), followed by a panel (which we were not invited to participate in).

The 188 page draft is only available as a .pdf document (which is available on this page).  There will be six meetings around the county to take in public comment (click graphic to enlarge,

According to a quick survey of residents, that rate is very favorable compared to the present system of multiple trash haulers.

Altadena Town Council chair Gino Sund sent out an email tonight detailing the rates and Athens’ proposed enhanced services, and was apparently peeved that he had to do it.

Scissor Paper Rock salon and boutique is opening up a line of fabulous goodies for Valentine's Day.

Owner Yolande Carson says: "We now have original hand-painted block cut design cards by Dana Bradley (perfect for Valentine's Day) and are selling Swarovoski crystal and sterling necklace, bracelet, and earring sets by Kimberly Lauren Designs and more!"

Thurs., Feb. 10

• Coffee Gallery: Front Stage, long form storytelling and open mic night 8-10, free; Backstage, The Byrds and Beyond with former Byrd John York,  Billy Darnell & Chad Watson, starting at 8 PM, $20.  Reservations/info 626) 794-2424

Fri., Feb. 11

• PUSD open enrollment applications must be completed by 5 PM today.   

• Pasadena’s public information officer (and righteous babe) Ann Erdman has a feature on Owen Brown’s funeral and gravesite.
• Elise Kalfayan of Glendale’s Sundroom Desk reviews our performance at Saturday’s community journalism forum (thank you, Elise, see ya at the picnic!)

The Quality of Life Center, Inc., is going around town dropping off “Dollars for Scholars” jars at local businessses to  raise scholarship funds for the 2011 Bright Futures Scholars Support Program graduates. The funds collected in the “Dollars for Scholars” jar are 100% dedicated to the 2011 scholarships that will be handed out at this year’s Bright Futures Scholars Support Program Graduation and Award Luncheon on June 12 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

The show will be at  The Weingart Galleryon the campus of Occidental College,

Mothers’ Club has touched the lives of over 2,000 families with young children. These famlies came to Mothers’ Club isolated,

Altadena Hardware kicked off its grand re-opening weekend today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and recognition by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.  Here, owners Jim (with the scissors) and Paula Orlandini cut the ribbon to mark the official re-opening of the Altadena landmark under their new ownership.  Jim and Paula are flanked on the left by their sons Rob and store manager Jimmy Orlandini (with beard), and on the right by representatives of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce: from left,

(Pictured: Those Manning Boys last summer — they’ll be back as the Irish Volunteers July 9.)

Robert Klomburg of SSGA says that “The lineup was finally completed last week, with the exception of the Grand Finale tribute artist.

(Pictured: Juni Fisher)

Sat., June 11: A Special Evening with Juni Fisher, 2009 Western Music Assn. Female Performer of the Year.  $25 cash donation requested.

Sat., June 25: Gary Allegretto with Ian Esponiza: Singer/songwriter/harmonica virtuoso Allegretto and singer/songwriter/guitarist Esponza form a duo without peer. 

At about 10:40 PM, word went out on the scanner (and thus unconfirmed) that there was a shooting at about Olive and Palm.  Per scanner, a victim was "scooped up" and is being taken to an unknown hospital by persons on the scene.  The chopper is being dispatched, and the sheriffs are looking for a red Honda.

UPDATE 11:13 PM:  The fleeing car may be a red Dodge Neon,

• Danny’s Farm has announced the date of its annual BBQ fundaiser: Sat., May 21.  To make sure you get an invitation, send an email (subject “BBQ Invitation”) to dannysfarm@yahoo.com.  Music, barbecue, silent auction, and the farm animals will all be there, with celebrity chairperson Alec Baldwin.
•  Bulgarini Gelato, 749 E. Altadena Dr. (in the back of the Rite Aid structure)  has announced new winter hours:  closed Mon.-Tues., Wed-Thurs. 1-8 PM,

Chief Osby, who is currently the Chief Deputy, Business Operations, was chosen by the Board after a national search. He began his public safety career 27 years ago and has performed in a myriad of assignments and roles including firefighter/ paramedic, firefighter specialist, captain, battalion chief,

A celebration of Black History month, Lincoln’s birthday, and Altadena’s own griot, Leslie Perry, filled the Altadena Library Community Room with the joy of story.  Here, Perry tells one of his own  works in progress, where he meets the great storytellers along the road less taken …. Aesop, Jesus, the Brothers Grimm, Uncle Remus, and others.

The vicitim, described only as an adult African American man, was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

We checked with sheriff’s headquarters bureau about 2 PM, and no further information has been released.

 (Address fixed).

Per the scanner (and thus unconfirmed), there were reports of gunfire around Glen and Pepper, and deputies are looking for shell casings.  Called the watch commander around 8 PM, and he says they're still trying to pin down anything solid.  We'll continue to monitor the situation.

• PSN has an obit on the amazing Catherine “Kit” Zack, mother to Alta-historian (and Altadenablog columnist) Michele Zack.
• And the amazing Mickie Mills profiles the also-amazing Debbi Swanson Patrick, who will show off her scannography at the Dabney Library at Caltech this week.

If you’re looking for a place to celebrate, Atladenablog sponsor the Altadena Ale & Wine House is a good place for a Valentine’s Champagne toast:  Gail Casburn says “We will  be serving a glass of Champagne for $9, or French sparkling wine for $5, both served with chocolate and fresh strawberries.”

And if you’re looking for that last-minute card or goody, Webster’s Fine Stationers is the place to go!

View Critter Map 2011 in a larger map

More sightings: a bobcat was spotted last week at Skywood Circle on Holliston, probably eyeing the local cats.

And a coyote was spotted on Mar Vista, heading toward Sonoma last week (we now have a coyote graphic, so we can start logging those sightings,

Authorities still haven't released the name of the victim in Saturday night's shooting on W. Palm St., which is now being investigated by sheriff's detectives.

Updated information says that the victim was a 17-year-old Muir High School student who was on the football  team, and a participant in the Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development program on the Muir campus.

Goodall died in 2010.

“Oliver Goodall was a steadfast champion of our community and a great patriot,

Interior designer, speaker and radio show host (and Altadena resident) Gail Jamentz,

Brandon Jackson, the teen who was the apparent victim of a drive-by shooting in Altadena Saturday night, was "an awesome kid … he motivated kids his own age, he motivated even adults.  He was one of those kids who wanted to see people do well."

That's the opinion of 

The Monk Hill plant was built to clean up pollutants, particularly perchlorate and carbon tetrachloride (CTC),

Altadena Sheriff Capt. Steven McLean said that the killing of Jackson on Saturday night was the first homicide in two years in Altadena.  The latest information, McLean said, is that deputies believed he was walking home from a party at around 10 PM and at some point a red vehicle drove up to him. 

Evans said that the county was still taking applications from farmer’s market managers, although two so far are very interested in taking it on.  What has yet to be determined is the day,

• The Bright Futures Scholars, who were visiting the early portion of the meeting, gave a appreciation award to Chairman Gino Sund, who has served as a mentor.  The council proclaimed February “Scholars Month” (above).
• There was an announcement that the Black History Parade will be Saturday, Feb. 19, starting at 10 AM in Charles White Park, going south on Fair Oaks and ending at Robinson Park in Pasadena.

The 29th annual Black History Parade and Festival will be this Sat., Feb. 19, starting with a parade originating in Charles White Park and ending with a festival at Robinson Park in Pasadena.

Jarvis Emerson of the City of Pasadena said that the parade is scheduled to start at 10 AM,

Always welcome to hear from Ben McGinty of the late Gallery at the End of the World, and he tells us that the end is near:

Hello all,  Ben here from the gallery.

I hope your year has started off well. 

Tom was a prolific poet and loving husband, father, and grandfather. As a civil engineer he participated in some of the largest engineering projects within US, including Glenn Canyon Dam, FAA Radar Development, Hahamaonga Natural Reserve (next to JPL), and “earthquake”

Sheriff Lt. Roosevelt Johnson said that deputies and a SWAT team, acting on a tip, entered the house on the 3600 block of North Fair Oaks where the suspect was found with “numerous assault weapons and a large amount of marijuana.”  Processing the scene took all night, Johnson said.