That’s right; I said “duct tape” from the hardware store. Teens (13-17) will be able to make a stylish and fully functioning wallet out of duct tape! Don’t believe it’s possible; well come down to the Altadena Library District Community Room on Wednesday, July 21 @ 3 PM and see for yourself.

Make sure to join us in the Community Room for this fun program that is just a small part of the Teen Summer Reading Program which ends August 3,

(And yes, we noted that they can’t spell “helicopter” correctly on the top of their flier!)

John Heinsen, who alerted us to this, says he’ll be there at 8 AM to watch the choppers fly in,

• 
  This recent post on the Meadows blog just seems to us to be the quintessential Altadena story of summer, 2010.
• PSN has an obit of Allen Davis, who taught at Pasadena City College for over 30 years.  An Altadena resident throughout his working career, Davis was a popular teacher in the business division, and in retirement volunteered as a clown, magician, and balloon-animal-making Santa Claus.
• The Mt. Wilson Observatory Assn.’s monthly lecture on Sat.,

The picnic itself — ranging from garden produce to ribs — certainly had its fans.  More pictures after the jump.

Local artist Heather Morrow is announcing three workshops she will be giving at Kat Scrap Studio, 2455 Lake Ave., (626) 797-1163:

"Creative Journaling" Thursday, July 22, 7-8 PM
Come reconnect with your inner voice in this creative writing session. For this first session, we will be using a photograph to elicit a story and other creative concepts.

Ben McGinty was the most awesome  host for the Doo Dah Photo and Memorabilia Show last night. We had the best time ever.

Elliot Gold writes:

Long time residents of Altadena will remember that years ago there was a coalition of Neighborhood Associations which met each quarter to discuss common issues.

Well, it’s backkkkkkkkkkkk!

While there are indeed regular meetings held by the Sheriff’s Department about crime issue in Altadena,

Melena, born in Havana Cuba, has mastered the traditional rhythms that have traveled from Africa to Cuba, to the dance floors of America. Her Afro/Cuban sound is a conversation of melodies which she plays with fierce passion. Whether she is playing Congas, Timbales, Batas or a range of other percussion instruments.

“Evening of Cowboy Poetry and Song” featuring Gary Robertson and Eddie Villalobos
July 31,

Montague, who was known as a technical whiz who worked at Caltech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was diving with his girlfriend and reported problems with his equipment, reports say.  As they were swimming back to shore, she reportedly lost track of him but later found him face down in the water. 

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce writes:

The creek was cut off by Lincoln Avenue Water, one of the water companies that services Altadena, reportedly making repairs to pipes damaged by the Station Fire above Millard Falls and diverting the water for pressure tests.  According to Lori Paul,

Now that the World Cup is over, Bulgarini Gelato, 749 E. Altadena Dr. (next to Rite-Aid) is starting it's Italian "dinner and a movie" summer nights:

Enjoy an foreign film every Saturday night in the Summer. Dinner will be offered – by reservation only –

West and her staff have grown the Curves membership from zero  to 150 members in just two years. 

Fri., June 23

• “The Losers” is the Altadena Library’s teen movie spectacular, rated PG-13.  Admission is free.  Starts 3:30 at the Library, 600 E. Mariposa.
• scissor/paper/rock acoustic concert series continues with An Uncommon Gentleman  (original alternative music), starting at 7 :30 PM.  Free. 1864 N. Allen, Pasadena.
  

Sat., June 24

• Meet Max the Bunny from the popular children’s series “Max and Ruby”

2 PM at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa, and 4:30 PM at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave.

• PSN’s Larry Wilson writes a paean to Lori Paul, the defender of Millard Canyon wildlife, who moved heaven and earth to restore the flow at Millard Canyon Creek to save the frogs and newts.  In his blog, Larry also includes a different newt orgy picture than the one we used we used in our story.
• Kudos and congratulations to our counterparts at West Seattle Blog.

(Pictured: Jimmy, Paula, and Jim Orlandini)

After over a year of failed hopes and uncertainty — not to mention a bus crashing into the front of the store —  Altadena Hardware will remain open with new owners:  Altadena residents seasoned by a lifetime in the hardware business.

Jim and Paula Orlandini took over Altadena Hardware from owner Don Thomas and his family on July 10. The Orlandinis also own Newland Hardware in El Sereno,

• Brian Day writing at Whittier Daily News profiles Altadenan Chris Zarow, a neuropathologist at USC.  Zarow is cycling 140 miles in the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Ride to encourage more funding for Alzeheimer’s research.  “Let’s put ourselves out of a job,” says this researcher.
• Laura Monteros, writing for the Examiner, puts out a timely reminder about those official-looking mailers that say they will get you copies of legal documents you need for your home. 

It’s often been said that it takes a village to raise a child. In this case, thanks to the voices raised by concerned parents and neighbors of Loma Alta Elementary School, students will be able to enter and exit school more safely when the new school year begins in September.

“Loma Alta is a school in the north central part of the District,

The Altadena Hillside Management Ordinance will be the subject of a public hearing on July 27.  The official announcement is below:

Starting July 18, the Altadena Public Library will be closed on Sundays, the result of staff cutbacks to cope with a reduced operating budget.

The Altadena Library District receives 97% of its revenue from property taxes assessed by Los Angeles County. The economic downturn has resulted in the devaluation of local real estate, and therefore less tax revenue.  The county assessor notified the library that it should expect 3% less for their budget than last year,

The Down Beat Express was founded nearly 30 years ago by Pasadena area saxophonist Safford Chamberlain. A year or so later Safford passed the baton to Pat Emmett and the rest is a long swingin’ history of concerts, corporate and charity banquets, wedding receptions, dances and the CD recording “The Silver Project”.