It's summer, and time for some of the scams to start coming around again.

Several of the newsgroups have reported unofficial-looking teen boys knocking on the door at night, trying to solicit subscriptions to the Pasadena Star-News.  (One member reported that, after demurring on the subscription,

PR Web said:

Real Men identifies 25 family and relationship issues and provides simple, workable solutions that can improve individual lives and relationships. The topics cover a broad spectrum such as infidelity, the dangers of male/female role reversal,

UPDATE: This has already gone viral!  Our friends at Hometown Pasadena put their two cents in;  Cory Bergman's Lost Remote links to it; and Hyperlocal Blogger as well.

Sometime back, a major internet service provider (you know, the one who polluted the environment with all those discs of its software during the 90's —

• Bananas: The Seattle Times reprints an LA Times feature about Fred Garbutt, the man who bought Ken Bannister's former Altadena landmark, The Banana Museum.  Now that he's the banana man, Garbutt says, "They just consume me."
• Cobb Estate: Forest Service District Ranger Mike J. McIntyre says that about ten people showed up to the Cobb Estate on June 5 to review the GPS map of trails within the Estate.

Altadena Relay has our Kick Off Event this Thursday at Farnsworth Park, 6-8 PM. All are welcome come by for a piece of Birthday Cake celebrating Relay for Life’s 1st Birthday in Altadena.  Please come to learn how you can participate in our Event: “One Day, One Night – One Community – One Fight”. We are looking for new participants and new teams,

In light of our recent gone-national screed, Donna Barnes-Roberts, the local doyenne of watercolor and Coffee Gallery booster, sends us an appreciation of the uniquely Altadenan:

I was glad to hear that yet another unique Altadena thing will stay a unique Altadena thing.  Just like The Coffee Gallery.  We don't always know exactly what is different here,

Altadenablog sponsor Webster's Fine Stationers gives us a "save the date" notice:

We'd like you to save the date of Saturday, June 26, when Webster's Liquor and Webster's Fine Stationers will be holding a collaborative event you won't want to miss! 

This fun and informative mini-seminar on pairing wines with popular barbeque party foods will feature local wine experts Anne Bannon and Michael Holland,

• American Cancer Society Altadena Relay for Life kickoff, Davies building, Farnsworth Park, 6-8 PM.  Please come to learn how you can participate in our event: “One Day, One Night – One Community – One Fight”.

Fri., June 18

• Library Teen Movie: “When in Rome.”  Beth Harper is a young,

• Are you ready for some football? Add the Altadena Ale House to the list of local places (i.e. Rancho Bar and Bulgarini Gelato) that are showing live World Cup coverage  (and yes, that means the 4:30 AM Algeria vs. Slovenia match Friday morning!)
• Frodo at the Rancho: Speaking of the Rancho Bar (our newest sponsor,

Says Altadena Heritage:

We will honor gardens whose creators have added beauty to neighborhoods.  In keeping with Altadena Heritage’s sustainability theme, we will pay special attention to gardens whose delights do not depend on excessive watering,

From the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa:

On Fri., June 25 from 10-11 AM, we will be “kicking-off” the 2010 Teen Summer Reading program “Make Waves @ your Library,” with our Donut Drop-In. The Teen Summer Reading Program runs from June 25 until August 3, 2010. Join up for a great summer of creative programs, fantastic reads and awesome prizes. Register for your chance to win our grand prize,

In partnership with Waste Less Living, an Altadena-based zero-waste consulting and composting service provider, High Point Academy took its commitment to environmental stewardship to the next level by providing its students with education and training for sustained waste reduction practices at the school – while highlighting that composting makes a difference to the environment. 

Huell Howser emerges from his villain's lair to look at Mt. Wilson this weekend, per this message circulating in the newsgroups:

Dave Jurasevich, who works at the Mt. Wilson observatory told me that
Huell Howser was up at Mt.

Altadenablog sponsor Brio Spa & Cafe, 2003 & 2009 Lake Ave., is holding a special event next Sat., June 26, starting at noon and lasting as long as it lasts!

Via their Facebook page, Amy's Patio Cafe, 900 E. Altadena Dr.,  is celebrating their new evening hours with a great deal if you make a reservation:

For those who make reservations for dinner Saturday night (tonight) and Sunday night, you'll save 10% on your check.

Lots going on at our local coffee house, both frontstage and backstage:

First, the bodacious Revvell Revati says:

Musical impresario and singer/musician Duane Thorin's 60th birthday will be celebrated at The Coffee Gallery this evening, Sunday, June 19th, beginning with a potluck at 7 and our usual open mic night on the Community Front Stage.

Some recent things:

The Orchestra was founded in 1986 by Roberta Wilcox to give talented high school and college students an opportunity to play with outstanding conductors and study classical music.  The Young Artist’s Concert was added to give a solos opportunity to our best performers.

This coming weekend, McGinty’s Gallery at the End of the World and the Underground Arts Society will host its first Altadena Artists Home Tour, featuring
25+ local artists  displaying their work at 11 homes. Tour hours are 10 AM -5 PM Sat., June 26, and 10 AM-3 PM, Sun., June 27.

The tour will feature artists working in all media, including pottery, assemblage, painting,

Got some reports from several neighbors about a hit rollover accident on Glenrose below Figueroa on Saturday night, before midnight.  We tried to get some info from CHP, which as of this morning didn't have anything on it and as of tonight hadn't returned our call.

Reader Justin writes:

Just had a Hit and Run on Glenrose (just south of Figueroa) at approx.

So which wine do you serve with hot dogs? Burgers? Ribs? The community is invited to find out at a free talk and tasting hosted by (Altadenablog sponsor) Webster’s Fine Stationers the evening of Sat., June 26, from 6- 8 PM at the store, located at 2450 Lake Avenue in Altadena, CA.

Anne Louise Bannon and Michael Holland of OddBallGrape.com will show guests which wines match well with hamburgers,

We will honor several whose creators have added beauty to neighborhoods through greening efforts that “give” to the street.

Los Angeles County’s 20th Annual Family Music Festival on Sun., June 27 at Bonelli Park will feature legendary performer Glen Campbell with special guest Debby Campbell along with music greats, the Marshall Tucker Band and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.

Sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D.

Roslyn Scherr of Altadena Congregations Together Serving (ACTS), a group of churches and a synagogue that serve the Altadena area, writes that ACTS will hold a series of meatless summer salad suppers to enjoy each other's company and inform each other about their beliefs.

We have a chance to meet some lovely people, learn about each other's beliefs….&

Inger Miller, one of the owners of Altadena-based Miller Hawkins Productions Event Coordinators, will be a panelist at tonight's "The Crawford Family Forum" at 6:30 PM sponsored by 89.3 KPCC and Off-Ramp.

In celebration of International Olympic Day, 1976 US Olympic gold and silver medalist in swimming John Naber welcomes fellow local US Olympians to the Crawford Family Forum to talk about how the Olympic Games changed their lives,