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Embattled Altadena Town Councilman Herbert Simmons resigned today, hours before the closed meeting that was to determine if he would be removed from his council seat.
The letter reads, in part:
I will no longer be part of an organization that does not operate as a legitimate government and that is not open, transparent, and accountable to the community. Effective December 15, 2009, at 12:00 noon, I resign my position as Council Member of Census Tract 4602.
« Simmons resigns from town council | Main | Patience! »
At last night’s town council meeting:
- The council started at 7:30 tonight, after having a closed executive meeting following the resignation of Herbert Simmons. Chairman Gino Sund gave a brief report that they had investigated Simmons following numerous complaints, and kept the investigation confidential to protect Simmons and the council as a whole. The investigation diverted resources from their central mission, which is service to the community, and now is time to move forward. The matter is closed,
« Altadena town council meeting surprisingly uneventful | Main | Hikers robbed at Eaton Canyon »
We're planning some massive updates for late tonight — a LOT of criminal activity in the past couple of days, plus just got news of collision w/ambulances responding at Woodbury and Fair Oaks (5:15 PM).
« Patience! | Main | More break-ins »
First in our crime rundown for tonight: two hikers were robbed at gunpoint at the vehicle turnout on Aladena Drive above Roosevelt this morning about 2 PM. We were in the neighborhood at the time and heard it on the scanner — sheriff's deputies were at the turnout, Pasadena PD was monitoring the entrance to the park on Altadena Dr., and the helicopter was overhead, but the robbers —
« Hikers robbed at Eaton Canyon | Main | Free H1N1 flu shots at Farnsworth Park Fri. »
Another burglary, this morning about 11 AM, a home on Loma Alta. A witness described a black Chevy Tahoe with factory tints, paper plates saying Pasadena Chevy Dealer, driven by a female Hispanic, backing out of the driveway of the home.
There was also some activity on Lake and Altadena Drive around 3 PM this afternoon, as sheriffs stopped a black Tahoe that matched the description. A deputy told us that it turned out not to be the suspect.
« More break-ins | Main | Weekendin’ »
Y’all come now: free shots for H1N1 (swine flu) will be given out at Farnsworth Park Fri., Dec. 18, from 9 AM to 2 PM, by the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health.
« Free H1N1 flu shots at Farnsworth Park Fri. | Main | Michele Zack @ the Community Center Jan. 25 »
Pretty quiet pre-Christmas weekend:
Friday, Dec. 18
- Free H1N1 flu shots will be administered at Farnsworth Park by the county Dept. of Public Health, 9 AM-2PM.
- The Altadena Library's Fun Flick Friday: G-Force, starts at 3:30 PM in the Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa.
Sat.,
« Weekendin’ | Main | “Igniting your Writing” with Dorothy Randall Gray Jan. 9 »
Michele Zack, historian and award winning author of Altadena: Between Wilderness and City, will give a talk illustrated with historic images from her new book, Southern California Story at 7:30 pm on Monday, Jan. 25 at the Altadena Community Center. Her new work integrates aspects of Sierra Madre into regional and national history, and the topic of Monday’s program will be the interesting connections and contrasts among Sierra Madre, Altadena, & Pasadena.
This program is jointly sponsored by the Altadena Historical Society and the Friends of the Altadena Library.
« Michele Zack @ the Community Center Jan. 25 | Main | This Sat: North Lake Pole Shop Hop and Xmas Tree Lane boutique (only drier!) »
The Friends of the Altadena Library present a free workshop entitled “Igniting Your Writing-How to Begin” by best-selling author, Dorothy Randall Gray. Gray, a nationally acclaimed writing workshop leader and motivational speaker, has captivated television, radio and university audiences throughout the U. S. and abroad. Both new and seasoned writers will gain much from her inspired teachings in this stimulating participatory workshop.
Learn how to capture the experiences of your life and effectively commit them to paper.
« "Igniting your Writing" with Dorothy Randall Gray Jan. 9 | Main | Sheriff looking for Volunteers on Patrol »
You knew that the Altadena Arts Coalition was planning to salvage last week's rained out Shop Hop, didn't you?
FIRST, the businesses involved are extending the qualification time for the Grand Raffle until December 24. During this time, visit the listed merchants, businesses, & restaurants to get a star affixed to your Shop Hop card to qualify for the Grand Raffle (no purchase or obligation required).
« This Sat: North Lake Pole Shop Hop and Xmas Tree Lane boutique (only drier!) | Main | Reminder: Sheriffs need volunteers for toy drive Sat. »
The LA County Sheriffs are looking for service minded volunteers to apply for their "Volunteers on Patrol Program".
It is a short training period. You will get driving courses in a squad car and learn radio codes and much more. The program needs you about 20 hours a month.
« Sheriff looking for Volunteers on Patrol | Main | Water quality: you can even say it glows »
Altadena Sheriff's Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Sgt Bartlett, Community Relations
626-798-1131
If you would like to help with this annual event to help others have a better Christmas, see below:
Saturday Dec 19th.
Would like folks there at the station by 6AM to help. The event starts at 7AM and goes to 11AM on Saturday December 19th,
« Reminder: Sheriffs need volunteers for toy drive Sat. | Main | Altadena and its discontents »
Siddharth Dasgupta at Zane Grey Terrace points us out to
this chart as part of a New York Times story about water quality — for those of us who use Rubio Canyon Land & Water Assn. have good water quality (except for the mild radioactivity!)
« Water quality: you can even say it glows | Main | Something going on in Loma Alta Park tomorrow … »
PWeekly's Andre Coleman
looks at the admittedly unusual governing structure of Altadena in light of the Simmons matter. (We still don't know why they keep going for quotes to the same former town councilman whom we fact-checked and found wanting the last time he was quoted — this is the third time in a month!).
« Altadena and its discontents | Main | Hurry before the time flu away »
We're trying to pin this one down:
possibly the worst written press release we've ever seen ("Altadena Department of Parks and Recreations"? "Altadena Highway Patrol?" There are no such). We haven't gotten official notice of the event (altho' county — yes, COUNTY — parks and rec is notoriously spotty in giving us information). We'll try to pin it down tomorrow.
« Something going on in Loma Alta Park tomorrow … | Main | NEY Technology Center grand opening today at 5 »
Winston Lieu of the Los Angeles County Dept. of Health tries to entice people to get the H1N1 vaccine at Farnsworth Park today. The county was offering free shots today (we got one), and business was really slow. Shots will be available until 2 PM today, so hurry over!
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Neighbors Empowering Youth, Inc. is celebrating the opening of its new computer technology training center today with an open house that starts at 5 PM. The center is located at 2662 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
(Pictured: NEY founder John Smith)
NEY is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) service organization that provides computers and computer training to the underserved youth of Altadena and northwest Pasadena.
« NEY Technology Center grand opening today at 5 | Main | Sheriff and community work for a brighter Christmas »
Loma Alta Park will be hosting the Big Red One himself this afternoon, 5-7 PM at 3330 N. Lincoln Ave.
There will be refreshments, a raffle and prizes, special celebrity guests, and Santa will give toys to children 12 and under.
The event is co-sponsored by the California Highway Patrol (Altadena branch),
« Visit with Santa at Loma Alta Park today at 5 PM | Main | Shopping, hopping »
Today’s the day the Altadena Sheriff’s Station and members of the community distribute the fruits of their holiday food and toy drive. 223 needy families will receive toys, some staple foods, and a turkey to lighten up their holiday season. This morning, the Community Center parking lot was a beehive of activity as the sorting and distribution process began.
Volunteers sort bags of donated toys for eligible families.
Young volunteers unload trucks full of staple foods …
« Sheriff and community work for a brighter Christmas | Main | Your early morning wake-up call [UPDATED] »
The Altadena Arts Coalition, the merchants of North Lake Ave., and Christmas Tree Lane put together a fine Shop-Hop experience during an unseasonably mild December day (
contra last weekend!) It was a good day to shop, visit, and add to your Christmas Tree Lane memorabilia (yes, that
is our banner in Galloway Alley).
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« Shopping, hopping | Main | First-hand report of Saturday burglary »
… for those of us on the east side of town, around 6:20 — the whirlybird was in pursuit of a burglary suspect, says the sheriff's station. Per scanner, it had to break off to handle a gun-related incident elsewhere (no details on that), but sheriff units are still in the neighborhoods as of 6:40.
A reader also wanted to know what the cops were doing at Mendocino and Porter around 5 PM —
« Your early morning wake-up call [UPDATED] | Main | First day of winter »
Matt Bogaard sent out this message on an incident he participated in yesterday:
On Saturday, December 19 at 3:40pm, I was driving southbound on Porter approaching Mendocino in the 2300 blk. I saw a male Black / 18-20 years of age / sitting in the driver’s seat of a Honda Accord. The engine was running and he was facing northbound. I looked in to his car as I drove by slowly, made eye contact, and he gave me a look of serious stress and concern.
« First-hand report of Saturday burglary | Main | "Circa Sometime" show at McGinty’s Jan. 9-31 »
Faithful skywatcher Bill Westphal reminds us:
The Winter Solstice occurs on Mon. Dec. 21 at 9:47 a.m. At that moment the Sun, in its apparent path around the Earth, reaches its farthest point in the South. This marks the beginning of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter will end with the Vernal Equinox on March 20,
« First day of winter | Main | Hootenanny 2.0 »
McGinty’s Gallery at the End of the World is pleased to present
Circa Sometime, an exhibition of selected works by six artists working in assemblage and collage. Circa Sometime marks the first such show at the gallery and includes collaborative and individual installation works. Described by Altadena Heritage as “the epicenter of the art scene in Altadena” – a magical gallery/garden that is itself a living assemblage of art and nature.
Featuring artists Carl Heinz,
« "Circa Sometime" show at McGinty’s Jan. 9-31 | Main | Star of wonder, star of night .. »
Local artist Donna Barnes-Roberts, who plies her trade in the Coffee Gallery, also participates in the gallery's Wednesday night singalongs. But not every song is covered by Rise Up Singing, so they've introduced a new wrinkle: Laptop Lyrics:
We are actually trying to help organize our Wednesday singalongs, so everyone has lyrics in front of them,
« Hootenanny 2.0 | Main | Antonovich calls for congressional investigation into Station Fire air support »
From Bill Westphal:
Just a note to your readers that the Star Of Palawoo was lit last night. In observance of the Holidays, Dr. Phil Elkins plans to light the Star each evening until Jan 1st. Most residents West of Lake Ave can see the Star in person by looking in the hills above Loma Alta Elementary School. Or, for those on the East side of Altadena, the Star is visible on the Altadena WeatherCam at
http://www.westphalfamily.com/wxdata2.htmlFor those interested in reading the history behind the Star Of Palawoo,
« Star of wonder, star of night .. | Main | Short takes »
A press release from Supt. Michael Antonovich's office:
“Recent press reports indicate that the Forest Service was not forthright in reporting why water-dropping aircraft was not employed in the earliest stage of the Station Fire,” said Supervisor Antonovich in a letter to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein requesting a congressional investigation. “Originally the Forest Service reasoned that mountainous terrain prevented aircraft water drops.
« Short takes | Main | High wind warning, 30% chance of rain today »
The ever busy and forktacular Donna Barnes-Roberts tells us that she has a few spaces open for her watercolor classes at the Coffee Gallery starting in January:
They are in the Conference Room at The Coffee Gallery, and since the room is small, the classes are small. That way I can see what everyone is doing and provide individualized instruction instead of big mass paint-alongs.
« A few places still open for watercolor classes | Main | Tree down, 2800 block Maiden Lane »
We were up early, reading the weather reports, and it was absolutely mild and clear. Now (about 7:25 AM) the winds have kicked up, and here's what the weather service has to say for LA County and environs:
THE HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM PST WEDNESDAY.
« Gemma returned after dognapping and dog-stortion attempt | Main | Five Acre’s festive holiday open house Tues., Dec. 8 »
Another rummage sale Saturday, and not too far out of the way:
The Pasadena Mental Health Center will hold its first annual rummage sale on Sat., Dec. 5, 8 AM-1 PM at the center, 1495 N. Lake in Pasadena.
A unique variety of items will be for sale,
« Another rummage sale! Pasadena Mental Health Center Sat. | Main | Antonovich says Simmons used town council’s name to seek support »
Usher in the season with Five Acre’s Open House on Tues., Dec. 8, at the Five Acres Auditorium, 760 W. Mountain View St.
Events start at 6 PM with cocoa, hot cider, and hors d’oeuvres at the main campus, followed by a program and performance at 7 PM and a special wine reception in celebration of the Zeilstra Research and Training Center and tours of the campus.
« Five Acre’s festive holiday open house Tues., Dec. 8 | Main | Call to artists to display @ Library Community Room in 2010 »
While Herbert Simmons has denied ever using his town council position to solicit funds, a letter from county Supervisor Michael Antonovich said that Simmons “has circulated a letter using the Altadena Town Council name” for his student and teacher of the month programs.
Antonovich also denies that he was a “confirmed business sponsor,” as Simmons claimed in his letter.
« Antonovich says Simmons used town council’s name to seek support | Main | Next weekend: Christmas Tree Lane! »
Call to Artists
Share Your Art With The Community
The Altadena Library District is seeking artists of all media to display artwork in our Community Room. All experience levels, individual artists, and collaborative teams are welcome.
Security/Anti-theft devices are available for framed artwork.
Art Displays will be held monthly in 2010 (check for available months)
Submit an application and photos of your work (website address or small jpeg files),
« Call to artists to display @ Library Community Room in 2010 | Main | In the winter, it’s READING that’s cool! »
It promises to be another extravaganza Saturday for the 89th lighting of Christmas Tree Lane and the first annual Winter Arts & Crafts Festival.
The festival goes on at the Altadena Library parking lot, 600 E. Mariposa, and the lighting ceremony will be at the corner of Mariposa and Santa Rosa at 5 PM, with a full rack of festivities! Bring the family for an Altadena tradition!
« Next weekend: Christmas Tree Lane! | Main | Pasadena’s Bruckner to be county planning head »
The Altadena Library Children’s Services launches its winter reading program Dec. 13 through Jan. 31. This year’s “Chill Out and Read” theme is “Poetry,” and what better time to spend the cool days (or as cool as they get around here!)
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Pasadena City Planning and Development Director Richard Bruckner has been tapped as the final candidate for planning director of Los Angeles County. If he takes the county position, Bruckner will be responsible for planning in all unincorporated areas of the county, including Altadena. PSN has the deets.
« Pasadena’s Bruckner to be county planning head | Main | Diaz: Simmons used council letterhead to seek PUSD support »
This memo out from District Ranger Mike Mcintyre of the National Forest Service:
Subject: Upcoming Storm Event
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 10:30:01 -0800
From: Mike McIntyre <mmcintyre@fs.fed.us>
As we all know by now, there is a rain event forecasted to start as early as Sunday evening with the potential of rain over several days.
« Rain in forecast; be careful in burn areas | Main | Daylight break-in Thursday afternoon »
Herbert Simmons used an official-looking Altadena town council letterhead in all his correspondence to Pasadena Unified Superintendent Edwin Diaz, as well as telling Diaz that the council was behind the school recognition program he was promoting, according to the superintendent.
The Altadena Town Council as a whole has never endorsed Simmon’s personal student/teacher of the month program.
Diaz, in an Aug. 20 letter to Altadena town council chair Gino Sund,
« Diaz: Simmons used council letterhead to seek PUSD support | Main | Selah in concert @ Atladena Community Church »
Gino Sund sent this out to the "neighbors" Yahoo group Friday:
Sorry to inform you that there was a breaking and entry burglary yesterday in our CT (4601). It was a home on Mendocino Drive, near Morslay Road. It occurred around noon on Thursday. Items stolen were TV, computer equipment etc. The only possible lead is the sighting of a white van or utility truck in the area at the time.
« Daylight break-in Thursday afternoon | Main | I’ll be HMO for Christmas »
Just got in this notice of the Selah Gospel Choir’s holiday concert tonight at 7:30 at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr. Admission is $5.
« Selah in concert @ Atladena Community Church | Main | Spoken like a true wheel »
Local artist Susan Braig (featured here a few times before) has expanded her “designer drug jewelry” line to include holiday ornaments made from unused syringes. Proceeds help pay for her medical bills. Click the picture for the story.
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(Okay, that’s a really convoluted pun, we know …)
But the Altadena Sheriff’s Station held its second Tour of Altadena this morning, starting at Loma Alta Park (the fun continues with a barbecue that started at 11 AM). Proceeds go to charity. We got some pictures of the start of the tour.
Bikes at rest before the tour.
About 35 riders signed up, double last year’s participation.
… and that’s a lot of bikers!
« Spoken like a true wheel | Main | … and yet another holiday boutique »
Mickie Mills in PSN
has a piece on Altadena artist Ngene Mwaura, who is showing at the
Art Bender at McGinty’s this weekend. The omniscient Monica Hubbard tells us that the website now in the article is incorrect — it should be
www.altees.net (how does she KNOW these things?) Mwaura’s website is
http://www.ngenemwaura.com/
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This and rummage sales, all weekend, it seems. The latest we've heard about: Rituals Salon (865 E. Mariposa) will have a holiday boutique sale today from 4-8 PM: music, a silent auction for unique gifts, and a "beauty bar", among other things.
« … and yet another holiday boutique | Main | Work begins on senior center parking »
Local mountain man Greg Sweet
publishes a story in his blog from John Muir, remembering a jaunt up Eaton Canyon above Altadena.
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Winston Lieu of the Los Angeles County Dept.