« And now .. the fork in the road (3) | Main | Business as it used to be on Mariposa »
… at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

We have heard (unofficially at this time) that the closed meeting to consider recommendations of the investigation committee will be moved to next month — so this may be an uneventful meeting after all. But one never knows.
(UPDATE 5/16: Due to red flag warnings, Mike McIntyre will not be available, and the presentation detailed below has been moved to December)
Alice Wessen tells us that Mike Mcintyre of the US Forest Service will do a presentation on the burned areas (BAER) report:
I posted the full USFS report,
« Altadena Town Council meeting, Tues. Nov. 17, 7 PM | Main | Sheriff’s station holds annual bike tour Dec. 5 »

Altadena Historical Society president Jane Brackman gave us permission to reprint their November newsletter:
This attachment seems appropriate to post on the blog in light of the conversation going on about businesses closing their doors. This is what Altadena used to look like, and if people shop local, it will again.
Click to enlarge.
« Business as it used to be on Mariposa | Main | Crown CIty Chorus: a barbershop Christmas Dec. 5 »
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., Altadena Sheriff’s Station, and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Athletic Association presents:
2009 Tour of Altadena Bike Ride
Sat., Dec. 5, 2009
9:00AM – 1:00PM
10 Mile FAMILY FUN RIDE or 12.5 Mile HILL CHALLENGE
Start and end at Loma Alta Park,
« Sheriff’s station holds annual bike tour Dec. 5 | Main | scissors.paper.rock salon offers girl’s night out on Fri., Prism Wellness Sat. »

Mala Arthur alerts us to the Crown City Chorus’ “An Old Fashioned Christmas” concert on Sat., Dec. 5, at Wilson Middle School Auditorium, 300 Madre St., Pasadena, at 2 PM:
Lots of local men sing in this barbershop chorus, it’s lots of fun and they are a really nice group of people.
(My connection — my husband is in the group!)
Family-friendly event,
« Crown CIty Chorus: a barbershop Christmas Dec. 5 | Main | Instead of fines, library will take food and toys »
Scissors Paper Rock Salon (Altadenablog sponsor) will hold a "Holiday Shopping Extravaganza 'Girls Night Out' on Fri., Nov. 20, 5:30-9 PM.
The event is Hosted by project 12/22, which is on Facebook.
Clothing, jewelry, handbags, music, and (yay) cocktails!
Scissors Paper Rock Salon
1864 N.Allen Ave.,
« scissors.paper.rock salon offers girl’s night out on Fri., Prism Wellness Sat. | Main | Double-header Saturday at the Library Nov. 21 »

The Altadena Library is offering an amnesty (kind of!) for your library fines for the holiday season!
From Nov. 23 to Dec. 7, bring a new toy or non-perishable food item to the library clear some of your unpaid fines (schedule is on the poster). Items will be given to the Altadena Sheriff’s Station for their annual food and toy drive.
Sounds like a good way to help the community and stay in the library’s good graces (and,
« Instead of fines, library will take food and toys | Main | “Overcoming Overeating” teleclass starts Tues. »
Another double-header weekend at the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, on Sat., Nov. 21.
At 10 AM, it’s Super Family Storytime for children ages 2-8 and their families, with stories, songs, fingerplays, and a short film.
At 11 AM, it’s “Barks and Books,” where young readers can read aloud to Pearl, a lovable poodle and appreciative audience!
« Double-header Saturday at the Library Nov. 21 | Main | Waldorf School Elves’ Fair this Saturday »
Raw food expert Revell Revati tells us she will start a 6-week "Overcoming Overeating" teleclass series free for the first 10 people who contact her — normally a $267 value. Classes start tomorrow, Tues., Nov. 17, at 5 PM. Revell tells us it will be recorded and later sold on CD. For more information, please go to
http://bit.ly/37LFWV.
« “Overcoming Overeating” teleclass starts Tues. | Main | Quartetto Nuevo @ Altadena Community Church Fri. »

24th ANNUAL ELVES’ FAIR
Pasadena Waldorf School
209 East Mariposa Street
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 794-9564
Saturday – November 21, 2009
10 AM to 4 PM
Free Admission!
Fun for the whole family!
In an atmosphere reminiscent of a medieval faire, fairies, elves, and minstrels abound. Celebrating the end of the Fall harvest season, the Faire anticipates the coming darkening and cooler Winter months when families gather together cozily in the warmth of their homes and rejoice in the light-bringing holidays.
« Waldorf School Elves’ Fair this Saturday | Main | Michele Zack’s new book: “Sierra Madre” @ Vroman’s Dec. 2 »

World fusion group Quartetto Nuevo, will play at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr., this Friday at 8 PM. The percussion/guitar/cello/winds group plays a benefit for the church’s roof repair fund. (We think they sound a little like Oregon, which was one of our favorite groups!) TIckets are $20 general/$10 students.
« Quartetto Nuevo @ Altadena Community Church Fri. | Main | Welcome new sponsor: Altadenans for Quality Education »

Altadena treasure Michele Zack, author of our town’s authoritative history
(Altadena: Between Wilderness and City) will premiere and sign her new history,
Southern California Story: Seeking the Better Life in Sierra Madre on Wed., Dec. 2, at Vroman’s Book Store in Pasadena.
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Altadenablog welcomes its new sponsor, Altadenans for Quality Education, aka AUSD Now!
It’s very simple mathematics, according to Bruce Wasson, Altadena’s predominantly low-income student academic efficiencies are usually 30-50 percentile points below their comparable peers — and after elementary school, it gets even worse. Closing that gap means finding outstanding educators to do it, and ‘If we don’t change the hiring model,
« Welcome new sponsor: Altadenans for Quality Education | Main | Westminister Presbyterian hosts Caltech Glee Clubs in winter concert »
The Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Library are pleased to announce a presentation by railroad expert and co-founder of the Scenic Mount Lowe Group, Brian Marcroft. who will be sharing rare, never before seen images, maps, photos and documents of the Pacific Electric Railroad from the Ray Younghans estate,
« Remembering the Red Cars at the Community Center next Mon. | Main | On the trail of "Ram-bro’" this morning »
The Caltech Glee Clubs will perform a concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church, at 1757 North Lake Avenue in Pasadena, on Friday and Saturday night from 8-10 PM. The program will feature music by Homilius, Salas, Handel, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Casals, plus arrangements of songs from India, China, Japan, Kenya, and the United States.
« Westminister Presbyterian hosts Caltech Glee Clubs in winter concert | Main | Loma Alta opens new preschool serving autistic children »
Getting from the news groups that there have been sightings this morning of Joe Clay, i.e. "Ram-bro'", in full camo hunting gear. One dispatch read:
This morning at about 6:30 I saw a middle aged African American male with a cross bow dressed in camouflage hiking up the fire cut directly above Lake Ave at the westerly edge of the Cobb Estate.
« On the trail of "Ram-bro’" this morning | Main | Altadena Christian Children’s Center yard sale fundraiser Sat. »
This Thurs., Nov. 19, starting at 11 AM, Supv. Michael D. Antonovich will join parents, children and representatives of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) to celebrate the opening of Loma Alta Preschool in Altadena. The preschool, which serves 40 children, is unique in that it is a blended inclusion site that enables staff to meet the needs of eight children with autism,
« Loma Alta opens new preschool serving autistic children | Main | Community Thanksgiving Service Sun., Nov. 22 »
Ann emails us:
This weekend my husband and I are hosting a Yard Sale Fundraiser where ALL proceeds are going directly to Altadena Christian Children's Center. The families from the school are coming together and donating items to raise money for a school that means so much to us.
« Altadena Christian Children’s Center yard sale fundraiser Sat. | Main | Uneventful town council meeting tonight »
In an annual interfaith expression of Thanksgiving, several religious congregations in Altadena will join for an Altadena Community Thanksgiving Service this Sunday, November 22, at 7:00 PM. This year's event will be hosted by the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, with the music under the direction of the Temple's Cantor, Judith Sofer.
The featured speaker will be Rev.
« Updates will be late today … | Main | The Arc names Liu legislator of the year »
No drama, no surprises, workmanlike, nay, dull.

Action-wise, at last night’s town council meeting, the major action was donating $500 to the sheriff’s food and toy drive, and writing a letter of appreciation to CHP Officer Andre Primeaux, who has patrolled the area for awhile and is transferring elsewhere.
Other than that, lots of announcements, housekeeping, and a few presentations, including a visit from State Sen. Carol Liu, who brought the council up-to-date on her activities and answered questions,
« Last night’s town council meeting: the bullet | Main | County issues Station Fire report, conflicts with Forest Service »
State Sen. Carol Liu was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Arc of California, the state’s largest organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Liu, D- La Cañada Flintridge, received the honor from The Arc of California for her legislation and for serving as Chair of the Senate Human Services Committee.
The Arc of California is a statewide organization committed to securing for all people with developmental disabilities,
« The Arc names Liu legislator of the year | Main | Stimulus in Altadena: show me the money! »
Los Angeles County fire officials released their report on the Station Fire, and their recommendation of night-time and first-light aerial attacks goes against the Forest Service practice, which some critics say caused the growth of the fire in its earliest hours.
Here's a link to the county's report (thanks to reader Andrew Bingham) (a pdf document).
« County issues Station Fire report, conflicts with Forest Service | Main | Weekendin’ »

Okay, this is fun: one of our readers, going by “Altadena Taxpayer,” has surfed the Recovery.gov website and has found the following:

ZIP Code 91001 … Stimulus funds $257,073… Jobs created/saved 0 (ZIP)
Maybe the folks in Altadena can do a little “Where’s Waldo” and someone can find the money or the person who has it. Then you can ask when they plan to save/create a job.
« Weekendin’ | Main | Missing dog around McNally »
Greg Stanton's fine
Meadows blog tells us that the Meadows' Fire Safe Council has begun tree removal this week, and there are stacks of free firewood for the taking.
More here.
« Free firewood at the Meadows | Main | PUSD opens universal preschool at Loma Alta »
Just came in thru the newsgroups:
Spaniel mix, brown, white, tan; male. Just wandered off around 12 noon – 3590 McNally. Please call if u spot him, name is Charlie – 626-794-5352. Pls circulate. Thanks!
UPDATE: He's been found!
Ashton & Greg
« Missing dog around McNally | Main | Salon taking donations for URDC Human Services »
We were unable to make this event, but they kindly sent us this release:
ALTADENA – Parents, children and representatives of Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on Nov. 19 to celebrate the opening of a preschool in Altadena that caters to the needs of autistic children.
« PUSD opens universal preschool at Loma Alta | Main | Aveson’s culinary arts students feed the homeless »
Received this message from Yolande Carson of (Altadenablog sponsor) scissors paper rock salon, 1864 N. Allen:
Each year at Scissors paper rock salon we gather gifts for the women and children of Casa Maria and Choices, programs of URDC.
We ask for a donation of an unwrapped gift suitable for a woman or child (ages 0-18) which may be brought by the salon anytime between now and Dec.12th.
« Salon taking donations for URDC Human Services | Main | Pasadena Master Chorale holiday program @ Altadena Community Church Dec. 13 »
Educaton writer Caroline An has a story in
this morning's PSN about Aveson Charter School's culinary arts academy. One of their projects is to prepare a meal every month for residents of Union Station homeless shelter, and they're going all out for Thanksgiving (but no turkey!).
« Aveson’s culinary arts students feed the homeless | Main | 350,000 »
The Pasadena Master Chorale will be performing at Altadena Community Church on Dec. 13 at 4 PM (also at Pasadena's First Congregational Church on Dec. 11 at 7:30 PM). The 75-voice choir will be augmented by children from three area schools.
California Chronicle has the deets.
« Pasadena Master Chorale holiday program @ Altadena Community Church Dec. 13 | Main | Marla Frazee @ Vroman’s Sat. »
Hit another milestone today — 350,000 pageviews to date.
Again, thank you to all our sponsors for believing enough in us to support the work in the most concrete way. Thank you to our mighty contributors, especially Hall of Famers like Bill Westphal, Chris Considine, Monica Hubbard, Carolyn Seitz, Alice Wessen, and Michele Zack. Thank you to all of our readers,
« 350,000 | Main | Going medieval »
Just picked this up from our friends at
Hometown Pasadena: Altadena-based children's illustrator/author Marla Frazee will be signing her new book,
All the World, at Vroman's tomorrow at 10:30 AM. (
Harriett You'll Drive Me Wild is a staple in our house!) Be there!
« Marla Frazee @ Vroman’s Sat. | Main | Power outages in parts of town »
The Pasadena Waldorf School celebrated its annual Elves’ Faire today, a family event that’s part Ren faire, part hippie happening, all fun.

Of course, Father Christmas was there.

Kids clapped, drummed, and danced in the drum circle.

Aerial jousting? Why not? (Yes, that’s John C. Reilly setting up the next flying knight).

And this one almost gets the brass ring!
« Going medieval | Main | Tierra Del Sol exhibit at library community room »
Altadenablog World Headquarters is fine, but we're hearing reports of power outages in La Canada and parts of Altadena tonight — some reports are Lake north of New York, but we're trying to confirm the areas.
« Power outages in parts of town | Main | NAACP to hold LEAD information reception Dec. 12 »

Thru Nov. 30, the Altadena Library Community Room presents an exhibit by the Tierra Del Sol Foundation, Sunland Studio.
Tierra del Sol Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides training, employment, and support services for nearly 500 men and women with developmental disabilities, including autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.
Tierra’s Sunland Studio Artists each bring diverse experiences, backgrounds and skill levels to producing artwork. Each artist has their own style and through their work,
« Tierra Del Sol exhibit at library community room | Main | Community Development Corp. looking for board members »
The Altadena NAACP and the LEAD Program cordially invites prospective LEAD participants and their parents to an information reception on Sat. Dec. 12, from 10-11:30 AM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E Altadena Dr. The reception is hosted by the Altadena NAACP and the Roye family.
LEAD President/CEO Ric Ramsey will speak about the diversity programs at Wharton,
« NAACP to hold LEAD information reception Dec. 12 | Main | Sheriff Station bike tour of Altadena Dec. 5 »
The Community Development Corporation of Altadena (CDCA), a not for profit community development corporation, is seeking candidates to serve as members of its founding board of directors/officers of the board.
The mission of this newly formed organization is to promote community and economic development and to promote community education and leadership development in order to empower the community to advocate on its behalf.
« A holiday bleg | Main | Crown City Symphony @ Senior Center Nov. 21 »

Come to the Altadena Main Library on Sat., Nov. 14, to celebrate National Gaming Day. Children of all ages are invited to experience new board games (or some old favorites) all day long! The library is at 600 E. Mariposa.
« Library celebrates National Gaming Day Nov. 14 | Main | Fiesta Mexico @ the Library Nov. 10, 7 PM »

Crown City Symphony, a community orchestra founded in 2003 under the sponsorship of the Pasadena Senior Center, will give two free concerts, November 21 & 22, at 2 PM both days. The first concert is at the Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa, Altadena, and the second concert is at the First Baptist Church of Pasadena, 75 N. Marengo. Marvin Neumann is the conductor, and Tim Divers, trumpeter, is the soloist (both are from Altadena)
The program is:
“Calm Sea &
« Crown City Symphony @ Senior Center Nov. 21 | Main | Post-Halloween post: coast to ghost »

Join dance teacher Alina Mendez at the Altadena Main Library on Tues., Nov. 10, on a family-friendly trip through Mexico in story, dance, and folklore, starting at 7 PM.
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We have a soft spot in our hearts for paranormal researchers, UFOs, and bigfoot (that’s why we listen to
Coast to Coast nightly). Glad to see that some folks who call themselves
Westside Paranormal Research are planning a nighttime expedition to the Cobb Estate in search of the ectoplasmic.
(We don’t think our reptilian secret masters will let them succeed, tho’!)
« Post-Halloween post: coast to ghost | Main | Lions and coyotes and bears »
Got this one circulating in the newsgroups from our friend Donna Barnes-Roberts (who’s
starting new watercolor classes, below):
I don’t know if you were in Pasadena when there was a building in Old Town with the legend: “My People are People of the Dessert: Said T.E. Lawrence picking up his fork”

Well, some slightly wacky people up in the unincorporated township called Altadena felt a certain lack in their souls after that mural fell to progress oh so many years ago,
« And now … the fork in the road | Main | Pasadena City College Dist. 1 election tomorrow »
Kit Fisher emails us this morning:

I am sad to report that a couple coyotes caught a neighborhood cat this morning around 6. My husband watched the whole affair in our front yard at Maiden Lane and Dolores. He attempted to help, but it was too late. So heads up, everyone. Keep a close eye on your small animals!
We’ve also had sightings of a mountain lion in the Chaney Trail neighborhood near Alzada (we’re still working on our mountain lion graphic!),
« Lions and coyotes and bears | Main | We’re out this morning with supervision »
Candidate (and Altadenablog advertiser) Geoffrey Baum sent us some helpful websites for tomorrow's Pasadena City College Board of Trustees election:
Here’s a basic League of Women Voters page on the election: http://www.smartvoter.org/2009/11/03/ca/la/race/01492000/
Here’s a link where people can look up their polling place and print out their sample ballot: http://lavote.net/Locator/
Here’s an actual copy of the sample ballot: http://lavote.net/Locator/ballot/646/la-NP065E-1Up.pdf
PCC’s District 1 includes the half of Altadena that lies west of Lake.
« Pasadena City College Dist. 1 election tomorrow | Main | Living history at the Senior Center Mon. night; or, "That 70’s Show" »
Not much bloggage this morning — we're busy! See this entry from the LA County Board of Supervisor's agenda for today's meeting:
Presentation of scroll to Timothy Rutt in recognition of the vital role his
“Altadena Blog” played in getting important information out to the
community during the Station Fire,
« We’re out this morning with supervision | Main | Altadenablog honored by LA county supervisors »
For those of us who lived through the 1970’s, two of the key players were Sen. George McGovern and White House Counsel John Dean. The Altadena Senior Center played host to living history last night, as McGovern and Dean spoke to a crowd of over 200 at the Altadena Senior Center.
Dean talked about his new edition of “Blind Ambition,” with a lengthy new afterward about what he’d gone through since Watergate.
« Living history at the Senior Center Mon. night; or, “That 70’s Show” | Main | Arts & crafts sale Sat. »

Back when we were working as a PR flack for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, we were too much of a peon to even be in the illustrious presence of our board of directors (which included Supervisor Michael Antonovich). So it was a real pleasure to be able to shake the man’s hand without a higher-up going nova over our presumption!
We were honored this morning by Supv.