« Weekendin’ | Main | Back, but not at full power »

Molly Tierney at Photography by Walt tells us she’s very excited about the photos that will appear in “Project: Altadena” — a month (or so!) long project of local photographers from all walks of life, armed with a disposable camera of 27 pictures, recording life in our town.
In celebration, the Altadena Arts Coalition is pairing with North Lake Ave. merchants in their second open house next Sat., Sept. 5, with more activities than you can count. Here’s the official word:
September 5,
« Project: Altadena Open House next Sat. | Main | Smoke gets in your eyes … »
We're back on an as-needed basis today. Surgery went well, but hospitalization and recovery is a long road, and blogging is light today. Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes!
« Back, but not at full power | Main | You love your tomatoes, but don’t over-water them! »
… and lungs, and everywhere else. Disgustingly hot and smokey today.
Fortunately, Pasadena's Public Information officer Ann Erdman has sent some information on coping that's worth passing on, after the jump:
PRECAUTIONS URGED DURING POOR AIR QUALITY AND HOT WEATHER
With smoky conditions and temperatures approaching triple digits
for the rest of the week,
« Smoke gets in your eyes … | Main | Hubert’s tree-studded wonderland »

What sold us on this release was the picture of the luscious tomatoes that came with it! Just a reminder message from Altadena Heritage’s Michele Zack, who’s quite the tomato herself:
#1 Tomato Growing Tip: Don’t Over-Water!!!
Altadena Heritage will hold a hands-on Efficient Irrigation Workshop on Sat., Aug, 29 at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive form 9 to 11 am. Irrigation contractor Tom Poplin will explain how to retrofit old systems,
« Hubert’s tree-studded wonderland | Main | President Streets still suffers burglary wave, but one good outcome »
From chair Brian League:
The LUC continued the AT&T Cell Phone Tower Conditional Use Permit located at the Lincoln Ave Reservoir site (Fair Oaks and Loma Alta) from its June meeting. The applicant's representative requested the item be continued to the October meeting. The applicant is in the process of evaluating an alternative site for this Cell Tower and is currently investigating this location.
« Skies above: ISS & Shuttle tonight | Main | Dodger benefit for LAUP »
PSN ed reporter Caroline An
looks at the decision Aveson Charter School must make. Neighborhood concerns put the kibosh on housing an elementary AND high school at the site after the coming school year, so Aveson leadership needs to decide on their next move. (The article seems to imply that the high school component has always been at the site,
« Aveson at the crossroads: what’s next? | Main | Aug. 4 NOW meeting to stop neighborhood violence »

Jim and Cathy Gott of Education Spectrum and Danny’s Farm lets us know about this Sept. 14 fundraiser for Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP):
Attached you will find the flyer for the upcoming LAUP Dodger Day event. I’m really excited about what promises to be an amazing event. There are seats available throughout the stadium, as well as VIP packages up in the Hollywood Suite.
The Dodgers have also graciously allowed for 20 lucky people to go and join the team for batting practice before the game —
« Dodger benefit for LAUP | Main | Melena at Farnsworth Park Concert Series Sat. @ 7 »
Received the following from Altadenan Ashton Rice, who is involved in NOW:
The next meeting of the Neighborhood Outreach Workers (NOW) will be Tuesday, August 4th, 5 – 7 PM at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena.
NOW's mission is to "stop the violence and take back our streets through prevention,
« Aug. 4 NOW meeting to stop neighborhood violence | Main | Lake Ave./Arts Coalition Open House set for Sat., Sept. 5 »
Appearing this Saturday night at the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena’s Summer concert series in Farnsworth Park is Afro-Cuban percussionist Melena. Concert starts at 7 PM.
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,
« Melena at Farnsworth Park Concert Series Sat. @ 7 | Main | Injured hiker rescue going on now »

You can’t get too much of a good thing. After May’s first (and wildly successful) open house, the North Lake Ave. Business District in conjunction with the Altadena Arts Coalition will have another open house over Labor Day weekend — Sat., Sept. 5, from 5 PM until 10 or so.
Highlight of the event will be Project: Altadena —
« Lake Ave./Arts Coalition Open House set for Sat., Sept. 5 | Main | Ice cream finale for library’s summer reading program Tues., Aug. 4 »
… in case those of you on the east side wondered what all the chopper traffic is. Sheriff's station says an injured hiker just beyond the falls, search and rescue has been activated, but fire dept. is up there now. They know where the hiker is, they're just in the process of extraction.
« Injured hiker rescue going on now | Main | Weekendin’ »

Beat the heat and celebrate your summer reading adventures with the Altadena Library’s Ice Cream Finale for this year’s summer reading club participants! There will be drawings and other fun activities, too, starting at 2 PM at the main library, 600 E. Mariposa.
« Ice cream finale for library’s summer reading program Tues., Aug. 4 | Main | Federal funds put library on the road to expansion »
Thurs., July 30
- Foodtastic! Altadena teen reading program activity, only this time at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., 4 PM.
- Altadena Chamber of Commerce mixer at McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, 5:30-7 PM.
Fri., July 31
- Project: Altadena participants:
« Weekendin’ | Main | Flintridge Bookstore & Coffee House re-opens »

PSN’s Altadena beat reporter Janette Williams
front-pages a story about the $400,000 in federal money to go to the Altadena Library renovation and expansion. The library will need $20 – $24 million to complete the changes, and will require all kinds of fundraising, but the seed money is a good start.
(Graphic from architects CWA AIA. Note how the new space will fly over the existing parking lot)
« Federal funds put library on the road to expansion | Main | Coffee Gallery Comedy Festival to help Relay for Life Aug. 13-15 »
From one of our neighboring cities, good news: The Flintridge Bookstore & Coffee House
is having a grand re-opening this Sat., Aug. 1. The bookstore was damaged and closed down after a tractor trailer came careening down Angeles Crest Highway this April, smashing into cars and the bookshop and killing a father and daughter in the process.
« Flintridge Bookstore & Coffee House re-opens | Main | Man shot on 2400 block of LIncoln this evening »

Alerted to this message by Sarah Eagle of the American Cancer Society:
INAUGURAL ALTADENA COMEDY FESTIVAL
SET FOR AUGUST 13-15
Major Three-Day Comedic Event to Help Raise Funds for the American Cancer Society
ALTADENA, Calif. – July 28, 2009 – Funnier than playing chess blindfolded, organizers of the Altadena Comedy Festival today announced the inaugural event will take place from August 13-15,
« Coffee Gallery Comedy Festival to help Relay for Life Aug. 13-15 | Main | August land use committee meeting cancelled, cell tower deferred »
PSN reports a shooting on the 2400 block of LIncoln this evening at about 7:20. An altercation between the victim and a young black man in his 20's, white T-shirt, shorts, and handgun, in front of a liquor store. Injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
« Man shot on 2400 block of LIncoln this evening | Main | Dangers on the trail »
Just got a note from Altadena Town Council's land use committee chair Brian League:
Due to lack of an available quorum the August 4, 2009 meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Altadena Town Council has been canceled. Our next regular meeting is Tuesday September 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM.
« August land use committee meeting cancelled, cell tower deferred | Main | Library hosts Fun Flick Fridays in August »
In light of two hikers falling off the trails and two others getting lost near the "second waterfall" in Eaton Canyon recently, PSN's Alfred Lee
talks to the members of Altadena Mountain Rescue corps about the dangers of hiking in the canyon. (Oh, yes —
there's also the bear).
« Dangers on the trail | Main | Shout out to LA’s biking spokes-man »

Summer’s not over yet, and the Altadena Library continues its menu of summer fun flicks every Friday, starting at 3:30 PM in the main library, 600 E. Mariposa.
All films are free, and include free popcorn!
Films include:
Aug. 7: Fast and Furious (rated PG-13)
Aug. 14: Race to Witch Mountain (rated PG)
Aug. 21: 17 Again (rated PG-13)
Aug. 28: Hannah Montana: The Movie (rated G)
« Library hosts Fun Flick Fridays in August | Main | … and another one rides the bus »
KCET's website has just inaugurated a new feature,
"Better Know a SoCal Blogger," and the first one they feature is Ted Rogers of
Bikinginla, the indispensible guide to anyone traveling on two wheels in the city. We have to give the shout-out because we've known Mr. Rogers for darn near forty years,
« Shout out to LA’s biking spokes-man | Main | Project: Altadena — turn in your cameras now! »

Sheriff’s deputies were called out a little before 10 AM this morning at Lake and Mendocino. Sheriff’s station reports that it was a “disgruntled passenger” on the Metro bus.
« … and another one rides the bus | Main | Melena makes a hot night at Farnsworth Park »
Just got this email from Photography by Walt and Molly TIerney about the status of Project: Altadena, 100 photographers and 2700 pictures of life in Altadena in July, 2009:
Half the cameras have been turned in! Today was the original deadline to return the cameras. There is going to be an extension no later than Aug 15th.
« Project: Altadena — turn in your cameras now! | Main | Zane Grey goes green »
The Afro-Cuban sounds of Melena rocked Farnsworth Park Saturday night in the Sheriff’s Support Group concert series. Bill Westphal was there, camera and all, and filed this illustrated report:

It was a pretty good (and enthusiastic) crowd. Lots of people were dancing and enjoying themsleves.

The Band was pretty hot. (Ed. note: we’ll say!)

Melena played a variety of drums and percussion instruments.
« Melena makes a hot night at Farnsworth Park | Main | National Night Out at Equestrian Center Tues. »
Vickey Kalambakal is a writer specializing in local history. Her
History, Los Angeles blog takes a flattering look at the Zane Grey mansion and how it's "greening" into the future.
« Zane Grey goes green | Main | Check out the summer teen scene at the library »

Just a reminder that Altadena’s National Night Out event will start at 5 PM at the Loma Alta Park Equestrian Center. Please bring a potluck item and enjoy the hot dogs and barbecue items provided by the Sheriff’s Dept.
Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena (SSGA) member and town councilman Jamie Bissner writes:
Last winter I fabricated and welded up in my shop a trailer BBQ from a military surplus wagon (high-graded from Sheriff’s fleet HQ) for community outreach and Tuesday will be its christening.
« National Night Out at Equestrian Center Tues. | Main | Altadena Foothills Conservancy needs funds for Rubio Canyon purchase »
Heather Firchow of the Altadena Library's teen program
has some great pictures on her blog of the "Foodtastic" event last week, and "Recycle It!" before that. (She also has some pictures of Comic Con in San Diego, which make us totally jealous.) It's always worth checking out Heather's blog,
« Check out the summer teen scene at the library | Main | Bear at large »
Received this email from the Altadena Foothills Conservancy — a rare opportunity, but a short window for action:
Dear Friend of the Altadena Foothills Conservancy,
Last Friday something important happened that I think will make you smile. The AFC signed an agreement to purchase 20 acres of prime habitat at the mouth of Rubio Canyon (see attached photo). This key parcel will secure trail access and ensure that the creek and surrounding habitat right up to the Forest boundary is preserved for all time.
« Altadena Foothills Conservancy needs funds for Rubio Canyon purchase | Main | Update to the Bear Map »
A couple of bear sightings last night and this morning:
One of the members of the Altadena “neighbors” listserve reported a bear about 9:30 PM Sunday at the Woodglen cul-de-sac; and reader Mary Trunk spotted one about 4:30 this morning from her home, near the intersection of Palm St. and Holliston.
——-
View Bear Sightings in a larger map
« Bear at large | Main | Those Manning Boys & Friends at Farnsworth Park Sat. »
Reader Kirk Skadden writes:
I live halfway up Windfall Ave. and wanted to let you all know that we had a bear on our back porch around 11:00 Sunday night. I heard something disturbing the trash cans by the side of the house and thought it was just the usual raccoons. But it alarmed our cat which ran over to our back screen door.
« Update to the Bear Map | Main | Update on July 31 Lincoln/Figueroa shooting »
The Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena’s summer concert series continues Sat., Aug. 8, at 7 PM with THOSE MANNING BOYS AND FRIENDS.
Formed in 2002, Those Manning Boys, an Irish duo, has been dedicated to the furthering of the American-Irish culture. Since then Brothers Mike and Sean Manning, native Altadenans, have been playing at events and pubs all across the San Gabriel Valley and the surrounding areas. Mike’s 60s-rock inspired guitar and Sean’s ethnic -styled vocals have delighted and intrigued audiences of all ages.
« Those Manning Boys & Friends at Farnsworth Park Sat. | Main | Lawsuit settlement to benefit Hathaway-Sycamores »
Carolyn Seitz of the Sheriff's Community Advisory Committee has sent out this update to the local newsgroups about last week's shooting:
Many of you have been asking for information about the shooting that occurred on Thursday, July 31, at Lincoln and Figueroa, near All-Star Liquor.
The shooting is considered a gang shooting.
« Update on July 31 Lincoln/Figueroa shooting | Main | Altadena Foothills Conservancy to receive Edison grant »
Hathaway-Sycamores, which runs a residential treatment program for children in Altadena, recently received funds from a lawsuit settlement to help dfund a grief counseling program in LAUSD schools.
PSN's Alfred Lee has details here.
« Lawsuit settlement to benefit Hathaway-Sycamores | Main | A night out in Altadena »
Via PSN, the Altadena Foothills Conservancy is to receive $25,000 today from Southern California Edison for its Corridor Plan, a network of parks and trails leading from Eaton Canyon to the Rio Hondo River.
« Altadena Foothills Conservancy to receive Edison grant | Main | Parks Summer Showcase next Sun., Aug. 16 »
Our local version of the National Night Out took place at the Loma Alta Equestrian Center tonight, where you could smell the smoke from the Glendale fires. The ubiquitous and invaluable Bill Westphal contributed most photos.

Altadena Sheriff Capt. Roosevelt Blow addresses the crowd to start the festivities.

The Altadena Mountain Rescue team was on hand to answer questions.

A member of the mounted posse takes a tumble …
« A night out in Altadena | Main | Box up your dreams at the library Tuesday »

The Altadena Arts Council and LA County Dept. of Parks & Recreation will hold a “Summer Showcase and Community Barbecue” on Sun., Aug. 16, 2-6 PM. The event will be held at Farnsworth Park, and will highlight the programs being offered at Altadena parks.
« Parks Summer Showcase next Sun., Aug. 16 | Main | Thanks for your support! »

When is a box not a box? When it’s transformed by your own creativity!
The Altadena Library will be holding a “Not a Box” party on Tues., Aug. 11, from 2-4 PM in the community room at 600 E. Mariposa.
Bring your own box — leave with whatever you make it!
« Thanks for your support! | Main | Bad deeds done not-so-cheap »
All events free unless otherwise noted.
Fri., Aug. 7
- Fun Flick Friday at the Altadena Main Library: Fast and Furious (rated PG-13), 3:30 PM.
- Free family movie night @ St. Elizabeth's Grotto, 6:30 PM
- Spoken word open mic @ Farnsworth Park, 7 PM
Sat., Aug. 8
« Weekendin’ | Main | It’s power outage season! »
Got an email today form Pamela Forrest and Jennifer Shephard about an old scam that's making the rounds once again:
We just received a very obvious scam in our mail box today. The official looking yellow envelope is from the "Title Compliance Board . . . Records Retrieval Division" and they're asking for (demanding) $139 in order to send us a copy of the title to our property.
« Bad deeds done not-so-cheap | Main | Altadena Trails meeting cancelled »
We've been getting reports of a power outage that affected some parts of Altadena and La Canada-Flintridge yesterday in the early afternoon.
It's a good reminder that power conservation measures are in order, especially in hot weather. As well, SoCal Edison is upgrading service in Altadena, so there's the possibility of planned outages (we had one in our neighborhood in June).
« It’s power outage season! | Main | The Lenz dive-asty »
The Tuesday, August 11th meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail
Restoration Working Group (ACTRWG) Steering Committee has been
cancelled, because many people are out of town.
The next meeting will be on the normal 2nd Tuesday of September,
9/8, as usual at the Altadena Community Center.
« Altadena Trails meeting cancelled | Main | Gotta do something about Those Manning Boys »
PSN has a short feature on Annika Lenz. The Pasadena Poly freshman is the third member of a dynasty of champion divers from Altadena (including sisters
Felicitas and Cosima). We also like that they seem to be named for Byzantine saints.
« The Lenz dive-asty | Main | Positivi-TEA at Webster’s Fine Stationers Aug. 16 »
Every year, Those Manning Boys throw one of the best concerts of the summer season at Farnsworth, and this year was no exception — they even brought in a few friends. The Altadenablog CrappyCam had its usual performance problems, but
Bill Westphal never fails to save our hash.

The Boys and their friends filled the stage with music and talent, including the Moynahans (on the left) and Barbara Schilling on the Celtic harp (center).
« Gotta do something about Those Manning Boys | Main | Altadena Comedy Festival starts Thurs. to benefit American Cancer Society »

One of Altadena’s signature businesses (and Altadenablog sponsor) Webster’s Fine Stationers, 2450 N. Lake Suite B, invites you to celebrate its history on Sun., Aug. 16, starting at 3 PM.
Lori & Scott Webster write:
We’d love you to join us on Sunday, August 16th for WFS’ Positivi-TEA, a celebration of Webster’s history and a look toward our future. We’ll be serving finger food, beverages and there will be lots of give-aways!
« Positivi-TEA at Webster’s Fine Stationers Aug. 16 | Main | Not getting the message »
The inaugural ALTADENA COMEDY FESTIVAL is a three day event, Aug 13-15, at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave., showcasing the very best of comedy talent from Southern California. Spanning a variety of mediums including, stand-up, sketch, improvisation, and online video, established professionals will mix with hot up-and-coming talent.
The festival will also include comedy workshops on stand-up,
« Altadena Comedy Festival starts Thurs. to benefit American Cancer Society | Main | The incredible lightness of blogging »
There's been some uptick in the newsgroups with people who are just coming up to speed with the wave of graffiti in Eaton Canyon in June. We get all our newsgroup feeds at altadenablog@gmail.com, our address at Google Mail. It's a free service, but Google does give you directed ads on the sidebar and at the top of the page.