Altadena Blog

“*#%$@!” at Photography by Walt

« Memorial Day activities | Main | Danny’s Farm — a great place to meet chicks »

Friday, May 22, 2009

“*#%$@!” at Photography by Walt

Yep, that’s what they’re calling it — a display of Wendy Whitaker’s oil paintings and drawings at Altadena’s foremost photography studio, 2455 N. Lake, June 5-7.

Opening Reception is Fri., June 5, 7-11 PM, and the studio will be open 10 AM-4 PM on the weekend.

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 02:02 PM in Arts-a-Dena | Permalink

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Danny’s Farm — a great place to meet chicks

« “*#%$@!” at Photography by Walt | Main | Wine and Gelato? Of course! »

Friday, May 22, 2009

Danny’s Farm — a great place to meet chicks

OK, you knew that was coming. It’s springtime, and a good time to contemplate which comes first … click the picture to enlarge.

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 02:05 PM in Kid-a-Dena | Permalink

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Wine and Gelato? Of course!

« Danny’s Farm — a great place to meet chicks | Main | Outta here … »

Friday, May 22, 2009

Wine and Gelato? Of course!

… if it's Bulgarini Gelato! Altadena's favorite better-than-ice-cream joint is going westside on us, and they send us this:

On May 30th, Il Moro Ristorante in Santa Monica is presenting a unique wine dinner featuring Bulgarini Gelato with each course. There will be two prix fixe menus available: a 5 course menu for $50 per person and a 7 course menu for $95 per person (please see link below for menu and details).

Outta here …

« Wine and Gelato? Of course! | Main | Project: Altadena »

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Outta here …

We are off on our annual Memorial Day out-of-town trip. We have a surprise or two waiting to be published over the weekend, but we personally won't even be near a computer. Have a wonderful holiday, and we'll see you Tuesday.

Posted on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 12:01 AM | Permalink

Project: Altadena

« Outta here … | Main | A time to remember »

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Project: Altadena

The fabulous Molly Tierney at Photography by Walt has a project she's cooking up, and details are as follows:

The idea for Project: Altadena came to me after signing up for another project called "A Million Little Pictures."

More info at www.arthousecoop.com or http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/amlp

I would like to have a bunch of people to take photos of the community how they see it or just maybe a one day of shooting around the town sort of thing.

A time to remember

« Project: Altadena | Main | We’re back … »

Monday, May 25, 2009

A time to remember

This Memorial Day, fly your flag and remember those who served. Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office tells us about events today at Arcadia County Park, 406 S. Santa Anita in Arcadia, starting at 10 AM:

The 12th Annual “Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families” event is a day-long tribute to our armed forces, and a presentation of free services to veterans and their families from numerous agencies,

We’re back …

« A time to remember | Main | Town council race makes the Star-News »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

We’re back …

… and there's a pile o' stuff in the inbox, which we will get to over time today! Vacation was wonderful, but it's great to be back in Altadena. too, doing what we do.

Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 07:40 AM | Permalink

Town council race makes the Star-News

« We’re back … | Main | Altadena represent, yo! »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Town council race makes the Star-News

Front page today, PSN takes one of their occasional jaunts up Altadena way so Janette Williams can write a decent rundown of the town council election and context. The print edition includes a list of candidates that looks suspiciously like this, which was typed by our very own fingers. We're always glad to spare people effort.

Posted on Tuesday,

Altadena represent, yo!

« Town council race makes the Star-News | Main | Other ‘Denas: Altadena Films »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Altadena represent, yo!

West Seattle Blog emailed us to this video of comedian Seth Green showing us his Altadena crib and how to make good financial choices. (For what it’s worth, we don’t think “Scott Evil” actually lives there –the interior looks just a little to calculated and unlived-in — but it’s a funny piece). We particularly like the part about the “pool filled with hose.”

Other ‘Denas: Altadena Films

« Altadena represent, yo! | Main | Peace officer’s memorial relay ends at Altadena Station »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Other ‘Denas: Altadena Films

Just discovered this UK film company, which has nothing to do with Altadena but apparently like the name!

Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 08:39 AM in HollywooDena | Permalink

Peace officer’s memorial relay ends at Altadena Station

« Other ‘Denas: Altadena Films | Main | Next Beckett Hall outing Sun., June 18 »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Peace officer’s memorial relay ends at Altadena Station

Sta7runners
Memorial

Sheriff Sgt. Marsha Williams passed on this news about the weekend’s torch relay that ended at our own Station 7:

Just wanted to pass on information and a few photos of our Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department annual Peace Officer’s Memorial Torch Relay that culminates at Altadena Station each year. The relay race begins at Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau, Friday, May 22, 2009 at 9 AM, with runners who carry the lit torch to East Los Angeles station,

Next Beckett Hall outing Sun., June 18

« Peace officer’s memorial relay ends at Altadena Station | Main | County sends default notice to Lincoln Crossing »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Next Beckett Hall outing Sun., June 18

The Becketts have announced the next activities in their lovely home:

Edward and I would like you to come be with us at 1051 E. Altadena Drive.

It would be our joy to share the following two events with our neighbors.

June 28 – Sunday afternoon – see attached flyer. Wonderful friends and wonderfully talented Darrell Lauer,

County sends default notice to Lincoln Crossing

« Next Beckett Hall outing Sun., June 18 | Main | Remembering from on high »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

County sends default notice to Lincoln Crossing

Following up from our previous story from Councilmember Michele Zack, we just received a copy of a March 26 letter (pdf document) from Corde Carillo, acting executive director of the LA County Development Commission, to Lincoln Crossing developer Dorn Platz and the West Altadena Development Corporation (WAD-C), putting them in default of their agreements with the county and listing some rather alarming details: half a million owed in taxes,

Remembering from on high

« County sends default notice to Lincoln Crossing | Main | Altadena couple tries civil disobedience in wake of Prop 8 decision »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Remembering from on high

Chris “The Skywatcher” Considine tells us about the activity above yesterday morning:

As always on a Memorial Day, Altadena had its share of vintage aircraft flying overhead in
formation for the various activities around the area honoring our Veterans.

At 10:15am eight WWII warbirds flew over several times and a couple Air Force jets made a run
overhead,

Altadena couple tries civil disobedience in wake of Prop 8 decision

« Remembering from on high | Main | Paradise is the b*****d child of Altadena and Sierra Madre »

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Altadena couple tries civil disobedience in wake of Prop 8 decision

The LATimes blog has a short piece about civil disobedience actions outside of the East LA County recorder and registrars office today, as several gay couples demanded marriage licenses despite the state supreme court's decision. Among them was Jeanne Cordova and Lynn Ballen of Altadena.

Posted on Tuesday,

Paradise is the b*****d child of Altadena and Sierra Madre

« Altadena couple tries civil disobedience in wake of Prop 8 decision | Main | Miller Hawkins named small business of the year for Dist. 44 »

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Paradise is the b*****d child of Altadena and Sierra Madre

OK, maybe that's a little strong — but it seems to be Larry Wilson's conclusion in today's PSN.

Here's the nut graf (actually, two) for us:

Because if you take Altadena's upper Lake Avenue as one area that could have supported the sidewalk cafes and other pedestrian-oriented businesses that work on Baldwin in Sierra Madre,

Miller Hawkins named small business of the year for Dist. 44

« Paradise is the b*****d child of Altadena and Sierra Madre | Main | San Diego Reader looks at El Prieto Canyon »

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Miller Hawkins named small business of the year for Dist. 44

Altadena-based Miller Hawkins Productions Event Coordinators was honored as "California Small Business of the Year" for District 44. MHPevents principals Inger Miller and Jill Hawkins received this special recognition from Assemblyman Anthony Portantino. This acknowledgement applauded a single district –based small business for exemplifying the contributions of the California’s 3.7 million small business owners to the California economy.

San Diego Reader looks at El Prieto Canyon

« Miller Hawkins named small business of the year for Dist. 44 | Main | Horse goes missing at Hahamonga »

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

San Diego Reader looks at El Prieto Canyon

… in a nice article. (It occurs to us that we've never been to El Prieto, and this article inspires us to go!)

Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 04:13 PM in Great Outdoors | Permalink

Altadena Guild home tour May 3

« Altadena architectural walk (actually, a drive!) | Main | Library teen program: Kiss your mom! »

Friday, May 01, 2009

Altadena Guild home tour May 3

Yes, we're late with this information (someone needs to TELL US things sometimes!) but the Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital is running their annual home tour Sunday afternoon with the theme "Bonnie Brae Burn." (One of our friends, Scottish musician and fellow McLellan clan brother David Key, tells us he will be entertaining in full kilt for the event).

Library teen program: Kiss your mom!

« Altadena Guild home tour May 3 | Main | Land use committee hearing on WaMu property Tues. night »

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Library teen program: Kiss your mom!

Teens & tweens: Mother’s Day is coming up and you haven’t done anything yet for She Who Gave You Life? Well, the Altadena Library has the answer for you! Click the graphic to enlarge!

Posted on Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 06:55 AM in Library | Permalink

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Land use committee hearing on WaMu property Tues. night

« Library teen program: Kiss your mom! | Main | On the road with Parkinson’s »

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Land use committee hearing on WaMu property Tues. night

This note from town council chair Gino Sund — finally, some activity on the old WaMu property:

Attached is the Agenda for the Land Use Committee meeting scheduled for May 5, 2009. There will be a public hearing on the proposed new development located at 2246 N. Lake Ave. This is the old WalMu site. The development is expected to be a two story 51,000 sqft commercial structure. The developer is requesting two Conditional Use Permits to allow alcohol sales by two proposed tenants,

On the road with Parkinson’s

« Land use committee hearing on WaMu property Tues. night | Main | Goin’ back to Philly »

Monday, May 04, 2009

On the road with Parkinson’s

B. John Hale of Altadena writes a story for the LA Times about the occasional funny side of life with Parkinson's disease.

Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:08 AM in People-Dena | Permalink

Goin’ back to Philly

« On the road with Parkinson’s | Main | History of La Vina »

Monday, May 04, 2009

Goin’ back to Philly

Jazzmen Jimmy and Albert "Tootie" Heath earn a story about their upcoming concert in their hometown of Philadelphia ("Tootie" lives in Altadena now, as this previous story attests).

Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:12 AM in Arts-a-Dena | Permalink

History of La Vina

« Goin’ back to Philly | Main | NAACP at 100 »

Monday, May 04, 2009

History of La Vina

Sid Gally's Monday column for PSN looks at the history of La Vina, which started as a tuberculosis sanitarium (kind of the swine flu of its day). Apparently, after its closure as a sanitarium it was briefly considered for the site of a prison. Today, it's a gated community — draw your own conclusions!

Posted on Monday,

NAACP at 100

« History of La Vina | Main | Bruce Block’s magic and comedy @ the Library May 12 »

Monday, May 04, 2009

NAACP at 100

PSN has an editorial on the NAACP's centenary. Worth noting because it touches on local history and Altadena has a very strong chapter still.

Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:58 AM | Permalink

Bruce Block’s magic and comedy @ the Library May 12

« NAACP at 100 | Main | More on Lake-Calavaras/WaMu site project »

Monday, May 04, 2009

Bruce Block’s magic and comedy @ the Library May 12

Next Tues., the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, will present the magic and comedy of Bruce Block, starting at 7 PM.

Holder of the world record for balancing cigar boxes on his chin (213!), Block has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “The Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon,” “Comedy Central,” and many other programs, and as Capt. Pete in the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.”

A two-time finalist at “America’s Got Talent,” Bruce combines magic,

More on Lake-Calavaras/WaMu site project

« Bruce Block’s magic and comedy @ the Library May 12 | Main | Stand and be counted: Rotary food drive for Union Station Sat. @ Ronnie’s »

Monday, May 04, 2009

More on Lake-Calavaras/WaMu site project

Reproducing below some copies of the notice to the neighbors dated March 24 about the old WaMu property on Lake, including an architectural sketch. Click to enlarge.

Posted on Monday,

Stand and be counted: Rotary food drive for Union Station Sat. @ Ronnie’s

« More on Lake-Calavaras/WaMu site project | Main | Library announces May family events »

Monday, May 04, 2009

Stand and be counted: Rotary food drive for Union Station Sat. @ Ronnie’s

Jacque Foreman of the Altadena Rotary sends us a reminder of their upcoming event at Ronnie’s Automotive, 2012 N. Lake, on Saturday:

Bring a canned or packaged food donation for Union Station between 11:30 AM-2 PM and get a free American flag with stand! Click on the graphic for more details!

Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 at 11:22 AM in Good Works | Permalink

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Library announces May family events

« Stand and be counted: Rotary food drive for Union Station Sat. @ Ronnie’s | Main | Get bowled over at Xiem Clay Center studio sale Fri-Sat »

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Library announces May family events

All kinds of goodies this month at the Altadena Libray, 600 E. Mariposa:

Magician/Juggler Bruce Block

Tues, May 12, 7 PM (Altadena Library Community Room)
Two time America’s Got Talent finalist combines magic, juggling & his world famous live talking rabbit into a family friendly program.

First 5 California’s Family Resource Express

Wed., May 13, 11 AM-12 PM (Altadena Library Parking Lot)

The Family Resource Express will visit the library to distribute free and low-cost resources and services,

Get bowled over at Xiem Clay Center studio sale Fri-Sat

« Library announces May family events | Main | Altadena pastor arrested — OK, maybe not … »

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Get bowled over at Xiem Clay Center studio sale Fri-Sat

The Xiem (pronounced “sim”) Clay Center will have their annual studio sale this Friday (6-9 PM) and Sat. (10:30 AM-4:30 PM). Some of the featured works include the large bowls of Altadena artists Heather Morrow and Philip Hacker. (Heather says there will be a free “make and take” project at their booth for you to create). The Xiem Clay Center is at 1563 N. Lake.

Pictured: one of Philip Hacker’s large bowls.

Altadena pastor arrested — OK, maybe not …

« Get bowled over at Xiem Clay Center studio sale Fri-Sat | Main | Cactus cutters on the loose? »

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Altadena pastor arrested — OK, maybe not …

The PSN society page today talks about the faux "arrest" of Pastor George Van Alstine of Altadena Baptist Church. It's all in fun, part of the annual fundraiser for the Altadena Christian Children's Center. Here's the details.

Posted on Tuesday,

Cactus cutters on the loose?

« Altadena pastor arrested — OK, maybe not … | Main | Sign of the times at Flash Mountain »

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Cactus cutters on the loose?

A member of the Chaney Trail newsgroup reports seeing two hefty men harvesting pads from a neighbor's cactus without permission on Sat., May 2. When challenged, they were belligerent, and when the observer wrote down their license plate number, they fled:

The two men were big (not trim, but with large "beer bellies"),

Sign of the times at Flash Mountain

« Cactus cutters on the loose? | Main | Former WaMu property conditional use permit now goes to town council »

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Sign of the times at Flash Mountain

(not Altadena related, but we had to share!)

The economy has gotten so bad that Disneyland has had to reassign employees whose job was to screen out the souvenier photos taken on Splash Mountain and other rides for women who bared their breasts.

Posted on Tuesday,

Former WaMu property conditional use permit now goes to town council

« Sign of the times at Flash Mountain | Main | May 8 deadline approaching for town council elections »

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Former WaMu property conditional use permit now goes to town council

The Altadena land use committee easily approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for the proposed development on the old WaMu property at Lake and Calavaras. (There was a snafu that was discovered after almost all spectators left the meeting, but it got fixed — more details below).

What this means is that the CUP will go before the Altadena town council at its May 19 meeting.

May 8 deadline approaching for town council elections

« Former WaMu property conditional use permit now goes to town council | Main | Doctor aids crash victims in the same neighborhood where wife, daughter were killed »

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

May 8 deadline approaching for town council elections

The deadline for candidates to declare themselves for Altadena town council seats is this Friday, May 8, no later than 5 PM. Candidate packets are available and must be turned in at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr. Packets and a full rundown of qualifications are also available at the town council website. The election is Sat., June 6.

Doctor aids crash victims in the same neighborhood where wife, daughter were killed

« May 8 deadline approaching for town council elections | Main | MonteCedro: one step forward, two steps back »

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Doctor aids crash victims in the same neighborhood where wife, daughter were killed

Tragic and ironic … David Shaw, an urgent care doctor from Altadena, was delivering his 5-year-old to kindergarten when a crash occured near Assumption of the Virgin Mary School in Pasadena on Wednesday. He was the first on the scene. It was only a few blocks away from where his wife Robyn and 9-year-old daughter Victoria died

MonteCedro: one step forward, two steps back

« Doctor aids crash victims in the same neighborhood where wife, daughter were killed | Main | Bear with us …. »

Thursday, May 07, 2009

MonteCedro: one step forward, two steps back

PWeekly's Andre Coleman has a piece on the MonteCedro project today, balancing quotes from those who like it, those who don't, and those who think that change was inevitable. It's a good recap of what happened and where we are to date (and we don't mind telling you AC picked our brains a little bit,

Bear with us ….

« MonteCedro: one step forward, two steps back | Main | "L" from above »

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Bear with us ….

Typepad is swallowing our posts and sending them into the ether! We're working on it, as there's a backlog of stuff …

Posted on Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 01:35 PM | Permalink

“L” from above

« Bear with us …. | Main | High-end housing picking up? »

Thursday, May 07, 2009

“L” from above

Better late than never, but a note about today’s aerial activity from Chris Consodine – The Skywatcher:

Not sure exactly why the Coast Guard is buzzing our little town at low altitude at 12:45pm this afternoon.

But the distinctive sound of the Swiss built copter and the bright orange and white color scheme left no doubt. Is there a body of water that I don’t know about?…or maybe they were headed to the only body of water in the entire zone,

High-end housing picking up?

« "L" from above | Main | Don’t forget: Altadena library book sale next weekend! »

Thursday, May 07, 2009

High-end housing picking up?

Peter Hong, LA Times' real estate blogger, is wondering what the trend is after attending a caravan at an Altadena manse — about 90 agents came to gawk at the $1.699 (call it $1.7) million house. Do they think they can move it? Check out the deets here.

Posted on Thursday,

Don’t forget: Altadena library book sale next weekend!

« High-end housing picking up? | Main | Kyoko Harris and Jordan Mitchell get Chamber scholarships »

Friday, May 08, 2009

Don’t forget: Altadena library book sale next weekend!

The annual Altadena Library Book Sale will be held on Sat., May 16 from 10 AM-4 PM, and Sun., May 17 from 1-4 PM in the library parking lot and community room, 600 E. Mariposa Street. Recession pricing will be in effect. FRIENDS Members only sale on Friday, May 15, 3-7pm.

Gently-used hardcover and paperback books in all categories will be available at bargain prices. Proceeds will be used for materials and programs for both the Main library and the Bob Lucas Branch Library and Literacy Center.

Kyoko Harris and Jordan Mitchell get Chamber scholarships

« Don’t forget: Altadena library book sale next weekend! | Main | Home reassessment scam making the rounds »

Friday, May 08, 2009

Kyoko Harris and Jordan Mitchell get Chamber scholarships

Blair IB Magnet High School seniors Kyoko Harris and Jordan Mitchell have been awarded Marion Lee Wullschlager Scholarships by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce. The $500 scholarships go to deserving Altadena seniors.

A reception in their honor will be held Wed., May 27, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.

Home reassessment scam making the rounds

« Kyoko Harris and Jordan Mitchell get Chamber scholarships | Main | Weekendin’ »

Friday, May 08, 2009

Home reassessment scam making the rounds

Did you get a letter offering to file a form to reduce your property tax for $179? (That was the figure in the letter we got). Well, it's a scam going around right now, and the county has issued the following press release about it:

Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach and County Consumer Affairs Director Pastor Herrera,

Weekendin’

« Home reassessment scam making the rounds | Main | More activities announced for May 15 Lake Ave. Open House »

Friday, May 08, 2009

Weekendin’

Teens & tweens: make chocolate kisses for your mother today at the Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa, 4-5 PM.
Altadena artists are featured at Xiem Clay Center's annual studio sale, today and tomorrow.
Applications for candidates for Altadena Town Council must be turned in no later than 5 PM today at the Community Center,

More activities announced for May 15 Lake Ave. Open House

« Weekendin’ | Main | Ten submit names for Town Council seats »

Friday, May 08, 2009

More activities announced for May 15 Lake Ave. Open House

The excitement is building as the Altadena Arts Coalition and the merchants of the North Lake Ave. Business District prepare for their open house, one week from tonight, May 15, 4-9 PM.

Lori Webster of Webster’s Fine Stationers and a noted local blogger/Facebooker/Twitterer herself will be hosting a “Blogger’s Cafe,” including snacks, coffee, and tea, and a chance to meet some of our local bloggers (including Altadena Above It All, Open Mouth Insert Fork, Altadenahiker,

Ten submit names for Town Council seats

« More activities announced for May 15 Lake Ave. Open House | Main | A look at April’s crime statistics »

Friday, May 08, 2009

Ten submit names for Town Council seats

Ten candidates submitted their names to run for Altadena Town Council by 5 PM today, with five incumbents opting not to run again and the likelihood of only two races in the June 6 election.

ATC bug According to council chair Gino Sund, the next step is for the names to be vetted Tuesday by the election committee — checked for proper address, census tract, and such — and the list will be approved by the town council at its next meeting May 19.

A look at April’s crime statistics

« Ten submit names for Town Council seats | Main | Park Bench Deli gets the nod »

Saturday, May 09, 2009

A look at April’s crime statistics

We’re loving the crimereports.com website, which gives us at least general information about some local crimes that don’t make the crime log. We’ve just discovered another feature of it: an analysis of local crime (this is one we made for the month of April, 2009) to give a sense of what is really plaguing our community.

In terms of raw numbers,

Park Bench Deli gets the nod

« A look at April’s crime statistics | Main | Rameses Barden is a Giant »

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Park Bench Deli gets the nod

… in Saturday's PSN, a fine feature on Debbie Rainey's fine establishment at 2470 Lake.

Not to detract at all from the deli, but someone needs to tell the reporters how to spell Zane Grey and Prof. Lowe's African-American background is news to us.

Posted on Saturday,