Altadena Blog

Deodar-izers

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Monday, December 29, 2008

Deodar-izers

This Christmas display on the 900 block of Morada says “We wish you a snarky Christmas and a fresh New Year!”

Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 10:10 AM in Holiday-Dena | Permalink

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Dan said…

From British invader to ukelele king: a natural history of Whitcomb

« Deodar-izers | Main | … and a happy New Year! »

Monday, December 29, 2008

From British invader to ukelele king: a natural history of Whitcomb

Altadena’s inimitable Ian Whitcomb is profiled in this month’s Arroyo magazine. For us, the money quote:

“The best of the old songs are the best of Western music, because they have the basics of music: melody, harmony and rhythm,” Whitcomb says. “Those songs are the culmination of 400 years of Western civilization. And in this age of looping and rapping — really just circular rhythms and changing textures — they’re far more interesting to me.”

Posted on Monday,

… and a happy New Year!

« From British invader to ukelele king: a natural history of Whitcomb | Main | Getting rid of that tree »

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

… and a happy New Year!

New Year's Eve runs a certain enmity with us — we call it a Day of Enforced Joy. It's like Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, or Mother and Father's Day — it is a holiday neither national nor religious, really, it's just an excuse to buy Stuff and listen to fascist imprecations that we Must!

Getting rid of that tree

« … and a happy New Year! | Main | Top ten Altadena stories of 2008 »

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Getting rid of that tree

LA County Dept. of Public Works has sent out the following for options of disposing of your Christmas tree:

2008-2009 CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING INFORMATION

Residents throughout Los Angeles County can once again conveniently recycle their Christmas trees this year. Most areas provide curbside recycling while others offer drop-off sites where the trees can be recycled.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

B-2 finally makes it

« Top ten Altadena stories of 2008 | Main | Barden opts for Senior Bowl »

Thursday, January 01, 2009

B-2 finally makes it

This blog would not be what is is without the ever-energetic and ubiquitous Bill Westphal. Just want to make that clear at the outset, and thank him for yet another spectacular picture.

The B-2 bomber made its usual appearance at the Rose Parade this morning, an hour delayed due to frost on its wings at Palmdale, according to the stories. Shortly after 9 AM, it finally swooped over the parade route and turned back home to its Kansas hangar.

Barden opts for Senior Bowl

« B-2 finally makes it | Main | Danny’s Farm starts after-school program for autistic kids Jan. 5 »

Friday, January 02, 2009

Barden opts for Senior Bowl

Altadenan Ramses Barden, a senior at Cal Poly SLO and receiver for the Mustangs, has opted to play in the Senior Bowl. Says the SLO Tribune:

The Cal Poly senior receiver will be the first-ever Mustang to play in the Senior Bowl after opting out of his previous commitment to play in the East-West Shrine Game,

Danny’s Farm starts after-school program for autistic kids Jan. 5

« Barden opts for Senior Bowl | Main | Mountain Man to Mayor: Don Benito at the Community Center Jan. 26 »

Friday, January 02, 2009

Danny’s Farm starts after-school program for autistic kids Jan. 5

Details are in the flyer (click to enlarge) about the program starting next week at Danny’s Farm for ages 5-17. (And it can be vendored thru Regional Center).

Posted on Friday, January 02, 2009 at 02:14 PM in Good Works | Permalink

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Mountain Man to Mayor: Don Benito at the Community Center Jan. 26

« Danny’s Farm starts after-school program for autistic kids Jan. 5 | Main | Columbian Exposition days »

Monday, January 05, 2009

Mountain Man to Mayor: Don Benito at the Community Center Jan. 26

Author Nat B. Read reveals the amazing tale of the “pioneer, beaver trapper and trader, grizzly bear hunter, Indian fighter, justice of the peace, farmer, rancher, politician, horticulturalist, vinter, real estate entrepreneur, and one of the great landholders in Southern California,” Don Benito Wilson. This is a joint presentation of the Altadena Historical Society and Friends of the Altadena Library, and it will take place at the Community Center, 730 E.

Columbian Exposition days

« Mountain Man to Mayor: Don Benito at the Community Center Jan. 26 | Main | NAACP Annual Jubilee Sun., Jan. 11 at Metropolitan Baptist »

Monday, January 05, 2009

Columbian Exposition days

Sid Gally's Monday PSN excursion into Pasadena history looks at dispatches from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition and Fair (a precursor of the Word's Fair, and whatever happened to those, anyway?) Ray Conger and Isabelle Bates WInslow covered it for the Pasadena Daily Evening Star.

There are a few Altadena connections to the Fair.

NAACP Annual Jubilee Sun., Jan. 11 at Metropolitan Baptist

« Columbian Exposition days | Main | Crime log: Dec. 8-27, 2008 »

Monday, January 05, 2009

NAACP Annual Jubilee Sun., Jan. 11 at Metropolitan Baptist

Join the Altadena NAACP Annual Jubilee Celebration with music, song and special guests. The theme is “Hope, …Yet the Struggle Continues.” Sun., Jan. 11, 3-5 PM at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena.

Posted on Monday, January 05, 2009 at 03:40 PM in CommuniDena | Permalink

Crime log: Dec. 8-27, 2008

« NAACP Annual Jubilee Sun., Jan. 11 at Metropolitan Baptist | Main | Pumping iron in the golden years »

Monday, January 05, 2009

Crime log: Dec. 8-27, 2008

Lots of thefts this round of the Crime Log:

Dec. 8: 2916 N. Emerson Way, two adult males arrested for residential burglary.

Dec. 18: Man forcibly steals items from victim on 2615 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

Dec. 18: Several perps use a simulated handgun to steal several thousand real dollars from a victim at 1521 N. Allen Ave.

Dec. 19: A laptop computer is stolen from an unlocked car at 962 Wapello St.

Pumping iron in the golden years

« Crime log: Dec. 8-27, 2008 | Main | Sirens on New York »

Monday, January 05, 2009

Pumping iron in the golden years

Do not mess with Beatrice Maullin. The 87-year-old Altadenan holds the world record in the bench press for people aged 85-90. She may need a cane to walk, but she can handle herself around the machines. PSN has all the details.

Posted on Monday, January 05,

Sirens on New York

« Pumping iron in the golden years | Main | Ice, ice, baby »

Monday, January 05, 2009

Sirens on New York

At about 8:45 PM, sheriff's deputies are looking into a disturbance near New York and Allen, about 1700 block New York Ave. According to the scanner, apparently some kind of domestic dispute, but they're talking about having tasers available. Lots of sirens. We're monitoring the situation.

Posted on Monday, January 05, 2009 at 08:54 PM in Crime | Permalink

Ice, ice, baby

« Sirens on New York | Main | Magazine and book solicitors making the rounds »

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Ice, ice, baby

Check out Petrea Burchard's essential Pasadena Daily Photo today for a great composition of the ice house behind Webster's. Just let the shadows do the talking!

Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 08:58 AM in Life in Altadena | Permalink

Magazine and book solicitors making the rounds

« Ice, ice, baby | Main | New markers up on Altadena Crest Trail »

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Magazine and book solicitors making the rounds

There's been much chatter in the online newsgroups in recent weeks about young people soliciting for magazine subscriptions. Greg Stanton's Meadows blog reports that a young man has also started soliciting for books in his neighborhood.

Many of these are scams of one sort or another. This has also been used in other places as a cover for casing houses for later burglaries.

New markers up on Altadena Crest Trail

« Magazine and book solicitors making the rounds | Main | Rockets and robots at the Library, Tues. Jan. 13 »

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

New markers up on Altadena Crest Trail

Jeremiah Small's fine Stonehill News blog has spotted some new signs up on the ACT this week.

Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 11:31 PM in Great Outdoors | Permalink

Rockets and robots at the Library, Tues. Jan. 13

« New markers up on Altadena Crest Trail | Main | Tenants must leave — vermin still there, Weekly says »

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Rockets and robots at the Library, Tues. Jan. 13

Capt. Bob’s rockets and robots? We’re so there!:

With his use of models and child-involved demonstrations, Bob Redman gives children a front row seat on the International Space Station and the exciting world of robots in space. Children learn about the fun of weightlessness and how men traveled on the dangerous and thrilling journey to the Moon. A variety of robot models, including a full-size replica of the first Mars rover make these far-off explorations real and interesting.

Tenants must leave — vermin still there, Weekly says

« Rockets and robots at the Library, Tues. Jan. 13 | Main | A personal pitch »

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Tenants must leave — vermin still there, Weekly says

The Razor has a great story in this week's PWeekly about the kerfluffle involving small low-income apartments on Raymond south of Woodbury. Tenants have complained about nonattention to rodents, cockroaches, and bad plumbing, and many complaining tenants have been served with notices of eviction. Reason for eviction? Nonpayment of rent (altho'

A personal pitch

« Tenants must leave — vermin still there, Weekly says | Main | Inconstant moon »

Thursday, January 08, 2009

A personal pitch

Breaking down the wall to deal with personal stuff:

Our little friend Jolie, 7, is a classmate of our son's and resident of Sierra Madre. Jolie is a bright, social child, and a close friend to our boy. She had a heart transplant before she was a year old. Now, she is in Children's Hospital/LA, as her body is rejecting the heart.

Inconstant moon

« A personal pitch | Main | Sheriff’s sponsor parenting forum Jan. 27 »

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Inconstant moon

(You SF geeks know the reference). Eric-Ingmundson1_strip

Bill W. sends us this article from NASA that Saturday we will experience a “perigee moon,” the largest full moon of the year. (The largest full moon of 2008 was last month!) We’re definitely going to see it AND keep the police scanner on!

(Pictured: last year’s perigee moon in Wisconsin, courtesy NASA.)

Posted on Thursday,

Sheriff’s sponsor parenting forum Jan. 27

« Inconstant moon | Main | Earthquake »

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Sheriff’s sponsor parenting forum Jan. 27

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station and Community Advisory Committee are sponsoring a forum on parenting resources in the community center. Click on the graphic to see the details.

Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 07:42 PM in CommuniDena | Permalink

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Earthquake

« Sheriff’s sponsor parenting forum Jan. 27 | Main | Sara Carnahan honored by Altadena Chamber Jan. 23 »

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Earthquake

Minor quake just hit. Per scanner, various sheriff stations have just been put on standby, including Crescenta Valley.

KFWB website says 5.0, epicenter at San Bernardino, at 7:49 PM.

Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 07:57 PM in Quakewatch | Permalink

Sara Carnahan honored by Altadena Chamber Jan. 23

« Earthquake | Main | Mass for Tommy Bowman »

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Sara Carnahan honored by Altadena Chamber Jan. 23

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual banquet and officer installation Jan. 23 at the Altadena Town & Country Club. Highlight of the festivities is honoring Altadena’s Citizen of the Year, who this year is Sara Carnahan.

Sara has been active in Altadena for years and years. She was born in Altadena and attended Eliot Jr High and Pasadena High School. She has served on many community boards; including two terms as President of the Altadena Historical Society,

Mass for Tommy Bowman

« Sara Carnahan honored by Altadena Chamber Jan. 23 | Main | Back home … »

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Mass for Tommy Bowman

PSN’s Citybeats column tells us that a mass was held last week in Simi Valley for Tommy Bowman, the eight year old boy who vanished in the Altadena foothills fifty years ago. It was likely that Bowman was the victim of serial child-killer Mack Ray Edwards. Pasadena author Weston DeWalt, who was writing a book about the boy’s disappearance found the connection to Edwards and ended up writing about the killer’s career (Edwards hanged himself in prison,

Back home …

« Mass for Tommy Bowman | Main | Altadena Crest Trail meeting Tues. @ 7 »

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Back home …

breaking the wall again:

Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts. Our little friend Jolie got to leave the hospital, and will be recovering at home. We're very grateful that she and her family dodged a bullet.

Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 09:59 PM | Permalink

Altadena Crest Trail meeting Tues. @ 7

« Back home … | Main | Altadena Plaza still lining up merchants »

Monday, January 12, 2009

Altadena Crest Trail meeting Tues. @ 7

The next meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working
Group (ACTRWG) will take place this Tuesday, 7 PM, at the Altadena
Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive (just W. of Lake Ave, adjacent
to the Altadena Sheriffs Station, and across the street from Rite
Aid). All are welcome!

Posted on Monday,

Altadena Plaza still lining up merchants

« Altadena Crest Trail meeting Tues. @ 7 | Main | Chopper looking for rider »

Monday, January 12, 2009

Altadena Plaza still lining up merchants

This note to town councilor Alice Wessen from Ernest J. Brambila of Alliance Commercial Properties is being passed around the newsgroups. Altadena Plaza is presently wrapping up construction on Lincoln Ave. and Altadena Drive:

I thought I should give you an update. We are still about 60 days from completion, the County hasn't been easy.

Chopper looking for rider

« Altadena Plaza still lining up merchants | Main | NASA releases JPL water cleanup report »

Monday, January 12, 2009

Chopper looking for rider

The sheriff's copter is flying over approx. NW part of town. A horse is on the loose, and they're afraid its rider may have fallen off.

But something's going on at the golf course and Eliot Middle School area, too that's involving the chopper. We're keeping the ear on the scanner.

Posted on Monday,

NASA releases JPL water cleanup report

« Chopper looking for rider | Main | Lock your doors — criminal opportunists are around »

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

NASA releases JPL water cleanup report

Jpl2

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has released a report for 2008 on efforts to clean up chemicals from the groundwater along the site. Some of the groundwater affects wells from Lincoln Ave. Water, which serves Altadena, and Pasadena Water and Power. (Click images to enlarge). There’s also a website, http://jplwater.nasa.gov/, that updates cleanup progress.

(thx to Alice Wessen)

Posted on Tuesday,

Lock your doors — criminal opportunists are around

« NASA releases JPL water cleanup report | Main | Year of the Cat »

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Lock your doors — criminal opportunists are around

Just got word that a car on the 1400 block of E. Loma Alta was stripped of valuable goods (cellphone and videocam) on Saturday night. It was left unlocked in the driveway, and less than an hour after the driver went inside, someone else was making calls on their cellphone.

UPDATE 5 PM 1/13: More rifling thru cars,

Year of the Cat

« Lock your doors — criminal opportunists are around | Main | Sheriff & Pasadena police setting up perimeter »

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Year of the Cat

The Orange Cat is a must-see website and newsletter for San Gabriel Valley parents. It was very exciting to read (via her Facebook) that it has been purchased by Altadena's own Susan Carrier! We look forward to the Cat's next life from Altadena.

Posted on Tuesday,

Sheriff & Pasadena police setting up perimeter

« Year of the Cat | Main | Aussie tech makes its pitch »

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sheriff & Pasadena police setting up perimeter

Scanner traffic now (5:20 PM) says Pasadena police and sheriff are setting up a permiter around Lincoln, Alberta, Canada, and Crosby to catch a guy. Perp is black, 20's, male, shaved head or short Afro, gray hoodie and black jeans — no details on what he did, but possibly armed.

Update 5:21: he's continuing southbound. Several units involved,

Aussie tech makes its pitch

« Sheriff & Pasadena police setting up perimeter | Main | Rocket man »

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Aussie tech makes its pitch

Via SGV Tribune, six Australian technology firms made their pitch to venture capitalists and other interested investors at the Business Technology Center this week.

Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 09:37 PM in Business | Permalink

Rocket man

« Aussie tech makes its pitch | Main | Altadena represent, yo! »

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Rocket man

“Capt. Bob” Redman puts on a show at the Altadena Library this evening, highlighting the history of space exploration in “Rockets and Robots.” There was a pretty full house of kids and parents for the event.

Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 09:40 PM in Library | Permalink

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Altadena represent, yo!

« Rocket man | Main | KABC feature on cold case billboard »

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Altadena represent, yo!

OK, we're a middle aged dad-type guy who grew up in the 60's and 70's, plays jazz piano and folk/classical guitar and doesn't understand modern music. Be that as it may, "Evidence" is looking for people to appear in a music video to be shot in Altadena tomorrow. You need to be dressed in funeral clothes. The article with the details is here.

Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony Dec. 13

« St. Elizabeth cell tower approved | Main | ” … and you say to yourself, How did I get here?” »

Friday, December 05, 2008

Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony Dec. 13

Join us for the 88th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony Sat., Dec. 13, 2008.

Festivities begins at 5 PM. Lighting ceremony begins at 6 PM, at the Altadena Public Library, corner of Mariposa and Santa Rosa in Altadena

Santa Claus arrives at 5 PM to hear children’s wishes and take pictures. Hot chocolate and cider are served compliments of Christmas Tree Lane Association, and Christmas Tree Lane boutique offers souvenirs,

” … and you say to yourself, How did I get here?”

« Christmas Tree Lane lighting ceremony Dec. 13 | Main | I’m dreaming of a white Christmas … »

Friday, December 05, 2008

” … and you say to yourself, How did I get here?”

It isn’t often you can pinpoint exactly where you were at a point in time. In our case, we had just slogged through several blocks of thick Boulder, Colorado snow to campus to see this little-known punk band on the recommendation of our friend Bill Sharp.

We don’t know what’s more shocking — that this was 30 years ago, or what the tickets cost.

And if a time traveler stopped in in 1978 and whispered in my ear,

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas …

« ” … and you say to yourself, How did I get here?” | Main | RIP Forrest J Ackerman »

Friday, December 05, 2008

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas …

… just like the ones I used to know — with artificial snow.

Westminster Presbyterian Church is hosting an HBO filming crew for “The Pacific,” a companion piece to “Band of Brothers” of a few years ago. Here, Westminster is flocked up to play the role of a New Jersey Catholic church.

100_4197

As you can see, the Nativity scene is very convincing

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Even from across the street,

RIP Forrest J Ackerman

« I’m dreaming of a white Christmas … | Main | Sheriff’s spokesmen (and -women!) »

Saturday, December 06, 2008

RIP Forrest J Ackerman

Many of our readers know that our level of geekiness is pretty high. With that in mind — altho’ not Altadena related — we have to pause to acknowledge the passing of Forrest J (no period) Ackerman, who died Thursday at age 92. Forrey was a major influence in our misspent youth (we read “Famous Monsters of Filmland passionately when we were about 10), and we actually credit him with starting our love of movies.

Sheriff’s spokesmen (and -women!)

« RIP Forrest J Ackerman | Main | Stealth bomber flyover this afternoon »

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Sheriff’s spokesmen (and -women!)

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station Cycle-Thon got off to a bang-up start this morning, and is still going on even as we write. About 20 riders (and one runner) started the event, which commenced around 9:30. The cycle-thon will be followed by a dedication of the station flagpole and “historic hallway” at 11, and a barbecue at 11:30 (cost: $5.00). Come on down, if you haven’t already!

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The cyclists line up to start.

100_4219

Altadena town councilman Okorie Ezieme said he was going to try to run the event.

Stealth bomber flyover this afternoon

« Sheriff’s spokesmen (and -women!) | Main | Space station … Hubble … shuttle … toolbag … »

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Stealth bomber flyover this afternoon

Did any of you see the B2 bomber flyover awhile ago (of course you did!). Isaac Garcia is on top of things, and has fresh new pictures. Check ’em out.

BTW, our inside sources say it wasn’t a Rose Parade rehearsal, but a former Defense Dept. bigwig who was having his funeral at Pasadena First United Methodist Church today and earned the flyover.

UPDATE 9 PM: Just got the obit: there was a 1 PM funeral for Verne Orr,

Space station … Hubble … shuttle … toolbag …

« Stealth bomber flyover this afternoon | Main | Webster’s holiday open house and Five Acres benefit Fri., Dec. 12 »

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Space station … Hubble … shuttle … toolbag …

Looking ahead, one of our favorite websites says there will be a very bright flyover of the International Space Station on Dec. 17 at about 6:30 AM. We also note that, besides the Hubble and the Lacrosse spy satellite (wave as it goes by), it tracks the latest object in the sky — the missing International Space Station Toolbag!

Photo courtesy NASA

Posted on Tuesday,

Webster’s holiday open house and Five Acres benefit Fri., Dec. 12

« Space station … Hubble … shuttle … toolbag … | Main | Holiday blegging: festivities and Top Ten »

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Webster’s holiday open house and Five Acres benefit Fri., Dec. 12

The Webster's Center (which includes Altadenablog sponsor Webster's Fine Stationers), invites you to their Center-wide holiday open house this Fri., Dec. 12, which is also a benefit for Five Acres. Bring an unwrapped gift for a child age 5 to 13 and receive a 10% savings certificate,

Holiday blegging: festivities and Top Ten

« Webster’s holiday open house and Five Acres benefit Fri., Dec. 12 | Main | Altadena Crest Trails meeting 7 PM tonight »

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Holiday blegging: festivities and Top Ten

Please remember: if your church, synagogue, or other organization is planning their holiday festivities (special services, concerts, etc.), we have plenty of room on our Holidays page! Just send an email to us, and we'll gladly put it in.

Also: we're putting together a list of the Top Ten Altadena Stories of 2008 to start the new year,

Altadena Crest Trails meeting 7 PM tonight

« Holiday blegging: festivities and Top Ten | Main | Santa’s coming to the libraries Dec. 17! »

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Altadena Crest Trails meeting 7 PM tonight

Just received:

Trail-interested Folks —

The next meeting of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working
Group (ACTRWG) will take place this Tuesday, 7 PM, at the Altadena
Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive (just W. of Lake Ave, adjacent
to the Altadena Sheriffs Station, and across the street from Rite
Aid).

Santa’s coming to the libraries Dec. 17!

« Altadena Crest Trails meeting 7 PM tonight | Main | Altadena Town Council meeting, 7 PM Tues., Dec. 16 »

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Santa’s coming to the libraries Dec. 17!

Santa Claus will be putting in an appearance at Altadena's libraries at Wed., Dec. 17, starting at 11 AM at the main library and 12 AM at the Bob Lucas branch. (How does he do it? He's Santa!) Grab your kids and a camera for a chance to meet Santa!

Posted on Wednesday,

Altadena Town Council meeting, 7 PM Tues., Dec. 16

« Santa’s coming to the libraries Dec. 17! | Main | Inaugural to LA county: give us 347 deputies for free! »

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Altadena Town Council meeting, 7 PM Tues., Dec. 16

… the regular monthly meeting at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

Main topic this month is expected to be a new trash hauling contract.

UPDATE 12/12: The preliminary agenda after the jump (format's a little funny, but we're still working on it!)

7:00 p.m.