« Children’s Day/Book Day at Bob Lucas Branch April 28 | Main | We all scream for Bulgarini »
Just had time to stop in at last night’s meeting at the Community Center. The Episcopal Homes (which merged with the Scripps Home corporation last year) unveiled their preliminary plans for MonteCedro, the new retirement complex that will occupy the site of the Scripps Home. Scripps residents relocated late last year to the Kensington Episcopal Home in Alhambra,
« We all scream for Bulgarini | Main | More details on April 28 library meeting »
This note has been making the newsgroup rounds from from Carolyn Seitz, chair of the Altadena Sheriff’s
Community Advisory Committee:
People in the Northeast part of Altadena/Pasadena, Sierra Madre Villa
area, are reporting theft of valuables from vehicles in their garages –
and the garage door was open. Not sure if these incidents are happening
during the daytime or night,
« Petty thefts on the rise | Main | Climbing up Mt. Lowe »
The Word comes down about the Altadena Library renovations:
The “Let’s Talk about Libraries” kickoff for the Strategic Planning and Facilities Master Plan will be held at the Board of Trustees meeting on Monday April 28th in the Library’s Community Room at 7p.m.
At this meeting the Strategic Planning process and Facilities Master Plan process will be outlined for the community.
« Climbing up Mt. Lowe | Main | Shout outs … »
The Altadena Guild is holding their annual Home Tour, visiting three homes on Homewood Drive. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 the day of the tour. PSN has a good writeup, or call 626-304-4678 or visit the Guild website for details.
« "There’s No Place Like Homewood" May 4 | Main | Larry Wilson asks:"Do you really want to hurt me?" »
Altadenablog was overbooked today, but at least had some time to put in an appearance at today’s Pasadena Blogger’s Picnic at Sunnyslope Park. Caltech Girl seems to have the definitive attendee list — it was great to see so many people who have amused, confused, and stimulated us for so long. Looking forward to the next one,
« Shout outs … | Main | 7,000 »
PSN’s Larry Wilson batted .500 today. The good: he compliments Susanna Dadd and James Griffith for their Folly Bowl amphitheater here in the high ‘Dena today.
But then he sticks his foot in it. The bad: First, he rewrites history a bit, saying he “reflected community concerns” in his recent column urging that the Altadena Library retain its Modernist sensibility (children in wheelchairs and old people in walkers can be soooo tacky!). That’s funny: it reads like he was talking for himself,
« Larry Wilson asks:"Do you really want to hurt me?" | Main | The end of the Rhythms »
We celebrate 7,000 page views today. (Special thanks to all those visiting from the many linked Pasadena bloggers). Thank you for making this Altadena’s community newsblog!
« 7,000 | Main | Altadena real estate takes the plunge »
PSN front-pages the closure of Rhythms of the Village Charter School. Rhythms closed last Wednesday, two months before the end of the PUSD semester, and the 60-some ninth and tenth graders are being sent to other schools to close out the year.
The closure comes after enrollment never meeting expectations, the withdrawal of a Gates Foundation program assistance, and pressure from the Pasadena Unified School District to meet enrollment and financial expectations.
« The end of the Rhythms | Main | Muir "reinvention" meeting at Loma Alta Park Thurs. »
Doug Willis at upt2daterealestate (whom we met at the blogger’s picnic!) reports that Altadena "is selling fewer homes, at lower prices and its taking them longer to sell."
The median sales price of a single-family home in Altadena in the first quarter of 2008 is $555,000, down from $600,000 at the same time last year.
« Altadena real estate takes the plunge | Main | County approves new rules for Altadena dwellings »
Pasadena Now reports that PUSD will be holding a second community meeting on the "reinvention" of John Muir High School on Thurs., April 23, 6:30-8 PM.
The event will be held at Loma Alta Park, 3330 Lincoln. The topic will involve developing "a healthy school climate on the redesigned campus." It will cover a range of issues,
« Muir "reinvention" meeting at Loma Alta Park Thurs. | Main | Chaney Trail cleanup May 3 »
PSN reports that the County Board of Supervisors has approved new rules for construction of multifamily dwellings in order to preserve mountain views:
The new regulations, which were approved unanimously, limit apartment or condominium buildings on lots of less than 20,000 square feet to no more than 30 feet in height;
« County approves new rules for Altadena dwellings | Main | Echo Mountain Hike/Picnic April 26 »
Altadena Foothlls Conservancy has planned a brush clearance along Chaney Trail on May 3. Sounds like a vigorous spring activity that will help our foothils, too. The announcement:
Dear Neighbors & Friends
We’re doing it early this year…clearing the flammable brush off
the Altadena Foothills Conservancy land along Chaney Trail that many
« Chaney Trail cleanup May 3 | Main | Students pulled from class to do county public works’ job »
If you’re a fan of the Mt. Lowe Railway and assorted ancient tourist spots, Altadena Conservancy has a hike for you this weekend!
ECHO MOUNTAIN RAIL FAN PICNIC
April 26,2008 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Meet at the north end of Lake Ave. in Altadena at 7:30 AM.
Carpools will be organized and will depart at 8:00 AM
After arriving at the Cape of Good Hope there will be a one-mile hike
« Echo Mountain Hike/Picnic April 26 | Main | Mt. Wilson bikers pancake @ Cobb Estate Sun. »
There are two ways of looking at this Earth Day puff piece from PSN: Alta Loma students spend the morning putting in native plants at Las Flores debris basin to celebrate Earth Day, or their classroom education was canceled so they could become a pressed labor gang for the LA County Public Works.
« Students pulled from class to do county public works’ job | Main | Do the Wright thing May 3 »
The Mt. Wilson Bicycling Association will hold its 19th annual fundraising pancake breakfast, starting with a 7 a.m. ride, then breakfast from 8-10 AM Sunday at Cobb Estate at Lake Ave. and Loma Alta Dr.
This year’s fundraiser, which benefits MWBA’s Save the Trails campaign, will feature guests Keith Bontrager and Gary Fisher.
« Mt. Wilson bikers pancake @ Cobb Estate Sun. | Main | Youth violence committee fizzles out »
The P-Weekly is making a plea for Rebuilding Together Pasadena, which is planning to make a series of repairs at the Altadena home of Victor Wright. Wright, a JV fullback for Muir High School, was left a quaraplegic after making a tackle in 1976. Following that, he still accomplished some amazing things,
« Do the Wright thing May 3 | Main | Admission Matters at Eliot April 30 »
Andre Coleman at P-Weekly pounds a nail into the coffin of the Committee on Youth Development and Violence Prevention. The multi-jurisdiction committee (which included members of the Altadena Town Council) collapsed under its own bureaucratic weight and lack of funding. Details here.
« Youth violence committee fizzles out | Main | Staying Strong »
The Pasadena Educational Foundation invites parents and high school students to "Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting Into College" on Wed., April 30, at Eliot Middle School Auditoriu, 2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena.
Registration starts at 6:30, and program begins at 6:45. Workshops include completing college applications, financial aid, SAT/ACT testing, and "Navigating the College Board Web Site."
« PUSD budget meeting March 20 | Main | Holy Week (and shameless self-promotion) dept. »
There was a meeting Wednesday morning at the Coffee Gallery to discuss forming a food co-op in the Altadena area. Patrick Reagan, who got the ball rolling, writes Altadenablog:
My original hope was to have at least a two people attend the first meeting and expected that they would take some convincing to explore this idea.
Instead we had six very motivated attendees.
« Update: food co-op meeting | Main | Altadena-based composer wins composition prize »
The weekend starts the observances of Holy Week in the Western Christian churches, leading to Easter festivities on March 23.
This Palm Sunday, March 16, the Altadenablogmaster will be taking off his community journalist hat and putting on his theologian hat to deliver the sermon at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1014 E. Altadena Dr., at the 7:45 and 10:30 services.
« Holy Week (and shameless self-promotion) dept. | Main | Easter Bunny headlines benefit at Webster’s »
Patricio da Silva of Altadena has won the second annual International Barto Prize for his composition, "Three Movements for PIano." The $5,000 biennial prize is for works written for solo piano and based on a poem. Da Silva, a native of Portugal, based his piece on a work of Fernando Pessoa, Portugal’s greatest poet.
The work was performed by Tzimon Barto at two concerts over the weekend at Eustis,
« Altadena-based composer wins composition prize | Main | "Green building" meeting Wed. »
Webster’s is holding an Easter-themed coloring contest for kids on Sat., March 22, which will be judged by E. Bunny himself. Easter baskets will also be raffled off for the kids.
But most important, 25% of sales that day will be donated to the Bright Future Scholars for the benefit of Antwan Havard. Antwan was hoping to attend the Scholars’
« Easter Bunny headlines benefit at Webster’s | Main | Town council monthly meeting Tues. »
LA County is holding a series of meetings to discuss Green Building Ordinances for unincorporated county areas. The next meeting will be held Wed., March 19, at the Altadena Senior Center, 560 E. Mariposa, from 6-8 PM. The county is soliciting feedback on proposed ordiances for green building, low impact development, and drought-tolerant and native landscaping. Says the release:
These ordinances are intended to help the County efficiently manage land uses to achieve its goals of environmental sustainability,
« "Green building" meeting Wed. | Main | Hail and farewell »
… 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 7:30 E. Altadena Drive.
« Town council monthly meeting Tues. | Main | East Altadena Little League »
A selection of weird weather these past few days — as we write, it’s windy beyond belief. And of course, it’s been warm, and cold and generally bizarre.
Stonehill News has video of the weekend’s brief hailstorm, for your amusement.
« East Altadena Little League | Main | Revised plan for St. Luke’s on tap, Wed. 6 PM »
KABC reports that 1,400 residents of Altadena and La Canada had their power knocked out by today’s high winds. Clyde and Yvonne Jennings reported that the top of their palm tree snapped right off.
(Note: this story is instructive as to the average intelligence of the TV news reporter:
« Residents feel powerless, palm tree snaps, TV reporters can’t spell | Main | Lewis resumes seat, charges dropped »
DS Ventures, the developer of the old St. Luke’s Medical Center property on Washington, is presenting their revised plan to the community tomorrow, March 19, at 6 PM. The presentation will be at St. Luke’s Medical Center Chapel – enter by the emergency entrance and walk to the very end of the hall.
« Revised plan for St. Luke’s on tap, Wed. 6 PM | Main | NAACP sponsors foreclosure workshop March 27 »
First droplet of news from tonight’s Town Council meeting (liveblogging now): CT 4612 rep George Lewis resumed his chairmanship of the council today. Lewis announced that felony charges against him had been dropped. Lewis stepped down two months ago when he was facing charges relating to spousal abuse.
« Lewis resumes seat, charges dropped | Main | Public safety stuff from 3/18 town council meeting »
The Altadena and Pasadena NAACP is sponsoring a free "Foreclosure 911 Workshop" on Thurs. March 27, 6:30-9:30 PM at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr. For more information, contact Debra Francis, 626-252-5943.
« NAACP sponsors foreclosure workshop March 27 | Main | Trash talk dominates town council »
- LA County Fire Dept: The two-alarm fire Feb. 28 at the old Washington Mutual building involved some 57 or 58 units, about 90 firefighters, and caused $1.5 million in damage. Last month there were eight structure fires, 207 rescues, and 27 false alarms.
- California Highway Patrol: For February, there were 27 collisions, and one fatality: Jeep vs.
« Public safety stuff from 3/18 town council meeting | Main | Getting ready for Easter weekend »
Altadenans have multiple large trash trucks from two different carriers lumbering down the streets — and are paying ever-increasing collection rates for them– because we want it that way.
Or so concluded the Altadena Town Council last night after a presentation by Virginia Maloles of the LA County Dept. of Public Works. Maloles Powerpointed the differences between offering carriers an exclusive (one carrier) franchise,
« Trash talk dominates town council | Main | Gas price watch »
- Friday: Easter Egg hunt at the Loma Alta Park upper playground area, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., 5-7 PM for ages 12 and under. There’s also a coloring contest and (the flier says) a "giant bunny." This is sponsored by LA County Parks and Recreation.
- Saturday: Grand re-opening of Webster’s contract postal unit, 2450 N. Lake Ave. Events start with a ribbon cutting at 10:30 AM,
« Getting ready for Easter weekend | Main | Rene Amy’s List turns 7 »
Gas prices in and around Altadena this afternoon:
Mobile (Fair Oaks & Woodbury): 3.71/3.89/3.99
Arco (Fair Oaks & Woodbury): 3.51/3.65/3.72
Chevron (Lake & Altadena): 3.69/3.81/3.91
Arco (Lake & New York): 3.51/3.63/3.69
And the winner is:
*Arco (New York & Altadena): 3.49/3.60/3.70
« Gas price watch | Main | Altadena dominates local news! »
Pasadena Now has an article about the anniversary of PUSD firebrand activist Rene Amy’s email list. Little known fact: the list was created in a schism from Altadena activist/town councilman Steve Lamb. Not a great story, but it will probably get some more sign-ups for the list.
« Rene Amy’s List turns 7 | Main | World Down Syndrome Day »
… or at least it does the PSN’s local section today:
« Altadena dominates local news! | Main | Spring Break Camp at Farnsworth Apr. 7-11 »
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, a cause close to Altadenablog’s heart. Down Syndrome is caused by a third copy of chromosome 21 (hence the day is 3/21). This is just a note to let you know, if this syndrome affects someone you know, or if you’re expecting a newborn with Down Syndrome, contact the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles,
« World Down Syndrome Day | Main | Community Emergency Expo April 12 »
Spring break is coming, and what do you do with your little creatures?
LA County Parks & Recreation is holding a Spring Break Camp at Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., from 8 AM- 6 PM April 7-11. The camp includes field trips, sports programs, science experiments, hiking, and arts and crafts. Open to ages 5 to 12,
« Spring Break Camp at Farnsworth Apr. 7-11 | Main | Chamber Golf Tournament Fri., May 2 »
Various community and public safety groups (including LA County Fire Dept., which services Altadena) will hold a Community Emergency Expo on Sat., April 12, at Verdugo Hills Hospital, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale, from 10 AM-3 PM.
Visit with Smokey Bear and Sparky the firedog, shop for emergency supplies, get fire extinguisher training for kids and adults,
« Community Emergency Expo April 12 | Main | We are the eggmen … »
The Altadena Chamber of Commerce’s 15th Annual Golf Tournament will be held Fri., May 2, at the Altadena Golf Course, 1456 E. Mendocino St. Registration starts at 11:30, "shot gun start" at 12:30. There’s an early bird special of $400 per foursome (deadline April 25). Corporate sponsors ($500) receive four players, 18 holes of golf, two golf carts, a tee or green sign,
« Chamber Golf Tournament Fri., May 2 | Main | Oil roundup March 30 »
Welcome spring and Easter season! Two egg hunts for the little ones today:
Farnsworth Park,3:45-5:30 PM today, egg hunt and spring festival.
Loma Alta Park, 5-7 ages 12 and under. Egg hunt, coloring contest, and a "giant bunny."
« We are the eggmen … | Main | Put on your Easter bonnet »
Used motor oil and oil filters will be collected at Dept. of Public Works, 737 E. Altadena Drive, from noon to 2 on March 30.
« Oil roundup March 30 | Main | Blair student admits guilt in lockdown incident »
Petrea over at Pasadena Daily Photo has a great shot of the hats at Winsome’s Pretty Woman, hidden behind Steve’s Pets — a store, it will come as no surprise to you, that Altadenablog has never set foot in!
« Put on your Easter bonnet | Main | Rhythms interrupted »
Catching up after the Easter weekend:
The 18-year-old whose antics locked down Blair IB high school on Feb. 29 admitted to one charge of making criminal threats. The youth, who was 17 at the time and just turned 18, was previously identified as an Altadena resident. The sentence: probation. Details here at PSN.
« Blair student admits guilt in lockdown incident | Main | Muir reorganization forum Wed. 6:30-8 PM »
Not online yet, but PSN’s front page today talked about Rhythms of the Village charter school withdrawing its request for an extension on its lease at the old Edison School. Executive director Onochie Chukwurah said that the school will continue next year, bu t likely at another location. The charter’s request for an extension was to be considered at tomorrow’s PUSD board meeting.
« Rhythms interrupted | Main | Parks on the move »
A forum to discuss the smaller learning communities setting at John Muir High School will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wed. at John Muir High School, 1905 N. Lincoln Ave. Supt. Edwin Diaz, Muir interim Principal Sheryl Orange and other PUSD staff will discuss the restructuring and answer questions.
This will be the first in a series of community forums being held to address Muir’s reorganization.
