The 35th annual Peace Officers Memorial Torch Run will start Fri., May 18 at Sheriff’s Headquarters in Monterey Park and finish at about 2:30 PM at the Altadena Sheriff Station on Sun., May 20.  The annual run is a tribute to the peace officers in Los Angeles County who have been killed in the line of duty.

The completion of the run will be is quickly approaching.  

Over 38,000 visitors go to the open house every year to have a look at JPL’s programs to explore the planets.  This year, visitors can share in the wonders of space through high-definition and 3-D videos, live demonstrations, and a first look at JPL’s new Earth Sciences Center.

The Firehouse Preschool, 1923 N. Allen Ave., holds is annual yard and bake sale Sat., May 19, from 8 AM -1 PM.

This yard sale is an accumulation of items from multiple families.  There will be tons of stuff which includes, but isn't limited to clothes,

The organizers promise that everything that was in store  —  and more!  —  is scheduled for the next event.  Readings and panel discussions featuring well-known local and California authors, hands-on activities for young people, good food (yes, food trucks!), great books, and great fun,

A shout-out and thank you to our sponsor team, local businesses and organizations who keep Altadenablog coming to your computer every day:

Altadena Ale & Wine House

Altadena Solar

Baietti-Seyffert/Podley Properties

Curves Altadena

Dhari Thein Real Estate

Friends of the Altadena Library

Greg Stanton/Teles Properties

Judy Rubin Architectural &

by Timothy Rutt

Father Gregory Boyle gets a standing ovation at the Altadena Senior Center Tuesday night, May 1.  The Friends of the Altadena Library hosted Boyle in a presentation about his work in East Los Angeles with Homeboy Industries, turning the lives of gang members around.  Boyle is the author of Tattoos on the Heart,

The exhibition tells the stories of the many brave Californians who confronted discrimination and stood up for their rights. Fourteen interpretive panels with photographs and texts bring to life the heroes and heroines who fought for equality—from the Gold Rush to the present.

by TImothy Rutt

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich's office announced the schedule for the Summer Beach Bus from Altadena to the Santa Monica Pier for this season.

Starting June 19, passengers can board the bus  every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday through September 1, and on Labor Day,

… they've got a bear and cubs up a tree in Kinneloa Mesa, which some news organizations are erroneously saying is in Altadena.  Not that that couldn't happen here — but there are no known bears in the Altadena 'hoods right now!

We're taking a trip to Sacramento and back today, so entries will be light.  This means two passes through TSA, so keep us in your prayers!

by Timothy Rutt

The  trip to UC Davis went well for those of you asking — Jake is tolerating the new medication well (of course, it may be a placebo!) , the surgical scar is healing nicely, and the researchers are very positive about how the drug trial will work.  We're spending the day going through the pile, so lots of entries today!

The weekly round of burglaries from homes and vehicles, 24 Hour Fitness losses, and a flasher — haven't had one of those for awhile!  Crime blotter by Lt. Duane D. Allen of the Altadena Sheriff's Station:

Monday, April 23

8:47 AM – An indecent exposure occurred in the 200 block of Wapello Street. Suspect described as a male,

• Scholar: Erica Slater from Altadena was named to the Dean’s List at Villanova University for the fall 2011 semester. Slater is enrolled in the Villanova School of Business.  Villanova University Dean’s List recipients are honored by their college’s respective dean. To qualify, one must be a matriculated full-time student and earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5.
• Clay: Xiem Clay Center, 1563 N. Lake Ave.,  will have its spring Ceramic Art Fair &

The Webster’s companies have announced the selection of food trucks to expect as Fancy Food Truck Friday returns May 11.

Border Grill, Grill ‘Em All, Jogasaki Burrito, The Greasy Wiener, and Rosa Bella Cucina, and A Rockin Ice will be in the parking lot at the Webster’s complex at 2450 N. Lake Ave. from 5-9 PM.  There will be plenty of seating available for friends and family to enjoy dinner together as the sun goes down.

The Wiezmann Day School at the Pasadena Jewish Temple will dedicate a new garden and play yard this Sun., May 6, at 4 PM.  The dedication will include the unveiling of a beautiful new tile wall and ceramic tree mosaic, created by the Weizmann students under the direction of Weizmann’s art teacher Ellen Dinerman, who herself has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics and Sculpture from Claremont Graduate School. 

Webster’s Communty Pharmacy (Altadenablog sponsor) is gearing up with special offers during their “Mother’s Day Dazzling Week” from May 5 until May 12.

Purchases of $30 or more from the Gift Department will qualify for a complimentary Mother’s Day designer pin (while supplies last). Follow the buzz about the hottest trends in Altadena to our Gift Department. Our staff loves fashion and is ready to assist in pulling together something extraordinary for the mother in your life.

by TImothy Rutt

Yes, it’s another Day of Enforced JoyTM, but what can you do? In the case of Patrick DeGrosse, Jr., who lives in the dome house at 2870 Tanoble Drive, you put a sombrero on your roof and enjoy the day.  (They will also celebrate “DomeStock” today with several bands, if you’re in the neighborhood).

by Timothy Rutt

The husband of the woman who allegedly ran her SUV into a 13-year-old boy, breaking his pelvis before leaving the scene, has come forward, according to the boy's father.

Vendale Joseph, Sr., said that he has been contacted by the husband of the SUV's driver, who left them with insurance and contact information.

The moon is at perigee (i.e. closer to the earth) at about 8:34 tonight, and about a minute later, it will line up with the sun to become extra bright.  They're calling it a "super Moon," so don't miss it!  Check the NASA video for more:

A Los Angeles Times best-seller for over a year,  Dolan’s book tells the story of the likeable Helen of Pasadena who is leading a charmed life among the roses and rose queens,

It's this week's Altadena Junction column at the Pasadena Sun!  (With some weird editing again — we know Danny's Farm isn't a children's charity, but apparently the editors don't!)

And a shout-out to our friends at the Sun, who with the other Times Community Newspapers have won some major statewide journalism awards.

One of our dependable readers tells us that, for the last one or two weeks in the Meadows, someone has been clearing out the mailboxes of outgoing mail on Risinghill and El Prieto Road:

On Friday, many homes were missing outgoing mail apparently removed in the early morning hours.
We found mail from Lincoln Ave tossed in our yard – and found our mail in the neighbors yard.

• Town Council: Tomorrow is the last day to file to run for an Altadena Town Council seat.  Candidate packets are available at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.  Filing fee is $35.  Tuesday’s deadline is 5 PM, but the community center will open at 1 PM tomorrow.
• PUSD: Tuesday is also when the Pasadena Unified School District board will consider a new school board member district map.  The board will also look at a report from the Special Education Task Force,

by William Kisliuk
Pasadena Sun

Two motorcyclists suffered serious injuries after driving off the side of Angeles Crest Highway on Sunday.

At 10:52 a.m. volunteers with Montrose Search and Rescue helped a motorcyclist who had driven over the side of the road at Angeles Crest near Upper Big Tujunga Road,

The Altadena Branch of the NAACP, under the leadership of Dr. Gregor Edwards, celebrated its Annual Freedom Fund Luncheon on Sunday, April 22, 2012. The Branch has been advocating for social justice under the leadership of Ms. Tony Stewart, Emeritus, Founding President of the Altadena Branch, for many years.  As a tribute to her memory, and her many years of dedicated and committed leadership service in social justice,

The Caltech Bands (directed by Altadena’s William Bing) will host “BandORama” on Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, at Ramo Auditorium.

The joint Caltech/Occidental Concert Band and the Caltech Jazz bands will play in concert at 8 PM both days at Ramo Auditorium on the Caltech campus.  

Featured artists are:

• Jazz singer Kjerstin “KJ” Williams (aka “Dr.

It’s now time to start gearing up for the American Cancer Society’s Altadena Relay for Life, to be held at Farnsworth Park on June 9-10.

There will be a kick-off rally this Friday, May 11, from 4-7 PM at the Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr.  It’ll be a good time to support your team, start a team, sponsor a walker, volunteer,

We are involved in a special project today that's going to make a good story, so entries will be light!

Webster’s Fine Stationers will hold a reception for local artist Kate Carvellas as part of this week’s Fancy Food Truck Fridays at the Webster’s complex.

Carvellas works in collage, mixed media, and assemblage and was recently accepted into the Pasadena Society of Artists.  Her last local exhibit was at the late lamented Gallery at the End of the World.  Here’s her page on Artslant for more background.

This year’s Altadena Town Council election won’t exactly be democracy in action: there are no races, and two seats attracted no candidates at all.

Nobody stepped up to run in Census tracts 4601 and 4611 as the candidate deadline passed Tuesday afternoon. The only new faces are Bernardean Broadous (sole candidate for CT 4610) and Reginald Wilkins (CT 4612).

Incumbents running without opposition include Okorie Ezieme (CT 4602),

Just to let you know, we've temporarily removed the horrible, rotted comprehensive links list, which is in the process of a top-to-toe update.  It'll be back soon!

Altadenablog sponsor Curves of Altadena will give a free 30-day membership to any non-member who visits the club during regular operating hours throughout National Women’s Health Week, May 12-19.  This annual awareness week, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health (OWH), begins each year on Mother’s Day and brings together communities,

3:30 PM: This story has been updated.

by Joe Piasecki
Pasadena Sun

A man found dead early Thursday morning along Angeles Crest Highway just above La Cañada Flintridge suffered a possible gunshot wound, said Los Angeles County Coroner spokesman Craig Harvey.

California Highway Patrol officers have closed the Crest to traffic as Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept.

Teams are now being formed for the second annual Brandon Jackson Memorial Basketball Shootout. 

The basketball tournament, a project of the First Presbyterian Church of Altadena’s “Stepping into the Light Outreach,”  raises funds for scholarships in Jackson’s name for deserving, college-bound students.

There are three tiers: youth ages 7-12, middle school students, and high school (including graduating seniors). 

Western catalpa at entrance to Kallam garden at the Los Angeles County Arboretum with its trunk completely shattered by the winds of Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2011.  Photo by Frank McDonough and used with permission.

by Laura Monteros

from gloriana casey

If Nature were like Disneyland,
nobody would get hurt.
And hikers could climb everywhere,
and fall in softest dirt!

Though Eaton Canyon’s beautiful,
it has its tougher side.
One waterfall is safe, serene,
but  one can skin your hide.

So if a hilly climb looks tough
declare ,