Thanks to our readers, we've managed to get all of our missing Christmas dogs back home where they belong … the latest: Truman!

His humans Teresa Apollo and Peter Berman tell us the epic tale, an email from 1:30 AM today:

TRUMAN WAS FOUND (RESCUED) FROM EATON CANYON TONIGHT CLOSE TO MIDNIGHT.

The Quality of Life Center/Bright Futures Scholars send this merry greeting.

According to scanner traffic, sheriffs were seeking a man with a rifle at Eaton Canyon this afternoon (which is why the chopper is there); the latest report (2:12 PM) says he was observed getting into a car and leaving.

by Bill Kisliuk
Pasadena Sun

The Tournament of Roses has unveiled a full slate of activities in the days leading up to and after the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl on Monday, Jan. 2.

From Thursday through Saturday, the public can view Rose float decorating at three locations,

from gloriana casey

Just 7 months old –this pit bull pup,
attacked while on a hike.
Through Eaton Canyon,TRUMAN ran
from mean dog’s scary bite!

A baby dog—lost in the woods,
wild critters in the hills.
Will Christmas spirit save this lad
from night time’s scary ills?

Will man’s best friend survive 5 nights;
will he be homeward bound?

Enrollment in Pasadena public schools is shrinking, but the number of students who are homeless or in unstable living arrangements is on the rise.

This year 617 Pasadena Unified School District students qualified for federal homelessness assistance because they were sleeping in cars or at shelters, living in motels or temporarily crashing on floors and couches in relatives’ homes, according to school records.

That’s more than 3% of students in the district,

Do you have an artistically inclined friend, relative, or even yourself?  Wondering what kind of New Years Resolution you can keep?  And you will WANT to keep?

How about a walk around the watercolor world at The Coffee Gallery with Donna Barnes-Roberts.  She teaches watercolor classes in the back conference room, and the class is oh so cozy!

by Bill Kisliuk
Pasadena Sun

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) met with local officials Tuesday as they pressed for a federal emergency declaration for areas ravaged by the windstorm on Nov.

If you don’t want to venture into the craziness down the hill, some Altadena businesses are preparing to ring in 2012 in a festive way Saturday night.

The Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, will have a private potluck party — doors open at 7 PM, when entertainment starts at the Backstage and there will be a DJ in the front.  They’ll also be raising funds for tribute to the rulers their entertainment license. 

Our content partner Pasadena Sun offers this list of road closures and traffic signal alterations for the New Year's weekend.

• Who’s got the power?: In the LA Weekly, John Grula of Altadena makes the case that nonprofit Pasadena Water & Power handled the windstorm better than for-profit Southern California Edison.  No question they did (altho’ SCE lost about twice as many homes as Pasadena has residents), and do you REALLY want the same folks who are code-bombing businesses running your electricity?  But it’s a worthy discussion, so do check it out.
• PinotFest: The 2012 Fourth Annual Pasadena PinotFest will be held at the Altadena Town &

from gloriana casey

That MARCH HARE, he was chasing me
and flogging his watch clock.
With TIME’s arrow, he poked at me.
Astounded, I yelled” STOP!”

Picoseconds–nanoseconds!
March Hare, you are unkind.
For TIME’s alive and circular,
and Life is not clock TIME.

“What is the TIME? ” he asked of me.
Upon him I did sit.
“You need a Nature lesson,

Reader Eric Wilson captured this breathaking view of the mountains after the February snowfall.

by Timothy Rutt

A look at some of the things to see during the year past, after the jump.

The latest information from LA County law enforcement agencies is that there have been 1,849 DUI arrests since Dec. 16, and there will be checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout the holidays — so drinking + driving, not a good idea anytime.

If you want to stick close to home, the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks, opens at 2 PM and will be toasting the arrival of the New Year at every time zone (French New Year at 3 PM,

Our column in the Valley Sun is up, but you've read it already (above).

What are your resolutions for the new year?  The thread is open ….

 

Santa Rosa Avenue south of Woodbury, covered in branches after the Windstorm of 2011.

 by Timothy Rutt

This was a busy year in Altadena — some may say we were going to the dogs (or at least the hero dogs, lost dogs, and the coyotes, of which there were plenty!)

Here’s our totally non-objective and biased look at the Altadena’s Top Ten Plus One Stories of 2011,

Rose Princess Kimberly Ostiller of Altadena answers the phone at the opening of the Visitor Hotline Dec. 30.   Photo by Laura Monteros.

by Timothy Rutt

If you’re going to brave the crowds tonight and the parade tomorrow, the Pasadena Police Department has issued the rules for parade spectators:

It in unauthorized to be sitting, camping or blocking the sidewalk or parkways areas along the parade route until noon,

• Four who rose up: Juliette Funes at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune writes about four Five Acres orphans who rode in yesterday’s Rose Parade.
• We were thinking a Chihuahua in heat: LA Mayor Anthonion Villaraigosa likens himself to a Chihuahua — probably not just any Chihuahua, but Altadena’s Chihuahua, Paco.
• Volunteers needed: Anyone who is fluent in English and can volunteer 2-10 hours a week are needed to become a caring mentor to a small group of non-English speaking adults who want to communicate more effectively.  

Conducted by Kevin Mayse and joined by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Traditional Christmas favorites and some surprising and fun renditions. Additional performance by the Westminster Bell Choir and Organist Imre Szilas with narration by Dr.

Charles W. Eliot Middle School PTA invites the community to join students and their families on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 for an evening of music, art, and pre-holiday cheer.

The Winter Festival will kick off at 5:30 PM. Come and get a cup of cider or cocoa in the new student garden on Calaveras St.,

from Los Angeles County Public Works

LA County Public Works is working with the cities of Pasadena and Arcadia to safely and efficiently remove trees and debris from local public roadways. Several County Flood Maintenance facilities have been designated for this purpose, and the County has allowed these cities to temporarily stockpile tree and debris material. 

by Joe Piasecki and Carol Cormaci
Pasadena Sun 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators are responding to an apparent suicide on Angeles Crest Highway above La Cañada Flintridge.

An unidentified man was found seated in a vehicle with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,

Altadena is now very lucky to have TWO  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Trainings scheduled for January, 2012.

The first will be presented by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on these dates:

Sat., Jan. 7              8 AM to 5 PM
Tues., Jan. 10          6 PM to 9:30 PM
Wed., Jan. 11          6 PM to 9:30 PM
Thurs., Jan. 12        6 PM to 9:30 PM
Sat.,

• Gaule studying in Florence: University of San Diego student Mary Gaule of Altadena is studying in Italy this fall. The semester-long program at the Florence University of the Arts (FUA) is located in the historic Palazzo Doni, which housed famous works of art during the Renaissance, including works of Michelangelo. Modeled on the liberal arts curricular tradition, FUA offers a wide variety of courses in business, humanities, fine arts, social sciences and natural sciences.

Facing a higher demand than ever and a shortage of donations, Five Acres seeks the community’s support to help grant holiday wishes for 250 area families in need. This number, up from 150 families last year, is an all-time high for the Altadena-based child and family services agency who is working to ensure that each family is able to take part in a special holiday celebration. Families who receive services from Five Acres are relying on the support of the local nonprofit’s “Family Angels” program,

from the office of Anthony Portantino

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) has proposed legislation to improve emergency and disaster preparedness by California’s public utilities.  The proposed bill calls on each utility to report with every county in its service area every two years for the purpose of reviewing,

The Institute of Domestic Technology will be holding a new series of milkcrafting classes, teaching you how to use store-bought milk to make your own yogurts, kefir, chevre, cheese in three classes to be held in January, February, and March.

All classes take place at the Mariposa Creamery on the Zane Grey Estate, and instructors are Steve Rudicel and Gloria Putnam,

by Timothy Rutt

Uh-oh, here it comes again.  National Weather Service shouts that strong northerly winds will develop over the San Gabriel Valley and elsewhere in the county Thursday night.  And here's the kicker:

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR  DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OF 60 MPH OR GREATER THROUGH FAVORED MOUNTAIN  PASSES…

by Timothy Rutt

Ed Chen, director of governmental affairs for Athens Services, want to spread the word:

Altadena residents: please put green waste in carts, boxed, bagged or bundled and be able to be picked up by one person.  This green waste will be picked up on your collection day. 

Santa Claus is coming today for the little ones, 11 AM at the main library and 12 PM at the Bob Lucas Branch.

The fifth annual Winter Reading Program started this week and runs through Jan. 31.   Check out and read books, write a review,

Alta-poet Tony Peyser tells us he is doing a reading of his poems next Thurs., Dec. 22 in South Pasadena.

The reading will be at 7 PM at The Battery Books & Music, 1005-B Mission St., South Pasadena,  (626) 376-9913, near the Gold Line Metro Station.

Peyser says: 

The Battery is a pioneer in used book stores opening,

by Timothy Rutt

The Balian Mansion went light’s-on Wednesday night, as Altadena moves the wind debris out and the the holidays in.  The Balian Mansion, the Close Encounters Mothership of Christmas lighting, is on Mendocino Lane, east of Allen Ave.