Assemblymember Anthony Portantino will hold his annual Holiday Open House on Wed., Dec. 14, 6-8 PM at the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.  There will be light refreshments, and please bring a new, unwrapped book suitable for grades K-6 that will be donated to local libraries. Suggested titles can be found at: www.assembly.ca.gov/portantino

RSVP to: 

Aveson School, 1919 Pinecrest Dr., is joining the cavalcade of holiday events this Sat. with a pancake breakfast and holiday boutique from 8 AM-12 PM. Aveson invites you to stop by, have breakfast and do a little holiday shopping.

by Timothy Rutt

Southern California Edison (SCE) said in a release Wednesday that it has restored power to most lines and is now going block-by-block to ensure residents and businesses ahve power."

"While line power lines that run between power poles are back in service,

Bring the family (children must be accompanied by adult) for this all-ages film.  Pizza, popcorn, and punch will be provided — doors open at 6 PM, and the movie starts at 6:30.

by Timothy Rutt

This is our collection point for your reports on what's happening in your neighborhood — is the power back on?  Is anybody picking up tree debris?  Is anyone acting suspicious and maybe exploiting the situation?  Here's your place to let your neighbors know.

And don't forget to enter our "Name the Windstorm"

Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has sent out this letter updating the post-wind situation.  Of particular interest is the "Green Debris Removal" section below.

—–

Dear Friends,

Here is the latest update on recovery from the hurricane-force winds that devastated the unincorporated communities Altadena, La Crescenta, Pasadena, San Gabriel,

There'll be a lot to do at Fancy Food Truck Friday at the Webster's complex, 2450 N. Lake Ave., from 5-9 PM.  This will be the last one until spring, so make sure you come…

The trucks will be:

Hungry Nomad
Greenz On Wheelz
Border Grill
Komodo
The Lime Truck (they won the Great Food Truck Race this year)
Sweet Es Bake Shop

At Webster's Fine Stationers,

by Timothy Rutt

After wind, the deluge.

The Los Angeles Dept. of Public Works has issued a possible flooding alert for rainstorms that are forecast to hit the county on Mon., Dec. 12.  In a release, DPW said that the flood control system is being inspected and prepared for approaching rain, but of particular concern is the wind debris piled up on county streets.

Fri. Dec. 9

• Fancy Food Truck Friday at Webster’s, 2450 N. Lake Ave., 5-9 PM.
• Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake: frontstage, open mic, 8-11 PM, free; backstage, Teresa Turdury and the Ventucky String Band (roots/country/Americana), 8 PM, $18 Reservations:  (626) 798-6236.

Sat., Dec. 10

• Fork in the Road Toy Drive,

by Timothy Rutt

OK, we love your suggestions about naming the big windstorm of 2011, but we think they all fall a little short.

We don't want to necessarily pin it to Altadena, as it was a regional disaster, and if we can avoid the blame, let's do it.  Besides, Pasadena, Temple City, Arcadia, and many other communities suffered as well.

by Bill Kisliuk
Pasadena Sun

State emergency management officials started Thursday’s tour of wind storm damage at the Altadena Town and Country Club,

This morning a tree weakened by last week’s damaging winds fell at about 8:15 AM, knocking out an Edison transmission line.  Just under 5,000 customers in Altadena were without power.  Within about 30 minutes power was restored to all but about 50.

As Edison works to repair the downed transmission line, you may experience intermittent power outages as they complete repairs and then re-energize the system and balance the distribution network.

by Timothy Rutt

The Los Angeles County district attorney has decided not to file charges against a teen who was arrested after a volunteering at a neighborhood watch meeting last month.

District attorney Steve Cooley and deputy DA Rebecca E. Lewis in a Dec. 9 letter told Kendall Brown, 19, that "the matter has been reviewed by the district attorney and no charges will be filed at this time."

Carolyn Seitz writes us:

Thanks to the generosity of the community at large and this morning's very successful and much appreciated food and toy drive in the President Streets area and the toy drive in La Vina, we are certain we'll be able to feed at least 300 very needy Altadena families.

by Timothy Rutt

Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. has proclaimed a state of emergency for Los Angeles County and the city of Ranch Cucamonga today due to last week's windstorm, which caused severe disruption of utilities and tens of millions of dollars in damages.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino told Altadenablog that the proclamation followed the Dec.

Our column is up at the Pasadena Sun:  some reflections post-windstorm.

“This community was under siege last week,” Assemblyman Anthony Portantino said at last night’s Christmas Tree Lane lights-on ceremony.  “But look at us now.”

Indeed.  Thanks to dedicated work by county crews and volunteers, Altadena’s Christmas gift to Los Angeles was ready to go on schedule, despite Windstorm Gabriel* and felled trees.  This is when Altadena becomes a small town, and we have more images to share after the jump.

• Stankard at Pace: Altadenan Connor Stankard is a first-year student this fall at Pace University’s New York City campus. Founded in 1906 as a business school, Pace has always insisted on a core curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences, and now has evolved into a comprehensive university preparing professionals for a full range of careers.
• Cedar tree, how big it’s grown: If you’ve lost a deodara tree in the windstorm, Carolyn Seitz tells us that resident has a very old Deodar in their yard which is  “a prolific mother of many new trees.” 

“Blowin’  in the Wind”

from gloriana casey

WIND In The WILLOWS—it was not,
yet not quite WINDS of WAR.
So what to name this local storm,
now part of local lore.

Gabby is a lovely name
and stems from Gabrielle.
A synonym for talking too,
as on and on words spill.

That crazy, twisting,

Pictured: the President Streets neighborhood association collected toys and food for the Altadena Sheriff’s Station food drive Saturday.

Thanks to the generosity of the Altadena community, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station Food and Toy Drive generated enough feed at least 300 families this year.  That is 100 more than we served last year.

On Friday, it looked like we might not have enough toys to take care of 100 families,

from the office of Supervisor Antonovich

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that due to snow accumulation on County roadways, the Department of Public Works will close the following roadway segments before noon today:

• Angeles Forest Highway – Aliso Cyn.

by Timothy Rutt

Had a wonderful weekend spending time with family, but alas, all things must end!  We'll have lots of new things up today as we go through the pile.

by Timothy Rutt

The Sun papers have our Sunday column up — first of an occasional series where we find that interesting people in Altadena often come in pairs.

The Altadena Golf Course

Altadena Stables

Dr. Jon Postajian, Chiropractor

Steve’s Dog Laundry

Nirvana Day Spa

Elizabeth Watts, MSA, CPA

Big Sky Dogs Pet Care

Click on the image for the full set of coupons, which are also available at local merchants.

• Jean-Paul Ziino (who does the Intuitive Movement Jam every Monday at Farnsworth Park) writes to say that his “Step into the LIght” video from their annual Halloween even was picked up at Conscious Dancer Magazine’s video of the month  A remixed version is here.
• Tomorrow night, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station will participate in “Tip-A-Cop” at Wokcano Cafe  in Old Town Pasadena, 33 S. Fair Oaks, from 6-20 PM. 

Meet at 9 AM at the intersection of E.

Learn how to grow and gather medicinal herbs and make your own remedies at a workshop this Sun., Dec. 4, presented by RIPE Altadena.

Marcia Coppess of HomeBody Botanicals will speak on “Herbal Remedies to Grow or Forage” starting at 3 PM at the Pasadena Seventh Day Adventist  Church, 1280 E. Washington Ave.,

Christmas Tree Lane lights up the night skies on Santa Rosa Avenue on Sat., Dec. 10, starting at 6 PM.

But come early to enjoy t he Winter Arts and Crafts Festival (15 vendors selling handmade items), which starts at 2 PM at the Altadena Library parking lot, 600 E.

What happened Tuesday night during a private meeting between members of the Altadena Town Council and Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s representative?  It depends on who you ask. 

The meeting was not an official meeting of the council — no decisions were made and no votes taken, according to attendees who spoke with Altadenablog.  One of the meeting attendees, speaking off the record, said that the meeting was to address some personality conflicts on the council that were impairing its effectiveness,

Photo: Alice Petrossian accepts the Women in Education Award at the first Armenian-American Women in Business Excellence awards in 2007. Credit: Times Community News

by Jason Wells
Pasadena Sun

Alice Petrossian, who held deputy superintendent positions for Glendale and Pasadena unified school districts, has been named to the Los Angeles County Commission for Women.

County Supervisor Mike Antonovich announced the appointment today.

You can register online at www.playcall.org.

Docment verification will be Dec. 10 at Farnsworth Park Lower Field, Lake Ave. and Concha St., from 10:30 AM-noon.

Mandatory tryouts are on Saturdays Jan. 7 and 14,  9 AM-1 PM.

For more information, click the graphic or call the CALL hotline at 626-236-4969.

The ministries that the market will support are:

• Habitat for Humanity, San Gabriel Valley: “Gifts from the Heart” helps families in need fulfill their dreams of owning a home. The purchase of a door,

Donations will go to the Altadena Sheirff’s Station’s 2011 toy and food drive, which is looking to serve 250 families this season.