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Five Acres will hold a festive Open House tomorrow, Dec. 1.
Cocoa, hot cider and hors d’oeuvres will be available starting at 6 PM, with a live program and performance from the Five Acres children starting at 7 PM. The Rose Queen and her court will also appear, with strolling Victorian carolers provided by the Music Companie.
The performance will be at the Five Acres Auditorium at 760 W.
« Five Acres holiday open house Thursday night | Main | Land Use Committee to take comments on Arroyo Pacific Academy Dec. 6 »

On Wednesday evenings during Advent (Nov. 30, and Dec. 7, 14, and 21) join Pastor Joe McGowan at 7 PM in the Altadena Community Church chapel for the silent prayer practice of Centering Prayer. The chapel is on the west side of the sanctuary building at 943 E. Altadena Drive and can be reached by walking up or down the west driveway. For more information, call the church office at
(626) 798-1185.
« Altadena Community Church hosts centering prayer Wednesdays in Advent | Main | Beethoven’s Birthday at Altadena Baptist Church Dec. 15 »
from the Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee:
The Land Use Committee will listen to a presentation for a revised conditional use permit (CUP) application from the Arroyo Pacific Academy at the next regularly scheduled meeting on Tues., Dec. 6, at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center,
« Land Use Committee to take comments on Arroyo Pacific Academy Dec. 6 | Main | A perfect storm »

A Beethoven Birthday concert will be presented by members of the Tuesday Musicale of Pasadena on Thurs., Dec. 15 at 7:30 PM, at Altadena Baptist Church, 791 E Calaveras St. Altadena. There is no charge for admission, but a free-will offering will be accepted, and donations of canned or packaged food items for the local food bank would also be appreciated. For more information, contact Barbara Ebert at
626-398-0658 or
he91001@aol.com.
« Beethoven’s Birthday at Altadena Baptist Church Dec. 15 | Main | Missing cat: Alex, the American shorthair »
This elder deodar cedar pulled up, roots and all, on Santa Rosa just north of Woodbury.
by Timothy Rutt
…. which it was for us. Our power went out about a half hour after the storm hit Wednesday night, and it isn’t on yet (we are coming to you from the cozy confines of the Sidewalk Cafe HTS this morning). One of our trees has fallen across the driveway,
« A perfect storm | Main | Dangerous winds still possible »

The Shaffers are missing their kitty, who we hope will blow back home:
Our cat Alex is an orange American shorthair with white swirls on his side. He is a medium sized outdoor cat that sleeps inside at night. He is very sweet and loves people. The last we saw of him was on Wednesday Nov. 30th at around 6 pm. He lived on Anna Maria Street which is near the top of Lake Avenue. Please contact us at (626)-590-0945 or jennifer.sheffer@abbott.com if you have any information relating to the whereabouts.
« Missing cat: Alex, the American shorthair | Main | "Star" art exhibit, benefit at Sidewalk Cafe tonight »
by Jason Wells and Megan O'Neil
Pasadena Sun
Winds on the scale seen Wednesday night failed to materialize overnight Thursday, but officials warned that unstable air masses could still produce dangerous wind gusts through the weekend.
High wind advisories remained in effect this morning, although the National Weather Service said those warnings could be downgraded.
« Dangerous winds still possible | Main | Ale House holds fundraiser for Kappa Alpha Psi Sat. »

Almadeus “Star” Gioeli will have an art exhibit and sale tonight at our currently-powered perch, Sidewalk Cafe HTS, from 7-9 PM.
The event is a benefit for the Alternative Cancer Research Project.
Sidewalk Cafe is at 2057 N. Los Robles Ave. (Los Robles and Woodbury Road) in Borderdena.
« “Star” art exhibit, benefit at Sidewalk Cafe tonight | Main | Marjorie Franklin memorial at Ale House Sunday »

Assuming the power is back on again, the Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., is holding a fundraising wine tasting event on Sat., Dec. 3, from 5 to 7 PM.
The tasting will benefit Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., for their scholarship fund: the fund will award four African American young men from the Pasadena Unified School District $1,000 each. Admission is $25, dressy or casual dress,
« Ale House holds fundraiser for Kappa Alpha Psi Sat. | Main | Windwatch: Friday »
Gail Casburn at the Altadena Ale & Wine House wants to pass along this message about Marjorie Franken, their "flower lady":
Marjorie Franken was born on July 24, 1946. Marjorie passed on Nov. 22 due to complications following open heart surgery.
A memorial service will held on Sunday, December 4th at 3:00 PM
Altadena Ale &
« Marjorie Franklin memorial at Ale House Sunday | Main | $3.4 million in county damages so far »
We're re-inaugrating our Station Fire format, where we'll present continuing updates of information as we receive it under one heading that will stay sticky at the top. Comments are also open for you to report what's going on in your neighborhood.
——
UPDATE 10:30 AM
The prospect of returning the power anytime soon looks pretty dismal right now: go to
« Windwatch: Friday | Main | County offers free tree debris dropoff at Farnsworth Park today-Sun. »
by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena/Pasadena area suffered the heaviest damage in Wednesday night's windstorm, says the county.
Los Angeles County Mayor/Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich released a report as of Friday that the county suffered $3.3 million in damages to clean up fallen trees, clear and dispose of debris and carry out operations on roads.
« $3.4 million in county damages so far | Main | Prioritize undergrounding utilities »
County crews set up at Farnworth Park for the tree debris drop-off this morning.
by Timothy Rutt
There is a free tree debris drop-off at the lower parking lot of Farnsworth Park, from 7 AM to 4 PM today (Sat.) and tomorrow, according to LA County.
The county is working with Athens Waste to offer a free disposal service to residents of unincorporated communities, according to an announcement from Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D.
« County offers free tree debris dropoff at Farnsworth Park today-Sun. | Main | SCE water, ice, flashlights starts at noon »
Our friend the mighty Steve Scauzillo, environmental writer from the San Gabriel Valley News Group, sent us this letter worth pondering.
by Steve Scauzillo
Is the simple answer to all the wind-related power outages to put electric utility lines underground?
Well, most definitely.
However, before a city makes such a commitment,
« Prioritize undergrounding utilities | Main | Tree debris for thee and me »
Just received notice that Edison will be distributing the above from noon to 4 PM at the community center, 730 E. Altadena Dr.
« SCE water, ice, flashlights starts at noon | Main | Windwatch: Saturday »
We have an inquiry in to the county about removing tree debris from the curb. Some of our readers have shared fairly strict requirements from Athens Waste– branches must be bundled, leaves must be bagged, you need to call for pickup. Most of us old timers remember dragging debris to the curb and letting the county handle it. We’ve been in touch with Supv.
« Tree debris for thee and me | Main | Eliot Winter Concert and Open House Dec. 13 »
Pasadena’s Church of the Nazarene came out the worse for wear after this week’s winds.
by Timothy J. Rutt
We’re keeping this at the top of the page — please feel free to comment about events in your neighborhood as we recover.
—–
UPDATE 9 AM
We’re receiving reports of power restored to some neighborhoods (not to ours, tho’, where the hum of newly-purchased generators went on all night —
« Windwatch: Saturday | Main | Athens to pick up green waste Monday »

Eliot Middle School, 2184 North Lake Ave., invites the public to its Winter Concert and Open House on Tues., Dec. 13, 5:30-8:30 PM.
The event features performances by the school band, orchestra, jazz band, and the Eliot Middle School Spirit Team.
There will also be displays of student work, including art and a robotics exhibit, a photo booth, raffle, and a chance to visit the new student garden. There will also be a PTA fundraiser bake sale,
« Eliot Winter Concert and Open House Dec. 13 | Main | Missing pets »
by Timothy Rutt
Altadena residents will have their curbed green waste picked up free of charge, starting tomorrow (Monday) — but there are a few conditions attached.
That's the word from Edel Vizcarra, planning deputy to County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.
Vizcarra said that Altadena's contract hauler, Athens Waste, will post a double crew and will start picking up tree debris and other green waste stacked on public roads starting tomorrow morning.
« Athens to pick up green waste Monday | Main | Windwatch: Sunday, still recovering »
We need to send a few pets home if we can:
Rikku, a spayed young female cat, went missing from her home on the 600 block of Wapello on Nov. 29. Call Klaus and 626 798-8267.
WIndsor went missing today (12/4) from the 200 block of east Mendocino. She’s about three years old, white, brown, and black, super friendly and shaggy, but left his collar at home. Call Joline,
323-251-3346
UPDATE,
« Missing pets | Main | Alta-author Patterson looks at the brain/immune system connection at Vroman’s Tues. »
by Timothy Rutt
We live in possibly the last house in Altadena to get any electricity (our whole neighborhood remains power-free as of 1:30 PM today, just the comforting chug of generators breaking the silence). As an added joy, after our fourth night without power, three-fourths of the household has come down with stomach flu (we're right now driving Rosie,
« Windwatch: Sunday, still recovering | Main | Poetry corner: I sing the body non-electric »
Local Altadena author Paul H. Patterson will be at Vroman’s on Tues., Dec. 6 at 7:00 pm to discuss his new book “Infectious Behavior: The Brain-Immune System Connection,”on the possible brain-immune system connections in autism, schizophrenia and depression. His book is written for the general public and is intended for families and others interested in these conditions.
« Alta-author Patterson looks at the brain/immune system connection at Vroman’s Tues. | Main | Altadena WeatherCam is back up »
My Unplanned Hiatus From Electricity
by Tony Peyser
I live in Altadena, California
(It's just north of Pasadena.)
Because it's so near to JPL
I call my town NASAdena.
Due to recent hurricane force winds
So destructive they amaze
I haven’t had any power in my home
Over the last five days.
« Poetry corner: I sing the body non-electric | Main | A found dog, Mariposa/Fair Oaks »
by Bill Westphal
We lost power Wednesday evening like most of us here in Altadena. The camera and computer used for the Altadena WeatherCam are suported by a UPS (Uninteruptible Power Supply). That, along with a UPS for the DSL Modem and Router, normally keeps the Altadena WeatherCam online for about 4 hours without Edison power.
But when the UPS was about to run out of battery around 2:00 a.m.
« Altadena WeatherCam is back up | Main | Weather service predicts more wind, cold temperatures coming our way »

Andrew writes:
A small, black dog appeared on our porch this [Sat., Dec. 3]. No tags. She’s at our house for now on Mariposa, just west of Fair Oaks.
Please call 818-458-4541if you lost a dog.
UPDATE: Doggie has been claimed!
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« A found dog, Mariposa/Fair Oaks | Main | Windwatch: just another manic Monday — the recovery continues »
by Timothy Rutt
National Weather Service has put out several warnings this morning for Los Angeles and other counties: another surge of "potentially damaging" winds is expected today, expected to increase late tonight and early Tues. morning. A high wind warning remains in effect through 3 PM Tuesday, with northwest winds increasing from 25-40 MPH with gusts to 60 MPH late this morning,
« Weather service predicts more wind, cold temperatures coming our way | Main | Tomorrow’s Layton Vista street lighting meeting cancelled, will be rescheduled »
by Timothy Rutt
Welcome to the beginning of the work week, and we hope the restoration of everyone’s power. Don’t forget that Athens Waste will start collecting curbside tree debris today, so if you haven’t done it already, start haulin’.
Please take advantage of the comments section to tell us what’s going on in your neighborhood!
——
UPDATE 8:15 AM
LA Times reports that 26,000 are still without power —
« Windwatch: just another manic Monday — the recovery continues | Main | Dog found, but not corralled »
The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works has cancelled a community meeting to discuss street lighting that was scheduled for tomorrow, Dec. 7, at 7 PM at the Altadena Community Center.
According to Arnel Dulay of the DPW, the meeting was to inform the community of the proposed street lighting project in the Layton Vista area.
« Tomorrow’s Layton Vista street lighting meeting cancelled, will be rescheduled | Main | Christmas Tree Lane lighting is still on for Saturday night »

Reader Ethan writes:
My girlfriend and I spotted this dog around 1am Tuesday morning on Glen ave between Harriet and Mariposa. He’s wearing a brown collar but her(his?) tag was missing. It ate treats from our hands, but darted away when it was done and ran off when we tried to lure him onto the porch with more food.
Wanted to give an update if folks are out looking for him (her.) If you are the owner and trying to track him down,
« Dog found, but not corralled | Main | County activates disaster hotline »

Some bright news in a dreary week: The Christmas Tree Lane Association has announced that the lighting ceremony is still on for this Sat., Dec. 10.
Linda Lane White of the Christmas Tree Lane Association tells us that the Winter Arts & Crafts festival kicks off the festivities with vendors and food trucks at the Altadena Library, starting at 2 PM. Santa Rosa Ave. will be closed to traffic from Mariposa to Woodbury starting at 4 PM,
« Christmas Tree Lane lighting is still on for Saturday night | Main | Sign up for disaster text/email service from the county »
from Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Office of Emergency Management (OEM) http://lacounty.gov announces the activation of the 211 LA County Disaster Hotline (1-800-980-4990) for Los Angeles County residents to report damages caused by the recent wind storm event. Residents can also call 2-1-1 to report damages.
« County activates disaster hotline | Main | "Fork in the Road" cyber toy drive at Coffee Gallery tonight »
from Los Angeles County Emergency Operations
(A reminder that you can receive text and email messages during crises)
TEXT and EMAIL alerts from the LASD EMERGENCY OPERATIONS BUREAU has been created to share ongoing information about damage and assistance regarding wind storms, wild land fires,
« Weekendin': elves, vampires, Transylvanians, and folk musicians, oh my! | Main | “A Taste of Burgundy” at the Ale & Wine House Sunday »
by Carolyn Seitz
The information below is being shared by an Altadena resident in the hope that it will give all of us an opportunity to check our own security measures and vulnerabilities or otherwise see an opportunity to be a vigilant.
You’ll note that the person sharing the information did call the Station to report the incident.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today [Wednesday] between the hours of 2:30 PM and 4:45 PM someone tried to enter our home via an East facing window,
« Resident reports attempted burglary incident | Main | Explore PUSD’s Mandarin immersion program Tuesday night »
Gail Casburn at the (Altadenablog sponsor) Altadena Ale & Wine House, 2329 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will hold another wine tasting this Sun., Nov. 20, from 5-7 PM. The price for the “Taste of Burgundy” is $25 per person, includes imported cheeses and baguette. The menu is below (and the prices are per bottle to go).


« “A Taste of Burgundy” at the Ale & Wine House Sunday | Main | More suspicious behavior reported »

There will be a Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program Information Night on Tues., Nov. 22 at the Field Elementary School cafeteria, 3600 Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, from 6-7 PM. The program includes:
- What is Dual Language Immersion?
- Open Enrollment process for Dual Language Immersion Programs in PUSD
- Meet current MDLIP parents
Also,the Pasadena Education Network is hosting “Navigating Open Enrollment”
« Explore PUSD’s Mandarin immersion program Tuesday night | Main | Shop 10,000 Villages and support the Peace and Justice Academy »
by Carolyn Seitz
Here’s another experience being shared, not of a break-in, but very likely another of the many excuses being used by criminals to gain entry into your home. The incident below was shared by the Braewatch Group:
Neighbors – minutes ago a man appeared at the back door of a home at Tanoble and Mendocino. When confronted he claimed that he lived on Homewood and that his mother “Judy”
« More suspicious behavior reported | Main | Alternative Christmas Market at Altadena Community Church Sun. »
from the Peace and Justice Academy

From Nov. 20 to Dec. 4 shoppers at 10,000 Villages (
http://pasadena.tenthousandvillages.com) can support fair trade practices and artisans from around the world
and The Peace & Justice Academy. They will find something for everyone on their list. During this time, if you show the flier or mention The Peace & Justice Academy, 15% of the purchase will be donated to our General Fund.
« Shop 10,000 Villages and support the Peace and Justice Academy | Main | Help make Bright Futures Scholars’ holiday bright »

Altadena Community Church celebrates Alternative Christmas at 11:30 AM this Sunday, Nov. 20, in the upper fellowship hall. Join the congregation for a vegetarian Italian lunch (free-will offering). Then, shop for cards representing your gifts to Bread for the World (advocacy), Heifer International (livestock and training to families worldwide), For His Children (homes for abandoned children in Ecuador), Peppermint Ridge (giving care and support to developmentally disabled adults), the Friends Outside Toy Drive (gifts for children with a parent in prison),
« Alternative Christmas Market at Altadena Community Church Sun. | Main | Morning jolt »
from Dr. Sandra Thomas,
Quality of Life Center
Dear Bright Future Scholars Mentors, Donors, Partners, Sponsors, and Parents.
As you know the Holiday Season is quickly approaching. We have more than 250 brilliant and gifted young academic achievers in the Bright Future Scholars Program this year. The December 3, 2011 meeting will also be the Christmas Celebration for these outstanding youth.
« Help make Bright Futures Scholars’ holiday bright | Main | Fences, Arroyo Pacific, street lights discussed at town council this week »
- The next meeting of the Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee has been rescheduled from Tues., Nov. 22 to Tues., Nov. 29 at 6 PM at the Pasadena City Yards, 233 W. Mountain Street, Pasadena, second floor Training Room.
- LA Weekly offers a not-really-family-friendly review of last week’s Limerick Festival at the Altadena Ale & Wine House.
« Morning jolt | Main | Keeping an eye out in the neighborhood »
by Timothy Rutt
Not much action, but lots of information items at Tuesday night’s town council meeting:
Taking the of-fence-ive: The latest code-bombing target: there are over 1,500 front yard fences in Altadena that are more than three and a half feet high and violate county codes, and it was determined that the majority of them were not legally permitted. The solution for homeowners: remove them, or apply for a conditional use permit.
« Fences, Arroyo Pacific, street lights discussed at town council this week | Main | It’s Semester at Sea for Altadenan Kevin Healy this fall »

by Timothy Rutt
The Altadena Town Council honored Altadena’s Neighborhood Watch groups at this week’s meeting. Chair Sandra Thomas and councilman Okorie Ezieme (both at the podium) passed out proclamations to the leaders of several Neighborhood Watch groups that attended.
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University of San Diego student Kevin Healy of Altadena is participating in the Semester at Sea program this fall.
The program provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to investigate eight to 12 countries in a single semester, learn from leading faculty and international experts, perform service work in local communities,
« It’s Semester at Sea for Altadenan Kevin Healy this fall | Main | Webster’s Community Pharmacy: an institution becomes new »
by Timothy Rutt
Starting Dec. 7, large trucks and RVs need to mind their manners on Altadena streets.
That's the date a new county ordinance takes effect, where large vehicles parked on the street need to sport a temporary permit or risk being ticketed and towed.
« Webster’s Community Pharmacy: an institution becomes new | Main | Library offers “Holiday for Strings” on Dec. 2 »
Pictured: Altadena Sheriff Sgt. John Stanley (we think!) with Sam, one of two crime-fighting dogs who got a workout this morning. Photo by Alan Parks.
by Timothy Rutt
As if Paco or Husky didn’t send the message loud enough, add two more pups to prove the adage “Don’t mess with Altadena’s dogs.”
That was a message one suspect received late this morning —
« Dog day morning at Santa Rosa Avenue as canines chase, locate suspect | Main | Morning jolt »

The Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., will have its annual evening of holiday music on Fri., Dec. 2 at the library community room starting at 7 PM.
Violinist Paul Stein will play holiday favorites, accompanied by pianist Cynthia Williams.
The concert is sponsored by the Altadena Board of Library Trustees and the Friends of the Library.
« Library offers “Holiday for Strings” on Dec. 2 | Main | Altadena Junction: saving the Cobb Estate wasn’t “Duck Soup” »
- Five Acres is in dire need of donations for their Thanksgiving food drive. PSN has the details.
- Our Laura Monteros says she finally has gotten around to emptying out a bag of swag from the Sept. 10 Abundant Harvest festival, and found the key to a Toyota and a remote control — which somebody probably dropped into her bag by accident. There’s a metal tag on it as well,
The Altadena Town Council honored Altadena’s Neighborhood Watch groups at this week’s meeting.