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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department — which lifted another injured hiker from Eaton Canyon Sunday night — has created a hiking/camping plan form that may help them in the event you’re the one being rescued.
Before you leave for your hike or camping trip, please fill out a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue – Hiking Plan sheet and provide it to a friend or loved one who’s staying home to hold onto just in case something happens to a member of you hiking or camping group .
« Sheriff unveils hiking plan form — hiking planning is rescue planning | Main | Eaton Canyon hiker plunges at first waterfall, dies at Huntington »

A quarter acre patch of the Cobb Estate was burned in a brush fire this morning that was rapidly put out by LA County Fire Dept.
Fire Dept. spokesman Matt Levesque said that four crews, five engine companies, and three helicopters were deployed to the fire on Angles National Forest land after it was reported at 4:19 AM. It was knocked down at 4:53 AM,
« LACFD brings in heavy artillery to knock down Monday morning Cobb Estate fire | Main | ACONA looks at filming, liquor stores Aug. 9 »
The LA Weekly, of all place, is tracking the story of the hiker who was fatally injured yesterday in a fall at Eaton Canyon. Erwin Molina, who was in his 20's, fell 35 feet to the rocky bottom of the canyon. Despite being airlifted to Huntington Hospital,
« Eaton Canyon hiker plunges at first waterfall, dies at Huntington | Main | Crime blotter; burglaries down in July »

The Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA) will meet next Tues., Aug. 9, from 7 – 8:30 PM at the Altadena Main Library Community Room, 600 E. Mariposa St.
Meeting topics are:
“The Film Industry in Altadena” with Geoffrey Smith from ‘Film L.A.’
“Liquor Stores in Altadena”: Alex Garcia from Dept. of Regional Planning, Christina Hernandez of Business License & Collection Services Unit, and
Anthony Posada from ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control)
« ACONA looks at filming, liquor stores Aug. 9 | Main | National Night Out at Farnsworth Park tonight »
by Joseph E. Dempsey, Lieutenant
Altadena Station – Detective Bureau
The Altadena Sheriff’s Department is pleased to report that during the month of July, we received three reports of residential burglaries. This is the lowest number of residential burglaries reported in one month for quite some time. In the first two quarters of 2010, Altadena was averaging 35 to 40 residential burglaries a month.
We ask that residents remain vigilant.
« Crime blotter; burglaries down in July | Main | First waterfall again: stranded hiker rescued in Eaton Canyon »

Don’t forget that National Night Out starts at 5 PM at Farnsworth Park tonight, hosted by the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.
The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Fire Department will be participating, as well as local Neighborhood Watch groups. Michael Randenberg, the Altadena station’s community relations sergeant, writes that they are planning to have a bouncer, a magician, face painting, and much more.
Please bring a dish to share (beans,
« National Night Out at Farnsworth Park tonight | Main | Small fire near Loma Alta Park quickly dispatched »

The day after a hiker died following a plunge from the first waterfall at Eaton Canyon, rescuers plucked a stranded hiker from the same location.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s department, a Pasadena resident heard a male teen yelling from a ledge Monday where he was stuck near the first waterfall as she was hiking the canyon. Members of the Altadena sheriff’s search and rescue team responded at 6:15 PM.
« First waterfall again: stranded hiker rescued in Eaton Canyon | Main | Historical Society needs volunteers for mysteries of Mariposa St. »

Mike Levesque of the LA County Fire Dept. said that there was a small fire in the wash behind Loma Alta Park last night. Firefighters were called at 8 PM, and had finished by 8:25. Levesque said it was a “tree fire,” but cause is unknown.
« Small fire near Loma Alta Park quickly dispatched | Main | Love Altadenablog? Thank a sponsor! »

Jane Brackman, when she’s not answering our questions about coyotes, foxes, and wolves as “Dr. Barkman,” is also president of the Altadena Historical Society, and she’s looking for volunteers for their next event:
Mark your calendars for October 23, 2011, when AHS’ annual tour will feature the history of Mariposa Street east of Lake Avenue – its houses, stories and mysteries, including a tour of the Chamberlain house. (Pictures attached- as it looked in 1915 and as it appears today.
« Historical Society needs volunteers for mysteries of Mariposa St. | Main | Hula, swords, and fire poi — Polynesian dance classes starting up »
Since we're a sponsor of the Sheriff's Support Group concerts this year, we've been faithfully attending them and getting a lot of chances to meet with some of our readers. It's moving and humbling to hear from you who make this a daily stop, an important part of their life in Altadena,
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Pictured: time-lapse of fire poi in action.
Polynesian dance instructor Sue Espinoza is offering a series of dances of many island cultures at the Sue B. Dance Studio, 2525 N. Lake Ave. No. 5, and at the Hathaway Sycamores Family Resource Center. Adult Hawaiian dance starts tonight, but there’s a great lineup for all kinds of dance and for all ages. Classes are once a week, and cost $45 a month:
Sue B.
« Hula, swords, and fire poi — Polynesian dance classes starting up | Main | Looking for women looking to lose pounds in Aug.-Sept. »
by Kelly Middleton
Public Information Officer
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District continues to identify additional evidence of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission. Mosquitoes collected at the District headquarters in West Covina, and a chicken from a sentinel flock housed at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in the City of Irwindale have tested positive for the virus.
« West Nile Virus risk higher this year | Main | Stay-at-home mom? Join the club! »
The bodacious Revvell Revati says she is looking for six women over age 40 who would like to eliminate 25 pounds or more forever:
No fee, no “catch”…. Just a commitment to 4 weeks; 3 x’s per week; 90 minutes of physical training (Playing) and counseling sessions using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and Voice Dialogue to discover your most Bodacious Self.
« Looking for women looking to lose pounds in Aug.-Sept. | Main | Big announcement coming Thursday »
by Viyada Schultz
MOMS Club of Altadena

Are you a stay at home mother living in Altadena? Want to meet other moms like you? Then join us at the MOMS Club of Altadena August All Member Meeting on Wed., Aug. 10 from 10 AM to noon. For the location and more information, email altadenamomsclub@gmail.com
What is MOMS Club?
MOMS Club is an international non-profit organization that supports mothers who have chosen to leave their full-time paid careers to stay home to raise their children.
« Paco the chihuahua becomes a local hero | Main | Altadena Town Council meeting, 7 PM Tues. »
After reading this story in the Pasadena Star-News about Friends in Deed's shrinking food larder, Lori and Scott Webster at Webster's Fine Stationers decided to do something about it. Through the end of the month, they're holding a canned food drive to help, and if you bring two cans of food,
« Food drive underway for Friends in Deed at Webster’s Fine Stationers | Main | Bulgarini Gelato summer Italian movie series starts Sat.: “Mafioso” »

The next Altadena Town Council meeting will be Tues., July 19, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., starting at 7 PM.
We can’t seem to open the agenda to share a copy, but we CAN tell you that there will be a report on Athens Services trash hauling contract, and they will likely take action on a conditional use permit for a new water well for Rubio Canon Land &
« Altadena Town Council meeting, 7 PM Tues. | Main | Critter activity: bear on Skyview, coyotes on Mar Vista »
Bulgarini Gelato, 749 E. Altadena Dr., starts its Saturday night "Summer Movie Night" series this weekend, with "Mafioso" starring Alberto Sordi.
Dinner starts at 7:30 PM, $13 (reservations required) including a pasta dish, salad and drink. The film is free, no reservations are required, and starts after dark.
« Bulgarini Gelato summer Italian movie series starts Sat.: “Mafioso” | Main | Altadena sheriffs wake up the neighborhood as part of gang roundup »
Reader Amy tells us:
We live on Skyview Drive near Crescent. A fairly large black bear walked by our kitchen window, in the front yard, at around 6:45am [Thurs.]. It came within five feet of our window and walked into neighbor’s yard. My husband and dog checked our backyard and found evidence of the bear’s passing through or perhaps staying the night? Patio furniture cushions were down and my toddlers inflatable donkey jumper was all the way across the yard deflated with many teeth or claw marks on it.
« Critter activity: bear on Skyview, coyotes on Mar Vista | Main | Found: parrot [UPDATE] »

Altadena deputies were involved in a roundup of four suspected Pasadena gang members who have been linked to a series of street robberies.
Pasadena Star News has the story here, about a joint operation with police departments from Pasadena, Burbank and Monterey Park, as well as the sheriff’s department FBI, and U.S. Marshals. It involved searching locations in Altadena, Pasadena, Duarte and Alhambra, according to reports.
« Altadena sheriffs wake up the neighborhood as part of gang roundup | Main | Carmageddon’s for the birds »

Reader Victora says they’ve found a parrot, green with red top, at about Olive Ave. and Poppyfields. The bird is not feral, but appears to be a pet. If you can help her out, contact her here:
victoriamcd@sbcglobal.net
UPDATE: Victoria says she’s since found out he’s a wild one who was just hanging out. Two friends arrived, and they all flew off together.
« Found: parrot [UPDATE] | Main | Local theater students premiere “Jasper in Deadland” »
Multitalented Altadena artist
Keni sent us
this cartoon from his cartoon webpage, putting some perspective on the day.
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from Pasadena Musical Theatre Program
Students in the Pasadena Musical Theatre Program (PMTP) will premiere award-winning lyricist and composer Ryan Scott Oliver’s new pop/rock musical Jasper in Deadland at Pasadena High School, 2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena on August 5 at 7 PM and August 6 at 2 PM and 7 PM. It’s a featured event in 2011 Festival of New American Musicals.
Jasper in Deadland tells the story of 16-year-old Jasper,
« Local theater students premiere “Jasper in Deadland” | Main | Teen Summer Reading: weaving friendship bracelets at the Library »
The next Sheriff Support Group of Altadena summer concert Sat., July 23, is the return of guitarist Brian Hughes.
Hughes has carved out an impressive career in the contemporary jazz arena. His first two albums, Between Dusk and Dreaming and Under One Sky, firmly established him as one of the foremost guitarists and composers in the genre, perfectly blending his fluid and emotive guitar style into an exciting,
« Brian Hughes lights up the night at the next Summer Concert | Main | Nothin’ downbeat about the Down Beat Express »

On Thursday, July 21 from 4-5pm, “You Are Here” to weave a “Chinese Staircase” patterned friendship Bracelet and sample a variety of Asian snacks at our Weaving Friendship Bracelets event. This pattern makes a truly awesome friendship bracelet. Make sure to bring your flexible fingers and your creative eye.
This program is part of our exciting Teen Summer Reading Program. If you haven’t signed up,
« Teen Summer Reading: weaving friendship bracelets at the Library | Main | Hahamongna “little dig” postponed at least until August »
It was a swingin’ good time at Farnsworth Park Saturday night with the Down Beat Express at the Sheriff Support Group’s summer concert series. With vocalist Jennifer Gates showing how it’s done, it was a great evening for family and friends.

Jennifer Gates works the Great American Songbook …

… and goes for elegance in the second set.
A few folks cut a rug near the stage …
« Nothin’ downbeat about the Down Beat Express | Main | Peace & Justice Academy offers college prep and tools for change »
Via today's LA Times, the city of Pasadena has decided to delay removing 25,000 square yards of dirt directly adjoining the Devil's Gate Dam in order to preserve toad habitat.
LA County has been working on a plan to remove sediment directly adjoining Devil's Gate Dam in order to effect repairs and restore function to the choked-up flood control area.
« Hahamongna “little dig” postponed at least until August | Main | It’s a catch-up day … »
Altadenablog welcomes its new sponsor, The Peace & Justice Academy
by Nora Lee
The Peace & Justice Academy
Hardly any topic gets Altadena bloggers and their followers heated up faster than the topic of education. As a community, we have never been shy about sharing our opinions on public education, charter schools, private schools and home schooling. Altadenans are blessed with many choices in every category.
« Peace & Justice Academy offers college prep and tools for change | Main | Bob Barnes talks about saving the Cobb Estate next Monday »

… after a very busy Monday — had a few meetings which may portend some great and exciting changes to this website. Of course, it meant letting everything else slide, so today we’re going to do our best to catch up on the backlog!
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Drive to the top of Lake Avenue and you’ll find 107 acres of undisturbed California nature, replete with hiking trails, native vegetation, birds and wildlife. The park is named after Charles Cobb who purchased a portion of the Las Flores canyon and built a fine home there in 1915.
Most people don’t know that on October 1,
« Bob Barnes talks about saving the Cobb Estate next Monday | Main | Town council tonight, trash information Wed. and Sat. »

Reader Susan tells us:
.. Friday we took in a lost or abandoned Calico kitten … Our neighbor found her across the street from the Altadena Country Club. She is totally weaned, litter trained, bright, playful and seemingly healthy. She had no collar or ID tag.
UPDATE: Here’s a photo:
« Found: Calico kitten, near country club Fri. | Main | Found kitten, Mendocino & Santa Rosa »
Three important meetings at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., this week:
The Altadena Town Council meets in its regular monthly session at 7 PM tonight.
Athens Services will hold two information sessions to answer questions about the new Altadena trash service, scheduled to begin Sept. 1. The first information session will start at 7 PM Wed.,
« Town council tonight, trash information Wed. and Sat. | Main | Morning jolt: Paco gets his cape »

Reader Kris says:
My wife and I rescued a white kitten from a tree on the corner of E. Mendocino and Santa Rosa Avenue on Monday, 7/18 around 8 PM. The kitten appears to be a few months old (maybe 5 or 6), in good health and is very friendly. It has an all white coat with blue eyes. A neighbor has taken the kitten in for the night, but If anyone has lost their kitten,
« Found kitten, Mendocino & Santa Rosa | Main | John McEuen at the Coffee Gallery Backstage Wed. »
- Altadena’s man (or dog) of the hour, Paco the crime-fighting chihuahua, was on Good Morning American Monday, and is no doubt tendering Hollywood offers now. Also a reminder that this crime is still unsolved, so if you have any information, call Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Binder at 626-296-2114 or 626-798-1131. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call “Crime Stoppers”
« Morning jolt: Paco gets his cape | Main | Crime blotter: July 8-15 – petty thefts, and a truck »

Always worth noting when Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder
John McEuen plays the Coffee Gallery, as he will this Wed. McEuen will bring Matt Catsonis and Craig Eastman with him to play. A night of acoustic Americana, Backstage owner Bob Stane says that “They will involve the audience in the writing of a song, getting the chords and subject from those shouting out! Something good is going to happen with that!”
« John McEuen at the Coffee Gallery Backstage Wed. | Main | Fish fry & bake sale at Christ the Shepherd Sat. »
Fri., July 8
4:30 PM: A petty theft occurred in the 200 block of East Palm Street. Suspect(s) stole a purse that was placed on top of the victim’s vehicle. Loss: black/gray Coach purse containing personal items.
Mon., July 11
Between 5:50 PM & 6:30 PM: A petty theft from a vehicle occurred at Millard Campground. Suspect(s) entered an unlocked black Nissan Pathfinder.
« Crime blotter: July 8-15 – petty thefts, and a truck | Main | Sheriff’s station offers vacation checks »
from Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church

Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church invites the community to this Saturday’s Giant Fish Fry and Bake Sale, July 23, 11am-3pm, 185 West Altadena Drive (corner of Glenrose). For just a $9 donation you can enjoy deep-fried catfish or tilapia, green beans, your choice of salads, bread, and an ice-cold drink! Also available will be a wide variety of home-baked pies, cakes, cookies and other desert delectables.
« Fish fry & bake sale at Christ the Shepherd Sat. | Main | Jeffrey the Great at the Libraries July 26 »
from LA County Sheriff’s Department releases
It’s vacation season, and, if you’d like someone to keep an eye on your home, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station has an offer for you.
Patrol certified “Volunteers on Patrol” work at sheriff’s stations and assist deputies in patrolling the community and helping to keep an eye on your home.
Contact the Altadena Sheriff”s Station (798-1131) and request a vacation check.
« Sheriff’s station offers vacation checks | Main | Trash talk with Athens Services at Town Council meeting »

Jeffrey the Great’s World of Magic will appear at the Altadena Libraries on Tues., July 16.
A magical journey around the world featuring llusions from other countres and characters of literature, complete with humor and audience participation to entertain the whole family.
Jeffrey the Great will appear at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., at 2 PM, and at the Bob Lucas Branch Library, 2659 N. Lincoln Ave.,
« Jeffrey the Great at the Libraries July 26 | Main | New council members sworn in; Sandra Thomas is chair »
Pictured: Athens Services reveals the new trash collection schedule for Altadena, starting Sept. 1.
Athens Services made a presentation at the Altadena Town Council Tuesday night, setting the stage for its takeover of trash hauling service on Sept. 1.
It was the first part of a big public information push for the hauler, which also sent out notices to every residence in Altadena this week.
« Trash talk with Athens Services at Town Council meeting | Main | Five coyote pack trolling 2300 block of Morslay Dr. Tues. »
The Altadena Town Council seated its new and re-elected members at Tuesday night’s meeting, and named longtime member Dr. Sandra E. Thomas as chair.
As far as memory serves, Thomas becomes the first African American female elected chair.
Pictured: Altadena Town Council Chair Sandra Thomas.
Other members sworn in by Rita Hadjimanoukian of Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office include new members Gretchen Seager ,
« New council members sworn in; Sandra Thomas is chair | Main | Altadena Baptist Church holds community picnic Sunday »
View Critter Map 2011 in a larger map
Or so says reader David:
I just thought I would pass along for your critter map that I had a pack of five coyotes in my yard in the 2300 block of Morslay Road at 6:00 AM [Tues.] .
« Five coyote pack trolling 2300 block of Morslay Dr. Tues. | Main | Craftsman (and more!) yard sale Sat. »

Enjoy music, inspiration and friendship in the great outdoors at Altadena Baptist Church (corner of Calaveras and El Molino), Sun., July 24, starting at 11 AM. A free picnic lunch at noon.
Afternoon activities include clown Darien DeVries, games, crafts, balloon creations, face painting, etc. Come, join us.
Altadena Baptist Church,
791 E. Calaveras St.,
Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 797-8970
altadenabaptist.org
altabap@aol.com
« Altadena Baptist Church holds community picnic Sunday | Main | County contracts for firefighting superscoopers »

Karen TenEyck gave us the following, and it sounds like fun (or like there was an explosion in the Gamble house …)
Kate Sullivan & Karen TenEyck are having a huge sidewalk sale with many QUALITY items. This is NOT a bunch of junk! There is a partial list of items below. We are both needing to unload some things. Yes, we COULD open a store but we can’t afford the rent!
2487 Highland Ave.
« Craftsman (and more!) yard sale Sat. | Main | Living with — and complaining about — coyotes at the Town Council meeting »
Release from office of Michael D. Antonovich
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
To prepare for the 2011 fire season, County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich announced that the Board of Supervisors authorized a contract to lease two CL-415 SuperScoopers fire-fighting aircraft from the Government of Quebec for use by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“To ensure our County Fire Department has the tools they need to be fully prepared for fire season,
« County contracts for firefighting superscoopers | Main | Shakespeare by the Sea (in Farnsworth Park) this Sun. »
Altadena may not have a coyote problem, but some people seem to be encouraging them.
That was the message from Ellen Walton, an enforcement officer with the county Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures, who gave a short presentation about coyote control during public comments at the Altadena Town Council Tuesday night.
(Yes, counterintuitively, enforcing problem coyotes is the responsibility of Weights and Measures.)
Walton said that there are coyotes …
« Living with — and complaining about — coyotes at the Town Council meeting | Main | Altadena Town Council: the rundown »
San Pedro troupe brings the Bard to Altadena and elsewhere this summer
by Sean Fitz-Gerald
This Sunday, there’ll be something new at Farnsworth Park Amphitheater, as it brings a bit of the Bard to the Altadena summer.
Pictured: Lear (David Graham) and Cordelia (Katie Pelensky) in Shakespeare by the Sea’s “Tragedy of King Lear.”
Farnsworth Park will host Shakespeare by the Sea,
« Shakespeare by the Sea (in Farnsworth Park) this Sun. | Main | Council expresses concerns about Rubio Canon Water’s well drilling project »
Odds and ends of other Town Council actions Tuesday night:
- Sheriff Detective Greg Kaplan gave a report on the June 11 survey of three Altadena neighborhoods. Kaplan said that of 310 homes in the survey area, 150 were completed. The majority felt their neighborhood was safe after dark (19.6 percent “very safe,” 32.1 percent “safe”), with 30.1 saying “somewhat safe, 8.4 percent “unsafe,” and 9.8 percent “very unsafe.”
« Altadena Town Council: the rundown | Main | Altadena Sheriff’s Station recuiting Explorers age 14-20 »
The Altadena Town Council expressed some concerns at Tuesday night’s l meeting about the noise from a well drilling operation sought by a local water company.

Rubio Cañon Land & Water Assn. president Janet Fahey said that the water company is looking to drill a new, 300-ft. well in a parking lot owned by them at 3371 Rubio Canon Road, near the Rubio Wash just north of Loma Alta Drive.