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Thursday, December 7, 2023

L.A. County Supervisors Honor Legacy of Pioneering Altadena Artist Charles White

L.A. County Supervisors Honor Legacy of Pioneering Altadena Artist Charles White

STAFF REPORT

This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to honor the legacy of pioneering artist and Altadena resident Charles White.

The motion directs the County’s Department of Arts and Culture to contract the artist’s son, Ian White, to design and create civic art that will be displayed at the soon to be renovated Charles White Park.

“I’m proud our County will tangibly honor the life and work of Charles White,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “He was a true master of his craft and a visionary for what is possible when art, social commentary, advocacy, and community come together. He has undoubtedly influenced generations of artists. I look forward to his talented son creating something special in his memory. It’s exciting to see his legacy continue.”

Born in 1918, Charles White is renowned for highlighting African American related subjects in paintings, drawings, lithographs, and murals.

Read More »

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Altadena to Mark Juneteenth With Celebration, Awarding of Two $1,000 Scholarships to Muir Students

Altadena to Mark Juneteenth With Celebration, Awarding of Two $1,000 Scholarships to Muir Students

The Altadena Historical Society (AHS) and Mountain View Mortuary will host a Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the William D. Davis Memorial Building at Farnsworth Park in Altadena.

The event will honor the spirit of Ellen Garrison Clark, a 19th-century civil rights activist, and will include the awarding of two $1,000 Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarships to John Muir High School graduating seniors.

Tickets are $20 for individuals or $160 for a table of eight. They can be purchased online at www.altadenahistoricalsociety.org.

The Altadena Historical Society (AHS) and Mountain View Mortuary will host a Juneteenth celebration Monday, June 19 that will honor the spirit of Ellen Garrison Clark, a 19th-century civil rights activist, and will include the awarding of two $1,000 Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarships to John Muir High School graduating seniors.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19, the anniversary of General Order No.

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Thursday, May 11, 2023

Altadena Music Theatre Returns to Farnsworth

Altadena Music Theatre Returns to Farnsworth

STAFF REPORT

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. This iconic Kander and Ebb musical written by Joe Masteroff is based off the play by John Van Druten and ‘The Berlin Stories’ of Christopher Isherwood. It tells the tale of two love stories and the impact society and the Nazi’s rise to power has on their relationships. Politics and society can change so quickly, but so many detrimental aspects remain if we are complacent and don’t shine a light.

Altadena Music Theatre returns to the Charles Farnsworth Amphitheater this May following their inaugural production of “Hair” this past September which swept audiences away. You can expect another stunning musical adventure in the open air amphitheater at Charles Farnsworth Park in the foothills of Altadena May 25th – June 4th.

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Thursday, April 6, 2023

Litfest in The Dena Scheduled to Start on May 2

Litfest in The Dena Scheduled to Start on May 2

STAFF REPORT

‘Books That Make a Difference’ is the theme of this year’s LitFest in the Dena.

This year’s event begins on May 2 at the Altadena Public Library with a tribute to Eric Priestley, alum of the original Watts Writers Workshop.

Erin Aubry Kaplan, Pam Ward, and Jervey Tervalon, friends who he also mentored, lead the evening’s dramatic readings with actor Lorne Green and a discussion on the enduring legacy of Black culture and the arts. This is followed by “Surviving the Literary Life,” a discussion with Pat Alderete, Janet Fitch, Lorne Green, Gary Phillips, Lisa Teasley, and Jervey Tervalon.

The weekend of May 6 and 7, LitFest in the Dena heads to Mountain View Mausoleum with five locations for panel discussions, workshops, readings, and other literary events.

Friday, May 5, Thomas Backer, PhD, opens LitFest in the Dena with his remarks on human creativity.

This is followed by a VIP Authors and Participants reception and a performance of LA’s oldest crime reading series Noir at the Bar.

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Saturday, July 23, 2022

Unique Visual Exhibit Displays Fourteen Decades of Altadena History on Annular Rings of 140-Year Old Deodar Tree

Unique Visual Exhibit Displays Fourteen Decades of Altadena History on Annular Rings of 140-Year Old Deodar Tree

Planted in 1883, Deodar Tree #8 (also known as “Herbert”) on Altadena’s famous Christmas Tree Lane, lived through 14 decades of Altadena history before being cut down in 2017 due to drought damage. 

But Herbert was not to be forgotten; a thin slice of the tree’s trunk is preserved and is now the centerpiece in a professionally designed visual exhibit that will greet visitors at the Altadena Community Center, set to reopen to the public on Saturday, July 23, after a long closure due to the pandemic.

The exhibit also includes photographs, writings and other items that feature events tied to the rings on the slice of Herbert’s trunk – things that tell the story of how Altadena came to be. 

It was Altadena area volunteer René Amy who preserved this slice of the trunk, or tree cookie, and gave the fallen tree the name Herbert. When Amy later met retired exhibit designer Baeri Penn on a trail-clearing hike, they talked about the idea of creating a permanent exhibit that will include that piece of Herbert’s trunk.

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Monday, January 3, 2022

Altadena Library District Announces Temporary Closure; Curbside Services Return January 6

Altadena Library District Announces Temporary Closure; Curbside Services Return January 6

The Altadena Public Library has closed its facilities and suspended all in-person activities until Jan. 15, according to an announcement on the library’s website.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to help prevent community spread of the fast-moving COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Altadena Library District announces temporary closure of facilities and suspension of in-person programs/activities from Jan. 3 to Jan. 15, 2022,” the statement reads.

Curbside services will resume on Jan. 6 and library staff will return to the buildings and follow enhanced safety protocols.

Virtual programming will continue as scheduled.

Los Angeles County reported nearly 45,000 new cases of COVID-19 this weekend.

County officials reported 23,553 new cases for Saturday, and another 21,200 positive tests Sunday, after a one-day record of 27,091 new infections were reported Friday.

Pasadena has not reported new cases since last Thursday but is expected to resume reporting on Monday.

The county’s COVID hospitalizations also continued to rise,

Read More »

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Arts Festival Returns to Charles White Park in Altadena

Arts Festival Returns to Charles White Park in Altadena

After an absence of more than 25 years, the Altadena Arts Festival at Charles White Park, is coming back to celebrates its local artists and community. The new nonprofit organization, Altadena Arts, is proud to present and produce a day-long festival on Saturday, October 23 at 10am-5pm. This free and family-friendly event will highlight twelve local artists showing their artistic works and five professional musical groups performing on a stage set-up for the festival. Also, there will be a variety of community groups present along with arts and crafts activities and food-trucks.

The Artist’s Village is sponsored by Hughes Auctions and includes twelve local visual artists showing a diverse range of genres and styles. The artists include LaMar Anderson, Bernard Kane, Dale E. LaCasella, Paul Martinez, Yeu Q. Nguyen, Gayle Nicholls-Ali, Riea Owens, Bart Ross, LP Ækili Ross, Gloria Sanyika, Delbar Shabaz, and Shé Shé Yancy. All artists either live, work, and/or have studio space in Altadena and Pasadena.

The Altadena Arts Festival Stage will feature five professional musical groups performing 45- minute sets starting at 10am.

Read More »

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Altadena Library District Receives Grant Award from California Humanities

Altadena Library District Receives Grant Award from California Humanities

California Humanities has announced the recent round of Humanities For All Quick Grant awards. The Altadena Library District has been awarded $3,412 for its project entitled “Shared Landscapes: Mapping Teen Altadena.”

The Humanities For All Quick Grant is a competitive grant program of California Humanities that supports locally-initiated public humanities projects that respond to the needs and interests of Californians, encourage greater public participation in humanities programming, particularly by new and/or underserved audiences, and promotes understanding and empathy among all our state’s peoples in order to cultivate a thriving democracy.

The “Shared Landscapes” project is a teen-generated digital and print story map that documents the human geography young people create and inhabit in Altadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley. In the first phase of the project, teens will use technology to create audio, visual, and written records of specific locations associated with meaningful experiences. In the second phase, a teen editorial board will create digital and print maps that plot the submitted locations and integrate the accompanying documentation.

Read More »

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Free Summer Concerts at Farnsworth Park Announced

Free Summer Concerts at Farnsworth Park Announced

The Rotary Club of Altadena in association with the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena is announcing the lineup for the 24th season of Free Summer Concerts in the beautiful outdoor Amphitheater in Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., Altadena.

All Concerts are on Saturday evening and start at 7:00 p.m. This year’s season kicks off on July 10th featuring The Kings of ’88 and the classic piano rock of Billy Joel and Elton John. The July 17th concert will be Sgt. Peppers Beatles tribute band. On July 24th enjoy Psychedelic Summer Southern California’s Woodstock-era tribute band. July 31st Flogging Seagulls will perform classic KROQ era artists with an Irish-Celtic twist. On August 7th Country Nation will pay tribute to Country Music’s top contemporary artists. On August 14th Upstream returns to our stage once again as everyone’s favorite Steel Drum Reggae and Soca Band. As it is every year this concert will be a jammed packed audience! On August 21st the featured artists will be The Hodads featuring California beach music from the 50’s to the Disco of the 80’s.

Read More »

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Nation’s Largest Paid Summer Arts Internship Program Opens for L.A. County

Nation’s Largest Paid Summer Arts Internship Program Opens for L.A. County

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The nation’s largest paid summer arts internship program is accepting applications from university and community college students from Los Angeles County, officials announced Thursday.

The LA County Arts Internship Program will provide 228 university and community college students with paid on-the-job experience in the arts while completing projects that can include education, marketing, graphic design, fundraising and production, at more than 140 nonprofit organizations starting this summer.

The program — in its 21st year — has allowed more than 2,500 students to enter the Los Angeles County arts and culture field through internships in nonprofit performing, presenting, literary and municipal arts organizations, officials said.

A companion program, the Getty Multicultural Internship Program, provides internships to museums and visual arts organizations.

“For 21 years, the LA County Arts Internship Program has built career pathways for diverse young people to enter and thrive in L.A. County’s creative economy. The program is a win-win —

Read More »

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Friends of the Altadena Library Celebration of the Holidays

Friends of the Altadena Library Celebration of the Holidays

Join the Friends of the Altadena Library for a virtual celebration of the holiday season on Sat Dec 19 at 4pm! We invite you and yours to share – or simply enjoy – some festive readings at the Friends Virtual Holiday Party, on Saturday December 19th at 4pm, via zoom. From a Kwanzaa short story to a scene from “A Christmas Carol” or “The Chanukah Guest” to a winter poem, all contributions are welcome, and individual or group performances are equally encouraged

Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us…
Meeting ID: 832 3931 6240
Passcode: 359128

If you would like to join us, or would like more information, please email the Friends at friends_altadenalibrary@yahoo.com.

Read More »

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Seed Library: History of LA County Agriculture with Rachel Surls

Seed Library: History of LA County Agriculture with Rachel Surls

Saturday, December 5, 2020, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Rachel Surls is the Sustainable Food Systems Advisor for University of California Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles County, part of UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. From school gardens to urban agriculture, over her 32-year career with UC Cooperative Extension, Rachel has been involved in a wide array of programs related to urban food systems. She coordinates training, technical assistance and resources for urban farmers such as the UC Urban Agriculture Website and Blog. She directs the UC Master Gardener Volunteer program in Los Angeles, which helps residents learn to grow their own food and garden sustainably. Rachel is a member of the leadership board of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council.  A former Peace Corps Volunteer, her work in Honduras strongly influenced her decision to pursue a career related to food, farming, and sustainability. Rachel co-authored a book on the largely forgotten agricultural history of Los Angeles, “From Cows to Concrete: The Rise and Fall of Farming in Los Angeles,” published by Angel City Press in 2016.

Read More »

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Altadena Library District Announces Precautionary District Closure in Response to Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic

Altadena Library District Announces Precautionary District Closure in Response to Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic

To combat the spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19 and protect library staff and the community, the Altadena Library District is closing both its Main Library and Bob Lucas Memorial Branch buildings to the public, effective Friday, March 13, 2020 at 6:00pm. As decided at an emergency Library Board of Trustees meeting this evening, the closure will remain in effect until at least Tuesday, March 31, 2020. All in-person library programs and outreach are also suspended through the end of April.

These precautionary measures go into effect following recent guidelines from public health officials to cancel non-essential gatherings of more than 250 people, limit gatherings of high risk populations to no more than 10 people, and practice social distancing, which is shown to be the most effective way to curb the exponential growth of a virus such as COVID-19.

“This decision was made after careful consideration with both our Board of Trustees and library staff, and we recognize the impact that could be felt in our community as a result of temporarily closing our doors,” said District Director Nikki Winslow.

Read More »

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Mt. Lowe Chamber Music Players Present Chamber Music Concert at Altadena Library

Mt. Lowe Chamber Music Players Present Chamber Music Concert at Altadena Library

Mt. Lowe Chamber Players presents Chamber Music Concert – To buzz or not to buzz, that is the question – Music for Brass Quintet on Sunday, March 29, 2020, 3:00 p.m. at Altadena Library Main Branch.

This is the second concert in a series presented by the newly formed Mt. Lowe Chamber Players. The first concert, a program for strings, was a huge success. Over a hundred and fifty people were in attendance. The brass players are hoping to expand those numbers by presenting a program that includes music by Bach, Sousa, and the most prolific composer of all time, Anonymous.

Featured performers include Malcolm McNab, Chris Price and Bill Bing (trumpets), Karen Klages (horn), Daniel Lawlor (trombone), P. Blake Cooper (tuba), and John Steinmetz (narrator). To begin the program, student musicians from Eliot Middle School will honor the event with a presentation from one of their many talented music ensembles.

Program:  To buzz or not to buzz, that is the question:  Music for Brass Quintet

Sponsored by:  Friends of the Altadena Library and Fulcrum Arts.

Read More »

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Altadena Library District Introduces Book Selection for Read-A-Dena, Upcoming One Community, One Book Initiative

Altadena Library District Introduces Book Selection for Read-A-Dena, Upcoming One Community, One Book Initiative

STAFF REPORT

 

The Altadena Library District is honored to announce its first annual Read-a-Dena book selection, Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature In and Around Los Angeles by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Lila Higgins and Gregory B. Pauly with Jason G. Goldman and Charles Hood. Read-a-Dena is the Altadena Library District’s new community-wide reading initiative launching in March 2020.

“While perhaps an untraditional pick for a ‘One Community, One Book’ reading initiative, Wild LA celebrates the unique spirit of Altadena, which has nature deeply engrained in its history and identity,” says District Director Nikki Winslow. “The Altadena we know and love is adventurous, curious, and connected to the splendor of our local landscape. Wild LA offers something for everyone, from passive nature observers to the more active explorers in our community.”

Throughout the months of March, April, and May 2020, 50 free copies of Wild LA will be available at both the Main Library and Bob Lucas Branch for the public to pick up,

Read More »

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Mt Lowe Chamber Players to Present Free Series of Concerts at Altadena Library

Mt Lowe Chamber Players to Present Free Series of Concerts at Altadena Library

The Mt Lowe Chamber Players will present Beethoven’s “Septet in Eb Major, Op. 20” and piano music of Debussy from his Preludes “Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and “General Lavine – eccentric”

Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in a benefit concert at a private Altadena residence. Seats are $100 and are limited. Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Monica Hubbard at monica@mjhubbard.com to request a reservation form.

This benefit concert will enable Mt. Lowe Chamber Players to present free concerts of chamber music in Altadena, performed by Altadena musicians. Altadena is home to a host of professional musicians who make their livings playing in the orchestras, opera companies, and recording studios of Los Angeles. The November benefit concert is an opportunity to hear musicians of Mt. Lowe Chamber Players before their first season begins, and to support them in presenting free local concerts for the community.

ARTISTS:

Dmitri Bovaird (viola) has been an active violist in the LA Opera Orchestra since 1998.

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Thursday, October 31, 2019

New Group Art Show “The Art of Giving Art” at McGinty’s Gallery

New Group Art Show “The Art of Giving Art” at McGinty’s Gallery

McGinty’s Gallery at the End of the World and the Pasadena Society of Artists are excited to bring together a new group of talented artists from the community in “The Art of Giving Art.” This wonderful exhibit of gift-oriented art opens Saturday, November 23rd and continues through Saturday January 4th, 2020 at 869 East Mariposa Street in Altadena.

Meet and visit with the participating artists and enjoy jazz by the Larry Muradian trio at the Opening Reception, November 23rd from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Featuring 50 local artists, artworks travel the gamut from realistic to abstract, paintings to crocheted figures. All artwork is available for purchase and is priced around $250 or less. A mid-show holiday reception and open house will take place Saturday, December 7th from 12-5pm.

Reception for The Group Art Show “The Art of Giving Art” will be held on November 23rd, show up through to January 4th, 2020 at McGinty’s Gallery, 869 E. Mariposa Street in Altadena.

Read More »

Monday, October 21, 2019

The 4th CRxEATIVITY Festival is Bringing the Laughs

The 4th CRxEATIVITY Festival is Bringing the Laughs

The first round of performers are announced for the 2019 edition including The Book of Mormon’s Tony Award-Nominated Performer Rory O’Malley

STAFF REPORT

It’s often said that “laughter is the best medicine” and the producers of the CRxEATIVITY Festival couldn’t agree more by confirming the theme for 2019 as “Laughter: The Rx Without the Co-Pay.” The 4th annual edition will certainly be bringing the laughs along with the talent, confirming Tony-Nominated actor Rory O’Malley (Hamilton, The Book of Mormon) to perform. The jam-packed event will be on Saturday, November 16th at a stunning private residence in Altadena.

“We’re thrilled to be focusing our 4th edition on laughter, something I truly believe is needed in 2019,” said Executive Producer and Ovation Award-Winning Actress Jennifer Seifert. “We are bombarded by the news every day, and so much of it makes us feel disempowered that we start to lose hope. I am a true believer of the healing power of creativity, at some point we must find the joy and lightness of laughter again.”

Attendees of The 4th CRxEATIVITY Festival will enjoy live performances,

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Monday, October 14, 2019

Altadena Historical Society Quarterly Program Toypurina and the San Gabriel Mission Tongva Revolt

Altadena Historical Society Quarterly Program Toypurina and the San Gabriel Mission Tongva Revolt

The story of the San Gabriel Mission Tonva revolt led by California’s Joan of Arc, Toypurina, will be told at Altadena Historical Society’s October quarterly program, on Monday, Oct. 28.

The program, open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena. The program is free to Historical Society members; donations from non-members are appreciated.

Kat High, a Hupa Indian from Northern California, will lead this engaging and informative talk about an important time in San Gabriel Valley history, through the story of this remarkable woman’s bravery, leadership, and wisdom.

In 1785, soon after the San Gabriel Mission was built, a group of Tongva tribe members revolted against the Spanish. One of the leaders of this revolt, Toypurina, was a young medicine woman known today as the Joan of Arc of California.

Angered by the theft of Tongva lands and the disruption of the Tongva way of life,

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Thursday, August 15, 2019

Altadena Resident Jill Adler-Moore Receives LA BioStar Award

Altadena Resident Jill Adler-Moore Receives LA BioStar Award

Jill Adler-Moore, a renowned microbiologist and professor emerita at Cal Poly Pomona, was honored for her research, leadership and years of mentorship during a Cal State LA BioSpace event celebrating emerging entrepreneurs.

The LA BioStar Award was presented to Adler-Moore at the Aug. 13 graduation ceremony for participants of Cal State LA BioStart, an intensive training program for emerging bioscience entrepreneurs. The award recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions that advance the bioscience industry.

Adler-Moore developed AmBisome, a life-saving drug that treats human fungal infections. For more than four decades, she has mentored and trained students as a biological science faculty member at Cal Poly Pomona. She also serves as director for Cal Poly Pomona’s National Institutes of Health RISE program, which helps support students from underrepresented communities advance to successful Ph.D. careers in biomedical research.

At the ceremony, Adler-Moore shared lessons learned throughout her illustrious career in academia, research and industry. She was introduced by Craig LaMunyon, associate dean of academics and research in Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Science.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Peace, Love and Woodstock

Peace, Love and Woodstock

August 15 will be the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair in Bethel New York. It started as a music festival, but by the following Sunday, it made history. That’s why on Thursday, August 15, The Roadhouse Series will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with a special concert at the Coffee Gallery Backstage.

It is now regarded as an important cultural event of the times. With 500,000 people in attendance during the three-day festival, Woodstock remains the most important gathering in music history. The iconic bands read today like a roster of the legendary innovators of their time. They included The Who, Santana, Ten Years After, Janis Joplin, Melanie, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Sly and the Family Stone, The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The documentary film that came out the following year was a box office hit and an Oscar winner.

One overlooked contribution Woodstock brought to music history was the diversity and eclectic nature of the music played over the weekend.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Women in Science Discuss Their Journeys to Success

Women in Science Discuss Their Journeys to Success

Join the Altadena Library on Saturday, August 10, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., for a panel discussion celebrating the achievements of a group of talented scientific innovators. Moderated by Dr. Claire Newman, eight women will discuss their unique journeys to where they are today, making an impact in the fields of astrophysics, engineering, biology, and chemistry.

An audience Question & Answer session will follow.

About the Panelists

Apryl Boyle is a Los Angeles native, surfer, sailor, skater, and SCUBA diver; Her undergraduate degree from the University of Tampa is a double major of marine science and chemistry. Her Master’s degree is in Biomedical Science from the department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Epidemiology at the Medical University of South Carolina. She started at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida before working with NOAA and then went on to work/volunteer with host of non-profits. She’s focused her research and advocacy work on sharks and has been featured on Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and other international media.

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Thursday, August 1, 2019

Author of “An Altadena Boyhood” Signs Copies of New Book

Author of “An Altadena Boyhood” Signs Copies of New Book

Richard Bale Signs Memoirs 3-5p.m. Saturday Aug. 24 at Altadena Library

By STAFF REPORT

Richard Bale, author of a delightful new book of memoirs about growing up in Altadena in the 1940s, will sign copies of his book from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, in the community room of the Altadena main library.

There will be a program at which Bale will speak at 3 p.m.

The 120-page book, “An Altadena Boyhood,” with a forward by Altadena historian Michele Zack and illustrated with three dozen photos, has been published in cooperation between the Altadena Historical Society and Prospect Park Publishers of Altadena.

The soft-cover, bound book will be available for $15 at the event, after which it will be available at the Historical Society, 730 E. Altadena Drive, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

The society also will mail the book to out-of-towners for an additional price to cover packaging and postage.

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Monday, July 1, 2019

Historian Paul Ayers Presents Program on Abolitionist’s Bloody Deeds, Rock-Star Status in Pasadena and Burial on Altadena Hilltop

Historian Paul Ayers Presents Program on Abolitionist’s Bloody Deeds, Rock-Star Status in Pasadena and Burial on Altadena Hilltop

Drawing on nearly 20 years of research, historian Paul Ayers will present “Owen Brown—Altadena’s First Celebrity” at the Altadena Historical Society, 7:30 p.m. Monday July 22 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

The illustrated program is free to Historical Society members; a donation is requested of nonmembers.

Ayers, a San Gabriel Mountains historian and preservationist, will recount the histories of Owen and Jason Brown, sons of American slavery abolitionist and insurrectionist John Brown, and their participation in the murderous raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859.

After many years in hiding, Owen and his brother Jason found their way to Pasadena, where Ayers will recount their “rock-star-like reception, their lives of quiet and contemplation in the hills of West Altadena, the death of Owen and his burial on Little Roundtop, a hill above what today we know as the Meadows subdivision.”

Ayers will describe pilgrimages to Owens’ the site, the struggle over access to the site,

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Thursday, June 20, 2019

Altadena Artist Celebrated in Group Art Show

Altadena Artist Celebrated in Group Art Show

The Davyd Whaley Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Los Angeles area artists, celebrated their third year anniversary with a special art exhibit showcasing the work of their 2016-2019 grant recipients. Titled, Three Years, The Davyd Whaley Foundation, the opening reception was held on June 8, 2019 at the Castelli Art Space.

Altadena resident Margaret Griffith, recipient of a Mid-Career Artist Grant, was among the seven artists. Margaret’s work takes on a variety of forms, as installation, sculpture and drawing. A self-proclaimed urban scavenger, she searches for interesting patterns and architectural clues that inform her surroundings and help her find deeper connections with the sites she inhabits or experiences. Among some of her pieces shown were “Alba”, Water jet cut copper, 45″ h x 37″ w x 18″ d, 2018 and “15th, 17th, and Pennsylvania” detail, handcut synthetic paper and acrylic, detail. To see more of her work, visit: margaretgriffith.com

Curated by Nick Brown, the show also featured work by fellow artists and grant recipients: Susanna Battin,

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Monday, May 27, 2019

Art on Palm at Loma Alta Park Returns to Altadena for Two Days

Art on Palm at Loma Alta Park Returns to Altadena for Two Days

Art on Palm, a free and acclaimed art exhibit and sale of fine craft and artwork by local and regional artisans, returns to Altadena for its first 2-day event, at Loma Alta Park, 579 W. Palm Street on June 8 and 9.

The juried show and sale features work in ceramics, collage, glass, leather, metals, mixed media, photography, textiles, and turned woods. The 30 sought-after artisans includes: Annie Aldrich, Vie Blakey, Marcia Bloom, Cullanete Bloom, Mary Campagna, Ellen Dinerman, Rebecca Frederick, Joanne Hunot, Polly Kanazaki, Bettina Kleemann, Barbara Lamb, Kate Lain, Leaf Motif, Herban, Ron Lawrenz, Susan Loraine, Kelly McKnight, Randy Meaney, Heather Morrow, Cathy Reichel Clark, Ramona Paloma Tile Studios, Rone Prinz, Kathy W. Spear, Kathleen Swaydan, Kara Taub, and Wickd Bean Soy Candles, Lys Wilcox, and Anthe Wosczyna.

Art on Palm is set in Loma Alta’s grass-carpeted ‘Outdoor Pavilion,’ just below the equestrian center and surrounded by mature trees and picnic tables. Loma Alta is a 7-acre park with facilities that include: an aquatic center,

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Monday, May 27, 2019

Reenactment Honors All Area Military Deaths in Civil War Salute on Memorial Day

Reenactment Honors All Area Military Deaths in Civil War Salute on Memorial Day

Civil War soldiers will come to life again as volunteers don authentic military garb and pay honor to all veterans with a barrels-high gun salute on Memorial Day at Mountain View Cemetery.

Volunteers will dress in Union and Confederate garb to celebrate all veterans but paying homage to the oft-forgotten Civil War veterans in a gun salute.

Daughters — and sons — of Union and Confederate soldiers will be on hand to speak at the ceremony, slated to start shortly after twelve noon.

“We have so many volunteers that come by and add to the wonder and respect on Memorial Day,” said Denny Dormody, funeral director at Mountain View. “We have the daughters of the Union soldiers and we are blessed with so many local people who honor us with their time and knowledge of history and who contribute on this great day.”

Nick Smith, president of the Pasadena Civil War Roundtable said the Civil War occupies a special part of Pasadena’s past.

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Thursday, May 9, 2019

The Rotary Club of Altadena in Association with the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena Presents the 23nd Annual Free Summer Concerts

The Rotary Club of Altadena in Association with the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena Presents the 23nd Annual Free Summer Concerts

The Rotary Club of Altadena in association with the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena is announcing the 23nd Annual free Summer Concerts in the beautiful outdoor Amphitheater in Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., Altadena.

All Concerts are on Saturday evening and start at 7:00 p.m.This year’s season kicks off on July 6th (the weekend after the 4th of July) with The Answer to Classic Rock a local favorite band.The July 13th concert will host Blue Breeze Band and their dance floor packing Motown, R&B, Soul, and Funk arrangements. On July 20th Floyd and the Flyboys will perform with their unique sound influenced by traditional Soul, Blues, Funk, New Orleans R&B and Roots Rock. On July 27th we are showcasing ReLoVe who play Reggae, and Soul. August 3rd will be Live From Earth who will provide a Pat Benatar Tribute. On August 10th Upstream returns to provide Reggae, Soca, and Caribbean tunes – bring your dancing shoes! August 17th My Generation will feature British Invasion Genre Rock.

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

An Art Walk That is Elementary and More at Altadena Arts Magnet

An Art Walk That is Elementary and More at Altadena Arts Magnet

The occasion will feature a curated selection of student artwork from both schools.

Regina Major, Arts Magnet Coordinator at Altadena Arts Magnet, said guests – including parents from both Altadena Arts and Eliot Arts – will begin their experience at 5 p.m. at Altadena Arts Magnet, at the corner of East Calaveras Street and El Molino Avenue, and stroll over to Eliot Arts Magnet, at East Calaveras and Lake Avenue.

The event will also feature live music and light snacks, in addition to arts activities at both schools, she said.

“We’re going to do a joint art show and they’re calling it an art walk because they’re going to start here and observe art and they’re going to have refreshments and we hope to have music and everything,” Major said. “And then from our school, they’ll walk over or drive over to Eliot, which is like less than four minutes away, and see art and explore their art gallery and everything. So it’s a joint effort.”

At Altadena Arts,

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Monday, March 4, 2019

Altadena Library to Host Special Reading by Nominees for Pushcart Prize for Poetry

Altadena Library to Host Special Reading by Nominees for Pushcart Prize for Poetry

STAFF REPORT

Enjoy a special reading by the talented nominees for the Pushcart Prize for Poetry from the Altadena Poetry Review 2018 hosted by its editors, Elline Lipkin (Altadena Poet Laureate 2016-2018) and Pauli Dutton, with publisher Thelma Reyna on Monday, March 18, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Altadena Main Library.

The nominees include:

• Thom Cagle – is a native of Nashville, TN, and a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, where he studied poetry with Henry Braun. He is an alumnus of the long-running Wednesday night poetry workshop at Beyond Baroque in Venice, CA, and a past student of Laurel Ann Bogen. He makes his home in Santa Monica.

• Stephen Colley – a retired software engineer/manager, has written mostly meter-and-rhyme poetry for thirtysomething years (especially sonnet variations) and been a co-administrator of Facebook’s Poetry Altadena group page. He’s also written classical music, including a song cycle on Lord of the Rings poems,

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Monday, October 29, 2018

Theatre Americana Exhibit Opens Saturday, November 3

Theatre Americana Exhibit Opens Saturday, November 3

Altadena Historical Museum’s new exhibit “Theatre Americana Remembered,” opens Saturday, November 3, with a reception from 2pm to 4pm at the Museum’s Community Center home, 730 E. Altadena Drive (next to the Sheriff’s station.)

The exhibit focuses on a locally famous gem which brightened the Altadena community for over sixty years, providing a wonderful outlet for creativity, innovation, and fun for adults and children while showcasing original American plays.

Val Zavala, longtime KCET personality and Altadena resident, will moderate a panel of former Theatre Americana members during the reception. Hear their memories, see highlights from this important example of Altadena dedication to the arts, and enjoy light refreshments.

Born during America’s Little Theater movement in the 1930s, Theatre Americana was a playwright’s workshop, an artistic endeavor, and a popular part of Altadena’s social scene. It was the driving force in securing New Deal WPA funding to create Farnsworth Park and construct the Davies Building, Altadena’s first recreation center.

“Theatre Americana gave playwrights a chance to hone their skills,” said Historical Society president Kathy Hoskins,

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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Famous “Wild West” Novelist Zane Grey Died in Altadena 79 Years Ago Tuesday

Famous “Wild West” Novelist Zane Grey Died in Altadena 79 Years Ago Tuesday

By ANGELA UNDERWOOD

Famed American author Zane Grey died too soon.

The Altadena resident, who passed away from heart failure on October 23, 1939, still remains a presence in the region.

Renowned for his “Wild West” storytelling, Zane composed volumes of work that were later produced into motion pictures after migrating to California from Ohio and Pennsylvania, where he was born and raised.

The author—most known for Rider of the Purple Sage—was a dentist before he was a writer.

“Grey’s interest in dentistry was half-hearted at best, and he did not relish the idea of replicating his father’s safe but unexciting career,” according to History.com. “Searching for an alternative, Grey decided to try his hand at writing; his first attempt was an uninspiring historical novel about a family ancestress.”

But Grey got better.

His success as an author is what enabled him and his wife, Dolly, and their children to move from the East to West Coast,

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Thursday, August 30, 2018

At The Playhouse: Good Fences Don’t Always Make Good Neighbors

At The Playhouse: Good Fences Don’t Always Make Good Neighbors

From STAFF REPORTS

 

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, is presenting Native Gardens, a new comedy by Karen Zacarías and directed by Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander. The production runs September 5 through 30 at Pasadena Playhouse.

The cast of Native Gardens features actors of both screen and stage: Christian Barillas (Ronaldo on Modern Family), Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison (Willard, Longtime Companion, and A Song at Twilight at Pasadena Playhouse), Frances Fisher (Titanic, Unforgiven, Resurrection), and Jessica Meraz (TNT’s Major Crimes). The cast of Native Gardens is rounded out by Julian Armaya, Joshua Duron and Bradley Roa II.

In this new comedy, horticultures clash, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies. It’s the War of the Hoses where cultures collide and mudslinging ensues – literally. Good fences don’t always make good neighbors, but they do make for a lot of laughs in this new play.

Native Gardens tells the story of Pablo (Barillas), a rising attorney,

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Wednesday, August 1, 2018

McGinty’s Gallery at the End of the World in Altadena Offers Friday “Doubleheader,” Art Exhibit and Film Festival

McGinty’s Gallery at the End of the World in Altadena Offers Friday “Doubleheader,” Art Exhibit and Film Festival

McGinty’s Gallery at the End of the World in Altadena will be opening a new exhibit, “Anatomy of a Group Show,” with a reception coinciding with the second Annual Altadena Invitational Film Festival and Community Social on Friday, August 3, from 5 to 10 p.m.

“Anatomy of a Group Show” features 35 local creative and occasionally maverick artists. One of them, Altadena resident Judith Bowman, feels lucky to have allowed her former hobbies – illustrations, caricatures, and collages – to blossom after her retirement from the stress of deadlines, grant submissions and nonprofit drama. Her work is reflective of the modern political landscape.

Other artists in the exhibit, which runs through September 29, include Kate Alkarni, Paul August Bruins Slot, Susan Braig, Elizabeth Butterfield, Ashoka Chhabra, Melanie Maria Ciccone, Patricia Cunliffe, Pascaline Doucin-Dahlke, Linley Eathorne, Joe Feinblatt, Pepi Feinblatt, Johnny Fox, Michael Haasis, Deb Halberstadt, Rod Holcomb, Lisa Houpt, Cammie Jones, Ildiko Laszlo, Alix McKenna, Amelia Medina, Chris Moore, Robert Moore, Gifford Myers,

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Monday, July 9, 2018

Altadena Historical Society Presents Fire Control in the Foothills, 1920 through Today with Historian Dave Boucher

Altadena Historical Society Presents Fire Control in the Foothills, 1920 through Today with Historian Dave Boucher

 

Focusing on fire protection in the Altadena and Pasadena area, retired Los Angeles Fire Department Captain David Boucher will tell the story of the formation and development of the department including its complex evolution, its leadership, its people, machines, traditions and services.

The lecture will take place at 7:30 on Monday, July 23 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, (next to the Sheriff’s Station).

Altadena was there at the beginning when Fire Station 11 (now located at 2521 El Molino Avenue) was built in 1925. It was one of the first three stations built in the county, the other two in La Canada and La Crescenta.

Dave began his fire service in 1953 as an auxiliary fireman with the Altadena branch of the Crescenta-Canada Civil Defense Corps, serving for two years out of Altadena’s fire station #12 at 2760 Lincoln Avenue. He retired 41 years later in 1994 as a Captain in the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

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Friday, April 13, 2018

Celebrate the Pushcart Prize for Poetry Nominees from the Altadena Poetry Review

Celebrate the Pushcart Prize for Poetry Nominees from the Altadena Poetry Review

The Altadena Public Library will be launching the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2018, published by local independent publisher Golden Foothills Press for the Altadena Library, on Sunday, April 29, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

The event will also inaugurate the library’s new Poet Laureate 2018-2020, which includes 106 poets, many of whom will be reading poetry that day.

The poets in the publication are Pushcart Prize Nominees, Poets Laureate, writing teachers, editors, publishers, professors, and emerging authors.

Among the authors who are expected to be at the event are Alicia Elkort, whose poetry has appeared in AGNI, Arsenic Lobster, Fickle Muses, Georgia Review, Heron Tree, Menacing Hedge, Rogue Agent, Stirring: A Literary Collection, and Tinderbox Poetry Journal; Dr. Thelma T, Reyna, whose books have collectively won 10 national literary awards; Cathie Sandstrom, a military brat who’s lived in four countries and ten states and whose poems appear on the website of the Academy of American Poets, and in The Southern Review,

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Friday, January 19, 2018

Story of Caltech’s JPL Rocketry Programs Told at Altadena Historical Society

Story of Caltech’s JPL Rocketry Programs Told at Altadena Historical Society

Monday Jan. 22 Program is Free and Open to the Public

The little-known stories of California Institute of Technology’s rocket-development programs in the 1930s and ‘40s at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be told by historian Erik M. Conway at the next quarterly meeting of the Altadena Historical Society.

The program will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday Jan. 22 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, and is free and open to the public.

The Historical Society’s current exhibit, “Five Men Inspired by the San Gabriels,” will be open prior to and after the program.

“Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Altadena’s northwest corner is often known as a center of planetary exploration, but it was originally founded to develop rocket technology in the 1930s,” said Conway, a JPL staff historian.

“Far less known is that Caltech had a second rocket project during World War II that ultimately spun off what is now the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Center.

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Monday, December 11, 2017

The Pokemon Club to Meet this Tuesday at the Altadena Library

The Pokemon Club to Meet this Tuesday at the Altadena Library

Catch ’em all! The Altadena Library is sponsoring a Pokemon Club this Tuesday, December 12, for all Pokemon trainers. Kids from 8 to 12 can battle it out, trade cards, and make new friends with other trainers in the Children’s Room of the library.

Pokemon Club organizers say the library will supply cards if you don’t have a set of your own — just don’t trade them.

If you have any questions or require special accommodation, please contact the Children’s Desk at (626) 798-0833 extension 108 or email childrens@altadenalibrary.org.

This is a free event that starts at 4 p.m.

The Altadena Library is at 600 E. Mariposa Street in Altadena.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, October 17, 2017

With Three Big Events, It’s Two Busy Weeks Ahead for Altadena Historical Society

With Three Big Events, It’s Two Busy Weeks Ahead for Altadena Historical Society

Program on Monday, Fundraiser on Thursday and Exhibit Opening Nov. 4

Altadena Historical Society has two busy weeks ahead with events for the community:

Next Monday, Oct. 23, AHS sponsors a program on San Gabriel Mountains explorer and conservationist Will Thrall, called “Southern California’s John Muir.”

Presented by Thrall’s biographer Ronald C. Woolsey, the free program will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

Woolsey will accompany his talk with an exhibit of Thrall memorabilia, and copies of his book “Will Thrall and the San Gabriels, A Man to Match the Mountains” will be available for purchase.

Two days later, on Thursday, Oct. 26, the Historical Society is holding a fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mount Lowe Brewing Co., 150 E. Saint Joseph St., Arcadia, celebrating the upcoming launch of AHS’s Mount Lowe website.

The event will feature characterizations of Prof. Thaddeus Lowe and his wife,

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Thursday, September 7, 2017

Hot August Night Playing Season Finale this Saturday at Farnsworth Park

Hot August Night Playing Season Finale this Saturday at Farnsworth Park

 

Hot August Night is playing free concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday September 9, at 7:00pm. Sponsored by Altadena Sheriff’s Support Group. This is the final concert of the season.

Free concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the amphitheater. The Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena presents the 21st Annual Summer Concert Series at Farnsworth Park, located at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.

Captain Vicki Stuckey, Reserve Deputies on foot and horseback will be attending this and every concert. Please stop by say hi and enjoy some great music.

Hot August Night’s Lead singer Dean Colley has been performing in rock bands since 1982, after leaving the University of Southern California, where he was studying biology. 15 years of playing in bars and regional fairs followed playing rock and roll covers with other local musicians. All the while, people began taking notice of Dean’s ever more prominent resemblance to Neil Diamond. Soon,

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Friday, August 25, 2017

“Altadena” Reprise This Weekend at the Norton Simon Museum

“Altadena” Reprise This Weekend at the Norton Simon Museum

Pianist and composer Richard Sears is bringing his septet – and legendary jazz drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath – to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena this Saturday, August 26, to reprise “Altadena,” a suite commissioned by the Los Angeles Jazz Society in 2013 to honor Heath.

Born on May 31, 1935 in Philadelphia, Tootie Heath was raised in a musical household as the younger brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and bassist Percy Heath. In pursuit of a musical career as a drummer, he moved to New York in 1957 and in a few months made his recording debut with John Coltrane for the saxophonist’s first recording “Coltrane.” Heath recorded with him again in 1960 on the album “Lush Life.”

A long-time Altadena resident, Heath’s career reads like a who’s who in jazz. He has recorded with Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, Bobby Timmons, Yusef Lateef, Herbie Hancock, Milt Jackson, Wes Montgomery, Billy Taylor, Mal Waldron, Cedar Walton, J.J. Johnson and countless others.

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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

The NoWhere Men to Perform at a Free Concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday

The NoWhere Men to Perform at a Free Concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday

The NoWhere Men will perform at a free concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday August 26, at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Altadena Sheriff’s Support Group.

The free concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, August 26th at 7:00 p.m. will be held at the amphitheater. The concert is part of the Sheriff’s Support Group’s 21st Annual Summer Concert Series at Farnsworth Park, located at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.

Captain Vicki Stuckey, Reserve Deputies on foot and horseback will be attending this and every concert. Please stop by say hi and enjoy some great music.

 

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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Summer Reading Comes to a Close at Altadena Library with Grand Finale Concert

Summer Reading Comes to a Close at Altadena Library with Grand Finale Concert

With the end of summer fast approaching, Altadena Library District is starting to wrap up its busy summer and prepare for its fall programs. Having started in June, the Library’s Summer Reading program featured events for all ages, from special story times at Altadena Farmers Market and Loma Alta Pool to educational events for adults. To send off summer and celebrate the end of the successful Summer Reading program, Altadena Library District invites the public to its Summer Reading Grand Finale Concert featuring world-renowned musical artist El Twanguero and his talented band on Friday, August 25 at 7:30 p.m.

“It has been a joy this summer to see community members of all ages so actively engage in our Summer Reading programs,” says Library Director Mindy Kittay, “It seemed only appropriate to celebrate the end of such a successful summer with another opportunity for the community to gather and enjoy top-notch entertainment together!”

Considered by many as one of the best guitarists in the world,

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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Kings of 88 to Perform at Farnsworth Park this Saturday August 19

Kings of 88 to Perform at Farnsworth Park this Saturday August 19

Kings of 88 will perform a free concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, August 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the amphitheater. The Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena presents the 21st Annual Summer Concert Series at Farnsworth Park, located at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.

Known for getting crowds on their feet to dance and sing the night away. The Kings of 88 present a fun filled tribute to the masters of 88-keys, including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Fats Domino, Dr. John, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more. With something for everyone it’s not unusual for them to cover 15 or more different artists from music from every decade since nice the 1950’s in one show. Made of of top-flight L.A. based musicians – each with their own impressive list of professional credits.

The Kings of 88 have played summer concert series shows in cities across California, as well as numerous festivals, fairs, clubs, private and corporate events.

 

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Monday, August 7, 2017

Songwriters Serve up Farm Fresh Organic Music

Songwriters Serve up Farm Fresh Organic Music

As part of this summer’s Reading Program, the Altadena Public Library will be feasting on fresh music coming directly from songwriter’s hearts to the listener’s ears on Tuesday, August 08, 2017, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. . Organic music has no fat, no fluff, no GMO and is simply pure home grown songs performed acoustically in the most simple storytelling form. Five songwriters whose individual uniqueness will be reflected in their lyrics and their style will each perform 4 songs. The songwriters include Jill Freeman, Raspin Stuwart, Leslie Beauvais, Shelby & Tieg and Petrella, First Lady of Country Soul who will also host the evening.

Jill Freeman combines Joni Mitchell, Kurt Weill and Carl Jung on her latest CD “A Handmade Life”. “A Handmade Life” marks a new chapter and an impressive evolution in Jill’s long career as a singer/songwriter/performer. A native Los Angeleno, Jill began her professional career in music over 20 years ago.

Raspin Stuwart’s songs place a premium on intelligent lyricism,

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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Red Hen Press’ 23rd Benefit Champagne Luncheon

Red Hen Press’ 23rd Benefit Champagne Luncheon

 

Red Hen Press will celebrate its 23rd anniversary at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena on November 12th with an annual benefit champagne luncheon. The afternoon festivities will highlight Red Hen’s vibrant tradition of excellence in the literary community with performances from local students, excellent cuisine, a silent auction, and readings by acclaimed authors Camille Dungy, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and A. E. Stallings.

Other notable guests includes Afaa Weaver, Amy Gerstler, Brendan Constantine, Eloise Klein Healy, Ishmael Reed, Jonathan Gold, Judy Grahn, Laurel Ann Bogen, Luis Rodriguez, Patt Morrison, and Ron Carlson.

Funds raised through the Benefit Luncheon will support Red Hen Press and its three flagship programs: publishing, Writing in the Schools, and literary events.

Red Hen Press is committed to publishing works of literary excellence, supporting diversity, and promoting literacy in our local schools. We seek a community of readers and writers who are actively engaged in the essential human practice known as literature.

About Red Hen Press

Red Hen Press was founded in 1994,

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Thursday, July 6, 2017

Local Authors Want to Inspire Pasadena Public School Students With More Real-Life Stories

Local Authors Want to Inspire Pasadena Public School Students With More Real-Life Stories

Pasadena non-profit Light Bringer Project is about to launches the fifth issue of its online literary journal created by local authors as a resource for engaging and inspiring underserved public school students with relatable stories that are often missing in textbooks.

“Literature For Life” provides greater Los Angeles area young people with tailor-­made lesson plans designed to help teachers introduce locally-produced writing and artwork into their classrooms, so that students may see themselves and their communities better represented in their curriculum.

The free resource is published in two issues a year and contains a collection of fiction and nonfiction, poetry, short stories, articles, essays, and artwork from both award-winning authors and emerging young writers.

“The idea is to introduce current contemporary literature in the main from Los Angeles emerging writers into the classrooms of underserved public schools,” explained Tom Coston, president of Light Bringer Project.

“Ultimately, the bottom-line is to cultivate a love of reading and writing again by making stories that are relatable and current for students that have to do with their lives that are things that they can easily identify with.”

“Literature For Life” was created in 2011 by Altadena author Jervey Tervalon who spent five years as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District being dissatisfied with the textbooks that he was forced to use with his lesson plans.

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Monday, July 3, 2017

Free Concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, July 8th with Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic Playing

Free Concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, July 8th with Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic Playing

Free concert at Farnsworth Park this Saturday, July 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the amphitheater. The Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena presents the 21st Annual Summer Concert Series at Farnsworth Park, located at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.

Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, America’s premier youth fiddling show band from Saline, Michigan, astounds audiences every time the group takes the stage. The musicians, all high school students, present an energetic and polished show that features a diverse range of music from American folk, fiddle, bluegrass, jazz, western swing, and Celtic traditions. Spirited vocals and Appalachian step dancing combine with the instrumentals to create an unforgettable live performance.

Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic began in 1994 with a simple idea: introduce an alternative style of music education to public school students to maintain and expand their interest in music performance. Since then, the group has definitely set the standard for extracurricular music programs in the United States. It has grown into a model of instruction and motivation that is being emulated across the nation.

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Friday, June 16, 2017

Altadena’s 5th Annual Car Show to be Held at Farnsworth Park, Saturday June 17

Altadena’s 5th Annual Car Show to be Held at Farnsworth Park, Saturday June 17

 

5th Annual Car Show at Farnsworth Park, is on Saturday, June 17th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will feature Music, Vendor Booths, Food, Fun for the entire Family.

Categories include Antiques, street rods, classics, truck, and motorcycles.

Pre-registration: $25 (by June 1st)
Registration: $30 (June 2nd-June 16th)
Event Day: $40

There are still spots to register a car, or just clear your schedule and stop by on June 17th for great Altadena community event. To register, contact:

LA Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Altadena Station Car Show
Altadena, California
Sandy Crosthwaite
Phone: (626) 296-2107

Pre-registration: $25 (by June 1st)
Registration: $30 (June 2nd-June 16th)
Event Day: $40

Farnsworth Park is located at 568 E. Mount Curve Avenue in Altadena.

For more information, contact (626) 296-2107 or email Sgt. Sandy Crosthwaite at hmcrosth@lasd.org or Deputy Pete Liberda at apliberd@lasd.org.

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Thursday, May 18, 2017

Celebrate Spring at Eaton Canyon Festival

Celebrate Spring at Eaton Canyon Festival

Come to the Annual Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival on May 20-21, 2017 at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena. The Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival features: Native American Dancers, drummers, musicians, singers, story tellers, with artisans including basket weavers, pottery makers, wood carvers, wildlife exhibitors and nature groups. If you’re looking for Pow Wows in California or other Native American events in the Southern California area, the Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival is the place to be in May.

Many native people celebrate the change of seasons with music and dance. In keeping with these traditions, the Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival hosts tribal drummers, musicians, dancers, and storytellers. Native artists and crafters will also join in to offer their wares for purchase, and other items will be raffled.

The Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival will also celebrate the beauty that is found in Eaton canyon. Presenters from local wildlife organizations will introduce attendees to some of the indigenous birds,

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Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Historical Society Rummage Sale Saturday May 13

Historical Society Rummage Sale Saturday May 13

Looking for a cannonball? If so, we have one for you.

The Altadena Historical Society will sell a wide variety of de-accessioned items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in the courtyard outside the Full Circle Thrift Store.

The thrift store is in the historic red brick Pacific Electric Co. powerhouse at 2245 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. Occupied by private businesses and not open to the public for several decades, the building with its soaring interior will be open for viewing and shopping.

Included in the sale will be many books, pictures, pamphlets and picture frames–even a cannonball of unknown date and origin.

Historical Society members will receive a 20 percent discount off their purchases.

“Every item in the sale has been scrupulously examined to determine whether it meets our mission, which is to preserve and promote the history of Altadena,” said Jane Brackman, Ph.D., society president.

The society’s archives and museum are located in the Altadena Community Center,

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Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Tea Presentation and Tasting with Linda Louie at the Altadena Library

Tea Presentation and Tasting with Linda Louie at the Altadena Library

Saturday, May 27th at 4:00 p.m.

Ever wonder what’s the difference between black tea from China and black tea from India? Or how green tea from China compares to green tea from Japan?

Join Linda Louie from Bana Tea Company for a discussion and tea tasting of rare and high end teas from China, Nepal, India and Japan.

Linda Louie was born and raised in Hong Kong. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work and worked for the Los Angeles Superior Court for many years before pursuing her life-long passion for tea. Linda is the owner of Bana Tea Company, an on-line tea company specializing in fine Pu-erh tea. Linda has studied with a renowned tea master in Hong Kong and traveled extensively through the farms and villages of the Pu-erh tea regions of Yunnan China in her quest to find the finest teas. She has given tea lectures, demonstrations and focused tea tastings at museums, community colleges,

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Monday, April 24, 2017

“Water Is Life” K-12 Student Art Contest

“Water Is Life” K-12 Student Art Contest

Foothill Municipal Water District (Foothill) recently concluded its 6th annual “Water Is Life” student art competition. The contest was open to all students, in grades K-12, attending a school located within the service area of a member water agency that Foothill serves.

The District received 115 total entries this year and the top 15 entries will be submitted to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for further consideration to be included in the 2018 “Water Is Life” student art calendar. Winners will be selected in the fall and honored at a student art exhibit and recognition event sponsored by MWD. Criteria for judging the art pieces consisted of addressing the theme of the contest, originality of the piece and slogan, and degree of visual and word clarity.

The top 9 entries will receive further recognition through an FMWD Board of Directors Meeting on May 15, 2017 where students will receive prizes including gift certificates from fellow sponsors Los Gringos Locos Restaurant and The Flintridge Proper Restaurant.

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Thursday, April 20, 2017

Second Saturdays at Altadena Library with Michael Haggins Band

Second Saturdays at Altadena Library with Michael Haggins Band

Altadena Library District’s popular Second Saturday Concerts will continue Saturday, May 13th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a night of live music featuring the Michael Haggins Band at 600 E. Mariposa Street.

Michael Haggins is a successful contemporary bassist and songwriter in Los Angeles. Michael, who was born in Pasadena and began playing music in his early teens, has worked and recorded with many artists while also working in the Network Television industry.

Michael’s music has been featured in episodes on Network Television & Feature Films such as:
– NBC Late night with Jimmy Fallon
– FOX “Raising Hope”
– FOX “New Girl”
– SHOWTIME “Ray Donovan”
– MSNBC “Wake Up With Al”
– The Weather Channel
– KTLA TV-5 Morning News Show

Michael continues to write and produce songs with his special brand of original music with his own unique sound.

The Altadena Library District hosts Second Saturday Concerts monthly at its main building October through June,

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Thursday, April 20, 2017

Get Inspired by An Afternoon of Poetry at the Altadena Main Library

Get Inspired by An Afternoon of Poetry at the Altadena Main Library

Find joy and inspiration at the Altadena Library on Saturday, April 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (break 2:30–3:00) when it hosts one of the largest local poetry readings in the community. This event celebrates the formal launch of the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2017 published by the Altadena Library. Poets included in this publication are award winners, Pushcart Prize Nominees, Poets Laureate, writing teachers, editors, publishers, professors, and emerging authors. The poets, and the 160 poems in the book are multi-culturally diverse and represent a broad variety of styles: traditional, unrhymed, short, long, humorous, poignant, political, inspirational, experimental, and, “everything in between.”

Library Director Mindy Kittay describes the annual library program, known as the Poetry & Cookies event, as “much beloved by the community and another example of how libraries change lives by providing the tools, access and experiences that help each and every one of us reach our full potential.”

For the first time in the 15-year history of an Altadena poetry anthology,

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Monday, April 17, 2017

Writer-Artist Presents Program on American Abolitionists for Altadena Historical Society

Writer-Artist Presents Program on American Abolitionists for Altadena Historical Society

Abolitionist-insurrectionist John Brown, whose sons Jason and Owen came to live in the hills of Altadena after their father‘s raid on Harper’s Ferry, will be the topic of writer-artist Hope Demetriades in a program sponsored by the Altadena Historical Society.

The program will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, 91001. The program is free and open to the public. The Community Center is immediately west of the Sheriff’s Station and across Altadena Drive from Rite-Aid.

“Brown’s passionate devotion not only to ending slavery, but to bringing about total equality among African-Americans and Caucasians inspired deep resentment in the mostly pro-slavery South, but profound gratitude and respect among slaves, free African-Americans and abolitionists,” Demetriades said.

She will discuss events in Brown’s life that led up to his raid on the Harper’s Ferry, Va., armory in 1859–hoping to begin a revolution that would end slavery–and other abolitionists including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and Elijah Lovejoy.

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

Second Saturdays at Altadena Library Continue Amid Renovations

Second Saturdays at Altadena Library Continue Amid Renovations

 

Despite the current renovation at its main library building, Altadena Library District’s popular Second Saturday Concerts will continue this Saturday, April 8th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a night of live music featuring the Louis Van Taylor Quintet at 600 E. Mariposa Street. We will be holding the concert in the Library so attendees will get a sneak peak at our new renovations!

This month’s musical guests make up a quintet of talented and acclaimed jazz, funk, and blues musicians. While Louis Van Taylor will not be in attendance, the 2-hour set will feature the musical styling of Charles Owen on saxophone and flute, Stephen Taylor on congas and percussion, Mikel Majeed on keys, Kenny Sara on drums and vocals, and Steve Cotter on guitar. The group members’ combined credits span the music industry and include Frank Zappa, Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, Funky George Brown, Cheryl Lynne, Buddy Rich, Freda Payne, Jacque Leisure, Benny Maupin, Barbara Morrison, Noland Shaheed, and Gerald Wilson.

The Altadena Library District hosts Second Saturday Concerts monthly at its main building October through June,

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

Celebrate National Library Week

Celebrate National Library Week

National Library Week, April 9 – 15, 2017, is a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries and library workers for transforming lives through free access to education, technology, information literacy, diverse collections and opportunities for community engagement.

In a world of rapid technological and cultural change, libraries and library workers are your trusted resources for both individuals and the community at large. Conducting an online search can be a daunting task, even for an experienced researcher, with millions of hits for any question or topic. Librarians are trained experts who can guide library users through this information jungle to find what they are seeking, whether they are verifying news sources, investigating healthcare options or exploring sources of student financial aid.

Libraries also provide a wide range of opportunities for people with diverse wants and interests, including cultural and arts programming, materials in alternate formats such as large print, multilingual internet trainings, bilingual story hours, English as a Second Language classes and many other programs.

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Monday, April 3, 2017

Altadena Library Second Saturday Concert Presents The Louis Van Taylor Quintet

Altadena Library Second Saturday Concert Presents The Louis Van Taylor Quintet

The Altadena Library’s Second Saturday concert season features The Louis Van Taylor Quintet on Saturday April 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Louis Van Taylor’s work with various types of instruments has been featured on numerous television and movie soundtracks. His credits include performances with big names such as Ray Charles, Poncho Sanchez, Gerald Wilson Orchestra to Presently Kool and the Gang. His musical style blends traditional jazz with a variety of genre including Brazilian, Afro-Caribbean, funk and blues.

During Second Saturday performances at the Altadena Library you can listen to great music as you sip beer and wine from The Ale House; savor grilled eats from El Patron and Guerrilla Chef Mateo; and sample delectable desserts from Sweeter Than Honey. Altadena Library also hosts a monthly art show which you can view while dancing the night away.

Altadena Library District, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena, (626) 798-0833 or visit www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

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Monday, March 6, 2017

The Altadena Library Hosts the Annual ‘Poetry and Cookies’ Event

The Altadena Library Hosts the Annual ‘Poetry and Cookies’ Event

It’s Poetry & Cookies Time at Altadena Library!

Saturday, April 29 is the big day! Mark your calendars for 1:00 p.m. when the Poetry and Cookies event returns to Altadena Library. As Library Director Mindy Kittay puts it, “This program is a much beloved by the community and another example of how libraries change lives by providing the tools, access and experiences that help each and every one of us reach our full potential.”

This year’s event will be one of the largest gathering of poets in our community for a major reading and will include many of the over 100 poets who were recently published in the brand-new Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2017, which will be formally released to the public that day. The poets include 6 poet laureates, authors of a combined over 160 published books, over 14 Pushcart Prize Nominees, many national and international literary award winners, plus exciting new emerging poets. Free to the Public with Free Refreshments, Cookies, mingling with the poets,

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Altadena Historical Society Seeks Board Members

Altadena Historical Society Seeks Board Members

The Altadena Historical Society is seeking candidates to serve on its Board of Directors.

Directors of the 82-year-old non-profit organization–one of Altadena’s oldest and largest–help to guide it as it works to preserve and share the community’s colorful history.

The AHS board meets on a monthly basis, at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday, and directors often serve on committees and assist on AHS projects and programs. The board currently numbers nine men and women. We are seeking an additional three or four members.

Enthusiasm for promoting and preserving Altadena’s fascinating history is the major requirement for the post. We hope to hear from people who care about Altadena and can offer the board and community their professional or avocational talents.

Experience with fundraising, involvement with government and community organizations or businesses, and basic knowledge of local history are also desirable. Candidates may be current or former Altadena residents, or work in Altadena.

The Historical Society’s office,

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Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Foothill Municipal Water District Opens K-12 Student Art Contest

Foothill Municipal Water District Opens K-12 Student Art Contest

Foothill Municipal Water District (Foothill MWD) is conducting its 6th annual K-12 student art contest with the theme of competition adhering to the phrase: “Water Is Life”. This is a fun, educational project that serves to inspire student creativity and the stewardship of precious water resources.

The contest is open to all K-12 students attending a school located within the Foothill MWD service area. This includes schools located within La Crescenta-Montrose, the City of La Cañada Flintridge, and Altadena.
All art entries for the 2017 “Water Is Life” Student Art Contest will be separated into three groups (Grades K-3, 4-6, and 7-12) prior to judging. The grand prize winning entry for each group will receive $100 for the student and a $50 gift card for the sponsoring teacher.

This event is co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and all winning entries will be submitted to MWD for a second round of competition to be included in the 2018 “Water Is Life” Student Artwork Calendar.

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Saturday, February 4, 2017

An Evening of ‘Artist Types’

An Evening of ‘Artist Types’

A banquet room packed with business owners, neighbors, and what Altadena Chamber of Commerce President Billy Malone endearingly called “those artist types” celebrated home and community Friday at the 93rd Annual Altadena Chamber of Commerce Awards and Installation dinner.

The evening honored 2016 Citizen of the Year Elliot Gold, founder of the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Businesses (ACONA), and Business of the Year Open Studios Alta/Pasa/Dena owners Mary and Patrick Gothard, and featured a small squadron of government representatives, including Congresswoman Judy Chu, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and staffers from the offices of Assemblymember Chris Holden and State Senator Anthony Portantino, as well as Okorie Ezieme, of the Altadena Town Council, and Daniel Harlow of the Altadena Chamber.

Each office presented a certificate of recognition to Gold, as well as to the Gothards.

In addition to the honoring of Gold and the Gothards, the 2017 Chamber board was officially installed, with President Malone, now serving a second term; Vice President Meredith Miller;

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Monday, January 30, 2017

One of Altadena’s Major Literary Events to Honor Six of Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2016’s 86 Poets

One of Altadena’s Major Literary Events to Honor Six of Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2016’s 86 Poets

One of Altadena’s major literary events will be held on Friday, February 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Altadena Library Community Room, and the community is invited to join.

Sponsored by the local indie press, Golden Foothills Press, publisher of the national award-winning book, “Altadena Poetry Review: Anthololy 2016,” the event honors 6 of the book’s 86 distinguished poets. These 6 poets (shown below) were nominated by the book’s editor, Poet Laureate Emerita Thelma T. Reyna, to receive the prestigious national award, the Pushcart Prize. Simply to be a nominee for this award is considered by poets to be an honor. Here’s an unofficial program for the evening:

6:30 p.m. Welcome and introductions
6:35 p.m. Open Mic (for the first 10 sign-ups; 1 minute maximum per reader, which is about one medium poem)
6:45 p.m. Pauli Dutton: Background and history of the Pushcart Prize, one of the most iconic literary awards in the United States
6:50 p.m. Introduction of this year’s 6 nominees,

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Friday, January 27, 2017

Noted Authors and Altadena Publisher Debate Whether Authors’ Race, Gender Limits What They Can Write About

Noted Authors and Altadena Publisher Debate Whether Authors’ Race, Gender Limits What They Can Write About

A spirited talk between an Altadena publisher and three of her acclaimed authors will be presented at 7:00 p.m. Thursday Feb. 2 at the Altadena Community Center. The event is open to the public free of charge.

The panel discussion will be among Naomi Hirahara, an Altadena native who is author of a mystery series set in that foothill community; Rachel M. Harper, author of 2016’s notable novel, “This Side of Providence;” Joyce Gittlin, television writer and director and author of numerous movie scripts for Disney, Paramount and 20th Century; and Colleen Dunn Bates, founder and publisher of Altadena-based Prospect Park Books.

Their talk will focus on issues raised in the play “Bee-luther-hatchee” by Thomas Gibbons, being presented at the Sierra Madre Playhouse through Feb. 18. The discussion is sponsored and produced by the playhouse, and is hosted by the Altadena Historical Society.

The play follows a publisher, Shelita Burns, who seeks to meet a reclusive author whose “biography” of a 72-year-old black woman has won a major award.

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Friday, January 20, 2017

The Altadena Library’s Second Saturday Concert Season Features Pierce Brochetti and the Splish Splash Band

The Altadena Library’s Second Saturday Concert Season Features Pierce Brochetti and the Splish Splash Band

The Altadena Library’s Second Saturday concert season features Pierce Brochetti and the Splish Splash Band on Saturday February 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Our Second Saturday for February now features a NEW artist! Our original artist for February, Louis Van Taylor, has been rescheduled to April and we will now feature the Splish Splash band in February.

Originally formed by Pierce Brochetti and Dolores D’Angelo, joined later by the forces of Steve Kuhn and Leo Valenzuela on the rhythm section, the Splish Splash Band was created. Starting out as an acoustic, classic rock/folk cover band, they slowly evolved into a full on Rock n Roll band. Some of their playlist have been rearranged to fit Splash Splash’s mood and others have been left untouched. Regardless of the arrangements you will tap your feet and clap your hands, singing along as we take you back in time to some of the best Rock n Roll that was ever written: From Van Halen to Elvis to Mariah Carey to Poison,

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Thursday, January 12, 2017

Celebrated Altadena Architects and the Homes They Designed for their Families

Celebrated Altadena Architects and the Homes They Designed for their Families

Building Biographer Tim Gregory presents free program Monday Jan. 23 on famed architects’ Altadena homes

Today, homes designed by Altadena architects Wallace Neff, Kenneth A. Gordon, Harold Bissner, and Theodore Pletsch are much sought after. But where did the architects themselves live?

Building Biographer Tim Gregory will present capsule biographies of these, and other, famous Altadena architects and of the Altadena homes they designed for their families in a free, public program presented by the Altadena Historical Society at 7:30 p.m. Monday Jan. 23.

The program will be in the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, 91001–next to the Sheriff’s Station and across Altadena Drive from RiteAid.

Gregory’s firm, The Building Biographer, has done more than 2,600 property histories for homeowners and real estate firms. He has master’s degrees in library science and public history/preservation, and is a nationally certified archivist and a registered public historian.

He was the founding chairman of Altadena Heritage, for which he was named the 1991 Altadena Citizen of the Year by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.

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Friday, January 6, 2017

Altadena Chamber of Commerce Names 2016 Citizen and Business of the Year

Altadena Chamber of Commerce Names 2016 Citizen and Business of the Year

A neighborhood activist and an organization that promotes and supports local artists were named as Citizen and Business of the Year for 2016 by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association.

Author Elliot M. Gold, co-founder of the Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA), was named Citizen of the Year for his lifetime of work bringing neighbors together. Business of the Year went to Open Studios Alta/Pasa/Dena, which hosts a twice-yearly tour of artist studios in Altadena and north Pasadena.

The winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Annual Awards and Installation Dinner on February 3, 2017, at the Altadena Town & Country Club.

 

Citizen of the Year: Elliot M. Gold: Good Neighbor

Elliot M. Gold has spent 45 years in Altadena building up his neighborhood — and the neighborhood is all of Altadena.

Gold, 72, was named 2016 Citizen of the Year as one of the founders of the Altadena Coalition Of Neighborhood Associations (ACONA),

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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Altadena Library District Presents Poetry with Suzanne Lummis

Altadena Library District Presents Poetry with Suzanne Lummis

Join Altadena Library for an engaging poetry workshop with poet Suzanne Lummis Saturday, February 4th at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Library.

As writer, poet and influential teacher with the UCLA Extension Writers program Suzanne Lummis is among the best-known figures in the Los Angeles literary community. Her poems have appeared in The Hudson Review, Antioch Review, Ploughshares, New Ohio Review, Plume, The American Journal of Poetry and The New Yorker. Her most recent collection, Open 24 Hours, won the Blue Lynx Poetry Prize and was published by Lynx House Press. Suzanne edited Wide Awake: Poets of Los Angeles and Beyond (Pacific Coast Poetry Series/Beyond Baroque Books), one The Los Angeles Times’ Ten Best Books of 2015. She is the director of The Los Angeles Poetry Festival, which produced nine city-wide festivals between 1989 and 2011, and now produces once major event a year.

Join the Altadena Main Library for Poetry with Suzanne Lummis: A workshop suitable for poets at all levels,

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Friday, December 23, 2016

Todd Washington Trio at Altadena Library Second Saturday Concert

Todd Washington Trio at Altadena Library Second Saturday Concert

The Altadena Library’s Second Saturday concert season features The Todd Washington Trio on Saturday January 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Todd Washington Trio will entertain with a mix of blues, folk, rock soul and gospel. The band’s lead singer, TMax, has performed with Chaka Kahn, Katy Perry, Earth Wind & Fire, Taj Mahal, Sarah Brightman, Michelle Shocked and other top artists.

During Second Saturday performances at the Altadena Library you can listen to great music as you sip beer and wine from The Ale House; savor grilled eats from El Patron and Guerrilla Chef Mateo; and sample delectable desserts from Sweeter Than Honey. Altadena Library also hosts a monthly art show which you can view while dancing the night away.

Altadena Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Steet, Altadena.

For more information, call (626) 798-0833 or visit the library online at www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

 

 

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Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Altadena Library Presents Author Presentation: For the Love of Money by Sam Polk

The Altadena Library Presents Author Presentation: For the Love of Money by Sam Polk

Join Altadena Library for an engaging author discussion of Sam Polk’s book, For the Love of Money on Saturday, January 14 at 4:00 p.m..

In 2014, a former hedge fund trader’s New York Times Sunday Review front page article about wealth addiction instantly went viral. This is his unflinching memoir about coming of age on Wall Street, fighting to overcome the ghosts of his past—and the radical new way he now defines success. At just thirty years old, Sam Polk was a senior trader for one of the biggest hedge funds on Wall Street, on the verge of making it to the very top. When he was offered an annual bonus of $3.75 million, he grew angry because it was not enough. In that moment he knew he had lost himself in his obsessive pursuit of money. And he had come to loathe the culture—the shallowness, the sexism, the crude machismo—and Wall Street’s use of wealth as the sole measure of a person’s worth.

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Saturday, December 3, 2016

Celebrate Local Artists with Altadena Open Studios Tour This Weekend

Celebrate Local Artists with Altadena Open Studios Tour This Weekend

By VERONICA AN

Three years ago, the concept for Open Studios Tour was born out of a coffee conversation and love of art. Mary Gothard and her husband had hosted a lively open studio at their Altadena home for 10 years and, in 2013, partnered with Ginko Ching Lee to expand the event to include 16 artists at three locations. This year’s Open Studios Tour includes 53 artists and twenty locations.
“Our goal is to untie the community, where we all work and play, through art,” said Mary Gothard, Board of Directors Chairperson.
Open Studios Tour gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at each artist’s life and creative process rather than just displaying their works in a sterile gallery setting. Explore mixed media works, jewelry, media, sculpture, textiles, spoken word and many more art forms. As Gothard explained, Open Studios considers all medium of art and works to connect artists with others in the community.
“I like the camaraderie and working with diverse people,” said Nina Ehlig,

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Friday, December 2, 2016

Cal State LA Alumnus, Altadena Resident Mark Steven Greenfield Commissioned for Metro Public Art Project

Cal State LA Alumnus, Altadena Resident Mark Steven Greenfield Commissioned for Metro Public Art Project

Cal State LA alumnus and renowned artist Mark Steven Greenfield has been selected to create artwork for LA Metro’s Regional Connector project. Greenfield, a resident of Altadena, is one of seven artists whose works will enrich the project, which will feature three new stations and connect rail lines from Azusa, Long Beach and Santa Monica.

“Public art represents an investment in a community; it’s among the things that gives a community value,” says Greenfield, who was pleased to learn that he’d been selected to create art for the station being constructed at 2nd Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.

A native Angeleno and son of a Tuskegee Airman, Greenfield spent his early childhood on military bases from Taiwan to Germany. After returning to Los Angeles, he attended an art program at the Otis Art Institute and studied under Charles White and John Riddle. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting and drawing from Cal State LA in 1987.

“Cal State LA is proud of Mark Steven Greenfield,

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Altadena Library District: Open Announcement for Board Vacancy

Altadena Library District: Open Announcement for Board Vacancy

With the resignation of Trustee David Tuck, the Altadena Library Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest from anyone who would like to serve on the board for the unexpired 2016/2017 term.

Those applying must be at least 18, a resident of and registered to vote in Altadena. The board will interview potential candidates at a special board meeting at 5 p.m. on January 10, 2017.

The applicant selected must agree to be willing to run in the 2017 election for the 4-year term for this seat which expires in 2021.

Interested parties should submit a letter of interest, resume, and completed supplemental questionnaire (on library’s website) to the Library Director by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2016.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa St.

For more information about the library, please visit the library’s website at www.altadenalibrary.org.

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Monday, November 21, 2016

Altadena Historical Society Offers Black Friday Alternative

Altadena Historical Society Offers Black Friday Alternative

Exhibit of Famous and Fascinating Residents Open Friday, Nov. 25, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving is a time when families come together and enjoy good food and good company.

But the day afterwards poses challenges for those who don’t want to go shopping or sit in a movie theater.

Offering a free alternative, the Altadena Historical Society has announced special Friday, Nov. 25 all-day hours to view its new exhibit, “Fifty Famous and Fascinating Altadenans.”

The exhibit features dozens of actors, authors, scientists and sports figures who have lived in–or are current residents of–Altadena. Some of them may be your neighbors today!

The AHS archives and museum will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, 91001. Parking and entrance are free, while donations are always welcome.

“Altadena’s beauty and independent spirit have always attracted creative and talented people,” said AHS President Jane Brackman,

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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

The Altadena Library Presents Open Studios Art Tour, Reception and Show

The Altadena Library Presents Open Studios Art Tour, Reception and Show

The Altadena Library will be operating as the Hub for the December Open Studio Tour. From November 28 through December 9, surrounding the weekend of the Tour, the library will host a display of works from each of the artists with the reception for the artists on Friday December 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Altadena Library.

The Open Studios Art Tour provides an intimate view into the artist’s life and studio; to be able to see where and how ideas are conceived and developed. Unlike the setting of a typical gallery show, when visiting an artist’s studio, the creative process becomes apparent and provides a personal, individualized experience to each visitor.

On the Open Studios Tour weekend, the library will be open – on Saturday December 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – as a Hub to allow visitors to preview the work on display and to obtain brochures,

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Monday, October 31, 2016

Altadena’s ‘Wildwood Park’ Opens for Art and Fine Craft Show

Altadena’s ‘Wildwood Park’ Opens for Art and Fine Craft Show

For one day only, rain or shine, 38 working artists and students of Pasadena High Schools’ Graphic Communications Academy called CAMAD (Creative Arts, Media and Design) will exhibit work at Art on Palm, Saturday, December 10, 2016; 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in secluded and storied Wildwood Park at 1421 E. Palm Street, in Altadena.

The juried event features original works in ceramics, collage, glass, leather, metals, mixed media, photography, papier-Mache, pastels, pencil, textiles, watercolors, and exotic woods. Exhibitors include returning artists: Annie Aldrich, Catherine and Ovie Cowles, Evan Chambers, Ellen Dinerman, Sandra Encinas, Raquel Escobar, Zazu Faure, Beverly Jones, Barbara B. Lamb, Ron Lawrenz, Susan Loraine Kromka, Randy Meaney, Katherine Nakazono, JoAnn Page, Jolana Pineda, Detre Prete, Lucia Pasquinelli, Rone Prinz, Kathy W. Spear, Kathleen Swaydan, Nancy Unruh, Peter Vasquez, Jr., Anna Vosburg, Louise Wannier, Lys Wilcox, Stephen Woodruff and students of Pasadena High School’s CAMAD: Jonathan Garcia, Leeann Leonard, Joseph Mahroukian, Nalani Rios, Lilian Rodriguez, and Mark Solis.

First-time exhibitors to Art on Palm are: Anya SF,

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Friday, October 21, 2016

Star of “The Jeffersons” and Former Altadenan Sherman Hemsley Part of New Historical Society Exhibit

Star of “The Jeffersons” and Former Altadenan Sherman Hemsley Part of New Historical Society Exhibit

The late actor Sherman Hemsley, who as the preening George Jefferson was a star of the long-running TV sitcom “The Jeffersons,” joins 50 other current and former Altadenans in the new exhibit at the Altadena Historical Society.

“Mr. Hemsley isn’t the only person in our exhibit who causes visitors to exclaim in surprise,” said AHS President Jane Brackman, Ph.D. “Altadena has always attracted interesting and talented people.“

The exhibit will be open at 6:30 p.m. this coming Monday, October. 24, preceding the 7:30 p.m. illustrated program “The Health Seekers,” presented by local historian and author Michele Zack.

Zack also is included in the exhibit of famous and fascinating authors, actors, musicians, scientists and sports figures displayed in the Historical Society’s archives and in the lobby of the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena.

The program and exhibit are free and open to the public, while tax-free donations are gratefully accepted, Brackman said.

Zack will speak on illness as a major factor in nineteenth and twentieth century immigration to Southern California.

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Monday, October 17, 2016

Eaton Canyon Nature Center Celebrates Oak Trees with A Community Event Featuring Local Artist Jennifer Bentson

Eaton Canyon Nature Center Celebrates Oak Trees with A Community Event Featuring Local Artist Jennifer Bentson

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation invites the public to attend a Celebration of Oaks event on Saturday, October 29, during which the public can enjoy a day filled with fun activities, including a watercolor workshop with a local artist.

The event, held in partnership with the Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates, starts at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at Eaton Canyon Nature Center and Natural Area, 1750 N. Altadena Dr. in Pasadena.

One of the highlights will be a watercolor workshop beginning at 8:30 a.m. with local artist Jennifer Bentson, author of Pasadena Oaks. The workshop, which costs $5, will be repeated at 1:30 p.m.

Other planned activities include a book signing and author talk with Bentson at 10 a.m., an oak tree care presentation at 11 a.m., crafts for children and free oak trees provided by the County of Los Angeles Fire Department Forestry Division.

Advance registration is required for the watercolor workshops either in person at the Nature Center,

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Thursday, October 13, 2016

The Health Seekers: Historical Society Program Tells How Sick and Dying Easterners Flocked to California for their Health

The Health Seekers: Historical Society Program Tells How Sick and Dying Easterners Flocked to California for their Health

Historian Michele Zack will speak on illness as a major factor in nineteenth and twentieth century immigration to Southern California at the 7:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 24 program of the Altadena Historical Society.

The illustrated program will be held at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, and is free and open to the public.

Zack, an Altadena resident and author of histories of Altadena and Sierra Madre, says that her research has shown “the importance of the illness legacy has been underestimated as an influence of how we think of Southern California today.”

Health seekers who suffered from tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases moved to California and other Western states in large numbers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking respite from their illnesses in the West’s then-dry, unpolluted air.

Altadena was home to a number of TB sanitariums and small hospitals, as were other communities in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Historical Society’s new exhibit,

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans – Second Saturday Concert at the Altadena Library

Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans – Second Saturday Concert at the Altadena Library

Back due to popular demand, Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans returns for the Altadena Library’s season of Second Saturday concerts on Saturday, November 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Kenny Sara will surely entertain you with his New Orleans style Jazz with that marching-brass-band sound along with other styles and favorites.

“Kenny is the real New Orleans deal. Kenny has got a sound that will sweep you up and carry out right into the bayou,” says Grace Le of OC Weekly. “Kenny and his band were a fixture in Downtown Disney’s Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen for more than a decade.” Kenny has played with greats such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Woody Allen, Della Reese, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, “Papa” John Creach, Bernie Maupin, and Henry Butler.

Kenny’s shows and tours include The Playboy Jazz Festival, the US Air Jambalaya Festival, The Portland Blues Festival, The Chicago Blues Festival, The JVC Jazz Festival, The Los Angeles Jazz Festival and The “Papa” John Creach Northwestern Tour.

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Young Dempsey at the Altadena Library Second Saturday Concert Featuring Doo Wop to Country

Young Dempsey at the Altadena Library Second Saturday Concert Featuring Doo Wop to Country

The Altadena Library’s Second Saturday concert season features Young Dempsey on Saturday December 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Sprinkle in music from the 50s to 80s with dancing and you get that explosive concoction known as Young Dempsey. Based in Los Angeles, Young Dempsey is a band of “dudes” – Drewin Young, Josh Jones, Mac Lake and Marc Doten – that bring back that hot-rodded nostalgic doo wop and country sound. These genres of music reach all ages and walks-of-life. The audience is guaranteed a fiery sound where everyone can’t help but dance the night away.

During Second Saturday performances at the Altadena Library you can listen to great music as you sip beer and wine from The Ale House; savor grilled eats from El Patron; and sample delectable desserts from Sweeter Than Honey. Altadena Library also hosts a monthly art show which you can view while dancing the night away.

For more information, call (626) 798-1833 or visit the library online at www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

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Saturday, October 8, 2016

Fifty Famous and Fascinating Altadenans

Fifty Famous and Fascinating Altadenans

Courtesy ROBERT HALLWACHS

Fifty famous and fascinating Altadenans–movie stars, artists, authors, scientists, athletes and more–are highlighted in a new exhibit at the Altadena Historical Society.

“We’ve had great fun researching and producing this exhibit,” said Jane Brackman, Society president. “The trouble has been choosing those to include, as we have far more than our gallery can accommodate.”

The show is in both the Historical Society’s gallery and in the lobby of the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, just west of the Sheriff’s Station.

It is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and by appointment for groups and others, (626) 797-8016. It is free of charge, but donations toward the Society’s work are welcomed.

“Many of the people featured are our current neighbors and gave their kind permission for us to include them, while others have passed on,” Brackman said. “In fact, we didn’t include several Altadena residents who are major stars in their fields,

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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Altadena Library Presents Poetry: The People’s Art

Altadena Library Presents Poetry: The People’s Art

Poetry Reading, Open Mic and Q&A featuring multi-award winning poets Victoria Chang and Blas Falconer. Saturday, October 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Altadena Library. Open mic at 1:00 p.m., followed by readings and a Q&A with guest poets.

Spoken poetry is a little like jazz improvisation as poets improvise new color and meaning into the text that the reader won’t find on the written page. – Saeed Jones

This promises to be an electrical combination of two well-loved master poets. One critic describes Victoria Chang’s work as “rueful wit and sense of irony undercut any sense of self-righteousness.” Latino poet, editor, and memoirist, Blas Falconer’s work is described as “stunning, lyrical, fierce, and elegant.” As Falconer puts it, “poetry offers the potential to say what cannot be said in life.”

Victoria Chang‘s fourth book of poems, Barbie Chang, is forthcoming from Copper Canyon Press in 2018. Her most recent book, The Boss, was published by McSweeney’s and won the PEN Center USA Literary Award and a California Book Award.

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Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Altadena Library Author Presentation: Ravished Paradise by Mardig Madenjian

Altadena Library Author Presentation: Ravished Paradise by Mardig Madenjian

Join Altadena Library for an engaging author discussion of Mardig Madenjian’s book, Ravished Paradise, about the Armenian Genocide on November 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Altadena Library’s community room. Ravished Paradise won the Hollywood Book Festival’s 2016 History Book Award and received much praise in the literary world. Kirkus Reviews reports: “In this ambitious work of narrative history, a son of survivors of a genocide revisits the past that they could not.”

Madenjian (The Heroic Battles on White Mountain, 2015) grew up in the United States and worked as an editor at an Armenian-English newspaper. He writes that he was never able to get his parents to candidly discuss the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Following their deaths, he began writing about his heritage. This book, Ravished Paradise, is the first in a planned trilogy.

The story begins in the fourteenth century, when the last Latin king of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia surrenders to Muslim Mameluk forces. In the unrest that follows,

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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Altadena Library Celebrates Frida Kahlo

Altadena Library Celebrates Frida Kahlo

Join Altadena Library on Saturday October 15 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 pm as it celebrates the life of Frida Kahlo – one of the most important 20th century artist of the Americas – with an exhibition and movie inspired by her life and work.

The presenter is the wonderful Miriam Quezada. Behind Frida Kahlo portraits lie the many faces of this extraordinary artist, who painted her pain, her solitude, the returning to her Mexican origin, her political activism reflecting her commitment to social justice and her surrealism reflected in her paintings incorporated all of her natural surroundings.

For more information, visit the Altadena Library in person or visit the library online at www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

 

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Monday, September 12, 2016

Get Outside the Lines with the Altadena Library District

Get Outside the Lines with the Altadena Library District

When was the last time you walked into your local library? In recent years, libraries have changed into dynamic centers for engagement to accommodate the growing needs of their local communities. The Altadena Library invites the community to experience the library in a whole new way. Altadena Library District has a whole slew of special activities slated for this week. Opportunities to be creative and experience your library in a new light.

“We are excited to be a part of Outside the Lines, a global initiative designed to reintroduce libraries to their local communities,” noted Mindy Kittay, Director. “From September 11-17, 2016, organizations just like ours will host events and campaign worldwide. This special week is designed to get people thinking – and talking – about libraries in a whole new way. “We hope to see you at the Altadena Library soon!”

Special Event Details

All week long the Library has special Inspiration Stations where you can create, inspire and engage with your neighbors.

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Thursday, September 8, 2016

Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band to Perform at Farnsworth Park

Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band to Perform at Farnsworth Park

The Rising Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band is performing a free concert at Farnsworth Park Saturday September 10 at 7:00 p.m. Farnsworth Park is located at the top of Lake Avenue at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave. As the lights go down, and seven silhouettes take the stage to calls of “Bruuuuce”; when the stage ignites in light and sound and you are swept up in one of the undeniable hit songs from one of rock’s greatest artist; you will witness the embodiment of Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, and the “spiritual healing”, that can only be supplied by a great rock n roll band, and that band is The Rising.

The Rising is a brotherhood of friends, some with ties that date back nearly two decades. Much like Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, they take the stage more like a gang, than a band. They collectively roll up their sleeves and go to work, night, after night. They were all cut from the worn denim of blue collar towns,

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Thursday, September 1, 2016

The Altadena Library Card – Your Access to Inspiration, Information, Education and Entertainment

The Altadena Library Card – Your Access to Inspiration, Information, Education and Entertainment

Today’s libraries are about more than books. They are creative educational spaces for learners from birth to high school and beyond. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Altadena Library joins with the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most import school supply of all – a free library card.

Librarians provide important resources to families whose children are at the earliest stages of development, by teaching parents and caregivers the components of early literacy which help children develop the basic tools for school readiness. As of 2010, libraries in the United States offered more than 2.3 million children’s programs, which account for nearly two thirds of all library programming.

Older students can access high-speed Internet, digital tools and the opportunity to work with trained professionals on how to use them. Libraries also provide equity of access to digital tools and media, which has become increasingly important in high-poverty areas where students are less likely to have a computer or internet access in the home.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Cal State Los Angeles Chemistry Professor, Local Resident Recognized as Minority Access National Role Model

Cal State Los Angeles Chemistry Professor, Local Resident Recognized as Minority Access National Role Model

Cal State LA Chemistry Professor Krishna Foster is set to be honored as a Minority Access National Role Model in recognition of her exemplary achievements in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Foster will be acknowledged during the Minority Access Inc.’s 17th Annual National Role Models Conference, which is scheduled to be held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

“I am truly humbled and honored by this award, which acknowledges the effort I have invested in realizing inclusive excellence in STEM for Cal State LA students,” said Foster, who resides in Altadena.

The National Role Model Awards identify leaders in various disciplines who can inspire others to succeed and increase the pool of scholars and professionals who will find cures for illnesses, solve technological problems, or address social disparities in society.

Foster’s work to ensure student excellence in chemistry serves as an example for other professors. She has a distinguished record as a scholar with numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national conferences.

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Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Nowhere Men, a Beatles Tribute Band is Performing at Farnsworth Park

The Nowhere Men, a Beatles Tribute Band is Performing at Farnsworth Park

A Beatles tribute band, The Nowhere Men is performing a free concert at Farnsworth Park Saturday August 20 at 7:00 p.m. Farnsworth Park located at the top of Lake Avenue at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.

The Nowhere Men was formed in 2014 by guitarists Bill Wallius and Mike Manning. Their goal, as big fans of The Beatles, was to deliver an authentic experience with all the trademark Beatle sounds. Great harmonies, defining guitar riffs, and a sense of excitement that denotes the British Invasion of the mid 1960’s. Mike’s brother Sean, who with Mike has performed their Irish music act for 10 years at Farnsworth Park, joined the band in late 2015. Mike, Bill, and Sean are all local Altadena residents, and have played at the Rancho Bar, Altadena Ale House, and St. Elizabeth Church. Most of the music performed by the Nowhere Men was performed live by the Beatles in many of their concerts throughout the mid 1960’s.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

BIP 3 Times: A Series of One Acts by Kres Mersky at Altadena Library

BIP 3 Times: A Series of One Acts by Kres Mersky at Altadena Library

BIP 3 Times: A series of One Acts by Kres Mersky will be performed at the Altadena Main Library on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. BIP 3 Times is a staged presentation of Kres’ collection of one-acts and monologues. These pieces are wonderfully absurdist views of life fused with idiosyncratic detail and much pathos. As the Hollywood Reporter has said, “This is a series of sketches that are marvels of rich inventive detail and expression. An evening that is remarkably rejuvenating to the jaded theater-goers spirit.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that “with acutely observed detail of character and warm insights, Mersky delicately illuminates the psychics of 14 ladies. 14 of the most delightful people you’d care to meet at a single setting.”

Kres Mersky hails from Los Angeles and has performed widely in film, theater and television appearing in such shows as Charlie’s Angels, Taxi and Murder She Wrote. Kres has been nominated by the Mark Taper Forum for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in playwriting.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Register Now for the Third Annual Battle of the Bands

Register Now for the Third Annual Battle of the Bands


Are you ready to Battle? Battle of the Bands that is… register now! Friends, neighbors, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) join together to pump up the volume for music education programs in the public schools at Rock 4 PEF benefit concert. Top Bands to perform at Rock 4 PEF Music Festival to be held on November 5 at the Levitt Pavilion, Pasadena.

Calling all Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre Teen Musicians! Showcase your music in the online voting competition, plus get heard by PEF’s expert panel of judges.

Register your band now *
• Upload your song (after 9/21)
• Voting online begins (after 10/7)
• Finalists announced (after 10/24)

Great music, food trucks, special guests, family fun and much more!

* Note: Musicians must be 19 years or younger on November 15, 2016. One band member must live in or go to school in Pasadena,

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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Heartbeat City, a Tribute Band to The Cars to Hold a Free Concert at Farnsworth Park

Heartbeat City, a Tribute Band to The Cars to Hold a Free Concert at Farnsworth Park

A free concert will be held this Saturday July 30th, Farnsworth Park amphitheater located at 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., Altadena at 7:00 p.m. Heartbeat City will be performing a tribute to The Cars.

The Cars arrived on the music scene in the late 70’s (around ’78/’79) and quickly changed the style of the hit music of that period. They led the way into the new sound of the 80’s music era. They continued to be a prominent force into the late 80’s and were a fixture on the radio as well as MTV. Along the way they sold millions of albums and had 30 hit singles to their credit. There weren’t many bands more successful at the time. Their music was fresh, upbeat, and fun… and it was Rock & Roll! You’d have a hard time finding anyone who doesn’t like the Cars!… Their music still gets regular radio airplay and their You Tube videos continue to get millions of hits. There is still a huge audience for the music of the Cars.

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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The Downbeat Express is Playing at Farnsworth Park

The Downbeat Express is Playing at Farnsworth Park

The Downbeat Express will be performing at Farnsworth Park in the amphitheater located 568 E mount Curve ave. at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday July 23rd. Free admission to this concert.

This Saturday marks the 15th Farnsworth Park Concert to feature The Downbeat Express directed by Pat Emmett and featuring vocalist Jennifer Gates.
The band pays tribute to the marvelous female vocalists that added so much to the success of big bands of the ’30s and ’40s.

On Saturday we pay homage to Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Marion Hutton, Billie Holiday, Jo Stafford, Edith Wright, Sarah Vaughn, and others. Songs include Avalon, Chattanooga Choo Choo, I’m Beginning To See The Light, At Last, Goody Goody, Everyday I Have The Blues and more, all performed by Altadena’s own MCA recording Artist, Jennifer Gates.

To contact The Down Beat Express and Jennifer Gates, contact Pat at (928) 846-0066 or email parrick.emmett168@gmail.com.

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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Free Concert in the Park at Farnsworth Park with The Hollywood Hillbillies

Free Concert in the Park at Farnsworth Park with The Hollywood Hillbillies

The Hollywood Hillbillies will be performing at Farnsworth Park in the amphitheater located 568 E mount Curve ave. at 7:00 p.m. this Saturday July 16th. Free admission to this concert.

Chris Johnson and the Hollywood Hillbillies are a Southern California based country band that specializes in music from such legendary country icons as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard Etc. Performing over 100 dates a year since 2005 at various nightclubs, casino’s, rodeo’s and special events, the band is also a regular in Laughlin, NV at the Aquarius and Colorado Belle Casinos.

Chris Johnson – Lead Vocals and Guitar
Originally from Lakeside CA, Chris started singing and performing at age 12 and at 18, was performing around the San Diego area with “The Border Tones” a local country rock band.

In 1995, Chris started a Musician Production company in Los Angeles that consists of backline rental, studio cartage, touring production, storage, rehearsal rooms and recording studios.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Flipster – A New Way to Access Digital Magazines at Altadena Library

Flipster – A New Way to Access Digital Magazines at Altadena Library

Patrons of Altadena Library District in Altadena can now access their favorite digital magazines using Flipster® from EBSCO Information Services. Flipster is a next-generation magazine service that allows people to browse digital versions of the latest issues of popular magazines, courtesy of the library.

Altadena Library District has both Flipster and hardcopy versions of magazines such as People, Rolling Stone and O, The Oprah Magazine and more so patrons have the option of accessing the content at the library or remotely. Magazines can be downloaded to Android™ phones and tablets, Apple® phones and tables, and Kindle Fire tablets for offline reading anytime, anywhere.

Flipster offers an easy, browse-able reading experience. Users can browse magazines by category as well as perform searches for specific periodicals. An online newsstand provides a carousel of the most recent issues, as well as a carousel of all issues allowing for quick access to magazines. The table of contents contains links for quick access to articles of interest and hotlinks within magazines are hyperlinked,

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Special Viewing of the Movie “Creed” at the Altadena Library

Special Viewing of the Movie “Creed” at the Altadena Library

Join Altadena Library Community Room as it continues its “Read for the Win” Summer Reading Program with a screening of “Creed,” in high definition on Saturday, July 2 at 3:00 p.m. Free event.

Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) is the son of the famous boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died in a boxing match in Rocky IV (1985). Adonis wasn’t born until after his father’s death and wants to follow his father’s footsteps in boxing. He seeks a mentor who is the former heavyweight boxing champion and former friend of Apollo Creed, the retired Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Rocky eventually agrees to mentor Adonis. With Rocky’s help they hope to get a title job to face even deadlier opponents than his father. But whether he is a true fighter remains to be seen.

For more information, please call (626) 798-0833 or visit www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Europe for People Who Think They Can’t Afford It at the Altadena Library

Europe for People Who Think They Can’t Afford It at the Altadena Library

Experiencing Europe isn’t just for the well-heeled. Find out how to get there – and get around – for less. Learn how to find unique but inexpensive places to stay, dine well for less money, and connect with locals for a truly memorable trip. Also included are tips for packing light, plus the secret of a free week at a 4-star hotel in Spain! Saturday, July 16 at 4:30 p.m. with Tour Guide Sheila Stone.

Tour guide, Sheila Stone was 50 the first time she went overseas. Since then, she has slept in a Swiss barn, got dirty at an archaeological dig at an English castle, interviewed women in Japan, and performed stand-up comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She owns and operates Britain Your Way Tours which specializes in ‘people-oriented tours for people who don’t like tour groups.’

For more information, please call (626) 798-0833 or visit www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

The Big Lebowski, Showing at the Altadena Library

The Big Lebowski, Showing at the Altadena Library

Get ready to dress up as your favorite character and shout your favorite Big Lebowski lines! Bring your own [BYO] White Russians (we’ll supply the cream) and watch The Dude (Jeff Bridges) abide a series of misadventures with his league bowling team after being entangled in a missing persons case. Saturday, July 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the Altadena Library – free.

Shown in high definition on the library’s new projector, this cult hit by the Cohen Brothers will be the most far out movie screening the Altadena Library has ever hosted. But, you know…that’s just, like, our opinion, man…

For more information, please call (626) 798-0833 or visit www.AltadenaLibrary.org.

 

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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

The History of the Rebozo at the Altadena Library

The History of the Rebozo at the Altadena Library

The History of the Rebozo – a presentation by Artist Miriam Quezada at the Altadena Library, The History of the Rebozo at the Altadena Library, on July 30 at 3:00 p.m. Spanish for “shawl,” the rebozo is a versatile garment, originating in Mexico, with a very diverse and fascinating history. During the presentation, the audience will learn a brief history of Mexico – from prehispánic groups to Mexican Revolution. Participants will learn some songs and the different art representations related to this emblematic garment.

Some participants will model rebozos from Miriam’s private collection and see other Rebozos from many parts of the country. Miriam will also show the participants many ways to use it. The Rebozos are available for purchase.

Ms. Quezada grew up in Mexico City and has lived in Los Angeles for 25 years. She was a teacher, owned her own gallery. Miriam’s art has been featured innumerous notable publications and exhibited in many fine art galleries. Her interest in rebozos began when she received one as a gift from her grandmother when she was 19 years old.

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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Summer Reading Program at Altadena Library for the Whole Family

Summer Reading Program at Altadena Library for the Whole Family

Read–For the Win this summer with the Altadena Library starting June 14 and continuing for the next six weeks. The library will host a range of interesting free activities for Children, Teens, and Adults that encourage and support a love of reading. Participants also can win prizes for reaching their reading goals.

“We’ve a wonderful program planned for you – join us to discover all that our Library has to offer,” said Cassandra Stearns, Senior Librarian. “Our Summer Reading programs are for Teens and Adults, too!” Readers check-in, weekly, with their reading log for fun prizes such as free books and other items.

In addition to reading and giveaways, we are hosting weekly themed events, based on age, such as movies, games and presentations. For children, we will kick-off Summer Reading with a Wildlife Learning Center presentation with animals. For Teens, there will be an Anime-Drawing workshop, a Game Day and a Hike Meetup – to name a few. Two of the Adult presentations will be an Indie Authors Panel and NASA’s Juno Mission to Jupiter presented by JPL’s Theo Clarke.

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Friday, May 27, 2016

Altadena Library Presents Los Angeles Area Indy Authors Panel

Altadena Library Presents Los Angeles Area Indy Authors Panel

Altadena Library District will present an “Indie Authors Panel” consisting of five local writers on Tuesday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Main library. Guest panelists will be discussing their work, their writing process, and their independent publishing journey. There will also be time set aside for questions from the audience and for panelists to sign copies of their work. The panelists for the presentation will include:

Dario Ciriello is a professional author and freelance editor. His nonfiction book, Aegean Dream, was a UK travel bestseller in 2012. His first novel, Sutherland’s Rules, was published in 2013, and was followed by Free Verse and Other Stories, a collection of short Science Fiction, and a suspense thriller novel titled Black Easter. Dario lives with his wife in the Los Angeles Area.

S.W. Lauden’s debut crime novel, Bad Citizen Corporation, was published by Rare Bird Books in 2015. The second Greg Salem novel, Grizzly Season, will be published in September 2016.

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Monday, May 23, 2016

Unbound Productions Brings History Lit: A Festival of Timeless Stories to the Pasadena Museum of History

Unbound Productions Brings History Lit: A Festival of Timeless Stories to the Pasadena Museum of History

Wicked Lit creators stage works adapted from iconic 19th & 20th century authors as an immersive, fully-produced theatre event throughout the grounds of the Fenyes Mansion & Museum Exhibition Halls

Unbound Productions Executive Director Jonathan Josephson, Artistic Director Paul Millet, and Producing Artistic Director Jeff G. Rack have announced their newest immersive theatre event – HISTORY LIT: A Festival Of Timeless Stories (July 9-31, 2016) at the Pasadena Museum of History. Unlike it’s award-winning cousin Wicked Lit, HISTORY LIT will present stage adaptations of timeless literature that reflect history in creative ways (and not Gothic tales of classical horror).

HISTORY LIT 2016 will feature two of the three plays that were presented as a part of the first-ever HISTORY LIT production at PMH in 2012 – Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Two Pictures In One and Katherine Mansfield’s The Garden Party – and will also feature a third piece that is yet to be announced. The plays will be fully produced inside the Curtin House (a guest house on the grounds of the mansion),

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Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Friends of the Sierra Madre Library’s 54th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair

Friends of the Sierra Madre Library’s 54th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair

The 54th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair, sponsored by the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library, will be held in Memorial Park, 222 West Sierra Madre Blvd., on Saturday, May 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Fair this year is in honor and remembrance of Nancy Doyle, who was a long-time member of the Exhibits Committee and also a much accomplished and very talented artist who participated in the Art Fair for over 20 years!

Seventy-five artists, including 18 newly juried, will display and sell their works of art. Mediums include oil paintings, jewelry, watercolors, glass, wood, metal, wearable art, photography, pottery, ceramics, mixed media and weaving. The Art Fair will be the perfect place to treat mom to a wonderful Mother’s Day gift or to buy upcoming graduation and wedding gifts, as well as to purchase pieces for your own enjoyment.

The Featured Artist this year is Sarah Moore.

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Thursday, April 21, 2016

Altadena’s ‘Wildwood Park’ Opens for Art and Fine Craft Show

Altadena’s ‘Wildwood Park’ Opens for Art and Fine Craft Show

For one day only, artists, makers and students of Pasadena High Schools’ Graphic Communications Academy called CAMAD (Creative Arts, Media And Design) will exhibit work at Art on Palm, Saturday, June 18, 2016; 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in secluded and storied Wildwood Park at 1421 E. Palm Street, in Altadena.

The juried show and sale features original works in basketry, ceramics, collage, glass, leather, metals, mixed media, mono-printing, photography, pastels, pencil, textiles, watercolors, and woodworking. Exhibitors include: Annie Aldrich, Tyn Atol and Kari Atol, Charlotte Barnard, Vie Blakey, Tracey Chamberlain and Soozee Van Dyke Woods, Catherine and Ovie Cowles, Ellen Dinerman, Rick Drobner, Jill Dufau, Sandra Encinas, Raquel Escobar, Zazu Faure, Hannie Goldgewicht and Leo Gotlibowski, Carolyn James, Beverly Jones, Barbara Lamb, Debbie Lawrence, Ron Lawrenz, Susan Loraine, Randy Meaney, Piri Mee, Katherine Nakazono, David Ortega, JoAnn Page, Lucia Pasquinelli, Laurie Jo Phillips, Jolana Pineda, Catherine Reece, Anne Sears, Sarah Shin, Kathy W. Spear, Jackie Steimke, Kathleen Swaydan, Naomi Tratar, Nancy Unruh,

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Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents “Juno and the New Renaissance” with Theo Clarke

Altadena Public Library Presents “Juno and the New Renaissance” with Theo Clarke

On Saturday, June 18th at 4:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main Library, join Altadena Library for an exciting and enlightening presentation by Theo Clarke on the NASA Juno Mission to Jupiter.

Juno is a NASA mission now approaching the planet Jupiter. The Juno spacecraft was launched August 5, 2011. It looped around the sun and returned to Earth on October 9, 2013 for a gravity assist that slung it on its journey to the planet Jupiter. Juno will arrive at Jupiter on July 4, 2016 to begin a one year investigation of that giant planet.

The high level science objectives of the Juno mission at Jupiter are to determine the concentration of water in Jupiter’s atmosphere, the existence and size of a solid core, and the nature of Jupiter’s huge magnetic field. With this information Juno scientists hope to catch a glimpse of the dawn of creation of our own solar system.

“Juno is much more than a space laboratory to study the planet Jupiter.

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Monday, April 18, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents A Day of Play with Story Chicks

Altadena Public Library Presents A Day of Play with Story Chicks

On Saturday, June 4th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will present The Altadena Open Studios Tour with a day of activities from Story Chicks.

As part of the Altadena Open Studios Tour make sure you stop by The Altadena Library to be part of ‘A Story Chicks Day Of Play’ creating art and props, writing your own stories, and acting and dancing onstage! As teachers and stage directors for many years these gals will expertly inspire and guide you, the audience, in bringing your own stories to life onstage! CE Jordan and Terri MartinLujan, one tall and one small story chick, will then perform a collection of their classic country childhood adventures as a finale to the day at 4pm, ‘Fun & Games: Story Chicks Kick Off The Summer!’ Come be part of the amazing action!

Meet the Story Chicks! Two writers, two dancers, two creative choreographers and directors,

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Monday, April 18, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents Award Winning Children’s Theatre Group – CHROMA

Altadena Public Library Presents Award Winning Children’s Theatre Group – CHROMA

On Tuesday, June 7th at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will present a performance from award winning children’s theatre group, CHROMA.

CHROMA creates Musical Adventures for Kids of all Ages. Winners of the 2014 Encore! Producers’ Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, they have an ongoing series at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. In their latest show CRITTERS, Olive’s search for the elusive rainbow butterfly has unexpected consequences. It features musical excerpts from Johann Strauss, Phillip Glass, Henry Mancini, Pink Floyd, Igor Stravinsky, and Erik Satie performed by an ensemble of cello, viola, violin and soprano.

Director Mindy Kittay said, “We are very excited to have this opportunity to bring CHROMA and their creative and innovative performance to our community here in Altadena.”

The Altadena Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street, Altadena. For more information please call (626) 798-0833. For a schedule of events, visit the library on the web at www.altadenalibrary.org.

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Monday, April 18, 2016

Friends of the Altadena Library Present Michelle Feynman, Author of ‘The Quotable Feynman’

Friends of the Altadena Library Present Michelle Feynman, Author of ‘The Quotable Feynman’

Join the Friends of the Altadena Library as they welcome Michelle Feynman as guest speaker for their annual meeting on Monday, June 6, 7:30 p.m. Community Room of the Main Library.

Some people say, ‘How can you live without knowing?’ I do not know what they mean. I always live without knowing. That is easy. How you get to know is what I want to know.”—Richard P. Feynman

Nobel Prize–winning physicist Richard P. Feynman (1918–88) was that rarest of creatures—a towering scientific genius who could make himself understood by anyone and who became as famous for the wit and wisdom of his popular lectures and writings as for his fundamental contributions to science. The Quotable Feynman is a treasure-trove of this revered and beloved scientist’s most profound, provocative, humorous, and memorable quotations on a wide range of subjects.

Carefully selected by Richard Feynman’s daughter, Michelle Feynman, from his spoken and written legacy, including interviews, lectures, letters, articles, and books, the quotations are arranged under two dozen topics—from art,

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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Altadena Resident and Cal State LA Professor Cheryl Koos Named American Council on Education Fellow

Altadena Resident and Cal State LA Professor Cheryl Koos Named American Council on Education Fellow

Altadena resident is the first ACE Fellow to represent Cal State LA

The American Council on Education (ACE) announced today that Cheryl Koos, interim chair of political science and professor of history at Cal State LA, has been named an ACE Fellow for academic year 2016-17.

Koos was selected for the award based on her academic credentials and potential for administrative leadership, the recommendations of professional colleagues, the judgment of interviewing teams of senior administrators, and overall qualifications as measured against the standards of the ACE Fellows Program.

“It is truly an honor to be the first ACE Fellow to represent Cal State LA,” said Koos, who is a resident of Altadena. “This is an exceptional opportunity to both expand my knowledge about higher education and bring back those experiences to benefit Cal State LA. I am grateful to President Bill Covino and Provost Lynn Mahoney for their support,” she said.

Established in 1965, the ACE Fellows Program is designed to strengthen institutions and leadership in American higher education by identifying and preparing faculty and staff for senior positions in college and university administration.

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Saturday, April 9, 2016

Elline Lipkin Named Altadena Library Poet Laureate

Elline Lipkin Named Altadena Library Poet Laureate

 

The Altadena Library is pleased to announce the new Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library District, 2016-2018: Dr. Elline Lipkin. Her official inauguration will be on Saturday, April 30 at 1:00 p.m. at the 14th annual “Poetry and Cookies Reading Event” to be held at the Altadena Senior Center.

This free literary event also marks the launch of the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2016 (formerly the Poetry & Cookies Anthology). The 2016 Anthology showcases 134 poems by 86 distinguished poets from Altadena, Pasadena, and the greater LA area. Poets published in the book, including Dr. Lipkin, will read their poems at this special event. The Anthology, and many books by the published poets, will be on display and will be for sale.

When told she was the Laureate Committee’s choice to be the library’s next poet laureate, Dr. Lipkin replied, “I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity. Still, Thelma Reyna [the current Poet Laureate] is a hard act to follow. She accomplished so much during her tenure.

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Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Naomi Hirahara Speaks on Japanese-American Experience at Altadena Historical Society

Naomi Hirahara Speaks on Japanese-American Experience at Altadena Historical Society

The star of author Naomi Hirahara’s series of award-winning mystery books, Mas Arai, is a Japanese gardener living in post-World War II Altadena.

Now, Ms. Hirahara will speak on her childhood years in Altadena and the experiences of Japanese-Americans in 20th century Los Angeles, at 7:30 p.m. Monday April 25 at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

The free, illustrated program, open to the public, is sponsored by the Altadena Historical Society.

“Altadena had a small community of Japanese immigrants and their families, with a church and at least one business, in the pre- and post-war years,” said Jane Brackman, Ph.D., president of the Historical Society.

“Ms. Hirahara has woven her experiences and memories of those years into her books, and we are honored and delighted that she will share them with everyone on April 25,” Brackman said.

Hirahara is the author of five books in the Mas Arai series, with the sixth–”Sayonara Slam”–due out in May.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Its Latino American Grant Award Programming with a Grand Finale Celebration: Celebrating Roots, A Latino Cultural Arts Festival

Altadena Public Library Continues Its Latino American Grant Award Programming with a Grand Finale Celebration: Celebrating Roots, A Latino Cultural Arts Festival

On Saturday, May 14th from Noon to 8:00 p.m. the Altadena Library District will conclude its Latino American Grant award programming with a day-long festival. This Grand Finale Celebration is themed:  “Celebrating Roots”.

Altadena Library will host a Latino Cultural Arts Festival featuring:

Booths: 30+ Latino artists’ booths plus additional booths for non-profits that support the Latino Community.

MC for the day: Mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman, Associate Artist of the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, she performs as a principal artist with many of the world’s finest companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Kennedy Center Opera, Washington Opera, Seattle Opera, the Grand Théâtre in Geneva, and at the Edinburgh Festival. 2012 Hispanic Scholarship Foundation’s “Mentor of the Year Award”, 2012 Spirit of California Award from the California State Latino Legislative Caucus, 2013 Mexican American Foundation’s Woman of the Year.

Music: José-Luis Orozco (Grammy Nominated) & musicians from the band Quetzal (Grammy Winning) will present a children/family music program. Two 45-minute sets.

Storyteller: Born and raised in East Los Angeles,

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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Art on Palm Announces Spring Show

Art on Palm Announces Spring Show

For one day only, artists and makers will exhibit work at Art on Palm, Saturday, June 18, 2016; 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Altadena’s secluded and storied Wildwood Park, at 1421 E. Palm Street, Altadena.

The juried show and sale features work in ceramics, collage, glass, leather, metals, mixed media, photography, print making, textiles, watercolors, and woodworking. The participating artists will be announced on April 4, 2016. In addition to distinct work, the event is dog and child-friendly and showcases the folk-rock band, BULLFISH.

Art on Palm takes place under towering oaks and along the drives and paths of two homes, one renovated by and the other designed by Henry Greene in a local canyon known as Wildwood Park. Once part of a hunting lodge, Wildwood holds a stone amphitheater, outbuildings, and an old growth forest with one that is at least 650 years young – one of the oldest in the San Gabriel Valley.

Art on Palm artists contribute a portion of their sales to the Creative Arts Group of Sierra Madre,

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with Verdugo Swing Society in the Main Library

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with Verdugo Swing Society in the Main Library

Saturday, April 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the Reading Court of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will continue its Second Saturday Series with the Verdugo Swing Society.

The Verdugo Swing Society has been bringing back Big Band memories since 1986. Originally formed by members of the Glendale College Jazz band we now have local musicians from Aerospace to Academia.

In 1988 VSS was named the official band of the City of Glendale and has played a concert and dance series for the city every summer since.

June of 1992 saw the band play as ambassadors at the Seville Expo in Seville Spain.

The Verdugo Swing Society plays for City, Church, School, Charitable and Veterans organizations and has played over 500 such benefit shows.

Decadent desserts will be available from Sweeter than Honey, The Altadena Ale & Wine House will be pouring from its excellent selection of craft ale & fine wines, and El Patron will be serving up dishes hot off the grill.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Altadena Heritage: Historic Preservation 101

Altadena Heritage: Historic Preservation 101

Can You Benefit From L.A. County’s New Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Mills Act Program?

Altadena Heritage’s March “Third Thursday” presentation features a panel of experts who will inform us about the recently adopted Los Angeles County Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Mills Act, which grants property tax reductions to certain qualified historic properties. (One example is Altadena’s Woodbury house, pictured above, built in 1883.)

Join Altadena Heritage on Thursday, March 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Altadena Community Center (730 East Altadena Drive) to hear insights from:

Tim Gregory, an architectural historian (“The Building Biographer”) and a founding Altadena Heritage board member who was involved in initiating the community-wide historic architectural survey that became the foundation for AH’s architectural database, and;

Phillip Estes, a principal planner with the L.A. County Department of Regional Planning who leads community planning efforts in unincorporated areas, including the successful implementation of the County’s first-ever Historic Preservation Ordinance and Mills Act;

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents ‘Steeped in Culture’ with Speaker Linda Louie

Altadena Public Library Presents ‘Steeped in Culture’ with Speaker Linda Louie

Saturday, March 12th at 2 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will present ‘Tea @ Two’, a ‘Steeped in Culture’ presentation by Linda Louie.

The Altadena Library’s ‘Tea @ Two’ program is a free community program open to the public.

Join Linda Louie, owner of Bana Tea Company for soul warming samples of pu-erh and black teas as well as tales of her travels purchasing for her passion. Learn what constitutes the perfect cup. From its origins in the forests of Yunnan to its role in scientific studies on longevity, tea has served many functions for thousands of years. Find out how tea and tea culture evolved through the passing of dynasties and how the same tea plant can produce thousands of variations of tea. Explore and expand your sensory experience tasting a black, oolong and pu-erh tea.

Linda Louie was born and raised in Hong Kong. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work and worked for the Los Angeles Superior Court for many years before pursuing her life-long passion for tea.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

CANCELLED: Altadena Public Library Presents Screening of Pacific Film Foundation’s “With One Tied Hand” and Book Discussion with Ivan J. Houston

CANCELLED: Altadena Public Library Presents Screening of Pacific Film Foundation’s “With One Tied Hand” and Book Discussion with Ivan J. Houston

“At this time, we are unable to show the documentary film, “With One Tied Hand” at the February 27th Event, and are therefore cancelling the event.  Through no fault of ours, the owners of the film have chosen to delay public screening of the film while they handle a variety of issues in their organization. We are sorry for this late notice and hope to reschedule the screening at a later time. – Altadena Public Library”

Saturday, February 27th at 4:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main Library.

“With One Tied Hand” tells the true story of the Buffalo Soldiers of World War II, through the eyes of the grateful Italian people they liberated.

“The Pacific Film Foundation (PFF) is following Ivan J. Houston, Buffalo Soldier and Author, Black Warriors. PFF is producing a feature length documentary film about the deep love and eternal gratitude of the Italian people (Tuscany) for being liberated from the German and Italian fascists in WWII,

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Monday, February 22, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents “The Secret of Marie” with Author Rebecca Bricker

Altadena Public Library Presents “The Secret of Marie” with Author Rebecca Bricker

Author Rebecca Bricker, a former Altadena resident, will present her historical novel The Secret of Marie, on Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main Library.

An art-history mystery set in Monet’s Giverny, The Secret of Marie weaves a modern-day love story with the romantic tale of American Impressionist painter Theodore Robinson and his favorite model — a woman known only as Marie, who has perplexed art historians for years.

The presentation will include a slide show and tips for those interested in visiting Giverny. Rebecca also will share a significant discovery she made in a museum vault that sheds new light on the mysterious Marie.

Rebecca’s previous books are a memoir entitled Tales from Tavanti: An American Woman’s Mid-Life Adventure in Italy and a novel, Not a True Story. She currently lives in Florence, Italy.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street, Altadena. For more information please call (626) 798-0833.

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Friday, February 19, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with Petrella in the Main Library

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with Petrella in the Main Library

Saturday, March 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the Reading Court of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will continue its Second Saturday Series with the singer/songwriter Petrella, and her band ‘Mixed Influence’.

Imagine Tina Turner singing Country Music. Now, imagine a voice that goes beyond this by blending, soul, blues, country and R&B into a fresh, intuitive and well-written style of music…that is Petrella. With more than 25 years as a singer/songwriter and recording artist, Petrella’s style melds hints of Aretha Franklin, Patsy Cline, Macy Gray and – yes – Tina Turner into a beautiful, versatile sound all her own. Petrella, The First Lady of Country Soul, brings her blend of R&B, Blues, and Country with a Rock edge to the Altadena Public Library for their Second Saturday Music Series.

Discovered in California, this inventive new sound landed Petrella on the Cover of Cash Box magazine and produced 5 singles that landed in the top 100 on the Country Music Charts,

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Monday, February 1, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents African American Heritage Drum and Dance Circle

Altadena Public Library Presents African American Heritage Drum and Dance Circle

[Editor’s Note: We apologize! we omitted the date and time of this event! It will be Saturday, February 13  from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main Library.]

Join the Altadena Library District in celebrating African American heritage with a Drum and Dance Circle presentation led by Onochie Chukwurah, the founder & owner of Rhythms Of The Village, located in Altadena. Rhythms Of The Village is a cultural shop that sells many handmade and authentic African goods.

The program, aimed at sharing Nigerian Culture, begins with traditional water libation, a ritual pouring of a liquid as an offering to a god or spirit or in memory of those who have died. Onochie then begins the drum and dance circle presentation with a drum call and storytelling. Once the music and dancing begin, the audience is encouraged to participate in the circle through guided drumming, dancing, and singing.

Whether it is music, dance, storytelling, or art,

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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Altadena Public Library is Holding It’s Annual Summer Reading Bookmark Contest with “Read for the Win! Theme

Altadena Public Library is Holding It’s Annual Summer Reading Bookmark Contest with “Read for the Win! Theme

The Altadena Library is holding its annual summer reading bookmark contest. The contest began January 20, 2016 and is open to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade who live or attend school in Altadena. Participants are asked to create an original bookmark based on this year’s Summer Reading theme.

Summer Reading 2016 will be a celebration of sports and achievement with the theme: Read for the WIN @ the Altadena Library! Entry forms are available at the Altadena Main and Bob Lucas Branch libraries. Limit one entry per person. All entries must be the original artwork of the participant. Entries will be judged on creativity and originality.

All entries will be on display at the library during National Library Week in April. The winning bookmarks will be printed and handed out during the 2016 Summer Reading Club. Deadline for entry is Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. For more information please contact the Youth Services Department at (626) 798-0833.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 East Mariposa Street,

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Monday, January 25, 2016

Altadena Library Seeks New Poet Laureate-Deadline Extended to January 30

Altadena Library Seeks New Poet Laureate-Deadline Extended to January 30

The Altadena Library is now accepting applications for Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library, May 2016 – April 2018. Poets who live or work in the Altadena community are invited to apply. The application deadline has been extended to midnight January 30, 2016 and may be emailed to the Altadena Library Poet Laureate Committee at altalaureate16@gmail.com. Information on applying to be the new laureate can be found online at the library’s website at (www.altadenalibrary.org).

The inauguration of the new laureate will take place on April 30 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies celebration to be held at the Altadena Senior Center. The laureate’s poetry will be featured at this event and in the Altadena Poetry Review, (formerly the Poetry & Cookies Anthology). This publication is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and edited by the library’s current poet Laureate, Dr. Thelma Reyna.

There is no entry fee.

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Thursday, January 21, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Award-Winning PBS Documentary Series ‘Latino Americans: 500 Years of History’ Grant with Screening of Episode 5: “Prejudice and Pride (1965-1980)” with Daniel Castro

Altadena Public Library Continues Award-Winning PBS Documentary Series ‘Latino Americans: 500 Years of History’ Grant with Screening of Episode 5: “Prejudice and Pride (1965-1980)” with Daniel Castro

Saturday, February 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will continue its Latino American Grant award programming with “Prejudice and Pride (1965-1980)”, Episode V of a six-part, NEH-supported documentary film, “Latino Americans: 500 years of History.” Created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station, the award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day.

With special guest Dr. Daniel “Sancho” Castro. Daniel A. Dr. Castro is an educator who has served as college president/superintendent at both Riverside City College, and Los Angeles Trade Technical College. His community college experience also includes service as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Student Activities, instructor of Sociology and Chicano Studies at various Community Colleges around Los Angeles. Dr. Castro served as senior legislative consultant to the California State Legislature as district manager for the 32nd Congressional District. He also ran for the State Assembly,

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Altadena Library Seeks New Poet Laureate

Altadena Library Seeks New Poet Laureate

The Altadena Library is now accepting applications for Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library, May 2016 – April 2018. Poets who live or work in the Altadena community are invited to apply.

The inauguration of the new laureate will take place on April 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies celebration. To be held at the Altadena Senior Center. The laureate’s poetry will be featured at this event and in the Altadena Poetry Review, (formerly the Poetry & Cookies Anthology). This publication is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and edited by the library’s current poet Laureate, Dr. Thelma Reyna.

Information on applying to be the new laureate can be found here or online at the library’s website at (www.altadenalibrary.org). There is no entry fee. Letters of Applications are due midnight January 23, 2016 and may be emailed to the Altadena Library Poet Laureate Committee at altalaureate16@gmail.com.

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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with PCH in the Main Library

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with PCH in the Main Library

On Saturday, February 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the Reading Court of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will continue its Second Saturday Series with the band PCH.

Using lush harmonies, acoustic instrumentation and intricate arrangements, PCH brings their signature sound to some of rock’s greatest songs by artists like Steely Dan, James Taylor, The Eagles, Neil Young, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, and many more. They have been hired for private events by the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart and continue to gain popularity with every music lover that hears their unforgettably unique sound.

David Blasucci: Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin– In addition to his career as a solo artist, David spent years touring with Bobby Kimball (Toto). As an actor, you can see him as a member of the New Main Street Singers in the Christopher Guest comedy “A Mighty Wind,” and playing alongside Catherine O’Hara and Parker Posey in “For Your Consideration”.

Pat Thomi Lead guitars, Vocals: was born in Switzerland,

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Monday, January 18, 2016

Zane Grey’s Amazing Life Retold at Historical Society

Zane Grey’s Amazing Life Retold at Historical Society

Zane Grey and his new bride first saw Altadena on their honeymoon trip from the East Coast in late 1905; like thousands of others, they came to Altadena to enjoy the breathtaking railroad trip to the top of Mount Lowe.

At that time, Grey was a washed-up semi-professional baseball player, an unhappy and unsuccessful Pennsylvania dentist, and an aspiring writer of novels and magazine pieces about outdoor adventure.

Fifteen years later, he was the best-selling author in America, and remembering the pretty town they had seen on their honeymoon, the Greys returned to Altadena and bought a mansion on “Millionaire’s Row,” at the corner of Mariposa and Marengo streets.

Grey’s amazing life as a hugely popular author of Western adventure and romance novels; a record-setting deep-sea fisherman off the shores of Catalina Island, Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and the Galapagos Islands; and as a serial adulterer with dozens of women, will be presented to the Altadena Historical Society at its winter quarterly meeting.

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Saturday, December 19, 2015

Take Holiday Guests to “Altadena in the Rose Parade” Exhibit at Community Center

Take Holiday Guests to “Altadena in the Rose Parade” Exhibit at Community Center

“We have added Saturday hours to make it easier for area residents and their holiday houseguests to visit our exhibit, ‘Altadena in the Rose Parade,’ at the Community Center,” said Historical Society President Jane Brackman.

“We will be open from 2-4 p.m. on Saturdays through Jan. 16 to accommodate people who can’t come in during our weekday hours, and also those who are visiting the area for the big parade and football game.”

The Historical Society’s archives and new museum corridor are also open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and by appointment for groups.

The Historical Society exhibit is in the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, 91001.

“Altadena in the Rose Parade” is an extensive display of vintage and recent photographs, documents, newspaper articles and memorabilia about Altadena’s 70 years of participation in Pasadena’s Rose Parade.

“The Valley Hunt Club, which originated and managed the parade, was founded in an Altadena mansion;

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Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents the Return of the Emmy Award Winning Music Artist Gerry Rothschild/Gerry Rothschild Band

Altadena Public Library Presents the Return of the Emmy Award Winning Music Artist Gerry Rothschild/Gerry Rothschild Band

On Saturday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m., the Altadena Library District presents Gerry Rothschild as its musical artist for January’s Second Saturday. Gerry Rothschild band is a custom band that is proficient in a wide variety of musical styles that vary from Fats Waller in the 1920’s to Bruno Mars and everything in between.

Gerry is an accomplished musician who has appeared and performed at major festivals and events including The Rose Bowl, The Playboy Jazz Festival and the “Fete Americaine” in Geneva, Switzerland.

Gerry has composed, edited, performed, and recorded music for many hit television series including Friends, Drew Carey, Dream On and The George Lopez Show.

He has won “The Knot” magazines Best of Wedding three years in a row and has played for The Milken Institute, Boeing Inc., and Technip Corp., among others, in the corporate world.

The Gerry Rothschild Band was our most popular music event in 2014 and we are very excited to bring them back to the library and the community in 2016!

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents “Space Is A Doubt”: An Art Exhibition, Performance and Concert Dedicated to Author Georges Perec

Altadena Public Library Presents “Space Is A Doubt”: An Art Exhibition, Performance and Concert Dedicated to Author Georges Perec

Tuesday, December 22nd, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the Main library of the Altadena Library District will exhibit various artists and include live sculpture, performance dance, and a free concert.

6:30-7:30 p.m. – Live sculpture/performance dance “Breathe In, Breathe Out” by Marie-Noëlle Deverre
7:30-8:30 p.m. – Free concert “An Hour for Piano” (1971) by Tom Johnson with Samuel Boré on piano.

“Space is a Doubt” is inspired by the following text from Georges Perec. Every artist is showing pieces that are related from this text:

“I would like there to exist places that are stable, unmoving, intangible, untouched and almost untouchable, unchanging, deep-rooted; places that might be points of reference, of departure, of origin: […]

Such places don’t exist, and it’s because they don’t exist that space becomes a question, ceases to be self-evident, ceases to be incorporated, ceases to be appropriated. Space is a doubt: I have constantly to mark it, to designate it.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Saluting Altadena’s Seven Decades of  Participation in the Rose Parade

Saluting Altadena’s Seven Decades of Participation in the Rose Parade

The 2016 Rose Queen Erika Karen Winter and her Court of six Princesses will meet the public and inaugurate a new exhibit showcasing Altadena’s colorful history in the Rose Parade, at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Altadena Historical Society.

Hallie Woods, the very first Rose Parade Queen, was from Altadena–and helped build her own float. (1905)

The Historical Society is at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena. The event is free and open to everyone.

The Queens and Princesses will form a receiving line after the 3:00 p.m. program, for photos and congratulations from the public.

The exhibit, “Altadena in the Rose Parade,” will be open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It features numerous vintage photos and articles about Altadenans’ key role in evolving the Rose Parade.

“The Valley Hunt Club, which originated the parade and administered it for many years, was formed in an Altadena mansion.”

Kristina Smith,

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents The Year-End Installment of the Open Studios Art Tour

Altadena Public Library Presents The Year-End Installment of the Open Studios Art Tour

Saturday, December 5th, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., as part of the 5th Open Studios Art Tour, featuring 50 exhibiting artists throughout Altadena and Pasadena, Altadena Library District proudly announces its participation and welcomes featured artists, Valérie Daval and Alejandra Engelberg.

The art exhibition will present artist photography from Alejandra Engelberg and drawings, from artist painter, Valérie Daval. Alejandra Engelberg will exhibit her photography made during the 4th Open Studios Art Tour while Valérie and the dancers will exhibit some new drawings of dancers.

Valérie Daval will do live drawings of dancers on December 5th, 2-6pm in different successive sessions. There will be a solo dancer, duo and small group with dancers from Altadena’s Community Dance Jam and from Contact Improv Dance (ARC Pasadena).

The art exhibition will remain featured in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the main Altadena Library until December 15th.

Valérie Daval is a French-born artist, painter, art instructor, and art therapist based in Los Angeles since 2007.

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Monday, November 23, 2015

The History of Our Favorite Drink

The History of Our Favorite Drink

Friday evening at the Altadena Library, Stuart Byles, author of Los Angeles Wine: A History from the Mission Era to the Present (American Palate), gave a lecture on the wine history of Los Angeles.

Byles explained that for most of the 19th century “California wine meant Los Angeles wine.”

“In 1850, when California became a state,” said Byles, “there were perhaps maybe six to eight vineyards, or wineries, in the whole bay area. In Los Angeles, there were over 100.”

He brought out copies of his book for signing and purchasing and after the lecture guests who had signed up for the event were able to partake in a wine tasting.

“I’m looking forward to reading Mr. Byles’ book,” said Emily Stevenson, holding an autographed copy. Stevenson said the lecture was very interesting and she did not know that prohibition had closed down most wineries in Los Angeles.

For those who missed the event, Byles’ book is available for purchase from Amazon.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Altadena Library District Presents Teen Filmmaking 101 Workshop

Altadena Library District Presents Teen Filmmaking 101 Workshop

Altadena Library is proud to announce its first-ever Teen Filmmakers series starting this fall. Future YouTubers, filmmakers and directors are invited to learn how to use film equipment to create their own films. Learn the basics of using professional film cameras, and learn concepts like storyboarding, lighting, and editing at the free monthly workshops. Participants are invited to work on their own unique projects as well as participate in a collaborative short documentary about Altadena Library.

At this time, registration is not required. Please note that participation in this workshop is limited to people between the ages 11-19. The workshop will be held at the Main Library in the Community Room from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13th.

This workshop series will be taught by Kent Yoshimura, filmmaker and director, whose career started at the Directing and Producing program at UCLA. His experience includes directing documentaries, commercials, and PSAs (including an anti-smoking PSA that is currently shown on the LA Metro system).

This workshop is possible because Altadena Library District was awarded $30,000 from the Pitch an Idea grant,

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

United Economic Development Fund’s (UEDF) Community Center Grand Opening in Altadena

United Economic Development Fund’s (UEDF) Community Center Grand Opening in Altadena

On Saturday, November 14th, United Economic Development Fund, Inc. (UEDF) will open the doors to the brand new UEDF’s Community Center located at: 745 E. Altadena Dr. To commemorate this special occasion a ribbon cutting ceremony presented by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Come enjoy the festivities including refreshments and live entertainment from Pasadena one and only Jazz Zone, Roscoe Owens (www.Jazzzone.net). Come meet the Center’s program directors, while checking out the art on display from local artist, Aldonia Bailey (www.aldonia-bailey.artistwebsite.com). The entire family will enjoy watching the live African dance and drum performance scheduled to take place.

This location will also house UEDF’s Credit Union. The Community Center will offer a variety of youth and adult programs and services including entrepreneur training, arts & crafts, drum and dance classes. The newly renovated space will also offer an African American Heritage Museum, Art Exhibits, and Television Production Studio. The Center will offer emerging artists a platform to showcase their talents in addition to providing banquet room rental space with first-class catering services.

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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents Joel Taylor Jazz Trio to Celebrate Its Annual Holiday Program

Altadena Public Library Presents Joel Taylor Jazz Trio to Celebrate Its Annual Holiday Program

Wednesday, December 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Altadena Library presents the Joel Taylor Jazz Trio featuring Jeff Richman and Dean Taba as its musical lineup to kickoff its 2015 Annual Holiday Program.

Joel Taylor has been in demand as one of the most versatile drummers in the L.A. studio and touring scene since moving to Los Angeles in 1985. He’s performed with the likes of Stanley Clarke, Josh Groban, Eric Benet, Michael Bublé, Bobby Caldwell, Diane Schuur, and Yanni, among others.

Joel is on the short list of drummers for legendary producers David Foster and Peter Wolf. He has performed on numerous film, TV, and video game soundtracks—including Gran Torino, Anchorman, Hannah Montana, and Jonas Brothers—and is also featured on over 100 of the drum tracks for the award-winning, multi-platinum, Guitar Hero II & III, Rock the 80’s and Rock Band video games. He now engineers, records, produces and composes for a variety of artists in his studio, Jackalope Recording, and worldwide via the internet.

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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents Music Artist Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orleans

Altadena Public Library Presents Music Artist Kenny Sara & The Sounds of New Orleans

Saturday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m., the Altadena Library District presents Kenny Sara & the Sounds of New Orleans as its musical artist for November’s Second Saturday. Kenny Sara & the Sounds of New Orleans feature a four-piece band of musicians whose style ranges from New Orleans Jazz to Zydeco Cajun and 60s/70s/80s funk.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kenny began playing professionally with seasoned musicians at the age of 14.

“Kenny Sara is the real New Orleans deal.” – Grace Le, OC Weekly

“Steady but unobtrusive percussion.” – Los Angeles Magazine

Kenny’s musical collaborations include names like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Woody Allen, and Bo Diddley to name a few. He’s played in various venues and festivals like: the Playboy Jazz Festival, the Cal-Poly Wine Tasting Festival, the Portland Blues Festival, the Los Angeles Jazz Festival, and the Chicago Blues Festival to name a few. Kenny also served as Musical Director for the national tour of One Mo’ Time musical review and the Broadway production of One Mo’ Time in New York City.

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Friday, October 30, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents “Crones” A Staged Reading by Writer-Director Mimi Seton Starring Anna Mathias and Lily Knight

Altadena Public Library Presents “Crones” A Staged Reading by Writer-Director Mimi Seton Starring Anna Mathias and Lily Knight

Friday, November 13th at 8:00 p.m., the Altadena Library District presents The Sisters in Peril’s next staged reading, “Crones.”  This two-hander written and directed by Mimi Seton, centers on two women, best friends from adolescence, who re-unite 40 years later to lend a hand to each other during a time of crisis for both.  One is a pragmatist, the other a mystic, but being psychologically savvy and humorous New Yorkers, their dialogue is as funny as it is moving. The audience is given an opportunity to “overhear” what two older women talk about behind closed doors when their guards are down and are free to be completely intimate. The Sisters in Peril reading series is dedicated to giving older women writers and composers a voice in the community.

The staged reading was first read at The Culture Project in NYC in August of 2015, starring Mimi Lieber as Zoe Greenberg and June Gable as Poppy Mac Claren. This is the first time it will be heard in Los Angeles.

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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The Altadena Library Celebrates Halloween and Día de Los Muertos

The Altadena Library Celebrates Halloween and Día de Los Muertos

Story, Photography and Video by MONICA TERADA

Children and parents came out to the Altadena Library on Tuesday night for a Halloween and Día de Los Muertos celebration, featuring spooky orange cupcakes and fun activities.

Andreas made a pirate out of his sugar-skull. He said he didn’t have anyone’s help to make it and he “used food coloring and beads.” His sister, Adeline, made a girl looking at a butterfly with her sugar-skull.

A few tables over, Zephyr, dressed in a Captain America costume, was decorating his sugar-skull with several layers of different colors of food coloring. His sister Alizé, who was dressed as a princess, was standing beside him observing. Zephyr added that he was going to put his multi-colored sugar-skull on an altar.

Other activities at the Halloween celebration included Mexican paper flowers and trick or treat bags. Jessica quickly learned how to put together her paper flower and proceeded to instruct others at her table.

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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Meet Neighborhood Artists at the Next Open Studios Art Tour

Meet Neighborhood Artists at the Next Open Studios Art Tour

Open Studios is a vibrant group of artists from Altadena and Pasadena, dedicated to the promotion of ART and to sharing it with neighbors. Open Studios provide twice yearly, free art shows to the community. The Open Studios Art Tour is a self guided, multi-location event featuring many genres of art from local artists at their studios, and host retail locations. There will be art for every taste including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, neon art, mixed media, assemblage, photography, jewelry and textiles.

Join Open Studios on the weekend of December 5th and 6th, from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. Come and share this fun and exciting weekend featuring:

• 52 Artists showing at 29 Studios & Locations – More Artists!
• Live Music & Demos
• Food & Refreshments

Open Studios Art Tour will be held Saturday December 5th and Sunday December 6th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Altadena and Pasadena. Maps will be available at each location

View online map at www.openstudios.gallery for more artist photos,

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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Altadena Library District Presents A Night of Wine Tasting and LA Wine History with Author of the New Book, Los Angeles Wine, Stuart Byles and The Altadena Ale and Wine House

Altadena Library District Presents A Night of Wine Tasting and LA Wine History with Author of the New Book, Los Angeles Wine, Stuart Byles and The Altadena Ale and Wine House

Friday, November 20th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Altadena Library will host in its main library, author of the new book, Los Angeles Wine , Stuart Byles, who will discuss the wine history of Los Angeles and by extension, southern California.

The San Gabriel valley and Altadena/Pasadena play a significant role in that history. This is a fascinating study of a little known facet of our local history, especially of its beginnings in the late 18th century with the Hispanic settlers and rancheros. Mr. Byles will be bringing copies of his books for signing and purchase.

This exciting event will include tastings of seven Spanish wines. It was the Spanish that brought European wine making grapes to the New World. And it was from those Spanish settlers that the winemaking traditions of California (Baja and Alta) came from.

The Altadena Ale & Wine House, which will be providing the wines, is located in the diverse, eclectic community of Altadena.

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Sunday, October 18, 2015

“Art on Palm” Fills Wildwood with Works of Art

“Art on Palm” Fills Wildwood with Works of Art

Saturday morning in Wildwood Park, under a canopy of ancient oaks, forty-two artists came out to exhibit and sell their work, which included a lamp made out of cooper and brass, with hawk feet for legs.

The hawk-legged lamp was the work of artist Evan Chambers. Another one of his lamps had octopus tentacles. Chambers is from Pasadena and his work can be found at the Gold Bug in Old Town Pasadena.

“Art on Palm is an art show that began in a friend’s backyard,” said Catherine Cowles, one of the organizers for the event. “We gathered play buddies together and we put on a show and people came!” she added enthusiastically.

The show featured works of ceramics, collage, glass, jewelry, woodworking, textiles and the Bull Fish blues band. All in a “casual, calm setting,” according to artist Ovie Cowles, whose exhibition was the Leaf Motif. Ovie Cowles is also Catherine Cowles husband and together they created Leaf Motif, which offers a range of home decor products,

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Friday, October 16, 2015

“Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” Continues Saturday with Dr. Francisco Balderrama and “Empire of Dreams” Screening

“Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” Continues Saturday with Dr. Francisco Balderrama and “Empire of Dreams” Screening

Saturday, October 17th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main library, Altadena Library District continues its Latino American Grant award programming with a six-part, NEH-supported documentary film, “Latino Americans.” Created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station, the award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day.

With special guest Dr. Francisco Balderrama, Professor of History and Chicano Studies at Cal State University, Los Angeles, Dr. Balderrama will open the program by speaking about the repatriation issue and will lead audience discussion and answer questions following the screening. Co-author of History of Betrayal, Balderrama recounts the forced “repatriation” of Mexican origin residents during the 1930s.

Episode II: Empire of Dreams (1880-1942) chronicles the widespread immigration to the U.S. from Latin countries, beginning with a small group from Cuba and then larger one from Mexico. Fleeing chaos and violence in their home country,

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Friday, October 16, 2015

Altadena Public Library Presents Conversations with the Waterman, A Staged Reading By Writer-Director Mimi Seton

Altadena Public Library Presents Conversations with the Waterman, A Staged Reading By Writer-Director Mimi Seton

On Wednesday, October 21st at 8:00 p.m., the Altadena Library District presents Conversations With The Waterman. Directed by Mimi Seton, the play is an unusual spring-autumn love story that crosses barriers of age, race, and class. Set at the beginning of the Iraq war, a young Latino truck driver develops a life-changing relationship with a Hollywood actress and activist.

This staged reading, directed by writer-director, Mimi Seton, will star multi-award-winning actress, Laurie O’Brien who first took L.A. by storm with her stunning performance in Mary Barnes. She will be working alongside Latino actors, Hugo Medina and Melinna Theatrina, a company member from the world-famous Theatro Campesino, founded by Luis Valdez.

This program is free to the public, no reservations are required.

Mimi Seton is a multi-award winning writer-composer-director who has taught Theatre Arts at the University of Paris and Trinity College Dublin. Called a “New Theatre Visionary” by the L.A. Weekly, multi-award-winning theatre artist, Mimi Seton, is known for her lyrical sensibility and dark sense of humor.

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Local Photographer Brian Goodman to Exhibit at ART SAN DIEGO Art Show

Local Photographer Brian Goodman to Exhibit at ART SAN DIEGO Art Show

Local Altadena photographer Brian Goodman will be exhibiting his artwork at ART SAN DIEGO Contemporary Art Show from Thursday through Sunday, November 5th to 8th, 2015, at the Balboa Park Activity Center, 2145 Park Boulevard in San Diego.

Goodman, born in Los Angeles in 1957, has been taking pictures for over 47 years. He studied Photography at El Camino College and Otis/Parsons School of Art and Design in California, and at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, in Jerusalem, Israel, focusing on fine art photography and photojournalism.

In 1982, Goodman expanded his skills into the field of commercial photography, and opened his first professional photo studio in 1987, eventually incorporating his growing business as Public Works Productions, Inc., in Altadena.

Even while working in the commercial arts, Goodman continued to develop his personal repertoire of fine art photographs. His images have spanned the globe, capturing stirring landscapes, intriguing characters, and thought-provoking studies. Always fascinated with the juxtaposition of light and color,

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Monday, October 12, 2015

Mount Wilson Observatory Under the Lens at Altadena Historical Society Program

Mount Wilson Observatory Under the Lens at Altadena Historical Society Program

 
Christopher Purcell Presents Free Program Monday Oct. 26
 

The history of the world-famous Mount Wilson Observatory will be given at 7:30 p.m. Monday Oct. 26 at the Altadena Historical Society by retired aerospace engineer Christopher Purcell, from the Mount Wilson Institute.

The program will be at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, and is free and open to the public.

Founded by astronomer George Ellery Hale in 1904 with funding by the Carnegie Institution, the celestial observatory is located on top of 5,710-foot-high Mount Wilson, above Altadena in the San Gabriel Mountains.

It was at the Mount Wilson Observatory that famous astronomer Edwin Hubble was able to prove that the universe extends beyond the Milky Way Galaxy, and to the subsequent view that the universe is actually expanding.

Chris Purcell spent nearly 40 years in the aerospace industry, much of it related to spacecraft launch, trajectory analysis, and orbital control. He has a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics from UCLA and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from USC.

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Sunday, October 4, 2015

Altadena’s First Best Fest Was a Hit

Altadena’s First Best Fest Was a Hit

Video and Story by MONICA TERADA | Click headline to see video

“Are you ready?” said Gerry O’Rourke, as he prepped his T-Shirt Canon for blast off.

“Three, two, one…”

Rourke’s canon shot out several t-shirts this Saturday morning at the Altadena Best Fest and was the hit attraction amongst kids.

“It’s so cool. I really want one in my bedroom,” said Scott Jameson, dripping in sweat from having run around trying to catch one of the shirts.

The festival took place on Mariposa St., where a section was blocked off from traffic, and several stands, food trucks, and even vintage trailers and campers came out for the “beautiful day,” as pointed out Johnny Agnew from Funky Junk Farms.

Agnew was one of the vintage trailers and campers exhibitors. According to him, it was a “great crowd” and he was “glad to be a part of it.”

The trailers ranged from big to small,

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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Francisco Ramirez. . . Wrong place, wrong time? Find out Oct. 15 at Altadena Library

Francisco Ramirez. . . Wrong place, wrong time? Find out Oct. 15 at Altadena Library

Historians Paul Gray and Michele Zack will take us back to the Pueblo of Los Angeles in its first years as an “American” town, via an illustrated talk and dynamic conversation.

In 1855, in the run-up to the Civil War, 18-year-old printer’s apprentice Francisco Ramirez founded the newspaper El Clamor Publico to express ideas of liberalism and democracy far in advance of this time and place. California was the newest state in the United States and in its southern half, Spanish-speaking Californios made up most of the population.

Misgivings about a new national identity after Mexico’s loss of California to the United States, the brewing division within the Union, and a pueblo governed by “Southern-minded” elites supporting the nascent Confederacy created a dangerous storm for young Ramirez, who spoke eloquently for social, gender, and racial justice.

Paul Gray is an attorney and bi-cultural independent scholar who wrote A Clamor for Equality (2012), the first book-length biography of Ramirez. Michele Zack is an author and historian who partnered for eight years with the Huntington-USC Institute for California and the West in a program that integrated California history into American History,

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Saturday, September 5, 2015

No Summer Concert Series this Saturday in Farnworth Park

No Summer Concert Series this Saturday in Farnworth Park

Altadena’s Concert in the Park is dark tonight, but returning on Saturday, September 12 at 7 p.m. with a rousing rendition of Sgt. Pepper.

Organizers say the free concert will likely be very well attended.

“If you were there last year you know to arrive early! This concert will be packed!” representatives of the hosting Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena said.

The concert, which will be the Grand Finale for the season, will be held at Farnsworth Park, located at 586 Mount Curve Avenue.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

New Altadena Historical Society Exhibit At Webster’s Community Pharmacy Features Mountain View Mausoleum

New Altadena Historical Society Exhibit At Webster’s Community Pharmacy Features Mountain View Mausoleum

The glorious architecture and artwork of the Mountain View Mausoleum are celebrated in a new photographic exhibit by the Altadena Historical Society in the gallery at Webster’s Community Pharmacy.

The one-dozen color photos of the landmark are part of a continuing cooperative program by the Historical Society and Webster’s to present Altadena’s colorful history in a popular, accessible location.

The enlarged photos show the exterior and interior of the mausoleum, which is located at 2300 N. Marengo Ave., three blocks north of Woodbury Road, and is itself open to the public seven days a week.

“This is Altadena’s own Sistine Chapel,” said Jane Brackman, Ph.D., Historical Society president and curator of the exhibit at Webster’s.

“Most Altadenans, even those who have lived here all their lives, have driven past the mausoleum on Marengo but have never gone inside. We hope this exhibit will encourage people to visit this Altadena landmark, which is truly stunningly beautiful.”

The high,

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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Community: Free concert, Caribbean,Reggae, Calypso, Soca & Steel Drum Music. Farnsworth Park, Altadena 7:00pm Saturday August 8

Community: Free concert, Caribbean,Reggae, Calypso, Soca & Steel Drum Music. Farnsworth Park, Altadena 7:00pm Saturday August 8

Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena presents Concerts in the Park. Upstream, Reggae Band will be performing Saturday August 8, 2015 at 7:00pm. Join us for the FREE concert at Farnsworth Park, located at 586 Mount Curve Ave., Altadena 91001.

UPSTREAM

Welcome to the Upstream experience!

Upstream has been spreading their message of love and positivity through their exhilarating Caribbean Music, namely, Reggae, Calypso, Soca and Steel Drum Music, for quite some time now.

Through the years they have mesmerized audiences throughout the world and brought many to kneel at their alter of ultimate enjoyment. With a multi-talented line up of some of the most experienced and enlightened musicians in their camp, they continue to spread joy to an unsuspecting public.

Bandleader and Lead Singer/Guitarist “Haile Blackman” is originally from The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and the Son of the Legendary Creator of Soca Music, the late Ras Shorty I. Steel Drum Extraordinaire “Derek Brewstafari” is also a Trinidad and Tobago native and will tug at your heartstrings with his melodic Steel Drum tones.

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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Free Concerts in the Park Presents Mighty Burnt Bacon at Farnsworth Park This Saturday

Free Concerts in the Park Presents Mighty Burnt Bacon at Farnsworth Park This Saturday

What has 4 horns, 20 legs and makes a sizzling sound?

The MIGHTY Burnt Bacon are a 10-piece 60s style, soul band from North Hollywood whose mission is to bring the magic and the music of the 1960’s to a brand new generation of fans and this Saturday, August 1 they’ll be playing their hearts out at Farnsworth Park.

The band is a fun, high energy ensemble that features the unique power and passion of a “woman dominant” lineup. So be sure to bring your smiling faces and your dancing shoes, because if this band can’t get you dancing – you aren’t alive!

The concert starts at 7 p.m. at the Farnsworth Park Amphitheater, 586 Mount Curve Ave. Bring a picnic, or enjoy tacos from El Patron Mexican Restaurant or beer and wine from the Altadena Rotary Club. Admission is free.

The event is brought to you by the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena.

 

 

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Monday, July 20, 2015

Historical Society, Library Partner to Present “The Mexican Immigration Experience In The Early 1900’s”

Historical Society, Library Partner to Present “The Mexican Immigration Experience In The Early 1900’s”

 

The Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Library District are partnering to present a July 27 talk by filmmaker and historian Walter Dominguez.  The talk will be based on his film, “Weaving the Past, Journey of Discovery.”

The film will be screened the following week August 4, 6,30 to 9 p.m., at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa Street.

Dominguez will speak on Mexican immigration in the historical past using his grandfather’s experience as the focus at the Monday July 27 summer quarterly meeting of the Historical Society.

Dominguez will be introduced by Roberta R Martinez historian and author of “Latinos in Pasadena”, a legacy of Latino men and women who contributed to the founding of Pasadena. Martinez was recently a guest lecturer at the Huntington Library.

The 7:30 pm program, free and open to the public, will be at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive.

Domingo, president of Chasing Light Pictures in Los Angeles,

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Saturday, July 18, 2015

Altadena Senior Center Announces Upcoming Free Trips to LA Philharmonic and County Fair

Altadena Senior Center Announces Upcoming Free Trips to LA Philharmonic and County Fair

The Altadena Senior Center has announced free trips to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Concert and the Los Angeles County Fair. All trips are first come, first serve.

Los Angeles Philharmonic – From Bach to Bluegrass
Hollywood Bowl – Thursday, August 27th @ 8:00pm
Board bus at 5:30
Return to center 11:00pm
This is a free trip
Sign up date August 3rd at 10:00am

Los Angeles County Fair
Friday, September 11th
Board bus at 4:30pm
Return to center 11:00pm
$10.00 for entrance to fair
Sign up date August 24th at 10:00am

If you would like additional information, please call the Center at (626) 798-0505. Altadena Senior Center will also be having an open house, and grand reopening of the fitness center, end of summer picnic and Sock Hop with dates to be announced soon.

Altadena Senior Center is located at 560 E. Mariposa St., in Altadena.

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Friday, July 17, 2015

Contemporary Jazz Guitarist and Current Grammy Nominee Brian Hughes Performs in Farnsworth Park Saturday Night

Contemporary Jazz Guitarist and Current Grammy Nominee Brian Hughes Performs in Farnsworth Park Saturday Night

Contemporary jazz musician and guitarist Brian Hughes, a Los Angeles resident who has been performing at jazz festivals and concerts around the world with renowned artists and bands, will be performing live at the Concert in the Park in Farnsworth Park on Saturday, July 18th, starting at 7 p.m.

The free summer concert series, which happens every Saturday night, is a project of the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena and the Department of Parks and Recreation of Los Angeles County.

Now on its 19th year, the free concerts are made possible with the support of several other civic groups and institutions in Altadena.

Brian Hughes grew up in Alberta, Canada and moved to Los Angeles in 1981 where he studied at the Guitar Institute with Pat Martino, Joe DiOrio and Robben Ford.

For the past 25 years, he has been recording and touring with renowned vocalist Loreen McKennit, playing the guitar, oud and bouzouki. Hughes’ skills are evident in McKennit’s Grammy-nominated recording,

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Friday, July 10, 2015

Film Maker, Historian Will Discuss His Experiences in Event Leading Up to Film Showing at the Altadena Public Library

Film Maker, Historian Will Discuss His Experiences in Event Leading Up to Film Showing at the Altadena Public Library

The Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Library District are partnering to present a July 27 talk by filmmaker and historian Walter Dominguez. His film, “Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery,” will then be screened at the library the following week, August 4 at 6:30pm.

Dominguez will speak on the experiences of early 1900’s Mexican immigrants to the United States, with examples from his own family history, at the Monday July 27 summer quarterly meeting of the Historical Society. The 7:30 p.m. meeting, free and open to the public, will be at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

With his talk as background–though not necessary to attend– Dominguez’s two-hour documentary-drama about discovering the surprising biography of his Mexican-born grandfather will be shown 6:30-9 p.m. August 4 at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Dominguez will be at the screening to introduce the film, and to answer audience questions afterwards. Also present will be Shelley Morrison, Executive Producer of the film, 

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Friday, July 10, 2015

Volunteers Sought by Altadena Historical Society

Volunteers Sought by Altadena Historical Society

An informational meeting for persons interested in assisting the Altadena Historical Society will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Society archives in the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

“We have many exciting projects in progress and would welcome volunteer help in a variety of areas,” said Jean Phillips, AHS projects coordinator.

“Front-desk volunteer; scanning and cataloging photos, documents and artifacts into our Past Perfect database; interviewing longtime residents for oral histories; and researching requests we get for information about people, homes and Altadena history are just some of the areas that volunteers can assist us with,” Phillips said.

“We have had high school and college students volunteering as well as working adults and retirees,” Phillips said. “We are appreciative of any time and expertise that volunteers can give us.”

The meeting will include an overview of the Society and its extensive archives, and an explanation of the projects that volunteers can assist with.

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Thursday, July 9, 2015

Altadena Public Library Receives “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” Grant

Altadena Public Library Receives “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” Grant

The Altadena Public Library has been selected to receive a competitive Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).

As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, Altadena Public Library will receive a cash grant of $3,000 to hold public programming — such as public film screenings, discussion groups, oral history initiatives, local history exhibitions, multi-media projects or performances — about Latino history and culture.

The library will also receive the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film “Latino Americans,” created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station. The award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day. (Learn more about the series at www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/.)

The Latino Americans funding will enable the Altadena Library to present a film and lecture series with scholars including Roberta Martinez and Dr. Francisco Balderrama, special presentations in partnership with Altadena Heritage and Altadena Historical Society and a Latino Festival in April highlighting local Latino culture.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Altadena: A Horse Lover’s Best Kept Secret

Altadena: A Horse Lover’s Best Kept Secret

By MEREDITH McKENZIE

Altadena, nestled in the foothills between Pasadena and the Angeles National Forest, has long been a center of equestrian life with its easy access to miles of riding trails within the Arroyo Seco watershed.

In fact, Altadena was the center of the great trail riding and hiking era in the San Gabriel Foothills between 1895 and 1930, when trails were blazed, resorts were built and even the Mt Lowe Railway was completed to bring Angelenos, Pasadenans and tourists to the fresh natural country wilderness in our backyard.

Of course, the Great Depression, coupled with the advent of the automobile era, brought an end to a time when ranchitos and backyard barns were a common sight throughout the Arroyo Seco corridor. OId timers in Altadena still talk about seeing the Kellogg girls riding their horses down Palm Avenue and one current older resident reminisces about being a trail guide at the Arroyo Seco Stables (in Los Angeles at the South Pasadena border) when she was 11 years old and Mrs.

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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Plan Ahead to See This Very Special Altadena Library Event

Plan Ahead to See This Very Special Altadena Library Event

[Editor’s Note: The date in this story was originally incorrect. The event will actually occur on July 25.]

Saturday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m. the Main Altadena Library proudly hosts another exclusive evening with a screening of Academy Award-winning 20 Feet from Stardom (NR) and Q&A with one of the film’s actresses, Claudia Lennear, who’s singing career involved working with Ike and Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, and garnered attention for interaction with the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

The documentary film follows the behind-the-scenes lives of backup singers for major musical acts. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 86th Academy  Awards.

This is one night not to miss!

The program is provided free of charge. The Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa St. For more information about the event and organization please visit the library’s website at www.altadenalibrary.org.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Gallery: Golden Poppy Awards Presented by Altadena Heritage

Gallery: Golden Poppy Awards Presented by Altadena Heritage

About 110 people attended the 11th annual Golden Poppy Awards and Garden Celebration on the Old California style grounds of Ed Ellis’s home by Millard Canyon. Altadena Heritage served a groaning board of sandwiches, snacks, curry, and desserts. Mark Jilg of Craftsman Brewing Company graciously sponsored and poured his famous handcrafted Poppyfields Ale. Board member Gail Casburn presided over a selection of delicious French wines from her Altadena Wine and Ale House.

Bill Ellinger gave a brief talk on the history of Mr. Ellis’s property, Casa Roca, built in 1905 by bicycle visionary Horace Dobbins, and visited by famous aviatrix Pancho Barnes, a family member of his.

Chair Michele Zack presented the Golden Poppy Awards. Three of this year’s four recipients were present and briefly described their gardens to the crowd: Megan Bergkessel and Phil Esra; Jeri Huston and Mark Rizuto and Denise Rae Johnson. Kevin Otuska was not present to receive his bronze Golden Poppy plaque, which winners keep in their gardens for two years before circulating on to new winners.

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Monday, May 25, 2015

Open Studios ALTA/PASA/DENA Art Tour at the Altadena Library Will Feature Artist Valérie Daval

Open Studios ALTA/PASA/DENA Art Tour at the Altadena Library Will Feature Artist Valérie Daval

On Saturday, June 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., as part of the 4th Open Studios Art Tour, featuring 50 exhibiting artists throughout Altadena and Pasadena, Altadena Library District proudly announces its participation and welcomes featured artist, Valérie Daval.

Croquis [in Motion], Daval’s latest exhibition, features sketches from live dance sessions. The word croquis is French for “sketch”. As part of the Open Studios Tour Valérie will sketch live dancers in different successive sessions from 11am to 6pm with dancers from Altadena’s Community Dance Jam and from Contact Improv Dance (ARC Pasadena).

“Sketching movements is challenging because the sketch is a fast drawing, it all happens in an instant, the speed of execution is the integral part of the character of the sketch.” ~ Valérie Daval

Croquis [in Motion] will showcase various sketches with dancers and choreographers in both LA and in France plus live sketches created on the event day. Live dance performances occur throughout the day in successive sessions and will include both solo and group dances.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The Mighty Echoes Coming to the Altadena Library

The Mighty Echoes Coming to the Altadena Library

On Saturday, June 13th at 6:30 p.m. the Altadena Library welcomes The Mighty Echoes to the library’s monthly event series, Second Saturday.

The library will open its doors after hours to bring live music, local food and drink and art to the community.

The Mighty Echoes began singing together in 1986 in a store front venue on Los Angeles’ Sunset Boulevard. Over twenty five years later they continue to craft harmonies par excellence as they entertain audiences coast to coast performing a cappella doo wop, and re-creating the vocal group sound of rock & roll’s classic era. They are best known for their film and TV guest star appearances, beginning with “Who’s The Boss?” and continuing, most recently, with “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”

The Mighty Echoes are one of California’s most accomplished and respected cappella ensembles. They have performed for President Bill Clinton and sung the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium.

The Mighty Echoes have appeared with many famous and iconic artists: Ray Charles, 

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Sunday, May 17, 2015

Altadena Heritage Announces Spring Garden Celebration and Golden Poppy Garden Awards Date

Altadena Heritage Announces Spring Garden Celebration and Golden Poppy Garden Awards Date

 

On May 31, Altadena Heritage will hold its 2015 Spring Garden Celebration and Golden Poppy Garden Awards from 3 to 6 p.m. on the historic grounds of Ed Ellis’s 1905 home, Casa Roca, the former domicile of visionary Horace Dobbins.

Dobbins’ plan to build an elevated bicycle-way from Pasadena to Los Angeles was thwarted by none other than Henry Huntington, who, smelling competition, got a court injunction to halt construction that he claimed violated his trolley line’s right of way.

Casa Roca, located at 3535 Canyon Ridge Drive, was as visionary as its original owner, featuring a number of architectural elements that were advanced for the era, including steel-reinforced concrete, a dome for water capture and storage, and solar water heating!

Join us for an entertaining afternoon of food, libations, music, conviviality — and, of course, the Golden Poppy Awards (program from 4 to 5 p.m.), through which we honor Altadena residents whose gardens enhance our neighborhoods.

Also, a first!

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Friday, May 15, 2015

Folly Bowl Update: Rain Causes Switch from Altadena to Eagle Rock for Season Opener

Folly Bowl Update: Rain Causes Switch from Altadena to Eagle Rock for Season Opener

“Although we loved getting the 1.9 inches of rain and hail last night, alas the Folly Bowl will be too wet and cold to host the concert tomorrow evening,” said Folly Bowl owner Susanna Dadd  on Friday, continuing to say “Happily, a new indoor venue has been found, and I hope you will be able to make it and enjoy the concert in comfort. The concert will be held at … 4901 Onteora Way, Eagle Rock 90041.”

Dadd said the concert was also rescheduled for June 20. too, so there will be another opportunity to hear this wonderful music in the Folly Bowl at a warmer time of year.

Stars of the performance will be the sitar and the cello making beautiful music as Peter Jacobson and Paul Livingstone, performing as Sangam, open the summer concert season at 7:30 p.m.

Over the past decade, the duo has blended the sounds of their instruments to create a fusion of Indian ragas,

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

“Meditations East and West” with Sangam Opens the Folly Bowl Season May 16

“Meditations East and West” with Sangam Opens the Folly Bowl Season May 16

The sitar and cello together will make beautiful music as Peter Jacobson and Paul Livingstone, performing as Sangam, open the summer concert season on May 16 at 7:30, at The Folly Bowl in Altadena.

Over the past decade, the duo has blended the sounds of their instruments to create a fusion of Indian ragas, jazz counterpoint and rhythmic sounds that they call “ragajazz chamber music.”

Jacobson and Livingstone have performed with the Arohi Ensemble, and have been featured on Grammy-winning albums with Ozomatli, Quetzal & Rickey Kej.

Folly Bowl owner Susanna Dadd suggests that attendees bring a blanket and cushions for comfort.

“Please join us for a delightful concert to start our season,” she said. “This music has not yet been recorded, so this is the only way you can hear it at present.”

Bring a picnic basket to the garden amphitheater and enjoy a meal at the Bowl or just settle in before the concert starts. The doors open at 7 p.m.

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Saturday, May 9, 2015

This Weekend in Altadena

This Weekend in Altadena

Check out our expanding coverage of Altadena events  — there’s a lot going on around town this weekend!

Saturday, May 9,2015 – Click here

Sunday, May 10,2015 – Click here

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Saturday, May 9, 2015

Art on Palm Returns for 11th Year Today

Art on Palm Returns for 11th Year Today

The Spring 2015 Art on Palm art show will be held today from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Head over to bucolic Wildwood Park for another magical event.

Art on Palm, a biannual art event, began in 2004 with 7 classmates, in the charming backyard garden of co-presenter Mary Jane Elgin. Conceived by and for artists, Art on Palm now accommodates more than 40 artists with musicians and refreshments in an equally lovely, but considerably larger canyon garden, Wildwood Park. This setting, with its canopy of ancient oaks, pathways winding around homes renovated and designed by Henry Greene, harken back to Southern California of the 1920’s. Though Art on Palm has grown and moved, it has retained a commitment to present work that is refined, diverse and locally handcrafted.

Art on Palm artists share the wealth by donating a portion of their sales to the Creative Arts Group in neighboring Sierra Madre. Creative Arts Group (CAG) was founded in 1960 by six couples to provide quality art experiences and instruction to augment the dwindling arts programs in public schools.

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Monday, May 4, 2015

Teens: Henna Tattoos at the Altadena Library’s DIY Club

Teens: Henna Tattoos at the Altadena Library’s DIY Club

On May 15th at 4 p.m. teens and tweens, ages 11-17, can get gorgeous, personalized henna tattoos from guest artist Lernie Bueler. These designs are applied with a special henna paste, which is not permanent, but can stay on the skin for 1-3 weeks.

While waiting for your design, browse through our literature on the art of mehndi, practice sketching your own designs, and learn to make henna paste for home use! Lernie Bueler has been practicing the art of mehndi for over 10 years, sharing her talent and passion for this traditional art form with others at special private events as well as at colleges and libraries.

Teen DIY Club is a monthly pop-up makerspace for teens and tweens. What’s a makerspace? It is a place where we provide tools for creating all sorts of arts and crafts projects. We invite you to make what you love, share what you know, and learn something new. Each month, a new project is introduced!

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Sunday, May 3, 2015

Native Americans Drum, Dance in Local Canyon to Celebrate Spring’s “Awakening”

Native Americans Drum, Dance in Local Canyon to Celebrate Spring’s “Awakening”


Video below

Tongva, Chumash, Navajo, and Choctaw were among the Native American nations represented Saturday in Eaton Canyon as a mini-powow celebrated the awakening of Spring and the culture and crafts of their tribes.

The festival at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center was last hosted in 2009, but “reinvigorated” and brought back this year, said Brenda Hurst, a volunteer docent naturalist with the Center.

The festival presented tribal drummers, musicians, dancers, and storytellers. Native artists and crafters showed handcrafted tools, jewelry and art upholding tribal traditions.

Presenters from local wildlife organizations brought with them indigenous creatures including two wolves and a number of snakes.

This Program was presented by Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates in partnership with County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, in the Supervisorial District of Michael D. Antonovich.

For more information about the Center, see the Eaton Canyon Nature Associates website. SEE VIDEO BELOW

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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Gallery: Altadena NAACP Awards Talented Students at ACT-SO Event

Gallery: Altadena NAACP Awards Talented Students at ACT-SO Event

The NAACP Altadena branch’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition took center stage last Sunday at the Altadena Community Center as talented local young people were rewarded for their skills in a variety of activities, all part of a national competition.

This “Olympics of the Mind” event featured extraordinary students who competed in 26 categories as varied as chemistry/biochemistry, entrepreneurship, mathematics, music composition, oratory, photography and playwriting.

Winners will participate in a national, judged event, this year to be held in Philadelphia. Since 1998, more than 20 Altadena NAACP students have been ACT-SO National Metal winners.

Shown above are winners collected their well-deserved certificates and medals.

The ACT-SO Committee is headed again by Wilberta Richardson and includes Ilene Clingmon; Andrea Mills; Phyllis Harris; Angelica Reid; Barbara Johnson; Nate Haynes; Virtrice Nolan; Barbara Bigby Pamela Burton; Brittany Johnson; and Daniel Richardson.

For information to find out how you may become involved with ACT-SO, please call Wilberta Richardson,

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Saturday, April 25, 2015

Altadena NAACP’s ACT-SO Competition Takes Center Stage Sunday Afternoon

Altadena NAACP’s ACT-SO Competition Takes Center Stage Sunday Afternoon

[Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story misidentified as contestants the list of judges. This has been corrected below. We apologize for this error — James Macpherson]

The NAACP Altadena branch’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition takes center stage Sunday at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E Altadena Drive, as talented local young people show their skills in a variety of activities, all part of a national competition.

This “Olympics of the Mind” event will extraordinary students who compete in 26 categories as varied as chemistry/biochemistry, entrepreneurship, mathematics, music composition, oratory, photography and playwriting.

Winners will participate in a national, judged event. Since 1998, more than 20 Altadena NAACP students have been ACT-SO National Metal winners.

Sunday’s show will start with a 2 p.m. luncheon at the Altadena Community Center before the awards ceremony starts at 3 p.m. guided by Master of Ceremonies Jesse Lewis.

The following are Judges for Sunday’s event:

MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL CLASSICAL Daniel Richardson;

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Friday, April 24, 2015

Award Winning Children’s Book Author Antionio Sacre to Visit the Altadena Library for El Día de Los Niños/El Día de Los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)

Award Winning Children’s Book Author Antionio Sacre to Visit the Altadena Library for El Día de Los Niños/El Día de Los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)

The whole family is invited to the Altadena Library on Thursday, April 30 at 4:30 p.m. in celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day). Special guest author and storyteller Antonio Sacre will share touching, humorous, bilingual stories including his own stories of growing up bicultural and folktales from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Antonio Sacre, born in Boston to a Cuban father and Irish-American mother, is an internationally touring writer, storyteller, and solo performance artist based in Los Angeles. His published children’s picture books include The Barking Mouse and A Mango in the Hand. He has performed at the National Book Festival at the Library of Congress, the Kennedy Center, the National Storytelling Festival, and museums, schools, libraries, and festivals internationally.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros is an enhancement of Children’s Day, which began in 1925 as a result of the first “World Conference for the Well Being of Children” in Geneva,

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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Eliot Arts Magnet Students Photograph, Then Artistically “Interpret” The Huntington Library

Eliot Arts Magnet Students Photograph, Then Artistically “Interpret” The Huntington Library

With thanks to Shannon Mumolo

This past year, students from Altadena’s Eliot Arts Magnet together with Mayfield Junior School students engaged with The Huntington Library on a two-month collaborative venture that yielded the artwork you see above — as well as other surprising results.

Through the lens of their theme, “Harmony,” Eliot and Mayfield students photographed The Huntington. After examining and critiquing the work, a student leadership team selected the photos they thought best represented the chosen theme. Small groups of students then worked collaboratively in mixed school groups to interpret those photographs. Each piece they made brings together the work of multiple working in a range of media to depict the concept of Harmony.

Approximately 144 middle school students experienced what it was like to work as professional artists. They participated in conversations and critiques that required refining their ideas and their product. They knew ultimately that the work they created would become a public installation. Images of their works were displayed at their schools and are being incorporated into school day planners for the Eliot students.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Altadena in the 1940s: Richard Bale Remembers

Altadena in the 1940s: Richard Bale Remembers

Calling all local history buffs! Here’s a chance to take a sentimental stroll down memory lane this coming Monday night, April 27,  at 7:30 p.m. at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive. You’ll see rare images of Altadena in the 1940s and hear a personal memory of what it was like to grow up here.

The speaker will be Richard Bale, 83, moved to Altadena with his mother and sister in 1939. He attended Altadena Elementary, Eliot Junior High and John Muir High School before being drafted into the Korean War in 1951.

Bale remembers that it wasn’t uncommon to see horses and cows pastured on the west side of Altadena, and chickens and pigs in people’s yards. Some remaining orange groves stretched for blocks.

He also remembers a few small factories that helped supply America’s World War II effort, including a home that had been turned into a machine shop that spit out precision parts for Lockheed 24 hours a day.

Read More »

Monday, April 20, 2015

Pasadena Museum of History Opens Civil War and Thaddeus Lowe Exhibits

Pasadena Museum of History Opens Civil War and Thaddeus Lowe Exhibits

BY LAURA BERTHOLD MONTEROS

There’s always something new to learn at the Pasadena Museum of History. One thing is that the amputation kit on view in “When Johnny Came Marching West,” an exhibit marking the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, really wasn’t an instrument of torture. Another is that a famous character in a classic children’s book may have been modeled after Altadenan Thaddeus Lowe.

Elliott Codding, a captain in the 71st Pennsylvania Company B reenactment unit, said that amputees were pretty well knocked out with chloroform, and losing a limb was preferable to gangrene. The kit was only one of many artifacts on display at the preview of the exhibitions on Saturday evening. Entertainment for the VIP reception was provided by Silver Mountain String Band playing period tunes and Assemblyman Chris Holden was on hand to present certificates to the curators.

The exhibit, curated by historian Nick Smith and PMH board member Janet Kadin, focuses on the men and women who lived in Pasadena or moved to the area after the Civil War,

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

Super Lineup Announced For the Folly Bowl

Super Lineup Announced For the Folly Bowl

The first dates of the Folly Bowl 2015 schedule have been set, according to hosts Susanna Dadd and James Griffiths.

The Folly Bowl is a concert series that this artistic Altadena couple stage in their ampitheatre-enhanced garden.  The concerts are everything from avant-garde performance pieces and films to Medieval music making.

Dadd says “We start on May 16 with Paul Livingstone:(http://www.tanpura.com/ ) and Peter Jacobson (https://myspace.com/peteplayscello).

July 18th will have another amazing double bill with the pholk singer Phranc ( www.phranc.la) and Non Credo (www.noncredo.com).

August 8th Matin Espina brings the world of his handmade instruments to the Bowl.
And August 22 the surprising Brad Dutz returns with his talented pranksters (braddutz.com).

For more, see https://www.facebook.com/TheFollyBowl?fref=nf

 

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

Altadena’s Hidden ‘Wildwood Park’ Will Open for One Day Art and Fine Craft Show

Altadena’s Hidden ‘Wildwood Park’ Will Open for One Day Art and Fine Craft Show

For one day only, artists will exhibit their work at the 21st bi-annual Art on Palm, Saturday, May 9, 2015; 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Altadena’s secluded Wildwood Park, at 1421 E. Palm Street, Altadena.

Set under the sheltering branches of ancient coastal live oaks, the artists will exhibit their work in the restorative setting of Wildwood Park. Hidden from the street, a wandering path leads into this secluded canyon featuring homes designed and renovated by Henry Greene.

The juried show and sale features work in ceramics, collage, glass, leather, metals, mixed media, photography, textiles, and woodworking. Art on Palm artists include first-time exhibitors Vie Blakey, Irene Estrin, Michael Foster, David Ortega, Laurie Jo Phillips, Corliss & John Rose, and Sandra Torres. Returning favorites include Annie Aldrich, Charlotte Barnard, Erica Batchelder, Olivia Batchelder, Evan Chambers, Tracey Chamberlain and Soozee Van Dyke Woods, Catherine and Ovie Cowles, Ellen Dinerman, Sophia D’Auria, Jill Dufau, Sandra Encinas, Zazu Faure, Beverly Jones, Susan Loraine, Betsy Miller,

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

Call for Altadena Teen Musicians

Call for Altadena Teen Musicians

The Pasadena Educational Foundation is calling all Altadena Teen Musicians to sign up for its 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands.

Showcase one’s music in PEF’s online voting competition, plus get heard by PEF’s expert panel of judges, and you might get chosen, organizers say.

Selected bands will be chosen to play at the Battle of the Bands concert on September 20, 2015 at the Levitt Pavilion in Old Pasadena.

The Winner of the Battle of the Bands will be the opening act for the Second Annual ROCK 4 PEF concert on October 4, 2015, and more.

Those don’t have a band yet can still win a spot to play ROCK 4 PEF with America’s Got Talent’s Taylor Mathews, so give this a try, they urge.

Key Dates:
– Pre-registration through July 6
– Registration & Create Online Profiles: July 6-August 24
– Song Submission Period: August 26-September 7
– Battle of the Bands: September 20

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Saturday, April 18, 2015

Altadena’s Bitingduck Press Will Have a Booth at the LA Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California on April 18-19

Altadena’s Bitingduck Press Will Have a Booth at the LA Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California on April 18-19

 

The weekend of April 18 and 19 showcases books, games, and more at the LA Times Festival of Books. Local publisher Bitingduck Press will display a booth at the festival highlighting this Spring’s catalog, some upcoming titles, and a patented system for selling e-books through any retailer.

For the fourth year in a row, the Bitingduck Press owner Jay Nadeau will be traveling from her home in Altadena to the Festival by bicycle, and encourage questions about bike commuting as well as submissions about green living, particularly the car-free lifestyle.

Just about to be released is Bill Bunn’ s “Kill Shot,” a young adult adventure about a Labrador teen who finds the remains of a sunken World War II U-boat. The text alternates between the boy’s adventures in the present day and the drama that led the German crew to perish in a Canadian river seventy years ago. The story is fully fictional, but is based upon the discovery of a U-boat off the shore of Eastern Canada.

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

World Premiere Play “Untethered” to Open at Mountain View Mausoleum

World Premiere Play “Untethered” to Open at Mountain View Mausoleum

The Mountain View Mausoleum continues in its unlikely but apparently firmly set role as a staging venue as Julia Edwards’ world premiere play, “untethered” opens for a May 8 through June 7 run next month.

“untethered” is a wacky new love story, not the Hallmark variety, the messy, screwing up, begging for mercy kind. Untethered is directed by Jen Bloom, featuring Joy Osmanski and Adam J. Smith, and features original music by Steven Kai van Betten.

Plagued by nightmares of her love’s demise, Ellie pops the question out of the blue and Ari spirals into a commitment-phobic panic. Enter Ari’s estranged father, a siren from the sea, and a portal into the time-bending fourth dimension. Suddenly Ellie’s life hangs in the balance as Ari attempts to tether himself to what truly matters.

Untethered opens Friday, May 8th and runs through Sunday, June 7th at the home of Wicked Lit, Mountain View Mausoleum (2300 North Marengo Avenue, Altadena). There will be no shows on Memorial Day Weekend or Saturday May 30th.

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Monday, April 13, 2015

Eaton Canyon Nature Center to Stage Spring Awakening Festival

Eaton Canyon Nature Center to Stage Spring Awakening Festival

As the first people on our beautiful continent knew, spring is the time of rebirth, renewal, and rejoicing. On Saturday, May 2, 2015, we at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, with some of our Native American friends, will celebrate Spring Awakening.

The festival will be open to the public at no charge from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eaton Canyon Nature Center is located at 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena 91107. This will be a celebration for all the family to enjoy.

Many native people celebrate the change of seasons with music and dance. In keeping with these traditions, we will host tribal drummers, musicians, dancers, and storytellers. Native artists and crafters will also join us to offer their wares for purchase, and other items will be raffled.

As we are the guardians of the Eaton Canyon Natural Area, this event will also celebrate the beauty that is found in our canyon. Presenters from local wildlife organizations will introduce us to some of our indigenous birds,

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Friday, April 10, 2015

Library starts “Book-to-Action” series in May

Library starts “Book-to-Action” series in May

Get into the Act!

The community is invited to the Altadena Library’s Book-to-Action series of events, featuringGrandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery, to be held during Older Americans Month in May at the Altadena Main Library and the Altadena Senior Center.

Grandma Gatewood, as the reporters called her, became the first woman to hike the entire Appalachian Trail alone, as well as the first person—man or woman—to walk it twice and three times. Her vocal criticism of the lousy, difficult stretches led to bolstered maintenance, and very likely saved the trail from extinction. Join the Altadena Library in celebrating the older Americans in our own local community by reading Grandma Gatewood’s Walk and engaging in community service work.

The Book-to-Action program is a variation on the traditional library book group—it offers participants not only the opportunity to collectively read and discuss a book and meet a book author, but also to put their newfound knowledge into action by engaging in a community service project or activity related to the book’s topic.

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Friday, April 10, 2015

Open Studios returns on June 6-7

Open Studios returns on June 6-7

This summer’s Open Studios event will take place Friday, June 5-through Sunday, June 7, at artist studio’s all over Altadena and parts of Pasadena.

The event opens with a silent auction on Friday June 5, from 7-10 PM at Gallery McGinty.  The Art tour runs the following Saturday and Sunday.

Information and updates are available via The Open Studios Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/AltaOpSt Their website is at: http://openstudios.gallery/Read More »

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Radio days at Neighborhood Church April 24-25

Radio days at Neighborhood Church April 24-25

What do we hear after each and every Radio Play? “That was so much fun, I wish I’d asked my uncle/aunt/mom/grandpa to come see it!” Now’s your chance to do so. Laugh, cry and sing along with Radio Review Best Hits! (1955). Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, Neighborhood UU Church of Pasadena’s Sanctuary, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd at Walnut.

Come early! Open seating. Reception at 6:30pm; curtain at 7pm. Dress up in 40s or 50s clothes and hats! Free childcare if you sign up with Kat Roberts KRoberts@neighborhooduu.org before 1 pm on April 19th.

Ned Racine’s Radio Review Best Hits! (1955) is the 6th installment and the best yet! Parodies of radio plays, real funny commercials and tunes from 1955.

Tickets on sale On April 5, 12 and 19th on Neighborhood Church’s patio or email Lee atlee.brainerd@gmail.com. CHEAP! Adults, $8; Students, $5; Family Cap, $20–not recommended for children under 8 or thereabouts.

Stars 30 über-talented actors and musicians among Neighborhood Church members and friends.

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

“Poetry & Cookies” at Senior Center April 25

“Poetry & Cookies” at Senior Center April 25

Building on the foundations created in the past 12 years in the “Poetry & Cookies” programs of the Altadena Library District, the annual Poetry & Cookies Anthology has been revamped with a new title, new format, and a broader base of published poets. Now called the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2015 in this debut year, the anthology will be released to the public this month.

Most of the published poets will participate in the “13th Annual Poetry & Cookies Reading Event” to be held on Saturday, April 25 from 2-4:00 p.m. at the Altadena Senior Center. The reading, free to the public, is a community tradition that formally kicks off the release of the annual anthology. Although the anthology itself has been renamed, the community reading event, which annually brings together poetry lovers from across the region, maintains its name in recognition of its literary tradition.

The Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2015 will be on sale at this event. Poets who wish to do so will be available for autographing their poems in purchased books if requested to do so.

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

The Pasadena-Altadena Links To Present Community Art Showcase “Master of The Arts”

The Pasadena-Altadena Links To Present Community Art Showcase “Master of The Arts”

On Sunday April 19, 2015 The Pasadena-Altadena Chapter of the Links Incorporated will present their annual art exhibition, “Master of The Arts” at The Art Center College of Design, Pasadena Hillside Campus from 2 pm – 5 pm.

This art showcase will highlight the creative talents of a diverse group of visual artists and authors. Featured artist include: Mark Greenfield; Tony Scott; Jeffery Stephenson; Anthony Taylor; D. Shannon Young; Stan Bruce; Kay Lee; Kathy Huante; Escott El; Tomeeka Pitre; Teresa Tolliver; California African American Museum. Also showcased will be the Jewelry of Rumae Gemstones and LMG Studios as well the works of local authors Darrell D. Miller and Jervey Tervalon.

In addition, an art contest is open to PUSD students for submission until April 15, 2015 and will be judged by community members.  Students may submit photography, multimedia, ceramics, graphic design etc. of their choice for judging. One lucky student will be awarded a $250 prize for showcasing his or her creative endeavors. 

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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Cinco de Mayo at the Pasadena Senior Center May 3

Cinco de Mayo at the Pasadena Senior Center May 3

Olé! A Cinco de Mayo fiesta will be celebrated on Tres de Mayo – Sunday, May 3 – from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.
Festive decorations will fill the Scott Pavilion and Ballet Folklorico Xotziquetzalli in colorful costumes will perform traditional dances. Guests will dine on chicken and beef tacos, rice, beans, chips and salsa as well as sangria and other beverages.

The cost is only $5 for members and $7 for non-members of all ages. Prepaid reservations are due at the welcome desk by Thursday, April 30.

For more information visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org or call (626) 795-4331.

Founded in 1959, the Pasadena Senior Center is an independent, nonprofit organization that offers recreational, educational, wellness and social services to people ages 50 and over in a friendly environment. Services are also provided for frail, low-income and homebound seniors.

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Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Altadena in the 1940’s — a look back

Altadena in the 1940’s — a look back

Richard Bale remembers that in the 1940s it wasn’t uncommon to see horses and cows pastured on the west side of Altadena, and chickens and pigs in people’s yards.

Some remaining orange groves stretched for blocks.

He also remembers a few small factories that helped supply America’s World War II effort.  A school classmate’s Fair Oaks Avenue home had been turned into machine shop that spit out precision parts for Lockheed 24 hours a day.

“My friend’s house reeked of cutting oil and machine coolant,” he recalls.

Bale, 83, will describe Altadena in the 1940s at the 7:30 p.m. Monday April 27 quarterly meeting of the Altadena Historical Society.  The meeting, free and open to the public, will be at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

Bale moved to Altadena with his mother and sister, from Montreal, Canada, in 1939.  He attended Altadena Elementary, Eliot Junior High and John Muir High School before being drafted into the Korean War in1951.

Read More »

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Library will kick off “Second Saturdays” May 9 [UPDATED]

Library will kick off “Second Saturdays” May 9 [UPDATED]

Saturday, May 9 at 7 PM, the Altadena Library kicks off its first-ever monthly event series, Second Saturdays, with a special tribute, Beatles Sing-A-Long. Guided by live band, Nowhere Men, the library will open its doors after hours, feature food and drink vendors, entertainment, & more!

Nowhere Men is a group of professional musicians skilled in recreating the Beatles’ greatest hits. Come prepared to eat, dance, and sing-a-long!

The library will remain open during the event so come and enjoy a break from singing by checking out the robust collection of books, DVDs, and the newly installed Inspiration Stations.

This is one special night in Altadena not to miss!

The program is provided free of charge, food and beverages will be on sale. The Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa St. For more information about the event and organization please visit the library’s website at www.altadenalibrary.org.

UPDATE: People need to to a Google search when they’re considering band names!

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Celebrate National Library Week April 12-18

Celebrate National Library Week April 12-18

The Altadena Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week April 12-18, 2015, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers.
Libraries today are more than warehouses for books. Instead, libraries and librarians are change agents within their communities, – transforming lives through innovative educational resources and forward-thinking programming. Libraries are doing their part to close the digital divide and level the playing field by providing free access to information and technologies that many in their communities would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Libraries help to ensure the American dream and promote democracy by providing service to all regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status.

“The library has always been a place of unlimited possibilities,” said Mindy Kittay, District Director. “Whatever your interest or need, the library and the library staff are here to provide you the resources you need to accomplish your goals and dreams.”

The Altadena Library is celebrating National Library Week by offering a variety of programs all week long for children,

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