Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Altadena Station’s Crime Blotter for the Week of June 21, 2015

Sunday, June 21st

11:00 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2300 block of E. Washington Boulevard.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the rear passenger window.  Property Stolen:  orange Home Depot tool box, keys.

11:00 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1500 block of N. Allen Avenue.  Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by unknown means.  Property Stolen: black Garmin GPS, handicap placard.

8:15 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of Midlothian Drive.  Suspect(s) entered the residence via unknown means.  Property Stolen:  stainless steel dishwasher, white tub, linens, rugs.  *Location is vacant, suspects possibly known.  On-going investigation.

Monday, June 22nd

6:02 PM – Raeanna Williams was arrested in the area of Glenrose Avenue and Figueroa Street for possession of marijuana for sales.

6:30 PM – A grand theft occurred at 24 Hr. Fitness, 2180 Lincoln Avenue. 

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Developer Unveils “Altadena Marketplace” Plans for the Webster’s Building

An owner of the Webster’s Building today described in detail his company’s plan to convert 7,000 square feet of the historic landmark building into a contemporary marketplace.

Fareed Kanani, a principal in Greenbridge Investment Partners, said the proposed Altadena Marketplace could house seven tenants offering innovative cuisines and artisanal products in the three south-most units.

A brochure produced Greenbridge touts the “historic Webster’s Building” at 2450 North Lake Avenue as the perfect setting for a food hall that could transform a community hub into an incubator for independent businesses and startups.

The brochure goes on to suggest possible retailers appropriate for the seven spaces would be a Deli style sandwich shop, a café with bakery , an espresso and freshly-baked pastries shop, a florist, craft beer sales, pizza, and a cheese and wine vendor.

“We’re going to focus on bringing in a farmer’s market-style feel that will have between five to six different uses with a common area that will allow for big party or small group sitting,” Kanani said.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

New School Board Member Adrienne Mullen Brings College, Work Force Focus

Adrienne Ann Mullen, chosen by the Pasadena Unified Board Saturday to fill its District 3 seat left vacant by Tyron Hampton’s election to the City Council, is a community college dean who has been an educator for 25 years and is the mother of four.

“I wanted to be part of the team that leads the district and brings schools together. One of the most important jobs that a community has is to educate their young people and make sure that they’re college ready and work force ready,” Mullen said.

The past 13 years Mullen has worked for Los Angeles Community College District, currently as Dean of Adult Education. She has resided in Pasadena for 17 years and has taught in the past at Pacific Oaks College.

Mullen’s youngest daughter participates in the dual immersion Mandarin language program at Field Elementary School. She also has a seventh grader enrolled in Marshall Fundamental High School and two recent graduates of Marshall.

Mullen said her family enjoys feeling at home in the “small town feel” of Pasadena where they often bump into friends at the supermarket or their favorite restaurants.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

New D.A. Unit Will Focus on Wrongful Conviction Claims

Wrongfully convicted defendants in Los Angeles County criminal cases can now hope to get their cases reviewed faster with the establishment of a new unit within the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office that will specifically focus on wrongful conviction claims.

District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced Monday the creation of a Conviction Review Unit, and the assignment of three experienced deputy district attorneys, one senior investigator and one paralegal staff to staff the new unit.

“I am proud to announce that my office is establishing a Conviction Review Unit that expands our office’s ability to address credible claims of innocence made by people currently incarcerated for serious and violent felonies,” District Attorney Lacey said at a news conference.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has recently approved Lacey’s request for nearly $1 million for the assignment of new staff and other requirements.

Considered the largest prosecutorial agency in the nation, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office files more than 71,000 felony cases annually.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

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.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Wonderful Older Cat Faces Eviction, And You Can Help

A note from Linda brings this gentle cat to our attention: “We have a sweet little guy who needs help. He’s an older cat, apparently deaf, as many white cats are, who was abandoned in the neighborhood. Some wonderful students have been caring for him, but the limit to the number of cats that can be kept in their House has already been reached, and he will be removed immediately.”

“He’s not a kitten, he’s not super-pretty. But he loves shoulder rides and sun-warmed bricks and is a gentle and affectionate soul,” Linda writes.

“He’s neutered and has tested negative for FIV/FeLV, and tomorrow is going to the vet for vaccinations and an exam. He just needs somewhere to live his quiet life. If you can do anything, or know someone who might have a bit of space for him, please contact Kit at:

(630)450-5831 or email at chinetti@caltech.edu

“Please act quickly, if you can. He was meant to be picked up by the Humane Society today,

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

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.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Altadena Station’s Crime Blotter for the Week of June 14, 2015

Sunday, June 14th

9:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2600 block of Visscher Place.  Suspect(s) entered the location by prying the garage door.  Property stolen:  orange Santa Cruz Heckler mountain bike and a red Bianchi touring bike.

10:28 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon (knife) occurred in the 3300 block of N. Marengo Avenue.  The victim was confronted by the suspect, Glenn Carlton, his roommate, regarding smoking marijuana inside of the apartment.   During the verbal altercation, the suspect retrieved a knife and stabbed the victim.  The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening.  The suspect was taken into custody.

Monday, June 15th

8:41 PM – Brian Alexander was arrested in the 700 block of Ventura Street for violation of a restraining order and a subsequent felony vandalism to a patrol vehicle when he kicked out the rear side window while handcuffed in the back seat.

Tuesday, June 16th

12:00 AM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1300 block of N.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Owners Found, Reunited with “Fluffy”

Melissa Hogan writes to let animal lovers across Altadena know that the owners of Fluffy have been reunited with their beloved dog — so this story now has a happy ending.

Hogan had found the dog wandering late last night without a collar around Fair Oaks and Pine St. and put out the word.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Altadena Library Board Announces Board Vacancy

With the resignation of Trustee David Datz, the Altadena Library Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest from anyone who would like to serve on the board for his unexpired 2015 term.

Those applying must be at least 18, a resident of and registered to vote in Altadena. The board will interview potential candidates at the next board meeting at 5 p.m. on July 20th.

The applicant selected must agree to be willing to run in the Nov. 3, 2015 election for the 4-year term for this seat which expires in 2019.

Interested parties should submit a letter of interest, resume, and completed supplemental questionnaire (on library’s website) to the Library Director by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.

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.