Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Altadena Chamber of Commerce Serves Up a “Power Breakfast”

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce served up a power breakfast Tuesday morning at the Altadena Town and Country Club with a side helping of Social Media.

It wasn’t enough to fill up on coffee, danish, rolls, bagels and fruit. Oh no, we were served a generous helping of Social Media as well. Who would have thought going to breakfast would mean facebook, twitter, Instagram, pinterest, linkedin, snapchat and google would also be on the menu. It was and enjoyed by all in attendance. Bon appetit!

The panelists for the Social Media presentation were Aubin Wilson of Aubin E. Wilson & Associates and Hugo Arteaga of Hugo Arteaga Graphic Design. And were they ever on point. It was billed as a beginner’s class. Aubin and Hugo delivered a simplistic, easy to understand outline of what Social Media is all about and the importance of it to your business. They outlined the top Social Media sites/applications that are good for your business and have the greatest reach.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2015

In Memorium: Frances Dyer

Frances Dyer, who helped found Altadena Neighbors, a group dedicated to welcoming minority families to Altadena, and who was active in the NAACP to promote “… interracial understanding and neighborhood stability,” has died at 91.

Born Frances Lorraine Grunewald on December 5, 1923 died June 11, 2015. She was the 7th of eight children born to Ernest and Kathryn Grunewald in Windom, Minnesota. Moving to Boone, Iowa at an early age, she considered that her home town.

Predeceased by her parents, two brothers, three sisters, and also her husband of 46 years, Virgil Dyer. She is survived by Virgil’s daughter Nancy Fairchild of South Carolina, and Nancy’s three sons, Jeff, Andy and Gary McCartney, and Nancy’s grandchildren, Madison and A.J.; daughter Krista Ober of Missoula, Montana; son Thomas Dyer of Grass Valley, CA; two sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Frances came to California in June, 1941, getting a job as Secretary at Union Oil Company in Los Angeles. She married Virgil Dyer (also from Iowa) in 1949 and they settled in Altadena,

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Sunday, June 14, 2015

Cornered, Petty Theft Suspect Threatens to Jump Headfirst From Balcony Into Concrete Below

[UPDATED]  Altadena Station Sheriff’s deputies responding to a possible petty theft in the 2200 block of Lake Avenue about 10:24 a.m. Sunday morning found themselves in a dangerously escalating situation as the suspect sat on a building ledge and threatened to jump headfirst in the concrete below. Authorities said the 30-year-old suspect had fled the scene of the alleged theft and used an exterior staircase to get out onto a second story balcony in the 800 block of East Mendocino Street. The man sat precariously near the edge as deputies tried to communicate with him. Authorities said it became evident quickly that the suspect “was under the influence, mentally unstable, and threatening to jump headfirst onto the cement below.” A command post was established. Los Angeles County Fire crews responded and the Mental Evaluation Team and Crisis Negotiation Team was requested. While on a training exercise the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team heard the call for additional deputies. Members of the rescue team responded and assisted in the containment of the area and set up safety rope system for members of the Crisis Negotiation Team,Read More »

Friday, June 12, 2015

ALDI Grocery Store Chain Confirms It’s Coming to California, But Won’t Confirm Altadena Location

ALDI, a 1,400-store grocery store chain in the U.S. which says it serves 30 million customers monthly, announced Thursday it will open 25 stores across Southern California in early 2016 but will not confirm that Altadena is among its planned locations.

Many Altadena civic leaders have assumed the property just north of Eliot Middle School at 2246 Lake Avenue is being developed to feature an ALDI grocery. The assumption seems to be based on reports that property developer Arman Gabay’s Charles Company has filed and been granted a permit for ALDI grocery store signage on the property.

However, according to a real estate industry insider, developers have been known to obtain pre-approvals for key elements such as parking and signage as a way to woo prospective tenants, so the reported ALDI signage permit application by Charles Company does not necessarily mean the future building has been leased to ALDI.

Neither Gabay nor Charles Company leasing director Gene Detchemendy returned calls seeking comment from Altadena Now yesterday.

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Friday, June 12, 2015

Vroom Vroom! Altadena Sheriff’s Station Stages 3rd Annual Car Show Saturday

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station is staging its 3rd Annual Car Show, this time a Classic Car Show sponsored by Toyota Pasadena, on Saturday, June 13.

The car show was held in April during the first two editions, but this year the Sheriff’s Station decided to hold it in the summer so bad weather wouldn’t threaten to dampen the festivities.

“Last year we got almost rained out. We had a strong storm coming through and the first show, too, we had a little bit of inclement weather,” said Sergeant Matthew Bossier at Altadena Station. “This year we thought that if we had it in June, it’s a little bit warmer.”

The Classic Car Show will be held at the Farnsworth Park at 568 Mount Curve Avenue in Altadena starting at 9 a.m. and running until 4 p.m.

Bossier said they have invited car owners and collectors with antique vehicles, street rods, classics, trucks and even motorcycles,

“We wanted to do something where you get a wide variety of vehicles.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Altadena Station’s Crime Blotter for the Week of May 31, 2015

Sunday, May 31st

1:45 AM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 200 block of Parkman Street.  Suspect(s) shattered the rear window with a pipe.

 

12:00 PM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred at Ralph’s, 2270 Lake Avenue.  Property stolen:  Handicapped placard.

 

Monday, June 1st

12:56 AM – Gregory Drake was arrested in the area of Lake Avenue and Rio Grande Street for being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

12:10 AM – An assault with a vehicle occurred in the 900 block of Dolores Drive when a theft victim reached into the suspect’s vehicle to retrieve his property.  The suspect started the vehicle and began driving.  The suspect accelerated the vehicle dragging the victim approximately 30 ft.  The victim was able to free himself from the suspect’s vehicle.  The suspect is described as a white male, 20 years,

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Altadena Students Graduate from Sheriff’s VIDA program

Several Altadena students graduated from the Sheriff’s VIDA Program last Saturday, June 6. The Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives program, where youth ages 11 to 17 ½ take part in activities that are meant to encourage the kids to making good decisions in their young life, and realize the possibilities for a better future.

This particular class that graduated last Saturday started their immersion on February 11 this year, and went through 16 weeks of activities designed for the participants to increase their academic performance, improve family relations, and develop positive social behavior.

Actor and LA native Efren Ramirez, who starred in the indie film series “Napoleon Dynamite,” was the keynote speaker during the graduation ceremony.

Capt. Christopher J. Reed, station commander of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, dropped by to congratulate the graduates. It was Capt. Reed’s team that facilitated most of the training sessions under the program.

The VIDA program was conceived by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department as an avenue for deputies who wanted to help troubled youths and their families.

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Jeffrey Vail Named New Forest Supervisor for Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Jeffrey Vail has been selected as the new Forest Supervisor for the Angeles Natio nal Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. He took the helm on Friday, June 5.

“I look forward to the challenges and opportunities the Angeles and the new Monument bring,” said Vail, “I’m excited and humbled to have the opportunity to oversee one of the most complex urban places in the nation. I look forward to working closely with communities, partners and stakeholders to cooperatively manage our majestic mountains.”

Vail has extensive experience having worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 24 years. Since 2012, he served as Director of Lands, Minerals, & Uses (Rec and Lands) for the Southern Region of the Forest Service. In that role, he provided program and policy oversight for land adjustment, boundary and title management, recreation and lands special uses, valuation services, and all minerals and geology management activities in the Region.

He also served as Assistant Director of Lands and Realty Management in the Washington Office overseeing the agency’s real property program,

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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Power Up Your Business With Social After You Attend The Altadena Chamber’s “Power Breakfast”

Learn why you should be using social media to build your business at the Altadena Chamber of Commerce third “Power Breakfast” meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at the Altadena Town & Country Club. During this month’s meeting, current and prospective members will watch and participate in a presentation and panel discussion on the basics of social media and why businessmen should be using it.

The chamber announced that the presentation will cover all the digital media platforms – from Facebook to Pinterest – necessary to make an online statement in today’s competitive marketplace.

The guest panelists will be Aubin E. Wilson, who brings over 25 years of business and digital marketing expertise, and award-winning graphic designer Hugo Arteaga.

“We are excited to bring the Power Breakfast Program to the Altadena business community,” says Meredith Miller, Chamber President. “We recognize that we have a diverse range of enterprise here, from brick & mortar, to service-oriented, to many home-based as well.”

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce started the Power Breakfast Series to offer local business professionals the opportunity to network,

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Pasadena Waldorf School Hosts Class of 2019 Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony

On Saturday, June 6, in the shadows of the majestic deodar trees and historic Scripps Hall, Pasadena Waldorf School honored the 17 students in the Class of 2019 at the Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony.

Eighth grade teacher Aleide Murray, who has been the class teacher since the students were in the first grade, hosted the event.

The ceremony featured speeches by Mrs. Murray, and parents Jeffrey Bernstein and Roxanne Spear. Also part of the program were speeches by eighth grade class president Celia Rose Deming-Bernstein and class member Matthew Puls. Celia and Matthew took the audience on a touching and humorous look back at some of the memorable moments the class has experienced since many of them were together in kindergarten.

The class also performed instrumental and chorale musical numbers.

The day after their promotion, the entire class boarded a plane bound for Oregon for their class trip to Ashland, OR. For over a year, the class has been fundraising for the annual eighth grade trip.

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