Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Altadena Sheriff’s Station Crime Blotter for the Week of April 26, 2015

Sunday, April 26th

8:30 PM – Vandalism to a vehicle occurred in the 100 block of East Las Flores Dr.  Suspect(s) damaged passenger door and quarter panel with unknown object.

10:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 700 block of Ventura St.  Suspect(s) entered through the kitchen door.  Location was under construction and vacant at the time of incident.  Loss: Mig welding machine.

Monday, April 27th

11:01 PM – A 1992 Honda Accord was stolen from the 1900 block of Washington Bl.

Tuesday, April 28st

12:10 PM – A grand theft occurred near Mar Vista Av and Woodbury Rd.  Suspect(s) stole a Honda lawn mower, TMC Hedge trimmer and 15 ft. of cable.

7:01 PM – Edwin Barahonanuez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance near Summit Av and Montana St.

Wednesday, April 29th

7:50 AM – A gray 2008 Ford Fusion was stolen from the 2100 block of Lincoln Av.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Three School Board Members Take Office; Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy Elected President

Roy Boulghourjian, Patrick Cahalan and Larry Torres were sworn into office Monday as new members of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education at the board’s annual organizational meeting Monday. All three board members were elected to office March 10, 2015. Also at the meeting, Dr. Elizabeth Pomeroy was unanimously elected president of the PUSD Board of Education by a vote of 6-0.

“I am truly honored to be in this role as board president and will give it my very best,” said Board President Pomeroy. “I plan on following the words of former Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard to ‘first listen’ and I hope to carry on in that same vein.” Dr. Pomeroy was originally elected to the board in 2009 and currently represents District 5.

Following the election of Dr. Pomeroy as board president, Kim Kenne was re-elected as board vice president and Roy Boulghourjian was elected board clerk.

Roy Boulghourjian has been a resident of Pasadena for over 30 years.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Lori Touloumian Named Principal of Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Superintendent Brian McDonald, Ed.D. has named Lori Touloumian as the principal of Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School, pending board approval. She has served as the school’s interim principal since January. The announcement was made during the school’s grand re-opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly-refurbished auditorium and the naming of the student art gallery after local artist Charles White.

“With her experience in secondary schools and her commitment to providing program choices for students and families, Lori Touloumian is the ideal person to lead Eliot’s transformation into a world-class arts magnet school,” said Superintendent McDonald.

Prior to her position as interim principal of Eliot, Touloumian served as the magnet program coordinator for PUSD since 2013 where she led the management of a $7.9 million federal grant to create magnet schools at Eliot Arts Magnet, Washington STEAM Magnet Academy, Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet and Washington Elementary STEM Magnet.

As the magnet program coordinator, Touloumian oversaw the implementation of all facets of the magnet program including student recruitment,

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Woodbury House, Storied Altadena Landmark, Reportedly Wins Reprieve from May 14 Foreclosure Auction

The owner of Woodbury House, a storied landmark important to the history of Altadena, said today the May 14 foreclosure auction of the property has been postponed by the foreclosure trustee.

Peter Leissos said that although the auction of the property at 2606 Madison Avenue still appears on the auction.com website he was told in a May 4 telephone conversation that its foreclosure sale will be postponed in order for the mortgage servicer, Nation Star, to complete a review of the property’s files.

Neighborhood concern spread in late April when passersby say they noticed and photographed a foreclosure notice posted on the front door of the National Historic Register-listed property.

That notice indicated the six bedroom, five bathroom, 6,159 square foot residence would be sold at a live auction for a minimum bid of $863,097.03 on May 14 in Norwalk.

In response, the Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Heritage announced cooperation and established a “joint watch” of the property,

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

LASD Arson/Explosives Detail Investigates Altadena Residential Fire

Deputies from the Altadena Sheriff’s Station responding to a residential fire in the 200 block of East Pentagon Street about 2:42 p.m. today discovered live ammunition in the back yard of the residence after Los Angeles County Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

As a precautionary public safety measure, deputies evacuated the neighboring residences and notified LASD Arson/Explosives Detail.

Upon further examination, it was determined that the ammunition posed no additional hazard, was legally possessed and was not the cause of the fire.

The evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes shortly after.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the LA County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arson/Explosives Detail.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Altadena Station at (626) 798-1131.

If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637),

Monday, May 4, 2015

Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation to Hold Lamp Mentor Program Luncheon

Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation (GZBF) announced that they will hold their annual LAMP Mentor Program Luncheon, on Sunday, May 31st, at the Altadena Town and Country Club.  Actor, Producer and Director Wren Brown, will be the host for this celebration.

California Assemblymember and Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, District 41, will be the Keynote Speaker for the event.  In addition, Richard Allen Williams, MD, will be honored for outstanding leadership.

The Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation will also recognize high school seniors graduating from the GZBF LAMP Mentor Program.  The GZBF values academic achievement and is committed to ensuring that students have the resources necessary to further their educational pursuits.

About Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation

Founded in 1998, the GZBF is the social action vehicle of the Gamma Zeta Boulé. The GZBF partners with professionals, practitioners and educational institutions, in support of high school students who are committed to both attending and graduating from the college or university of their choice.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Altadena Mountain Rescue Visits Waverly Elementary School

Last week the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team visited the Waverly Elementary School in Pasadena.  Team members spoke with kindergarten through 2nd grade students about basic first aid, hiking safety and recognizing dangerous plants and animal life.

The students were asked what items to bring into the forest for a typical hike.  The students gave excellent answers from food, water, map, but a favorite answer was, “pajamas”.

The students were also shown the tools used by the team members, various ropes, climbing gear, harnesses, and safety equipment.  The students had an opportunity to learn mechanical advantage using ropes and pulleys as one student was able to pull against three students and win.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Altadena Children’s Center Announces May 30 Gala Themed “I Love Altadena”

Altadena Children’s Center (ACC) will be hosting their annual fundraising gala, “It Takes a Community,” on May 30th, 2015 at Mijares Restaurant in Pasadena. The theme will be “I Love Altadena!” as they celebrate where they have been providing early learning that inspires for more than 30 years.

This year, the Center will honor The Rotary Club of Altadena and The Kiwanis Club of Altadena/Crown City for their long-time volunteer and financial support of ACC.

Because of the support from people like you, ACC is upgrading its facilities, installing a brand new Outdoor Learning Center, and providing tuition assistance to families in need.

Tickets are $80 per person ($40 for parents of students enrolled at ACC) and include dinner, entertainment, laughter, and friends. You can click on this to purchase your tickets today. 

There are also incredible sponsorship and advertising opportunities. Send them a private message or contact ACC to learn about the ways you can invest in the future by investing in ACC’s children.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Edward William is New Literacy Coordinator at Altadena’s Bob Lucas Memorial Branch and Literacy Center

The Bob Lucas Memorial Branch and Literacy Center is happy to welcome Edward William as its new literacy coordinator.

William also works in the literacy program at the Monrovia Public Library. His background includes eight years in public libraries, five years in literacy programs and a Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.

He will be responsible for bringing new learners and tutors into the program, providing the resources and materials for learners to reach their literacy goals, conducting tutor training, and helping the program grow with the support of volunteer tutors.

“I have met with many of our tutors and learners, and I look forward to working with anyone who would like to join our program,” said William. “We always need volunteer tutors for our team. Our next tutor training is Saturday, May 30 by reservation. If you are interested in becoming a tutor or if you would like to improve your reading and writing in English,

Monday, May 4, 2015

Registration Is Open for 2015 Pasadena Senior Games, Where It Seems There’s No Limit to What Seniors Can Do

There is no limit to what today’s seniors can accomplish. Last year at the Pasadena Senior games, Bradford Boyd took first place in the men’s 50-meter backstroke in the 85-to-90-year-old division and Kathy Bloom won the women’s 20K road race in the 50-to-54-year-old division.

Registration is now open for nearly 30 competitive athletic events for the 2015 Pasadena Senior Games scheduled May 23 to June 28. Registration deadlines and fees vary.

“Whether they are 50 or 80 and older, active seniors know that exercise and physical activity are the keys to a long, happy and healthy life,” said Cynthia Rosedale, director of events at the Pasadena Senior Center and vice chair of the California Senior Games Association. “Senior athletes are serious competitors.”

Competitive events in the Pasadena Senior Games include archery, badminton, basketball, billiards, bowling, cycling, disc golf, fun walk, golf, horseshoe pitching, lawn bowling, pickleball, power lifting, power walking, push ups, race walk, racquetball, road race, shuffleboard, soccer, softball,