Wednesday, April 8, 2015

MonteCedro two-thirds done, looking for December opening

MonteCedro is on track to open for business in December, and is already 90% sold, representatives told the Altadena Chamber of Commerce.

At the Chamber’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2015, MonteCedro Executive Director David Weidert said that they hope to add 100 jobs to the local economy once the retirement community is running.

The Episcopal Communities & Services-owned retirement development is 66 percent complete, Weidart said.  The development is looking to get a temporary certificate of occupancy in November to open the building to staff, and looking for full certification in December to allow residents to move in.

The current MonteCedro brochure says that residents will enjoy a bar, a bistro, and a fine dining restaurant, “Marcell’s” (which sounds a lot like the “Marcell Inn,” a notorious speakeasy during Prohibition that operated near the site of the current Community Garden).

There will also be a fitness center with personal trainers, a spa, and swimming pool.

While 186 of the apartments will be for independent living seniors,

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

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.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

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!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

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,

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Parkinson’s education group at Pasadena Senior Center

The Huntington Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation Department will present a free, three-week Parkinson’s education and support class Wednesdays, May 6, 13 and 20, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St.
Participants will explore diagnosis, treatment, mobility maintenance and quality of life. Speakers will include speech, physical and occupational therapists.

Registration is encouraged for Parkinson’s patients caregivers and family members at the Welcome Desk, by calling 626-685-6730 or emailing dianem@pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

For more information about the Pasadena Senior Center visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

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.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Altadena Search & Rescue Team Rescues Two Hikers in Coyote Canyon Wednesday

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Altadena Search and Rescue (AMRT) Team received a 911 call for two lost hikers above Altadena, in the Angeles National Forest. AMRT responded into the area of Coyote Canyon and searched on foot and by vehicle for the missing hikers.

The hikers were able to tell the 911 operator that they were stranded on a steep canyon, and were directly under several large power lines. The rescue team was able to reach the hikers after approximately two hours.

Rescue crews used over 475 feet of rope to guide the hikers to safety, including approximately 175 feet of rope to lower the hikers down several cliffs.

The hikers were following a dry stream bed up the canyon, hiked past some steep dry waterfalls when the ground below them became so loose and crumbly the pair could not hike out. The hikers started their hike at 9:30 a.m on Wednesday, April 1 and called for help at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

El Patron offers traditional Mexican food with a few delicious twists

It’s no secret that here in Los Angeles, we love our Mexican food. Everyone has their spin, but by now we all know what good Mexican food tastes like.

While everyone has their favorite, it’s always fun to try something new and discover a new favorite. How about venturing to the almost-top of Lake Avenue for your next venture?

“You’re treated like my guest as if you’re coming into my house,” says Alex Cortes, owner and founder of El Patron Mexican Restaurant.

Celebrating its fifth year on May 15, 2015, El Patron continues to whip up authentic Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and many more.

Some of their must-have specials are Steak Picado, diced steak grilled with onions, bell pepper, tomatoes, and the chef’s special salsa; Chile Colorado, diced steak grilled with onions and special red salsa; and Carnitas Plate, deep fried pork served with tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.

Cortes says that the Carnitas is one of the bestsellers,

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Altadena Library Announces Board Vacancy

With the resignation of Trustee Tom Hubbard, 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 meets at 5 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month. The board will interview potential candidates at the next board meeting at 5 p.m. on April 27th.

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, April 14, 2015.

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

The link to the application and questionnaire are here: http://www.altadenalibrary.org/blog/salya/2015/02/26/ald-board-vacancy

For more information about the library,