Friday, June 8, 2018

Guest Opinion | Is the Altadena Library Board of Trustees President Holding Office Illegally?

Through no fault of her own, the Altadena Library Board of Trustees President may be holding office illegally.

Betsy Kahn is the current President of the Altadena Library District Board of Trustees; the Board is the governing legislative body for the Altadena Library. She was chosen on March 7 as a Trustee to replace a former Trustee who resigned in January. While the voting to select a Trustee on March 7 occurred in an open public meeting, the voting was anonymous or secret voting – i.e., the Board members voted on ballots, turned them in, and the results were announced without announcing who voted for which candidates. After three rounds of deadlocked anonymous voting, Ms. Kahn was finally selected by a 3-1 vote. Then in April she was elected by the Board as its president to replace former Trustee John McDonald after he also resigned.

Two weeks after Ms. Kahn was selected as Trustee, she notified Mr. McDonald that she believed she had been selected in violation of the Brown Act.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Webster’s Community Pharmacy Named A California Small Business of the Year

From STAFF REPORTS

Once a struggling business, Webster’s Community Pharmacy has been named the 41st Assembly District’s Small Business of the Year in recognition of the store’s significance and contribution to the Altadena and Pasadena communities.

Assemblymember Chris Holden is scheduled to present the award to Webster’s owners Meredith and Michael Miller on June 19 at an annual Sacramento luncheon sponsored by the nonprofit California Small Business Association, which sponsors the awards and represents the legislative interests of millions of entrepreneurs around the state. Webster’s will be among dozens of businesses recognized – one for each state Assembly district.

The Millers said they will accept the award on behalf of the community and the loyal customers who helped them turn things around. The honor was announced today at the Altadena Chamber of Commerce meeting.

“With Webster’s, we felt from the beginning that the right combination of innovative merchandising and old-fashioned service could once again make it a jewel of Altadena,” said Michael Miller.

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee Meeting Agenda for June 5, 2018

Diane Marcussen, Chair, Altadena Town Council Land Use Committee, has issued the agenda for the Land Use Committee meeting for June 5, 2018 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order: Justin Robertson

2. Pledge of Allegiance: LUC Committee Member

3. Roll Call: Pat Sutherlen

4. Approve Meeting Agenda(s): June 5, 2018

5. Approve Minutes: May 1, 2018

6. Chairman’s Report: Justin Robertson

6.1. Fences, Walls, and Hedges Registration

7. Action Items – The Committee is expected to take action on the following item(s):

7.1. Parking Permit No. 201300005 / Project No. R2013-01662 – 2230 Lincoln Avenue (Super
King shopping center) – Veronica Jones
7.1.1. Public Comment

8. Presentation Only

8.1. Conditional Use Permit No. 2018001418 / Project No. 2018-001303 – 1901 Allen Avenue (Verizon Wireless CUP) – Dan Harlow
8.1.1.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

What Great Things Can You Buy at the Craft School in Altadena?

By LAUREN SHARKEY

The Craft School is a place where you can learn to discover your talent for making some great stuff, but it is also a place where you can purchase some great stuff as well.

A number of items have been made using vintage fabric. These include bags, coasters and hand towels. There’s also some great gifts for children such as embroidery kits and doll sewing kits,which will keep them busy for days making some great crafts they can pass on to their kids sometime in the future.

If you’re into the art of writing, why not snap up a handmade journal? Or peruse through the selection of vintage-style postcards and notepads, and pick some up lending your communication that air of nostalgia that those receiving will appreciate.

Artists (or those of you wishing you were artists) can also pick up a variety of supplies from watercolors to ink pens perfect for a spot of calligraphy,

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Meditation: The Quick Way to De-Stress and Promote a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit

By LAUREN SHARKEY

We all experience some form of stress at times. Whether it’s worrying about ourselves or our family, it can be hard to relax.

Meditation is a quick and easy way to de-stress and help yourself cope with any negative things that life throws at you. What’s even better is that it can truly give you a little “me” time, and help you get to know yourself very, very well.

Pasadena’s very own Indigo Yoga teaches not only yoga but also the art of meditation, and wants everyone to understand the benefits.

Beginning thousands of years ago, meditation was first used to help humans understand the sacred powers that rule over us. The practice involves focusing your attention and eliminating any unwanted thoughts from your mind. This video explains a little more about how to start practicing meditation:

There are several benefits. Improving concentration is just one; this is also linked to a greater ability to multitask.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

CHP Identifies Altadena Woman Killed in Freeway Crash

The California Highway Patrol on Monday identified the Altadena woman who died after her car collided with a big rig on the Glendale 2 Freeway last week.

Celeste Milby, 69, was driving a 2004 Honda Acura on the northbound lane on Friday when she attempted to exit the freeway at Mountain Street.

Her vehicle and a 2012 Peterbilt truck collided. Officials said the two vehicles were traveling at about 55 miles per hour at the time of the collision. The Acura struck the left side of the truck and both vehicles veered across all lanes of the freeway and stopped in the center divider.

The crash occurred at about 1:50 p.m., the CHP reported.

The truck was on top of the center divider and facing northwest, and the Acura landed within the center divider, the CHP said.

Milby was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena where she later died. It was not known whether or not the 38-year-old man driving the big rig was injured.

Friday, May 11, 2018

An Exquisite 1934 Grand Equestrian Estate Located in Altadena

425 Las Flores Drive, Altadena, CA 91001 (Includes 421 & 461 E. Las Flores Dr.)

By JUDY RUBIN

This exquisite Monterey Colonial residence designed in 1934 by Robert H Orr is sited on nearly 2 Acres with beautiful mountain views; and remodeled in 2001-03 by celebrated architect Randell Makinson using superior materials, millwork and lighting fixtures. The residence is featured in the 2006 book Along Bungalow Lines.

Two additional residences grace the grounds: a stunning Guest House and a Carriage House with balcony over the 3-Car Garage. Equestrian facilities include the Stable with 4 stalls and turnouts, riding ring and barn. While there were many homes built on multi-acre properties in the 20’s and 30’s, few compounds such as this remain today on large lots with proximity to a city center – offering an oasis in an urban setting.

The main residence has an abundance of character; tall ceilings, entry arches,

Friday, May 4, 2018

Free Household Hazardous and E-Waste Roundup in Altadena on May 12, 2018

Altadena residents can safely discard their household hazardous waste such as antifreeze, unused medicines, car batteries, used motor oil and pesticides during a Household Hazardous Waste Roundup on Saturday, May 12, at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Fleet Maintenance Yard in Altadena.

Other hazardous waste that residents can bring to the event for disposal include unused paint, home-generated sharps waste such as hypodermic needles, pen needles, syringes, lancets, and intravenous needles, fluorescent light bulbs, and electronic waste (e-waste) such as TVs and monitors, computers, VCRs, stereos, and cell phones.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conduct more than 50 free Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Roundups annually throughout the County to provide residents with a convenient way to rid their homes of unwanted hazardous materials.

Because hazardous waste can pollute the environment, it is illegal to discard these items in trash cans, sinks and storm drains.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, April 28th

Monday, April 23rd

8:30 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 300 block of Ventura Street. Suspect(s) entered the residence via a window. Stolen: silver Apple laptop, Nintendo video game console, black external battery, black Apple TV, and black Mercedes Benz GLK-2500 key fob.
6:30 PM – A residential burglary and theft of a motor vehicle occurred in the 100 block of Ventura Street. Suspects entered the residence by removing the window screen. Suspects described as four male juveniles who were apprehended in the area. Items stolen were returned the owner.

Tuesday, April 24th

2:20 AM – A domestic violence incident occurred in the 200 block of E. Sacramento Street.

Wednesday, April 25th

12:00 AM – A vehicle vandalism and theft of a vehicle part occurred in the 2600 block of Visscher Place. Stolen: Toyota Prius catalytic converter.
11:30 PM – Jacob Godoy, 31 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 2100 block of Raymond Avenue for vehicle burglary.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Altadena Town Councilmember Wins Fulbright Scholarship to Pakistan

Altadena Town Councilmember Jennifer Hall Lee, an accomplished filmmaker, writer and speaker on the role of women in society, has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach the history of the United States Women’s Liberation Movement and research feminism in Pakistan.

The U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board said Lee will teach and do research at the International Islamic University, Islamabad in 2019. Her project is titled “Women’s Liberation: Is Feminism Global?”

Lee was in Islamabad in 2013 at the invitation of Dr. Munazza Yaqoob of Islamic University for the screening of Lee’s documentary film, “Feminist: Stories From Women’s Liberation.” Yaqoob will be Lee’s faculty host during Lee’s academic visit next year.

“I feel overjoyed and really excited about receiving the Fulbright,” Lee said. “Right now I’m talking with my faculty host Dr. Munazza Yaqoob about all the details that have to go into place, and I’m pulling together all my documents, pamphlets and information about the women’s liberation movement in the United States to take with me.