Friday, July 3, 2015

Saint Mark’s School Board Chair Announces New Head of School

The Board of Trustees of Saint Mark’s School is delighted to welcome Jennifer Foley Tolbert to her first day of employment as the new Head of School.

Tolbert is the sixth Head of School, and takes over from Doreen Oleson after her 25-year tenure. Jenn’s professional credentials and experience can be found at http://www.saint-marks.org/page/786135_Head_of_School_Transition.asp.

The Board said in an announcement that “Many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting Jenn at the various events she has attended at the School and Church since the announcement of her appointment last June. Jenn will also be holding a number of gatherings this summer to meet members of our community in smaller groups, and we hope you will take advantage of these opportunities to introduce yourselves and to get to know Jenn better.”

In addition to Jenn Tolbert, the Board announced the appointment of three new Trustees to the Board. Doug Jolly is the Dean of Student Life and Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach at Polytechnic School,

Friday, July 3, 2015

Fourth of July Parade in Pepper Drive Neighborhood Thrives Year After Year

Pepper Drive is going to be lively and colorful again this Fourth of July, when residents put on what they say is Altadena’s longest “and possibly oldest” neighborhood Independence Day parade in town.

“We think the parade began a year or two before 1958, the earliest that any of our neighbors can recall,” says Monica Hubbard, a Pepper Drive resident and regular parade goer.

Since then, it has become a yearly informal activity where people just show up before 10 a.m. on July 4 in varying degrees of festive holiday attire, bringing their children, dogs, horses, bikes and strollers — whatever that can be decorated with the red-white-and-blue.

It’s the kind of neighborhood parade where more people are in the parade instead of watching on the side of the street and cheering participants on.

When the parade starts, it’s mostly kids on bikes at the head, followed in some years by a really small parade band “a tuba player,

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Wednesday Afternoon is “Save Power Day!” in Altadena

It’s Save Power Day Wednesday in Altadena, which means that if you use less energy than you normally do between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., you can earn credits of up to $100 a year on your power bill.

Under Southern California Edison’s “Save Power Day” program, residential customers in Altadena can earn 75 cents per kilowatt hour of conserved energy between 2 and 6 p.m. on designated days, like this Wednesday is.

The prevailing heat usually drives overall power use to high levels in the afternoon, but if you can use some common-sense power saving tools – like keeping doors and windows closed when the air-conditioning is on, turning up your thermostat about four to six degrees, or not running the dryer – you could get the rebate.

SCE calls Save Power days about 12 times a year only on non-holiday weekdays. Residential customers need to enroll in the program so that utility could send them alerts before a Save Power Day is called.

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.