Friday, May 26, 2017

North Pasadena Vons May Close

A spokeswoman for Albertsons, Inc. said Friday that the Vons Market at 1390 Allen Avenue just north of Washington Boulevard may close “in the near future.”

“While we are currently having discussions with the landlord to continue leasing our Vons store on N. Allen Avenue in Pasadena, there is a possibility we will be forced to leave the store,” Jenna Watkinson, Director, Public Affairs for Albertsons Southern California Division said.

The store has operated in that location for 41 years.

“We are disappointed by this situation and sincerely hope we can come to an amicable agreement so we may continue to proudly serve the Pasadena community in this location as we have since 1976,” Watkins said.

Should the Vons close, a vast swatch of Altadena and North Pasadena will have to travel a significantly increased distance to grocery shop.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, May 20th

Sunday, May 14th

10:33 AM – Tywon Johnson, 28 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 2100 block of Raymond Avenue for criminal threats.
12:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 3100 block of N. Olive Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by removing the portable window air conditioner. Loss: unknown.
3:30 PM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 400 block of W. Marigold Street. Stolen: black wallet, credit cards and currency.

Monday, May 15th

8:10 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1100 block of Meadowbrook Road. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the window. Loss: medication.

Tuesday, May 16th

11:20 AM – A grand theft occurred in the 2100 block of New York Drive. Stolen: red Honda lawnmower, blue weed whacker, red tree trimmer and red chainsaw.
3:00 PM – A residential fire occurred in the 20 block of La Venezia Court. No injuries reported.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Celebrate Spring at Eaton Canyon Festival

Come to the Annual Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival on May 20-21, 2017 at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena. The Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival features: Native American Dancers, drummers, musicians, singers, story tellers, with artisans including basket weavers, pottery makers, wood carvers, wildlife exhibitors and nature groups. If you’re looking for Pow Wows in California or other Native American events in the Southern California area, the Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival is the place to be in May.

Many native people celebrate the change of seasons with music and dance. In keeping with these traditions, the Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival hosts tribal drummers, musicians, dancers, and storytellers. Native artists and crafters will also join in to offer their wares for purchase, and other items will be raffled.

The Eaton Canyon Spring Awakening Festival will also celebrate the beauty that is found in Eaton canyon. Presenters from local wildlife organizations will introduce attendees to some of the indigenous birds,

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Altadena Elementary School Campus Renovation Buoys Hopes for Boosted Student Enrollment

“We all know that the cause for our celebrations on a regular basis are not these walls, but it’s what happens inside of our buildings. Tonight we celebrate what happens inside of our school and our students who come to this building everyday full of feelings, full of dreams and full of hope,” said Altadena Elementary School Principal Ria Apodaca.

Altadena Elementary School currently serves 275 pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade students and will be home to the Pasadena Unified School District’s new French Dual Language Immersion program starting Fall 2017.

The just finished $8.1 million makeover included modernization of three school buildings, construction of a new entrance, and painting.

“Altadena is going up. We’re going up in enrollment, we’re going up in diversity through our French Dual Immersion Language Program, we’re going up in student engagement by building capacity and strengthening their artistic skillsets and, finally, through the hard work of our dedicated staff that’s committed to the success of these programs,

Friday, May 12, 2017

A Relay Wedding to Raise HOPE for Those with Cancer

Thirteen years ago, Heather C. Morrow lost her husband to cancer. As part of the grieving process, she discovered that by giving to services that helped those with cancer she could heal her heartbreak. Eight years ago when a Relay For Life event was planned for the Altadena community, Heather was invited to participate.

Heather notes, “That first year, I think I stopped by for only 20 minutes; however, I had raise close to $1000 to help in the fight. Needless to say, I was invited to return the following year.”

Unlike traditional distance fundraising events, Relay is built around community based teams. The idea is that one person from the team is on the track at all times during the event, making it a shared responsibility. As it is an event, there are a variety activities throughout the day and into the evening to celebrate survivors, remember those who we have lost and to fight back against cancer. There is an event theme and each team has a booth and is encouraged to host some sort of fundraising activity.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, May 6th

Sunday, April 30th

11:15 AM – A grand theft by false pretenses occurred in the 2300 block of New York Drive. Stolen: gift cards.
10:30 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 1400 block of Valencia Avenue. Damage: scratches on doors.

Monday, May 1st

1:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1700 block of N. Altadena Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by punching the door lock. Stolen: credit cards and currency.
3:00 PM – A vandalism occurred in the 2600 block of Glenrose Avenue. Damage: wall spray painted.
7:45 PM – An attempted theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 400 block of W. Palm Street. Suspect described as a male, 18 to 20 years old, 6 feet and 180 pounds.
10:00 PM – A vandalism occurred in the 2900 block of El Nido Drive. Damage: windows, phones, and light fixtures.

Tuesday, May 2nd

9:00 PM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 300 block of Buena Loma Drive.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Check Your Mailbox for Letter Carriers Food Drive Information, And Consider Helping

The Altadena branch of the U.S. Post office delivered bags to every house in Altadena to be filled with non-expired non-perishable food items. The bags will be picked up by your letter carrier this Saturday May 13.

Every post office in the United States is taking part in this program.

As letter carriers are keenly aware, too many of our customers live in challenging situations, uncertain of where their next meal will come.

“We deliver to every address in America at least six days a week,” Rolando said, “and because we’re such a consistent and familiar presence in neighborhoods, we’re all too familiar with the unfortunate reality of ongoing hunger.”

Over the last 24 national food drives, letter carriers have collected more than 1.5 billion pounds of food, helped by untold thousands of fellow postal employees, retired letter carriers, family members and friends. The food is then distributed to local food pantries within the same communities where it was collected.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Altadena’s 5th Annual Car Show to be Held at Farnsworth Park, Saturday June 17

5th Annual Car Show at Farnsworth Park, is on Saturday, June 17th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will feature Music, Vendor Booths, Food, Fun for the entire Family.

Categories include Antiques, street rods, classics, truck, and motorcycles.

Pre-registration: $25 (by June 1st)
Registration: $30 (June 2nd-June 16th)
Event Day: $40

There are still spots to register a car, or just clear your schedule and stop by on June 17th for great Altadena community event. To register, contact:

LA Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Altadena Station Car Show
Altadena, California
Sandy Crosthwaite
Phone: (626) 296-2107

Pre-registration: $25 (by June 1st)
Registration: $30 (June 2nd-June 16th)
Event Day: $40

Farnsworth Park is located at 568 E. Mount Curve Avenue in Altadena.

For more information, contact (626) 296-2107 or email Sgt. Sandy Crosthwaite at hmcrosth@lasd.org or Deputy Pete Liberda at apliberd@lasd.org.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Historical Society Rummage Sale Saturday May 13

Looking for a cannonball? If so, we have one for you.

The Altadena Historical Society will sell a wide variety of de-accessioned items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, in the courtyard outside the Full Circle Thrift Store.

The thrift store is in the historic red brick Pacific Electric Co. powerhouse at 2245 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. Occupied by private businesses and not open to the public for several decades, the building with its soaring interior will be open for viewing and shopping.

Included in the sale will be many books, pictures, pamphlets and picture frames–even a cannonball of unknown date and origin.

Historical Society members will receive a 20 percent discount off their purchases.

“Every item in the sale has been scrupulously examined to determine whether it meets our mission, which is to preserve and promote the history of Altadena,” said Jane Brackman, Ph.D., society president.

The society’s archives and museum are located in the Altadena Community Center,

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Pasadena-Altadena Links Award Scholarships to PUSD High School Seniors

Photo credit: Victoria Williams

The Pasadena-Altadena Chapter of The Links, Incorporated recently awarded nine (9) Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) high school seniors and 3 college students for a total of $24,000 as part of the organization’s Isaac McClelland Memorial Scholarship Program. Established in 1968, the scholarship was launched in memory of distinguished Los Angeles City Schools Area Superintendent, the late Isaac McClelland. The chapter has awarded over $545,000 in college scholarships to PUSD students.

The scholarships were awarded at an afternoon reception in Pasadena City College’s Creveling Lounge. Special guests included:

PUSD School Board Member, Elizabeth Pomoroy; PUSD Principals: Tim Sippel, John Muir High School; Mark Anderson, Marshall Fundamental; Maricela Brambila, Assistant Principal, Blair High School, members of The Pasadena-Altadena Links, Incorporated as well as proud family and teachers of the honored students. Scholarship recipients will be attending such notable institutions as UCLA, Wesleyan, UC Riverside, Barnard, Prairie View A&M, Norfolk State, and San Francisco State.

Michael B.