Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Standardized Testing from College Admissions Point of View

As part of an ongoing series of college counseling workshops, Altadena Library will host Ashley Sim’s Free workshop for teens: Standardized Testing from College Admissions Point of View on Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. Points discussed will include: Standardized tests can often be the most stressful part of a high school student’s career, especially as he or she ponders how they’ll impact his or her college applications. What standardized tests should be taken and when? How do colleges evaluate them? What are the current trends in testing?

Ashley Sim, former admissions officer for Caltech, is an educational consultant who provides individualized academic advising and college and law school admissions counseling to students and parents. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, she has worked in college admissions for more than 15 years as an alumni admissions representative of Stanford and as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the California Institute of Technology. In addition to advising her own clients, Ashley works as a consultant for College,

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Building Particle Simulators for Teens

Friday, September 9, 2016 – 4:00 p.m.

Teens ages 12-19 are invited to further explore Game Maker and build a particle simulation program in another engaging, innovative workshop by game design and coding instructor, Ean Moore: Building Particle Simulators – Game Design and Coding with Ean Moore. Game Makers is basically a gentle introduction to coding specifically for those interested in designing games because users can get a game up and running without writing complicated code.

Moore is a Los-Angeles based instructor dedicated to inspiring students to embrace STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. He teaches complex topics through dynamic, interactive workshops that emphasize teamwork. Ean explains that game design is “fascinating enough to easily grasp the attention of children, but versatile enough to establish life long careers in a variety of fields; game design is an excellent platform to inspire children (and adults) to embrace the many guises of computer science and digital art through video games.”

Computer literacy and keyboarding skills are required for this workshop.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Releases Information About Spate of 4 Recent Shootings

In the past few weeks there have been several shootings in the Altadena area.

The Los Angeles Conty Sheriff’s Department, in a statement Tuesday night, said that although “we can share some additional details about the incidents, however, there are some aspects we cannot share concerning the crimes due to ongoing investigations.”

Investigators are looking into the possibility that a couple of the shootings may be gang related, Sheriff’s Department officials said.

“Stopping violent acts such as these will take all of the Altadena community to work with Law Enforcement and share information to help solve and stop these incidents from occurring,” the statement said.

Here is what the Sheriff’s Department shared about the recent shootings:

On Monday, July 25, 2016, at 11:00 pm, an adult male and female were in a car in the 600 block of East Pine St. The male victim sustained a wound to his left palm and right wrist. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

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

Sunday, July 31st

12:11 AM – Dalonte Andrews, 25 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 2200 block of Fair Oaks Avenue for domestic violence.
9:08 PM – Three juveniles were taken into custody in the 2900 block of N. El Nido Drive for battery and residential vandalism.

Monday, August 1st

9:50 PM – A battery with a water bottle occurred in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Suspect identified as the victim’s ex-boyfriend.
10:00 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Suspect is the victim’s ex-girlfriend.

Tuesday, August 2nd

1:59 AM – An assault with a deadly weapon (hands/feet) occurred in the 1500 block of Coolidge Avenue. The victims were walking northbound on Coolidge when they were approached by a male White in his 20’s and (2) male Blacks in their 20’s. The suspects punched and kicked the victims and fled the area.
8:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 700 block of W.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Law Enforcement Officers Join Youth for Basketball and BBQ

Last month Captain Vicki Stuckey of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement officers visited Hathaway-Sycamores. They came for a spirited game of basketball and to enjoy some tasty barbeque with the boys at our El Nido residential campus.

The visiting team included deputies, firefighters, probation officers and volunteers. “The Goal is very simple, to improve the relationship between our community, our foster youth and our law enforcement,” according to Hathaway-Sycamores Senior Vice President Joe Ford. Joe encouraged the boys to make some friends, ask some questions. It is his hope that the boys will see them as people. As Deputy Scott Rule said, “This is the start. We’ve got to start somewhere.” The basketball game and barbeque was the second in a series of ongoing activities planned to build good relationships between the youth and law enforcement officers. We were honored to have Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich join us for the festivities too!

Friday, August 5, 2016

New Altadena Foothills 4H Club is Officially Open for Enrollment

The new Altadena Foothills 4H Club will hold a meet-and-greet on Saturday, August 20 from 10:00-1:00 at the Loma Alta County Park (north of Loma Alta Drive near the play structure.) Meet club leaders, learn about 4H project areas, and enroll your child. Children do not need to be Altadena residents to join.

4H, the nation’s largest youth-development organization, has been a path for youth skill-building and leadership for generations, giving boys and girls opportunities to get hands-on and ‘learn by doing.’ In its inaugural year, Altadena Foothills 4H Club is pleased to offer the following topics: Clothing and Textiles (sewing), Dairy Goats, Farm-to-Table (gardening and cooking), Horses, and Woodworking.

For more information, or to enroll online, contact Lynette Wiebe, altadena4h@gmail.com

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Fifty Years On, These Former Students Still Love Their Sixth-Grade Homeroom Teacher

Having learned in harmony during a time of racial strife, they gathered at Mijares Restaurant last Saturday evening to thank the man who guided them in their youth and enriched their lives forever.

Dr. Mel Beech, a former sixth-grade Pasadena Unified teacher no one from his homeroom class of 1967-68 will ever forget, said he remembers that year of national social and political unrest as “a good one” for him and his students at Altadena Elementary School.

His former students clearly agree. So much so that some flew in from across the country to let him know how important he has been to them.

Alumnus Tod Dawson hatched the idea with classmate Warner Session of throwing a party for Dr. Beech by taking advantage of the class reunion at John Muir High School, saying the timing was perfect.

The Connecticut-based business executive explained why he made the effort: “Did you ever have that one teacher that kind of opened the blinds and lit a spark?

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, July 30th

Sunday, July 24th

6:00 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 100 block of W. Pine Street. Vehicle damage: shattered window.

Monday, July 25th

7:30 AM – A petty theft occurred in the 3300 block of Lake Avenue. Stolen: vehicle registration tags.
9:30 AM – A grand theft occurred in the 2300 block of Grandeur Avenue. Stolen: LG television 47 inch, LG sound bar, Xbox game console, PlayStation 3, Toshiba laptop, subwoofer, Wii game control, iPad mini, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation Vita.
11:07 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the 600 block of E. Pine Street. Victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Tuesday, July 26th

1:29 AM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the area of Lake Avenue and Woodbury Road. Victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. Investigation is ongoing.
2:15 AM – A shooting at an inhabited dwelling occurred in the 200 block of W.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

California ISO Declares a Statewide Flex Alert Due to High Temperatures

The California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) is declaring a Flex Alert, a request for consumers to conserve electricity today, especially during peak demand time from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Electricity supplies statewide are expected to be tight because of high summer temperatures driving up demand, power plant outages, and transmission line import capacity reductions. Power imports may be limited today because of high temperatures in neighboring states.

Consumers are urged to conserve electricity today, especially during the late afternoon when air conditioners push power consumption to the highest point of the day. Find Flex Alert tips at www.caiso.com.

Outlook for July 27, 2016 Flex Alert
High temperatures are forecast for the entire state. Energy demand is expected to be high and consumers are urged to conserve electricity until after 9 p.m.

Forecast peak demand: 45,867 megawatts between 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Outlook for July 28, 2016
Temperatures will continue to be hot.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Register Now for the Third Annual Battle of the Bands

Are you ready to Battle? Battle of the Bands that is… register now! Friends, neighbors, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) join together to pump up the volume for music education programs in the public schools at Rock 4 PEF benefit concert. Top Bands to perform at Rock 4 PEF Music Festival to be held on November 5 at the Levitt Pavilion, Pasadena.

Calling all Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre Teen Musicians! Showcase your music in the online voting competition, plus get heard by PEF’s expert panel of judges.

• Register your band now *
• Upload your song (after 9/21)
• Voting online begins (after 10/7)
• Finalists announced (after 10/24)

Great music, food trucks, special guests, family fun and much more!

* Note: Musicians must be 19 years or younger on November 15, 2016. One band member must live in or go to school in Pasadena,