Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Francisco Ramirez. . . Wrong place, wrong time? Find out Oct. 15 at Altadena Library

Historians Paul Gray and Michele Zack will take us back to the Pueblo of Los Angeles in its first years as an “American” town, via an illustrated talk and dynamic conversation.

In 1855, in the run-up to the Civil War, 18-year-old printer’s apprentice Francisco Ramirez founded the newspaper El Clamor Publico to express ideas of liberalism and democracy far in advance of this time and place. California was the newest state in the United States and in its southern half, Spanish-speaking Californios made up most of the population.

Misgivings about a new national identity after Mexico’s loss of California to the United States, the brewing division within the Union, and a pueblo governed by “Southern-minded” elites supporting the nascent Confederacy created a dangerous storm for young Ramirez, who spoke eloquently for social, gender, and racial justice.

Paul Gray is an attorney and bi-cultural independent scholar who wrote A Clamor for Equality (2012), the first book-length biography of Ramirez. Michele Zack is an author and historian who partnered for eight years with the Huntington-USC Institute for California and the West in a program that integrated California history into American History,

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Sheriff’s Captain Reed Talks Coffee, Cameras and ‘Broken Windows’

As with many coffee klatches, the hottest topic at the Coffee Gallery in Altadena last night was movies. But not favorite flicks or favorite stars. It was neighbors hosting film shoots, and film companies taking over neighborhoods.

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station and Captain Christopher Reed held a “Coffee with the Captain” meeting last night and while movies took over a lot of the conversation, Captain Reed and four deputies handled subjects as varied as new deployments, horse and foot patrols and policing policy.

A number of residents spoke out against both film companies and local homeowners being good neighbors and honoring the specifics of film permits by the LA Film Office. Reed assured the neighbors that local sheriff’s deputies are aware of the pitfalls of neighborhood shooting, but also emphasized that in a busy filming community like Altadena, it’s the responsibility of film companies to enforce matters like parking violations and the like.

Captain Reed also announced a new deployment strategy in the area with regard to deputies.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Volunteers Needed As First Altadena Bestfest Approaches

Organizers of Altadena’s first BestFest are calling for volunteers to help set up the site, coordinate with vendors, monitor the restricted parking area and lead children’s activities as the street festival-style community event approaches.

BestFest will occur on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., along the stretch of Mariposa Avenue that runs from El Molino to Santa Anita Avenue in Altadena.

Set-up volunteers will assist the site coordinator and party rental company employees in setting up tables, chairs and tents. Set-up staff must be able to do some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds. Set-up volunteers will be working from 6:30 to 9 a.m. on October 3rd.

Site coordinator assistants will assist the Site Coordinator as needed, walk around and check on vendors and distribute information to booths and guests. They will be working in two-to three-hour shifts from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Take-down volunteers will assist the Site Coordinator along with party rental company employees to take down their equipment and must be able to do some heavy lifting.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Altadena Station’s Crime Blotter for the Week of September 13, 2015

Sunday, September 13th

7:32 AM – Stephanie Jenkins, 65 years old of Altadena, was arrested at Walmart, 2408 Lincoln Avenue for shoplifting.

7:35 PM – Rodolfo Montoya, 23 years old  of Altadena, was arrested in the 3300 block of Lincoln Avenue for possession of a controlled substance.

Monday, September 14th

4:12 AM – Gewo Khachadoorian, 24 years old of Pasadena, was arrested in the 1400 block of N. Hill Avenue for possession of a controlled substance.

6:26 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 3100 block of Casitas Avenue.  The vehicle stolen was a 1995 Honda Civic.  Still outstanding.

7:00 PM – Joshua Muema-Washington, 20 years old of Altadena, was arrested in the area of Lincoln Avenue and Wyoming Street for possession of burglary tools.

Tuesday, September 15th

12:20 PM – Lando King, 31 years old of Altadena,

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Altadena Mountain Rescue Responds to the Call of Stricken Four-Legged Victim

Members of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team rescued two dogs suffering from heat exhaustion as they were hiking with their owners on the Sam Merrill Trail in the Angeles National Forest Saturday. One of the owners also fell ill because of the heat and had to be given cooling measures before being released.

Altadena Station Deputy Dan Paige said the rescue team was called in to help a hiker whose pet dog, a six-year-old female golden retriever, had refused to walk on the trail. AMRT crews hiked for about two miles up the trail before locating the hikers – a 39-year-old male and a 42-year-old female who are both Pasadena residents.

Their dog, named Spicey, had become overheated after a 12-mile hike.

“A crew from the United States Forest Service, Engine 11 was called in to assist Altadena Rescue Team due to the remoteness of the area and extremely high temperatures,” Paige said.

As the rescuers were carrying the dog in a wheeled stretcher,

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Altadena Sheriff’s Station Presents “Coffee with the Captain”

Join Altadena Sheriff Station on Monday September 28th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Coffee Gallery, located at 2029 N. Lake Ave, Altadena for Coffee with the Captain.

The community is invited to meet with Captain Christopher Reed and staff to discuss topics of concern and any community issues. Starting a Neighborhood Watch Program, recent crime trends and how to safeguard your property will also be discussed.

Members of the public are also welcome to just stop by and say hello.

For more information, contact Deputy Greg Gabriel at (262) 296-2107 or Sgt. Brian Mann at (626) 296-2106.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Pasadena Unified’s 2015 State of the Schools Event to be Held Tuesday at Eliot Arts Magnet

The public is invited to attend the 2015 State of the Schools event on Tuesday, September 22nd from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Eliot Arts Magnet Academy located in the beautiful town of Altadena. The State of the Schools event will be held in the Carl D. Roeder Auditorium, 2184 North Lake Avenue.

There will be art exhibits on display, Eliot Arts Magnet programs will be showcased, and light refreshments will be served by the Blair Culinary Arts Academy students.

PUSD welcomes the community to come celebrate its many successes and hear about how PUSD is moving the district forward in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.

For further information, visit www.pusd.us/pages/PasadenaUSD.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Neighbors Building A Better Altadena Announces Candidate Forum for PCC Board of Trustees for District 2

Neighbors Building a Better Altadena (NBBA) announces a candidate forum on Wednesday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m. for Pasadena Area Community College District Area 2, a district which encompasses Altadena east of Lake Avenue, most of east Pasadena and all of Sierra Madre.http://www.pasadena.edu/board/districtmap2.cfm

Area 2 is one of three districts with seats up for election on November 3, 2015.

All three District 2 candidates, Martin Enriques, James Osterling and Tom Selinske, have accepted the invitation to participate in the candidate forum which will be held at the main branch of the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. in Altadena.

“NBBA is pleased to offer this free public service event in partnership with the Altadena Library and League of Women Voters Pasadena Area,” said Nicole Moore, a member of the NBBA leadership team. “PCC is a tremendously important educational institution for our entire community. PCC is going through a very tumultuous time and this candidate forum will be extremely helpful to voters as they try to decide who best can provide the leadership the college needs.”

Founded in 2012,

Friday, September 18, 2015

Beijing Students Arrive at Altadena’s Aveson School for Their American Immersion

By EDDIE RIVERA

Fresh from seeing a few of the sights in California, including Yosemite National Park, 56 happy and eager Chinese fifth-graders from Beijing, began the first day of their six-week attendance at the Aveson School for Leaders in Altadena yesterday.

It is the second year Chinese fifth-graders have attended the school.

The school day began with a noisy assembly in the school auditorium as the students learned about their new campus. After the assembly, small groups of the new Chinese students, dressed in green and white school outfits, were led on tours by confident and knowledgeable Aveson students.

Zhu Hongbing, Principal of Fang Cao Di International School, explained the relationship: “The United Nations Educational and Cultural Foundation originally helped us to build this partnership, and this is part of our philosophy. We want our students to have an international insight and perspective.”

The Fang Cao Di International School community contacted a number of schools all over the US before choosing Aveson and,

Friday, September 18, 2015

Architect, Horticulturist Dispense Water-Wise Garden Design Tips at Altadena Heritage Landscaping Workshop

By NADRA KAREEM NITTLE

If you’ve ever been tempted to buy a bunch of different plants and cram them together in your yard, Mark Goldschmidt has one word of advice: Don’t.

The former landscape architect outlined the basics of site design Thursday night at Altadena Heritage’s second water-wise landscaping workshop, which also featured horticulturalist Debby Figoni discussing low-maintenance plants and irrigation at the Altadena Community Center.

“You really do need some kind of structure,” Goldschmidt said of cluttered yards. Hardscapes, pavement, walls and hedges can organize a disordered front lawn, he continued.

“You need something to contrast with the plants,” he said while presenting a slide show highlighting a variety of landscapes found in Altadena yards.

While the former architect appreciates gravel, rocks and dry stream beds in front lawns, he warned the several dozen people gathered in the community center for his talk not to use rocks in excess. In addition to those materials, Goldschmidt suggested that audience members give concrete,