Monday, January 25, 2016

Altadena Library Seeks New Poet Laureate-Deadline Extended to January 30

The Altadena Library is now accepting applications for Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library, May 2016 – April 2018. Poets who live or work in the Altadena community are invited to apply. The application deadline has been extended to midnight January 30, 2016 and may be emailed to the Altadena Library Poet Laureate Committee at altalaureate16@gmail.com. Information on applying to be the new laureate can be found online at the library’s website at (www.altadenalibrary.org).

The inauguration of the new laureate will take place on April 30 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies celebration to be held at the Altadena Senior Center. The laureate’s poetry will be featured at this event and in the Altadena Poetry Review, (formerly the Poetry & Cookies Anthology). This publication is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and edited by the library’s current poet Laureate, Dr. Thelma Reyna.

There is no entry fee.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Do These Young Ladies Look Familiar? They’ve Been Found, But Their Owner Hasn’t

Marcia M. reports these dogs followed her husband and their dog into the patio of their BraeBurn Road home on the evening of January 10.

“We have tried in multiple ways to find the owners and no one has claimed them. So now we are working to find them a home,” Marcia reports.

These are spayed females about 3-4 years old. They are in good health and are very sweet and social. They love to cuddle and have belly rubs. They are now vaccinated and micro-chipped, she says.

“We are working in various ways to find homes for them including shameless asking of others walking in the streets of Altadena.  We are working to find a rescue group to take them. Many of these groups are full,” Marcia continues.

If you are the owner of these beautiful dogs or if you’d like to take them in, please email Altadena Now by using the “Contact Us Now” link at the left,

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Award-Winning PBS Documentary Series ‘Latino Americans: 500 Years of History’ Grant with Screening of Episode 5: “Prejudice and Pride (1965-1980)” with Daniel Castro

Saturday, February 20th at 2:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will continue its Latino American Grant award programming with “Prejudice and Pride (1965-1980)”, Episode V of a six-part, NEH-supported documentary film, “Latino Americans: 500 years of History.” Created for PBS in 2013 by the WETA public television station, the award-winning series chronicles the history of Latinos in the United States from the 16th century to present day.

With special guest Dr. Daniel “Sancho” Castro. Daniel A. Dr. Castro is an educator who has served as college president/superintendent at both Riverside City College, and Los Angeles Trade Technical College. His community college experience also includes service as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Student Activities, instructor of Sociology and Chicano Studies at various Community Colleges around Los Angeles. Dr. Castro served as senior legislative consultant to the California State Legislature as district manager for the 32nd Congressional District. He also ran for the State Assembly,

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, January 16th

Sunday, January 10th

6:09 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred at 740 W. Woodbury Road. Suspects entered the vehicle by using a lock pick. Suspect #1 described as a male, 38 – 40 years old, thin build, unshaven, wearing a black beanie and dark clothing. Suspect #2 was observed wearing a green or grey hooded sweatshirt. Property Stolen: unknown. On-going investigation.
8:00 PM – Shyjuan Prudhomme, 20 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 500 block of W. Terrace Street for battery on a peace officer.
9:30 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon (hands/feet) occurred in the 100 block of W. Woodbury Road. Suspect described as a male, (no further details).

Monday, January 11th

8:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2800 block of Maiden Lane. Suspect(s) entered the residence via unknown means. Property Stolen: burgundy jewelry tray containing miscellaneous jewelry. On-going investigation.

Tuesday, January 12th

2:30 PM – Issac Brooks,

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Altadena Library Seeks New Poet Laureate

The Altadena Library is now accepting applications for Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library, May 2016 – April 2018. Poets who live or work in the Altadena community are invited to apply.

The inauguration of the new laureate will take place on April 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies celebration. To be held at the Altadena Senior Center. The laureate’s poetry will be featured at this event and in the Altadena Poetry Review, (formerly the Poetry & Cookies Anthology). This publication is sponsored by the Friends of the Altadena Library and edited by the library’s current poet Laureate, Dr. Thelma Reyna.

Information on applying to be the new laureate can be found here or online at the library’s website at (www.altadenalibrary.org). There is no entry fee. Letters of Applications are due midnight January 23, 2016 and may be emailed to the Altadena Library Poet Laureate Committee at altalaureate16@gmail.com.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Second Saturday Series with PCH in the Main Library

On Saturday, February 13th at 6:30 p.m. in the Reading Court of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will continue its Second Saturday Series with the band PCH.

Using lush harmonies, acoustic instrumentation and intricate arrangements, PCH brings their signature sound to some of rock’s greatest songs by artists like Steely Dan, James Taylor, The Eagles, Neil Young, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, and many more. They have been hired for private events by the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart and continue to gain popularity with every music lover that hears their unforgettably unique sound.

David Blasucci: Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin– In addition to his career as a solo artist, David spent years touring with Bobby Kimball (Toto). As an actor, you can see him as a member of the New Main Street Singers in the Christopher Guest comedy “A Mighty Wind,” and playing alongside Catherine O’Hara and Parker Posey in “For Your Consideration”.

Pat Thomi Lead guitars, Vocals: was born in Switzerland,

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents Therapy Dogs International’s “Talk Waggin’ Tutors” Program with Cedar and Cedar’s Handler Michelle

Beginning Saturday, February 6th at 11:00 a.m. in the Children’s Room of the Main library, the Altadena Library District will begin its “Tail Waggin’ Tutors’ programming with Therapy Dogs International.

Therapy Dogs International’s “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” program encourages children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and furry friend to read to that won’t laugh at them if they make a mistake or stumble over a word, but rather lie next to them and enjoy the story being read to them. The children learn to associate reading with being with the dog, and begin to view reading in a positive way. Over time, the child’s reading ability and confidence can improve because they are practicing their skills, which will make them enjoy reading even more.

Libraries have had great success by utilizing “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” as part of their Summer Reading Program or After-school Program. While the program was initially developed for struggling readers, even those who can already read well don’t want to pass up the chance to read to a Therapy Dog.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Altadena Mountain Rescue Team Gets Record 88 Calls for Help in 2015

With thanks for material used in this story to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team responded to a record-breaking number of 88 calls for assistance in 2015 and conducted 49 rescue operations and 31 searches throughout the year, officials said this week.

In these rescue and search operations, the report said the team rescued or found 113 persons – and eight dogs that also needed rescue.

The team, on average, assists approximately 100 lost or injured hikers and conducts almost 40 searches and rescues every year.

On call and operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the team is composed of reserve deputies. It is one of eight teams in the Los Angeles County which, together, are staffed by 120 trained members.

The team is funded by donations. Although the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provides vehicle maintenance and fuel, all rescue equipment, vehicles and personal safety gear are funded by donations and grant funds.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Altadena Heritage, L.A. County to Hold Park Needs Assessment Meeting Thursday

Altadena Heritage is facilitating a Park Needs Assessment meeting at 7 pm on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at the Altadena Community Center. It is one of more than 160 such meetings set up all over Los Angeles County, in incorporated cities and unincorporated communities, to gather public input on needed park improvements.

Michele Zack, Chair of Altadena Heritage, said the private sector nonprofit was tapped by Altadena Town Council chair and Supervisor Antonovich’s field office to run Altadena’s Park Needs Assessment meeting, and heritage staff and volunteers were trained on how to go about the consultation process. Anne Chomyn from the Town Council is also on the meeting committee.

Zack said the discussion will help the County come up with a better strategy to improve facilities at public parks.

She also said that based on information from County officials, the Park Needs Assessment should lead to a ballot initiative about how funds for public park infrastructure should be prioritized, saying past initiatives failed because of the lack of public consultation.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Zane Grey’s Amazing Life Retold at Historical Society

Zane Grey and his new bride first saw Altadena on their honeymoon trip from the East Coast in late 1905; like thousands of others, they came to Altadena to enjoy the breathtaking railroad trip to the top of Mount Lowe.

At that time, Grey was a washed-up semi-professional baseball player, an unhappy and unsuccessful Pennsylvania dentist, and an aspiring writer of novels and magazine pieces about outdoor adventure.

Fifteen years later, he was the best-selling author in America, and remembering the pretty town they had seen on their honeymoon, the Greys returned to Altadena and bought a mansion on “Millionaire’s Row,” at the corner of Mariposa and Marengo streets.

Grey’s amazing life as a hugely popular author of Western adventure and romance novels; a record-setting deep-sea fisherman off the shores of Catalina Island, Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and the Galapagos Islands; and as a serial adulterer with dozens of women, will be presented to the Altadena Historical Society at its winter quarterly meeting.