Thursday, June 11, 2015

Jeffrey Vail Named New Forest Supervisor for Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Jeffrey Vail has been selected as the new Forest Supervisor for the Angeles Natio nal Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. He took the helm on Friday, June 5.

“I look forward to the challenges and opportunities the Angeles and the new Monument bring,” said Vail, “I’m excited and humbled to have the opportunity to oversee one of the most complex urban places in the nation. I look forward to working closely with communities, partners and stakeholders to cooperatively manage our majestic mountains.”

Vail has extensive experience having worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 24 years. Since 2012, he served as Director of Lands, Minerals, & Uses (Rec and Lands) for the Southern Region of the Forest Service. In that role, he provided program and policy oversight for land adjustment, boundary and title management, recreation and lands special uses, valuation services, and all minerals and geology management activities in the Region.

He also served as Assistant Director of Lands and Realty Management in the Washington Office overseeing the agency’s real property program,

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Power Up Your Business With Social After You Attend The Altadena Chamber’s “Power Breakfast”

Learn why you should be using social media to build your business at the Altadena Chamber of Commerce third “Power Breakfast” meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at the Altadena Town & Country Club. During this month’s meeting, current and prospective members will watch and participate in a presentation and panel discussion on the basics of social media and why businessmen should be using it.

The chamber announced that the presentation will cover all the digital media platforms – from Facebook to Pinterest – necessary to make an online statement in today’s competitive marketplace.

The guest panelists will be Aubin E. Wilson, who brings over 25 years of business and digital marketing expertise, and award-winning graphic designer Hugo Arteaga.

“We are excited to bring the Power Breakfast Program to the Altadena business community,” says Meredith Miller, Chamber President. “We recognize that we have a diverse range of enterprise here, from brick & mortar, to service-oriented, to many home-based as well.”

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce started the Power Breakfast Series to offer local business professionals the opportunity to network,

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Pasadena Waldorf School Hosts Class of 2019 Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony

On Saturday, June 6, in the shadows of the majestic deodar trees and historic Scripps Hall, Pasadena Waldorf School honored the 17 students in the Class of 2019 at the Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony.

Eighth grade teacher Aleide Murray, who has been the class teacher since the students were in the first grade, hosted the event.

The ceremony featured speeches by Mrs. Murray, and parents Jeffrey Bernstein and Roxanne Spear. Also part of the program were speeches by eighth grade class president Celia Rose Deming-Bernstein and class member Matthew Puls. Celia and Matthew took the audience on a touching and humorous look back at some of the memorable moments the class has experienced since many of them were together in kindergarten.

The class also performed instrumental and chorale musical numbers.

The day after their promotion, the entire class boarded a plane bound for Oregon for their class trip to Ashland, OR. For over a year, the class has been fundraising for the annual eighth grade trip.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

National Congress of Black Women Hosts Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Event for Youth

On Sunday, May 31, 2015, at Loma Alta Park in Altadena, the National Congress of Black Women, Inc., San Gabriel Valley Youth Chapter, took the lead by hosting an Anti-Human Trafficking awareness event featuring Rachel Thomas of Sowers Education Group and Angelic Gomez, both human trafficking survivors.

It is estimated that each year, hundreds of thousands of persons are forced into slavery, but
the numbers are not exact as many victims go unreported and many survivors fail to report the crime out of fear of retaliation or shame. As human trafficking continues to affect our communities at a growing rate, education awareness is the key to prevention.

The event was well attended by parents, youth members of private and public schools within Pasadena/Altadena and the surrounding areas. The youth are committing to bring awareness
to this critical issue by sharing their education awareness with their friends, families and communities for the safety of all.

For further information, email info@ncbwinclac.org

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Altadena Free School to Hold Open House Saturday, June 27

Parents who are interested in learning more about the Altadena Free School are encourage to see for themselves what kind of learning environment awaits children during the school’s first Open House at its new home – the Children’s Country House on 2821 Santa Rosa Avenue.

The school recently signed a new lease on the building, which is just one block away from the originally planned campus. Altadena Free School will be using the upper floor as well as the south side of the exterior which includes a garden, where children could play with the goats, ducks, and a pony named Starbright.

The Open House will be on June 27, a Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. It will also be the last Open House before school starts on September 8th.

The Altadena Free School, the first of its kind in the San Gabriel Valley, uses the model of successful democratic schools or alternative schools where every student “is free to pursue his or her own interests at any time,

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Pasadena Unified Announces 11 Have Applied for Vacant Board of Education District 3 Seat

Eleven applicants have submitted paperwork to fill the vacancy of the District 3 Board of Education seat created by the resignation of Board Member Tyron Hampton after his election to the Pasadena City Council.

Pasadena Unified spokesman Adam Wolfson released the list this morning:

1. Debra Sylvester, retired PUSD security guard
2. Samuel Estrada, retired Deputy Sheriff, Altadena Sheriff’s Office
3. Ivan Elder, retiree
4. Carol Potter, retired PUSD teacher
5. Andrew Vasicek, Attorney, State Bar of California
6. Stephen Acker, Deputy Director, LA County Workforce Investment Board
7. Michelle Bailey, PUSD Secretary
8. Ruben Hueso, LAUSD Teacher
9. Keith Russell, CalTech Graduate Research Assistant, former Muir teacher
10. Guillermo Arce, Human Services Administrator, LA County
11. Adrienne Mullen, Ed.D., Dean, LA Community College District

The District has not verified the qualifications of any of the applicants as of yet. Each must be registered to vote in and reside within the boundaries of the PUSD Board of Education District 3.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Gamma Zeta Boule Foundation Presents Scholarships at the LAMP Mentor Program Luncheon

The Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation (GZBF) hosted its annual LAMP Mentor Program luncheon on May 31 at the Altadena Town and Country Club, honoring the LAMP Mentor Class of 2015 before a packed house of some 260 family members, friends and supporters.

The Honorable Chris Holden, California State Assemblymember, 41st District, the keynote speaker, gave an inspiring presentation on the importance of mentoring youth in order to attain future success. He also shared stories about influential leaders who mentored him on his path to high achievement.

Actor, producer and director Wren T. Brown, noted for his appearances in such films and television shows as “Waiting to Exhale,” “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” “Everybody Hates Chris,” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” hosted the event.

Richard Allen Williams, MD, received the Leadership Award for his achievement as a compassionate humanitarian and outstanding physician. Dr. Williams is also the founder of the Minority Health Institute and the 2014 recipient of the American Heart Association’s Lifesaver Award.

The Honorable Judy Chu,

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Gallery: Golden Poppy Awards Presented by Altadena Heritage

About 110 people attended the 11th annual Golden Poppy Awards and Garden Celebration on the Old California style grounds of Ed Ellis’s home by Millard Canyon. Altadena Heritage served a groaning board of sandwiches, snacks, curry, and desserts. Mark Jilg of Craftsman Brewing Company graciously sponsored and poured his famous handcrafted Poppyfields Ale. Board member Gail Casburn presided over a selection of delicious French wines from her Altadena Wine and Ale House.

Bill Ellinger gave a brief talk on the history of Mr. Ellis’s property, Casa Roca, built in 1905 by bicycle visionary Horace Dobbins, and visited by famous aviatrix Pancho Barnes, a family member of his.

Chair Michele Zack presented the Golden Poppy Awards. Three of this year’s four recipients were present and briefly described their gardens to the crowd: Megan Bergkessel and Phil Esra; Jeri Huston and Mark Rizuto and Denise Rae Johnson. Kevin Otuska was not present to receive his bronze Golden Poppy plaque, which winners keep in their gardens for two years before circulating on to new winners.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Emergency Crews Rescue Four-Legged Heat Stroke Victim in Eaton Canyon

Monday at 1:00 pm, a call came into the Altadena Sheriff’s Station for a dog that had collapsed from possible heat stroke.

The hiker, a 20-year-old female from Downey, Calif. was hiking in the Eaton Canyon Nature Center with her dog, when the dog appeared lethargic and stopped walking. The hiker called for help.

Along with Pasadena Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Altadena Search and Rescue Team responded to Eaton Canyon. Fire Captain Joe Grayston of L.A. County Fire Engine 66 was able to telephone the hiker and direct rescue crews into the location of the injured dog.

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team was able to drive up the dirt hiking trail and reach the hiker and her dog. The first arriving rescue crew saw “Tyson.” a 4 year old Boxer dog unable to sit up and quickly panting.

An attempt was made to give the overheated dog water, but sadly Tyson threw up every time water was given.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Altadena Town Council Issues Agenda for June 16 Meeting

Diane Marcussen, Chair, Altadena Town Council today issued the agenda for the Council’s June 16, 2015 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7 p.m.

The agenda appears below or as a pdf here.
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1. Pledge of Allegiance ____________________ Councilmember
1.2. Roll Call _____________________________ Recording Secretary, Damon Hobdy
1.3. Approve June 16, 2015 meeting Agenda
2. OFFICERS’ REPORTS
2.1. Chairman ____________________________ Diane Marcussen
2.2. Vice Chairman ________________________ Okorie Ezieme
2.3. Recording Secretary ____________________ Damon Hobdy
2.3.1 Approve May 19, 2015 Meeting Minutes
2.4. Treasurer ____________________________ Amy Cienfuegos
2.5. Corresponding Secretary ________________ Billy Malone
3. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS
3.1. California Highway Patrol _______________ Officer Cooper
3.2. Altadena Sheriff’s Station _______________ Lt. Robert Lewis
3.3. Cert ________________________________
3.4. County Fire ___________________________ Stephanie English
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
4.1. New Yard Sale Ordinance ________________ Jonathan Bell,