Friday, December 9, 2016

The Altadena Library Presents the [i] cell Interactive Kiosk

The Altadena Library District is excited to announce the installation of a new interactive kiosk. The [i]cell Interactive Kiosk is programmed with California-specific water conservation information and is available for use by all patrons.

Over the last year, Altadena Library worked to install a drought-tolerant, water conservation demonstration garden on its grounds. Working with the Foothill Municipal Water District and using grants awarded by local organizations, the garden was ready and open to the public as of July. The Library is committed to becoming more energy efficient, including more water-wise. The installation of the Demonstration Garden helps the Library to lead by example and to engage the community through educational events about the importance of water conservation. Events have ranged from installing a drought-tolerant garden to tips on water saving at home.

The [i]cell Interactive Kiosk gives the Library an opportunity to continue the work it has been doing with the water conservation garden. As California’s drought is estimated to continue for the foreseeable future,

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, December 3rd

Sunday, November 27th

10:11 PM – Jose Diaz, 45 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 2100 block of Fair Oaks Avenue for domestic battery.

Monday, November 28th

1:00 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 400 block of W. Harriet Street. Vehicle described as a brown 2015 Kia Forte 4-door.
3:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: blue purse and blue laptop.
7:00 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 200 block of E. Sacramento Street. Stolen: silver iPhone 6.

Tuesday, November 29th

6:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 500 block of W. Calaveras Street. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via unknown means. Stolen: currency.

Wednesday, November 30th

1:50 AM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1200 block of E. Woodbury Road.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

The Altadena Library Presents ‘Maker Mondays’ for Teens

The Altadena Library District is proud to kick off Maker Mondays, a new series of STEAM programs. The series starts on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Teen Space.

Participants will create catapults out of popsicle sticks and rubber bands. The newly created catapults will be tested to see who can shoot a marshmallow higher and further. Participants will explore the impact of different structures and angles on the trajectory of their marshmallow. The winner earns a prize for his/her efforts. Snacks will be provided.

“STEAM activities are a great way to explore scientific theories through cause and effect,” says Kate Shumaker, Teen Librarian.

The series will continue the second Monday of every month with a different project each meeting.

Altadena Library District, 600 E. Mariposa St., Altadena, (626) 798-0833 or visit www.altadenalibrary.org.

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Celebrate Local Artists with Altadena Open Studios Tour This Weekend

By VERONICA AN

Three years ago, the concept for Open Studios Tour was born out of a coffee conversation and love of art. Mary Gothard and her husband had hosted a lively open studio at their Altadena home for 10 years and, in 2013, partnered with Ginko Ching Lee to expand the event to include 16 artists at three locations. This year’s Open Studios Tour includes 53 artists and twenty locations.
“Our goal is to untie the community, where we all work and play, through art,” said Mary Gothard, Board of Directors Chairperson.
Open Studios Tour gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at each artist’s life and creative process rather than just displaying their works in a sterile gallery setting. Explore mixed media works, jewelry, media, sculpture, textiles, spoken word and many more art forms. As Gothard explained, Open Studios considers all medium of art and works to connect artists with others in the community.
“I like the camaraderie and working with diverse people,” said Nina Ehlig,

Friday, December 2, 2016

High Winds Expected Through Saturday Morning

Winds have topped 32 MPH here in Altadena and we have had some power lines fall onto a metal fence off of Lake Ave. Other than lots of trash cans and debris on the road, we have been free from major damage to Altadena. Thanks for the local weather info Bill, http://www.westphalfamily.com/wxdata2.html

Tips:

Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and objects can be blown off roofs during strong wind gusts. Dust may also be blown up into air and into unprotected eyes.

In the event of a downed power line:

– Call for help. Report downed lines to Southern California Edison or Altadena Sheriff’s Station. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself. Report an Outage (24-hours a day, 7-days a week): 1-800-611-1911. If you see a downed power line, call 911 immediately.

– Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Warn others to stay away.

Friday, December 2, 2016

Cal State LA Alumnus, Altadena Resident Mark Steven Greenfield Commissioned for Metro Public Art Project

Cal State LA alumnus and renowned artist Mark Steven Greenfield has been selected to create artwork for LA Metro’s Regional Connector project. Greenfield, a resident of Altadena, is one of seven artists whose works will enrich the project, which will feature three new stations and connect rail lines from Azusa, Long Beach and Santa Monica.

“Public art represents an investment in a community; it’s among the things that gives a community value,” says Greenfield, who was pleased to learn that he’d been selected to create art for the station being constructed at 2nd Street and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.

A native Angeleno and son of a Tuskegee Airman, Greenfield spent his early childhood on military bases from Taiwan to Germany. After returning to Los Angeles, he attended an art program at the Otis Art Institute and studied under Charles White and John Riddle. He earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting and drawing from Cal State LA in 1987.

“Cal State LA is proud of Mark Steven Greenfield,

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Tips on How to Avoid Gift Card Scams

The old saying, “too good to be true”, it probably is.

Be careful this holiday season, criminals are taking advantage of the of the popular trend of holiday gift cards.

Be wary of buying gift cards at auction. Craigslist, Letgo and Ebay are excellent places to buy and sell used items, but it is difficult to varify if the gift cards are valid or not.

Purchase gift cards directly from the business. Money may be saved with buying gift cards from third party vendors, again, they may not be valid cards.

Be careful purchasing cards from the store shelve.

1. Always carefully examine both the front and back of a gift card before you buy it. If you can see a PIN number, put the card back and get a different one. If a gift card looks like it could have been tampered with, don’t buy that gift card.

2. Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift card in front of you.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, November 26th

Sunday, November 20th

4:52 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of E. Midwick Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear patio door. Stolen: none.
6:00 PM – A grand theft occurred in the 200 block of Laurel Drive. Stolen: 2008 Dodge Charger and firearm. Vehicle and firearm were recovered in the city of Pasadena.

Monday, November 21st

1:53 PM – Bartlett Smith, 27 years old of Altadena was arrested in the area of Woodbury Road and Lincoln Avenue for possession of a controlled substance.
7:34 PM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 3300 block of GlenroseAvenue. Vehicle was recovered in the immediate area and (2) juveniles were apprehended. Investigation is on-going.
8:00 PM – A petty theft from a vehicle occurred in the 1700 block of E. Elizabeth Street. Stolen: 2002 Honda Accord catalytic converter.
10:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 400 block of Figueroa Drive.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Altadena Library District: Open Announcement for Board Vacancy

With the resignation of Trustee David Tuck, the Altadena Library Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest from anyone who would like to serve on the board for the unexpired 2016/2017 term.

Those applying must be at least 18, a resident of and registered to vote in Altadena. The board will interview potential candidates at a special board meeting at 5 p.m. on January 10, 2017.

The applicant selected must agree to be willing to run in the 2017 election for the 4-year term for this seat which expires in 2021.

Interested parties should submit a letter of interest, resume, and completed supplemental questionnaire (on library’s website) to the Library Director by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2016.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa St.

For more information about the library, please visit the library’s website at www.altadenalibrary.org.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Altadena Library Waives Overdue Book Fines in Exchange for Holiday Toy, Food Donations

The Altadena Library is partnering with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the annual holiday toy and canned food drive.

Now through December 9, all library patrons with outstanding library fines can bring in new toys or non-perishable items for donation, in exchange for their fines being waved.

Both the main library at 600 East Mariposa Street and the Bob Lucas Memorial Library at 2659 Lincoln Avenue will be accepting donations for the holiday drive.

Toys must be new, in their original packaging and not gift-wrapped to be accepted. Canned food items must not have expired.

The library cannot waive fees for lost or damaged items.

The library has also released a list of the fine amounts and the items that would correspond to them in order for the fines to be waived.

Fines of from $1 to $5 will be waived with a donation of two canned items or toys, $6 to $10 for three canned goods or toys,