Monday, February 15, 2016

Altadena Faces Imported Water Shutdown for Up to 17 Days

A Metropolitan Water District treatment plant upgrade coupled with local pipeline construction are behind the planned total shutdown of water imports into Altadena for up to at least 17 days beginning February 23.

With no additional outside water flowing in, Altadenans will have to rely completely upon water reservoirs and groundwater wells for the two-weeks plus period.

All the water agencies involved have asked residents to curtail their water use to ensure supplies last and taps don’t run dry.

For those customers served by Las Flores Water Company, Lincoln Avenue Water Company and Rubio Cañon Land and Water Association, the shutdown of imported water shipments from the Metropolitan Water District will last from February 23 through March 10.

For those served by Pasadena Water and Power, the shutdown will last from February 25 through March 10. The PWP customers are not affected by the Altadena pipeline construction shutdown extension which affects only customers of the Altadena water companies served by the Foothill Municipal Water District.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Altadena Weather: Sunny. Windy. Warm. Repeat.

An upper high pressure ridge is expected to amplify and build into California Sunday night and will bring sunny and warm weather over Altadena Monday, but this comes with strong and gusty winds near the foothills that could create driving hazards through next Saturday.

Monday’s highs will be near 89 degrees with northeast winds at five to 15 miles per hours, becoming east southeast in the afternoon. A Hazardous Weather Outlook from the National Weather Service says winds could gust as high as 20 mph Monday afternoon, even up to 60 to 65 mph in the windier locations in the mountains and foothills.

Monday’s lows will be around 57.

Tuesday will be sunny and could be the warmest day of the week with a high near 90 in the valleys and interior areas of Los Angeles county, as the upper high gets to its strongest across the region. Calmer winds from the south and southwest prevail and lows will be around 59.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Altadena Town Council Issues Agenda for February 16, 2016

Diane Marcussen, Chair, Altadena Town Council has issued the agenda for the Council’s February 16, 2016 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7:00 p.m.

A pdf version is available by clicking here.

1. CALL TO ORDER

1.1. Pledge of Allegiance ___________________________ Councilmember
1.2. Roll Call _____________________________________ Recording Secretary, Damon Hobdy
1.3. Approve February 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 January 19, 2015 Meeting Minutes
2.4. Treasurer ____________________________________ Patricia Sutherlen
2.5. Corresponding Secretary _______________________ Billy Malone

3. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

3.1. California Highway Patrol _______________________ Officer Mike Ulloa
3.2. Altadena Sheriff’s Station ______________________ Lt. Phil Marquez
3.3. Cert ________________________________________
3.4. County Fire __________________________________ Stephanie English

4. SPECIAL PRESENTATION

4.1.

Friday, February 5, 2016

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

Sunday, January 24th

10:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of W. Altadena Drive. The suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear window. Property Stolen: Santa Cruz acoustic guitar, gray guitar case, Apple laptop, credit cards. On-going investigation.
3:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1900 block of Harding Avenue. The suspect(s) entered the residence by prying the rear door. Property Stolen: silver MacBook Pro, silver iPhone 6S.
6:09 PM – A robbery occurred at Baja Ranch Market, 2515 Fair Oaks Avenue. The suspect was described as a male, 35 years, 5’5” – 5’6”, 130 – 140 lbs. Property Stolen: beer.
7:00 PM – A petty theft from a vehicle occurred in the 1200 block of Boston Street. Property Stolen: black bumper hitch cover.
9:15 PM – Iberville Beard, 31 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 500 block of W. Figueroa Street for a court order violation.
11:51 PM – Erlyn Ramirez,

Friday, February 5, 2016

MonteCedro Senior Living Community Facility Holds Grand Opening

Story and Photography by ANI MIKAELIAN

The 186-apartment unit MonteCedro senior living community complex celebrated its grand opening Thursday in Altadena.

“We are so excited to be here and to be of service to this community,” MonteCedro’s Executive Director, David Weidert, said. “We are looking forward to being your partner, your patron, your volunteers, and most specially your neighbors.”

Built and operated by Episcopal Communities & Services (ECS), the facility, located at 2212 N. El Molino Avenue, is touted as a “luxury Life Plan Community situated on an idyllic eight-acre site in the foothills of Altadena.”

About 250 people are already signed up into move into the community by the end of 2016, ECS said. Eighty-six of the apartments are already occupied.

The grand opening kicked off with the Jack Lantz Big Band playing a wide collection of classics including “Moon River” and “Orange Colored Sky.”

“This building is much more than concrete and steel,” ECS President and Chief Executive Officer James Rothrock told the gathering.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Five Acres Announces Transitional Shelter Care (TSC) – A Pilot Program at the Residential Treatment Center in Altadena

Effective March 1, Five Acres will expand services by launching a new Transitional Shelter Care (TSC) program on their residential campus in Altadena.

This pilot program, administered through the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, will provide short-term care; up to 72 hours in most cases – for youngsters who are experiencing the trauma of being removed from their families, or who have suffered a placement disruption.

Five Acres’ program will serve girls age 6-14, with a priority to siblings to help keep them together. The girls will stay in the newly renovated TSC cottage, which can accommodate up to 15 residents at a time. Dedicated staff will provide direct care, crisis services, therapeutic interaction, supervision, and comfort during this difficult time in the lives of these young girls. Because children will only be with us for a short time, we anticipate serving hundreds of additional youngsters each year through this unique program.

There are approximately 20,000 boys and girls in Los Angeles County Foster Care,

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Free Dental Care for Kids Age 6-18, Sign Up Today, Registration Ends Febuary 3rd

Young and Healthy (Y&H) is sponsoring the USC Mobile Dental Clinic in Pasadena from February 5 – February 12, 2016. The clinic is offering free dental care for children/youth between the ages of 6-18 who live in Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre or South Pasadena.

Please review the attached flyer and forward to your neighbors. Space is limited!

For more information, contact Young and Healthy at (626) 795-5166 or visit

Young & Healthy, 1905 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, (626) 795-5166 or visit yhpasadena.org.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Man, 77, Suffering Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia, Missing in West Altadena

A 77-year old man who suffers from Parkinson’s and dementia is missing Tuesday morning in Altadena, a Sheriif’s Deputy reported.

Marcos Badilla has been missing from the 300 block of West Palm St., in Altadena since late last night, Deputy Dan Paige said.

Badilla was last seen wearing a blue jacket, grey sweat pants and black knit hat. He stands 5’11″ tall and weighs about 130 pounds. . He walks with a cane and is presumed to still have his cane with him.

Paige said that Badilla is able to hold a conversation, however, his memory only lasts approximately three hours. Badilla is interested in football and the news.

In addition to patrol units on the lookout for Badilla, Paige said the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. has launched helicopter patrols with loudpeaker announcements.

If you have seen Marcos Badilla, please call the Altadena Sheriff’s Station immediately with any information at (626) 798-1131.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Altadena Resident to Chair LA County’s Sybil Brand Commission

Altadena Resident and lifelong educator, Barbara Bigby was recently elected Chair of the Los Angeles County Sybil Brand Commission for Institutional Inspections.Barbara is the first African American to serve in this esteemed role.Commissioner Barbara Bigby was first appointed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich in June 2008, representing the 5th Supervisorial District.

Barbara is an advocate for children and a voice for those who have no voice – she is a strong believer of justice for all inmates and children in lock-ups and group homes.

Mrs. Bigby was the past owner and director of the Bright-Eye Day Care Center for 30 years, a youth counselor at her church for 28 years, and a tireless volunteer – a very active member of her community. She is married to Richard Bigby Jr., has three children, and is the proud grandmother of four grandchildren. She previously served as the President of the Altadena Chapter of the NAACP, is a member of the Altadena Community Center Advisory Board,

Monday, February 1, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents African American Heritage Drum and Dance Circle

[Editor’s Note: We apologize! we omitted the date and time of this event! It will be Saturday, February 13  from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main Library.]

Join the Altadena Library District in celebrating African American heritage with a Drum and Dance Circle presentation led by Onochie Chukwurah, the founder & owner of Rhythms Of The Village, located in Altadena. Rhythms Of The Village is a cultural shop that sells many handmade and authentic African goods.

The program, aimed at sharing Nigerian Culture, begins with traditional water libation, a ritual pouring of a liquid as an offering to a god or spirit or in memory of those who have died. Onochie then begins the drum and dance circle presentation with a drum call and storytelling. Once the music and dancing begin, the audience is encouraged to participate in the circle through guided drumming, dancing, and singing.

Whether it is music, dance, storytelling, or art,