Friday, July 10, 2015

Film Maker, Historian Will Discuss His Experiences in Event Leading Up to Film Showing at the Altadena Public Library

The Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Library District are partnering to present a July 27 talk by filmmaker and historian Walter Dominguez. His film, “Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery,” will then be screened at the library the following week, August 4 at 6:30pm.

Dominguez will speak on the experiences of early 1900’s Mexican immigrants to the United States, with examples from his own family history, at the Monday July 27 summer quarterly meeting of the Historical Society. The 7:30 p.m. meeting, free and open to the public, will be at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

With his talk as background–though not necessary to attend– Dominguez’s two-hour documentary-drama about discovering the surprising biography of his Mexican-born grandfather will be shown 6:30-9 p.m. August 4 at the Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.

Dominguez will be at the screening to introduce the film, and to answer audience questions afterwards. Also present will be Shelley Morrison, Executive Producer of the film, 

Friday, July 10, 2015

Volunteers Sought by Altadena Historical Society

An informational meeting for persons interested in assisting the Altadena Historical Society will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, at Society archives in the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive.

“We have many exciting projects in progress and would welcome volunteer help in a variety of areas,” said Jean Phillips, AHS projects coordinator.

“Front-desk volunteer; scanning and cataloging photos, documents and artifacts into our Past Perfect database; interviewing longtime residents for oral histories; and researching requests we get for information about people, homes and Altadena history are just some of the areas that volunteers can assist us with,” Phillips said.

“We have had high school and college students volunteering as well as working adults and retirees,” Phillips said. “We are appreciative of any time and expertise that volunteers can give us.”

The meeting will include an overview of the Society and its extensive archives, and an explanation of the projects that volunteers can assist with.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Brutus! Chloe! Loomis! Jake! Meet Our Pets of the Week

This week, we introduce you to four pets up for adoption now at the Pasadena Humane Society. See a friendly face you want to bring home? Call (626) 792-7151 with the ID number.

Brutus (A376853) is a 2-year-old, neutered pit bull. This handsome guy walks well on leash and loves going to the park with volunteers. He also enjoys playing with toys. Brutus is learning some basic commands and would love to find a home where he can continue his training. His adoption fee is $125, including the neuter surgery, microchip and a set of vaccines.

Chloe (A365275) is a 3-year-old, spayed shorthair cat. She is incredibly affectionate with people and enjoys the company of other cats. Chloe lives in one of our communal cat rooms, where you can often find her sitting on the perch people watching. This sweet girl is already spayed, microchipped and vaccinated.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Altadena Chamber Awards Wullschlager Scholarships to Madeleine Lepesant and Bryson Moore

Article and Photography by LAURA MONTEROS

Pasadena Unified School District graduates Bryson Moore and Madeleine Lepesant received $1,000 scholarships from the Marion Lee Wullschlager scholarship fund on Tuesday morning. The awards were presented by Altadena Chamber of Commerce president Meredith Miller and board member Billy Malone.

The Wullschlager scholarship is given to two graduating senior students who attended PUSD schools and live in Altadena. For the past two years, the Chamber has worked with Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, CEO of Quality of Life Center to choose students from the Bright Future Scholars program.

Wullschlager’s daughter, Kathryn Wullschlager, spoke about her mother’s involvement in the public schools and the community. She said her mother would be “honored and proud” that after a hiatus, the scholarship program was restarted last year.

“I know it was meaningful to Mom,” she said. “She was always involved in the schools, since I was in kindergarten.” Marion, a real estate broker, had intended to start a music foundation to help keep music in PUSD schools,

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Urgent Missing: Guinness the Cat, Have You Seen Him?

Guinness has gone missing on El Molino near Mariposa and the neighbors are àll sad. He is all black, was wearing an ID collar and very friendly.

Please call 213-923-0829 with any information.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Demand for MWD Turf Rebate Program Exhausts Supplies, Program Closes

Facing unprecedented public demand for incentives to transform the region’s landscapes, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California announced today it will be closing its turf rebate program to new applications later this week because available funding has been fully allocated.

Metropolitan’s $450 million conservation program, the largest of its kind in the nation, will focus remaining available funds on rebates for water-saving devices and a multi-media outreach campaign to promote greater water conservation in homes, gardens and communities throughout the Southland. The district will also maintain a waiting list of interested turf rebate applicants in the event that some of the approved projects do not move forward with their planned landscape changes.

“We knew that the popularity of the turf program would exhaust the available funds at some point, but even we didn’t predict just how popular turf rebates would become,” said Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger. “Metropolitan is proud to have accelerated the movement by hundreds of thousands of Southern Californians to embrace a new outdoor aesthetic and lock in water savings permanently.”

Last December,

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Altadena Public Library Receives “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” Grant

The Altadena Public Library has been selected to receive a competitive Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).

As one of 203 grant recipients selected from across the country, Altadena Public Library will receive a cash grant of $3,000 to hold public programming — such as public film screenings, discussion groups, oral history initiatives, local history exhibitions, multi-media projects or performances — about Latino history and culture.

The library will also receive the six-part, NEH-supported documentary film “Latino Americans,” 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. (Learn more about the series at www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/.)

The Latino Americans funding will enable the Altadena Library to present a film and lecture series with scholars including Roberta Martinez and Dr. Francisco Balderrama, special presentations in partnership with Altadena Heritage and Altadena Historical Society and a Latino Festival in April highlighting local Latino culture.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

California Highway Patrol Says 2 Were Killed, 229 Arrested for DUI in Los Angeles County Over Fourth of July

Twenty-six people were killed in vehicle collisions throughout the state of California within the 78-hour Maximum Enforcement Period over the Independence Day weekend, when the California Highway Patrol deployed the maximum number of personnel to assure safe travel for those going to and coming from Fourth of July events.

CHP reported the sad statistic in a press release summarizing the number of traffic incidents and violations last weekend throughout the state.

The report said CHP made 930 driving-under-the-influence arrests statewide during the Maximum Enforcement Period. Within Los Angeles county, two people were killed in collisions and 229 arrests were made.

All available CHP officers were deployed during the period to focus enforcement on occupant restraints, speed violations, and those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The maximum deployment also assured prompt response to any incident that may have caused a hazard or traffic delay.

“Our mission is to reduce roadway deaths to zero,” the CHP said in a press release.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Board of Supervisors Adopts Recommendations Supported by Antonovich

The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the recommendations of the Interim Chief Executive Officer on a motion by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich and Supervisor Sheila Kuehl to enhance the efficiency of the governance structure and end the failed 2007 interim structure.  The Board also directed the CEO to report back to the Board in 90 days with additional changes to governance to further enhance operations.

“Today’s action will improve the Board’s ability to address emerging priorities and ensure effective service delivery with increased collaboration on vital county issues.” said Mayor Antonovich.  “The previous costly and bureaucratic interim governance structure was bloated and hindered the ability to provide coordinated services to emancipated youth, veterans, the mentally ill and other vial services.”

In February, the Board unanimously approved a motion by Mayor Antonovich and Supervisor Kuehl that directed the CEO to provide flexibility, transparency and accountability to the County governance structure.  The new structure provides Board interaction with departments and improves decision-making by creating ad hoc units in the Chief Executive Office dedicated to accomplishing Board priorities.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Child Bitten by Rattlesnake at Day Camp in Hahamongna Park

A young girl of less than 10 years of age was bitten by a rattlesnake at a day camp in Hahamongna Park Mondays afternoon shortly about 3:15 p.m. and is expected to “recover fully.”

Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian said the day camp’s counselors called 911 immediately and handled the situation well. Paramedics arrived on scene within minutes.

“She was transported to a local hospital and is in a stable condition and expected to make a full recovery,” Derderian said. “The camp personnel handled it just as they should. They’re a reputable organization that had been there for years.”

Derderian said she believes the snake itself was captured.

Recent hot, dry weather has resulted in an increase rattlesnake sightings.

Derderian urged residents to be careful when outdoors.

“It’s a misconception that people assume that they’re going to hear the rattle and in majority of cases, you might not hear a rattle,” she said.