Monday, May 8, 2017

Altadena Library District Invites Community to Celebration of the Year

2017 is the year of Altadena Library District. One of Altadena’s longest standing institutions, the district is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its main building, launching its renowned Summer Reading Program, and debuting its refreshed facilities with a Grand Reopening, Summer Reading Program Kick-Off, and 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, June 10th from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm.

The day will begin at 10:00 am with a live performance by the John Muir High School Drum Corps, followed by the official Summer Reading Program Kick-Off and a performance by educational entertainment group Mad Science for kids. Master of Ceremonies Jodi Taffel, the nationally-renowned, award-winning chef and television personality known as the “Bacon Babe,” will guide guests through a variety of acts and well-known figures in Altadena to be featured on the main stage in the Altadena Library parking lot throughout the day, including a musical adventure with CHROMA, a hip-hop dance and spoken word poetry performance by Antics, and speeches from Senator Anthony Portantino,

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Altadena Ale Celebrates 7th Anniversary with Music and Flowing Cheer

The Altadena Ale and Wine House in Altadena celebrated its seventh anniversary last Monday night, with music and flowing cheer, and conversations with an eclectic mix of people that included artists and musicians, rocket scientists, and movie directors.

They’re actually among the regulars at Altadena’s family-owned little secret hole in the wall, tucked into Altadena’s “Fair Oaks Corridor,” in the shadow of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, that head bartender Gareth Casburn, of the sons of owners Gail and Judah Casburn, does not want to call a bar.

“It’s a pub – communal feeling; it’s about community. People come here, mostly walking distance, all in the neighborhood,” Gareth says. “They don’t come here to get drunk; they don’t come here to hit on girls. They come to talk to each other, have a good time, and just embrace the community. And that’s what really makes this place special.”

Gareth’s brother Owen also helps run the bar most nights.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, April 29th

Monday, April 24th

7:00 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 900 block of E. Mount Curve Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: air conditioning knobs.
3:55 PM – A theft of gardening equipment occurred in the 1000 block of Alta Vista Drive. Stolen: black Echo leaf blower.

Tuesday, April 25th

6:00 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 2900 block of Zane Grey Terrace. Stolen: set of keys.

Wednesday, April 26th

6:30 PM – David Diaz, 31 years old of Altadena and Brian Garnica, 18 years old of Altadena were arrested in the area of Olive Avenue and Figueroa Drive for drinking in public.

Thursday, April 27th

9:30 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 3100 block of Olive Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unsecured front door. Stolen: currency.

Friday, April 28th

6:00 PM – A petty theft occurred in the 2200 block of Lake Avenue.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Altadena Guild of the Huntington Hospital Holds Home Tour

Come for “A Stroll in the Altadena Highlands” on Sunday May 7, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Stroll along a beautiful tree lined street set below the beautiful San Gabriel mountains. This year The Altadena Guild is showcasing four unique homes and gardens. A lovey shaded tea garden will offer complimentary refreshments and the Altadeni Pub is serving a special beer brewed and named for the Home Tour. Also available at the pub are the famous Altadeni, wine, coffee, coffee with a kick, gourmet sandwiches and snacks. For a sweet treat stop by the tours bakery for fresh homemade desserts to share, take home or enjoy on the spot.

Also enjoy live music at each home on the tour, an open air vendors market featuring handbags, jewelry, pottery, antques and unique clothing. Local artists from Open Studios will be featuring a wide variety of artistic genres.

Tickets are $35.00 pre sale and $40.00 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Huntington Medical Research Institutes,

Monday, May 1, 2017

Spectacular ​Panoramic ​View ​H​ome in Altadena’s Rubio Highlands

1248 Pleasantridge Dr, Altadena, CA 91001

By ARMEN V. SARKISSIAN

Open House this Weekend, both Saturday and Sunday (May 6 & 7, 2017), 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.​​

Spectacular panoramic view home in Altadena’s Rubio Highlands feels like an island in the sky! Every square inch has been reworked and remodeled by renovation team Design Matters and offers 4 bedrooms, 2 full & 1 half baths.

The impressive wood and glass front door welcomes you into a formal entry, great room open to the cook’s kitchen with high-end grey stainless appliances, quartz counters and plenty of cabinets.

New double-pane windows throughout with multiple sliders leading out to the entertainers backyard featuring views over the entire San Gabriel Valley, Downtown LA, Pacific Ocean & Catalina Island on clear days.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Webster’s Community Pharmacy and the Road to Small Business Success

Nobody ever said running a business is easy, but many have endured the trials and tribulations that come with the territory of keeping a small business alive within a community–a feat Webster’s Community Pharmacy in Altadena has made sure of doing for nearly a century.

Owners Meredith and Michael Miller are the self-proclaimed serial entrepreneurs that took over ownership of the iconic Altadena pharmacy in 2010, bringing nearly four decades of experience to the table having previously owned various pharmacies throughout their careers that include the Fair Oaks Pharmacy in South Pasadena and Michael’s Pharmacy in the Green Street Village area of Pasadena.

In celebration of the National Small Business Week taking place April 30 to May 6, Webster’s offers a story worth telling of how to keep the spark alive, the doors open and customers happy in communities across the country in which small businesses account for 99 percent of all businesses in the the U.S.

“Small businesses have to have contact with their customers,

Monday, April 24, 2017

“Water Is Life” K-12 Student Art Contest

Foothill Municipal Water District (Foothill) recently concluded its 6th annual “Water Is Life” student art competition. The contest was open to all students, in grades K-12, attending a school located within the service area of a member water agency that Foothill serves.

The District received 115 total entries this year and the top 15 entries will be submitted to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) for further consideration to be included in the 2018 “Water Is Life” student art calendar. Winners will be selected in the fall and honored at a student art exhibit and recognition event sponsored by MWD. Criteria for judging the art pieces consisted of addressing the theme of the contest, originality of the piece and slogan, and degree of visual and word clarity.

The top 9 entries will receive further recognition through an FMWD Board of Directors Meeting on May 15, 2017 where students will receive prizes including gift certificates from fellow sponsors Los Gringos Locos Restaurant and The Flintridge Proper Restaurant.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Second Saturdays at Altadena Library with Michael Haggins Band

Altadena Library District’s popular Second Saturday Concerts will continue Saturday, May 13th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a night of live music featuring the Michael Haggins Band at 600 E. Mariposa Street.

Michael Haggins is a successful contemporary bassist and songwriter in Los Angeles. Michael, who was born in Pasadena and began playing music in his early teens, has worked and recorded with many artists while also working in the Network Television industry.

Michael’s music has been featured in episodes on Network Television & Feature Films such as:
– NBC Late night with Jimmy Fallon
– FOX “Raising Hope”
– FOX “New Girl”
– SHOWTIME “Ray Donovan”
– MSNBC “Wake Up With Al”
– The Weather Channel
– KTLA TV-5 Morning News Show

Michael continues to write and produce songs with his special brand of original music with his own unique sound.

The Altadena Library District hosts Second Saturday Concerts monthly at its main building October through June,

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Get Inspired by An Afternoon of Poetry at the Altadena Main Library

Find joy and inspiration at the Altadena Library on Saturday, April 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (break 2:30–3:00) when it hosts one of the largest local poetry readings in the community. This event celebrates the formal launch of the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2017 published by the Altadena Library. Poets included in this publication are award winners, Pushcart Prize Nominees, Poets Laureate, writing teachers, editors, publishers, professors, and emerging authors. The poets, and the 160 poems in the book are multi-culturally diverse and represent a broad variety of styles: traditional, unrhymed, short, long, humorous, poignant, political, inspirational, experimental, and, “everything in between.”

Library Director Mindy Kittay describes the annual library program, known as the Poetry & Cookies event, as “much beloved by the community and another example of how libraries change lives by providing the tools, access and experiences that help each and every one of us reach our full potential.”

For the first time in the 15-year history of an Altadena poetry anthology,

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, April 15th

Monday, April 10th

2:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2200 block of PinecrestDrive. Suspect(s) entered the residence via the unsecured door. Stolen: unknown.
9:30 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 3300 block of N. Mount Curve Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the window. Stolen: unknown.

Tuesday, April 11th

8:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2700 block of N. Porter Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the window. Stolen: silver watch and gold chain watch.
10:10 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 2100 block of El Molino Avenue. Vehicle described as a silver 1999 Ford F350.
1:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2300 block of PinecrestDrive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: black handbag, credit cards, and currency.

Wednesday, April 12th

4:30 PM – A grand theft from a vehicle occurred in the 2200 block of Glenrose Avenue.