Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Los Angeles County Proclaims Armenian Genocide Day of Remembrance

Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the Board of Supervisors marked the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by proclaiming a Day of Remembrance for one of the darkest chapters in human history.

“The month of April and the celebration of the Armenian culture culminates in our Day of Remembrance, a day where we mourn, remember, and rejoice in the rebirth of a resilient people,” said Supervisor Barger.

Earlier this month, Supervisors Barger and Hahn introduced a motion proclaiming April as “Armenian History Month” in Los Angeles County – the home to the largest population of Armenians in the United States. The Armenian community continues to enrich the region through their leadership in the fields of business, agriculture, academia, medicine, government, and the arts.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

County Budget Takes Cautious Approach Amid Fiscal Uncertainty

During her first budget hearing, Supervisor Kathryn Barger praised Chief Executive Officer Sachi Hamai for developing the 2017-2018 Proposed Budget. “I would like to commend the CEO for developing this proposed budget which represents a balanced strategy that funds vital programs and services while remaining cautious in anticipation of potential shortfalls and curtailments,” said Supervisor Barger. “However, we must bear in mind that the County is entering a period of significant uncertainty, with the fiscal impacts of changes to the political and economic landscape largely unclear.”

In order to safeguard the County’s fiscal sustainability, Supervisor Barger introduced a motion, coauthored by Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors, to emphasize the Board’s role as responsible stewards of taxpayer funds and enhance the County’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

“The adoption of fiscally prudent practices in the budget process will ensure the County’s ability to deliver vital services while maintaining a structurally sound and balanced budget in the future,” she added.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Writer-Artist Presents Program on American Abolitionists for Altadena Historical Society

Abolitionist-insurrectionist John Brown, whose sons Jason and Owen came to live in the hills of Altadena after their father‘s raid on Harper’s Ferry, will be the topic of writer-artist Hope Demetriades in a program sponsored by the Altadena Historical Society.

The program will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 24, at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, 91001. The program is free and open to the public. The Community Center is immediately west of the Sheriff’s Station and across Altadena Drive from Rite-Aid.

“Brown’s passionate devotion not only to ending slavery, but to bringing about total equality among African-Americans and Caucasians inspired deep resentment in the mostly pro-slavery South, but profound gratitude and respect among slaves, free African-Americans and abolitionists,” Demetriades said.

She will discuss events in Brown’s life that led up to his raid on the Harper’s Ferry, Va., armory in 1859–hoping to begin a revolution that would end slavery–and other abolitionists including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and Elijah Lovejoy.

Friday, April 7, 2017

Altadenans Welcome, Explore Brand New Discount Grocery Store ALDI Just Weeks After Long-Time Ralphs Closes

By BRANDON VILLALOVOS

Dozens of residents and community members of Altadena lined up around the block of the site where the new ALDI grocery store opened for business Thursday morning eager be among the first to shop and explore the brand new store that now sits next door to the once bustling, and now abandoned, Ralphs.

The discount grocery store on the southeast corner of Lake Ave. and Calaveras in Altadena is the first of its kind in the area for the midwest-based ALDI, which launched a series of California stores last year and offers a wide range of premium groceries at prices up to fifty percent less than the competitors.

“We know Altadena residents are looking for a great value and quality groceries they love,” said John Alvarez, Moreno Valley Director of Operations ALDI. “By offering quality exclusive brand products at affordable prices, ALDI is the answer to customer’s needs. Whether shoppers are looking for USDA Choice meats, organic fruits and vegetables or gluten-free options,

Thursday, April 6, 2017

LA County Parks Invites You to a Flashlight Egg Hunt at Farnsworth Park

Join the staff of Los Angeles County Parks for a nighttime egg hunt at the local Farnsworth Park. Bring a flashlight and have chance to win a gift or a basket. Park staff will be at Farnsworth handing out baskets and gifts, until they are all gone, don’t be late. Any questions please call (626) 798-6335.

Farnsworth Park is located near the top of Lake Ave. at 568 E. Mount Curve Avenue. The hunt starts at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Second Saturdays at Altadena Library Continue Amid Renovations

Despite the current renovation at its main library building, Altadena Library District’s popular Second Saturday Concerts will continue this Saturday, April 8th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a night of live music featuring the Louis Van Taylor Quintet at 600 E. Mariposa Street. We will be holding the concert in the Library so attendees will get a sneak peak at our new renovations!

This month’s musical guests make up a quintet of talented and acclaimed jazz, funk, and blues musicians. While Louis Van Taylor will not be in attendance, the 2-hour set will feature the musical styling of Charles Owen on saxophone and flute, Stephen Taylor on congas and percussion, Mikel Majeed on keys, Kenny Sara on drums and vocals, and Steve Cotter on guitar. The group members’ combined credits span the music industry and include Frank Zappa, Clayton Hamilton Orchestra, Funky George Brown, Cheryl Lynne, Buddy Rich, Freda Payne, Jacque Leisure, Benny Maupin, Barbara Morrison, Noland Shaheed, and Gerald Wilson.

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

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Celebrate National Library Week

National Library Week, April 9 – 15, 2017, is a time to celebrate our nation’s libraries and library workers for transforming lives through free access to education, technology, information literacy, diverse collections and opportunities for community engagement.

In a world of rapid technological and cultural change, libraries and library workers are your trusted resources for both individuals and the community at large. Conducting an online search can be a daunting task, even for an experienced researcher, with millions of hits for any question or topic. Librarians are trained experts who can guide library users through this information jungle to find what they are seeking, whether they are verifying news sources, investigating healthcare options or exploring sources of student financial aid.

Libraries also provide a wide range of opportunities for people with diverse wants and interests, including cultural and arts programming, materials in alternate formats such as large print, multilingual internet trainings, bilingual story hours, English as a Second Language classes and many other programs.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, April 1st

Sunday, March 26th

9:00 PM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 200 block of Laurel Drive. Stolen: black iHome speaker.
10:00 PM – A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1700 block of N. Harding Avenue. Stolen: black Chanel sunglasses, brown fur coat, and black Chanel purse.
10:30 PM – A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1700 block of Coolidge Avenue. Stolen: brown Gucci sunglasses, black Marc Jacobs sunglasses, and orange/red Chanel sunglasses.

Monday, March 27th

12:15 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1200 block of Morada Place. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the glass door. Stolen: unknown.
6:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in 1700 block of N. Altadena Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: unknown.
8:30 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 100 block of E. Woodbury Road. Damage: shattered window and dents.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

County to Explore Opportunities to Treat Larger Population of Homeless Mentally Ill

A motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors, directs county agencies to investigate and report back with recommendations on ways the County can expand treatment opportunities to a larger population of homeless mentally ill.

“Within the County’s chronically homeless population, there is a significant segment of individuals who refuse treatment – but are clearly in need of care,” said Barger. “Their condition prevents them from accepting treatment or providing for their own basic needs – yet they don’t meet the nebulous 5150 threshold of “being a danger to themselves and others.”

Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code authorizes a qualified officer or clinician to involuntarily confine a person suspected to have a mental disorder that makes him or her a danger to themselves, a danger to others, and/or is gravely disabled.

“I strongly believe that if someone’s mental disorder prevents them from providing for their own basic needs then they are in fact,

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Altadena Library Districts Invites Residents to Community-wide Town Hall Meeting

February and March have been busy months for the Altadena Library District. Inspired by the American Library Association’s nation-wide movement “Libraries Transforming Communities” and the Harwood Institute’s approach to community engagement, Altadena Library District sponsored the Community Conversations initiative across Altadena, engaging hundreds of residents in in-depth discussions in the living rooms of Altadena residents, in local organizations, and in small businesses. At each of these two-dozen Community Conversations, a facilitator led discussion, focusing on the community’s aspirations for Altadena, challenges the community faces, and concrete action steps residents can take both individually and as a community to improve Altadena.

Funded by Altadena Library District, the goal of the Community Conversations project was to examine Altadena as a whole through a positive, mediated evaluation of the community’s aspirations and goals. “In an unincorporated community like Altadena that has no inherent or governmental community center or hub, there is great potential for a longstanding institution such as Altadena Library District to fill that need in the community and become a central resource for local efforts toward community growth and advancement,” says Library Director Mindy Kittay,