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,

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, November 18th

Sunday, November 13th

No significant incidents.

Monday, November 14th

No significant incidents.

Tuesday, November 15th

9:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1500 block of Meadowbrook Road. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the rear bedroom sliding door. Stolen: silver Macbook Pro.
12:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2300 block of Santa Rosa Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the patio door(s). Items stolen were recovered.
4:45 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Lincoln Ave. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: black purse, wallet and currency.
5:34 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 1900 block of E. Loma Alta Drive. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the patio door(s). Stolen: none.

Wednesday, November 16th

10:20 AM – Carlos Navarro, 19 years old of Pasadena was arrested in the 2500 block of Fair Oaks Avenue for shoplifting.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Aveson Charter Schools Launch Local #GivingTuesday Campaign

Students and teachers of Aveson Charter Schools in Altadena will join more than 45,000 partners worldwide for #Giving Tuesday on November 29, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity worldwide.

Aveson calls their campaign #Giving TWOsday, which will be centered at the Aveson Global Leadership Academy, at 575 W. Altadena Drive, and Aveson School of Leaders at 1919 Pinecrest Avenue in Altadena.

“Our #GivingTWOsday campaign recognizes Aveson’s commitment to making a difference for everyone in our greater Altadena community,” said Kate Bean, Executive Director of Aveson Charter Schools. “Collaboration and social leadership are cornerstones of Aveson’s personalized mastery learning vision and it is a pleasure to give back to two outdoor spaces that enrich our students’ lives as well as the lives of all Altadena-area residents.”

During the event, Aveson will share a portion of the funds raised with two Altadena outdoor recreation spaces – Loma Alta Park and Eaton Canyon Natural Resource.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Altadena Historical Society Offers Black Friday Alternative

Exhibit of Famous and Fascinating Residents Open Friday, Nov. 25, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving is a time when families come together and enjoy good food and good company.

But the day afterwards poses challenges for those who don’t want to go shopping or sit in a movie theater.

Offering a free alternative, the Altadena Historical Society has announced special Friday, Nov. 25 all-day hours to view its new exhibit, “Fifty Famous and Fascinating Altadenans.”

The exhibit features dozens of actors, authors, scientists and sports figures who have lived in–or are current residents of–Altadena. Some of them may be your neighbors today!

The AHS archives and museum will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, 91001. Parking and entrance are free, while donations are always welcome.

“Altadena’s beauty and independent spirit have always attracted creative and talented people,” said AHS President Jane Brackman,

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Newly-Arrived Rabbi Noam Raucher to Speak at Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Newly-arrived Rabbi Noam Raucher will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Altadena Congregations Together Serving (ACTS) interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Sunday November 20 at 7 p.m. at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 1434 N. Altadena Drive, just north of Washington Boulevard.

The event is being sponsored by ACTS (Altadena Congregations Together Serving), an interactive fellowship among local religious congregations, who work together on community issues such as homelessness, positive youth activities and mutual understanding.

Congregations that will take part in this event’s program include the Christian Science Church, St. Marks Episcopal Church, Altadena Community Church, the Bahai Faith, Christ the Shepard Lutheran Church and the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Praise music on the Thanksgiving theme will be presented by Altadena Baptist Church’s Gospel Choir, under the direction of Loren Roberts, and by Cantor Ruth Berman Harris. A musical tribute will be made to song-writer Leonard Cohen, who recently passed away, through the singing of his moving “Halleluia.”

A freewill offering will be received to support the ACTS Food Bank from which a number of local families receive food every Saturday.