Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Collaborative Group Holds Parent, Teacher Forum to Discuss School District Issues

Collaborate PASadena — the “A” is for “Altadena” — continued its ongoing dialogue with local parents Tuesday evening at McKinley Elementary with its “Parent Voice Workshop.”

Collaborate PASadena is a school-city-community work plan aimed at streamlining and bettering services for children and families in Altadena, Sierra Madre and Pasadena.

The event was the first in a series of free parent engagement forums which are designed to deepen connections between parents and to provide them with ideas, relationships and avenues to help them to better navigate the challenges of parenting.

According to Mercy Santoro, Associate Superintendent of the Pasadena Unified School District, the evening was designed to “engage parents to help improve their own skills and abilities to lead parents’ organizations and groups.”

“Tonight,” she continued, “is centered around the district’s understanding of key issues from parents that will help the Pasadena School District better service its students.”

The plan was born as the School/City/Community Work Plan in 2013,

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Altadena Public Library Continues Its Latino American Grant Award Programming with a Grand Finale Celebration: Celebrating Roots, A Latino Cultural Arts Festival

On Saturday, May 14th from Noon to 8:00 p.m. the Altadena Library District will conclude its Latino American Grant award programming with a day-long festival. This Grand Finale Celebration is themed:  “Celebrating Roots”.

Altadena Library will host a Latino Cultural Arts Festival featuring:

Booths: 30+ Latino artists’ booths plus additional booths for non-profits that support the Latino Community.

MC for the day: Mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman, Associate Artist of the Los Angeles Music Center Opera, she performs as a principal artist with many of the world’s finest companies including the Metropolitan Opera, Kennedy Center Opera, Washington Opera, Seattle Opera, the Grand Théâtre in Geneva, and at the Edinburgh Festival. 2012 Hispanic Scholarship Foundation’s “Mentor of the Year Award”, 2012 Spirit of California Award from the California State Latino Legislative Caucus, 2013 Mexican American Foundation’s Woman of the Year.

Music: José-Luis Orozco (Grammy Nominated) & musicians from the band Quetzal (Grammy Winning) will present a children/family music program. Two 45-minute sets.

Storyteller: Born and raised in East Los Angeles,

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

County Officials Will Act to Allay Residents Fears About 5-Mile Pipeline to be Dug Through Altadena

[Editor’s note: This article originally misstated the address for the Altadena Community Center. The correct address is 730 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena. ]

Los Angeles County officials are expected during a Tuesday evening public meeting at the Altadena Community Center to answer questions and address the concerns of Altadena residents about a planned 2018 construction of a five-mile long pipeline intended to bring much-needed water to local communities.

Officials will explain during today’s 7:30 p.m. meeting at the center, at 730 E. Altadena Drive, that the Stormwater Flood Management Project will divert excess flows from Devil’s Gate Dam and Reservoir to the Eaton Wash Spreading Grounds refilling an aquifer used by several local communities — including but not limited to Altadena — as a water supply source.

And, as of now, any environmental or aesthetic impact to the community is unclear, according to Keith Lilley of the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works’ Water Resources Division.

Monday, March 28, 2016

New Parent Support Circle in Altadena

The Village Family Support Services has launched a new Parent Support Circle in Altadena, now holding sessions every Wednesday at the Loma Alta Park at 3330 Lincoln Avenue.

The circle launched last March 23 and will go on until May 25, 2016. Sessions for the Altadena Parents Circle are from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Xochitl Palomera, Parent Support Circle Coordinator at The Village Family Services, says the project is an initiative to reduce isolation among parents and connect them to programs, free courses and events in Los Angeles county that will help support raising healthy children.

“Sometimes parents will encounter different challenges when raising their children,” Palomera says. “Sometimes it’s behavior challenges, or they have children with special needs, or they’re just financial struggles. Sometimes it’s hard to admit that you need help, that you need some type of support. So we at Parents Support Circle create a space where parents can come, feel safe to share their experiences and in that process of sharing,

Friday, March 25, 2016

Altadena Public Library Presents Top Waterfall Hikes in the San Gabriel Valley with Laura Randall, Author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Los Angeles

On Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Barbara J. Pearson Community Room of the Main Library.

The San Gabriel Mountains offer dozens of waterfalls within easy reach: some are hidden and undiscovered, while others are busy all the time. Laura Randall, author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Los Angeles, has been exploring the trails that lead to them all year, many in the days following this winter’s El Nino storms. Join her as she talks about some of her favorite discoveries, which ones are best for beginner hikers and which ones will appeal to the more adventurous, and how she learned to stop worrying about crowds and embrace the camaraderie of a busy trail.

A native of suburban Philadelphia, Laura Randall lived in Washington, D.C., and San Juan, Puerto Rico, before moving to the Los Angeles area in 1999. Her byline can be found in a variety of newspapers and consumer magazines, including the Los Angeles Times,

Friday, March 25, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, March 19th

Sunday, March 13th

No significant incidents to report.

Monday, March 14th

8:00 AM – An attempt auto theft was reported from the 1000 block of Concha Street. No suspect description.
3:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2100 block of El Sereno Avenue. Suspects entered the location by prying the garage door. Suspects described as a female Black, 20 years old and a male Black, 40 years old. Stolen: green Diamond Back mountain bike,
11:51 PM – An armed robbery occurred in the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue. Suspect described as a male Black wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, glasses, and a mask, armed with a black handgun. No injuries.

Tuesday, March 15th

4:42 PM – A commercial burglary occurred in the 400 block of E. Woodbury Road. Suspect described as a female Hispanic, 40 years old, heavy-set. Stolen: black purse containing currency and identification.
9:25 PM – A shoplifting incident occurred in the 700 block of E.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Altadena’s The Coffee Gallery Changes Owners, but the Gallery Backstage Stays On

Altadena’s iconic Coffee Gallery on Lake Avenue has changed ownership after previous owner Julie Sandoval decided to move to another state and sell the building and the business. Bob Stane, who operates the entertainment venue at the back – The Coffee Gallery Backstage – is staying on.

The new owners of the Coffee Gallery are Jimmy and Irene Chen, who can often be seen on the premises.

Florante “Fly” Manglicmot, barista-turned-manager, said today the Chens are doing some renovation work which may take “a couple of months,” but after that, they’ll be relaunching with a new brand of coffee called Counter Culture, and lunch items will be expanded to feature made-to-order sandwiches, salads and daily soup specials.

Ice cream will be Fosselmans, Manglicmot said, and pastry offerings will be moved to an artisanal range.

Gallery Backstage proprietor Bob Stane said his venue will also benefit from some repainting and fixing up. Meantime, Stane expects to remain open to continue featuring his slate of eclectic music shows,

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Art on Palm Announces Spring Show

For one day only, artists and makers will exhibit work at Art on Palm, Saturday, June 18, 2016; 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Altadena’s secluded and storied Wildwood Park, at 1421 E. Palm Street, Altadena.

The juried show and sale features work in ceramics, collage, glass, leather, metals, mixed media, photography, print making, textiles, watercolors, and woodworking. The participating artists will be announced on April 4, 2016. In addition to distinct work, the event is dog and child-friendly and showcases the folk-rock band, BULLFISH.

Art on Palm takes place under towering oaks and along the drives and paths of two homes, one renovated by and the other designed by Henry Greene in a local canyon known as Wildwood Park. Once part of a hunting lodge, Wildwood holds a stone amphitheater, outbuildings, and an old growth forest with one that is at least 650 years young – one of the oldest in the San Gabriel Valley.

Art on Palm artists contribute a portion of their sales to the Creative Arts Group of Sierra Madre,

Monday, March 21, 2016

Coffee with a Cop in Altadena Tuesday Gives You Chance to Chat About Community Issues

CHP Altadena is sponsoring Coffee with a Cop this Tuesday, March 22 at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Avenue in Altadena.

Coffee with a Cop is an opportunity for law enforcement to discuss issues related to peace and order with the community.

During past Coffee events, issues discussed include how to start the Neighborhood Watch Program. This time, recent crime trends and how to safeguard your property will be discussed, as well as the impact of film companies on neighborhoods.

Deputies from the Altadena Sheriff’s Station will be side by side with CHP to answer any questions about policing the community, crime trends and prevention.

Community members are encouraged to stop by for coffee or just to say hello.

Coffee with a Cop is from 6 to 10 a.m.

For more information, call CHP Altadena at (626) 296-8100.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, March 12th

Sunday, March 6th

No significant incidents.

Monday, March 7th

7:00 AM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1200 block of Morada Place. Loss: currency.
10:00 AM – A grand theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 1800 block of Meadowbrook Road. Stolen: black projector, black nylon projector case.

Tuesday, March 8th

6:30 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2300 block of N. Altadena Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via unknown means. Stolen: black Dell laptop, black leather bag, notary stamp, black nylon computer bag, miscellaneous keys.
7:45 AM – An assault with a deadly weapon (plastic sign) occurred at Five Acres, 760 W. Mountain View Street. Suspect was taken into custody.
10:10 AM – An attempt burglary occurred in the 900 block of Beverly Way. Suspect #1 described as a male, Hispanic, 30 to 40 years old, 5’7 – 5’8. 190 – 200 lbs. and suspect #2 described as a male,