Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Altadena Mountain Rescue Team Gets Record 88 Calls for Help in 2015

With thanks for material used in this story to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team responded to a record-breaking number of 88 calls for assistance in 2015 and conducted 49 rescue operations and 31 searches throughout the year, officials said this week.

In these rescue and search operations, the report said the team rescued or found 113 persons – and eight dogs that also needed rescue.

The team, on average, assists approximately 100 lost or injured hikers and conducts almost 40 searches and rescues every year.

On call and operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the team is composed of reserve deputies. It is one of eight teams in the Los Angeles County which, together, are staffed by 120 trained members.

The team is funded by donations. Although the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provides vehicle maintenance and fuel, all rescue equipment, vehicles and personal safety gear are funded by donations and grant funds.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Altadena Heritage, L.A. County to Hold Park Needs Assessment Meeting Thursday

Altadena Heritage is facilitating a Park Needs Assessment meeting at 7 pm on Thursday, January 21, 2016, at the Altadena Community Center. It is one of more than 160 such meetings set up all over Los Angeles County, in incorporated cities and unincorporated communities, to gather public input on needed park improvements.

Michele Zack, Chair of Altadena Heritage, said the private sector nonprofit was tapped by Altadena Town Council chair and Supervisor Antonovich’s field office to run Altadena’s Park Needs Assessment meeting, and heritage staff and volunteers were trained on how to go about the consultation process. Anne Chomyn from the Town Council is also on the meeting committee.

Zack said the discussion will help the County come up with a better strategy to improve facilities at public parks.

She also said that based on information from County officials, the Park Needs Assessment should lead to a ballot initiative about how funds for public park infrastructure should be prioritized, saying past initiatives failed because of the lack of public consultation.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Zane Grey’s Amazing Life Retold at Historical Society

Zane Grey and his new bride first saw Altadena on their honeymoon trip from the East Coast in late 1905; like thousands of others, they came to Altadena to enjoy the breathtaking railroad trip to the top of Mount Lowe.

At that time, Grey was a washed-up semi-professional baseball player, an unhappy and unsuccessful Pennsylvania dentist, and an aspiring writer of novels and magazine pieces about outdoor adventure.

Fifteen years later, he was the best-selling author in America, and remembering the pretty town they had seen on their honeymoon, the Greys returned to Altadena and bought a mansion on “Millionaire’s Row,” at the corner of Mariposa and Marengo streets.

Grey’s amazing life as a hugely popular author of Western adventure and romance novels; a record-setting deep-sea fisherman off the shores of Catalina Island, Nova Scotia, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and the Galapagos Islands; and as a serial adulterer with dozens of women, will be presented to the Altadena Historical Society at its winter quarterly meeting.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Metropolitan Baptist Church Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Exuberant Service

Altadena’s Metropolitan Baptist Church celebrated the life and teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday with an exuberant afternoon service.

The service, which was sponsored by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena, was led by the Rev. Tyrone Skinner as host pastor, and the Rev. John B. Bledsoe, of Zion Star Missionary Baptist Church.

State Senator Carol Liu addressed the congregation and local attorneys Dale Gronemeier, and Elbie “Skip” Hickamanbottom, Jr., were both honored for their work in support of the African-American community.

The attendees were inspired by the Lincoln Avenue Celestial Temple COGIC Church, and the afternoon’s featured speaker was Rev. James E. Stevenson, Sr., Pastor of Scott United Methodist Church.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Altadena Town Council Issues Agenda for January 19, 2016

Diane Marcussen, Chair, Altadena Town Council has issued the agenda for the Council’s January 19, 2016 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7:00 p.m.

A pdf version is available by clicking here.

1. CALL TO ORDER

1.1. Pledge of Allegiance ___________________________ Councilmember
1.2. Roll Call _____________________________________ Recording Secretary, Damon Hobdy
1.3. Approve January 19, 2015 meeting Agenda

2. OFFICERS’ REPORTS

2.1. Chairman ____________________________________ Diane Marcussen
2.2. Vice Chairman ________________________________ Okorie Ezieme
2.3. Recording Secretary ___________________________ Damon Hobdy
2.3.1. Approve November 17, 2015 Meeting Minutes
2.3.2. Approve December 15, 2015 Meeting Minutes
2.4. Treasurer ____________________________________ Patricia Sutherlen
2.5. Corresponding Secretary _______________________ Billy Malone

3. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

3.1. California Highway Patrol _______________________ Officer Mike Ulloa
3.2. Altadena Sheriff’s Station ______________________ Lt. Rob Lewis
3.3. Cert ________________________________________ Karen Gibson
3.4. County Fire __________________________________ Stephanie English

4.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Altadena Walmart Store on List of 269 Store Closures Announced Today

Walmart announced today it is closing 269 underperforming stores, including the Altadena store at 2408 Lincoln Avenue. It will close January 28, according to a company press release.

The move comes as the retail giant eliminates 10,000 jobs as a result of the closures.

The Altadena store is one of 154 locations in the U.S. the company is closing, which includes 102 of its small-format stores, Walmart Express. Also covered in the closures are 23 of Walmart’s Neighborhood Markets, 12 Supercenters, seven stores in Puerto Rico, six discount centers and four Sam’s Clubs.

Walmart says the closures follow a thorough review of nearly 11,600 worldwide stores that looked at financial performance and strategic alignment with the company’s long-term plans. Outside the U.S., 115 stores are closing.

“Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future,” said Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “It’s important to remember that we’ll open well more than 300 stores around the world next year.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week Ending January 8, 2016

Sunday, January 3rd

6:30 AM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 2200 block of N. Crawford Avenue. Property Stolen: golf clubs, gym bag.

Monday, January 4th

5:19 PM – Nathan Macon, 50 years old and Tina Williams, 48 years old both from Pasadena were arrested at Walmart, 2408 N. Lincoln Avenue for shoplifting.

8:25 PM – Gabriel Lopez, 24 years old of Pasadena was arrested in the area of Allen Avenue and Washington Boulevard for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Tuesday, January 5th

12:30 PM – A shoplifting incident occurred at Toto’s Beauty Supply, 2311 Lincoln Avenue. Suspect described as a male, 40 years old, 6’00”, 180 pounds, wearing a red beanie, tan jacket, and blue jeans. Property Stolen: hair conditioner.

4:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2300 block of Grandeur Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by cutting the lock. Property Stolen: construction machinery.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

​Saint Elizabeth School in Altadena Holds Open House

The Saint Elizabeth School in Altadena is holding its annual open house on Sunday, January 24, and Thursday, January 28, 2016, for prospective students and parents to get to know about the school’s programs and activities and meet faculty members and staff.

Saint Elizabeth School is a Catholic parish school of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church serving kindergarten through 8th grade.

“The school, within a diverse community, exists to serve and proclaim Christ, through a commitment to service, justice and peace,” says an announcement on the school’s website. “The administration, faculty and staff, in collaboration with parents, prepare our students to become responsible life-long learners. We also provide an atmosphere where Christian values are modeled and developed.”

Saint Elizabeth offers a “challenging academic curriculum, technology, fine arts and physical education program provide a liberal arts education for the whole child.”

The school’s open house is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on January 24, and from 9 to 11 a.m.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Eliot Arts Magnet School’s Free E-waste Recycling Event

The public is invited to drop off their electronic waste at Eliot Arts Magnet School’s Free E-Waste Recycling Event on Saturday, January 16, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 2184 N. Lake Ave., Altadena.

Electronic Items accepted are computers, monitors, laptops, printers, scanners, copiers, televisions, LCDs, PC peripherals, VCR/VCD Players, Facsimile Machines, Power Supplies, Auto/Rechargeable Batteries, and Cell/Landline Phones.

We do not accept: Light bulbs, Oil, Household batteries likd (AAA, AA, C, D), Hazardous Waste, and All Medical Waste. **$5 fee for microwave ovens.

For more information, contact 1-909-591-8408 or visit attanrecyclingcorp.com.

Charles W. Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, 2184 N. Lake Avenue, Altadena, (626) 396-5680 or visit eliot.pasadenausd.org.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Residential No-Burn Alert Issued for Today

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has issued a residential no-burn alert effective Wednesday, January 13, 2016, for all those living in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Altadena.

SCAQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces, both indoors and outdoors, is prohibited through midnight on Wednesday.

No-burn alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health due to a high concentration of fine particulate air pollution forecast for the area.

The no-burn prohibition also applies to manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper. Particles in wood smoke – also known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5 – can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory illnesses, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are exempt from the requirement. Gas and other non-wood burning fireplaces are not restricted.