Altadena outdoors: Horses, lumberjacks, and earthquakes

Up close & personal with the mountains on the Rubio trail

A writer should never ask to be excused for not writing. But I have been writing! Just not on Bluehouseviews. Below is the list of articles I've written for Altadena Patch and Altadenablog since the first of the year. Other than that, my Examiner columns, and the writing group at Monte Vista Grove, I've been enjoying my first grandson.

Patch got a three-parter out of the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group, which met with a representative from L.A. County to share ideas of what needs to be done to ensure trail access for residents. The first part, "Concerns Over Altadena Crest Trail Conveyed to County Consultant" addresses the trail. Part 2, "Altadena's Equestrian Future", talks about equestrian concerns, and Part 3 about bicycling.

What does one do with all those downed trees after a windstorm? Read "Altadena Heritage hosts urban lumberjacks (and they're OK)" on Altadenablog to find out. And check back next week for a follow up, "Managing the Urban Forest".

I wrote about my experiences getting Community Emergency Response Team training in "What Is CERT and Why Is It Important" for Patch. CERT teaches regular folks to be prepared for emergencies from simple first aid to massive earthquakes.

Of course, my Examiner columns (listed at right) have lots of interesting goings-on with Altadena, the San Gabriel Foothills, and the Tournament of Roses.

Three women, three families

Three families enjoy playing together at Five Acres after being reunified by DCFS.

What would it be like to have your children removed from your home because it was determined that you could not parent them in a safe and nurturing environment?

Then, what would it be like--after months, even years of hard work to sober up, learn parenting and job skills, and create the kind of home your children deserve--to get them back?

I heard three stories last Friday from three amazing women who found the inner fiber to recreate their lives and form strong families.  They didn't do it alone, of course.  A community of social workers, volunteers, and other professionals surrounded them with the soil it took to help them blossom.

They were celebrated by the Department of Children and Family Services at Five Acres. Their stories are being posted on Altadena Patch this week.  I will add the links here as each one posts.


First up is Erica Ward, mother of five, who regained custody of two-year-old Ma-Nijah and six-year-old Kenyae.  Here is her story, in her words.

Anna Flores began to turn her life around before the week was out after her daughter was removed from her home.  She tells her story here.

Brea Sheriff, only 22 years old, was able to keep her infant son and regain her two daughters. Here is her story.

Athens Services will be Altadena's only waste collector

Los Angeles County is in the process of franchising waste services in unincorporated areas countywide. Right now, each residence in Altadena chooses its own trash collector--or none at all. I went to a community meeting on Saturday with the new contract holder, Athens Services, and the County and wrote it up for Altadena Patch:Your Questions Answered on the New Trash Contract .

It was a busy weekend for, because the same evening I covered the Brian Hughes Quintet at Farnsworth's Concerts in the Park.  You can read about it on altadenablog, under one of Tim Rutt's great headlines: No frets about great music with Brian Hughes.  A video of the group is posted there as well.

So what are kids doing this summer? About 1100 of them are in the Pasadena Educational Foundation's Summer Enrichment Program.

Altadena Patch sent me to Franklin Elementary School to get some shots of the first program in Altadena.  All the kids were cute and bright, but I think the chicks in "Science Comes Alive" take the cake.  Or the mash.  The one in the picture is trying out worms in an experiment to see which food the chicks prefer.

Videos: Altadenans speak out on the plastic bag ban

Plastic bags are now banned for large retailers in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.  I videoed Altadenans at the Ralphs on North Lake Avenue for Altadena Patch on the first day of the ban.

Here's the link to the story on Patch: Altadenans Talk Bag Ban

I've added a couple videos here that editor Dan wasn't able to use, but be sure to check the link above for the rest! The top video is Karen Raub, and the bottom one is my fellow Crown City Symphony member Lita Neumann.

The Golden Poppy awards were given out by Altadena Heritage on Sunday, and I covered the story for Altadena Patch. It was a lovely afternoon for a garden tea at a historic 1909 home. Read "Celebrating Altadena Gardens with Golden Poppy Awards" for all the details.  The flower at the right is not a California golden poppy, which is our state flower, but a red oriental poppy.  Or perhaps Icelandic.  I only take pictures, I don't garden!

Art on Palm: Beautiful art in a beautiful setting...and so Altadena

Art on Palm is a semiannual art show and sale held in bucolic Wildwood Park hidden at the end of Palm Street in east Altadena.  Artists and artisans display work in a wide variety of media.  I was particulary entranced by the creations of Evan Chambers, some of which are pictured here.  His art ranges from steam punk metal works reminiscent of Captain Nemo and Baba Yaga to paper-thin stemware in iridescent colors. For pictures of all the artists, read Art on Palm Displays Works by Local Artists and Artisans on Altadena Patch.

Catching up...Here are my latest stories!

I've been pretty busy the past few days, covering four stories in five days and writing them up as quickly as I can.  More on that process in another post...for now, here are the latest links:

Do you know we have a real live Walt Disney Imagineer living in Altadena?  His name is Joe Rohde and he spoke at the Pacific Asia Museum on Friday night.  I covered it for Tim Rutt's altadenblog.  It's a fun read, he's a very interesting guy. 
Imagineer Rohde travels the world for Disney, but comes home to Altadena


On Thursday, I covered an important meeting for the residents of Altadena, especially those on the west side.  Sheriff's deputies and community members rolled out a plan to improve communication and relationships with the Altadenans.  It appeared in altadenablog as well. 
Altadena Sheriff’s Station rolls out eight-point plan to address community concerns


I think Dan Abenschein of Altadena Patch is trying to make a naturalist out of me. In addition to Wednesday's Sierra Club meeting (see post below), he sent me on a hike up Rubio Canyon on Sunday as part of the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy celebration.  The conservancy just purchased the last piece in a 41-acre parcel that will preserve the watershed and natural wonders of Rubio Canyon. 
Local Land Conservancy Celebrates Purchase of Third Rubio Canyon Parcel 


I  hope you'll enjoy my latest efforts to cover this great community!  Let me know your thoughts!