Walmart Neighborhood Market Community Meeting

Musson, Angulo, Shackleford

I covered the community meeting set up by Altadena Town Council members Tecumseh Shackleford and Brent Musson of Census Tract 4610 on Thursday night.  I got some exclusive quotes, and pinned Walmart rep Javier Angulo down on how soon they will apply for a liquor license.

Altadenans on the west side of town have been concerned for years about the number of free-standing liquor stores and check-cashing places in the area.  The site where the Walmart Neighborhood Market will be on Lincoln Ave. is already licensed for a grocery, but not liquor. 

Read the article on Altadenablog: Packed house as Walmart spokesman answers questions

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.

What's behind the hedges?

Home of Sarah Noble Ives, Altadena's first historian

Ever wondered what stories there are behind the hedges and walls of some of the beautiful old homes in Altadena? Altadena Historical Society had a tour of some of the historic places on and near the spur of East Mariposa just east of Lake Avenue.

Altadenablog assigned me to cover the story.  There were lots of surprises and new discoveries. Read about them in "History, mystery and scandal on Historical Society's tour of Mariposa".  I especially liked the miniature golf course and revisiting the home of my old friends from Westminster Presbyterian, Herb and Betty Herr.

It was also inspiring to see the artwork of Sarah Noble Ives, whose picture-book illustrations were, I think, among the first in full color and established a style that lasted for decades.

Want filming at your house--but not in your neighborhood? Here's how!

ACONA (Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations) pulls together various neighborhood and community organizations to coordinate information.  The organization puts together interesting, relevant programs every other month.

Russ Fega of "Home Shoot Home"

August's meeting brought in Russ Fega, a location manager, and Geoffrey Smith from Film LA to talk about filming in Altadena.  In general, they find Altadena to be welcoming to the filming crews.

The second part of the meeting focused on liquor stores in Altadena--surprise! We have one of the lowest ratios in the county for a community our size.  Speakers came from Alcoholic Beverage Control and the planning and business licensing departments of L.A. County.

Last, but of most urgent concern, Ellen Walton dropped in to talk about the increased coyote interactions we've been experiencing in the past few months.

Read all about it on altadenablog!

Keep on Truckin'! And save 107 acres of natural land

From Bob Barnes' slideshow

The story of the reclamation of the Cobb Estate at the end of Lake Avenue in Altadena is epic.  It's the stuff of movies.  A high school student and a social studies teacher bring an entire community together to save nature in that back-to-nature era referred to as "The Sixties".  A march to the top of the hill--a frenzied, last-minute bid--a realtor bowing to the will of the people.  Can't get much better than that.  Move over, George Bailey!

I was lucky enough to be assigned by altadenablog to cover the presentation given by Bob Barnes, the teacher.  It was a retelling of a familiar story in more detail--with a wonderful suprise at the end.  Read it here:

"This is the people's bid": the nail-biting drama of the Cobb Estate

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.

Theatre Americana at Farnsworth Park

Beautiful Bella

This event was not too well attended, but the performance did indeed go on.  Read about it on altadenablog.

And if you are in need of a dog or cat, you can't do better than to contact Kathy Hart at Lifeline for Pets at (626) 676-9505. Bella, picutred here, is a one-year-old chihuahua mix who would make a great pet for a family.  She comes with a crate, dog house, outdoor enclosure, preventative meds, and food and toys. Her foster parents are moving and need to find a loving home for her. She is up-to-date on shots and is neutered.

Survey Altadena responses to be posted today

Altadena Chamber of Commerce mounted an online survey for six months, from November 2010 through April 2011.  The results are in and will be posted today at www.surveyaltadena.com.  Do they truly reflect Altadena residents?  What do you think?

Read the whole story on altadenablog.

When bears come a-knockin'...what in the heck do you do?

Randy Massaro of 

Union Members for the 

Preservation of Wildlife

 

Lt. Marty Wall shows 

how coyote rollers keep 

bears out of the yard

Tim Rutt at altadenablog has a knack for writing catchy headlines, so when he posted the story I wrote about how to handle bears that wander into residential areas, he titled it "Living with bruins: grin and bear it."

Now I'm sure you all know that he meant the ubiquitous black bear (which can range in color from blond to brown to black, and blonde if it's a female), but the same advice might apply to those with USC affiliations.

In either case, they're here to stay. Asm. Anthony Portantino called a town hall meeting to educate foothills folks about bears, and Lt. Marty Hall of the Department of Fish and Game gave tips and took lots of questions. Click on the link above to get the full story.

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!