MFSC Update and Log Removal

The Meadows FireSafe Council has completed its efforts in brush clearance and tree removal in The Meadows. A full report of our success will be published on this blog and distributed to the neighborhood.

For those awaiting the log removal on the property, please know that this effort is being addressed. Hauling vendors have been contacted and will be contracted this week to remove the remaining logs. We had been using the efforts of a firewood vendor to remove the logs at no charge, but that effort has dwindled. We also had the L.A. County Fire Department removing the logs at no cost to the grant, but they've been pulled to addressed to fires in Northern California.

Vendors are submitting bids this week to complete the project at, hopefully, a small cost to the MFSC which is at the few remaining dollars left in the grant monies.

We appreciate everyone's patience as we complete this first major effort within The Meadows.

Mountain Lion Evidence

A caution for those hiking or walking down Canyon Crest:

Evidence of a mountain lion attack on a very sizable dog has been found in Millard Canyon.

Please be careful as you hike around The Meadows and for those walking down Canyon Crest. Last Summer, mountain lions were spotted at the bottom of Canyon Crest.

Habitat Rehabilitation

A new project has begun concerning habitat rehabilitation in the Lower Millard Canyon area below Canyon Crest. All of the home owners along the canyon side of Canyon Crest Road with properties that span the lower canyon have formed an ad hoc conservancy to rehabilitate and preserve the habitat and native plant communities.

This is a very sensitive and important wildlife corridor and, for the past several years, the area of Millard Canyon below the road crossing has been invaded by an increasingly varied group of non-native weeds that are choking out everything else and seriously threaten the ecosystem.

A $25,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) through their "Partners for Fish and Wildlife" program has been received to begin addressing this problem. This grant represents a long term contract and commitment. The grantees are working in cooperation with the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy and have also attracted the attention of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

They are hoping to get a lot of community volunteer involvement in the project. The annual work period is limited (by nesting season) to August through February. They will be seeking volunteers for that period for both weekdays and weekends.

The problems are serious and the work will be hard (but rewarding). Because of habitat sensitivities, only a limited number of volunteers can be in the project area at any one time (so sign up early!). For anyone who may be interested, contact Michael Hickman at 626-398-6471 or vht@charter.net

Sheriff's Summer Concerts

The Sheriff's Summer Concert series at Farnsworth Park is posted on the following link:


http://altadenasheriffs.org/frames/ssgaframeset.html

Click on the Summer Concert Series tab on the left-hand side.

Tree Removal Coming to a Finish

The picture above was taken this past week as the workers removed three tall, fire-prone palm trees on El Prieto Road. Two workers hung in the air as they used chainsaws to cut the trees down. Unfortunately, one worker was injured when he cut his arm and had to be taken to the hospital for stitches.

The Steven's Tree workers have done an outstanding job in removing the trees. Please know this is hard, dangerous work.

Tree removal on thirty-eight properties has been completed over the past three weeks. There are still five more properties on the list for tree removal which we will attempt to address this coming week. The remaining funds in the grant are meager and are being used to address those trees that are a fire danger for the whole community.

A separate company was engaged at no cost to remove the logs left from tree removal. This effort started this past week and will continue through the end of the grant work. Funds are also being reserved to ensure all logs are removed should the second company not complete the work.

The Meadows FireSafe Council made the decision to address only tree removal as we knew the grant funds would not cover the tree trimming that was identified in the assessments. That work will be addressed in the 2009 grant that the FireSafe Council was awarded.

The FireSafe Council has also received many requests from residents who did not participate in this past year's assessments. We're encouraged that more and more residents are now aware of the FireSafe Council efforts and want to participate in next year's grant.


In a separate effort, tree removal and trimming will occur on five properties identified within a separate grant received from Farmer's Insurance. Those funds were targetted for our senior citizens and those on fixed incomes to assist with funding.

Altadena Community Garden Picnic June 28

This is a wonderful annual event in which several Meadows neighbors participate.

The Altadena Community Garden Picnic is June 28 – Please join us!
The Altadena Community Garden is located at Loma Alta Park, 3330 Lincoln Ave., Altadena, CA (at Lincoln Avenue and Palm Streets, just north of Altadena Drive).

Sunflowers
Tomatoes
Corn on the Cob
Collard Greens
Chinese Long Beans
Sun-ripened Blackberries
Summer Squash
Jalapeno Peppers
Okra
Rhubarb
…and Other Amazing Vegetables and Flowers!

Come taste the vegetables and smell the flowers at the Altadena Community Garden Annual Picnic on Saturday, June 28! Get a garden tour, meet our friendly local group of gardeners, enjoy the sweet sounds of the Brown Mountain Jazz Band, and eat great picnic food. Last year the picnic drew a crowd of more than 200 people.

The picnic is open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend! The event runs from 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a raffle and a silent auction.

$8.00 for adults
$4.00 for children 6-12 years old (children 5 and under are free)

The Altadena Community Garden is located on the site of the former Mt. Lowe Military Academy. An Altadena community fixture since 1974, our diverse group of dedicated gardeners tends 59 standard and 4 handicapped-accessible garden plots at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. The Altadena Community Garden is recognized as one of the leading community gardens in Southern California, opening our gates to school children, field trips, and events.