New Growth for the New Year?

Sent in from one of our neighbors.


"Here are two photos taken along the El Prieto Trail from approximately the same vantage point. The first was taken on January 18, 2006. The copious fruition of the toyons gives an appearance of flowered trees!


The second photo was snapped on December 24, 2009, to contrast the former beauty of the scene with the stark landscape left by the Station Fire.

It'll be quite a while before the scene returns to its former glory. Meanwhile, Happy New Year!"

Power Outage (Again)

From www.sce.com:

City : ALTADENA
Zip Code : 91001
Start Date & Time : Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:13 PM
Issue : There is currently a power outage in this area.This outage is due to an equipment problem.
Status : Repair crews are looking for the cause of the power problem.
Currently, we do not have an estimated time when service will be fully restored. We will update this message as information is known. Please check back again later.

Sheriff's Annual Toy Drive Dec 19

Altadena Sheriff's Annual Holiday Toy Drive Sgt Bartlett, Community Relations
626-798-1131

If you would like to help with this annual event to help others have a better Christmas, see below:

Saturday Dec 19th.

Would like folks there at the station by 6AM to help. The event starts at 7AM and goes to 11AM on Saturday December 19th, 2009.

For teens above the age of 12, the sheriffs will sign slips for earning community volunteer hours

Volunteers on Patrol Seeking Volunteers

The LA County Sheriffs are looking for service minded volunteers to apply for their "Volunteers on Patrol Program".

It is a short training period. You will get driving courses in a squad car and learn radio codes and much more. The program needs you about 20 hours a month. If anyone out in the community is interested contact Sgt Bartlett and he can assist you (626-798-1131), or you can go online and fill out an application.

http://www.lasd.org/aboutlasd/volunteer/volunteer_info.html
http://www.lasd.org/online_form/volunteer/volunteer_application.html

Voltage Tower Footing Erosion

fyi - a neighbor has reported the erosion at the base of this high voltage tower footing that's located way up on Risinghill to Edison.

Careful Coming Up Canyon Crest

Be careful driving up Canyon Crest. There are many large rocks that have come down into the street from the hillside. County has already been up here at least one day to clear. On my way home at 4:00 p.m., I had to drive on the outside curve to avoid the many rocks.

MFSC Tree Update

The Meadows FireSafe Council is winding down on the last phase of the grant. Tree vendors will be in the neighborhood for about five more days.

We've reached approximately 55 properties with varying degrees of tree or bush removal. To give you an idea, a day's work with one tree vendor is approximately $2000 paid for by the grant money. So, besides making ourselves more fire safe, the grant is bringing great value and savings to homeowners.

The FireSafe Council has heard many, many compliments for the volunteer work they've performed and the excellence of the tree vendors. We've heard two concerns from neighbors about the removal of trees and its impact to their specific property or the look of The Meadows in general. Overall, the positives have well outweighed the negatives.

Besides making us more fire-safe, the removal of the trees is helping indigenous trees thrive as they were fighting for sunlight or space. Several diseased trees were removed which will help to curb further infestation. And, many wonderful views of the mountains, canyons and city lights have been restored.

Postings on Craigslist.com for free firewood has benefit ted many in the Antelope Valley. These folks have driven in to get the firewood as it is sometimes their only source of heat during the Winter. They, too, have expressed much gratitude.

Many thanks to the FireSafe Council volunteers who have put in countless hours in meetings, planning, working with the brush and tree vendors, addressing neighbors questions and coordinating all of the work.

Holiday Theft Prevention

From our Sheriff Liaison:

"I have been asked by the Sheriff's Department to remind all of us that this time of year generally law enforcement agencies generally see highest reports of vehicle break-ins.

Not only are thieves out looking for gifts in your car, but they're looking for anything else they can steal - laptops, cell phones, GPS devices, Bluetooth devices, iPods, Mp3 players, expensive/designer sun glasses, cash.

Don't be a victim.Protect yourself and your belongings by hiding the things in your car - out of sight.
Lock your car.
Remember - Lock It, Hide It or Lose It!"