Thursday, May 27, 2010

Junk Hauling Trucks Reported Stealing Property

From a Meadows neighbor:

"You may have noticed a proliferation of Junk Haul trucks parked around. There are several big, ratty looking wood plank sided trucks parked around. They are essentially the “Mother Ships” for smaller pickups that cruise the neighborhoods looking for about anything that can be hauled off, whether the owner wants it hauled off or not.

When they find a haul, they haul it off and unload it into the “Mother Ships.”

I’ve seen these “Mother Ships” on Altadena Drive just east of Lincoln and on Woodbury just west of Fair Oaks.  I’ve seen the smaller trucks cruising around as well.

I have already been victimized. They came up to my property and dug up around 25 feet of old 6” diameter pipes that were exposed when all the brush around them burned during the Station Fire.

When I drove up my driveway I must have surprised them because they ran from around the small hill at the top of my drive way with several pipes, jumped into their pickup and drove off.

Amazingly, I saw those same pipes in the “Mother Ship” on Woodbury later that day.

I notified the sheriff’s office and they came out and took a report.

Keep watch. If you see small pickups with junk in them cruising around, I recommend you notify the sheriff immediately. They will take any metal, junk or not, that they can remove. Beware!"

I asked the neighbor the outcome of contacting the Sheriff:

"They did not make an arrest. There was no one in the truck. The trucks are parked on the street as repositories. The sheriff checked his computer records and got the address of the owner of the truck
He did say he would go talk to the owner.

The smaller pickup that was the original conveyance of the stolen pipes is nowhere to be seen.  Captain Steve McLean, new Captain of the Altadena Sheriff Station, said he was VERY interested and was going immediately to view the “Mother Ship” on Altadena Dr. just east of Lincoln. So, the authorities have been alerted. Let’s see what happens."



Some of the Forest is Reopening

From a Meadows neighbor:  Some of the forest is being reopened including Millard Canyon.  See the following link for details:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/news/2010/news-2010-05-25-station-fire-areas-open.shtml

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Art on Millionaire's Road, June 5

Here's another event from our growing art scene in Altadena:

"Art on Millionaire's Row"


Presented by The Friends of the Altadena Library
Saturday, June 5
10 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
At the Altadena Library, 600 E. Mariposa, Altadena, CA.

A day full of fun for the whole family!
Free Event

A Juried Art festival featuring local artists, great food, entertainment and a hands on art project installation for kids! Don't miss this fun family event - come out and meet the local artists of Altadena! Great food provided by local restaurants. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Altadena Library.

For more information call the library at 626-798-0833, or email mtkomai@altadenalibrary.org

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Aveson School Presentation

I attended the Aveson School Meet and Greet this evening at Loma Alta Park.

A presentation was given regarding their mission, curriculum, demographics and prospective plans for expanding into the commercial building at Lincoln and Altadena.

Their charter includes focusing on the northwest Altadena area and they emphasized wanting to be part of the community.

A Q&A was held also. Most common discussion was the timing of "drop-off" times and its impact on traffic. Caution was raised as to the speed at which drivers come down Lincoln.

Also discussed was its proximity to George's Liquor store. Points were made that the owner's of George's are responsible business owners and that Odyssey Charter has not experienced any issues.  The owner of George's also pointed out that he has owned the business for 23 years with no incidents.

Neighbors were asked for input in how Aveson can be part of the community.  It was mentioned that the area is known for nature, hiking, and equestrian facilities.  Also raised was the number of senior citizens who could be involved in the discussion with students.

Overall, those attending appeared to be very supportive of Aveson occupying the space.

More information about the school can be found at http://www.aveson.org

Reminder of Aveson Meet and Greet

A reminder of the meet and greet with Aveson Charter school tonight at Loma Alta Park at 7:00 p.m.
They're considering occupying the commercial building at Altadena Drive and Lincoln.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Aveson Charter Meet & Greet for Altadena / Lincoln Building

The Aveson Charter School is interested in the property at the corner of Lincoln and Altadena. This is an exciting prospect for all of us. Plenty information here about the potential and an invitation for a meet and greet scheduled for next Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 7 pm. Festivities will be held at the Loma Alta Park on Lincoln Avenue, north of Altadena Drive.

Here's the full message:

Subject: Join Us at the Aveson Neighborhood Meet & Greet!

Hello from Aveson Charter Schools! Some of you we have already had the pleasure of getting to know and some we are still looking forward to meeting! For those who may be wondering who we are, Aveson is a small, student-centered K-12 charter school in the Pasadena Unified School District, located at 1919 Pinecrest Drive.

In case you missed the announcement made in earlier letters that we broadcast through the neighborhood 'listserve', our academy is anticipating moving it's upper grades to 575 W. Altadena Drive. It’s a new commercial building currently under construction at the northeast corner of Altadena Drive and Lincoln Drive, located diagonally across from George's Liquor Store. We are working in concert with the Pasadena Unified School District, Rita Hadjimanoukian, field representative for Supervisor Michael Antonovich, the owners of the property and the neighbors to ensure that this location is good for the school and good for the community.

We are a unique public school with a unique vision. Aveson Global Leadership Academy graduates are uniquely prepared for life’s road ahead. With an API score of 761, we are thrilled to send our seniors off, armed with 21st century learning skills and the college-readiness they need to be successful and productive adults. The building at Lincoln and Altadena would provide the perfect space to support our project-based learning curriculum. Students will have learning space in classrooms as well as the individual work and project spaces to explore and develop their own interests. Our students are truly social entrepreneurs! In fact, Aveson is considering one or two campus-based, teacher-managed businesses that will be open to the public as a part of our students’ daily learning experience! This offers the students a uniquely relevant opportunity to develop the skills and acquire the experience they need to learn about business, first-hand. It is also designed to bring value to the neighborhood by providing products and services that mean the most to the community. Some ideas are:

· Coffee Shop (coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads etc)
· Yogurt and Smoothie Stand
· Dinners to Go (healthy meals which can be finished at home)

We are also being pro-active with respect to the environmental impact -- both pro and con. By neighboring Odyssey Charter School, Aveson and Odyssey will be able to share resources and solutions. The existence of these two academic organizations in close proximity may also serve to gentrify this area; bringing a positive influence and productive energy. We are taking steps to understand and mitigate the concerns that may arise such as traffic, parking, and the ramifications of our school's proximity to the nearby liquor store.


We welcome your questions and input and would like to invite you all to join us at our Neighborhood Meet and Greet event, scheduled for next Thursday May 20, 2010 at 7 pm. Festivities will be held at the Loma Alta Park on Lincoln Avenue, north of Altadena Drive.

For more information about our school please visit www.aveson.org, email us at aveson@aveson.org or call us at 626-797-1440.

Yours truly,
Lisa Gerr
Director, Community Outreach Team
Aveson Charter School

Friday, May 14, 2010

Emergency Notification System

Everyone in The Meadows should be receiving a letter from the Meadows FireSafe Council introducing a new emergency notification system for our neighborhood.

This is not the County's reverse 911 system.  This is specific to The Meadows.

The notification system is voluntary and will notify residents via phone, text or email should the FireSafe Council need to communicate to the residents.

Again, please watch for your letter and if interested send in your contact information.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Lower Canyon Crest Blocked by Tree Removal

The removal or trimming of an Oak tree is blocking Canyon Crest Rd.

Earlier this afternoon, I came up on the downed tree.  The owners of the house (I'm assuming they're the owners) directed me onto their driveway and around the tree.

Now, at 5:30 p.m., I've received two calls from neighbors who can't get in or out of The Meadows.  One stated that the traffic was backed up.

Not sure if the owners are still directing the traffic.

I called the Sherrif to come and assist.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Bee Removal?

A neighbor on Canyon Crest has a bee swarm in the front yard and is having trouble finding someone today to remedy it.  Any resources out there?

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Update on Trails

Some input from a Meadows resident about the status of the trails:

"An April 10th posting on the Meadows blog asked about trails in the burn area. Please advise readers that according to the US Forest Service, an Angeles Forest Closure Order issued in September 2009 closed the entire Station Fire burn area through SEPTEMBER 30, 2010. A copy of the order may be found here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/orders/StationFireRecoveryOrder-01-09-08.pdf




A call to the USFS local office (626-574-1613) confirmed that the above order remains in effect, and is subject to extension. Only residents or owners who reside WITHIN THE BURN AREA, government officials, or persons/organizations that have been issued permits by the USFS are allowed in the burn area. Areas off-limits include upper/lower El Prieto, Millard, and Brown mountain. The USFS and Sheriff continue to regularly patrol both on land and by air; large penalty and possible jail time imposed on violators. Readers may find more information here:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/

Current Closures

Angeles Forest Closure Orders

New Altadena Ale House

Not Meadows related, but fun for Altadena:

Altadena has a new ale and wine house. It is on Fair Oaks, just south of Ventura (2329 N. Fair Oaks).
It replaces the old beer pub just across from the cemetery.

Altadena Ale House, Juda and Gail Casburn are the new owners –this just opened up. It is a lot nicer with the work they’ve done and getting better – still work in progress, but selling beer and wine with a smile. They are staying with the English pub theme.

Juda and Gail have been long time Altadena residents and former owners of Lucky Baldwin’s' in Pasadena.

Altadena & Lincoln Possible Tenants

Aveson Charter School has expressed interest in taking over the entire site for their charter school.


Aveson wants to offer one or two campus-based, teacher-managed businesses that will be open to the public as a part of Aveson’s students’ daily learning experience.

From their brochure:

….This offers the students a uniquely relevant opportunity to develop the skills and acquire the experience they need to learn about business, first-hand. It is also designed to bring value to the neighborhood by providing products and services that mean the most to the community. Some ideas are:

· Coffee House (coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads etc)

· Yogurt and Smoothie Stand

· Dinners to Go (healthy meals which can be finished at home)

Aveson realizes there are some environmental impacts such as traffic which need to be planned for and mitigated. They are prepared to stagger start and end times of the school day so there is less than significant impact on the neighborhood.

They are looking forward to hearing feedback from the community at an upcoming "meet and greet" (date to be announced soon).

For more information about Aveson school please visit www.aveson.org, email us at info@aveson.org, or call Kate Bean, Executive Director (626) 797-1440.

Altadena Town Council will invite Aveson to a future meeting to share their plans.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Another Lost Dog

Believe me, I don't mind these postings - just curious why we've had so many lost animals here in The Meadows?

Here's the latest:

"found a lost terrier - female - small - on Aralia rd. - if anyone wants to claim her - call me at 626 665 4443 - ask for Sonny"

Thanks Sonny!