Bluehouse Views

Planetfest first-hand + video

2012-08-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

There's nothing quite so amazing as watching photos from another world upload onto a giant screen. I have had the privilege of being at two such events: the landing of the Mars Rover Spirit in 2004, and the landing of the Mars Science Lab Curiosity on Sunday.

You can read all about it on Altadenablog, right here: http://bit.ly/Planetfest

There are photos and a video that I took, too.

Meanwhile, here's a picture of a picture of a picture to whet your appetite.

Curiosity's first two images from Mars

Walmart Neighborhood Market Community Meeting

2012-07-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

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

Happy Birthday Pasadena links

2012-06-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

Carlos Illingworth from Vons, Mayor Bill Bogaard and Phyllis Currie of Pasadena Water and Power prepare to cut the centerpiece cake at Pasadena’s 126^th birthday party.

As promised--links to my articles about the 126th birthday celebration for the City of Pasadena!

Pasadena celebrates 126 years with a birthday party atPasadena Museum of History

Video: Pasadena celebrates 126 years with photo album cakes

Pasadena Celebrates 126th Birthday

2012-06-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

And of course, there was cake. The six sheet cakes served as confectionary photo albums, with pictures from the collection of host Pasadena Museum of History decorating the tops. The focus was on sports, the arts, transportation, technology, neighborhoods, and water. There were also activities for the kids and a "passport raffle".

The cake at left was the seventh of the ceremonial cakes, a crowning achievement for the Crown City. A dozen plain cakes were sliced up for partygoers to enjoy, and believe me, it was delicious.

Over the next few days, I'll be posting articles in my Tournament of Roses column about the party, the cake, and the people who were there.

41st Assembly candidates face off in forum

2012-05-10T16:14:00.001-07:00

From left: Michael Cacciotti, Edward Colton, Chris Holden, Donna Lowe, Victoria Rusnak

If you live in the (new) 41st Assembly District, you'll want to check out the five candidates who are running: Michael Cacciotti, mayor of South Pasadena; Edward Colton, an attorney in Pasadena; Chris Holden, Pasadena city councilman; Donna Lowe, Claremont Tea Party activist; and Victoria Rusnak, Pasadena businesswoman.

This is California's first open primary, meaning that all candidates are on all the ballots, regardless of party affiliation. Take a look at the article I wrote for Patch, and see what you think!

Jane Goodall is the 2013 Rose Parade Grand Marshal

2012-04-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

Jane Goodall with the ubiquitous Mr. H

One of the neat things about covering the Tournament of Roses for Examiner.com is going to all the exciting events. This announcement of Jane Goodall, Dame of the British Empire, primatologist, environmentalist, activitst, was especially enjoyable

Even seasoned photographers and reporters clamored to get their picture taken with her. President of the TOR Sally M. Bixby made the announcement earlier than usual. She told me, “We’ve known for about a year-and-a-half. It seemed we ought to release it earlier in the year.”

She also said that it was important to her and her husband Harlan "to have someone who had really done something with her life.”

I wrote three articles on the event, with the third one focusing on Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute's conservation program for children, grades K-12. Here are the links:

Jane Goodall is 2013 Rose Parade Grand Marshal--and oh, the places she's been!

Photo gallery: Jane Goodall accepts Rose Parade Grand Marshal honors

Roots & Shoots kids celebrate Jane Goodall as Rose Parade Grand Marshal

If anyone asks...

2012-04-23T16:38:00.001-07:00

Elliott with his dad, April 21, 2012

I am not the kind of grandmother to whip out pictures whenever I bump into an acquaintance. Modesty is an old-fashioned quality that suits someone of my age and experience. That's why I have exercised restraint and not yet posted pictures of my first grandchild, born three weeks ago, until today.

Elliott Christopher Monteros was born on March 27, 2012 at 4:01 a.m. He is just a little more than 100 years younger than my father, and he already has more hair. He is the son of my youngest child. He is beautiful.

I won't brag. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Elliott on his first Easter

One hour old, March 27, 2012

Who will the 2013 Rose Parade Grand Marshal be? Only 6 days to guess!

2012-04-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, 2010

Oh, the Places You’ll Go—and at lightning speed this year. Sally Bixby, president of the 2013 Tournament of Roses, is set to announce her choice for Grand Marshal on Wednesday, April 24, 2012 at Tournament House in Pasadena.

Paula Deen, 2011

Since this announcement usually takes place in the fall, I was astonished to find a media release from TOR publicists Hill & Knowlton in my inbox. With just six days between now and the announcement next Wednesday morning, there isn’t much time for readers to submit their guesses.

So get on the ball, and email lbmonteros@yahoo.com or comment below with your ideas. Here are some hints (though in the past, hints haven’t always helped):

The theme is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”
President Sally Bixby is only the second woman to lead the Tournament
Bixby is also a registered nurse, the first to assume the TOR presidency
The official poster has letters that are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and depicts a child with a bindle walking a rainbow path to rainbow hills

J.R. Martinez, 2012

Here are some of my ideas:

With the pink slip to the space shuttle Endeavor handed over to the California Science Center in Los Angeles last October, and due to arrive later this year, the crew on its last flight would be inspired. After all, they did go places few humans have been.
Another thought is that it might be a person or group in the line of nursing. Bixby’s colleagues are entering the first float devoted to the nursing profession in honor of her service. You can read about it in the article “Honoring Nurses” that appeared in this column.
With the Jet Propulsion Laboratory nestled in the northernmost corner of Pasadena, and the Mars Science Laboratory due to land in a few months, the team that brought it all together might not be too far-fetched.
A reader last year thought a good choice for the 2012 Grand Marshal would be Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly. Not a bad idea for this year, either. The couple presents the idea of a journey both actually—going into space—and metaphorically—recovering from a life-threatening attack.

So who's it going to be? Let me know what you think!

And don't forget to check out my Tournament of Roses column on Examiner.com!

Altadena outdoors: Horses, lumberjacks, and earthquakes

2012-04-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

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.

All the Links That Are Fit to Click for the Tournament of Roses

2011-12-30T23:44:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:

Got back from the Parade & will be adding many new stories over the next few days. Be sure to visit my TOR column on Examiner.com!
_____________________________________

It's been busy, busy, busy in Pasadena the past couple weeks. Everything is gearing up for the Tournament of Roses, "America's New Year's Celebration". The Rose Parade, that incomparable cavalcade of top-notch bands, equestrians, and indescribably beautiful floats. The Rose Bowl Game, "Granddaddy of Them All". Equestfest, with hundreds of horses prancing and galloping and doing tricks. Bandfest, three field shows featuring musicians and drill teams from all over the country--and world. The float barns, where the creations transform from drawings into reality.

I have been following every event and all the news one feelancer could possibly cover. I've interviewed princesses, astronauts, float builders, volunteers. I've tried out local eateries. Listed here are "hub" articles, which have links to most of the articles I've written. There are others that you can find by going to my Tournament of Roses column, or searching at Examiner.com in the search box.

And more are coming up, so stay tuned!

Tournament of Roses 101: Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game information

Tournament of Roses 101: Everything you want to know about the 2012 Royal Court
Follow that float: Los Angeles/Natural History Museum, from plans to parade

And, for a peek at last year's floats:

Rose Parade floats 101: Photos, winners, articles for the 2011 parade

Real L.A.: The Natural History Museum

2011-12-15T17:48:00.000-08:00

If you really want to see what L.A. is about, there are three places you must visit: the old city area, including Olvera Street, Chinatown, the Japanese history museum, and all the spots along the way; the La Brea Tar Pits; and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

That's where the history and culture are, folks, along with many other locations. And here's an article all about the Natural History Museum, the largest in the western United States with one of the most comprehensive dinosaur collections in the world. Plus, there are videos of Dinosaur Encounters (the only such show in North America) and Ice Age Encounters (the only one on the planet).

More than nature at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum

Amazing folks, amazing adventures, amazing stories

2011-11-15T12:01:00.001-08:00

The authors of Using All the Colors

I have the privilege of participating in an exceptional writers’ group in Pasadena at Monte Vista Grove Homes. The folks at “The Grove” have some of the most amazing stories to tell, and it is a joy sitting in and listening to them each week. Now you can hear them, too, in the pages of Using All the Colors, a vibrant collection of stories and recollections from more than two dozen authors.

I got into the class through a friend of mine, a retired minister who attends the same church as I do, and was delighted to discover the diversity of experience and viewpoints in this group of retired Presbyterian church workers.

While the class began as a memoir-writing exercise, the writers go much farther afield than simply personal recollections. Told with rare humility and grace, the stories are historical, philosophical, humorous, personal, and at times theological. They are never preachy. They resonate with the joys and fears we all have as human beings, offering a hand in friendship to the reader.

You can read more about it on Altadenablog and Altadena Patch . The book is available through CreateSpace and Amazon.com and would make a great Christmas gift.

Proceeds benefit Monte Vista Grove Homes, and CreateSpace gives us a higher margin, so please purchase the book there. The collection is edited by the writing group’s facilitator, Anna Zoeller Walker.

JR Martinez, Iraq War vet and TV personality, is 2012 Grand Marshal

2011-11-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

Rick Jackson, president of the 2012 Tournament of Roses, revealed his choice for Rose Parade Grand Marshal yesterday.

It was J.R. Martinez, an Iraq War veteran who was burned over 40 percent of his body when the Humvee he was in rand over a land mine. He is on Dancing with the Stars and All My Children, and tours the country as a motivational speaker.

I was impressed with what he had to say, especially when he said he has an "amazing, strong, beautiful mother"!

I did two write-ups on the event:

Just Imagine...the 2012 Rose Parade Grand Marshal is J.R.Martinez!

Photo gallery: Iraq vet JR Martinez of DWTS is 2012 RoseParade Grand Marshal

What's behind the hedges?

2011-10-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Community gardens and community characters

2011-10-22T23:38:00.000-07:00

Richard Carlos from Theodore Payne Foundation

When I was an editor at a weekly paper, an aspiring writer turned in a review of a band she liked. She wrote that they were on stage, each doing their own thing. "If they were each 'doing their own thing,'" I said, "it wouldn't be music." I explained how musicians have to listen to each other, and play together.

Three decades later, I take that back. If music gives joy--and the joyful color pink on the stoles and hoods of academes reflect that--then perhaps it can be joyful even when each musician is "doing his own thing".

And that's why I took this video.

As for the rest of the story, it's posted on Altadena Patch. The event was the Fifth Annual Gathering of Community Gardens, held at Loma Alta Park in Altadena, and the purpose was to educate beginners and master gardeners alike.

2012 Rose Queen just announced!

2011-10-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

Drew Washington, center, Kimberly Ostiller and Cynthia Louie on either side.

Drew Helen Washington, the youngest girl on the Tournament of Roses Royal Court, was named as Rose Queen this morning at Tournament House. She is 16, lives in Pasadena, and attends Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada Flintridge.

She is the 94th Rose Queen and will reign over the 123rd Rose Parade and 98th Rose Bowl Game. Read all about it in my Tournament of Roses column. I will be posting stories frequently. This morning's entry,
DrewWashington named as 94th Rose Parade Queen today at Tournament House, covers the announcement.

2012 Royal Court: Pictures & Profiles

2011-10-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when most of my writing centers around the Tournament of Roses. It's a job I really enjoy, and I find myself meeting new people every week.

In addition to following the Los Angeles/Natural History Museum float from start to finish, I will be covering all the Tournament events between now and January 3, 2012.

On Monday, the 2012 Royal Court was announced, and I was there to get photos and talk to the girls. Here are the links to all my stories--all 10 of them!

Tournament of Roses announces Royal Court to reign at 2012 Rose Parade
Photo gallery: 2012 Tournament of Roses Royal Court
Rose Parade 101: How will the 2012 Rose Queen be chosen?

Profiles of the Rose Princesses (in order of photo, left to right):
Sarah Zuno
Cynthia Louie
Morgan Devaud
Kimberly Ostiller
Drew Washington
Hanan Worku
Stephanie Hynes

That should be enough reading to keep you busy until the Rose Queen is announced on October 18!

On the way to royalty--5 finalists talk about their TOR experience

2011-10-08T11:38:00.000-07:00

Kimberly Ostiller, Teni Jebian, Lois Gordon, Hanan Worku, Erin Green

I spoke with five of the Tournament of Roses Royal Court finalists on Thursday and posted a story in my TOR column. They all looked like Rose Princess material to me! Outgoing, articulate, poised, funny, girl-next-door types.

Next Monday, we will all find out who made the cut--which seven young women will ride the Royal Float along the Rose Parade route. I have to say, I have a couple favorites. But I won't say who.

For a picture of all 34 finalists, take a look at "34 finalists named" on Examiner.com.

Rolling out the Rose Parade floats

2011-09-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Riding the City of Hope float for T2 test. Photo by Lisa Ely

I had a great time at the Saturday monring street tests for the some of the 2012 Rose Parade floats. These partcular floats are being created by Phenix Decorating. I got to ride the City of Hope float for its T2 test (meaning the cocoon was on and the mechanics working). I am following the City of Los Angeles/Natural History Museum collaboration as it is built, and posted a video of its impressive T1 street test in my Tournment of Roses column.

If you love the Rose Parade (and the Tournament of Roses in general), keep watching my column!

Three women, three families

2011-09-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

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.

September 11, ten years later

2011-09-02T23:36:00.000-07:00

American flag and Tournament of Roses flag taken from the porch of the Wrigley Mansion

Where were you on 9/11? The fact that we don't even have to put a year at the end of that date speaks to the sea change that day brought to our country, and indeed the world.

Where were you? I was sitting in the living room, waiting for my kids to be ready to be driven to school. Gabriel had gone across the street to talk to his friend. Suddenly, he burst in the door and said, "Mom! Do you have the TV on? The Twin Towers were bombed!" or something like that. Maybe he didn't use the word "bomb" but he didn't know what had happened yet, either.

I didn't believe him. I thought he was joking. But at his insistence, I turned on the TV and saw the towers coming down again and again.

Then I went to church. Not my church; I was working in a church at the time. I went to work, but it was a church, and I thought there was no better place to be on that day. We hastily planned a service for noon, one of the pastors turned off the TV after a couple hours, and we started getting the stories.

There were two men from Boston who had just settled into their hotel when they discovered that their two partners, who were coming on later flights--one on American Airlines Flight 11, the other on United Airlines Flight 175 had certainly perished at the World Trade Center.

There was the young woman, a member of the congregation on a recruiting junket for USC, who woke up in the Marriot on the WTC site and thought she was experiencing an earthquake. She grabbed her purse, cell phone, and sandals. When she got to the street, she realized it was much, much more than an earthquake. Someone got her to a ferry to Staten Island, and a family there took her in for a few days.

The stories are still coming, and they are still new.

With the 10th anniversary of this infamous day coming up soon, I wrote a series of seven articles, "Remembering 9/11", on the local events related to 9/11. Here they are:

Catching up: Boys Republic, Altadena Urban Farmer's Market, Tournament of Roses

2011-08-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

It is hot in my office right now, about 95 degrees. The only mitigating thing that can be said, as my fingers stick to the keys as I type, is that it is much nicer here in Gabriel's old bedroom than when I had my office upstairs. Sometimes there is a 20-degree difference in temperature. Not today, today it's only about 10 degrees.

Here are my latest stories for Altadenablog, Patch, and my Tournament of Roses column.

"Boys Republic Auxiliary's century of service" took me to a thrift shop in Altadena next to the post office. The ladies and gents sell used merchandise to raise funds for the Boys Republic. Actor Steve McQueen, a juvenile delinquent, had his life turned around at Boys Republic and was a supporter the rest of his life.

"Altadena Urban Farmer's Market Seeking New Location" presents the decisions the fledgling organization faces as it seeks to re-establish the popular underground market. It was formerly held at the Zane Grey estate in Altadena. There's also mention of the certified farmer's market which is on tap for October at Loma Alta Park. I can walk there!

Of course, my favorite stories are usually about the Rose Parade or other local events. Here are two:

"Pasadena's birthday party shows of 125 years of vehicles" is the last in my series of articles about the quasquicentennial of Pasadena. It made for a summer of fun!
"Service clubs participate to spread the word" is another in my series on the 2011 Rose Parade floats. Each of the award-winner got its own article, and the rest I've divided into categories.

Soon it will be time to guess the next Grand Marshal, welcome the Queen and Royal Court, and attend celebrations, announcements, and the parade itself.

Keep reading!

Tragedy to Triumph

2011-08-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

Another dead kid, another fundraiser. That seems to be the way it goes.

Brandon Jackson, a senior at John Muir HS, was shot in cold blood just a block below my house last February. The shooters were gangsters; Brandon was not. His family couldn't find a place for the memorial service. Some churches were too small, some feared gang retaliation.

First Presbyterian Church, Altadena stepped forward. Session approved the memorial and they approved a fundraising basketball tournament to provide scholarships for promising students, kids who had turned their lives around as Brandon was doing.

As Debra Williams, director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries at Altadena Pres, said, “God uses even the most tragic things to bring life, to bring hope to a community. Death doesn’t have the last word.”

No, indeed.

I wrote about it for Altadena Patch.

A note on the photo: The best sports photographer I ever knew, James Rourke, told me the key to taking great sports shots is to know the game, to know where to point the camera. This is not a great shot, but I thought of him while I was shooting.

Paco the brave Chihuahua takes Altadena by storm

2011-08-13T00:49:00.000-07:00

Paco with Ace Smoke Shop owner Erik Knight

Your Altadena Headlines Examiner was born and raised in Los Angeles. Like all good Angelenos, she is not impressed by celebrities--with one exception.

That would be Brave Paco, the Chihuahua who chased two armed robbers out of a smoke shop in Altadena and became an instant hero when the surveillance video went viral.

Paco’s most recent appearance was last night, Aug. 12, at Fancy Food Truck Fridays, a monthly food fest put on by the Webster’s stores on North Lake Avenue. Altadena Headlines spoke with Erik Knight, the owner of Ace Smoke Shop and Paco’s good friend; Duane Dier, Paco’s proud owner; and dog expert Dr. Jane Brackman (affectionately known around town as “Dr. Barkman”) to find out first-hand what happened on that fateful morning.

Read all about it on Altadena Headlines Examiner.

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

2011-08-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

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!