Stay In

The sign keeps no one out of nowhere; it's a remnant of the old days, but of which old days I'm not sure.

A skilled rider leads young student riders across the northern part of Hahamongna Watershed Park with NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in the background. I took the photo last Sunday. The ground was wet, but it's practically arid compared to a week or two before when the flood waters rushed through. That could all be changing as you read this because we're expecting more heavy rain this weekend.

It's been a long time since we've had so much rain in such a short period of time.

You know. When it rains, it pours.

Stay cozy.

Roberts Camp

Since we're coming up on the weekend, maybe you're thinking of a hike in Big Santa Anita Canyon. And since I had a very long day and am so tired I can't think, I'm putting up another picture I took there last week.

Bellis and I wondered if these steps were once part of Roberts Camp (1912-1931) because the commemorative sign for the camp was close by. If so, the steps seem to be all that's left. The sign says the Camp was a lodge for hikers and could accommodate as many as 200 people. The lodge finally closed in 1931 because the popularity of hiking declined in the 1920s.

Can anybody think of a reason why?
click to enlarge

New Blog in Town

Do you know what a "Preventorium" was? Roberta Martinez does, and you'll find a 1922 photo of of one on page 60 in her book, Latinos in Pasadena.

I finally bought my copy of the book and I've been nosing through it. Pasadena's Latino history goes way back to before Pasadena was Pasadena. Roberta's book is loaded with photos and history, the integral parts of our town's beginnings and growth. I'm just starting to dig in.

Roberta Martinez is blogging these days at Pasadena Latina. I've just added her to my San Gabriel Valley Blogroll. I try to keep it up-to-date but I may have to stop! There are so many blogs in the SGV now. My roll is getting too big and I'm not talking about the one at my waistline. That's a different post.

This town is full of fab Latinas, so why does Roberta get to claim the title of Pasadena Latina? That's easy. She wrote the book.

iPhone Wednesday #4 - Genius

I've downloaded some iPhone photo apps but haven't used them much. I didn't do anything special. These photos were taken with the iPhone, then uploaded and edited on the computer. These plants have their own genius and don't need much editing.
The apps I've got include: CameraBag, AutoStitch (at which John is a genius), TiltShift (look at this bit of genius from Kim in Seattle), PS Mobile and Best Camera. Anybody out there tried these? Link us to your results if you like.

Unfortunately, iPhoto no longer recognizes my iPhone so I can't upload any more photos right now. Time for a visit to the Genius Bar.

Measure CC Forum

Longfellow School

At the City Council meeting I attended three weeks ago, the council chamber was crowded with citizens eager to learn the fate of Hahamongna Watershed Park. But before we could discuss that there were other items on the agenda. One was whether or not the council should recommend the passing of Measure CC to benefit Pasadena schools.

Measure CC is a parcel tax that levies $120 per year on each taxable parcel of property for five years. If passed, it would raise about $7 million a year for those five years. The money would be used in the classroom, not for school maintenance or repairs (that was measure TT).

The Council, after citizen comment and a brief debate, voted unanimously to support the parcel tax. The council chamber erupted in applause.

I don't have kids. Why should I spend ten bucks a month on Pasadena's schools? We have enough rocket scientists in this town. Hell, there's practically a rocket scientist on every block. What Pasadena needs is more juvenile delinquents and petty criminals. And hookers! I never see any hookers around here. We don't have a single prostitute on our block. There's a juvenile delinquent around the corner, and he comes all the way down the street to steal bikes from the neighbor kids with absolutely no competition whatsoever.

Some people say our property values will go down if our schools don't keep up. Well, that's a boon, isn't it? If property values go down then maybe I can pay lower property taxes and put a little less money into the Los Angeles County coffers. 'Cause LA sure doesn't need the money. And while we're at it, neither does the State of California.

Oh--and the school libraries are going to close. Well, nyah, nyah, nyah. When I was a kid I had to walk all the way down the hall in my clean, gorgeous school to check out a book from the library. All the way down the friggin' hall! By myself! Without a sweater! In winter! Why do these kids need to read, anyway? Didn't we already decide they were going to grow up to be criminals? I mean, I suppose we could give them jobs as janitors and busboys, but how many janitors is Pasadena going to need when nobody wants to move here because the schools are so crappy?

Question: How many rocket scientists does it take to clean up the Rose Bowl after a U2 concert?
Answer: Doesn't matter. Even a thousand of them will never get the job done because those people have to count and categorize everything.

Why complicate things? Let's populate Pasadena with a citizenry that can't count.



Longfellow PTA is hosting a forum on the parcel tax on Feb. 24 at 6:30 PM in the auditorium, 1065 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena.
PUSD Board President Tom Selinske, as well as Darla Dyson of Invest in PUSD Kids, will be available to answer questions.
This forum is open to everyone in the community. Refreshments, childcare and Spanish translation will be available.
For more information contact Steve Cole, president@ptalongfellow.org.

Zen Monday: #85

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

I look for a photo worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. And I stay out of the comments box to avoid influencing the intellectual path of the discussion, unless I change my mind. Because, you know, when I get in there everything goes downhill.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo I add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary.

Sunset Over Mud Flats

Nature has made changes in the landscape. Who am I to argue? Like I have a say in the matter anyway.

Bombadil's

I promised the Altadena Hiker I'd post a photo of one of the cabins in Big Santa Anita Canyon. (Knowing her, I'll bet she's seen them all.) Here's Bombadil's Castle, one of the fancier ones. Look at that stone wall, will ya? I may be wrong but I'll bet they put it up because this one's right on the Gabrielino Trail and they wanted to discourage nosy dogs.

The Hermit Falls Trail, also in Big Santa Anita Canyon, is more remote--or, I should say, not as popular. The cabins along there might be a little quieter for the residents.

This, however, would be one drawback of living in the otherwise gorgeous canyon: you have to share your idyll with hikers.

A Scratch on the Scientific Record

Sometimes I post a photo because it's pretty. Sometimes I post a shot of what's happening in town. This one's educational: illustrative of a natural process that's hard to describe any other way.

After the Station Fire came heavy rains, which brought a flood of muddy ash into the lowlands. The landscape of Hahamongna Watershed Park was completely changed and, for a time at least, we have these crackly (technical term) mud flats. They're still soft. I wouldn't walk on them, though tinier creatures have done so.

We're about to have more rains. Who knows what changes nature will bring this time?

If anyone needs a photographic record of what's been going on at Hahamongna for the last two years, I've got so many pictures it's ridiculous. Just putting that out there, you know, for science.

Canyon Depths

I think you should click to enlarge this picture.

The other day, Bellis (who often comments here) and I walked from Chantry Flat to Sturtevant Falls and back. (The road up from Sierra Madre is open during the day.) Our trusty pooches came along, too. The water is flowing clear and clean in Big Santa Anita Canyon alongside the Gabrielino Trail.

Bellis also showed me the trail that goes above the falls. High! Steep! Narrow! Wonderful. There's everything to love about a hike like this one--tall trees, a flowing stream and a waterfall, forceful now after the rain.

This place is extra special, perhaps because of 81 historic, privately-owned cabins, some of which you'll stroll by as you walk along the canyon floor. The cabins are what remain of the original 350 that were built from the 1890's to the 1920's.

I found myself envying the cabin residents but I have to be realistic. It takes a special kind of person to live there. Few of the cabins have central heat, plumbing or electricity (though we did notice some solar panels), and phone service is limited. Not only that, but unless you're a mountain biker with the thighs (and knees) of an Olympic athlete, your home is accessible only by hiking into and out of the canyon.

It's so beautiful there, for a minute I thought I could get used to it if I could heat with solar panels. Later in the summer this stream will be dry, or close to it. But right now it's heaven.

Then I thought about carrying the groceries.

iPhone Wednesday #3 - TL(h)C

I took this with my iPhone at the Toluca Lake Health Center. It's a nice facility. I go there instead of someplace in Pasadena because my coverage is through my unions, SAG and AFTRA. It's good coverage. I wouldn't mind paying less for it but it's reasonable as health insurance goes. And I'm one of the lucky ones, just being eligible to buy it in the first place.

My husband isn't so lucky. He's with a certain California insurance company that's attempting to raise his rate almost 30%. We got the notice from them about two days before we read about it in the New York Times.

Do we need changes in our health care system? Don't get me started.

Duplex

Just...picturing the cute little people who live here.

Maybe it's one of those clocks where mannequins come out every hour on the hour and circle around, marching like tin soldiers or knocking up and down like those drinking bird toys.

Or it could be storage space.

Last week Vanda and I went on a photo safari in the San Fernando Valley. Some of the results are on Overdog, should you care to have a look.

Zen Monday: #84

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

I look for a photo worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. And I stay out of the comments box to avoid influencing the intellectual path of the discussion, unless I change my mind and decide to say something. Because, you know, when I get in there everything goes downhill.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo I add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary.

Good Cardio

Last week John and I climbed the fire road across Las Flores Canyon from the Sam Merrill Trail. It was his idea. With no shade on the mountain we had the perfect overcast day, he wanted to try something different, and why not?

I had all sorts of reasons why not. There's no good trail. It's not a hike, it's a climb. And it's rocky over there, with gravel and scree loose enough to roll you down ten feet for every two you go up.

I didn't think I could do it.

"Sure you can," said John. "You're strong enough."

I begged to differ. I complained a good part of the way up. It was steep. I was scared. For some of the climb we had to resort to our hands and knees just to find something to hold onto. It was most undignified.

I finally gave up, afraid to go on.

"I'm going to see what's around that bend," said John, obviously not the least bit worried.

He was gone for a little while. I found a place where I could sit without having to hold on and busied myself taking pictures. Finally, I crawled up after him.

Not too much farther along he'd found the wider road. He helped me over a few tough steps and we walked. It still wasn't easy; our legs were tired and our lungs were hungry. But we kept going and we made it farther than either of us could have gone alone.

At the top we gazed out over exhilarating San Gabriel Valley views we'd never seen before. We congratulated ourselves for making it so far. We discussed the great gobs of lunch we'd eat when we got back down. And I thanked John for insisting I could make it (the climb, not the lunch).

Happy Valentine's Day, sweetie. Even mountains are no match for us when we climb them together.

Six Sore Feet

(Who looks like he needs a drink?)

Guess who walked all the way to Altadena yesterday? Altadena and back.

It wasn't me.

Guest photographer John Sandel documented the trek with his iPhone. He claims that while he and Boz were taking in the tourist attractions a passerby walked directly up to him and put his finger over the camera lens.

It also deserves mention that both our intrepid travelers were invited in to shop at Altadena Hardware.

I suspect our model will be snoring on his bed outside my office door all weekend. That's okay. For being such a loyal trouper he deserves his breakfast in bed.

Love Bucket

This shot was an accident. Imperfect, but I love it.

The things that could be said about this shot, a dog-lover knows: A dog is fine company. Ushering a dog through life is a privilege. There is no joy like that of a happy dog. Et cetera.

We have about forty nick-names for Boz. Today it might be fun to share dog nick-names in the comments. I'll start us off with a few here. Let's see...

Pooh-Dawdle. (Boz tends to lag behind at every opportunity.)
Bark Gable. Gary Pooper. (Boz has movie star looks.)
The Poo, the Pooper. (Well, everybody uses a variation on those.)

Creative Record

An impression of a leaf in mud on the sidewalk. Gone with the rain, its image fleeting as a thought quickly written then erased.

It reminded me of a picture John took of last summer's sidewalk art, created in the same spot by a neighborhood Mondrian. With only sun to wash it away it faded slowly, and we got to enjoy it for a long time. But now it's gone just the same.

I love photography for many reasons, not the least of which is memory-keeping.

Hey, cool: today PDP is mentioned on The Greensward: Civitas.

iPhone Wednesday #2 - The Counter

A super-clean lunch place in Studio City featuring "custom built burgers," The Counter was new to me when I stopped by a couple of weeks ago for take-out. The music was loud (visit their website with your speakers on for the gist), so you know me--I didn't stay. But the burger I escaped with was excellent.
Other bloggers known to do iPhone Wednesday are Kim at Seattle Daily Photo, Chuck at One A Day - Mostly Seattle and Ming at Bangor Daily Photo. No guarantees of an iPhone shot, but whatever you find there you'll likely enjoy.

Forgive me, readers, for I have strayed outside the holy realm of Pasadena. But 2010 is a new era and you never know what your intrepid blogger will do. You can't tame me, I tell ya!

Home Shopping: Even Now

The sign in the window says NO TRESPASSING in more ways than I thought possible. What it means is, "the bank owns this house and don't even think about messing this up. Don't EVEN. Just have your agent call so you can buy the damn thing."

Maybe you should. I hear it's a good time to buy, if you have the means. I dared--yes I EVEN--to peek in the windows. You're going to have hardwood floors, a fireplace, wood trim and a healthy lemon tree in the side yard. That much I know.
I also know there are at least two sweet little old ladies on the block, and at least one guy who looks pretty good with his shirt off.










Late-breaking news: One of my Facebook friends, Iranian photographer Amir Sadeghi, was arrested yesterday at the office of Farhang-e-Ashti newspaper, his place of work, for having published images of the security clampdown on protesters last December 27th. More on Overdog.

Zen Monday: #83

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

I look for a photo worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. And I stay out of the comments box to avoid influencing the intellectual path of the discussion. Because you know, when I get in there it all goes downhill.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo I add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary. Remember, last week Zen Monday was Tuesday.

Confession: I didn't take this photo in Pasadena.










for clarification