HAPPY WEDNESDAY, HAPPY SEASON and HAPPY TO BE IN ALTADENA!

HALLOOOOO!!!  Happy 12/12/12!  It is so chilly this morning that I had to go put on socks with my sandals! Ahhh -- joys of  winter in California!  Speaking of CA -- this morning I would like to say how THANKFUL that I am for living in Altadena!!  We have such a funky, vibrant, opinionated, and artistic community and it is a beautiful place to live!!  I have been thinking lately about how lucky I am to live here.   

On Dec 1, Webster's Fine Stationers had their Holiday Open House and what fun that was! In the morning Lori and Scott served delicious Danish, coffee, tea and hot cider.  Local Artist Karen Bagnard was there in the morning with a holiday card debut that benefits Christmas Tree Lane.   Jabberwocky Jerk was there featuring their yummy locally made sauces.  LA in Stitches (that's me) was there all day with my line of original handmade knitwear.  In the afternoon, Lori put out a crudites tray with dips, and a tray of candy and cookies.  The afternoon welcomed live spoken word with Aldonia Bailey, and a beautiful spontaneous song performed by Amin El.  The evening featured more food with a delicious fruit and cheese platter and a hilarious book reading and signing with Margaret Finnegan, author of The Goddess Lounge (the main character hailing from Altadena).

   

This past Saturday was the Christmas Tree Lane Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Did you know that the Christmas Tree Lane Association is a 100% VOLUNTEER group?  Every year the lights that are enjoyed by thousands are put up and taken down by local volunteers.

It is also THE OLDEST electrified Christmas light exhibit in the United States.  They always need volunteers......so check them out. It was a wonderful community event with a craft/art fair, live music, caroling, a lighting countdown, marching band, food and free coffee and hot chocolate.

Every Wednesday at Loma Alta Park on Palm Street, from 4 -7 pm is the Altadena Farmer's Market . 

  And what a "foodie" delight it is.  This ain't your run of the mill farmer's market!!  Want grass fed beef, organic eggs, locally grown produce, exquisite olive oil, excellent jams and coffee?  Organizer Joseph Schulinder is putting Altadena on the culinary map!!  Check it out!! 

Have you been to our crazy cool Altadena Library?  I LOVE our library!  Rumor has it that there are "modernization" plans in the works -- and I hope they don't change a thing!!  It has the original 1967 architecture, design and decor.

I absolutely dig the cool globe lights and library tables and sunken reading area.  The lighting and feeling of being surrounded by nature is wonderful.  

The "Friends of the Altadena Library Association" sponsored a FANTASTIC holiday performance by the Mark Twain Middle School Ringers last night.  These kids are a group of very talented and dedicated musicians and students.  They performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.  They came to Altadena from West Hollywood to perform at our library and it was enthralling........and FREE for anyone who wanted to attend!

This coming Friday night – “Good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise” -- will be this season's last Food Truck Friday of the year.  It is held in the Webster's Parking Lot and features an ever changing list of Food Trucks with delicious offerings.  There are lots of tables and chairs set up, encouraging chatting with friends, family and neighbors. 

This week Danny's Farm will be there with their petting zoo.  Webster's Community Pharmacy and Webster's Liquors will be offering 20% off ALL PURCHASES!!  Have you seen the fun cards and gifts at Webster's Community Pharmacy?  Check them out.  I will be at Webster's Fine Stationers again with my knitwear and we will debut a new line of Guy Wear, designed by my son Daron Anderson.

The local lights seem to be particularly lovely this year.  The commercial strip on Mariposa is charming – including Altadena Hardware – newly picked BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.  The tree shines brightly atop the Webster’s building.  Of course a drive up Christmas Tree Lane is a MUST – and a visit to “The Balian House”.  If you are driving up from Pasadena, try driving up El Molino.  There are great lights on many of Pasadena’s grand old houses – and it leads you directly up to Christmas Tree Lane.

Oh -- and by the way -- come by and see me some time at LA General Store Design Studio at 149 W. Altadena Drive!  I have a sewing and design studio where I make my knitwear and can design anything from swim wear to wedding dresses.  My son Daron Anderson has just added his design skills and will be working on new lines of men's wear.  I also do repairs, alterations and remake old items into new.  We are open by appointment -- so give us a call at 626-529-3386 or email at lageneralstore@hotmail.com.

We are small – yet can be mighty if we all work hard and  TOGETHER.  There is a lot that will be happening in the next year here in Altadena.  For updates and news make sure to check in with our TWO local blogs:

Altadenablog    (http://www.altadenablog.com/)

Altadena Patch    (http://altadena.patch.com/)

Also -- these are some of the local groups that you can be involved with:

Altadena Chamber of Commerce

Altadena Historical Society

Altadena Town Council

ACONA - Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations

Christmas Tree Lane Association

It takes a village to make a town -- and we have a great one!!