I'll be posting my Xmas Tree Lane pix shortly. Til then, here's Monica's update 
Altadena Women's Network News 12-10-2007  
"There is no greater power than a community discovering what it cares about."   ~ Margaret Wheatley   ~~~ 
Woo-Hoo!  Dr. Sandra Thomas has been selected as the Altadena Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year!  
It takes two pages just to get through all Dr. Thomas's accomplishments, so this is a richly-deserved 
award.  You can read just a little about her here 
http://schiff.house.gov/HoR/CA29/Legislative+Issues/In+His+Own+Words+-+Text/2006/A+Tribute+to+Dr.+Sandra+E.+Thomas.htm   
and you can read about her inspiring Bright Futures Scholars program for mentoring youth here: 
http://qualityoflifecenterinc.com/  The Pasadena School District has asked Dr. Thomas to almost 
double the size of her program this year. While PUSD is providing free space at Eliot Middle School, 
the program needs funding to underwrite the projects and activities for the students.  
If you're looking for some worthy year-end programs to make a donation to, please consider this one.  
Donation instructions are here: http://qualityoflifecenterinc.com/contact_us   
~~~ Don't know if the Christmas Tree Lane folks http://www.christmastreelane.net/ have photos 
posted yet, but you can see some of Saturday night's festivities on 
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/femmenoir/  Kudos to Maureen and Tony Ward and the myriad 
volunteers who once again provided us with a wonderful celebration for the entire town to enjoy.   
~~~ Altadenan Sandy Gillis and her pals Jill A. Ganon and Jennifer Cheung published a second book 
about local homes and places of interest, At Home Pasadena.   ~~~ Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, MOMS Club 
of Altadena Party: 10 a.m. Entertainment by Music Together, holiday arts and crafts, a visit from 
Santa, food and refreshments, opportunity drawings, and much more. (626) 844-7916 or e-mail 
altadenamomsclub AT yahoo DOT com for more info. .   
~~~ Kudos to the organizers of the December 4 Joint Meeting of the Altadena Town Council and 
Pasadena School Board.  It was a very well-organized meeting with time for public comment and 
some good clarification on management issues.  I was particularly interested in learning about 
the budget process.  PUSD has to adjust its budget three times a year and plan the current year 
plus two more beyond it. And even then PUSD never knows what will happen after the governor and 
state legislature agree on the state budget.  Diaz and other District leaders reported to the 
audience and answered questions openly and directly, with no glossing over of the challenges 
ahead. He and his management and leadership teams are systematically addressing myriad issues 
after doing some serious review of PUSD's internal systems and structures. Each time I hear 
Superintendent Diaz speak I am more and more impressed.  It was great to see him and meet his 
family at Christmas Tree Lane Saturday night, too.   ~~~ The Pasadena Unified School District 
is very lucky to have lured Altadenan Binti Harvey away from LAUSD.  Binti will begin her 
tenure as the communications officer for PUSD in early January! Congratulations, Binti! 
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_7645485   
~~~ Altadena Library Holiday Events  Chamber Music Express—Ultimate Math and Music Experience 
Violinist Paul Stein and Chamber Music Express blend music and imaginative storytelling, 
entertaining children and adults alike. Monday, December 10th, 7 p.m.  Mark Twain Handbell 
Ringers Choir Join us for an evening of holiday music with the Mark Twain Ringers Handbell 
Choir. Friday, December 14th, 7 p.m.  A Visit From Santa Santa will share a special Christmas 
story. Parents bring your cameras for a photo-op with Santa! Stay and make ornaments for our 
Christmas tree!  Also at Bob Lucas Branch. Friday, December 14th (Bob Lucas Branch); Saturday, 
December 15th (Main Library), 2 p.m.   
~~~ Office furniture available -- Prevent Child Abuse-California is selling furniture for a 
one person executive office. Desk, return and matching 2-drawer lateral file in excellent 
condition (purchased new 18 months ago). Cherry wood, two file drawers and two smaller 
drawers in the desk.  Also -- High-back executive chair, two side chairs and a small white sofa 
-- loveseat size. The entire suite for $500 or best offer -- purchaser will need to pick it up 
in Pasadena by 12-21-07. Anyone interested call Bonnie Armstrong at 626-786-6593.   
~~~ Jobs      >>  Full charge bookkeeper for Friends Outside, a 35-year old nonprofit 
organization which provides services to families affected by incarceration. The purpose 
of this position is to provide quality, timely, and accurate bookkeeping services an average 
of 20 hours per week from a Pasadena-based nonprofit organization.  Miminum 3 years experience 
with nonprofit bookkeeping, familiarity with government grant fund and project accounting. 
Please submit resume and salary history to Mary Weaver, Executive Director as follows: 
mweaver@friendsoutsidela.org or (626) 795-1476 (fax).  Start date: January 1, 2008.      
>>  All Saints Church Foster Care Project seeks a consultant for the half-time Volunteer 
Coordinator position. Job requirements: Outstanding people skills, enthusiastic about 
helping foster kids, good computer skills, strong writing skills, ability to work as 
part of a team. Duties: The Volunteer Coordinator recruits, tracks, places, networks, 
encourages, educates and problem solves with the many volunteers who were interested 
in working with children and youth living in foster care, emancipated, homeless, 
incarcerated or under the supervision of probation. The Volunteer Coordinator links 
with partnering agencies serving these youth, becomes familiar with the volunteer 
activities available, and is the contact person and "face" of the Foster Care Project 
to the partnering agencies and the volunteers. Hours: 20 hours per week at $25 per hour. 
Application deadline:  December 16 or until filled. Contact:  Jeanette Mann at 626-797-0307 or 
by e-mail at  inbox AT fostercareproject DOT org .   ~~~ In the looking ahead department:      
>> Thu 1/3/2008 (7:30 am), Anthony Portantino Legislative Update Breakfast at the Altadena 
Community Center.  RSVP joandtim@charter.net.      >> NWPC State Chapter Reception, 
Sat 1/12/2008, Jeanne Register's home.  Inquire for details. jeanne DOT register AT charter 
DOT net      >> Altadena Branch of NAACP meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the 
 Altadena Community Center, 730 E.       Altadena Drive. (Holiday months vary.) 
For more information call 626-794-7999.      
>> January 29 Altadena Sheriff's Community Advisory Council is hosting a town-hall type meeting 
where Altadenans can come together to share what they love about our community and their vision 
for making our community the best it can be. Save the date and bring your hopes and dreams for 
community health.    ~~~ Someone on the Chaney Trail listserv posted this helpful site for 
getting rid of unwanted catalogues: http://www.catalogchoice.org/   
~~~ Love words?  You'll enjoy this site.  http://www.freerice.com/  For each word you get right, 
Free Rice donates 20 grains of rice through the United Nations to help end world hunger. 
Thanks to Nora Lee for pointing us to this fun site.   Have a great week!  ~ Monica Hubbard