September 18, 2008
Here’s the Pasadena Weekly story on the film “Lakeview Terrace,” that is apparently based on a real-life story in Altadena…
I had an LAPD officer living behind me and a Sheriff next door, and I’m happy to say I’ve had no problems. Felt quite safe.
http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/copping_out/6402/
April 8, 2008
N E W S ITEM FROM CALTECH ABOUT LOCAL RESIDENT Geneticist Giuseppe Attardi
PASADENA, Calif.-Giuseppe Attardi, whose work linked degenerative diseases and aging to genetic mutations, died at his home in Altadena on Saturday, April 5. He was 84 years old.
Attardi, the California Institute of Technology’s Steele Professor of Molecular Biology, was among the first scientists to delve into the processes through which DNA’s information is transferred. He identified all the genes of the DNA in human mitochondria–often called the powerhouses of biological cells. He then developed techniques for investigating genetic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, and aging in general, which he discovered is associated with changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
Born in 1923 in Vicari, Italy, a town of less than 3,000 people in the Province of Palermo, Attardi earned an MD from the University of Padua in 1947. He remained there for almost 10 years as an assistant professor in the Institute for Histology and General Embryology.
During those years, he also visited the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, as a research fellow in cell research and genetics, and the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine as a Fulbright Fellow.
Still on the Fulbright Fellowship, Attardi arrived at Caltech in 1959. He was appointed associate professor of molecular biology four years later. It was at Caltech that Attardi turned his interests to mitochondria, establishing that mtDNA is an active, working genome.
This spurred research into the organelle’s genetic machinery.
David Chan, an associate professor of biology and Attardi’s colleague and friend, credits Attardi with being a leading figure in identifying the products and functions of the mitochondrial genome.
Attardi and a student developed a technique in which they replaced the mtDNA of a human cell line with the mtDNA from diseased cells.
This allowed them to distinguish the roles of mtDNA and the genome of the nucleus–where the rest of a cell’s DNA resides–in causing the disease. With this technique, they could also examine the relationship between changes in mtDNA and changes in cell function caused by the disease. “Many labs have used his approach to understand how mutations in mtDNA diseases affect mitochondrial function,” Chan says.
“Giuseppe was one of the founders of what is now a central and still-expanding area of molecular cell biology,” adds Attardi’s colleague and friend Gottfried Schatz, emeritus professor of biochemistry at the University of Basel’s Biozentrum, in Switzerland.
“His unique insights bore magnificent fruits with the landmark description of the transcription map of mammalian mtDNA, as well as the precise characterization of the mechanism of mitochondrial diseases and the dynamics of human mitochondrial genomes.”
In recent years, researchers in Attardi’s lab at Caltech have focused on how mtDNA replicates, and on detecting mutations that result from aging, and what affects those mutations have. The team discovered that older people carry a significantly greater number of genetic defects in a specific region of their mtDNA, suggesting that cell aging begins in the mitochondria.
“He has been a central figure in mitochondrial research for several decades. One of the things I will always remember about him is his constant excitement for all types of biological questions,” Chan says. “I think his intense curiosity is one reason he accomplished so much as a scientist.”
Schatz adds, “To him, science was everything and he never tired of discussing the latest experiments. Yet he also embodied a vanishing breed of scientists whom I would define as ‘gentlemen intellectuals.’
He had a superb grasp of European history and world culture, had mastered French and German at a very high level of proficiency, and even in his most spirited discussions refrained from personal invective or overt aggression. To me, he was an example of how science can keep us young in spirit, and ennoble us.”
During his career, Attardi garnered several distinctions. They include two Guggenheim Fellowships; election to the National Academy of Sciences; the Antonio Feltrinelli International Prize for Medicine from the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei; a degree of doctor honoris causa from the University of Zaragoza, Spain; the Passano Foundation Award in 2000; and the Gairdner Foundation International Prize.
Attardi is survived by his wife and fellow researcher, Anne Chomyn, a senior research fellow, emeritus, at Caltech; a son, Luigi Attardi, of Rome; a daughter, Laura Attardi, of Palo Alto, who is a professor of cancer biology at Stanford University; and a grandson, Marcello Attardi, of Palo Alto.
###
Visit the Caltech Media Relations website at http://pr.caltech.edu/media.
–
Elisabeth Nadin, science writer
Caltech Media Relations
March 16, 2008
Here’s the story about Portugal-born Patricio da Silva
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-lbarto1508mar15,0,5226901.story
March 3, 2008
Dozens of nurseries and growers once inhabited the hills of Altadena. And if it wasn’t for Pasadena fighting to have the 210 freeway go thru their town, our last remaining nursery would have disappeared long ago. Thankfully, Nuccio’s famed camellia and azalea nursery on Chaney Trail does still remain, and today hosted the Altadena Heritage Society’s Breakfast of tea, coffee and treats, featuring Julius “The Nuch” Nuccio and friend and Altadena historian Michelle Zack.
In their beautiful location since 1946, ”The Nuch” told a gathering of more than 50 flora and history buffs how his family came to start the nursery in 1935. It was all because his father and nephew gave their gardening obsessed mother a camelia. “She got them interested in plants. She didn’t care if there were dirty dishes in the sink, she’d be out in the garden,” he joked. Their initial nursery was kept in their grandparent’s yard during the war, cared for by the women of the family. Once that was over, grandfather said it was time he got his house back. “When we first got this property we thought we’d go broke,” said Nuccio. “I hated it. Worked here since I was 12. Tried another job for a month, but came right back.”
Wisely, his dad and uncle saw the trends in the nursery business and decided to specialize. They carry more than 500 varieties of both flowers, just a drop in the bucket of the thousands of varieties exist. Their two most famous are the Nuccio’s Bella Rosa and Pink Pearl. They still hand water and fertilize each plant because watering systems killed too many of them.
The soil secrets of both plants: Camellias take 1/3 soil, 1/3 peat and 1/3 pearlite. Azaleas take 2/3 peat and 1/3 pearlite. When the plants are blooming, they’re dormant. That’s when to move them if you need to. Prune right after blooming is complete.
Nuccio’s has never advertised — yet last summer The Nuch said it was their best summer ever. That’s what growing a business is all about.
More to come on this. Here are a few pix of the day…
Michele Zack
Don’t miss a chance to talk with the Nuccios about how your camelias and azaleas are doing. It’s a joy to have such a resource in our own backyard.
February 29, 2008
From Carolyn Seitz and the Sheriff’s Office: “I just heard from Captain Blow that State Parole has begun relocating the 6 paroled child molesters from Risinghill Road.
They should all be relocated by March 3rd.”
Who says a community uprising doesn’t get action?
January 29, 2008
So Dorothy Burns is upset at what’s happening to Scripps Home. I have to say I join her in being upset at seeing some lovely architecture destroyed, whatever the bottom line reasoning is. Here is the official press release that answers Dorothy’s questions about where the former residents are. What’s not clear at all is what the new facility will look like. The gentleman I spoke with Saturday it was going to fit in architecturally with the community. We can hope — and speak up about it. If anyone has any more info on this, please post it here. The gentleman said plans weren’t complete yet, so the neighborhood should be able to have some say. Could a Town Council member shed some light on this? I’ll see what I can find out.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
The Episcopal Home Communities: Janelle Morton(626)300-6460
The Scripps Home: Patricia Bunin:(626)797-8255
The Boards of Directors of The Episcopal Home Communities and The Scripps Home have agreed unanimously to pursue a merger in order best to prepare for the long-term future. The announcement, coming from Martha L. Tamburrano, President/CEO of The Episcopal Home Communities and James W. Graunke, Executive Director of The Scripps Home, states that operations of The Scripps Home, a life care community located in Altadena, will be merged into the operations of The Kensington, a continuing care retirement community located in Alhambra and owned and operated by The Episcopal Home Communities. “We are looking forward to pursuing a merger with The Scripps Home,” said Martha Tamburrano, President and CEO of The Episcopal Home Communities. “Scripps shares The Episcopal Home’s dedication to its residents through high-quality care and services, and both organizations have a tradition of providing charitable care.” Changes in the senior living market and related financial challenges led the Boards to the conclusion that such a merger will promote long-term financial stability. Together, Scripps and The Kensington will carry on their traditions of long-term, high-quality service over a continuum of care — independent living, assisted living, dementia care and skilled nursing care. It also allows for a continued commitment to charitable care, a hallmark of both institutions. James Graunke, who has held the top leadership role at The Scripps Home for more than 25 years said,” I see this merger with our new partner as an investment in the future of Scripps in Altadena. It will enable us to sustain for generations to come the values and the services to the community Scripps has provided for the past 95 years.” During a phased program starting next year, The Scripps Home residents will move to The Kensington while the Scripps campus itself is being redeveloped. Upon completion of the new facility, both the Kensington and Scripps residents will be able to move to Altadena. This integration will allow the residents of both retirement communities to enjoy the benefits of the best that each has to offer, along with the least possible interruption to their daily lives during the construction of the new Scripps-Kensington campus in Altadena. “This new structure will be an ideal way for Scripps to position itself to go on serving generations of older adults with our mission to provide services to people of every income level and ethnic background,” Graunke said.
January 14, 2008
Altadena Women’s Network News
January 14, 2008
>>> Please be sure to add AltadenaWomensNetwork@gmail.com and
monica.hubbard@charter.net to your service providers “safe list” or
“whitelist” so Wired Women messages will not be rejected as spam.
“There is no greater power than a community discovering what it cares
about.” ~ Margaret Wheatley
~~~ Kudos to all the folks who came out Saturday morning to help plant
a new native and drought resistant garden at Old Marengo Park on
Woodbury Road. The 8,000 square foot park is planted with Oaks, Red
Bud trees, native grasses, Bush Monkey Flower, California Fusia,
Golden Current, Firecracker Penstemon and Ceanothus and other
California native plants. You can see photos of the work in progress
here:
http://sgvtribune.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?userphoto=0&theway=back&picnum=10&image=17441513&thispage2=&return=#show
~~~ Some of our local elected women were recognized at a reception for
the state NWPC board Saturday night in Altadena. NWPC Greater
Pasadena Chapter president, Altadenan Cherri King, brought greetings
from our local caucus. Local elected women present included Sarah
Fuller, Susan Goldman, Sandra Thomas and Michele Zack (Altadena Town
Council) and Dale LaCasella (Altadena Library Board). Judy Chu, one
of five elected members of the State Board of Equalization, spoke
briefly, sharing the story of her election to the Garvey School Board,
State Assembly and now our District 4 representative to the nation’s
only publicly elected state tax commission. (The State Board of
Equalization collects nearly $53 billion annually in taxes and fees
supporting state and local government services.) It was a wonderful
evening, full of great stories and lots of cheering and laughter.
~~~ Altadena Town Council meets this Tuesday at 7 p.m. You can check
out their updated Web site at www.altadenatowncouncil.org . Kudos to
Susan Goldman for her persistence in keeping the Web update project
moving forward.
To find out more, subscribe to the Altadena Women’s Network…
December 20, 2007
(sorry I’m late on this, been a little busy!)
Note: I’ve corrected the error he made in names and acknowledged in an email. Saving you the trouble of reading that.)
Thursday December 13 2007
Elliot Gold here.
Not sure if you saw Joe Hopkins’ Pasadena Journal article two weeks ago bashing me, and our effort to guarantee quality education in Altadena, but to Joe’s credit, he published my reply (along with a reply by Scott Phelps).
Joe (really Ruth Brown) was fair, but were unable to publish the complete letter I sent, so I’ve included three things in this e-mail
1. The link to my shortened letter and Scott’s letter (http://www.pasadenajournal.com/id90.html)
2. My full length letter (see “Elliot’s Letter)
and
3. Joe’s full length editorial from two weeks ago- Go to http://www.pasadenajournal.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/11-22-2007.pdf.
Thanks for all of your support of the public schools in the Altadena and Pasadena area.
Elliot Gold
Elliot@telespan.com
ELLIOT’S FULL LENGTH LETTER
November 28, 2007
To: Joe Hopkins, Pasadena Journal, PasJour@Pacbell.net
From: Elliot Gold, Elliot@telespan.com
RE: “Black Operated Charter Schools Surviving- in Spite of Efforts to Destroy Them…” November 22- 28, 2007 edition of The Pasadena Journal
Joe:
Allow me to quote someone I had respect for 35 years go:
“Black, Brown, and any white people of good will wanting some semblance of equal representation in Pasadena might take a lesson from the Bradley Miracle. When that combination got together in Los Angeles, a miracle happened. A Black man was elected Mayor. But it took all three working together to overcome the racism of those in power. In Pasadena, that threesome must make itself heard….”
Maybe your readers don’t remember those words, calling for all ethnic groups to work together on education, but as you know, they were written by a young Joe Hopkins, in your weekly column, “A View from the Streets,” published by the Pasadena Eagle in the late 1960s and early 1970s. During my multi-year tenure at the Eagle as a photographer, writer and columnist with you, and later as the Editor, I appreciated your dedication to the black population of Pasadena. In those days, I found you not only a dedicated, but an accurate journalist. Based on what you reported in the Journal last week, you seem to have lost both your dedication and accuracy.
Joe, as you suggested 35 years go, in your April 20, 1972 and June 7, 1973 columns for the Pasadena Eagle, the focus of all parents, like me, whose children have attended schools in the PUSD, is to get them a quality education, one they can take to institutions of higher education, as well as to the workplace. Using your words, such an education requires “a valid and necessary mechanism,” such as an accredited and fiscally responsible school, staffed by experienced teachers. Contrary to what you said in your article, the Nia Charter Educational Center doesn’t meet your criteria. Allow me to point out just a few inaccuracies in your story.
First of all you did not accurately explain why Nia is not accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) (http://www.acswasc.org/). Factually, Nia’s administration chose not to apply for accreditation, even after they left the Metropolitan Baptist Church and had been at the Edison campus for nearly a full school year, until my Neighborhood Association discovered and publicized the fact that they had failed to do so. Why is it important to be accredited by WASC? Well as you and I both know, though you failed to point it out in your article, students attending non-accredited schools cannot transfer their credits to other public high schools in the state of California, nor can they use those credits to be admitted to a number of colleges in California, including UCLA. Factually, Nia chose not even to apply for accreditation until after three years of operation. The parents of Nia’s students didn’t know this until we, through our Neighborhood Association, discovered it when a student from Nia applied to attend high school in the Duarte Unified School District, and was told she would have to repeat all classes she took at Nia, due to Nia’s lack of accreditation.
Yes, we made headlines when we found this out.
Why?
Tell me, Joe: How many 16- to 18-year-old high school students that you and I knew when you and I worked together at the Pasadena Eagle—or, more importantly, that you and I know today—would be willing to repeat their years spent in high school, having to take classes alongside students two to four years younger than them?
Due to Nia’s lack of diligence, even the students who have chosen to complete their high school years at Nia may find that the colleges they apply to will reject their high school credits when they “graduate” in June 2008. Why? Well, it’s because the accreditation process takes a minimum of 18 months, putting the possibility, and I say “possibility” of accreditation being awarded to Nia, at nine months after Nia’s seniors graduate in June 2008.
Yes, there is a good chance that Nia will not be awarded accreditation. Why not? Well for one thing, look at the fact, made public by Nia at their September 13, 2007 community meeting, which they held after we “made headlines,” that only half of their teachers have teaching credentials, a fact you failed to point out in your article.
The second major inaccuracy in your story was about Nia’s test scores. In your article, you talk about Nia’s students’ scores rising over the past year. If that is true, why is it that the State lowered Nia from the second lowest decile, to the lowest decile, based on standardized tests taken by their students? Why is it that Great Schools, an independent educational foundation backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and the Flora Hewlett Foundation, gives Nia a score of two out of ten (http://www.greatschools.net/school/rating.page?id=14454&state=CA), ten being best?
The third inaccuracy in your story had to do with daily attendance. The PUSD numbers indicate the average daily attendance at Nia is 141, while your article says “…according to records shown to The Journal by (Naima) Olugbala, [it] was closer to 170.” Interesting that you would accept this from the Nia administration, when all you, as a journalist, had to do is go to the State public attendance web site (http://data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/DQReports.asp?CDSType=S&CDSCode=19648810106591&lPage=P) to find out that Nia’s average enrolment fell from 212 for the school year 2005-2006 to 134 for the school year 2006-2007. With those data in front of you, as a journalist, I’d expect you to accept the PUSD’s figure of 141, and not the Nia claim of 170.
Finally, you refer to me as “Elliot Gold, a white activist, who has taken it onto himself to destroy the school even though he has no children in the school.”
“White”!
Gee, Joe, why are you playing the “color” card? That’s a card you and I threw out of the deck when we worked together over 30 years ago at the Pasadena Eagle. I don’t know what you’ve done in the past 30 years, but during that time Shirley and I put our two sons (along with their Japanese middle names, telling of their Japanese ancestry) through Edison, Eliot, and Muir, schools that had no color cards. (Our boys didn’t carry their Native American heritage on their “cards,” due to it being only a small fraction of their blood.)
Don’t know what you were doing two-thirds of the way through that 30 years, but I don’t recall seeing you when we (blacks, browns, whites, and all ethnic groups) worked for months on the Measure Y proposition to put money into the schools all children of the PUSD could attend.
“White activist”! Joe, I ran possibly the most ethnically mixed Cub Scout Pack at Edison for a decade. And for the five years prior to that, I tutored and mentored kids of African American heritage. I have two “sons,” young men who to this day call me “dad,” “sons” who have as much pigment in their skin as you do.
Joe, this is not about pigment, this is about education. Do join us in getting qualified schools in the PUSD.
Oh, and another thing, I don’t even know Scott Phelps, never met him in my life, don’t think I’ve ever even been in the same auditorium with him. Calling me a “local activist” is accurate, but calling me “a close friend of Board member Scott Phelps” is inaccurate journalism.
Elliot M. Gold
Altadena Activist
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