Altadenans.com

Informal Town Hall Meeting and Celebration was a complete success. Over sixty guests attended, though we were expecting over a hundred. Due to the fact that everyone north of Loma Alta was evacuated, including my own family, I was concerned that many guests would not be able to attend, but the turnout was great. It is no fun being evacuated, but the informal town hall meeting was really a much-needed break from the monotony and worry concerning the fires. I came to the realization that if my house was going to burn, it was going to burn, and there was nothing I could do about it. I got out with my most valued assets: my fiancee Helen and my son Nile. This is the great realization that I came to, as my van full of my lifetime possessions would not start. (I was forced to come to terms with this realization.) I think we should really look into installing a good sprinkler system along the mountain ridge as a preventive fire line. What do you think?

My plan for the evening was to listen to your individual concerns and ideas, introduce the Student and Teacher of the Month programs, propose the Neighborhood Watch Organization of Altadena, and officially launch the website, www.Altadenans.com. The people in attendance, however, were so passionate about education that I felt there was no time to formally introduce the website or discuss the Neighborhood Watch Organization. During the open discussion, attendees spoke on various issues, from the Student and Teacher of the Month programs, to traffic concerns on Lake and Mendocino, to implementing more computers in our schools. I would like to say a special thank you for a surprise visit by our Congressman Adam Schiff and William Syms. Special thanks also go to Sandra Mims and Kathy Onoye of PUSD and everyone who spoke: Walt Butler, Landy Johnson, Ruth Wesley, Barbara Hairston, Debra Johnson, Gloriana Casey, and Viola Roscoe. Also, a special shout out to Chef Yealang, whose food was absolutely awesome. The band, The Sufferers Inc.’s music was incredible. Our DJ Abdul worked hand in hand with The Sufferers Inc. to keep the energy flowing.

I would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate with me, comment, and offer feedback to make our community a better place. I would like to do these informal town hall meetings quarterly, to coincide with the newsletter. The next one could tentatively be scheduled for this Winter.

What did you think of the meeting? What would you like to see for future events? Please offer your suggestions!

Congressman Adam Schiff with the Simmons and Ezieme families

Jermaine of the band, The Sufferers Inc., Herbert Simmons, Congressman Adam Schiff, and Dino of The Sufferers Inc. (l-r)

Congressman Adam Schiff and Herbert Simmons

Employee of Congressman Schiff, William Syms, Jamaal Wesley, and Congressman Adam Schiff (l-r)

Kathy Onoye of Pasadena Unified School District, speaking in support of the Student and Teacher of the Month programs

Steve Wesson, Linda Offray, Barbara Hairston (l-r)

Gloriana Casey

Ruth Wesley

Sandra Mims of Pasadena Unified School District speaking on behalf of the Student and Teacher of the Month programs

Herbert Simmons, Walt Butler

Catering by the world-renowned Chef Yealang Smith

Steven Syms, Jewelyn Mims, Herbert Simmons, Opal Hampton

Gloriana Casey, Doug Campbell, Barney Velarde

DJ Abdul, Landy Johnson

The Sufferers, Inc.

Mr. Roosevelt, Herbert Simmons

Betty Benefield, Herbert Simmons

Herbert Simmons, Tamara Watkins

Herbert Simmons, Steve Wesson

David Ezieme, Ngozi Ezieme, Herbert Simmons, Debra Johnson, Ashley Banks, Beverly Banks (clockwise, l-r)

Simone Williams, Herbert Simmons, Nile Simmons

Barbara Davis, Herbert Simmons

Herbert and Nile Simmons, Ms. Anderson, Paige Eaves

Jewell Crosby, Herbert Simmons and son

Ethan Allen and son

Herbert Simmons, Ruth Wesley, Jamaal Wesley

Herbert Simmons, Treva Blackwell, Rosalind Smith

David Ezieme, Ngozi Ezieme, Dee Maxwell (l-r)

Jhertaune Huntley

Jamaal Wesley, Ruth Wesley

Herbert Simmons, Dee Maxwell

David Ezieme, Ngozi Ezieme

Ethan Allen & kids