“If you joined us last year to watch as Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and their cycling colleagues roar around the Rose Bowl, you know what a thrill it is to have them in town. They’re coming back in late May for the next Amgen Tour of California, aka the Tour de Sunshine. Many of the world’s best cyclists will race the 800-mile course, which goes from Nevada City to Thousand Oaks, passing through six other host towns. “Our” leg of the tour takes place on May 21st, when the cyclists race through Pasadena and then head east to make a grueling mountain climb up to Big Bear and Arrowhead.”

Volunteer Descriptions

Course Marshals – Assigned a designated area along the race course to assist with the coordination and safety of the field of play for all race venues; keep the course clear of pedestrians, spectators, cars, etc; PR Ambassador: keep spectators informed. Course Marshal positions are for local stages only.

NOTE: Traveling Course Marshals are not being recruited at this time.

Media

Start Cities:  Assist with distribution of media credentials at Media Check-in.

Finish Cities:  Assist Tour Media Operations staff in the Media Office:  Assist with Credential distribution, Serve as “runners”, assist with general Q&A and office set-up

Security – Assist Tour Security Staff with access-control, including on-course, hospitality, awards, green room and press conference.  Will be provided special Security T-shirt.

Site Decoration/Restoration – Assist Logistics Crew with hanging and tear-down of banners: on-course, hospitality, etc. Broken into Two Shifts (Morning Set-up and Load-in:2 hrs.; Afternoon Breakdown 2 hrs.).

Lifestyle Festival EXPO –Assist Tour Lifestyle Festival Staff with Expo coordination:  guide vendors and Exhibitors to their tents for set-up; assist with Festival logistics as needed; assist with Marketing activities in EXPO. Broken into Two Shifts (Morning Set-up and Load-in:2 hrs.; Afternoon Runners/Activities and Breakdown 2 hrs.).

Sweepstakes/Festival Surveyors – Responsible for ensuring each person attending the Festival is aware of our Sweepstakes and has had a chance to enter.

Volunteer Check-in – Assist LOC Volunteer Coordinator with set-up, check-in/registration and deployment.

Find out more about how you can get involved by clicking here.

Photo Courtesy of djcodrin and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee sums things up quite nicely:

“People use cussing so frequently that they don’t even know it,” said McKay, who’s now 16, in an interview with the Fresno Bee newspaper. “It really offends a lot of people.”

On the “No Cussing Club” website, McKay says he started the club because a lot of the kids at his school were cussing all the time, without even realizing it.

“It bothered me so much that one day I challenged them to stop!” he wrote. “Some of the kids said they didn’t know how to stop. That’s when I started the ‘No Cussing Club.’”

California Assemblyman Anthony Portantino co-wrote the resolution that created “Cuss-Free Week,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Portantino says people should talk as if they were speaking to their grandmothers.

“I’ve always wondered why we behave differently when grandma is watching than when we’re on our own,” Portantino told the Times.

According to McKay’s website, the “No Cussing Club” has gone international.

He says the club now has 35,000 members in 25 countries – at least one country on every continent except Antarctica.

“Many of our e-mails are from people who say that they really do feel a difference in their lives because of a commitment to use polite, respectful and kind language,” McKay wrote.

McKay also told the Times he wants to go on a worldwide tour next year to promote his club.

“Cussing is a hard habit to break,” he said. “But anyone can do it.”

There’s even merchandise you can purchase! Damn, boy! I mean dang. Books, DVDs, t-shirts—good for you, Adam McKay. You started a good cause AND you’re making money from it. Smart kid. Let’s just hope he doesn’t ever stub his toe or hit his thumb with a hammer. It’s almost impossible not to cuss when that happens.

Photo Courtesy of The No Cussing Club

The answer is no. I just stumbled upon PleaseRobMe.com, a website urging people to be just a little bit smarter when it comes to offering up information on your whereabouts. They list real people’s Twitter, Facebook, and Foursquare updates as “Recently Empty Homes”. They’re not really encouraging people to rob houses, of course, but the site does make it quite obvious that we need to ask ourselves if we want strangers to know we’re not home.

PleaseRobMe.com’s “Why” section of the site describes the danger in Foursquare quite well:

Don’t get us wrong, we love the whole location-aware thing. The information is very interesting and can be used to create some pretty awesome applications. However, the way in which people are stimulated to participate in sharing this information, is less awesome. Services like Foursquare allow you to fulfill some primeval urge to colonize the planet. A part of that is letting everyone know you own that specific spot. You get to tell where you are and if you’re there first, it’s yours. O, and of course there’s badges.

The danger is publicly telling people where you are. This is because it leaves one place you’re definitely not… home. So here we are; on one end we’re leaving lights on when we’re going on a holiday, and on the other we’re telling everybody on the internet we’re not home. It gets even worse if you have “friends” who want to colonize your house. That means they have to enter your address, to tell everyone where they are. Your address.. on the internet.. Now you know what to do when people reach for their phone as soon as they enter your home. That’s right, slap them across the face.

Well said! To my friends who have told me I “ruined the game” by reminding them there is some danger in letting the world know where you are and where you’re not—I’m just looking out for you. Play it safe, people.

Photo Courtesy of Salvatore Vuono and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The details:

• February 27, 2010
• Check in at 3:45 pm
• Presentation is from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
• Broad Center Auditorium Room 100 at Caltech
• Directions can be found at www.caltech.edu/map

Ralph Adolphs, Ph.D., Bren Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience will describe fascinating studies of the cognitive and emotional aspects of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Laurie Stephens., Ph.D., Clinical Director of Education Spectrum will then join Dr. Adolphs for a dynamic discussion about eye contact, brain function, and practical data.

About Caltech’s Autism and Asperger Syndrome Research Program

The Research Program conducts research into neuroanatomical, cognitive and emotional aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The aim of the research program is to contribute to the understanding of brain functioning in ASD by using state-of-the-art techniques, such as neuroimaging, eye-tracking and psychophysiology. Their research is supported by grants from Autism Speaks, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Simons Foundation. People who take part of this research are a great asset. If you have been diagnosed with ASD and want to participate in their studies click here.

About Education Spectrum

Established in 1996, Education Spectrum has been leading the way in developing innovative strategies for working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  Over the years, Education Spectrum has provided services to hundreds of children, adolescents, their families and their schools through our unique blend of individual, family and group programs.For more information visit www.edspec.org and www.emotion.caltech.edu.

Photo Courtesy of the Autism and Asperger Syndrome Research Program

Okay, can I tell you a story about my first trip to Vegas? I promise it’s relevant. When I first went to Vegas with my roommate many moons ago, we met a fabulous drag queen named Erica Valentine. He was hosting karaoke at a little Mexican cantina off the strip. Erica played a killer guitar and had legs to die for. No seriously, best legs I’ve ever seen on a man or a woman. We had the best time at that little cantina, and we never forgot the wonderfully talented Erica Valentine.

Fast forward to some odd years later when I get a phone call from the roomie who came with me on that infamous Vegas trip. She’s at an restaurant in Glendale (Damon’s Steakhouse—I hear the food is good) with her husband and who do they see? ERICA VALENTINE! Apparently, Erica is hosting karaoke at Damon’s in Glendale now. I was stoked to hear he lived in the area and was still hosting karaoke.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was to find out that Erica Valentine was named Queen of Pasadena’s Doo Dah Parade. Go, Erica! Here’s an excerpt from Pasadena Independent about the selection of this year’s Doo Dah Queen:

“Valentine has been a perennial Queen candidate and this year has been selected as the first-ever male queen to the delight of all revelers in attendance Saturday. The guitar work of this uncommonly tall diva is well-respected by bands with whom he’s worked. For his 2010 attempt, Snotty Scotty and Horses on Astroturf backed up the axe Queen’s exceptionally fast fingers as he made love to the fretboard.”

It’s true. Erica is insanely tall. Click here to read more from Pasadena Independent.

The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade originated in Old Pasadena in 1978 as a spontaneous grassroots event. Known as the “Other Parade,” it soon gained national attention as the alter-ego to the Tournament of Roses. This year’s parade will venture to East Pasadena rather than Old Town for the first time in its history.  It will take place on Colorado Boulevard between Sierra Madre and San Gabriel. The exact route will soon be announced.

For more information, visit www.pasadenadoodahparade.info, although it doesn’t look like it’s been updated with the Queen info just yet.

Photo by Terry Miller, Pasadena Independent

In The Name of Love: A Benefit for the People of Haiti

Performers include:

• JULIE SANDOVAL, Comedian
• RIUA AKINSHEGUN, Writer/Performer
• HOBERLEIGH PHREIGH Performing ”Over The Caesar Salad” By SARA HUNTER
• FINN CARTER and LESLIE PERRY In ”The Muse” By Leslie Perry
• With LAURA VEGA, MC

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14th at 3:30 p.m.

Coffee Gallery Backstage (2029 North Lake Ave., Altadena)

Free, But Donations Accepted

For more info call 626.398-7917

I hope you are keeping up with the Fork in the Road Blog because there is always something new going on. I haven’t seen the fork recently, but I hear it’s all dressed up for Valentine’s Day. AND ladies who arrive at the fork after 10am on February 14th get a free rose! How sweet is that? Here’s one of the most recent blog posts:

Your heard right – come one, come all to the Great Fork In The Road on Valentine’s Day because we are giving out roses to the first 300 ladies to arrive after 10AM on the appointed day.  There will be members of The Fork In The Road Gang handing out the roses, along with kisses and hugs.

Get your picture taken with roses and a member of The Fork In The Road Gang, who will ply you with stories of the amazing wonders of  the fork and our home, The Coffee Gallery  and The Coffee Gallery Backstage in that quirky little not-really-a-city of Altadena.  Silly stuff is on the table.  Please partake.

Silly stuff, roses and hugs? I may have to stop by.

Photo Courtesy of Pixomar and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Network for a Healthy California (Network)

Each employee that participates is encouraged to consume 3.5 cups of fruits and vegetables and be active for at least 30 minutes each day. I have a feeling the employees will be up to the challenge, considering that last year the Monrovia Unified School District won the Governor’s Award for Physical Fitness and Health for their programs promoting healthy lifestyle. The school that wins the Employee Wellness Challenge at the end of 10 weeks receives a free bootcamp certificate.

Pasadena Star-News spoke with those involved with the program:

“This is about setting the example of a healthy culture in students and trying to encourage district employees to be role models,” said Lizett Olivares, a registered dietician with the Network for a Healthy California in Monrovia Unified.

Valerie Parsons, a health and nutrition coordinator, said, “Some teachers are having their students track the number of fruit and vegetable servings they have for one week.” She added that cultivating teachers and other school site personnel as fitness role models will encourage students adopt a healthy lifestyle

To read the full article, click here.

About Network for a Healthy Challenge

The Network represents a statewide movement of organizations collectively working toward improving the health status of low-income Californians through increased fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity.  Multiple venues are used to facilitate behavior change in the homes, schools, worksites, and communities of low-income Californians to create environments that support fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity. Click here for more information.

Photo Courtesy of m_bartosch and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What’s wine without cheese, right? World cheeses like Brie de Affinois , Capricous aged goat, Tome de Savoie and st Maure french goat cheese were available for guests. Other stations offered guests braised Niman Ranch short ribs with cheese grits and Pomme frittes bar with sauces from around the world. Just reading about it makes me salivate.

“This is the second time Pasadena has had an extensive tasting of Pinot Noirs at one setting. Last year was a successful tasting, but this year was something special,” said Mike Farwell, owner of Noir Food & Wine and organizer of the event. “Many wine critics and wine publications rate wines, but this will be the first time all of the Pinots of California will be tasted on such a prestigious list for your critique during the Public Grand Tasting.”

Throughout the PinotFest, two seminars were offered: one from Winemaker Peter Cargasacchi of Cargasacchi and the other from Winemaker Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe.

Several wineries also donated a bottle of wine for the opportunity drawings that raises funds for the foster care children’s charity, which has seen a hit by the California’s financial crisis. Event sponsor Le Petit Vendome coordinated the purchase of wines and have also donated a portion of the proceeds to the Pasadena children’s charity.

Click here to read more about this year’s event from Professional Free Press Release News Wire.

To learn more about next year’s event scheduled for January 29, 2011, visit www.PasadenaPinotFest.com or call 626.862.7441. To learn more about the Pasadena foster care children’s charity, visit www.Hillsides.org.

Photo Courtesy of George Stojkovic and FreeDigitalPhotos.net

More from KPCC:

“In a statement, theater administrators said they’re starting a financial reorganization and possibly a bankruptcy filing. That’s because the theater hasn’t attracted a big donor to name the auditorium, corporate donations have dwindled, and the economy’s soured.

“The Pasadena Playhouse has tightened its belt before through staff and budget cuts. It’s staging the usually opulent ‘Camelot’ in a stripped-down version with eight actors.

The Playhouse building is a historic landmark. Many notable actors, including Dustin Hoffman and Gene Hackman, trod the boards there early in their careers.”

Mike Boehm from the L.A. Times reports:

“Executive director Stephen Eich said the playhouse is essentially out of cash and faces more than $500,000 in immediate bills, as well as payments on more than $1.5 million in bank loans and other debts that have dogged the nonprofit company since the mid-1990s. Thirty-seven employees learned at a staff meeting Thursday that they would be out of work.

“Eich said that tapping into $6 million donated for a capital campaign to refurbish the playhouse was not an option. “It just would not be any way for us to solve the problems of the place,” he said.

Eich said that he, longtime artistic director Sheldon Epps and the playhouse’s board will instead try to develop a plan to set the company on its feet, rather than keep it going on the hand-to-mouth basis that became impossible in a down economy that took a toll on donations.”

Click here to read the full article.

Again, this is really disappointing news. If you want to share a comment or photo about the Pasadena Playhouse, consider going to their Facebook page and showing your support. From the comments I’ve read so far, it looks like people are already coming together to work on a way to save the Playhouse.

Photo Courtesy of the Pasadena Playhouse

Become a Poet Laureate

Poets who live, work or are active in the Altadena community are invited to apply for consideration as the library’s new Poet Laureate. The inauguration of the laureate will take place on April 10 at the library’s annual Poetry & Cookies celebration. Applications are available here and due February 1, 2010.

Black History Month Kids’ Reading Program

Read a children’s book  in February by an African American author and write or draw a brief book review. Bring the review to the Bob Lucas Branch Library and receive a prize!

Poetry Writing for Everyone

Prize-winning poet and teacher Don Kingfisher Campbell will be teaching poetry writing on Saturday, February 6 at 2:00 pm. Campbell inspires the poet in all ages & stages. Write a poem and publish it in the library’s anthology!

Decorate a Valentine Cookie

Join us Friday, Feb 12th at 3:30 pm for a Valentine Cookie Decorating Party at the Bob Lucas Branch Library.

Fun Flick Friday

Join us for another Fun Flick Friday on Friday, February 19^th at 3:30 pm in the Altadena Library Community Room. This free presentation will be of the movie, More Than a Game. Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and loyalty in the face of great adversity. Led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship.

Barks and Books

Children ages 5-12 are invited to visit the library to read to Pearl, the loveable dog from the Pasadena Humane Society’s Home Companion Program! This event takes place Friday, February 27^th at 11:00 am in the Altadena Library Community Room.

For more information, visit www.altadenalibrary.org.

Photo Courtesy of Ian Kahn and FreeDigitalPhotos.net