We are pleased to welcome Ms. Adrienne S. Watkins on board as the Chamber's new Office Manager, effective Tuesday, July 6th. Adrienne comes to us well recommended and has had significant administrative support experience. She will be available to provide assistance to Chamber members and the public, Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m - 12:00 Noon. Please drop by and extend a warm welcome to Adrienne!

This month marks the first anniversary of dedications and opening Altadena's new community center. In addition to the Chamber, the facility also serves as the home of the Town Council, the Altadena Branch NAACP, the Altadena Historical Society, and the Altadena Heritage Society. During its first twelve months of operation, the center has served as the site for numerous events, functions and programs. If you have not yet visited Altadena's long needed and well used community center, please drop by.

The third concert in the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena (SSGA)Summer Concert Series will feature the dynamic and entertaining musicianship of David Ornette Cherry and the Organic Groove Quartet. This is a must attend, see, hear and enjoy group of musicians, David Ornette Cherry. Craig Washington, of the Washington Realty Group, is the event's presenter. The Summer Concert Series, the only one of its kind in Los Angeles County (and, perhaps the country), is now in its seventh year of operation, presenting the finest in musicial entertainment. Upcoming on Tuesday, August 3rd, will be Gospel Night Out, featuring Mayuto Correa and Varetta Heidelberg. Mark your calendars for another great evening of entertainment where you can really get into the spirit! This event is presented by the Altadena Sheriff's Station, the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena, and the Altadena Sheriff's Clergy Council!
All events are held at Farnsworth Park Amphitheater, 568 East Mountain Curve. For information, call (626) 296-2103 or visit the Altadena Sheriff's website: www.altadenasheriff's.org

Party people, it's party time! The Chamber's July Mixer is scheduled for Thursday, July 15th, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and will also feature a pool party (!). The event will be hosted by Liz Watts, CPA and will take place at 2781 North Highview Drive. So, wear your bathing suits, shorts or summer casuals. Bring along a raffle prize to promote your business and plenty of business cards. Mix, mingle, network, swim, enjoy the food and refreshments. Tickets for Chamber members are $5, $7 for guests. For information, call the Chamber office at (626)794-3988.

Great food, friends, fun, art, garden tours, community fellowship and a raffle! What more could you ask for? Well, there is more! The Altadena Community Gardens Annual Garden Picnic will provide it. This event is open to the public and has all of the elements of a great afternoon of education, information and community. So, come along and enjoy it all! Saturday, July 17th, 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. The Altadena Community Gardens are located at the corner of Lincoln and Palm, adjacent to Loma Alta Park. Featured entertainment will include The Brown Mountain Jazz band. For information call (62) 791-3936.

It's never too early to begin thinking about nominations for the Chamber's Citizen of the Year. Make your list, check it twice (or more) and submit it to the Chamber office. Later in the year, a Chamber committee, representing a cross-section of organizations, will participate in the selection process. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber office.

Here's an important reminder: Keep the evening of Tuesday, July 20th open and attend the Town Council meeting. A long awaited presentation and discussion of the Lake Avenue Study will take place, with representatives from the consulting firm that conducted the study and from Los Angeles County present to discuss findings, recommendations and to answer questions you may have. The Council's meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Copies of the study are available for review at both the Altadena Library and the Chamber office.

The Altadena Arts Council ("TAAC") will hold its Second Annual "Friends of the Arts Awards" Event on Saturday, July 17th, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Altadena Community Center. This year's awardees include "Eight Wonderful Friends of the Arts" who have made significant contributions to Altadena's arts and cultural history. The late Jirayr Zorthian, Charles Carter, Dr. Yvonne Cole-Meo, Edna Smith, Juanita DeVaughn, The Coffee Gallery (Ken Marshall and Tom Turner), the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena's Summer Concert Series, and the Underground Arts Society (Ben McGinty) are slated for honors. TAAC's Board of Directors will also be installed and a mini-exhibit of works by several of the honorees will be featured. Based upon last year's event, reservations are suggested and can be made by calling TAAC at (626) 398-4178 or via e-mail: altadenartscouncil@sbcglobal.net. A $20 donation is requested.

Mark your calendars for the following meetings/events: Chamber Open Meeting on July 13th, featuring a presentation on how to make efficient home useage of gas and electrical utilities; and, Chamber annual Golf Tournament scheduled for October 15th (It's never too early to plan for this popular event)- call the Chamber office for details.