Altadena Arts Coalition Throws Another Great Party!

We asked people to come celebrate Altadena last night and boy, did they celebrate! A party was greatly needed, since the Station Fire has burned up just about every one's stress levels (see Petrea Bruchard's blogpost on this subject at her excellent blog, http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com
People arrived in droves, and it did our hearts good to see happy smiles on the faces that last week were creased in expressions of worry and fear. Credit for this photo goes to Debbi Swanson Patrick and you can see more at her insightful blog, http://www.altadenaaboveitall.com/

PROJECT:ALTADENA was a wonderful success, too, and just what the doctor ordered for our beautiful town! Deepest thanks to the creative minds of Molly Tierney and our fellow AAC compatriots Ben McGinty, Steve Salinas, Jeff Klein and Lance Anderson for their hard work putting this whole thing together. It was fabulous to see firemen from our Altadena Fire Station on El Molino enjoying themselves and receiving a well deserved thanks from the attendees. Credit for this photo goes to Timothy Rutt of Altadenablog fame:

Here's a shot of the exhibit wall, credit to Tim Rutt:

In conjunction with the Project: Altadena! exhibit, businesses along North Lake Avenue held open houses, staying open later than the norm. Here at WFS, we hosted 6 of our Altadna authors Andre Coleman, Ellen Snortland, Michele Zack, Revvell Revati, Michelle Huneven and Jervey Tervalon. What a fantastic group of minds they were! I regret that I couldn't spend as much time as I wanted to with them, due to my commitments to the Coalition, but I couldn't have asked for a nicer bunch. Each author brought their own special spice to the mix and the result was fascinating. Response was so positive and I'm hoping to have more literary events like this in the future. Here's picture of four out of the six authors mentioned, credit again to Tim Rutt:

From left to right, pictured are Andre Coleman, Ellen Snortland, Michelle Zack and Jevery Tervalon. Also very fun and delicious was Revvell Revati, author of Smoothies & Smoozies For Life and Revvellutionize Your Life In 30 Days, making samples of her smoothies in store!

Everyone enjoyed Altadena's own band, Wreck and Sow, as they fiddled, strummed and sung the evening away....credit again to Tim Rutt:


I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you who came down to enjoy the exhibit and party last night! Altadena has a diverse population, it's true, but the one truth that holds us together is that we are a town of determined and intrepid people. Nothing can deter us if we set our minds to something, not even fire. If you couldn't make it last night, we understand that life has been a little bumpy lately. There will be a next time (in December!), which will be just as good, if not better. Remember to follow us on Twitter (@lorinscott) for updates on what's happening in Altadena, with the Arts Coalition and at Webster's. We're also on Facebook so quick....become a fan of the store and get all our updates that way.

It's The Holiday Season!

And we are shining brightly here at WFS. Along with some other fabulous news and reports of new merchandise, we are honored to announce our Webster’s Shopping Center-wide toy drive for 5 Acres. Kicking off on Friday, December 12th, when you bring an unwrapped gift in for a child, ages 6 to 13, Webster’s Pharmacy and Webster’s Fine Stationers will give you a coupon good for 10% off selected merchandise. In WFS, it’s home and holiday decor items. You buy an eligible item(s) and we’ll give your 10% savings to 5 Acres. We’ll then match that 10% because we appreciate all the great things 5 Acres does – and expressing that appreciation during this holiday season, is particularly appropriate.

Come see Webster’s…..all of us! We’re decked out in holiday finery with the choicest offerings to tempt your holiday gifting. Festivities will get underway on the 12th with Santa and his elves at Karen’s Hallmark at 3:00 p.m. You’ll be able to take pictures with them and portrait packages will be available. Get some holiday shopping in while the kids are greeting Santa! At Webster’s Fine Stationers, you’ll be able to enjoy some holiday goodies and stroll around our gorgeous displays. We’re an authorized Crane Retailer now, so see us for your fine stationery needs, business or personal. A choir from a local school will gather outside around 5:00 p.m. to sing holiday carols for your pleasure….sip a cup of hot mulled cider and bask in the holiday magic! Webster’s Pharmacy will be showcasing their new lines of personal gift items and jewelry….exciting finds from the exacting eye of Merideth Miller. Merideth and Michael are the former owners of Fair Oaks Pharmacy and are the wunderkids of old-time pharmacy ambiance. Come by and say hello, and pick a child’s name off their Five Acres “Wish Tree”. Help make a child’s Christmas wish come true this season….so many people are in such dire need. We hope to see you all here at Webster’s, it’s such a wonderful feeling to gather for a good cause and some good, old fashioned holiday fun!

Some more great news….WFS has made Fox LA’s Top 5 Hottest Places to Shop in LA in the Arts & Crafts store division! Yay for us and if you voted for us, thank you very much! We appreciate your support.

Another new line we’re carrying is N2Stickerz….the coolest weather-resistant vinyl stickers for your car, your school binders, your laptop….whatever. From family members, animals, symbols and initials in white, pink and hot pink, there’s something in here for everyone! They’d make excellent and clever gifts or stocking stuffers….very au currant. We also have some beautiful Santos in from Bethany Lowe. The most awesome, in my opinion, are the Joseph and Child Santos and the Angel Gabriel. So sublimely suited for haute holiday décor and they mix so well with old mercury glass and silver. Come by the store and see our elegant displays – grab some decorating ideas while you sip a cup of coffee, tea or cider as you browse. Come in and taste Isabella’s Sugar Rush cookies, decorated for the holidays! These are the best tasting, all natural, no partially hydrogenated oils, pure goodness cookies….they also would make fabulous stocking stuffers or offerings at your holiday gala. As always, our line of Wind & Willow appetizer mixes, soups and breads are tasty, quick alternatives for parties or quiet dinners at home. As for fast pick-ups for hostess gifts or family presents, Elegant Gourmet and Hannah’s Naturals offer tea cookies, chocolate filled candy canes (yum!), the sweetest hot cocoa sets, and nostalgic holiday lollipops in peppermint and cherry flavors. They’re all so attractively packaged and taste divine!

Additionally, let’s not forget about our fabulous selection of children’s books and toys, games or about our customizable, made in the U.S., 100% hardwood wall décor signs. There are signs for your kid’s rooms and Altadena-centric signs, Christmas and family-oriented signs, too. There are even small, desk sized signs you can inset a picture into. These are very giftable and sure to please anyone on your list!

Remember, purchases $20.00 and over receive a free (and elegant!) gift wrap. The girls and I….and yes, even Scott…..can dress a package like no one else. Make sure you come by and give us a whirl, we’ll be waiting.

From Webster’s Fine Stationers to you, our beloved customers and friends, have a blessed holiday season. We look forward to seeing you on December 12th!

p.s. I've attached some photos from our Grand Opening!