Altadena has always been the way the world should be. Democracy and community, a place to raise children, raise a family, roots in the earth, a view from the mountain slopes. Homes for the good life, yards without fences. Real people everywhere and constant surprise. People discovered us and moved here. The famous and sometimes the rich. Streets leading down into Pasadena and the rest of the world. Neighbors who become friends for life. Organizations holding each other together. Our Highland Avenue neighbors hosted a block party that was front page news in the L.A. Times. A former student from years ago emailed me: “I saw you in the paper. I was in your class…”