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Altadena, California (U.S)

Los Angeles County

Last modified: 2016-02-27 by rick wyatt
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[flag of City of Altadena, California] image submitted by Bea Jones, 5 June 2012



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Description of the flag

One more unincorporated community with flag. The Altadena Town Council, is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County since founding in 1887, and has a Town Council that is among the Fifth District's most well developed. The Council's 16 members are elected as an advisory body that communicates and coordinates residents' needs with public agencies and to the Supervisor of the Fifth District, its official representative on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. You can see the proposed flags (and possibility to vote for one) here: altadenatowncouncil.org
Valentin Poposki, 25 October 2011

Big scandal in the voting for a new flag for Altadena, California, USA: see altadena.patch.com/articles/a-very-nontransparent-flag.
Dave Martucci, 23 December 2011

Press Release:

On March 28, 2012 Beatrice Jones of Senoj American African Flags in Garden Grove, California presented the First Official Flag for the Township of Altadena, California to Executive Chair of the Town Council, and designer of the Flag Dr. Sandra Thomas.

Since the establishment of Altadena Township in 1887 it has never had an Official Flag. Dr. Thomas reports, "that over the years the Flag as a consideration for the Council has surfaced many times, however this year the Council took some action and heard the requests from the community desiring a Flag symbol for the township."

Dr. Thomas is Altadena's first Black Council Executive Chair. As she grasped the leadership on this Flag Project she recalled her positive association with Bea Jones of Senoj American African Flags on a NAACP Flag project more than 6 years ago. She immediately and relentlessly sought her again for this Altadena Flag Project.

After an Official Flag Contest (without vexillological assistance) that was a two-month long effort conducted on the Internet that drew 13 entries. A "Flag Committee" a group of community people and Council members selected the winning entry. Bogglers, local government news wire as well as flag partners: Altadena Chamber of Commerce, Altadena Historical Society, Altadena Senior Center and Altadena Chapter of NAACP, Altadena Sheriff's Station, Altadena California Highway Patrol, Altadena Rotary and the Altadena Library Association actively supported this project.

The selected flag design much like most City and State Flags is a field with a Seal and Name. Not unique, but well in keeping with historical development of civic flags in USA. But, when Jones was commissioned to produce the flag she was quite concerned about the nine (9) color flag. She has been guided by standards set by NAVA's "Good Flag Bad Flag" and initially balked at the opportunity.  However, upon learning that the flag was the result of an Official Flag Contest and therefore a 'done deal' the quest for a flag manufacturer was the task that needed to be done. Jones worked diligently to comply with the suggested delivery date. The first 155 Altadena Flags including a certificate of authenticity that accompanies each of the Original Altadena Flag inventory items was completed on time.

The designer was not identified until the "Official Flag Day Dedication" ceremonies on Saturday April 21,2012 when flag designer, Dr. Sandra Thomas and LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich hoisted the flag for the first time over the Altadena Community Center, which is the Townships seat of government. Some of those in attendance and program were LA  Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Carol Liu , Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, the public and the Press. A limited amount of Flags are available for purchase on a first come first served basis through Webster's Pharmacy in Altadena.

Dr. Thomas walked the rugged path to a world-class flag that required a sizable amount of time, energy, and leadership of a  project chairperson that guided the project with the urgency required to bring this wonderful event off. "The work on this flag project took many hours and I didn't give up until I got it done", said Dr. Thomas. She went on, " The table top flag with base within a plastic tube that can sit on your desk and the flag does not get dusty was a great seller at the opening event." Jones says, "This has been a highlight of my career. To know that a symbol, a FLAG that denotes its legal status juristically and an important sign of authority that reflects each individual of the Township now represents some 42,000 Altadena residents. It should inspire many of its inhabitants to become more active in the works to maintain a great Altadena. I was quite pleased with the efforts of the Flag Committee and particularly with Dr. Sandra Thomas who took the lead to see that this project comes to fruition. There is now a Flag for Altadena."
Bea Jones, 5 June 2012