Weather Enthusiast Bill Westphal, Altadenablog to be Honored by Chamber

Community volunteer Carolyn Seitz () sent out the following message announcing the Altadena Chamber of Commerce's annual awards ceremony:

In the face of the difficulties many of you have faced over the last few days, I am happy to report good news, although for those still without power, the best news for you would be that your power has been restored and all is right with the world!

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce has announced their Outstanding Citizen of the Year -     Bill Westphal.

Some of us call him Ubiquitous Bill Westphal because at any given time you'll find Bill patrolling Altadena as a Volunteer on Patrol.  He's out in the community at least 1 night per week keeping us safe.  He's also a member of the Sheriff's Support Group of Altadena, so he's one of the people responsible for all of the work that goes into the great Concerts in the Park held at Farnsworth Park on most Saturday nights in the summer. 

At other times you'll find him at nearly every community event taking photos.  Other times, he's up on his roof with his sidekick, Mr. Bill, managing the outdoor parts of his weather station.  That weather station has gained international attention and is accessed by people all around the world, especially when we're having unusual weather or unusual impacts delivered by Mother Nature.  Many of you may not know that Bill is also a ham radio operator and he helps maintain the telephone company's repeater on the local foothills.  That repeater is well used and well loved.  On Tuesday night's you'll hear the Pasadena Radio Club doing their weekly net meeting on that repeater.  That repeater, like all radio stations and television stations also has to identify itself using morse code.  It can also have an audible broadcast of its identity and Bill set the telco repeater up to announce its call sign and that it is "The Happiest Repeater On Earth"!!

Bill's unflagging service to Altadena is well appreciated and this acknowledgment for Bill is terrific.

The Chamber has also selected its Outstanding Business of the Year and the acknowledgment goes to Tim Rutt, Altadena Blog.

The acknowledgment for Tim is also outstanding.  Where would any of us have been without Tim's blog during the Station Fire or any other event that occurs in Altadena.  He, like Bill, is everywhere, gathering information to share, taking photos, writing about the best Altadena has to offer and the tough things we also sometimes have to face.  I saw Tim last Thursday morning taking photos at Lake Avenue and Mendocino where one of the green awnings from the building where Chase Bank and Quiznos are located was at the edge of the street, up against the traffic light on the south side of the street.  You'll find Tim out taking photos at all hours of the day and night when things are happening here.  He is also the best source there is for what's happening in Altadena.  We have all come to rely on him and his blog to keep us informed.

Bill and Tim both work tirelessly in service to Altadena.

Now we'll have an opportunity to pay tribute to them.  Please save the early evening of Friday, January 27 for an event in their honor.  More information to follow with the specifics.  You can bet the info will be posted on Altadena Blog.