Karin, I edited your column. Only things I did were add tags & bullet your lists. If you want to go in and change that, go ahead. Everything else is great--I had to laugh, because I had exactly the same experience, except that my fireplace worked enough to throw a little heat. But i had to run to Ralphs for ground coffee!

here's the comm. standards. scroll to Altadena. It's code #22.44.127

http://search.municode.com/html/16274/_DATA/TITLE22/Chapter_22_44_SUPPLEMENTAL_DIS.html#26

The community plan (diff than standards) is here:
http://planning.lacounty.gov/assets/upl/data/pd_altadena.pdf

I think you're onto something; let's give someone else a chance to have too much fun.