Looking for Something To Do? Free Events Jan. 26 to Feb. 8

                 

By popular demand, I am reviving this feature that I posted every week when I was the Pasadena PIO. All events are free, and now that I'm retired I can also include events that are not sponsored by the City of Pasadena!

So take a look, and don't you dare tell me there's nothing to do in this town!

Pasadena Conservatory of Music's award-winning chamber music students will perform in concert Sunday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m., in room 300F with works by Mozart, Haydn, Bridge, Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann and Pleyel.

Hill Avenue Branch Library presents "Złączym się z narodem: Poland, past and present" Thursday, Jan. 30, at 4 p.m. From the Baltic to the Tatras, Poland is filled with unique sights, sounds, and tastes that arise from its position between east and west and from a history that is simultaneously and by turns heroic,

tragic, comic and controversial. Explore the history and culture of Poland with Mark Kozłowski, a

2012-2013 Fulbright Fellow who lived and studied in Kraków, the ancient city of Polish kings.

Pasadena Central Library offers a film series at 1 p.m. every Wednesday with a different theme every month. This month it's films featuring Pasadena locales. The Jan. 29 film is the 1991 remake of "Father of the Bride" starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton and filmed on South El Molino Avenue.

The Colorado Street Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic Wednesday, Jan. 29, from 2 to 8 p.m. for the filming of a commercial for Ecolab. Detour plans will be in place and Pasadena police officers will assist with traffic control. Bicyclists and pedestrians will have access to the bridge, although they may be asked to stop briefly from time to time.

You don't have to be a member to attend Pasadena Senior Center's workshop titled Outlook and Opportunities Thursday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m. Learn about trends that will help put your concerns about the economy into perspective. Explore the pace of recovery, deficits and debts, the economic outlook and strategies for addressing the impact of inflation and interest rates.

Draft policies for the City of Pasadena General Plan update will be reviewed at a community meeting Saturday, Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. in the Creveling Lounge (Building CC) at Pasadena City College. The policies cover topics such as growth, transportation, design, historic preservation, environmental sustainability, arts and culture, economic vitality, parking and education, and give direction for future planning efforts for several areas of Pasadena, including the Central District, East Pasadena, North Lake, Fair Oaks/Orange Grove, Lincoln Avenue, Washington/Allen, West Gateway and Northwest Pasadena.

Hastings Branch Library presents a special exhibit titled "Historical View of African American Families" from Feb. 1 to 28 during regular open hours. Explore the lives of families as seen through African American literature and the civil rights movement. This is just one of the Black History Month offerings throughout February in Pasadena.

Pasadena City College is asking our participation in a visioning community workshop Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Creveling Lounge at PCC. Help PCC President Mark Rocha, members of the Board of Trustees, staff and other PCC officials develop a future vision for the college and its facilities.

"Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore" by Robin Sloan is Pasadena's 2014 One City, One Story selection. The popular community reading celebration was created in 2002 to nurture a love of books and spark vibrant discussions among residents. The New York Times said the book is "eminently enjoyable, full of warmth and intelligence. Sloan balances a strong plot with philosophical questions about technology and books and the power both contain." The novel is available for check-out Pasadena public libraries, for sale at Vroman's Bookstore and even available in eBook and Spanish options. So read"Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore" and then get ready for a series of related activities and events in March including book discussions, film series, expert speakers and more throughout the month and a community dialog with the author Thursday, March 27.