Looking for Something to Do? Free Events June 28 to July 4

Here are my top pick for events scheduled Saturday, June 28, to Friday, July 4. 

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Safely dispose of old electronics safely Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena. Computers, monitors, laptops, MP3 players, printers, ink cartridges, cables, microwaves and other electronics will be accepted.

Charles Perry, president of Culinary Historians of Southern California, will present an interactive talk titled When the San Gabriel Valley was California's Wine Country Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library.

The Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra will perform Beethoven's Leonore Overture #2 and the first movements of Quantz's Flute Concerto in G, Mozart's Violin Concerto #3, Kabelevsky's Cello Concerto #1 and Mozart's Piano Concerto #20 Saturday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

Pistolera will perform Latin alternative music Saturday, June 28, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Athletic events in the Pasadena Senior Games this week include volleyball tournament Saturday, June 28; and 5K and 10K power walks, 5K and 10K race walks and 5K and 12K road races Sunday, June 29. Come see what these incredible athletes are made of! The full schedule, including venues, can be found here.

An artist panel discussion titled Context as Narrative in Contemporary Art will be moderated by Skip Snow Sunday, June 29, at 3 p.m. at Offramp Gallery. RSVP here.  

The Kenny Burrell Big Band will perform Sunday, June 29, at 7 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Whiskey Hayride will perform classic country/rock that will get everybody up and moving Tuesday, July 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the bandshell in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ shack.

Boglarka Kiss and Alison Bjorkedal will perform Wednesday, July 2, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series. Bring a sack lunch and chat with other concert-goers after the performance.

Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge include the following (and much more!):

• For adults: France travel tips Wednesday, July 2, lat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Sunroom at Pasadena Central Library.
• For children: Swazzle Puppets featuring the adventures of BARK the Robot Dog and friends Thursday, July 3 at 10 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library.   
• For teens: Letter-writing contest through Aug. 3 to win two free tickets to see One Direction at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
• Download the summer newsletter for the full Summer Reading Club schedule. 

The Academy Award-nominated film "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939, NR) starring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert will be shown Wednesday, July 2, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library. Newlyweds try to establish a farm in the Mohawk Valley as the American Revolution begins. A cartoon short will follow the film.

La Pintoresca Teen Education Center will show the film "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012, PG-13) starring Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway Wednesday, July 2, at 5 p.m. for ages 12-18. Eight years after The Joker's reign, Batman must return to defend Gotham City against Catwoman and Bane. A movie will be shown every week this summer during the center's Super Hero Film Festival. Popcorn and refreshments are provided.

Rhythm Child will perform interactive soul for children and families (and everyone!) Wednesday, July 2, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Academy Award-winning film "Frozen" (2013, PG) with the voice talent of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel will be shown Thursday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library. Friends embark on an epic journey and encounter a number of obstacles and characters, including a snowman named Olaf.

The Duhks will perform fusion folk Thursday, July 3, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Night Train Music Club will perform rock, folk and blues Friday, July 4, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.


Photo credits: Pasadena Museum of History, Framingham Public Schools, Newsletter/Newsletter, Pistolero, Dylan Gordon, Nihilistic Poetry, Levitt Pavilion, Whiskey Hayride, Boglarka Kiss, Alison Bjorkedal, Rhythm Child, IMDB, The Duhks, Steve Potell

In the Dust Are All My Dreams

 

I love this photo of my maternal great-grandfather, Edwin Franklin Jackson (1878-1930), as a young man riding a bicycle. Note he is dressed for success and has taken off his suit jacket.

An ambitious and charismatic man, he rose through the ranks at the First National Bank of Rogers, Arkansas, within a period of just 10 years from assistant cashier to president and was a highly respected community leader.

. . .It is better as it is: 
I have failed but I can sleep. . .

Here is a more formal photo:

 

He married my great-grandmother Carrie May Craig in 1899.

Here they are on a fishing trip:

She died in 1904, leaving him with two children -- my beloved maternal grandma Charlotte, age 2, and my granduncle Craig, 4.

The children with their widowed father:

Charlotte was raised by her maternal grandparents and Craig by his paternal grandparents, and the family got together often so Edwin and his children could spend quality time together in an extended family atmosphere.

His second wife died in 1918 when their daughter Virginia was only 6 years old.

. . .No man can charge his loss 

to a pledge I did not keep. . .

Eleven years later, the run on America's banks began immediately after the stock market crash of 1929. Overnight, millions of people nationwide began to demand their savings in cash. Bank deposits were uninsured back then, and with such immediate demand most people simply lost their savings. It was the beginning of the Great Depression that lasted 10 years. 

With no money left to lend or invest and loans going into default as businesses and farmers went belly up, nearly half of the nation's 25,000 banks had no choice but to close.

The First National Bank of Rogers was no exception.

. . .I made my fight and though I failed 

I need not slink away. . .

Many of the bank patrons, including my great-grandfather's lifelong friends and close business associates, blamed him directly and publicly for their financial losses. They were unrelenting in their accusations of mismanagement and illegal activity.

He took it all very personally. His unimaginable grief and humiliation over the community making him the scapegoat for a national crisis became too much for him. 

 I have lost the hope I had; 

in the dust are all my dreams

On Dec. 29, 1930, Edwin Franklin Jackson picked up some carbolic acid from the Applegate Drug Store, went home and then upstairs to his library, kindled a fire, took a seat in a chair near a window and drank the poison. 

When his body was found by his third wife, a 1921 book of poetry next to him was open to a page with this poem by Edgar A. Guest:

The Loss is Not So Great

It is better as it is: I have failed but I can sleep;

Though the pit I am now in is very dark and deep

I can walk to-morrow's streets and can meet to-morrow's men

Unashamed to face their gaze as I go to work again.

I have lost the hope I had; in the dust are all my dreams,

But my loss is not so great or so dreadful as it seems;

I made my fight and though I failed I need not slink away

For I do not have to fear what another man may say.

They may call me over-bold, they may say that I was frail;

They may tell I dared too much and was doomed to fail;

They may talk my battle o'er and discuss it as they choose,

But I did no brother wrong -- I'm the only one to lose.

It is better as it is: I have kept my self-respect.

I can walk to-morrow's streets meeting all men head erect.

No man can charge his loss to a pledge I did not keep;

I have no shame to regret: I have failed, but I can sleep.

Here is an excerpt from the 1991 audio-taped memoirs of Virginia Jackson Leflar, my great-grandfather's youngest daughter:

"There were just problems like every bank had at that time. After he died, investigators came in and found that he hadn't done anything illegal."

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events June 21 to 27

Here are my top picks for events scheduled from Saturday, June 21, to Friday, June 27. 

If it looks like I've included way more events than usual, that's because the summer concert and summer movie season has officially begun.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Dispose of your household hazardous waste safely Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in parking lot K at the Rose Bowl Stadium. 

Pop group Kan Wakan will perform Saturday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

Afro Funké featuring Jungle Fire and Batala Los Angeles will perform Saturday, June 21, at 8 p.m. at Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Athletic events in the Pasadena Senior Games this week include disc golf, doubles tennis tournament, extreme strength and fitness, horseshoes tournament, lawn bowling, mixed doubles tennis tournament, singles racquetball tournament, softball tournament, women's basketball 3-on-3 tournament and women's basketball shooting Saturday, June 21; and advanced division swimming, doubles racquetball tournament, novice division swimming and singles tennis tournament Sunday, June 22. Come see what these incredible athletes are made of! The full schedule, including venues, can be found here.

The Happy Birthday Pasadena celebration at the Pasadena Museum of History will include live music, open house at the Finnish Folk Art Museum, astronomy and arts presentations, historical Pasadena exhibitions, craft workshops, children's activities, plenty of birthday cake and much more Sunday, June 22, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Lao Tizer will perform smooth jazz Sunday, June 22, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Planning that big summer vacation? Come to Distant Lands Monday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. and learn how to plan for sightseeing, airport do's and don'ts, TSA rules and facts, packing tips and tricks and up-to-date info on how to travel like a pro. 

Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge this week include the following (and much more!):

• For teens: YA Books Café with a discussion of "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness plus themed snacks and games Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library.
• For children: Curious George book party with stories, crafts and games Thursday, June 26, at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library.
• For adults: Pastels and Poetry Art Tuesday, June 24, at 3 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library.
• Download the summer newsletter for the full Summer Reading Club schedule.

The Tap Chicks will perform lively dance routines with clever costumes and Vaudeville-style comedy for people of all ages Tuesday, June 24, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the bandshell at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the BBQ snack bar.

French-born guitarist Claude Bourbon will perform Wednesday, Jnne 25, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon concert series.

La Pintoresca Teen Education Center will show the film "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012, PG-13) for ages 12 to 18 Wednesday, June 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. A movie will be shown every week this summer during the center's Super Hero Film Festival.

The Academy Award-nominated film "One True Thing" (1998, R) starring Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger and William Hurt will be shown Wednesday, June 25, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library. 

Funky Punks will perform a children's show Wednesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. Be sure to bring the children to KidZone at the park beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Members of the repertory at A Noise Within will present a reading of Anton Chekhov's classic tragicomedy "Uncle Vanya" Wednesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. In a large, Russian estate, city folk and country folk examine their lives of wasted time and unrequited love. RSVPs are required: (626) 356-3100. 

2013 Blues Music Award winner Janiva Magness will perform blues and jazz Thursday, June 26, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Bring the family to Victory Park to see "The Lego Movie" (2014, PG) Friday, June 27, at 7:45 p.m. An ordinary Lego construction worker is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from the gluing the Lego universe into eternal stoppage. A weekly summer film series is scheduled all summer long at Victory Park. 

On a national tour, Playing for Change will perform Friday, June 27, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Photo credits: All Bio Recovery, Buzz Bands L.A., Skull Candy, ABC News, Dylan Gordon, Ann Erdman, Corbis, Framingham Public Schools, Tap Chicks, Ham Jam House, Seven Ponds, Troubadour Theater Company, The Gleaner, IMDB, Jam Base

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events June 14 to 20

Here are my top picks for events scheduled from Saturday, June 14, to Friday, June 20. 

The list is longer than usual because the summer concert season begins this week.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge this week include the following:

• For adults: Emerging Urban Poets -- featured and open poetry readings with facilitator Don Kingfisher Campbell Saturday, June 14, at 3 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library.
• For teens: creative writing workshop Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m. at Pasadena Central Library, t-shirt-painting Thursday, June 19, at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library and steampunk jewelry-making Friday, June 20, at 3:30 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library. 
• For children: learning about animal tracks Wednesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library and kids' writing workshop Friday, June 20, at 4 p.m. in the Children's Room at Pasadena Central Library.
• Download the summer newsletter with the full schedule.

More than 600 artists will trade canvas for pavement as they create murals ranging from whimsical to fine art at the Pasadena Chalk Festival Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Paseo Colorado. Come both days to see the remarkable works in progress from start to finish. 

Athletic events in the Pasadena Senior Games this week include push-ups, table tennis and billiards Saturday, June 14, 5K cycling time trials and 40K road race Tuesday, June 17, and 10K cycling time trials and 20K road race Wednesday, June 18. Come see what these incredible athletes are made of! The full schedule, including venues, can be found here.

The Pasadena Police Classic Car Show Sunday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Green Street between Marengo and Euclid avenues (behind Paseo Colorado) will feature dozens of classic vehicles, live music and much more.

Jazz great Barbara Morrison kicks off the summer concert series at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park Sunday, June 15, at 7 p.m.. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival begins at 5:30 p.m.

Take a tour of Australia's southeast corner, including Melbourne and Sydney, see highlights of the Blue Mountains and the Great Ocean Road and learn about Australia's capital Canberra Monday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. at Distant Lands.

The Afro Tango Ensemble will perform Wednesday, June 18, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon concert series.

The Emmy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning HBO film "Temple Grandin" (2010, NR) starring Claire Danes and Julia Ormand will be shown Wednesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library. The film is based on the true story of an autistic woman who becomes one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry. 

The Pasadena Symphony will perform a concert for children and families (and everyone!) Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Children will meet some of the cutest and cuddliest animals from the Pasadena Humane Society Thursday, June 19, at 2 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. 

Children will meet members of the Pasadena Police Department's K-9 Unit Thursday, June 19, at 3 p.m. at Lamanda Park Branch Library and learn how police dogs are trained to assist their handlers in locating and apprehending criminals.

Admission to the Pasadena Museum of California Art is free every first Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and third Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. On Thursday, June 19, see the current exhibitions "Time, Space and Matter: Five Installations Exploring Natural Phenomena" and "June Wayne: Paintings, Prints and Tapestries" as well as everything else the museum has to offer.

The Album Leaf will perform rock music using eclectic sounds Thursday, June 19, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to see "Swing Time" (1936, NR) there Friday, June 20, at 1 p.m. starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. A performer and gambler travels to New York City to raise funds he needs to marry his fiancée, only to become entangled with an aspiring dancer. 

Marley's Ghost will perform lively bluegrass music Friday, June 20, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion in Memorial Park. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The possibility of existing life on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, has piqued the interest of JPL scientists who are trying to figure out what kind of technology would be required to explore it. Learn more at the presentation "Europa: The Challenges of Exploring a Cold, Distant World" Friday, June 20, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (Building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College. 

Photo credits: Red Bubble, The Hammer Museum, Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Album Leaf, Marley's Ghost, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cinema Beach, Drug War 101, Framingham Public Schools, Booms Beat, L.A. Car, Jet Propulsion Laboratory