Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Dec. 1 to 5

Here are events scheduled Monday, Dec.1, to Friday, Dec. 5.

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

Children's and adult choirs will perform songs of the season daily from Monday, Dec. 1, to Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 8 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

The first Tuesday of every month from 4 to 8 p.m. is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, explore the art and history of puppets, make shadow puppets, learn the science behind puppetry and create a bag puppet. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a performance by the Bob Baker Marionettes.

Singers with the Pasadena Opera will perform Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church for the popular Music at Noon recital series. Feel free to bring lunch.

"Joyeux Noel" (2005, PG-13) starring Benno Furmann and Diane Kruger will be shown on the big screen in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. On Christmas Eve 1914 during World War I, in a true lesson of humanity, opposing troops put down their weapons to reach out to each other on the battlefield. Based on a true story.

    Pasadena Senior Center art students will display their works in watercolors and mixed media Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Complimentary wine and cheese will be provided and a harpist will play.     

The first Friday of every month from noon to 5 p.m. is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Friday, Dec. 5, enjoy the current exhibitions An Opening of the Field, Burning Down the House, Chimera and everything else the museum has to offer.

"Some Like It Hot" (1959) starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe will be shown on the big screen in the Scott Pavilion at Pasadena Senior Center Friday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. When two musicians witness a mob hit they disguise themselves as women and flee the state in an all female band, but further complications set in. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The first Friday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. is Free Admission Night at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Dec. 5, enjoy the exhibitions Home and Away: The Printed Works of Ruth Asawa; Lock, Stock and Barrel: Norton Simon's Purchase of Duveen Brothers Gallery; Manet's "The Railway" on loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.; and everything else the museum has to offer.

Mayor Bill Bogaard will flip the switch that turns on thousands of colorful lights on the City Hall Christmas tree Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. Activities from 5 to 7 p.m. will include carolers, music by local school bands, refreshments, children's crafts, a visit from Santa and much more. Please consider bringing an unwrapped gift for the Pasadena Fire Department's Spark of Love Toy Drive that benefits local, low-income children.

The ambitious and exciting Dawn mission is one of NASA's most remarkable projects. On Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (Building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College Dr. Mark Rayman, the Dawn project mission director at JPL, will explain the probe's venture into the asteroid belt.



Photo credits: One Colorado, Small World Entertainment, RGBStock, Admit One Film Addict, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Norton Simon Museum, the mighty Zack Stromberg, NASA

Mystery History -- Solved!

Peter was close enough with his 3:30 p.m. Tuesday guess "The Girl Scout headquarters at the southeast corner of memorial park...making way" so he is this week's winner.

In the 1959 photo above, a demolition crew prepares to raze the headquarters of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Campfire Girls at the south end of Memorial Park.

In this photo, Holly Street is to the right of the headquarters; the buildings you see across the street are still there:

 Sadly, it was going, going, gone...

The Board of City Directors, now called the City Council, had ordered an immediate start on preparation of plans for a senior citizens center after two years of discussion.

The Pasadena Senior Center opened in 1960. It was the first independent senior center in Southern California (others were under the jurisdiction of municipalities) and one of the first independent senior centers in the nation. 

It was also the first senior center in California to receive national accreditation from the National Council on Aging.

 

After a significant renovation and expansion that tripled its square footage, the new and improved Pasadena Senior Center opened in 1998:

Now people 50 and older can take advantage of everything from social services to classes to field trips to competitive sports. 

 

See a more comprehensive history of the Pasadena Senior Center here. 

There is a long-standing agreement between the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Senior Center that it can operate on city-owned land in exchange for providing services and programs for seniors at Jackie Robinson Center, Villa-Parke Community Center and Victory Park Center. 

Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library and Pasadena Senior Center.

In the interest of full disclosure, the Pasadena Senior Center is one of my clients. I write and distribute news releases, manage media relations and provide communications counsel.

Mystery History

Where are we? And what's happening?

The first person to guess correctly will win lunch with me -- I'll buy yours and you'll buy mine.

Remember, leave your brief guess as a comment on this blog post but don't try to give the entire back story (that's my job). 

I'll have the full scoop on Thursday.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Nov. 22 to 28

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Nov. 22, to Friday, Nov. 28.

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

Create beautiful mixed media art tags to spruce up your holiday gifts and decor using everyday materials and your imagination Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. All ages, from children to adults, are welcome. Space is limited, so call (626) 744-7268 to reserve your spot!

Bag or box some non-perishable food items from your pantry and cupboards -- for humans and/or pets -- and bring them to Parking Lot 1 at the southeast corner of Colorado Boulevard and Hill Avenue on the Pasadena City College campus where the second annual Million Meals Marathon Food Drive will take place from 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, to 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23.

Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to enter the Tiny Tales writing contest and share their own stories. Pick up a contest form at any Pasadena Public Library site, write a tiny tale of no more than 55 words and turn it in no later than Monday, Nov. 24. Winners will be announced in December.

Harpsichordist Sonia Lee will perform Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

This week's film on the big screen in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. is "Miss Potter" (2006, PG) starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor in the story of Beatrix Potter, author of the beloved and best-selling children's book "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," and her struggle for love, happiness and success.

At Old Pasadena's Home for the Holidays celebration Friday, Nov. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Holly Street between Fair Oaks and Raymond avenues, frolic in the snow, get creative in the kids' craft village, snap photos of Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy live music performed by the Pasadena Symphony Brass Quintet, Caleigh Chapman, Burbank Music Academy and the Beverly Belles.

One Colorado will kick off the holiday season with a community party Friday, Nov. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. that will include live music by Leftover Cuties (and dancing if you're so inspired), photo booth fun (Santa may pop in for a photo bomb from time to time!), hot cocoa and cookies. Consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys Collection Drive to make a low-income child's Christmas a little brighter.


Photo credits: Scary Mommy, Teaching Children to Write, Sonia Lee, Dudactive, Lubbock Online, Lepp Farm Market.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Nov. 15 to 21

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Nov. 15, to Friday, Nov. 21.

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

The Pasadena Doo Dah Parade, the twisted sister of that other parade, will include a memorable cast of merrymakers Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. on Colorado Boulevard between Altadena Drive and San Gabriel Boulevard. Bring a lawn chair and plan on arriving by about 10 a.m. to claim your spot on the sidewalk!

Come to the fair! Central Library invites the community to celebrate 130 years of library services in Pasadena Saturday, Nov. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. with live music, comedy performances, face painting, storytelling, magical acts, children's activities, historical photo exhibitions, cupcake walk, free refreshments (hot dogs! kettle korn! lemonade!) and much more.  (See a full rundown of November library events here.)

Crown City Symphony presents its autumn concert Sunday, Nov, 16, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Pasadena. The program will include  Beethoven, Vieuxtemps and Hayden.

An LA Opera community educator will take guests on a journey through Daniel Catan's passionate impressionist opera "Florencia en el Amazonas" Monday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center. Florencia travels down the Amazon by steamboat to perform at the Manaus opera house in hopes of finding her lover who was lost in the jungle and never returned; other passengers harbor their own secret hopes of what the trip will bring. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.  

Pasadena City College's Lancer Jazz Big Band will perform Tuesday, Nov. 18, at noon on the west patio at the PCC Center for the Arts (Building CA on this map). 

National guitar fingerstyle champion Michael Chapdelaine and the progressive bluegrass Andy Rau Band will perform Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music as part of the Guitar Nights series. Reserve your free tickets here.

Baritone Christian Nova will perform Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church as part of the popular Music at Noon recital series.

This week's movie on the big screen in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library is "The Book Thief" (2013, PG-13) Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. starring Sophie Nélisse and Geoffrey Rush. During World War II a young German girl finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with a Jewish refugee who is sheltered by her adoptive parents. Based on the novel by Markus Zusak.

Gobble gobble! Children ages 2 to 5 will create turkey crafts to take home for Thanksgiving Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. at Villa Parke Branch Library. (See a full rundown of November library events here.)

Talented guitar, violin, piano and chamber music students at Pasadena Conservatory of Music will perform in recital Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.,m. featuring works by Prokofiev, Tansman, Tchaikovsky and other composers

Storyteller Karen Golden will entertain children 6 and older with folktales from around the world Thursday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library. Later in the day she will be at Santa Catalina Branch Library at 1:15 p.m. and Hastings Branch Library at 3:30 p.m.

"The Sound of Music" (1965, G) starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer will be shown on the big screen Friday, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at Pasadena Senior Center. A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The Caltech-Occidental Concert Band will perform works by composers John Stafford Smith, Arturo Marquez, Charles Ives, Paul Hindemith, Eric Whitacre and Morton Lauridsen Friday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. at Caltech's Ramo Auditorium (south of Beckman Auditorium).


Photo credits: Brian Cahn, Kidding Around, Natalie Fiol, Pasadena City College, Michael Chapdelaine, Andy Rau Band, Christian Nova, MUSE Enthusiasts, B'Nai Horin, Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Blog Me Mom, PBS, 20th Century Fox, Caltech.

Mystery History -- Solved!

I stumped everyone this week, which means the next Mystery History will be easier.

In the 1935 photo above, Joseph Barry (left), J. Louis Comiskey (center) and Harry Grabiner sit on an arroyo stone wall at Brookside Park while the Chicago White Sox play a baseball game during spring training.

From 1933 to 1942 and from 1946 to 1950, the Chicago White Sox had their spring training right here in Pasadena at Brookside Park.

(For those who guessed it was William Wrigley Jr. in the photo, he owned the Chicago Cubs and the team had its annual spring training on Catalina Island, which he owned.)

Joseph Barry was the White Sox traveling secretary, J. Louis Comiskey was owner and president of the White Sox organization and Harry Grabiner was vice president.

Every one of the dozens of photos shot by a Pasadena Post photographer three years later, on March 9, 1938, is damaged in one way or another but thankfully now they are carefully stored in the Centennial Room at Pasadena Central Library.,

The White Sox catching and throwing along the sidelines at Brookside Park as spectators look on:

 

Team members lining up in front of a movie camera for a newsreel that would be shown in theaters (people of my generation know what that means!).

Here is a 1942 article in the Chicago Tribune:

See the rest of the article, including photos, by clicking here.

Many thanks to Baseball Fever, Pasadena Public Library and Chicago Tribune.

Mystery History

Where are we? And what's happening?

The first person to guess correctly will win lunch with me -- I'll buy yours and you'll buy mine.

Remember, leave your brief guess as a comment on this blog post but don't try to give the entire back story (that's my job). 
I'll have the full scoop on Thursday.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Nov. 8 to 14

 

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Nov. 8, to Friday, Nov. 14.

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 computers, keyboards, printers, scanners, fax machines, phones, TVs and other electronics at the eWaste event Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in parking lot I at Brookside Park. You can also bring old household batteries (vehicle batteries will not be accepted). 

A play day for families and children with and without disabilities Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Reese's Retreat playground at Brookside Park will include play activities, arts and crafts, face painting and more.

The Fall Festival at the Old Pasadena Farmers Market will include live bluegrass music, corn shucking and apple bobbing contests, egg toss, three-legged race, square dancing, children's activities and more Sunday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Planning a trip to Italy? Learn what to expect Monday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Distant Lands. Founder and co-owner Adrian Kalvinskas will cover topics including safety, security, cultural do's and don'ts and maximizing your sightseeing time and dollars.

The annual Veterans Day commemoration at Centennial Square in front of Pasadena City Hall Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 10:30 to 11:11 a.m. will include local JROTC presenting the colors, music by the Pasadena City College Band, a flyover of vintage World War II airplanes, special guest speakers, echoing Taps and more, followed by refreshments including hot dogs grilled by Pasadena firefighters.

Classical tubist Beth Mitchell will perform Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. as part of the popular Music at Noon recital series in the chapel at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

This week's free film in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library is "The Monuments Men" (2014, PG-13) starring George Clooney and Matt Damon Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. An unlikely World War II platoon is tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners (based on true events).

Children 8 and up, their parents and older siblings are invited to a special edition of the Kids Book Club Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. in the Children's Story Room at Central Library. "El Deafo" by Cece Bell will be celebrated with a trivia competition and making superhero capes. Call 626-744-4066, option 4 to sign up.

The documentary film "Evolution of a Criminal" (2014) will be shown Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Crawford Family Forum at Southern California Public Radio. Ten years after robbing a Bank of America, filmmaker Darius Monroe returns home to examine how his actions affected the lives of family, friends and victims.

Just in time for the holidays, people of all ages will learn about plants that grow from bulbs Thursday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library, then plant some bulbs to take home.

"Chef" (2014, R) starring Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johanssen and Robert Downey Jr. will be shown Friday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. at Pasadena Senior Center. A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise while piecing back together his estranged family. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Coloratura soprano Lori Ann Fuller Piscioneri will perform on opening night of Pasadena Community Orchestra's 32nd season Friday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene in a program that will include Donizetti and Puccini arias, Rossini's "William Tell Overture," Smetana's Polka from "The Bartered Bride," Humperdink's Overture from "Hansel and Gretel" and Sibelius's "Finlandia."

SAVE THE DATE!

Come to the fair! Central Library invites the community to celebrate 130 years of library services in Pasadena Saturday, Nov. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. with live music, comedy performances, face painting, storytelling, magical acts, children's activities, historical photo exhibitions, cupcake walk, free refreshments (hot dogs! kettle korn! lemonade!) and much more.


Photo credits: Geek on Wheels, RecWest, Gallery Hip, Beth Mitchell, Columbia Pictures, Harry N. Abrams Publishing, ITVS, Blithwold Arboretum, Nerdist, Surviving LA on a Budget, Kidding Around