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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Freedom Tour -- Animal Signs

I have seen so many signs warning of animal crossings. The one above is on the way from Bridgeport, Calif., in the Eastern Sierras to Twin Lakes. Click on the photo to see the red nose that I presume a prankster added! 

This sign is in South Dakota not far from Sturgis:



Just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, near Elkhorn Creek:


Outside of Munfordville, which has the largest Amish community in Kentucky:







 On the road between Elko and Ely, Nevada:



Wild burros abound in the Nevada desert:



Owens Valley near Bishop, California:




And then there are human animals...some very bad ones. How awkward would it be if a driver picked up a hitchhiker near this location in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, and then came upon the sign afterward?!



I'm loving my Freedom Tour!

Friday, July 15, 2016

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events July 16 to 22


Here are free events scheduled Saturday, July 16, to Friday, July 22.

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

Attend the opening reception for "The Future," an exhibition of works by students in the City of Pasadena Adaptive Recreation Program, Saturday, July 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the community room at Armory Center for the Arts. The exhibition will be in place through Sept. 9.


The Classic Films of Mexico Festival/Festival del Cine Clásico Mexicano presents Nosotros los Pobres (1948, NR) starring Pedro Infante and Blanca Estela Pavon Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Characters in a poor neighborhood in Mexico City come to life when two children find a novel in a trash can. Spanish with English subtitles.

Sam Llanas will perform Saturday, July 16, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "American Graffiti" (1973, PG) starring Richard Dreyfus and Ron Howard Saturday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. Two high school graduates spend one final night in 1962 cruising the strip  before they all head off to college. Come as early as 7 p.m. for DJ music. Bring a beach chair or blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Raising Arizona" (1987, PG-13) starring Nicholas Cage and Holly Hunter Saturday, July 16, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. When a childless couple decides to help themselves to one of another family's quintuplets, their lives become more complicated than they ever anticipated.

Don Newcombe, Bo Jackson and Arnold Hano will be inducted to the 2016 Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals during a ceremony Sunday, July 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. 

The Playhouse District's Summer Jazz Concert Series presents Kira and the Major 3 Sunday, July 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore. 

Double G Ninenet will perform jazz Sunday, July 17, at 7 p.m. the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

"Pitch Perfect" (2012, PG-13) starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilsom will be shown Tuesday, July 19, at 5 p.m. at the La Pintoresca Teen Education Center. A freshman is cajoled into joining her college's all-girls singing group and injects some much needed energy into their repertoire as they take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

Pasadena Senior Center's Concerts in the Park presents Billy and the Hillbillies Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m. in the band shell at Memorial Park. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase dinner in the park. You do not have to be a senior or a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Read for the Win! Summer Reading Club include the following (and much more!):
  • For children 12 and younger: Nathan Phan will dazzle you with magic tricks while tickling your funny bone Wednesday, July 20, at 10:30 a.m. at San Rafael Branch Library.
  • For teens: Paint your own unique design on a T-shirt using stencils Wednesday, July 20, at 4 p.m. in Studio on 4th at Central Library. All materials will be provided. Call 626-744-4246 or email jgov@cityofpasadena.net to sign up.
  • SAVE THE DATE! Families with children 7+ are invited to bulding their own robots with soda cans, screws, wheels and batteries Saturday, July 23, at 3 p.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library or Saturday, July 30, at 3 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library. An adult is required to be in attendance with each family. Call 626-744-7278 for July 23 or 626-744-7272 for July 30 to sign up.
  • Download Pasadena Public Library's newsletter for a full list of summer activities.
"Pride" (2007, PG) starring Terrence Howard and Kimberly Elise will be shown Wednesday, July 20, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A determined coach starts a swim team for troubled teens at the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. Based on a true story.

The third Thursday (and first Friday) is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Thursday, July 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else PMCA has to offer.

SteveSongs will perform music for chiildren Thursday, July 21, at 7 p.m at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park, A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.


"The Good Dinosaur" (2015, PG) with the voice talents of Jeffrey Wright and Frances McDormand will be shown Friday, July 22, at 6:30 p.m. outdoors at Victory Park. In a world where dinosaurs and humans live side by side, an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. Bring lawn chairs/blankets and a picnic.

Paseo Colorado's Swingin' Under the Stars summer concert series presents Dave Stuckey & the Hot House Gang Friday, July 22, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. As an added bonus, if you've always wanted to learn swing dancing, instructors from the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association will offer free lessons from 7 to 7:30 p.m.


Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Into the Wild" (2007, R) starring Emile Hirsch and Vince Vaughn Friday, July 22, at 8 p.m. at Distant Lands. A top student and athlete abandons his possessions after graduating from college, gives his savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness where he enounters a series of characters who shape his life. Based on a true story.

Billy Strings will perform bluegrass and modern folk music Friday, July 22, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.


Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999, PG-13) starring Heath Ledger and Julia Styles Friday, July 22, at 8:30 p,m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. A famiy rule forbids a popular girl from dating until her unpopular, rebellious, boy-hating older sister gets a suitor of her own.



Photo credits: City of Pasadena, Producciones Rodriguez Hermanos, Sam Llanas, Universal Pictures, Circle Films, Baseball Reliquary, Kira Morrison, California Jazz Foundation, Brownstone Productions, Harrison Memorial Library, Lionsgate Films, Brett Weston Archive, Living a Sunshine Life, Walt Disney Pictures, Jennifer Stockert, Paramount Vantage, Billy Strngs, Touchstone Pictures.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events July 9 to 15

Here are free events scheduled Saturday, July 9, to Friday, July 15.

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

The Sri Lanka Day festival Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Paseo Colorado will feature live native music, dances, drummers, colorful costumes and much more.

The Ken Burns documentary "Jackie Robinson" will be shown Saturday, July 9, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Jackie Robinson grew up in Pasadena, broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, spoke out against racism and, after retirement, became a tireless advocate for civil rights. The documentary is four hours long; there will be one 15-minute intermission.

Parson's Nose Theater presents a reading of Thornton Wilder's iconic play "Our Town" Saturday, July 9, at 7 p.m. in the grand entrance (some call it the rotunda) at Pasadena City Hall, Reserve your seat here.

Area 51 will perform funk, Motown and rock Saturday, July 9, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavlion. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954, NR) starring Julie Adams and Richard Carlson Saturday, July 9, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. Scientists try to capture a strange prehistoric beast lurking in the depths of the Amazonian jungle so they can bring it back to civilization for study, Come as early as 7 p.m. for DJ music. Bring a beach chair or blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. 

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006, PG-13) starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep Saturday, July 9, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. A smart but sensible new graduate lands a job as an assistant to the demanding editor-in-chief of a high fashion magazine.

The Summer Jazz Concert Series in the Playhouse District kicks off with the Elliott Caine Quintet Sunday, July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard outside Vroman's Bookstore. 

Tizer will perform world jazz fusion Sunday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Stargate" (1994, PG-13) starring Kurt Russell and James Spader Sunday, July 10, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. An interstellar teleportation device unearthed in Egypt leads an archaeological historian and a military man to a planet where humans resembling ancient Egyptians worship the god Ra. Come as early as 7 p.m. for DJ music. Bring a beach chair or blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Read for the Win! Summer Reading Club include the following (and much more!):
  • For tweens 9 to 12: Bring your appetites and skills to compete in the Chocolate Olympics -- a variety of chocolate-related games and challenges -- Tuesday, July 12, at 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library.
  • For children 12 and younger: You'll be dazzled and entertained by Mad Scientists Los Angeles as they introduce you to foggy dry ice storms, Eggbert the Egg and a special "burp" potion Thursday, July 14, at 4 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library. 
  • Download Pasadena Public Library's newsletter for a full list of summer activities.

Pasadena Senior Center's Concerts in the Park presents Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys Tuesday, July 12, at 6 p.m. in the band shell at Memorial Park. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. You do not have to be a senior or a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

"Gracie" (2007, PG-13) starring Carly Schroeder and Andrew Shue will be shown Wednesday, July 13, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A teenager faces an uphill battle in 1978 when she fights to play on the boys' varsity soccer team. Based on a true story.

The Classic Films of Mexico Festival/Festival del Cine Clásico Mexicano presents films from the golden age of Mexican cinema in collaboration with the consulate general of Mexico. "Los Tres Huastecos" (1948) starring Pedro Infante and Blanca Estela Pavón will be shown Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Fate reunites three long-separated brothers -- a priest, a soldier and an outlaw -- who were raised by different families. Spanish with English subtitles.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents the documentary "Plant This Movie" (2014, NR) narrated by Daryl Hannah Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at Armory Center for the Arts. The film explores the zeitgeist of urban farming around the world from Cuba and China to India, England and beyond. A community discussion will follow the screening.

Trout Fishing in America will perform music for children Thursday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The next supply of garden-ready mulch from Pasadena Public Works Department street-tree trimmings will be available Friday, July 15, at the southeast corner of the parking lot at Victory Park. Bring your own shovel, container and gloves between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The mulch supply is replenished once a month through October and is available to Pasadena residents only.

"Gilda" (1946, NR) starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford will be shown Friday, July 15, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A gambling cheat goes straight so he can work for a casino owner and discovers his ex-lover is the owner's wife. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Dr. Marc Rayman, chief engineer and mission director for the Dawn Mission at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will explain the mission's two exotic destinations as well as the excitement and profundity of controlling a spacecraft in deep space during a discussion titled "To Boldly Go...Well, You Know" Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (Building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College. 

Paseo Colorado's Swingin' Under the Stars summer concert series presents Lil' Mo and the Dynaflos Friday, July 15, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. As an added bonus, if you've always wanted to learn swing dancing, instructors from the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association will offer free lessons from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Two for the Road" (1967, NR) starring Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn Friday, July 15, at 8 p.m. at Distant Lands. An architect and his wife explore their 12-year relationship during a road trip in the South of France.

Darlingside will perform contemporary folk music Friday, July 15, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Old Pasadena Summer Cinema presents "Cool Hand Luke" (1967, PG) starring Paul Newman and George Kennedy Friday, July 15, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. A new inmate refuses to conform to life in a rural Southern prison.