Looking for Something to Do?

Saturday, March 6, from 8:30 to noon – Jan Sanders, director of the Pasadena Public Library system, and Pasadena City Attorney Michele Bagneris will be among the panelists at the League of Women Voters forum “Access to Impact: Using Open Government to Create Change” at the Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd. The community forum addresses access to information issues around local open government from the perspectives of the media, libraries, city governments and civic organizations.


Saturday, March 6, at 11:30 a.m. – A very special mural depicting by noted artist Luis Ituarte will be unveiled on an exterior wall at 181 E. Orange Grove Blvd. between Marengo and Fair Oaks.


Saturday, March 6, at noon and 2 p.m. – Shiny new fire engines will be dedicated – the first at noon at Fire Station 38, 1150 E. Linda Vista Ave., and the second at 2 p.m. at Fire Station 39, 50 Ave. 64. Bring the kids for a chance to see the new rigs up close, meet Fire Chief Dennis Downs and talk to firefighters!


Monday, March 8, at noon – One City, One Story* event: “Gardens of Water” community book discussion in the Research Conference Hall at Huntington Hospital, 734 Fairmount Ave.

Wednesday, March 10, at 10:30 a.m. – One City, One Story event: Enjoy Turkish adventure folktales featuring Keloglan, Nasreddin Hoca and Kazan presented by the Pasadena Museum of History and featuring local storyteller Sunny Stevenson at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.

Wednesday, March 10, at 1 p.m. – One City, One Story event: The documentary film “Inside Islam” will be screened in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St.

Thursday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m. – One City, One Story event: Enjoy tales and songs from the Kurdish, Armenian, Assyrian, Greek and Jewish traditions of ancient Anatolia presented by storyteller Alidz Agbabian at Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.

Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m. – One City, One Story event: Does “Gardens of Water” accurately portray Muslim-Christian relations? Find out during a discussion with Dr. Evelyne Reisacher, assistant professor of Islamic studies and intercultural relations at Fuller Theological Seminary, in Payton Hall (room 101) at Fuller, 135 N. Oakland Ave.

Friday, March 12, at 7 p.m. – One City, One Story event: Dr. Joann Stock, professor of geology and geophysics at Caltech, and “Gardens of Water” author Alan Drew will discuss the nature of the 1999 Marmara Quake, its aftermath and human toll at Caltech’s Cahill Center for Astronomy and Physics, 1216 E. California Blvd. Special tours of Caltech’s seismology lab will be offered from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

* Click here to learn all about this year’s One City, One Story novel “Gardens of Water” and complete information about the author, a full calendar of events and more.

It was a grand grand-opening!

The official grand-opening events at the newly expanded and ga-ga-gorgeous Pasadena Convention Center took place Friday through Sunday.

There have been a few events there already, such as the California Police Chiefs Association conference last month.

But this past weekend was the occasion of the big bashes!

First there was the ribbon-cutting on Friday.

(My camera battery was DOA, so many thanks to Terry Miller of the Pasadena Independent for providing this photo after I threw myself on his mercy! All other photos below are mine.)

Then a formal gala that evening in the ballroom.

I loved the stars hanging from the ceiling.

Here's my attempt at an artful ceiling shot: Mayor Bogaard speaking to guests under the stars:

This terrific group played the standards we all know and love, and the singer was reminiscent of ol' Blue Eyes himself.

Of course this inspired everyone to trip the light fantastic!

Linda Centell of my staff and her husband Ed Washatka

Left to right: Joan Marshall, executive director of Pacific Asia Museum; Taka Suzuki, field representative to City Councilman Steve Madison; Judy Kent, field rep to Mayor Bill Bogaard; Margo Fuller, field rep to Councilwoman Margaret McAustin.

James Canfield and I worked for the City of Palm Springs in the 1980s and were on the team that opened the then-new Palm Springs Convention Center. He was on the center's management staff and I was the city's PIO. What fun to be part of the opening of Pasadena's new center together! Jamie is the executive director of Pasadena Convention Center and Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

City Councilwomen Margaret McAustin and Jacque Robinson

City Councilman Victor Gordo and his wife Kelly

Police Chief Bernard Melekian and his wife Nancy

Left to right: Janet Pope Givens, adjutant to the chief of police; Judy Kent; Ben Green, executive director of American Red Cross San Gabriel-Pomona Valley Chapter; Tom Coston, president of Light Bringer Project; Ben's wife Kelly; and Jan Sanders, director of Pasadena public libraries.

City Attorney Michele Bagneris and her husband Jules


Fast-forward to yesterday (Sunday) afternoon when the ballroom was the setting for the final event of this year's One City, One Story community reading celebration.

Jan Sanders had a fascinating conversation with Luis Urrea, author of this year's book "The Hummingbird's Daughter" during which he discussed his 20-year journey of research into his ancestor Teresita and his life experiences that led to writing the book.

Prior to his coming to Pasadena I commented on his blog a couple of times and he sent me a couple of emails, so I was thrilled to finally meet him and his sweet family.

Another thrilling moment was meeting Teresita's great-granddaughter Sylvia (left), at the event with Luis's wife Cindy.


Finally, there was a private reception last night at Mijares Restaurant in honor of Luis Urrea, and we all had a grand time.

The talented trio from Mijares serenaded us, even playing my special request: "Hace un año."

The final photo: Luis Urrea and Catherine Hany (right), the communications director at Pasadena Public Library.

Looking for Something to Do?

Here's a listing of free events sponsored by the City of Pasadena the week of March 30.


Monday, March 30
6 p.m. -- The third in a series of public workshops about revisions to Pasadena’s tree protection ordinance will focus on the regulation of trees on private property.
(626) 744-4342.

Wednesday, April 1
* 7:30 a.m. – Get the kinks out on a morning walk around the Rose Bowl Loop with Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and special guest Michael Ross, CEO of Pasadena Center Operating Company. Meet at Gate A.
(626) 831-2980.
* 1 p.m. – This week’s free film in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., is “27 Dresses” starring Katherine Heigl as Jane, a young woman who has served as a bridesmaid 27 times and now questions whether she should stand at her sister’s side as her sibling marries the man Jane secretly loves.
(626) 744-4066.

Thursday, April 2
6:30 p.m. – Pasadena City Councilwoman Margaret McAustin will host a District 2 meeting about the city budget for Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) with special guest City Manager Michael Beck at Longfellow Elementary School, 1065 E. Washington Blvd.
(626) 744-4742.


Friday, April 3, through Sunday, April 5
Celebrate with us as we mark the grand opening of the newly expanded Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St. On Friday at noon we’ll have the official ribbon-cutting ceremony; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. you’ll get free admission and parking for the Home Show and Real Estate Expo with distinctive vendors, cooking demonstrations and much more; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Home Show and Real Estate Expo continues; and also on Sunday it’s our annual One City, One Story author visit (see specific OCOS events below).
(626) 795-9311


Saturday, April 4
9 a.m. to noon – Discover the best choices for Pasadena’s dry climate at the Trees and Shrubs Workshop sponsored by Pasadena Water and Power at the Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle, 960 E. Walnut St. Learn effective ways to prune, water and develop healthy root systems. Reserve your spot at www.cityofpasadena.net/savewater.
(626) 744-6970.


"The Hummingbird's Daughter"

As this year's One City, One Story community reading celebration draws to a close, don't miss these final events!

Sit in on a book discussion, watch professional chefs whip up some Mexican fare, learn from an expert about one of the book's themes and meet the author!

Saturday, March 28
* 10:30 a.m. – Attend a book discussion about “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” at Allendale Branch Library, 1130 S. Marengo Ave.
(626) 744-7260.
* 11 a.m. -- Chefs from Old town Cooking School will present Mexican cooking techniques (and samples!) at San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.
(626) 744-7270.

Tuesday, March 31
2 p.m. – Attend a book discussion about “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” at Hill Avenue Branch Library, 55 S. Hill Ave.
(626) 744-7264.

Wednesday, April 1
6:30 p.m. – Attend a book discussion about “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” at Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
(626) 744-7262.

Friday, April 3
11 a.m. – Learn about the religious aspects of The Hummingbird’s Daughter during a presentation by Dr. Juan Martinez in Payton Hall at Fuller Theological Seminary, 135 N. Oakland Ave., followed by a book discussion. The event will be offered in Spanish at 2 p.m.
(626) 744-4066.

Sunday, April 5
3 to 5 p.m. – Luis Urrea, author of “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,” will speak at Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., about his experiences researching and writing the book and will answer questions from the audience. Free parking!
(626) 744-4066 or (626) 795-9311

My ArtNight

I had to miss ArtNight Pasadena in March and October last year, so this time around I was determined!

On Friday night fourteen arts and cultural institutions threw open their doors for free for our 21st semi-annual event.

Jan Sanders, Stephanie DeWolfe and I set out at 6 p.m., starting at City Hall where there was a jazz combo, bistro, information table, shuttles and friendly people to answer questions.


Jan, at left below, is our library director, formally known as director of information services; Stephanie is our deputy director of planning and development.



We hopped a free shuttle and headed off to Side Street Projects.



Side Street had a huge array of the funkiest vehicles I've ever seen, and on display that night only.

Here's a sampling:





We stepped aboard Side Street's Woodworking Bus where children learn basic woodworking techniques.



There's a wall of blocks that children have personalized.



Then we hopped another shuttle and headed to Pasadena Museum of California Art, where everybody got free admission to their remarkable exhibition titled Data + Art: Science and Art in the Age of Information, curated by Jet Propulsion Laboratory's visual strategist Dan Goods and Mars public engagement outreach coordinator David Delgado.

All I can is Wow. Dan and David have translated scientific data into new art forms and challenged everyone's assumptions about where beauty can be found.

From closeup three-dimensional images of Mars to digital modeling created by keywords and rhythms captured on a computer, this exhibition was astounding.





Our final stop was Pasadena Central Library, where a Mexican fiesta was taking place to celebrate this year's One City, One Story novel "The Hummingbird's Daughter."

There was something happening in every room, from live music to folk dances to crafts.






Many of the adult participants in the Human Services and Recreation Department's Adaptive Recreation Program were displaying their fiesta-themed art in the library's Centennial Room.



So that was my ArtNight experience! There were plenty of other venues that had performances and exhibitions going on, but we decided to choose three venues, go to dinner and call it a night.

I'm sure there were others who did the entire circuit, which I did one year. It's a pretty ambitious undertaking.

See a Movie, Read a Book!

They're positively star-struck at Pasadena Central Library.

For some time they have offered "See A Movie, Read A Book" every Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium.

The free film series features well-known movies based on literary works.

Most movies based on literature leave out big chunks of the stories in the interest of time. One of my favorite examples is "Gone with the Wind." If you've only seen the Academy Award-winning movie but never read the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, you've missed the true development of Margaret Mitchell's characters, the bigger picture of the American Civil War -- told from the perspective of the women left behind -- and her beautiful and brilliant writing.

So see the movies, then put the novels on your to-do list to check out from the library or purchase from Vromans. That way you won't miss a thing!

JANUARY 14
"I am David" (2003) starring Jim Caviezel, Joan Plowright and Ben Tibber chronicles the struggles of a boy who manages to flee a communist concentration camp through sheer will and determination with only a loaf of bread, a letter to deliver to someone in Denmark and a compass to get him there. Based on the novel by Anne Holm.

JANUARY 21
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (2005) starring America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Bradley Whitford centers on a mysterious pair of pants that perfectly fits four different-sized best friends who each take a turn with the pants during special adventures. Based on the novel by Ann Brashares.

JANUARY 28

"The Education of Little Tree"(1997) starring Graham Greene, James Cromwell and Joseph Ashton in the heartwarming tale of a Cherokee boy in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the 1930s who is sent to live with his mountain-dwelling grandparents after the loss of his mother and father. Based on the novel by Forrest Carter.

The series will be on hiatus in February for Contemporary Black Images in Film in commemoration of Black History Month, also Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

February 4:
"Akeelah and the Bee" (2006) starring Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer

February 11:
"Lilies of the Field" (1963) starring Sidney Poitier and Lilia Skala

February 18: "Pride" (2007) starring Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac and Kimberly Elise

February 25: "Dreamgirls" (2006) starring Jamie Foxx, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles and Eddie Murphy

"The Hummingbird's Daughter"

The book selection for Pasadena’s seventh One City, One Story community reading celebration is “The Hummingbird’s Daughter” by Luis Alberto Urrea.


I just started reading it on Tuesday night and I'm about 100 pages into the substantial biographical novel.

Part folk tale, part history and 100% mesmerizing, it takes place in revolutionary-era Mexico in the late 19th century and is filled with vaqueros, bandits, indigenous Yaquis and a whole cast of other characters.

At the heart of it all is Teresita, known in Mexico to this day as La Santa de Cabora. Born to an impoverished mother who abandons her, she seems destined to live in dire poverty at the hands of her abusive aunt until Teresita, just a small child, walks into a certain house one day and her life begins to change forever.

My favorite character -- so far -- is Huila, a powerful, cantankerous healer who lovingly, patiently shows Teresita that she is worth something while encouraging her natural, mystical gifts.

Urrea completed two decades of research about his ancestor before writing "The Hummingbird's Daughter.


One City, One Story community activities and events, including book discussion groups, a film series, lectures and more, will be scheduled in March. I'll keep you posted on that.

I am very excited to announce the the author will speak to the community about "The Hummingbird's Daughter" during a free event Sunday, April 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center.

You'll find more information here.

Get the book! You can check it out at Pasadena Central Library or you can buy it at Vromans.