Mystery History -- Solved!

This one was a little tricky, but I didn't think I'd stump everybody the way I did. There were plenty of interesting guesses, though.

In the photo above, a huge tent is perched at the top of a carved-out hillside in preparation for a celebration marking the start of construction of Art Center College of Design in 1974.

Here are two wider views that show the massiveness of the swath that was cut along the hillsides:




Art Center College of Design was founded in 1930 in Los Angeles, and the move to Pasadena 40-plus years later was a big, big deal.

Local dignitaries, special guests with household names and lots of Art Center students and faculty gathered to celebrate what would become one of Pasadena's finest institutions of higher learning.


Don Kubly was president of Art Center at the time and is shown here with a model of the campus featuring the building designed by architect Craig Ellwood (the female student isn't identified):



Here's an excerpt from his 1971 President's Report:

“We are not just moving from one building to another; we are creating a whole new climate for a design college that can influence, not just our own college community, but also the design thinking and attitudes of all those we serve outside of our community—the businesses, the industries, and the society itself.”

Here's Kubly (center) at the event, toasting the occasion with, from left, Pasadena Mayor Mortimer J. Matthews, architect Craig Ellwood, designer Charles Eames and board member Philip S. Fogg.


Here's Mayor Matthews's photo from the Hall of Mayors:


Excerpt from a Nov. 16, 1974, Pasadena Star-News article written by Gary Clark:

It couldn't quite be called a groundbreaking since giant earthmovers long since had carved a bench into the San Rafael Hills overlooking the Rose Bowl and Arroyo Seco.

So instead, guests clustered under a large white-and-yellow-striped tent to sip champagne, to see how the $7.6 million campus will look when completed and to hear about the accomplishments from members of the Art Center family. . .

. . .The campus, located near the top of Lida Street, is scheduled for completion in 1976. The panorama of Pasadena offers itself as a view, but unlike many large-scale developments, the Art Center gives something back in its design.

The most striking feature shown in the artists' renderings and models in the low, single-building structure which will house the entire center. The building will be set back away from the rim of the lot so that the steel and bronzed glass building will be partially hidden -– harmonizing with rather than dominating the landscape.

After all these years, what we now call the hillside campus is lush with sycamore trees, pines and other flora.




Art Center has a number of photos in the historic archives pages of their website.

There's also video of the event in the tent.


Many thanks to Art Center College of Design for use of the historic photos and video.

Mystery History -- Solved

UPDATE -- He lives! Chris contacted me today (Friday) with his email address and blog address, so he indeed wins a fabulous prize. Thanks for proving me wrong, Chris!

* * *

Chris had the right answer, but the new rule is that if there's no way for me to contact the winner, there is no winner. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks "Chris" is a mole with an inside track. Please prove me wrong, Chris!

The caption for this photo in the June 15, 1936, edition of the Los Angeles Times reads:

Pasadena Junior College co-eds are shown forming living candles in this huge anniversary cake commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Pasadena to be celebrated June 19. The girls are Evelyn Hansen, Ruth Nickerson, Barbara Lombard, Betty Wilcox, Peggy Munn, Ellen Jones, Marjorie Loomis, Helen Sperry, Mariam Purdon, Virginia Larsen, Joy De Long, Beverly Millar, Carol Crum, Patty McCune and Josephine Tryon. The cake is twelve feet in diameter.

On June 18 at the Rose Bowl Stadium about 50,000 spectators witnessed the major feature of the City of Pasadena's 50th anniversary observance: A combined commencement pageant for 2,487 new graduates of Pasadena Junior College, local high schools and junior high schools with the theme "The New Atlantis."

At this same event 100 city, county and school officials, accompanied by surviving pioneers, marched into the stadium and formed a human city seal featuring a rose crown. I've never found a photo of this but would love to come across it someday!

Here's a passage from the seemingly elitist Los Angeles Times on June 19, 1936:

It was on June 14, 1886, that the few thousand ranchers living in this area were notified that they no longer were "hicks," but resided in an incorporated city, or glorified dude ranch.

Here's something more dignified, written by J.W. Wood in his book "Pasadena: Historical and Personal" (one of my favorites in the Centennial Room at Pasadena Central Library).

Men and women may live for a long time in amicable social partnership and not feel the need of laws or miss the absence of edicts. But a time comes when a civic ambition stirs them, and necessity forces them to organize into a formal and legal partnership.

It was thus with Pasadena. Although there were some who declared against any necessity of it, events arose that compelled it. Pasadena was within the township of San Gabriel and the jurisdiction of its police court. I believe Otheman Stevens, known as the popular and able dramatic critic and special writer on a Los Angeles newspaper, for a time, administered Justice in the little court of San Gabriel. Little was there for him to do in a Judicial capacity which gave him the more time to practice with his pen.

He also was "regular correspondent" for the Pasadena Union and was thus exalted in the ranks of literary endeavor! But, as I said, San Gabriel administered our court of Justice. Pasadena wanted its own. Pasadena had no official existence yet, and no officials, excepting its School Trustees and a Deputy Constable.

Coincidentally, the Pasadena Star-News celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1936.




Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library and Los Angeles Public Library.

Be Smart During the Heat and Smoke

Here's the latest Pasadena alert.

Please note that shortly after I sent this news release out, Pasadena added more to the team that is responding to the Station Fire. There are now two engine companies plus one battalion chief. (In layman's terms that's two fire engines with four personnel assigned to each, plus one battalion chief.)

Photo: Pasadena Star-News

Mystery History -- Solved

Aha! I stumped you this week.

In the photo above, a demolition crew prepares to raze the headquarters of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Campfire Girls in Memorial Park to make way for the Pasadena Senior Center.

Los Angeles Times -- June 22, 1958:

City directors ordered an immediate start on preparation of plans for a Senior Citizens Center in downtown Memorial Park after two years of discussion. In finally choosing the Memorial Park location, directors sidestepped a triple recommendation that the proposed $90,000 facility be built at Jefferson Recreation Center, 1501 E. Villa. After lengthy studies, the city Planning Commission, the Recreation Commission and the Pasadena Commission for Senior Citizens had all backed the Villa Street location.

The Campfire Girls headquarters was at the south end of Memorial Park, where the Senior Center is today. Here's a pre-demolition photo that shows the side and back of the headquarters (note Holly Street and the buildings across the way, which are still there):

I was nine years old in 1959 and didn't live remotely near Pasadena, but I feel guilty writing this nonetheless: Going, going, gone...


The Pasadena Senior Center opened on May 22, 1960, in Memorial Park. You'll find more history of the center here.

In 1961 the SGV Council of Campfire Girls conducted a major fund-raising drive to raise $40,000 for the purchase of new headquarters at the former Playbox Theater in Pasadena. (We're still researching the location of that theater building; anybody out there know?)

Here's a quote from Mrs. Ervin Wright, then-president of the organization, in an article titled "Camp Fire Girls Start Second 50" in the March 22, 1961, Pasadena Star-News:

We have excellent camps for outdoor activities but still need a permanent local headquarters. Since we left Memorial Park, we have been in temporary headquarters, but a housing committee is now at work formulating plans for what we hope may be a permanent home.

Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library researcher Stephanie Hough.

The Cleanup of the Mighty Oak

Our hearts remain sad over the unfortunate demise of one of our 80-year-old oak trees in the City Hall courtyard.

Today it was cut up into pieces so it can be hauled away. It will be turned into mulch to help our parklands thrive.

The Pasadena Star-News ran an article this morning.

Todd Ruiz

I caught up with Todd Ruiz yesterday after work. We met on the patio at McCormick & Schmick's across the street from City Hall.

Todd covered City Hall and Pasadena politics for the Star-News after the team of Gary Scott and Gene Maddaus and before Fred Ortega.

Todd's doing well and remains a fascinating guy who loves good adventures in life.

I miss his blogging. Of course, my favorite Todd Blog moment was this:
========================================

ANATOMY OF A CONFLICT
By Todd on February 7, 2008 10:35 AM |

Now for something completely silly.

I often get copied on e-mails pertaining to back-and-forth disputes, from topics serious to insane.

Recently, my inbox has witnessed a quiet feud between Lisa Derderian and Ann Erdman, of the Pasadena Fire Department and City Hall, respectively.

Both women are heads of public information duties, and it's precisely their heads at stake -- at least what's on them.

From what I've been able to reconstruct, Lisa sent this photo to Ann to rub in just how awesome her PIO helmet is:

Gripped with jealousy, Ann put her leet crafting skills to work to forge a helm worthy of her station:

Maybe now that Measure D has passed, they can give that thing a proper retrofit.

Anatomy of a Press Conference

I've organized press conferences for 32 years. We conducted one today. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how it works.

It begins with an issue. Make sure it's worthy of a press conference and will resonate with reporters and the public.

Location, location, location. Decide the best place for the conference to be conducted -- a site that reflects the issue. 

Then there's the planning. Who should speak? What should be included in the press kit? What are the logistical issues associated with the site?

The devil is in the details. Microphone, lectern, backdrop, visuals, table for press kits, chairs, sign-in sheet, permit if necessary, alternative in case of rain (if it's outdoors).

Burn the midnight oil. Research the issue and write the materials: key messages, media alert, news release, fact sheet, etc. Then send everything out for review by all the powers that be and revise as necessary.

Alert the media! A media alert serves as the announcement of the press conference. It's short, sweet and to the point with details such as the issue and why it matters, date, time, place, speakers, parking, and main point of contact.

Meet with the Team. Go over the final key messages (some call them talking points but I don't like that term) and determine which should be covered by which speakers. Discuss the order of the program. Make sure everybody's comfortable with who's on first.

Serve as the MC. Thank everyone for coming, introduce the issue briefly, announce the speakers and then turn it over to the them. Come back to the lectern to field Q&A and wrap the whole thing up.

Do the follow-up. When you get back to the office, send out the news release to all media to ensure that those who couldn't attend have the info. Double-check the websites of reporters who attended the press conference and email the links to speakers and the boss.

Here's how it worked today at 10:30 a.m.:

The issue is that there's a proposal on the table in Sacramento to once again balance the state budget off the backs of municipalities. The state is looking at a loophole in the law that could make it easy for them to shrug their responsibility and let cities pay the price. In Pasadena, public health will potentially suffer as a result.

A large room at Pasadena Public Health Department was chosen as the site. I led off the press conference as MC.



Mayor Bill Bogaard was the first speaker.



Then Bernard Melekian.



And Dr. Takashi Wada, our public health director.



The last three speakers were Mary Donnelly-Crocker, executive director of Young & Healthy, which is a community partner of Pasadena Public Health Department; Jacquelynne Jones-Corby, district representative of Senator Jack Scott; and Adam Carter, district representative for Assemblyman Anthony Portantino. Scott and Portantino are standing with cities on this issue.

Steve Mermell, our director of finance, was standing by to answer questions involving dollars and cents.

Reporters from several news outlets were there, plus Dr. Wada did a phone interview with KFWB prior to the press conference.

The Pasadena Star-News had an article posted online just three hours after the press conference was over. Janette Williams does quick work!

Many thanks to Joy Guihama and other staff at Pasadena Public Health Department for their assistance in the logistics, creating the fact sheet that was part of the press kit and providing these photos!

Here's the news release I wrote, which was part of the press kit and was also sent out later today after the press conference.

Judith Zitter Memorial Gathering

I posted a photo of Judith Zitter and other former field reps plus me at the Athenaeum in December. See the "In Memory of Judith Zitter" post below.

Read her obituary in the Pasadena Star-News.

A memorial gathering is scheduled Sunday, July 13, at 4 p.m. The family will block off the street in front of their home for this event. The address is 1633 N. Mar Vista Ave.

I know Judith would want people to wear bright attire and big hats!

Reporters

I met Dan Abendschein today over lunch at Ventanas Restaurant at the Westin. He's new to the Pasadena Star-News, covering Pasadena City Hall and regional transportation. We had spoken on the phone several times, even when he was at the Trib, and it was nice to have some face time with him.



I have worked with a number of City Hall reporters over the years from the Star-News and other newspapers, plus in Palm Springs. They've always been professional with a nose for news, and most (but not all) have had that fire in the belly that has given them that certain edge. Sometimes a challenge, but always a good thing.

Before I became a public servant, I worked for advertising and PR agencies (1977-1986) from San Diego to the Bay Area to Palm Springs, and the reporters I dealt with had beats that were specific to my client base -- tourism/leisure, real estate, business, sports, etc. I often had to do a lot of hard-sell and schmoozing to get feature articles for clients ranging from Daiwa to Carmel Valley Ranch to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

But these City Hall reporters really pay attention to the issues and have kept me on my toes. No hard-sell necessary!

Gary Scott's Blog

I just added Gary Scott's site to the blogroll on the right.

Gary used to cover City Hall for the Pasadena Star-News and now is a producer at KCRW Radio.

Since media relations is a big part of what I do in my professional life, I have been attuned to the turn of events in the world of daily newspapers, due in large part to the changing way in which people get their news.

Gary keeps us posted.

Ludwigshafen: The Celebrations Just Keep On Comin'.

Judy and I met for breakfast in the hotel, where a Chinese man sitting by himself at an adjacent table was reading a red-covered book. Soon Judy and I became distracted by his twitching, which became increasingly dramatic. Finally he began hitting himself in the head with his book. We're not doctors (though we play them on TV), but our expert diagnosis was Tourette's Syndrome.

In the continuing Ludwigshafen sister cities celebration, about 200 people gathered at the headquarters of the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie (German Philharmonic Orchestra) for a formal commemoration and reaffirmation of this city's "twinning" relationships.

Dr. Lohse wore her official "ceremonial mayor's chain" (her description when I asked her), a traditional here in Europe.


My new goal is to create a ceremonial chain for Mayor Bogaard. All creative concepts will be gratefully accepted and carefully considered!

A woodwinds ensemble from Musikschule Ludwigshafen am Rhein (City of Ludwigshafen Music School). . .


. . .and a saxophone quartet from a music school in Dessau entertained us.


Don't let their age fool you -- these kids are world-class musicians.

Then Dr. Lohse introduced each of the mayors, who presented brief remarks about their respective cities' relationships with Ludwigshafen.

Mayor Bogaard's remarks included the following:

"A relationship of 60 years is a wonderful accomplishment! Everyone realizes, I am sure, that the support that was offered by Pasadena in 1948 took place several years before President Eisenhower announced the Sister Cities program. The contact resulted from the friendly thoughts of persons in Pasadena that efforts should be made at the local level to overcome the damage of World War II. I am proud to say that first gesture has led to a wonderful relationship involving generations of persons in the two cities.. . .We look forward to continuing this relationship and involving more persons in both Ludwigshafen and Pasadena in the cultural, educational and social excahnges that are involved. On this 60th anniversary, it is appropriate not only for us to look to what has taken place, but what is possible in the future."

Of course, I had to tease Mayor Bogaard afterward about his prolific use of the word "persons" during his speech. One of the rules in Aaron Proctor's City Council Drinking Game requires that somebody must take a drink every time Bogaard utters that word. People (persons?) all over Pasadena were falling down drunk in the streets at that very moment.

There was a luncheon on a lower floor of the Staatphilharmonie, but Mayor Bogaard, Judy and I decided to pass on it and head instead to a Lutheran catheral a couple of blocks away that was nearly completely destroyed during the war. The only thing left standing is the clock tower, spire and part of the facade.



It is now the site of a little restaurant and bar with plenty of outside seating. We decided it is the absolutely best and most practical example of adaptive reuse in the entire universe!



On our way out, we passed this Pasadena banner, another opportunity to milk this Star-News photo thing for everything it's worth. (Note to Larry: I'll email all the JPGs to you after we get home. God knows how many other opportunities we'll come across, and I certainly don't want to jump the gun!!)



Then we packed ourselves like sardines onto two waiting buses that took us to the bank of the Rhine, where we got on a boat for what was a beautiful river tour. (This time it was Mayor Bogaard's turn to play hookey and he returned to the hotel for a little shut-eye.)



This Russian Orthodox church is on the Mannheim side of the river.



There are three levels on this boat, and Judy and I quickly discovered where the bar and the band were located -- lower level.



Some people liked the band, others not so much. I liked it.

We stayed downstairs for some time because the sky was so dark it looked like it might rain. But eventually the sun came out and we headed up to the top level.

Here's the Mannheim car ferry making its way across.



After the boat returned, Judy and I headed to a beer garden (are you beginning to detect a theme here?) where Dr. Lohse hosted dinner for the mayors and their immediate staffs. Mayor Bogaard woke up from his nap just in time to join us! We had great fun, and it was a good opportunity to get to know the other mayors and their entourages. Mayor Bogaard, Judy and I sat next to the group from Lorient.

We feasted on bratwurst, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, beer and wine, all brought by servers in appropriate beer-garden costumes.

Marcel joined us! What a nice surprise. He had been running around all day, preparing all the details for the opening night of a major annual street festival. He told us he had to eat quickly, apologizing that he couldn't chat it up with us. Of course, Judy and I seized the opportunity to create idle gossip about him. "What? He didn't! He wouldn't! Not the Marcel I know!" Poor guy struggled to keep his composure and remain completely professional. . .



. . .but we finally broke him up.



By the way, Marcel lives a few miles outside of Ludwigshafen, in a house that his family has owned for nearly 200 years.

We headed to the opening concert of the annual Ludwigshafener Stadtfest, a big outdoor festival that takes place in the streets of this city over the period of several nights. This opening event was in a large plaza where hundreds and hundreds of locals gathered. Thankfully we had VIP seating up front.

The Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Phalz (the regional state orchestra based in Ludwigshafen) performed a program of operatic overtures, and a guest soprano and bass performed arias and duets. Stunning.

But before the performance began, Dr. Lohse opened the program with an introduction of the mayors onstage. The crowd went wild!!!



After the concert ended, Mayor Lohse led the VIPs on a quick walk through several blocks to a BASF-sponsored champagne celebration (the orchestra conductor joined the party as well). The entertainment was an American group that performed country western music! We joked repeatedly (alcohol had nothing to do with the repetition) that we came all the way from the U.S. to hear cowboy music!

BASF is the largest chemical corporation in the world, and it is based in Ludwigshafen. Ever wonder what makes your Levi's blue? Some kind of dye with chemicals manufactured by BASF. From plastics to laundry detergent, BASF has a hand in the chemical makeup. The Rhine River used to be among the most polluted in Europe, but BASF stepped up to the plate several years ago, imposing strict environmental controls on itself. Now the Rhine is blue and clean again, and the fish are back. End of sponsored commercial.

Judy and I struck up a conversation with the worldwide facilities director for BASF. Nice guy. Judy asked him how many people report to him directly. I don't recall the exact response, but it was in the thousands.

Then we were introduced to Doris Barnett, member of the German Bundestage (parliament) who chairs the Committee on Economic Affairs and Technology. She lives in Berlin with her husband, who is an American from San Diego! They both have dual German/U.S. citizenship. He and I spent a long time sharing stories about our hometown. Marcel took a photo, which I'll include in my eventual wrap-up (don't forget to send me that CD, Marcel!)

Back at our hotel, I settled in for the night only to be awakened an hour or so later by what sounded like riots in the street. I couldn't figure out what was happening -- horns honking, people yelling, firecrackers going off, etc. I kept waiting for the sound of sirens that would signal the arrival of police to break up the madness, but that never happened. It continued all night long. This morning at 5 a.m., when I came downstairs to use this computer, I asked the night desk clerk what all the hubbub was about. Turns out Turkey won a soccer game last night. The revelry continued to the nightclub next door, where until just a few minutes ago the music was deafening in that Euro/Techno-style. Lots of tour buses are lined up outside right now, presumably to take the drunken revelers outta here.

OK, I'm heading upstairs to get ready for a train trip to Heidelburg.

Stay tuned!

Farewell, Järvenpää!

It's never easy to bid farewell to friends.

Tonight was the official 25th anniversary celebration of the Sister City relationship of Järvenpää, Finland, and Pasadena, California. It also marked our last evening with our gracious Finnish hosts before we head to Germany.



About 25 people gathered at Kallio-Kuninkala, a graceful manor house owned by the Paloheimo Foundation. Some of you may know that Y.A. Paloheimo was the Finnish Consul for the southwest region of the U.S. who was married to the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Adalbert Fenyes, who built the Fenyes Mansion that is now part of the Pasadena Museum of History complex.

Kallio-Kuninkala has been in the Paloheimo family for 110 years and now is owned by the Paloheimo Foundation. For more than 30 years Kallio-Kuninkala has been the site of Sibelius Academy courses for Finnish music students.

Shortly after our arrival, Mr. Lauri Paloheimo, a direct descendent of Y.A. Paloheimo, provided an overview of Kallio-Kuninkala.



We were fortunate to be entertained by Sibelius Academy students Ann-Karin Korhonen (left) and Meri-Tuuli Saarnio. They played a traditional Finnish song followed by a tune composed by Ann-Karin. The harp-like instrument is called a Kantele, which is uniquely Finnish.



Next came this wonderful songbird -- Enni Haaparanta -- who sang two short songs: one whimsical and the second a more serious number composed by Jean Sibelius. By the way, she was an exchange student in Pasadena when she was in high school.



Mayor Erkki Kukkonen spoke about the relevance of our Sister City relationship from his city's perspective, and Mayor Bill Bogaard did the same from Pasadena's perspective.

Then there was an exchange of diplomatic gifts. Mayor Kukkonen presented a tray by architect Alvar Aalto, who designed the Joonas Kokkonen home that we visited last night.



Mayor Bogaard presented a crystal award with an inscription commemorating the 25th anniversary.



Mr. Kimberly Hargan is the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki (more about that below as I work backwards through the day). He was representing Barbara Barrett, the American Ambassador to Finland, who had a commitment tonight with some Japanese visitors. Mr. Hargan, who was raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and whose brother studied on scholarship years ago at Pasadena Playhouse, made compelling remarks about the importance of public diplomacy and how sharing cultures broadens the world for everyone in it. He has beem in the U.S. diplomatic service for 20 years; this is his second year serving in Helsinki.



The final speaker was Ari Salmi, a former exchange student who spent a summer studying at Pasadena City College when he was 17 as a participant in the Telescopes in Education program. Now he is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Helsinki and his main field of study is ultrasonics. He related his experiences in Pasadena, where he did hands-on work at Mt. Wilson and JPL. I would swear I took a photo of Ari, but I can't find it.

We enjoyed a beautiful buffet dinner and visited with each other. Here's a high-level conference with the two mayors and Ilkka Holmila, the City of Järvenpää city architect.



The man in the middle is Pekka Luuk, a long-time member of the Järvenpää Ctiy Council and co-founder 25 years ago of the local chapter of the Finnish-American Society. To his left is Sheila Lamson and to his right is someone from the Jäarvenpää group whose name I don't know (sorry).



After retiring to the back porch for dessert and coffee, more gifts were exchanged -- this time between the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee and the Järvenpää chapter of the Finnish-American Society.



Ooh! Remember Ari who studied at PCC? That's him seated on the left!

I can't continue without giving a special shout-out to the fellow standing to the right of Ari. Pasi (pronounced POSS-ee) Ketolainen is the president of the Jäarvenpää Chapter of the Finnish-American Society, which of course is a voluntary position. His salaried position is as a physics teacher at Järvenpään Lukio, the local high school. Pasi is to be commended for being such an excellent teacher and mentor that one or two of his students qualify just about every year for the International Physics Olympiad. Pasi also has a keen sense of humor and never misses the opportunity to tell a funny joke with a decidedly Finnish twist. No matter what topic we might be discussing at any moment, Pasi can be counted on to say, "I have an anecdote about that!"

I don't have a photo of this, but at the end of our celebration Mayor Kukkonen presented each of us in the Pasadena delegation with a three-CD set of the the music of Jean Sibelius.

As a classical music aficionado who performed a recital version of "Finlandia" on the piano when I was a kid, the presentation of this gift brought me to tears. Besides, Judy Kent and I visited the Sibelius home earlier in the day (more about that below), which was an overwhelming experience. I will treasure this collection always.

As we prepared to leave this memorable celebration and head back to our hotel, two of the City of Järvenpää employees sent special greetings to some City of Pasadena staff: Leena Ritala, manager of international affairs, sends best wishes to Patsy Lane, director of the Pasadena Human Services and Recreation Department; and Ilkka Holmila, the city architect, extends a hearty hello to Pasadena Planning and Development Director Richard Bruckner.

* * *

The Pasadena group began the day today with a trip to the City of Järvenpää Technical Department, which oversees recreation, urban planning and internal services such as housekeeping.

The group got an overview of the department and learned about issues from, left to right, Jukka Laitila, city surveyor; Jyrki Meronen, director of the department; Hannele Portman, who oversees recreation programs; and Heidi Kawhanen, an intern.



The meeting took place at Järvenpää City Hall.



Next they visited the swimming complex, which includes swimming pools for athletes and children plus one for hydro-therapy; a water park; jacuzzis; exercise areas and more.



Judy and I played hooky! We just needed a little time away from the tight (although necessary) schedule, so we took a taxi to Ainola, the home in Järvenpää of Jean Sibelius, the most important composer in Finlands's history. It requires a bit of hike through the woods, but what a beautiful setting. Sibelius lived there from 1904 until his death in 1957.



"Finlandia" is his most famous work, although he is renowned for his many other compositions as well. While Finland was under Russian rule, "Finlandia" was banned in 1917 for being so identified with Finnish national aspirations.

Sibelius and his wife Aino are buried on the property.



Judy had her handy-dandy Pasadena Star-News with her, so we asked a docent to snap our photo at the entrance to the home.



* * *

We returned to the hotel, where we changed into "dress for success" attire and joined the rest of the Pasadena delegation (and some Järvenpää city employees as well) for a trip back to Helsinki for a celebration of our nation's independence.

We each got individual invitations.



Wow, what an impressive scene! The U.S. Embassy in Helsinki is massive, on sweeping grounds overlooking the Baltic Sea. Hundreds of people were there -- I had no idea there were so many Americans in these parts! Plus a large cadre of the international diplomatic corps was there to help us celebrate.

There was extremely strict security. Sadly, no cameras were allowed so I have absolutely nothing to show you. But it was a great scene. Barbara Barrett is the U.S. Ambassador to Finland, and I got myself into the reception line so I could greet her personally. There was a huge catering tent with all-American food and drink, including hot dogs, hamburgers, Pringles, m&m's, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Miller Beer, Beringer wines from California, and on and on. The entire scene was decorated in red, white and blue. The program was very nice, with the colors posted by the U.S. Marine battalion assigned to the embassy, the U.S. and Finnish national anthems, and a short yet inspiring speech by Ms. Barrett about the significance of America's Declaration of Independence and its impact on the world.

Then it was back to the hotel for a couple of hours of down time before we headed to Kallio-Kuninkala, and now you're all caught up!

At o-dark-30 tomorrow we will head for the Helsinki airport and the flight Frankfurt, and then the drive to Ludwigshafen!

Sleep tight.