Writers both famous and undeservedly little-known have lived in, or passed through, Pasadena and her sister towns, and we’ve collected some of their bot mots about these towns. Recently we posted Part 1; here’s Part 2. Tiny ramshackle houses gave way to stores, and then again to houses, albeit nicer, as they crossed into Alhambra, and nicer [...]
We are upstairs at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, and the folding chairs are filling fast. Somebody has thoughtfully placed a cooler of cheap beer toward the back of the space, and the hospitality is gratefully received by the crowd gathered to hear several experts discuss the work of the late Los Angeles poet and novelist Charles Bukowski.
The event is billed “An Evening with Bukowski’s Friends,” and the night’s speakers have been chosen by the author’s widow, Linda Lee Bukowski. The woman at the podium, though, does not look like the usual Bukowski connoisseur.
The taqueria is taken to a new level here—true, you order at the counter, but you can have a superb margarita (a mere $4) while you wait, the setting is upscale, the tortillas are handmade on-site, and the food is better than at its fancier parent restaurant, the Pasadena El Cholo. It’s a panaderia, so [...]
Hardcover Fiction Sentry, Robert Crais Clara and Mr Tiffany, Susan Vreeland While Mortals Sleep, Kurt Vonnegut Swamplandia, Karen Russell Border Lords, T. Jefferson Parker Sherlockian, Graham Moore Object of Beauty, Steve Martin Fatal Error, J A Jance Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Aimee Bender The Help, Kathryn Stockett Hardcover Non-Fiction How I Killed Pluto and [...]
How lucky am I? Yesterday afternoon I walked a fraction of a block to the grand opening of the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse. Just when I had given up hope that anything would be built on the site of the long-abandoned service station at the top of the street, Peter and Lenora Wannier purchased the property and fought hard to fulfill their dream of creating a first-class independent bookstore.
Writers both famous and undeservedly little-known have lived in, or passed through, Pasadena and her sister towns, and we’ve collected some of their bot mots about these towns. Here’s Part 1 of our favorites; stay tuned for Part 2 soon. Now I was truly in “God’s country”—the real Southern California which is peerless…. Next day, [...]
Seemingly all of Pasadena turns out to enjoy this lovely summer-evening happening sponsored by Pasadena Heritage. The bridge is closed to automobiles and filled with food booths, children’s activities, antique-car displays and stages for live bands. Everyone eats, drinks, dances and mingles with their neighbors. It’s one of the must-attend events of the summer. Colorado Blvd. [...]
The brainchild of L.A. County Parks and Rec and the Cal Phil conductor, Victor Vener, this summertime series has been selling out to al fresco music lovers since its inception. Indy and series tickets are available on the Great Lawn for table seating or BYO lawn chair; picnicking is encouraged, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with [...]
Created in 1903 to care for animals, this wonderful organization serves several cities in the west San Gabriel Valley, offering animal control, pet adoption and training classes, all through a beautiful facility just south of Old Town. Its September, the Wiggle Waggle Walk around the Rose Bowl is a great deal of fun and a [...]
Altadena Homes Tour Altadena Guild of Huntington Memorial Hospital 626.304.4678, altadenaguild.org Tour in spring Since 1952 this annual tour has benefited the important work of what is now called the Huntington Medical Research Institutes. With no shortage of worthwhile architecture in Altadena, we know it will be around for another 50 years. Architectural Tours L.A. [...]
