Friday, November 20, 2009

More Drive-By

This isn't really a drive-by shot, silly. It's not safe to shoot photographs while driving. This is a park-by shot.

But I'm keeping up my (teeny tine-y) theme in support of the Put a Fork in Hunger food drive, which is coming up this weekend (details below). The drive was put together by The Fork Guys: Phil Coombes, Ken Marshal and Bob Stane.

Two of The Fork Guys, Ken and Bob, operate the Coffee Gallery Backstage. I shot this photo at the back side of the building. I figure it's appropriate, it's a back room. Plus I love that sign in the window.

The Coffee Gallery Backstage offers musical entertainment in the evenings. Check the website for what's coming up. It's an intimate cabaret, dressed up to look like a coffee bean warehouse. But the room doesn't sit idle during the day. "For a slight fee or absolutely free depending on the event," the Coffee Gallery Backstage is a meeting room, a community space of sorts. For me it's a cherished spot because I join there once a month with one of my favorite groups, at the combined meeting of the local chapters of the Alameda Writers Group and the Independent Writers of Southern California.

Thanks so much, Fork Guys.

Update Friday morning: just received this bulletin from Phil:
Due to major traffic and safety concerns, people dropping off non-perishable items for food drive MUST enter Bellefontaine off Fair Oaks and proceed West. We want this to be safe and successful with no danger of accidents or the city shutting us down.
BTW, we are in desperate need of volunteers for both days. Please call Phil or email him if you can assist on either day for shifts 8-11 or 11-2. His number is below.

Details of the Put a Fork in Hunger Food Drive to benefit Union Station Homeless Services:
Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd between 8am and 4pm, at the Fork in the Road where Pasadena and St. John Avenues meet south of Bellefontaine. Drive by slowly (see update, above) and hand your non-perishable food items to the volunteers in the bright orange t-shirts and holding outreach bags. The Fork guys are also looking for volunteers. For further information or to volunteer, contact Phil @ AgentPhil.com or call 626 644-3227.

11 comments:

HearkenCreative said...

Gotta say how much I love the Coffee Gallery Backstage. I have never seen a bad act there. And I aspire to getting my trio good enough that one day we'll get to take that stage. What a great venue. I highly recommend racing to buy tickets when they get The Perfect Gentlemen up on stage; those guys can sing and make you laugh better than any group I have seen in a long time.

Susan C said...

Is this a Myron Hunt?

Bellis said...

In today's Pasadena Star-News, Ann Erdman is quoted as saying "it's unclear if the food drive will be allowed on the fork's actual site." I think it depends on Caltrans - I hope they don't stick a fork in it after all.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thanks, Bellis. I received this urgent bulletin from Phil this morning:

"Due to major traffic and safety concerns, people dropping off non-perishable items for the food drive MUST enter Bellefontaine off Fair Oaks and proceed West. We want this to be safe and successful with no danger of accidents or the city shutting us down.

"BTW, we are in desperate need of volunteers for both days. Please call Phil or email him if you can assist on either day for shifts 8-11 or 11-2."

Phil @ AgentPhil.com or call 626 644-3227.

Hee hee, Susan, it has to be. Either that or a Sylvanus Marston.

Loren, let us know when you get hired! In Googling Bob Stane I found some "rants" he wrote for acts to study. Google him and you'll learn about his standards. Something to shoot for!

Desiree said...

Yes this place looks oddly familiar--almost as if I've been there--

Margaret said...

Hope they get lots of donations.

Anonymous said...

There's 50/50 chance my house is a Myron Hunt.

Bellis said...

Bob's advice for the groups is good - that room is so small, a noisy rock band would burst everyone's eardrums. Acoustic music would sound amazing.

As for the food drive, the Star-News now carries this:

"...people are being encouraged to go west on Bellefontaine Street to the 800 block of Pasadena Avenue, where they can hand non-perishable items to volunteers between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. both days."

As Pasadena Avenue is a one-way street heading north, I think we're supposed to go west on Bellefontaine (from Fair Oaks), then take the right fork in the road (which is not at The Fork) onto Pasadena Avenue. That would make the collection point opposite Rosetree Cottage and the Ronald McDonald house. I hope there'll be a good response - c'mon everybody, fork out.

Petrea Burchard said...

My house is not a Myron Hunt.

I think they're going to have a crowd this weekend. I might park very far away and walk!

pasadenapio said...

Thanks for posting this update.

There were simply too many issues related to traffic flow and public safety for the event to be allowed to proceed in the median area.

Petrea Burchard said...

That makes sense, Ann. I think we all want it to be a success in the best way.