Color-Coordinated

Laurie's always finding funky color-coordinated car/building combinations in South Pasadena. That South Pas is a snappy dresser.

I never see that here. It doesn't mean Pasadena doesn't like to dress up. It may just mean I don't have an eye for fashion. But this little ensemble worked for me.

Altadena Close-up

I had a good time getting my camera back up to Altadena. The alley behind Mariposa Street is one of my favorite views in town, believe it or not. Maybe because it's old-fashioned. A lot of people like it, I think. I understand it's often used for movie shoots. Of course, you could say that about pretty much all of Altadena.

The orange squares on the upper part of the building are plates that anchor reinforcing bolts. It's earthquake protection. (I blogged about it last year.) I think they add a little something.

There are 67 businesses on the Arts Coalition directory. I didn't get to everybody, which gives me an excuse to go back. Like I needed one.

While you're checking out Altadena, check out Bill Westphal's Altadena WeatherCam. It even makes me jealous, and I live about 5 miles away.

Yesterday was an exciting day for Pasadena Daily Photo. Welcome, new visitors and followers! I hope you'll get involved in the conversation.

The Gallery at the End of Lake Avenue

It's Altadena week here on the old blog. For such a teeny corner of the LA sprawl, I found a lot to do in one Friday night.

McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World is a revelation. I'm tempted to use words like "funky," "whimsical," "charming" or "laid-back," but oh, blah blah blah blah. McGinty's is all of these things and none of these things. It is completely itself: welcoming, lush, open and cozy at the same time. And that's just the space.
Even the gallery greeter is an absolute individual.

Some of the art you'll love, some you might even hate. That's the nature of art. The art will change depending on who's showing what when. I hope they update the website soon so we can see what's coming up, but just go. The gallery's full of great stuff right now.

I get the impression that owner Ben McGinty is a busy guy. But although he was running the show during the Altadena Arts Coalition Open House, he took time to welcome everyone who wandered through with their mouths hanging open just as I did. I believe the people in the top photo are writing on the furniture. (Tip: art is everywhere. Be sure to look up.)

Fotoboy Ibarionex says Ben is the "self-proclaimed mayor of Altadena." Altadena is in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles county and doesn't have an official city government of its own. But if Altadena did have a government and Ben ran for mayor, he'd probably have a shot at the job.

Creative Muscle

Altadena Junction looks like a small theater, which it is. But it's more than just a theater. It was entirely appropriate that the Altadena Junction celebrated the Arts Coalition Open House with Alex Schaefer painting twenty-minute portraits, because from what I can tell the place is all about art, whatever form it takes.

I say "from what I can tell" because I don't know much about it yet. But I know proprietor Lance Anderson brings world-class storytelling to Altadena. (I quizzed him Friday night and now I've had a chance to Google him.) He's also bringing in a photography exhibit, teaching workshops and performing his one-person play.

Another cool thing about the Junction is the Healing Arts aspect. Dr. M. (Dr. Marisol Martinez) offers a variety of services including chiropractic. And yoga! I hear the classes are great.

Click on Alex Schaefer's link to see the final painting from the session above. It's the one on the middle right (obviously). Middle left is Altadena photographer and teacher Ibarionex Perello. If you want to study some great shots, study his blog. When I ran into Ibarionex at the Altadena Junction it didn't surprise me. It's a place for creative people. It has that energy.

I can't wait to see what else Lance Anderson is going to do.

Crouching Photographer, Little Dragons

Now that Zen Monday is past we can get back to Altadena! I have a few more pictures to post of last Friday night's Altadena Arts Coalition Open House.

The Two Dragons Martial Arts Studio is just north of Webster's at 2490 N. Lake Avenue. I found some little dragons performing amazing feats on the sidewalk. It was hot out, and because they worked so hard for the camera it's only fair that they get two photos.

Besides the Little Dragons program, the Two Dragons studio has Tai Chi classes for all ages, plus Kenpo, weapons training and Chaun-Shu. (There are so many confusing links on Google for Chaun-Shu I'm going to let you choose your own.)

The Little Dragons martial arts program "is a fun and educational program with a detailed curriculum that focuses on improving listening and motor skills as well as confidence and enthusiasm." These kids had all that going on.

Zen Monday: #49

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what the photo's about.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo, I'll add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary (and if I know what it is).

A Theosophical Question

How many times have you driven by the Theosophical Library Center on Lake Avenue in Altadena and just...kind of...wondered what they did in there?

Altadena stayed open 'til 9:00 Friday night and I was there to explore. The Theosophical Library Center closed at 4:30 as usual and I got there at 4:25, with just enough time to take a picture and ask a few questions in this tranquil space.

According to the literature, the primary objective of the Library "is to provide the resources which can lead to a better understanding of the wisdom of life and its essential commonality." Among many others, the library offers books published by the Theosophical University Press. Those books are available online for free, I'm told.

The Library is open almost every day from 2:00-4:30. Call (626) 7898-8020 to make sure.

What is Theosophy? Well, that's a little question with a very big answer.