Andy Warhol, Billy Al Bengston and Dennis Hopper at the opening of Marcel Duchamp's 1963 retrospective at the Pasadena Art Museum. Photo: Julian Wasser

I came across this great photograph in a recent book review from the Wall Street Journal “When the West Coast Went Pop.”  It reminded me of the wonderfully rich and varied history behind the Norton Simon Museum, which perhaps, few people know.   In reviewing two separate books addressing the West Coast and Pop Art, the opening lines from the WSJ posit:

Where else would Andy Warhol have actually met his conceptual godfather,  Marcel Duchamp, in the flesh but in Los Angeles in the 1960s? The  occasion was the opening of Duchamp’s first American retrospective, in  1963, at the old Pasadena Art Museum.

The Norton Simon Museum has a long illustrious history dating back to the founding of the Pasadena Art Institute in 1924.  It became the Pasadena Art Museum in 1954, and concentrated its efforts on the acquisition and exhibition of modern art.  From the Norton Simon Museum’s website:

In 1964, the Museum decided to expand its programs. It commissioned the  Pasadena-based architectural firm of Ladd Kelsey to design a new  85,000-square-foot structure on the original Carmelita Park site.  On November 24, 1969, the new Pasadena Art Museum opened.  Purchases and donations of modern art included works by Larry Bell, Richard   Diebenkorn, Ellsworth Kelly, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Ed Ruscha, Frank Stella and Andy Warhol.

Gallery of Andy Warhol exhibition, 1970, Pasadena Art Museum.

Over the next two decades the   Pasadena Art Museum earned an international reputation for organizing  and presenting critically acclaimed exhibitions of 20th century art.   They presented the first retrospective of the work of Marcel Duchamp  (with Duchamp attending), exhibitions of Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg,   Joseph Cornell, a landmark Bauhaus exhibition, and many others.

Read the entire history and how in 1975 the name of the institution changed to the Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena at www.nortonsimon.org/museum-history.

Don’t miss  Vermeer’s “Woman with a Lute” on Loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Norton Simon Museum through September 26, 2011.

Backlit Directory at the corner of Raymond and Colorado

Just in time for the busy holiday rush, 12 new back-lit directory signs have been installed throughout Old Pasadena.  These signs are two feet wide, three feet high and are lit from behind so they are easily read during the day or night.  The signs supplement the printed  directory maps located throughout the District, and specifically in the parking garages and handed out by our Guides.  They will be updated twice annually.  Now it is even easier than ever for your friends, visitors and customers to find their way around the District.

While you are out and about, have a look at these new additions to our Way-Finding Program.  The new directories can be found mounted to the City’s electrical boxes at the following locations:

• S/E corner of Holly Street and Fair Oaks Avenue
• S/E corner of Union Street and Fair Oaks Avenue
• S/E corner of Colorado Blvd. and Pasadena Avenue
• S/E corner of Colorado Blvd. and De Lacey Avenue
• S/E corner of Colorado Blvd. and Fair Oaks Avenue
• S/E corner of Colorado Blvd. and Raymond Avenue
• S/E corner of Green Street and Fair Oaks Avenue
• S/E corner of Union Street and De Lacey Avenue
• S/W corner of Green Street and De Lacey Avenue
• S/W corner of Union Street and Arroyo Parkway
• S/E corner of Green Street and Pasadena Avenue
• S/E corner of Fair Oaks and Walnut Avenue

Posted by:  Anna Grazioli, VP of Operations, OPMD

We are long familiar with the wonderful archive maintained by the Pasadena Museum of History and have even used historic photographs from their research library on the elevator doors in the three Park & Walk garages, as well as on a photo-mural in the Schoolhouse garage entrance.   These photographs tell the rich story of Pasadena’s early years and so we are very pleased to announce the launch of the Pasadena Digital History Collaboration!  Now you can browse through hundreds of digital images of Pasadena people and places – for free online. Check it out at www.pasadenadigitalhistory.com or on Facebook under Pasadena Digital History.

Original Pasadena Schoolhouse - Park & Walk Garage mural

A partnership of Pasadena Public Library, Pasadena Museum of History and Pasadena City College’s Shatford Library, the user-friendly site makes it easy to browse through and download files from the collections of all three institutions. Their mission is to build the largest, comprehensive database of Pasadena images, stories and publications available for students, researchers and history buffs. The collections are currently divided into four categories: Tournament of Roses; Rose Bowl; Busch Gardens; and Old Town Pasadena.  There are currently 87 items in the Old Town Pasadena category, and you can browse them now here.

Help Identify Mystery Photos

Pasadena Digital History needs your help! If you recognize any people, places, or things in one of these photos, please share with them what you know on Flickr.

For more information, e-mail info@pasadenadigitalhistory.com or call (626) 744-4279.

The City of Pasadena is asking for your input.  They are offering a community workshop and there are two dates from which to choose.  No excuses!  It is imperative that the business community be represented in these plans.  We urge you to attend one of the meetings and make your voice heard.  Download the flyer here and share this with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

HELP US MAP OUT THE NEW PLAN!

It’s time to start putting our plans down on paper.  We’ve heard from the community through outreach programs for the General Plan updates of the Land Use and Mobility Elements, the Housing Element, the Open Space and Conservation Element, the Bicycle Master Plan, and so on.   Now we need to start pulling everything together and mapping out what the future will look like.  Join us for the next round of workshops where we will start mapping and evaluating potential land use and mobility alternatives for future discussion by the community.

Join us for the next round of community workshops at the Senior Center (85 E. Holly Street) for the General Plan update:

• Saturday, Sept. 25, 9:00am or
• Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30pm

For more information: www.cityofpasadena.net/generalplan and click “September 2010 Workshops.”

Help us tell everybody about the General Plan Update.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) recently launched a new campaign aimed at informing the public of burglary and theft from motor vehicles (BTFV and BFMV), and providing a few simple steps to keep from becoming victims of these crimes.  OPMD recommends that everyone heeds these actions to keep their valuables safe.

“The irony is that if folks would take a few extra seconds to properly store their belongings, this crime could be eliminated. There is no good reason to be the victim of a BTFV or BFMV,” LAPD Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese said. The average cost of a BTFV to each victim is roughly $1885.00.

The message is simple:

·   Lock It: Lock your vehicle every time you leave it unattended and take your valuables with you.

·   Hide It: Hide your valuables in your trunk, under the seats, in the glove box, or other compartments within the vehicle. Ideally, take your property with you.

·   Keep It: Personal responsibility is the best prevention to safeguard personal property and to prevent becoming a victim.

The long-awaited opening of Intelligentsia has finally come upon us.  We are so pleased that they opened on the East side of Colorado close to Raymond (near our offices), that they cherished the 1885 building’s architectural details, and finally, that they have great coffee!  The blog-o-sphere has been a-twitter with news and reviews of the new concept Intelligentsia Pasadena “Cafe”, which includes collaborations with various well-known foodie chefs, caterers, micro-breweries, etc.  Be sure to give them a try and stay tuned as they roll-out their dinner offerings, select beer and wine bar, etc.

More great information  from Amy Scattergood’s LA Weekly blog:

Photo: Amy Scattergood

The baristas have been trained by Michael Phillips, Intelligentsia’s director of education and the 2010 World Barista Champion. The pastries are from Bottega Louis and Cake Monkey. But as soon as Intelligentsia gets its liquor license, hopefully in a few weeks, it will be adding small plates, a dinner menu and charcuterie from caterer Matthew Poley (Heirloom-LA); a wine list from Matthew Kaner (Bar Covell); and beer, both in bottles and on tap. This is the first Intelligentsia coffeehouse — there are three locations in Chicago and, now, three in Los Angeles — that will go beyond coffee, tea and pastries, and the downstairs has been converted into a small kitchen. There is also space for a second coffee bar downstairs, should the upstairs becomes too crowded.

On a personal note, I love a good Cappuccino… one good bracing caffeine indulgence a day for me.  I had read about the infamous Black Cat Espresso, to quote the Intelligentsia website:  This syrupy and sweet espresso blend has been the staple of our lineup since the very beginning. It is a product of intensive lot selection and close, direct work with the farmers who produce its components. The Black Cat Classic Espresso’s hallmark is its supreme balance and wonderful sweetness. And, yes, I can confirm that all of this is true… and more.  It was absolutely divine!  In fact, as I write about it, I am overcome with the urge to run out and buy one this very moment.  Seriously, it was unparalleled.

From their Mission statement, yes, they have a Black Cat Project mission statement:

The Black Cat Project™ is by design a pursuit of something we’ll never catch: the perfect espresso in all of its manifestations. But that doesn’t mean we’ll ever stop chasing it. This project is rooted in our belief that espresso brewing is still coffee brewing and that only the best coffees can make the best espressos. We want to push the boundaries on flavor. We want you to experience amazing single origin, Micro-Lot, and seasonal espressos with truly distinct flavor profiles that reach far beyond “chocolate” or “caramel.”

They even have a great Espresso Video on Vimeo, which has been viewed 112,000 times since it was posted in January! These guys are serious about their coffee.

Check out a great review of the lunch bags at the L.A. and O.C. Foodventures blog as well as a listing of many other write-ups:

What Do Others Say?
- FoodGPS’s Joshua Lurie provided a “what to expect” report for Feast LA.
- Mattatouille attended the media preview (and snapped a photo of me!) and simply called it “one of my favorite places in the city” and looking forward to more from their menu, beer & wine selections and of course, the coffee.
- Gourmet Pigs gave it a first look from the media preview, found it “a definite upgrade in the space that used to be Wok ‘n Roll . . . [and] easily the best restaurant in Old Town”
- LA Weekly’s Squid Ink filed a more objective outlook but said it’s “a beautiful space”
- LA Times’ Daily Dish also provided a brief report and some photos from the media preview
- Eater LA checked it out in soft opening phase, deemed it “appropriately hipster-marvelous”
- Gmangoman also went during its soft opening, called it it a “much needed addition to the Old Town Pasadena restaurant mix”

Intelligentsia Pasadena Cafe
55 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91105
626.578.1270

Construction is complete on the new pathway connecting the elevator lobby to the sidewalk on the north side of the De Lacey Garage. This new improvement provides a safe path of travel for pedestrians and parents with strollers without having to walk into the vehicular drive aisle, as was previously the case.

Before - narrow path of travel

Before - ground level handicapped parking

The new walkway along the north wall of the garage has a gentle slope and includes a hand rail between the walkway and the parking spaces. Safe paths of travel have become a new area of safety concern for cities and governmental agencies in California and OPMD was proactive in its approach to this issue in the De Lacey Garage. OPMD will continue to make improvements of this nature to the Park & Walk garages to maintain safety standards per new ADA requirements.

Posted by: Anna Addis, VP of Operations

After - Expanded walkway

After - wheelchair/stroller ramp

After - happy mother using the ramp

This weekend marks the final weekend of free screenings for the third annual Old Pasadena Film Festival, but we aren’t going out with a bang… more like a shuffle and moan.  Saturday night, July 31st, we are inviting all zombies and their respective families to Central Park (click here for map) for an outdoor screening of the quintessential “zombie movie” George Romero’s 1968 Night of the Living Dead.  A $100 gift certificate for spending anywhere in Old Pasadena will be awarded to the most creative zombie attire!

Night of the Living Dead (1968)
(Central Park, 120 S. Raymond Avenue) 8:30pm
Bring your own chairs and blankets.
The first of six “Dead” films directed by George Romero, this 1968 black-and-white zombie movie is considered groundbreaking. It tells the story of Ben and Barbara’s efforts, along with five other people, to survive the night trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse avoiding the mysterious reanimation of the recently dead. Arguably the classic horror film, Night of the Living Dead is on American Film Institute’s list of 100 Most Thrilling Movies.

I was curious about the popularity of zombies in light of the recent record-breaking annual Zombie Walk in Seattle (final count of the undead was 4,233), the great enthusiasm with which the announcement of our movie screening was received, and the fact that there are 11 million results on Google for “Night of the Living Dead”  and 43 million for “zombie”.  Even communications students in the Elon in Los Angeles program will be attending the Old Pasadena Film Festival on Saturday with a choice of viewing NOLD (that’s Night of the Living Dead for the un-initiated) or All About Eve at One Colorado Courtyard (click here for map), arguably another must-see classic.

I checked the Google Trends for “zombie” and was intrigued to find that the Philippines beat the United States in search volume.  More importantly, even with all of the Twilight hype, I compared trends and people search on “zombie” one third more than “vampire”!  So now you know.

The Zombie Research Society informs us that May is official Zombie Awareness Month, and that many zombie films are set in May, including Night of the Living Dead.  As a point of reference, the Society’s mission is three-fold:  Science; Survival (and I quote, “surviving the coming zombie pandemic“); and Art.  I will end this post with their catchy slogan: “What You Don’t Know Can Eat You!”

Google image results for NOLD

Google image results for Zombie

Last Wednesday afternoon people started lining up and preparing to camp out the night in front of the Apple Store in Old Pasadena in anticipation of the Thursday, June 24, 7:00am sale of the new iPhone 4.  “This changes everything. Again,” to quote Apple’s ad campaign.  Well, from the 1,000 plus souls awaiting their new phone, they agreed and couldn’t wait for the change to begin.

Old Pasadena Management, at the urging of our Marketing Committee (and Apple enthusiasts), decided to take advantage of this opportunity to welcome the many visitors to the district and provide them with our special brand of Old Pasadena hospitality.  Several businesses took advantage of the crowds outside their doors and opened early, like Equator and mixi-bang!, to welcome the early morning visitors.

More than 25 Old Pasadena businesses agreed to provide a special discount to anyone presenting their iPhone 4 receipt.  A banner featured this promotion on our website, an email blast was sent out, and printed fliers were handed out to the thousands of the Apple customers in line.  From a 20% discount on “I Love NY” concert tickets to savings on delicious Mignon Chocolates and free dance classes offered by the new Lineage Performing Arts Center, Old Pasadena rolled out the welcome mat.

Tiffany & Co. promoted the launch of their free new iPhone App “Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder.”  This application, which can be downloaded from iTunes, offers users the tools for selecting the perfect Tiffany diamond engagement ring.

Due to the pre-sale reservations, Apple created two distinct lines: one to the east on Colorado Boulevard and down De Lacey; and the other to the west and wrapping down Mills Place toward Green Street.  Apple served water and coffee to their patient customers, while special treats were handed out by generous Old Pasadena merchants,  including delicious Pinkberry yogurt samples, Dots Cupcakes famous mini red velvet cupcakes, Vertical Wine Bistro’s refreshing Iced Green Tea, and canine treats from Three Dog Bakery.

Pasadena-based Idealab’s newest company, Feedback.com, was on hand to promote a newly launched effort to help the gulf cleanup. Feedback.com, an online platform to allow businesses to gain feedback from their customers, and help protect their reputation on the Internet, will donate 10 cents to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s new Oil Spill Fund every time a user provides feedback on any business, person, event, product or topic on the site until July 23rd, up to a maximum donation of $50,000. In addition, Feedback.com said that any user adding feedback to the site will get a chance to win an Apple iPhone 4.

Later in the day, Apple provided umbrellas to people as the sun began to beat down on the line.

Bob from Bob’s Big Boy stopped by to add to the atmosphere, while many people circulated through the line offering to buy your old iPhone on the spot.  The lines dwindled off through late afternoon and at Apple’s 9:00pm close, it seemed that everyone had a new iPhone in hand.

Articles about the iPhone sales featuring Old Pasadena:

San Gabriel Tribune: Hundreds flock to Pasadena for Apple’s new iPhone

Contra Costa Times: Apple works to keep up with crush of iPhone demand

Videos from ABC7 featuring Old Pasadena:

Thousands line up around world for new iPhone

iPhone 4 in hot demand around the world

The City Council approved the final Outreach Summary Report at their May 17, 2010 meeting.  The report summarizes over 6,000 comments collected during nine months of community outreach.  The report can be downloaded here or go to the City of Pasadena’s website for more information: www.cityofpasadena.net/generalplan.  The report will provide a framework for the update of the Land Use, Mobility, Open Space and Conservation elements.

As the City of Pasadena moves forward with the revision of its General Plan it is imperative that commercial and economic development interests be heard. You can assure your vice is heard by attending meetings, making sure your concerns are voiced and addressed appropriately throughout the process. Your comments can be emailed to city_council@cityofpasadena.net.

Community feedback has been clear: Pasadena’s strong community character – its diversity, neighborhoods and small-town feel – should be maintained; its history and heritage preserved; new development projects well-designed; traffic reduced; alternative modes of transportation encouraged; and economic vitality in commercial areas supported.

Moving forward, the summary report will provide input, direction and a framework for updating the General Plan. The next step of the update process will begin by comparing the current General Plan elements with this outreach report to identify topics out of alignment, in conflict or not addressed. The community will then re-engage to consider land use and mobility alternatives that attempt to reflect community comments, recent environmental mandates, and other government requirements.