The Photographers Photographer

I’ve mentioned here before the difficulty I encounter to blog and how I envy those of you who have the time & organization to blog more than once a week, and even daily!

One problem I have with blogging is just deciding on the subject! It’s not for a lack of topics.  Actually the amount of material can so overwhelm me to the point of paralyzing me from blogging until another day, or week. I call it Bloggers Block.

Luckily I didn’t have to postpone today’s post to another day. It took only 2-3 minutes to find & decide upon…Cafe Pasadena’s Believe It or Not!  Besides, it’s been waiting over 2 years for its turn, so it’s about time.

 

So, what’s with this blog post?

 

 

Pictured above I’m at the new Euro Pane Bakery & Cafe, between the Paseo Colorado & Citihall, back in 2010 about a month prior to its opening. (Has it been over 2 years already??)

There are numerous things, to say the least, which need to be done prior to opening a restaurant, or any business.  The activities on that particular day were part of menu planning. While the menu would be basically like the original Euro Pane, the new would have a few new wrinkles added.

On this same day I photographed the professional photographer above.  He was there with his wife. They are professional photographers & filmmakers specializing in travel. When they arrived they got most of our attention temporarily off the restaurant/food and onto their travel work and their Canon camera! 

I was pleasantly surprised to hear a couple of my women friends discussing photography with this photographer. Although not pros, they definitely sounded like serious amateur photogs compared to me!  I still use only a point & shoot and ask questions later camera as my only weapon. I’m not ready to advance to the next Xpen$ive camera yet.

 

Food & Photography: When opposites attract. 

 

Food is the main purpose for my carrying a camera. What is your chief reason to have a camera??

 

 

Gotta Point & Shoot. Stay Thirsty My Friends

The Literary Life

 

Do you like to Read?

And if you do, do you actually do Read?

 

 

 

 

Do you have a favorite Ipadstore, or, bookstore, In or Out of Pasadena?

What makes it your kinda place to be?

 

 

 

 

 

Gotta Check Out a Few Things. Stay Thirsty My Friends

Mystery History Pasadena – Solved!

Well, my  legions of serious book readers spotted the obvious in this latest mysterious history photograph – a Library!  The photo is from a California southland magazine in the early 1920’s.

But whose library?  And why was it significant enuf to be featured on Cafe Pasadena?!!

 

 

 

What is it: The Rare Books/Spanish Library Room at our historic Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena.  Here resided the first editions, the finely bound, rare, valuable book collection of its founder/owner A.C. Vroman.

Location/Description:  Above the bookstore on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena.  If this photo was indeed taken in the early 1920s, then Vroman’s would have already moved from their original location, at 60 E. Colorado Blvd, down the block to 329 E. Colorado.  This library was high above the bookstore below. Steep stairs, almost as narrow as a ladder lead to a quiet nook.  Wood paneling, wood everywhere. Books behind glass enclosed shelves.  Oh, and of course a fireplace that is not seen in this angle.

How Library Began: Founder A. C. Vroman was a devout book collector and avid photographer. In fact this was his 2nd collection. He sold his first in the 19th century to help fund the opening of Vroman’s.  By the time of this photo he had long passed away but his book, and photograph, collection lived on through its donation to the Pasadena Public Library.

You can read much more of Vroman’s history in Jane Apostol’s Vroman’s of Pasadena.  I suggest you buy it at Vroman’s bookstore.

Can you imagine yourself studying, reading, in that cozy library?  The smell & feel of wood.  Classics, rarities, in beautiful bindings and paper.  In your hands.  Quietude from the busy traffic of Colorado Blvd below. Surrounding, comforting you.

And now you know some of the rest of the story.

 

 

Gotta Rest. Stay Thirsty My Friends

The Art of Food…Tender Greens

A few months ago I mentioned here our new Pasadena Tender Greens.

At that time I knew that while the doors were now open for business, the restaurant was still awaiting some fine tuning. Namely completion of the signage, and then to fill the bare walls with works of Art!

Come this Friday evening (7pm-9pm) at Tender Greens you will be able to see the official unveiling & completion at the art reception called, “Love Pasadena.”  For some of you may I suggest that would be a good time to make your first visit to Tender Greens?

Tender Greens commissioned Chris Reccardi for a permanent installation of new art. Chris is a Pasadena artist with an appreciation for this community as you’ll note below and will see more of come Friday. But he also holds experience outside of the area in film & TV. 

When he was first working up his concepts & visions I happen to mention to him & one of the owners of TG how it would be nice if there was a Pasadena theme.  They must’ve been reading my mind because they were already on that road!  Basically I would interpret his “Love, Pasadena” artworks as following the lives of a couple of Pasadenan’s in their emotional moments with some of our historic landmarks as the colorful noire backdrop.

 

Pasadena Colorado Street Bridge

 

You will also be able to see 2 pieces of new art from Kii Arens whose art currently graces the Hollywood Tender Greens. Kii is a pop artist who has done much work in the world of  Rock n Roll art.  Among the musical acts he’s designed for: Van Halen, R.E.M., Liz Phair, & even Seal.

I hear there may even be some special food that night…uh, my attendance is probable. If you also come and I’m there, but it’s your first time, I’ll be happy to suggest what to order.

 

Come out of your hibernation and show your support for another creative part of Pasadena. Tender Greens is between Roy’s Hawaiian & the landmark (old) Bank of the West building.

 

 

Getting a Sweet Tooth. Stay Thirsty My Friends