Self Portrait: Shakers

It's been a busy couple of days. If anybody wants me, I'll be loading up on coffee, eggs and hashbrowns while compulsively playing hashtag games on Twitter. (As illustrated above.) Special thanks to everyone who came out to the reception for my photo exhibit, South Pas: Observed at Charlie's Coffee House on Saturday evening. I'm honored to have so many good friends. (My pal Petrea Burchard at Pasadena Daily Photo posted such a nice piece about it yesterday that I now have a head SOOOOO big, it won't fit through the door.) Another big thank you to everyone who packed the house at yesterday's Encore, Rialto symposium at the South Pasadena Library Community Room. Chamber of Commerce wonderboy Scott Feldmann put together a great afternoon of entertainment, information and inspiration. Stay tuned to my Patch column for more video interviews with other Rialto fans as well as case studies of other theaters who have successfully reopened. (If I'm lucky, I'll even convince the original Rialto cast of Rocky Horror moviegoers to do the time warp AGAIN. On video, of course.)

Market Analysis

Hey, someone took a bite out of my still life. (Can you find it?)

Late summer produce abounds at the South Pasadena Farmers Market, and some of it is as artistically inspiring as it is tasty. For 11 years the market has been a fantastic place for food (and creative inspiration) but now that the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has taken over operations it just keeps getting better and better. The Chamber continues to add a broader selection featuring new farmers. (In addition to traditional produce like watermelon you can now find stonefruit and organic Asian greens. Take that other farmers markets!) The South Pas market has more certified organic growers than ever before with even more coming on board under the wise and watchful eye of market manager Greta Dunlap. Greta knows her business: she served as an advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture for eight years and is President of the California Small Farm Conference. Greta also is a member of the California Federation of Certified Farmers’ Markets, the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) and the California Alliance for Family Farmers. Read about her right here.

You'll find more and more community-oriented events in the coming months, too. Next Thursday, August 26th, the market presents a Back to School Safety Fair and Healthy Food Gathering. Count me in!