Art in the Ordinary (#2)

I've given up trying to eat all of the roasted pumpkin seeds left over from our four Halloween jack-o-lanterns. (I've decided to photograph them instead...)

Settings: Part 39

Did you guys think I'd forgotten about my favorite game?

Slap on those director's caps and channel your inner auteur. I've given you the perfect setting ... just tell me, if this were part of a movie, what would happen here?

Starr Gazing

I know it's rather early to mention this, but history lovers need to mark their calendars now for an upcoming library event. On January 19 at 7:00 PM, the Friends of the South Pasadena Library will host Author Night with historian Kevin Starr at the library Community Room.

Those of you who know me well have undoubtedly listened to me wax with rhapsodic wonder about Dr. Starr's incredible books on California. Seriously, this man makes California's wild, mythical and outrageous past come alive in ways that most novelists can only dream of.

His Americans and the California Dream series is like a time machine ride through the grand-sweeping saga that created our state. (Embattled Dreams is my favorite in the series, covering the tumultuous 1940s.) Dr. Starr leaves nothing out of his narrative -- from big ideas to the smallest details of California's epic story. He's a scholarly historian to be sure, but he has the heart of a poet, not to mention the literary chops of a master storyteller. (Can you tell I'm a gushing fan?)

I'll mention this again as the date approaches, but make a note now! And for those of you who haven't already done so: go out and buy Dr. Starr's books. You'll thank me when I see you at the event.

You can read more about Author Night with Kevin Starr right here.

Into Infinity

I've stopped trying to figure out how many gorgeous, tree-lined pathways there are in South Pas. Not an infinite number, but too many to count.

Caption This Photo (#80)

It's election day in South Pas. I open the floor to your comments...

Advice From a Store Window Display

Agreed!

Sign of Bygone Days

If you walk along the south side of Mission, you'll notice this unassuming little marker for a former South Pasadena ice cream parlor. For almost forty years, Fosselman's served up homemade frozen treats in the historical Ong Building, on the corner of Mission and Fair Oaks across from Fair Oaks Pharmacy.

When the lovely glazed-brick building opened in 1911, it was hailed as the pride of the South Pas merchant community -- noted for being the largest, most opulent business structure in town. Although the building served as an address for institutions as diverse as South Pasadena Savings bank and Chaffee's Basket Grocery, one of the most beloved tenants was Fosselman's Ice Cream and Coffee Shop.

When Fosselman's opened its doors in 1937, Depression-weary South Pas residents could treat themselves to a double dipped cone for only a nickel. (Those who wanted to splurge could order a large malt for a dime.) For decades, San Gabriel Valley ice cream lovers flocked to the South Pas shop for frozen confefections made by hand.

In 1974, the Ong Building was demolished, giving way to the unremarkable bank building that still stands.

(Today we can enjoy the legendary yumminess of Fosselman's ice cream -- still made with love by the Fosselman family -- at Busters or at the Fosselman's store in Alhambra.

Keeping Warm

Temps are falling. (Perfect weather for snuggling...)

Tucked Away Modern

I'm always surprised by the examples of contemporary architectural design in a city known for its historical buildings. This one sort of blends into the trees just south of Huntington, offering a nice mirror for those old-fashioned telephone poles.

Time Machine

Kinda makes me want to do this...

Caption This Photo (#79)

I really need help with this one...

Fenced In

Today is the first day of the month, and that mean's it's Theme Day for participating City Daily Photo bloggers. Today's theme is Fences.

It's a shame that someone swapped concrete blocks for wood in this historical Oaklawn fence, but you can still admire the handpicked river rock in the pillars. Learn more about the history of this Greene & Greene designed South Pas neighborhood at my Patch column here, or get the Cliff Notes' version from this blog post.

For more interpretations of today's Theme Day, check out my fellow photo bloggers from all over the world. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants