On Saturday June 2nd, Vroman’s will be hosting a reading dedicated entirely to one of poetry’s favorite creatures—the raven. Of the 80 Californian poets who have written in the anthology A Bird Black as the Sun: California Poets on Crows and Ravens, 14 will participate in a poetry reading at Vroman’s Bookstore.  Each poet will be reading from the anthology, and after the reading the poets will be answering questions about their literary works.  Audience members will leave with an insightful (and poetic) view of the mysterious, black bird. The event will be hosted by the anthology’s co-editors Cynthia Anderson and Enid Osborn.  The reading is free, and starts at 5 p.m.

Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626.449.5320 or vromanbookstore.com.

-Seth Nuñez

Show your support for the United States Men’s National Water Polo team as they swim head to head against the Croatian Men’s National Water Polo team on June 1, 2012 at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. Before leaving to compete in London, England in the Games of the XXX Olympiad, these two teams will demonstrate their athletic prowess and admirable determination right here in Pasadena.

A pre-game reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 6:30 p.m. Following the aquatic match, there will be a poolside dinner and the opportunity to speak individually with the members and coaches of each team. Don’t miss your chance to see the U.S. team play their last game at home before departing for the Olympic Games. Expect an engaging battle between two talented teams.

Fri., 5:30 p.m. $25-30. At the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, 360 N. Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena. 626.564.0330 or rosebowlaquatics.com

-Nick Cimarusti 

Bicycle enthusiasts, brace yourself! In case you haven’t heard, we are in the midst of this year’s 6th annual Bike Week presented by C.I.C.L.E., the L.A. based bike advocacy non-profit, and the City of Pasadena.  You can join in the celebration of bicycles as a safe and eco-friendly mode of transportation with the action-packed events happening every day until the 19th.  

Tonight, Mayor Bill Bogaard plans to conclude a leisurely ride around the Rose Bowl with an evening of entertainment and prizes! This event is family friendly, so bring along the whole gang.  Tomorrow, on nationally-recognized “Bike to Work Day,” C.I.C.L.E. is presenting two events.  First, there will be a morning pit-stop at City Hall with coffee and snacks for everyone making their morning commute on two wheels. The same evening, Pasadena’s Incycle bicycle shop will host a commuter party. They will be providing free bike safety checks and 15% discounts on selected accessories for all attendees, along with fresh brews, from New Belgium Brewing, for all cyclists over 21.  

Bicycle Friday will feature the first ever “bike-in movie” with a screening of  Pee-wee’s Big Adventure at One Colorado’s courtyard. The week will wrap up with a big finale on Saturday!  The finale will kick off with a relaxed ride around Pasadena landmarks before ending at Paseo Colorado. Once there, attendees will enjoy an evening of food, drinks, music, giveaways and awesome prizes from REI.

For the complete calendar and a list of what to bring, visit www.cicle.org.

-Seth Nuñez

Photography: cicle.org

This Saturday, May 12, Pasadena’s Central Park (275 S. Raymond Ave) is going to be stacked high with books. LitFest Pasadena plans to bring a day of literary fun to the streets of Pasadena from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.  The morning will begin with vendors filling the park with books of all shapes, sizes, and subjects, so the panelists will feel right at home when they begin to present at 10:20 a.m.

Panelists will take center stage until 4 p.m. on a variety of subjects such as “21st Century Noir”, “The Rise of the Graphic Novel”, and “The L.A. Canvas”, thus the festival has something for everyone. Some well-known authors will be dropping by to take part in the festivities as well, including Pulitzer-Prize winner Jonathan Gold, novelists Janet Fitch, Michelle Huneven, Lian Dolan, and David Ebershoff.

LitFest will not only host books and panelists; there will be food to keep the crowds fueled for literary discussions. Some of the best food trucks from around the greater L.A. area, courtesy of Chefs Center, will be making an appearance.  All of the available information about this event, i.e., panel schedules, vendors, featured authors, and more, is available on the LitFest wesbsite, We hope to see you there!

-Seth Nuñez

Art by Peter Nye

Memorial Day Weekend: BBQS. Pool parties. Family reunions, parades, a moment to reflect our nation’s military history—and Jazzy Jam.

Saturday, May 26^th marks the 4^th Annual Jazzy Jam Education for Empowerment Benefit Concert in Old Pasadena. The 2012 lineup comprises Kirk Whalum, Polyester Players, The Paris Escovedo Project, and Romaine Jones & Jasmine Colbert. The event is hosted by radio station The Wave’s Pat Prescott, and will also feature live artwork by John Barge III and Michael Haggins, and tributes to Whitney Houston, Vesta Williams and Teena Marie. In addition to the live art and music, Jazzy Jam will provide its patrons with a health pavilion, food court and craft displays.

Tickets are available now at www.jazzyjampasadena.com/. Call 626.744.8081. for more information.

-Kastalia Medrano

A rogue scientist in the “beating heart of nowhere,” ill-mannered natives, and an unexpected turn of events in the Amazon—this is just part of Ann Patchett’s world in her most recent work of fiction.

She’s bringing her wondrous story-telling to Pasadena. Join the award-winning author (Bel Canto, Truth and Beauty, The Magician’s Apprentice) at Vroman’s for a lively discussion and book signing this Wednesday.

Patchett’s writing style has been described as confident and authoritative—given the imaginative (and almost far-fetched) nature of her schemes. But her narrative, in State of Wonder, balances the classic “plot conflict” with sci-fi and societal critiques, all while shedding light on the importance of the personal odyssey.

Come see what the author has to say about it.

Wed., 7 p.m. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626.449.5320 or vromansbookstore.com

-Sean Fitz-Gerald

Join Pasadena Magazine for an inspiring afternoon of female empowerment at the beautiful Huntington Library and Gardens. Wednesday, May 9^th marks our 4^th Annual Women in Business Luncheon which will include a lively panel discussion on How to Successfully Brand and Market Your Business - and Yourself!

Among the panelists is actress and activist Shiva Rose, whose role in CSI Miami and independent film “David and Layla“ has made her a well-known name in Hollywood. Recently, she has also founded the eco-holistic website, thelocalrose.com.

Beside her will be songwriter, producer and founder of DMI Music & Media Solutions Tena Clark. One of few female producers in the industry, Clark assists in programing music for Air Force One and helped produced an album for Aretha Franklin all through her music company, DMI Music.

The third panelist, Jennifer Gross, is equal parts rocker and business guru. Gross is the founder of the hugely successful Evolutionary Media Group, responsible for elevating brands like Absolut, Volvo and W Hotel, and she will share her expertise on lifestyle marketing and media/public relations.

After being inspired by our speakers, and the influential women in your company, enjoy lunch, a carefully curated gift bag, and a private tour of the Huntington Gardens.

Wed., 11a.m. - 2p.m. $50. The Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. pasadenarose.com/events or 626.744.0954 x317

 -Tiffany Durinski

What better way to prepare for summer than to load up with cool classics at Madewell? J. Crew’s sister store has waltzed its way over to Pasadena.

April 26^th marked the official debut of the Colorado Blvd. Madewell Pasadena. At the celebratory event, approximately 200 guests sipped Voli Vodka cocktails and nibbled on delicious bites from Crystal Farms while DJs Anh and Niki from IAMSOUND Records rocked the night away. Madewell store director Dana Vitrano and her team styled attendees in the Madewell’s new spring collection. Among guests was designer Kate Albrecht, of the lifestyle brand Mr. Kate, who made and sold bracelets and other accessories all through the event.  

Whether or not you’ve been dying for a Madewell to open in Pasadena, its addition to the retail shops and cafes in Old Town will cheerfully expand our options for stocking our closets with new summer threads!

126 W. Colorado Blvd. 626.792.1261 or madewell.com.

-Tiffany Durinski

Photography by Jamie Pham

British primatologist and endangered species activist Jane Goodall has been selected as the Grand Marshal of Pasadena’s 2013 Rose Parade.

Members of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses association and the press gathered this morning at the Tournament House’s south lawn to witness the unveiling of the Grand Marshal. Dozens of association members and volunteers huddled around cups of hot cocoa and coffee to listen to a live brass quintet and to share their guesses at who the Grand Marshal would be.

The secret speaker was kept tight under wraps until 9:30 a.m. when Sally M. Bixby, president of the Tournament of Roses, addressed the morning’s attendees.

“The president is given the sole responsibility to select the theme for the Rose Parade and to select the Grand Marshal,” Bixby said.

Bixby consulted her husband and three children when mulling over the possibilities for the theme and the Grand Marshal. The theme for the 124th Rose Parade, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”, was suggested by her son, Bixby said.

“The theme can be interpreted as a celebration of accomplishment, discovery and travel … but to us, it was a call to action,” Bixby said.

A world lecturer, distinguished author of more than 27 books and a recipient of multiple honorary degrees from institutions all over the world, Bixby said Goodall best personified the theme of the 2013 Rose Parade.

With a stuffed chimpanzee in her hand, Goodall addressed the Pasadenans at the Tournament House with a chimp call and said Pasadena was much different than the surroundings she was used to during her time in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park.

Goodall, founder of the eponymous global nonprofit that works to protect the famous chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, has worked to inspire action on behalf of endangered species and to encourage people to do their part to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment since 1960—when she first traveled to what is now Tanzania.

“All of us here know that the world is really in a bit of a mess,” Goodall said. “If we would spend just a little bit of time each day thinking about the consequences of the choices that we make, the small choices: what we eat, what we wear, how we get form A to B, we would start making small changes, which as an individual mean nothing, but as collectively around the planet more and more people think about the future … oh, the places we can go!”

Goodall said although she wasn’t familiar with the Tournament of Roses (because she didn’t grow up in America), she was excited to be Grand Marshal because of what the parade stood for—which, in her words were the best qualities in human nature.

“I was really happy to be asked to be Grand Marshal for an organization that is moving toward trying to become ever more environmentally friendly, trying to play its part in making this a better world for our children and grandchildren,” Goodall said.

Goodall will attend the Rose Bowl game and ride in the 2013 Rose Parade, which will begin Jan. 1, 2013, at 8 a.m. in Pasadena.

-Sean Fitz Gerald

 Photography by Sean Fitz-Gerald