Celebrating Halloween & Dia De Los Muertos in Pasadena and Beyond!!

This is a special time for me in reflection of the symbolism of 

Halloween and the traditions of Dia De Los Muertos!

And for dressing up for fun!!

At some point in your life you are going to experience the death of someone close to you along with impending grief and sorrow. I've been there and I find it interesting that with each loss, the feelings are different and of course each individual has different feelings and processes them differently. From a few of my geographical adventures I've been fortunate to learn a little about how different cultures view death and frankly I find it refreshing!!

In Bali, Indonesia I have been fortunate enough to witness a procession and cremation ceremony! It's encouraged to play and laugh down the roads as a parade of remains makes their way to the clearing, crying is discouraged. Remains had been placed in different bulls and other creatures, carried in a procession through the streets and come to rest in a clearing where they are lighted and the smoke carries the souls to the heavens above. In Mexico there is Dia De Los Muertos where families make a pilgrimage and gather at the burial sites of departed loved ones in respect to deceased family and friends to pray, celebrate and remember. In Rome I visited a beautiful place where the bones of deceased monks have been used as decoration and a reminder of how all lives come to an end. One of the best summations is this quote "What you are now we used to be; what we are now you will be…" in on a plaque in the final room of the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars. I remember a guide saying they would end each evening by coming there as a reminder that their time was limited here on earth. It's an incredible place, The Crypt of the Capuchin Monks. All over the world there are so many incredible faiths, traditions and ways of honoring death that there are far to many to list here. This is just a few sentences and does not do justice to the above traditions so I encourage you to explore these traditions further!!!

A little bit about masks. Just about every culture in the world has different masks symbolizing different things but here are a few I've always been interested in! Venetian Masquerade Masks originated in the 1400's and they began as part of festivals to be used to mask the wealth of the participants. Festivals and Carnival became a place of freedom where the rich and poor could celebrate side by side! The use of the mask evolved into daily wear to provide anonymity in Venice and beyond. Could you imagine not knowing who really was sitting or living next to you? A great equalizer but also a tad bit creepy! Speaking of creepy, Death Masks have also had a great tradition of reflecting the physical attributes of those that have departed! There are death masks that have been discovered in great numbers from the middle ages but of course date back to ancient times, think King Tut! Currently, the more I think about it I've been fascinated with mask making processes, from wax to plaster to the many new options we have today. I think it would be wonderful to have a 3D reminder of people I love, in a way it gives you a better perspective of their true selves compared to flat pictures.

Halloween and dressing up! Personally I haven't dressed up for Halloween in years for a multitude of reasons but now that I'm happy to find any excuse to go to an event, dress up and meet fun people! One of my favorite events is in June, The Myth Masque!! This event focuses on high fashion and couture, inspiring attendees to conjure one of a kind creations and indulge in an environment that transports you into a time and place with everything from unicorns to live dolls! The Edwardian Ball is coming up in February and this is their description via their website, "THE EDWARDIAN BALL is an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author Edward Gorey. Set in our own version of “Edwardian” times, this multi-media extravaganza has grown over the past decade from a small underground club night into an internationally recognized event, now operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust." If you've ever seen Labyrinth with David Bowie you'll have to check out The Labyrinth of Jareth! There are costumes of ALL kinds here! Everything from elaborate beasts to faeries wearing next to nothing! This event just celebrated it's 15th year and I just found about it this year! If you know of any great festivals feel free to pass them on! And over the last few years I've enjoyed the Halloween Ball at LACMA! Last year is was themed with the opening of the Time Burton Exhibit, this year was Stanley Kubrick!

Daily life is fantastic but sometimes it's great to buy a ticket, look forward to an event and get there to discover new people in a venue that fires up your imagination and gives you a mental break! Of course my heart is in Pasadena and Altadena and one of the reasons why is because while we are nestled in the hills, a short drive can expose me to so many NEW experiences and to emerge myself in other cultures! At a few events I've run into neighbors and I absolutely LOVE the creativity of those around us! It only makes sense being the home of Art Center, Zorthian Ranch, a multitude of museums and a science hub among so many other creative outlets!!

I know I am all over the place but honestly I am just so excited and easily distracted! I'm like a small child in a room full of different colored lights!! (and I just like to share!)

Celebrating in Pasadena the traditions of Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos is easy! There are so many events it's difficult to choose which to enjoy!! There are already numerous resources and links for things to do in The San Gabriel Valley for Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween, think of this as a little supplement!

Nov. 3 - Dia De Los Muertos @ San Gabriel High
Alhambra Latino Association

Nov. 3 - Day After Dia De Los Muertos - prime time fun!
Club Night in Echo Park

Nov. 2 & 3rd @ ARC Pasadena
A Room to Create Pasadena

Enjoy Life!!

This is your chance to do everything you want to do!!!

From the LACMA Masquerade Ball 2012 Kubrick!!

 

Improving Altadena.... Respectfully!

Altadena has been described as a bedroom community of artists, scientists and everyone in between. How do you move forward, progress to offer things in neighboring areas without loosing the charm of "Beautiful Altadena"? The polarity of this discussion is constant but I think it's the time to do something rather than nothing and now is the perfect time! With 2 more community meetings scheduled at Loma Alta Park we have a voice of our future!! Join In!! April 25th and June 6th are the next meetings! See the Altadena Town Councils Website for more information!

http://altadenatowncouncil.org/altadena-community-visioning-process/

There is pride over our beautiful San Gabriel mountains, the hiking trails within them, the campgrounds, waterfalls and shady spots for a picnic! Geographically speaking Altadena's topography is one of the things that makes it most unique. My husband has recently been doing a lot of work in Idaho, New Mexico and others that are 'flat' by comparison. Looking out at 'big sky' for miles and miles is such a different sensation than always having giant mountains in your eyeline. So let's add the beauty of our topography as something that needs to be preserved and enhanced!! It is also this topography that almost prevents a center of town similar to our neighbors.

Many towns with a small town community feel have that because there is a center, a gathering place or a monument. Many of these towns are also geographically flat. With inclines such as Altadena, pedestrians have to commit to getting their exercise to enjoy the fruits of town! So this begs the questions.... Where is the center of town? Or, Where should the center of town be? Personally I think the shops along Mariposa have a great appeal as a Main Street, it has even been depicted as such in Movies and Television! Where do you think the center should be and what should be in it? Personally I'd like a few restaurant choices, a coffee shop, ice cream shop and a few Mom & Pop type businesses.

Big Chains? Well here's the thing, Altadena wants to spring forward but not the way everyone else does. We aren't everywhere else so it is almost like bringing in a name brand chain would take some of the unique diversity that we are all so proud of! For instance Starbucks. Many people are interested in having one in Altadena but it seems to be many more that believe it would be a blemish to our vibe. Here's what I think, a gathering place for neighbors that offers great coffee would be a benefit. Yes we have the Coffee Gallery but I am thinking of something that can't be compared to that. Nor should it cut into the business of such a dedicated neighborhood gem. So location would be key. I am thinking of Caribou Coffee! Perhaps you have enjoyed their K-Cups in your Keurig or their pouches on business trips. The actual stores to me fit how Altadena should be represented!



As for a Jamba Juice, as much as I love them I think Altadena can do a more unique representation! How about Juiceblendz? They have stores that are both juicing and a frozen yogurt bar YoBlendz. Here's the thing, it's a franchise, so let's have Altadena Residents be business owners. The key is, it serves the demand bit it's a little different just like Altadena-just like us!

And of course a cafe! My thoughts are one with a patio and preferably a VIEW! Can you imagine a great place to dine with views of our San Gabriels AND the city lights we are treated to?! Here is a place that I think would be greeted with open arms! Look at the pictures and imagine something just as warm and rustic in Altadena!!! This is in Canada but I LOVE the way it feels and something similar would thrive here!
http://www.river-cafe.com/our_story/gallery/interior

So may be you are understanding what I am getting at. Let's have the businesses that are void in Altadena but let's have them in our own unique way! Instead of going to neighboring areas for goods and services lets have them here but not the same ones that neighbor us. Imagine is Altadena were evern MORE unique than it is now? If done respectfully in content and design these businesses would not only become our treasures but more people would 'Drive up the Hill' for great service and invest in our community along side of us!!!

What do you think? Let's stop arguing and create the balance. There will be times when you aren't happy, when I'm not happy and we'll disagree a bit but in the end as long as we move FORWARD we will all win!!!!!

My Love for Pasadena is why I am a Realtor!

Alright, let's keep things short and sweet! Growing up in the area known as Linda Vista, Pasadena, California gave me a tad bit of an idyllic childhood. Tree lined streets with sidewalks and beautiful streetlights accentuate the incredible diverse architecture of the well kept homes the area is known for. I remember being able to safely and confidently walk to friends' houses and home, pretty much at any hour. There was a library, a fire station, an elementary school and Jurgensens, the neighborhood grocery store with the best turkey sandwiches and meringues! My school where I attended from Kindergarten to 5th grade was just 2 blocks from my home and filled with incredible teachers. I still remember the smell of the Auditorium and watching The Red Balloon on rainy days. A bit of my identity was shaped by this and my thinking that someday I'd live in my childhood home as an adult and teach at that school just like Laura Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie! I knew it was special. That's when I began to love houses. Many things have changed since then.

Jurgensens is long gone and has been replaced with 3 large homes which spurred quite the uprising in the community when they were being built! Because of the community opinions and an act of brave, hilarious vandalism a few architectural details were removed. The Elementary School now houses a charter nursery school/daycare and 'The Bowl' that I used to play in is a public park! 'The Bowl' was at it's prime when lawsuits weren't as prevalent, kids would get splinters on the 12 foot high platform with fire poles at either end and rope burn on the net used to climb to the top. No round edges, no plastic, no padding on the ground... just the natural basics that combined the tasty elements of danger and fun! It was something that could have easily been in Neverland or Waterworld. Just raw and dangerous! The highlight was the 'Tires'. 2 levels of giant tractor tires arranged like a stack of doughnuts 2 layers high! I believe there were 3 at the top level with poles in the center. Their spacing created such excitement and adrenaline when anticipating whether you would survive the jump from one to the other! It's so incredibly surreal to have spent my happy youth there and to now take my children there. The danger is gone, now just a simple swing set and a see saw are in the same large sand ring. It looks so bare.

I get easily sidetracked when I reminisce. The point being that having spent a lifetime in this area of notable architects, influential minds, well kept homes, diverse architeture and our beloved Rose Bowl, it is clear as to how I came to love and appreciate Real Estate and make it my chosen profession!

Thanks for reading! I bet you are fun!