There's Culture In Them Thar Hills!

Altadena's reputation as an anomaly within the environs of Los Angeles County is a subject given much talk.  Mostly, that talk emanates from outside it - points west, east, and south of us. Those who live inside Altadena, though, tend to ignore the talk and go about their business, not really caring who thinks what about whom.  Life goes on as it always does in Altadena, that is, until someone or something pops up to rock our boat a little.  When that happens, people notice.  Not just people from the outside, although they certainly have an opinion.  People in our town are taking notice and getting involved in their community once again, and we think that's great!



It's not just one thing that is providing this momentum of activity, it's a mix of several factors happening concurrently.  Our burgeoning foodie movement, lead by the brilliant thinkers (and doers) Jospeh Shuldiner, Gloria Putnam and Steve Rudicel at the Institute Of Domestic Technology, is making news in Altadena.  Tying closely into the foodie movement, the Institute Of Urban Ecology is ramping things up and is located at Altadena's Zorthian Ranch.  We also have had new restaurant openings, with AltaEats on Allen Ave. and Pizza Of Venice on Fair Oaks; and two central business-district restaurants seriously revamp their hours and offerings.  Amy's Patrio Cafe on Altadena Drive and the Park Bench Grill both changed ownership recently, and we all welcome their new owners, their extended hours, and most of all, their kicked-up menus!  Of course, the Altadena Ale House and stalwart The Coffee Gallery continue to delight with their community-centric events, as does the lauded Bulgarini Gelato.

There has also been an influx of new businesses opening around town as well.  Altadena fixture Ben McGinty is quietly opening up a little gallery on Mariposa Ave., where Mary's Collectibles used to be; and dynamic duo Ian Wilkins and Denise Goddard have opened a framing gallery called Merge, near Amy's Patio Cafe on Altadena Drive.  Word of mouth has it that a gently-used children's boutique is opening up across the street from us, at the former Gallery At The End Of The World building.  Altadena's Fancy Food Truck Friday continues to attract crowds, and our book signings and monthly poetry jams have never been more well-attended.

Even with all this moving and shaking, it was still a pleasant shock to have actress and writer Polly Frost contact us about her performing her one-woman play about growing up in Altadena at our store.  It's going to be fabulous, and we couldn't be more excited, but imagine how we felt when Pasadena Star News' Larry Wilson wrote about it here.  In his words, from that article, "But these days Webster's has become an actual cultural hub in Altadena. It has Earth Day celebrations featuring noted authors. It partners with the Arroyo Food Co-op and the other small-and-green foodie operations the town is becoming known for as it gets even more bohemian -- west of Holliston, at least -- than it used to be."

Bohemian!  Hmmm....we like that!  Thanks to Larry Wilson, and to all of our wonderful artists, writers, food crafters, natural products manufacturers, and stationery and jewelry designers - all of you make us who we are today - Webster's Fine Stationers, Your Store For Local! 

We'll be back next Sunday to let you know more about upcoming events here and around town.  Until then, have a wonderful week!

Scott and Lori