It was a hot time in the old town this weekend for sure, my friends! We're recovering from unprecedented merriment, of indulging in the most wonderful meals and soothing our throats that are sore from laughing and talking. You'd think that the holidays had arrived early in normally quiet Altadena and its surrounding neighborhoods, but you'd be wrong. This was a weekend to celebrate two wonderful, local benchmarks - the first public dinner at
John Muir High's Muir Ranch and
Altadena's 125th birthday party. Scott and I attended both, and we're thankful that we were able to be a part of these celebratory events for many, many reasons!
While John Muir High School is located in NW Pasadena, many of Altadena's youth attend school there. About a year and a half ago, the garden was developed by volunteer teachers and students out of approximately 2 acres of fallow land adjacent to the school. In the intervening time, the garden has flourished, under the watchful eyes of
Doss Jones,
Mud Baron, and
Shirley Barrett - they even offer a
CSA (community supported agriculture) program! You can read
here what Slow Food L.A. says about them, and watch Channel 9's coverage of Muir Ranch. We love what they're doing there, and are honored to be able to be involved in a small way. Collaborating with
Tom Coston and The Light Bringer Project, Scott and I will be mentoring the group of kids that will be marketing Muir Ranch! This program is part of
the L.A. Futures Academy and we are quite excited to be working with them! We hope very much that you will click on the links, learn more about these worthy groups and help spread the word. We are also in the planning stages of an art exhibit with another Light Bringer project at John Muir, called
Room 13. Room 13 is an international network of student-driven creative studios with a model based on upon four pillars of learning: philosophical inquiry, creative expression, reciprocal learning, and business enterprise. We look forward to unveiling what comes from this artistic collaboration - be sure to click
this link to view part of what is inspiring us!
Muir Ranch held a dinner Friday evening that was just out of this world! Although we arrived late (started at 5:00 pm, and the store doesn't close until 6:30 pm), they still had a portion of Bison Bolognese, prepared by Chef E, and freshly tossed salad finished off with olive oil & balsamic vinegar. We sampled fresh fruit and veggies from a vendor at
Altadena's Farmers Market and received a pleasant mouth-burn from their sauteed peppers served alongside the bolognese.
The garden itself was cordoned off from trampling feet, and a walkway fenced off, alight with sparkling white lights, led to the muslin-topped dining table. We very much enjoyed the delicious food, the ambiance and camaraderie of Muir Ranch students, parents, and supporters. I hear they're planning a Thanksgiving celebration - won't that be a blast!
Saturday evening was, of course, Altaden's 125th birthday party, and wow, what a party it was! You can find all the coverage at
Altadenablog, with pictures and all, but we wanted to show you a partial shot, taken by Tim Rutt of Altadenablog, of the photographic display Scott painstakingly constructed of Webster's history in Altadena (and forgot to get a picture of....thanks, Tim!).
All in all, it was a very busy, fun, and fulfilling weekend, and we won't see its peer anytime soon! Well, maybe not until this Friday, Nov. 9, when we host local author
Patricia Bunin, who'll be here signing her new book
PASSWORD: SENIORMOMENT! In conjunction with Altadena's Fancy Food Truck Friday, Patricia will be here from 6:00 pm until 8:00 - do plan on being here for this great event that kicks off the start of our Season of Sparkle!
Have a fabulous week ahead, my friends, and we'll talk again next week!
Lori and Scott
