“Contagion” Leaves a Scary Residue

By Charly SHELTON Two out of five men don’t wash their hands after going to the restroom. That figure comes from mashing together several figures from studies placing the number anywhere from 77% down to 50% (just search the Internet with “Average that men wash hands”). So let’s say two out of five men don’t […]

Treasure Hunt

For those of you who finished our summer scavenger hunt, thanks for playing! As promised, you will be receiving a completion certificate via email in the upcoming weeks. We will be holding another treasure hunt in October, themed for Halloween. So keep an eye out in the Crescenta Valley Weekly. Please forgive any spelling errors […]

Some Secrets, Some Disappointments at D23

By Charly SHELTON Earlier this summer, we went to E3 – the Electronic Entertainment Expo – to see the newest video game releases and newest gadgets coming up. Then we took you to Comic-Con to see the new everything else that will be found in movies, comics, games and pop culture. Now for our final […]

Santa Cecilia Orchestra Prepares for 2011-12 Season

By Ted AYALA Summer is often a time for leisure for many people – but not for Sonia Marie de León de Vega. For nearly a quarter of a century, she has been the engaging and energetic music director of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, whose home is Occidental College’s Thorne Hall in Eagle Rock. Over […]

Hamlisch and Pasadena Pops Bid Farewell to Rose Bowl

By Ted AYALA There was a sense of optimism wafting between the notes on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. On the stage set up on the stadium’s lawn were the Pasadena Pops and its music director Marvin Hamlisch. Hamlisch has much to take pride in. His inaugural season with the Pops has been an undisputed […]

Local Weekend Concerts Close Summer Season

By Ted AYALA A handful of concerts from local musical organizations will be bringing this year’s summer concert season to a close this weekend – and the timing couldn’t be better. With temperatures this weekend expected to soar into the 100s in the valleys, this is the perfect opportunity for local music lovers to venture […]

Glendale Youth Orchestra to Hold Auditions

By Ted AYALA One of my most memorable – and surprising – musical experiences was when I heard a powerful and searching performance of Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 at the Alex Theatre last spring. Memorable because Schumann as a symphonic composer could often be his own worst enemy, scuttling brilliant thematic and structural ideas […]

Summer Grilling Tips To Make Meals Sizzle

The dog days of summer need not be comprised of hot dogs alone. Home grill masters increasingly are spicing up a great American tradition by adding the flavors of the world to their summer meals. The healthy results are also delicious. “You can turn your backyard fare into something extra special with a little flavor […]

DC Reboots Its Repertoire

Comic giant’s New 52 campaign revisits iconic figures’ beginnings. By Charly SHELTON DC Comics was never really my favorite. Marvel had Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk and Fantastic Four. Why would anyone want to read about anyone else? Batman has no powers, Aquaman has powers but who cares (the Justice League is based on a […]

“Real Love” Extravaganza

By Ted AYALA One of the biggest events of the year is about to arrive. An all-day festival of music and art is coming to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, Aug. 27. The world premiere of a new musical, “The Real Love,” created by an all-star team of composers and lyricists and starring some […]