Posted in Around Town, Pasadena

Obon Festival in Pasadena

Call me old fashioned, but I do enjoy my local Obon Festival. The Pasadena Buddhist Temple is holding its Obon this weekend (Saturday and Sunday)—details here.

The best teriyaki chicken east of the international dateline is being prepared right now. Thanks to a mild on shore flow, the whole neighborhood smells like teriyaki. If you’ve never seen taiko drumming in person, it’s worth stopping by. They have bonsai and ikebana on display, and there are karate and aikido demonstrations. We may even see the return of the Elvi dancers.

obon 2008

Photo courtesy of this site.

You can see my photos of last year’s Obon here.

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Did you see Sandy Banks piece, A lesson in Senate hearings, in the LA Times today? Here’s a quote:

“Over the course of my career as a journalist, I have learned that people can see the same set of facts differently. That doesn’t mean they are racist or stupid or hard-hearted,but that their unique experiences have primed them with particular expectations, fears, and sensitivities.”

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I’m going to repeat myself. “I have been a contributer to Pasadena’s Political Underbelly but have not posted there recently. Even though I am a contributor, I don’t have the ability to delete or edit posts written by others. This post (note sound of “wicked power-mad laugh”) makes that quite clear.”

In other words, I am not Dormitas. But you knew that, didn’t you?

Posted in Around Town, Let's Get Visual

Getting Ready for Obon

For those of us who grew up with seasons, southern California is a challenge.

Southern California does have seasons, but they are subtle.

Pasadena has a few deciduous trees, but they lose their leaves in early December. So pretty leaves and the holiday season are way mushed together.

This is the time of year when I hear music wafting around my back yard. Not just any music. Obon music. I peek through the fence and see these folks practicing for the upcoming Obon Festival.

Why is this important information? Because the best teriyaki chicken in the whole wide world is made by the good people of the Pasadena Buddhist Church.

Yeah, just like in Mary Poppins, there’s a run on the bank. But discerning palates will be lining up for teriyaki chicken this weekend. Throw in dancing, taiko drumming, and games for the kids and you’ve got yourself a nice festival.

Complete Obon info is here.

Wikipedia explains it all here.