Share: It was a bright, sunny day outside the Pasadena Convention Center. A long line filled with enthusiastic card collectors and vendors for the Front Row Card Show, a biannual event. As they were waiting, those leaving paraded their souvenirs, leaving those still waiting to enter in awe. Some were eager to hunt the rare collectibles of their wildest dreams; others hoped to trade what they had for something better. One card collector, John Pena, took advantage of the opportunity to trade in unwanted cards …
Cruising J-Town: Nikkei history through car culture
Share: A rose-quartz 1989 Nissan 240SX sits at the entrance of the room. In the center, a black 1956 Ford F-100 pickup flashes a red hemi engine, and tucked in a corner an elegant eggplant colored 1951 Mercury Coupe, are quietly waiting to be discovered. In a room filled with custom cars, vintage gear and other Nikkei memorabilia, a photo of Hikotaro Yamada, a World War I Navy veteran, stands out on display in the gallery. Yamada is pictured dressed in his military uniform exiting …
‘my hands are monsters who believe in magic’: Asian American creatives get a grip on identity through artistic expression
Share: Art in the form of video, paint, photography and sculpture coat the walls. The silence between strangers creates an environment of reverence, relief, and reflection. Altadena resident John Qi said, “As a Chinese immigrant myself seeing art like this being celebrated is so strange, but in a good way because when I first came here decades ago it was alienating to express my culture, but now I come across spaces like this and it makes me so happy to see young kids being open …
Beyond the Skin: Pitzer professor exposes the covered-up Asian American roots of tattoo culture
Share: Four tattoos flashed across the screen. “How are we approaching the art of tattooing?” asked Todd Honma, professor of Asian American Studies at Pitzer College, addressing an audience of students in R-122 last Wednesday, June 4. The tattoos each varied in art style — some detailed and intricate, others bold and geometric. Honma encouraged the audience to participate in guessing the art styles each tattoo represented. Responses ranged from casual guesses to more informed identifications to even none at all. Regardless of their familiarity, …
My Territory: Ode to el bodegas
Share: I would always dread weekends when I was a young child. I didn’t have much of a reason to feel this way, besides the fact that I always hated going to the shops near the Toy, Flower, and Fashion Districts near Downtown L.A. My mother, father, and aunt would frequent said shops since they always proved to be an affordable alternative compared to commercial stores. The reason why I disliked going to this area of local businesses was mainly due to the fact that …
‘You can always choose a different path’: SGV gang member turned CEO shares success story
Share: “The environment doesn’t define who you are, it’s the choices you make in that environment that define you.” Growing up in Arcadia, California, Jason Owen’s world was a mix of cultural pride and harsh realities. During high school, he made his way into a gang; many of his friends got caught up in trouble, some even ended up behind bars. After seeing his best friend end up in jail, it was then that Owen took the initiative and chose a different life for himself. …
‘You will thrive, you will overcome’: International Students celebrate amid trying times
Share: The Creveling Lounge was decked out in tropical decor for a special occasion, with leis made of artificial flowers in a variety of colors. Bright hues of orange, neon yellow, blue, purple, and pink formed parallel lines on the ground leading up to the podium at the head of the room. Laid out on a table near the entrance area from within the CC Building for guests to take, fabric flowers adorned the necks of visitors. On Wednesday, June 4, the International Student Center …
After Eaton fire delay, Pasadena Comic Con rises from the ashes
Share: The showroom was filled with thousands of people wandering around; vendors were selling anything from comic books to artwork to jewelry, while actors and voice actors of beloved shows were spotted. Some people wore their best cosplay, while others donned either “closet cosplay” or street clothes, but the loud and lively chatter in the showroom was the most present. On Saturday, May 24, Pasadena Comic Con was held after being postponed in January due to the convention center’s use as a shelter for people …
What’s the matter with dark matter? Carnegie scientist does deep dive
Share: “How do we know dark matter exists?” This was the question keynote speaker and Carnegie Scientist Dr. Andrew Robertson posed to rows of curious and eager PCC students packed like sardines in the Creveling Lounge. On Tuesday, May 13, Dr. Robertson gave an in-depth lecture on the evidence that he has helped research suggesting that dark matter, “a mysterious substance that affects and shapes the cosmos,” (NASA) exists as the final lecture of the Carnegie Science Observatories Lecture Series for the 2024-2025 school year. …
My Territory: An Eagle Rock education taught me how to soar with sympathy
Share: The city of Eagle Rock is where it all started for me. Living and growing up in a safe, close-knit community where the neighbors knew your name, all because you were a student attending schools in the Eagle Rock area. From attending preschool all the way up to high school in this suburb, Eagle Rock was my original stomping ground. After playing with my friend, Miranda, in the preschool’s playground on a beautiful, bright, and sunny day, my mother would pick me up from …