Episode 61: Author and historian Michael Logan joins the show for a deep dive into the fascinating history of Pasadena’s Busch Gardens. Michael, the author of The Original Busch Gardens, shares how his move to Pasadena and passion for restoring Craftsman homes sparked a profound interest in the city’s rich cultural heritage. What began as a personal hobby of collecting postcards grew into an ambitious, years-long research project that culminated in his definitive book on the iconic gardens. 

Michael explores the history and enduring impact of Busch Gardens, highlighting its architectural beauty, cultural significance, and surprising ties to Hollywood classics like Gone with the Wind and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Michael’s insights offer listeners a rare glimpse into the magic of this historic site, including the remnants that still exist today. This episode is a compelling blend of history, storytelling, and nostalgia—a must-listen for Pasadena residents, history buffs, and anyone who cherishes the stories that shape a community’s identity.

Episode 60: Pawandeep Khinda and Santokh Singh Khinda, the dynamic father-daughter duo behind All India Cafe in Old Pasadena join the podcast to share their family’s story that has taken them from India to the bustling culinary scene of Pasadena, California. Listen as Santokh shares his rich history of growing up on a farm, gaining invaluable cooking experience in Germany, and blending Indian authenticity with a touch of Italian influence. Discover the health benefits and the philosophy of Indian food, and how it plays a significant role in their cooking.

Pawandeep details her upbringing in the family business and her impact on expanding and modernizing All India Cafe’s menu. Marvel at their stories of overcoming challenges, adapting to changing customer needs, especially during the pandemic, and the influence of social media in today's dining landscape.

Learn about their menu innovations, like the fusion of Indian spices with pasta and the introducing of more vegan and vegetarian dishes that cater to modern dietary trends. The episode also delves into their commitment to authenticity, family values, community involvement through the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association, and the joys and trials of working in a family business. It's an episode brimming with passion, culture, and culinary excellence!

Episode 59: Melissa Lee, Principal in Charge of Urban Planning and Community Health at Public Works Partners, joins the podcast to share her unique perspective on urban planning, community health, and the evolving fabric of Pasadena.

A fifth-generation Pasadenian, Melissa delves deep into her journey - from her family’s historic roots in Pasadena to her transformative experiences in urban planning across New York and New Orleans. This engaging conversation includes Melissa’s career shift towards urban planning and public policy following 9/11 and her transformative roles in the community, including working for the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority post-Hurricane Katrina. 

With her professional and heartfelt personal insights, Melissa provides historical context, wisdom, and anecdotes that celebrate the spirit of Pasadena and an inspiring vision for the future of our cities. 

Episode 58: Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renée Pérez joins the podcast for this special election episode. The Democratic candidate for California’s State Senate, District 25, Mayor Pérez discusses her journey growing up in Alhambra and her background in community activism and policy making.  

Mayor Pérez shares stories of her family’s deep roots in the community and the pivotal moments that inspired her to run for the Alhambra City Council and champion issues like education, homelessness, and small business support. This conversation highlights Mayor Pérez’s legislative priorities and policy models, which she aims to take to Sacramento if elected to the California State Senate. Whether it's tackling the homelessness crisis with innovative local partnerships or advocating for affordable public education, Mayor Pérez discusses her commitment to collective action. 

For more information, please visit https://www.sashareneeperez.com/. 

Episode 57: Betty and Rob Poquez of Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena join the podcast to share their fascinating journey from established careers in industrial-organizational psychology and media production to becoming proud owners of a one-of-a-kind LEGO store. Betty and Rob share the serendipitous way LEGO entered their lives during the pandemic, igniting a passion that led to creating a community hub for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages. 

The conversation delves into their unique store offerings, from vintage sets and rare minifigures to bulk LEGO pieces perfect for sparking creativity. Additionally, Betty and Rob discuss the importance of sustainability, the community response, and their exciting plans for future events and growth. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with insights on entrepreneurship, community building, and the timeless joy of LEGO. Whether you're a lifelong LEGO fan or new to the brick-building world, this episode is sure to captivate and inspire.

This episode is part of a unique collaboration with the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce to tell the stories of the small businesses that make Pasadena such an incredible place to live, work, and visit.

The episode can be viewed on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and YouTube. 

The featured music on the podcast is courtesy of Pasadena’s own The Nextdoors. Please visitnextdoorsmusic.com and follow them on social media for more information on their next live shows.  

The Crown City Podcast is produced in partnership with Pasadena Media. For more information about this incredible non-profit serving the Pasadena community, please visitwww.pasadenamedia.org. 

Episode 56: Pasadena City Councilmember for District 1 Tyron Hampton joins the podcast for an engaging conversation about his experiences as a fifth-generation Pasadena resident, small business owner, and elected official.

Councilmember Hampton shares personal stories about his background, offering listeners a glimpse into his deep-rooted connections with the city. He recounts his upbringing, schooling, and loyalty to his alma mater, John Muir High School. He discusses his mentors and significant influences, notably his father, and how these figures shaped his commitment to community and civic engagement. Councilmember Hampton shares insights from his time in public service, beginning with the Pasadena Unified School District Board and leading to his eventual role on the Pasadena City Council.

The conversation delves into Pasadena’s sense of community, touching on the city’s challenges and Councilmember Hampton’s efforts to address them, such as reducing bureaucracy for small businesses, improving infrastructure, and tackling housing affordability and homelessness. Councilmember Hampton emphasizes the significance of maintaining Pasadena’s interconnectedness and small-town feel while navigating national and international issues that impact local governance.

Episode 55: Award-winning author Naomi Hirahara joins the podcast to talk about her journey from growing up in the Pasadena area to her career as a reporter and mystery writer. Reflecting on her Japanese American heritage, she shares how her background and rich experiences have shaped her acclaimed works.

Naomi discusses her transition from reporting to fiction writing, providing keen insights into her creative process and the significance of her characters. She talks about her numerous novels, which often feature compelling themes of resilience, justice, and multiculturalism, and dive into complex historical contexts, from the internment camps at Manzanar to post-war Japanese American communities. She also opens up about her love for sports, diving into her personal experiences as an athlete and sports enthusiast.

Naomi’s latest project, a historical mystery set in 1903 Pasadena titled “Crown City,” will be published in 2025.

Episode 54: President and CEO of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association Paul Little joins the podcast and dives deep into the unique history and mission of the Chamber, from its beginnings as the Board of Trade in 1888 to its modern-day role in supporting and growing the local economy. Paul shares invaluable insights into his multifaceted career, highlighting key moments from working as a steelworker building submarines to his extensive public service career on the Pasadena City Council. He also brings to light the Chamber's agile response to COVID-19, detailing how the organization has evolved to help local businesses thrive in challenging times. 

Listeners will learn about Pasadena's diverse economic landscape, the importance of community engagement, and the Chamber's efforts to provide tailored support to its members. The episode wraps up with Paul Little sharing his perfect day in Pasadena, offering a local perspective on the best spots to eat, drink, and explore this vibrant city.

Episode 53: Actor, producer, writer, and much-loved content creator Malia Miglino, known affectionately as L.A. History Girl, shares fascinating tales from her life, weaving together stories from her eerie childhood home in Seattle to her brave move to Los Angeles at 18. She opens up about her journey from working in makeup on film sets to embracing her passion for history and content creation during the pandemic, leading to her striking success on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Malia's insight into the Victorian era in Los Angeles and her role as a historical researcher on 'Haunted Discoveries' offers a glimpse into her deep love and respect for history.

With a touch of humor and sincerity, Malia discusses the evolution of her comfort in front of the camera, her groundbreaking work in making history accessible to younger generations, and her recent collaboration with Visit Pasadena. This episode explores Malia's personal and professional growth and delves into broader topics such as the importance of storytelling in history, the challenge of preserving historic sites, and the unique, often untold stories of Los Angeles that captivate both natives and newcomers alike.

Historian and Author Roberta H. Martinez joins the podcast to shed light on the rich tapestry of Latino history, culture, and resilience. Raised in East Los Angeles, Roberta brings a personal perspective to understanding the Latino community’s roots and reach in Pasadena and beyond.

Through her own story and work, Martinez explores the multifaceted nature of Los Angeles' history, emphasizing the diversity and interconnectedness within the community. The discussion touches on the importance of recognizing and preserving Latino history in Pasadena, including Roberta's efforts in publishing her book 'Latinos in Pasadena'.

Episode 51: Pasadena Now's Managing Editor, Andre Coleman, joins the podcast to share his journey growing up in Altadena and how Watergate inspired him to pursue a career in journalism. 

During this engaging conversation, Andre discusses the current state of local news and his responsibility to the community as a trusted source of information. In addition to being a journalist and columnist, Andre is an accomplished playwright and storyteller. He penned Blackbirds Volume 1, an audiobook series released in 2021 that follows a family struggling with race and justice in the Jim Crow era.

Episode 50: Nature Boy Products Founder and Artisan Jacob Quetant joins the podcast to talk about how he turned his passion into a successful business that serves the health and wellness of his customers.

Jacob shares insights from growing up in Pasadena, describes his path to creating artisan beard care products, and talks about the legacy he wants to build as a creator and entrepreneur. The conversation closes with a discussion about the community he has created with Nature Boy Products and how he would spend the perfect day in Pasadena.

Episode 49: Author and Publisher Pamela McColl joins the podcast for a special Holiday Episode to discuss her book Twas The Night - The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem in celebration of the bicentennial of the iconic poem “Account of A Visit From St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore on December 23, 1823.

During our conversation, Pamela discusses her journey in art and history and how it led to a personal ten-year project researching and curating a book on “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Expanding on the poem’s theme, we talk about its impact on the spirit of the Holiday Season and how its message of kindness and generosity has stood the test of time.

Episode 48: Piper + Enza’s Rita Ho-Bezzola joins the podcast to discuss the road she has taken from growing up in Taiwan and becoming a concert pianist to becoming the Founder and CEO of Piper + Enza.

During this engaging conversation, we talk about everything from the demands of family businesses to how going through Covid as a parent inspired Rita to launch Piper + Enza - a company built to provide children with engaging stories and toys and parents with expert resources to serve their family’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Episode 47: The Nextdoors’ Mika Larson and Russell Mark join the podcast to talk about the role music and the arts have played in their lives and how they have built a unique sound in East Pasadena.

As a duo, Mika and Russell have performed locally, but also hosted shows in the Midwest, and in 2022, they released their debut album, Linda Vista - an ode to Americana music. We talk about their backgrounds growing up in Minnesota and Arizona, respectively, the origins of The Nextdoors, and their recently released music video for their song Awaken.

Episode 46: Merch Motel’s Barkev Msrlyan joins the podcast to discuss his journey from growing up in Pasadena to how his interest in design led him to launch Merch Motel, a retro-inspired brand built around historic places and vintage signs. With Merch Motel, Barkev has hosted events, produced one-of-a-kind collectibles, hosted his own podcast, and released wonderfully made videos.

Episode 45: Found Coffee’s Annie Choi joins the podcast to discuss creating a community at Found Coffee, the shop she opened in 2015 in Eagle Rock.

While coffee has always been a part of her life, Annie’s journey took her from La Crescenta to UC San Diego and then a career in post-production, where she worked on some pretty big shows, but was unhappy. She took an unpaid internship at one of her favorite coffee shops, and started her second career as a barista and eventually the owner of her own wonderfully bright and warm shop.

Episode 44: Esotouric’s Kim Cooper and Richard Schave come on the podcast to talk about their journey as guides and preservationists dedicated to keeping the stories and places of old Los Angeles alive.

In a far-reaching conversation, we talk about the responsibility of storytelling, the return of their famous bus tours after COVID-19, and an ongoing preservation battle over the B’nai B’rith Lodge on South Union Avenue in Downtown. This special episode was recorded at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, and we discuss its role as one of the world’s great independent research libraries.

Episode 43: Exploring Pasadena’s Julia Long joins the podcast to share her story of growing up in Pasadena, her adventures traveling and working in museums as a curator, and how she returned to Southern California.

With a love of history, Julia founded Exploring Pasadena - a walking tour project focused on what makes our area so interesting and unique. This summer, she joined the Pasadena Museum of History as Curator of History and Exhibitions and is already working on some amazing exhibits to celebrate the Museum’s centennial.

Episode 42: Fisher’s for Finer Foods was a restaurant that opened in 1947 at 3589 East Colorado Boulevard. It was named after its owner Clarence Fischer, a Milwaukee native that came to Pasadena in the 1930s.

Clarence made his mark in hospitality as he worked for the famous Van de Kamp Holland Dutch Bakeries (including their Pasadena location), and co-owned a small chain of restaurants called The Headliner before opening his namesake diner.

The building that once served late-night coffee and pie would change over its seven-decade history from a drive-in to a wine cellar and then back to a series of restaurants. It survives today as the home of Gin Sushi.

This narrated story is the first in an occasional series called Past Present Pasadena as a way to connect us to our shared history.