SoCal Minds

Plenty o' notice about Bukowski exhibit, Latino book fest

From the Hungtinton and CSULA

Attention readers, Latinos and L.A. Bohemian wannabes: we're giving a little more notice than usual about a couple of weekend events, even though, in the case of one, there's going to be a herd of folks racing to write about it. Still, whip out the calendars and get ready:

On Saturday, San Marino will become the literary mecca for the abundant numbers across the metropolis and elsewhere who believe that the late Charles Bukowski is nothing less than one of Los Angeles' poetic princes. His self-described 'raw, easy and simple' writing about prostitutes, gamblers, drunks and outcasts has captivated many and, with the assistance of his widow, Linda Lee Bukowski, a major exhibit will showcase his life works, displaying, among other items, his manual typewriter, rare first-editions and copies of his early publications, as well as examples of long gone 'little' magazines that were early and fast out of the gate to publish his poetry and stories. 

In San Marino, a paen to a 'Poet on the Edge'

In East L.A., readers of all ages can join in for the annual Latino Book and Family Festival, which this year will spotlight authors Victor Villasenor and Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, with Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries presenting a keynote address. There will be literary workshops, programs for adults and children, entertainment and other activities at the event, co-sponsored by Edward James Olmos, the actor, community activist and school alum. As the 2009 photo at right shows, he's an active event participant, bringing his own family (his mother Eleanor, in this case) to the weekend's festivities.

In East L.A., a festival for families, fans of Latino books

Can citywide events draw in artistic Angelenos?

Its advocates say it is more than a happy pastime and insist it helps people be more observant, better learners and more socially and culturally engaged. In an effort to promote this art, a push modeled after a program successfully executed in London, there will be events in the next month scattered all across L.A. in some of its prime venues -- this weekend in San Marino, and in the days ahead, in Westwood, Exposition Park, downtown, Malibu, Pasadena and on the L.A. River. So sharpen those pencils and crayons and pull out the pens, charcoals and any other similar implements. Got the picture yet? The Ryman arts folks want one and all to join in for an October of  the 'Big Draw LA, a citywide celebration of the act of drawing.

Take in a 'Grim Sleeper' talk, chess exhibition, print show

From CSULA, Caltech, Chapman & the Huntington

Rumble, rumble, rumble, ka-boom. Yes, there may be rolling thunderstorms, occasional sprinkles and muggy conditions prevailing this weekend. That's all the more reason to keep zipping around town to take in all the stuff going on.

That includes a forum in East L.A. this afternoon on the 'Grim Sleeper,' multiple homicide case and the forensic and DNA issues surrounding it, including the controversies over scanning not just individuals' but also families' genetic materials and records and how scientific advances may affect public crime labs. Or maybe if fun and games are the call, how about seeing a Russian chess master take on all challengers in a simultaneous exhibition in the Rose City this evening; may need to be a member of that super smart institution's official community to actually play. If art's the thing, it may be time for a stroll out to San Marino to take in the opening of an exhibition exploring the 'evolving ideas' of midcentury American printmakers. 

And a head's up on happenings on Monday, too

And, , yeah, they're really going to be part of the next work week. But head's up at least that if a certain kind of humor proves irresistible, alums of the 'National Lampoon' will be downtown Monday night for a free, public program (requires reservations) exploring the institution's big effect on pop culture and how time has left its personalities, ahem, 'drunk stoned brilliant dead.' There will be laughs of a different sort when the Orange County Bar members gather on Monday night hear the annual jousts between law school deans Erwin Chemerinsky and John C. Eastman about the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court term; the barristers also will honor the presiding justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Three, in Santa Ana. And in Orange, starting Monday, for those feel the earth move under their feet (without Carole King singing in their heads), there will be an international, three-day, experts' workshop on electromagnetic signals associated with earthquakes and volcanoes.'

Cool stuff to take in on a sizzling autumn weekend

From Art Center College of Design, UCLA, the Huntington, Getty, Japanese American National Museum, CalArts

Phew, it's Harvest Moon festival time and officially autumn but suddenly a blast of summer-like heat sweeps the area. Must be a signal to get out and about to take in all the cool stuff going on. Like a green business conference, co-sponsored by the art-design folks from Pasadena. Or how about an indoor viewing on the Westside of performances that, heretofore, have been staged by 'Superclogger' for L.A. commuters stuck in traffic jams. Or perhaps it's the weekend to get to San Marino to go deep on the history of science  as part of the robust season of public lectures and conferences. The freedom to move around and to enjoy life isn't something to be taken for granted, after all, as a gathering in Little Tokyo will remind, as folks there will discuss, analyze and recall the Japanese American internment, particularly the Heart Mountain, Wyo., camp in a weekend conference. They'll also recall the bizarre events that overtook a hapa (mixed race) flyer during World War II, when he was busted in rank and sent off to be with Nisei fighters in the famed 442d. And, by the way, the venue downtown also will host a 'Frame by Frame' animation showcase by alums from Valencia. And, lastly, for a cool contemporary thought or two about scoring an ancient classic, here's composer Bonfire Madigan talking about her work on 'Elektra.'  

Patton's smuggled copies of odious Hitler orders go to U.S.

From the Huntington

Way back when San Marino was called San Gabriel Township, there was a gifted kid growing up in a rich local family and dreaming big about life as a soldier. Well, George Smith Patton Jr. more than fulfilled his ambitions, at one point running a 10,000 acre training facility in the scorching heat of the California deserts under the most grueling and demanding conditions. His rigorous treatment of those under his command would pay off richly when the forces he launched the training of and others swept across the sands of North Africa, then later in a march across Western Europe in decisive battle after battle to defeat Adolf Hitler, the Nazis and some of their top commanders. His brash, arrogant conduct -- what many have said also allowed him to be a brilliant fighter at the Battle of the Bulge and in turning a huge force on a dime at Bastogne -- ultimately proved to be Gen. Patton's undoing in a showdown with Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander. But in 1945, at the peak of his popularity. Patton (shown at right) made a triumphal visit to his native metropolis and, in yet another act of command defiance, left with brilliant physicist Robert Millikan, he of Caltech lore and then head of the noted library in San Marino, some smuggled, important historical documents -- an odious codification of Hitler's anti-Semitic policies, the 'Nuremberg Laws,' signed by Hitler in 1935. Those papers, exhibited for a decade at the Skirball Center and which the general's family had wished to be kept at the Library of Congress, have finally gone to the National Archives, where they will join other records of the horror of the Nazi regime.

Huntington transfers 'Nuremberg Laws,' brought by San Marino native to L.A., to National Archives

Scribbles on a few notable matters for the weekend

From Loyola Marymount, the Japanese American National Museum, Zocalo & the Huntington

Because some domestic chores look as if they'll take more effort than expected, an abbreviated spin through the intellectual ferment around the Southland for today and into the weekend doings. But some stuff worth taking a look at:

• In Westchester, the disccussions of the university's 20-year master plan draws a crowd estimated at 350; how will the school burgeon at the same time it acts as a good neighbor, of course, is a key concern, as parties look to the future and worry about growth, traffic, pollution, digital signage, buffer zones and other important matters. 

• In Little Tokyo on Saturday afternoon, documentary film makers will show off their bio-pic that should prove greatly enlightening about a familar, comedic face from television and movies. The sardonic humor of veteran star Jack Soo, appreciated for his work in everything from 'Flower Drum Song' to 'Barney Miller' and 'Monk,' may have kept wider audiences from learning his fascinating life story, including his Japanese -- not Chinese -- ancestry. There's more, of course, on this path-breaking actor and his refusal to play to harmful ethnic stereotypes at the 'You Don't Know Jack' documentary site.   

• And if other diversions still are called for, there is, of course, a premiere of 'Countdown to Zero,' a powerful new film tracking the history and potential harm of nuclear weapons; the Zocalo-KCRW sponsored screening is free but reservations are required. And, of course, the folks in San Marino show off from their collections starting Sunday 'British Landscape Prints.'

Generous donors shower millions on area institutions

From the Huntington, Harvey Mudd & Cal Poly Pomona

The lights don't go on for free at the intellectual institutions across the region, so students, researchers and members of the general public have cause to celebrate that donors have shown such generosity in recent days with the folks in San Marino, of course, capturing the big headline of the moment.

 That's because they have reported that their six-year fund-raising campaign, which had a goal of $175 million, has all but ended and brought in an unexpected $240 million  with gifts still getting tallied and the official close of the books on Wednesday. Outreach to new, varied and different donors -- the Chinese American community, for example -- boosted giving, as did the receipt not just of cash, pledges and an increase in the institutional endowment but also significant, sizable collections and valuable displayable items.

Besides reeling in major donors, the institution also recently received a smaller, fishy present from Disneyland in Anaheim: 250 koi, valuable creatures that needed to be relocated and saved from a hotel pond.

In Claremont, meantime, the Mudders are saying many thanks for a $1 million donation to their Global Clinic program from some grateful, late parents who appreciated how their son put in practice all he learned while helping and working with others from spots in Central and South America, Asia and Europe.

And lastly, in Pomona, the business administration and hospitality management folks are appreciating the $2 million pledged by a prominent alum , who said he felt the need to give back to his onetime school not only for the education he received but also because it was the place where he met his wife.

A fast week ahead for fans of writing, music, dance

From ALOUD, UCLA, CalArts & the Huntington

Think Richard Russo (Empire Falls, Nobody's Fool) on writing. Or Mischa and Merce on dance. Or how about Richard Wagner once and a second time or Huang Ruo on music? Best part of three-day weekends is how they accelerate the work week. So get to the seeing and planning, as Russo's appearance downtown and the first of two Westwide, Ring-related Wagner programs will be this afternoon and tonight. Tickets for a Baryshnikov benefit performance downtown Monday for the Merce Cunningham foundation and REDCAT are going fast. And with a balmy weekend already in the forecast ahead, might be a perfect reason to get to San Marino to see Huang Ruo, an up and coming composer who blends classical, contemporary, Eastern and Western musical traditions.  

Photos: Cunningham, Baryshnikov, l, in 1999 /Robert Whitman; Huang Ruo, r

Stinks in Bucharest, San Marino; a whiff of Little Tokyo fun

From CalArts, the Japanese American National Museum & the Huntington

It's supposed to be a balmy, sunny holiday weekend in Southern California and if the weather alone doesn't provide the pleasure of living in this spot on the planet, well, you could be in Bucharest...

That's where an artist-scholar who splits her time between LA and Vienna discovered that a few influential Bulgarians may be a tad behind modern thinking, as they banned her work at the Bucharest Bienale. Maybe that could become its own bizarre badge of honor?  And, no, as can be seen from the image at left, Kaucyila Brooke's art, though provocatively titled, wouldn't raise the fussiest of eyebrows in Los Angeles where saucier views assault the senses on any street at any moment. Hah! 

As long as we're on the topics of making a stink, the folks in San Marino are stirring the pot yet again as the son of the son of ol' smelly, they say, soon will bloom. Say what? Though it's a little inexplicable the popularity of the supposedly rare phenomenon, yet another amorphophallus titanum, aka corpse flowers, is shooting up and ready to make its odiferous opening in the next bit. For those smitten by this botantical bounty, well, there's an online spot to follow the stinky plant and its flowering, blow by blow. Phew.

So we leave you with a more pleasant thought and smelling like a rose, the folks over in Little Tokyo will be celebrating their Asian Pacific Islander and Native American Heritage Festival starting at 11 on Saturday. There will be movies, lectures, exhibits and the museum says it will admit one and all on a 'pay what you can' basis. Donate lots, eh?

On tap: a JPL open house, a big plant sale, a kids' fest

From Caltech, JPL, the Hungtington & JACCC

Just a quick note for those who are fans of rocket science and more, there's a special chance to see the innards of an internationally renowned research center as the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory conducts a weekend open house up in LaCanada-Flintridge. The free program, with many of the scientists and engineers scheduled to be on hand, carries a cautionary note about the common sense stuff that the public isn't supposed to drag along when they're guests at the facility, including booze, drugs weapons and skateboards. Guess it's a sign of the times. Meantime, this could be a bright, sunny weekend for those backyard fans, whether they take pleasure in seeing California landscapes or getting into the dirt and creating them by buying some of the thousands of rare, unusual plants at the 36th annual sale at the gardens in San Marino. And for those who can't resist and want to celebrate the kawai kodomo, well, it should be pretty perfect for the 27th annual Children's Day fest in Little Tokyo.