Playhouse Village Association

Boston Court: Amanda McBroom: Wintersong
2024-11-11 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom (Golden Globe winning writer of Bette Midler’s worldwide hit, “The Rose”) celebrates the season with a joyous holiday concert debuting her newest album, Wintersong.
With her multi-talented friends, music director Michele Brourman and bassist Larry Tuttle, McBroom will offer a collection of well-loved standards, undiscovered gems, and beloved almost-holiday songs by such great writers as Joni Mitchell and Dan Fogelberg, alongside her own original Christmas songs celebrating all that we love best about the holidays.

Vroman's Bookstore: Wine Tasting with Michael Higgins
2024-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Join us for an elegant and informative evening of wine tasting at Vroman’s 1894 Wine Bar hosted by Michael Higgins. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, this event is a perfect opportunity to explore a curated selection that compliments wines from Higgins’ book Exploring Wine Regions — California Central Coast.
What’s included:

Tasting of 4 different regional wines
One copy of Exploring Wine Regions — California Central Coast by Michael Higgins
Expert guidance and wine education

Come for the wine, stay for the experience, and afterwards shop around our fabulous selections of books, gifts, and more!
This event will be held in The 1894 Wine Bar, located on the first floor of Vroman’s Bookstore. Attendees must be 21+.

Landmark Theatres Pasadena: Retro Replay: Every Which Way But Loose
2024-11-12 19:00 | Landmark Theatre, 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Landmark Theatres Pasadena presents Retro Replay, a weekly series showcasing modern and vintage film favorites. With films so satisfying, they’re returning to the big screen for audiences to enjoy again—or experience for the first time! Each month’s thematic program features a new film every Tuesday.

Pasadena Playhouse: La Cage aux Folles
2024-11-12 20:00, 2024-11-23 14:00 | Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Beautiful. Bawdy. Bizarre. Welcome to La Cage aux Folles, the hottest drag club in town and one of theater’s all-time biggest hits. Experience the groundbreaking musical comedy with a heartfelt score by Jerry Herman (Hello, Dolly!, Mame) and a hilarious script by Harvey Fierstein (Torch Song Trilogy). The Tony Award-winning musical comes to life in this all-new Playhouse extravaganza.

Vroman's Bookstore: Bluey Storytime 2: Electric Bluegaloo
2024-11-13 11:00 - 11:45 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Back by popular demand! Bring your Mums and Dads for more Bluey stories!
More Bluey activities! And a fair dinkum fun time!
NOTE: Bluey’s gonna stay Down Under, but we’re still planning on having a ripper g’day without ‘er!
Storytime will follow a few SONGS WITH MISS MARIE! Be sure to arrive at 11AM to catch our new Storytime sensation!

La Cage aux Folles
2024-11-14 19:00 | Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States

Vroman's Bookstore: Bree Paulsen, in conversation with Victoria Ying, discusses Firelight’s Apprentice
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
The bestselling author-illustrator of Garlic and the Vampire, Bree Paulsen, brings her fantastical storytelling and warm, sparkling artwork to this story that celebrates the bond between sisters.
In a city powered by magic and still recovering from a bloody war, Ada is concerned about her younger sister Safi’s developing powers. She understands that Safi could learn how to control her magic under the apprenticeship of a king’s magician. But with the memories of war still fresh, Ada is conflicted by this prospect—despite her knowing that she can’t keep Safi safely at home with the threat of deadly, power-thieving liches prowling the kingdom.
When a traveling group of magicians comes to the city to perform, they immediately recognize Safi’s talents and offer to take her on as an apprentice. Safi is thrilled about her new adventure—even if that means leaving behind Ada and their sickly father. And Ada is right to worry about her sister, for there may be monsters hiding behind friendly faces…

Vroman's Bookstore: Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr. discuss 50 Years of Happy Days: A Visual History of an American Television Classic
2024-11-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Peek behind the curtain into the making of Happy Days, the ultimate American sitcom, in this detailed season-by-season history written by two of the show’s longest-serving writer-producers.
One of the most successful TV shows of all time, Happy Days drew in 30 million viewers weekly at its peak and launched the careers of stars like Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, and Robin Williams. Now, just in time for its 50th anniversary, tune in for exclusive access, as writers Brian Levant and Fred Fox Jr. chronicle life on set and examine the evolution of a television show that made history.
Featuring new interviews with the creators, cast, and crew of the show and a foreword by The Fonz himself, explore rarely-seen photographs and personal anecdotes on a season-by-season journey behind the scenes.
Director, writer, and producer Brian Levant has been at the creative helm of some of the biggest franchises in family entertainment. He was the showrunner of Happy Days ,Mork & Mindy, and
The Bad News Bears series. After winning the Cable Ace Award for his long-running Leave it to Beaver revival, Levant turned his attention to directing feature films. His hit films include the original Beethoven, Jingle All The Way, Are We There Yet? And the box office juggernaut,
The Flintstones. He is also the author of the acclaimed book My Life and Toys.
Fred Fox Jr. began his entertainment career on the writing staff of Laverne & Shirley. He went on to write and produce on Happy Days, Family Matters, Webster, and TheNew Leave it to Beaver. Fred co-wrote the book for Merry Go Round (with music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman, Academy Award winners for Mary Poppins). He also worked on a children’s book with the legendary Ray Bradbury. Fox is the author of Through Francesca’s Eyes. Fox served as showrunner for the International Emmy Award-winning series, My Secret Identity

Boston Court: NTL Vanya
2024-11-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions. Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024.

Landmark Theatres Pasadena: Free Screening: Beethoven
2024-11-16 11:00 | Landmark Theatre, 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Enjoy a free screening of Beethoven, directed by Brian Levant and written by John Hughes and Amy Holden Jones, at Landmark Theatres Pasadena in Playhouse Village. Before the screening, catch a special reel featuring footage of your superstar pup and others from Bark in the Park, presented by Playhouse Village Foundation. This event is free—no ticket required. Show up early, grab your seat, and get ready for a pawsome time seeing your pup on the big screen!

Vroman's Bookstore: Megan Roy discusses Can You Do This?: An Imagination Playbook
2024-11-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
An imaginative and interactive picture book that uniquely combines reading, counting, movement, and play for kids ages 2-5, providing a source of screen-free indoor entertainment perfect for quality time at home
Brimming with whimsical art, Can You Do This? takes kids through a series of fun physical activities that get them up and moving!
From stomping their feet to standing on one leg, each page invites participation with prompts like “Can you hop like a bunny?” and “Can you stretch your arms all the way up to the sky?” As kids act out the playful challenges, they’ll exercise their bodies and minds, while sharing laughs with family and friends.
The perfect way to expend energy and pave the way for a good night’s sleep!
Megan Roy is an illustrator and surface designer from New Hampshire, currently based in Los Angeles. Her work can be found in national publications, television commercials, on greeting cards, tour merchandise, phone cases, book covers, home decor, toys & games, and more. She is the illustrator of the mix & match cookbook Ice Cream Party (published by Chronicle Books), is an ambassador for Adobe Express, and has amassed a following of 91K people on Instagram for her illustration work alone. Her artwork radiates a playful spirit, a delightful sense of humor, a deep love for animals, and a unique blend of color and texture.

Third@First: 150 Years of Music at FUMC
2024-11-16 19:00 - 20:00 | First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Enjoy pieces performed by the FUMC Chancel Choir and a specially commissioned work to commemorate the 150th anniversary the of church by FUMC organist Aaron Shows.

Boston Court: NTL The Motive and The Cue
2024-11-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Sam Mendes (The Lehman Trilogy) directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play. 1964: Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.
Written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and designed by Es Devlin (The Crucible), the Evening Standard award-winning best new play was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre.

Vroman's Bookstore: Jack Stewart, in conversation with Ray Porter, discuss Bogey Spades
2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Enemies. Allies. It’s hard to tell the difference when peace and world order hang in the balance.
Returning home a hero, TOPGUN pilot Colt Bancroft is called on to resurrect a Vietnam-era light attack squadron. Once soaring high, he finds himself on the dark side of special operations in a conflict he never saw coming. At its front lines, NCIS Special Agent Emmy “Punky” King is confronted with the timeless question—is the enemy of her enemy her friend?
As Colt and his band of Navy SEALs bring the Black Ponies of VAL-4 to the fight, Punky navigates the murky waters of international espionage and an uneasy alliance with a former adversary to uncover a new threat. At its heart is a weapon that could tilt the scales of global power. And the American Vice President is in the crosshairs.
In a world where every decision has repercussions and trust is a double-edged sword, Colt and Punky must forgive past transgressions and forge new alliances to confront an enemy who always seems one step ahead. In this high-stakes game: every choice counts, and the next move could redefine the future.
From author Jack Stewart, a former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes the third book in the exhilarating Battle Born series. Bogey Spades is perfect for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown.
Jack Stewart grew up in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, serving twenty-three years as a fighter pilot. A graduate of TOPGUN, he flew combat missions from three different aircraft carriers, deployed to Afghanistan with an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party, and served on a joint special operations counter-terrorism task force in Africa. He is a captain with a major U.S. airline and lives with his family in Dallas, Texas.

Vroman's Bookstore: Storytime with Mr. Steve and the British Swim School
2024-11-20 11:00 - 11:45 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Join Vroman’s Bookstore for a splashtastic storytime where they dive into the world of water safety! This fun-filled event is perfect for little ones (and parents) eager to learn how to stay safe in and around water. Mr. Steve will read delightful stories that teach important lessons about being water-wise. British Swim School, a water survival swim school in East Pasadena will be available afterward to pass out water safety information and answer questions. Grab your life vests and your imagination—it’s going to be a whale of a time! Don’t miss out on the adventure of reading and learning to swim safely.

Vroman's Bookstore: Sebastian Junger discusses In My Time of Dying
2024-11-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
A near-fatal health emergency leads to this powerful reflection on death—and what might follow—by the bestselling author of Tribe and The Perfect Storm.
For years as an award-winning war reporter, Sebastian Junger traveled to many front lines and frequently put his life at risk. And yet the closest he ever came to death was the summer of 2020 while spending a quiet afternoon at the New England home he shared with his wife and two young children. Crippled by abdominal pain, Junger was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Once there, he began slipping away. As blackness encroached, he was visited by his dead father, inviting Junger to join him. “It’s okay,” his father said. “There’s nothing to be scared of. I’ll take care of you.” That was the last thing Junger remembered until he came to the next day when he was told he had suffered a ruptured aneurysm that he should not have survived.
This experience spurred Junger—a confirmed atheist raised by his physicist father to respect the empirical—to undertake a scientific, philosophical, and deeply personal examination of mortality and what happens after we die. How do we begin to process the brutal fact that any of us might perish unexpectedly on what begins as an ordinary day? How do we grapple with phenomena that science may be unable to explain? And what happens to a person, emotionally and spiritually, when forced to reckon with such existential questions?
Sebastian Junger is the New York Times bestselling author of Tribe, War, Freedom, A Death in Belmont, Fire, and The Perfect Storm, and co-director of the documentary film Restrepo, which was nominated for an Academy Award. He is also the winner of a Peabody Award and the National Magazine Award for Reporting.

Vroman's Bookstore: TICKETED - Mark Harmon & Leon Carroll Jr. sign copies of Ghosts of Panama
2024-11-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Panama, 1989. The once warm relationship between United States and Gen. Manuel Noriega has eroded dangerously. Newly elected President George Bush has declared the strongman a drug trafficker and a rigger of elections. Intimidation on the streets is a daily reality for U.S. personnel and their families. The nation is a powder keg.
Naval Investigative Service (NIS) Special Agent Rick Yell has worked the job in Panama since 1986, and lives there with his wife Annya and infant child. Like most NIS agents, he’s a civilian with no military rank with a specialty in working criminal cases. The dynamic changes suddenly when Yell inadvertently develops an intelligence source with unparalleled access to the Noriega regime. Now the agent is thrust into a world of spy-versus-spy, of secret meetings and hidden documents.
Yell’s source – known as “The Old Man” – warns when Cuban military personnel arrive and identifies anti-American officers within the Panamanian Defense Forces, provides information about an imprisoned CIA asset and helps track Noriega’s movements, agitating for the dictator’s kidnapping. The reports created by Yell and his NIS colleagues shape the decisions made in Washington D.C., CIA headquarters in Langley and the innermost sanctums of Pentagon.
The powder keg is lit on December 16, 1989, when a young U.S. Marine is gunned down at a checkpoint in Panama City. Yell and his cadre of trusted agents deploy immediately to investigate the killing, and what they determine will decide the fate of two nations. When President Bush hears the details they uncover, he orders an invasion that puts Yell’s family, informants and fellow agents directly in harm’s way.
Using a blend of research and interviews with the NIS agents who were directly involved, Ghosts of Panama reveals the untold, clandestine story of counterintelligence professionals placed in a pressure cooker assignment of historic proportions.
This is a ticketed in-store event. One ticket = 1 copy of GHOSTS OF PANAMA as well as access to the signing line. The authors will not be signing any other merchandise.
About the authors
Mark Harmon starred as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS and also served as executive producer of the show. On the new CBS series, NCIS: Origins which explores the early career of Gibbs, Harmon will serve as narrator in addition to executive producer. In other television work, Harmon received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the critically acclaimed The West Wing and for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Special for Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. Other credits include Reasonable Doubts, for which he received two Golden Globe nominations, Chicago Hope, From Earth to the Moon, St. Elsewhere, and Moonlighting.
Leon Carroll, Jr. co-authored the New York Times bestseller Ghosts of Honolulu. He previously served as a technical advisor on the hit drama NCIS for twenty-one seasons and is currently working on the new show NCIS: Origins. Previously, he was a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Major. Leon then began a twenty-year career as a Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). He served in seven different locations, including tours as a Special Agent Afloat on the USS Ranger (CV-61) and as the Special Agent in Charge of NCIS offices in the Republic of Panama and the Pacific Northwest.

Boston Court: Mariachi Tierra Mia
2024-11-22 20:00 | Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91206, United States
Mariachi Tierra Mia, one of the leading Mariachi ensembles in Southern California, shares an evening of enchanting and lively Mariachi music to warm the soul.

Vroman's Bookstore: Walk of Fame induction of Lian Dolan
2024-11-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Vroman’s Bookstore is thrilled to announce author Lian Dolan as the next honoree to immortalize her handprints and signature in Vroman’s Author Walk of Fame! They are excited to celebrate Lian and her remarkable contributions to the Pasadena literary world with this special dedication.
On Saturday, November 23rd, at noon, fans are invited to join the dedication ceremony. Following the ceremony, attendees can enjoy a unique conversation between Lian Dolan and Naomi Hirahara, diving into Lian’s life and career.
Understanding that not everyone will have the best view, Vroman will broadcast the event on Instagram Live. Stay tuned for more details and follow them on Instagram @vromansbookstore!

Vroman's Bookstore 130th Anniversary
2024-11-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Vroman’s Bookstore invites everyone to celebrate 130 years of community, literature, and cherished memories! To say thank you, they’re hosting a celebration featuring the unveiling of limited-edition merchandise and a raffle every 30 minutes for participants (must be present to win). Guests can share their favorite Vroman’s memories, explore 1894 trivia displayed around the store, and get an early start on holiday shopping. It’s sure to be a wonderful time for all!

Vroman's Bookstore: Local Author Day introducing Andy Lower
2024-11-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Andy Lower presents I Gave Away All My Clothes
Through personal reflection, the Andy honestly discusses the challenges and opportunities in the ethical clothing sector and directly address the popular reasons that Western consumers often don’t align their purchasing decisions with their values. Sharing the story of their company, Visible Clothing, a social enterprise, they illustrate that where and who we buy from does indeed make a true difference.

Vroman's Bookstore: Raegan Fordemwalt discusses Lover Girl
2024-11-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Lover Girl is the dreamy debut from poet and breakout TikTok star Raegan Fordemwalt, enhanced with a new cover and never-before-shared poems and art.
In her fully illustrated debut collection Lover Girl, poet Raegan Fordemwalt writes the story of a girl boldly and devastatingly fond of love. So eager to feel, she proudly walks through Heartbreak, Loneliness, Jealousy, and Acceptance on the journey to personal growth and self-love.
This highly anticipated edition offers fans the collection they first fell in love with, as well as a special edition cover and 14 all-new poems and drawings! With candor and vulnerability, Raegan and her Lover Girl continue to give readers a soft place to land as they fall back in love with themselves and each poem along the way.

Landmark Theatres Pasadena: Retro Replay: Planes, Trains & Automobiles
2024-11-26 19:00 | Landmark Theatre, 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States

Vroman's Bookstore: Storytime with Mr. Steve and Miss Marie!
2024-11-27 11:00 - 11:45 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Join Mr. Steve and the gang at 11am for story time!

Vroman's Bookstore: Ezra Edmond discusses My Friend Levar
2024-11-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Ezra’s friend LeVar always has a book to share. From playing in the snow, to decorating eggs, to eating pancakes with Paul Bunyan–Ezra and LeVar explore all different kinds of stories. Through imaginative play they discover new worlds, learn to be curious, and revel in reading. One day young Ezra meets LeVar Burton in real life! Soon afterward, Ezra discovers that his friends know LeVar from TV, too.

This joyous celebration of the impact that LeVar Burton had on kids during his years on television stems from the author’s real-life admiration of LeVar Burton and their chance meeting when Ezra was a child.
Ezra Edmond is a debut author, illustrator, director, and animation producer with big ideas. His animated short, Blewish, was featured in several film festivals and celebrates being both Black and Jewish. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, trying new foods, telling stories, spending time with his friends, family, and dog, Sherman.

Vroman's Bookstore: STORYTIME: Introducing Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho with Miss Marie and Mr. Steve
2024-12-02 11:00 - 11:45 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
The O.G. alphabet rap gets a festive, Ho-Ho-Holiday makeover! In this Yuletide adventure, letters decorate (and topple) a Christmas tree! Shapes add to the chaos! Does this holiday remix pack the same “Boom Boom” punch as the ABC and 123 classics by Bill Martin Jr? Find out by joining Storytime also includes songs with Miss Marie and festive activity pages to color.

Vroman's Bookstore: Juhea Kim, in conversation with Katya Apekina, discusses City of Night Birds
2024-12-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
A once-famous ballerina faces a final choice—to return to the world of Russian dance that nearly broke her, or to walk away forever—in this incandescent novel of redemption and love
On a White Night in 2019, prima ballerina Natalia Leonova returns to St. Petersburg two years after a devastating accident that stalled her career. Once the most celebrated dancer of her generation, she now turns to pills and alcohol to numb the pain of her past.
She is unmoored in her old city as the ghosts of her former life begin to resurface: her loving but difficult mother, her absentee father, and the two gifted dancers who led to her downfall.
One of those dancers, Alexander, is the love of her life, who transformed both Natalia and her art. The other is Dmitri, a dark and treacherous genius. When the latter offers her a chance to return to the stage in her signature role, Natalia must decide whether she can again face the people responsible for both her soaring highs and darkest hours.
Painting a vivid portrait of the Russian ballet world, where cutthroat ambition, ever-shifting politics, and sublime artistry collide, City of Night Birds unveils the making of a dancer with both profound intimacy and breathtaking scope. Mysterious and alluring, passionate and virtuosic, Juhea Kim’s second novel is an affecting meditation on love, forgiveness, and the making of an artist in a turbulent world.
About the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles
Located at 5505 Wilshire Blvd., in the Miracle Mile District, the Korean Cultural Center is the axis of Korean heritage in Los Angeles. The Korean Cultural Center welcomes the general public to experience the rich traditions and history of Korea through specialized programs, sponsored events, and multiple learning resources.
Operated by the Korean government’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Cultural Center is dedicated to providing insights into the rich cultural heritage of Korea. We encourage everyone to visit and learn something new about a nation with a history spanning more than 5,000 years.

Vroman's Bookstore: Yxta Maya Murray discusses A History of Hazardous Objects
2024-12-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Laura de León is a radar astronomer who studies Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHOs) such as threatening asteroids and comets at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California. In Los Angeles in 2020, several crises are coalescing. The first strain of SARS-CoV-2 triggers the lockdowns, the city roils with protests of Derek Chauvin’s murder of George Floyd and the police killing of Breonna Taylor, while the Bobcat Fire sweeps across the San Fernando Valley. In the midst of these emergencies, Laura is struggling to keep her family alive.
Simultaneously, Laura is trying to write the history section of a Congressional report titled the National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan. This report will advise Congress that it must develop a system to detect and deflect PHOs, and the section Laura is working on cites several historical meteorite impacts as proof that the Earth is now undefended against a significant impact event.
A story about family, love, risk, and science, A History of Hazardous Objects contemplates how experiencing trauma and pain may help us secure a safer and more just world.

Vroman's Bookstore: Jordan Harper, in conversation with Travis Woods, discusses The Last King of California
2024-12-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101, United States
Sometimes to find yourself, you have to go back to where you came from.
You just might not like what you find.
After failing in his new life, Luke decides to go home, back to the one place where he’d once felt he belonged. But that was a long time ago and now he has to face the life that he chose to run away from: The Combine. The gang that his uncle now leads, but his father still runs from prison. Brutal, unforgiving . . . family.
Reunited with his childhood friend Callie and tagging along on jobs with her and her boyfriend Pretty Baby, Luke soon discovers that he might have a place back home after all. When another gang try to encroach on their turf, The Combine and Luke must go to war to save all that they know.
But in trying to be someone you’re not, can you ever find out who you are?
