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MonteCedro > New Neighbor Club > November Newsletter Archive

This month at MonteCedro.

November is filled with activities and events at MonteCedro.

We’d love to see you soon. Take a look at some of what’s happening and RSVP by clicking the link to let us know you can attend.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (626) 788-4924 or email Caroline Davis at: [email protected].

Two women pose at a table with tea and pastries; one is a wax figure dressed elegantly in black gloves and pearls, while the other is an older woman smiling and mimicking the pose.

A visit to Madame Tussauds in Hollywood

Calendar of events

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Today

    • Thu 4
    Two people stand against a dark sky, pointing at illuminated constellations highlighted among stars, with a silhouette of trees and a sunset on the horizon.
    June 4 11:00AM – 12:00PM Auditorium

    Mythology in the Stars

    This multi-part series concludes. Guest Toby Hooper shares insights and stories about the constellations, celestial stars and planets. If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and pondered all that is overhead, you won’t want to miss this presentation.

    RSVP
    Thu 4
    Close-up of hands playing an electronic keyboard, with a smartphone resting on the instrument. In the background, a drum set and other musicians are partially visible, suggesting a live music performance.
    June 4 4:00PM – 5:00PM Auditorium

    Chad Edwards Band

    Pianist Chad Edwards has been active in the LA area jazz scene for more than four decades, performing in a wide range of musical settings. His first CD “Resolution” received critical acclaim, featuring a mix of original compositions and fresh arrangements of jazz standards. His album, “Wyoming Roads” was released in May 2024, and is receiving enthusiastic reviews. Please join us for this exceptional afternoon of music.

    RSVP
    Fri 5
    A person wearing a black jacket with purple cuffs plays a grand piano, with their hands on the keys and reflections visible on the pianos glossy surface. Twinkling lights are in the blurred background.
    June 5 11:00AM – 12:00PM Auditorium

    Vieness Piano Duo

    The Vieness Piano Duo stands among the most electrifying and in-demand piano duos on the world stage today. Comprised of pianists Eva Schaumkell and Vijay Venkatesh, the pair is celebrated for their intuitive musical communication, technical brilliance, and powerful stage presence. Join us for what will be a moving and memorable performance.

    RSVP
    Mon 8
    A close-up of a person playing a violin, focusing on the instrument and bow. The person is wearing a patterned vest and a white shirt, with warm lighting highlighting the violin’s wood grain.
    June 8 11:00AM – 12:00PM Auditorium

    The Romantic and the Impressionist with Paul and Stephanie

    This musical duo performs the iconic Brahms Violin Concerto, Brahms’ only violin concerto. In addition, they will perform the delicate music of Eric Satie, famed for his work the Gymnopédies. A must for all music lovers.

    RSVP
    Fri 12
    A grand piano with its lid open sits on a wooden stage next to a padded black bench, with warm lighting and a backdrop of wooden panels.
    June 12 11:00AM – 12:00PM Auditorium

    A Concise Chronicle of Piano Music from Bach to Bartok, Part II

    Dr. Vatché Mankerian holds a doctor of musical arts degree from USC’s Thornton School of Music and began teaching at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music in 1988. Join him as he discusses the history of piano music, the popularization of the solo recital and how the piano was finally established as the king of musical instruments. This series of lecture-recitals will chronicle the development of characteristic works for piano by some of the greatest composers.

    RSVP
    Tue 16
    A buffet table with plates, tongs, glasses, and a variety of pastries, cakes, rolls, and dessert cups, set up for a breakfast or brunch event in a restaurant or hotel.
    June 16 8:30AM – 9:30AM Marcell’s

    Women’s Breakfast: Marcell’s

    The popular gathering of the ladies of MonteCedro is an ideal opportunity to get to know your future neighbors. Please RSVP early for this event as seating is limited.

    RSVP
    Fri 19
    An older woman with gray hair, wearing a purple zip-up jacket and earphones, sits on a bench in a gym lifting two dumbbells. Gym equipment and a man are visible in the background.
    June 19 11:00AM – 12:00PM Auditorium

    Extra Hour: Why Strength Training is Essential for Aging Well

    Join Regional Fitness Director Cesar Barragan and Fitness Instructor Julian Love as they discuss how strength training supports independence, balance, bone health, and overall quality of life as we age. Come learn why maintaining muscle is important for staying active, and see the demonstration of simple strength exercises. They will also discuss how personal training can provide support for those looking to build confidence and create a fitness routine that fits their lifestyle.

    RSVP
    Thu 25
    A person in casual clothing and a cap is dancing, silhouetted against a bright blue background with dramatic lighting and smoke effects.
    June 25 11:00AM – 12:00PM Auditorium

    “A Remarkable Story” with Zoot Velasco and Altadena Heritage

    Zoot was severely burned as an infant, losing the muscles in his right foot, yet went on to a 12-year career as a professional dancer, actor, and international touring artist working with Prince, Michael Jackson, Arsenio Hall, and James Cameron among others. In addition to raising more than $32 million for various organizations, he built four art centers for the City of LA, a Boys & Girls Club, and a Theatre for the City of Long Beach. Join us to hear his remarkable story.

    RSVP

    October Events

    The past month was filled with fun and interesting events and outings at MonteCedro. Below are some of the activities that were enjoyed by residents.

    A woman wearing glasses and a colorful stole gently holds and blesses a large dog, touching its nose, in a room with yellow chairs and people in the background.

    At MonteCedro

    Blessing of the animals

    Chaplain Liz offered a “Blessing of the Animals” for the beloved pets of MonteCedro. Cats, dogs, and photos of furry companions were all given a special blessing filled with love.

    • A small black and gray dog with curly fur sits on an orange patterned carpet, looking up with wide eyes. Part of a persons shoe and chair legs are visible in the background.
    • A gray and white cat with wide eyes looks out from inside a metal pet carrier, pressing its face close to the bars. A tan blanket lines the bottom of the carrier.
    • Two older women stand indoors holding a large, realistic pillow shaped like a fluffy dog. Both women are smiling and wearing glasses and sweaters, and the atmosphere appears friendly and warm.
    • Two older women smile warmly as one gently pets a small, long-haired dog sitting on the others lap. One woman wears glasses and a colorful scarf, while the other wears a striped shirt and closes her eyes, enjoying the moment.
    • An older man wearing sunglasses and a gray sweater smiles as he sits closely with a small, curly-haired dog that looks up at him affectionately.
    • A person in religious attire with a colorful stole bends down to gently bless or touch a light-colored dog, which is looking up at them affectionately.
    An older woman wearing glasses and gloves paints a colorful design on fabric stretched over a frame in an art classroom. Other people and supplies are visible in the background.

    At MonteCedro

    Silk scarf painting class

    Instructor Gabrielle Anderson led a class in silk scarf painting. The residents enjoyed the creative process and will have a beautiful piece of original art to wear in the cooler months to come.

     

    An elderly woman with short white hair, glasses, and a piano key patterned scarf holds a microphone while speaking or singing in front of beige curtains. A microphone stand is beside her.

    Performances

    Karaoke!

    Several brave residents took to the microphone to sing at our Karaoke night. A wide variety of songs were performed — some hits and some more unexpected tunes. It was a fabulous, fun evening of friends and song.

    Three musicians perform indoors: a violinist, a pianist, and a cellist. Two audience members sit in the foreground, listening attentively. The musicians are focused on their sheet music and instruments.

    Performances

    Mendelssohn’s Romantic Yearnings & Beethoven’s Halloween Ghost

    The trio of Paul Stein on violin, Stephanie Lan on piano and Dave Mergen on cello performed works from two classical titans to usher in the month of October. The works included Mendelssohn’s Romantic Yearnings & Beethoven’s Halloween Ghost. The hauntingly beautiful music was a feast for the ears and the spirit.

    A woman gives a presentation to a seated audience of older adults in a conference room, gesturing toward a projection screen with informational slides.

    Lecture

    Exploring the Cosmos

    Dr. Nivedita Mahesh, an Astrophysicist from Cal Tech presented “Farside: Exploring the Cosmos from the Moon.” Dr. Mahesh was a fascinating speaker and her lecture sparked great questions and discussions.

     

    A man in a suit presents a slideshow titled Bonus Tracks to an audience of older adults seated in chairs, with some grey and white-haired attendees visible from the back.

    Lecture

    Outlaws of Altadena

    Hans Alhoff from our Creative Living Academy Partner Altadena Heritage shared his insights into the history of three colorful contrarians — Angleo Gianonni, Paul Little, and Tim Dunden. Despite their eccentricities, all three Altadenans cared deeply about personal freedom as they understood it.

    A man in a striped shirt stands at a podium with a laptop, holding a microphone and smiling, as if speaking or presenting. A phone is mounted on the wall behind him.

    Lecture

    Music of the War Years: WWI to Vietnam

    We welcomed Oliver Greene, from our Creative Living Academy partner The Pasadena Conservatory of Music. A native of Georgia, Oliver served as an associate professor at Georgia State University where he taught courses on world music, popular American music and African music, carnival traditions of Trinidad and Brazil, and music history. He holds a Ph.D. in musicology from Florida State University, Master of Music degrees from Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Music from the College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. He is the author of The Garifuna Music Reader (2018), an edited manuscript on music and ritual traditions of the Garifuna of Belize. He completed the last of a four-part series of examination of music as a response to military conflict. It explored popular music in the US before and during World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. The series of talks were well attended and appreciated by residents.

    Four people dressed in playful, colorful outfits and hats pose together outdoors. Two hold props: a Life of the Party! sign and a paper wine glass. A blue van is in the background. All are smiling and festive.

    Outings

    Convalescent Aid Society Garden Party

    Team members including Adam Peña, Executive Director of MonteCedro attended the sold-out CAS (Convalescent Aid Society) Garden Party at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena. MonteCedro was a proud sponsor of this event. CAS has been serving those in need since 1923. The honorees this year were supporters of the victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena. It was an exceptional evening for an exceptional cause.

    A group of older adults poses and smiles in front of the California African American Museum (CAAM) on a sunny day. Some people wear hats and sunglasses, and a few hold canes.

    Outings

    Ode to ’Dena: Black artistic legacies of Altadena

    Residents visited the California African American Museum and their exhibit: “Ode to ’Dena: Black artistic legacies of Altadena.” During the 1950s and 1960s, Altadena was home to a burgeoning Black community and was hailed as the epicenter of Black arts activity in Los Angeles County. Though this designation arguably shifted to the South Central neighborhood of Watts in the wake of the 1965 Watts Rebellion, Altadena continued to develop as a vibrant and creative haven with a distinctive Black cultural imprint. Since then, Altadena and the adjacent city of Pasadena have served as home to an extraordinary array of Black artists, educators, musicians, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and activists.

    Ode to ’Dena lauds the rich and dynamic Black cultural heritage of Altadena. It surveys the town’s enduring legacy through the work and stories of an intergenerational group of artists who have called it home. The exhibit was a blend of photography, paintings and mixed media. It was a stunning reflection of the history and voices of the neighborhood.

    Three smiling women pose together outdoors. The woman in the middle has long gray hair and wears a floral scarf, while the women on either side have blonde hair and wear necklaces and light-colored tops.

    Outings

    “Getting to Know You” social at The Athenaeum

    Current residents mingled with future residents at The Athenaeum for a “Getting to Know You” Social with Executive Director, Adam Peña. Following a delicious meal, there was a fun “This or That” Q&A with Adam. Guests were gifted with a “California Road Trips” Guide, also inspired by Adam’s favorite pastimes. It was a memorable evening of connection and friendship.

    • A man speaks into a microphone to an audience seated at round tables in an elegant hall with arched columns, floral centerpieces, and warm lighting. Bust sculptures are mounted on the walls.
    • A woman speaks into a microphone while standing on a stage in front of large windows at a formal indoor event. Attendees are seated at tables with floral centerpieces, listening to her. The atmosphere is elegant and festive.
    • Two men smiling and standing side by side indoors, one in a blue shirt and the other in a brown suit jacket, with a lit wall sconce visible in the background.
    • Three women stand close together indoors, smiling at the camera. The woman on the left wears a brown dress, the center woman wears a light embroidered blouse, and the woman on the right has glasses and a floral top. A clock is visible behind them.
    • Two older adults, a man in a patterned jacket and a woman with white hair wearing a name tag, are serving themselves food from a buffet at a formal indoor event with other guests seated at round tables in the background.
    • A group of people socialize and mingle at a formal indoor gathering, surrounded by ornate columns and arches with warm lighting. Tables with white tablecloths and an orange umbrella are visible in the background.
    Five older adults stand smiling together in front of a green backdrop with the “Madame Tussauds Hollywood” logo. Four are holding handbags, and they are dressed in casual, comfortable clothing.

    Outings

    Madame Tussauds in Hollywood

    A group of residents visited Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. They explored every corner of the wax museum, took endless photos and laughed until their cheeks hurt. Following time at the museum, they had lunch at the rooftop restaurant and then walked a half block to Grauman’s Chinese Theater to explore.

    • An older woman stands smiling inside a large model of an open shark’s mouth with big teeth, set against a blue and white wall with ropes on either side.
    • An elderly man stands inside an open sarcophagus next to a mummy figure wrapped in bandages, both set against a wall with Egyptian-style carvings.
    • An older woman smiles while sitting next to a lifelike wax figure of Audrey Hepburn in a black dress and tiara, styled as in Breakfast at Tiffanys. They are seated at a table set with tea and pastries.
    • An older man leans in to kiss a lifelike wax figure of Marilyn Monroe dressed in a sparkling red gown at a museum or exhibit. Other figures and visitors are visible in the background.
    • An older man stands next to a wax figure of Elvis Presley wearing a black jacket and striped shirt in a museum setting. A blue wall with song titles and a red guitar are in the background.
    • An elderly woman with glasses smiles and hugs a wax figure of a man in a black shirt who is pointing forward, standing next to a red and white car.
    • An elderly man in glasses smiles and poses with a lifelike wax figure of a man in a beige suit holding a box with an orange ribbon, both sitting on a bench with greenery in the background.
    • A man poses playfully in the giant hand of a King Kong statue, surrounded by model skyscrapers with a cityscape backdrop. He imitates a surprised expression, matching the roaring King Kong behind him.
    • An elderly woman sits smiling in a red chair holding a brown hat, next to a wax figure in a white dress and black hat. Behind them are dresses, hats on the wall, and shopping bags, including one from Madame Tussauds.
    • A woman with gray hair and glasses sits on a bench next to a wax figure dressed in a white Victorian-era dress and wide-brimmed hat. Both are smiling. The woman holds shopping bags and wears headphones around her neck.
    • A smiling woman stands beside a life-sized E.T. model wrapped in a white blanket and sitting in a bicycle basket, with a large moon backdrop behind them.

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