Our Guide to Events Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

The first activity kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at the City Hall Court Yard in South Pasadena

From STAFF REPORTS
Published: Sunday, September 11, 2011 | 4:10 AM

Alex Kritselis: Above the Fold

The city of Pasadena and surrounding communities are joining the rest of the nation in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people from 90 countries.

The first area activity kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at the City Hall Court Yard in South Pasadena. Mayor Mike Ten will be leading the event as the city dedicates a plaque in memory of Sue Kim Hanson, a 1984 graduate of South Pasadena High School; her husband Peter Hanson; and their 2-year-old daughter Christine. The three were aboard the United Airlines Flight 175 which was one of the aircraft hijacked by Al-Qaida terrorist that crashed into the World Trade Center.

The memorial plaque will be installed in the City Hall’s courtyard.

At 11:00 a.m., four USMC F-18’s from Miramar will flyover Pasadena while the Pasadena City College – Tournament of Roses marching band provides music during the unveiling of the permanent 9-11 memorial to be held at the intersection of New York Drive and Bradley Street.

Local air force veteran and Pasadena 911 committee Chairman John McDannel said that the Tamkin Foundation donated $25,000 for the Memorial signage and stonework. 480 Rose Parade grandstand-style seats generously provided by Sharp Seating will accommodate visitors while parking for 1,500 cars is planned. A number of food trucks will provide snacks and refreshments for those who attend the event.

MacDannel said in an earlier statement, “We are looking forward to an important kick-off to the permanent memorial to 9-11 in Pasadena. As an American, I think it’s important for all of us to never forget the bravery, human sacrifice and events of that fateful day. Fire fighters, police, EMTs, military in uniform, schools, Rotary members, civic clubs, veterans, and citizens are welcome to attend. Patriotism is alive and well in Pasadena.”

McDannel added that the committee is planning to construct a larger 9-11-01 Memorial Lake in Pasadena to commemorate and honor the fallen heroes by developing a park land in the Eaton Canyon basin for all to enjoy. The Port Authority of New York has been asked to release two I-Beams from the World Trade Center to Pasadena with the hope that city leaders will incorporate these relics into a beautiful memorial park near Eaton Canyon.

Then at 7:00 p.m., inter-faith advocates, the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP), will have a peace concert and panel discussion at All Saints Church at 132 N. Euclid. Grammy winning  jazz musician Bill Cunliffe, his band and singers will lead with great songs of peace.

The ICUJP event, dubbed “The Urgency of 9/11/11: Challenging U.S. War-making,” will be filled with great songs, chants, hymns and calls for peace. A panel discussion from a host of distinguished leaders from different religions and faiths, will explore how people of faith and conscience can help repair communities here and abroad

The panelists include Hussam Ayloush, Executive Director, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR); Reverend Carissa Baldwin, Peace and Justice Associate, All Saints Church; Rabbi Leonard Beerman, Leo Baeck Temple, Los Angeles; Reverend Louis Chase, Pastor, Hamilton United Methodist Church; Rabbi Laura Geller, Temple Emmanuel, Beverly Hills; and Aziza Hasan, Government Affairs Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). The moderator will be Reverend Dr. George F. Regas, Founder of ICUJP and Rector Emeritus of All Saints Church.

Also on Sunday, MUSE/IQUE will hold a free concert with the Pasadena Master Chorale at the Plaza at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium located at 300 E. Green Street from 7:00-8:00 p.m. The concert will feature music from Bach and Tchaikovsky to Paul Simon and Gershwin

Special guest, Wendie Malick, will be reading a Billy Collins poem “The Names.” The color guards of the Pasadena Police and Fire Departments will provide a moving presentation of the colors.

For additional information, please contact the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau at (626) 795-9311.

A memorial barbecue fundraiser event is sponsored by Le Cordon Bleu on Monday, September 12, at the Converse Alley from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to donate a minimum of $7 for the event. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.

And on September 18, Alex Kriselis art works “Above the Fold,” will be officially installed and open for public viewing at the Pasadena Museum of California Arts.

Exploring how the media shapes people’s perceptions of significant events, Alex Kritselis creates a vast landscape from the issues of the Los Angeles Times that he collected in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.  His immersive installation was previously installed at the Armory Center for the Arts in 2002, but has been reimagined for the PMCA Back Gallery to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and to pose new questions about the lingering effects of the attack on our national psyche.

The Pasadena Museum of California Arts is located at 490 E. Union St. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on September 17 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call (626)568-3665 or log onto www.pmcaonline.org.