Giant Fork In The Road at the Fork in the Road of Pasadena

Thrill of Laughter, Agony of Bills

2011-12-21T14:37:00.000-08:00

The Pasadena Sun shows a quirky view of Bob Stane holding up the fabulous fork in the road. Does he have pie yet to put his fork into?

Read the article and find out: here

Forking News in the media

2011-11-14T18:28:00.000-08:00

Here are links to some of the new forking news stories:

LA Times talks about the fork: HERE

If you know of other forking stories, or tv news sites, please email me at donna@barnesroberts.com

It's Official "Put The Fork In Hunger" WAS the biggest food drive in Pasadena's History

2011-11-14T18:10:00.000-08:00

Well, the results are tallied and the organizers met their goal. November 12th and 13th saw the "Put The Fork in Hunger" folks meet their 5 tons of food goal just shy of 4PM on Sunday. All of these donations were turned over to the Union Station Homeless Services for distribution to needy families.

So thanks to all of those who participated - detailed lists should be up on the Facebook page soon.

Put The Fork In Hunger - The Fork's Next Thing

2011-11-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Just like the first time the fork arrived, The Fork In The Road Gang is sponsoring a food drive. This year's goal is to collect over 5 tons of nonperishable food which will go to Union Station Homeless Services.

Details:

When: November 12th and 13th 8AM-4PM
Saturday and Sunday

Where: Fork Plaza 200 Bellefontaine (Pasadena Ave., St. John Ave., and Bellefontaine)

How: Just drive by slowly, and drop of non-perishable food items to volunteers

For information on how you can collect food as part of your own involvement, please call or email 626-644-3227 Phil@agentphil.com

This event is being presented by "The Fork In The Road Gang", whose lead conspirators and leaders are:

Philip A. Coombs (AKA AgentPhil) www.AgentPhil.com

Ken Marshall and Bob Stane of "The Coffee Gallery Backstage" http://www.coffeegallery.com

Please go to "Put The Fork in Hunger" on Facebood and "like" the page.

The Fork Arrived October 21st, 2011, and There Was even a song!

2011-11-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, the Fork is again up in all its glory at the intersection of Pasadena Avenue and Saint John in Pasadena. The news media came, and so did the print and internet guys. And a local banjo player wrote a song about the fork which was performed at the fork installation party.

Video from Channel 4 news is here: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Fork-in-the-Road-Caltrans-Pasadena--132359568.html.

The Star News Came and wrote and took pictures here:

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19183965.

Stay tuned - thgere will be a pre-Thanksgiving food drive at the fork that will blow your socks off.

Fork Partied Hearty - says he will Rise Again on October 21st, 11AM - be there

2011-10-18T17:40:00.000-07:00

First of all, on Saturday the 15th of October, the giant fork was feted like the giant utensil that could, and even had the Mayor of Pasadena ride on its back.

So even the powers that be in Pasadena love the fork - brought to you by the "Fork in the Road Gang" of Altadena. Just remember that the home in the heart of this wacky bunch is actually The Coffee Gallery and The Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. 2029 N. Lake Ave. Come visit us IF YOU DARE.

The fork will be restored to its greater glory at "Fork Plaza" where Bellfontaine, Pasadena Avenue and St. John Avenue meet. The official installation will be on Friday, October 21st at 11AM. Come and have your picture taken, or buy a t-shirt (helps pay for upkeep, insurance, etc. - now that we have official sanctions like permits and blessings).

Stay tuned - we are planning a huge food drive centered around the fork next month!

Pasadena Star News Tells about The Resurection of the Fork

2011-10-14T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Fork will rise again! And The Pasadena Star News has some of the scoop (we of course, have ALL the scoop). See the article at: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19114950.

Much Anticipation about Forking party and Fork Raising!

2011-10-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

Yes, there are two forking events coming up in the Forking month of October (the fork was originally installed October 31st, 2009).

First - On October 15th (a Saturday) at 4-9PM

There will be a Forking Party with Live Music, Drink, Food (you can help out by bring a dish and add to the drinks). There will be photo ops, t-shirts and an opportunity to mingle with The Fork In The Road Gang and their various hanger-ons, handlers, and generally colorful people.

Where is the Party?

It is at David Smith Construction, 2353 Kellog Court, Altadena, CA 91001

Stay tuned for the information about the actual erection of the fork at Fork Plaza on October 21st.

City of Pasadena Will Issue a Permit for the Fork

2011-01-27T14:38:00.000-08:00

Yes, according to The Star News, the city of Pasadena will be issuing a permit next month, so the Fork will be legal. I hope this doesn't go to The Fork's head, and loose it's bohemian, quirky nature.

When will the fork be re-installed? Stay tuned. I hope to have video when this happens. The Star News article can be seen at: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_17207788.

There is also an article in the Altadena Patch about the fork re-installation at http://altadena.patch.com/articles/fork-in-the-road-will-become-a-permanent-installation

Latest Forking News

2010-06-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, here is the scoop according to the Pasadena Star News Article.

The Fork HAS been removed and will be returning. We will keep you posted here when it happens.

In the meantime, here is a video I took of its removal.

Fork Was Removed Temporarily This Morning

2010-06-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

As was witnessed by myself, Donna Barnes-Roberts, Ken, Bob and other well-wishers (plus Pasadena Star News and Channel 4), the Fork was removed this morning to be refurbished, and re-installed at a later date. Photos and video will be added later to this blog.

5/24/10 Per Pasadena Star news - Cal Trans and The City of Pasadena are still Figuring about the fork

2010-05-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Pasadena Star News has new scoop on the Fork In The Road, produced by The Fork In The Road Gang who lives at The Coffee Gallery. I am not sure what is happening - but according to this article, it is happening slowly. It seems that it is likely that the fork can stay in the park where it lives now, but a lot of bureaucratic blood needs to be spilled, and studies made before all is said and done. The article can be seen here - http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_15153292.

Well, The Fork is Back in the NEWS!

2010-05-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

We are getting close to the time when SOME in the city of Pasadena want the fork to begonne! The video below on Channel 4 news brings up some of the forking issues of our time. If you have suggestions (especially concrete ones (heh, heh))as to where the fork might land, contact this blogger!

Contrary to Rumor, the Fork is still well and standing

2010-03-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just a note, since I have occasionally been asked if the Fork has been taken down. Nope, and the Fork is likely to stay up until May or June at least. If you drove by and didn't see it, you were probably distracted or blind. If you are distracted, please remove the distracting object from your car. If you are blind, please have someone else drive.

Remember to Visit The Fork on Valentine's Day, even though Roses and Hugs will NOT HAPPEN

2010-02-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry, there has been a change in plans, there will be no roses or hugs at The Fork In The Road on Valentine's day. The City of Pasadena will not allow The Fork In The Road Gang to stage their Valentine's day event. Party poopers in Pasadena seem to think that it might cause traffic issues.

You can still go and visit the fork, kiss it, picture it, you know - have some fun.

Now you know why us Altadenans look down our elevated noses at the bureaucratic Pasadena quagmire. It is not just the altitude, it is the attitude.

Look to The Fork In The Road Gang to work to enliven life. Come visit us in our home planet, The Coffee Gallery, and The Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.

Enough Said.

Pasadena Star News Sees Hearts at The Fork In The Road, Will Flowers Ensue?

2010-02-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

The Pasadena Star News published an article about The Fork In The Road and its new heart headress. But what they don't know is that Flowers follow Hearts as inevitably as rain runs to the sea. The article can be seen HERE,

Soon, there will be details about a new Fork Event for Valentine's Day. I am sure that those folks at The Coffee Gallery Backstage also know as The Fork In The Road Gang have too much time on their hands. Stay tuned for updates.

The Great Fork In the Road is Coming Up Roses for Valentine's Day

2010-02-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

Your heard right - come one, come all to the Great Fork In The Road on Valentine's Day because we are giving out roses to the first 300 ladies to arrive after 10AM on the appointed day. There will be members of The Fork In The Road Gang handing out the roses, along with kisses and hugs.

Get your picture taken with roses and a member of The Fork In The Road Gang, who will ply you with stories of the amazing wonders of the fork and our home, The Coffee Gallery and The Coffee Gallery Backstage in that quirky little not-really-a-city of Altadena. Silly stuff is on the table. Please partake.

The Great Fork In The Road gets dressed for Valentine's Day!

2010-02-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

All of you who are forkers or forkettes (fans of The Original Great Fork In The Road, of course), listen up real good. The Great Fork In The Road, located in Pasadena and the "Fork In The Road Gang", located at The Coffee Gallery in Altadena are presenting their latest Forking Event.

For Valentine's Day, not only will The Fork be dressed in hearts (see photo), but she will be the site of much love and appreciation. What love and appreciation? I have only been given hints from the leaders of the gang.

The Grand Forkster himself, Bob Stane had this to say:

"Things are being planned. There will be roses in our futures. There will be music and love and romantic guys with long hair, guitars and frilly white shirts. Good taste will be abandoned

for another day as ladies will be romanced with flowers and music. And Golden Hugs.

"There will be photo ops and silly stuff and thou shalt be pleased. And The Coffee Gallery Backstage will, again, brighten all of our lives with wit, humor and imagination. Oh, what is The Fork In The Road Gang going to do next? Will the voice of Cupid ring forth in our town by the mysterious coffee mountains?

"The fork is out there and waiting if you want you do your own photography. But this is just a tease for what will happen on Valentine's Day. But "teases are good." Something like foreplay. Oh, Bob, now you're talking. M-m-m-m-m. Folks will be driving by and anticipating what is about to happen. Laughter will echo from the hills. Will the build-up be equal to the actual event (an all day bash, no less)?"

Well, Bob does get carried away a bit. And yes, he even sometimes refers to himself in the first person when he writes. But he has much to contemplate and atone for.

So keep your eye on the fork, come on down and take pictures at the foot of this monumental utensil under the spreading hearts, and there may be flowers in your future. Or other things.

Fork is Listed Considered a TOP STORY of 2009 by Star News and Altadenablog!

2010-01-04T12:03:00.000-08:00

Yep, the Pasadena Star News and Altadenablog honored the fork as being an important story for 2009. Why the Altadenablog? Because the Fork In The Road Gang who built, installed, and supported The Great Original Fork In The Road started their adventure because of The Coffee Gallery and The Coffee Gallery Backstage.

Pasadena Star News Story

Altadena Blog Story

Don't forget all the links over here - we have piles of information about the Fabulous Forkin The Road.

Pasadena Star News Notices Santa is using The Fork as a hat rack

2009-12-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

Latest Fork Story shows newest decor applied to the Fork at: Today's Star News

Keep Looking Here For More Forking Events

2009-12-12T14:35:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm.....I wonder which team will get PIE?? To go along with the Original Great Fork In The Road.

Heh, heh, heh. The Fork In The Road Gang has plans for the future, and if you want to know about it FIRST. Check THIS blog - yeah www.theforkintheroadgang.com. Here is a sneak peak at something that MIGHT happen in the future. We used a time machine to bring back this picture (sorta), but keep looking here to see when this might actually happen (our time machine chronometer was slightly busticated so we are not be SURE about the date/time yet). You might even want to become a "follower" of this blog, so you don't miss the next HAPPENING.

This Message Just In from Pasadena Mayor BILL BOGAARD!

2009-11-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

The "Fork In The Road Gang" rocks, per the following sent to one of our ~~members~~ - ringleaders:

Dear Ken:

Thank you very much for the report from the weekend food drive, and congratulations on an extremely positive outcome. The support for the food drive, which is significant, reflects the extent of interest and support for the Fork in the Road.

This initiative—guerilla art or not—continues to be a source of excitement and pride to me, since I consider Pasadena to be a City that is animated by creative and artistic efforts and organizations. I will follow with interest your activities and hope that I can play a helpful role in that regard.

Keep up the good work, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

BILL BOGAARD

Mayor

Well, shucks from your neighbor to the North, Altadena and The Coffee Gallery and The Coffee Gallery Backstage.

Put The Fork In Hunger Drive Wow and thanks to YOU!!!

2009-11-23T18:23:00.000-08:00

Remember, links to video and other media stories about the fork are on the right hand side

Thanks to everyone - the volunteers, donors, and of course those zany foks - The Fork In The Road Gang for making the food drive at the fork a huge success. We mean huge. And thanks to AgentPhil who organized this forking event. His website about the drive is here.

Latest Fork In The Road - Food Drive information

2009-11-19T15:07:00.000-08:00

Look at the right side of this blog to see up-to-date links to articles and TV news clips about the fork And this weekend - THE FOOD DRIVE! Latest info is that if you are driving by to donate food, go West on Bellefontaine from Fair Oaks. The volunteers will then take your food donations there.

The Specifics about the "Fork In The Road" "Put The Fork in Hunger" a Giant Food Drive can be seen at AgentPhil.com

Giant Fork in the Road to sponsor "Put The Fork In Hunger"

2009-11-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

No, don't worry - this is not a Forking takeover.

Instead, The Fork in the Road Gang - composed of denizens of The Coffee Gallery Backstage and AgentPhil.com will be doing their part to "Put The Fork in Hunger" at the Fork in the Road, November 21st and 22nd.

They are now recruiting volunteers, so you can contact Philip Coombes at 626-644-3227 or Phil@AgentPhil.com to volunteer. If you can't volunteer, remember to drive on by and help us help others during the event. Benefiting Union Station Homeless Services.

When: November 21st and 22nd 8am-4pm
Where: at the Fork in the Road where Pasadena Ave and St. John meet just South of Belfontaine.
How: Just cruise on by slowly, roll down your window and drop off food items to volunteers with outreach bags.

I have heard that there may be tshirts available too. Stay tuned for more details.

Hats off to Ken Marshall and the Fork In The Road Gang

2009-11-12T14:35:00.000-08:00

During much of the time that the fork has been up - almost 2 whole weeks - the actual leader of the Fork In The Road Gang has been laying low. Part of the reason is that when they first put it up, there was some fear of potential arrest of the perpetrators, and of course the leader of the group didn't really want to wind up in the slammer or at the receiving end of litigation for this guerrilla art installation.

However, this concern was balanced by the desire to make sure nobody else took credit for the fork and the hope that a high profile and public enthusiasm for the fork would result it becoming an important part of Pasadena's cultural footprint. Plus, he was interviewed by various media outlets, so the cat is really out of the bag anyway.

So, with much ballyhoo, those of us who appreciate the fork want to thank Ken Marshall, sometime partner with Bob Stane (the quirky birthday boy) at The Coffee Gallery Backstage for building and installing this off-the-wall giant eating utensil, and amazing us all.

The really amazing part is that he didn't do this all by himself - any wacko could do that. He inspired a whole cadre of people to aid and abet his project, and managed to build flexibility into the team that could deal with life's little missteps. This proved to be essential when real Cal Trans workers were at the fork site at an inconvenient time (when the Fork Gang had planned on pouring the concrete). The team in their fake Cal Trans Halloween costumes adjusted their schedules to wait until "the coast was clear", and didn't finish until after dark.

So thanks Ken and the Gang, for a wild ride.

What A Weekend for the Fork, Bob Stane, and The Coffee Gallery Backstage!

2009-11-09T00:36:00.000-08:00

I was just informed this evening by Larry Wines, mavin of Acoustic Americana Radio, that Bob Stane, the recipient of the "Fork in the Road" birthday present, knocked them dead this weekend at the Far West Folk Alliance Conference. Both Larry and other participants told me that Bob was absolutely hilarious, and left everyone rolling in the aisles. When I asked Larry if anyone had a video of his speech (this being the YouTube era), I was informed that the session was being streamed live during the conference only. I am curious if anyone might have saved this and could make this available on the web. (I was just informed Tuesday night by the person in charge of Photography at the Conference, that she will provide the necessary link soon - so stay tuned).

Now, since I didn't get to go to the conference, I was spending the evening at Bob's usual home, The Coffee Gallery Backstage both Friday and Saturday evenings, where it was just a usual night of amazing entertainment in an intimate setting.

Friday brought Jim Kweskin, the man that made Jug Bands cool in the 60's, and while he no longer has a jug band, he brought a large bunch of stellar musicians, and performed new pieces as well as old Jug Band favorites in new ways. It was wonderful for me to be able to see this charming performer whose material harkens back to the early jazz and blues years from the earliest times of recorded music.

Saturday's entertainment was Berkley Hart, a melodious duo performing self-penned songs both humorous (How can you resist the Big Bad Barbie Doll?) and profound (Barrel of Rain). They remind you of the reason we go out to see live music in the first place. I think audiences want to come together, hoping for a profound experience. There is never a guarantee that you will find this transcendence at any particular time or place, but I will say that for an amazing variety of people, The Coffee Gallery Backstage seldom misses.

This is a reminder of why Bob Stane plies his trade, weaving a fabric of unique great music and entertainment. This live experience cannot be bottled. Even if you get an idea about what an act looks and sounds like from YouTube, that is much like looking under the flap of the circus tent, seeing the elephants feet and thinking you have seen the circus.

After having said that, I hope to have a few of these performances up on YouTube before the week is over. Then you might suspect that you missed something great.

So, if you like the Fork, help sustain yourself and the man the fork was built for - take a look at the offerings at The Coffee Gallery Backstage.

Yesterday, TV news was all about the Fork - Saturday it's the LA Times and Radio

2009-11-06T17:44:00.000-08:00

Well, we have seen a lot of coverage on the TV news stations about the Fork and who did it, why they did it, where they did it, how they did it, and finally can they do that?

Since the answer to the last quesion is undoubtedly, yes they CAN, the saga continues and looking to the future the BIG QUESTION is can it last.

Tomorrow, we may learn something new about that - The LA Times will be running an article about the fork and I was told they talked to the Mayor of Pasadena, and he said that he was in favor of the fork.

And John Rabe of Off Ramp will have an interview with Pasadena's Mayor Bognard on his radio show tomorrow, where he states he is in favor of the fork and will fight to ensure its survival.

Lots of Media are noticing the Giant Pasadena Prankster Fork in the Road

2009-11-05T22:18:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday and today were exciting days for Pasadena's Giant Fork in the Road. It was just about everywhere you went in the media, Pasadena Star News, Channels 2, 5, 7, 9 - even the Chicago Tribune picked up the story, so we are not just local any more. I have provided links on the right hand side of this blog to all of the media outlets I am aware of. If you know of any others, let me know.

And of course, you can take the poll on the right and let us know if you like the fork, or would prefer its demise.

Yes, dear, there is a lot of interest in this fork

2009-11-04T23:40:00.000-08:00

Well, the story seems to have broken all over town, that a giant 18 foot tall sculpture of a fork has impaled itself at a fork in the road in Pasadena. Was this the result of an alien resting his fork in the middle of a meal? Something that fell out of a passing plane? Broken signage for one of the many Pasadena Restaurants?

Wrong on all counts. This was a surprise birthday present. A gift to an icon of Pasadena (and Altadena) culture, Bob Stane that also turned into an surprise unbirthday present to the City of Pasadena.

We will be keeping you up to date on what is happening with this icon-to-be and provide links to whatever we find anyone else is posting about it. And of course, we will try to separate truth from fiction. I have realized that even the participants haven't talked to each other about every little detail, and disremembering is rampant among professional and amateur alike.

I would like to take this time to recognize John Rabe's blog who posted this information before the big media folks got a hold of it.

HERE IS THE HUMAN INTEREST PART OF THIS STORY:

Now the first thing you may be wondering is - who is Bob Stane, what has he done to deserve such an unusual present, and of course - how old is he. To answer the last question first, he turned 75 last week. And he is the originator (though not the present owner) of The Ice House in Pasadena. He built it up back in the day of beatniks, folk music, and of course, humor. Back in those days, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams, played there, and as for the musical acts, they were the giants of the era. And what is even more important at one point in time, he had the ONLY WORKING ESPRESSO MACHINE IN PASADENA. He beat Starbucks to Pasadena, by over 20 years. This is truly a man ahead of his time.

Of course, just because Bob is no longer the owner of The Ice House doesn't mean that he has lost his appreciation of wacky things, and he still is partners in The Coffee Gallery Backstage, just up the road in Altadena, where he showcases the best of today's acoustic music, in an intimate, laid back venue.

The plan here is to be the "go to" site to go to when you want to know anything about the fork in the road. And of course, we welcome your input about what we should do with it, to it, and around it.