Pasadena hosts Antiquarian Book Festival

The 49th California International Antiquarian Book Fair offers an incredible opportunity to browse and buy the finest in rare and beautiful books.
The event which runs from Feb. 12 through Feb. 14, features a tribute to the 150th Anniversary of the first official publication of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."
But that's not all. The fair also offers sales on manuscripts, photographs and more. Centered on the collections and rare treasures of 200 book sellers from around the world, the Book Fair will present volumes ranging in price from a few dollars to more than six figures.
Books will cover every imaginable area of interest -- from the history of travel and exploration, early science and medicine to classic literature, modern first editions, children's and illustrated books and the arts. 
Event times are:
-- Friday Feb. 12, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.;
-- Saturday Feb. 13, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 
-- Sunday Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An adult three-day pass sells for $25; a Saturday and Sunday only pass runs $15. Student passes run $20 for three days and $10 for Saturday and Sunday only admission. Valid student ID is required. Children under 12 are free. 
For more information visit www.cabookfair.com or call (800) 454-6401

The hotel constance pasadena plays role in Woody Allen movie

Pasadena's own dusitD2 hotel constance pasadena got an exterior cameo as director Woody Allen shot footage at the Colorado Boulevard landmark. 

Allen's untitled movie stars Jesse Eisenberg and is set in the 1930s. A hotel employee got a pretty good shot of some old-time cars parked on Mentor Avenue. There's a Twitter post or two about the scene in Pasadena, some even have  pictures of the famous director. 

At least one source says this is Allen's first film to be shot in and around Los Angeles since the late 70s classic Annie Hall. 

Award winning Hotel Constance

The Hotel Constance on East Colorado Boulevard is among several properties Thursday chosen to receive Pasadena's 2015 Historic Preservation Award. 

The hotel, originally built in 1926, went through a $60 million makeover.  Completed in 2014, the venerable building reemerged as the dusitD2 Hotel Constance.

It was completely renovated and modernized into a boutique hotel inside while keeping many original features outside as well as inside. With its unique bluRoom cocktail lounge, the hotel has been described as both contemporary and historically significant.