Justin’s Newsletter: July 2024
Vol. 4, Issue 7
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What’s Up With Me
Watch the latest episode of "Pasadena Monthly with Justin Chapman," featuring an interview with Rick Gould and John Onderdonk of the One Arroyo Foundation about the Arroyo Seco trails improvement project.
Around Town
Great Reads
Here are some recommendations for interesting books I’ve read recently:
Resolution—Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting and so many other great books, is one of my favorite writers. This novel is the third in a series about a Scottish cop who investigates child abusers and who was abused himself as a child. A lighthearted romp, as always. But really good and well worth your time. Pick up any book by Welsh and you won’t be disappointed. The other two books in the series are Crime and The Long Knives, which have been adapted into a TV series called “Crime” that’s also really well done.
The African Dream: The Diaries of the Revolutionary War in the Congo—Che Guevara
Che’s diary about his time trying to marshal revolutionary forces in the Congo in the 1960s on behalf of the Cuban government provides fascinating insights into how the controversial figure approached guerrilla warfare—and the limits of that approach. His dream of revolution there, of course, failed miserably, and here he details how and why that happened. He went on to fail again in Bolivia the following year, where he was captured and shot. The whole story of communist influence in Africa is really interesting, with some efforts more successful than others.
Great Listens/Watches
Be sure to check out my good friend Hawah’s new podcast, “Everlutionary: Healing and Transforming the World.” He has been working to spread the philosophy of peace and non-violence for decades, and the interviews on this podcast are bursting with insights into life. It’s a must-listen.
Also mark your calendars to watch my good friend and Pasadena Now Managing Editor André Coleman’s first film “Milestone,” which will premiere at the Regency Academy at 1003 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena and run from August 9-15 with showtimes at 12:30 p.m., 2:50 p.m., and 9:45 p.m. The fictional documentary explores a small town embroiled in Civil Rights unrest that receives a proposition that could change the world. There’s just one caveat—the people have to come together and put their differences aside. The cast includes: Marvin Edmonds, De End Parker, Torean Thomas, Robert Terry, Carroll Harris, Iyesha Damali, and Roy Minami.
Spotlight on My Past Stories
Throwback to when Mercedes photographed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for two of my stories.
And read all of my journalism here.