Library Event Featuring Huell Howser’s Unseen Episode of “California’s Gold” on July 19

On Saturday, July 19 at 7 p.m. a free screening of “the great lost episode” of Huell Howser’s acclaimed California’s Gold TV series will be shown in the Library Community Room as part of the South Pasadena Arts Crawl which will also present many other arts events around town. For more information search “Arts Crawl South Pasadena” on Facebook.

Back in 2010 the late television personality Huell Howser telephoned South Pasadena filmmaker John McDonald and made an unprecedented request.  He had seen McDonald’s documentary The Ghost Mountain Experiment, a story about a family who had lived off the grid for 17 years in the California desert, and wanted to include it in his California’s Gold series.   “He just called me out of the blue,” McDonald said.  “He told me that he loved my doc, would like to interview me for his show and include the film in an episode of his TV series.” 

About his series, Howser would say, “For over 20 years now we’ve been traveling all over our state in search of its history, its natural wonders, its diversity and most importantly its rich human stories – all the things that make California such a special place to live.”  He found the story of the South family to be a quintessential California story.  But the episode was never broadcast when California’s Gold became the victim of restructuring within PBS and Howser decided to retire.  Not long before his untimely death, Howser gave his unedited video master of the episode to McDonald in a kind gesture of appreciation.   

Just like the rediscovery of lost gold, the intriguing episode  is ready to be released.  A Q&A with South Pasadenans McDonald and the film’s cinematographer, Stuart Asbjornsen, will follow the screening.  The event will also feature an exhibit of new artworks by renowned artist Scott Gandell entitled “Metaphorically Speaking.” Showcased will be artworks depicting various masks created in the last two weeks consisting of a dozen or so pen drawings and paintings. According to Gandell, “the ceremonial masks of various cultures, including African and Japanese, were referenced to create the series that leaves their meaning open to interpretation by the viewer. 

Scott Gandell is a professional illustrator, printmaker, and an entrepreneur. He is a past President of The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, and an alumnus of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Scott’s work has been published in magazines, newspapers, and books. His work has also been exhibited in galleries in the U.S. and Canada and has been acquired by clients and collectors worldwide. Along with his partner Anneline De Croos, Scott also operates the South Pasadena Mercantile Company on Fair Oaks Avenue.  

The South Pasadena Library Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. No tickets or reservations are necessary and refreshments will be served by the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. Doors will open at 6 p.m.