6 Ton Pototo Meets 18 Foot Fork. Ultimate Fusion Food Drive

Only those Wacked-Out (my words, not those of this station or anyone in authority) ForkInTheRoadGang folks would think this up!

6 TON POTATO AND AN 18 FOOT HIGH FORK (IN THE ROAD). WHO WILL DEVOUR PASADENA? 

 A HUGE STORY This Tuesday morning at 11:00 A. M. the daring and adventurous pairing of The 6 Ton Potato and the 18 foot high fork of the famous Fork In The Road takes place amongst endless potato jokes and enough visual gags to please any viewer or reader. Tuesday, October 16. Lots of parking for trucks and cars.

The Idaho Potato Commission, in a moment of insanity, fabricated a 6 ton potato and had a special 18 wheeler especially built to campaign it around our great nation to promote Idaho potatoes. And that is exactly what they have been doing. Relentlessly and with good humor. The Coffee Gallery Backstage (organizer of TheForkInTheRoadGang) contacted the spud folks and invited them to pair “The Big Potato” with the gigantic Fork In The Road, in Pasadena, to benefit Union Station (the Pasadena local food for the hungry)and Meals On Wheels (the main, and national, beneficiary of the national tour). for a morning and evening potato and fork fest of outsized visual and auditory delights. What says, “eat more potatoes and don’t be hungry” more than an oversized fork and a giant tuber?

This is taking place at FORK PLAZA in Pasadena which is the piece of real estate annexed, with the approval of the City Of Pasadena, at the intersection of Pasadena Ave., St. John’s Place (the fork in the road) and Belleforntaine. Address: 200 Bellenfontaine, Pasadena Ca. 91105. The Big Potato and The Giant Fork In The Road will be side by side for photo opportunities and general amazement.

You might see great interviews by Phillip Coombes, Ken Marshall and Bob Stane (the people behind The Fork In The Road) along with the verbal adventures and stories of “how and why” by the drivers and crew of the huge custom truck. Tales Of The Road take on a new meaning as they tirelessly chauffeur a huge and spectacular potato. (Spud needs to stop and use the restroom).

The Fork In The Road and the 6 Ton Potato will be on display, together again for the first time, at this location, from 11:00 A. M. to 6:00 P.M. for the delight of folks of all ages and those who might pay good money at a carnival to view the two headed snake. This, fortunately, will happen only once. Feast on the over kill.

Visitors to the event, which is free and open, are encouraged to bring potatoes, and other non perishable foods, for the benefit of Union Station as well as potato and fork gags. Those dressed in potato sacks will be given special attention, appreciation and ridicule. To truly, “dig” your potatoes, bring a garden fork designed to free tubers from the ground. Show Show and Tell is encouraged as are all sight gags. See you there!

Thrill of Laughter, Agony of Bills

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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?

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

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!

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!

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.