Mary Jean Shaffer

A Buffalo, New York native, Mary Jean Shaffer arrived in Pasadena 20 years ago as a singer/songwriter for the Holy Sister of the GaGa DaDa, destined for fame as an L.A. all-girl band, complete with a recording career, an MTV video and the distinction of having been voted Best Alternative Rock Band of the Year by the L.A. Weekly. While still a Holy Sister, Mary Jean began teaching piano and voice in Pasadena (her Halloween parties and recitals are legendary), with students ranging from a 5-year-old pianist to a 79 year-old jazz singer.

In 1997, Mary Jean graced the 20th annual Doo Dah Parade with her royal presence as its queen. And in an astonishing turn of events, the diehard cat lover has conjured up another identity as the owner/shower of an Australian Shepherd, Rascal, a six-time first-place National Specialty Champion Show Dog. In yet another recent incarnation, the force of nature known as Mary Jean started Dinosaur Diamonds, which sells jewelry made from rare, agatized dinosaur poop – it is polished and gorgeous, and no, it doesn’t have a smell, other than the sweet smell of success. Mary Jean accomplishes all this from her home in Altadena.

1. How did you discover Pasadena?

I was in Hollywood and a friend wanted to visit someone here, and I just remember getting on the freeway and driving for what seemed like 75 years. I was from Santa Cruz and not used to driving.

2. So why did you settle here?

Because it would take 75 years to get back to Hollywood. No, really, I got a job and found a place to live, and you could hike here, and seriously – I love Pasadena.

3. How in the world did you – a confirmed cat lady – get involved showing dogs?

It is just like being in a band: You are a sort of a team; you practice a few times a week; then you travel to a gig where the crowd goes wild and you never get to see the actual town. It felt perfectly natural.

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3 Favorites 

1. Do you have an absolute favorite Altadena hang?

I’m gonna give you three, without even having to think about it. First, I love Webster’s, because really, what can’t you do there? You can go in on Sunday and not come out ‘til Friday; you can pay all your bills, and, if you stay long enough, you can pick up your own wheelchair when it’s time to go. You can make rubber stamps; you can get your Girl Scout paraphernalia and Mother’s Day cards for every ethnicity on earth; you can buy all kinds of candy; and you can choose gifts from 99 cents to sky’s-the-limit. And we haven’t even gotten to the pharmacy department, where they yell out really loud, “Mrs. Shaffer – your Prozac is ready!” And there’s the biggest selection of stainless-steel canes you could ever dream of.

Check out the new scrapbooking section next to the liquor department—it’s great if you want to get drunk and do a little scrapbooking. And don’t get me started on all the convenient parking.

 2. Next?

I love Lindsey’s Liquors – kinda katty-corner from Webster’s. It is the only place where you can get Fancy Feast for 39 cents a can, which is absolutely unheard of! It is the over-35 hangout, where everybody plays Lotto and watches news and talks. It is the best place to watch car chases—everybody just screams at the TV. The owners are brother-and-sister Chinese immigrants who totally make the Altadena scene.

 3. And rounding out your Altadena Pick 3?

It has to be Oh Happy Days on Lake. It’s the original health food store, and it hasn’t changed one iota since opening in 1977. John Hopkins rides his bicycle to work every day and people have been coming for almost 30 years for his famous lentil-rice casserole. He runs tabs and feeds people if they can’t afford to pay. Whether you are homeless or drive up in a Mercedes, everybody sits around the tables outside. And if you need a junk-food fix, you can go next door to the Dutch Oven and have a slice of Sock-It-to-Me cake.

Hey, you slipped a fourth one in there!

Yeah, but we’re talking Sock-It-to-Me cake, for heaven’s sake.

 

Ed. note: For music lessons, Mary Jean can be reached at 626.201.2286. And, naughty or nice, check out www.dinodiamonds.com for your Christmas shopping needs.

 — by Jill Alison Ganon