When there’s a fork in the road, pick it up. Or maybe not.

November 8, 5:13 PMAltadena Headlines ExaminerLaura Berthold Monteros

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When in doubt, give cutlery. That’s probably good advice for a wedding, but for a birthday? That’s exactly—well, maybe not exactly, but similarly—what Bob Stane’s buddies gave him in celebration of his 75th birthday.

The owner and proprietor of the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena and founder of the Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena was surprised by the unveiling of a giant fork in the road at the—well, fork—where St. John Avenue splits off Pasadena Avenue in Pasadena. Dug into the soil on a traffic island, the 18-foot silver fork stands tall and proud and as unavoidable as good manners at a five-star restaurant.

Going undercover as CalTrans workers, Stane’s friends worked through the night to plant the prongs in 2 ½ feet of steel and concrete. Since it’s unlikely to accidently end up in the garbage disposal or trash can, it should be around to pass down to Stane’s grandchildren.

Stane would like to regift it to the city of Pasadena as a whimsical display of public art. The city has already run a safety inspection and is waiting for results, according to Stephanie DeWolfe, deputy director of Planning and Development. Ken Marshall, co-owner of the Coffee Gallery and creator of the utensil, will have to pay the costs of the inspection.

"To my knowledge, there hasn't ever been a mystery piece of public art just popping up in the city," said DeWolfe, who has been with the city for 20 years.

Whether or not the fork sticks around is up to the city and CalTrans, who owns the land. Given the speed with which CalTrans has moved ahead on the 710 Freeway extension, that should "entine" it for at least the next 35 years.

"It was just the best birthday present I've ever had," said Stane. "It was the only time I've ever been surprised for my birthday."

photo by Laura Monteros