Spillway - Then And Now

One more set of photo's comparing 2008 with 2005.  The photo on the left was taken on 01/11/2005 and shows the water level in the debris basin was high enough to flow over the spillway.  The photo on the right was taken 12/29/2008 and shows an empty debris basin.  You get an idea of how much water was necessary to reach the top of the spillway.

Thanks again to Susam Immer, Park Programs and Resource Supervisor for Monrovia Canyon Park, for the photo from 2005.

Debris Basin - Then And Now

Now that we've had a little bit of rain, I thought it might be interesting to compare December 2008 with the very rainy month of January 2005.  The photo on the left was taken 12/29/2008, the photo on the right on 01/09/2005.  The water level in 2005 almost made it up to the bottom of the metal walkway on the left of the photo's.  It did make it back into Spanish Canyon on the far side.

Thanks to Susan Immer, Park Programs and Resource Supervisor for Monrovia Canyon Park, for the photo from 2005.

A Little Local Color

One of the alleyways in Old Town Monrovia.

Rocks And Clouds

One more from the local mountains.

Power Lines In The Clouds

Another from the little trip up into the mountains last Monday. 

Road And Clouds

Took a little trip up into the Angeles National Forest above Monrovia earlier in the week.  There was a light drizzle and cool weather but not quite cold enough for snow on this morning.

Merry Christmas!

Looking through the window of the still vacant building at 601 S. Myrtle Ave. that almost became a Vroman's Bookstore.

Yes, it is vacant.  Someone, in the Christmas Spirit, felt that this nice holiday scene would be much more appealing than a dark, empty front window.

Old Town Tree Decorations

Nativity Scene

Outside the First Presbyterian Church at Foothill Blvd. and Myrtle Ave.

Gumdrops And Lollipops

The fencing around the base of the city Christmas tree.

Christmas Wreath

Wreath on the door of the First Christian Church on Primrose Ave. @ Lime Ave.
The unusual door color is very distinctive and really makes the wreath stand out.

Today's post is another guest photo generously offered by Robert CJ Parry at The NorthPrimrose Blog.

Madison Ave. Christmas Lights

Every year, many of the homes on Madison Ave. decorate for the Christmas holidays.
The street used to have a Samson the Bear theme to the decorations but that seems to have gone by the wayside, although I did see him here and there.  A lot of homes, like this one, still put up a pretty extensive display of lights and figures.

It's A Porta-Potty Christmas

Saw this in a front yard in a residential neighborhood.

Christmas spirit or social commentary?

Volunteer Recognition Dinner

The full title should be: Monrovia Canyon Park Holiday Potluck and Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
This was early in the evening at the cabin, before long the place was packed.

Congratulations to Diana Bailey for being named the new Volunteer Of The Year!

Steaming Fence

The rain and cold weather the night before led to some steam rising from this fence in the morning.

A Little Bit Of Snow

Not much snow on the tops of the local mountains this morning.  This little bit won't last very long.  There will be more and longer lasting snow on the shady backside of the mountains.

The weatherman says the next storm will bring less rain but colder temperatures.  That should mean the snow level will be lower.  We'll see...

Courtyards At Old Town Construction

Some of the construction going on at the corner of Olive and Myrtle for what will be a large apartment / commercial development on the former site of Neff Instruments.

Fuzzy Moon

The moon over a brick building shining through some clouds.

Christmas Lights At The Fire Station

Fire Station 101.

You can't read it in the photo, but the sign at the right side of the photo says that the station is a drop off spot for the Spark Of Love Toy Drive.

You can drop off unwrapped toys or sporting goods which will then be redistributed to children that would otherwise go without this Christmas.

Clouds At Sunset

Peeling Door

A door at the old train depot slightly ajar. 

Shadow Of Light

Monrovia High School Panorama

With all the work being planned to add to and rehab the high school, I keep going back to capture the views of the school that may not exist much longer.

I've taken many shots, and so have many others, of the bell tower and entrance in the center there. This time I wanted give an idea of what the school looks like if you're standing out on the sidewalk and can see across the entire front.

Monrovia Truck 101 And The Krikorian Theatre

This is my personal favorite from this year's Holiday Parade.

Santa Claus 2008

2008 Monrovia Holiday Parade.

2008 Monrovia Holiday Tree

And a white picket fence.  Taken after the end of the parade.  You get an idea of just how tall the tree is with the people milling about.

Monrovia High School Marching Wildcat Band - 2008 Holiday Parade

The High School Band marching (and playing) in last night's Monrovia Holiday Parade.

You can also see them tonight when the Monrovia High Wildcats take on the Rosemead Panthers in the CIF Southern Section Mid-Valley Division Semi-Finals at Monrovia High School.

More parade coverage and photo's at the North Primrose Blog and The Foothill Cities Blog.

Photo of the lit city tree tomorrow...

Monrovia Tree Lighting And Parade Tonight

Tree lighting is at 6 pm and the parade follows at 7 pm on
Myrtle Ave in Old Town Monrovia.

Sierra Cup

Voted Best Yogurt and Best Coffee by readers of the Beacon Media News.

I haven't tried the coffee but I can't argue with the yogurt being the best.
I've been there for the yogurt a few times and always get the vanilla.
It's so good I haven't even tried the other flavors yet. It's the first frozen yogurt that immediately brought to mind the home made ice cream we used to make when I was a kid.

Sierra Cup website.

Monrovia Foothills Panorama

Click on the image for a larger version - must be viewed larger for detail.

Taken from the parking lot at Monrovia High School. 
That's a baseball field in the foreground with the school buses beyond.
Mt. Wilson is the high peak in shadow on the left hand side - between the two peaks in sunshine.
The "Big M" is just right of center.

Myrtle Ave Tree Lights