Memorial Day Flyby

Memorial Day 2011

The plaque reads:  Flag Flying In Memory Of All Veterans.

Memorial Day Program today (May 30, 2011) at Live Oak Memorial Park from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Address: 200 East Duarte Rd.  Monrovia, CA  91016.

Memorial Day Weekend

Immaculate Conception Church Memorial Weekend Fiesta

The Fiesta continues through Sunday night.

The hours are:
Saturday (May 28th): 12:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
Sunday (May 29th): 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

The Fiesta is located at: 740 S. Shamrock Avenue, Monrovia, CA  91016.

More info can be found here and here.

Waiting For Better Days

A portion of the Monrovia Train Depot, patiently waiting for a rehab.

Side Of The Tracks

More Turkey Vultures

Turns out that lots of people like seeing these birds as much as I do.  So, today we get a photo of not just one, but three turkey vultures on the railing.

Thanks again to our guest photographer, Doug Elson, for allowing me to share these photos.

Turkey Vulture

Thanks to guest photographer Doug Elson for today's photo.  This is a late afternoon photo of a Turkey Vulture spreading its wings to warm itself as the sun starts to go down in the west.  These are pretty large birds, our best estimate of the wingspan here is about 5 feet across.

New Monrovia High School Electronic Sign

Out in front of the School.

2010 Monrovia Car Show - 1930 Model "A" Ford Deluxe Coupe

Going back into the archives to September 2010 for this photo.  That front car is a 1930 Model "A" Ford Deluxe Coupe.

Aztec Hotel Front View

I posted a somewhat similar, but from an angle, photo of the front entrance to the Aztec Hotel back on April 14th.  This one is a straight on shot looking in the front door.

The Aztec Hotel has been in the news recently and I won't pretend to know or understand all the details or intricacies of the situation.  I just hope that, since the Aztec is such a fascinating place with a rich history, everything works out for the best in the end.  I'd hate to see the historic Aztec Hotel become just a memory.

Myrtle Avenue Flower

This was taken the night of the Monrovia Day Parade.  One of the many plants and flowers growing between the sidewalk and street along Myrtle Avenue brightening up the Old Town area of Monrovia.

At Day's End

Bubble

2011 Fountain To The Falls Race - Monrovia, CA - Part 2

The photos today focus on the runners on the Monrovia Canyon Park trail during the race.

Two of the lead runners getting close to the waterfall.

The last hill up to the turnaround.  Starting to get groups of runners at this point in the race.

One of the park staff cheering the runners on as they pass by a check dam and approach the Bear Cave area.

Runners making their way through the rocks.  The trail is along the left side, then cuts across over a stream in the center of the photo.  The waterfall is just up that path on the right.

A group of runners heading both up and down the trail.

A group of runners passing the Bear Cave.  (Don't worry, it's not really a bear cave).  Local Monrovia Patch editor Nathan McIntire is in the green shirt on the right.

Congratulations to all the participants!

Giveaway May #2 - Lens Effects from Topaz Labs

*Giveaway has ended. Thanks for participating!





Here's a bonus post for today announcing the next giveaway for Giveaway May!

The prize this time is a free copy of the Topaz Lens Effects plug-in.  This is a brand new product generously donated by Topaz Labs!

To learn more about Lens Effects, see the website for examples, video tutorials and required specifications*.
*Lens Effects is a plug-in, not a stand alone product.  Be sure to check compatibility and specifications.

Details:


-There will be two ways to enter this giveaway giving you two chances to win!

-Entry option #1: Enter your name and address in the form below. (Easy!)

-Entry option #2: Tweet the following text exactly:

Win a free copy of Topaz Lab's new Lens Effects from @gemcityimages.  Entry details here: http://ow.ly/4V4O5

-Only one entry per person per entry option will be accepted.

-The name and email address of the winner will be forwarded to Topaz Labs.  Topaz labs will then contact the winner with their prize info.  (Valid names and email addresses only. If we can't contact you, we can't send your prize).  Names and email addresses of non-winners will not be used for any other purpose.

-The entry period will run through Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 8:00 pm Pacific Time.

-Please do not leave your email address in the comments.

-Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entry's using www.Random.org.

-If you don't win this time, there are more giveaways coming up!

2011 Fountain To The Falls Race - Monrovia, CA - Part 1

Like the Monrovia Day Parade, there's no way to convey the scope of the event within Monrovia Canyon Park by posting just one photo.  So, we'll continue with the multiple photo posts for a couple more days.

The first two photos are the Men's and Women's winners of the race.  I put those first because they earned it and I know that's what everyone wants to see.

The rest of the photos show the setup and final preparations for the race that's about to start.

Simon Cooper of Sierra Madre - winning time of 43:15.  Turning around at the waterfall.

Monya Moyer - top women's finisher with a time of 51:53.  Approaching the waterfall.

Looking north on Myrtle Ave. from Foothill Blvd. before sunrise.

Final Race Preparations at the Command Center.  Monrovia Canyon Park staff and volunteers, Monrovia Fire Department and CERT team members, Monrovia Police Department and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue were all on-site and taking part.

Canyon Park staff, volunteers and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue members heading up the trail to the assigned locations.

Setting up the water station.  The rest of the team members continue up the trail.

2011 Monrovia Day Parade - Cruisin' With Samson - Eight Times

The theme of the parade this year was "Cruisin' With Samson" in honor of local legend Samson The Hot Tub Bear. I counted 7 Samsons and one Delilah in the parade. Here they are in parade order:

"Bearlovian Paradise"  Artist: Lynne Fearman  Sponsored by: The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library.

"Eddy For Education Bear"  Sponsored by: Mt. Sierra College.

"Day and Night in Monrovia Bear"  Artist: Ji Park  Sponsored by: Dr. Domotor's Animal House Veterinary Hospital.

"Artist Bear and Tourist Bear"  Artists: Rachel Quimayousie and Rick Kess  Sponsored by the Art in Public Places committee.

"Recycle Bear"  Artist: Sybil Martinez  Sponsored by Athens Services.

Unknown Bear

"Delilah Bear"  Artist: JoAnn Nolan  Sponsored by Creative Woman / Wizard of Bras.

2011 Monrovia Day Parade - Part 2

As promised, here's part 2 of the photos from the 2011 Monrovia Day Parade.

Guide Dogs of America.

Two Dogs Petsitting.

Monrovia Unified School District.

Tomorrow, the bears!

2011 Monrovia Day Parade - Part 1

Playing a little bit of catch up today since Blogger was down yesterday.  Because I wasn't able to post anything yesterday, you get two posts today, both loaded with photos from the Thursday night Monrovia Day Parade.

Here we go:

The start of the parade.

Betty Sandford - Older American of the Year.

Monrovia High School Marching Band.

Carole Anne Kaufman - Whistling Diva

rePlanet Recycle

 I recently noticed that the lines of people, each with several large bags of plastic bottles, have pretty much disappeared from these local machines. Turns out that the automated machines no longer accept plastic bottles, just aluminum cans and glass bottles.  You can still recycle and get money for the plastic bottles, you just have to have the attendant weigh them for you.

I wonder why this change was made and how people will react.  Will they continue to use this rePlanet, go somewhere else or just recycle less?

Easter Cactus

Thanks to Barbara Elson, our guest photographer today for taking and providing this image.  Every time I look at this photo, I can't get over how flawless these blooms appear.

Giveaway May #1 - Market Grill Gift Certificates

This giveaway has ended.  Stay tuned - more to come!




To celebrate Monrovia's 125th birthday this month, I'm giving away the presents!

First up, 2 lucky winners will each receive a $10.00 gift certificate from The Market Grill restaurant here in Monrovia.  One of the most popular places in town.  The Market Grill is located at 525 S. Shamrock Avenue.

To enter, just fill out the form below with a valid email address (required) so that I can contact you if you are the winner.  The last day to enter will be Thursday, May 12th 2011 at midnight, pacific time.

I've also included a second optional question: What is your favorite menu item at the Market Grill?  You don't have to answer that, it won't affect your chances of winning, I'm just curious to find out what's popular with everyone else.  My favorite is the Angry Beast, but on any given day it could be a Cheeseburger, Grown-up Grilled Cheese, Shamrock Ave. BLT, or...

Your email address will not be visible to anyone else and will not be used for any purpose other than to contact the winners.  One entry per email address.  Please, only enter if you are able to use the gift certificates.  Gift certificates will be mailed to the winners.

Do not leave your email address in the comments.  Only entries made via the form below will be eligible.

Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entry's using www.Random.org.  If you don't win this time, there are more giveaways coming up!

Happy Mother's Day 2011!

The Leven Oaks building is celebrating its 100th birthday and is a stop on today's Mother's Day Home Tour put on by the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group.

The tour runs from 10 am to 4 pm.  Tickets are available today, May 8th, at the Monrovia Historical Museum, 742 E. Lemon Ave. in Recreation Park.  More info can be found here.

All the homes on the tour this year are Victorian style homes built in or before 1893.