Navigating the Helladays

Navigating the Helladays:


Bruce Leinbach has been spreading Christmas cheer and turkeys in his West Covina neighborhood for more than 20 years. Monday, Dec. 21, 2009.

The Tournament of Roses Queen and her Court stand in front of Kaiser Permanente's Rose Parade float was unveiled at the hospital's Family Day in Irwindale, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. The float will feature eight riders, ages 11-18 who are fighting cancer, sickle cell, asthma and diabetes.

Sliding into the wall of Christmas is the expression I use describing the shopping and photo free-fall from Halloween to New Year's Day. The usual assignments procure themselves. Santa, parades, toy drives, toy give-a-ways and of course, this year "in the current economic climate," shopping. Not that it is not a story each and every year but everyone is keeping their ear to the ground on this year's spending trends. An added twist for me this year is anything Tournament of Roses. The Court, the floats the flowers. This is as unique to So Cal as the various parking lots that receive a few tons of snow to be played in by the local kiddies. I've got to brace myself for Pasadena on New Year's day, come what may.


The Elks Club on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena was occupied in 1908 and is in need of renovation. Dec. 28, 2009.

A slide show of some of my season's greetings...


CLICK --HERE-- to see the slide show.