I haven't been able to get out much with my camera over the last couple of weeks, what with the holidays and Boz's surgery. So I hope you don't mind me digging into my (vast and growing) archives for this pair of pictures from
the photo safari John and I took on Thanksgiving day.
If you pay for tickets to the Tournament of Roses Parade, and if your seats are along North Orange Grove Blvd., and if you're sitting near the top of the bleachers, you might be able to look behind you and see this curious view. In the foreground is a shallow and (at Thanksgiving it was, so I'm going to say it's still) empty pool, leading your eye to the empty
Hulett C. Merritt mansion which is flanked by a pair of unfortunate (and hopefully empty) buildings that were added during the
Ambassador College years.
It's hard to notice all this from the street because it's set back, but it's just south of where Orange Grove intersects with Colorado Blvd., right near the center of parade action in which, just FYI, our
Pasadena PIO Ann Erdman will be sitting on a float this year!
In the picture you see John, doing pretty much what I was doing when I took the top picture.
11am:
Speaking of Ann Erdman, who is going to be IN THE PARADE, her office just sent out this press release.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO BE ALTERED FOR 2012 ROSE PARADE
As an annual prelude to the Tournament of Roses Parade, 15 traffic signals will be altered so that tall floats needing clearance can make their way safely through Pasadena intersections. Alterations will begin this week.
Each year at this time signal mast arms extending over travel lanes are removed or replaced with shorter signal mast arms or with poles that have no mast arms.
Signals with left turn arrows will be removed at
· Colorado Boulevard at Arroyo Parkway, eastbound and westbound approaches
· Colorado Boulevard at Marengo Avenue, eastbound and westbound
· Colorado Boulevard at Garfield Avenue, eastbound
· Colorado Boulevard at Euclid Avenue, westbound
· Colorado Boulevard at Lake Avenue, eastbound and westbound
· Colorado Boulevard at Hill Avenue, eastbound and westbound
· Colorado Boulevard at Sierra Madre Boulevard, eastbound
Long signal mast arms will be removed at
· Orange Grove Boulevard at Green Street, northbound and southbound
· Colorado and Orange Grove boulevards, eastbound
· Sierra Madre Boulevard at Walnut Street, southbound
· Sierra Madre Boulevard at Orange Grove Boulevard, southbound
· Sierra Madre Boulevard at Pasadena High School student parking lot, westbound
· Sierra Madre Boulevard at Washington Boulevard, westbound and northbound
· Washington Boulevard at PHS, administration parking lot, northbound
· Orange Grove and Del Mar boulevards, northbound and southbound
The Pasadena Transportation Department urges motorists to drive safely during this period of traffic signal changes and increased pedestrian activity.
For more information call (626) 744-6900.
You might also find useful these safety tips sent out the other day by the Public Information Office.
PASADENA FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ISSUE TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE ALONG ROSE PARADE ROUTE
As the 123nd Rose Parade approaches on Jan. 2, the Pasadena Fire Department and Pasadena Police Department are issuing safety tips for the thousands of overnight campers who will line the route on Jan. 1.
The parade route will be a safer place if everyone follows the rules and regulations intended for the safety of all parade-goers.
What You Can Do:
· Overnight camping is permitted only on the night of Sunday, Jan. 1.
· A permanent position on the sidewalk may be maintained along the parade route beginning at noon on Jan. 1. The “Blue Line” is the honor line. All persons and property such as blankets, chairs, etc., must remain on the curb until 11 p.m. on Jan 1. At that time spectators may move out to the honor line.
· Small, professionally manufactured barbeques elevated at least one foot off the ground are allowed on the parade route, 25 feet from buildings and other combustibles. A fire extinguisher must be readily available.
· Minors under the age of 18 may be on the parade route from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. only if they are under the supervision of adults.
· Dress for cold weather. Children and seniors may need extra layers of clothing to avoid hypothermia.
· Drink healthy fluids and consume nourishing meals to avoid dehydration.
· Report any suspicious activities and packages to emergency authorities along the parade route.
· In case of emergency call (626) 744-4241 from a cellular phone or 9-1-1 from a landline phone and know the cross streets from which you are calling.
What You Can’t Do
· Appearance in the parade is prohibited for any entries/marchers that have not been approved by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.
· Tents, sofas and boxes of any type that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited along the route.
· Unoccupied chairs are not allowed.
· Bonfires are strictly prohibited and considered illegal burns.
· Fireworks are prohibited except as part of scheduled official events.
· No items may be sold along the parade route without a permit.
· No public areas – sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, ramps – may be cordoned or roped off.
· No ladders or scaffolding may be used as elevation for viewing the activities.
· It is illegal to buy, sell or give away horns on the parade route.
· Pets are not recommended along the parade route because they are easily frightened with sudden, loud noises.
· Selling space along the parade route, other than grandstand seating, is illegal.
· Throwing any projectile into the parade, including seemingly harmless items such as tortillas, marshmallows, flowers, etc., is prohibited. Silly String and similar products are prohibited as well.
· Vehicles obstructing emergency lanes will be towed.
· Walking in the street is not permitted during the parade.
· Open containers of alcohol are illegal on public streets, sidewalks and all other public areas.
· Sale, possession and use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated.
Enhanced security measures will be in effect on the parade route and very evident. Because of large crowds, Pasadena police officers will resolve problems quickly and remove from the scene anyone who violates the law or disturbs the peace.
The Pasadena Fire Department responds to more than twice the number of calls on parade day than on average days. These calls include reports of hypothermia, illegal burning, miscellaneous medical issues, assaults and alcohol-related incidents.
For more information about safety along the Rose Parade route visit www.visitpasadena.com and click on Visitor Hotline, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/police or call the Pasadena Fire Department at (626) 744-7276.
