Rain dogs

Recently, one of our readers (Mary Ann of Beirut Pursuit) asked about the origin of the Rose Parade. Another of our readers (Petrea of Pasadena Daily Photos) provided a link to the answer: the city of Pasadena wanted to show off our warm California weather to the rest of the country.

And it amazes me how, year after year, we seem to save one of our few perfect days for New Year's Day — no rain, no smog in sight. It's almost like there's a conspiracy not to show our true colors!

It was especially amazing this year, when New Year's Day was preceded and followed by heavy rain. These bedraggled dogs, with their noses starting to peel away, show what happens when you have to spend all day out in the rain.

You can purchase flowers and objects from the float.
The money raised helps cover the cost.

This bird from the float will perk back up again as soon as
he dries out. I wonder who took home the peacock.

A permanent work of art

“The staircase will remain as a permanent work of art.”
~Irvin Lippman

Last week, Oscar and Carmen Rivera, along with Kirk Cartozian, graciously shared with us their plans for the Rives Mansion. We had the opportunity to poke around into all the corners, and we have a lot of pictures to share. Today, I want to show you the grand staircase.

The staircase is the first thing you see when you enter the house. During this Christmas season, it hides a little behind the Christmas tree, heads up for a sweeping view of the grounds, then opens up onto the second floor landing that is big enough to be a room of its own.

For other posts about the Rives Mansion, click here.

Most beautiful entry!

As I waited for the float to leave for the long journey to Pasadena via surface streets, I found myself taking picture after picture. I loved the graceful white peacock settled on the back side. I couldn't get enough of it.

Then I noticed the Miss Downey Teens selling roses for $1 each. I assume this is part of trying to recoop some of the expenses for any over-purchased flowers.

Overall, the float was amazing, both in artistic design and in execution. I was impressed with the creativity and the beauty. Not only were the flowers gorgeous, the colors and textures added to the total experience (I liked the addition of the various fruits and vegetables too). The volunteers who helped create such a work of art to represent our little city have a lot to be proud of. I didn't do a thing to contribute to the building of the float, but just stopping by, chatting with some of the volunteers and taking pictures over the course of a few days gave me a sense of a connection to it.

I watched the parade this morning with anticipation of the appearance of Downey's float. It was exciting to hear that Downey won the Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for most beautiful entry from a noncommercial sponsor. Yay Downey!!

As I understand it, the float will be available for viewing at the Embassy Suites on Monday and any additional left-over flowers can be purchased while supplies last.

A rose by any name...

The float is finally ready for the Rose Parade tomorrow. All the details that were left to the imagination on Tuesday's post are now apparent for all to see. It seems like everyone that has had a part in putting this together is here to see the float off. Some of the volunteers pointed out to us the section that they had worked on. Everyone is rightly proud!

Now it's time to go over the final checklist with the driver. The float will be towed on surface streets from Downey to Pasadena and will travel about 5 miles per hour. The trip will take 5 to 6 hours.

I assume the champagne is for the arrival in Pasadena.

New beginnings

“An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” Bill Vaughn

I always feel a sense of urgency at the end of every year. I think of all the stuff I didn't get to do, or rather, didn't get around to doing because I put it off. But the new year means new beginnings. A clean slate. A new opportunity. Righting the wrongs and all that optimistic jazz. Like all the cartoons depict the new year as a brand new baby, I thought I could do the same. It's cuter that way.



So I lift my glass to us world, and the chance that this year, we'll get it right.


Also, the Rives mansion updates will begin in the new year. We are taking a short break while we show you the immediate goings on of Downey!

Using the past for the future

"Think of all the possibilities for the future!" That was the theme of this tour of the "Rives Mansion." As soon as I stepped onto the grounds, however, I felt thrown back into time. Although there was new paint on the walls, the tiny details remained untouched. I can picture ladies in the drawing room and the servants running up and down the back stairs and lovers dancing in the ball room on the third floor.

The owners have taken precaution to assure the integrity of the home is still present while modernizing the necessary updates. Its not perfect yet; there are holes in places and creaks and a few people believe there to be ghosts... I, for one, did not see any.

The idea is to keep the mansion as a privately owned property and lease it out commercially to people with visions that would bring in business to Downtown Downey. Imagine a Bed and Breakfast? Or a Couple's getaway? Or a benefit where everyone is in ball gowns and tuxedos? Just as my head was swimming with ideas, the people surrounding me were throwing out theirs too. It was exciting, being a part of the transition between old and new, respecting the history of the house while planning for the future of the "Casa Blanca."

Updates to follow.

A stroll down memory lane

"A stroll down memory lane" is the theme for this years' Downey Rose Parade float. Tonight we visited the float barn to see the float for our first time. It was pretty amazing. This years float has a giant gazebo, water fountain, bridge (with a pond), and stone wall.

It was fun to watch volunteers gluing dried peas and seeds to the surfaces.


Although the Rose Parade has been a California tradition since 1890, Downey's first recorded entry was 1913. And, Downey is one of the few communities that still builds its own float with volunteers.

It's down to the finishing touches. Right now the flowers are soaking up as much water as possible. Tomorrow it will be time to start putting the flowers on the float. I think there will need to be more pictures to follow.

I need to also mention, this is our one year anniversary for Downey Daily Photos. We made it! We posted every day for a year.

Just wondering...

Ever since I noticed the palm frond lights several years ago, from several blocks away, I've driven past this house each Christmas season to marvel at all of the lights. And every year, I wonder...

Did it all start with just a couple of strings of lights? Like maybe twenty years ago, just the roof was outlined? Then someone saw a cute Santa at the store, then a couple of angels... And then, how about wrapping those trees?

And how do they put those frond lights up, anyway?

Just wondering...