Merry Christmas, Everybody!

Mystery History

I'm not including a Mystery History photo this week because I'm on vacation beginning tomorrow.

Instead, here's a historic photo of a "Merry Xmas" decorated arch over the Colorado Street Bridge.


And, going back much further, here's a wonderful excerpt recounting the first Christmas in the Indiana Colony from the 1917 book "Pasadena: Historical and Personal" by J.W. Wood.

There came the first Christmas when all made merry as best they could. There was no snow like "back home," of course, and it seemed unreal. It did not seem to the children that Santa Claus could ever come to them away off here; for how could he drive a sleigh where there was no snow? Yet they gathered in each other's homes and recounted memories of past Christmases and told yarns of the old times. Perhaps, this first Christmas, there were some tears shed; but, all in all, the first year of the Colony brought with it encouragement and some content; and certainly the hopes of the settlers were not diminished even if mingled with some alloy.

Have a wonderful holiday, everybody!

I'll be back next week when Mystery History will continue.

Tree-lighting at City Hall

Here's what I love most about our Christmas tree-lighting event every year at Pasadena City Hall: Ours is not an uber fancy-schmancy department store type of tree. Instead, ours is traditional and folksy. The entire ceremony warms everyone's hearts.

Last night dozens of people gathered in the grand entrance for the occasion.


Expectant faces were everywhere we looked.


Robin Turrentine led the McKinley After-school Performing Choir. These children -- and their director -- are magnificent.

Mayor Bill Bogaard and I shared the MC responsibilities.


Some of our wonderful volunteers served up refreshments.


And then Mayor Bogaard flicked the switch that lit the tree.

Thanks to Manuel Galloway of our Public Works Department, a crew cleaned and polished the tile floor of City Hall's grand entrance for the event, and the lights are reflected beautifully as a result. (Another Public Works Department crew delivers the tree to City Hall every year, and still another decorates it.)


Happy holidays, everyone!

All photos were shot by the mighty Zack Stromberg of my Public Affairs Office staff.

THE GIFT IS IN THE GIVING

For as long as I can remember, we in the City Manager's Department have had a holiday party every year -- sometimes a luncheon with all the trimmings, sometimes an evening gift exchange, etc.

This year we decided to help a low-income Pasadena family: A mom and dad with six children and one on the way. Staff in the City Clerk's Office joined in the plan.

We got a list of each family member's wants, needs and desires, and then we went shopping (with our own personal money).

We wrapped enough presents to make this a merry Christmas for a family that otherwise would have very little on December 25.
It was a great feeling!