Ben Green

Tom Coston and I had dinner with Ben and Kelly Green on Wednesday evening at Colombo's in Eagle Rock.

Ben had just given Tom and me a private VIP tour of the Showcase House of the Design, which this year is the Cravens Estate, also known as Red Cross headquarters. It has been magically transformed and we were grateful for the free, behind-the-scenes access.

Ben Green and I have known each other for nearly three decades. We were the two division managers in the Department of Community Services and Promotions at the City of Palm Springs in the 1980s.


Ben headed up the Community Services Division -- parks and recreation plus the library.

I headed up the Promotions Division -- media relations, community relations, special events, press secretary to Mayor Sonny Bono.

Those were heady days, I'll tell you.

At dinner Wednesday we talked awhile about Henry Weiss, who was the lead city librarian in Palm Springs and reported to Ben. Henry's retired now, but there were a couple of times when we'd had it up to here, Henry would fire up his Corvette convertible, speed on down some back desert road and I'd stand up on the passenger seat, assume the "I'm the king of the world" position and yell at the top of my lungs.

Now I'm so old I wouldn't even think about taking off my seatbelt to do anything so reckless.

I'm going to Palm Springs next Thursday for my annual romp with other golden-ager PIO pals.

Mystery History -- Solved

It has been several weeks since I've stumped you, and now I've done it again. Some of you came close but didn't quite get there. You can't win 'em all!

In the photo above, two Red Cross nurses and a child in an Uncle Sam costume prepare to march in the Patriotism Day Parade on March 28, 1917, in support of the United States entering World War I.

Following are excerpts from three articles in the Pasadena Star-News on March 26, 1917:

PATRIOTISM TO BE SHOWN ON WEDNESDAY
Loyal Spirit of Pasadena Will Be in Evidence On That Day

Indications are that Pasadena's "Patriotism Day" observance Wednesday evening will be one of the greatest patriotic celebrations ever held on the Pacific coast...

...Patriotic organizations, civil war veterans, business men's groups and others will participate in the great parade which will precede the patriotic mass meeting in Library park Wednesday night. The parade will mobilize on Madison avenue, on both sides of Colorado street, and will start promptly at 7 o'clock to march to Library Park, where the mass meeting is scheduled to open at 7:30 o'clock.

Among the organizations and groups which is now known will be in the parade are members of the Grand Army of the Republic and G.A.R. fife and drum corps. Pasadena company No. 1 of the American Red Cross Ambulance corps, the Loyal Legion, members of the Monterey training camp, Spanish-American war veterans, Sons of Veterans, Throop college students, Pasadena Military academy students and division of business men, including merchants, bankers, automobile dealers and other business groups...

...One feature of "patriotism day" is displaying of the Stars and Stripes everywhere. It was noted by the committee today that this custom is already prevalent, Old glory being seen on every hand.

Here's a 1922 photo of the Pasadena chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic mentioned in the article above -- veterans of the U.S. Civil War who fought for the North.

Display of Flags Now patriotic Duty Says City Official

That the present crisis in international affairs constitutes a "special occasion" warranting the display of the United States flag in Pasadena to the fullest extent possible, was the statement today of Chairman A.L. Hamilton of the City Commission.

Recently the city distributed 150 large American flags, a gift from Mrs. E.W. Brooks. The number had been increased from 100, the amount originally provided, because of the great demand. Everyone receiving one of these flags agreed to display it on all holidays and special occasions.

Chairman Hamilton remarked today upon the fact that few of the flags seemed to be in evidence, and he said the present situation was one calling for the showing of the flag as a mark of patriotic spirit.

"The American flag," said Chairman Hamilton, "stands for right and freedom and justice. Those are the principles that should be called to mind when one sees the American flag flying.

Here's a photo of Chairman Hamilton from the Hall of Mayors.

NEW INTEREST IN RESERVE CORPS
Prospective Officers Are Signing Up Rapidly at Throop College

As a result of the announcement that applications for commissions as first and second lieutenants in the officers' reserve corps may be made locally to Captain Louis R. Ball, military commandant of Throop college, increased interest has resulted and many calls for information received...

...City officials continue to take the lead in steps to prepare themselves or offer themselves for United States service. City Attorney James Howard is among those signed up for the officers' reserve corps and City Prosecutor L.L. Riccardi has followed in his footsteps. Both are studying for the examinations and will be members of the instruction class when it is started.

Today J.E. Carpenter, superintendent of the municipal water plant, consulted with City Engineer R.V. Orbison relative to finding a place in the service in the event of war where his experience would be of value. Even if the city had not declared it would keep open the position of any employe that enlisted, Mr. Carpenter asserted he felt it his duty to offer his services.

Congress approved President Woodrow Wilson's request for a war resolution on April 6, 1917.

The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce had a float in the 1918 Rose Parade -- a flower-laden tank with doughboys on it.


Pasadena's World War I Memorial is at the northeast corner of Colorado and Orange Grove boulevards.


Many thanks to Pasadena Public Library, Tournament of Roses Association, George Eastman House Photography Collection and Michael Beck.

Voluntary Evacuation of Pasadena Neighborhood

Residents of the Florecita neighborhood in the far northwestern portion of Pasadena have been advised to evacuate their homes on a voluntary basis. (Florecita is way up near the top of the red area on the map above.)

The streets are Florecita Drive, Florecita Way, Florecita Lane, Florecita Terrace and Crestford Drive.

All residents of this District 1 neighborhood are strongly encouraged to pack important personal belongings and vital records, and go to another location away from potential fire hazards. Do not wait for a mandatory evacuation order!

There is no imminent danger for this neighborhood at this time, but a shift in weather patterns could create a hazard situation.

Pasadena fire engines and personnel are waiting nearby to protect homes and other structures if the need arises.

Any resident of the neighborhood who does not have an alternative place to go, such as a friend’s or relative’s home, can go to an evacuation site that has been established at Jackson Elementary School, 593 W. Woodbury Dr. in Altadena. The American Red Cross Pasadena-Pomona Valley Chapter is staffing the site and the Pasadena Humane Society has set up a portable animal shelter for pets.

Periodic media briefings will be conducted at the evacuation site by Los Angeles County Fire Department and Pasadena Fire Department.

See this page of our city website for more information about evacuation.