A Bloggers' Wonderland

A reminder that the Pomona holiday parade is this Saturday, December 11, 2010, traveling down 2nd Street in downtown. The various people from the variety of blogs about town, including this goddess and Mr. Big, are going to have an entry. Look for wreaths and trees decorated with computer paraphernelia, lots of blue T-shirts and a banner donning our above-pictured Pomona bloggers union logo (thanks Arts Colonist bloggers).

Here's the line up of Mayor Moochie's most wanted (compliments of Original Skrip):



I'm not too nervous, as there are usually more people IN the Pomona parade than watching the parade. Nevertheless, I need to get back to practicing my smiles and waves to the people along the street who will likely be wondering who we even are.

In any event, I get to check off yet another item from my Pomona wish list: a bloggers float in the parade. About time.

THE END
And here is the rest of it.

Pomona Hopes Dashed Again

Just caught the Daily Bulletin article on Chivas USA backing out
of being the grand marshals of our upcoming Pomona Holiday Parade. Poor Mona, once again left at the alter. But this made me remember how much energy and spirit came from Snoop Doggy Dog's football league bus that was in the parade last year. Why just settle for the bus with a 10 foot photo of Snoop on the back. Why not ask Snoop to be the grand marshal? EVen tho he's not from Pomona (and was actually a former Claremonter, double-gated La Vernite and now Diamond Barrian), at least he's local and most importantly, I think he'd actually do it. Other recommendations for grand marshal that are more Pomonish:

Sugar Shane Mosely, boxer from Pomona

Jessica Alba, actress from Pomona

Steve Julian, public radio man from Pomona

Pomona Children's librarian Miss Lois (even tho that means we'd miss her on the blogger's float)

The Hughes Bros., Pomona (before their mom did the moving-to-Claremont-thing) filmmakers gone big budget.

Underdog (probably the most doable if we can find someone with a costume)

But if no one asks any of them, it can never be. Here's hoping for a worthy grand marshal to step up to the plate. Aim high, Pomona. I swear it won't hurt when we fall. We're used to it.

THE END

The Pomona Holiday Parade - Just the Highlights

It was another only in Pomona event down Holt this morning. For those of you who attended the parade, I'm sure you agree that the parade is both traditional and bizarre; full of happy people but kind of sad; and completely heartfelt and entertaining as well. Even the poor guy whose job it was to pick up the horse poop got lots of respect, with "Merry Christmas" and "Feliz Navidads" shouted at him.

The one photo that I hoped to be able to show was of David Allen as grand marshall. Seems that the parade must have actually started on time, because by the time we arrived, David's car was long gone. I did spot him looking quite L.A. Confidential in a 40's hat and suit and I thought carrying an old camera (the kind with the huge flash, or was that a reporter's steno pad???) Anyways, by the time Big and I tried to approach him, he had faded into the crowd. If anyone can email me a photo to post, I'd appreciate it.

My favorites were the Pomona Day Laborers, who marched with saws and axes in their hand; the School of the ARts' marchers who carried arty stick figures. Victory Outreach Recovery Program had quite the showing with "rangers?" and cheerleaders. The Black Hawk motorcycle club was the only all-African-American entry.

The police were out in force, but didn't seem at all interested in the crowd, but rather having fun walking and driving down the street. Yes, that is a SWAT truck in the photo. Is it typical to have a SWAT truck in a parade? They also had 3 of the police dogs, including Marco (the one who bites) and Willow (the bloodhound that doesn't bite).

There were lots of low riders this year, including the silver car I have pictured which was the lowest of the low, at probably 3/4 of an inch from the ground.

There were horses, which included the midget horse I have pictured.

One pleasant suprise for this vermicilli noodle dish lover: the Pomona Valley Vietnamese Association had a car in the parade.

My only complaint is that there were one too many guns in the parade....relax, the guns were in the hands of the various local ROTC chapter members, not those local gang members we're always reading about. To balance the militaristic stuff, I'd like to see a peace float next year, and a showing by the Pomona Regens or something else at least slightly green. And heck, what about a Blogging Pomona float, since it's looking like Meg, K, David and I won't be the only folks blogging Pomona for long. All I know is that it is sure nice to have company in the blogosphere, after a year and a half of writing posts that mostly no one ever responded to. And it was wonderful to feel the love this morning down on Holt. Whatever else you say about the town of Pomona, the everyday residents here are overwhelmingly open-hearted, open-minded and salt of the earth. I was glad to be among them there in front of the 99 cents store today.

You can view more photos, care of SanDimas.net, here.

Some December Announcements

Sorry the blog has been so silent, but I have been lending my opinion and efforts to elsewhere than the blog. As we are coming up on a big weekend here in Pomona, I can't wait one more day to post.

Saturday, December 1 will be the annual Holiday Lane Parade down Holt. They start lining up near the 99 cents store and east from there. I assume they will do it the same this year. It's generally more pleasant to stand on the 99 cent store side of the street if it's a sunny day. The parade runs from 10 a.m. to noon. In between the Pomona Day Laborers and Victory Outreach floats will be bands from high schools I've never heard of and this year's grand marshall will be David Allen of Daily Bulletin fame. (David Allen is not to be confused with Allen David of Inland Empire Weekly fame. But that's another post, unless David beats me to the punch...)

Later on Saturday is the Holiday Lane Festival over on Huntington Drive, between Holt and McKinley. Plenty of games, rides and activities for the kids. This is a very well populated event and one we have always had fun at, tho I've never seen anyone else from Lincoln Park there. I believe this was the last place I ever saw the late Mayor Cortez. What a great guy he was!

NEXT Friday, Saturday and Sunday is Pomona Garage Sale Weekend. I don't have much to offer since I've recently started selling on ebay, but I'll be out there trying to sell some odds and ends on Saturday.

Yes, Big and I will be continuing our tradition of attending the parade. I really urge anyone who has not gone to go. It is very....well Pomona. Look for us somewheres around the 99 cent store. From there, we will get a rare public look at the local politicos, as they dare to come out from behind their six-foot-front-yard fences (yes, another post about a certain political figure in town).

Oh, and Saturday, December 1 will also be the annual progressive dinner for Pomona Heritage. Click the link on the side bar for more details, or ask it here and maybe John Clifford will be by. THE END