It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...
MOTHER ROAD
(1) Miss Amboy Route 66 Miranda Wessel_Allmon, 13, waives while leading a motorcade of vintage cars down the Santa Monica Pier for an unveiling of the official sign marking the end of Route 66 on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (2) Mrs. Route 66 Terry Kafides (right) and Miss Jr. Teen Route 66 Karla Cervantes waive during the procession. (3) Santa Monica City maintenance staff unveil the new Route 66 sign at the Santa Monica Pier. (4) Route 66 enthusiasts pose for a portrait under the new Route 66 sign. (5) Michael Cladis sings "Route 66" during the ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier.
After 83 years, the Santa Monica Pier was designated as the official Western Terminus of Route 66 today by the Route 66 Alliance, an organization that promotes and preserves the historic roadway between Chicago, Ill. and Santa Monica, Calif. in a ceremony at the Southern California landmark where a replica of the once lost “End of the Trail” sign was unveiled by local dignitaries and civic officials.
The ceremony was preceded by a processional motorcade of 66 vintage cars and motorbikes that drove the final western tip of the highway, beginning at Santa Monica Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd. and ending on the Santa Monica Pier.
The official designation of the Santa Monica Pier as the West Coast’s end to Route 66 during the Pier’s centennial year was developed in partnership with the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Route 66 Alliance, 66 to Cali Inc. and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation to acknowledge a commonly held public perception that the pier was the end of the historic roadway, although never officially recognized.
“This Veterans Day marks the 83rd anniversary of Route 66, and we are proud to on this day unite the nation once again from Illinois to California by commemorating the national link the ‘Main Street of America’ delivered so many years ago,” said Jim Conkle, chair of the Route 66 Alliance, “We believe that unveiling this sign at the iconic Santa Monica Pier today will resonate deeply with those across the country who are passionate about the roadway’s enduring legacy.”
The sign’s unveiling was a tribute to a historic and famous sign that read “End of the Trail” that once stood overlooking the Santa Monica Pier during the 1930s. Although long ago disappeared, the sign played a role in creating the national public opinion that the end of Route 66 was at the Santa Monica Pier, even though the official terminus was under debate throughout the road’s history.
Fabian Lewkowicz
in Automotive, Highway, Route 66, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Pier
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PASSING THE GAVEL
Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) outgoing Chair of the Board Mary Ann Powell (right) welcomes the new incoming Chair West Hooker (left) as SMCVB President Misti Kerns looks on during the installation ceremony at the Oceana Hotel on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. The Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation that works to increase visitor length of stay, expenditures, overall revenues, and local employment through the promotion of the area as a regional, national, and international travel destination. Formed in 1982, SMCVB is governed by a seasoned board of directors comprised of business, government and community leaders.
Fabian Lewkowicz
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DRUM ROLE
Jeronimo Gaspar plays his 'repurposed' drum set with the help of three volunteers at the Third Street Promenade on Friday, November 6, 2009.
Fabian Lewkowicz
in Third Street Promenade
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TOY DRIVE
(top) Marina Lares, 10, her brothers Michael, 4, and Frank Jr., 13, with uncle Ernie Bravo put gifts into a 1955 Ford truck during the Fifth Annual Dukes Car Show and Toy Drive at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, November 7, 2009. (above) Sinoeh Yanes, 6, shines his dad's 1950 Chevy Truck during the Car Show and Toy Drive. The car show's entry fee was a toy which will be distributed to Santa Monica Police Activity League (PAL) for their annual Holiday Workshop in December.
Fabian Lewkowicz
in Automotive, Police Activities League, Santa Monica Pier
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Día de los Muertos
(top) Fourth Grade teacher Rocio Naranjo show school principal Lori Orum her class' alter during Edison Language Academy's Seventh Annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Exhibit on Saturday, November 7, 2009. (above) Santa Monica Police Sergent Hernandez and Officer Fujita look at the altar during at Edison Language Academy's Seventh Annual Día de los Muertos. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life. Día de los Muertos dates back 3000 years.
SESAME STREET
Fabian Lewkowicz
in Santa Monica Library
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TREE PEOPLE
Ron Durgin from TreePeople helps Kindergartners plant a Fern Pine Tree at Grant Elementary School on Friday, November 6, 2009. TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit that unites the power of trees, people and technology to grow a sustainable future. TreePeople’s mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share the results as a model for the world.
Fabian Lewkowicz
in Children, Elementary School, Environmental , Trees
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WHO LET THE DOGS OUT
Dog walkers walk a pack of dogs at the Third Street Promenade while promoting PETCO on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. November is National Adoption Awareness Month.
Fabian Lewkowicz
in Pets, Third Street Promenade
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