Station Fire

The "Station Fire" has burned more than 100, 000 acres (that's an area equivalent to more than 100,000 American-style football fields). Unfortunately, two firefighters died yesterday. The historic Mount Wilson Observatory and research center is at risk of being destroyed, too.

Pluots

This delicious fruit was first developed by Floyd Zaiger, age 83, of Modesto, CA. He and his family also hybridized nectaplums, apriums, churiums, and peacotunes. These pluots being sold at the Torrance Farmers' Market on Tuesday were so good that I went back to buy a second batch.

Little Tokyo

Little Tokyo is an old section of downtown Los Angeles. The Japanese American National Museum which houses a wonderful permanent exhibition about the Japanese American community in California is there. Currently, there's a temporary exhibit on Kokeshi, a toy that has been turned into an art form.

More Produce

Produce in Southern California is abundant and diverse. Have you ever had a sapote?

Fire in Rancho Palos Verdes

Yes, there is a fire in RPV, but it's not that close to where we live. We came home last night from seeing a play with friends to lots of smoke and helicopters. It's not in our neighborhood, but we collected important items to that we could evacuate during the night if necessary. It's very smokey, still. There is a lot of ash on our patio this morning. I still have things in my car ready to go, but don't think that there's any danger for us. I unpacked my computer so that I could use it. It's very hot and dry here. Last night it was still in the high 80s when we went to bed. We rarely have any evening heat since we're so close to the ocean. The helicopters are still patrolling so I feel safe. The firefighters have a tough job because of the terrain.

Timely Warning!

This banner was hung earlier this week just a few days before our latest wildfire started (or was started). We have only road in or out of our neighborhood. The fire department wants us to be prepared to evacuate if a fire starts in our vicinity.

Wildfire View from RPV

This is the picture that I took yesterday afternoon after a wildfire started in the San Gabriel Mountains. They're about 35 miles from where I'm standing, but you can still the huge column of smoke. As of today more than 600 acres have burned.

Sad Sight

This used to be a beautiful mural commemorating the Los Angeles Marathon. It's been destroyed by vandals over the years.

Coffee Shop

Didn't they arrange the coffee pots in an attractive manner?

Enjoying the Lens

Sky View from the Lighthouse

Inside the Lighthouse

Last weekend was International Lighthouse Weekend. As part of the celebration we got to go up into the Point Vincente Lighthouse again.

Terranea Resort

This new luxury resort is having financial troubles. Our city council rescinded its arrangement with it just this week.

Bike Path Along the Strand

This path goes from Torrance Beach to Marina Del Rey. It's always well-used.

Global Warming!

This piece of sculpture was created by Bonnie Meltzer in 2008. It's mixed media with painted found objects, paper, beads, and crocheted wire. It's one of a series of sculptures that she's done that use globes and other found objects as a source of inspiration for visual commentary on the state of the earth's health.

American Recreation

Some variation of baseball is played in the U.S.A. even when there are only a few people to play.

Hungry "Guest?"

This bird was very interested in the food that we had in our beach bag.

Waiting for the Meteor Shower

This is how we passed our time Tuesday night while we waited for the Perseides shower. Unfortunately, the high clouds prevented us from seeing it.

Curious Sight!

These "women" were held captive in the back of this truck.

A Tough Way to Make A Living

This man was walking along the beach path collecting cans and bottles to sell to a recycling center for cash. Who says that the poor have no initiative?

Charlie's Angels? Or Not?

I captured these women and girl pretending to be "Charlie's Angels."

Remembering the WWII Navy!

If he were living, today, August 10, 2009, would be my dad's ninety-second birthday. Dad served in the U.S. Navy as a signalman on a mine sweeper in the Aleutian Islands during WWII. This porthole on the USS Midway with the view behind reminds me of him-- the Navy and his love of photography.

The Hills Are Alive!

Yesterday was the "Hills Are Alive" 10K run for the Pepper Tree Foundation. They're a local organization that raises funds for the recreational needs of our neighboring city, Rolling Hills Estates. This run, and the 5K run, are held on the horse trails of RHE. There were a lot of young children, teens, and over 65-year olds who ran along with the young and middle-age adults.

"C" is for California

California has a lot of financial problems, but it's still a great place to live-- if you have a job.

Celebration at Disneyland

This is just some of the fun at Disneyland yesterday.

Birthday Weather

Today is my 65th birthday. We had hot, muggy weather earlier in the week, but a cool wind blew it away. As a result, Catalina Island is easy-to-see even though it's about 26 miles away.

Almost Full Moon

Last night the moon rose in a sky filled with clouds. It's not often we have just a few clouds after dark-- usually we either have a full cloud cover or no clouds at all. It's too bad that I didn't get this in time for Theme Day last Saturday.

Just Half of the Deck

Two days ago we took a tour of the U.S.S. Midway, a decommissioned aircraft carrier. This is a view of just part of the flight deck.

Toxic ? Or not?

These mushrooms, toadstools?, have been growing in our newly-planted sod. I wish I knew where they came from-- the sod nursery or elsewhere. I imagine that they're poisonous, but I don't know for sure.

Los Angeles Police Celebrity Golf

Yesterday our neighboring golf course, Trump National, hosted the Los Angeles Police Celebrity Golf Tournament yesterday. The traffic was heavy starting early in the morning.

Night at the Movies

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants These are some of the people enjoying a free movie outdoors at the library.