D-Day Squadron Flyover - 25 May 2020

I learned a D-Day Squadron of historic aircraft would be participating in a 'SoCal Strong' Memorial Day Flyover to honor veterans and health care workers. The route would start with Loma Linda Medical Center at noon and ended a hour later at Chino Airport. They would covered 20 key spots including two national cemeteries, four airports, six hospitals, several beaches, the Queen Mary and San Pedro's own Battleship USS Iowa. I was planning on seeing it from Beacon Street where I first saw the USNS Mercy leaving port; but when I got there it seemed too far away, was congested with people, and had too many trees in the way. I went north of the Iowa, parking by the Fanfare Fountains (now under renovations) and walk south half way to the Iowa. When the first set of planes passed over, I realized there were too many trees in the way as they passed directly overhead, not over the Iowa. Adjusting my position, I was able to get a few shots of the next two batches of planes.

The Squadron contained the C-53 D-Day Doll of the Commemorative Air Force's Inland Empire Wing, leading C-47 Flabob Express, C-47 Betsy's Biscuit Bomber and C-53 Spirit of Benovia. There were other WWII-era aircraft including C-47 What's Up Doc from the Palm Springs Air Museum and Condor Squadron's T-6s.

As stated on their website (warbirdsnews.com): "Our mission flying WWII aircraft over parts of Southern California for Memorial Day is to salute our veterans who sacrificed so much for the freedoms that we enjoy today. In addition, we will acknowledge the many medical personnel, first responders, and citizens who have provided unwavering support in caring for the local populace during this pandemic."

Of course the news plane flying alongside, got the best shot.

 Thank you everyone, for your service!

SpaceX "Mr Stevens" San Pedro, CA - 18 JUL 2018

On January 19, 2017, I wrote about SpaceX's Falcon 9; now we have "Mr Steven" docked on Terminal Island. Yes, Mr Steven is a strange name for a recovery vessel which will be used to catch the cast-off rocket fairings.

In April, the Port approved a 30 year lease on Terminal Island for SpaceX to build a manufacturing plant which will create it's future mega rocket. This is where Mr Steven is docked.

Weighing nearly 200,000 pounds and 200 feet long, it has been seen making impressive aggressive turns and sprints up to 20 knots (23 mph).

A test run took place yesterday and it must have been successful as we spotted them unloading a fairing.

Update: In January 2019, SpaceX pulled out of the Terminal Island lease, deciding to move the building of a rocket to Texas.

Los Angeles Quilt Show - 09 AUG 2015

This Quilt and Fiber Art Festival was held at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. 

The Crafted warehouse, located at 112 E. 22nd Street, San Pedro, was an excellent venue for this type of of show as items were able to be hung for viewing from all sides.

It's a large open, airy space with lots of light. Here's a partial display of items that caught my eye (with close-ups):

Marineland - Ellen November

In the upper left, you can also see the Glass Church.

When Marineland opened in 1954, it was the world's largest oceanarium. In 1987, SeaWorld bought it, moved our Whales to San Diego and closed the park. I'm still boycotting Sea World!

Terminal Island - Ellen November

Tangy Orange - Fahmida Arain

Bleeding Heart - Grace Errea

Color Commitment Issues - Cathy Seidman

Twisted Ties - Susan Barrett

Spinach - Sally London

So Cool - Linda Curry

This was her first t-shirt quilt, it gave me vertigo and 70's flashbacks.

The Seasons - Helen Indries

Small Quilt in Recover - Meriel Stern

Crocheted Silk-Wrapped Wire

This was my vote for 'Best in Show':

Crazy Quilt Jacket - Carmen Moen

The jacket was quilted and finished with ribbon decorative hand stitching.

Purely Pearly - Alice Weiss

Tres Chic (tray) - Alice Weiss

Death Valley Dawn - Alice Weiss

A Study in Patter - Alice Weiss

 Pineapple Swirl - Susan Barrett

 

Ibiza Quatrefoil - Jenny Scott

A variation on "Drunkards Path," cleverly hung on window screen.

A Star Medallion for Thailand 

Julie Sawyer Rogan -

There seems to always be one vendor who sticks out from the crowd because their product is so clever. This time it was the The Thoughtful Thimble.

They have the best mat boards, made from recycled PVC. My current mat was becoming useless after hundreds of cuts because the mat was all cut up and the rotary blade would not cut through, evenly.

With the PVC mats, you can scrape them with a tool which will remove the cut marks. The best part is, the material you are cutting will not slip on the PVC surface.

I also learned, for best results, sewing machine needles should be sharpened after 8 hours of use. And they have a kit that only takes four stroked (while rotating the needle) to sharpen a needle

As I was leaving I saw this beautiful blooming succulent.