My Walk to School - Part 10

At the very top of Yosemite Park is the Sylvan Amphitheater.  I have always wondered about it's history, it's pretty much in the same condition it was in when we did our little school shows here.  I wonder when it was built and what it was originally used for? There doesn't seem to be any history on line.  Do any of you know any tidbits?  

My Walk to School - Part 9

Part of my walk took me through this remote back part of Yosemite Park.  This area looks exactly the same as it did 40 years ago!  Sometimes I would walk in the drainage ditch, or balance on the little wall as it got higher and higher.  Sometimes I would go "off road" and climb up on the hill to the right.  Later, after leaving Eagle Rock Elementary School and starting at Area H Alternative School we used these picnic areas for all school parties, shows, and graduations.  When I went there on a recent afternoon it was filled with high school kids socializing, playing games and practicing drill team moves.  It's nice to see it well used!  

Blooming Eagle Rock 2

I just loved this old fence and the delicate blossoms,  found on a little walk after one of our recent storms - it's been a nice wet winter!

Tax Day Memories

As I finish preparing my taxes today I'm reminded of my first memories of money.  When I was a kid my first bank account was at this building on Eagle Rock Blvd.  As I remember it was called California Federal at the time.  I had a little book that I would bring in to the teller when I wanted to make a little deposit, and they would stamp it and hand write the amount in the little book.  I probably still have that book somewhere! 

I didn't appreciate it at the time,  but this building has some really nice lines.  I do remember noticing that the huge tower wall is covered with mosaic tiles and thinking that must have taken a while to lay! Other than adding some new signage and updating the bank branch itself, a lot of the building is original!  

Old Pillers Roof Sign

I love my home town!  I have explored Eagle Rock for more than 40 years and there are still new old things to discover!  I love old signs, and I'm always on the lookout for these forgotten pieces of advertising art.  While shooting pictures for this blog I found this great roof sign,  only visible from the side street. 

If you like old signs I have assembled some of the pictures I've taken over the years and put them together on a Facebook page called Old Sign Art.  Check it out!  

Story Time/Art Time!

A few days ago I went to the artists preview for the Art Auction.  I was excited to be in the Old Library again, a place with so many fond childhood memories! The first room I went into was the smaller room to the East,  this is where I spent Saturday mornings listening to story time.  I remember sitting on the floor next to the wooden bookcases filed with kids books.  It was nice to see the old bookcases still there,  and what a thrill to see my photographs hung in this special room!  

If you are in the area,  do try to come to the Art Auction,  support the cause, see some great art, and see this old building in person!

Old Library - Flowers

Last night the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock held a preview event for this Sunday's Auction.  The walls were covered with some great art,  everything from lovely ceramics and cement and metal sculpture, to delicate watercolors, photographs and prints. 
I found these flowers on the arbor near the entrance - there is beauty hanging inside and out!