Parade

This letter is regarding the Nov. 10 story “Occupy movement plans to protest Rose Parade,” and “Pasadena seeks assurances from Occupy Rose Parade demonstrators” on Dec. 9. Protesters within the crowds and following after the Rose Parade have been part of the event for several years. I believe it is a worthy effort to call attention to economic injustice by exercising our constitutional rights peacefully and non-disruptively at the 2012 parade. Peter Thottam has helped organize earlier protests in which I have participated, and he has proven himself to be a peaceful, savvy and honest person.

Pasadena police officials met with represenatitives of the Occupy movement to ensure a large demonstration planned for the Rose Parade on Jan. 2 doesn't interfere with the event. The Pasadena Sun reports that the Occupy demonstrators plan to display signs near the Norton Simon Museum, across from television cameras, before banding together to carry a 250-foot banner of the U.S. Constitution from Orange Grove Boulevard to a post-parade rally at Pasadena City Hall. Occupy the Rose Parade organizer Peter Thottam said they also would display “a giant octopus to represent Wall Street's stranglehold on the economy and the political system.” Police Chief Phillip Sanchez met with Occupy the Rose Parade organizers Wednesday to secure assurances that demonstrators would not to disrupt official parade proceedings.

Neither cold nor wind deterred Glendale resident Pamela Rowles and her family from securing front-row seats at the Montrose Christmas Parade, where they staked out their position on Honolulu Avenue three hours early Saturday. “We love this area, we love the people, we love the community,” Rowles said. “We come out and see Santa every year.” She was surrounded by thousands of like-minded people who descended on the shopping park to kick off the Christmas season in traditional Montrose fashion.

The Montrose Christmas Parade - known for its quaint, hometown feel - is taking a digital turn. The annual holiday event, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday, is scheduled to be live streamed on the internet for the first time in its 35 year history, organizers said. “Grandma back east who wants to see her grandchildren in the parade can actually watch it live on the website this year,” said Steve Pierce, parade coordinator. The feed will be viewable at www.montrosechristmasparade.com . In addition, the parade will be live broadcast by the International Christian Family Network on Charter channel 382, Pierce said.

The Rose Parade is an event tethered to traditions - the Tournament House, the Royal Court, and its strict “Never on Sunday” policy. The policy dates to 1893, when officials decided to move the parade to Jan. 2 because New Year's Day fell on a Sunday. The festivities, they decided, disrupted local church services. It's a rule that stuck. For the 18th time in more than a century, Jan. 1, 2012 is a Sunday, and so the parade is scheduled for Monday, the next day. “It's a combination of respect as well as tradition,” said Libby Wright, chairwoman of the Rose Bowl management committee.

J.R. Martinez, the Iraq war veteran who was badly disfigured in a land mine explosion, danced away with the championship trophy on "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday. Martinez will be the grand marshal for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 2. The name "J.R. Martinez" was unknown to most Americans and stuck out when ABC announced the roster of celebrities competing in this season of the hit show. But that didn't last long. Continue reading > > ALSO : Iraq war vet and 'Dancing with the Stars' contestant named Roses grand marshal Glendale takes over Rose Parade float process -- Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times Photo: Dancing With the Stars winner and Iraq war veteran, J.R. Martinez, was named the grand marshal for Pasadena Tournament of Roses on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

An activist who helped expand the Occupy Wall Street movement to Los Angeles is setting his sights on new territory: Pasadena's iconic Rose Parade. “Everything is not coming up roses,” said Peter Thottam, an Occupy L.A. organizer who has launched OccupytheRoseParade.org to call for an economic justice rally at the Jan. 2, 2012, celebration. The Rose Parade is expected to draw nearly a million spectators to Pasadena streets as well as tens of millions of TV viewers around the world.

J.R. Martinez -- a former soldier, actor and current contestant on “Dancing With the Stars” -- was named the grand marshal today for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 2. Martinez, who is current cover story for “People” magazine, underwent 33 surgeries after his Humvee triggered a land mine in Iraq in 2003 and he suffered burns over much of his body. Tournament of Roses Assn. President Rick Jackson announced Martinez on the front lawn of the Tournamnet House today, setting off a pop of red, white and blue confetti stars.

Before announcing the 2012 Rose Queen on Tuesday morning, Tournament of Roses Assn. President Rick Jackson congratulated the seven princesses of the Royal Court for making it so far, but, he said, “there can only be one queen.” Drew Washington, a 16-year-old captain of the varsity volleyball and track-and-field teams at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, secured the crown after her name was called, prompting a flurry of screams and cheers from...

Seven young women were tapped today from a field of 34 finalists to be the Tournament of Roses 2012 Rose Court. The seven women, who hail from greater Pasadena area, will reign over the 123rd Rose Parade on Jan. 2. Comprising the Royal Court for 2012: Sarah Zuno, Hanan Worku, Morgan Devaud, Kimberly Ostiller, Drew Washington, Cynthia Louie and Stephanie Hynes. The Royal Court's queen will be named during a coronation ceremony on Oct. 18. The women were picked from an original field of more than 900, including one with a prosthetic leg who made it to the group of 34 finalists.