Roses Parade

Long before the city of Los Angeles was officially incorporated, a Spanish priest and the Gabrielino-Tongva Indians came together to build Mission San Gabriel in 1771. A decade later, L.A.'s original settlers made the trek to Olvera Street from the mission -- a journey that allowed San Gabriel to lay claim as the birthplace of the Los Angeles region. As the city launches a yearlong celebration of its centennial, longtime community leaders are hoping to remind both newer residents and non-locals of that history.

Although Southwest Airlines is known for one class of service, a special passenger got an upgrade on Monday - from cargo to coach. Liberty, a 21-year-old American bald eagle needed to fly from St. Louis to Kansas City, Mo., to appear at the KC Riverfest on Independence Day, but it was too hot for him to fly in the cargo hold.  So World Bird Sanctuary bought Liberty a seat in coach on Flight 3604. He sat in his blanket-covered carrier next to Teri Graves, the sanctuary's director of education.

Prosecutors on Friday declined to file murder charges against former Tournament of Roses official Richard Allen Munnecke, finding that DNA evidence presented by sheriff's detectives was insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The decision came two days after Munnecke, 71, was arrested at his Alhambra home in connection with the 2004 death of Donna Lee Kelly, a Buick saleswoman and a longtime Tournament of Roses volunteer. The abrupt change in course left Pasadena's tournament community trying to process the news after an already surprising couple of days.

By all accounts, Richard Allan Munnecke was a model citizen. He devoted several decades to the Tournament of Roses, working up the ranks until he was one of its top directors. He sang in his church choir in San Marino and served in the Pasadena Rotary Club and many other civic groups. It was through his work at the Rose Parade that he met Donna Lee Kelly, a Buick saleswoman who was also a longtime volunteer for the annual parade effort. In 2004, Kelly, 59, was found dead, stuffed in the trunk of her car. Police investigated, but the case quickly went cold.

When the Rose Parade floats are gone and spectators head home, what's left behind? About 50 tons of trash, five tons of cardboard and 3,500 beverage containers. A team of 80 workers swept through the parade route Monday night and Tuesday morning, cleaning up debris and scrubbing streets and sidewalks after Pasadena's largest event, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people this year. The Rose Bowl game, held at the stadium a few minutes walk from Old Pasadena, produced about 50 tons of trash, 30 tons of cardboard and 100,000 beverage containers.

Sweepstakes trophy: Dole, "Preserving Paradise" Grand marshal's, for most creative concept and design: Discover Card, "The Dream Believers" President's, for most effective use and presentation of flowers: Republic of Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy, "Wonderful Indonesia" Lathrop K. Leishman, for most beautiful entry from a non-commercial sponsor: Kaiser Permanente, "Every Body Walk" Director's, ...

Thousands turned out under picture-perfect skies Monday for Pasadena's 123rd Rose Parade and were treated to an imaginative procession of brightly colored floats with surfing dogs and a replica of a royal palace, as well as a crowd-pleasing grand marshal with an inspiring story. Officials had braced for anti-Wall Street protesters who joined the tail end of the parade with an Occupy Octopus entry, but even that hardly dampened the festive mood along the 5 ½-mile route. Crowd estimates have been subject to debate for years.

The parade wasn't as rosy for some business owners this year. With fewer people turning out at the Tournament of Roses Parade - held Monday this year instead of Sunday, New Year's Day - some Pasadena business owners reported a noticeable drop in customers. Coffee shop owner Min Jung is one. Although some venues open at parade time appeared to be doing brisk business, he said sales at his Sabor 2 were off 30%. "This is the slowest I've seen it in three years. I think maybe the economy has something to do with it," he said.

Donny Lavrenz set a Rose Bowl record Monday, piling up an estimated 17,694 all-purpose yards. Never heard of him? Now you have. From the time the Wisconsin junior stepped onto the bus at his downtown hotel in the morning, to the start of the parade, to the end of the parade, to a pep rally on Brookside golf course, to a toasty pregame show, to a mercifully shady halftime show, that's the mileage the band member racked up - in a wool uniform...

Spare the parade Re "Occupy protest plan prompts beefed-up Rose Parade security," Dec. 28 It is a shame that the Occupy movement has plans to demonstrate at the Rose Parade. The parade is a New Year's tradition that is loved and watched by millions. People love the floats, marching bands and everything that goes with it; I don't think they want to see a group of protesters mixed in. This is not the kind of event for such things. It is also a shame that more money is being spent on extra security.