Key West Planning Big Bicentennial Celebration For 2022

Above, salvaged goods on display at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I saw a photo of John Wayne taken in 1976 at his Newport Beach home. In the background was a Bennington flag, which was a popular flag during that year as the country celebrated the nation's Bicentennial.

Speaking of Bicentennials, the city of Key West, Florida will be celebrating its Bicentennial in 2022.

According to Keys Weekly:

Key West will celebrate its Bicentennial — 200th year — in March 2022, which marks the anniversary of the island’s settlement. A year of events is planned, but the main focus will take place March 19-30, 2022.

A carved granite time capsule will be filled and placed in the city on March 25. The theme of the celebration is the importance of children as the city’s future, said Paul Menta, owner of Key West’s First Legal Rum Distillery, who is helping to organize the celebration.

Menta updated the city commissioners on the plans for the primary weeklong celebration in March 2022 during their Dec. 7, meeting. He outlined events, including drone fireworks, special lectures, ceremonies, a flag-raising at Mallory Square and community celebrations. 

To read more, go here. 

Trump Support In California

It is hard to imagine these days that there would be any support for President Trump in California, the left wing Democrat "utopia" on the West Coast, but there is.

Yesterday, there was a Trump/Back The Blue/Support Mark Reed car rally in the San Fernando Valley (that went to Westwood). The line-up of participating vehicles was a mile long.

Then, there were thousands of people lined up along Newport Beach streets to show support for the President as he headed by motorcade to a fundraiser.

Here's a shot of the presidential limousine as it drove through Newport Beach:

Ruby's Diner In Cabazon

Above, the Cabazon Ruby's Diner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way home from the General Patton Memorial Museum and Joshua Tree National Park yesterday, I made another stop (besides the Cabazon dinosaurs) in Cabazon: Ruby's Diner.

On the way to the General Patton Museum, I noticed several billboards advertising Ruby's Diner in Cabazon. Ruby's Diner is a 1940s style restaurant chain named for the mother of the founder, Doug Cavanaugh. I decided to give them a try.

Above, a portrait of founder Doug Cavanaugh's mother Ruby on display behind the cashier's counter. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Cabazon Ruby's Diner is next door to Hadley's Fruit Orchards store, at which my family has stopped for date shakes since the 1960s. I stopped by Hadley's after Ruby's, but that will be the subject of another blog post.

Ruby's started in 1980 with the first restaurant to be opened in 1982 in Newport Beach, California. Now, there are several Ruby's Diner restaurants besides the one in Cabazon.

Above, vintage signs adorned the walls of Ruby's Diner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went to the Cabazon restaurant for breakfast. Fortunately, they had large parking spaces in their parking lot that are suitable for RVs and I got there early before the crowds. When I went inside, I immediately liked the "malt shop" look of the restaurant. In the section I was seated, there was an overhead oval track with a 1957 Chevrolet going around and vintage signs were displayed on the walls. I'm probably dating myself when I admit to remembering some of the signs on display.

Above, the 1957 Chevy revolving on an overhead oval track. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I ordered the corned beef and eggs and it was well-prepared. The waiter was dressed 1940s style and he seemed to enjoy his job. I was pleased that the food was good. I'd hate to go to a restaurant what was all decor, but with lousy food.

Above, the counter of Ruby's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to their website, there's a Ruby's Diner at the nearby Woodland Hills Promenade Mall on Topanga Canyon Blvd. I'll have go there to try out their hamburgers.

Above, the cooks at work. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If I should be in the Cabazon area again, I will make it a point to stop in at Ruby's Diner.

For more on Ruby's Diner, go here.