THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 155: "LET'S GO TO THE ZOO!"

by MRAM

August 27, 2011

Star Wars Day at the Los Angeles Zoo
August 27, 2011, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The LA Zoo will take you to a galaxy far, far away! Meet you favorite Star
Wars characters and learn about creatures from other galaxies as well as our own.

"The zoo took great care of us for they day, providing soda, water, and gatorade for the morning, and water for the afternoon, plus snacks until they ran out and a huge pizza lunch! We also had a gigantic air conditioned changing room/break space that came in very very handy as they day got hotter. Each participant including wranglers got 4 tickets to come back later.

The zoo is doing a donation to charity in our name. We have asked that they donate the funds to the Esquenazi family if they can--since the zoo is run by the city, they may run into some rules/regs that may not allow them to do that. If its not possible, the money will go to St Judes Children's hospital.

We did learn a lot from this event, and how things went down. Despite a lot of planning including meetings, phone calls, and on-site visits, a few things will be changed for next year. And they DO want us to come back! We're looking at next May instead of August (so it wont be so HOT!). We're going to schedule times in advance for the tented appearances, and also have more of the really popular characters like Vader and R2 so that these characters can have shorter appearance times, and still keep the booths full. If we do an opening march next year, we'll coordinate that a little better! We're also going to shorten the event to 10 am to 3 pm, and spread it over 2 days. We may even do shifts next year, but with shortening the event that may not be needed." -- Lesley Farquhar / TR-3774 (Southern California Garrison XO)

This troop was ROUGH but it was a very fun one! Temps were in the upper 90's-low 100's. (Whew!) I'm glad no one passed out!

About 50 members from the SCG 501st and Rebel Legion came in for support of this event with 3 TDs representing the Sandies!

TD-6985 - Michael Ramirez: "SCRIBBLER" (MEPD / Route 66 Patrol)

TD-4749 - Robert Longfellow: "RETNUHHA" ('soon to be' MEPD / Route 66 Patrol)

TD-4544 - Ed Silva: 501st TD

These are pics that were taken from a 501st Legion event we did for the LA ZOO on behalf of LucasFilm...

SKETCHBOOK - SCRIBBLE # 153: CONCEPT ART

ALIEN SOLDIER

(Pencils - 2011)

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 154: BFG!

by MRAM

August 1 , 2011

My T-21 Replica SANDTROOPER BLASTER that I use on trooping events with the 501st Legion:

THE OBSERVATORY - ENTRY # 153: HAPPY 100 YEARS, BURBANK!

Burbank celebrated its 100th anniversary July 8, 2011

"On the anniversary of its incorporation in 1911, the City of Burbank celebrated its 100th year with the Party of the Century in Downtown Burbank, Friday, July 8 from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M.

Featuring awesome food from Downtown Burbank restaurants, an air parade, multiple stages, top local bands and DJs, a mascot parade, children's entertainers, stilt walkers, Centennial memorabilia and community booths, the Party of the Century was the ultimate night on the town for kids and families alike.

Encompassing six city blocks including San Fernando Boulevard, Palm Avenue, AMC Walkway, Orange Grove and Olive Avenue, it expressed the civic pride and community spirit that have characterized Burbank’s first 100 years.

Things really heated up when the sun went down. That's when the grand finale with a stunningly choreographed firework show capped off festivities in a profusion of light and sound."

(Photos by Lisa Bloomquist)

"This was an AWESOME troop, but it was HOT!!!" =) -- SCRIBBLER

Participating 501st Legion Members / Southern California Garrison

Scribbler - Michael Ramirez- Sandtrooper - TD-6985
Boo Boo- Terry Emelio- ROTJ Boba Fett - BH-4667
Robeewankenobe- Rob Estrada- Jango Fett - BH-6161
"Phantom"- Mario Cardenas- X-Wing Pilot - TI-8214
Shetan- Vicki Silva- TK Stormtrooper - TI-7118
DKF Vader- Darrin Forsythe - Darth Vader - SL-5588