One of a Kind IE: World's Largest Photograph

Hi neighbors!

So I may be cheating a little bit on this blog post but bear with me. Last Saturday I attended the Riverside Food Truck Fest (check out the pix!) and I got the chance to check out some of the spots from my Riverside itinerary. One new spot I've never been to is the California Museum of Photography and the UCR Sweeney Art Gallery.

The Sweeney Art Gallery's current exhibit is "The Great Picture." This mammoth 32 x 111 feet photograph taken by the largest camera made its way into photo history by placing in the Guinness World Records. This photograph has only been shown for a short period in Pasadena and again in China. However, right here in our area, it is the first time that the process for creating this photo is being displayed along with it. It's an interesting exhibit not only because of its size but the documentation of this entire process.

The development of "The Great Picture" was conducted in an old jet hangar on the old El Toro Air Base in Irvine. This no longer functioning air base spans numerous acres and is being turned into the center point for the Orange County Great Park. One of the functions of this Great Park is to be a cultural focal point for the people of Orange County. "The Great Picture" is the first cultural endeavor made by the upcoming park. My description does not do the exhibit justice and you can find out more here. Or even better - take a trip down there! The exhibit ends October 8th.

So did I cheat? It's not specifically something from the IE but this very unique exhibit is here in our IE for us to share. I'll stretch that into the "One of a kind IE" list. :)

Here's some pix from the day. Let us know what you think or if you've seen the exhibit we'd love to hear about your experience. Give us a shout on Twitter or Facebook ~ we'd love to hear from you!

*"The Great Picture"


*Far left is a remnant from the hundreds of quonset huts from the El Toro Air Base. Far right image is a close up of a part of "The Great Picture." You can slightly make out a cityscape. Neat!


*Look at this amazing camera. If you look closely at the glass pane of the camera in the top right hand photo you'll see that it's taking a picture of the outside ~ it's just upside down. That Camera Obscura door led out to a large walk-in camera obscura - complete with pinhole and everything. Super neat!


*Another great exhibit at the California Museum of Photography (right next door to the Sweeney Gallery). Some great portraits from yesteryear...


*Some more shots from our fun - and very hot - day in Riverside

One of a Kind IE: Shields Date Farm

Hello neighbors and friends -

I can't believe it's taken me this long to update the blog. I was in the middle of updating and then my "9-5" started getting slammed then came 4th of July, followed by my birthday and then a week long vacation which was spent getting the rest of my life in order. Excuses, excuses, I know. I hope I haven't put off anyone by not updating sooner but here's the first posting for the "One of a Kind IE" column I mentioned in a previous post. Hoping it's the first of many (consistently posted) column posts.

Back in June (can't believe it's already mid-July), I went on a weekend fun run down to Palm Springs. On the way there I stopped by a destination that surely belongs in the "One of a Kind IE" category: Shields Date Farm. Here are a few fun facts about what makes this destination so unique.

Located in Indio, Shields Date Farm was started by Floyd and Bess Shields in 1924. Mr. Shields not only grew dates but was extremely passionate about educating folks about date culture. He developed a presentation which was modified into a 15-minute film called the "Romance and Sex Life of the Date." I got the chance to view the film in their small theater and I definitely
walked away informed. Not only about the innovations Mr. Shields made to the date business (e.g. he created two new date breeds "Blonde" and "Brunette") but also a little about the history of the Coachella Valley and the migration to the area due to the agricultural boom.

In addition to the theater, Shields Date Farm is a working date farm, cafe, and store filled with all types of date and non-date related goodies. I walked away with some large Medjool dates to snack on during my vacay as well as a date shake to-go. Both were delicious!

Here are a few snapshots from the excursion. If you've been to Shields Date Farm I'd love to hear what you think. And if you have a suggestion for another "One of a Kind IE" post please let me know.

Till next time...


*Working date farm. Can you see the sacks of dates tied at the top of the trees?*


*Shields Date Farm and Cafe*