"PENELOPE" - A STORY OF LOVE AND LOYALTY.

A stunning sculpture of Penelope (2009) by Temecula artist, Michael Stutz, now stands majestically at the northeast corner of Tidelands Park in Coronado, California. She faces the San Diego Bay with a view of the seagoing ships that pass by daily—an appropriate setting for Penelope who waited 20 years for her husband, Odysseus, to return from the Trojan War. Printed along the bottom of the display is a famous quote from The Odyssey: “Weaving by day, Penelope would be forced to choose a new husband when her tapestry was complete. But all the while she waited, unraveling her work by night, steadfastly sure of Ulysses' return.” According to the epic poem, she denied 108 suitors until her husband finally returned, and they lived happily ever after.

The appearance of this seven-foot-tall sculpture varies with the time of day and the perspective that you might be viewing it from. It was hand-fabricated with long strips of bronze metal that appear to be weaved together, symbolizing the story of her weaving by day. Spectators can also climb inside of Penelope's head and look out at the Bay through her eyes—children especially like this experience. My granddaughter enjoyed sitting on the small built-in bench she found inside the head. 

Penelope was originally on display at the Embarcadero until it was removed for the construction of Ruocco Park and stored for eight years, awaiting a new home. Thanks, to the Port of San Diego Waterfront Arts & Activation department for having the foresight to choose this lovely location and to provide another wonderful work of art for the public to enjoy for years to come. Not surprisingly, the sculpture of Penelope has already been referred to as the masthead of Tidelands Park.

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WAITING FOR SHIPS TO RETURN SAFELY

2020 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

"Find the Wallace Fountains Find Paris: 21 Self-Guided Walks" by Barbara Lambesis

It's not too often that I get a chance to visit with an old friend from high school. So when I recently received a call from Barbara Lambesis, who was in town and wanted to meet for lunch, I was excited. I just had a feeling that my brilliant and creative old friend would be up to something new and interesting as usual. Sure enough, I was so impressed with her recent endeavor that I have decided to share it with my readers. She has written a new book that should be a must for anyone visiting Paris that loves to walk and discover new places.

Barbara has spent a lot of time in Paris during recent years where she has been busy writing, discovering, and photographing. She recently published a new book entitled Find the Wallace Fountains Find Paris: 21 Self-guided Walks. The guidebook leads you to places that are often off the beaten track with fascinating descriptions of sights along the way. In addition, by the time you are finished with all 21 walks, you will have seen more than 100 vintage fountains that were planned and donated by Sir Richard Wallace in the late 1800s. 

Sir Richard Wallace, an Englishman, funded the artwork, design, and building of these wonderful fountains. He generously gave them to the people of Paris providing free and clean drinking water to all. They were a blessing to the poor, who rarely had access to affordable water, and were suffering health consequences as a result. In place of water, they were drinking wine (way too much) because it was much cheaper than water.

The book is available for purchase on the website wallacefountains.org. All proceeds are donated to the Society of the Wallace Fountains whose mission is to promote, preserve and protect the Wallace Fountains of Paris. The 21 Self-guided Walks can also be downloaded for free (donation suggested) at the same website. If you are going to Paris, be sure to take a walk to find the Wallace Fountains and discover the real Paris. 

                   “I must keep on going—there's so much more to do."

                                                                            -Quote from Barbara's mother