How do you begin a newspaper column that will run on Christmas Day? I didn’t have a firm idea in mind but hoped something would suggest itself. Visiting downtown’s Los Angeles Central Library on Saturday, I climbed the stairs to the second level and entered the rotunda. That vast 1920s space always takes my breath away with its soaring ceiling, globe chandelier and wraparound history murals by Dean Cornwell. This season a Christmas tree adds to the scene. A family was posing for a photo by it as I entered. I walked over for a look at the tree’s decorations. And what did I see? Amid the ornaments are actual-size reproductions of 20th century orange crate labels from the library’s collection. And a closer examination showed that almost all of the labels originated in the Inland Empire. Two are from Riverside: Red Circle brand from McDermont Fruit Co. and Idyllwild brand from the Victoria Avenue Citrus Association. Corona is seen via a label for Consul Brand from R.H. Verity. The Christmas tree adds even more interest to the soaring 1920s rotunda in the Los Angeles Central Library downtown. (Photo by David Allen, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Redlands is represented via the charmingly named Full o’ Juice brand from the Redlands Orangedale Association. Lastly, there is the Pine Cone brand from East Highlands’ Gold Buckle Association. That label depicts a citrus grove under the San Bernardino arrowhead, all of that contained within — whew — a cutaway of a pine cone. The tree is topped not by a star but by an oversized orange. This surprise, but welcome, local angle in downtown L.A. reinforces my theory that the IE is everywhere, even or especially when we least expect it. Also, that for columnists, Christmas miracles do exist. More citrus Near the tree, a display case has more citrus artifacts from the library’s collection, including a poster from the 1929 National Orange Show in San Bernardino, the 19th annual, featuring actress Dolores Del Rio surrounded by oranges. Why citrus? The display has several examples of a popular vintage postcard that Southern Californians used to send to folks back east this time of year. This vintage postcard was sent by Southern Californians to friends and relatives in the East or Midwest as a way of bragging about our weather and tweaking them about theirs. Several versions are in a display at Los Angeles Central Library. (Photo by David Allen, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG) Its illustration is divided in half. “Winter in California” is on the left, with people picking oranges under sunny skies. “Winter in the East” is on the right, with kids playing next to a snowman in a wintry scene. “I’ll eat oranges for you,” the left half taunts, “while you throw snow balls for me.” We get the better end of that deal. L.A. to Redlands Another IE connection: Dean Cornwell not only made the history murals in the L.A. Central Library rotunda, which took five years of effort and were unveiled in 1933, he also created the murals in the Lincoln Shrine in Redlands, which opened in 1932. “They were produced concurrently,” the Shrine’s archivist told me in 2022. According to an article on the L.A. library’s website, Cornwell “may have seriously underbid” the library project, because he ran out of money two years early and had to take on other jobs for money to finish it. Perhaps Cornwell’s poor planning was Redlands’ gain. Looking ahead What are you looking forward to in 2025? Tell me by email to [email protected] of one thing — mundane, serious or silly — you are personally looking forward to in the coming year. Provide your name and city of residence, please. I’ll have a column on New Year’s Day and your responses could help us start the year off right. (Very) small talk At a grocery store in Upland last week, the checker had me pause before setting down my basket while she used a wet rag to wipe the conveyor belt. She held the rag in place while the dry belt ran under it. After 10 or 15 seconds, the wet portion of the belt came around, which meant the belt had cycled back to the start and the entirety of it was clean. Related Articles Local News | ‘A World of Its Own’ digs into hidden histories in Inland Empire Local News | 3 newcomers on San Bernardino City Council promise positive change Local News | Ritchie Valens’ family says new biography tells ‘the real story’ Local News | Rancho Cucamonga is one of Stephen Colbert’s ‘funny-name towns’ Local News | Perris checks out its library after $1.2M renovation Setting my basket on the belt, I ventured with a smile: “I was afraid it would go on for miles.” She blinked and said, “What?” “You know, like the conveyor belt would be endless,” I explained, as she stared at me. I added awkwardly, “It was a joke.” She rolled her eyes with an expression that said, “OK, weirdo.” Also endless: the time spent waiting for the transaction to be over, so I could hurry out. Seasonally yours Readers, let me wish you a merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, a peaceful Kwanzaa and happy holidays all around. And, for that matter, may your Festivus be bright. David Allen covers the bases Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Email [email protected], phone 909-483-9339, like davidallencolumnist on Facebook and follow @davidallen909 on X.