People from all over the city descended upon Pershing Square to witness the lighting of a 105-foot Christmas tree. With the flip of a switch, the holiday season in Los Angeles had begun.

The year was 1949.

Photo from UCLA Library Digital Collections

This has to stop. I know we’re in the middle of a Depression an economic downtown, and you’re just looking for something to make you feel better. To make you feel happy again. To forget all about 2008. You’re looking forward to Christmas. Yeah, I dig that.

But, this does not excuse breaking the rules.

I can forgive the early shopping. I can even let slide the early light displays all over town. What I cannot forgive, is you buying a Christmas tree on November 30.

I’m talking about you, Mr. Mercedes SUV, rolling through NoHo at 12:34PM on Thanksgiving Sunday. Sure, the 7ft. Douglas Fir tied to your roof may look great tonight. But, your tree will be dead before it counts.

Nobody likes a dead tree on Christmas. Nobody.

I just came across a press release and was reminded that as of Aug. 2nd, 21 live crape myrtles are now in the courtyard at One Colorado–just so you can make a wish. Regardless of what you think about Yoko’s tumultuous relationship with That Band, it’s important to acknowledge her significance as a great figure in the contemporary conceptual art world. Shes a pioneering feminist artist. She’s a force of nature. She makes good stuff happen. If she had a motto, it would be Git ‘Er Done, I’m sure of it.

So check out the flowering trees installed amongst the cafe tables in the courtyard of One Colorado. Visitors are invited to write their wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on the tree branches, a traditional Japanese way of making a wish (and especially fun for kids). Wishes from Wish Tree Pasadena will be joined with others from around the world and placed into Ono’s”Imagine Peace” Tower on Videy Island, off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland. The artwork is dedicated to the memory of John Lennon. The trees are up until November 9, at which point they’ll prolly be so full of wishes the trees will appear to be constructed out of paper. More info is here.