Rogowski/Nocita Take "The Leap" On Valentine's Day! (out of a balloon, that is!)

For most couples, Valentine's Day looks something like this; a nice card, a box of chocolates, some flowers, maybe a romantic dinner out. Bart Rogowski and Kimberly Nocita had a little different idea of what might be fun on Valentine's Day. Let's take a hot air balloon ride....and then jump out! So Kimberly, Bart and their friend and cameraman, Paul Rodriguez, took off early in the morning near the Perris Valley drop zone and did just that. The weather was perfect and the views spectacular. Here are a few of Paul's photos from the day. We don't EVEN want to think about next year!

Getting ready for lift off...

"Put the coals to 'er, mate!" Lift off!!

Getting close to altitude...6,500 feet.

...out on the ledge.

What was it The Carpenter's said? "...a kiss

for luck and we're on our way..."

"Lil Kiuh"

The landing zone...it's the road between the fields.

....Kimberly having a little fun at Bart's expense....

Kimberly and a happy landing.

Happy Valentine's Day you crazy kids!!!

Jim Annes Turns 40! Birthday boy takes b.y.o.b. to a new level.

It's not unusual for people having a party at AREA 51 to bring in their own beverages for us to serve to their guests. But when Kristen Annes decided to throw a 40th birthday party for her husband, Jim, they kicked it up a notch on the beverage scale. Jim brews his own beer and has for many years. About 50 of his closest friends and family were treated to some of Jim's favorite homemade brews and the party was on! Burger Continental of Pasadena provided the eats so no one went hungry. Great family, friends, food and a little home brew....It's all good! Happy Birthday, Jim!


With a name like "Skull Splitter" you had to
think twice before trying it but it turned out
to be worth the risk. Great brews...

Erica made the rounds to make sure everyone

was having a good time.

Jim, on the right, had a smile on his face all

night.

Burger Continental put on quite a spread!

Jim's wife, Kristen (r), did a great job in pulling

everything together.

Happy Birthday, Jim! Here's to 40 more!!

Run Again, Becky! Run Again!! Shevlin returns as people's favorite for city council seat.

It's been almost two years since Becky Shevlin took her seat as a Monrovia City Council member and it is time to rock n' roll once more! For the second time, AREA 51 was honored to host Becky's kick off election party for over 100 of her family, friends and supporters. There isn't a more honest, hard working, patriotic, community minded person out there than Becky. She works tirelessly for the city along with volunteering for a long list of community focused organizations. Oh, and according to her husband Chris, she's also the best wife and mother on the face of the planet!! Good luck, Becky! And we're just curious...when DO you sleep?

As an added surprise to the evening, Chris arranged

for their daughter Sarah, who is away at school,

to make surprise appearance at the party. Oh,

and she also delivered the pizza!

...best time of the evening!

In her spare time Becky also baked all the cakes

for the party.

There's "Big Jim" Costanza and his wife Leanne.

All the "who's who" of Monrovia were there to

support Becky.

Fred Bowden and Mayor Mary Ann Lutz enjoying

a little food and libation before Becky's presentation.

Husband Chris doing the intro's and thank you's.

Becky, center, still gets a kick out of Chris!!

There was a lot of love in the house that night!

I think Becky had as good a time as anyone there.

Can you find Becky and Chris? (hint: find the

person eating the cake and look to the left and

right.)

Chris did a great job organizing the party and

arranging all the food, drinks, and Sarah's surprise

visit.

A dynamic duo; Becky and Jo Jo Montgomery.

Becky with a photo opp with some her supporters

including Ulises Gutierrez, Monrovia's Citizen of

the Year.

Chris with a couple of his Italian buddies!

Great night, Shevlins...and good luck Becky!!

We're so glad you're "Runnin' Again!!!"