Queen Bee's Toyland Float

The Queen Bee Float on University Avenue

There was a festive atmosphere at the Queen Bee Art & Cultural Center that chilly morning of December 4th, 2010.

It was early. About 7:00 A.M. The Queen Bee herself, Alma Rodriquez had asked us to be there to help decorate the Queen Bee float for the 47th Toyland Parade that would start later on in the morning in front of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

Co-owner Jeff Knight, who also doubles as chief troubleshooter at the North Park venue near the corner of University Avenue and 30th St., had fashioned a seven foot queen bee that we helped fasten to the float. "We" would be float driver Wayen Snyder, muscian and ultimate sound man Sean Turner, and Alma's daughters Cindy and Gina Rodriquez and Destiny Felan.

I may be a little biased but I thought the Queen Bee float was one of the best ones in the parade. Alma and her daughters and a host of Queen Bee friends were dressed up as bees. We attracted a lot of honey from the crowds that lined the short parade sometimes two or three deep.

Jeff Knight handed me a microphone and told me to blend announcements about the Queen Bee with poetry. I reminded the enthusiastic crowd that lined the parade about the Zumba Fitness classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I announced that there was a Zumba class right after the parade that day. I also announced the news that the Queen Bee has Salsa dance lessons every Sunday night and a huge dance floor. The crowd also heard announcements about Train of Thought, an open mic on Tuesday nights for poets, writers, and musicians that follows my youth poetry workshops on Tuesday afternoons. Train of Thought is hosted by mega-talented poets Gillsotu and Deacon Blair.

It was an exciting day with a lot of entertainment in the parade from a marching band to a San Diego roller derby team and beautiful pageant princesses. If you missed the parade this year try to make it next year. Look for the Queen Bee float. It will have alot of two legged little bees buzzing around it and a poet in love with the spoken word reciting original poetry.

Pageant Princesses & Mom with Jim

Members of the San Diego Starletts

They Play Their Games @ Skateworld in Linda Vista