69. George Harrison, They Say It Is Your Birthday

George Harrison's, aka the lead guitarist for that little known rock quartet (wink, wink), The Beatles, birthday was February 25, 1943.   The 67th anniversary of George Harrison's birth is February 25, 2010.  

In less than three years after his passing in November, 2001, the city of Los Angeles declared February 22, 2004 George Harrison Day.  On that day the plaque shown in the photo was unveiled marking a tree in Griffith Park now known as the George Harrison Tree.

The plaque reads:

     "In memory of a great humanitarian who touched the world 

          as an artist, a musician and a gardener.

          'For the forest to be green, each tree must be 

            green.'  George Harrison (1943 - 2001)"

In case you did not know, Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks whose 6.58 square miles (or a little less than a third of the size of the island of Manhattan in New York) is located in Los Angeles, California.  One of the amazing sights included in Griffith Park is the Griffith Park Observatory located at 2800 East Observatory Road.  This is good to know if you wish to honor George Harrison's memory by visiting his tree located at the farthest edge of the parking lot from the observatory building.

In case you did not know, George Harrison, MBE (among other things) found great comfort gardening.  George is the only Beatle with a published autobiography, "I, Me, Mine".  George dedicated the book "to gardeners everywhere".

In case you didn't know, George Harrison was survived by his second wife, Olivia.  Olivia has an L.A. connection, which includes graduating from Hawthorne High School in 1965, just five short years after another Hawthorne High alum, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.  And just eight short years after your CaliforniVacation SoCal gal's mommy, among other family members, graduated from Hawthorne High.

In case you didn't know, George and Olivia have a son, Dhani Harrison, (pronounced "dhaa-knee).  Dhani bears a considerable resemblance to his father and is also a musician with his own band, thenewno2.

In case you are unable to honor George Harrison's birthday by visiting his tree in Griffith Park, perhaps you may consider honoring his memory by sharing a moment or two of appreciation for all trees.  As you probably know, trees serve humanity by inhaling carbon dioxide and exhaling oxygen.  Of course, trees perform this service whether we appreciate them or not.  It's what they do.  

I didn't know George personally.  I can't help but feel, though, that if I loved trees and gardening as much as he did, it would make me smile to know trees were being appreciated in my honor.

George Harrison, Happy Birthday.