Landmark M Shines for the Holidays

Over the Christmas and New Years holidays, Moreno Valley was lit up. A group of volunteers headed by Parks and Recreation Commissioner James C. Baker III, worked to completely light up the newly refurbished landmark M on the side of Box Springs Mountain on Christmas Eve. The landmark's total Christmas lighting — which stayed lit through the new year — was a first for the city. "The lights were last lit in 2009 with a florescent light outline using a generator, and then only for four days," Baker said. This time around, the Christmas lights were lit with the help of direct power from the nearby Ham Antenna Station, which allowed the group to use 38 floodlights and a timer to outline the shape of the landmark. Security cameras and signs were also used to deter vandalism and theft. The lights were installed by a group of five men — three Quality Electric Company employees and the Riverside County Regional Park caretaker who joined Baker — over six hours on Christmas Eve. "After the job was complete, [I] went to the nearby Target and listened and saw the shoppers come out with their treasures, look up, smile and point at the M," Baker said. "Because the mountain is so dark and blends in with the skyline, it appeared that the M was floating in space." A few months prior to the landmark lighting, Baker and nearly 20 volunteers worked to improve the landmark, sweeping off debris, pulling weeds and repainting. That group of volunteers are set to be recognized for their efforts during the Jan. 14 city council meeting at 5:30 p.m. "This is Moreno Valley's way of saying to the world, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," Baker said. "We are the city of Moreno Valley. We are still standing: strong, proud and solid." The lights were scheduled to be lit through Jan. 3 from just before 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. each night.