One year ago, a massive fire spread across the landscape of Griffith Park, the crown jewel of open space in the city of Los Angeles. A celebration this morning in the park marked the heroic efforts to put out the flames. On hand, among many dignitaries, were the mayor, Antonio Villaraigo (on the left), councilman Tom LeBonge, and the director of city parks, Jon Mukri.

The public was invited, and a few, like me, showed up. Most of those present had a connection with the park or the city. Everyone enjoyed the speeches, the special guests, the display of fire engines, a flyover by water-dropping helicopters (the tanks were dry today), and the food.

I haven't made many photos of this sort since I worked as a newspaper photographer and reporter in the early 1970s. This was a pleasant moment in the life of a city, and I didn't need a press pass to record it.