A bottle carrying the ashes of a Texas man along with letters from loved ones washed up on a Florida beach after being released into the tide over a...</s>A short section of the 134 Freeway between Glendale and Pasadena was officially renamed after President Barack Obama on Thursday, a tribute to the 44th president who attended Occidental College in nearby Eagle Rock from 1979-1981 while living in Pasadena for a portion of that time.

Two large, green-and-white freeway signs were unveiled Thursday, one on the right shoulder of westbound State Route 134 at the beginning of the 210 Freeway at Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, the other at the eastbound 134 in the vicinity of Route 2 in the city of Los Angeles near Glendale, according to Caltrans spokesman Marc Bischoff.

The signs rename roughly a five-mile stretch of the 134 (Ventura Freeway) the “President Barack H. Obama Highway.”

Obama most likely traveled the freeway section between Occidental and an apartment at 253 E. Glenarm St. in Pasadena where he lived as a sophomore. At Occidental, a liberal arts school on the western border of Pasadena, Obama gave his first political speech urging the college to divest its investments in South Africa.

Many scholars say the time Obama spent at Occidental was when he cut his teeth on politics, which later led to a seat in the Illinois legislature and the U.S. Senate, before being elected president in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, serving until Jan. 20, 2017.

“The president has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he traveled after him,” said state Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge.

Local efforts

Portantino led the effort about two years ago by co-authoring Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8 with Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, who represented Eagle Rock at the time in the state Legislature.

Local Democratic activist John Gallogly suggested the freeway renaming to Portantino. The measure passed with bipartisan support.

No taxpayer dollars were used to build or erect the signs, Bischoff confirmed, adding that the cost of the two signs and labor amounted to about $5,000 and were paid for by private donations.

The signs were uncovered around 10 a.m. Thursday, he said.

Obama supporters, Occidental benefactors and Portantino helped raise funds at the home of Bob and Faye Davidson.

After the Star-News and then other news organizations publicized the renaming effort, Portantino was flooded with offers to pay for the twin signs. He preferred to keep the effort local, he said.

“So many generous people can share in the accomplishment of this appropriate recognition of an inspiring, positive leader, ” Portantino said in a prepared statement. “What a great way to bring in 2019.”

Reactions

Shoppers at the Smart & Final store near the Pasadena freeway sign at Maple Street and Fair Oaks Avenue were unaware of the recent renaming. However, most reacted positively.

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Cynthia Montier, 59, of Pasadena, peered at the sign from the store’s parking lot. As a self-described “political beast,” she agreed with the tribute to President Obama while recognizing its limitations.

“I don’t have a problem with it. But it will not bring about world peace or feed hungry kids,” she said.

Portantino plans a formal dedication ceremony some time in January, he said.

In June 2017, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to rename a 3.4-mile stretch of Rodeo Road through southwest Los Angeles as Barack Obama Boulevard.</s>A section of a California freeway between Glendale and Pasadena has been named after former President Barack Obama.

Officials unveiled signs named “President Barack H. Obama Highway” in a portion of the Los Angeles-area freeway, State Route 134, on Thursday, the Associated Press reported.

Democratic state Sen. Anthony Portantino introduced the resolution, which was filed in September 2017, to designate a portion of the freeway to be renamed. It spans between State Route 2 and Interstate 210, The Pasadena Star-News reported.

“In recognition of President Barack Hussein Obama’s more than two decades of dedicated public service to the citizens of the United States and the State of California, it is fitting to designate a portion of State Route 134 in his honor,” the resolution read in part.

The resolution also paid tribute to Obama’s time as a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles. It noted that “donations from nonstate sources” would fund the measure.

“So many generous people can share in the accomplishment of this appropriate recognition of an inspiring, positive leader, ” Portantino said in a statement according to the Star-News. “What a great way to bring in 2019.”</s>Drivers can now cruise along the President Barack H. Obama Highway after signs went up Thursday showing a section of a Los Angeles freeway has been named in his honor.

The State Route 134 stretch that refers to the 44th President of the United States, runs from State Route 2 in Glendale through to the Eagle Rock section of LA's Interstate 210 in Pasadena.

Barack Hussein Obama II, 57, attended Occidental College in Eagle Rock from 1979 to 1981 and lived in Pasadena during his sophomore year.

The designation was authorized in 2017 after local democratic activist John Gallogly suggested the idea to rename the freeway and the Legislature was taken to Sacramento where it was signed off on a resolution introduced by state Senator Anthony J. Portantino.

The Democrat's La Cañada Flintridge district includes the area of the highway that Congressman Jimmy Gomez also approved.

Following the passing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, Southern California community members donated to the project earlier this year at an event hosted by Portantino, Bob and Faye Davidson and Occidental College.

While the California government states people across the country were eager to donate, they decided to limit it to a local project to supply Caltrans with money for the creation and installation of the signs.

Portantino said the sign was 'quickly paid for' after those within the area were given the opportunity to take 'ownership' of the Obama project.

'This is an exciting day for Southern California and it showcases our deep respect and appreciation for President Obama,' Portantino commented. 'The President has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he travelled after him.

'Our community came together to make this happen. It is an honor to be in a position to have helped facilitate this wonderful symbol of our collective respect for the grace and dignity embodied by our 44th President.'

Obama transferred out of the LA County liberal arts college founded by members of the clergy and Presbyterian church and attended Columbia University in New York.

After obtaining a BA degree in 1983, majoring in political science, he went to Harvard Law School in Massachusetts in 1988.

However his time in the LA area is believed to have and an impact on his path to becoming an American leader for two terms from 2009 to 2017.

'So many generous people can share in the accomplishment of this appropriate recognition of an inspiring, positive leader,' Portantino added. 'I am very grateful to Caltrans for its rapid response to our community's generosity by installing the signs before Christmas. What a great way to bring in 2019. I hope to have a formal unveiling and program in the New Year to properly commemorate the President and our new freeway.'

It's not the only LA-area road approved to be named after Obama.

This August on the anniversary of Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, Rodeo Road in the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw area got the go-ahead, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Obama Blvd.

The 3.5-mile road runs past Rancho Cienga Park where Obama held a campaign rally in February 2007.

Before he left the White House, in 2015 Old Dixie Highway in Riviera Beach, Florida was named after President Barack Obama.</s>Signs have gone up naming a section of a Los Angeles-area freeway as the President Barack H. Obama Highway, seen from Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/John Antczak)

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Caltrans has finished installing the President Barack H. Obama highway signs renaming a portion of the Ventura (134) Freeway after the 44th president, Sen. Anthony J. Portantino announced Thursday.

The renaming was a result of legislation authored by Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, and Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles. The legislation called for the stretch of the 134 Freeway between the Glendale (2) and Foothill (210) freeways to be renamed after Obama, who spent time studying at nearby Occidental College in Eagle Rock from 1979 to 1981.

"This is an exciting day for Southern California and it showcases our deep respect and appreciation for President Obama," said Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge. "The president has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he traveled after him. Our community came together to make this happen. It is an honor to be in a position to have helped facilitate this wonderful symbol of our collective respect for the grace and dignity embodied by our 44th president."

The freeway stretch is not the only roadway in the Los Angeles area to be dedicated to Obama. The Los Angeles City Council voted in August rename Rodeo Road as Obama Boulevard in honor of the former president.

City Council President Herb Wesson proposed the name change last year and noted that then-candidate Obama held a campaign rally at Rancho Cienega Recreation Center on Rodeo Road in 2007. The 3.5-mile street runs from near the Culver City border east to Mid-City -- and is not to be confused with upscale Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.</s>A portion of the 134 Freeway in southern California has officially been renamed after former U.S. President Barack Obama.The signs were posted Thursday, renaming a stretch of the 134 from State Route 2 in Glendale, through Eagle Rock, to Interstate 210 in Pasadena as the President Barack H. Obama Highway.The designation was authorized last year.The former president attended Occidental College in Eagle Rock from 1979 to 1981 and lived in Pasadena.Obama was the country's 44th president.</s>Signs renaming a stretch of the 134 Freeway after President Barack Obama were installed Thursday, according to KTLA.

The “President Barack H. Obama Highway” runs through parts of Glendale, Pasadena and Eagle Rock, between the 2 Freeway and the 210 Freeway.

The legislation to rename the stretch was announced by California state Sen. Anthony J. Portantino back in September 2017, after winning bipartisan support.

A year later in September 2018, state lawmakers gave the final approval and community leaders raised money for Caltrans to make the changes at a fundraiser hosted by Portantino and the Pasadena Community Foundation.

The renaming of the highway honors the former President Obama, who lived in Pasadena and attended Occidental College from 1979 to 1981.

“The President has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he travelled after him,” Portantino said in a news release. “Our community came together to make this happen. It is an honor to be in a position to have helped facilitate this wonderful symbol of our collective respect for the grace and dignity embodied by our 44th President.”

Portantino received offers from outside the state to pay for the sign, but chose to keep it local, the news release said.

Officials plan to have an official unveiling commemorating the president and the newly renamed freeway stretch sometime in the new year, according to the news release.</s>Yes, Californians can now ride on the freeway, newly named the President Barack H. Obama Highway, a designated strip of a Los Angeles-area highway named after 44, USA Today reports.

Signs for the stretch of highway on the 134 Freeway from State Route 2 in Glendale to Interstate 210 in Pasadena were installed this week, the outlet reports.

“Yay! I drive that way every day to work!” one person wrote in a comment on the LAist.com story on Facebook.

And of course, haters had to weigh in too.

“Must be a dead end,” one person wrote on the LAist.com Facebook page.

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No matter, many will be happy to ride on the freeway named for the newest Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award recipient.

Earlier this year, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the Los Angeles City Council voted to rename Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard.

The 57-year-old world leader and humanitarian, has had a stellar year. He was recently bestowed a special award for his leadership that exhibited his “commitment to social change.”

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“Hope is the insistence that no matter how tough our circumstances, there are better days ahead. If we persist…together we can overcome,” Obama said in his remarks accepting the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award honor.

“The story of the last 50 years is the story of a more just and peaceful world. I have seen it. I have lived it. You have too,” he added.

With a sack full of presents slung over his shoulder, President Barack Obama brought some good will and holiday cheer to little patients at the Children’s National medical center in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Michelle Obama dances with kids at Children’s Hospital and turns up better than Melania Trump

“My reindeer were stuck in some snow and I just wanted to make sure I made the trip and had the chance to see all of you guys,” said Obama from the hospital’s playroom.

While the secret Presidential Santa didn’t don a bright-red suit for the occasion he did rock a red hat as he went from room to room giving out remote-control cars, glitter nail polish, Hot Wheels and jigsaw puzzles, The NY Daily News reports.

And the former President got a special treat too when onlookers and hospital staff started singing carols to Obama, according to Mashable.

“Thank you Barack Obama for making our patients’ day so much brighter,” tweeted the hospital. “Your surprise warmed our hallways and put smiles on everyone’s faces!”

The President also recorded a message for the kids who missed his impromptu visit, which will play over the air on the in-house TV system.

“Merry Christmas and happy holidays to the extraordinary kids, families and staff at Children’s National,” tweeted Obama after his departure. “And thanks for humoring me as your stand-in Santa.”</s>Most Californians are excited about the designation, but not everyone is.

Not everyone knows that former U.S. President Barack H. Obama briefly lived in Pasadena, California. It was while he attended Occidental College in Eagle Rock from 1979-1981 before transferring to Columbia University in New York.

As a way to honor Obama, California state lawmakers extended a presidential tribute to him by naming a stretch of the California 134 Freeway after him. The honorary roadway runs from State Route 2 in Glendale to Interstate 210 in Pasadena, passing through Eagle Rock, reports LAist.com.

Reflective white letters officially proclaim the President Barack H. Obama Highway on green signs posted along the Los Angeles-area freeway. Installation was completed this week, more than a year after the state law was signed in September 2017.

State Sen. Anthony Portantino and Congressman Jimmy Gomez introduced the motion in December 2016 with overwhelming support from fellow lawmakers.

“This is an exciting day for Southern California and it showcases our deep respect and appreciation for President Obama. The president has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he traveled after him. Our community came together to make this happen. It is an honor to be in a position to have helped facilitate this wonderful symbol of our collective respect for the grace and dignity embodied by our 44th President,” Portantino said in a statement.

SCR 8 passed through the California legislature with bi-partisan support. When news of the freeway naming was unveiled, Portantino said he was “inundated” with offers from across the country to pay for the sign. But he chose to keep support for it local. Community members were invited to participate and take “ownership” of the project,” Portantino stated. Local responses were overwhelming, and the sign was quickly paid for.

“So many generous people can share in the accomplishment of this appropriate recognition of an inspiring, positive leader. I am very grateful to Caltrans for its rapid response to our community’s generosity by installing the signs before Christmas. What a great way to bring in 2019. I hope to have a formal unveiling and program in the New Year to properly commemorate the President and our new freeway,” Portantino shared.

LAist.com shared information about the new signs, drawing some interesting comments from people.

“Yay! I drive that way every day to work!” one person shared.

Another took the chance to take a jab at President Donald Trump.

“Maybe we can name a speed bump after our current Commander-in-Chief,” the reader wrote.

California is one of the nation’s most liberal states, giving former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton 61.7 percent of the vote against Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Another Los Angeles-area roadway will soon be named after the 44th president, too. In August 2018, Los Angeles officials revealed plans to rename Rodeo Road to Obama Boulevard.

USA Today reports that Republicans represent 25 percent of the electorate. There were others who expressed their disappointment in the highway designation.</s>
• You can now experience President Barack H. Obama-related gridlock, and it will have nothing to do with the US Senate.
• A stretch of State Route 134 (the 134 Freeway) has been named for the 44th president, as new signage along the road reflects.
• The President Barack H. Obama Highway stretches from State Route 2 — passing through Eagle Rock — to Interstate 210 in Pasadena.

You can now experience President Barack H. Obama-related gridlock, and it will have nothing to do with the US Senate. A stretch of the 134 Freeway has been named for the 44th president, as new signage along the road reflects.

The President Barack H. Obama Highway stretches from State Route 2 — passing through Eagle Rock — to Interstate 210 in Pasadena.

The chunk of road named after Obama is symbolic. The former president lived in this area of Los Angeles from 1979 to 1981 — with his sophomore year spent living in Pasadena — while attending Occidental College in Eagle Rock, before transferring to Columbia University.

The highway name was proposed by Democratic state Sen. Anthony Portantino, and the resolution was passed in 2017.

"This is an exciting day for Southern California and it showcases our deep respect and appreciation for President Obama," Portantino said in a statement on Thursday. "The President has often mentioned his fond memories of living in Pasadena and attending Occidental College, so it was very appropriate to name the portion of the freeway he travelled after him."
Parts of the Ventura Freeway in Southern California is renamed as “President Barack H. Obama Highway” in honor of former President Barack Obama.