Riders in the Storm

I got handed an interesting flyer the last time I went downtown on the bus from a member of the Bus Riders Union. They meet every month at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles and seem to have a very progressive agenda. Not only do they advocate more buses as a method of reducing air pollution and reducing traffic, they see riding the bus as an act of social equalization, economic reform and crime reduction. Knowing there's a group out there with such high ideals makes it much easier to trot off to the bus stop instead of mindlessly hopping in the car.

Is This Town Big Enough for Two Museums?

I'm torn about the Long Beach Heritage Museum. After flipping through the website, I sense there's a small but dedicated group that enjoys talking about the golden days of Long Beach (the Pike, the Red Cars, etc.) and has access to a sizable photo collection and memorabilia. It doesn't seem to have the organization or outreach of Historical Society of Long Beach though, and frankly I don't think there's enough interest in this city's history to support two historical museums. Wouldn't it be better to work together and combine the two collections?

The Art of Relaxation Now Has a Studio

Can't wait to check out Everday Zen Relaxation Studio at 3740 Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls. The name alone does wonders for my frazzled nerves. I've been scurrying around like a hyperactive hamster for the last week trying to catch up from my vacation. The website is a little sketchy but they seem to be very active on Twitter. One of the latest tweets says you get a free tarot reading plus a cup of tea when you book online "through the month of September" which I assume means until September 30. This Friday, as part of First Fridays in Bixby Knolls, they're offering free face mapping, mini reiki sessions, and wine, cheese, and sweet treats.

Running Green

Not a lot of info on this event, but Long Beach Green Business Association will be holding a Green 5K Race and Expo beginning at 8 am tomorrow August 30 at El Dorado Park. Entry fees will support youth programs like solar and wind energy camps and youth run organic gardens. The Green Business Expo expects to have over 40 exhibitors.

Kitchen, kitchen, who's got the kitchen?

Tonight is the grand opening of the Bike Kitchen sponsored by CSULB Cyclists at 108 N. Edison Place from 5 to 10 pm. But wait, there's also a Bike Kitchen at 1253 Fourth Street on Tuesday from 8 pm to mignight put on by Pedal Movement. That's a lot of tire patches for one city.

Designs on Development

Thanks to the Grunion, I'm now aware of the Long Beach Design District along Coronado Avenue north of the Walgreen's on Anaheim. Several rundown industrial buildings have been renovated and filled with graphic design studios, architectural firms and product development firms such as Vision Design Studio. The Redevelopment Agency is working with businesses in the area to address parking and zoning issues and limit residential growth to live/work spaces.

My Stars! Peace Comes at Twilight

Stars over the Pike at Rainbow Harbor will be on display at the Pike from August 21 through September 6. The collection of photographs features landmarks from around the world after sunset. The exhibit is part of The World at Night, a worldwide exhibit of photographs celebrating the International Year of Astronomy 2009. The awe-inspiring images are intended to creat public interest in astronomy as well as demonstrate the universal appeal of stars, planets and, well, the universe. The Pike is also offering star gazer nights with local astronomers tonight and next Friday night, September 4 from 8:30 to 10:30 pm. Dancing Under the Stars features a swing band tomorrow night and latin dance next Saturday, September 5. While you're there might as well do your best to touch the stars on the giant Ferris wheel.

Ooh la la La Strada!

The waitresses of La Strada Restaurant (on Second Street) agreed to display some of their (ahem) hidden talents and posed for a 1940s-style pinup calendar to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. A long-time customer of the restaurant died of pancreatic cancer at age 55 about a year ago, and owner Lisa Ramelow organized the production of the calendar. If the calendar is half as much campy fun as the YouTube video of the photo shoot, it should be a big seller at the Belmont Shore Car Show on September 13. Part of the proceeds will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, which funds research as well as supporting victims of the disease and providing community outreach.

Long Beach Losers--A winning proposition

Justin Rudd has organized an ingenious way to motivate people to drop some pounds. Long Beach Losers is a twelve-week competition where teams of 5 people weigh in each week at Runners High on Second Street and put $5 each into a kitty. The final weigh-in will be eight days before Thanksgiving and winners both for the team and an individual will divvy up the kitty. This is the third year for this event. Many people return in hopes of winning the money, but more seem to like the fun of sharing the ups and downs of following a diet. More than 500 people have registered so far, which means an estimated jackpot of $30,000 to draw from. Sign-ups end this Sunday, August 30.

Everything Long Beach

I stumbled onto another terrific website focusing on our fabulous city. It's called Everything Long Beach and features good news about Long Beach. It runs the gamut from arts to neighborhoods to schools to things to do. Even the advertising is local interest. You can sign up to get new stories by e-mail.

Hope for the Homeless

Teves Lee was featured last week in The District. After a period of homelessness, she started a barbershop called AFROS of Hollywood and looked for opportunities to help other people down on their luck. Now she's set up AFROS in Long Beach and is founder and director of Haven of Hope Foundation for the Homeless. Her organization has been up and running since May 2008 providing transition housing in 4 different locations in the city and gathering together a diverse network of people focused on helping people get back on their feet again.

And while my sweet tooth's biting

I have to mention Frosted Cupcakery. I haven't visited there for ages, not since they relocated to 4817 Second Street. The cupcakes are just the right size to feel decadent without feeling remorse. I'm partial to the chocolate/chocolate and the chocolate/caramel toffee. I just signed up to follow their blog Frosted Frequency. According to the latest post, there will be free giveaways of mini cupcakes on the first of each month. That means next Tuesday. The store opens at 11. See you there.

Now that I'm on a diet, I've discovered another tempting source of sugary, buttery goodness. Sweet and Saucy Shop is now open for business at 6400 Stearns. They offer cakes, cupcakes, cookies and mini dessertslike cake ball lollipops (be still my heart). The shop opens at 11 except Mondays when it's closed. Just one more taste treat to add to my list.

Sweet Embellishments Coming Soon I Hope

You've probably noticed the enticing sign above the empty store in the Los Altos Shopping Center, located conveniently next to Pilate Joe's. Yes, when will Sweet Embellishments Dessert Bar open, for pete's sake? According to the website they anticipate an opening in early September. The menu and prices are as enticing as the photos of the desserts. Four dollars for five? They must be tiny little morsels. All the better gorge myself my dear. Oh, well, I'm waiting in anxious anticipation of free giveaways at the grand opening.

Greek Festival by (where else) the sea

This Labor Day weekend September 5, 6, and 7, the Assumption of the BlessedVirgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church will hold the 60th annual Greek Festival. Admission is $3 for adults and free from noon to 4 on Monday. Besides the fabulous food booths and happy throngs, there will be performers, dance lessons and tours of the church as well as games and carnival rides. Parking is available for free on the CSULB campus with a shuttle running regularly between the campus and the church.

Parkway replantings are go!

On August 11, ity council okayed changed to the municipal code to allow residents to plant dought-resistant plants in public parkways between the curb and sidewalk. Gosh, I never knew it was previously prohibited. Chalk up another one to procrastination. Anyway, the time looks right for me. My next door neighbor is selling her house (boo hoo) so it would be good to have the redesign underway before someone new moves in. Also, my compose pile is in desperate need of emptying. Now I'll have to refer to my previous parkway blog to refresh my memory on plant possibilities--decomposed granite, snow in summer and Tom Thumb flax. Okay, gang, get out those blunt end shovels!

The big 3-0

No, that's not how old I am. That's how long I've been married. Yikes! There's no way of avoiding how old I am anymore, is there? My darling husband bought me a lovely Chamilia bracelet and now I'm pouring over all the (ahem) overpriced charms there are available to buy for it. I think I ask for a tasteful birthstone charm for my birthday and let it go at that. We're contemplating a train trip through the Canadian Rockies before snow season sets in, but we're such procrastinators that is may just have to way a year or two

A Film Festival in Long Beach's Backyard

Huntington Beach's SoCal Independent Film Festival runs from September 14 to 23. Workshops, panels, and showings will be held at the Huntington Beach Central Library and Cultural Center Theatre. Shorts and feature length entries will be shown most evenings and tickets run from $4 to $6. The website is a little difficult to navigate but many of the movies' previews are featured if you can find them

Canstruction OC--Yes, they can

South Coast Plaza is hosting a monthlong event starting September 5 called Canstruction OC. It's an ongoing project established by the design and construction industry to benefit local food banks. Teams of architects, engineers, designers, xontractors and students compete by designing and building structures made entirely out of canned foods. After "Build Night" and judging, the structures will be on display to the public. Awards are given in such categories as best use of labels, most cans, and structural integrity. Canned food is ultimately donated to the OC Food Bank.

77 Million Paintings--such a bargain!

On September 10, Brian Eno's generative art installation 77 Million Paintings will open at the CSULB University Art Museum. Using computer software to project a constantly changing pattern or sight and sound, the exhibit consists of twelve monitors and strategically placed speakers in a darkened gallery. Viewers can sit and watch the paintings for any length of time or visit the audio room where a new music compostion by Eno will be playing. Portions of the exhibition have been presented before, but this is the first show in Southern California. Eno is not only a composer and artist. His minimalist style has influenced the many performers whose records he has produced, such as U2 and Talking Heads.

The show runs through December 13. There is a $4 admission fee. Be aware that the museum hours have been affected by California's budget cuts

On September 15, there will be a gallery lecture by UAm Director Chris Scoates at 6 pm followed by a performance by electro-pop singer Madeline Puckette on the lawn in front of the museum. Brian Eno will appear at the Carpenter Center on September 20 at 7 pm to talk about his work. Tickets cost $100. Then on October 10 there will be a free concert of sculptural sonic art at the Daniel Recital Hall at 8 pm where musicians explore the boundaries between music and sound on electronic devices. Rychard Cooper, a CSULB professor, will give a lecture called "Complexity and Beauty: The Art of Brian Eno" on October 24 at 7 pm

E Hula Mau 2009

The annual hula and Hawaiian chant competition E Hula Mau takes place over Labor Day weekend, September 4th to 6th, at the Terrace Theatre and the Westin Hotel in downtown Long Beach. A day pass costs $20 for competions as well as workshops on lei-making and other Hawaiian crafts. The Mahalo Bash takes place on Saturday at the Westin and costs $35. There's also an open air Hawaiian Village Stage and music each night at the Westin Hotel Lounge. There's no charge indicated for these events. So if you've been away from the islands too long, stop by for a mai tai.

What! Another 100 year old pier?

Not to be upstaged by Huntington Beach Pier's centennial celebration, Santa Monica's got an extravaganza planned for its pier on September 9. The event is free, but bring an arm and a leg to pay for parking. Details on the event are sketchy, but there will be celebrities, speeches, and a 100-foot long cake. The closing attraction will be a fireworks show off the end of the pier--the first in 18 years.

What's Cooking at the Bike Kitchen?

Exciting news from the CSULB Cyclists blog. A bike kitchen is opening in Long Beach this Friday, August 28th from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. The garage is located at 108 N. Edison Place, which is north of 1st Street near Gaviota. Bike kitchens are popping up in many cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, where experienced bike mechanics volunteer their time and tools to help people repair and/or upgrade their bicycles. The grand opening of Long Beach's Bike Kitchen is free to everyone and features gold sprints, live bands and possibly fire dancing. A joint project of CSULB Cyclists and Pedal Movement, The Bike Kitchen will continue every Friday--same time same place.

Gone on Vacation

Flying out East on Jet Blue in a couple of hours, and I'll be gone until August 18. I'll post some pictures if I find an open computer, but if not, see you in a couple of weeks.

Broadening my bibliographic horizons

Heading over to the Wilmington Branch of Los Angeles Public Library today. It's a bit of a poke but the LAPL holdings are awesome. Once you get a card number, you get access to all their databases and a gazillion downloadable audio books.

New Homeless study

PATH Partners and more than 20 other organizations conducted a survey of 350 homeless people in the downtown Long Beach area with Long Beach Connection from July 21 to 23. One preliminary finding is that the average homeless person in Long Beach has been living on the streets for almost 5 years.

The group will hold a meeting on Thursday September 17 at 7 pm at the Main Library, 101 Pacific Avenue, to present further results and present a strategy to provide intensive services for homeless people and connect them with permanent housing.

A new place to eat

I've heard good things about At Last Cafe at 204 Orange Avenue (between Ocean and Broadway). Fresh, imaginative combinations at good prices, and who could ask for more? Hours are 11:30 to 8 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and the phone number's 562-437-4837. Chef John McLaughlin all runs JM Chef Catering and has won awards and kudos from restaurant critics and the hungry crowd at Yelp.

And while we're on the subject of arts . . .

. . . it's never to early to think about Arts Month, which is October in case you forgot. This year the Arts Council has launched GLOBAL, the Greater Long Beach Arts Lab, to emphasize Long Beach's diversity and international connections. Events will include the Southeast Asian Festival at the Aquarium, Sound Walk in the East Village (one of my favorites), the Green Port Fest, a mid-city artist studio tour, and CalRep performances on the Queen Mary. Beginning on October 9 and extending to the end of the month, a group art exhibit of local artists called Exposed will be held in the 25,000 square foot former Expo furniture store on Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls. Now that's a lot of art! A website for GLOBAL should go up soon.

Create Long Beach . . . creatively

Have you heard of Create Long Beach? It's a 10-year initiative being coordinated by Arts Council Long Beach and the Long Beach Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Bureau to identify Long Beach"s creative assets and invigorate the city's creative community which began in October 2008 and issued an 18-page cultural plan framework in June 2009.

There doesn't seem to be any funding for this plan, but there's an abundance of good ideas. I particularly like these concepts:

• Engage residents in locations not commonly considered cultural venues such as parks, libraries, schools, and churches.



• Have individuals who are familiar with the populations to be serve help plan programs that bring communities together while preserving the neighborhoods' unique identities.



• Provide more opportunities for artist residencies in public schools and other venues.
  


• Develop a cultural assets map of existing venues (formal and informal), organizations, artists, events, festivals, activities, training programs and other resources.




• Review city permitting policies to make it easier for artists to perform in neighborhoods throughout the city.




• Build stronger ties to regional organizations such as the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, ARTS LA, and the Center for Cultural Innovation.

An implementation plan is supposed to be submitted to the City Council in January 2010. Justin Hectus of the Arts Council Long Beach and Robert Swayze of the Bureau of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs are co-chairs.

• Rev

Take a peek at the future

From August 10 to August 13, Plug-In 2009, a conference focusing on plug-in hybrid and electric technology, wil take place at Long Beach Convention Center. The public can attend from 5:30 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, August 11. Vehicles scheduled for display include the Chevy Volt, the Ford Escape Plug-In, and the Plug-In Toyota Prius. There will also be a panel discussion of how people can get the word out about the advantages of plug-ins. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10.

It's Time for Back (Pack) to School

Long Beach Rescue Mission and Kingdom Causes need help with their annual backpack drive. Each year, they provide more than 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to area schools. Tax deductible donations can be made by check mailed to LBRM or by credit card through the website. New backpacks and supplies can be dropped of at Samaritan House at 1335 Pacific Avenue on or before August 10. Supplies needed are college-ruled paper, one-inch 3-ring binders, boxes of number 2 pencils, red pens, large erasers, and pencil boxes. Volunteers are also needed to assemble and deliver the backpacks from August 10 to 28. You can find out more by calling 591-1292 extension 110 or email volunteer@LBRM.org.

Rancho Los Cerritos Invites you to the garden

Rancho Los Cerritos has free tours of its gardens on the first Sundays of each month for the next 4 months. at 2:30. What a great way to finish up a Sunday brunch or a church social. At 4600 Virginia Road, its a bit of a poke to get there, but the gardens are oases of privacy and serenity. A beautiful natural setting and a some fascinating history, now that's a winning combination.

Another landmark in July

Did you noticed I averaged two posts a day in July? Well, my busy little fingers did. Next week, I'm heading out on vacation, so August will never reach the heights of July. By September, I be raring to go, so watch out.

Nifty knockoff of Limelight Long Beach

Limelight Long Beach says our burg is a City of Neighborhoods and has created a new website to prove the point. Upcoming events and popular businesses in familiar stomping grounds like downtown, Bixby Knolls, Belmont Shore, Cambodia Town, East Anaheim, and 4th Street are featured. Coverage is still a little spotty, but if enough businesses get on board, it looks like a great platform to navigate where to go and what to do in for all the varied neighborhoods that grace the city