WooHoo! Long Beach Transit Makes it to Google

Now you can get directions on Google Maps for taking the bus in Long Beach. It gives the bus number and a few arrival times. I can't figure out how to prompt it to give information about alternate routes, but this is a great start.

I Love We Love Long Beach

Sweet tooth alert! We Love Long Beach has struck up a deal with Cookies by Design. During September, if you stop by the the cookie shop at 5205-A Pacific Coast Highway and say "We Love LB" you will receive one of their new tasty treats. The "cookie cupcake" is a delicious cupcake with a cookie on top. Sounds like a win/win situation. Hours are 8:30 to 6 Monday to Friday and 10 to 4 on Saturday.

We Love Long Beach has more plans for October. On the 7th there's a dinner at Domenico's on 2nd Street. Print the flyer at their website and bring it in and 25% of your tab will go to WLLB. Then on the 11th, they're sponsoring a fitness class at 10 in Livingston Park. and the next Saturday, the 17th, there will be a Neighborhood Breakfast in Bixby Knolls.

Yet More Yoga

Silver Age Yoga is a nonprofit group based in San Diego. Since 2003, it has provided free classes to teach seniors yoga poses to address their health needs. The Long Beach Senior Center holds a SAYCO class on Wednesdays at 11 am.

Findbliss combines business and pleasure with directories of restaurants, spas, and yoga studios as well as related products with a growing archive short essays and tips on yoga, meditation, balanced living, and health and wellness.

Lorin Roche concentrates more on meditation than yoga, but his teachings are based on an ancient yogic text Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. He has just released a new translation called The Radiance Sutra, described at "112 Yogas of wonder and deleight for touching the divine in the midst of daily life. He also holds weekly meditation sessions "with emphasis on spontaneity and naturalness" in Venice at Aanand Sagaar from 7:30 to 9:00 pm.

Comic/writer/yogini Beth Lapides has a refreshingly wacky take on yoga practice. She has a calendar of her upcoming performances and workshops and links to her column My Other Car is a Yoga Mat.

Desert Wonderland looks like a perfect meditation retreat center a few miles outside of Twentynine Palms. Sweeping desert views and artistic touches for $700 a week.

Objets d"Art & Spirit looks like an interesting emporium of bath oils beads and other trinkets relaxation and meditation. Some products are sold online but for the full monty you have to visit the store on Sunset Boulevard's "rockin' row."

Finally, I just have to include a mention of Shadow Yoga, although it looks a little too intense for my quavering spirit. It involves exploring the many layers of shadows in the physical and psychic body. There are many workshops throughout the world and books and DVDs to help elucidate.

Expanding Horizons for Sustainability

Environmental Changemakers out of Westchester (L.A.) have a great website about community-based ways to share (and save) local resources including local currencies, time banks, LETS systems, barter, group purchases and community gardens. It has links to Transition Los Angeles and other Los Angeles groups

Yoga on my mind

Finally, I got around to trying out the free yoga class that takes place Sundays at 11 am on the bluff at the south end of Bixby Park. It's very relaxed and nurturing in nature. The teacher didn't even introduce herself, but she lead a good class that was challenging to beginners like me but not impossible. The instructor encouraged people to rest in child's pose whenever they felt like it and she also suggested more demanding poses for more advanced students. There's a website for Living Balance Yoga with a calendar that shows meeting at Bixby Park on Sunday, so I guess it's the same group. They also meet at Marina Vista Park on Tuesdays and Fridays which is a lot closer to my house.

Another option could be yogaglo which offers unlimited online classes for $18 a month. They've arranged classes by ability level and style. The beginner classes include meditation, basics and vinyasa flow. I'll have to explore the site further to see if they offer a free sample.

There's a new donation based yoga studio in Santa Monica called Yogis Anonymous. It's near the Third Street Promenade and it looks like it has a full schedule with over 20 teachers of all sizes, shapes and ages. The suggested donation is $14, but the website stresses no set fee.

The Green Yoga Association addresses some tricky questions that I've faced as a yoga student. Things like using plastic water bottles, toxic yoga mats and driving to class all seem to fly in the face of the basic principles of yoga. This group offers a community to discuss and in time solve these problems.

So much yoga, so little time. I'll have to continue in another post

Can't get enough Poe

This has nothing to do with Long Beach, but I just had to put in a plug for one of my homeboys Edgar Allan Poe (he grew up in Richmond, VA too). He was born in 1809 so many celebrations, tributes, books, etc. have appeared this year in his honor. Inexplicably, the University of Texas opened an exhibit recently and the website has an extensive digital archive. Alas, poor Edgar, no one knew him too well

Bike Forum in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Public Library Foundation Aloud Series will present "Cities, Bicycles, and the Future of Getting Around" on October 2 at 8 pm. Musician and bicycle advocate David Byrne will appear with L.A.'s bicycle coordinator, Michelle Mowery, Bike Kitchen co-founder Jimmy Lizama, UCLA professor Donald Shoup to discuss bicycling as an option in the L.A. area. The event will be held at the Aratani/Japan America Theatre and costs $25.

Online thrift stores

Here's a few Internet sources for secondhand goods. They all require setting up an account. Some will ship, but most require the buyer to arrange pick-up.
Shop Goodwill (auctions a la eBay)
Shop Housing Works (some auctions, some straight sales, benefits New York City Housing)
GovDeals (U.S. government surplus, each department has different procedures)
GovSales (the official site to buy government property)

San Diego Author is coming to Brewitt Library

Although it's not listed on her website, Teresa Burrel will appear at the Brewitt Library on Wednesday September 23, beginning at 4:30 pm to talk about her first novel, The Advocate, and sign copies. She based the plot on her experience as a juvenile court attorney.

Is this something you'd like to share?

In these cash strapped times, barter networks are popping up all over, and Long Beach has got one too. Long Beach Barter Buddies has a site on ning to trade things or services. There's lots of photos and about 20 members so far. It's great to know there's a local group like this to get involved with.

Catalization Alert

A group called the Catalyst Community is holding an open house today in the midst of the Latin American Festival and the East Village Second Saturday Art Walk. They have already launched several exciting community groups like Green Long Beach, LBCreative, and Biking & Cycling. There's a link on their site to volunteer and also news about upcoming workshops.

Alive Theatre preps for Frozen

Next week Alive Theatre holds auditions for Frozen, a dark three person play about loss and grief and forgiveness, even for a serial killer. It's unclear where the play will be presented, but it will run from November 6 to 21.

Bright Lights in Hard Times

Long Beach Museum of Art will present a collection of 50 1930s era works commissioned by WPA funds called Surviving Hard Times: WPA Artists. The exhibition runs from October 9 to January 17. By the way, the museum will have free admission through September 19.

Bike the Mid City Studio Tour

The Mid-City Studio Tour opens the doors to 24 artists in central Long Beach on October 3 and 4. This year Bike Long Beach is offering a map of a bike route to all the locations. It's available free at several It's A Grind Coffee Houses.

Cal Rep moves to the Queen Mary

Here's an interesting new use for the venerable old Queen Mary. Cal Rep will present its 2009-2010 season in the ship's Royal Theatre. The setting is well suited for the first play on the roster. Festen, based on a Danish film, follows the twisted motives and actions of a wealthy family as they gather at their ancestral home. The polished brass and teak and Art Deco curlicues will set the right privileged tone.

Did someone say coffee?

A couple of weeks ago, The District Weekly featured two new coffee shops, conveniently located to meet all of Cal State's caffeine and wifi needs. Grounds Bakery prides itself on its on its bagels (and who wouldn't). They have soups and sandwiches too as well as a wide assortment of mocha/cappa type drinks.

Toorak takes its name from a town in Australia and has the exotic decor to match. The menu offers coffee galore plus sandwiches and pastries.

Sound Walks Again

Soundwalk 09 is set for October 3 from 5 to 10 pm. This year the area of indoor and outdoor sound installations extends from the East Village to Pine Avenue, so when they say walk they're not kidding. If it's anything like last year, it will be a mind expanding experience challenging common assumptions about artistic expression with lots of interactive displays. A great excuse for visiting one of the great restaurants in the East Village.

Inspiration from San Diego

I just heard about this interesting development in San Diego called Quarry Falls. Land that was once a sand and gravel quarry is being redesigned with homes, apartments, parks, stores, schools and over 40 acres of open space connected by walking and biking trails plus a public shuttle to take residents to a nearby light rail station. The concept if called city of villages

Green Port Fest by land and sea

This year's Green Port Fest on October 3 will be offering boat tours, train excursions and even a couple of bicycle jaunts. The event lasts from 10 am to 3 pm. The 45 minute boat tours cruising past massive cargo ships and frolicking sea lions launch every 15 minutes. The trains giving close up looks at the cargo terminals run every hour on the half hour. The bike excursions will follow a proposed trail from downtown to the heart of the port. They're scheduled for 11:30 and 1 pm. There will be musicians and dancers performing on the main stage as well as street performers like jugglers and stilt walkers.

Cemetery Tour on Halloween Day!

Now that's what I'm talking about! The Historical Society of Long Beach will hold its 14th annual tour of Sunnyside and the historic Municipal Cemetery on Halloween day. The tour featured costumed performers located near gravesites and bringing the deceased back to life. The society needs volunteers to help with the event such as set-up book sales and handling refreshments. Training is required prior to the event.

Feel Good, Do Good

Massage Envy in the Target Mall in Seal Beach is offering $35 massages (not sure how long) on September 15. Massage for the Cure will raise money for a local breast cancer foundation, Susan G Komen for the Cure--$10 for each massage performed that day. Call 562-596-1500 to book an appointment.

Out with the old restaurants, in with the new

I'm still mourning the demise of two of my favorite eastside hangouts--Ferraro's and The Mexican Affair. Both had great food and great service and a relaxed no frills atmosphere (if you don't consider Ferraro's amazing and constantly changing assortment of holiday decorations to be frills). Now Brulee, a French Californian restaurant, has opened in Ferraro's old stomping grounds. It's open from & am to 9 pm everyday and has an a la carte brunch on Sundays from 8 am to 2:30 pm. There's a $7 lunch special weekdays from 11 am to 2:30 pm and 50% off coffee, lattes and cappuccinos with purchase of breakfast pastry 7 to 10 am on weekdays until September 24.

The building where The Mexican Affair once held sway is undergoing a major renovation. The banner out front promises that Thiptara Restaurant will be opening soon.

At last! A new book by Wendy Hornsby

One of my favorite Long Beach authors, besides Philip Reed, of course, Wendy Hornsby has a new book out. It's called In the Guise of Mercy and features Maggie MacGowan the star of her previous mystery books. Hornsby will be at the Barnes and Noble in Marina Pacifica on Saturday September 12 at 1 pm to sign her books.

Forum on Homelessness

On September 17, there's a forum on reducing homelessness in Long Beach from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Aquarium of the Pacific. No information on what person or group is sponsoring it.

No Regrets, Ecologically Speaking

On Thursday, September 17 from 6 to 8 pm, The Gaslamp Restaurant will host Egrets not Regrets (love the title), an event offering information about volunteering for local environmental organizations. The event is free, but the wine tasting going on at the same time costs $22.

Much Ado, Theatrically Speaking

Lots of theater openings this week. Much Ado About Nothing begins its run at the Richard Goad Theatre on September 11 and continues through October 24 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The production will feature live music and dancing.

Long Beach Play House also has an opening this Friday. Caught in the Net, a slapstick comedy set in London, will run through October 17.

Meanwhile, Found Theatre will kick off a month of filmed presentations of some of it unforgettable and irrepressible productions with Cycle Sluts on September 12. Other short films and related antics are also promised.

A New festival Downtown

Don't those people downtown do anything but party? This Saturday, the inaugural Latin American Parade and Festival will cover most of the downtown area with music, dancing, kids activities and lots of food. The event was planned to honor Mexican Independence Day on September 16, so the weekend closest to that date was chosen. The parade begins at 7th and Pine at 3 pm with bands and floats and Grand Marshall Jenny Oropeza along with a phalanx of other politicians. Eventually, the festivities will center around 1st and Elm where entertainment includes dance groups like Danzas Aztecas and musical groups like Carlos, a Santana tribute band. There will be art and fitness sessions as well as salsa lessons. That's dancing not eating by the way.

Stepping Out on Second Street

As someone who has logged 100s of miles window shopping on Second Street, I was interested in Justin Rudd's new plan to get people motivated to walk and raise money for his Community Action Team. Every Wednesday evening in September and October beginning at 6:45 at Runners High, walkers will assemble to learn the direction of the walking route. Anyone who donates $5 to the Community Action Team becomes eligible for a drawing after the walk for half of the kitty. Walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace, and everyone must sign a waiver at the first walk they attend.

The American Heart Association has a great program called Start! Heart Walk with lots of featured to keep you motivated on a walking program. It's free to sign up for their website which has tips, forums and 3 free online walks with my favorite walking instructor Lesley Sansone. Family Circle has many helpful features on its website including walking playlist suggestions from its editors.

An Ounce of Preparedness for Free

The Belmont Heights Community Association is presenting a free Emergency Preparedness Seminar conducted by the Long Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) as part of its monthly meeting. The meeting will take place September 9 at Fremont Elementary Auditorium, 4000 E. Fourth Street, and runs from 7 to 9 pm. An information packet will be handed out to participants and childcare will be available.