More chatchkies in the Sunset

Sunset Magazine, as always, has a ton of lawn and garden accessories to die for. There's a luscious lime green garden hose from Alice Supply Company, an elegant teahouse kit from East West TeaHouse, a nifty design for an outdoor shower with corrugated metal panels for support, and eye-popping red metal Fermob bistro chairs.

How Dry I Am

Yes, summer's coming so it's time to think of draught resistant gardening again. I'm starting small with a couple of lavender plants and some sedum (sedum spathulifolium "Cape Blanco" as featured in Sunset this month in an article about Wonderland Garden and Landscape). They say it makes good ground cover, so I'm going to try it around the flagstones on the slope down to the gate. Another candidate from the same article, Lewisia cotylededon "Sunset Strain", grows a foot high and 10 inches wide with hot pink blooms with white-edged petals.

Once that lavender takes hold, Sunset has an intriguing recipe for lavendar tea. For 4 servings, add 4 green-tea bags and 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lavendar blossoms or 3/4 teaspoons dried lavendar to 1 quart water brought to a simmer. Steep 5 minutes. Strain and let cool. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with lavender sprigs.

100 Days of Summer . . . but who's counting?

Long Beach Parks and Recreation has launched a nifty website making it easy to maximize your fun during the 100 Days of Summers. It's got ongoing activities like golf, tennis, and swimming pools right on the home page. Then there's a calendar to check what's going on by date, and a list of itineraries for special interests like family-friendly, arts, or (my favorite) free events. There are lots of movie and live music events listed, including the good old Municipal Band.

Long Beach Sea Festival Rolls Back In

It just wouldn't be summer without the Sea Festival. Old favorites like the Great Sand Sculture Contest (August 14 and 15) and the Dragon Boat Festival (July 31 and August 1) are scheduled as well as some new events like the Children Today Run/Walk (June 12) and the Urban Ocean Festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific (August 21 and 22).

Movies on the Beach

The Moonlight Movie Series will show movies on the beach this summer in three locations on three different days: Tuesdays on Granada Beach, Wednesdays on Cherry Beach, and Thursdays at Marina Green. Cartoons start at dusk followed by a feature attraction. The movies are free and snacks are available to purchase. The series kicks off on Saturday July 3 at Granada Beach with Grease--the Sing-along, and other films include Blind Side, Where the Wild Things Are, and Spiderman

Spring's the time for budding playwrights

For 20 years, Long Beach Playhouse has been showcasing new playwrights in its New Works Festival. On the last Saturday of March, April, May, and June, a staged reading of a full-length play is presented with a discussion afterward. Eighteen of the New Works have subsequently been given full productions at the Playhouse. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. A discussion follows the performance. This Saturday, The Old Bird by Lynn Wells Nelson will be staged at 2 pm.

Mooed Music?

This Sunday, June 6, at 3 pm, Long Beach Chorale will perform at the Rancho Los Alamitos. The outdoor concert is called The Choral Creature Feature and will be a celebration of animals in song, both serious and silly. Picnics are welcome, and a shuttle bus will run from CSULB lot 11 on Palo Verde to the Rancho from 1:30 to 6 pm. Tickets cost $15

Grandma Darlings' Got a Sale

Grandma Darlings Antique Mall, now at 1819 Redondo Avenue with an annex open Saturdays and Sundays at 3934 4th Street is offering 10% to 40% off regular prices during their Memorial Day Sale. Different dealers offer items from furniture to clothing in their separate booths.

Goooooal! Beach Soccer on Alamitos Beach

Youth and adult players will be competing for a $4,000 purse at the Beach Soccer Championship going on at Alamitos Beach from May 28 to May 30. Professional players from other countries will be on hand as well as boys and girls teams at many age groups. The Mens final will be held Sunday May 30 at 2:45 pm on Beach #8.

Glided Tours of Downtown

Segway of Long Beach offers a no-sweat way to see the sights of Long Beach. Besides getting to glide around like your favorite Star Trek hero or heroine for the two-hour tour, you get close up looks at the Queen Mary, the Scorpion submarine, Pike at Rainbow Harbor, and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Does this mean you get to cross the harbor bridge on your personalized hovercraft too? The tours are offered daily and cost $75 per person.

So Cal from the Inside Out

Here's a blog jam-packed with news and views of all the things to do in Southern California. Travelin' Local has ten contributors who post photos and descriptions of neighborhoods and natural attractions and all the things to do and see in this diverse region.

Los Angeles Landmarks

Before I throw out a brochure of a $4,000 National Trust for Historic Preservation tour I didn't take, I thought I make a note of some of the highlights. The tour was sponsored by two local groups Los Angeles Conservancy and Pasadena Heritage.


Tour participants stayed at the Hilton Checkers Hotel. Built in 1927 in downtown Los Angeles, the 12-story boutique hotel has been beautifully restored with a rooftop pool and restaurant. The hotel offers a guided tour of the nearby fashion district.

On the first day, a walking tour highlighted the historic core of downtown Los Angeles including Pershing Square, the Central Library, Angels Flight, and the Bradbury Building.

Historic restaurants featured in the tours were Smoke House Restaurant, founded in 1946 in Burbank and later moved to a 1947 building, and Yamashiro in the Hollywood Hills, originally a private residence of the Bernheimers that was restored as a restaurant in 1960.



A walking tour of Hancock Park winds through the elegant homes in various revival styles constructed for some of Los Angeles most prominent families in the early 1930s. A half-day in Pasadena includes tours of Gamble House, the masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts designers Greene and Greene built in 1908, as well as the Mediterranean-style City Hall and the Rose Bowl, both constructed in 1927, followed by lunch in Old Pasadena. The city's historic neighborhoods are rich in architectural gems, easily spotted from the sidewalk.

Another neighborhood full of residential landmarks is Silver Lake with homes designed by modernist pioneers like Gregory Ain, John Lautner, and Richard Neutra. Neutra's VDL Research House II is open for tours on Saturdays. On the other side of the city in Pacific Palisades, the Eames House offers another glimpse into a mid-century modern icon.

So many museums in L.A. would make great architectural specimens. This tour narrowed the choice down to a VIP cart tour of Warner Brothers Studios including a visit to the Warner Brothers Museum , the Art Deco gem Griffith Observatory, and the Getty Center as well as a Neon Tour conducted by the Museum of Neon Art.

In Case I Ever Do Make It to Sedona

Yes, I do dream of mystic transformation in Sedona, even though I've never been there. Here are some very material factors in this most spiritual place.
El Portal Sedona luxury accommodations in adobe hacienda

New Frontiers Natural Marketplace 1420 W. State 89A

Hike in Red Rock Country -- Soldier Pass Trail, 2.4 miles, leads past Seven Sacred Pools

Guided tours
Earth Wisdom Jeep Tours
Mystic Tours with Rahelio

Elote Cafe 771 State 179

Turquoise Tortoise Gallery 431 State 179

D'lish Very Vegetaqrian 3190 W. State 89A

Boynton Canyon a vortex spot

Mystic Vista

Oak Creek Canyon north of town, very popular drive

Los Angeles Online

Here's some websites that focus on Los Angeles arts and entertainment.

Angelenic downtown Los Angeles

Art Scene covers galleries and museums

Going LA concerts, night life, book store events

Eye Spy LA has a free events column

California Scenario a public installation by Noguchi in Costa Mesa

Bergamot Station gallery and performance venue

Fingerprints The bosom of Long Beach's music scene

Chamber Music at LACMA on Sundays

Cafe Metropol European bistro with live music

L.A. Conservancy architectural tours and lectures

Goldstar list of discounted attractions

Stubdog half-price tickets

L.A. Stage Tix discounts on local theater

Theatermania information on plays in L.A. with some discounts

LA ist blog posts on all things Angeleno

Los Anjealous concerts large and small

Sharing an office when you don't have a job

I'm feeling a little stale sitting around the house for the whole week, so I'm understandably drawn to the Coworking Wiki. There doesn't seem to be any communal office spaces in Long Beach, but there's CoLoft in Santa Monica.

Walking Strong through the Years

Lifelong Fitness Alliance provides training to be a Fitness Ambassador so you can coordinate 10-week walking programs. The group began at Stanford and appears to be very active in the San Francisco area.
America on the Move also gets communities on their feet to fight obesity and other health problems brought on by inactivity. They have a few simple rules: Walk more, eat less; get a group involved; use weigh-ins and pedometers to make progress tangible; find pleasant walks near home; look for fun activities like hiking and dancing; walk at sunset or sunrise and dress appropriately for the weather; and use healthful rewards like new walking shoes, fresh fruit or walking to an outdoor cafe.

Mothering Mother Nature

Here's a great group whose name is guaranteed to make you smile -- Great Old Broads for Wilderness. These stalwart ladies (and men too) watch for incursions by off-road vehicles or prospectors or grazing cattle onto public lands. They use cellphone cameras and GPS to give exact information to the Bureau of Land Management. They have local groups in the Sierras, San Francisco, and San Diego.

Mobility Add-Ons

Here's some clever and affordable gadgets to make car travel a little easier for the flexibility-impaired from Dynamic Living or ActiveForever.

A cushion that swivels to help getting out of the passenger's seat, a wider than standard rearview mirror to reduce blind spots, and a strap attached to the car door frame for getting in and out

Blog-a-rama

Just few links to some fresh and juicy blogs

Anarchy in the Garden -- the off shoot (or is it a seedling?) of Victory Home & Garden with lots of inspiration and news of the Long Beach gardening scene

Beyond the Lawn -- lovely graphics and lots of info about gardens and cooking around L.A.

Eating L.A. -- Item by item restaurant reviews and insider news about the L.A. restaurant scene

Life on the Balcony --tons of advice and encouragement for container gardeners

Making Myself Useful

I dream of travelling to Europe, but when I look at the price of plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, etc., I just can't justify the expense. What if I go to Poland or Italy or Portugal and volunteer to teach or help build a school? Volunteer Abroad compiles opportunities from 50 or more organizations. Most require you to pay for transportation and/or boarding, but it would be worth it to feel you're getting a behind the scenes look at a country and of course to know you're helping someone.

It's a cycle and it's, well, extra

We have a change to buy an xtracycle second hand. It's got an extra long frame for extra towing capacity. It would come in handy for shopping, day trips, or just getting stares for passersby. They go for over $1,000, but we could get one for around $600. Maybe earn a little extra money with bike delivery?

Speaking of get-around town bikes, I just want to set a link to Flying Pigeon LA, a bike shop that sells or rents a good old reliable Chinese bike brand.

Going Retro

Thinking of getting some items to spiff up my Mid-Century Modern house. First stop, 4th Street at Xcape or the Vintage Collective. Then a pilgrimage to the Long Beach Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market. Stuff's more comfortable the second (or third or fourth) time around.

Not Your Average bus tour

Esotouric offers half-day tours to non-touristy sites like the homes and haunts of Charles Bukowski, the Black Dahlia, and Tom Waits. Tours cost about $60. You can sign up for the mailing list to keep up on upcoming tours

Money, Honey

Yes, in the neverending scramble to pay the bills, here's a few ideas for part time income from Westways Magazine.

Selling from Home--Avon, Party Lite, Simply Fun, Tastefully Simple, Southern Living at Home; $100-$400 per party; get referrals from party goers

Pet Sitter or Dog Walker--$10-$60 an hour; Fetch!, a national company; check with insurance agent about extra coverage

Workshop Leader--Work through community college, adult education school, church, YMCA, recreation department; $20-$50 an hour

Tutor--$20-$60 an hour; advertise online or in school newsletter; go to sites like Myngle to tutor English to foreign students

Rent out rooms--$400-$1,000 a month; list on Craigslist; check with National Shared Housing Resource which matches homeowners with renters; check references, get proof of income, and month-to-month contract

Give opinions in focus groups--$40-$100 per session; look in classifieds under "focus groups"; Markets Directory has a focus group facilities page; GreenBook lists survey groups; My Survey 123 lists companies that pay but also has scam sites

Personal assistant--$15-$25 an hour; buy groceries, water plants, drive people to airport; may need extra insurance to transport passengers; advertise at local stores and neighborhood newsletters; Do My Stuff has jobs to bid on

Usher--$9-$12 an hour and freebies; apply at theaters, arenas, concert halls, or museums

Sell your own items--Ask at secondhand or vintage stores or at consignment shops; go to yard sales for likely items; Online outlets include Craigslist, eBay, and Bonanzle

Migrant work--$7-$12 an hour; People travel in their campers and cover expenses by working at resorts, amusement parks, and theme parks; Workamper, Workcamping, and Work for RVers and Campers have resources for job hunting.

AARP also has resources job hunters over 50 including job listings and times on working from home

The Greening of the River

Am I ready for the 10th annual Los Angeles River Bike Ride On June 6? A definite maybe for the 15 mile family ride, which begins at 11 am (registration at 10) and costs $50. It makes a loop beginning and ending at the Autry Center in Griffith Park and it's completely on a bike path.

And if I wimp out on the bke ride, there's the Friends of the Los Angeles River is sponsoring a Carpool Tour of the river ending at its mouth in Long Beach on June 13 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. For $25, you get a guided tour of the downtown spot that’s in all the movies, Maywood Riverfront Park, Compton Creek, and the brand-new stunning Dominguez Gap Wetland in Long Beach. There'll also be a stop at a Long Beach taco shop.

And if I just can't cut organized activity, The Glendale Narrows Riverside path for a 10-mile walk or ride or the Yoga course downstream from Los Feliz Boulevard on the east bank. Check out the Los Angeles River Center, an old Spanish-style estate, at 570 West Avenue 26, open mornings 7:30 to noon and some afternoons. (Bike path: right on Avenue 26, right on Figueroa, and right onto Riverside Drive). Ride through a series of 8 riverside parks. (From Frogtown exit through the Great Heron Gates at Rattlesnake Park and cross Fletcher Drive onRipple Street, which become Crystal Street and ends at the path. On the river's east side on Glendale Boulevard there's an arty row of row of shops in Atwater Villate (take the path upstream from the bridge).
Returning to the path on the west side of the river, continue upstream to the Sunnynook Footbridge and cross for the yoga course.

Am I Falling for Terranea's Fast-Talking Press Agent?

The bluff top restaurant at the Terranea Resort, Nelson's, sure looks serene in the feature in Sunset this month. After being featured in the most recent issue of Westway, Terranea must be basking in attention from Southern California residents. I think I'll wait a month or two before checking out the sunset views or the organic Bloody Mary.

City of Long Beach has a farm, E-I-E-I-O

Holy cow! Will the cows return to Long Beach Boulevard? A century ago, many a garden plot graced north and central Long Beach, and if Council member Robert Garcia and New City School can pull it off, there will soon be a working farm at Long Beach Boulevard and 15th Street. Supervised by a professional farmer, New City students, parents and volunteers will transform a lot that's been vacant for 10 years with fruit trees, vegetable gardens, a windmill for power and eventually some animals. The school is leasing the land from the city for $1 for 5 years. No word on who's paying for the water. The students' gardening experience will be incorporated into other subjects like science and math. It will be great to see a patch of green in that part of the city.

Arrested Development It's Not

I've just heard that episodes of Sit Down, Shut Up are available through Comedy Central. I was a big fan of the hysterically and lovably chaotic family comedy called Arrested Development, so when I heard that the producers and some of the cast were involved in an animated show last year, I looked forward to watching it. Somehow I never got the days or times right, and then it was cancelled. Now there are some online so I don't have to worry about the schedule. It's just for old times sake. Since my television set is broken, it's a great time to explore what the networks have online.

Stop the Junk

I've signed up for several online lists to stop junk mail and phone solicitors. Today I signed up for Yellow Pages Go Green to opt out of receiving paper phone books. We get two or three a year, so that should save some paper. I've already signed up for the Do Not Mail List, which has thinned out the junk mail to businesses and organizations that I've given money to in the past. I'm also listed on the Do Not Call Registry, and again I still have a few diehards from my alma mater and the NOW. Last but not least, I signed up for Stop Political Calls, but I think it may be time to renew my attempts at stopping the junk that bombards me and my family every day

Primarily Primary

I got a flyer from the California Democratic Party with recommendations for the primary election on June 8.
At the top of the slate are: Barbara Boxer for Senate, Jerry Brown for Governor, Janice Hahn for Lieutenant Governor, Debra Bowen for Secretary of State, Albert Torico for Attorney General, Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner, and Tom Torlakson for Superintendant of Public Instruction. Locally, the picks are: Jerom Horton for State Board of Equalization, Ken Arnold for U.S. Representative, Bonnie Lowenthal for State Assemby, and Yoland T. Salazar for Assessor. Recommended judges for Superior Court are Mark K. Ameli, Laura A. Matz, Valerie Salkin, and Tom Griego. The positions taken on the propositions: Yes on Props 13 and 15 and No on Props 14, 16, and 17. I've signed up for a mail-in ballot, but I haven't got it yet.

The California Labor Federation has these endorsements:

Proposition 13 Seismic RetrofitRecommend: Vote YES
Proposition 14 Top Two Primary Recommend: Vote NO
Proposition 15 California Fair Elections Act Recommend: Vote YES
Proposition 16 Two-Thirds Approval for Local Public Power Recommend: Vote NO
Proposition 17 Alter Auto Insurance Company Regulations Recommend: Vote NO
Constitutional Offices
GovernorJerry Brown (D)
Lieutenant Governor DUAL: Janice Hahn (D) and Gavin Newsom (D)
Attorney General Open (D) -- All Democratic candidates for this office were deemed acceptable by California Labor Federation delegates.
Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D)
TreasurerBill Lockyer (D)
Controller John Chiang (D)
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson (D)
Insurance Commissioner DUAL: Hector De La Torre (D) and Dave Jones (D)
Board of EqualizationDistrict 1 Betty Yee (D)District 2 Chris Parker (D)District 3 No EndorsementDistrict 4 Jerome Horton (D)

To Dine List

Some people have to-do lists; me, I have a to-dine list.

Claire's at the Museum Creme Brulee French Toast

Delightful Crepes Cafe

Beachwood BBQ

Sophy's Fine Thai and Cambodian Cuisine 3240 E. Pacific Coast Highway

Le Yen Chinese Restaurant Chris's special

Rick and Brian's Cafe grilled pork chop

Gaslamp

The Abbey 306 Main Street Seal Beach, CA $5.95 lunches

New York's Upper Crust Pizza 2 slices of pizza and a beer $5.99 Monday-Friday 3pm-7 pm

San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant 1190 Nagoya Way Berth 76

Suzanne's Du Rivage Creperie 191 Park Avenue

On the Mark 335 Nieto 562-986-5811

Cat Man Blu

Bono's

Long Beach Pizza Company

Ashley's Bar & Grill 1731 4th Street Crunch beef and potato tacos

Frosted Cup Cakery chocolate carmel buttercream toffee cupcake

Kafe Neo

E. J. Malloy's Eggs Benedict and Bottomless Mimosa

The Prospector prime rib dinner

Lotus Cafe

Baba Ghanouj falafel

Pizza Pi margherita, greek, the works

Thai on Main curry trio

Pizza Place antipasto salad

Queen Mary Sunday Champagne Brunch $39 9:30 am to 2 pm

Dare to Prepare

I got a great summary of earthquake preparedness on a postcard from my realtor. Now all I have to do is break it down into do-able pieces

Before an earthquake
Create a disaster plan
Have an evacuation plan and safe meeting place outside
Decide where your family will meet if separated during an earthquake
Choose an out of state friend or relative to call after a quake to report your status
Prepare an emergency kit of food, water and supplies
Learn first aid and CPR
Practice Drop, Cover and Hold on twice a year
Get under a table, hold onto furniture and cover your head and body
Find the safe spots in each room—under sturdy tables, desks or against inside walls
Know the danger spots—near windows, mirrors, fireplaces or tall, unsecured furniture

During an earthquake
Indoors: Drop, cover and Hold on; appropriate action to reduce injury or death
Outdoors: Find an open area away from buildings, trees or power lines
In a high-rise building: Stay away from windows and outside walls; drop, cover and hold on.
In a car: Pull over to side of road away from buildings, overpasses or power lines; stay in your car until the shaking stops
In a crowded public place: Do no rush for the doors. Crouch and cover you head and neck with hands and arms.

After an earthquake
Dn’t panic; stay calm and help others
Listen to your protable radio for instructions
Do not use the telephone unless there is sever injury or fire
Do no use you vehicle unless there is an emergency; keep streets clear
If at home, inspect for damage.
Check for injuries and damage, provide first aid for serious injuries
Check for gas or water leaks or broken electrical wiring.
If you smell gas or there is damage, turn off the gas and report to utility company
Check for any downed power lines, warn others to stay away.
Expect aftershocks and be prepared to drop, cover and hold on
If you evacuate, notify the out of state people.

Steps to earthquake safety for your home
Identify and fix potential hazards in your home
Secure hot water heater using two strap kits
Use childproof latches or release knobs on cabinets
Screw items hanging on wals into a stud
Secure TVs and major appliances to walls
Fasten tall furniture (hutches & bookcases) to wall studs with L brackets
Install safety film to large galss windows or patio doors
Keep flammable or hazardous liquids in secured cabinets in garage

Earthquake survival kit
Food—3 day supply of non-perishable food per person
Water—At least 3 gallons per person
First Aid Kit—Keep it ready and include medications
Can opener, paper plates, cups and paper towels
Flashlights & portable radio, extra batteries
Fire extinguisher, candles and matches
Blankets, clothing, heavy shoes and gloves
Money, plastic trash bags, tape, whistle, pocket knife and wet hand wipes
Instruction to turn off gas, electricity and water
Tool kit & pipe wrench to turn off gas and water
Important telephone numbers, pen & paper
Pets—food, bowls, collars, leashes, ID tags and medication

Important websites
American Red Cross www.prepare.org
Earthquake Country Alliance www.earthquakecountry.info
Earthquake Readiness Campaign www.daretoprepare.org
FEMA Hotline www.fema.gov
Office of Emergency Services www.oes.ca.gov
SoCal Gas Company www.socalgas.com/safety
Southern California Edison www.sce.com
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program www.earthquake.usgs.gov

Removing that Elephant from the Living Room

Oh nooooo! The TV just died. Even worse, it's this gargantuanSamsung that requires a Sumo wrestler to lift. Salvation Army only picks up TVs that work. Goodwill's website says the same. Hold everything! There's e-waste pickup for free! I've got an e-request to AllGreenRecycling. There are several other companies that will pick up items for free, but they seem to focus on businesses and schools and require at least 5 items for free pickup. The city of Long Beach will pick up TVs as part of a semi-annual oversize item collection, but they note that a fee might be charged if special handling is required. Oh boy, special handling doesn't even begin to describe this bad boy. Oh well, if I have to pay I have to pay. I'll call them Wednesday, 570-2876, if I don't hear from AllGreenRecycling.

Is it time to Serve America Yet?

Funding for the Serve America Act is supposed to start in 2010. The act has special provisions for people over 55 to encourage them to use their work experience to serve their communities. The Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships help people transition from midlife careers into nonprofits or public service. ServeAmerica Fellowships let older Americans create their own programs for community service.

Great Low Cost Business Seminars at LBCC

Long Beach City College Center for Training and Professional Development has an ongoing schedule of 2 to 3 hour sessions of interest to entrepreneurs and other small business owners. For $50 to $100, you can learn how to build a website or start an import-export business with attention to Southern California. The instructors can even customize training programs for your business

Is it too early to mention Patchwork?

I was happy to hear that Patchwork, the independent arts and crafts fair, will have another show at Marine Stadium on Sunday June 27 from 11 am to 5 pm. There was some wonderfully inventive and beautiful stuff last year, so I've got it on my calendar with a sparkly star.

Keeping those little grey cells sparking

Brain fitness seems to be all the rage. Beyond Sudoku and crossword puzzles, what is there out there sharpen memory and concentration? HappyNeuron has free games plus CDs and downloads. Lumosity offers games targeted toward different abilities like speed, flexibility, memory, or problem-solving. Nifty after Fifty, with a location here in Long Beach, offers exercises to rejuvenate the mind and body.

Fair Trade

In these cash-strapped times, I thought I'd put up links to some active bartering websites. There's a local group, Long Beach Barter Buddies that doesn't look very active, and of course there's Craigslist. Barterquest looks like it trades everything including the kitchen sink while Swaptree focuses on books, music, dvds, and video games. They're like eBay without Paypal.

Yoga Chatchkies

Parade Magazine had a feature a few weeks ago about yoga products. A couple of books of interest: The Great Oom by Robert Love details the beginnings of yoga in the U.S. and The Yoga Body Diet by Kristen Schultz Dollard incorporates the food you eat with the moves you make. There's a Pocket Yoga app for iPhone that features 3 different sessions for 3 different ability levels in 3 different durations for $2.99. YogaWorks has a DVD for Beginners AM/PM with a basic 45 minute session plus morning and evening sessions lasting 10 minutes each. Athleta and Lucy were mentioned as good places to buy yoga clothes. Yogamazing has podcasts for computers and iPhones for $2 to $10.

Good cooking, Good Causes--Outstanding!

I finally got around to checking out the Outstanding in a Field schedule. This group travels around the country, but mostly up and down the West coast, preparing organic meals outside on the farms where the food was produced. There are going to be several meals in Southern California in June, even one on Catalina Island, but alas, they're all sold out. Tickets start at $200. Now that's a meal to remember.

Another inspired cooking effort made possible by the Internet is Spread the Bread. This international organization, started by a mother and her three daughters in Wayland, Massachusetts, brings people together to make their favorite kinds of bread and share them with others, especially with those in need. Based on the belief that everyone is connected to bread somehow--through religion or memory or a family tradition, groups all over the country support each other in baking a million loaves of bread between September 11 and New Year's Eve to honor heroes by feeding the hungry.

Non-GMO Shopping Guide Online

I have this nifty shopping guide that lists brand names of foods made without genetically modified organisms. It's so compact however that I'm always afraid I put it down somewhere and not be able to find it . So, in case I do, I've discovered it's online too--at Center for Food Safety and Healthier Eating

Time for a Physicality Check

Feeling old and tired lately, I realized that I haven't been good about exercising. AARP Magazine had a good 6-month checklist for getting back in shape based on suggestions by Dr. Memet Oz, but there doesn't seem to be an online record for it. The Daily Checklist is: Walk 30 minutes, brush and floss, take 400mg of DHA omega-3s, 1,000 IU vitamin D, and 1,000 mg calcium, sleep 7 to 8 hours anight, and meditate for 5 minutes. Dr. Oz also suggests that you ask 3 strangers how old they think you are. Their responses could be good indicators of how healthy you are.

Sunset Goodies

A couple of cool ideas from Sunset Magazine for photos--enlarged on a shower curtain or bound in a book. Also, sources for low cost worldwide items--Cost Plus World Market, Viva Terra, and Wisteria. I liked the shapely Tuffex carafe, only $6.95, from Crate and Barrel. And finally, a few interesting no-reservation campgrounds: Chula Vista Campground, east of Santa Barbara; McGill Campground, also near Santa Barbara; in Kings Canyon, the Sunset Campground or the Azalea Campground;In Anza Borrego, the Blair Valley Campground or the Little Blair Campground; near Bishop, the Grandview Campground or the Sage Flat Campground

Suits Me to a T

What a surprise to see the T Salon situated just a hop, sip, and a jump from where I used to live in Hollywood at Melrose and La Brea. Originating from New York, the Salon has lots of exotic blends of tea, fruits and spices as well as loads of good nibbles. Good thing it was there when I was. I would have gained too many pounds and lost too much ready cash.

A Few more Getaways if you've got the moolah

Sunset Magazine featured some new SoCal hotels in the May issue. The Padre Hotel in Bakersfield a cowboy motif and a rooftop deck. In San Diego, The Hotel Se has a pool with an underwater sound system and a mud room in the spa. The most intriguing and most expensive is the Charlie Hotel, a compound of cottages in West Hollywood that once was part of Charlie Chaplin's estate.

Avia gets cool rating

Avia Hotel was featured in June 2010 Westways Magazine as a cool new hotel. They liked the wine bar, the patio, and the rooftop pool at night and called the bedrooms sunny and spacious, but the called the breakfast buffet pricey at 16.95. Other cool places to stay include Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach, Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance, Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, the Hotel at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.

Book Fair at Leimert Park

On June 26, Leimert Park Village will be jam-packed with authors, poets, and book lovers during the book fair from10 am to 6 pm. In addition to panel discussions and book signings, there will be writers workshops and family entertainment. It's free!

The Grove Hosts Chefs . . . or Not

Westways Magazine reports that The Grove is hosting a Celebrity Chef cook-off with Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis on June 26, but there's nothing on the website, so don't go out and buy a new apron just yet. The recipes are said to be using fresh ingredients from nearby Farmers Market.

Films a plenty

The Los Angeles Film Festival will run from June 17 to 27 with a glorious confusion of shorts, student films, foreign films, documentaries and features from the indies and studios, not to mention a smattering of celebrity retrospectives. Most events cost $12 with a $3 charge per order and they will take place in downtown L.A. Individual tickets go on sale June 1.

Those darn grunions

On your mark, get set, grab those little fishies! Or find out more about the sardine-like grunions and how they run at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. March, June, and July are open season months for grunion fishing. The trick is you have to grab them with your hands and you do need a valid California fishing license. The aquarium is holding a Grunion Fish-tival on May 29 from 7 pm to midnight with a grunion video, grunion hatching and other activities supervised by grunion experts.

The best nights to spot grunion when they come on shore to spawn will be June 14 from 11:10 pm to 1:10 am, June 28 from 10:50 pm to 12:5o am, July 13 from 11:05 pm to 1:o5 am, and July 27 from 10:30 pm to 12:30 am. The aquarium will have programs on all four dates beginning at 9 pm followed by guided observations on the beach. Adult admission for the Fish-tival or the grunion watch programs is $5.

Carnival with PV flair

The Palos Verdes Street Fair promises to be the biggest and best fair in the South Bay from June 11 to 13. Besides carnival rides, there's over 200 craft booths, two entertainment stages, a dog show, and Green Street with eco-friendly goods and services. The fun takes place at Crossfield and Deep Valley Drives

Aloha Aquarium

Get out your coconut halter tops and dish out the poi! The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting the Pacific Islander Festival on June 5 and 6 from 9 am to 5 pm. With ethnic cuisine and entertainment like hula dancers and Tahitian drumming, cultures from Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Maori, and Marshall Islands among others will be represented. The festival is included with general admission

Women of the West

The Autry National Center of the American West has an exhibit called Home Lands: How Women Made the West on display through September 6. Photographs, artifacts and art demonstrate women's influence on the Western landscape.

Lavender in the Air

Two lavender festivals are coming up in June. 123 Farm in Cherry Valley's Highland Springs Resort will offer fresh bouquets and plants, cuisine as well as horse-drawn farm tours and an organic marketplace on June 12 and 13 and June 19 and 20. The venerable Ojai Valley Lavender Festival has an array of fresh and dried flowers, craft items, aromatherapy, lectures, entertainment and food and drink.

Brittle beyond the Peanuts

Westways has an interesting item about gourmet brittle from Morning Glory Confections. It's created in micro batches at prices from $5 to $24 in exotic flavors like chia tea & cashew or cocoa nib, coffee bean & pecan.You can order it online or at a few stores in L.A. and Orange Counties. Sounds like a nice treat for a picnic or outdoor concert.

Flying high at Dominguez Rancho

One hundred years ago, the International Air Meet at Dominguez brought together the most famous flyers for 10 days for altitude, speed, and endurance competitions, entertaining more than 200,000 people. Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum will hold the Centennial Aviation Day on June 12 to commemorate this air show, which may have launched the aerospace industry in California. Vintage cars and airplanes will be on display and tethered balloon rides will be offered.

Hurry! Hurry! Cheap seats!

Allegiant Airlines is introducing flights from Long Beach Airport to Bellingham, Washington (convenient to Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle) beginning July 1. One-way flights are available for $49.99 if ordered before June 2. Flights, available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, can be booked for dates through January 2011.

Creamy, dreamy Avocadoes

I also came across a note about the Avocado Festival in Carpinteria in October. The website already has dates for 2010, October 1-3. Besides a guacamole contest, there is a biggest avocado contest. Last year's whopper weighed in at 3.03 pounds. Besides that there's music, booths, and lots of chips. And they're asking for volunteers--yum!

Linden Street is the place to shop--places like Porch and Whimsy Antiques. Other things to do include the Carpinteria Valley Museum of History, the tide pools at Carpinteria State Beach, and the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve. A couple of choice restaurants--Sly's chophouse and Chamomile Cafe.

Pedal Dreams

Just came across a note about Duvine Bike Tours in my evergrowing pile of "things to do in my dreams." The prize is steep ($3,00o-$4,000 for 6 day excursion) but the locations are to die for. Not too many easy rides, but the accommodations are deluxe and many meals are included.

Ahoy! A Sail on the Bay!

The U.S. Sailing Center of Long Beach will be holding an Open House this Saturday, May 22, form 11 am to 3 pm. There'll be raffle drawings, demonstrations of docking and boat safety as well as opportunities for a free sail in Alamitos Bay. On Saturday June 19, the Center will be holding a yard sail (hehe) with boats and marine gear for sale.

A feast for the senses

Long Beach Symphony Chamber Players will hold their inaugural Sounds and Spaces performance at the sumptuous Madison Restaurant this Sunday, May 23. The event begins at 4 pm with a talk about the historical Security Bank building by architecture experts Cara Mullio and Jennifer M. Volland. A septet by Beethoven and excerpts from a jazz ballet by Martinu will be performed. There is no admission charge but reservations are required, lpearson@lbso.org

Say AAAAH, Say OMMMMMM

Just read through the Yoga World newletter and discovered that there's a meditation community in Long Beach called quite simply Long Beach Meditation. Regular meditation sessions called sits are held at different locations in the city. Beginner's sits are held on the first and third Sundays of each month from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at the Unity Church of Long Beach at Broadway and Alamitos. Guiding teacher Victor Byrd discusses the fundamentals of Vipassana (Insight) Meditation followed by a 20 minute sit and time for discussion. Beginning classes are free, but donations are welcomed. You can come early and help set up as a way to meet and talk with members of the group.

On June 12, Yoga World founder Gabriel Hall and Victor Byrd will hold an all day meditation retreat in Palos Verdes, incorporating sitting meditation, walking meditation, and yoga asanas. The retreat costs $60. Spaces are limited so sign up at the Long Beach Meditation website as soon as possible.

Visions of Hope

Art Theater will host the Hope and Freedom Film Festival this Saturday, May 22, from 1 pm until midnight. The free event, sponsored in part by the NAACP, features films by young people addressing alternatives to hatred and discrimination.

Green thumbs optional

A workshop on backyard gardening will be held at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Avenue, on Wednesday, May 26 from 6 to 7:30 pm. Kathleen Irvine will cover many topics, including organic vegetable gardening and using raised beds to maximize space. To RSVP, call 562-570-1010.

A Bus Ride to Beauty

Long Beach Transit has announced another summer of bus expeditions to many of the cultural landmarks of Southern California. The Museum Express program will run from June 24 to August 15. Round trip service on air conditioned buses costs $8. Registration forms on available on the Long Beach Transit website. Some of the beautiful destinations include:
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Getty Center
Norton Simon Museum
Griffith Park Observatory
Museum of American West
Huntington Museum, Library & Gardens
Hollywood Museum
Exposition Park Experience
Skirball Cultural Center
Descanso Gardens
Festival of Arts/Laguna Art Museum
Richard Nixon Library
Wilshire’s Museum Row
Bowers Museum
Yanks Museum/Planes of Fame
Nethercutt Museum
Ronald Reagan Library

Reunion Extravaganza

Coming this August 28, there will be a mega reunion http://olbmegareunion.com/of all alumni of all Long Beach high schools. The website promises information on the location and a special guest will be forthcoming.

A Sante!

Spring is here and the festivals in the parks have begun! This Saturday, May 22, Recreation Park will be the site of the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Wellness Fair from 11 am to 2 pm. Local health and wellness organizations like the Memorial Medical Center and the National Alliance for Mental Illness will be on hand with giveaways and lots of information on staying healthy in body and mind.

And while we're on the subject of recycling

The H.U.B. bike Co-op is sponsoring a Recycle your Bicycle program for the next 4 Saturdays (May 22, May 29, June 5, and June 12. Bring in a bicycle in any condition and people from the H.U.B. will refurbish them or at least make use of working parts and redistribute the bikes to young people in Long Beach. The H.U.B. also needs volunteers to help with the bike repairs. You can get more information or volunteer at the drop-off points from noon to 4 pm:

El Dorado Park West – 2800 Studebaker Road
Houghton Park – 6301 Myrtle Ave.
Cesar Chavez Park – 401 Golden Ave.
McBride Park – 1550 Martin Luther King Ave.
Silverado Park – 1545 W. 31st St.

Never too Rich or too Green

I've been out of town due to a family illness, but I'm happy to say I'm back in time for the Green Long Beach Festival. It's this Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm in the East Village. There'll be bands, an eco-friendly fashion show plus the regularly scheduled Farmer's Market and tons of other vendors. The organizers are urging people to walk, bike, ride the bus or car pool and bring reusable shopping bags. For the goal-oriented among us, there'll be an opportunity to make a pledge to start a new green habit in the coming year.