Sierra Club focuses on Native people

Linda Gonzalez will speak about the past and present culture of the Tongva-Gabrielino people in the Los Angeles basin. The free presentation will be part of the Sierra Club's monthly meeting at 7:30 pm on November 3 at the Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow Street

Poetry Anyone?

Kevin Lee is holding a monthly poetry reading series at Borders in the Pike. Called The Hump Readings because the events are held on the third Wednesday (or hump day) of each month at 7 pm, the series presents a featured poet selected by Lee followed by an open mic session.

Are you ready for the Cemetery Tour?

Stroll through Sunnyside and Long Beach Municipal Cemeteries this Saturday October 30 for Long Beach Historical Society's 15th annual Cemetory Tour. Listen to actors and Long Beach notables recount the lives and deaths of long departed citizens buries int the city's two oldest cemeteries. Tickets cost $18 for the guided tours which will be conducted from 9 am to 2 pm.

A Bookstore Made for Halloween

Secret Passages, a downtown bookstore specializing in sci fi, fantasy, horror and mythology, is holding a Halloween bash this Sunday. Transport yourself to 406 E. 3rd Street for free movies, free popcorn, prizes and candy.

So Green, So Beautiful

The Brewitt Branch of the Long Beach Public Library will present a free workshop for creating upcycled eco art on November 13 at 11 am. Micaela Salatino, Supporting Artist at the Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse, will show how to make coasters from computers disks, mini books from scrap paper, and a fabric basket from plastic. Reusable items will be provided for participating crafters.

O-pah!

It's not too late to activate your inner frauen oder herren at the Long Beach Oktoberfest at El Dorado Park this weekend. The hours are 5 to 11 pm on Friday, noon to 11 pm on Saturday, and noon to 10 pm on Sunday. Admission is $13 for polka bands and carnival rides. Food and beverages cost extra.

Patchwork Returns!

Looks like the Patchwork Indie Art and Craft Festival will return to the Marine Stadium on November 21 from 11 to 5. Expect lots of good items for holiday presents, food and fun.

Walk This Way

I've got a beef with Walkscore, a website that rates neighborhoods on walkability. Alamitos Heights only got a 77, ranking 7th in Long Beach. With Rec Park, the Lagoon, and CSULB campus within a mile of us, we only rank 7th? Harumph!

Music Untold Launches Provocative Film Series

Music Untold, a group that promotes diversity through the arts, will present the first film of its Community Cinema series at the Main Library of Long Beach Public Library on Tuesday October 26 at 6 pm. Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian, a feature length documentary, will be followed by a panel discussion. Films are scheduled to be shown on the last Tuesday of each month through June 2011.

Cambodian Arts Festival Returns to MacArthur Park

On November 20 from 10 am to 3 pm, the second annual Cambodian Arts and Cultural Exhibition will bring the arts and crafts of this ancient culture to MacArthur Park in the heart of the Long Beach Cambodian community. Some of the exhibits include court dancing, shadow puppets, musical instruments, and cooking.

Do Re Mi Fa So El Do(rado)

Get ready to hit high C at the El Dorado branch of Long Beach Public Library when John Spear presents An Introduction to Opera on November 6 at 2 pm. An opera fanatic and active member of several local opera groups, Spear will share his love of this mesmerizing art form as well as offering door prizes.

Go Green Cars Go!

After cheering on the valiant marathon runners, I just found out there's another race to cheer for in a couple of weeks. The Go Green Auto Rally will begin its inaugural run at the Queen Mary on November 6. Fourteen other events are planned for 2011. Contestants will drive to Malibu, competing to see who has the most eco-friendly driving techniques. The winner will be awarded a sub-compact car.

Belmont Shore Will Host Chalk Art Contest

On October 23, the sidewalks of Second Street will blossom in all imaginable shades of color for the Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest from 9 am to 4 pm. Stores in Belmont Shore will also be showcasing artwork from students in local schools who competed in the Young Artists Art Contest, and there will be artist demontrations and art for sale.

Tales of the Haunted City

Claudine Burnett will be signing her new book Haunted Long Beach II at Apostrophe Books from 2 to 4 on Saturday, October 16. Ms. Burnett's training as a historian and a librarian helped her thoroughly research to facts behind the eerie tales of ghostly sightings in the homes and haunts of Long Beach, including the Queen Mary.

Penseys Spices up the Southland

The online spice dealer Penzeys now has locations in Torrance (21301 Hawthorne) and Santa Monica (1347 Fourth Street). As in the website, the stores have information about the spices and recipes to use them in. The aroma of all those spices in one place is awesome.

Books Offers a Step Up to Local Landmarks

Charles Fleming has a new book out called Secret Stairs, which describes the views from staircases in different cities like Pasadena, Echo Park and Santa Monica. The book includes maps and directions for getting to locations by bus.

Nola Lee Kelsey has published a new book based on her blog, Volunteer Before You Die Traveler's Network. It's called 700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die. She advocates "voluntourism" as a way to satisfy the thirst of seeing new places and doing new things by helping others.

Taking great photos

Westways October issue has some great tips for putting pizzazz in your pictures. Take pictures of the same subject from different angles and distances. Focus on a same detail. Use people to show scale or liven up a much photographed setting. Capture people doing something rather than posing. Take photos in early morning or late afternoon.

Progressive Diners Party On

The Progressive Dinner Party has been revived to offer people a chance to socialize and help a worthy cause at the same time. For $35, you can enjoy a good meal and good company in the home of one of the PDP organizers and the money will go to a local group. On October 17, the dinner proceeds will go to CANTO!, a downtown Long Beach afterschool program.

The Pets are Blessed

The ninth Interfaith Blessing of the Animals will take place at noon today at Marine Stadium. Besides the celebration of religious tolerance and the loving connection between humans and animals, there will be pet adoption booths, several dog contests and the National Mutt Show dog walk down the red carpet. The pet blessing is free but contests require $10 entry fees.

All Authors All the Time at Apostrophe

There's a marathon going on at Apostrophe Books. Yesterday, local authorsJennifer Volland, Cara Mullio, Holly Wojahn, Kibry Fopma, Paul Paolilli, Dan Brewer, Tyler Dilst, Jo Anne Kurman, Harry Salzgaver, Caleb Ownes, and Rob Gokee pulled out their pens to autograph their books for avid bibliophiles. Today, the roster includes Wendy Hornsby, Liisa Kyle, Kathy Porter, Darlene Quinn, Bibi Angola, and Wesla Kerr will do the honors. Meet some authors and get some personalized Christmas gifts before the holiday rush!

SoundWalk Tonight!

Even though it's in its seventh year, Soundwalk always seems to slip up on me. Tonight, October 2 in the East Village over thirty different installations will be up and running beginning at 5 pm. Ranging from silly to cerebral, there will be live performances as well as recorded and interactive sound. Pardon the pun, but the event really sets art on its ear.

Time to go GLOBAL

GLOBAL is the Long Beach Arts community's acronym for its comprehensive guide to arts events in Long Beach during National Arts and Humanities Month. The website breaks down the events by neighbor or category (like dance or family friendly). It also has a free category, which is my favorite. Information about Soundwalk, free museum days, plus lots of gallery shows and open mikes will keep you busy all month without spending a dime.

Ask a Mexican . . . In Person

The El Dorado Neighborhood Library of Long Beach Public Library has invited Gustavo Arellano, the entertaining writer of Ask a Mexican to speak on October 5 at 6 pm in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Mr. Arellano appears regularly on radio talks shows besides writing for the OC Weekly and the Los Angeles Times. The event is free.