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.

Books and Authors

Great news from Grunion Gazette! Apostrope Books is coming soon to Second Street. Expected to open in the middle of March, the store will carry cards and gift wrap as well as books, but it's run by experienced book retailers so there's hope that they can make a go of it. More great news from the Grunion! Award-winning mystery author Wendy Hornsby will be writing a biweekly column called No Mystery Here.

The Chocolate's Coming! The Chocolate's Coming!

In perhaps my first repeat bulletin, I am happy and hungry to announce that the Chocolate Festival is coming to Second Street on February 6 from 1 to 4 pm. There'll be a pie-eating contest and a homemade dessert contest and live music, but I'm saving my appetite for the luscious, gooey morsels that places like La Strada and Sweet Jill's will have to sample. Ticket books of 12 for $10 will go on sale at February 1.

Sunset Spotlights Belmont Shore

Belmont Shore was featured in the Southern California weekend section of the December 2009 issue of Sunset. Praising it as a perfect place for Christmas shopping. Several Second Street stores were mentioned, like Frosted Cupcakery, Pussy & Pooch Pethouse, We Olive, 5001 Home Collection, Olives Gourmet Grocer, Blue Windows, Luna Belmont Shore, Luna, and Sweet Jill's. The Christmas parades, both Belmont Shore and Naples Boat, get notice as well as Bay Boat Rentals, Naples Gourmet Grocer, and Morry's of Naples.

Christmas Comes to Belmont Shore

All the merry gentle merchants down on Second Street are gearing up for Christmas. They've teamed up with Food Finders and We Love Long Beach to set up drop off points for canned food or sealed box foods donations. A list of the locations is on their site. The parade theme is "A Magical, Musical Christmas" this year, and 12 marching bands have signed up to perform. Before the parade begins at 7 pm on December 5, there'll be a one mile fun run called the Jingle Jaunt, sponsored by the Gazette newspapers. There's a sign-up page on the Gazette site. And speaking of magical and musical, groups can sign up with the Belmont Shore Business Association to sing Christmas carols on weekends or weeknights to bring a little holiday cheer to us intrepid shoppers.

These feet are made for walking

Just a reminder that 2nd Street Walkers are still pounding the pavement down in Belmont Shore. They meet every Wednesday at 6:45 pm in front of Runners High. It's free and lasts about an hour.

And, this just in, there's fitness walking class offered by Parks and Rec led by Jeri Carter. It costs $30 for 8 one hour sessions through the month of November. One class meets at El Dorado Park at 9 am on Mondays and Wednesdays. Another class meets at Whaley Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays, also at 9 am.

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.

The Sharrows Are Here!

I was away in San Luis Obispo last weekend so I missed the opening day for the sharrows on Second Street in Belmont Shore. BikeLongBeach has links to some videos which is almost as fun as being there. They've also got a Q & A page that explains the advantages of sharrows. I'll have to pedal down there over the Fourth of July weekend and check it out.