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