Queen Mary Gets Gridlocked this 4th of July!

Gridlock L.A., the group that created the New Year's Eve extravaganza at Paramount Studios, has now concocted Southern California's largest July 4th celebration on the Queen Mary with over 14 bands and a 4-level VIP area with a daybed (say what?) and a huge pool. Ahh, to be young again or at least rich enough to afford a ticket. Let's hope they take pity on us peons and shoot off the fireworks so we can glimpse at least a few of the fireworks.

Long Awaited Transit Center

What a relief to have the much anticipated (at least by me as I'd glide by the traffic-constricting construction) Transit Center now open at the southeast corner of First Street and Pine Avenue. Another relief for me is the re-opening of Shelter E which is the central downtown stop for the Seventh Street bus, my carrier of choice. I like the sweep of the roofline, and having access to a real human being when the automated schedule displays just don't make sense.

Shoreline Village, Ahoy!

Lots of ways to keep your head about water this summer! Amphibious tours via Rubber Duck Tours start next week for a cruise around Rainbow Harbor followed by a jaunt down Ocean Avenue at a cost of $20 to $28.

Spirit Cruises will be offering free 30-minute summer lunch cruises with the purchase of lunch from participating restaurants like Gitana, Springbok, Stefano's Pizza, and Tugboat Pete's. Every Wednesday at noon from July1st thru August 26th, the first 80 customers who have preordered their lunches between 11:30 and 11:45 and queue up at Dock 9 near Parker's Lighthouse.

Then, of course, there's the trusty old AquaLink, plying the waters back and forth from Shoreline Village to the Queen Mary week in, week out, all seasons of the year.

My! How They've Grown!

I don't exactly have a bumper crop, but there are a few luscious tomatoes ripening on the vine in my organic soil, self-watering pots. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but after about 15 small fruits establishing themselves, all systems seemed to shut down. No new fruit and no bigger fruit and the rest of the blossoms began to shrivel up. I've probably been overwatering trying to over compensate because now the leaves are yellowing. Anyway, it was a noble attempt and I did put our compost to good use.

Three Ring Circus of Music

This summer, downtown Long Beach will be alive with free music thanks to Summer and Music, an ambitious 2-month series of performances every weekend at three different locations: Pine Avenue and Broadway, Broadway and Linden, and 300 South Pine. There's lots of soul and funk on tap plus jazz, DJs, and a battle of the tribute bands with events scheduled morning, afternoon, and night. If they build the beat, we will come.