Putting together some beautiful pieces

I just heard about free mosaic workshops to be held at 2nd City Council Art Gallery in conjunction with its EARTH exhibit from April 11 to August 22 . The workshops will be conducted by Dawn Mendelson and Luz Mack-Durini in English and Spanish. The mosaics will incorporate natural elements like shells, rocks, and found objects like glass and broken china and be planned to accompany lectures by guest speakers on topics like birds, herbs or butterflies. The workshops take place on Sundays from 10 am to 1 pm. You can register at 2ndcitycouncil@earthlink.net and then attend any class you want.

Whole lotta shaking going on

In this seismically challenged region we live in, it's important to get some practical information from an expert, an earthquake expert no less. Dr David K. Lynch will give a fee talk on April 7 at the Environmental Service Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St.

Dr. Lynch has written an exhaustive study of the San Andreas fault, following the major Calfornia fissure mile by mile. In this event hosted by the Sierra Club, he will describe the forces at work when a temblor happens.

Rain Barrels Anyone?

Long Beach Office of Sustainability is offering free rain barrels to homeowners on a first come first served basis. There's only 100 available, so you need to apply soon. The application process is somewhat awkward -- print out form and then scanning it into an email, but think of the water you'll save for watering plants around the yard.

And don't forget Earth Day!

Goodwill is hosting a massive collection event from 8 am to 3 pm on April 17 at the CSULB Pyramid for clothes and household items as well as e-waste. Long Beach Office of Sustainability has scheduled a rain barrel installation at North Library on April 19 and there's a big to-do at Recreation Park on April 24. Aquarium of the Pacific will sponsor special events on April 24 and April 25 and El Dorado Nature Center will have guided walks with activity tables on April 24 from 10 am to 2 pm.

April is Library Month

Long Beach Public Library is pulling out all the stops to celebrate National Library Month. There will be a Library-a-Rama Open House at the Main Library from 10 am to 3 pm on April 24 and Artful Healing Workshops at a couple of the branches. Bach Library will have a craft event for making books, Burnett is holding a health fair and Eldorado will host a program on vegetable gardening. All the branches have eye-popping lime green brochures with a complete list of all the upcoming events or you can check the website. I've just begun to explore the library's cache of helpful website in its Delicious page. Check it out!