March 2009 Archives
Last year, I wrote a column about Kalaea Christopher Jennings, a San Pedro baby who died of sudden infant death syndrome. His parents organized a fund-raiser in Torrance for a national organization that raises awareness about SIDS. Their efforts to fight SIDS are continuing this month. Check out the family's moving promotional video at http://www.vimeo.com/3935397
HAWAIIAN GARDENS -- This sliver of a city on Long Beach's eastern border plans to host a 45th anniversary celebration carnival and parade Saturday.
The event's theme is "Unity in Diversity 1964-2009" and will showcase Hawaiian Gardens' history and, in the words of a city news release, "exciting future."
Seal Beach child actor Jimmy Bennett ("Evan Almighty," and the upcoming "Star Trek" movie), Long Beach Armada Baseball Manager Garry Templeton and Chivas USA soccer players Lawson Vaughn and Ante Jazic will serve as grand marshals.
The parade, which begins at 11 a.m., will feature floats, equestrian units, bands and drill teams.
The route starts at the corner of Arline Avenue and Civic Center and concludes at Fedde Middle School, 21409 S. Elaine Ave.
To accommodate the parade, streets along the route will be closed to traffic and parking from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
An award ceremony will follow on the Fedde campus. The city will also sponsor a fireworks show at 8 p.m. Saturday, also at the school.
In addition, Fedde Middle School will host a four-day carnival Thursday through Sunday. Carnival hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, call Alma Reyes at (562) 420-2641, ext. 201.
LONG BEACH -- Candidates running for the downtown-area 1st District seat are expected to debate from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Long Beach City College's Liberal Arts Campus.
The candidates' forum is being organized by Dan Komin, president of the LBCC Political Science Student Association.
Komin said the five remaining candidates in the race have been asked to participate.
Invited to attend are former Councilman Evan Braude, an attorney, Robert Garcia, an LBCC administrator, Rick Berry, a musician, Jana Shields, a linguist, and The Rev. Misi Tagaloa.
Citing unspecified medical reasons, candidate Bill Grisolia withdrew from the race Monday. He is facing a drunken-driving charge for a January arrest in San Pedro and tax liens related to a failed restaurant in Shoreline Village.
Komin said the candidates will each have a three-minute opportunity to introduce themselves and will have two minutes to answer students' questions.
Komin has managed to draw high-profile candidates to LBCC. Last year, a forum for the 37th Congressional District race attracted Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach, and a slate of challengers, as well as a large crowd of students, faculty and residents.
Komin said the council debate would be similar in spirit to 37th District forum, which was not billed as a formal debate but turned into one nonetheless.
The 1st District special election is Tuesday. Candidates are seeking to replace former Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal, who was elected to the state Assembly in November.
The debate will take place in LBCC's Nordic Lounge, 4901 E. Carson St.
Few would argue that the old homes and commercial buildings in Long Beach neighborhoods give it character.
From Spanish Colonial Revival to midcentury modern, the city is home to many significant styles of architecture.
And no one likes to show off the city's old buildings and homes more than the preservationists at Long Beach Heritage.
The group, which has been a source of mine on countless stories about old Long Beach, is looking for docents it can train for upcoming walking tours.
Long Beach Heritage will offer three Walking Tours of the historic downtown, the Art Deco architecture and the East Village.
The tours will take place in Summer 2009. Training begins in April and May.
Exact dates are still being firmed up.
"Our historic Long Beach buildings need a voice to help others hear what they have to say," says a Heritage news release. "You could be that voice."
Anyone interested in becoming a docent can contact Mike Norton at (562) 433-7824 or mike@mikenorton.com.
