June 2008 Archives

How's the air you're breathing?
Find out right now

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Intense smoke is choking Northern California.

And although the particles from the more than 1,000-plus wildfires burning up north have yet to have any noticeable effect on South Bay skies, air quality is always a concern in the congested L.A. area, especially in summer.

Unlike traditional weather reports that give you generic results for the entire day, Air Now gives you up-to-the-minute details on how our air is faring.

The site details air quality for more than 50 California regions. You can check out a map to see how your air compares with what folks up north or down south are breathing in, and compare today's results with those from yesterday, or even from months ago.

If you're planning a trip north, the site can also help you prepare for what may be a smokey journey.

Web sites can help you get money for college

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Student loans remain one of the best methods to help families cover the cost of a higher education. Several Web sites offer a range of information about student loan programs.

For anyone on the look out for college financing, one of the following sites could prove useful:

Department of Education
Provides details about federal student aid programs.

FinAid
Contains information on different education funding avenues, public and private.

SmartMoney.com
Offers range of college financial aid topics, and includes worksheets.

Student Loan Funding Resources
Features information about finding and applying for financial aid, and undergraduate and graduate lending programs.

Source: By Chuck Myers/ McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Props to the pollinators

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If not, you're in luck, because it's National Pollinator Week. To celebrate, www.pollinator.org has loaded up its Web site with downloadable handouts to educate the masses on the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem and the plight of honey bees. There is a guide for gardeners, a guide for 4th-6th grade teachers and dozens of others. There is also a menu for chefs who might want to whip up an educational dinner party with specific ingredients that honor the work of a variety of pollinators.

If you really want to get into the spirit of the week (and get some free sunflower seeds for your garden), join the research project at www.greatsunflower.org/. This group looks for volunteers to grow a specific variety of sunflower and then record how many bees visit during a specified amount of time. The results will help a formal academic study about bee populations in the southwest.

Pollinator.org's resource page has many links to other projects to help you become actively involved in helping bees in very simple ways.

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Around the world before adulthood

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Wanderlust seems to be infectious around these parts.

Remember Zac Sunderland? He's the 16-year-old Marina del Rey teen who set about exploring the world in his 36-foot fiberglass sailboat, Intrepid. He was also featured in the Daily Breeze, and more importantly, The Daily Link.

Sunderland's site has a biography, images and a blog that lists his global coordinates. Thus far, he has been very good in providing daily updates.

Around the Majors in 27 days

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Remember Josh Robbins? He's the Redondo Beach resident who set out to attend every Major League Baseball stadium, and to set a record by doing so -- in 27 days.

He was featured in the Daily Breeze on June 14, two days before he began his trip. Robbins is chronicling his adventure on his site, thirty27.com, which features a schedule and daily blog.

Robbins' odyssey began in Seattle, where the visiting Florida Marlins played the Mariners in interleague action. He has since seen 11 games, and the 12th is tonight in Cleveland, where the Indians play the San Francisco Giants.

He has been getting some media fame through his exploits, being interviewed by local media on his stops. Even the teams know about Robbins' adventure; he boasts that more than 20 of them even comped him free tickets.

Robbins is having a better time than the teams he visits for their home games. Out of the first 10 games on Robbins' itinerary, home teams have lost 7 times in games where he was in attendance.

San Pedro organization blogs from whaling conference

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If you've been rooting for the whales in the ongoing Supreme Court case involving Navy sonars and our mammoth ocean neighbors, you'll want to hear the latest news in the whaling industry.

This week's International Whaling Convention is devoted to hashing out issues in whale hunting, conservation and research. This year, it's being held in Chile, but the news hits much closer to home.

San Pedro is the home of the American Cetacean Society's Los Angeles chapter. The ACS is an organization devoted to protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises.

The group has sent Kate Sardi, its national research chair, to the convention, and she's been maintaining a blog covering the event.

Follow Sardi's blog all week. Information on ACS' local marine mammal lectures and whale-watching trips is available at the Los Angeles chapter Web site. They've got a few whale-watching excursions coming up in July and August, so sign up now before all the spaces are filled up!

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LA Coliseum naming rights for sale

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The Wall Street Journal has a report today that says LA Coliseum is putting naming rights on the market in the hopes of raising $100 million to pay for renovations.

The start of the naming-rights process also means a likely end to the prospects of the NFL's returning to the Coliseum. Since the Raiders left Los Angeles in 1994, the NFL has repeatedly flirted with returning a team to the region and to the Coliseum itself, at least temporarily until a new stadium could be built. The prospect of a naming-rights deal could have helped lure a new pro team.

But the Coliseum Commission's Mr. Israel said those talks have been dead since 2006, at which time the Coliseum Commission focused on signing a long-term lease with USC. Last month, the two sides signed a 25-year lease giving the Coliseum Commission 8% of USC's ticket sales -- about $1.5 million a year -- but commits the agency to a list of renovations.

With voters in California against public funding for sports stadiums, commission leaders said naming rights became the only way to pay for the projects.

"We needed a bigger boost," said Pat Lynch, the stadium's general manager. "When the naming-rights deal comes, we'll have the money we need."

LA Observed calls the idea of selling out the 85-year-old landmark "civic heresy."

Buff up for the summer

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Are you ready to commit to an exercise program, but not quite sure where to start?

While at first glance, www.crossfit.com seems more for the seasoned cross-county fanatic than the couch potato looking to abandon slothful ways, the Web site points out that the fitness needs of everyone, from Olympic athletes to grandparents, differ by intensity, not by type. Anyone can do the same exercise and benefit from it, regardless of fitness level.

CrossFit aims to accommodate all. On the Web site, you'll find an extensive library stocked with techniques, how-to guides and video demonstrations in a wide range of categories, including swimming, gymnastics, power-lifting, combative drills and rowing.

CrossFit has even developed several workout exercises especially designed for kids. Let your children in on the action at www.crossfitkids.com

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Don't forget this afternoon's "Ice Blended Power Hour"

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This is what we wrote last week:

Summertime is upon us, and that means we're all on the lookout for cool beverages in the South Bay. And when you can get that beverage free, that's really cool.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores have rolled out new Yogurt Ice Blended beverages, and company-owned stores in Southern California, San Francisco and Arizona will be handing out free small versions during the "Ice Blended Power Hour" from 4 to 5 p.m. on June 24. The treat is available in mango, original and strawberry flavors. Mmmmmmmmm!

Where's the nearest Coffee Bean store? Click here to find a convenient location by city or ZIP code.

And because we're talking summer drinks, here's what people are saying about Starbucks' new blended lemonade:

Definitely too tart. But it tastes pretty good with raspberry syrup. And the blended lemonade would make the PERFECT margarita mix, I think...

And then there's this response:

Too tart? Wow, is there a chance that it might actually taste more like real lemon than sugar water with a drop of lemon essence? Makes me want to try it.

The mainstream palate expects everything to be so sugared-up....I can't stand it. Lemons are supposed to be tart.

Is it safe to go back to tomatoes yet?

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Should reports of salmonella contamination have you saying "hold the tomatoes" forever? The outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul, an uncommon strain of the bacterium, has been responsible for more than 550 infectious cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since April. As a result, the fruits have been pulled from markets and restaurants. Five weeks after the first reports of an outbreak, what are your tomato-eating options?

Some varieties of tomatoes are safe to eat, and some of the suspected red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes were not grown in contaminated areas. The Associated Press offers some advice on safe tomato consumption:

  • Avoid raw red plum, red Roma or red round tomatoes unless they were grown in specific states or countries that Food and Drug Administration has cleared of suspicion. The Food and Drug Administration has a salmonella updates page.
  • Opt for grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached. They are unaffected.
  • Choose tomatoes and other fresh produce without bruises or other damage.
  • Keep uncut tomatoes at room temperature for the best flavor. Once sliced, tomatoes must be refrigerated promptly, to avoid bacterial growth.
  • Wash fresh tomatoes under running water just before eating them.
  • If you think you may have eaten a contaminated tomato, the CDC maintains a page on the salmonella outbreak where you can compare your symptoms and read about treatment options.

A site you can eat up

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Dining out has been made easier and more fun thanks to the web. Not only can databases make it easier to find restaurants, but interactivity allows us to share our experiences -- good and bad -- with fellow diners.

Listing/review sites are abundant, so the novelty has worn off and the quality of reviews by average Joes and Janes can be decidedly hit-and-miss.

For foodies, Eater LA strives to be the highly regarded sit-down restaurant in a world dominated by noisy fast-food dining sites.

Eater LA has its own community of reviewers, but it's a blog that writes and aggregates news about restaurants, chefs, critics and industry developments. The site is nicely polished, modeled on the template of sister sites Curbed LA for urban planning and Racked LA for shopping.

Our little corner of the world is modestly represented in the subcategories. So far, Eater has listings for the Del Reys, LAX, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and San Pedro. It will only be a matter of time before Eater readers and the internet as a whole discover Lawndale's restaurant scene.

I want to ride my bicycle

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cyclist.jpgGas prices may have made Sunday drivers fewer and farther between, but there's still a great way to get out and enjoy some weekend cruising -- pedal power! Not only is riding a bike better for the environment, it's better for you. But where to ride? If you're tired or wary of clueless motorists making you fear for life and limb, give labikepaths.com a try. Choose anywhere from Los Angeles to northern Orange County, even out to Angeles National Forest, from a drop-down menu, and the site will show you your best options nearby. It even offers local weather, trail descriptions, cyclists' warnings and links to bike paths on Google maps. For even more information, check out the site's extensive list of cycling resources from community services to clubs -- even phone numbers for city bike assistance! Also available are recommended cycling books and a calendar of cycling events (if your group has something coming up, feel free to submit it). It's too expensive to drive around, but don't let that keep you inside.

How cool is this? A free Ice Blended

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Summertime is upon us, and that means we're all on the lookout for cool beverages in the South Bay. And when you can get that beverage free, that's really cool.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores have rolled out new Yogurt Ice Blended beverages, and company-owned stores in Southern California, San Francisco and Arizona will be handing out free small versions during the "Ice Blended Power Hour" from 4 to 5 p.m. on June 24. The treat is available in mango, original and strawberry flavors. Mmmmmmmmm!

Where's the nearest Coffee Bean store? Click here to find a convenient location by city or ZIP code.

Going somewhere? Our best summer travel links

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School's out. Time for vacation season. Here's our list of links that will help you get the most out of your time.

1. Traveling is great, packing on the other hand is much more difficult especially in the post 9-11 days of increased security. One seasoned traveler has created a Web site to help everyone learn the art and science of packing light. There are tips on how to pack whatever and what to pack it in and links to suppliers with the best traveling gear.

2. If you're a Torrance resident, you can ask the Torrance Police Department to keep an eye on your house for you while you're away. Here's how to do it.

3. Check the air quality and UV levels of your destination before you get there.

4. Find a good radio station where ever you are.

5. Know what you're in for before you get to the airport. You can use TSA's wait time calculator, check the progress on flights that are in the air as well as basic departure and arrival times.

6. Traveling with your pet? Here are some pet-friendly options and ideas.

ProPublica rounds up investigative journalism

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In an era of shrinking budgets and manpower, many news organizations have come to view investigative journalism as a luxury they can't afford. But can our society afford the loss of this type of in-depth reporting?

Enter ProPublica, an independent, non-profit, non-partisan online newsroom dedicated to producing investigative journalism serving the public interest. Recent stories have given us the details on the 21 legislators so far from the 109th Congress who have been investigated for corruption, outlined how the FDA failed to implement a plan designed in 2007 to keep events such as the tomato-related salmonella outbreak from happening and explored how two U.S. senators received preferential treatment on their mortgages from Countrywide Financial.

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Snow White, Dorothy Gale, the HAL 9000 computer

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They're all top seeds in the American Film Institute's just-released best-of-genre lists.

The Associated Press reports:

Films featuring those characters were among the No. 1 picks Tuesday on the AFI's top-10 lists of the finest flicks in 10 genres, including mystery, Westerns, sports tales and courtroom dramas.

The best genre movies were announced in the CBS special "AFI's 10 Top 10," the latest in the institute's annual best-of shows. The winners were chosen by actors, filmmakers, critics and others in Hollywood from ballots that included 50 nominees in each genre.

Past AFI lists have included rankings of the top-100 American films, comedies, love stories, screen stars and movie quotes. (Heads up, to download the lists the site requires you to register.)

Some are no-brainers (Disney ruled the animation category, and Alfred Hitchcock dominated mystery), but others might surprise you.

Seeing "Harry Potter" on the list would be just a fantasy, and popular Western "The Magnificent Seven" was excluded.

"These countdowns are a collective opinion of leaders from across the film community," said Bob Gazzale, AFI president. "Any surprise about an omission would be entirely subjective."

Are you part of a class action lawsuit?

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Think a retailer or service provider has done you wrong? Wonder if you qualify for a class-action suit? Or do you think you're getting
short-changed on the job under California Labor Law?
Then you might want to take a look at a Law site that lists status of class action lawsuits, offers accounts of cases of suspected and confirmed violations of California Labor Law especially wrongful terminations and overtime pay violations, and host of legal hot topics. It also offers a way to contact a lawyer who is associated with the Web site.

Take their word for it

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You don¹t have to be a word geek to appreciate Take Our Word For It (TOWFI). TOWFI has an amazing archive of word histories and usage and is an interesting place to find out the why of word meanings. The site has also won several awards as an outstanding educational resource. Click here for fun reading.

Parlay your Breeze coupons into even bigger savings

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Ever wind up with a coupon you can't use while looking through your stash for one you thought you had?
Then consider coupon trading, which has entered the online arena with the rollout of several Web sites. There, you may find the coupon that gives you the discount on diapers while letting you unload the coupon for the shampoo you decided you didn't like after all.
Options include:
www.frugalvillage.com
www.couponchix.com
www.dealcatcher.com
www.couponless.com
www.mommysavers.com
www.savingadvice.com


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Father's Day facts and figures

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Are you still looking for that last-minute Father's Day gift? You may think you're having difficulty finding a store that sells something your dad would want, but, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, you have plenty of options. As of 2005, in the United States there are:

23,195 sporting goods stores
14,257 hardware stores
5,925 home centers
8,685 men's clothing stores

Did you know:
Of the estimated 64.3 million fathers in the United States, about 159,000 are stay-at-home dads? Also, there are an estimated 2.5 million single fathers in the country, more than six times the amount there were in 1970.

For more Father's Day facts and figures:
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/009879.html

So just how well does your dad measure up to famous fathers out there? Tiger Woods is most likely a better golfer than your dad, but how does he compare otherwise? For more on Woods and other celebrity dads, visit:
http://www.holidays.net/father/favorite_celeb_dads.htm

Maybe your dad's no Brad Pitt, but surely he's better than fictitious fathers such as Homer Simpson. What about Mike Brady, or Ward Cleaver? Read about these and other TV dads at:
http://www.holidays.net/father/tv_dads.htm

Pick up these doggy tips, treats

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Dig around in the Torrance City Council's Web site and you're sure to find a bone.

Sniff around a little more and you'll find that the city runs an Animal Control Program clinic in conjunction with Plaza Del Amo Animal Hospital where you can get your dog or cat cheaply vaccinated or licensed. The clinic is Wednesday, June 18, from 7 to 8.30 p.m at the Torrance Police Department Animal Control facility at 2200 Jefferson Street, in the northeast corner of Wilson Park, next to the tennis courts.

A rabies shot costs $6; dog six-in-one (DHLPP) is $14; dog Bortadella is $11; and cat four-in-one (FVRCP) is $14. License prices are $40 for an unaltered dog and $20 for a spayed or neutered dog.

Pet owners need their pet's Certificate of Sterility for the spayed/neutered fee. Bring a separate check for vaccinations and licensing. Dogs should be on a leash while cats should be brought in secure carriers.

Maybe you've got a bone to pick with your neighbor's noisy, barking dog? You can file an online incident report.

For anything else doggy-related, including lost and found animals, trapped animals, deceased animals, feral cats or dog bites, you can contact the City of Torrance Animal Control Office at 310-618-3850, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. At all other times, please contact the Torrance Police Department at 310-328-3456. You can also contact Animal Control via e-mail at AnimalControl@torrnet.com.

Additional links:
Los Angeles County Animal Control

Los Angeles County West Vector Control (West Nile virus or bee problems)

Department of Fish and Game (Trapping rules and regulations)

South Bay Center for Dispute Resolution
310-376-7007


Also check out everything pet-related at our South Bay Pets blog.

South Bay Summer Reading Lists for Kids

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Keep your kids' reading skills sharp this summer by helping them work their way through school-approved summer reading lists.

The Torrance library list includes books for all grade levels of Torrance Unified and specific lists for all four public high schools. It also has lists for some private schools including Bishop Montgomery and St. Catherine Labore.

According to The Beach Reporter, El Segundo High is trimming its summer reading list and choosing books that appeal more to the boys.

According to the report, the English department and the committee have opted to give students fewer choices, and are aiming for more students to be engaged and ready to discuss a common text the minute the bell rings in the 2008-09 school year. The committee explained to the board at the May 28 School Board meeting that their additions to the list were made with the intent of picking topics that would engage the male student, given that the male population is the least engaged with the current list of required reading.

El Segundo High's list

El Segundo Middle School's list


Other school lists from around the South Bay:
Manhattan Beach's lists

Redondo Beach's lists

Peninsula High School's list

Palos Verdes High's library lists


If your children are a little ahead or behind the class curve, you can find reading material specifically for their reading level if you know their STAR test scores. The California Department of Education has a reading list with levels based on the scores with detailed information of how to use the list.

And, if you're curious who pick's this stuff, here's an insider's look at how a summer reading list comes together.

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New York Times runs Rings around China Olympics

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With the 2008 Olympics in China only a few weeks away, attention has shifted from protests centered on the Olympic torch to the athletes and their stories.

The New York Times blog will be offering continuing coverage through the games, from multiple angles including reports that center on business and culture as well as sports.

For example, a June 12 entry features South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, an athlete who lost part of a lower leg in an accident and who has been named to her country's ParaOlympic team after also qualifying for the regular competition. She could become the first athlete to compete in both sets of games.

On the home front, The Daily News' blog offers a detailed rundown of the feats and struggles of area athletes as they chase spots on U.S. teams.

Best of the summer book lists for grown-ups

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Looking for something to read on your summer vacation? These lists may help:

USA Today has a cool, interactive list of books being released this summer, including Andre Dubus III's latest, "The Garden of Last Days," which has gotten a lot of buzz. Here's the New York TImes review.

NPR's summer book recommendations

The New York Daily News compiled anti chick-lit list of beach reading for guys:

But not to worry - all you guys out there aren't expected to sit around listening to your iPods and twiddling your thumbs. Here's a dude-oriented list of beach reading broken down by category, with something for the sportsman, the mystery addict and the guy who's just thrilled not to be at the office.

Real Simple magazine asked 10 authors for their favorite summer reading picks in its June issue. The list is broken down into categories such as "books to savor all summer" and "one-day reads."
For example, Philippa Gregory recommends:

Dragonwyck, by Anya Seton (Chicago Review Press, $15, www.amazon.com).
"A gothic novel set in 1844 America. At times it's utterly ridiculous, but it is truly haunting. Think an American Jane Eyre at high speed. A great book to gulp down in a day."

If you're looking for a local recommendation, the Redondo Beach Library posts a list of light reading for beach days, but sadly, it was last updated in 2006. Still, it has some intriguing entries that may be of local interest, including Joy Nicholson's "The Tribes of Palos Verdes," which is described as a dark book about local surf culture.

Coming tomorrow: links to summer reading lists for kids.

Squelching that cell-phone rumor

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There's been a rumor circulating for several years that cellular phone numbers are going public one day soon -- and you need to hurry up and register your mobile on the Do Not Call Registry.

It's not true, which Snopes confirms.

But don't let that stop you from registering that phone number.

Joining the list helps reduce unwanted telemarketing calls to home and cellular phone numbers. It's free and -- thanks to a law that took effect in February -- permanent.

Already registered but still getting hassled? The California attorney general's Web site also lets you file complaints about persistent calls.

Get the skinny on Academy-honored future filmmakers

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An Academy Award event in Beverly Hills last weekend might serve as a Hollywood crystal ball.

Eleven students received cash prizes and trophies for short films competing in the 35th annual Student Academy Awards, The Associated Press reports.

The gold medal prize for narrative films went to USC student Rajeev Dassani for the film "A Day's Work."

The top prize for animation was presented to Nicole Mitchell of the California Institute of the Arts for "Zoologic," while the documentary winner was Laura Waters Hinson of American University for "As We Forgive."

Another regional winner was Shih-Ting Hung of USC, who got the gold medal in the alternative category for "Viola: The Traveling Rooms of a Little Giant."

Established in 1972, the Student Academy Awards are intended to support young filmmakers. Past winners include Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis, John Lasseter and Trey Parker.

Pretty good credentials, eh? Check out a full list of winners -- and, more importantly, clips of their work.

Consider it an investment in your entertainment -- and a chance to gain some enviable knowledge for the cocktail parties and watercooler conversations of the future.

It's been a while since we've done a roundup of blog posts written by South Bay residents, so some of these are from a couple of weeks ago, but they are still worth a link.

Easy Fiend blogger Denis Faye wrote a comic book with an artist he met at the comic shop he frequents in Manhattan Beach. It's called The Monocle and Jimmy Specs. Here's the synopsis from a new blog he set up to promote it:

The Monocle and Jimmy Specs is the story of an aloof crimefighter whose life takes a tragic turn when his prejudices prevent him from accepting the truth about his young sidekick. Inspired by the golden age of illustration and the pulp era of short fiction, The Monocle harkens back to a time when superheroes didn't wear spandex and life was much simpler -- or so they thought.

MaryRuth at Where's the Bubbler has found a little bit of the Midwest in the Sprouts grocery store in Torrance:

Usinger's is a old Milwaukee institution--started in 1880. The factory-store is something out of the Old World. On the walls inside the store are murals depicting the sausage-making elves. I actually toured the factory once. My sister's father-in-law worked there for many years, and when he retired, the company threw him a party and we all got to tour the plant. It was pretty interesting to see how it is done. And no...nothing scary either.

Manhattan Beach Confidential did an ode to a favorite walkstreet, complete with tons of photos that will make you daydream about living there:

Seventh Street in the South End is one of those fabled Manhattan Beach walkstreets. As much or more than others, this one is a kid's paradise.

7th is a flat stretch that goes all the way from Crest to Valley - no break at Ingleside. On a recent stroll we counted no fewer than 3 playhouses, 4 basketball hoops (of varying sizes) and a tetherball post in the walkstreet. It's a playground.

Westchester Parents blog posted an item about a series of exhibits exploring the history of Playa del Rey.

In a series of four exhibits portraying different time periods, Dukesherer will speak about about Playa del Rey (Beach of the King, in Spanish), Playa Vista and later Westchester. The first of four planned exhibits exhibits coincide with the launch of his book (pictured above) will run through March 2009. Each exhibit will consist of a collection of historical photos and memorabilia from various sources.

If you know of a South Bay blogger that we ought to know about, send us a note.

RELATED POSTS:

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Q&A with MaryRuth, a South Bay blogger and foodie
Meet Easy Fiend blogger Denis faye
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Follow a teen's voyage around the world

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What's it like to sail around the world by yourself -- at 16? Zac Sunderland is about to fulfill a dream and find out. He plans to set off from Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey on June 14 in a quest to become the youngest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe, and you can follow his journey at his Web site. You'll find more details on the course he's set for his 36-foot Islander boat, the Intrepid, along with a video and a photo gallery. His blog has links to even more photos and news video and print coverage of his preparations.

Zac, whose first home was on board a 55-foot Tradewind in Marina del Rey, where his father worked on boats, now lives in Thousand Oaks -- not that he'll be seeing home for a long. long time if everything goes well. And preparations for his voyage haven't been all smooth sailing. If you track his blog, you'll learn he had to postpone his departure two weeks because of engine problems. What other adventures and misadventures await him? Will he make his goal of returning to Marina del Rey before he turns 18? Keep reading his blog to find out.

RELATED POST:
Follow South Bay residents on their adventures via blogs

South Bay, don't hang up those skates just yet

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We first crystallized this list in November, when plans to transform Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach into an ice skating rink were put on hold, and we now must report another revision.

The Skating Edge in Harbor City -- the most traditional rink in the South Bay and the one where Michelle Kwan got her start -- is temporarily closed. But there are still a couple of South Bay sites where you can practice your Salcows, Lutzes and triple toe loops:

  • The Promenade on the Peninsula shopping center houses the Palos Verdes Ice Chalet on its first floor, making it a premier location to show off your moves to the assembled shoppers.
  • If you time it right, you can also skate on the ice that the Los Angeles Kings practice on with a trip to El Segundo's Toyota Sports Center complex

Museum tracks D-days

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The National World War II Museum, formerly known as the D-Day Museum, is the only museum in the United States that covers all of the amphibious invasions or "D-days" of World War II. It honors the more than one million Americans who participated with extensive military exhibits. If you can't make it to Louisiana to visit in person, do the next best thing and take a virtual tour.

Bobby Kennedy's assassination anniversary

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Forty years ago, Robert F. Kennedy gave a speech in the ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. He thanked his supporters for giving him a crucial win in his journey to become the Democratic party's candidate. As he made his way through the service area of the hotel, Sirhan B. Sirhan opened fire and shot the senator in the head and in the body, and wounded 5 others. Kennedy was taken to the Good Samaritan Hospital where he died the following day.

To see a video of Robert F. Kennedy's last speech in the Ambassador Hotel's ballroom, go to YouTube and enter "Robert F. Kennedy, Ambassador" in the search field.

The Ambassador Hotel was purchased by LAUSD who is building 3 schools on the site. The school complex will be in honor of Robert F. Kennedy, including a library built in the exact geometry of the ballroom. For more information on the Ambassador Hotel, click here or here.

Track down that yearbook -- or sell it

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If graduation time has you reminiscing about your final days in high school, but you just can't seem to find that yearbook you stashed in the back of a closet, here are a couple of possible solutions to your nostalgic predicament.

You can buy old high school yearbooks at www.elementaryschoolyearbook.com, so, as their Web site says, you can "make fun of people just like in the old days." Recently among the inventory included a 1987 San Pedro High book for $100 and a 1975 book from Torrance's North High for $90.

If the yearbook you are looking for is not among the 2700 or so they have in stock, they'll hunt it down for you for a $4.95 fee that will be credited toward the cost of the yearbook.

If you want to look for it yourself, www.ourclassreunion.com/wantedlist.html, has a list of resources to help, including a list of links to yearbooks grouped by state that are offered for sale on eBay, and a tutorial explaining how to find yearbooks on the Web.

If, however, you are among those who value a little cash over those memories, you can also try selling your yearbook at www.ourclassreunion.com/wantedlist.html, where you'll find a list of public and private school, high school, military, alumni or college yearbooks wanted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada. Scroll down the page and click on the state where you went to high school. For example, someone out there is searching for a long-lost 1986 Banning High yearbook.

Another option for local high school graduates looking for yearbooks is the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library in Torrance, which has the following yearbooks available for viewing: Bishop Montgomery (1968-1994); North High (1956-59, 1961-63, 1966-67, 1972-73, 1977-90, 1993); Hawthorne High (1991); South High (1960-62, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1976-88, 1990); Torrance High (1950, 1959, 1961-62, 1964-66, 1968-71, 1973-2001, 2003) and West High (1964-68, 1971-72, 1974-87, 1992).

And just how often do people look at their yearbooks? If our online graduation poll is any indication, not all that much: 56 percent said "rarely" and 12 percent said "never," while 11 percent said "frequently" and 13 percent said "at least once a year." Nine percent did not respond to the question.

Free and cheap South Bay summer movies for kids

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Looking for something to keep your kids busy this summer without breaking the bank? Check out some of these summer movie programs geared toward kids.

AMC Theaters runs $1 movies during its "Summer Movie Camp" every Wednesday at 10 a.m. The Southbay Galleria 16 in Redondo Beach and the Del Amo 18 are participating this year. Here's the schedule:

June 25: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
July 2: The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
July 9: Alvin & The Chipmunks
July 16: Shrek The Third
July 23: Bee Movie
July 30: Surf's Up
August 6: TMNT


The Promenade Stadium 13 in Rolling Hills Estates participates in Regal Cinema's "Free Family Film Festival." Every Tuesday and Wednesday during the program, movies are free at 10 a.m. for kids and their parents. Here's the movie schedule:

06/17/2008-06/18/2008 Clifford's Really Big Movie (G) Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

06/24/2008-06/25/2008 Jonah: A Veggie Tale Movie (G)
The Martian Child (PG)

07/01/2008-07/02/2008 Adventure Of Elm In Grouchland (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)

07/08/2008-07/09/2008 Doogal (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

07/15/2008-07/16/2008 Everyone's Hero (G)
Open Season (PG)
07/22/2008-07/23/2008 Carebears 2 (G)
Firehouse Dog (PG)

07/29/2008-07/30/2008 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Monster House (PG)

08/05/2008-08/06/2008 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (G)
Bee Movie (PG)

08/12/2008-08/13/2008 Charlotte's Web (G)
Surf's Up (PG)


Pacific Theaters don't have a kids program, but they do have Monday Morning Mommy Movies at the El Segundo theater each week at 11 a.m. Here's the spiel:

Moms, Dads and Caregivers - here's your chance to see a first run adult-themed movie...with your baby! No one will mind if your baby cries, everyone will have a baby and all babies cry. So pack up your diaper bag and stroller, and we'll see you at the movies!
The June 9 show is "Indiana Jones."

RELATED POSTS:
San Pedro's Shakespeare by the Sea
Summer Music Fesitvals

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

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kiss1.jpegkiss3.jpgkiss2.jpg
Kissing through the ages

Is kissing good for you?

  • A real kiss quickens your pulse to 100 beats in a minute.
  • One little kiss burns up to 3 calories. The longer the kiss...the better the exercise!
On the other hand ...
  • A long-lasting kiss quickens the pulse and heightens level of hormones in human's blood so much that it shortens the lifespan by almost a minute. Or does it?
  • Kissing can lead to the transmission of germs, aiding the spread of pulmonary tuberculosis, colds, scarlet fever, syphilis ... and the kissing disease, mononucleosis.
Is it worth it? Read these and other kissing facts here to decide.

What's in a name?

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Before El Segundo became a full-fledged city in 1917, it was part of "Rancho Sausal Redondo" (Ranch of the Round Clump of Willows), according to the city's Web site.
The nearly 25,000-acre rancho extended as far west of what is now Playa del Rey, as far east as Inglewood, and as far south as Redondo Beach. The land was planted in wheat and barley for cattle and sheep grazing.
In May 1911, Richard Hanna and four other men representing Standard Oil Co. visited an area near the seashore to analyze its potential as the company's next oil refinery. Hanna's wife, Virginia, dubbed this expanse "El Segundo", (Spanish for "the second one,") because the site was to be Standard Oil's second oil refinery in California (The Point Richmond refinery was already christened as "El Primero").
Standard Oil bought 840 acres of the land on June 11, and the refinery opened for business on November 27.

Is this thing on?

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Let me be perfectly honest. The Daily Link blog traffic has been slowly dwindling. Which either means that you're all using the print version or this blog is useless.

The Daily Link was designed to be a hub for South Bay-centric Web resources. It's a blog to help Web savvy people find relevant or amusing stuff. But, it takes considerable time and effort to put together each day and, while we still believe in the concept, it's totally possible we're beating a dead horse. And in this day and age of shrinking resources at the Daily Breeze, we can't afford to have any wasted effort.

But before we "suspend our blogging campaign," I thought I'd put the question out there: Is anyone finding this blog valuable? Does anyone have any ideas for how to make it more valuable? Use the comments to reply or send me an email with your constructive criticism.

Music in a time of pricey gasoline

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With gasoline prices hitting $4 a gallon, it's probably a good year to plan short trips. Or just stay at home.

And if music is your thing, there are some free, inexpensive or moderately priced events within a two-hour drive.

Check out Redlands Bowl Summer Concert Series on Fridays and Saturdays. It's free and -- if traffic is with you -- just 90 minutes away. The concert has a small-town Americana feel to it although the music isn't just symphony pop. It's for the entire family and people stakeout sections of the park around the bowl for picnics before the concert begins.

Each week, there is different musical foray. Symphonies, string groups, Celtic and country bands, operas, dance groups and a performance of the Wizard of Oz.
The series starts June 29 with Lorna Luft -- Judy Garland's daughter will perform American music theater hits including some numbers from "Wicked." The season runs through Aug 22.

If Redlands is a little out of your gasoline budget, the South Bay as a host of concerts and fine art programs.

Get a taste of Torrance's Wild Wednesday concert series before the season starts on June 23. The noon concert series runs through Aug. 20, every other Wednesday, at the Torino Festival Plaza.

Redondo Beach's summer pier concerts begin July 4 with a performance by the Surfing Safari. After the Independence Day Friday concert there will be concerts on Thursdays and Saturdays through Aug. 30.

Manhattan Beach's Polliwog Park Concert series begins June 22. Starting with the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders and Thin Ice -- founded by former Manhattan Beach Mayor Russ Lender -- the summer line-up is a who's who of South Bay favorites. The season runs Sundays through Aug. 31. The schedule site also includes links to performers' Web sites.

Much ado about Shakespeare

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San Pedro's annual Shakespeare by the Sea opens June 12 in Point Fermin Park with "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It's billed as "an enchanting comedy where magical mayhem rules. Feisty fairies finagle a four square love affair in this fast, furious fantasy which proves 'the course of true love never did run smooth.'"

The Shakespeare by the Sea production is but one of 47 Shakespeare festivals and theaters in California. And that's just the beginning. There's the San Francisco Shakespeare in the Park, the Oklahoma City Shakespeare in the Park, the Louisville, Kentucky Shakespeare in Central Park, and New York's Shakespeare in Central Park. And then, of course, there's London's Royal Shakespeare Company, Germany's Shakespeare Festival in the Neuss Globe and Mexico's Baja Shakespeare Festival.

If you want to take a road trip to see a sampling of the Bard's work across the nation and the world, Shakespeare Fellowship offers what it calls "the most comprehensive and current list of Shakespeare festivals and theatres on the Web today."

How's the water?

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Heal the Bay has a new initiative to raise awareness of water quality conditions. Ads went up on South Bay lifeguard stations to inform beachgoers to text their location and find out the Heal the Bay grade for the water. To receive text messages about South Bay beach water quality, send a text message to 23907 and type the following codes for these specific locations.
For Marina del Rey, Mothers' Beach, text mdrmothers
For Dockweiler State Beach at Ballona Creek, text ballona
For Manhattan Beach at 40th Street, text mb40
For Hermosa Beach Pier, text hermosapier
For Herondo Street storm drain, text herondo
For Redondo Beach at Avenue I drain, text avenuei
For Malaga Cove, Palos Verdes Estates, text malagad
For Palos Verdes Estates, text bluffcove
For Rancho Palos Verdes, text longpoint
For Cabrillo Beach's harborside at lifeguard tower. text cabrillo

More locations are available at the Heal the Bay website.

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This page is an archive of entries from June 2008 listed from newest to oldest.

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