May 2007 Archives

Jessica Hanan cheers as she holds up handfuls of confetti while entering the graduation ceremony for the College Health & Human Services at Cal State Long Beach. Hanan earned a degree in Child Development.

Now I know why everyone wants to look at me and smile.

Zach Wilson (25), center, celebrates with teammates Ryan Dent (24) and Elliot Glynn (21) after Wilson hit in the game winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning again Esperanza during their CIF-SS Division I semifinal game in Riverside, Calif.

All is calm a week after a wildfire that scorched Catalina Island and threatened Avalon. "The main thing is trying to undo this image that people have ... from three days of watching (the fire) on the news," a Chamber of Commerce official said. But that didn't stop Taylor Brown, foreground, and classmates Trevor McDonald and Sidney Barloon from enjoying the beach during their senior class.

Purple flowers hover above Petaluma Ave. in Long Beach, Calif. on May 23, 2007. The Jacaranda tree's purple flowers bloom for about six weeks in late April and May. Check out the audio slideshow>>

This post has no pictures because this week I'm taking no pictures. The boss is on a mandatory vacation and I'm fillin' in. Will be back next week.

Usually getting to spot news from our new newsroom is a pain in the ass. When I hear about something breaking I have to go down 14 floors - the elevator stopping at random places when other lift riders hit the button - then go down the parking elevator - hoping to remember where I parked - then wait in line to get out of the structure. But today it was much easier - I just looked out the window! This is was the view fas smoke rises behind Downtown Los Angeles from a wildfire near Griffith Park.

The men's restroom on the 2-mile trail at the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach, Calif. on May 8, 2007. The bathroom, along with the women's side, a water fountain and some park benches were vandalized last week. Click here to see more pictures>>

Liz Davis, publisher and founder of Kids Guide,
a magazine with listings of educational and recreational activities, and
articles for parents, on May 5, 2007, in Los Alamitos, Calif. The publication recently celebrated its 21st birthday.

I was taught in school that election day is always the first Tuesday AFTER the first monday - but appearently not in Long Beach. Mayor Bob Foster, left, talks with city council candidate Al Austin as they wait for results at Tacos Don Chente Restaurant. Austin was the favorite - and supported by the mayor - but long time candidate Dee Andrews took the race. Covering the council meetings on Tuesday night should be fun now.

Long Beach Police Chief Anthony Batts walks past hats representing fallen officers during the city's 7th. Annual Police And Fire Memorial Ceremony at city hall.