The “Civil War Remembered"

This weekend hundreds of uniformed combatants from the North and South are re-creating the epic conflict of the Civil War at El Dorado East Regional Park. Visitors can see exciting cavalry charges, artillery barrages and infantry assaults, as well as living history presentations. The event is also taking place tomorrow, August 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The soldier’s camps will display authentic field provisions, cooking tools, clothing and crafts, and camp bands will play period music. Battles will be held at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is adults, $12; Seniors (62+), $10; children under age 11, $6; and ages 4 and under free. Park admission and parking is $7 per carload. Visit http://www.goldcoastfestivals.com for more information.

57th Annual Kid's Fishing Rodeo

The 57th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo was held today at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Hundreds of youth fished at the free event. The event was part of the Long Beach Sea Festival and featured fishing instruction, prizes in various fishing categories, a raffle and refreshments. The Long Beach Sea Festival continues thoughout August with great family events every weekend. A complete list activities, with event location and information, can be found at www.longbeachseafestival.com.

Thursday Night Concerts in the Park Continue

Summer Concerts in the Park are free and a great way to spend time with family and friends. On July 15 the Mahana Polynesian Revue brought the spirit of the Islands to Houghton Park with their traditional dances and music. On July 22 “Fantastic Diamond” payed tribute to Neil Diamond at Whaley Park. Mark your calendars for upcoming concerts:

July 29: Southland Mega Groove, Ramona Park, 6 p.m.

August 1: (Sunday @ 4 p.m.) Elm Street Band at Whaley Park
August 5: The Emperors at Somerset Park, 6 p.m.
August 12: Peggy Nelson Project at DeForest Park, 6 p.m.
August 19: Durell Coleman Band at Silverado Park, 6 p.m.
August 26: The Emperors at Stearns Champions Park, 6 p.m.
September 2: Sound FX at Chavez Park, 6 p.m.

Shakespeare in the Park

Outdoor theater is a special summer treat for the whole family. The Long Beach Shakespeare Company performed “A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Recreation Park on July 11 and will stage this play again at Chavez Park at 6 p.m. on August 1. This summer the Long Beach Sea Festival will present Shakespeare for Kids by the Sea’s production of “Twelfth Night” on August 21 and 22 at Bixby Park at 11 a.m. at 6 p.m. each day. All performances are free. For more information visit www.longbeachshakespeare.org

Long Beach Mayor's Trophy Golf Tournament

On Monday, July 19, American Golf and the American Golf Foundation joined Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine to conduct the Fifth Annual Long Beach Mayor’s Trophy Charity Golf Tournament presented by Titleist/FootJoy at Skylinks Golf Course. Hosted by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, the event raised more than $29,000 for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) and Long Beach junior golf programs. Pictured with SOSC athletes and junior golfers are representatives from Titleist/FootJoy, Long Beach Junior Golf and Chick-fil-A.

Miracle Park Summer Fun Days

Miracle on 4th Street Park located at 1518 E. 4th Street, offers free “Summer Fun Days” programs Monday-Friday from 12-6 p.m. and Saturdays 12-4 p.m. through August 20. Beginning in the fall kids will be able to drop in after school for games, homework help, sports and crafts Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays, 12-4 p.m.

Homeland Cultural Center Dance Fest.

The 2nd Annual Homeland Dance Fest was held on Sunday, July 18 at the Center Theater in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. The free event showcased the diverse performing ensembles in residence at the award-winning Homeland Cultural Center in Long Beach’s MacArthur Park. The audience enjoyed performances from West Afrikan Drum and Dance Ensembles, the Hmong Association of Long Beach, Kutturan Chamoru Performers, Demolition Krew KRUMP dancers, Ballet Folklorico Maria, Culture Shock LA, Ancient Khmer Martial Arts, belly dancer Tehani, Orlando Greenhill and Sound Army, and DJ Ervin Arana. For more information about Homeland programs, call (562) 570-1655.

El Dorado Nature Center Classes

Every month El Dorado Nature Center offers a variety of classes designed to build an appreciation and understanding of our natural world. Water wise gardening, drawing, bird watching and outdoor cooking are examples of the fun, educational experiences offered. On July 10 students in Campout Cooking learned the basics for building an outdoor cooking fire and preparing a delicious dinner under the stars. Call (562) 570-1745 for more information about upcoming classes at El Dorado Nature Center.

Summer Fun Days Continues

There’s never a reason for your child to be bored this summer with Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine “Summer Fun Days” at parks throughout the city Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At Coolidge Park kids have been having fun with sack races, hula hoops, flag football, and apple bobbing and dance contests. For a list of sites and activities, visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation/after_school_activities/parks.asp

Long Beach Sea Festival

2010 Long Beach Sea Festival events are happening throughout the City to get all residents involved in celebrating Long Beach’s shoreline and aquatic programs, and great low cost local entertainment.

On July 10 the Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show displayed the best in special interest vehicles along with live music, kids activities, art displays, and classic footage from the old Lion’s Drag Strip and racing movies. The day culminated in Top Fuel dragsters firing up their 3000-HP engines. Also at Marine Stadium that day, the Kahakai Sprints matched six-person, two-person and individual outrigger canoes in competition rowing on a 500-meter straightaway course.

The Sea Festival's free “Movies on the Beach” are the answer to the current heat wave. Every Tuesday at Granada Beach, Wednesday at Cherry Beach and Thursday at Marina Green, classic summertime flicks are shown beginning at 8 p.m. Visit www.alfredosbeachclub.com for movie titles.

Visit http://www.longbeachseafestival.com/ for the complete Sea Festival schedule.

Long Beach Municipal Band at Whaley Park

The 101st season of the Long Beach Municipal Band continues this week. The theme is "Marching Along" and will feature all types of marches including military, opera, circus and even 'Pomp and Circumstance," so appropriate just after June graduations. The wonderful Barbara Morrison closed the show with her jazz stylings. I liked her version of "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" from the musical "My Fair Lady." The band plays through August 13 with performances Tuesdays at Bixby Bluff Park, Wednesdays at Los Cerritos Park, Thursdays at Marine Stadium and Fridays at El Dorado Park. For more information visit

http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation/lb_municipal_band.asp

Voxinglero Performs at Rancho Los Cerritos

Voxinglero performed at the Rancho Los Cerritos historic site on June 25. The crowd enjoyed their Latin rhythms and original compositions. The Rancho has also scheduled Steel Parade, “A Happy Southern California Funk Rock Reggae Calypso Soca Island Party Dance Steel Drum Band to perform on July 23, and Sligo Rags will bring their unique brand of Irish music to the Rancho on August 27. Gates to the Rancho’s main garden open at 5pm for picnicking, and concerts begin at 6pm, lasting until 7:30pm. Parking is limited to Virginia Road, so bicycles and carpooling are encouraged. No pets are allowed on the grounds. The Rancho is located at 4600 Virginia Rd., northwest of the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and San Antonio Drive.

El Dorado Nature Center Summer Concerts

El Dorado Nature Center’s summer concert series started on July 1 with Steel Parade’s performance in their outdoor amphitheater by the lake. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming shows on July 15 with Jennifer Corday, August 5 with Sligo Rags, and August 19 with Allensworth. Bring low chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner. All shows start at 6 p.m. $3 admission and $5 vehicle entry fee.

Long Beach Municipal Band Starts 101st Year

The Long Beach Municipal Band began its 101st year this week with a patriotic program in honor of Independence Day weekend. My father was a Navy Lieutenant, so I stood with my family as “Anchors Aweigh” was played as part of a salute to the armed forces. The crowd also clapped along with “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillip Sousa and enjoyed "America the Beautiful" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." After the break, vocalist Nicole Kubis entertained. I liked her version of "Everything" by Michael Buble. El Dorado Park was a great venue for families and friends to gather for a fun evening.

Long Beach Teen Centers

This summer teen centers are open for Long Beach teens to have fun with sports, swimming, field trips, tournaments, crafts, computers and making new friends. Teens can visit the Chavez Park Zone, 401 Golden Ave M-F from 3-7 p.m.; the McBride Park Teen Center, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. M-F, from 2-7p.m.; the Houghton Park Teen Center, 6301 Myrtle Ave. M-F, from 3-7p.m.; and the Silverado Teen Center, 1545 W. 31st St. M-F, from 3-7p.m. This week teens were testing their skills with indoor soccer and expressing their creativity with jewelry making.

Recreational Swim Session

Summer is the time to cool off and swim at a local Long Beach Pool. Children under 48” tall must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times, and swimsuits are required. Visit http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation/aquatics/pools/default.asp for schedule. Pools include Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, 4000 E. Olympic Plaza; Jordan High School Pool, 6500 Atlantic Avenue; Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool, 1910 Lemon Street; Millikan High School Pool, 2800 Snowden Ave.; Silverado Park Pool, 1540 West 32nd Street; and the Will J. Reid Scout Camp Pool, 4747 Daisy Ave.