By Ronald D. White / Los Angeles Times
August 23, 2009

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are so busy that they move more cargo than the next five largest U.S. ports combined. They’re so efficient that they process more international trade in one month than most North American harbors handle in an entire year.

Now the friendly rivals are leading the way into unexpected waters: attracting, testing and funding cutting-edge technology to reduce emissions and fuel consumption at the ports.

Even as their revenues declined and their budgets shrank in the worst global recession in more than 60 years, the twin ports have become accidental venture capitalists of sorts in the world of green technology.

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By Dee Long / Examiner.com

If your tastebuds are hungry for  Maine lobsters flown in fresh from the Atlantic, the Original Long Beach Lobster Festival (www.originallobsterfestival.com)  has a lobster bib with your name on it September 11 through September 13, 2009.

An international food court, beer and wine gardens, live musical entertainment, along with lobster feasts prepared by Bristol Farms (www.bristolfarms.com) chef Bruce Jacobs and staff (including lobster, butter dipping sauce, lemon, coleslaw, dinner roll and watermelon) are all part of the weekend fun, happening at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach, 400 Shoreline Drive.

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By Ryan ZumMallen / LBPOST.com
July 2, 2009

Earlier this week, Governor Schwarzenegger’s office announced that nearly $11 million in stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would be awarded to ten California workforce organizations, and the City of Long Beach was awarded with $935,797.

“Using Recovery funds and public-private partnerships, the California Green Jobs Corps will help 1,500 at-risk young adults realize a brighter future while stimulating our economy and working toward a greener California,” Schwarzenegger said in the press release.

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By Ronald D. White / Los Angelas Times
July 2, 2009

The huge car carrier ship called the M/V Auriga Leader idled at the Port of Long Beach, burning through enough electricity to power 100 homes as workers loaded and unloaded a fleet of Toyotas.

But unlike any of the diesel-spewing, power-draining vessels that travel here, the Auriga Leader sports 328 solar panels on its top deck — a small array that provides 10% of the energy used by the giant ship while she is docked.

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By Leslie A.M. Smith / Gazettes.com
July 2, 2009

Atlantic Avenue between Carson Street and San Antonio Drive will be jammed with cars on July 11, when the Fourth Annual Dragster Expo and Car Show hits the street from 2 until 7 p.m.

The event began in 2006 as the brainchild of Eighth District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich, whose late husband Gary Gabelich is best known for setting a world land speed record of 622.407 mph in the rocket-powered Blue Flame and was also a power boat and drag boat champion.

“We hope this is the most successful year ever appealing to people in the neighborhoods looking for something to do close to home,” said Gabelich, whose office coordinates the event with the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA).

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By Shereen Oca / Gazettes.com
July 1, 2009

The voices of youth from an area choir and the artwork of students from a Gardena elementary school have come together in an effort to convey the importance of compassion and understanding.

The project, dubbed “Colors of Love and Peace,” is the result of collaboration between the International Children’s Choir of Long Beach and the 186th Street Elementary School.

Spearheaded by 186th Street School Principal Marcia Sidney-Reed and artist and poet Dr. Fereidun Shokatfard, the collection of songs and artwork will be distributed to hospitalized children across the country and throughout the world.

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By Carla Rivera / Los Angelas Times
June 29, 2009

Students at 186th Street Elementary School in Gardena like to call themselves peacemakers because part of their curriculum focuses on creating safe classrooms, and each year they embark on a peace march spreading their message of love and respect throughout the community.

Now that message will be shared with children around the world through copies of a book called “Colors of Love and Peace,” a collection of student artwork and messages of inspiration that will be distributed to children’s hospitals nationally and internationally.

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LAKEWOOD

Garden meeting is at park

The Lakewood Garden Club is holding its February meeting Thursday at 11:30a.m. at Del Valle Park, 4658 Woodruff Ave., Lakewood.

Norm Nakanishi is speaking on the topic of staghorn ferns. He is not only an avid gardener specializing in tropical plants, but has a distinctive background in horticulture and biology. He is vice president of the Floral Arts Guild.

The free meeting will feature an assortment of flowers, which may be available to attendees. A light lunch will be served. For more information, call Mary Lee Gray at 562-497-1959.

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