The Agape Children's Choir want their voices heard!
The election, this November 4th, will probably be the most watched in the world and the one most Americans will have voted on in the history of our nation.  Even young children have taken an interest in the politics of our country.
My daughter, who’s in third grade, has asked me who I’m going to vote for in this presidential race. She’s often spoken with distaste about our current president. I don’t know if it’s from my influence or from either of her grandmothers but she’s savvy enough to know George W. has ruined America.
Her friend, asked me the same question as well. However, as I know her parents to be staunch Republicans, her mother has a picture of George W. up in her home office,  I turned it around and asked her, who her parents were voting for instead. As we were in a bookstore at the time and a book on Obama was in front of us, I wasn’t surprised when she pointed at it and said, “Well, not him!”. Being a Democrat, I just smiled and walked away. No use debating with an 8 year-old, with possible repercussions from her parents.
However, 8 year-olds do want to be heard, even if they are influenced by their parents. Therefore, The Agape International Children’s Choir and Little Engine Productions have created a video called Change My World, with a non-partisan view, at encouraging voters to take an interest in our children’s future and taking their voices to the polls.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · Local Politics
The Nightmare Before Christmas cast enjoying their 3-D premiere!
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, is playing in Hollywood this weekend at Disney’s El Capitan Theater. To make this Halloween entertainment even more exciting, they’ll be showing this version in 3-D!
I’ve never been to this venue but its reputation has me intrigued. I’ve heard it’s quite an experience. I’ve also been told it’s worth it to pay the extra price for a VIP ticket, so I bought one. The price was $22 dollars, along with a $2 dollar processing fee.  Included in the cost will be a drink, popcorn and a reserved seat I chose myself on the El Capitan website.
After seeing the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland decked out in Nightmare style, I wanted to see this movie again, especially with the added effects. You can enjoy them too, as the film will be playing there from the 16th to the 22nd. You’ll have another opportunity on the 30th and on Halloween night. Wouldn’t that be an ideal way to get your tricks and treat!
Tags: Entertainment · Film · Local LA
Entering Knott's Halloween Haunt.
For young children or for those of you who are young at heart, Disneyland during Halloween is ideal. However, for those of you that prefer a little more terror in your All Hallow’s Eve, then perhaps Knott’s Scary Farm is the “it” place to be.
Knott’s Berry Farm is celebrating the 36th year of its annual Halloween Haunt. It’s an autumn celebration of all things horror. The Haunt, with its realistic ghouls and nightmarish apparitions, is definitely not for children under thirteen or for those of you that are feint of heart. But it’s definitely for die-hard fans of fear.
[Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · Local Happenings
September 28th, 2008 Written by: Bobbie · 2 Comments
Halloween at Disneyland!
It’s my favorite time of year, Halloween! Ghosts, witches, skeletons and best of all candy. What better place for the child in you than to spend it at Disneyland?
On Friday, September 26th, the happiest place on earth kicked off the holiday season with their tribute to Halloween. The focal point of the day was at the Haunted Mansion which has gone through a transformation in honor of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Every aspect of the mansion, from the exterior to the ride itself, glorifies the eccentric but lovable film.
[Read more →]
Tags: Local Happenings · Upcoming events
September 19th, 2008 Written by: Bobbie · No Comments
The ferris wheel at the Pike.
If you live anywhere near Long Beach, you know the Pike. Even if you aren’t a local, you’ve probably been to the world renowed Aquarium of the Pacific , which is in walking distance. The Pike is a focal point for dining and entertainment in the downtown area. It’s easy to spot, with it’s faux roller coaster structure and real ferris wheel, with rides for two dollars if you’re so inclined.
Not only is there an amusement ride and a fabulous aquarium, there’s plenty of dining opportunities along with entertainment for adults at the Laugh Factory. Restaurants range from the inexpensive to mid range, with such choices as Islands, the Great Steak & Potato Co., California Pizza Kitchen (which is one of my favorites) to P.F. Changs and seafood at Gladstones.  [Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · Food and Drink
September 17th, 2008 Written by: Bobbie · No Comments
The effects of the Great Depression.
“Wall Street scrambles as banks teeter”, screamed the headlines of the LA Times Monday morning.
By Tuesday, an editorial entitled, “The Jones and the Joads” by Rick Wartzman, was comparing the
Great Depression and our country’s current economic dilemma. The Joads were the fictional family in
John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath“, who left the dust bowl of Oklahoma to find work in California during one of the bleakest periods in our nation’s history.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials
September 6th, 2008 Written by: Bobbie · No Comments
S.S. Lane Victory in port!
The S.S. Lane Victory, a WWII supply ship, cruised through the sparkling, blue waters off the Pacific Ocean near Catalina Island.
Suddenly, the captain announced over the loud speakers that a spy had gained access to the radio room and signaled the ship’s position to the enemy. An aerial attack was imminent.
Within minutes, a squadron of fighter planes came roaring overhead. The ship’s crew manned the 20mm, 40mm and 5-inch guns and staccato bursts pierced the air, as the enemy planes made repeated strafing passes on the ship. Soon after, American fighters arrived, determined to show the adversary their prowess. They triumphantly drove the attacking planes from the sky.
[Read more →]
Tags: Local Happenings · Museums
“When everyone says you can’t do something, it just shows you that anything is possible.â€Â
Those were the words spoken by Michael Phelps, after he battled back from 7th place, to just out-touch Milorad Cavic, in the 100-meter butterfly. This win was his seventh gold medal in Beijing, tying him with Mark Spitz, the only other Olympian and fellow swimmer, to receive seven gold medals in one Olympics. Last night he won his final race making him the only man to ever win eight gold medals.
However, these words have more significance to this young man than the general public realizes. Phelps, dealing with the challenge of having ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has overcome the obstacles associated with this neurological condition, to become possibly the greatest Olympian the world has ever seen.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · World news
A Majestic Tall Ship!
- The Tall Ships will be sailing into the port this weekend, the 15th to the 17th.  San Pedro and the Port of Los Angeles plan to celebrate their presence with the Festival of Sail LA 2008. These big, sailing ships were the main mode of travel and commerce for centuries, prior to the steam and diesel engined vessels that we know today.
The festival kicks off on Friday, at 10:00 am,  with a parade of these magnificent, tall-masted ships. They will be berthing near the Ports O’ Call Village area of San Pedro. There will be ship viewing, children’s activities and a variety of booths providing entertainment on each day of the festival from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, except on Friday, which will begin at noon.
Some of the ships participating, will be the HMS Bounty and the HMS Surprise. The Bounty was used in the filming of Mutiny on the Bounty and the Surprise was in Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe. San Pedro’s Warner Grand Theater, plans to show these films on Friday and Saturday evening at 8:00 pm, respectively.
[Read more →]
Tags: Entertainment · Local Happenings · Transportation · Upcoming events
August 10th, 2008 Written by: Bobbie · 1 Comment
Crossing the Vincent St. Thomas Bridge, on a sweltering day during a heat wave, my daughter Judy, exclaimed from her vantage point behind me, ”Mom, the Disney Cruise ship is underneath us!” I quickly glanced in the direction where the cruise ships berth and sure enough, there was the distinctive Disney logo on the red smoke stacks of Magic, the flag ship of Disney’s cruise line, serving the West Coast this summer with trips to Mexico.
A few weekends later, I was back crossing the bridge but this time as chaffeur to my best friend Andrea and her family. They were going to sail on that beautiful ship and I was delivering them to it for a wonderful vacation on the Mexican Riviera.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · Transportation
August 10th, 2008 Written by: Bobbie · 1 Comment
Crossing the Vincent St. Thomas Bridge, on a sweltering day during a heat wave, my daughter Judy, exclaimed from her vantage point behind me, ”Mom, the Disney Cruise ship is underneath us!” I quickly glanced in the direction where the cruise ships berth and sure enough, there was the distinctive Disney logo on the red smoke stacks of Magic, the flag ship of Disney’s cruise line, serving the West Coast this summer with trips to Mexico.
A few weekends later, I was back crossing the bridge but this time as chaffeur to my best friend Andrea and her family. They were going to sail on that beautiful ship and I was delivering them to it for a wonderful vacation on the Mexican Riviera.
[Read more →]
Tags: Editorials · Transportation
Seals in need of some TLC!
The Marine Mammal Care Center, in San Pedro, is in desperate need of volunteers. The center, is dedicated to rescuing sick and injured seals and returning them to the wild. If an animal cannnot be successfully returned to its natural environment, then they do their best to find it a home in aquariums across America.
They often have more than 70 animals at a time that need feeding and care. ”We especially need volunteers over the weekend,” said Jill Romano, the center’s business director. “Vounteers need to be at least 18 years old,” she added.
So if you’re into animals, especially sea mammals, then taking the time to log some hours with the center would be for a good cause. If you’re interested in volunteering then contact the center at:
[Read more →]
Tags: Charity · Upcoming events
