LOVE A PARADE?
The City of Torrance will continue its long-standing tradition this weekend as it hosts its 50th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade. The three-day celebration will begin Friday, May 15 and continue through Sunday, May 17. Military exhibits will be on display, including aircrafts, vehicles and support equipment, at the north end of the Del Amo Fashion Center at the lower parking lot west side of the parking structure on May 15 and 16 from 10am to 6pm and on May 17 from 11am to 3pm. The United States Marine Corps Navy Band Southwest will perform for free at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 N. Civic Center Dr., on May 16 at 1:30pm and 7:30pm. The parade will run along Torrance Boulevard from downtown Torrance and end at City Hall on May 16 at 1:30pm.
FOSTERING FAMILY FUN
The Department of Children and Family Services South County Faith Council will present a Family Fun Day on Saturday, May 16 from 10am to 2pm at Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Avenue. Food, music, games and family-friendly entertainment will be available, as well as information on how to become a foster parent. Call (562) 497-3412.
JOIN THE CABBAGE PATCH KIDS!
Los Cerritos Elementary School, 515 W. San Antonio Dr., will be having its fundraising carnival this Saturday, May 16 from 11am to 3pm, including a sale in their award-winning garden. Shop for plants grown from seeds and cuttings by Los Cerritos students. Garden-related crafts will be sold, including tiled bird baths and feeders, stepping stones, wind chimes, student-made ceramic and pottery pieces, and much more. All proceeds from the garden booth go to continuing garden education with students. Email karivanw@gmail.com.
FOR ART’S SAKE
Buyart Studios, 2828 E. 10th St., will host a spring art show opening reception Saturday, May 16 from 3pm to 7pm. “Oil and Silver” will feature artwork by the owner Dawn Morishige, whose film etchings have recently been featured on HGTV, as well a collection of landscapes and portraits by Steven Looman, a Long Beach native who has been earning a living as a professional artist for almost 40 years. All artwork purchased during the show will receive a 10-percent discount on custom framing. Call (562) 856-9095.
VIVA VARIETY!
California Heights United Methodist Church will host a Sierra Service Project “South of the Border” dinner and variety show fundraiser
Saturday, May 16 from 5:30pm to 8pm in the church’s Hughes Hall, 3759 Orange Ave. Suggested donation is $20/adult, $15/child (12 and under), and $45/family. Proceeds support the Cal Heights Youth on their Sierra Service Project this summer. The Sierra Service Project is a nonprofit organization providing life-changing experiences for young adults through acts of service repairing homes in Native-American and urban communities. Visit www.sierraserviceproject.org or www.calheightsumc.org.
SCORES OF FUN
Vice Mayor Val Lerch invites residents of the 9th District to enjoy a Pops Concert at a discounted rate at the Long Beach Arena— “Legends of American Film Music” on Saturday, May 16 at 8pm, featuring scores from some favorite films. The performance will be at the Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Tickets are $8 each; call (562) 436-3203 ext. 220 and use the promo code “9th District” to get the discounted rate. Cost of parking is $10 per car. Call Jonda Coman (562) 570-6137.
COMMUNITY
The Disabled Resources Center, 2750 E. Spring St., will offer a presentation about the Lutheran Social Services on Wednesday, May 20 at 1:30pm. The presentation will include information on the services they offer the community. Call Cheryl Wilson at (562) 427-1000 ext.23.
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE!
St. Mary Medical Center will host a “Smoke-Free Apartments” community forum on Wednesday, May 20 from 4pm to 6pm to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drifting smoke and the need for smoke-free apartments. The forum will take place at St. Mary, 1050 Linden Avenue, Parr Health Enhancement Center, First Floor, Room A. RSVP at (562) 570-7950.
“WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE!..”
This summer, children will learn all about daily life on the ranch long before there was electricity, cars, or many other modern conveniences. What if your chores included dipping candles, paring apples, and washing clothes with a washboard and wringer? What if you had to make your own toys? Children can find out what life was like in the old days at “Summer Adventures at the Rancho,” an interactive and engaging history-themed summer program offered by Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, 4600 Virginia Rd. Rancho Los Cerritos will offer three weeklong, half-day sessions (Monday-Friday, 9:30am—noon) beginning Monday, July 6. Cost is $50 per session. The program is designed for children aged 6-10. Advanced reservations are required. Call (562) 570-1755 or visit www.rancholoscerritos.org.
