ANNEISE Clothing Boutique

Location: 440 E. 1st Street, Long Beach, CA 90802 (Click for MAP)

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 12pm to 5pm, Closed Monday

www.anneise.com

ANNEISE is a great little clothing boutique in the East Arts Village of Long Beach.  The owner Kimberly who is also a  fashion designer says her store is a collection of contemporary fashion at affordable prices.  She also carries a nice selection of accessories and vintage jewelry.  ANNESIE is a big supporter of the local Art Walk and the store turns into a gallery during the Long Beach Art Walk.  With great customer service and great prices this clothing store is a must see when on 1st Street in the East Arts Village – Downtown Long Beach.

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Cat-loving creative types are coming together under a new program called Adoptable Art, where artists are donating their time and talent to care for homeless cats in local shelters.

It’s a win-win for both felines and fellow artists alike, says Adoptable Art founder Heather Norris. The Seal Beach Animal Shelter volunteer says while cats are getting some much-needed love and companionship the artists are creating a painting, photograph or sketch to donate to the shelter. The framed work is then hung on the wall until its furry subject is adopted – at which time both the cat and the piece of art are given a new home.

Seeing how lonely these once-beloved pets were after being left behind – some due to the rash of recent housing foreclosures – is what prompted Norris to create Adoptable Art.

“As a shelter volunteer I met many cats that had been in happy homes only to be banished to the shelter when people lost their homes,” she said. “These cats were so eager to have anyone pet or play with them.”  And who better than an artist in need of a great subject, says Norris, who is not only the proud adoptive parent of Sophie the cat but also a graduate of California State Long Beach’s art program. “A cat can make a wonderful subject. Each one has a unique attitude and look to capture.”

Norris’ initial goal is to get more than 50 artists involved and as many animal shelters through out Orange and L.A. counties. Ultimately she would like to see the Adoptable Art program adopted by shelters on a national as well as global scale.

If you are interested in learning more about Adoptable Art and want to get involved, please contact Heather Norris via http://www.facebook.com/AdoptableArt.           

WHEN/WHERE:        Sunday, May 13, 2012

Aquarium of the Pacific

Head over to the Aquarium for an amazing day of celebrating moms. Try the decadent brunch and explore the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. Visit the Aquarium’s website for the full menu. The cost is $42/adult (12+) and $32/child, including admission. Member prices are $32/adult and $22/child.

www.aquariumofpacific.org

Where: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Cafe Sevilla

Cafe Sevilla is offering a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that costs $34.95/person and $14.95/kid. In addition, they’ll have a Flamenco Dinner Show beginning at 5 p.m. in the Tapas Bar. The cost is $39.50/person and seating is limited so make your reservations early.

562-495-1111

Where: 140 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

District Wine

Enjoy mom’s favorite wine, as she picks the wine tasting for the day. Each mom will enjoy a free glass of champagne. Wine and beer specials are featured all day. District Wine is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

www.districtwine.com

562-612-0411

Where: 144 Linden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Fuego at the Hotel Maya

Fuego will present a beautiful, bountiful brunch at the water’s edge from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes a variety of delicious salads, plentiful platters and displays, a breakfast station, seafood station, hot entrees, carving station, and dessert extravaganza. Enjoy endless sparkling wine and cider, and complementary coffee, tea, juice or soft drinks. Visit Fuego’s website for the complete menu. The cost is $57/adult (13+), $28.50/child, and free for children 5 and under. Reservations are encouraged.

562-481-3910

www.hotelmayalongbeach.com/fuego

Where: 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802

Gaucho Grill

The larger the group celebrating, the better. Mom’s who come in with a party of six or more will enjoy a complementary entree up to a $20 value. Reservations are required.

562-208-8825

www.gauchogrillusa.com

Where: 200 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA, 90802

Hooters

Moms eat for free at Hooters on Mother’s Day. Moms get 10 free boneless wings.

562-983-1010

Where: 71 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

Octopus Japanese Restaurant

Octopus is offering all moms one complimentary mimosa or bloody mary.

562-901-2100

www.facebook.com/octopuslb

Where: 200 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Parkers’ Lighthouse

Treat mom to a waterfront champagne brunch featuring a hot and cold buffet, oyster and shrimp cocktail bar, carving station, morning pastries and decadent desserts. Brunch runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes unlimited champagne, mimosas, coffee, tea, lemonade and soft drinks. Visit Parkers’ website for a complete menu. Reservations recommended.

562-432-6500

www.parkerslighthouse.com

Where: 435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802

Queensview Steakhouse

Enjoy a delicious dinner with mom at Queensview Steakhouse. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. and reservations are recommended.

562-432-6500

Where: 435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802

Sgt. Pepper’s Dueling Pianos

Enjoy an all-ages sing-a-long & all-you-can-eat bottomless champagne brunch while the entire family is entertained by Sgt. Pepper’s Dueling Piano Show. Doors open at 11 a.m., dueling pianos at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are required. Adults/$19.95, kids under 14 are $9.95, and kids under four are free.

562-499-4600

www.pepperspianos.com

Where: 91 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

Sky Room

Enjoy a gorgeous seated brunch or a lovely dinner with mom. Brunch features bottomless mimosas, takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $45/person. Dinner includes champagne for mom, is from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and costs $59/person.

562-983-2703

Where: 40 South Locust, Long Beach, CA 90802

Wokcano

When dining at Wakcano on Mother’s Day, make sure to take advantage of their offer – buy three entrees and get the fourth free. This offer is good in the dining room only.

562-951-9652

Where: 199 The Promenade North, Long Beach, CA 90802

Mother’s Beach Playground

Location: (Click for Map)

Mother’s Beach playground was rebuilt in 2010 and has some really cool stuff!  Located on Mother’s Beach which is a great beach for kids because it has no waves and easy access with a metered parking lot.  This playground makes a great day of going to the beach and the playground all in one.  Mother’s Beach can get crowded on the weekends during the summer.  Also this place is located right next to Mom’s restaurant which is great for snacks or lunch.  Overall a beautiful location and a great vibe.  I highly recommend you check this playground out.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Doors Open at 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Location:  Long Beach Convention Center

Click Here to Buy Tickets Online 

“Long Beach Comic Expo is a one day event brought to you by the people behind the Long Beach Comic & Horror Convention. It’s small. Very Small. However, it’s packed with lots of comics. If you’re looking to check out new work, particularly work created by locals, this is the place to go.”

For more information visit longbeachcomiccon.com

LBStuff:  What is Autism?

Jane:  Autism is a neurological disorder. There is a spectrum, kind of like a rainbow, with higher functioning and lower functioning autism. Some children can be non-verbal and others speak typically, which is why professionals are having such a difficult time trying to find a cause for it. Some of the signs are that children have a hard time being social,  learning disabilities, being a picky eater, not being able to digest food as well, and overall being highly introverted.

LBStuff:  How did the organization of Autism in Long Beach come about?

Jane:  It all started when my son was diagnosed at about 2 years old. I didn’t know where to go or who to turn to. I felt very isolated. So, I wanted to develop a place where people could go to learn about Autism and to teach the community about this disorder.

LBStuff:  What are your goals for Autism in Long Beachin 2012?

Jane:  I want to get some more workshops for parents. I am also working more on education. For example, we have an upcoming even called Autism and Adolescence. We did a great job on educating the public last year and so this year we want to focus more on educating the families.

LBStuff:  How can people get involved?

Jane:  I have been focusing lately on the high school age kids for volunteers since most of the high schools require service hours. This is also great for teaching inclusion since these high school kids are great role models. We can always use more adult volunteers though. You can help out by coming to our parent meetings and assisting with our own children. We would love to have volunteers of all ages though. We have a little girl right now who is 5 years old and comes to all the meetings. She knows all of the kids and they know her. Its a great way to boost our children’s social skills.

LBStuff:  What is the best way for people to contact you?

Jane:  Email is the best way, autisminlongbeach@yahoo.com. You can always go to my website, http://autisminlongbeach.org ,  and get my email from there.

LBStuff:  Is there anything else you would like people to know?

Jane:  I would really like people to know that when they are in public and they see a child throwing a tantrum, do not look at the parent and immediately judge them. This child may have an underlying problem that you don’t know about. Instead, ask the parent if they need any help because being judge is the biggest problem us parents face

Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride celebration on May 19 & 20, 2012

11 am – 10 pm along Shoreline Drive.  (Click for MAP)

Over the past several years, the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration has become one of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants over two days. The Festival Celebration includes seven large dance areas including a main stage which has featured musical artists such as Grammy Award Winner Queen Latifah performing Saturday May 19, 2012.

2012 Long Beach Pride Parade

Sunday, May 20, 2012 – Step-off at 10:30 a.m.

Early arrivers who show their pride could receive FREE ADMISSION to the 2012 Long Beach Pride Festival, exclusive Long Beach Pride merchandise and more! The parade hot spot kicks off an hour early at 9:30 a.m. located onCherry Ave.andOcean Blvd.atBixbyPark, the location provides plenty of shade and a community gathering spot for anyone watching the parade.

For more information visit http://longbeachpride.com/

Stella Ursua – North American School of Green Technology

LBStuff: What is your company? What does it do?

Stella: There are several organizations but the main one right now is called Green Education Incorporated and that is the non-profit arm of all the businesses and what we’re trying to do is not only prepare people for green industry professions but also to create actual projects here in Long Beach. Whether it’s an energy efficiency project, urban farming, or solar installation project, we bring all the people we need to the table to make these deals happen. We are talking about developers, local governments, contractors, solar installers, funders or anyone who has to be involved in these projects.

LBStuff: You mentioned big companies but have you thought about the type of impact you can make on the small businesses (the mom and pop shops)? What are your plans for that?

Stella:  I am glad you asked because one of the projects that I’d like to do is go out to the mom and pop shops, as well as the medium sized businesses, and start to expose them to sustainability practices. There is so much energy that is lost, I mean I can only imagine this building here, if it has not been worked on or retrofitted or it hasn’t had any type of improvements to windows, air and heating systems, and flooring. They are losing a lot of energy, I can tell you that right now. That goes for residential homes as well. So we can start to infiltrate the stores and begin to discuss how they can save money, save energy, and how they can create a healthier and stable environment for themselves, their families, and their clients.

LBStuff:  How are you going to approach that? Are you going to go through business associations, like the DLBA or would you go to the city council?

 Stella:  Id go to the business associations and the city council members. Basically we want the buy in from all levels, not just the business owners. So that everyone is promoting this type of effort. I would also go to the Office of Sustainability since they have a lot of materials online that a sustainability person like myself could utilize to educate others.  The fact the businesses are going to save money, energy and they’re creating a healthy environment, I believe they will welcome the new program and the chance to go green, and the opportunity for this special recognition. I would like to create a program where businesses can become certified as green and award them a plaque that can be displayed at their businesses so the customers will know this business is a green business . That is one of the big projects that I want to do right now.

LBStuff:  Is there anything you want people to know about your company?

 Stella:  We’re talking a lot about economic development and creating jobs, as well as actual projects that people can work on right herein Long Beach. But it is also about creating more sustainably focused schools, teachers and students! We were just a part of the Green Ambassador Institute Program where you take a curriculum from an existing school and you incorporate environmental studies and sustainability studies. There is a school that I’m modeling this idea after in Lawndale where over 90% of graduates are accepted to the UC’s and Cal States and it is mainly because of the curriculum. The curriculum is very hands-on and interactive. They have solar panels that the kids can learn about. They have sustainable food production via an Aqua ponics system. They have vertical farming, a bike shop, and an urban farm that surrounds their school. The kids say that the urban farm is their vending machine. They can just go up to a tree and pick an apple, a peach, strawberries, whatever is growing. There is stuff growing all over campus. Those are the types of schools that we want to start here in Long Beach. We went through this program specifically so we can work with schools to start to create these types of programs in Long Beach. There is still such a huge opportunity to educate and prepare Long Beach middle/high school students for their role in creating a more sustainable and healthier environment, and we will do this by creating this type of curriculum/programs at each and every school in this great city!