Cherry Picking! - Leona Valley

June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
8am-5pm
Call to verify open dates.

Amber's Farm
9300 Leona Ave.
Leona Valley
661-270-1919

No entry fee. Cherries are $3.25/lb.
June 6th is the Cherry Festival so the road will be closed 10am-noon.

http://www.ambersfarm.com

Spring Festival - Rancho Los Cerritos

Sunday, May 31
12:30pm - 4:30pm

Rancho Los Cerriots Historic Site
4600 Virginia Road
Long Beach
562-570-1755

Adults: $5
Kids (4-12) $3, under 4 free

Step back 100 years at Rancho Los Cerritos to experience the dynamic Victorian era, complete with live music, dancing, unusual entertainment, and even a May pole dance! Participate in period activities such as ice cream making; butter churning, Victorian-era games and crafts designed especially for the children.

http://www.rancholoscerritos.org

Christmas in May! - Downtown LA

Memorial Weekend
May 22-25
Friday-Sunday: 9am-9pm
Monday: 9am-6pm
Free

Los Angeles Union Station
800 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles

A 40-city train tour promoting Disney's 3-D film, A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey, which opens November 2009.

Set amidst a snowy backdrop-complete with all of the sights and sounds of Christmas including carolers, decorations, giveaways and many more surprises in each of the 40 cities. This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public.

Among the highlights of the tour are authentic artifacts on loan from the Charles Dickens Museum of London; artwork, costumes and props from the film; demonstrations of performance capture technology; and a chance to morph your face into one of the film's characters using HP TouchSmart PCs. At each stop along the way, a state-of-the-art Disney Digital 3D Theatre will be erected, where guests can get a sneak peek of "Disney's A Christmas Carol" and see other exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from the movie.

For more info: http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_5119Train

Butterfly Ball - El Dorado Nature Center

Wednesday, May 20
10am - 11:30am
$5 per parent-child pair

El Dorado Nature Center
7550 E. Spring St.
562-570-1745

Pre-registration is required
Parent participation class for children ages 2-5 years

You are cordially invited to attend the Butterfly Ball. Be sure to wear your wings as we dance amongst the flowers, indulge in “nectar tasting”, and create a picture of our beauty to share with all.

http://www.longbeach.gov/naturecenter/

Free Summer Movies - Regal Theatres

Throughout the summer
Tuesday and Wednesday 10am

Long Beach Stadium 26 & IMAX
7501 East Carson
562-429-3321

06/23/2009-06/24/2009 Space Chimps (G)
Igor (PG)
06/30/2009-07/01/2009 The Tale Of Despereaux (G)
Nim's Island (PG)
07/07/2009-07/08/2009 Horton Hears A Who (G)
Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
07/14/2009-07/15/2009 Kit Kittredge: American Girl (G)
Surf's Up (PG)
07/21/2009-07/22/2009 Charlotte's Web (G)
Kung Fu Panda (PG)
07/28/2009-07/29/2009 Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: Veggie Tale Movie (G)
Inkheart (PG)
08/04/2009-08/05/2009 Everyone's Hero (G)
Madagascar 2: Escape To Africa (PG)
08/11/2009-08/12/2009 Doogal (G)
Hotel For Dogs (PG)

REG Free Family Film Festival Beginning June 2009!
When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE!

Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.

Tickets for our 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.

http://www.regmovies.com

Summer camps

Here is a great list of local summer camps.

http://www.examiner.com/x-9782-Long-Beach-Homeschooling-Examiner~y2009m5d14-Long-Beach-summer-camps

Long Beach Parks & Rec
Summer Day Camps
Various parks around the city
M-F 9am-4pm
June 15 – August 21
Ages 5-12
Aquatic day camps available
Science Adventures
El Dorado Park – West
2700 Studebaker Rd.
Week long day camps starting June 22 to August 28
Full and half-day camps available
YMCA
Week long day camps
Grades K-6
Lego camp available at the Los Altos location
June 16 – August 29
Kick It Up
8129 E. Wardlow Rd.
Broadway Camp: Grades 1-6   July 6-10 9am-3pm
Once Upon a Dream: Ages 4-7   Wed & Thurs in July & Aug 9am-noon
Dance and Cheer Clinic: Grades 1-8 Aug 24-28 9am-3pm
Inspyr Arts
3910 E. 4th St.
Week long art camps (anime, figure drawing, etc.)
June 22 – August 14
Grades 1 and up
Rancho Los Cerritos
Half day, week long day camps
July 6-24, 9:30am-noon
Ages 6-11
$50/week

Camp Fire USA
7070 Carson St.
Week long day camps
Sports, cooking, crafts, & optional overnight camping
History camp
Grades K-9
Science2U
Seal Beach – north of pier
Marine biology camps
May 25 – August 21
Alpert JCC
3801 E. Willow St.
Day camps: 3-5 days/week
Half day specialty camps: Legos, Cooking, Rockets, etc.
Grades 1 and up

Long Beach Shakespeare Company
4250 ½ Atlantic Blvd.
Summer drama camp
One week sessions throughout the summer
International City Theatre
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Summer Youth Conservatory
Ages 7-15
Six weeks: July 6-August 13
M-Th 9am-1pm

And more camps:
http://www.examiner.com/x-9782-Long-Beach-Homeschooling-Examiner~y2009m5d30-Long-Beach-summer-camps-II


CSULB
“California State University, Long Beach is proud to offer a variety of summer camps to boys and girls of all ages and ability levels. Held throughout the summer months on our beautiful campus, students are able to experience sports, academics, leadership and friendships all at one of the most prestigious campus in the country.”
Averyboo Arts
Tues. & Thurs., 2p-4p  “An afternoon club for kids age 4-12. Encourage a friend to join too & spend lazy summer days together making art! Your membership includes 4 activity days of your choice & lots more goodies! Join anytime between now and August 1st; must pre-register at least one week before your activity day.”

Art Smart Studio

Continue reading on Examiner.com Long Beach summer camps II - Los Angeles Homeschooling | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/long-beach-summer-camps-ii#ixzz1t1R6SYrw

Paint & Glaze
T-W-Th 10am-noon
$50/week
http://www.paintnglaze.com

Chess Camp
Project Oasis
Elise's Tea Room, Bixby Knolls
T/Th 2-4pm $16/week
http://www.project-oasis.org

Cypress CC Kids College
Everything from singing to reading
http://sce.c.ca.us/programs/kidscollege

Long Beach Marine Institute
Ocean Adventure Camp
Summer Day Camp
Ages 5-12
http://www.longbeachmarine.org

Strawberry Festivals - Near and Far

Saturday & Sunday, May 16-17

Strawberry Meadows of College Park
3250 South Rose Avenue
Oxnard

Admission $12
Children (5-12) $5
Kids 4 and under are free

Free shuttle service
Parking $5

Beyond the bountiful berries served every imaginable way, wherever you go on the Festival grounds you’ll find multiple ways to ripen your experience with participation. From the free rides and shows in Strawberryland to the exhibits and presentations in the Strawberry Promenade, and more, everything is always sweeter when strawberries are the main ingredients.

Musical groups
Arts & Crafts
Strawberryland for kids
and an appearance by Strawberry Shortcake (of course!)

http://www.strawberry-fest.org

===

Memorial Weekend
May 22-25

Friday 1pm-10pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am-10pm
Monday 10am-9pm
Free!

The Village Green
between Euclid & Main Sts.
Garden Grove
Carnival rides (for a fee) for kids and adults
Parade celebrities include: Cloris Leachman, Chris Warren Jr. (High School Musical), Shanica Knowles (Hannah Montana)
Parade begins Saturday at 10am at Ninth & Chapman

http://www.strawberryfestival.org

Armed Forces Day Parade - Torrance

Saturday, May 16
1:30pm


Torrance Blvd.
between Crenshaw & Madrona

Torrance's 50th annual Armed Forces Day Parade, the nation's longest-running military parade sponsored by a city and the only major military parade in Southern California, will be held Saturday. Activities begin Friday with military exhibits on display, including aircraft, vehicles and support equipment, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Del Amo Fashion Center. Exhibits continue through the weekend until 3 p.m. Sunday.

http://www.ci.torrance.ca.us/ArmedForcesDay.htm

Preschools

This is a list of local preschools that were recommended by LB parents.

Petite Montessori
http://www.petitemontessori.vpweb.com/
In-home preschool
South of Lakewood Mall
562-425-8205

LBCC Child Development Centers
http://childrencenter.lbcc.edu/ChildCareInfo.cfm
Starts at 2.5 years/Drop-off program
PCH & LCC campuses

Plaza Preschool (co-op)
Wardlow Park
562-421-5448

Maple Village School
http://www.maplevillageschool.org/
562-331-5905

Little Sunshine House
1814 E. 7th Street
Long Beach
562-435-1300
http://www.littlesunshinehouse.com

JCC
3801 East Willow St.
Long Beach
562-426-7601
http://www.alpertjcc.org
18+ months

Colorado Lagoon Playgroup (co-op)
5119 East Colorado Street
Long Beach
562-498-1663
http://lagoonplaygroup.wordpress.com/about

Little Lamb Christian Child Care
4000 Green Ave.
Los Alamitos
562-493-4841
offer potty training and accept 2-5 year olds

The Little Red Playhouse
Los Al/Seal Beach area
Veronica 562-493-0543

North Huntington Beach Community Nursery School
(NHBCNS)
Attachment parenting friendly
(714) 846-2713

Little Owl Preschool
Bixby Knolls
Reggio philosophy/play based
http://littleowlpreschool.com/

Belmont Heights Church Preschool
http://www.bhcpkids.com/

St. Barnabas Preschool
California Heights
3955 Orange Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 424-7476

Lakewood Christian Preschool
First Baptist Lakewood Church
http://www.lakewoodchristianschools.com/preschool

Cal Heights United Methodist Children's Center (CHUMCC)
corner of Orange Avenue and Bixby Road
3759 Orange Avenue
Long Beach CA 90807
562.595.1996 

California Heights Parent Participation Nursery School 

Somerset Park in the toddler play area.

1500 E. Carson

Long Beach, CA 90807 

Isabel Patterson, CSULB
- students are guaranteed a spot at Minnie Gant Elementary

Park Church Preschool (formerly known as Singing Fountain)
Audrey Bill
562.430.6570
3655 N Norwalk Blvd
Long Beach 90808 

Sun n Fun Creative Playgroup - co op in Seal Beach
http://snfn.org/default.aspx

KidWorks - Belmont Heights

3621 E Broadway

Long Beach, CA90803

562-438-4904

http://www.kidworkspreschool.com/

Rossmoor Children's Center
http://www.rossmoorpreschool.com/Welcome.html
Los Alamitos

Edgewater Preschool
on Atherton between Bellflower & Clark 

Los Altos United Methodist Preschool

5950 E Willow Street

Long Beach, CA 90815

Postage rate increase - today

Prices for domestic and international postage went up today.

In case you don't have Forever stamps, first class stamps are now 44 cents and postcards are 28 cents.

http://www.usps.com

Green Long Beach! Festival

Saturday, May 9
9am - 10pm
Free

East Village Arts District
Intersection of 1st Street and Linden Avenue

Four stages of entertainment with 64 bands, musicians, performers, artists, poets, speakers, kids activities, almost 100 booths and vendors, and 35 East Village businesses hosting an event or offering discounts to festival goers.

Organic foods and farmer's market. Workshops and classes held throughout the Village. Green parade at 3pm.

Bring your own reusable water container and tote bag. Bring your old cell phones for recycling (Village Cellular on 4th). Take the bus. Ride your bike to get a free tune-up. Bring your t-shirt after 4pm and get a $5 festival screen print.

http://www.greenlb.org

Free Mother's Day Concert

Sunday, May 10
3pm
Free

Bay Shore Church
5100 E. The Toledo
Long Beach

RSVP now for a free 90-Minute Mother's Day Concert of Professional Opera, Piano & Harp

This event is hosted by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (CAT) and is supported, in whole, by funds raised at their Long Beach Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Haute Dog Parades.

PARKING
Free lot on the corner of The Toledo & Granada Ave. We also encourage carpooling and public transit.

Repertoire

THE CONCERT WILL include: soprano solo of Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria" with harp; soprano/tenor duet of "Libiamo" from La Traviata; piano performances will include some Rachmaninoff Preludes. Tenor solos will include, "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz," from Das Land des Lachelns by Lehar; and "Recondita Harmonia," from Tosca by Puccini. Music subject to modification.

Limit four tickets per person. All seats are reserved, and we do expect a sell-out.

RSVP by sending an email to Justin@JustinRudd.com with your first and last name and number of guests in your party with the words Opera RSVP in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation.

Older children are welcome, but must have a ticket. As a courtesy to other patrons and the performers, please bear in mind that it is not appropriate for small children to attend this event where silence is a prerequisite for full enjoyment of the artistic experience. Babies in arms are not permitted in all cases.

http://www.justinrudd.com

National Train Day - Union Station

Saturday, May 9
10am-3pm
Free

Union Station
800 N. Alameda St.
Downtown LA

National Train Day is a celebration for all trainiacs, especially our little engineers. Bring your kids and enjoy appearances by The Radio Disney Road Crew where kids – and former kids – can enjoy music, a dance party, interactive games, and receive giveaways. Magicians, face painters and educational hands-on activities will also be onsite, including interaction with real Amtrak employees such as train engineers and conductors.

11:00AM - 1:00PM: Radio Disney's Rockin' Road Crew
11:30AM, 1:00PM & 2:00PM: Amtrak Ambassadors' Corner: Get to know the crews that make Amtrak run

Live music
10:30am - Chana
1pm - Matt Costa

TRAIN EQUIPMENT DISPLAYS*
10:00AM - 2:30PM: See the trains up close and personal with displays that include historic private cars, freight cars and Amtrak equipment. In Los Angeles, you can view:
Overland Trail
Scottish Thistle
GM & O 50
Steam Locomotive
Operation Lifesaver Wrapped Locomotive
Superliner Diner
Superliner Sightseer Lounge
Superliner “Empire” Sleeper
Surfliner Coach Car
* Train car equipment list is subject to change

http://www.nationaltrainday.com

Free Iced Coffee - Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Thursday, May 7
4-8pm

On Thursday, May 7th from 4-8pm*, enjoy a complimentary Iced Coffee at your neighborhood The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®!

For every Iced Coffee that we give away at our Southern California locations, we’ll donate $0.25 to Big Sunday, a leading nonprofit organization that mobilizes and empowers volunteers to help make their communities stronger, happier and healthier.

* Check your local store for closing times. Offer valid only at participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® retail locations in CA and AZ, exclude Ralphs locations. Valid only on May 7, 2009 from 4-8pm. Offer applies to 12oz Iced Coffee only. No substitutions.

http://www.coffeebean.com

Family Nightlife Walk - El Dorado Nature Center

May 5, June 9, July 7, August 4, September 8
7-9pm
$3

El Dorado Nature Center
7550 E. Spring St.

Bring the kids to the Nature Center for a naturalist-led walk on the trails.

Pre-registration required.
562-570-1745

http://www.longbeach.gov/naturecenter

Disneyland 3-day Summer Fun Pass - $99

Just in time for summer, the Disneyland Resort announces a valuable ticket offer – the 3-Day Summer Fun Pass, available exclusively for residents of Southern California and Northern Baja.

With this special ticket, local residents can play at the Disneyland Resort for three days within a 45-day period, for just $99. Guests who live in zip codes 90000 through 93599, and 21000-22999, will be able to enter both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, enjoying three days of fun for only $33 per day.

The 3-day Summer Fun Pass is available for sale at Disneyland.com, Disney Stores and at the Disneyland Resort box office. Resident ID is required. To skip ticket lines and enjoy straight-to-the-gate convenience, the 3-Day Summer Fun Pass is also sold at local supermarket and retail chains such as Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros., Food 4 Less, Gelsons, Dearden’s and Toys ‘R’ Us.

Since the first use of the pass must be between June 1 and August 23, 2009, it’s just the ticket for local residents to see Disneyland Resort in a whole new light during SUMMER NIGHTASTIC! Nighttime shows and parades come to life – bigger, better and brighter in this special summer event. Spectacular, state-of-the-art effects, plus an all-new fireworks show highlight the sparkling summer entertainment that runs June 12 through August 23.

http://www.disneyland.com

Working From Home

Working from home is desirable for a lot of people, but there doesn't seem to be many legitimate opportunities.

This is one site I've come across that seems to have good info.

Home-Based Working Moms