Long Beach Symphony is proud to continue its mission of music education and community enrichment through its Instrument Petting Zoo, a unique and interactive experience that introduces children to the joy of live music—one instrument at a time.
Designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, the Instrument Petting Zoo allows children to get up close and personal with orchestral instruments such as violins, trumpets, flutes, and percussion. Children are invited to touch, hold, and even play real instruments, sparking what could become a lifelong appreciation for music.
Each year, the program serves more than 2,000 children across the greater Long Beach area, with visits to libraries and public events. The program also plays a vital role in the Symphony’s broader community and education initiatives, including its RuMBa Foundation Family Concerts in September and June, which are dedicated to making music accessible and engaging for youth from all backgrounds.
“The Instrument Petting Zoo is more than just a fun activity — it’s a powerful tool for connection and discovery,” said Kelly Ruggirello, President of Long Beach Symphony. “We see the joy in young faces when they produce their first note or feel the vibration of the strings. That moment can open doors to a lifetime of musical exploration.”
This summer, Long Beach Symphony will be bringing its Petting Zoo to over 17 locations. For more information, visit LongBeachSymphony.org/instrument-petting-zo
SUMMER INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO SCHEDULE
(Updated 6/24/25. Information is subject to change. See website for updates.)
Wed. July 2 from 2:00-3:00pm Mark Twain Library:1401 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Sat. July 5 from 1:00-2:00pm Alamitos Library: 1836 E. Third St., Long Beach
Wed. July 9 from 1:00-2:00pm Brewitt Library: 4036 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Sat. July 12 from 1:00-2:00pm Dana Library: 3680 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
Wed. July 16 from 3:30-4:30pm Euclid Branch Library: 1340 S. Euclid St., Anaheim
Sat. July 19 from 3:00-7:00pm La Vaquereada Festival: 14400 Paramount Blvd., Paramount
Mon. July 21 from 3:30-4:30pm Cerritos Library:18025 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos
Tues. July 22 from 1:00-2:00pm Bay Shore Library: 195 Bay Shore Ave., Long Beach
Wed. July 23 from 2:00-3:00pm Harte Library: 1595 W. Willow St, Long Beach
Thurs. July 24 from 1:00-2:00pm Burnett Library: 560 E. Hill St., Long Beach
Fri. July 25 from 1:00-2:00pm Michelle Obama Library: 5870 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
Sat. July 26 from 1:00-2:00pm Los Altos Library: 5614 E. Britton Dr., Los Altos
Fri. August 1st from 2:00-3:00pm Oak View Branch Library: 17251 Oak Lane, Huntington Beach
Tues. August 5 from 2:00-3:00pm Billie Jean King Main Library: 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach
Fri. August 8 from 2:00-3:00pm Redondo Beach Library: 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach
Sat. August 9 from 11:00-12:00pm Redondo Beach North Branch Library: 2000 Artesia Boulevard, Redondo Beach
Sat. August 23 from 1:00-3:00pm Happy Sundays Festival at Compound: 1395 Coronado Ave., Long Beach
Sun. September 28 from 1:00-5:00pm RuMBa Foundation Family Concert at Terrace Theater: 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
About Long Beach Symphony
Now in its 91st season, Long Beach Symphony is a cornerstone of the region’s artistic life, presenting dynamic orchestral experiences and award-winning educational programs. With a mission to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, the Symphony offers performances, community engagement events, and school outreach to inspire a love of music throughout the greater Long Beach area. See the 2025-26 Calendar at LongBeachSymphony.org/calendar. For more information, visit LongBeachSymphony.org
Legendary Beach Boys member Brian Wilson, who recently passed away at 82 years young, was honored with a surfing tradition, a paddle out next to Huntington Beach Pier.
Organized by Visit Huntington Beach and International Surfing Museum the event drew hundreds of fans and even some famous people like Dean Torrence (of Jan & Dean), who co-wrote songs and performed with The Beach Boys.
Another icon known as Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Executive Director Peter PT Townend said: “It was an honor to be Master of Ceremonies of the Brian Wilson celebration of life at the Huntington Beach Pier, his penning of the song ‘Surf City’ with Jan Berry of Jan & Dean fame which became HB’s theme song and to have Dean Torrance at the beach Saturday to tell the story of how the song came about was priceless.”
Iconic musician Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean said: “It’s a great day to be in Surf City USA.” Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns said:
“The Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys) celebration of life and paddle-out event was incredible. Don Ramsey did an amazing job putting that together. I grew up listening to them and can sing 90% of their songs. As I stated at the ceremony, it is the first album I remember after my mom’s Englebert Humperdink and Tom Jones records!!! I was way too young to have heard them when they played in HB. Great event!”
Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon said: “One of the all-time classic and timeless bands in history. Their music transcends all age groups and genres and brings a smile to your face every time you hear a Beach Boy’s song. We are very proud of their connection and contribution to Huntington Beach, Surf City USA and we know they will carry on that legacy forever.”
Former Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Vice Chair Bob Slater said: “Listening to the Beach Boys, as I was walking on the pier in honor of Brian Wilson gave me goosebumps and brought me back to my childhood days and my teens. My young adults and my older adult ages filled me up life without the beach. Boys would not be the life I’ve loved living.”
Courtesy photo From left to right standing, Sue Goodman, Treasurer; Cheri Summers, Second Vice President, membership; Mary Kamhi, Publicity; Maria Stark, Treasurer; Shirley Bradley, Secretary; Michele Pourtemour, First Vice President; Rene Snyder, Programs; Linda Hines, Parliamentarian. Sitting left to right, Laura Price, Second Vice President, Membership; Patty Boggs, Co-President; Mariellen Yarc, Co-President; Roberta Voet, Communications Secretary; and Tonya Obanion, Financial Secretary.
I sometimes wonder, if Alexander Hamilton and the Founders had hashtags, would we be a republic today? And with only one year left before our 250th Anniversary, where will we be? It’s Independence Day in America, and somehow the fireworks feel less like a celebration and more like distress signals.
Somewhere between the barbecue smoke, culture war headlines, and TikTok activists rewriting the Constitution in 30-second bursts, a single, sobering question flickers beneath the red, white, and blue:
Are we still one nation out of many? As we celebrate the nation’s 249th Anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence, we can only imagine where will we be in just another year for the nation’s 250th.
“E Pluribus Unum,” out of many, one, was once etched into our coins and our collective conscience. Today, with the explosion of social media, sometimes the essence of national unity feels more like a punchline in a group chat gone wrong. I wonder what our nation would be if the Founding Fathers had social media. Of course, they had their own debates and communication mediums to fuel their debates, but seriously, what if George Washington had a Facebook account and Hamilton had a hashtag?
James Madison, username FedPaperFan87, goes live to explain why centralized government isn’t tyranny, it’s insurance. “If we let each state go rogue, we’ll be thirteen rival Twitch streamers yelling over each other.
Hamilton is deep into a 12-part Instagram story titled Why You’re Wrong About States’ Rights. There are animated GIFs, a branded hashtag (#FederalismForever), and a late-night Twitter Spaces called “Ratify or Die.”
Thomas Jefferson refuses to engage. He’s ghosting the whole debate from Monticello, posting aesthetic reels of his lettuce garden while DMing the Enlightenment philosophers. His pinned tweet? “Big government = Big mistake. Grow veggies, not tyranny.”
David N. Young, Young@Heart
Benjamin Franklin runs a chaotic but wise TikTok account where he mixes political commentary with thirst traps and science experiments. He accidentally creates a trend called #ElectricRevolution by flying kites during thunderstorms for clout.
George Washington, the elder statesman, posts only once a year. It’s always grayscale. “Just a reminder: I warned y’all about political parties. #GoodLuck.”
Let’s face it, in the digital age, we’ve stopped debating and started performing. Our algorithms feed us what we want to hear, weaponizing certainty and monetizing outrage.
Congress has largely been transformed from a forum for the greatest debates in history to an insider trader’s paradise where anger oozes and debate has long since left the building. This goes back years, not simply the blame of any one administration.
If we disagree with someone, we don’t invite them to dinner anymore, we simply unfollow, block, mute or cancel them. We curate our worldviews and build echo chambers, each echo bouncing further from the “unum” we once aspired to.
Back in 1787, the Founders didn’t have this option. They were locked in a room, in the sweltering Philadelphia heat, where compromise wasn’t just optional, it was survival.
From the history books we learn they argued, insulted, bargained, and negotiated because they had no choice but to build something together.
“We must, indeed, all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately,” is the famous Franklin quote that ironically, still filters through the social media of today.
We do have a choice. And increasingly, we’re choosing not to make it, or so it seems. Today’s media largely gives us the impression of those who scream the loudest, but the silent goodness of America remains dominant and less visible.
E Pluribus Unum was never about generating sameness. It was, and is, a radical act of hope that people from different backgrounds, faiths, regions, and beliefs could forge something greater together.
Given that we live literally in the shadow of a military base where troops are being trained for deployment in our streets, we do face challenges like never before.
Today, while some Americans see progress on an issue, others see collapse. Some dare to celebrate our diversity while others see it as a threat. Some cheer the courts, others admonish them. While some think we’ve come so far, others cry we lost everything.
The good news is that it is mostly performative at the political extremes.
What we don’t hear is the silence in the vast political center. The silence of the majority is where the vast unity even if it seems like a political no man’s land, a virtual ghost town between warring tribes, where communities have become camps. While it may be interesting and entertaining to debate whether the Declaration of Independence would have been ratified if Hamilton had a hashtag,
Cable news would debate whether “unum” was a liberal dog whistle.Talk radio would call “pluribus” a threat to tradition. And Congress would spend six weeks investigating whether the motto was secretly written by the deep state.
The Founders didn’t agree on everything. Far from it. Jefferson and Hamilton despised each other’s visions. Adams and Franklin clashed constantly. But they stayed at the table. They believed the experiment — this improbable republic — was worth the struggle.
We are fortunate that we live in communities where the social fabric, though tattered, remains strong. Unity does not mean agreement. Quite the contrary. Our disagreements are our strength, and the ability to publicly debate them oddly remains at the center of our unity.
A united nation does not mean we must all sing the same song, only that we remain in the same choir. Compromise isn’t betrayal, it’s democracy in action. Citizen engagement is seemingly on the rise. In fact, some would say, community engagement is kind of the everyday essence of democracy.
Imagine if we made patriotism less performative and more participatory. Imagine social media algorithms designed not to rile us up, but to challenge us, giving others the benefit of the doubt to expand our thinking instead of reinforcing our negative views.
Imagine if we rewarded bridge-builders instead of bomb-throwers. Imagine if influencers went viral for truth-telling instead of dunking. Imagine if Americans became as committed to understanding each other as they go viral. It was then, as now, called American experiment that is on the cusp of surviving 250 years.
So as we celebrate our 249th Anniversary, we can celebrate our long trek from colonies to a republic. Digital colonies aside, we can imagine a world that despite it all, we are indeed
Simple acts of patriotism are committed every day. The teachers in Cypress and Los Al are helping students in their own time, men and women reaching out to help their neighbors. Democracy is not a slogan or a book; it’s a committed way of life.
We have survived civil wars, depressions, assassinations, pandemics, and bitter elections. The “many” have always threatened to overwhelm the “one;’ Not because we always agreed but because we have always chosen each other. Despite our differences, we must look to the many ways we remain united as we explore ways to listen to each other as we restitch the social fabric.
So maybe, just maybe, if Hamilton had a hashtag, our Founders would have still found their way. Even in an age of noise, discontent, and rage-clicks, they would have remembered the stakes that face up to even today.
We still share the sacred responsibility of building something bigger than ourselves and therein still lives the spirit of E. Pluribus Unum.
A Seal Beach lifeguard was injured last Friday. A gofundme campaign has been launched to raise money to help with the bills. As of 2:15 p.m., Monday, June 30, the campaign had raised $135,553 as of July 3, in pledges. The goal: $150,000.
A city press release issued the following day said the lifeguard was taken by ambulance to an unspecified hospital. On Friday, Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey said he could not further comment at that time. District One Council Member Joe Kalmick also said he could not comment.
A city press release issued on Instagram @sealbeachmarinesafety on Saturday, June 28, said: “On Friday, June 27, at 111:50 a.m., Seal Beach Lifeguard Isaiah Osorio sustained a severe injury while serving in his role as a Junior Lifeguard Instructor.” (The press release is also available on the city website.) The press release provided no details about the accident. The gofundme.com post reported that he suffered a spinal cord injury.
According to the statement, lifeguards responded immediately.
The press release said Osorio, 20, began working as a lifeguard in 2023, and is a Los Alamitos High School graduate. The gofundme.com campaign also appeared on the @sealbeachmarinesafety Instagram page.
“He now faces an incredibly difficult road ahead — one filled with overwhelming medical bills, intensive rehabilitation, and the need for specialized equipment to adapt to this new way of life,” according to the gofundme post.
“Isaiah Osorio is a driven scholar-athlete and aspiring UCLA Bruin. A former standout at Los Alamitos High School, he earned varsity letters in water polo and swimming—alongside four Academic All-American honors—before continuing his athletic and academic journey at Cypress College. There, he made his mark as a two-year scholar-athlete on the men’s water polo team while studying Business. Isaiah was recently accepted to UCLA for Fall 2025, ready to take the next step toward his dreams,” according to the gofundme post.
“Outside the pool, Isaiah loves staying active — hiking local trails, playing pickleball with friends, and taking early morning walks that fuel his competitive spirit and joy for life,” according to the gofundme post. The gofundme drive for Osorio is at https://www.gofundme.com/f/isaiah-osorios-road-to-recovery.
Three members of the Cypress City Council voted to give the City Manager carte blanche with $100 million Capital Improvements Projects six weeks after a former director of Public Works accused him of “unlawful acts of misconduct.”
Questions still swirl in Cypress around a $183,000 settlement quietly paid amid charges by long-time department head Doug DancsHe publicly made serious charges against City Manager Peter Grant As yet, the charges remain unexplained to residents, neither have they been substantiated or refuted.
Nevertheless, Grant will have complete authority of the decision-making in hiring contractors with little or no timely oversight of the City Council for the projects following a split vote 3-2 by the Council.
“Currently, the process is these contracts come before the Council. We vote on them and approve them so residents can see them as the Council votes on them,” said Burke.
“The proposal is that process would be gone, and the city manager would approve them on his own and the council would find out afterwards in a quarterly update,” the mayor said.
“That strikes me as potentially a long time to wait,” he said.
The quickly assembled pilot program, called “streamlining,” puts all authority in the hands of an employee who has just emerged from a controversial settlement that cost the city hundreds of thousands involving public works projects. Under the program, Grant will be free to spend $98 million on the city’s seven-year Capital Improvements plan without
Council approval after Council members Scott Minikus, Bonnie Peat, and Mayor Pro-tem Leo Medrano voted to “streamline” the approvals process of the attached 40-50 projects.
Burke and Dr. Kyle Chang both voted against giving Grant such authority, and they have both been asking a lot of questions about the CIP projects, including which ones were included and why.
In addition, the pair seemed to raise the ire of some by forming an ad-hoc sommittee to examine park spending and priorities.
Burke has also proposed expanding the shade structure at Maple Grove South, which he suggested could be added to the list. At the last meeting he questioned spending $80,000 on raising the roof in the executive boardroom rather than using the money to shade residents.
Grant is free to execute on his own, informing Burke that if he could get three votes after a July 14 meeting with the parks commission, the project could be added.
Minikus sidetracked a suggestion from Burke to simply list the approved contracts on the city’s agendas so the Council and the public could understand which contracts on which projects had been approved and to whom they had been awarded. “You can ask for it,” said Minikus, opposing the public listing of the projects.
“The city manager and the directors are all very transparent with us throughout the entire process, it’s not like we’re being cut out from the process or being able to ask questions,” said Minikus.
“I don’t think we’re being stripped of our powers here or our ability to govern,” he said.
Chang, however, was befuddled at the speed with which the ruling majority passed the measure.
It is a pilot project adopted by no other city in the state.
Exasperated, he openly wondered why in the world his three colleagues were rushing to approve this unproven model, especially without so much as a presentation or any statements of justification from them.
“For the majority of residents, I think it’s obvious that this is the first time you guys have ever heard about it (streamlining pilot project) and it just popped up,” said Chang.
“I don’t think any of you guys knew the details about it or you guys would have commented on it,” he added. Chang kept suggesting why the rush.
Cypress City Council member Dr. Kyle Chang, courtesy photo
“So I am just hoping that maybe we could bring this back and have a discussion before we move to the pilot project,” said Chang. “Maybe we could have a presentation or a discussion before we move to the pilot program, especially if there’s a chance we might vote it down in the future.
Chang wondered why city officials made no presentation on why and how the project would be beneficial to the city.
With a substitute motion and three votes, the contract approvals process and some oversight was taken from the Council as the city approved spending $100 million of taxpayer dollars on Capital Improvement Projects through 2032.
It’s not often that a movie suddenly comes to life.
Even better, when an iconic war hero comes to town to appear on stage, joined by his band of brothers, all heroes of the deep, to share first-hand stories of courage and gumption.
The Bay Theatre is presenting a Star-Spangled Submarine Salute for Friday, July 4, and it will feature the classic submarine war movie “The Hunt For Red October,” starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin.
The movie will be followed by a panel discussion of real-life submariner experiences with U.S. Navy veteran submariners. According to organizer Dr. Darin Detwiler, a Seal Beach Navy veteran and a submariner himself, “it promises to be a memorable night.”
Bill Dillon during World War II. Courtesy photo
The panel will feature a man who is not only 101 years old and served aboard the U.S.S. Starfish in WWII. Radioman First Class William “Bill” Dillion was manning his battle station when the Starfish sent the Japanese aircraft carrier Chukyo to the bottom of the Pacific in late 1943.
Dillion later wrote “Strike of the Sailfish,” a bestselling book about his submarine experiences in WWII. Dillion has been featured at Dodger Stadium, the Reagan Library, and he traveled back to the D-Day ceremony with actor Dennis Quaid. In addition to Dillion, Detwiler said Ron Jones, a sonar technician who taught actor Courtney D. Vance all about sonars for his role in “Red October,” will also be among the panelists after the movie.
No joke, he said, Vance’s character in the movie was named Ronald “Jonesy” Jones. He said Jones has vivid memories of making the movie and teaching the cast about subs.Participants should arrive early, said Detwiler. Doors open at 4 p.m., the movie begins at 5 p.m. and the Question-and-Answer panel discussion will begin after a 15-minute intermission.
Detwiler, who also organizes Memorial Day tributes as the U.S. Submarine Memorial in Seal Beach, said there are about 100 submariners from all walks of life belong to the local chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.
Dillon with actor and activist Gary Sinise at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Courtesy photo
Detwiler said he handles the Los Angeles/Pasadena chapter, named for the cities of the same names but for the U.S. submarines.The USSVI mission is to perpetuate the memory of submariners who died in service to their country, foster camaraderie among submariners, and educate the public about the role and sacrifices of the Submarine Force, he said.
USSVI also works to strengthen the U.S. Submarine Force and honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who served. “This event has been in the works for almost a year,” he said, thanking Ben Ahle and Paul Dunlap from the Bay Theatre, who were open to the idea.
Ahle said in a brief interview that this is exactly the type of community engagement they are seeking as the newly renovated Bay Theatre charts a course for impact in the community.
The United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. is an organization created by a group from the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II.
The local USSVI group is the caretaker of the WWII Submarine Veterans Memorial in Seal Beach. Detwiler, who is an author and professor, said he will act as the “executive officer” to moderate what promises to be a unique discussion.
The submarine crew is expected to spill the secrets about living under the deep blue sea in service to our nation While all the submariners are heroes, he said, having Dillion at the event is a rare treat for the community and the nation.
Born in 1924, Bill Dillon was just 17 when he joined the U.S. Navy. It was a time when war loomed heavy across the globe, and young men signed up not just for duty, but for something deeper: a sense of purpose. Bill found his aboard a submarine- a steel beast of the sea: the USS Sailfish, according to USSVI info.
Dilon today with a photo of himself during World War III. Courtesy photo
But the Sailfish had already lived a lifetime. Originally commissioned as the Squalus, she had sunk during a test dive in 1939, killing 26 sailors. The Navy refused to let her story end in silence.
The Submarine was raised from the depths, renamed, and recommissioned. It’s fitting, then, that a man like Bill—resilient, quiet, and steady—would serve aboard a submarine that had already defied death, the info noted.
As a Radioman, Bill was the ears of the Sailfish, listening, decoding, and transmitting the messages that guided missions and saved lives. He was there during one of the war’s most dramatic naval actions: the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Chuyo on December 4, 1943.
What makes that mission especially haunting is what no one aboard the Sailfish knew at the time: the Chuyo was carrying American prisoners of war – men from the USS Sculpin, another submarine lost in battle. Of the 21 POWs onboard, only one survived.
It’s the kind of tragedy that could haunt a crew, but the war did not allow for stillness. Bill and the Sailfish pressed on, rescuing 12 downed American pilots off the coast of Formosa (modern-day Taiwan), braving the risks of surfacing in hostile waters to bring fellow servicemen home.
For these actions and more, the Sailfish earned nine battle stars and the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation. But for Bill, it was never about medals, it was about doing the job right and bringing the crew back alive.
When the war ended, Bill’s story didn’t. He returned stateside and earned his degree from the University of Florida, then went on to lend his talents to one of America’s boldest frontiers: the early space program. While the details of that chapter remain quieter, it’s safe to say the man who once listened for enemy signals beneath the Pacific helped launch a nation skyward.
Bill turned 100 in 2024 and marked the milestone in grand style. He stood as the “Hero of the Game” at Dodger Stadium on his birthday, September 6, honored by a crowd who may not have known his story—but certainly felt his presence. Detwiler said the submarine heroes will ride in the Huntington Beach Independence Day Parade earlier in the day but will be back at the Bay Theatre for when doors open at 4 p.m.
Dillion, Jones, Detwiler, Connery, Vance and many more on a Star Spangled Submarine night at the Bay Theatre July 4. A movie and the men of valor on stage whose very story was told. Tickets are available on the Bay Theatre website or at the door.
Even on the way to work, he loves his life and the unique small business he has built.
“I really feel good every time I come to work and open the door,” says Fuller. “I’m always reflecting on what a beautiful place we live in. We are super fortunate,” he says.
Fuller is the proud proprietor of Sunset Beach Music, an eclectic music store that buys, sells and trades old-fashioned TLC with a little bit of music magic mixed in.
Fuller said his tiny music store is a family affair, a place where work and life have become almost inseparable. “I’m even here on my days off too, because I just, you know, enjoy it. My wife Farrah even shows up here because we sit and enjoy. We love the place,” says Fuller.
In a time when some small businesses are struggling to find relevance, he’s used old-school charm and vintage instruments to thrive.
After more than a year of conversion, Fuller and his small cadre of friends and family have only recently completed the renovation of a much larger room next to his existing location that has tripled the physical size of his shop.
Sunset Beach Music is a tiny building with a guitar on the roof on Pacific Coast Highway. In an interview with the ENE this week, Fuller says he remembers when he and his son Richie crated the rooftop guitar out of wood and then erected it on the roof.
They decided to move the business from a different location in Sunset Beach.
Courtesy photo Sunset Beach Music owner Billy Fuller adjusts the electric guitars on the wall of the newly expanded section of his small store that he, along with friends and family, have completely renovated.
Fifteen years ago, when Fuller first moved into the micro-sized wooden building that once served as a shack for oilfield workers at the turn of the century, he had also tried to get the larger one next door.
“I’ve even talked to people who once lived here,” he says of the oil-field quarters turned local business.
“This one (new building) got taken when I first moved in,” says Fuller, proudly standing in his new renovated addition. “The gentleman was able to get this place, so I moved in next door and started giving lessons.”
So when it finally became available more than a year ago, Fuller rushed to sign a lease with the much larger building from his original location, separated only by a wooden deck.
His new addition even has a small, wooden porch over Huntington Harbor, giving Fuller the chance to fish when business gets slow.
“I had friends helping and family members that were helping me get it dialed in and it’s finally done,” says Fuller, like a shopkeeper of old. “Everyone just loves it,” he beams, “when they walk in and the first thing they say, almost every time, is ‘wow, what a good vibe.’
“I’m always reflecting on how lucky fortunate we are to have a business like this,” he added.
Now, his selection of guitars is highlighted by track lighting along with a slender new addition, with double rows of acoustic guitars hanging on one end, with a transition to double rows of electric guitars on the other.
Other instruments and amplifiers dot the floor across the floor to create a magic array of musical equipment that now welcomes its long-term customers.
There are some new guitars, but most are what Fuller terms “vintage” pieces. He even offers older, tube-based analog amps that create a sound that some musicians still swear by, even though he does offer the most modern equipment as well.
He says buying a good guitar is hard to do by mail order, and most of his customers “are open-minded. They’re not demanding a discount on something; they come in and really appreciate your advice and your help.” According to Fuller, no two guitars are alike, even those that are built in an identical production line, each guitar is unique, with some better than others.
“Identical guitars may not look very different, and they can look good, but they don’t sound good,” said Fuller. “It could be the same model, even ten of the same models could all sound and play it differently based on how they were put together,” he said.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of working parts, pieces of wood, etc., that all depend on each other to produce a sound, so even identical manufacturing can produce a much different sound.
Customers are surprised his new shop is as big as it is and has as much nice stuff.
“We carry a lot of vintage stuff so that’s what’s different about this store also besides the service,” said Fuller. “Musicians who are professionals also like to play instruments once played by their heroes 40 years ago, when guitars were made well, so people come hunting for that stuff,” he said.
“If you’re just starting and you want a brand-new expensive guitar, you could order that on Amazon,” he said, while most of his customers prefer to come into the shop to find a good quality guitar.
He said musicians are an amazing group of people. “Ninety-nine percent of them are super cool people and the old ones want to share what they know with the young ones,” he said.
Accordingly, there are few “quick” trips to Sunset Beach music, and people linger and savor the environment, free to grab an instrument or talk with other customers, the way Fuller says small businesses are meant to be.
Now, the tiny building that rooted his music shop into the fabric of Sunset Beach is used for music lessons, while the new expansion sports an impressive array of vintage and new musical equipment for sale.
Fuller says he went into business as a naïve young man, and at a time when the real estate bubble had driven others away. “I was able to buy the stock from other music stores going out of business, and that’s how I got my start. “I’m kind of naive, but I jumped in,” he said, opening the “quirky” little shop.
Almost to his amazement, “customers magically appeared,” and his customer base has only grown for the past fifteen years.
For Fuller, his dedication to “local” has never waned. He knows what his customers want and it is not buying musical knowledge by mail order or from overnight delivery.
“So many things nowadays are available online and at big box stores,” says Fuller, but whenever possible, he supports other small businesses, like his favorite hardware store.
“I prefer dealing with our local hardware store, which is like my favorite hardware store like Bay Hardware on Main Street in Seal Beach or your local little restaurant you know it’s just it’s so much nicer to do business with them when they’re supporting the community and that money stays in the community,” he said.
Billy plays the bass guitar but knows enough about music to carve out some music for every instrument he sells. Most of all, he sells himself and his sincere concern for every customer.
Fuller said he never lost sight of a wise old saying, “Never forget there is UNITY in community.” As another old adage suggests, it’s hard to argue with success. Fuller has found the formula. No, better yet, he lives by his formula of success.
“Every time I crack open the gates, turn on the lights, and start playing music in the shop, I’m always reflecting on how lucky and fortunate I am to have a business like this,” he says. It is indeed a rare day when Billy Fuller doesn’t crack a smile.
The wait is over. Southern California’s most anticipated art events return this summer, bringing a season of creativity, culture, and unforgettable experiences to Laguna Beach. The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show opens Tuesday, July 2, 2025 followed by the premiere of this year’s all-new Pageant of the Masters production, Gold Coast: Treasures of California, on Friday, July 5.
Together, these two iconic events transform Laguna Beach into the ultimate summer destination—welcoming visitors from around the world to explore exceptional artwork, enjoy daily live music, take part in hands-on activities, and witness the Pageant’s legendary theatrical illusions under the stars.
“This summer is shaping up to be one of our most unforgettable yet,” said Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing/PR for Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. “Over the course of two months, visitors can explore the work of talented local artists at the Festival, and in the evening, journey through California’s most iconic museums and cultural landmarks through the magic of the Pageant’s living pictures. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t find anywhere else.”
From July 2 through August 30, the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show will showcase over 100 of Orange County’s most accomplished visual artists—including 16 first-time exhibitors—in a juried exhibition of original works ranging from painting and sculpture to photography, ceramics, and jewelry. Many are award-winning artists at the top of their field, offering an extraordinary range of styles and perspectives. All artwork is available for purchase, making the Festival a must-visit for collectors and art lovers alike. Visitors can meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and experience firsthand the very best of Southern California’s art scene.
Festival of the Arts brings the work of great artists and craftsmen to the Pageant and has become a summer classic. Photo by Kyle Fierro
The Festival will also present a robust lineup of special events, including the all-new Battle of the Arts, the return of annual favorites like Family Art Day and the ever-popular Festival Runway Fashion Show. Daily live music performances, sponsored by City of Hope Orange County and Yamaha, will feature an exciting mix of genres, with new themed series debuting this summer—Southern Nights: Country & Blues, Soulful Sundays, and more.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents American Ballet Theatre’s Giselle this July, marking ABT’s first Orange County summer engagement in over 15 years.
With choreography after Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa and music by Adolphe Adam, and staged by Kevin McKenzie, America’s National Ballet Company® will give five performances of the beloved classic from July 24 – 27, 2025. Tickets are on sale now at scfta.org.
A ballet in two acts, Giselle masterfully conveys the heartbreaking story of unrequited love, devasting loss, and triumphant forgiveness.
A heart-wrenching saga of love and mercy, Giselle tells the story of a young peasant maiden in love with a handsome villager named Albrecht.
What Giselle does not know is that her new paramour is a young nobleman in disguise and is already betrothed to another. When the truth is revealed, she dies of a broken heart but ultimately returns from the grave to forgive her lover and save him from a vengeful death by the forest-dwelling Wilis.
In this universally acclaimed production, ABT’s unrivaled roster of international ballet stars brings Giselle’s mystery and ethereal beauty to vivid life.
For The New York Times, Alastair Macaulay wrote “Onstage love, death and dance all come together in an engrossingly beautiful vortex … this one still takes us deep into the classically Romantic heart of what ballet itself is all about. [This is ABT’s] best production of a 19th century ballet classic.”
The world premiere of Giselle, one of the oldest continually performed ballets, occurred at the Theatre de l’Academie Royale de Musique in Paris on June 28, 1841, danced by Carlotta Grisi as Giselle and Lucien Petipa as Albrecht.
This ballet is in the repertoire of almost all of the major ballet companies in the world and was first presented by American Ballet Theatre (then Ballet Theatre) at the Center Theatre in New York City on January 12, 1940 with choreography by Anton Dolin and scenery and costumes by Lucinda Ballard.
The leading roles were danced by Annabelle Lyon and Anton Dolin.
American Ballet Theatre’s second production of Giselle occurred on October 15, 1946 at the Broadway Theatre with choreography by Dimitri Romanoff and scenery and costumes by Eugene Berman. The leading roles were danced by Alicia Alonso and Igor Youskevitch.
The third production of Giselle, directed by David Blair, received its first performance at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, Washington, D. C. on July 4, 1968 with scenery by Oliver Smith and costumes by Peter Hall.
The leading roles were performed by Lupe Serrano as Giselle and Royes Fernandez as Albrecht.
The production’s New York City premiere was given at the Metropolitan Opera House on July 10, 1968 with the same cast. Using the Smith/Hall scenery and costumes, Mikhail Baryshnikov staged both the fourth and fifth productions of Giselle for ABT after choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa.
The first premiered at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC on December 16, 1980, with Marianna Tcherkassky as Giselle and Baryshnikov himself as Albrecht; while the second, which featured additional staging by John Taras and Elena Tchernichova, received its first performance at the Filene Theatre at Wolf Trap Farm in Vienna, Virginia on Aug. 28, 1985, danced by Miss Tcherkassky and Fernando Bujones.
American Ballet Theatre’s sixth production featuring scenery by Gianni Quaranta and costumes by Anna Anni, was created for the film Dancers, produced in 1987 by Cannon Films.
The film incorporates Giselle into its storyline.
This production’s first public performance was given on March 20, 1987 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, with Miss Tcherkassky as Giselle and Kevin McKenzie as Albrecht. The current staging is by Kevin McKenzie, using the Quaranta and Anni designs.
For tickets, Phone – Monday – Friday 10am to 5pm (714) 556-2787, Oline – SCFTA.org Group Sales – (714) 755-0236. More info, visit scfta.org.
The Emperors, a local band that performs mostly ‘70s and ‘80s rock and pop, will be the headline band at the next Rossmoor Family Festival on July 12 at Rush Park. The Emperors (with other similar names) have been performing and recording music since the ‘70s, when they saw some moderate success on the charts and toured the USA and Japan. Though going through some member changes, the core group remains together and have become a popular classic rock band in and around Orange County during the summer concert season. For more on the band visit emperorrocks.com.
Early Saturday morning, Los Alamitos residents who live next to the Joint Forces Training Base woke up to the sounds of National Guard service members participating in drills, learning techniques they will presumably need on the streets of southern California.
In a federally authorized effort that reportedly includes approximately 4,000 National Guard troops and 500 U.S. Marines, the base has become the hub of an ongoing effort to round up undocumented aliens and deport them.
Accordingly, the “federalized” effort has since put the base in lockdown mode, as routine access to non-military personnel is no longer authorized, according to U.S. Army public affairs
“Due to the current force protection posture, base officials made the decision to limit base access,” she said to Event News Enterprise in an email. In addition, since the email, National Guard forces along with other armed forces and key installations have been placed on high alert since the bombings in Iran.
The entire, massive base, property, and the majority of structures that sit on it, is owned by the federal government, even if an ongoing agreement with state officials allows the California National Guard to command the base.
In addition, she said that while 40th Infantry Division Brigadier General Robert Paoletti is currently in command of the base, he is simply “covering the duties as base commander in Lt. Col. Fox’s absence, who is traveling.” Sources say Lt. Col. Fox is expected to be back on base in the next couple of weeks.
Photo by Stephen Lam, used by ENE with permission of the San Francisco Chronicle Temporary structures, part of the deployment of California Army National Guards and United States Marine Corps by President Donald Trump to Los Angeles in response to the protests against Federal immigration raids, are seen at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos in Los Alamitos, Calif., Friday, June 20, 2025.
In a brief telephone interview this week with Lt. Col. Fox, who was visiting the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania, he confirmed the changes ongoing at the base and said the base transformation will likely stay in place for the “foreseeable future.”
Col. Smith, in her email, confirmed Lt. Col. Fox’s assertion.
“We will be here until the conclusion of the mission which was originally slated for 60 days,” she said.
Moreover, Lt. Col. Fox said he remains the commander of the base and plans to return in a few weeks.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen Scott M. Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, visits troops and assesses operations along with the command teams of 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 49th Military Police Brigade in Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, Calif., June 25, 2025. U.S. Northern Command is supporting federal agencies by providing military forces to protect federal functions, personnel, and property in the greater Los Angeles area. On June 7, the Secretary of Defense directed USNORTHCOM to establish Task Force 51 to oversee Title 10 forces supporting this mission. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Chase Murray)
Meanwhile, the city’s traditional fireworks display on the base, which drew a record 12,000 spectators last year, has become a casualty of sorts, as the limited access will not permit visitors on the base.
The City of Los Alamitos, meanwhile, issued a statement acknowledging the base’s temporary transformation’s limited access, saying the fireworks display will go on, but only as a livestream.In addition, visitors to JFTB before the lockdown said they saw thousands of troops and military vehicles on the base, including vehicles labeled as the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
It is not known if ICE agents are among those who have moved onto the base as the deployment continues, while massive white structures and temporary buildings have been constructed on portions of the base that parallel residential streets of Los Alamitos.
Soldiers with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, California Army National Guard, detain and escort a Soldier in the role of an aggressive demonstrator during training on riot and crowd control techniques at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, California, June 22, 2025. U.S. Northern Command is supporting federal agencies by providing military forces to protect federal functions, personnel, and property in the greater Los Angeles area. On June 7, the Secretary of Defense directed USNORTHCOM to establish Task Force 51 to oversee Title 10 forces supporting this mission. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)
While ENE was not allowed on the base to take photos, portions of the new construction are visible from some of the public streets adjacent to the new construction.
On Saturday, troops were visible from this vantage point, practicing drills in formation. While there are 4,000 California National Guard troops involved with the deployment, it was not disclosed how many of them are currently living on the base.
The 500 U.S. Marines assigned to the deployment reportedly trained nearby at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.
Meanwhile, citizens, businesses, and nonprofit organizations have reacted to the round-up in a variety of ways, quickly assembling a variety of methods, including a major workshop, to explain individuals’ rights to citizens.
The Cypress City Council agreed over the mayor’s objection to approve the highest-cost option for renovating the executive conference room, while discussions continue around the timeline for upgrading aging playground equipment across city parks.
Mayor David Burke disagreed with funding for the measure, suggesting the conference room should not take priority over new playground equipment for kids.
He said the extra $85,000 for the raised ceiling could have been used to provide sunshades for residents at city parks. The workshop was held to debate two options for conference room renovations.
There are no formal votes taken at workshops, which are covered by audio recordings only.
The executive board at city hall is rarely used or visited by the public, it is mostly used for executive sessions of the Council and staff where the public is excluded. Even when the public is allowed to participate in “workshops” held in the room, there is limited or no seating provided.
The more expensive option includes raising the ceiling height of the room, adding wood accents and floor-to-ceiling cabinets for storage. The council majority voted for this option while excluding the addition of the larger cabinets in order to save costs.
The raising of the ceiling alone adds an estimated $85,000 to the cost of the renovations, to which the Mayor specifically objected, according to an audio recording of the workshop.
Burke in the workshop spoke out in opposition to the increased spending for the conference room due to there being higher priority items for residents.
“I understand that is not the way the wind is blowing because this is a room of people who use this room. I’m not comfortable going that amount for something I don’t think is essential when talking about another $80,000,” Burke said.
Burke later proposed in the official council meeting to get park renovations on the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year after it was previously pushed to 2026-27. Burke mentioned Cypress playground equipment is past its average shelf life of 15 years, a majority of the equipment being 17 or 22 years old.
Burke provided photographs to the rest of the council of one of the oldest Cypress parks, Maple Park North which showed signs of aging and cracking.
“We’re fortunate to be in a city like Cypress, where we have good financial management overall, and we have resources to dedicate to improving our parks like this. I think we should do it a little more rapidly than replacing them every quarter century,” Burke said.
Council member Scott Minikus commented about concern over the budget saying, “we’re gonna have to give something up to give something back. So how do we determine what we don’t do to shift the money towards the playground equipment?”
Frances Marquez, former Cypress city councilmember, made various public comments during the following June 9 session where she expressed concern over the safety of city park slides. Marquez recounted going to Maple Park North after the previous council meeting and discovering a gaping crack at the top of the slide.
“When I pushed the piece of plastic down, I thought a little kid’s leg could stick in there and they could go forward on the slide. So I hope you reconsider and just please make it a priority. The residents are the priority,” Marquez said.
Others in attendance for public comment were inspired by Marquez’s impassioned plea and advocated in support of park renovations on top of their planned comments.
Bob Youngsma, a longtime Cypress resident, briefly spoke in favor of updating park equipment after stating parks are usually not a priority to him.
“We don’t need to build a Taj Mahal or a fancy office before we take care of safety and the parks,” Youngsma said.
The final renovation to the conference room voted on by the council, minus the floor-to-ceiling cabinets will cost taxpayers approximately $575,000, city officials said during the workshop.
The Los Alamitos Unified School District has acknowledged at their most recent meetings that student enrollment could drop significantly in the next few years.
At their most recent meeting, the Los Al Unified Board of Trustees learned that the district could lose as many as 800 students in the next four years, even if the local decline is projected to be less severe than in other parts of the state. With an ongoing budget of more than $100 million, Assistant Supt. for Business Services Elvia Schnur told the board that while the district was expected to see a decline in students at some levels, increases at the transitional kindergarten level could mitigate the decline.
While the decline seems to be less than expected using current projections, the district expects a significant drop in the next few years.
“So we can expect to see a decline of about 800 students in the next four years,” asked Board Trustee Diana Hill. “Yes,” the Assistant Supt. said.
School districts across the state receive the bulk of their funding based on various classifications of students enrolled, including $10,025 each per TK-3rd grade student, $10,177 for each 4th- 5th grade student, $10,478 for each 7th and 8th grade student and $12,144 for each high school student.
In addition, the district receives a variety of additional funding for such things as transportation, special education, etc. During Schnur’s presentation, she provided the board with a detailed look at their financial budget for next year, which she said was only slightly less than the current year.
In addition, District Superintendent Dr. Andrew Pulver told the board that in anticipation of the declining enrollment, more than 40 teachers had taken advantage of a supplemental (early) retirement plan offered by the district.
“As you heard, and as you are well aware, we did offer this year an early supplemental retirement incentive to help us with our declining enrollment,” said Pulver. “We had 40 of our individual employees take advantage of this, so this is a bigger year for retirement than we’ve had in the past,” he said.
“I do think it is important to recognize the numerous employees that have given years of service to us,” the superintendent said, while clicking through a slide show showing photos of the retiring employees, which included their years of service in education, acknowledging that some of those years may not have been with Los Al Unified.
“I’m proud to recognize their years of service from these certificated and classified employees, who worked from our pre-school to our district office, to our elementary and middle schools. we are losing these individuals who have given so much heart and passion to our families and our students,” said Pulver.
“We are proud to recognize the exceptional service these retirees have given to our community,” the superintendent said. “They have been woven into the fabric of our district culture,” he said.
In all, he said the retiring employees had given 1,246 years of service to the profession.
Residents who were hoping to drag their ice chests onto the base at Joint Forces Training Base to enjoy the annual fireworks display should make sure the broadband bill is paid as the City of Los Alamitos has announced a change in this year’s plan.
Due to the current JFTB military lockdown, the base has become a hub of activity, and base commander Lt. Col. Dan Fox said, “for the foreseeable future,” non-military visitors will not be allowed on base, thus forcing the city to change directions.
Enjoying a celebratory firework display at the military base has become an annual tradition for residents and a patriotic way to honor the nation’s Independence.
According to city officials, crowd estimates for last year’s fireworks display exceeded 12,000 visitors on the base. While visitors are not allowed on the base this year, the City nonetheless said the fireworks celebration will go on, even if in a virtual way.
“Due to ongoing military operations occurring at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base (JFTB), civilian activities and events on Base have been temporarily paused,” said the statement issued by the city.
“Access to the Base has been limited to mission-critical personnel only. Unfortunately, this will impact the upcoming UWS 3rd of July Fireworks Spectacular event, resulting in an alternative event format,” it continued.
“The fireworks display will take place,” it said, “and live streamed via the City’s social media platforms at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025. No public will be allowed on the installation to view the fireworks display,” it said.
“The City of Los Alamitos and its 3rd of July sponsors and partners wish the community a happy and safe Independence Day,” the statement continued.
For additional information, residents are asked to contact the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services artment at (562) 430-1073.
2ND & PCH, Long Beach’s premier waterfront destination, invites the community to dive into a season of sunshine and celebration with its highly anticipated Beachside Beats Fest, Movies & Moonlight and PCH Explorer Kids Clubs, creating a lively lineup of free outdoor concerts, movie nights, and kid-friendly activities perfect for the whole family.
Guests are invited to listen to vibrant tunes at the outdoor concerts, free and open to the public. Between 5 – 8 p.m., concert-goers can look forward to the following schedule: Beachside Beats Vibes – More intimate summer performances at the Grand Staircase:
Thursday, July 31 – Yacht Rock night with Browndition
Thursday, August 21 – RnB Night with Turn Tables
Thursday, September 24 – Boyband tribute with 3 of a Kind Beachside Beats Fest – High-energy concerts celebrating music and culture on the mainstage on Seaport Way:
Thursday, July 17 – Manuel the Band
Thursday, August 14 – Prince Tribute by The Purple Generation
Thursday, September 18 – Salsa Night The center’s free outdoor movie series, Movies & Moonlight, returns with exciting family-friendly entertainment. Self-seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to bring their own, low-profile lawn chairs and blankets and pets are welcome, but must remain leashed. From 6 – 10 p.m., guests can head to the following features:
Friday, July 11 – The Wild Robot
Friday, August 22 – Moana 2
Designed for little ones and their families, the PCH Explorer Kids Club series returns with interactive entertainment and themed activities throughout the summer. Programming is free and open to the public, offering a fun and creative way to engage with the community. Events run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grand Staircase, including:
Tuesday, July 1 – Red, White, and Blue Bash
Tuesday, July 15 – Dino Discovery Day
Tuesday, July 29 – Summer Luau with Special Character Appearances
Tuesday, August 5 – Radical Reptiles and Animal Safari
Tuesday, August 19 – Nike Fitness Club for Kids
Wednesday, August 20 – Under The Sea Adventure
2ND & PCH welcomes guests to enjoy various restaurants, retailers, and specialty services within the center before, during, or after events. For more information on events and a complete list of tenants, visit 2ndandpch.com or interact via Instagram or Facebook.
The Pageant of the Masters, one of SoCal’s finest traditions, has developed into an overall Festival of the Arts and is scheduled for July 2-5.
Highlights include opening day for the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show (July 2nd) and opening night for the Pageant of the Masters (July 5th), as well as, Workshops at the Festival Art Center, Tribute Wednesdays Music Series with Pretzel Logic – A Tribute to Steely Dan (July 2nd), Event: Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate with The Amanda Castro Band (July 3), Youth Art Classes: 3D Trees and Teen and Adult Art Classes: Ceramics Platter (July 5), and more. Please let us know if you have any interest in covering or attending any of the below workshops and events.
Step into the vibrant open-air art scene at the Festival of Arts, an acclaimed juried fine art show featuring over 100 award-winning artists from Orange County. Explore a diverse range of art styles and mediums—from stunning paintings and unique ceramics to eye-catching glass and photography— all available for purchase straight from the artists themselves.
Beyond the art, enjoy live art demos, music performances, art classes, special events, and more—perfect for collectors and casual visitors alike! Plus, it’s just a few blocks from the beach and regularly ranked as one of the top things to do in Orange County. The Festival of Arts is sponsored by Volvo Cars, City of Hope Orange County, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, and KOST Radio 103.5.
Here is a schedule of events. Date: July 2 thru August 29 Time: Monday thru Thursday 4:00 – 8:00pm, Friday thru Sunday 12noon – 8:00pm Cost: Free with Festival admission, additional fee applies to ceramics Information: https://www.foapom.com/summer-art-show/art-workshops-lectures/
Event: Workshops at the Festival Art Center Drop by the Festival’s Art Center and create your own masterpiece with ceramics, printmaking, and multimedia art. The Art Center, sponsored by Bank of America, is open daily- Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8pm, and Friday through Sunday from 12noon to 8pm. Please note it will be closed on Saturday, August 23, 2025. For groups of six or more, contact artcenter@foapom.com.
Date: July 5 thru August 29, 2025 Time: 8:30 – 10:30pm Cost: Ticket prices vary, see website Information: https://www.foapom.com/pageant-of-the-masters/
Event: Pageant of the Masters “Gold Coast: Treasures of California” Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience with the 2025 Pageant of the Masters, “Gold Coast: Treasures of California.” This epic show takes you on an unforgettable journey along California’s coast, showcasing masterpieces from world-class museums like the Getty, LACMA, Laguna Art Museum, De Young, Timken Museum of Art, and more, plus iconic monuments from some of the state’s most famous cities. With living pictures, original music, and captivating storytelling, the Pageant brings California’s rich legacy to life in a way you won’t want to miss. Highlights include Edgar Degas’ “Little Dancer, Aged Fourteen” from the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and Millard Sheets’ “Pleasures Along the Beach” from the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University. Performances run nightly from July 5 to August 29, 2025. The Pageant of the Masters is sponsored by Volvo Cars, City of Hope Orange County, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, and KOST Radio 103.5.
Nightly Music Schedule Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm Cost: Guaranteed seating is available by purchasing a ticket in the reserved section (“Nightclub” VIP seating). This ticket includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the concert. Limited free seating is available for each concert with $10 Festival Admission. Information: https://www.foapom.com/event/pretzel-logic-steely-dan-tribute/
Event: Tribute Wednesdays Music Series with Pretzel Logic – A Tribute to Steely Dan Need a midweek boost? Wednesday nights at the Festival of Arts are the perfect way to recharge with great music and good vibes! Tribute Wednesdays spotlight Southern California’s top tribute bands, celebrating iconic artists with high-energy performances that will have you singing along and dancing in your seat. On Wednesday, July 2, enjoy the music of Pretzel Logic – A Tribute to Steely Dan. Founded by keyboardist Steve Chernove in 2002, Pretzel Logic – A Steely Dan Revue is entering its third decade of entertaining audiences. Featuring three vocalists, three horns, and a dynamic five-piece rhythm section, the band performs over 70 Steely Dan songs at festivals, clubs, theaters, and private events across Southern California and Las Vegas. With rotating top-tier musicians, Fagen-style vocals, and a grooving jazz sound, Pretzel Logic captures Steely Dan’s essence with unmatched authenticity. Audiences leave shows energized, amazed, and humming the tunes that bring back memories of radio days and younger times. Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025 Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm Cost: $30 for wine and chocolate flight in addition to $10 Festival admission. Guaranteed seating is available by purchasing a ticket in the reserved section (“Nightclub” VIP seating). This ticket includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the concert. Limited free seating is available for each concert. Must be 21 and over to participate in wine tastings. Information: www.foapom.com/events-mmm/art-jazz-wine-chocolate
Event: Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate with The Amanda Castro Band Chocolate, wine, and all that jazz sweetens up the Festival of Arts this summer! On Thursday nights, indulge your senses at the “Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate” series, sponsored by Charles Schwab and Cambria Estate Winery. Sample a wide variety of wines specially selected and paired with organic, gourmet chocolates. The Festival’s casual and classy outdoor setting, together with the soulful sounds of jazz surrounded by fine art, creates an ideal evening for friends, sweethearts, and family. On Wednesday, July 2, enjoy the music of The Amanda Castro Band. Jazz singer Amanda Castro is dazzling audiences across Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond with her rich voice, charisma, and vintage-meets-modern style. Blending vintage jazz, New Orleans jazz, swing, and pop, she creates a fresh musical experience. Amanda has performed with Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval and for clients like the Seattle Seahawks, Toyota, and J Vineyards. Her band features top Southern California musicians who also perform at Disneyland and with major artists. They appear regularly at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen and Herb Alpert’s Vibrato. Amanda releases monthly YouTube videos and has over 400,000 views and a growing global fanbase. Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 Time: 1 – 2:30pm Cost: Guaranteed seating is available by purchasing a ticket in the reserved section (“Nightclub” VIP seating). This ticket includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the concert. Limited free seating is available for each concert with $15 Festival Admission. Information: www.foapom.com/events/concerts-on-the-green
Event: Concerts on the Green with Brian Bromberg & Friends Award-winning musicians perform live at the Festival of Arts Saturday afternoons at the Festival of Arts. Groove to the sounds of these living legends in a casual outdoor gallery setting that offers a memorable and unique concert experience unmatched in Southern California. The Festival of Arts continues to build on its nationally and critically acclaimed reputation as one of the finest outdoor art venues. On Saturday, July 5, enjoy the music of Brian Bromberg & Friends. Grammy®-nominated bassist and composer Brian Bromberg is one of jazz’s most innovative and versatile voices. With a career spanning over 40 years and more than 20 solo albums, he blends acoustic jazz, fusion, funk, Latin, and orchestral styles with signature virtuosity. Bromberg has collaborated with legends like Stan Getz, Sting, Herb Alpert, and Arturo Sandoval. Known for his pioneering use of piccolo bass, he redefines the instrument’s role. His chart-topping albums and bold tributes, along with work in film soundtracks and production, showcase his relentless creativity and world-class musicianship. Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 Time: 5:30 – 7:00pm Cost: Guaranteed seating is available by purchasing a ticket in the reserved section (“Nightclub” VIP seating). This ticket includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the concert. Limited free seating is available for each concert with $15 Festival Admission. Information: www.foapom.com/events-mmm/tribute-saturdays
Event: Tribute Saturdays Music Series with The Eagles Allstars Relive the soundtrack of your favorite decades at the Festival of Arts’ Tribute Saturdays! Featuring top-tier tribute bands from across Southern California, these performances bring iconic songs and performers to life delivering timeless hits and big energy on the Festival’s outdoor stage. Join us for an unforgettable evening with “The Eagles Allstars,” a premier Eagles tribute band hailing from Southern California, the birthplace of the original Eagles. Led by the talented David Logeman, this four-piece ensemble features top-tier singers and musicians who have performed alongside members of the Eagles. David has collaborated with all-star musicians from the bands of Timothy B. Schmit (Eagles bassist), Don Felder (original 5th member of the Eagles), and Joe Walsh’s The James Gang. Get ready to be transported through the Eagles’ greatest hits, including “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” “Desperado,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” and many more.
Youth Art Classes Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 Times: 12:30 – 1:30pm Cost: $25 per person, per class Information: www.foapom.com/summer-art-show/art-workshops-lectures/youth-arts-education Youth Art Classes: 3D Trees Branch out and create a 3D paper tree that’s as unique as you are! Kids will have a blast creating their own unique tree, using paper to add depth and texture. It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore creativity and turn a classic art project into something truly special. Join us for this fun class and watch your young student artist’s imagination grow! Classes held in the Festival’s Art Center, presented by Bank of America.
Teen and Adult Art Classes Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 Time: 3 – 5:30pm Cost: $45 fee per person, per class Information: www.foapom.com/summer-art-show/art-workshops-lectures/adult-art-workshops
Teen and Adult Art Classes: Ceramics Platters Create your own display platter with natural patterns and designs! Learn how to use tools and nature to create a one-of-a-kind ceramic artwork. Glazing is an optional next step for your ceramics piece. Come in one week to create the piece and come in the next to add color by glazing it. Ages 13 and up. Classes held in the Festival’s Art Center, presented by Bank of America. For Information & Tickets (800) 487-3378 www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org
The City of Cypress has announced that Hilton has recognized Homewood Suites by Hilton Cypress as the Best New Hotel of 2024 worldwide.
This top distinction recognizes the highest-performing new location across the global Homewood Suites portfolio, the city said in a press release.
Opened in May 2024, the 120-room hotel is the first-ever “Version 10.0” Homewood Suites worldwide, a unique design born during the pandemic to reimagine extended-stay travel.
In its first year, Homewood Suites Cypress has quickly risen to the top, earning high praise from Hilton’s Brand Management team, achieving AAA Three Diamond Status, and receiving the 2024 Business Rate Award of Excellence.
“This award is a tremendous honor for Homewood Suites and for the Cypress community,” said Mayor David Burke. “The hotel’s recognition reflects the strength of our local economy, the appeal of The Square as a destination, and Cypress’ reputation as a fantastic place to live, work, and stay.”
Homewood Suites by Hilton Cypress serves as a cornerstone of The Square, Cypress’ first mixed-use community combining residential living, dining, shopping, medical offices, and public spaces. Made possible via a successful public-private partnership between the City of Cypress and Shea Properties,
The Square transformed a long-vacant 13.3-acre site into a thriving area projected to boost the local economy. Located at 5233 Katella Ave., Homewood Suites by Hilton Cypress is part of Cypress’ growing business momentum. Explore the city’s newest businesses at cypressca.org/businessbuzz.
In a repeat on an event first held at the Bay Theatre in Seal Beach, Lucie Arnaz and local resisent Raji Ahsan has held a similiar event two weeks ago at the famed Paramount Studios theatre in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, June 5, Lucie Arnaz, with her husband Larry Luckinbill, and Ahsan returned to Paramount Studios for Lucie on the Lot: The Dr. Sam Fundraiser. This was the very same lot where Lucie grew up under its Desilu reign, indeed the very same lot where her parents met as contract players at RKO Pictures in 1940, said Ahsan.
Coincidentally, he noted that 2025 is the 75th anniversary of the Desilu company, having incorporated in 1950. Ahsan, a native of Los Al and resident of Seal Beach, co-produced and hosted the event, raising finishing funds for his film Dr. Sam, directed by Danielle Beckmann, featuring Arnaz. Ahsan said ten percent of proceeds were donated to The New Life Beginnings Shelter in Long Beach, CA.
Keith Thibodeaux, I Love Lucy’s Little Ricky, surprised Lucie Arnaz and was invited on stage during the Q&A portion of the program after the documentary film “Lucy & Desi” was shown in the spacious Paramount Studios Theatre.
Lucie asked Keith, point blank, “What was it like being in our home as a child,” having just watched the Lucy & Desi documentary, an intimate portrait of the triumphs and trials of the Ball-Arnaz marriage. Keith answered honestly, “I was always a little scared to go to the Arnaz home,” as he spent weekends and vacations with the Arnaz family.
Lucie Arnaz on at the Paramount Studios theatre. Courtesy photo
Lucie explained the fear that filled the home as her parents would often erupt, seemingly out of nowhere. Lucie turned to the audience and said, “How many of you grew up in homes where your parents would act out?” Many raised their hands proving that, no matter how famous or wealthy you are, we all want one thing: safety. It was a healing evening.
Ahsan is still raising funds for his film. Just $3,100.00 short of completing post production, you can make a tax-deductible donation at rajiahsan.com/sam to support this Seal Beach local.
This coming Sunday from 11 am until 3 pm, Jewish Long Beach opens its doors to the community with a splash to debut its remodeled Mary Alpert Pool. There will be a ribbon-cutting to commemorate the reopening of the pool at 1 pm. The pool renovation began after Labor Day in 2024 and opened for aquatics season this year. Ava Weiss and Erin Cherson of CW Architects supplied the vision for the renovation.
The open house will offer opportunities to enjoy the resort-style pool area featuring lap and recreation swim, a wading pool, adults only hot tub, lounge chairs, cabanas, lawn games, and plenty of tables and chairs to host parties using the built-in grills. As well, people can take tours of the entire facility to see the gym and recreation areas including pickleball and basketball courts, the early childhood education center, and more.
Swim lessons and aquatic recreation classes are very popular at the Center, according to Rachel Roberts, Marketing Manager at Jewish Long Beach. With that popularity comes the responsibility of keeping everyone safe, starting with water safety classes for babies as young as four months old starting in July. The organization has contracted with a management company that supplies lifeguard duties, swim lessons, and enforces safety in and around all the water features.
“Our lifeguards all have StarGuard Elite Certification, known as the leader in risk prevention, we exercise an abundance of caution. Early swim instruction is crucial. After a child reaches eight years old, it is much harder to teach them to swim and a fear of the water might have settled in making it even tougher,” said Bryce Sammons, Aquatics Manager with of Premier Aquatics Services. “We have all of our personnel in ongoing training to constantly improve. We want to make sure all the members here know the rules and that we all need to follow them to keep everyone safe and have a great summer.”
Lifeguard Bryce Simmons with the safety rules.
Each child swimming at the Mary Alpert Pool has to take a swim test, requiring them to be able to swim across the length of the pool, and tread water for 30 seconds. If they don’t pass, they are relegated to a roped-off shallow end of the pool for their safety. “A child taking a swim test is fully supervised and our lifeguards are ready to rescue them if needed,” Sammons said. There will be drawings for prizes including: 6-month free family membership, personal training packages, swim lesson packages, and assfforted summery gift baskets
Refreshments for purchase include Scooters Italian Ice, Falafel Truck, pizza, sweet treats, and mocktails.
What’s known affectionately knowns as “Your Center for Life,” membership at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (Alpert JCC) includes access to a comprehensive fitness center and aquatics center, personal training, multiple exercise classes including yoga, and a variety of low-impact senior friendly classes, including a handful certified by SilverSneakers and Arthritis Foundation, as well as youth and family programs, Jewish life and culture programs, adult education, senior engagement, and more. Business Partnership Programs are available. Centrally located in Long Beach, the Alpert JCC is conveniently off the 405 freeway near the Willow and Lakewood intersection. Parking is free. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://www.jewishlongbeach.org/pool-party
The Alpert JCC is located on the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus and operated by Jewish Long Beach, providing programming for all ages and stages of life. Known as “Your Center for Life,” The Alpert JCC is a gathering space in which all are welcome to pursue early childhood education, after-school programs, fitness programs, aquatics activities, and summer camp, as well as to engage in Jewish life, culture, and education.
