We Love Long Beach!

We Love Long Beach is a community-building organization with a vision to know and serve the people, neighborhoods, and city of Long Beach, California.

Visit them on the web  http://welovelb.org/

Story Time with Author Karen Beil Thursday, March 26th 11:00am

Join Author Karen Beil as she reads from her delightful new picture book Jack’s House and the hilarious Moover Over!

This Thursday at 11:00am Preschooler Story Time

Visit Karen’s web site Here

Have you heard the old story about The House that Jack Built? Most people assume Jack built the house. But one tired pooch disagrees.

Jack’s hard-working, big-truck-driving, hammer-pounding pooch, Max, wants you to know his side of the story in this exciting tell-all tale.

“This book was built for those youngsters with a jones for trucks and other big wheels, and it delivers in spades.”
- Kirkus Reviews

“A wonderful twist on an age-old rhyme. . . . The vehicles that drive up to the site delivering materials and excavating are rugged and tough, appealing to the construction enthusiasts, but the soaring house is the centerpiece of the story, and Max’s care in building it is obvious. This beguiling book will be a hit . . . ”

- School Library Journal

When an obnoxious cow elbows her way on board a crowded trolley, the hard-working driver loses count and his passengers go flying, even the pigs! What’s happening to the passengers? Will they ever get where they’re going?

“Readers will cheer as the ill-mannered bovine gets her comeuppance, and Meisel’s energetic and humorous acrylic illustrations will keep them in stitches as they practice counting by twos.” - School Library Journal

“Meisel’s colorful illustrations fit this tale perfectly, with the sweet facial expressions of the cow lending surprise to her rude behavior. Not only will readers learn to count by twos, they will also learn the words used to describe pairs: duet, couple, twosome, partners . . . in this funny story.” - Kirkus Reviews

All You Can Eat Sushi for Charity

The much anticipated grand opening of Boutique ICE Restaurant and Lounge in Long Beach is scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2009.Thirty percent of the proceeds from the grand opening event will benefit the Stramski Children’s Development Center at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach.

Doors open at 6pm and admission is $35. Guests with paid admission will enjoy various samplings of Sushi and Tapas prepared by Executive Chef Isao. The charity event is hosted by Steel Magnolias Founder, Shirley Wild and Co-Chair Emeritus Jacquie Wetenkamp. Then at 9:00pm, ICE will convert the restaurant into a posh ultra lounge, complete with multiple VIP areas. Special celebrity, Playmate appearances have been arranged by official energy drink partner, Playboy Energy Drink. Live DJs will remix club hits, top 40 and mash ups. Advanced reservations for VIP tables are recommended and there is no cover charge to enter the lounge for guests with VIP table reservations.

Executive Chef ISAO has created several unique and decadent Sushi and Tapas offerings, including their signature ICE Fire Sushi Roll. The grand opening selections served will encompass several items from both the dinner and late night menus. For reservations to the ICE Grand Opening or for VIP table reservations to the Ultra Lounge, contact ICE at 562-495-8200. Website – www.ICELB.com.

About Boutique ICE Restaurant & Lounge ICE Restaurant and Lounge is located at 49 South Pine Avenue on the ground level of the historic Ocean Center Building. ICE Restaurant offers guests a combination of Sushi and Tapas in a decadent, social lounge atmosphere. ICE occupies 7,000 square-feet and the location is a much needed, new high-end restaurant and lounge that bridges the Pine Street scene with the Long Beach Pike. The décor at ICE is all white custom furniture made from Ostrich leather, modularArts® wall panels, cutting-edge LED lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system. ICE was created to attract trendsetting clientele with a distinct style and passion for great food and atmosphere. A key element of the restaurant will be the room made of solid ICE. Currently, only two exist in the United States (Las Vegas and Orlando). Once completed, the ICE lounge will be the only one in California. Guests will be able to enjoy specialty libations inside a room with solid ice walls and ice furniture.

About The Steel Magnolias: Steel Magnolias is a volunteer group established in 1999 with a singular mission to raise funds and to promote goodwill and the public’s awareness of the needs and services of the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s Hospital. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to 50 active members. There is always a waiting list for membership. Eight of the current or past members are past recipients of the prestigious Rick Racker Women of the Year Award. Since its inception, the Steel Magnolias have raised several hundred thousands of dollars for the Stramski Development Center.

Local Author Nancy Johnson

Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 pm

The Medicine Cabinet

Words of Wisdom & Well being for Women

by Johnson and Johnson

This lovely book is intended as an antidote to the erroneous thought that “we are not good enough.” We women are absolutely fabulous and we need to affirm our worthiness daily, nightly, and always. Messages of healing and positive affirmation lead to a true self-concept and more pleasure in living. Healing thoughts, new thoughts, help us remember our passions, power, and prayers for a significant, courageous, happy existence. Cultivating uplifting thoughts is good practice in exercising the mind.

Beautiful photographs accompany thoughtful words. Use this collection of poems and essays as a “meditational tool.” Read and restore yourself in abundance and beauty.

Author Suzanne Selfors & Illustator Catia Chien

Sunday March 29th at 3:00pm

To celebrate the release of their book, Fortune’s Magic Farm, author Suzanne Selfors and illustrator Catia Chien are sponsoring a contest.

WRITERS: In Fortune’s Magic Farm, Isabelle meets people who have secret magical powers. In one page or less, describe the moment when your character discovers that he/she has a magical power.

Winner will receive a basket of books and a $30 gift certificate to Once Upon a Story.

ARTISTS: In Fortune’s Magic Farm, Isabelle encounters magical plants with powers to cure sickness and to make people fly. Draw or paint a picture of your own magical plant.

Winner will receive a basket of art supplies and a $30 gift certificate to Once Upon a Story.

Deadline to enter is March 25th. Drop entries at Once Upon a Story.

Winners announced on Sunday, March 29th, 3pm

Once Upon a Story

3740 E 4th street, Long Beach, CA

562 673-5777

Come and meet Suzanne and Catia!

Monsters Go Away!

Monster Go Away! All Natural Spray

All natural & formulated with organic essential oils

Monster Go Away! spray is a real solution for children troubled by “monsters”. Our spray is formulated with therapeutic grade organic essential oils and is gentle for children’s use. Our Monster spray synergistically soothes the central nervous system enabling children to relax and fall to sleep. At bedtime children spray where ‘monsters’ may lurk- under the bed, in the closet, all about the room. The psychology of spraying monsters away coupled with the aromatic physiological benefits empowers children to take control of their fears.

Dallas Clayton Local Writer / Artist Visit

This Sunday March 15th at 2:00PM

Based on the simple concept of dreaming big “An Awesome Book” is the inspiring debut work of Los Angeles writer/artist Dallas Clayton. Written in the vein of classic tales by Dr. Suess, Shel Silverstein, and Maurice Sendak it is a sure hit for all generations young and old.

Children’s Choice Book Awards

Ad the award goes to…The Children’s Book Council has unveiled the finalists for its second-annual Children’s Choice Book Awards based on votes from kids from around the country who nominated their favorite book, author, and illustrator.

Some 15,000 children cast their ballots for best books in six categories—four based on age group, as well as favorite author and illustrator of the year.

For the second consecutive year, the winners will be announced at the Children’s Choice Book Awards Gala on May 12, during Children’s Book Week.

Award-winning author Jon Scieszka, the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, will host the gala again, during which the second annual Impact Award will be given—this year to actress/comedian Whoopi Goldberg.

Get your students back to the ballot box. They can vote from March 16 through May 3, for their favorite books, authors, and illustrator at their schools, libraries and bookstores, as well as at BookWeekOnline.com.

And the finalists are:

Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year
The Donut Chef (Random) by Bob Staake
Katie Loves the Kittens (Holt) by John Himmelman
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! (Hyperion) by Mo Willems
Sort It Out! (Sylvan Dell) by Barbara Mariconda, illus. by Sherry Rogers
Those Darn Squirrels! (Clarion) by Adam Rubin, illus. by Daniel Salmieri

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year
Babymouse: Puppy Love (Random) by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Random House)
One Million Things: A Visual Encyclopedia (DK) by Peter Chrisp
Underwear: What We Wear Under There (Holiday House) by Ruth Freeman Swain, illus. by John O’Brien
Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan, illus. (Sleeping Bear) by Cyd Moore
Spooky Cemeteries (Bearport) by Dinah Williams

Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year
100 Most Dangerous Things On the Planet (Scholastic Reference) by Anna Claybourne
Amulet, Book One: The Stonekeeper (Scholastic/Graphix) by Kazu Kibuishi
The Big Field (Philomel) by Mike Lupica
Swords: An Artist’s Devotion (Candlewick) by Ben Boos
Thirteen (Dutton) by Lauren Myracle

Teen Choice Book Award
Airhead (Scholastic/Point) by Meg Cabot
Breaking Dawn (Little, Brown) by Stephenie Meyer
The Hunger Games (Scholastic) by Suzanne Collins
Lock and Key (Viking) by Sarah Dessen
Paper Towns (Dutton) by John Green

Author of the Year
Stephenie Meyer, Breaking Dawn (Little, Brown)
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Abrams/Amulet)
Christopher Paolini, Brisingr (Knopf)
James Patterson, Maximum Ride: The Final Warning (Little, Brown)
Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth (Disney-Hyperion)

Illustrator of the Year
Laura Cornell, Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis (HarperCollins/Cotler)
Robin Preiss Glasser, Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly! by Jane O’Connor (HarperCollins)
Mo Willems, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! (Hyperion)
David Shannon, Loren Long and David Gordon, Smash! Crash! by Jon Scieszka (S & S)
Jon J Muth, Zen Ties (Scholastic)