Things to Do: June 2010 Archives

Raw video: Long lines for 'Eclipse'

Photo Gallery: 'Eclipse' opening brings out the Twi-hards

I've been living and breathing "Twilight" for days. Here's my final roundup on all the hubbub about the premiere:

Krikorian Redlands Cinemas 14 was the site of great division this week. There were the Team Edwards and then there were the Team Jacobs swarming the theater beginning Sunday morning, three days prior to the midnight Tuesday premiere of "Twilight Saga: Eclipse."

After the huge turnout for "New Moon" in November, the Redlands theater brought in security and portable toilets for campers, which numbered in the thousands by Tuesday evening.

According to Nikki Kealalio, marketing director with Krikorian Theaters, the midnight showings sold 2,400 tickets and the 3 a.m. show sold 503 tickets.

Little update to the "Eclipse" saga: The latest "Twilight" movie was booked in 4,416 theaters nationwide for its debut early Wednesday, a new record. It beat out "Iron Man 2," which had the previous record at 4,380 theaters.

Along with the midnight screenings, some theaters (like the Krikorian Redlands Cinemas 14 premiere I covered last night) scheduled 3 a.m. showings to meet demand as theaters sold out. The fans were already lined up in the middle of the night at the Redlands theater for the 9 a.m. showing this morning. I'd guess that was probably going on at other theaters in the region as well.

Last November's "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," leads the box-office charts for best opening day with $72.7 million. The movie's opening weekend of $142.8 million is No. 3 on the all-time chart. We'll see how "Eclipse" does this weekend.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Raw video: Long lines for 'Eclipse'

Photo Gallery: 'Eclipse' opening brings out the Twi-hards

Since I know there are a lot of other 'Twilight' fans out there who are also moms, I decided to blog the 'Eclipse' madness here on the Momarama. I found out last week that the Krikorian Redlands Cinema 14 was allowing campers to begin staying at the theater as early as 10:30 a.m. Sunday. To make the stay more comfortable, the theater hired security and brought in porta potties. (I also heard Denny's complained after 'New Moon' movie goers used the bathroom one too many times at the last 'Twilight' premiere).

I hit the theater shortly before twilight (hehe) and found what had to be at least a thousand fans camped out ALL OVER the place. The hard core fans who showed up Sunday morning were, of course, closest to the theater entrance, but campers were located as far away as Orange Street north and east of the theater and Redlands Boulevard on the south side. To the northwest were fans who missed the sold out midnight premiere (in all 14 theaters) and bought tickets for the added 3 a.m. show, which had already sold about 300 tickets.

'Twilight' fans were decked out in t-shirts (some bought, some homemade), had posters or handmade signs decorating their temporary camp sites, painted faces and more - I even spotted a 'Twilight' tattoo (and it was real). Most claimed "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" but there were also a few "Team Alice" fans and I spotted one "Team Emmett" and one "Team Charlie." (Bella's dad)

Despite the heat of the last few days everyone was in good spirits, pumped for midnight. Cars honked and fans yelled and screamed continuously. It looked like a blast.

I'll be posting a photo gallery of the Redlands 'Twilight' crowd shortly and look for a video with fans from Redlands, Riverside and San Jacinto theaters later tonight as well.

Go Team Jacob! (And yes, I'm way too old for this. But I like it anyway.) :)

Want to help with the creepy crawly stories of this year's annual Ghost Walk Riverside? California Riverside Ballet is looking for local authors, historians and other interested residents to write original short stories used for the downtown tour.

Stories should incorporate local buildings throughout the downtown Riverside area, be fiction and telling should last 10 minutes or less. The California Riversid eBallet will select stories based on a variety of criteria including the three themes of local Riverside history, vampires of Riverside and ghost walks as portrayed throughout the Southern U.S.

Stories are due by July 22, 2010 and should be submitted in person or via mail to California Riverside Ballet, Attn: Ghost Walk Riverside, 3840 Lemon Street Suite B, Riverside 92501 or via e-mail to crballet@yahoo.com as either a Word or Rich Text Format Document.

If your story is selected to be read at Ghost Walk Riverside you will receive four free tickets to the performance and the opportunity to assist in the telling of your story at the event. In addition, your name and story title will be featured on the Ghost Walk Riverside website and on other promotional material. You will be notified of your stories status by August 15.

Ghost Walk Riverside 2010 will be held October 22 and 23, 2010 on the Downtown Mall in Riverside. This award-winning event attracts more than 5,000 "dearly departed" (guests) from throughout California.

Trinity Episcopal Redlands is not only providing fun, educational activities for children in it's upcoming "Summer's Eve" program, it'll feed families dinner each night as well. This year's July kid's program is themed "Making the Parables Come Alive" and will feature lessons, music, drama, crafts, games and dinner.

The program is appropriate for kids pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It will take place Wednesdays, July 7-28 from 5-7 p.m. It's free and open to the public. Here's the schedule:

July 7: The Good Shepherd parable is explored with bag puppet crafts and a pin the tail on the sheep game for preschool children, a shepherd diorama and draw the sheep game for 1st through 3rd graders, and a neighborhood survey activities and play for 4th through 6th graders.

July 21: The Good Samaritan parable gives preschool kids an opportunity to explore "Who is my neighbor?" while primary kids build multi structures and the intermediate grades make mobiles and create smoothies in the kitchen.

July 28: The parable of The Banquet will be celebrated with a children's Eucharist, or communion, as well as a feast that all family members are invited to attend. The evening will end with wet 'n wild water activities in the garden. Bring bathing suits.

Families are invited to join dinners (at 6:40 p.m.). Highchairs are available for babies.

Trinity Episcopal is located at 419 South 4th St. across from Beaver Medical Group. All activities take place in the Great Hall and the garden. For more information call 909-793-2014.

San Bernardino County Museum's gearing up for a night of music and movement. Entertainer Billy B, the Natural Science Song and Dance Man will perform in the museum's amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 9. The show is for kids of all ages.

"A Billy B show is an experience in kinetic learning," the Billy B website says. "Kids love to move and make noise. That is exactly what a Billy B show is all about."

The museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. so visitors can arrive early, check out exhibits, visit the live animals in the Exploration Station and bring a picnic supper to enjoy in the courtyard. The concert is included with that day's paid museum admission.

"We're bringing this concert to the museum especially for our younger visitors," said Jolene Redvale, curator of education. "Music is the universal language, and creative movement gets everyone involved. Kids and parents will laugh, sing, dance and have a grand time with Billy B."

The concert is sponsored by the Albert I. Pierce Foundation, and is supported by in part by the California Regional Environmental Education Consortium, Project Learning Tree, CalFire, California Community Forests Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

The museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. Admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors and military, $5 students and $4 children ages 5 to 12. Children under age 5 and museum association members get in free. For more information call 909-307-2669 or visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

Tickets are on sale for the Auto Club Speedway's Red, White and Cruise celebration on July 4 for $7 per person. Children ages 6 and under get in free. The last day to purchase discounted tickets is July 3. Tickets are available at Fontana Community Centers and the Community Services Department administrative offices.

On July 4 tickets can be bought at the Auto Club Speedway box office for $15 per adult and $10 for kids ages 7 to 12. Children ages 7 to 12 get in free when they sign up for a Kid's Club Membership at the Auto Club Speedway.

Activities include Stars & Pipes Motorcycle Ride, Car Cruise & Show, a patriotic zone, local vendors, FMX Metal Mulisha demonstration, children's zone and live entertainment as well as fireworks show and parade.

Gates open at 2 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

The Community Services administrative offices are located at 16860 Valencia Ave. in downtown Fontana. For more information call 909-349-6900 or visit www.fontanarecreation.org.

The Taco Bell Discovery Science Center will soon make good use of its iconic Discovery Cube with it's all new exhibit, the Boeing Rocket Lab - the first ever exhibit inside the cube.

The center's new permanent exhibit will open July 2. It will include the Blast Off Zone, Air and Water Rockets, Rocket Fuel and Nozzle Chamber exhibits.

"The cube is an icon of Discovery Science Center and this amazing exhibit was the perfect choice to answer our most asked question, 'what's inside the cube?' said Joe Adams, president of Discovery Science Center. "Boeing Rocket Lab is the first phase in the Space Exploration Gallery, a six-million dollar expansion project.

The Discovery Science Center is located at 2500 Main St. in Santa Ana. It's open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days. For more information call 714-542-2823 or visit www.discoverycube.org.

Hemet's Western Science Center will host some fun and educational summer programs beginning in just a few weeks. Here's the list:

Super Science!
This includes five days of hands-on activities exploring the different fields of science - from Astronomy to Zoology. For youths entering grades 3-6.
Session I: July 12-16, 9 a.m.-noon
Session II: July 26-30, 9 a.m.-noon
Cost: $100 or $90 for WSC Members

Art and Nature
Explore nature with arts and crafts. For youth entering grades 3-6.
Session I: July 12-16, 1-3:30 p.m.
Session II: July 26-30, 1-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $100 or $90 for WSC Member

Excavate!
Learn the field techniques, procedures and ethics of archaeology and paleontology using the science center's simulated dig site. Learn basic field work and put it to practice mapping, excavating and researching finds. For youth entering grades 6-10.
Session I: July 19-23, 7:45-11:30 a.m.
Session II: Aug 2-6, 7:45-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $119 or $99 for WSC Members

Mysteries of Ancient Cultures
Learn what archaeologists use to solve some of the most interesting mysteries of ancient societies. Examine data used to explore the origins of agriculture, writing and civilizations around the world. Taught by Erik Ozolins, associate professor of anthropology at Mt. San Jacinto College. For youth ages 15 and up.
When: July 19-23, 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $119 or $99 for WSC Members

Western Science Center is located at 2345 Searl Parkway, Hemet. For more information call 951-791-0033 or visit www.westerncentermuseum.org.

See Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie and all your other favorite Disney characters in "Aladdin" at Yucaipa Little Theatre July 1 through 18. The lead role of Aladdin will be played by Ruben Romeo of Yucaipa, Jasmine will be played by Elizabeth Ortiz of Highland; and Genie will be played by Kristen Lungstrum of Yucaipa.

Shows are every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 for seniors, students and children; $25 for families; and $6 for groups of 8 or more.

For more information or to make reservations call 909-790-1884 and leave a message. Your call will be returned when volunteers are at the box office. Yucaipa Little Theatre is located at 12135 California St. in Yucaipa.

The Riverside Metropolitan Museum will host "An Old-Style Independence Day Celebration Ice Cream Social" at the Heritage House Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Activities will include a Revolutionary War parade and musket firing by Sons of the American Revolution, musical performances by Bob Cotton's Children's Band, The Funtones barbershop quartet and period instruments.

There will also be handmade ice cream demonstrations, blacksmith and woodcarving demonstrations, cotillion dancers, Victorian games and a Model A Car Club show.

For more information call 951-826-5273 or visit www.riversideca.gov/museum.

Riverside Downtown Partnership is presenting Movies & Music on Main starting July 8. Every second and fourth Tuesday there will be live entertainment from 7-7:45 p.m. and movies at 8. Live music from local bands will take place every third Thursday.

Here's the movie schedule:

July 8: "Star Trek"
July 22: "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"
August 12: "Shorts"
August 26: "The Spy Next Door"
September 9: "Up"
September 23: "The Princess and the Frog"

Movies will be projected on a big outdoor screen on Main St. between University and Mission Inn Ave.

Special to The Press-Enterprise

Alexus Hill as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast" at the Old Town Temecula Theater June 25-27.

Beauty will dance her way into the heart of Beast in the classic Disney tale "Beauty and the Beast" at the Old Town Temecula Theater June 25-27. Performed by Svetlana's Dance Academy and the Inland Valley Classical Ballet Theater, the original ballet will be set to a mix of familiar classical composers.

"I wanted us to perform a ballet that departs from the usual 'Cinderella,' 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Swan Lake,'" said Svetlana Waisman, artistic director. "This story is immediately recognizable and has action and humor. It's a perfect beginning to the light-hearted days of summer."

Nearly all the characters from the movie will make an appearance, including Cogsworth and Lumiere, Gaston and Le Fou, and others. The part of Belle will be performed by senior student Alexus Hill, and the Beast will be played by Vitaliy Nechay, a principal dancer with California Ballet. George Ortiz will play the part of Gaston.

'Beauty and the Beast'
Where: Old Town Temecula Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula
When: 11 a.m. & 7 p.m., June 25; 2 & 7 p.m., June 26; 1 & 4 p.m., June 27
Cost: Advance are $18, $23, $25; $2 discount for children 10 and under and seniors 55 and older. At the door cost $27
Tickets: 866-653-8696, www.temeculatheater.org

The 15th Annual Pechanga Pow Wow will be held July 2, 3 and 4, with free family activities all three days and free parking. The fireworks display will be held after dusk Saturday, July 3.

Pechanga hosts one of the largest Pow Wows in the Western U.S. Visitors will see Native American dancers, drummers and singers as young as age 2 performing. There will also be more than 100 vendors selling native arts, crafts, foods, blankets and more.

For more information call 951-770-4769.

Here's the rundown:

Friday, July 2nd
5pm: Gourd Dance
6pm: Grand entry
Invocation - Flag Song
Placing of the Colors
11pm: Retire the Colors

Saturday, July 3rd
11am: Gourd Dance
12pm: Grand Entry
Invocation - Flag Song
Placing of the Colors
5pm: Dinner Break
6pm: Gourd Dance
7pm: Grand Entry
Invocation - Flag Song
Placing of the Colors
Dusk: Fireworks
12am: Retire the Colors

Sunday, July 4th
11am: Gourd Dance
12pm: Grand Entry
Invocation - Flag Song
Placing of the Colors
4:30pm: Retire the Colors
5pm: Awards

San Bernardino County Museum is offering summer activities for families with bored kids. The Summer Brain Drain activities began Wednesday and will go on through September. Families can draw basket designs, play with old fashioned toys, create music or art works and more.

The drop-in activities will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, as well as most Thursdays. Visit www.sbcountymuseum.org for details. More days and hours will be added throughout the summer and updates will be posted to the museum's website.

Many workshops will be led by professional artists, but space is limited, so get tickets at the museum's admission desk. Most art-making activities are appropriate for all ages. Here are workshop dates:

Friday, June 25--Painting Meets Music, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday, June 26--Graphic Lettering Art: Lettering for Fun: 9am-noon and 2-5pm (3-hour workshops appropriate for ages 12 and up)

Saturday, June 26--Chalk Art Murals, 10am-4pm continuous

Friday, July 2--Drawing Made Simple: Wildlife, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Friday, July 9--Exploring Nature with Billy B concert, 6:30-8pm. Come early to enjoy the museum and bring a picnic supper.

Friday, July 16--Painting Made Simple: Watercolor, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday, July 17--Graphic Lettering Art: Lettering for Profit, 9am-noon and 2-5pm (3-hour workshops appropriate for ages 12 and up)

Sunday, July 18--Photography Made Simple: Landscapes, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday, July 24--Basket Design Drawings, 11am-4pm continuous

Saturday, July 31--Family Fun Day: Music Around Us, 11am-4pm continuous

Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8--Traditional Indian Basket Making 2-day Workshop with Lorene Sisquoc, 9am-5pm both days. $25 fee applies.

Friday, August 13--Photography Made Simple: Portraiture, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday, August 14--Chalk Art Murals, 11am-4pm continuous

Friday, August 20--Put POP in your Greeting Cards, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday, August 21--Painting Meets Music, 10am, 1pm and 3pm

Sunday, August 22--Photography Made Simple: Still Life, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday, August 28--Basket Design Drawings, 11am-4pm

Sunday, September 12--Photography Made Simple: Culmination (an off-site workshop will meet at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands, 2-4pm)

The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 (adults), $6 (military or seniors), $5 (students), and $4 (children ages 5 to 12). Children under five and museum association member get in free.

For more info call 909-307-2669 or www.sbcountymuseum.org.

A free Neil Diamond tribute concert and hot-air balloon glow is set for 7 p.m. July 9 at Lake Skinner Outdoor Amphitheater.

The concert by a Diamond tribute band will be followed by balloons lighting the night sky with their flames. Participants are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and chairs.

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

Information: 951-694-6480.

--Jeff Horseman

jhorseman@PE.com

"Mummies of the World" tickets are now on sale. "Mummies of the World" is the largest exhibition of mummies ever assembled. It makes its world premiere July 1 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, but will be on display for a limited time only.

"Mummies of the World" is a collection of preserved human and animal mummies, as well as related artifacts from all over the globe. Some of the higlights of the collection include one of the oldest mummified infants ever discovered, a mummified family and Egyptian animal mummies.

The exhibition has mummies from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Egypt. Tickets are $19.50 for adults, $16.50 for students and youths, $12.50 for children under 12 and free for kids 3 or younger. California Science club members get a break on tickets prices, with an adult ticket costing $12.50, student and youth $11.50, and children 12 and younger are $10.50.

For more information or tickets, click here.

The faithful toys in Andy's toy box. They've been part of your life since the first "Toy Story" came out in 1995. You'll get to see them again as early as 12:01 a.m. Friday when "Toy Story 3" opens.

Which toys are your favorites, and why. Here are some to get you started:

There will be a little history, a little literature and a lot of opportunities for fun this weekend at the Huck Finn Country and Bluegrass Jubilee in Victorville.

The event opens Thursday with Chris Jones of Sirius XM Radio recording for "Bluegrass Junction."

Then, Friday through Sunday, there will be music by the likes of Rhonda Vincent and the Oak Ridge Boys; competitions such as egg tosses and river raft building; crafts demonstrations; hot air balloons; and story-telling by Waddie Mitchell and Samuel Clemens himself. Actor Mark Randall will share some Twain's wit and wisdom. 

Mojave Narrows Regional Park, Victorville. Single-day admission $15-$20; four-day admission with camping, $90. 951-780-8810, www.huckfinn.com

Fielding Buck, fbuck@PE.com

The largest traveling exhibition of Star Trek memorabilia and information will beam into downtown Riverside this summer for an eight-month run at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum.

"Star Trek the Exhibition: Where Science Meets Science Fiction" will open on Saturday in the former Sweeney Gallery space on Main Street.

Riverside officials expect it to draw at least 40,000 visitors and bring in $800,000.

Tickets will be $15 for adults and $12 for children and seniors, with group discounts available. Information will be posted later on the museum Web page at www.riversideca.gov/museum.

-- ALICIA ROBINSON
arobinson@PE.com

The Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center is offering something special for moms and their babes. On Monday at 1 p.m., moms can bring their youngsters to the library for Baby Summer Reading Program.

The Baby Summer Reading Program includes crafts in addition to reading. So far, mother and child have been able to create decorative imprints of their hand or foot. Upcoming events include
the Tiny Tikes, Ocean Baby Scrapbook, Wearable Creations, Surfer Baby Boppers, and Beach Party Babies. These programs are appropriate for children 2 years old and under.

The Summer Reading Program is an incentive based program that rewards everyone, from babies to teens, even adults, for reading during summer vacation. The program will run through July 31.

The Baby Summer Reading Mondays continue at the library until July 26. For more information, click here.

Regular Momarama blogger Jennifer Dean is out on Vacation this week, but we wouldn't leave you without some activities and information.

Summer family fun activities at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands kick off Friday and Saturday, June 18 and 19, with two art workshops.

If your greeting cards need a make-over, join artist Terry Long and learn how to make pop-up greeting cards on Friday at 10 a.m., 1p.m., and 3 p.m.

On Saturday from 11am to 4pm, artist Trudy Wood will teach basic drawing techniques for visitors to apply them to a unique design appropriate for coiled basket making. Both these programs are included in museum's paid admission.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student) and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

The Lake Elsinore Outlets invites moms and their pre-schoolers to spend a fun morning together and make new friends at the center's Kids' Outlet. Each Wednesday and Friday there will be a free weekly program featuring kid-fun activities, story time, arts and crafts and treats.

Kids will have a variety of things to do, from building mini bird houses, to interactive story-time to making a windsock. Activities start on July 2 and will be on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon, and on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. through the end of July.

For more information, click here.

The largest traveling exhibition of Star Trek memorabilia and information will beam into downtown Riverside this summer for an eight-month run at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum.

"Star Trek the Exhibition: Where Science Meets Science Fiction" will open on Saturday in the former Sweeney Gallery space on Main Street.

Riverside officials expect it to draw at least 40,000 visitors and bring in $800,000.

Tickets will be $15 for adults and $12 for children and seniors, with group discounts available. Information will be posted later on the museum Web page at www.riversideca.gov/museum.

See a photo gallery of scenes from "Toy Story 3" by visiting http://www.pe.com/multimedia/slideshow/2010/20100604_toy. This series was a big hit in our household. The newest in the "Toy Story" series is out Friday, June 18.

I celebration of P.T. Barnum's bicentennial birthday, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey has create The Barnum Award to recognize children who are dedicated to making the world a better place.

Nominate a child between the ages of 8-14 who are demonstrating the entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit of P.T. Barnum by visiting www.thebarnumaward.com.

Nominations will be accepted until July 16th, 2010. First, second and third place winners will receive cash prizes to continue their service at the award ceremony on opening night at the Honda Center, July 28th.

Winners will awarded tickets for them and their families to the opening night performance, The Barnum Award ceremony before the show, a gold, silver or bronze Barnum Award medal and $1,000, $750 or $500 to be used towards continued public service.

The circus will be at Staples Center July 14-18, July 21-25 and July 28-Aug. 8.

Rehearsals for Inland Pacific Ballet's school performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" are underway. The annual spring recital will take place Saturday, June 12 at 3 p.m. at the historic Bridges Auditorium in Claremont.

This year's production will feature 140 students ranging from ages 3 to 18. IBA presents full-length ballets on a professional stage with its students. Academy co-director Jill Voznick says the production's rehearsals and performance help students develop a sense of what it is like to be part of a professional company.

"A lot of people love to come to our academy recitals because they see dancers in the making," said Victoria Koenig, Inland Pacific Ballet Academy's Founder and Artistic Director. "It's the process of seeing how talent is developed and watching young dancers as they move up the ranks."

Premiere costs $30 (advance) or $35 (day of show) and grand seating costs $20 (advance) or $25 (day of show). Tickets can be purchased in person at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy at 5050 Arrow Hwy in Montclair or at the box office on the day of the performance.

Bridges Auditorium is located at 450 North College Way in Claremont. For more information call 909-482-1590 or visit www.ipballet.org.

The Tinkertoy: Build Your Imagination traveling exhibit will be at the Taco Bell Discovery Science Center for the summer. The exhibit opens Saturday, June 4 and will features educational and fun activities inspired by GE's successful "Imagination at Work" campaign, which shows how innovation can positively influence everyday life and create solutions to real world challenges.

Hands-on Exhibit Stations

The Welcome Gallery
Celebrates the 95th anniversary of Tinkertoy through a retrospective of the toy's history and highlights GE technologies.

Invent
Children are encouraged to think about where ideas come from and to explore the emerging field of biomimicry - nature's influence on design. Visitors can match real inventions with their natural inspiration and create a design of their own.

Collaborate
Dual-sided panels allow visitors to work independently or with a partner to create Tinkertoy designs.

Energize
Children can explore renewable energy as they use a kid-powered fan to test their own wind-powered Tinkertoy creations.

Change
A Rube Goldberg-like contraption illustrates the power of creative thinking with activities that lets children select and position words to build silly, but thought-provoking sentences that serve as the springboard for innovation.

Process/Connect
Tinkertoy-inspired equipment lets children explore the concept of filtration, while a companion activity has them build ball tracks.

Develop
Visit a life-sized human form with Tinkertoy hubs.

Create
Open play area reserved for children age 3 and older with a huge assortment of Tinkertoy pieces.

The Tinker Tank
A walk-in size replica of a Tinkertoy canister is the starting point of the exhibit's scavenger hunt.

The science center is located at 2500 N. Main St. in Santa Ana. It's open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days. For more information call 714-542-2823 or visit www.discoverycube.org.

San Bernardino County Museum's summer day camp "Art for Kids" will be at the museum's education center Monday-Friday, June 21-25 or July 19-23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 7 to 12 will get creative with pencils, paints, pen and ink, clay, paper and other media. On Friday afternoon campers' families will be invited to attend an Artists Reception showcasing the pieces the young artists produced during camp.

The cost for each week-long camp is $135 for Museum Association members and $155 for non-members. This year the museum is also offering an extended camp from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day for an additional $100 per week. The camp is staffed by experienced museum educators.

The museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. For more information call 909-307-2669 or visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

Yucaipa Little Theatre will hold a Comedy Weekend event Friday-Saturday, June 25-26. Headlining both nights will be Jimmy Brogan, who has appeared on "The Tonight Show" with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, and on "The David Letterman Show."

He hosted "Laffathon" on Showtime, "Comic Strip Live" on Fox and "You Asked For It Again," on the Family Channel. For the last nine years he has worked as a writer and talent coordinator for "The Tonight Show."

Tickets cost $10, $17 for couples and $8 each for groups of six or more. For more information or reservations, call 909-790-1884 and leave a message. The call will be returned when volunteers are at the box office.

Yucaipa Little Theatre is located at 12135 California St. in Yucaipa.

Thanks to a tip from a reader on the Facebook Momarama site, I came across Hemet Moms, a community of moms in the Hemet and San Jacinto area. They have a Facebook page as well full of fun family events, area news, special offers, etc.

To become a Hemet Moms fan visit http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113132788722604 and if you aren't already a Momarama Facebook fan, visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-a-rama/284973792398.

The second annual OC ICON solo vocal competition will hold auditions in Costa Mesa Saturday, June 12 in the Carousel Court at the South Coast Plaza at 10 a.m. The contest is for Southern Calif. youth ages 7-18.

For audition details and to register visit http://ocicon.com.

My kids were at the perfect age for the first two "Toy Story" movies. The storyline was an absolute favorite in our household. My daughter went through three Woody dolls - we still wonder about that first one lost at Disneyland. I pictured him running around searching frantically for us. :(

Special to The Press-Enterprise

Then my son came along and it was all about Buzz Lightyear. We had a plush Buzz, several Buzz action figures and one large Buzz that would say, "To infinity and beyond!"

I always thought it was such a sweet storyline. And sappy person that I am, the preview for the new Toy Story 3 (releases June 18) can easily make me tear up. How can Andy be going away to college already?

Now my kids are a little older, but still young enough to like the characters. They may now be old enough to appreciate some of the more complex, grown up portions of the storyline. So, we're definitely going to hit the theater for this one. I hope it lives up to our expectations!

I would love to hear what other people think, so if you see the movie, please comment or shoot me a mini-review at jdean@PE.com. And I'd love to hear from the kids too!

I found yet another theater hosting summer family movie specials. AMC Summer Movie Camp offers $1 movies at 10 a.m. every Tuesday morning at participating theaters. Advance tickets will be on sale starting June 8 at 214 participating AMC theatre locations and online.

Here's the schedule:

June 15: "Shrek the Third"
June 22: "Imagine That"
June 29: "Monsters vs. Aliens"
July 6: "Madagascar"
July 13: "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa"
July 20: "Hotel for Dogs"
July 27: "Kung Fu Panda"
August 3: "The Spiderwick Chronicles"
August 10: Surprise Mystery Title

To find an AMC Theater near you visit www.amcentertainment.com.

Got a child who wants to be a zookeeper, veterinarian or animal trainer? The Wild Animal Park's Summer Camp gets kids up close and personal with a variety of camp options. Here's the details:

Day Camps

Animal Babies Pre-Camp
Ages: 2 to 3 with an adult
When: Wednesday-Friday, 9-11 .m. or 1-3 p.m. July 7-9
Cost: $180 for adult/child non-members combos or $150 for adult/child member combos.
Animal Babies Pre-Camp is a mini version of the Summer Camp experience. Visitors can see some favorite animal babies and learn about the adults that care for them. Each day includes stories, crafts, songs and games.

San Diego Zoo's Nighttime Zoo begins June 26 when zoo hours change to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through September 6. Activities include a variety of shows, music and more featuring the zoo's nocturnal residents. Here are some of the summertime happenings:

The Press-Enterprise

Discovery Outpost, Asian Passage and Urban Jungle
Acrobats dressed as frogs, lizards, lions and cheetahs and monkeys will roam the zoo, engaging visitors in their antics.

Splash!
At the Front Plaza watch as artist Stephen Fishwick, splashes paint at a blank canvus to the sound of music until suddenly an animal's face appears.

Children's Zoo
At the Children's Zoo, hourly from 2-6 p.m. Dr. Zoolittle showcases some of the animals unique adaptations that allow them to do things that seem quite magical.

Soar: A Symphony in Flight
At the Hunte Amphitheater the free-flight bird show is set to lights and music.

Three Hour Tour
Dance to the tropical, calypso sounds of the group, Three Hour Tour at Front Street.

Entrance fees will be waived this weekend at all national parks, including Joshua Tree, where campgrounds also will be kept open.

In celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, the National Park Service will waive the $15 entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park. Other parks charge entrance fees from $3 to $25 and many have no entrance fees.

"Normally we close some of our campground loops for the summer due to low visitation, but we'll delay our normal summer closures so visitors will find all of our campsites open for the upcoming weekend," Park Superintendent Curt Sauer said.

National park entrance fees also will be waived on Aug. 14-15, Sept. 25 and Nov. 11. Fees for activities such as camping, reservations, tours or concessions are not affected by the waiver.

--Janet Zimmerman
jzimmerman@PE.com

Performance Riverside will wrap it's 2009-2010 season with Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida" at the Landis Performing Arts Center June 11-20. "Aida," which premiered on Broadway in 2000, features music by Elton John, lyrics by Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls and David Henry-Hwang.

The production is directed by Gary Krinke and John Vaughan, choreographed by John Vaughan, and musically directed by Scott Smith. The storyline was originally from a children's book written by soprano Leontyne Price. It follows a Nubian princess who is stolen from her homeland to serve Amneris, an Egyptian princess, who is betrothed to Radames, captain of the Egyptian army. Radames becomes infatuated with the captive Aida.

The performances will be June 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and June 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, $30, $37 and $43. A Discovery Theatre preview for school groups, home schoolers and senior groups is available on Friday, June 11 at 10 a.m. All performances are at Landis Performing Arts Center at 4800 Magnolia Ave. For more information and to purchase tickets contact the Landis Box Office at 951-222-8100 or visit www.performanceriverside.org.

The 92nd annual Cherry Festival will take place in Beaumont Thursday-Sunday, June 3-6 with games, rides, booths, food, drinks and live entertainment. The festival is at Stewart Park between 8th and 10th streets, near Orange Avenue.

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Hours are Thursday 5-10 p.m., Friday 5-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Daily admission tickets are $3-$5 for adults, $2 for kids 6-11 and free for those under age 5.

There will also be a pancake breakfast Saturday from 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. at the Beaumont Civic Center at 550 E 6th St., followed by a parade along Beaumont Ave. Grand Marshal is DJ Scott Ward from KFROG radio.

Jam With the Man, a band made up of Beaumont city employees and police officers, will kick off the festival Thursday at 5 p.m. Read about the bad here.

The 10th annual Inland Empire Juneteenth Celebration will take place Saturday at Riverside's Bordwell Park, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd.

The event, from noon to 6 p.m., will feature entertainment, games, a mini-museum, food and the presentation of book scholarships and community awards. The Riverside Juneteenth Committee, which is sponsoring the celebration, will collect supplies to be donated to area schools.

Juneteenth commemorates the day in June 1865 when the last slaves, in Galveston, Texas, were notified that they were free.

David Olson,
dolson@PE.com

Registration is open for the 55th Annual Fontana Days Run, which takes place Saturday, June 5. The event features a half marathon, the children's healthy half mile dash, a 5K family fitness walk, a 5K run/race walk, vendors, exhibitors, live entertainment and finish line festivities.

Registration fees for run events are $30 for the half marathon, 5K run and race/walk, $20 for the family fitness walk and $10 for the children's half mile dash. Discounts are given for a team of four or more. Participants will compete for awards and prize money, and all will receive finish line refreshments, a finisher medal, commemorative T-shirt, lapel pin and goodie bags.

There will also be finish line festivities, including live entertainment and a vendor expo. To register for the run call the Fontana Community Services Department at 909-349-6947. Registration and event info are also available at www.fontanadaysrun.org.

San Bernardino County Regional Parks will host its annual Summer Movie Series beginning June 26. The movies will be shown at several San Bernardino County Parks and families are invited to bring a blanket and a picnic to the movies. The movies begin at 8 p.m. and there's a $10 vehicle entry fee.

Here's the schedule:

June 26: "Charlotte's Web" at Yucaipa Regional Park
July 10: "A League of Their Own" at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park
July 24: "Wild America" at Glen Helen in Devore
August 21: "Annie" at Yucaipa Regional Park

For more information call 909-387-2757 or visit www.county-parks.com.