Things to Do: August 2010 Archives

Learn the ins and outs of creating a sustainable garden at a one-day workshop offered at the Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center Saturday, Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The free workshop titled "ABC's of Sustainable Landscaping" will be led by University of California Cooperative Extension horticulturist Janet Hartin.

Participants will learn how to conserve water through proper plant selection and irrigation, make and use compost, select and apply mulch, keep surface and groundwater clean, grow a healthy pesticide-free garden and landscape plants, and conserve energy around and inside the home.

RSVP with Hartin at 951-313-2023 or jshartin@ucdavis.edu.

The Environmental Learning Center is located at 7863 Central Ave. in Highland.

First 5 will host the event Summer's Last Splash Wednesday, Sept. 1 from 3-5 p.m., as a farewell to summer and a reminder for those with young children to practice drowning prevention strategies and water safety techniques year-round. Water safety activities will take place at the YMCA of Riverside City and County, located at 4020 Jefferson Street in Riverside.

This event is presented by First 5 Commissions in both counties in partnership with the YMCA, 2-1-1, Riverside County Injury Prevention Services, Safe Kids Inland Empire and the San Bernardino County Drowning Prevention Network.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among California children under age 5. Continued deaths and injuries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties demonstrate the need for ongoing community awareness. First 5 and partners aim to increase knowledge and connect families to resources, especially before Labor Day weekend, a time of gathering around bodies of water.

Riverside County and San Bernardino parents of infants, toddlers or preschoolers, and caregivers are invited to participate. Admission is free. There will be free parent/child swim lessons at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m., kids activities, special guest-Stewie the Duck, water safety demonstrations, information about CPR and more on how to be water safe all year!

for more information call First 5 Riverside at 800-266-3880 or visit www.first5safety.com.

Got a little song bird? The University of Redlands still has openings in its fall Musikgarten classes for toddlers and young children. The early childhood music and movement classes are offered through the School of Music's Community School of Music and the Arts. The classes began Aug. 23 and will last through Dec. 6 (No classes Nov. 22-26).

"Family Music Toddlers: Sing with Me" is for children ages 16 months to 3 and 1/2 years. Toddlers will sing, chant, move, dance, listen and play simple instruments, learning through sound explorations and movement. Classes are Thursdays from 11-11:45 a.m. or Fridays from1-1:45 p.m. Tuition costs $225 (materials included in tuition).

"Cycle of Season: Wind Dancers" is for children ages 3 to 5. The curriculum celebrates the four seasons using activities that build on the child's growing independence and competencies. Classes are Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. or Fridays from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Tuition costs $265 (materials included in tuition).

For more information visit www.redlands.edu/Musikgarten.asp.

Moonridge Animal Park in Big Bear is offering a flavorful adventure in its Ice Cream Wildlife Safari on Saturday, Sept. 4 beginning at 11 a.m. and lasting until the last scoop is gone.

Buy one or more tickets for $5 each and get 5 scoops of ice cream. There will be five Ice Cream Stations, each with a different flavor, located throughout the animal park.

This year the Ice Cream Safari is sponsored by Rite Aid, North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Company, and an anonymous donor. The Friend of the Moonridge Zoo is hosting this event. Standard park admission applies: $9 ages 11-59; $6 ages 3-10 and seniors; free for children under age 3.

The Western Science Center in Hemet hosts kids science activities on the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. . They are free and open to the public. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Here's the fall schedule:

Sept. 4: Space and Astronomy
Explore space with hands-on activities that bring our universe to life.

Oct. 2: Mammoth Fest
Visit for a festival of mammoth proportions full of not only Science Saturday activities, but also carnival games, crafts and live entertainment.

Nov. 6: Electro-magnetism
A shockingly fun day of experiments that explain energy and magnetism.

Dec. 4: Biology
From micro-organisms to mammals and even human beings, discover what makes them unique.

The center is located at 2345 Searl Parkway in Hemet. For more information call 951-791-0033 or visit www.westerncentermuseum.org.

Big Bear resident Jordan Romero made history when at age 13 he reached the peak of Mt. Everest last May. Now his story will be told in a new book, "The Boy Who Conquered Everest."

When Jordan was 9 years old he set a goal to climb the tallest mountain on each of the continents, collectively known as the Seven Summits. Now age 14, he has scaled six of them, with the most recent being Mt. Everest.

Written by Big Bear author Karen Blanc, "The Boy Who Conquered Everest" takes the reader on a visual journey through Jordan's quest. There are pictures of everything from Team Jordan training and base camps to finally standing on the summit of Mt. Everest. There are also inspirational messages and tips on goal-setting from the young adventurer.

Blanc has followed Jordan since the beginning and decided she wanted to write about him.

To complete the Seven Summits challenge, Team Jordan plans to conquer Antarctica's Mt. Vinson Massif this winter. For more information visit www.jordanromero.com.

Author Katherine Blanc lives in Big Bear Lake with her husband Noel, son of Looney Tunes voice-actor Mel Blanc. Her previous books include "The Bad Puppy's Guide to Life," "The Bad Kitty's Guide to Life," "Today," "Big Bear Historical Museum Coloring Book," "Gold Mountain Girl," "No Baths For Betsy," "Cliff the Climber" and "Just One Vote."

The book is published by Balboa Press, a division of Hay House.

International Literacy Day is Sept. 8 and to celebrate the Highland Litaracy Coalition is hosting author Mary Skilling Prigger at the Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center in Highland.

Prigger, a professor at Cal State San Bernardino and children's book author, has written "Aunt Minnie McGranahan" and "Aunt Minnie and the Twister."

Adults and children are invited to meet the author at the library at 6:30 p.m. in the community room. The event is free and open to the public.

The Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center is located at 7863 Central Ave. in Highland.

Here's a school thinking outside the box. Love it! In response to budget cuts, Kimbark Elementary School in Devore will host a Fish 'N' Kids Catfish Derby on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino.

The community fundraiser for the science and environmental focused school is open to families all over the Inland region who are interested in a day of fishing fun. No experience is necessary - it's open to anglers at every level.

Families will spend the day fishing and learning about the local ecosystem and the life cycles of fish. There will be prizes for fishers of all ages, including those who catch the biggest, smallest and even the ugliest fish.

There will also be a special tribute by San Bernardino's Public Safety Academy commemorating the fallen Americans and marking the 9/11 anniversary.

Cost: $10, kids under 16 with a pole or $20 without a pole (you get to keep); $15 kids over 16 with a pole or $25 without; $5 spectators. For more information and to register for the derby visit http://kimbarkfishing.org.

Riverside Youth Theatre is auditioning for "13 The Musical," a story of growing up. It's about 13-year-old Evan Goldman who is forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana when his parents divorce. It's a tough transition with a school full of bullies, some nasty rumors and even blackmail. The high-energy musical is for all ages and teaches its audiences that "cool" is sometimes found where you least expect it.

Here are the dates:
Auditions: 3-6 p.m. Sept. 1
Callbacks: 4-6 p.m. Sept. 2
Registration: 4 p.m. Sept. 7
Rehearsals: 4-6 p.m. Mon & Wed beginning Sept. 8
Dress Rehearsals: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 8-10
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, 13, 19, 20; 3 p.m. Nov. 14, 21

No appointment is necessary for the auditions, which will be at the Fellowship Baptist Church back building at 3624 Arlington Ave. in Riverside. Be prepared to sing one minute of Broadway music for the audition. Bring your own Karaoke background track. Dance and acting skills will be evaluated at the callbacks.

Casting will include 30-40 students between 7th grade and 20 years of age. Here are the part descriptions:

Performance Riverside has signed season 9 "American Idol" contestant Derek Klena and season 3 "America's Got Talent" contestant Stephanie Burkett Gerson for its season opener, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," September 17-26 at Landis Performing Arts Center.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's lively interpretation of the biblical story of Joseph of Canaan is suitable for all ages. The original 70's rock opera, Joseph has been given a 21st century makeover....watch out for woolly sheep, singing camels, Frenchmen in berets and a fantastic Elvis impersonator.

The production is directed and choreographed by John Vaughan, with music direction by David Lamoureaux.

Derek Klena is making his Performance Riverside debut in the role of Joseph of Canaan. Last year Klena was one of the twenty five contestants sent to Hollywood Week on FOX's "American Idol." This summer, he played the Prince in Cabrillo Music Theatre's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" alongside Sally Struthers and Marcia Wallace. He's performed on NBC-TV's "America's Most Talented Kids," and he was one of Orange County Performing Arts Center "Tomorrow's Stars of 2008".

Stephanie Burkett Gerson is well suited for the vocally demanding role of the Narrator in Joseph. She traveled the globe for two years as a lead female vocalist for Holland America Cruise Line and has been a featured vocalist for Disney World Tours, in the Disney 50th Birthday Celebration, the Disney Spirit Awards, and the Disney Christmas Spectacular at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. She sang on Ed McMahon's "Next Big Star," Robert Schuller's "Hour of Power," and appeared in MTV's "Legally Blonde. In 2008, she sang on NBC's "America's Got Talent" with her husband Zane (Lt. Joseph Cable in Performance Riverside's Twenty-Fifth Anniversary production of "South Pacific)."

Performances of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" are Sept. 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 8 p.m., and September 18, 19, 25, and 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $27-$48, with group ticket pricing for 10 or more. Specially priced Discovery Theatre Previews for School Groups are available on Sept. 17 and 24 at 10 a.m.

Landis Performing Arts Center is at 4800 Magnolia Ave. in Riverside. For more information call 951-222-8100 or visit www.PerformanceRiverside.org.

Here's the scoop on the Lake Elsinore Storm promotions going on this weekend:

Saturday, Aug. 21 - 7:05 p.m.
-Star Wars Night presented by Coca Cola
Go dressed as your favorite character and receive one free box or reserved ticket. A special showing of Storm Wars Episode III will be shown throughout the game with a complete, uninterrupted viewing post-game. Special appearances by the 501st Legion and the San Diego Star Wars Society. For more information contact the front office at 951-245-4487. May the force be with you.

Also Saturday - 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
-7th ANNUAL STORM BLOOD DRIVE provided by Valley Blood Services
The annual Storm Tailgate Blood and Marrow Drive will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Diamond Club Restaurant. A free Storm t-shirt will be given to all donors. Free bounce houses and food will be provided for participants and their families. For more information call 951-245-4487 or visit valleybloodservices.org.

Sunday, Aug. 22 - 5:05 p.m.
-Sunday Funday, sponsored by Rady Children's Hospital
Kids run the show by becoming an announcer, a grounds crew member, a bat boy/girl and much more... Plus free fun zone until the National Anthem and post-game kids run the bases.

Also Sunday
-US Bank Kids Club
Free stadium tour for kids club members. Please RSVP with Caila at cgorniewicz@stormbaseball.com or call 951-245-4487.

Also Sunday
-Dog Day
Bring your dog Sunday and join big green dog Thunder at the Diamond. For $10 get a reserved ticket for one plus K9 friend. The day will include daschund races on the field and micro chipping by Animal Friends of the Valleys. All dogs must be on a leash and each person can only bring one dog.

OC ICON has its 30 finalists for its third annual Solo Vocal Competition, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 11 at The Irvine Barclay Theatre. About 75 semi-finalists between the ages of 7 and 18 competed Saturday at the Orange County High School of the Arts. Those contestants were selected out of hundreds who auditioned in the months prior.

The 30 finalists will perform in front of a panel of celebrity judges and an audience - each of which will vote to determine winners in each age category.

The winner from each age group will be awarded a trophy and a prize package consisting of a professional headshot package, a vocal coaching session, two songs professionally recorded and one original song written and produced with or for the artist.

Finalists
7-10 year old age category
Madisen Fragosa of Riverside
Christine Panlasigui of Buena Park
Renzo De la Pena of Whittier
Cassandra Pyle of Anaheim
Joshua Dominick of Azusa
Athena Navarro of Irvine
Michael Bautista of Monrovia
Robynne French of Temecula
Wesley Ruby of Fullerton
Denisse Alvarado of Norwalk

11-14 year old category
Kyler McKessy of Torrance
Samantha Mauriss of Brea
Cole Fletcher of Huntington Beach
Kayla Anderson of Nipomo
Robbie Crebar of Laguna Niguel
Adanna Duru of Walnut/diamond bar
Kendall Reusing of Corona
Devin Griffin of Norco
Heather Leach of Garden Grove
Alissa Mimm of Mission Viejo

15-18 year old category
Dani Poppitt of Lake Forest
Paolo Kespradit of San Dimas
David Ruby of Fullerton
Janelle Madsen of Corona
Kindal Tate of Granada Hills
Katerina Villegas of Chino
Gabrielle Jackson of Laguna Hills
Danzell Patterson of Chino
Eileen Mirabal of Cypress
Melanie Cuevas of La Mirada

For more information visit http://OCicon.com, http://wbzb.net or call 951-371-5239

The Lake Elsinore Outlets has some family-friendly activities coming up. Here are the details:

Wednesday, Aug. 18: Storytime with the Book Warehouse, 11 a.m.-noon
Visit Suite 106 where the Book Warehouse will host an event where kids can enjoy interactive stories, sing familiar nursery rhymes, and color or create a craft.

Friday, Aug. 20: Anthony the Magician, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
See a family magic show full of audience participation in Suite 106. Visit www.Anthonythemagician.com for more information. My kids and I saw Anthony at Tom's Farms once and he was great! We've still got the signed poster hanging in my kids' room. :)

Wednesday, Aug. 25: Storytime with Book Warehouse, 11 a.m.-noon
Visit Suite 106 where the Book Warehouse will host an event where kids can enjoy interactive stories, sing familiar nursery rhymes, and color or create a craft.

Friday, Aug. 27: Pacific Animal Productions, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
This is a multi-age program that features a python, giant millipedes, a monkey and a hedgehog.

Sept. 3-6: Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale
Back-to-school sale over the holiday weekend.

For more information, please visit www.LakeElsinoreOutlet.com or call (951) 245-0087.

$10 Tuesday is back again with $10 Jonas Brothers tickets today, Aug. 17, till 11:59 p.m. The bros. will play Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Setp. 19. Visit www.livenation.com for details.

Other shows you can purchase for $10 today:

Forever Farewell
HoB - Sunset Strip, 8/18

Panteon Rococo,
HoB - Anaheim, 8/25

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Gibson Amphitheatre, 8/26

House of 80's
HoB - Anaheim, 8/28

Mariachi Divas
HoB - Anaheim, 8/29

Under A Blood Red Sky (A Tribute to U2)
HoB - Sunset Strip, 9/4

Under A Blood Red Sky (A Tribute to U2)
HoB - Anaheim, 9/5

Heart
Gibson Amphitheatre, 9/18

Dierks Bentley wrapped up at South Coast Winery. Such a beautiful location under the stars.

He started the show with the title track to the new album, "Up on the Ridge." Then went on to "Free and Easy" from "Every Mile a Memory," and "Feel That Fire."

He went on to perform songs from every album. He also did George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas," which got everyone back on their feet again.

Dierks said he saw Billy Idol play while hanging in Temecula - a concert he has wanted to go to since age 13 (parents wouldn't let him at 13). Loved it!

He ended the show with "Sideways," then "Come a Little Closer." The encore finally brought around his original hit, "What Was I Thinking," which we had been waiting for all night!

Great show!

Go Country 105.1 is hosting the auction here at the Dierks Bentley concert. He's got a signed Lakers jersey that just went for more than $3,250. Now he's got a machine gun collage, autographed by Al Pacino with a prop gun in it. The collage went for about $1,500. An autographed Mohammad Ali image was next. That went for $1,700. An eclectic collection of items. :)

There's also a silent auction set up inside the winery. All money raised is going to Shriners Children's Hospitals.

I'm ready for Dierks!

I'm here at the Dierks Benley concert at South Coast Winery in Temecula. This is my first trip to South Coast and it's absolutely beautiful. The outdoor stage is set up in the courtyard which is strung with little white lights.

The seating is on the lawn and the setting is very intimate.

Right now there's an auction going on. The concert benefits Shriners Children's Hospitals, which provide medical care for children 18 years and younger at no charge to patient or family.

Bentley will soon be taking the stage.

San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers will hold a "Moon Party" at the San Bernardino County Museum on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors will view a waxing gibbous moon, where about 90 percent of the moon's disk is illuminated. Visible along the terminator will be several craters appearing to stand out in three-dimensional relief. Meanwhile, the larger dark areas, called the "mare," will be evident forming the face of the "man in the moon."

"Also visible in the western sky will be Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn," said Chris Clarke, program coordinator. "Venus will appear like a 'half-moon' through telescopes, while Saturn will show its beautiful rings as long thin 'handles' protruding from either side. Much lower in the west, a crescent Mercury will be seen."

Members of the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers will set up telescopes in the museum's parking lot. The museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. For more information call 909-307-2669 or visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.

"Movies and Music on Main" is still going on in downtown Riverside with kids movies playing through mid-September on Thursday's at about 8:15 p.m. Music starts at 7:15 p.m. Here's the lowdown on upcoming flicks:

August 12: "Shorts" -- During a freak storm, a mysterious Rainbow Rock, which grants wishes to anyone who finds it, falls from the sky. As the object ricochets from kid to kid, the wishes coming true quickly turn the neighborhood upside down as a series of mythical misadventures are set into motion.

August 26: "The Spy Next Door" -- Jackie Chan stars as an undercover CIA superspy who decides to give up his career in espionage to settle down with his next-door neighbor and girlfriend, Gillian. But he has one more mission to complete before Gillian agrees to marry him: winning over her three opinionated kids.

September 9: "Up"

September 23: "The Princess and the Frog"

The outdoor screen will be set up in the Civic Plaza on Main Street between Mission Inn Ave.and University Ave. Attendees can come early and bring chairs. Riverside Arts Walk also goes on the first Thursday of the month from 6-9 p.m.

For more information visit www.RiversideDowntown.org or call 951.341.6550.

The Biggest Loser is back and searching for teams of two or individuals for Season 11 of the show. If you have 100 pounds or more to lose, you can apply to compete for a chance to win $250,000.

There's an open casting call coming up at the NTC Promenade - Command Center at 2640 Historic Decatur Rd. in San Diego. Auditions are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 21.

For detailed nationwide casting information and to download the application visit www.thebiggestlosercasting.com.

LifeHouse Theater will tell the tale of Jonah in the theater group's newest production, "Pursued - A Jonah Story."

"This is an exciting new production that offers both thrilling adventure and profound insights," said Wayne Scott, LifeHouse founder and president. "Audiences will experience the deep and moving truths of the book of Jonah set to beautiful, epic music and featuring powerful performances."

The musical will run Aug. 21-Sept. 19 with performances Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:15 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:15 p.m. In addition to the weekend performances, there will be a special Thursday performance Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 performance will feature an interpreted presentation for the deaf.

Advance tickets are $14-$18 for adults, $7-$9 for children ages 3-11 (no children under age 3 are admitted) and can be purchased at 909-335-3037, ext. 21 with a Visa or MasterCard. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office, which is open Fridays 1-6 p.m. and one hour prior to performance times on the weekends. Tickets cost $1 more on the day of the performance.

The theater is located at 1135 N. Church St. in Redlands. For more information visit www.lifehousetheater.com.

Minor league baseball team the Lake Elsinore Storm will hold the Pajama Jammy Jam Sunday, August 8 at 5:05 p.m. Bring in a new pair of jammies - size infant to 14 years - and a get a free ticket to the game. All donations benefit Operation Sweet Dreams, which supplies free pajamas, toothbrushes and books to Inland children in need.

For more information contact the Storm Ticket Office at 951-245-4487 or www.stormbaseball.com. For more info on Operation Sweet Dreams visit www.operationsweetdreams.com.

Dairy Queen will hold its fifth annual Miracle Treat Day today, Aug. 5. $1 from every Blizzard Treat sold will go to nonprofit organization, Children's Miracle Network.

All funds collected on Miracle Treat Day will benefit the local communities in which they were raised. Visit www.miracletreatday.com for the nearest participating Dairy Queen location.

Last year, Dairy Queen raised $4.6 million on Miracle Treat Day. The Children's Miracle Network raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals. To learn more about the organization, go to www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

Performance Riverside is auditioning singers for its on-stage "GO" chorus for the upcoming production "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Auditions will take place Saturday, Aug. 14 at 9 a.m. at the Landis Performing Arts Center on the Riverside Community College campus.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will open Performance Riverside's 2010-2011 season Sept. 17. The cast of the "GO" chorus will have about 100 members, including children, youth and adults. Participants must be age 8 or older. Activities will include singing and some hand motions.

The production will be directed and choreographed by John Vaughn and musical director will be David Lamoureux. Rehearsals will take place at Landis Saturdays beginning Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays beginning Aug. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dress rehearsal week is Sept. 12-15 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information contact Cyndee Miers at 951-788-1416 or cyndeem@att.net.

Kids can learn about the Tuskegee Airman at a Kool Kids' Educational Seminar at the Palm Springs Air Museum on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

The seminar will begin at 1 p.m. and last about 45 minutes. Activities will include a take-home booklet and are free with paid museum admission. The workshop will be taught by Frank Castner, librarian at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

The museum is an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring veterans. It is home to a large collection of flying WWII aircraft, vintage cars, a large library, flight simulators and much more. Movies are shown in the Buddy Rogers Theatre starting at 11 a.m.

The museum, located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs, is open daily. Admission costs $5-$12 and is free for children under age 6 and for active military members. For more information call 760-778-6262 or visit www.palmspringsairmuseum.org.

The West Coast Country Music Association will host the Hot August Vocalist Competition August 28 at the Promenade Mall in Temecula from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Preregister at www.wccma.info. Winners will be recognized at the Wagon Wheel Country Music Festival and will be eligible to represent the WCCMA at the North American Country Music Association International Competition in Tennessee. Application deadline is August 20.

For more information visit www.wccma.info.