Signal Tribune Newspaper

Local events and happenings for the coming week.

FEST OF FAMILY FUN
The Community Services Department is hosting a family festival today from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., at Calbrisas Park, 2451 California Avenue. There will be live music, art projects, airbrush face painting, a balloon twist artist, and much more. The police volunteers will also be selling hot dogs and beverages. Admission is free. For more info call the Community Services Department at (562) 989-7330.

HAMMING IT UP ON THE RADIOThousands of ham radio operators will be showing off their emergency capabilities this weekend. On Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with these ham radio operators. In the Long Beach area, the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach will be demonstrating at an Amateur Radio Field Day at El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring Street, at 11 a.m. For more info, call (562) 867-0252.

A THEATRICAL TEST-DRIVE
Four original, full-length plays selected from those submitted to the 2008 Long Beach Playhouse 18th Annual New Works Festival are being given directed, staged readings. The festival is part of the Playhouse’s ongoing commitment to help established and emerging playwrights develop new work. The last of this season’s readings will be The Jesus Hickey by Luke Yankee on Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. at the Playhouse Mainstage Theatre, 5021 East Anaheim Street. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5. There will be a post-performance discussion. For more info, call (562) 494-1014 ext. 507.

BE A JUDGE!
More than 50 photographers submitted images for the Bixby Knolls Summer Shutters 24-Hour Digital Photo Contest last weekend. The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is currently printing all submissions for consideration for the $1000 in cash and product prizes. The public is invited to attend the judging and reception on Saturday, June 28, at 4334 Atlantic Avenue. Viewing of the images begins at 10:30 a.m. and the awards will be presented at 2 p.m. For more info, call (562) 595-0081.

EGGS WITH THE ELKS
The Bellflower/Long Beach Elks Lodge #888, 16426 Bellflower Blvd. in bellflower, invites the public to its monthly breakfast on Sunday, June 29 from 8 a.m. to noon. Admission is $5.50 per person for the buffet-style breakfast, which includes eggs as you like them, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, orange juice, assorted fruit, Belgian waffles and coffee.

BE HEART-HEALTHY
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center is hosting a cardiac health screening for women on Monday, June 30 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Memorial Integrative Wellness Center, 2801 Atlantic Avenue. The heart screening includes cardiovascular risk assessment, blood pressure, body-mass index, and glucose and cholesterol checks. Fasting is not required. Cost is $15 per person. Call 1-800-MEMORIAL (1-800-636-6742) to RSVP.

HAVE A BALL
The United States Youth Volleyball League is currently taking registration for their upcoming fall 2008 season. The eight-week program gets kids active and teaches the fundamentals of volleyball. The season begins the week of September 8 and ends November 1. Register online at www.USYVL.org or request a registration form by calling 1-888-988-7985.