LIGHTS OUT THIS EVENING

Tonight, Lights Out America and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have joined hands to encourage people around the world to turn off their lights for sixty minutes during an event called Earth Hour. In doing so, citizens can make a bold statement about their ability to effect change--even through the power of flipping off switches.

Time? 8-9 p.m.

Read more about this event:
www.LightsOutAmerica.org
www.EarthHourUS.org

THURSDAY GREEN DRINKS--NEW VENUE

Jenny Caronna, of Fundraising Green, has moved Green Drinks to a new venue at Morry's of Naples on Second St. in Long Beach. The eco-friendly gathering will be held in the Backroom on Thursday, March 27th:
Morry's Backroom

For more info, visit LongBeachGreenGuide.com EVENTS page:
LBGG Events

SWAPSITES: THE PLACE TO GIVE AND RECEIVE

Don't want to throw it away, re-gift it or send it to the thrift store? How about swapping an item you no longer want for something that you do? Rachel Kaufman writes about the increasing trend of swapsites: those places online where "trade" takes on a new meaning.

Read this month's article, "One For Me, One For You," in Whole Life Times magazine:
www.wholelifetimes.com

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POLLUTE NO MORE: MAKE THE LAWNMOWER SWITCH

Southern California Edison has teamed up with South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to help people reduce pollution when tending to their landscapes. Turn in your gas-powered, fume-spewing lawn mower and get a cordless electric mower for $100--normally valued at $400. Registration started on 3/18/08.

Visit this website to learn the details:
www.sce.com

Register online:
www.aqmd.gov

Or call for more info:
(888) 425-6247

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PINK BLOSSOMS IN EAST LONG BEACH

photos by Sumi Lissak






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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) Tonight is First Fridays in Bixby Knolls. Listen to music, stroll up and down Atlantic Ave., savor food from restaurants, and see the work of local artists. Guest appearance by musician Brett Bixby (www.brettbixby.com)
www.firstfridayslongbeach.com

2) Theodore Payne wildflower hotline is now live! Call to find out where the flowers are blooming.
(818) 768-3533
www.theodorepayne.org

3) Litter Free Long Beach launches "Litter Stinks" persuasive poster contest for 6th-8th grade students. Find out the details by visiting the website:
www.litterfreelb.org

4) Community Tree Planting:
When: Saturday, March 8
Where: 6th and Santiago Ave., Long Beach, 90814
Time: 9 a.m. to noon (please arrive at 8:45 to sign-in)
Join Citizen Forester Brett Beck as he continues to beautify his Long Beach neighborhood. Last fall, Brett and his community planted magnolia and Australian willow trees on six city blocks. Now, he will lead another community planting on the parkway bordering Alamitos Heights and Little Rec Park. Group will be planting 30 Southern Magnolia and Sweetshade trees. Come out and be a part of the fun!
Meet near the corner of 6th St. and Santiago Ave. Follow the TreePeople signs!
What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Don’t forget a water bottle, sunhat, sunscreen and your positive energy.
For more information or to sign up, contact Brett Beck @ 562-233-6945
Or: brett.beck@verizon.net.

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SAVE THE STARRY, STARRY NIGHTS

"Orion Nebula"
Photo courtesy of Michael Beckage

A message from our local, Seal Beach astronomer:

Greetings!

This is going to be a great year for fun astronomical activities so I will be writing often over the next few months.

Have you ever wanted to do real science but didn't know how? Well I have an easy project that has real scientific importance. The project is called the "Star-count Challenge."

As a culture of planet Earth we are being less than careful with many resources. The dark night sky is certainly one resource that is losing ground due to bad artificial lighting practices. The Star-count project was conceived to help document the clarity with which we can see stars and hence keep a watchful eye on the state of what astronomers refer to as "light pollution."

Please visit this link and see if you can spare 30 minutes some evening between now and March 8 to do some real science that just might help save starry skies for the future. I am going to take the Star-Count Challenge tonight!
www.skyandtelescope.com

If you are interested in learning how to help stop light pollution you can visit the web site of the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) and see if you feel moved to participate. I have been a member of the IDA for many years and its a great organization.
www.darksky.org

Whether you participate or not, I hope you will enjoy the great spring skies let me know if you have questions! I should have some new public events and classes lined-up soon so stay tuned!

Best regards,
Michael Beckage
Email Michael
www.discoverthestars.net

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