.
Feedback

Making Lemonade in Long Beach, CA

Life has given me a lemon. My last day of work was yesterday, June 25. I must make lemonade. I have a new project: A 100-day odyssey of art, creativity and projects - in 4 parts.

When adversity strikes us, we must react quickly, lest we fall into "the darkness".  I am working on positive thoughts, looking forward (not back) and making lemonade. 

Life has given me a lemon.  I have quickly moved from employed status to unemployed.  It's happened twice before, it could happen again.  It seems that every 10 years is the cycle.  Misery likes company.  I know I'm not alone, and am comforted by that thought.

While I apply for unemployment and seek new work, I have planned on making some lemonade.

THE PROJECT

Starting next Monday, I will be throwing myself into a different creative project every day for 25 days - and blogging about it.  A short break, and the second project will begin. 

My objective?  One hundred days of creativity in Long Beach, CA.  It won't be hard, will it?  This is Long Beach...  A city with an artist living on practically every block.  Art everywhere!

It may be an interview with an artist, an artistic non-profit, a look at something picturesque or not in this oh-so-creative city of ours.  Here are some ideas I've had.  I will also be seeking materials, either from friends, freecycle.org or from the Patch or creative community.  Hey, this is the world-wide web!  Perhaps I can reach... the world!  All documentation will be on my little laptop and using my little portable camera.  Nothing fancy, we're on a budget here.

Are you an artist or arts organization?  Do you have some amazing artwork in your lobby or on your wall?  Perhaps you have a hobby and would like to share it with me and with the community and would like to be added to the 100 days list, please email info@handmadepenguin.com.

I am especially looking for Makerspaces.  What is a Makerspace?  Shared tools for creativity of any sort in a shared space of any sort.  If you participate in a private or public makerspace or *** would like me to redefine your empty retail space as a public Makerspace ***, PLEASE, PLEASE, EMAIL ME!!!

#1 MAKING COMMUNITY LEMONADE IN LONG BEACH

Next Monday, I will be making lemonade.

Needed: Lemons (it takes more than one lemon to make lemonade), Sugar, Lemonade recipe.

I am looking for someone in Belmont Shore, Alamitos Heights, Belmont Park or Naples with ready lemons on a lemon tree. 

Got something else to add to the mix?  Limes, mint, some sort of spice?  Would you like me to make the lemonade at your home or retail location?  Would you like to help concoct some lemonade?  Is there a Monday Farmer's Market somewhere in Long Beach?  If there is, let me know... I can ask for some fruit there.  (no buying, it's part of the challenge)

If you have a good lemonade recipe, great fruit growing in your yard, or want to be part of the fun, please send your contact info to info@handmadepenguin.com.

writes as herself about creative and maker topics for the Belmont Shore Patch and as Handmade Penguin for the Handmade Penguin Blog.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Belmont Shore-Naples Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Singular June 29, 2012 at 05:02 pm
Hey a good place to start may be:
Liberty Art Gallery and Performance Space - Long Beach Contact Paige Bauer 435 Alamitos Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802 She is a local artist that opens the gallery for show every month... great person who gives back to the community. tell her "Jeannie" sent you!
Trish Tsoi-A-Sue July 1, 2012 at 10:35 pm
I will contact her! Thank you!
Shari July 4, 2012 at 08:13 pm
Great Idea Trish!! I've been trying to get an Elgin Patch going forever and this idea of yours is a GREAT INSPIRATION! ever think of making it a Nationwide cause? Been following all your posts on "Making Lemonade"! Keep it going!
Trish Tsoi-A-Sue July 9, 2012 at 07:30 am
It's nice to have a booster!!! Thanks, Elgin!
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Nancy Wride (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 01:40 pm
Hi Mark. I'll see if I can find out. Roughly what time and nearest landmark if any?
Nancy Wride (Editor) June 3, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Love it! Thanks to our new bloggers. :D
Should he be teaching your children?
Mike Ruehle June 3, 2013 at 01:36 pm
Prior to his election as a write-in candidate, Councilman Patrick O'Donnell told the Long BeachRead More Business Journal on February 28, 2012 the following:***** LBBJ: If you win the reelection, will you commit to a full four-year term?***** Councilman O'Donnell: If you run for four, you serve four. ***** LBBJ: So, you're not going to run for Assembly in two years? ***** O'Donnell: Correct. ***** LBBJ: No matter what? ***** O'Donnell: Correct. If you run for four, you serve four. ***** If you can't trust O'Donnell's word, why would anyone vote for him to be their representative for political office? ***** http://www.lbreport.com/news/jan13/odonlbbj.htm
Nancy Wride (Editor) June 3, 2013 at 02:22 pm
And do his supporters care about this, do you think? No doubt others will.
Mike Ruehle June 3, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Regarding, "do O'Donnell's supporters care?", many of O'Donnell's supporters are inRead More elected and appointed public positions, and their support of O'Donnell includes placing the financial burden of a $150,000 special election on the taxpayers. I would think that a responsible journalist would ask each of them about that issue.
This is what the new path will look like.
Richard May 31, 2013 at 10:54 am
This opinion piece is so full of self-serving hot air it could float. Two paths will make the beachRead More look like a freeway? The author clearly hasn't seen too many freeways lately. Speaking of seeing, if the author would care to spend a little time looking at the beach (which I do on a daily basis, as I live overlooking the Bluff) they would realize that the current bike/pedestrian path is the most heavily used and enjoyed segment of the beach from the Belmont Pier to Shoreline Village. On any given day, there will be hundreds of people on the paths, compared with a handful on the sand itself. The author inadvertently makes that point when he or she writes that the beach "...should be valued for its own recreational value." Clearly, many more people enjoy walking, running or bicycling on the path than on the beach itself. Give the people what they want, and not what a mysterious, nameless, faceless group is trying to block.
Shore Resident June 3, 2013 at 08:37 am
Uh, Richard? Opinion pieces are by nature self-serving and one sided. I'm not saying that is agreeRead More with the opinion, just saying that gordana can have her say.