Andi Grant's Blog - Everyday Real Estate with a Twist

Long Beach Comic Con 2010: Has Geek Become the New Sexy?!

Long Beach Comic Con is just one of many comic conventions, that have come a long way from the Trekkie conventions of yesteryear. No longer are the attendees only those who know the square root of 1886745892. With celebrities, directors and cult classic fans joining in on the fun at comic cons, it's now one big party in which geek has become the new sexy! Just this year alone, The San Diego Comic Con saw the likes of Angelina Jolie promoting "Salt," Bruce Willis "The Expendables," Samuel Jackson, Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johannson promoting IronMan 2 with this year's buzz being who will show up to the Long Beach Comic Con 2010 representing “True Blood,” the highly anticipated Thor, remakes of Conan the Barbarian and Wonder Woman. The aforementioned does come with it’s controversy though as comic purists and enthusiasts scream for more comic-centric comic cons placing more emphasis on comic artists and comic publishers, rather than celebrities marketing their latest cinematic comic ventures.

Memorabilia, comic books, action figures, anime, Manga, comic apparel, movie props, costumes, art, autographs and pre-release copies of comics will be sought after with thousands of comic con items to choose from!  Q&A panels featuring writers, directors and artists will also be a big draw.

If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm a closet geek.  Yep!  You heard it here first.  But before you decide to buy me a ball point pen for my next birthday, I couldn't tell you the names of the rebel leaders and the alliance in Star Wars, but I have been known to handle my part of the watercooler conversation when it comes to sci-fi and fantasy flicks like Aliens, The Wrath of Khan,  Blade Runner, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Serenity, The Event, and still the intricate mysteries of the now cancelled LOST. 

 C'mon, I can't be the only one out there!  If you can answer more than half of the questions below, you too my friend could be considered a geek and possibly the new sexy.

1.  What sci-fi series contained cyborgs?

2.  Was Gollum the twin brother of Smeagol?

3.  What popular sci-fi television series did Rod Serling create?

4.  What actor played the main character Perseus in the 1981 movie Clash of the Titans?

5.  What Frank Miller comic series later became a feature film movie featuring an all-star cast of Bruce Willis, Clive Owens, Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, Elijah Wood?

6.  Was Darth Vader the father of Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi or yoda?

7.  What was the name of the airlines that crashed in the TV show LOST?

8.  Name three leading men who portrayed Bruce Wayne in the Batman feature films?

9.  V is for ________?

10.  What actor played a computer hacker by the name of Neo? 

Long Beach Comic Con 2010 hours:

Friday October 29, 2010 12:45pm - 8pm

Saturday October 30, 2010, 10am - 7pm

Sunday October 31, 2010, 10am - 4pm

Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90802

Directions and Map

Photos courtesy of Creative Commons

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic License.

Long Beach Movies on the Beach - YEAH!  It's that Time Again!

LONG BEACH MOONLIGHT MOVIES ON THE BEACH series is back!  Our good friends at Alfredos Beach Club and Charter Communications are once again sponsoring this great FREE annual summer event as part of the Long Beach Sea Festival!   What could be better way to cap off a great summer evening than by watching a great movie with family, friends and neighbors with the Pacific as your backdrop?

LONG BEACH MOONLIGHT MOVIES ON THE BEACH - LOCATIONS: 

Moonlight Movies on the Beach designated venues are as follows:

• Tuesday Nights Granada Beach;
• Wednesday Nights Cherry Beach ;
• Thursday Nights Alamitos Beach, Marina Green Park

LONG BEACH MOONLIGHT MOVIES ON THE BEACH - LINEUP:

There are over 20 movies scheduled this summer with a mix of mature and kid friendly films, most of them leaning toward the latter.  The Blind Side, Where the Wild Things Are, Mama Mia, American Graffiti, Jaws, How to Tame Your Dragon, E.T., just to name a few!  Again all for FREE! For the entire movie line-up thru August, check the Long Beach CA Events calendar on Facebook or visit  Alfredo's.

LONG BEACH MOONLIGHT MOVIES ON THE BEACH - HOBBY FULFILLER:

I absolutely love the Moonlight Movies on the Beach summer events because it covers for myself and what I usually hear as others favorite hobbies or "things you love to do":

1. Spending time with family/friends
2. Watching Movies
3. Hanging out at the beach!

C'mon it gets no better than that!  What are you waiting for?  Load up the Jeep/Mercedes/Bicycle basket and get over there!

MY ONE LONG BEACH MOVIES ON THE BEACH PROTEST:

CASABLANCA, the AFI #2 movie of all time was not included as one of the featured movies as it had been in years past.  Why?  It's got suspense, intrigue, humor, romance, wit, Bogie, must I go on?  I'm tempted to put in a "just sayin" phone call to the-powers-that-be and suggest it as a great slot filler for the one "to be determined" movie date.  It's an annual recruitment tradition to drag introduce family and friends to this wonderful classic!

Moonlight Movies on the Beach in Long Beach is great way to create new fond summer memories for you, your family and the ones you love and it's FREE!  See you there!

If you would love to live in the great city of Long Beach or in one of the surrounding communities of Lakewood, Bellflower, Downey, Carson, Los Angeles do not hesitate to call me at 310-508-4354!

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Celebrate Father's Day in Long Beach, CA!

FATHER'S DAY IS ALMOST HERE! Long Beach CA is offering not only great Father's Day brunches at many fine Long Beach, CA restaurants, but Father's day cruises, golf, helicopter rides, spicy flamenco dance shows, Big FAT Greek Father's Day All-You-Can-Eat, Father's Day BBQ on the Queen Mary, Father's Day Picnic at The Aquarium of the Pacific (tickets include FREE Admission to Aquarium) and anything else you can think of for Fathers, Fathers-to-be, grandpas, great-grandpas!

WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO! Check out our Long Beach CA Events Facebook page for detailed Long Beach Father's Day Brunch, Events, Prices and Location information!

There is something for everyone this Memorial Day weekend in Long Beach CA!  These are merely a few of the events on our Long Beach Calendar!

MAY 28, 2010:

MOVIES IN THE PARK SERIES - Day 1 of the "100 Days of Summer" kicks off Friday May 28, 2010 with a screening of the international blockbuster "AVATAR" showing at El Dorado Park East Regional Park. FREE MOVIE, FREE POPCORN. Picnic and watch movies in the park!  To get further details regarding dates and future movie screenings be sure to check out Long Beach CA Events Calender  or 100 Days of Summer.

LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB - "Friday night Soling Match Racing at LBYC, May 28, 2010!  Watch the teams duke it out just outside the club." Suspense and cheering from the deck and excitement on the water. For future events check Long Beach Calendar!
or go to Long Beach Yacht Club website.

MAY 29, 2010:

BIXBY KNOLLS STROLLERS - A wonderful weekly hour long walk with neighbors, family and friends! "Everyone is welcome! Business owners!, residents, friends and family are encouraged to join the Bixby Knolls Strollers a neighborhood walking club that meets every Saturday morning at 7:30am at It's A Grind Coffeehouse (4245 Atlantic Ave)."

FREE LIVING HISTORY TOURS at Ranchos Los Cerritos - "Tour the 166-year-old adobe house with "visitors from the past" who step forward in time to conduct tours of the Rancho. Explore the Rancho through the eyes of previous owners, workers or guests as they share their personal stories and experiences. 1-4 p.m. (last tour leaves at 4 p.m.)" Visit the Long Beach CA Events Calendar or www.rancholoscerritos.org for more details!

May 30, 2010:

THE WAVE'S SUNDAY BRUNCH is now in Long Beach CA!  Broadcasting live from 10am-3pm at the majestic Madison Restaurant and Bar! For those of you who've ever gone to The Wave's Sunday Brunch, it's about great food, great atmosphere and great Sunday afternoon jazz! Check Long Beach CA Events Calendar or 947 The Wave for more details.

May 31, 2010:

NORTH BY NORTHWEST Showing at the Art Theatre at 11:00am - This sexy comedic thriller has all of the makings of a great Memorial Day outing! A suave Cary Grant, beautiful Eva Marie Saint with great Alfred Hitchcock suspense! What more could you ask for?for more details check our Long Beach CA Events calendar or Art Theatre on 4th st. in Long Beach.

PICNIC ON THE LAWN of the Aquarium of the Pacific! Great food, great venue and aquarium visit! $34/adult or senior, $27/child and includes admission to the Aquarium! Check our Long Beach CA Events calendar or Aquarium of the Pacific Memorial Day for details.

Avatar-like photo courtesy of CreativeCommons

Sailing photos courtesy of CreativeCommons

"LONG BEACH: Sink the Breakwater, Restore the Shore!

"Sink the Breakwater, Restore the Shore," has been the outcry for many Long Beach residents for several years now in reference to the 2+ mile eastern breakwater wall located just several miles off the Long Beach, CA coast.  The wall is believed by some to be the sole cause of some of  Long Beach's now waveless beaches and less than swimmable waters in some sections as debris and water bacteria aren't being naturally flushed away by circulating tides and currents. 

Heated debates, rallies and demonstrations in support and against the breakwater removal or reconfiguration is nothing new to Long Beach residents.  But with both the bad economy and down home prices, there appears to be a revival of sorts as support of the breakwater removal gains momentum in the hopes of bringing waves back to Long Beach while simultaneously increasing tourism, jobs and increased home values in the area!

"PADDLE OUT IN MEMORY OF WAVES IN LONG BEACH"

One of the more recently publicized events "Paddle Out in Memory of Waves in Long Beach" was held this past Saturday May 22 in support of bringing waves back to Long Beach as well as the breakwater study and possible breakwater reconfiguration. 

I beheld a rare sight when over 40 surfers consisting of male, female and child, along with local residents and Councilman Patrick O'Donnell held a dramatic memorial eulogizing the past waves of Long Beach, CA. This event was also an attempt to bring awareness to the current breakwater study now being conducted by local gov't agencies and engineers to see what harm, if any, would come in removing or reconfiguring the Long Beach breakwater.

SUPPORT vs. OPPOSITION

The supporters of the reconfiguration or removal highlight interesting benefits and breakwater facts as to why the removal or reconfiguration should take place.  Although at one time the wall was built to protect the U.S. Pacific Fleet once stationed at the now defunct Long Beach naval base, we clearly are no longer in danger of any rogue torpedoes headed our way.  The Long Beach chapter of the Surfrider foundation detail their breakwater issues as well and want to see Long Beach restored to the glory it once had prior to the breakwater being built.  According to a June 2008 L.A. Times article regarding Long Beach, "Early surfers ranked the city's beaches among the best for surf in Southern California, and the city hosted the first National Surfing and Paddleboard Championships in 1938."  A surfing contest was once held in Long Beach?  Several historical surf and coastal articles offer similar accounts as well of Long Beach once being one of Southern California's most popular surfing destinations drawing hundreds to thousands to our coast yearly. 

It is the general consensus of proponents that those opposed to the breakwater removal mostly consist of animal rights activists who do not want to see the disruption of sea life that call the breakwater home and the handful of homeowners living on or near the most southeastern sections closest to the peninsula.  Their fear being among other things, that with stronger waves beach erosion is most likely to occur and the possibility of catastrophic flooding during El Nino-like seasons.  This concern, if valid, is not one the city can easily afford to sweep under the seaweed.  So far, there's been very little evidence produced to legitimize the aforementioned.

"The rich should sacrifice their homes for Long Beach..."

There has to be a compromise.  For some to simply shrug their shoulders and insinuate "the rich should sacrifice their homes for Long Beach" as stated by one Facebooker on a popular Long Beach Facebook page, is a cavalier request at best.  Can we so coldly and easily discount the possible blood, sweat and tears that went in to accumulating the home in the first place?  A home where kids and grandkids grew up and made memories similar to those made in middle and lower class family homes?  But on the flip side of that, "to hold the entire city hostage" as quoted by 4th generation Long Beach resident Andy Filkins would also appear to be a non-option for Long Beach as a whole as well. 

At this point, as an entire city we have no choice but to find a RESPONSIBLE and suitable compromise.  In the meantime, was seeing a R.I.P. wreath thrown out into sea along with flowers memoralizing the death of Long Beach waves a little melodramatic?  Maybe.  But seeing residents cheer for over 40 local surfers who paddled out, gathered in a colorful board circle to hold hands and have a moment of silence for our city's waves - PRICELESS! 

To view the entire "Paddle Out in Memory of Waves" photo album please visit our Long Beach CA Events page for updates and new Long Beach CA events! 

BELMONT SHORE "STROLL AND SAVOR" - I came, I tasted, I conquered!

"Stroll and Savor" is one of my favorite Long Beach, CA Events!  Think about it.  Where else can you get away with stuffing your face with over 30 different cuisines, desserts and beverages for several hours without feeling any guilt?  Last night I attended Day 1 of the two-day "A Taste of Belmont Shore, Stroll and Savor" events! Tickets are sold in books of 12 for $10.  Each participating merchant has a menu of cuisines that you can purchase individually for a certain number of tickets.

I started my "Stroll and Savor" at La Strada where I had a choice of either the Shrimp Scampi, Fettuccine Au Gratin or their Bianca Pizza!  Because I had already eaten my favorite Fettuccine Au Gratin only a few nights ago at La Strada with Carla Muss-Jacobs who was visiting from out of town, I decided to go for a generous slice of their famous Bianca Pizza!  Savory deliciousness for only 2 tickets!  What a great way to kick off my "Stroll!"  By the way, I have to say that I loved how Lisa Ramelow (owner of La Strada) was being pulled in all directions but managed to stop, hug and greet many of the "strollers" by first name!

"Seriously, if it were socially acceptable I would've walked around with a bib tied around my neck with a knife and fork in each hand!"

I then tried samples from Yen Sushi (Cajun Spicy Tuna), Frosted Cupcakery (red velvet cupcake heaven), Olives Gourmet Grocer (Italian Sausage Lasagna), Magic Lamp (GREAT friendly staff serving delicious Lebanese Mediterranean grilled cuisine with names I couldn't pronounce); Panama Joes (taquitos and enchiladas) and of course I saved my last few tickets for Lucilles Smokehouse BBQ (generous portion of BBQ Beef Rib Tips) and washed it all down with their most delicious Strawberry Lemonade!  Seriously, if it were socially acceptable I would've walked around with a bib tied around my neck with a knife and fork in each hand!  But as much as I wanted to sample the remaining 15 or more great restaurants I still had to choose from, I simply was too full to stroll, baby step or crawl any further.  

I highly recommend Belmont Shore's Stroll and Savor event if you haven't already tried it!  To see the entire Belmont Stroll and Savor Photo Album, please visit our Long Beach CA Events Facebook page.  Be sure to check our Long Beach Calendar daily for new and upcoming events!  

To get more information about buying or selling your home in the great city of Long Beach, CA, feel free to call me at 310-508-4354 or visit AndiGrant.com to begin your HOME SEARCH!