Auf Wiedersehen Marine Stadium, Good Bye El Dorado Park

A large crowd packed the park Thursday evening as the Long Beach Municipal Band said Auf Wiedersehen to Marine Stadium.

It was blazing hot on the band stand.

The sound system tried to go down repeatedly during the concert.

Bob resuscitated it, but it wasn't pretty for him.

Friday saw the final set up at El Dorado Park:

The three Men In Pink spent a good part of the night smoking brisket in this marvelous contraption:

Mike, Greg, and Justin not only set up the risers, stands, chairs, and mike stands, but provided amazing barbecue for the band.

My niece Bethany and her husband Tim vamped it up Hollywood style.

They stopped by on their way back to Templeton from Palm Springs.

My sister Janine drove down from Paso Robles with her youngest son Peter (left) and our nephew Mason (right) especially for the concert.

Beverly, Mom and Dad are in the background.

Bethany and I take a break in front of the band stand before the concert:

Bob was trying to grab a bit of brisket while praying over the sound system.

It was on its last legs.

It limped through the last concert.

Fortunately for us it didn't quit altogether.

Aunt Charlo and Uncle Joe joined in the fun:

My brother Ken was feeling goofy after a long day at work:

A bit of serious warming up was required after ingesting such a large amount of brisket:

My view of the final concert:

After the final tear down in the park, all the equipment was unloaded here...

...where it will hibernate until next summer.

So long, Muni Band.

You will be missed!

Farewell Los Cerritos Park

The Long Beach Municipal Band farewell tour continued last night at Los Cerritos Park.

It's time to say so long for another year to my marvelous recipe source and friend Betty:

Singer Tony Galla sat on the other side of the rope to take in the first half of the concert:

Oh, and the Men in Pink?

They STINK!

Tonight we're cruising into Marine Stadium.

So Long Bluff Park

We froze our socks off at Bluff Park last week.

The weather was decidedly warmer last night.

We're doing our farewell tour this week.

The great Tony Galla returned:

As of Friday we're all unemployed.

Hurry on down while you still can!

A Time To Sit Down

A week from today I'm going to sit myself down on this bench with my dear husband Bob and drool.

Drooling is the most effort I hope to expend while vacationing in beautiful Cambria, California.

I love my job. I love playing for thousands of people a week. I love my university teaching jobs.

However, I need a break.

So Bob and I will be heading for the peaceful Central Coast next week.

We are planning days of recreational eating, reading, walking on Moonstone Beach and the East West Ranch, and lots and lots of naps.

Maybe I'll blog.

Maybe I won't.

Meanwhile, Muni Band Week 8 begins tomorrow.

See you in the park!

Separate Sisters

I've been following the formerly conjoined Herrin twins Kendra and Maliyah since before their separation surgery last year.

They celebrated the first anniversary of their successful surgery on August 7.

What a blessing it is to see them thriving!

The End Is Near

The end is near but, thankfully, not for Patti and Jonathan.

They survived a head on collision with a drunk 20 year old male early Thursday morning as they were driving to LAX.

Fortunately Jonathan's Mercedes protected them from the under age drunk's Lexus SUV.

They escaped with air bag injuries alone.

Jonathan's car gave its life to save theirs.

Marine Stadium looked inviting Thursday afternoon:

The weather was perfect as John typed his heart out:

Greg looks like he was blessing the band as he guest conducted:

The crowd got to whistle the Colonel Bogey march accompanied by the band.

Unfamiliar with Colonel Bogey?

Think Bridge on the River Kwai:

Barbara Morrison was back.

She lit up the crowd with her powerful set of songs.

Friday we were back at El Dorado Park.

John was back at the typewriter:


Greg was back on the podium:

Then the band was off to the annual band party in this lovely setting:

Four more concerts are left in the Municipal Band's 98th season.

Will we see you there?

Chillin' at Los Cerritos

It was a chilly night at Los Cerritos Park last night.

We had another resident lenslinger.

Gosh, we're popular!

John continued his virtuosic work on the typewriter:

Stage manager Greg conducted a Spike Jones medley, including "Cocktails for Two":

Here's the original "Cocktails for Two":

Barbara Morrison was blazing hot:

Hurry on down while you still can.

It's FREE!

Have you priced concert tickets lately? You'll pay $$$$ if you wait to hear any of us perform during the rest of the year.

Tonight, Marine Stadium.