100 Years of Natural History

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles opened its doors 100 years ago. On June 9th, they'll reopen their doors for their Centennial Celebration showcasing updated favorite exhibits and new and exciting features both indoors and out. The 63-foot fin whale skeleton now hangs mid dive from the glass cube housing the new Otis Booth Pavilion, complete with a sound system that sends out whale calls at different frequencies and thousands of programmable LED lights to simulate waves, shadows and other undersea images. Three and a half acres of the Museum lawn have been transformed into walking paths and nature gardens for learning and interactivity. Listen to water move through tree cells at the Listening Tree, explore soil, compost and roots in the Get Dirty Zone and see plant and bug life in action at the Living Wall. The dioramas and many other popular exhibits are still intact, but thanks to generous time and money, nearly 60% of the museum has benefited from the renovations. In 1913, the Natural History Museum was a very different place than it is today. The inclusion of updated technology and new exhibits that explore the growth and evolution of the city of Los Angeles make this Centennial Celebration a milestone not to be missed. The Museum will be closed on June 8th in preparation for Sunday's celebration.

For more information follow the link below to visit the Natural History Museum's website.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 763-DINO

The Front Lawn, pre-renovation.

Support the Long Beach Police K-9 Unit!

The K-9 Unit is an important component to the Long Beach Police Department offering assistance in everything from sniffing out drugs to protecting high-profile visitors to tracking down bad guys who almost got away.

The majority of the fees incurred by the K-9 Unit are not paid for by the City of Long Beach. They are paid for by dues paying members, generous donors, and citizens of the community who believe in the great benefit that the K-9 Unit brings to our Police Department.
Back when the K-9 Unit started, a handful of guys pooled $10 each a month to cover food and medical care for the dogs. With limited resources, they got creative and wrapped newspapers around their arms as stand-ins for bite sleeves. But in 1982, paperwork was filed and the official nonprofit Long Beach K-9 Officers Association (LBK9OA) was born.

The LBK9OA provides funding to purchase replacement dogs and provide lifetime off duty medical care and treatment for them. They also contribute funding for seminars, competitions and other activities designed to further the goals and objectives of the K-9 Unit. Currently, the association supports eleven handlers and fourteen service dogs.

Today, dogs for the K-9 unit cost about $12,000. First time handlers are required to pay $3,000 out of their own pocket for their first dog and the Association covers the remaining balance. The Association also pays for regular medical care and treatment for the K-9’s with one exception: The City of Long Beach covers all medical expenses for treatment of on-duty injuries or illnesses.

The Long Beach K-9 handler course has been recognized as the most respected in the state.

The Association holds an annual Benefit Car Show to raise funds. This year’s event is coming up next weekend on May 11, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will be held on the grass at Long Beach Police Officers Association Park behind Lowe's and Wal Mart at the Long Beach Town Center.

The event is free for spectators and will feature classic cars from 1973 and earlier, live music, food, raffles, a helicopter and a live demonstration by members of the Long Beach K-9 Unit. They'll be there rain or shine! Bring the family to enjoy the festivities and support this hardworking group of officers.

LBK9OA Benefit Flyer

LBK9OA Website

Corporal Greg Manis and Jhonny

Officer Wooldridge and Basco