Today on Catalina Volunteer Vacations
For the first time, the Catalina Island Conservancy has expanded its popular Volunteer Vacation program to include a more "pampered" version for those who want to work during the day, and play during the evening. Regardless of what plan is selected, a Volunteer Vacation on Catalina Island is the perfect getaway that helps the Conservancy preserve the Island's rare native plants and animals, and assists in the restoration of the interior from the fire of May 2007. It is a grand undertaking to help assist Mother Nature and restore the ecosystems of this precious island.
Newly Expanded Pampered Volunteer Vacation Program Helps Restore Catalina's Wildlands
At the Movies: Speedracer Based on the classic children's cartoon, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a young hotshot race car driver who has a good support team behind him, including his mom (Susan Sarandon), dad (John Goodman) and girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci). With his powerful race winning Mach 5 vehicle, Speed angers a ruthless mogul (Roger Allam) who is out to control the world of professional racing by "fixing" the competitions. Teaming up with the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox), Speed attempts to win the cross-country rally The Crucible and keep the sport he loves honest. Cast: Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Hiroyuki Sanada Directed By: Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski Written By: Larry Wachowski, Andy Wachowski Rated: PG Showtime: Shows nightly at 7:00 p.m. with an additional showing Friday and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Official Site
Upcoming Events Evening Nature Program May 14 Whether you are planning to visit Catalina Island or are a long-time resident, the Summer Evening Nature Program series offers a unique opportunity to take a close look at the small treasures and grand vistas of Catalina Island. This is your chance to hear stories of the landscape from naturalists, biologists, and others in from the field. Each unique program will highlight the important work that is being accomplished to help protect and preserve the stunning beauty of Catalina Island. All Summer Evening Nature Programs begin at 7 p.m., and are held at the Nature Center at Avalon Canyon on the second Wednesday in May, June, July, August and September. Free transportation to the Nature Center is provided at 6:30 p.m. in the Transportation Plaza in downtown Avalon. Refreshments will be served. If possible, please bring a reusable cup for coffee or soft drinks. A small donation is appreciated. More information may be obtained by calling: (310) 510-0954.
Silent Film Benefit May 17 The Catalina Island Museum is pleased to announce that Robert D. Salisbury will be returning to Catalina May 17th to accompany the legendary silent film Metropolis. Metropolis was a groundbreaking film in 1927 and it still rests on many critics' lists of top movies of all time. Austrian director Fritz Lang is best known for this futuristic tale set in 2026. In the Gothic and Art Deco inspired world of Metropolis, society is divided into two groups. Dominating are the planners or thinkers who live a privileged lifestyle while the workers toil like slaves underground. A beautiful woman named Maria takes up the cause of the workers and a young man named Freder sees her in action and joins her on her mission to free the underclass. A robot is created in her likeness in a plot to keep the underclass under the thumb of the privileged few.
The Avalon Ball May 17 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. - Dress in your best vintage, evening attire or fantasy costume and dance the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Balboa, The Charleston, Tango, Foxtrot, The Waltz and more at the historic Avalon Casino Ballroom. Reservations: 310-659-3326.
Taste Around of Avalon May 29 Enjoy the most scrumptious tastes to delectable food or beverages from some of Avalon's finest dining establishments. Vote for your favorite taste of food and drink as the Taste of the Year! Contact: (310) 510-1520.
Flying Fish Festival May 29 Celebrate the return of the incomparable Catalina Flying Fish with among other activities, a Flying Fish aquatic race (swim, kayak and paddleboard). A Flying Fish Taste Around Town, a Flying Fish parade. Flying Fish tours and a Flying Fish concert. Watch this site for details!
Just for the Halibut June 1 5:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Just For the Halibut, Just For the Kids fishing tournament. 1st place over $1,000 in cash and prizes. 2nd place over $700 in cash and prizes. 3rd place over $400 in cash and prizes. Rules: Catalina waters only, hook and line only. All fish to be at scales (Casino Dock Cafe) by 3:00 p.m. to quality. All proceeds go to the Kids of Catalina Island programs. $60 entry fee per angler. Includes: T-shirt, lunch & door prizes. Awards and lunch buffet at Casino Dock Cafe at 3:00 p.m. Limited to first 120 entries. Questions: call Steve Bray at Steve's Steakhouse (310) 510-0333.
The H.I.K.E. June 7 Riparian Rhapsody HIKE Difficulty: Some rough terrain may be steep and difficult. 5-7 miles You can almost hear the music of a canyon trail like the one to Ben Weston Beach. The fresh water, the unique plants, dragonflies and damselflies flitting about, and the cool shade in the summer are part of the chorus. Join us on this HIKE and you'll not only enjoy the canyon, but the destination of a secluded beach. You'll end the day overlooking the whole canyon from an historic viewpoint above the bluffs of the Windward side of the Island.
Volunteer Vacations June 8 For the first time, the Catalina Island Conservancy has expanded its popular Volunteer Vacation program to include a more "pampered" version for those who want to work during the day, and play during the evening. Regardless of what plan is selected, a Volunteer Vacation on Catalina Island is the perfect getaway that helps the Conservancy preserve the Island's rare native plants and animals, and assists in the restoration of the interior from the fire of May 2007. It is a grand undertaking to help assist Mother Nature and restore the ecosystems of this precious island.
Annual Parade & Fireworks July 4 1:00 p.m. - Join island residents for the golf cart parade down Crescent Avenue led by the USC Marching Band. 9:00 p.m. - Fireworks display over Avalon Bay.
Gold Star Dive July 19 Skin and scuba divers search for gold stars in Casino Point Underwater Park. This event is a fundraiser for the Sheriff's Department S.T.A.R. (Success Through Awareness and Resistance) program and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber. For more information call the LA County Sheriff's Department (310) 510-0174.
Catalina Tile Walking Tour - 2:00 p.m. Every Wednesday and Saturday Join the Catalina Island Museum staff and trained docents for a tile walking tour. You will start at the Museum where you will learn how and why Catalina tile and pottery came to be and then you will be led on a guided walk back into town. You will learn what tiles are original and see tiles hidden in plain sight. Cost: $10/adults, $8/members & children. Call the Museum for reservations: (310) 510-2414.
Catalina Island Museum's 7th Annual Plein Air Painting Exhibition - January 26- June 8, 2008
See how Catalina's tranquil waters, idyllic coves and rolling hillsides have inspired artists over the past 100 years. Sponsored by the Society for the Advancement of Plein Air Painting this popular exhibit features over twenty Catalina Island scenes painted by contemporary and historic artists. Location: Catalina Island Museum, Casino Building.
