I have a number of close friends and family who are members of our Armed Services. I am proud of them and what they do for all of us. But the sacrifice is not just theirs alone. Many of the families of these men and women sacrifice as well.

Having a family member serving in the military it goes beyond just worrying about that person’s safety. Keeping the home together and making it a safe haven can be difficult even with both parents at home. For some people that means doing without just to make ends meet. I do what I can to support my family and friends but there is only so much one person can do and only for so many people.

When I looked for other ways to help out on a larger scale I was kind of surprised to find Operation Homefront. They are a group of like-minded people who give me the opportunity to do that little bit extra. In 2002 a non-profit was formed to give emergency aid to service members and their families through many different programs. These services are not only for families in need but for wounded service people trying to get their lives and health back in order.

It is a comfort to know if a true emergency arises you have someone you can count on. For wounded or ill soldiers and their families, who at times have nowhere else to turn, it is a comfort to know they do have people who care about them. The programs and services offered are mostly for those in immediate emergency need, ranging from food to transportation to a temporary home during the transition when returning from service.

The Wounded Wives program is for the wives, mothers, and sisters who become caregivers to help those returning heal. Offering support, forums and even retreats to help those caregivers share and learn better ways to care for those charges that are so important in their lives. As well as to give them a moment of rest and respite when they need it.

I was also happy to learn that I am not alone in my desire to help. Corporations and other groups have also promised their help and service. One of the companies lending a hand is Charter Communications with their Neighbors Helping Heroes program. By getting great deals on TV and Internet you are able to give a little back at the same time.

When you get one of the great packages available for everything from internet service to digital TV, and even home phone service, Charter will donate up to $50.00 to help Operation Homefront. Not only can you get something for yourself, you can give back a little something too.

If you enjoy music festivals, a trip to Long Beach might be just the thing for you. Long Beach is home to many long-running music festivals, including the Bob Marley Reggae Festival in February, the Cajun & Zydeco Festival in May, the El Dia De San Juan Puerto Rican Festival in June, the Aloha Concert Jam, also in June, the Long Beach Jazz Festival in August, the Long Beach Blues Festival in September, and the Brazilian Street Carnaval, also in September.

For the last 24 years the Long Beach Bayou Festival has offered the best in family-oriented entertainment. The festival brings together a mix of authentic Louisiana music (Blues, Cajun and Zydeco), Creole food and arts and craft vendors to downtown Long Beach for a weekend of music, dancing and fun.

The Long Beach Jazz Festival was founded in 1978, and audiences return in record numbers year after year to see some of the world’s best jazz musicians. The festival is staged on a gorgeous grassy knoll in a beautiful lagoon setting and features some of the top artists of the year. There’s even VIP seating in an incredible outdoor setting with a great selection of food, art and much more.

The annual Brazilian Street Carnaval & Brazilian Independence Day Celebration features a Rio-Style parade, a Trio-Electrio parade, bands, booths and exotic food from South America. The Brazilian Street Carnaval and Independence Day Celebration came about because the SambaLá Samba School needed a venue in which to parade each year as is the tradition among great samba schools of Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. SambaLá first paraded in 1995 during the “Long Beach Carnaval” and then developed its own annual all-Brazilian celebration.

The diversity of Long Beach’s population manifests itself in many ways, from delicious global cuisine to museums, art, and a variety of music festivals. Experience the unique charm of the dynamic community of Long Beach by participating in any of the various music festivals that take place each year, and bring the whole family for some wholesome fun that celebrates the world’s many cultures.

If you really want to get a sense of what it’s like to live in a beach community and to appreciate the various activities available thanks to the proximity of the ocean, then you’ll want to be sure to take part in the annual Long Beach Sea Festival when you are visiting the Long Beach area.

The Long Beach Sea Festival is held every year from June through August and features events centered on the ocean and the beach. Activities include beach volleyball, movies on the beach, and a tiki festival.

The summer-long series of events celebrates the unique Southern California experience and usually begins early in June and runs through September. Last year the festival opened with the Pacific Open Water Festival and USA Open Water National Championships at Marine Stadium and featured the USA top long distance swimmers in both 5K and 10K championship events.

Occasionally new events are added. For example, 2010 saw the addition of the Children Today 5K/10K Run Walk on the boardwalk just South of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, the Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show, and the Urban Ocean Festival at the Long Beach Aquarium.

Popular returning events include Moonlight Movies on the Beach, Offshore Powerfest, Dragon Boat Festival, Crawfish Festival, Long Beach Junior Tennis Open, Tiki Beach Festival and the Lobster Festival.

The Long Beach Sea Festival is perfect for families with its wide variety of activities that take place both during the day and in the evenings all summer long. There are a number of events that are suitable for children of all ages as well as adults. Some activities are free of charge, making for a great way to entertain the family when you are on a budget.

Locals and visitors alike love the Long Beach Sea Festival. Experience what makes southern California beach living so unique and take part in some of this year’s festival activities when you visit the coastal community of Long Beach.

Celebrate ethnic diversity when you are in Long Beach by visiting the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA ) and the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PieAM).

The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach is the only such museum in the western United States. It was founded in 1996 and is dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American art. Since its inception, MOLAA has doubled its size, recently adding a 15,000 sq. ft. sculpture garden, and expanded its permanent collection, ranging from works by Tamayo and Matta to Cruz Diez and Bedia.

The newest art museum to come to Long Beach is the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PieAM). This museum was founded by Dr. Robert Gumbine, who also founded the Museum of Latin American Art, and just opened its doors in 2010. The mission of PieAM is to incorporate the diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands, focusing primarily on Micronesia, into a permanent collection, educational programs, rotating exhibits and performing arts.

The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM) is located at 7th Street and Alamitos Avenue in the East Village Arts District of Long Beach, California. The district lies in the eastern half of downtown Long Beach, within the borders of Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach Boulevard, 10th Street and Alamitos Avenue.

The mural design on the exterior of the PIEAM building was created by Long Beach native and famed muralist Art Mortimer. It captures a traditional Men’s House from the Island of Yap, one of the four states of Micronesia.

The museum also showcases the diverse cultures from the Pacific who call the Long Beach area home, including the Marshallese, Samoans, Chamorro, Fijian, Carolinian, Tongan, Micronesian, Hawaiian, the Ni-Vanuatu, Niuean, Tuvauluan, Maori, Polynesian, Papuan, Austronesian, Nauruan, Melanesian, Palauan, the I-Kiribati and many more distinct nationalities.

The museum’s exhibits include sculptures, textiles, paintings, wooden tools, jewelry, and carvings from across the Pacific. There are also often traditional island dance performances, cultural demonstrations, and hands-on learning opportunities at PieAM.

The Art Theatre, which is the oldest operating single screen house in Long Beach, is located on 4^th Street and is famous for its screening of some of the most imaginative and stimulating independent, documentary, animated, alternative lifestyle, and foreign language films. The Art Theatre is a wonderful place to spend an evening, especially if you like old Hollywood glamour and the 1920s design aesthetic.

The theatre first opened in 1924 as The Carter Theatre with 636 seats, an orchestra pit and pipe organ. It was constructed with stylistic touches reminiscent of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood but in a modest vernacular style. In 2008 the theatre was completely updated in its original style, after many modifications had been made over the years as the theatre changed hands a number of times.

The Art, as it’s affectionately referred to by locals, has been voted the Number One Independent Theatre in Los Angeles, and after one million dollars of careful restoration, and the addition of a wine bar and coffee bar it is a Long Beach icon that shouldn’t be missed. The theatre offers a tremendous variety of shows, from the classics to avant garde cinema from up-and-coming directors. Matinee and evening showings are available, depending on the film.

The Art du Vin Wine Bar offers you the best personally chosen vintages from around the globe along with fresh gourmet snacks and entrees. The wine bar is open from 5 pm to 11 pm each night. The Portfolio Annex coffee bar offers world-renowned Illy coffee and indoor and outdoor seating. It’s also equipped with free Wi-Fi.

The theatre also hosts a number of special events each year, and can be rented to make your event absolutely unique.

Plan the perfect evening with dinner at one of Long Beach’s exquisite restaurants, and follow it up with a glass of wine or cup of coffee and a show at the classic Art Theatre on 4^th Street in the Retro Row area of Long Beach.

What could be more romantic than exchanging vows aboard a grand old cruise liner surrounded by friends and family? The Queen Mary offers a beautiful setting with distinct art deco style at every turn and has every amenity you might need to make your wedding a smashing success.

From the Wedding Chapel to the Sun Deck Gazebo to the many restaurants, lounges and ballrooms, the Queen Mary can accommodate up to 600 guests and offers 314 exquisite staterooms and suites. The culinary staff will make sure all your food and beverage needs are met and that every meal is delicious.

Your guests will be completely entertained with so many interesting activities nearby, from shopping to museums to shows, art galleries, festivals, ocean activities and more. And Long Beach is easily accessed from the Los Angeles area’s major airports including LAX and Orange County’s John Wayne Airport.

The Queen Mary offers a number of venues for your ceremony, from the newly renovated Chapel to the enchanting Sun Deck Gazebo overlooking the sparkling Pacific Ocean.  There’s also the scenic Verandah Deck with panoramic views of the city skyline. Whether you want to be indoors or outdoors, during the day or evening, The Queen Mary has the perfect spot for you to exchange wedding vows.

The Queen Mary also offers full-service catering staff and can provide both decor and officiator. And for your reception and rehearsal dinner, there are at least 12 different locations throughout the ship that can accommodate your tastes and group size.

A wedding on the Queen Mary is sure to be a unique, memorable experience for all your guests, and will make for some fantastic photos along the way. Adorned in rich woods and projecting 1930’s glamour, each space is unique and filled with character. Many of the breathtaking reception areas offer high ceilings and large dance floors. The Queen Mary staff also includes wedding specialists who will take care of all of the details and make sure that your evening is seamless.