On Easter Sunday I was just leaving work after delivering Express mail, and my car petered out of gas. Thankfully I was able to coast into the WILLBANKS CARPET lot (I've heard great things about them) and a woman came along who helped me get back on the road. I doubt many people would have thought I was in my right mind, walking up Redondo Avenue in a postal uniform on Easter Sunday trying to flag people down. (Most people don't realize EXPRESS MAIL delivery is EVERY DAY, INCLUDING HOLIDAYS in Long Beach). Special thanks to KATHERINE GAMBLE!

MAY 1 = MAY DAY

It depends on who you talk to, but MAY DAY has a LOT of history to it. It's considered "The Worker's Day" commemorating the struggle for the eight hour work day. In the past, Pagans used this time of season's change to gather greenery while holding "temporary liasons" in the woods wich did not sit well with the Puritans. Perhaps YOU partied or ventured aound town MAY 1st: CHILDREN'S DAY (see Childrensday.net), Art Receptions for STEVEN KLEINDORFER, EMILY QUEST, and RICHARD LOPEZ (Note the new websites borderingonart.com and gallery33east.com), HELMUT STEIN EXPERIENCE's CD Release Party at DIPIAZZA's , LIQUID LOUNGE's THIRD Anniversary BarBQue... I LOVE Long Beach in that I can attend 5 events in one night... Topped off with the CD Release Party of MISTERBMUSIC.com!

MONDAY, April 3rd: Check out the JACKIE AND ILSEY Show at the PROSPECTOR at 7th and Junipero on TV (before you see them on CINCO DE MAYO or live at LIQUID LOUNGE this Thursday!) THE PRIME SPOTlights local LONG BEACH COMMUNITY TELEVISION during the first half of the PROSPECTOR Happy Hour. MO POWER's show, LONGBEACHINWITHMO.com airs from 4:30PM-5:00PM, and CHUCK ALDERSON's Show, "IMPULSE" begins at 4pm. Special Thanks to owners LUIS, bartender LICA, and NICK from LONGBEACHRACERS.com (Nick has ensured the TV was set). Thanks to WADE for leaving the sound equipment for us in April and the following musicians and bands: MISTER B, 3SUM.net, GIZMO, JAZ KANER & THE FUN BUCKETS, The SATELLITE DOGS, RENE PORTE, TARZAN aka SAUL ESTEY, ANGIE EVANS, G.MURRAY THOMAS (Poetry every Second Monday!), AL BORIE, AL WELLS, and AUDREY FAULKNER and MATT GANOE.

THIS Monday (May 3) "Club 562" is hosted by MALOU (who also hosts the popular Friday Night Mic at FENDI'S CAFE on Atlantic in BIXBY KNOLLS). The Picture Slide Show by JIM BREWER will continue and the SHADOW DANCER will return. Just read the moving marquee. And MALOU cannot only sing you a song, she can sell you a home! Call ThePrimeSpot Hotline for updates! 562-804-5625. LAST Monday Night, DON TESCHNER was the Featured Artist and I am still hearing raves! (Who did that limo belong to?)

CINCO DE MAYO

I think North Americans celebrate this holiday more than Mexicans do! Let me suggest a GREAT lineup for May 5th: Get ready early for your night out and turn on TC Ch 65/69/95 to watch AMIGAS DE LA CULTURA on Charter Cable Access at 3PM. Then go to your favorite Mexican Restaurant (or at least visit an OLE MOLE fast growing Mom and Pop kinda chain with fish tacos so fresh they melt in your mouth!). After dinner, go to KOOS.org for TENBYTEN (10 performances!), stop at ANGIE EVAN's FIRST WEDNESDAY NIGHTS at QUE SERA (JACKIEANDILSEY.com go on at 9pm), then onto DiPIAZZA's where KERN RICHARDS, CHRIS PAUL OVERALL and MIKE MARTT and others take the stage!

ART KNOTSY I'M NOT

I was dissapointed to learn that someone in the capacity of "instructor" was overheard describing someone (whom we all know and love) as an ART KNOTSY (Note: "Knotsy" is mispelled on purpose because of the POWER it could imply if spelled historically!). This remark, made in response to a view she heard about erotic art placed in front of a highly visible glass window, would sadden both sides of my family. What kind of "teacher" uses the "N" word this day in age, AND.. so lightly? I wonder how she describes LONG BEACH CULTURE's upcoming exhibit at the WORLD TRADE CENTER, juried by JOAN P. VAN HOOTEN of the PCA (Public Corporation of the Arts) which has the following restrictions: No Nudity, Obscenity, Politics or Violence? (See www.longbeachculture.org to submit your work).

VIOLENCE? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' VIOLENCE!

What do they say? Hate the Act, not the Actor ? I get very sad when I not only hear the title of a movie that sounds violent, but come to learn that the very talented actors in them MAKE LIGHT OF MURDER. In addition to NOT supporting movies that that perpetuate, DESENSITIZE, or makes light of violence and disrespectful behavior (I think a percentage of profits should go to Victim's Funds), I don't play "dis" music on my radio show. We learn by example, and, unfortunately we have too many BAD Examples. I tend to steer clear of the "dark and evil" and CAN'T WAIT for the "Good News" Channel...

WHERE ART THOU?

One of these days I'm going to make it to the POMONA Second Saturday Artwalk and LAGUNA BEACH's First Thursday. (Don't forget SAN PEDRO's First Thursday Artwalk is May 6th). I was even thinking about going to SANTA BARBARA's Art Tour in April, and the BREWERY in LA before that... May 8 & 9th is the LAS DALMAS Art Festival in SUNSET BEACH from 10-4pm. This woman's organization has put on the best for years and about 10,000 attend...

After the SECOND SATURDAY ARTWALK in LONG BEACH's EastVillageArtsDistrict.org May 8th (check out FRAUSTO & STRETZ at "KOOS" and SELLARS & SNELSON at "OPEN"), there's going to be an AFTER ARTWALK PARTY featuring the band 3SUM among others! Visit ThePrimeSpot.com & Hotline for more information: 562-804-5625. For an event "out of the ordinary", check out RAYMUNDOGARDEA.com to see what wonderful event and fundraiser he has planned for MAY 15. Unfortunately I'll be out of town!

LISTEN AND WIN

Listen to THE PRIME SPOT RADIO SHOW and win gift certificates from MOLAA.com (we've been playing music promoting their CINCO DE MAYO event!), PORTFOLIO's, DYZZY ON VINYL, CIRCLE MARINA CAR WASH, and "MA n' PA" Deli (in biz 25 yrs!) @ on TPSradio Friday Nights 9-11PM on kbeach.org, Dorm Ch 2 and LBCT Ch 65 69 95! This FRIDAY, May 7th is Poet G MURRAY THOMAS & FRIENDS with AARON T. opening the show, and on May 14th, our Special Guest is DON TESCHNER, invited by MO POWER of LongBeachinWithMo.com my cohost!

This column is dedicated to my Mom, LOIS and every Mom. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, one of the busiest days at the Post Office! KaRi www.theprimespot.com "It's not a business, It's a Pleasure!"