(June 25, 2006) -- A summertime tradition -- the annual Bixby Knolls Street Fair -- drew visitors to Atlantic Ave. between Bixby Road and Carson St. on Sunday, June 25.

The event, produced by the Bixby Knolls Improvement Association, takes place on the last Sunday in June and brings merchants, food...and feet.

This balloon sculptor was a favorite with kids.

Adults tended to follow their noses to food vendors.

This craftsman sold bird houses.

Chris Salomon and Rikki Barker (from the Playa Del Rey area) sold hand crafted Hula Hoops.

They drew a crowd, demonstrating their wares.

This booth is from Sound Energy Solutions (SES), the Mitsubishi-Conoco/Phillips subsidiary seeking to build and operate an 80+ million gallon Liquefied Natural Gas facility in the Port of Long Beach.

Note artist's rendering displayed in the booth.

SES handed out informational packets, ball point pens and promotional items.

Realtor Barbara Shoag with Douglas Kruse, president of the Professional Dragster Ass'n, and 8th district Councilwoman Rae Gabelich.

Mr. Kruse is producing, and the Bixby Knolls Improvement Ass'n is hosting, a July 22 Dragster Expo & Car Show in Bixby Knolls.

LB resident Michael A. Jackson is a Republican candidate for State Assembly promising "fiscal responsibility, accountability and family values" in his campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat Betty Karnette in November.

In addition to his Assembly race website (www.VoteMJ.com), Mr. Jackson has an interesting website listing his recommendations in judicial elections: www.GovernmentforthePeople.US. And for the record, his website endorsed Daniel Lowenthal (son of Alan and Bonnie Lowenthal) in June on the merits.

LB activist Laurie Angel visits with Friends of Long Beach Animals. Shirley Vaughan is among the Friends staffing the booth and collecting donations.

Long-time LB resident Peter LaBarba with Greyhound Pets of America displayed his pet greyhounds again this year.

It felt muggier than the Weather Service-reported 80 degrees/50% humidity approaching noon, 87 degrees/40% humidity nearing 2 p.m. (Weather Service Airport readings) and at midday the crowd seemed a bit thinner than in previous years...but just as enthusiastic.