• Our View: Sink the breakwater, give LBC a break
  The city of Long Beach used to have some awesome qualities that have since faded into the past.
  
  
  
• Innocent paradise lost, welcome to real world
  Ever wish you could go back to a simpler time without the worries of term papers, bills and hangovers?
  
  
  
• iPod-secluded society making too much noise
  We all should enjoy some complete silence. We should all experience some peaceful solitude, a short or long getaway from this urban Los Angeles hustle and bustle.
  
  
  

• Taking Back Sunday overcomes obstacles for new album
  The 2004 Vans Warped Tour launched with a kick-off party at House of Blues, Sunset Strip in Hollywood April 6. Headlining was a bruised and battered Taking Back Sunday, who, with a patched line-up, was trying to make its way back to the music scene.
  
  
  
  
• Rocky Votolato ‘Makers’ delivers folk, indie
  Rocky Votolato renews his application for indie-rock troubadour with “Makers,” his third full-length release.
  
  
  
  
• ‘Friends with Money’ a good film for mom
  Everyone has heard the cliche “money can’t buy happiness.”
  
  
  
• Re-discover Cheap Trick remastered
  Comprised of two pretty boys and two nerds, Cheap Trick probably didn’t look like a band destined for stardom when it first kicked up its collective heels 30 something years ago.
  
  
  
  
• ‘Thank You for Smoking’ a tribute to spin doctors
  Although “Thank You for Smoking” is a witty satire that has everyone from critics to public relation practitioners praising its cleverness, it is no more than an offensive stab at the field, using the main character to question the morals of the practice. The film doesn’t skip a beat on the name calling either: “spin doctor,” “flack” and “liar” all are in there.
  
  
  

Sports

• Women’s softball leads conference play
  The Long Beach State women’s softball team has won three of its last four games, increasing the season record to 20-15 and 5-1 in Big West Conference Play.
  
  
  
• Mayweather must gain a pound to be the best
  He’s fast. He’s strong. He’s quick to the punch. The action packed Floyd Mayweather Jr. is certainly entertaining to watch.