The Sun Also Rises in Seal Beach

Photo by Gaetan Lee

Burning, man.

Ever wonder if that mysterious, burning orb in the sky might help us break free from the shackles of Big Oil, high energy bills and Middle East entanglements? Or, at least, loosen said shackles?

If so, you're in luck. Promoters of solar energy are presenting the partially docent-led, partially self-guided Seal Beach Solar Tour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Meet at the Boeing parking lot at Westminster Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard (lots of free parking for your non-solar-powered cars) and be ready to have your head filled with information on residential and commercial solar power.

The tour bounces from Boeing to local solar homes where you can examine self-contained solar systems, view plug-in-electric cars and chat up solar homeowners about how these dag gum contraptions work.

Time will be spent at six residences and one business in Seal Beach that get their sun on. While the event (and accompanying literature) are free, you are encouraged to sign up on site by 11 a.m. if you plan to go touring. And if not, why would you be there? Visit here or call (562) 430-2495 for more of Da Scoop.

The tour is something of an off-shot--or sun ray, if you will--from the Energy Fair that churns  up coast at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo Dr., Torrance, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the same day. The street there will be closed off for large booths hawking information on green home improvements, solar installations, hybrid cars, electric vehicles, scooters, bicycles, water conservation, drought-resistant landscaping and rebates for energy-saving appliances. Visit here, email Lillian Light here or phone her at (310) 545-1384 for more details.

Don't forget the sunscreen.