JULY 2012: Saturday, July 23, 2012

ALAMEDA: Apollo 11 ‘Return to Earth' Splashdown. Living history day invites guests to relive the heyday of the U.S. space program as the USS Hornet Museum (ship) celebrates the 42nd anniversary. The Hornet (permanently berthed at Pier 3,) played a vital role in the Apollo 11 and 12 lunar missions having recovered the astronauts upon returning from the moon. Robert Fish discusses his book, Hornet Plus Three -- The Story of Apollo 11 Recovery. Location: 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - 5, free parking across from the pier. (510) 521-8448. uss-hornet | Region: Bay Area

ALHAMBRA: British Invasion, band. Classic rock at this free Downtown Concert. Time: 6 - 10 p.m. on the Rick's Main Street Stage, 132 W. Main St., Alhambra, CA 289-0241. | Region: Los Angeles County

COSTA MESA: Orange County Fair. ocfair | Region: Orange County

GREEN VALLEY LAKE: Music in the Mountains . Located at 7000 ft in the San Bernardino Mountain range, the event includes music, arts & entertainment and vendor sales. Kings Beach 16th Annual Fine Arts and Sculpture on the Shore | Region: Inland Empires

IMPERIAL BEACH: US Open of Sandcastles July 22 - 24, 2012. One of the top events on the coast this summer, the annual sandcastle competition is pure beach fun in San Diego. Sign up with a team to compete for prizes, or just watch and enjoy the activities and entertainment. Admission is free, contests charge a fee. usopensandcastle | Region: San Diego County

KINGS BEACH: Fine Arts and Sculpture on the Shore. This 16th Annual event never fails to capture the imagination of locals and tourists. | Region: High Sierras

LOMPOC: Mission Life Days Experience first hand some of the crafts and industries that enabled the missions to be successful communities. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA. 733-3713. lapurisimamission | Region: Central Coast

NORCO: National Day of the American Cowboy Saturday, July 23, 2012 George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center 3737 Crestview Avenue, Norco 92860 Gates Open to Public at 11 a.m.; Opening Ceremony at High Noon! Entry; 10 & Under Free Parking Fee. This is a fun-filled, family day event which helps preserve and honor America's cowboy and Western heritage that helped to build our country. Food, vendors, demonstrations, mutton bustin and more! Bring your horse and enter the Obstacle Course and Ranch Sorting for .98 a run! Contestant Arrival: 9am; Sign-ups: 10am; Start: 11am Call 951-377-7040 or 270-5632! norco | Region: Inland Empire

PASO ROBLES: California Mid-State Fair July 20 - 31, 2012. Top musical acts, entertainment, activities and attractions. midstatefair | Region: Central Coast

POMONA: Pomona Great Train Expo. This is a national, traveling show that caters to the model railroad enthusiast. The show features 200-500 tables. | Region: Los Angeles County

REDWOOD CITY: PAL Blues, Arts & Bar-B-Que Festival July 22-23, 2012. Time: 6-8pm Friday July 22 11am-8pm Saturday July 23 Courthouse Square 2200 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063. Free admission. 556-1650 palbluesfestival | Region: Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO: Maurice Tani, Jenn Courtney & 77 El Deora, concert - SF Live Arts Music Series (formerly known as the Noe Valley Music Series) Presents a Special Acoustic Performance at Cyprians' with Americana artists Maurice Tani, Jenn Courtney & 77 El Deora. Their latest CD release, The Crown & The Crow's Confession, provides material for The Bay Area-based 6-piece, alt-country/Americana outfit, formed in 2004. Time: 8 p.m. Location: St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk Street (at Lyon in North Panhandle neighborhood) San Francisco 94115. 3- 5. 454.5238. noevalleymusicseries | Region: Bay Area

TURLOCK: Stanislaus County Fair. July 15 - 24, 2012 Ring in the New Year as the Fair starts celebrating its 100th Anniversary. stancofair | Region: Central Valley

VENICE: Summer Fest. 3rd Annual Summer event 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Region: Los Angeles County

YUCCA VALLEY: Who's Your Daddy, band. Summer Music Festival June 25 - August 13, 2012. Time: Saturdays @ 7 p.m. Location: Yucca Valley Community Center Ballfield, Yucca, CA. 369-7211. yucca-valley | Region: Desert

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