The Long Beach Symphony’s popular Instrument Petting Zoo is back and ready to inspire the next generation of music lovers!

This unique, hands-on experience brings a collection of real orchestral instruments to neighborhood libraries and community events, giving kids the exciting opportunity to touch, hear, and even play them. Guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, children learn how each instrument works, how sound is created, and how each piece fits into the symphony.

After a fun and interactive demonstration, kids are encouraged to explore the instruments for themselves — from violins and trumpets to drums and flutes. It’s a perfect introduction to the magic of music and a great way to spark an early interest in learning to play.

Whether your child is curious about music or simply loves trying new things, the Instrument Petting Zoo offers an unforgettable experience that could be the start of a lifelong passion.

2025 INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO EVENTS.

Wed. July 2 from 2:00pm
Mark Twain Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90813

Sat. July 5 from 1:00pm
Alamitos Library, 1836 E. Third St., Long Beach, CA 90802

Wed. July 9 from 1:00pm
Brewitt Library, 4036 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA 90804

Sat. July 12 from 1:00pm
Dana Library, 3680 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807

Wed. July 16 from 3:30pm
Euclid Branch Library, 1340 S. Euclid St., Anaheim, CA 92802

Sat. July 19 from 3:00pm
La Vaquereada Festival
14400 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA 90723

Mon. July 21from 3:30pm
Cerritos Library, 18025 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos, CA 90703

Tues. July 22 from 1:00pm
Bay Shore Library, 195 Bay Shore Ave., Long Beach, CA 90803

Wed. July 23 from 2:00pm
Harte Library, 1595 W. Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90810

Thurs. July 24 from 1:00pm
Burnett Library, 560 E. Hill St., Long Beach, CA 90806

Fri. July 25 from 1:00pm
Michelle Obama Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90805

Sat. July 26 from 1:00pm
Los Altos Library, 5614 E. Britton Dr., Los Altos, CA 94022

Fri. August 1from 2:00pm
Oak View Branch Library, 17251 Oak Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Tues. August 5 from 2:00pm
Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Fri. August 8 from 2:00pm
Redondo Beach Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Sat. August 9 from 11:00am
Redondo Beach North Branch Library, 2000 Artesia Boulevard, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Sat. August 23 from 1:00pm
Happy Sundays Festival at Compound
1395 Coronado Ave., Long Beach, CA 90804

Long Beach Symphony will provide the supplies, instruments, and information for each IPZ, but they need volunteers.

Duties

· Give a quick demonstration on each instrument to the attending children/ adults

· Supervise children and adults when playing instruments

· Sanitize instruments from person to person

Qualifications

· An interest in music education

· Training meeting attendance

· Available to volunteer for at least 2 dates

If you or someone you know are interested in volunteering, please contact MPESKANOV@LONGBEACHSYMPHONY.ORG or call (562) 436-3203 ext. 224.

A new study has found that frequent, long, and irregular naps—especially in the early afternoon—may be linked to a higher risk of death in older adults.

Presented at the SLEEP 2025 conference, the study followed over 86,000 people (average age: 63) for eight years. Participants who took longer naps between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. were more likely to die during the study period. Researchers adjusted for factors like age, weight, smoking, and nighttime sleep.

Lead author Chenlu Gao of Massachusetts General Hospital emphasized that the study shows patterns of napping—not just whether someone naps—could signal future health issues. However, he stressed the findings show association, not causation.

Sleep experts note that excessive napping might reflect poor nighttime sleep or underlying health conditions like heart disease or diabetes. And since the study measured movement rather than brain activity, quiet rest might’ve been mistaken for sleep.

The takeaway? A short nap isn’t bad—but relying on long, daily naps could signal something more serious. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends keeping naps to 20–30 minutes in the early afternoon.

As always, if you're feeling unusually tired during the day, it's worth talking to a healthcare provider. Your nap habits might be telling you more than you think.

Can’t Make It to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Farewell Show? You Can Still Watch It Live

Metalheads, rejoice! Even though tickets to Back to the Beginning — Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s all-day farewell concert — sold out in a flash, you can still catch every epic moment from the comfort of your home via livestream.

Set to be the defining rock event of 2025, Back to the Beginning brings the original Black Sabbath lineup — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — back together one last time in their hometown of Birmingham, England. The historic concert will take place at Villa Park on July 5, and it's shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of heavy metal history.

A Star-Studded Lineup

The main event will be supported by a jaw-dropping list of special guests honoring both Black Sabbath and the Prince of Darkness himself. Expect live performances from:

• Metallica

• Slayer

• Pantera

• Gojira

• Halestorm

• Alice in Chains

• Lamb of God

• Anthrax

• Mastodon

• Rival Sons

But that’s not all — a stacked roster of individual artists will take the stage throughout the day, including:

Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, David Draiman, Duff McKagan, Fred Durst, Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, Jonathan Davis, K.K. Downing, Mike Bordin, Papa V Perpetua, Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Slash, Sleep Token II, Wolfgang Van Halen, Steven Tyler, Soundgarden, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Vernon Reid, Whitfield Crane, and David Ellefson.

To top it all off, actor Jason Momoa will serve as the host for the day-long event.

How to Watch the Livestream

The entire show will be streamed live globally from Villa Park — so fans everywhere can witness this once-in-a-lifetime moment in metal history.

Ozzy will take the stage for a solo set before reuniting with his legendary bandmates for what promises to be their final performance together.

Here’s how to tune in:

• Livestream Date: July 5

• Start Time: 3PM BST / 10AM ET / 7AM PT

• Where to Watch: Back to the Beginning website

• Livestream Access: Available for 48 hours after the live broadcast

Tickets for the pay-per-view livestream are on sale now. Don’t miss your chance to be part of music history.

Sharon Osbourne shared her thoughts on the global demand:

"We had such an overwhelming demand from fans who couldn’t get tickets, and they took to social media pleading with us to livestream the show. Being this is such a historic event, we just couldn’t let them down."

Kelly Sweeney, Managing Director of Mercury Studios — the production company behind the livestream — added:

"We’re incredibly proud to capture this monumental milestone at Villa Park and bring it to fans around the world. ‘Back to the Beginning’ will be an unforgettable experience."

Whether you’re a lifelong Sabbath fan or new to the metal scene, this concert is not to be missed. Grab your livestream pass and get ready to witness the final chapter of one of rock’s greatest legacies.

Yes, You Can Actually Get Paid to Poop — Here's How

Looking for a side hustle that's... unconventional? Believe it or not, your poop could be your next paycheck. Some medical organizations are willing to pay top dollar for healthy stool samples, which are used in everything from microbiome research to treating serious gut infections like Clostridium difficile (C. diff).

So if you're healthy and regular, you might literally be flushing money down the toilet. Here’s how to turn your bathroom breaks into a side income — and maybe even help save lives in the process.

💰 How Much Can You Make Selling Your Poop?

Depending on the organization, stool donors can earn anything from a few bucks per visit to six figures annually:

• HumanMicrobes pays $500 per donation. Yes, you read that right. Daily donors could make up to $180,000 per year.

• GoodNature offers $25–$75 per visit, with the potential to earn up to $1,500/month. Bonus: They offer incentives for consistent donations.

Just like any other gig, be sure to confirm payment terms before getting started.

🏥 Where Can You Sell Your Poop?

Not everyone is eligible to join the stool donor club. Companies have strict health criteria — and sometimes geographic restrictions.

GoodNature

• Locations: Irving, CA & Tempe, AZ

• Requirements: 18–50 years old, healthy weight, non-smoker, no GI diseases or substance abuse

• Frequency: 3–6 donations/week

• Perks: Same-day pay via reloadable card; potential bonuses for frequent donors

• Remote Option: If you live outside their cities, you might still qualify for their Research & Development program and mail in your samples.

HumanMicrobes

• Location: Nationwide (as long as dry ice is available locally)

• Requirements: Excellent physical & mental health, ideally under 30, specific stool type, limited antibiotic use

• Pay: $500 per donation, with potential add-ons for special preparation

• Shipping: Costs covered by HumanMicrobes or recipient

📝 How to Start Selling Your Poop

Ready to cash in on your colon? Here's how the process typically works:

1. Apply Online

Start by filling out an application form. Expect detailed questions about your lifestyle, diet, medical history, and bathroom habits.

2. Health Screenings

If your application is approved, you’ll need to complete health evaluations. For instance, GoodNature requires:

• Three initial test donations

• Weekly nasal swabs

• Monthly lab work and check-ups

3. Start Donating

Once cleared, you’ll either donate in person (GoodNature) or collect and ship your samples from home (HumanMicrobes). It takes about 20 minutes per donation.

🦠 Why Would Anyone Pay for This?

It might sound strange, but healthy stool samples are in high demand. They're critical in developing treatments for gut-related illnesses and restoring healthy microbiomes in patients suffering from C. diff and other conditions.

Your poop might just be life-saving.

🚽 Too Weird? Other Odd Ways to Make Money

Still not sold on the idea of turning your toilet into a side hustle? No judgment. There are plenty of other unconventional ways to make money — from renting out your driveway to getting paid for your opinions.

But if you’re healthy, open-minded, and okay talking about #2, selling your poop might be the most surprisingly lucrative gig you never considered.

Pro tip: Don’t just go running to the bathroom with a Ziploc bag. Do your homework, apply properly, and follow all medical guidelines. It’s a real science, not just a stinky side hustle.