Jerry Brown has taken the helm as governor of California and is taking a no-nonsense approach to running the shop, though we kind of miss Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver ads on TV telling everyone to come to C-a-l-i-f-o-r-n-i-a. It was the best of times-and the worst of times, apparently. California's in the hole by billions, my city's in the hole by millions, the U.S. is in the hole by trillions, and Amazon cut off my affiliate account since I live in the Golden State. What did we poor taxpayers do to get in so much debt?

Life goes on in C-a-l-i-f-o-r-n-i-a. And rich or poor, we Californians like to have fun. If we can have fun free, all the better. Here are some free and not-so-free events to enjoy this weekend. It's hard to live up to the 4th of July free entertainment so this weekend is a little under-stated. It gets better! Enjoy!

From the California Calendar of Events

Saturday, July 9, 2011

CARSON - Beat the Heat. This is a summer Expo event for all with live entertainment, summer wear fashion show and more.
COSTA MESA - Woodstock Mud, The Who Revue. Woodstuck Mud pays tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at noon followed at 2 p.m. with The Who Revue, a band which recreates The Who. 3rd Annual Summer Concert Series. Location: OC Market Place Main Stage, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. Cost: $2 or free with canned food donation. Call: (949) 723-6616. ocmarketplace.com
ENCINITAS - Insect Festival July 9 - 10. Thousands of fascinating creepy-crawlies including live insects, lizards, snakes, and the famous "Madagascar hissing cockroaches."Practice bug collecting, hands-on arts and crafts, 20 informational booths. Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Free with paid admission, SDBGarden.org
LONG BEACH - Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo & Car Show. Time: 3 to 8:30 p.m. Where: Atlantic Avenue from San Antonio Drive to Roosevelt Rd., Long Beach, CA. Features more than 200 classic and specialty cars. bixbyknollscarshow.com
LOS ALTOS - Arts and Wine Festival on Main and State Street in Los Altos includes entertainment, activities and attractions.
MARKLEEVILLE - Tour of the California Alps, Death Ride. deathride.com Death Ride is a 129-mile ride with 15,000 feet of climbing five passes.
MENDOCINO - Mendocino Music Festival July 9 - 23, 2011. Opening night concert includes Copland, Bernstein and Gershwin favorites. mendocinomusic.com Location: Mendocino Headlands, Mendocino, CA.
PASO ROBLES - Central Coast Lavender Festival. 3rd Annual event includes great gift-buying, entertainment, children's area, lavender tasting, and vendors galore. Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Paso Robles City Park, Paso Robles, CA. cclavenderfestival.com
PLEASANTON - Alameda County Fair June 22 - July 10, 2011 alamedacountyfair.com
QUINCY- Solar Cook-off July 9 - 10, 2011. Cook with solar and eat, dine and dance the day and night away. Blackhawk Solar Cook-Off, Call: (530) 283-1396
SAN JOSE - Don Kruse Classics Car Auction. Held in conjunction with Hot San Jose Nights, 150 Cars are expected at this auction. Time: 10 a.m. Cost: $10/person. Location: Santa Clara Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA, hotsanjosenights.com
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO - Second Saturday Art Fair. Showcasing 60 talented artists, craftspeople and musicians from across Southern California. The event includes entertainment, activities and attractions include: music, art, crafts.
TEMECULA - Dave Koz, concert. 7 p.m. at Thornton Winery, General admission $85; Supper package $150. Call (951) 699-3021. thorntonwine.com

Sunday, July 10, 2011

AGOURA HILLS - Concerts in the Park features Platinum Rock Allstars - 70s music followed by fireworks show! Chumash Park. 5550 Medea Valley Dr., Agoura Hills, CA. Concerts start at 6 p.m. For more information call (818) 597-7361.
BURLINGAME - Blue Tuesday performs classic rock at Music in the Park , Time: 1 - 3 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Washington Park, 850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame, CA. burlingame.org
COSTA MESA - Aquarius ‘68, band. Legends from Woodstock include Janis Joplin, John Fogerty, Sly Stone, Jim Hendrix and Arlo Guthrie to name a few. Tie dye vendors, artisans, face painting; hippie stilt walkers and other colorful era activities included. 3rd Annual Summer Concert Series. Location: OC Market Place Main Stage, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. Cost: $2 or free with canned food donation. Call: (949) 723-6616. ocmarketplace.com
ENCINITAS - Insect Festival July 9 - 10. Thousands of fascinating creepy-crawlies including live insects, lizards, snakes, and the famous "Madagascar hissing cockroaches."Practice bug collecting, hands-on arts and crafts, 20 informational booths. Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Free with paid admission, SDBGarden.org
MENDOCINO - Mendocino Music Festival July 9 - 23, 2011. Opening night concert includes Copland, Bernstein and Gershwin favorites.
PLEASANTON - Alameda County Fair June 22 - July 10, 2011 alamedacountyfair.com
QUINCY- Solar Cook-off July 9 - 10, 2011. Cook with solar and eat, dine and dance the day and night away. Blackhawk Solar Cook-Off, Call: (530) 283-1396
TEMECULA - Dave Koz, concert. 5 p.m. at Thornton Winery, General admission $75; Supper package $140. Call (951) 699-3021. thorntonwine.com

Monday, July 11, 2011
LAGUNA BEACH - Art A-Fair Art Festival June 24 - Aug 28, 2011. Hours: Sun - Thurs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fri-Sat 10 a.m. -10 p.m. Cost: $7/ $4 senior, student. 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna, Beach, CA. art-a-fair.com
LAGUNA BEACH - Sawdust Festival June 24- Aug 28, 2011. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Cost: $7.75, $6.25 senior. 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna, Beach, CA. sawdustartfestival.org
MENDOCINO - Mendocino Music Festival July 9 - 23, 2011. Opening night concert includes Copland, Bernstein and Gershwin favorites. mendocinomusic.com Location: Mendocino Headlands, Mendocino, CA.
NAPA - Eat See Learn Wine Class. Per-person: $165. This event is an exploration of Napa's modern wine history, and a tasting of Robert Mondavi Wines with a fabulous gourmet lunch crafted by Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald. All this takes place in the unique and rare Vista Dome, one of only ten rail cars of its type made by Pullman in 1952. Napa Valley Wine Train. Limited seating. Call: (800) 427-4124. Location: 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa, California. winetrain.com

Note: We have a huge subscriber base and are always glad to help out if you have events you think the public would like to know about. They have to be open to the public and should be of general interest to tourists & locals. Send to: