The fourth annual “Motorcycle Awareness Blood Drive AV: Payin’ it forward” is happening today (May 9) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Hospital Blood Donor Center, located at 44105 15th Street West in Lancaster. Blood donations will be accepted in Suite 305, and there will be a party in parking lot that includes live music from the local band, Rukus, a bake sale, motorcycle relays and lots of great raffle prizes donated by local businesses, according to organizers. The event is free and open to the public.For more information on the fourth annual “Motorcycle Awareness Blood Drive AV: Payin’ it forward,” visit the group’s Facebook page here. View a flyer for this event here.
Los Angeles County Fire Station 29, located on the corner of Avenue M and 6th Street West, is hosting Fire Service Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The free family event features live fire demonstrations, helicopter displays, a HazMat Display, Sparky and Pluggy, a puppet show, tri-tip dinners and a chili cook-off. Squad and Engine 51, the original vehicles from the television show “Emergency,” will be on display, according to Community Services Liaison Carmen Mackey. View a flyer for this event here.
The Johnson’s Smooth Jazz Festival kicks off this afternoon at Lancaster City Park, Field #5, located at 43063 N. 10th Street West. Gates open at 1 p.m. and the first act hits the stage at 5 p.m. Billed as a tribute and celebration of mothers, the jazz festival will feature gourmet foods and wine from a vendor’s village and great music by jazz superstars, including Gerald Albright, Bobby Caldwell, The Jeanette Harris Band and Nils. The event is presented by the Marco and Sandra Johnson Foundation. Tickets are $75 for reserved seating, $55 for front lawn seating, and $40 for rear lawn seating. For a map, lawn-seating information, show times and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.southlandmm.com/johnsonjazzfestival/.
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Updated at 12:45 p.m. 5/9/15 – Editor’s note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the concert lineup for the Johnson’s Smooth Jazz Festival.