BEST USE OF STUDENT LOANS: THE ACADEMY The Academy is an eclectic unisex boutique sandwiched between a specialty bike shop and an upscale sneaker dealer on the recently renovated portion of First St. Started in October of 2005 using leftover art-school funds, the Academy is like a handpicked, Long Beach-centric Urban Outfitters, selling whatever silk-soft [...]

77-year-old magician Presto the Digitator’s life lived in legerdemain

PHOTO by JOHN GILHOOLEY
It’s a sticky September afternoon when 11-year-old Reed Osbrink and his friend Jason Bryan, 12, arrive outside Presto Magic in the Parkview Village shopping area. They’re calm, cool and collected, their arms laden with packages and their thoughts focused as only young minds can.
“Want [...]