A blast

The Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West is hosting a two-day conference in August on the history of the aerospace industry in Southern California. Speakers will include writers, historians, pioneers in the aerospace industry and military officials.

"Rocket Science and Region" will be held Aug. 3-4, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Huntington. Cost is $40. Information is available from kmatsuna@usc.edu.

Here's a list of the institute's upcoming programs.