Bits 'n' Pieces

Racing Around the World

Hannah Shafer, a HR executive from Long Beach, would ordinarily be starting her day by checking emails and brewing coffee, but this week she could not be further away from the day job as she takes up the challenge of a lifetime when the 14th edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race got underway on Sunday, departing from Portsmouth, UK.

Speaking in the final days before heading off, says Hannah: “In my normal life I was very much stuck in a rut; getting into a routine and doing the same thing every day. And then trying to check in with friends at the weekend. “Looking through the next eleven months is going to be very dynamic. Now I get to work with friends, make new friends and get to see different parts of the world and just get inspired in a different way on a daily basis.”

Hannah, who had very little previous sailing experience, will be racing on board the Team Qingdao yacht, rubbing shoulders with teachers, chefs, plumbers, students, accountants, firefighters, retirees and doctors from over 40 nationalities to take all that Mother Nature can muster as they race 40,000 nautical miles around the world, crossing six oceans and facing all extremities of weather and sea states. From hurricane force winds, to blistering heat, the isolation of the North Pacific Ocean to learning to live on a yacht with stripped back facilities in close quarters with their teammates – this event is a true test of mental and physical fortitude.

The race is broken down into eight legs and Race Crew can take any combination of one, through to all eight legs – making them circumnavigators. On this edition, the race will stop in Puerto Sherry (Spain), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Fremantle and Airlie Beach (Australia), Subic Bay (Philippines), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong City (Korea), Seattle (USA), Panama, Washington, DC (USA) and Oban (UK) before returning to Portsmouth (UK) next summer.

The Clipper Race was founded 30 years ago by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world. Now in its 14th edition, the Clipper Race breaks down barriers to ocean racing and enables people from many different ages, geographic and occupational backgrounds, the lifechanging opportunity to push their limits and experience Mother Nature in her raw and powerful glory.

To find out more, head to the application page of the Clipper Race website: https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/the-application.

Port’s Fall Sponsorship Call Open Sept. 1-30

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for the Port of Long Beach’s Community Sponsorship Program, which funds community events and activities that help inform residents about the port. The events center on the arts, environment, education, social justice and historic preservation.

Community groups may submit sponsorship applications online from Monday, Sept. 1, through 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30. Events in this sponsorship call must be after Dec. 1. Applicants are advised to plan well in advance, as this allows time for the review, consideration and recommendation process prior to a decision by the Board of Harbor Commissioners.

Applications are judged on how effectively the proposed events and activities can help the port inform the community of its critical role as an environmental steward, economic engine and job creator. Events chosen should include promotional, marketing and community outreach opportunities for the port. The sponsored events and programs help spread awareness about the port’s operations, initiatives and community investment.

For more information on the port’s Community Sponsorship Program and how to apply, go to www.polb.com/sponsorships.

The port accepts sponsorship applications three times a year, in January, May and September. For the previous call in May, Harbor Commissioners awarded 321 community sponsorships totaling $968,700.

Optometrist Luelinda Tomlin Retiring

After more than 35 years of dedicated service to the Long Beach community, Dr. Luelinda Tomlin, optometrist, will be retiring from private practice. Throughout her career, Dr. Tomlin and the Tomlin Eye Care Team “have been proud to provide compassionate, expert optometric care, leaving a legacy of trust and commitment to the health and well-being of countless patients.” It has truly been the honor for her to serve you and your families and am deeply grateful for the trust, loyalty and friendships built over the years.

Dr. Justine A. Gonzalez, who joined the practice in June 2023 as an associate, will be stepping into the role of lead optometrist and continue the tradition of excellence at Tomlin Eye Care.

Dr. Gonzalez is a board-certified, licensed optometrist and fellow graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton. She also served as a staff optometrist in the Clinic’s Contact Lens Department.

With extensive experience in general optometry, specialty and regular contact lens fittings and medical eye care, Dr. Gonzalez is deeply committed to patient-centered care. She is fluent in medical Spanish, has received numerous honors and awards, and is an active member of several professional organizations. Patients appreciate not only her clinical expertise, but also her approachable and compassionate manner, which reflects the same values long upheld at Tomlin Eye Care.

All patients currently under Dr. Tomlin’s care will be smoothly transitioned to Dr. Gonzalez. For questions or to schedule future appointments, please call (562) 437-1276 or visit www.tomlineyecare.com.

Credit Union Organizes a Paper Shredding Event

LBS Financial Credit Union partnered with Southern California Shredding Services to give the community a way to get rid of private documents securely. The third annual shred event took place at LBS Financial’s Long Beach Marina branch located at 6457 E. Pacific Coast Highway, on Saturday, July 19.

The community was enthusiastic for the return of this event! A number of attendees brought boxes of documents like outdated financial records, tax forms and medical records to shred. Anytime a guest arrived at the event, ten employee volunteers and branch staff helped load boxes onto a dolly, then transferred the documents to the shred truck. A Southern California Shredding Services representative shared that it resulted in the shredding of over 8,000 lbs. of paper.

“Shred Day is just one of the many ways we help our members protect their personal information while also bringing the community together,” said LBS Financial President & CEO Sean Hardeman. “Safe document disposal is a simple but powerful step toward preventing identity theft and we are proud to offer this free service to our members and the entire community.”

The credit union plans to continue hosting this free event at their Long Beach Marina branch annually for their members and the public.

Queen Mary Expands Its Haunted Offerings

The Queen Mary, one of the world’s most legendary ocean liners and famously known as one of the most haunted destinations on Earth, is raising the bar on frightful fun this season. The historic ship has unveiled a lineup of spine-tingling experiences designed to thrill guests in entirely new ways, from the opening of a ghostly new gift shop and haunted cocktail series to the debut of an escape room during Dark Harbor, plus a new full moon program beginning in 2026.

Among the new seasonal offerings is the unveiling of Jackie’s Spirit Shoppe, a one-of-a-kind retail experience slated to open at the end of September. Located in the heart of the ships’ paranormal hotspots, this eerie boutique pays homage to the ship’s most notorious spirits. Guests will be guided by Jackie, the giggling child spirit said to roam the First-Class Pool, through a shop of exclusive treasures, keepsakes and curios that carry whispers of the past. Each piece allows visitors to take home a tangible reminder of The Queen Mary’s paranormal legacy. The shop will be open year-round, welcoming visitors daily from 12 to 7 p.m., with hours subject to variation during Dark Harbor.

Adding to the spook-tacular atmosphere is the Spooky Speakeasy Series, debuting on select nights including Sept. 7 (a full moon), Sept. 25 and Oct. 6 (another full moon). Guests will gather aboard the ship to hear three of The Queen Mary’s most famous apparitions, paired with three hand-crafted cocktails that take “spirits” to a whole new meaning. This limited-run series promises eerie encounters, bone-chilling tales and devilishly delicious drinks. Tickets are available now.

Debuting this fall at Dark Harbor, guests will get a first look at an all-new escape room experience aboard the Queen Mary. This thrilling, interactive attraction will challenge participants to solve puzzles and uncover secrets within a haunted setting on the historic liner. Following Dark Harbor, the escape room will remain open as a year-round offering, inviting visitors to continue testing their wits long after the Halloween season.

The all-new Full Moon Series, a recurring event beginning in September and continuing into 2026, celebrates each full moon with rotating themes and immersive activities. From tarot card readings and dreamcatcher crafting to moonlit dance parties, each evening will offer something unique for lunar lovers and thrill seekers alike. Guests can sip lunar-inspired cocktails and take part in enchanting experiences, all set beneath the glow of the moon above the storied decks of the Queen Mary. To learn more, including

Of course, no visit to the Queen Mary is complete without exploring its famed haunted tours, which remain a guest favorite. The Graveyard Tour, typically held Friday and Saturday evenings, will offer additional dates throughout October and takes guests on a two-hour journey into rarely seen areas of the ship, uncovering the legends behind some of its most notorious specters. The Paranormal Ship Walk, offered nightly, ventures into hidden rooms and compartments rarely accessible to the public, while the Haunted Encounters Tour, offered daily, provides a one-hour introduction to the ship’s most famous paranormal residents.

The Queen Mary’s haunted history wouldn’t be complete without mention of Stateroom B340, regarded as the most haunted cabin aboard the legendary ship. With countless reports of unexplained knocks, flickering lights and spectral figures, B340 has become a must-experience for the bravest guests. For those who want to push their paranormal encounters, guests can check-in to and stay the night in the famous stateroom. The Queen Mary is also proud to confirm the return of Dark Harbor, its legendary Halloween event filled with mazes, monsters and maritime mayhem, set to make its terrifying comeback for select nights Sept. 19 to Nov. 2.