Community News

Virtual Blue Whale Gala

For the first time, the nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific’s Blue Whale Gala is going virtual. Everyone is invited to join comedian Iliza Shlesinger as she gets up-close with Fern the zebra shark, Gatz the Magellanic penguin, and Groot the giant Pacific octopus. Then, you can experience surprise cameo appearances by animal ambassadors, discover how the aquarium is contributing to the recovery of endangered species, and celebrate with a toast.

The aquarium is also proud to present Charles Annenberg Weingarten, founder of explore.org, with its Ocean Conservation Award during this program. The evening will close with a musical performance by Kodi Lee, winner of America’s Got Talent Season 14. Lee has been a long-time participant in the Aquarium’s Festival of Human Abilities that celebrates the creative talents of people with disabilities, getting his start there when he was just 9 years old.

The aquarium’s virtual gala takes place on Saturday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. with the virtual cocktail reception, followed by the evening program at 7:15 p.m. Fully tax-deductible tickets for the evening program are available for $50, giving you exclusive access to stream the show from your home. You can visit aquariumofpacific.org/gala to purchase tickets. All proceeds support the aquarium’s education, conservation, and animal care programs.

Info: (562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org/gala.

Republican Women

With masks and social distancing remaining in place, Long Beach Republican Women Federated welcomes members and guests to its Saturday, June 12, breakfast meeting featuring Don Jans. Held at The Grand in Long Beach, registration starts at 9 a.m. with the meeting starting at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members and includes a served breakfast and free parking.

Jans is a nationally acclaimed speaker and authors who contrasts the policies proclaimed by Karl Marx with the principles upon which the United States was founded: individualism, rule of law, limited government, divided government and sovereignty of the people. His style (both in speaking and writing) is straightforward. Jans does not tell people how to think but provides the facts so they can determine what is right. Books will be available for purchase.

Invite your friends, family and neighbors to this special meeting. It’s an opportunity to learn more about Republican Women Federated and how women and men can be part of America’s largest grassroots organization. For information and reservations email Maryann von der Horst or phone (562) 433 8996 or 562 760 1556 or visit www.longbeachrepublicanwomen.com/calendar.

Season Ending Concert

The Long Beach Youth Chorus will end its 2020-21 season with its first in-person event of the season, a hybrid concert and video premiere, to be held in the Sanctuary of Grace First Presbyterian Church, 3955 N. Studebaker Rd., on Sunday, June 13 at 5 p.m.

The singers of the Long Beach Youth Chorus have stayed together through this difficult season of virtual rehearsals online under new Artistic Director Stevie Hirner. In a year that thrust the kids into online schooling, they stuck it out with singing on Zoom as well, and the result has been several fantastic video performances.

The short event will be a premiere of three videos the singers have been preparing this spring, along with several live vocal solo performances from chorus members. There will also be a silent auction happening at the same time online that will close during the event and the official opening of registration for the 2021-22 season, when the chorus’ staff and singers expect to be back in-person. Come celebrate the singers of the LBYC and their resilience and enjoy some fun music at the same time.

This concert will be a free-will donation at the door and will be held in the sanctuary. Information: (562) 972-3324 or stan@longbeachyouthchorus.org. 

Church Rummage Sale

Everyone who loves a bargain is welcome to browse the Bay Shore Church Rummage Sale scheduled Saturday, June 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the front lawn of the church at 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach.  Gently used clothing, housewares, linens, decorative items, sporting equipment, furniture, rugs, small appliances and electronics, houseplants, children’s toys and books will be for sale.  Prices starting at $1 and up. For more information, please contact Melanie Brossus, event coordinator, at (562) 889-9300.

Bay Shore Church parking is available at the corner of The Toledo and Granada Avenue.  More information is available at www.bayshorechurch.org

Print Museum Tours

Join us for an Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout the day there will be tours of the International Printing Museum’s galleries, opportunities to create patriotic keepsakes on working antique presses and a chance to print your own Declaration of Independence on Benjamin Franklin’s Colonial Press. Visitors will also be able to experience our first vintage car and equipment show in the parking lot, organized by the museum’s volunteers. Admission includes a slice of apple pie and lemonade for guests to enjoy.

You can purchase your tickets by calling the Printing Museum at (310) 515-7166 or by visiting our website at www.printmuseum.org/event/independence. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for museum members.