Community News

Water Budget Workshop

Residents and businesses can get involved and provide input at a 9 a.m. budget workshop hosted by the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners on June 23.

The meeting is part of a series of four public workshops for the board to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which covers the 12 months from October 2022 through September 2023.

You can find presentations and video from all the budget workshops at lbwater.org/budget.

Budget workshops include in-depth discussions about proposed improvements to the water and sewer systems, including pipeline replacements and water quality enhancements.

The board also discusses strategies to increase local water supply, cost reduction efforts and any potential impacts on future water and sewer rates.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in the meeting and share input virtually. Comments can also be sent via email to watercommission@lbwater.org.

The board is expected to adopt the final budget and rates at the June 23 meeting.

For more information on Long Beach Water, visit LBWater.org.

Lifetime Learning Classes

LBCC Lifetime Learning Center is offering in-person classes this summer.

“Creative Calm” starts Tuesday, June 21 at 10 a.m. Learn how to reduce stress while using artistic expression as a source of relaxation and inspiration ($40).

“How, When and What to Garden” starts Monday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to Noon for six weeks. Class instruction includes seasonal planting, plants and their environment, culinary and medicinal uses, fertilizers and more ($55). Classes are available to everyone.

Register on-line at www.lbcc.edu/lifetime-learning-center or contact Theresa Brunella at (562) 930-3047.

Long Beach Expo

The Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Show unfolds at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, June 30 through July 2. One of the biggest collectibles shows on the West Coast is headlined by a multimillion-dollar Heritage Auctions event and brings hundreds of dealers, an exciting array of attractions, Meet the Expert sessions with collectibles experts, a comprehensive speaker series, on-site grading of coins and sports cards, a treasure hunt for kids, giveaways and much more.

“It’s always great to be back at the Long Beach Expo, just a short drive away from the Professional Coin Grading Service headquarters in Santa Ana,” says Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) President Stephanie Sabin. “Some of the biggest action of the year occurs at the Long Beach Expo, where thousands of coin collectors and enthusiasts of many other collectibles hobbies come together to buy, sell, trade, learn and explore.

“Among the main attractions will be the exhibition of John Q Little’s All-Time Finest Standing Liberty Quarter Collection, featuring quarters that were struck from 1916 through 1930 and are considered by many among the nation’s most beautiful coins.”

Other highlights include four Meet the Expert sessions where the public can find out what their coins, bank notes, collectible cards and video games are worth. “It’s a thrill to have four Meet the Expert sessions at the Long Beach Expo,” remarks PCGS Senior Event Manager Samantha Dark.

“We have something for virtually everyone here at the Long Beach Expo, including the chance for collectors to submit their coins and collectible cards for grading right here at the show, chances to win coins and sports collectibles, a variety of educational speakers, a treasure hunt with prizes for young attendees and an amazing talented face painter.” She adds, “the Long Beach Expo is a true destination for camaraderie and fun.”

Info: www.LongBeachExpo.com.

36-Hour Fundraiser

For the third year in a row, Jewish Long Beach is hosting “36 Hours of Jewish Long Beach and the Alpert JCC,” a multimedia fundraising drive and celebration of Jewish Long Beach’s impact on the Long Beach and West Orange County communities. During the 36 hours, all gifts up to a total of $102,500 will be matched by a group of remarkable supporters, producing the potential for a $205,000 total impact. The clock starts counting at 8:30 a.m. on June 29.

This annual donation event will benefit the combined Jewish Long Beach and Barbara and Ray Alpert Jewish Community Center (AJCC), a single agency serving the Jewish and broader Long Beach-area communities.

Funds raised are directed to the organization’s Dream With Us annual appeal which supports community grants, the development of emerging leaders, early childhood education programs, family engagement, services for seniors and other vulnerable populations and programs fostering Jewish and broad communal life locally and beyond.

The conclusion of the 36-hour fundraising fanfare coincides with an Evening of Thanks, which this year is co-chaired by Alan Brawer and Lauren Friedman and will be held in person, at the Weinberg Jewish Long Beach Campus on Thursday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. It is an evening of fun, kosher fare live music and dancing and a chance to celebrate together in person.

Individual tickets are $54 and sponsorships are available. Register online at https://events.idonate.com/36hours2022, or call Yolanda Placencio at (562) 426-7601 ext. 1314.

‘Almost Tina’

A Tribute to Tina Turner is coming to the Gaslamp on Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m. The FABBA Show – Tribute to ABBA will perform as well.

Turner’s energetic personality transcended the typical rock fare and transformed her concerts into dance parties that made it impossible to stay in your seat. Her retirement in 2009 after the 50th anniversary tour left a deep hole in the hearts of millions of fans until seasoned performer Shar Wilson, the lead singer in Always Tina, devoted herself to bringing Turner’s dynamic presence back onto the stage.

Shar channels Turner’s voice, dance movements and even her “million-dollar” legs. She transmits the electricity of a diva, while connecting to the audience with worldwide hits like “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Simply the Best.”

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.gaslamplongbeach.com or by phone at (562) 596-4718.

‘Grease’

Musical Theatre West (MTW) announces the return of one of the world’s most popular musicals, Grease, to its stage this summer. Fifty years after the original show hit Broadway, MTW’s 2022 production of Grease will tell the classic love story of Danny and Sandy, featuring a talented cast that reflects the diversity of a typical Long Beach high school.

This highly anticipated show will preview July 8, with a sizzlin’ summer sock-hop planned for Opening Night, July 9. It runs for select dates through July 24 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the campus of Cal State Long Beach. Tickets range from $20 to $96 each and are available by phone at (562) 856-1999 or online at www.musical.org.

The contemporary cast includes RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12-star Darius Rose, aka Jackie Cox in the fabulous featured role of Teen Angel. The rest of Rydell High’s senior class of 1959 will represent the welcoming, melting-pot community of Long Beach. This talented ensemble was carefully selected during Musical Theatre West’s first in-person auditions in over two years, during which the organization saw 350 live auditioners and received over 500 video submissions.

“One of the exciting prospects in choosing this show three years ago was to model our ‘Rydell High’ after Wilson High School across from our offices in Long Beach,” shared Paul Garman,

Executive Director of Musical Theatre West. Garman shared that MTW had collaborated with Wilson High School for many years on their musical productions and was struck by the diversity represented in their student body. “We knew our production of Grease should mirror our community in the same way.”

Not recommended for children under 14. More information, a full line-up of performances and additional details can be found at https://musical.org.

Summer Reading Program

The Long Beach Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program kicks off June 18, inviting readers of all ages to “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” and blaze new trails by reading books, completing activities and enjoying free special events at all 12 library locations.

Running June 18 through August 13, the program encourages participants to read five days a week for at least six weeks and complete activities, earning incentive prizes along the way. Online registration begins June 18, with in-person registration available beginning June 21 at any library location. Residents can register and begin participation at any time during the program – but the earlier the registration, the more incentives to earn.

For more information about the Summer Reading Program, visit lbpl.org or call (562) 570-7500.