Community News

Showcasing Local Talent

Timed to follow the final Long Beach Municipal Band concert of the season, the Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association (LCNA) presents a pair of performances by popular local bands.

Wednesday, Aug. 9. Everybody’s favorite summertime rock and roll act, the Elm Street Band will be on hand to play everything from Chuck Berry and Beach Boys oldies with other hot weather songs.

Wednesday, Aug. 16. Known and respected worldwide by the blues community and down home music fans, Long Beach’s own Bernie Pearl Blues Band will be knocking out the sounds with a special appearance by vocalist Barbara Morrison, who is just back from an out-of-town performance schedule.

Bring the family to help with comfy folding chairs and your own picnic to this free event at the Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Ave. at San Antonio Dr. and Country Club Dr. Music starts at 6 p.m. Parking is on the street.

Movies in the Park

“A Dog’s Purpose” will be shown on the following days and locations:

Monday, Aug. 7, Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65th St.

Wednesday, Aug. 9, Seaside Park, 14th St. and Chestnut Ave.

Friday, Aug. 11, Stearns Champions Park, 4520 E. 23rd St.

Join a dog as he looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners.

The movie will begin at dusk, about 8 p.m., but moviegoers are encouraged to come early with a picnic style dinner and let the kids enjoy moon bounces and fun in the park. The shelter will also be open to allow the public to meet great cats and dogs that are available for adoption.

This is the twelfth year in a row that Signal Hill Petroleum in cooperation with Partners of Parks has sponsored the popular outdoor movie series, that attracts thousands of people young and old each summer for free evenings of fun in their local park. The “Movie in the Park” season runs through Aug. 23.

Upcoming Movies in the Park include:

Aug. 14, “Moana,” Heartwell Park

Aug. 16, “Moana,” Coolidge Park

Aug. 18, “Moana,” Silverado Park

Aug. 21, “Beauty and the Beast,” Scherer Park

Aug. 23, “Beauty and the Beast,” Wardlow Park

Movies in the Park is part of “100 Days of Summer,” a partnership with Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and the Long Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to encourage residents to “stay and play” in Long Beach between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The website, www.100daysofsummer.org has hundreds of ideas for recreational activities that do not cost a lot of money or require traveling far.

Walking Tour

Join Long Beach Heritage on Saturday, Aug. 19, for a Walking Tour of Downtown Long Beach. The city was recently voted the best walkable large city in Southern California by Walk Score, a company that rates neighborhood throughout the United States. Long Beach is filled with historic gems. From modern architecture to the Art Deco style, it’s all here and waiting to be discovered.

The Walking Tour Program fosters preservation advocacy and education throughout Long Beach.

A few of the buildings included on the tour are the WPA Mural-Recreation in Long Beach, Insurance Exchange Building, The Breakers, The Willmore Building, Farmers & Merchants Bank, First National Bank and the Security Bank Building.

The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts 2 to 2½ hours. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased through Pay Pal at www.lbheritage.com. Tickets will be held in will call and distributed at the meeting site. Free parking at the 3rd and Promenade parking structure until noon. For additional information, call (562) 493-7019 or visit www.lbheritage.org.

Gimmillaro on Straight Talk

Brian Gimmillaro, regarded as one of the top volleyball minds in the country, will be the guest on the next edition of Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss his distinguished career as Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at LB State. Brian recently announced his retirement after a 32-year career at CSULB

The Long Beach State graduate has continually taken the 49ers to new heights as one of the winningest and most successful volleyball programs over the past three decades. His dedication to the sport and his student-athletes was recognized in December 2008, when Gimmillaro was part of the three-person class inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame, honoring individuals who have greatly contributed to the game of volleyball.

 Because of Gimmillaro, Long Beach State has earned a place among the nation’s elite. With three National Championships, eight Final Fours, 13 NCAA Regionals and 27 NCAA Tournament appearances to his credit, it is no wonder that Long Beach State enters every season as a national contender.

This Straight Talk show will air in Long Beach/Signal Hill on Saturday, Aug. 5 and Sunday, Aug. 6 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on LBTV Channel 3 and Frontier FiOS 21. It also airs Saturday and Sunday in Long Beach and 70 surrounding cities at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Charter Channel 188. It will be repeated the following weekend at the same times.