Community News

Writers Club Meeting

The next Writers Club meeting is Saturday, Aug. 12, 2:30-5 p.m. at the Los Altos United Methodist Church, Heritage Hall, 5950 E. Willow St. Meetings are free; no pre-registration is required – just show up. This month’s speaker is author Jeri Westerson: “From Medieval Mysteries to Modern Marketing.”

Do you want to write that novel now? Your memoirs? A collection of essays? We can help you learn how. The California Writers Club of Long Beach (CWCLB) has been meeting in various local venues for 17 years. We survived COVID, and we’re meeting in person. CWCLB is one of 22 branches of the California Writers Club, founded in 1909.

Info: https://calwriterslongbeach.org/ or info@calwriterslongbeach.org.

PRM Fall Classes

Registration for a variety of new and existing recreation classes offered by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) began Aug. 7. More than 700 activities in art, music, nature, fitness, special interest subjects, adult sports leagues and aquatics will begin in September and continue through November 2023.

The upcoming classes for the fall include options for every age range, including:

Preschool

• Parent & Me Soccer, where you won’t just watch from the sidelines, for ages 2 to 3 and a half.
• Preschool Cooking Thyme with hands-on activities for ages 2 to 7.
• Little Princess Ballet Dance for ages 3 and a half to 5.

Youth

• Math Development (teacher structured) for ages 6 to 11.
• Reading Development (teacher structured) for ages 4 to 11.
• All about Dough teaches a variety of different cooking methods for ages 8 to 15.
• Musical Theatre explores dance, acting, music and song for ages 6 to 13.
• Exploring Instruments is a beginning level for ages 7 to 11.

Adults

• Oil Painting with still life arrangements and landscapes for ages 16 and up.
• 2 Step & Swing, no partner or experience needed, for ages 18 and up.
• Karate teaches blocks, punches, strikes and kicks for ages 13 and up.
• Belly Dance burns calories and reduces stress for ages 14 and up.
• Ceramics Workshop teaches coiling, slabbing and mold making for ages 16 and up.

Adults 50+

• Senior Line Dancing teaches new dances each week.
• Chair Based Yoga for beginners and experienced yoga students.
• Functional Movement, Balance & Brains improves balance, stability and agility while strengthening your bodies.

Beginning Aug. 7, residents can register for classes online [LB Reconnect], in person or by mail: 2760 Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90815. For more information call (562) 570-3111.

New Musical Festival

Musical Theatre West (MTW), Long Beach’s premier theatre company, is seeking submissions for its third annual New Musical Festival. The festival is looking for writers who are interested in working on a staged reading of their musical in order to further its development and receive feedback.

The chosen submissions will have the opportunity to present a staged reading of their works using equity and non-equity actors in front of an audience of MTW patrons and industry professionals during a two-day festival in November 2023. The exact dates of the festival will be announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled to bring back our New Musical Festival for a third year,” shared Paul Garman, executive director and producer of Musical Theatre West. “Last year’s festival, hosted at the Assistance League in Long Beach, was a weekend of incredible musical theatre.

MTW strives to represent the diverse community of Long Beach that we service in all areas of our company, and encourages writers who represent various race, ethnicity, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identity, age, physical ability, LGBTQIA+, and diverse viewpoints, to submit.

Submissions can be emailed to newworks@musical.org. Those submitting should include a script, cast size, song demo(s), contact information, and other pertinent information about your new musical. Please submit your package by Aug. 28. The selections will be announced by the end of September 2023. Selections will be presented under the AEA 72-hour staged reading guidelines.

For more instructions, visit musical.org/new-works.

Primetime Players

Long Beach Primetime Players is presenting its 2023 summer show, “The Great American Songbook.” Admission is free and donations are welcome.

• Aug. 29, noon, El Dorado Park West Senior Center, 2800 N. Studebaker Road
• Sept. 1, 12:30 p.m. and Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m., Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St.
• Sept. 6, 12:30 p.m., Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 W. Willow St.

Info: (562) 476-1477..

Tianguis del Arte

The great Mexican painter Frida Kahlo famously said, “Viva la vida” aka “Long live life” and that spirit and zeal can be found in the artworks of the more than 25 Latin American and guest artists offering their wares and showcasing their talents during the free Tianguis del Arte en el Hotel Maya on Sunday, Aug. 13, 12-3 p.m. In addition, guests can enjoy Fuego’s Sunday Brunch, 12-3 p.m., along with live Latin Jazz on the waterfront patio.

Tianguis del Arte en el Hotel Maya features display stations presenting art for sale throughout the property and live painting demonstrations in Fuego and outdoors at The Esplanade and Luna Solstice, adjacent to the hotel lobby. Several artists will demonstrate their painting techniques on oversized communal canvases in each location. Live specialty music will also be performed during the day to enhance the authentic Latin American event.

Info: (562) 435-7676.

Animal Expert Show

CenterCal Properties is offering a unique exclusive experience for guests of all ages this summer: Corbin Maxey is an internationally known animal expert and YouTuber with two billion views who will be live at 2ND & PCH in Long Beach on Thursday, Aug. 24, 5-7 p.m. on the grand staircase stage. This is a unique opportunity to see Corbin and his animals live! From The Tonight Show to Good Morning America, Corbin and his animals are very recognizable personalities.

Explore the world of reptiles as Corbin introduces you to some of his friends. Shows are free but seats are limited. Learn fun facts, watch the animals interact and experience, up-close encounters and photo opportunities. WILD with Corbin Maxey is his own family of wild creatures including an iguana, lizard, snakes, turtles, and more.

All 2ND & PCH events are weather permitting, free to the community and do not require a ticket to attend. For more information on events and a complete list of tenants visit 2ndandpch.com.

VA Hiring Fair

VA Long Beach Healthcare System will be holding a hiring fair on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, 5901 E. 7th St.

To attend the Hiring Fair, applicants must first apply to at least one of the job announcements listed at USAJobs.gov. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications for VA employment will receive an invitation to RSVP for the hiring fair. We ask that all applicants complete the RSVP form to confirm their appointment at the hiring fair.

To attend the Hiring Fair all applicants should arrive with:

• 2 Unexpired Forms of ID (driver’s license/state ID, birth certificate, Social Security card)
• Immunization Records
• Copy or copies of resume
• DD-214 Certificate of release or discharge from active duty (if applicable)
• VA Service-Connected Letter and/or SF-15 form for veterans’ preference (if applicable)
• Schedule A Letter for documentation of disabilities for persons with disabilities (if applicable)

For questions about the Hiring Fair, please contact the VA Long Beach Healthcare System Human Resources Department at V22StaffingSSUTeamG@va.gov .