Community News

Say Farewell to Summer

The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will conclude its 2023 summer concert season with a free, farewell to summer concert at El Dorado Park West (2760 Studebaker Rd.) featuring Journey USA, the ultimate Journey tribute band, on Friday, Aug. 25.

The summer send-off event will begin at 5 p.m. with a Kid’s Activity Zone, followed by the concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Join us to rock out to iconic hits and dance the night away hearing chart-toppers like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and other iconic hits.

Information about other free, family-friendly summer entertainment and recreation programming provided by PRM, available throughout August, is available in the Summer 2023 Guide. For more information, call (562) 570-3150 or visit lbparks.org.

Library 75th Anniversary

The Brewitt Neighborhood Library, a cherished pillar of the East Long Beach community, is proud to celebrate its 75th Diamond Celebration. Originally known as the East Long Beach Branch when it opened its doors in August 1948, the library has upheld its legacy as a warm and inviting neighborhood hub, spanning over 75 years of service.

To honor this momentous occasion, community members are invited to attend a Diamond Celebration event on Saturday, Aug. 26. Festivities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.) and will include 75-cent book sales, face painting, music, appetizers and more. The event promises to be a joyful celebration of the library’s enduring commitment to serving and empowering the community.

“Brewitt Neighborhood Library’s 75th Diamond anniversary is exciting, and we are looking forward to celebrating with our community,” said Director of Library Services Cathy De Leon. “Our dedicated staff sees itself as an integral part of the Zaferia neighborhood and have worked hard to make all our patrons feel welcome through its delivery of excellent service and creative and engaging programs.”

‘The Winter’s Tale’

The Helen Borgers Theater, home of the Long Beach Shakespeare Company, presents “The Winter’s Tale,” written by William Shakespeare. Love, betrayal, and the power of redemption collide in Shakespeare’s enchanting tale of family, loss, renewal, and reunion.

The show runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 16., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets and information available at www.LBShakespeare.org. The Helen Borgers Theatre is at 4250 Atlantic Ave.

Free Music Fest

Happy Sundays returns for the 7th annual free Music Fest on Aug. 27.

Continuing its mission of supporting local business, art, music, and community in the historic Zaferia District of Long Beach, the upcoming Happy Sundays brings together a diverse lineup of local, national, and global musical acts, featuring L.A. Witch, Soft Palms, The Paranoyds, Birth Defects, Ughh, Julia, Julia and a lot more at the Long Beach Playhouse and the Suicide Squeeze Records stage at Bamboo Club.

Happy Sundays was created by wife and husband Julia Kugel (The Coathangers, Julia Julia) and Scott Montoya (The Growlers).

Raptor Ramble

Enjoy a conservationist-led nature hike of the Hellman Ranch Wetlands on Sept. 2 from 8 to 10 a.m. This is a great opportunity to spot raptors such as sea eagles and red-shouldered hawks. An added bonus is the focus on how Native Americans lived in and used the wetlands. Meet on the inland side of the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street, at the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach.

This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toes shoes are required. To RSVP, contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org. Learn more about the wetlands at www.lcwlandtrust.org.

Home School Days

Homeschool families are invited to visit the Aquarium for a discounted admission price. Touch sharks, rays, and sea jellies on your self-guided exploration of the Aquarium’s animal exhibits to learn about the Pacific Ocean and marine conservation.

Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 6 & 7, 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $12.00

Info/Tickets: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/homeschool_days.

Distinguished Speakers

Already well established as a Southern California cultural institution, the Distinguished Speakers Series has again lined up an all-star array of live presenters for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Now in its third season in Long Beach this season’s speakers include Goldie Hawn, Dr. Moogega Cooper, Liz Cheney, Dr. Lisa Genova, H. R. McMaster, and Thomas Friedman. The Series is sold in subscription packages ranging from $240 to $660. Each presentation begins at 8 p.m. at the Terrace Theater.

With its season running from September 2023 to May 2024, on six different evenings, the Distinguished Speaker Series will bring community and business leaders, colleagues, friends, and multi-generations of families together for a shared experience. Patrons come together for inspiring stories and presentations from some of the world’s most influential, timely, and captivating speakers.

“Our mission is to offer audiences across Los Angeles the chance to learn from six amazing people changing the world. We give neighbors from differing backgrounds and political persuasions the opportunity to come together,” said co-owner Kathy Winterhalder.

The series kicks off on Sept. 21, 2023 with Academy Award-winner, humanitarian and household name, Goldie Hawn. Known worldwide as one of the screen’s most beloved actresses, little is known about her true passion, her Mind Up Curriculum, created by the Hawn Foundation, a public charity created after 9/11, whose mission is to help children manage stress and reach their highest potential. Goldie will join the Series for a night of fun, laughter, stories, & sharing her passion: how to truly thrive.

Audience members have the opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with each speaker during a moderated question and answer session at the conclusion of all events.

The Distinguished Speaker Series will be held at the Terrace Theater, 300 East Ocean Blvd. Each program takes place on a weeknight at 8 p.m.

The series is open to the public in subscription packages only. Series tickets range from $240 to premier seating at $660 for all six evenings. Single tickets are not available. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.speakersla.com. Info: (310) 546-6222.

READY Long Beach

On Saturday, Sept. 9, the Long Beach Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), in partnership with other City of Long Beach departments, regional disaster response agencies and community partners, will host the 7th Annual READY Long Beach Community Preparedness Expo.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Walter Pyramid on the California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach State) campus, located at 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd. Community members are invited to attend the event and learn about how to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Over a dozen city departments and various disaster response agencies will participate in READY Long Beach, which will feature information booths, emergency preparedness demonstrations, emergency food and supplies for purchase, a kids’ fun zone, and emergency response vehicles. The expo is geared to provide residents with valuable information including:

• How to gather and store minimum supplies of food, water and other essential survival tools;
• How to take action to increase preparedness;
• How to build a family evacuation and response plan; and
• How to engage neighbors in disaster planning.

This free citywide event is open to the public. A welcome ceremony featuring city and community leaders will take place on the main stage at noon. Complimentary parking is available at Long Beach State in parking structure 1, off Atherton Street and Merriam Way.

More information about CERT is available on the Fire Department’s webpage at longbeach.gov/fire

Lifetime Learning Center Fall Programs

Registration is open for classes on Zoom and in person at the Lifetime Learning Center Senior Studies Program at Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus.

Classes offered in person are Six Standouts from 90 Years of Landmark Musicals with Lucy Daggett on Fridays, Sept. 8–Dec. 8, 1–3 p.m.; Basic Computer Workshop with Phillip Newell, Wednesdays, Sept. 13–Oct. 4, Noon–2 p.m.; Plants and the World Around Us with Howard Manning, Tuesdays, Sept. 12–Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., and Art Workshop with Susan Pierce, Oct. 17–Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Classes offered on Zoom are two sessions of Strength Training on Monday and Wednesday with Jessi McMaster and T’ai Chi Chih with Elizabeth Preston on Thursdays.

Day tours are Sept. 23, Rodger & Hammerstein Musical Revue, Oct. 12, Chocolate Tour and Nov. 7, Cheech Marine Art Museum and Lincoln Memorial Shrine.

Classes are available to everyone. Register on-line at www.lbcc.edu/lifetime-learning-center or call Theresa Brunella at (562) 930-3047.

Learning Institute

On Sept. 11, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, will begin registration for its fall session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations, and online using Zoom.

Over 85 classes will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including personal finance, computer skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, Spanish, writing, history, current events, and food and movie discussion groups. The eight-week session begins on Oct. 2, and is open to all adults fifty and over. Annual membership is $40, and classes are only $15 each.

For more information including registration, visit the OLLI website www.csulb.edu/olli.

VA Hiring Fair

VA Long Beach Healthcare System will hold a Hiring Fair on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Building 600 of the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, 5901 E. Seventh St.

We have over 500 vacancies with amazing bonuses for Food Service Worker bonuses effective Sept. 24, and Housekeeping Aid bonuses effective Sept. 10.

Walk-ins are welcome.

Applicants can join the VA Long Beach Healthcare System in one of the following areas:

• Registered Nurse
• Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant
• Housekeeping Aid (BONUS)
• Food Service Worker (BONUS)
• Dietitian
• Clinical Psychologist
• Senior Social Worker
• Social Worker
• Senior Police Officer

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)