Community News

Grants Workshops

The Port of Long Beach is hosting two public workshops to help determine the 2024-26 priorities for the Community Grants Program, a landmark effort to lessen the effects of port operations on the surrounding area.

An in-person workshop will be held from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Dana Neighborhood Library, 3680 Atlantic Ave. To RSVP, email grants@polb.com.

The second workshop will be virtual from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Register at https://ow.ly/gKyq50Q6tr7.

Attendees will learn about and offer input regarding the port’s plans to disburse Community Grant Program funding in three areas: community health, facility improvement and community infrastructure. Potential grant applicants are encouraged to attend. Spanish translation is available upon request.

The award-winning Community Grants Program is a more than $46 million effort to fund projects that help those in the community who are most vulnerable to port-related environmental impacts. These projects are expanding asthma services, controlling stormwater runoff through the building of permeable parking lots, and creating open space buffers between port operations and communities, to name a few. Combined with a previous program started in 2009, the Port of Long Beach has set aside more than $65 million, making it the largest voluntary port mitigation initiative in the country. To date, $38.8 million has been committed.

Learn more about the Community Grants Program at www.polb.com/grants.

Raptor Ramble

Ecologists will lead a nature walk of the Los Cerritos Wetlands on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 to 10 a.m.

Many raptors live and hunt in the wetlands. Participants might see red-tailed hawks, cooper’s hawks and ospreys. Kingfishers, egrets, owls and hummingbirds also reside in the wetlands. Stroll along a lovely walkway among California native plants.

This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toes shoes are required. Park on the inland side of the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street, just at the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach. For more information or to RSVP, contact elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org. Learn more about the wetlands at www.lcwlandtrust.org.

Free Concerts

In addition to the many community outreach and educational activities Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra brings to Long Beach, they have announced four free “Community Concerts” to be held in Long Beach Public Libraries.

The first one is on Saturday Dec. 2, in the Miller Room at the Long Beach Main Library. The event will feature one of Musica Anglica’s virtuoso musicians who is a rising star in the baroque music world, Alexa Haynes-Pilon, principal cellist. The event is free to the public and begins at 3 pm.

“We have planned activities for children, teens, and adults as part of this presentation and will be giving away tickets to our December concerts,” said Matthew Faulkner, Musica Angelica’s executive director.

Canadian-born Haynes-Pilon has been described by Early Musica America as “a special artist with a brilliant future.” She has quickly established herself in the early music scene, performing on baroque cello, viola de gamba, baroque bassoon, and dulcian. She is the principal cellist of both Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra and Opera Neo and is the co-director and cellist/gambist of Musica Pacifica.

The remaining free community concerts are as follows:

• Saturday, January 20, 2024 – Los Altos Neighborhood Library at 11:00 a.m.
• Saturday, February 24, 2024 – Dana Neighborhood Library at 10:30 a.m.
• Saturday, April 13, 2024 – Michelle Obama Library at 11:00 a.m.

For more information, visit https://www.musicaangelica.org and follow theme on Instagram @musicaangelica.

Music at the Point Holiday Concerts

The eclectic concert series at Grace First Presbyterian is anchored by award-winning vocalist Dewey Erney, who performs two to three times per year, always bringing the best local jazz musicians with him. This time, on Sunday Dec, 3 at 3 p.m., he’ll be doing a rare duo show alongside brilliant pianist and arranger, Tom Rainier.

Rainier has played for some of the best vocalists in the world, including Barbara Streisand, Dionne Warwick and – most recently – Tony Bennett until he passed away. His playing is intricate and nuanced, a perfect fit for Erney’s fluid interpretations of selections form the Great American Songbook. This concert will feature music by Henry Mancini and Michel LeGrand, among many others

Grace First Presbyterian Church, home of Music at the Point, is at 3955 N. Studebaker Road, at the intersection of Los Coyotes Diagonal. This concert is a free-will donation concert. For more information, contact Stan DeWitt at (562) 972-3324 or stan.gracefirst@gmail.com.

‘Gift of the Magi’

Enjoy this modernized spin on the classic Christmas tale of the “Gift of the Magi!” When a wife and husband give each other handpicked Christmas gifts, they realize that each person personally sacrificed their own happiness to obtain each gift proving love is more powerful than gift giving.

The show runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 ½ Atlantic, Long Beach.

General admission $23 and students $13. Tickets at LBShakespeare.org or in the lobby.

‘Holiday Swing’

Long Beach Symphony is thrilled to ring in the holidays Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Arena with Byron Stripling’s “Holiday Swing!” Byron and Sidney McSweeney will light up your holiday stage with their infectious yuletide joy and everyone’s favorite seasonal tunes.

It is the season of cheer. Byron will dazzle audiences with his fabulous custom arrangements, virtuosic trumpet playing, vibrant and soulful singing voice, charismatic onstage swagger, and an unforgettable audience sing along. With popular tunes like “Joy to the World,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” “White Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and a few swingin’ surprises, audiences will enjoy Byron and Sydney’s renditions of their holiday favorites along with the grandeur of your Long Beach Symphony.

This event truly caters to all, with indoor picnicking and dance floor experience. Couples, families, groups, or businesses will enjoy a holiday party atmosphere. Patrons can bring their picnic dinners and libations or reserve from the symphony’s many catering options.

Reserve tickets at https://aabn.short.gy/e31HCv

Homeschool Holiday

Homeschool families are invited to celebrate the holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific on Dec. 8 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.

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

Prince Of Peace Pageant

The 50th annual “Portraits of the Prince of Peace” Pageant since 1973 will be held nightly, 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wardlow Road at Bellflower Blvd. in Long Beach on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10.

The Christmas Pageant, as it is better known, began in 1973 and was initially hosted by three churches. The founders were Long Beach Christian Reformed Church, St. Lukes Lutheran Church, and University Baptist Church. In the following years they were joined by St. Cornelius Catholic Church and Truett Memorial Baptist Church which is now known as The Annointed Place. The Pageant has taken place continuously since 1973 with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic and this is the 50th presentation.

The pageant is an outdoor event featuring over a dozen separate visual presentations with living statues and live animals depicting the prophecy and birth of Jesus Christ. There are many participating musical groups that provide live music. The pageant is open to the public free of charge. Enjoy a pleasant evening stroll while you review each scene; ample parking is available. Or, if preferred, you may remain in your vehicle and drive the entire route.

Osher Winter Registration

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

Approximately 80 classes including 26 new ones and several free programs will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including personal finance, computer skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, Spanish, French writing, literature history, current events, and food and movie discussion groups.

The eight-week session begins on January 8, 2024, 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.

For over 27 years OLLI has been dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults throughout Greater Long Beach and Orange County by providing educational opportunities and social engagement.

Holiday Celebration

Long Beach Towne Center, an open-air lifestyle center, invites the community to its fun-filled Holiday Celebration event on Sunday, Dec. 17, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Regal Promenade. During the event, there will be free take-home photos with Santa in a creative film-strip format that emulates a photo booth printout.

There will also be crafts, face painters, balloon twisters and stilt walkers. This event is free and open to the public; no pre-registration is required. For more information, please visit https://lbtownecenter.com/events.

With 1 million square feet of retail space, Long Beach Towne Center offers a unique collection of over 54 name-brand and boutique shopping, entertainment and dining options all conveniently located off the 605 Freeway.

The shopping center’s retailers include nationally recognized names like Ashley Furniture, Barnes & Noble, Old Navy, PetSmart, Ross Dress For Less, and Walmart as well as a host of coveted specialty retailers like Bath & Body Works, Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh, David’s Bridal, DXL Men’s Apparel and ULTA Beauty. Customer-favorite eateries include Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Original Roadhouse Grill, and TGI Fridays.

Entertainment options include an expansive Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 movie theater, Dave & Buster’s, and body-honing services such as Massage Envy and Good Feet. For more information, visit https://www.lbtownecenter.com.

Tobacco Waste Clean Up

The Long Beach Environmental Alliance, Coalition for Smoke-Free Long Beach, Youth Leaders for Tobacco Control, will be hosting Tobacco Waste Clean Up on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at 3rd Street and Promenade in downtown Long Beach, next to the Dog Haus Restaurant.

There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for the most Cigarette-Butts and Tobacco Litter pick-up. First Prize $150 Gift Certificate for Brand New Roller Skates, Second Prize Two Gift Cards for Dog Haus, Third Prize $25 Gift Card for Starbucks.

A great way to help and protect the Long Beach Environment while having fun with friends, family or making new friends while helping the environment.

Night Dive

Ring in the New Year at the Aquarium of the Pacific on Sunday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

During the New Year’s Eve Night Dive, adults can celebrate with music and the fishes. A live band will play in the aquarium’s Great Hall, and DJs will be spinning in the galleries. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase. Doors open at 8 p.m. and there will be a countdown to midnight. The party goes until 1 a.m. Advance reservations required.

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