Community News

Peace Boat

Golden Rule, historic 30-foot peace boat from the Cold War on her way down the California coast, will moor at Pine Avenue Pier Sept. 6-11. The wooden boat made international news in 1958 when she sailed from San Pedro to protest nuclear testing in the Pacific Proving Grounds. Crew members will be letting people come aboard, sharing about the boat’s history and giving tours of Rainbow Harbor. The tours are free but donations are appreciated.

Cheer Clinic

Wilson High School Cheerleaders are inviting all boys and girls, ages 3-14, to be part of this year’s Youth Sideline Cheer Clinic. Registration is $50 per person and parents can request a registration by calling (562) 760-0807 or via email at wilsoncheerboosters@gmail.com.

Youth Sideline Cheer Clinic teaches children skills need to cheer, including dance and jumping, and those enrolled will attend two practice sessions – Sept. 9 and 13 – leading up to the big game on Sept. 15. Prior to the night game, where they’ll cheer alongside Wilson’s cheerleaders, the kids will be treated to a celebratory pizza party before heading out to the field to cheer.

“This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year,” said Aaron Talvy, head cheer coach for Wilson High School. “It’s really fun for the kids, and they get a chance to actually cheer at a real sporting event. Many of Wilson’s cheerleaders participated in the Youth Sideline Cheer Clinic when they were in elementary and middle school, too.”

Participants will also receive a spirit T-shirt to wear to the game, keepsake pompoms, a pre-game pizza party and two 5” by 7” prints as part of their registration fee. Cheer skirts will also be available for purchase and are available while supplies last.

Housing/Food Insecurity

Housing and food insecurity are a growing problem on college and university campuses and will be the topic of the Saturday, Sept. 9, American Association of University Women Long Beach Branch meeting at the Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Guest speakers, Carol Menard, California State University Long Beach Assistant Dean of Students and Dr. Virginia “Ginny” Baxter, Long Beach City College District Trustee will discuss the growing needs of today’s students. Check in and Mingle: 9:30 a.m.; Buffet Breakfast: 10 a.m. Program: 10:30 a.m.; Business meeting: 11:30 a.m.; Adjourn: 12 noon.

Cost of the Buffet Breakfast of fruit platter, Quiche Lorraine, ham. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free option: roasted butternut squash filled with roasted vegetables and topped with a balsamic glaze is $22. RSVP to Lee Tsao at lee.tsao@hotmail.com by Sept. 4.

AAUW Membership is open to those with an AA degree or higher. To learn more about membership in AAUW, please go to www.aauw-longbeach.org. The AAUW Long Beach branch has been actively involved in the community since 1911. AAUW’s mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.

Lights of Hope 2017

The Addict’s Mom announces their nationwide campaign, Lights of Hope, 2017. They will be honoring and supporting those whose lives have been shattered by addiction and remembering those lost. Ceremonies will be hosted by local chapters throughout the United States. On Sept. 9, candles will burn bright as beacons of hope for the 22.7 million Americans addicted to drugs.

The Addict’s Mom hopes to highlight:

• The lack of available resources specifically structured to care for, curtail, and combat addiction issues.
• Campaigns for foundations, such as hospitals, to increase their efforts in treating those plagued by addiction.
• Information that is available to those struggling with addiction about where they can receive help
• The fact that recovery is possible.
• The need to never lose hope.

Lights of Hope is an offer extended to all to step out of the shadows of shame and stigma and raise their voices as one by lighting three candles to spotlight September as National Recovery Month. One candle represents those in active addiction, the next celebrates addicts in recovery, and the last speaks for those who have perished. Together the tapers embody the hope that one day this national epidemic of death and despair will end. An extremely painful and private battle, most addicts and their families suffer alone.

When Barbara Theodosiou found out that two of her four children had fallen prey to addiction, she knew she had to do something. That something was to announce, very bravely, to the world that she was an addict’s mom and she was not going to hide in shame, but she was going to be there to help every mother like her cope with this beast that was destroying her children and family. There are no breaks, no holidays, and no vacations from this heart wrenching disease that our children are being engulfed with. The legal system is housing our broken children in their jails and they are not equipped to handle them nor their disease.

Her crusade, now called The Addict’s Mom, a burgeoning Facebook community, is a home for many – a place where mothers share their hopes, fears and grief without shame. Like millions of other parents who have lost their kids to addiction, she speaks for all, regardless of the circumstances.

She’s not alone anymore. The Addict’s Mom, now 85,000 strong, takes pride in bolstering battered spirits, sharing the minuscule amount of community resources available, and offering support where once there was none—a huge victory. Come join us and light your candle of hope for a loved one.

Please join Carolyn and Julia on Sept. 9, 6-9 p.m. at the Calvary Bellflower Church, 14722 Clark Ave., Bellflower. For more information, contact Carolyn at (562) 688-6676 or cseetharp@aol.com.

Republican Mixer

Long Beach Area Republican Party to host a mixer on Thursday, Sept. 28, 5:30-8 p.m. at The Boathouse on Alamitos Bay, featuring Happy Hour prices and complimentary appetizers. Cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. RSVP required to info@longbeachrepublicans.org or call (562) 424-1246. Mix and mingle with local Republican candidates and enjoy the camaraderie.