Community News

AAUW Installation

The annual installation of American Association of University Women (AAUW) for the Long Beach Branch Board 2024-25 will be Saturday, June 1. Announcement of the recipients of the Connie Inskeep Award and Named Gift Honoree will also be part of the presentations. Guests are welcome to attend.

The schedule is: 9:30 a.m. network/socialize;, 10 a.m. officer installations and awards presentations. At 11 a.m. entertainment will be by musical partners Pattie and Marc Davidson who will sing and describe their love of music which they discovered later in their lives.

Venue: Long Beach City College, 4900 E. Conant St (Clark & Conant) beside Rosie the Riveter Park. Follow signs to building O2, Room 208.

To attend, RSVP: aauwlongbeach.reservations@gmail.com.

Colorado Lagoon Update

The City of Long Beach is hosting a virtual community meeting to provide recent updates on the Colorado Lagoon Open Channel Project. The meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m.

Notable project updates will be provided including a look at the status of the overall project, completed construction and upcoming work. There will be an opportunity for community members to ask questions and share feedback at the end of the presentation. Meeting registration is required. Requests for interpretation services must be submitted by June 6 and can be submitted to contactlbpw@longbeach.gov.

For additional questions, community members can contact TidelandsCIP@longbeach.gov with the subject line “Colorado Lagoon Open Channel.” Additional project details are available on the project webpage.

Toastmasters

For over 30 years Shoreline Speakers Toastmasters has provided a supportive and positive environment for people to become confident public speakers and strong leaders. Visitors are welcome every first and third Wednesday from 7-8 a.m. over Zoom.

Email jgrobaty@gmail.com for more information or to receive a meeting link.

OLLI Summer Registration

On June 17, 2024, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will begin registration for its Summer Session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations, and online using Zoom.

Over 60 classes including 20 new ones will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including personal finance, computer skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, food and nutrition, French and Spanish language instruction, writing, literature, current events, and film discussion groups.

The eight-week session begins on July 8 and is open to all adults 50 and over.   The membership fee for new members is $20 and classes are only $15 each. For more information including registration, visit the OLLI website www.csulb.edu/olli.

For 28 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.

Community Open House

Able ARTS Work and sponsors are excited to open the doors of our new building to the community for an Open House on Friday, June 7, 6-9 p.m. at 3841 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach. The purpose of this event is to introduce our organization and welcome the community into our permanent home in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood. The Open House will feature a tour of the building, meet and greet with Able ARTS Work staff and ambassadors, scavenger hunt, music, art activities, refreshments, and welcoming remarks from founder and CEO, Helen Dolas and special guests. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

“Our building is symbolic of our purpose and will make sure meaningful services are accessible to people with disabilities, at-risk children and youth, and other members of marginalized communities.” said Dolas. “Able ARTS Work will come together with our community to build a kind of culture where everyone belongs.”

Able ARTS Work was established in 1982 as a non-profit organization to provide inclusive services for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism and ALL people through the creative arts therapies and education. Over the last 42 years, Able ARTS Work has expanded to provide creative art services and opportunities to the broader community including underserved communities, youth at risk, children in a school setting, and art enthusiasts throughout Southern California and beyond. California.

Free Dental Clinic

The California Dental Association Foundation is hosting a CDA Cares free dental clinic Saturday, Aug. 17 at Children’s Dental Health Clinic in Long Beach. Dentists and dental professionals will provide free cleanings, fillings, extractions and oral health education to approximately 100 adults and children in need. All patients will be matched with a local Medi-Cal dentist who can provide ongoing dental care after the event.

Patients must schedule an appointment in advance by contacting the CDA Foundation at (916) 554-5358. There will be no day-of appointments and waiting lines will not be permitted.

Uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes may prevent patients from receiving dental care at the event. It is recommended that patients take medications as prescribed and bring a complete prescription list. 

Visit cdafoundation.org to learn more about CDA Cares.

LBCC Expands Eight-Week Course Offerings

Long Beach City College (LBCC) will significantly expand its accelerated eight-week course offerings starting in Fall 2024. The eight-week class format will account for up to 50% of all courses to better accommodate students balancing their college studies with work and family obligations.

The accelerated eight-week classes cover the same material as a traditional 16-week semester course but in half the time. Classes meet more frequently to cover the full curriculum in a compressed timeframe. This accelerated format, dubbed “It Takes Two” by LBCC, means students can maximize the 16-week term into two eight-week terms.

“LBCC is committed to exploring additional options that will help dismantle the educational barriers that challenge our students who are managing the complexities of school, work, and family life,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “The eight-week course is an innovative way to provide students with the classes they need in a condensed yet comprehensive academic framework. Numerous studies show shorter academic terms like our eight-week accelerated courses translate into increased student success, retention, and completion rates, especially for students of color.”

Data shows in-person eight-week classes consistently outperform 16-week counterparts in student success rates, notably in math, engineering, and family and consumer studies courses. Equity gaps have also narrowed substantially, with Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, Asian and Filipino students achieving double-digit success rate increases in eight-week classes compared to 16-week formats. Students who opt for the accelerated eight-week courses can maximize their schedules by taking two or three classes simultaneously and earn the same credits as four or five classes in a regular 16-week semester.

“This compressed schedule allows students to have more contact with instructors, collaborative time with classmates, and avoid the stress that can sometimes accompany a traditional course schedule,” said Vivian Malauulu, Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees president. “As a working mother with a busy schedule and as a current student myself, I empathize with the challenges of balancing work, family responsibilities, and the pursuit of continued education.

Eight-week classes have steadily grown at LBCC at an increase of 42% since 2018-19. The college will evaluate the expansion of the accelerated eight-week courses using success and completion data to ensure it effectively addresses this goal.

LBCC continues to offer both the 16-week and the 12-week courses.