Community News

Strength Training for Lifetime Learners

The Lifetime Learning Center Senior Studies Program at Long Beach City College is offering two summer sessions of Strength Training on Zoom with Jessi McMaster on Mondays, June 17 to August 12, and Wednesdays, June 19 to August 14, 3:15-4 p.m.

Each session is $65. Register on the new website www.lbccfoundation.org/lifetime-learning-center . For more information contact Theresa Brunella at (562) 930-3047 or tbrunella@lbcc.edu.

Summer of Endless Fun

The City of Long Beach will offer a summer of family-friendly programs, activities and events for residents of all ages to enjoy. To encourage residents to participate in, and stay up to date on, the latest summer offerings, hosted by the city and local partner organizations, the city has launched a dedicated online Summer Activities Calendar.

The calendar, now available at longbeach.gov/summer, includes a plethora of family-friendly events, events for teens and tweens, and activities for kids, toddlers and babies. With so many options to choose from – including special events like Movies in the Parks and the Long Beach Municipal Band concert series, to youth recreation programs, the summer reading challenge, art classes and more – there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The unique summer-focused calendar allows users to filter events by age category and hosting city department. It includes a calendar view, list view and real-time map view for easy-to-use searching based on individual preference. The community can also receive updates from the calendar by clicking on “subscribe” in the upper right-hand corner of the calendar.

Blood Donors Needed

June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the need for a safe, diverse and stable blood supply, and to recognize volunteer blood donors. This is the perfect time to give, especially for those who haven’t given in a while, or who have never given before.

Those who come to give June 10-30, 2024, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/DoGood for details.

Via Zaferia

The Zaferia Business Association is excited to announce its first ever Via Zaferia! district wide event, happening June 22nd, 2024 1-5pm. This decentralized Summer Solstice celebration consists of food and drink specials, pop-ups, activation events, retail sales, live music, art, and more throughout the district at a variety of businesses.

The Big Red Bus will be shuttling guests around the district for free, with multiple stops up and down Anaheim St. Attendees should look for the green Via Zaferia! balloons for participating businesses. Find more info at: https://zaferia.org/event/via-zaferia-summer-solstice-event/.

2ND & PCH Free Events

Listen to the tunes of the center’s live music concert series, Beachside Beats Fest, which continues on Thursday, June 27 from 5-8 p.m. featuring country/pop music in addition to a free line dance class on the grand staircase. The series continues with the following lineup:

• July 11 |TurnTABLES Band, 80’s throwbacks DJ set & performance | Main stage
• July 25 | HONORE, RnB top hits | Grand staircase
• August 8 | Duo with Dasha, current top 40 all-genre music | Grand staircase
• August 22 | Reggae/island music | Main stage
• Sept. 19 | Salsa/cumbia music & salsa class | Grand staircase

Dive into an underwater adventure on Friday, June 21, 10 a.m. to noon with a special PCH Explorers Kids Club: Tidepool Animal Exploration in partnership with Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific. Discover the fascinating marine life that inhabits local tidepools with the aquarium on the wheels and learn from expert aquarists in this hands-on event. RSVP is required for timed entry and can be made at 2ndandpch.com/events.

2ND & PCH Movies & Moonlight returns on Friday, June 28, 6–10 p.m. with a viewing of WISH on June 28th. Movies are free to the community; self-seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to bring their own, low-profile lawn chairs and blankets and pets are welcome, but must remain leashed.

Shop small and support local businesses at one of the pop-up markets hosted at the center in June featuring dozens of artisans and vendors, photo opportunities, and live entertainment.

2ND & PCH welcomes guests to enjoy the array of restaurants, retailers, and specialty services within the center before, during or after events. For more information on events and a complete list of tenants visit 2ndandpch.com or interact via Instagram or Facebook.

Debate Night Party

The Long Beach Area Republicans are having a Debate Watching Party on June 27 at the Gas Lamp starting at 5 p.m., including a Taco Buffet along with lots of excitement and fun. Members are $45 and non-members/latecomers are $55. The Gas Lamp is located at 6251 E. PCH.

RSVP to Longbeachrepublicans.org or send a check to LBAR at P.O. Box 14746, Long Beach, CA 90853.

Taco & Tequila Festival

The 4th Annual Long Beach Taco & Tequila Festival will take place June 29. The popular event will take place at the Long Beach City College PCH campus, located at 1350 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., 2-9 p.m. and will include music, food, drinks, entertainment, and more. Tickets are available at Long Beach Taco Fest.

Organized by Long Beach Home + Living, a local lifestyle multimedia outlet, the event is devoted to celebrating the diverse taco-centric restaurants, pop-ups and food trucks around Long Beach. The event is designed to be a medium to bring everyone to the table, from all walks of life, to showcase the city’s diverse Latin food scene.

“We’re excited to announce that our highly anticipated Taco & Tequila Festival will be returning for the 4th year,” stated co-organizer Sal Flores. “This all-day celebration of the almighty taco will feature a diverse curated group of taco vendors, Latino inspired dishes, tequila tasting, lucha libre, full bars, live music, performances, shopping and mucho más! Last year we welcomed 4000+ attendees and this year we’re expecting even more.”

Co-organizer Dan O’Brian added, “We want people from all ethnicities to feel right at home, have fun and to embrace Latino culture, food, and history.”

Wetlands Walk

Attendees at the Wetlands Walk on July 6, 8-10 a.m., will learn about restoration ecology and the cultivation of native plant communities for restoration of Los Cerritos Wetlands. Techniques for planting natives in home gardens will be shared. Bring binoculars to view wetlands wildlife.

This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toes shoes are required. Park at the intersection of PCH and 1st St., just at the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach.

For more information or to RSVP for the nature walk, contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.