Community News

SummerFest, Drone Show

Tickets are on sale for the first-ever SummerFest & Drone Show at Long Beach City College (LBCC) taking place on Saturday, July 27, at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Sponsored by LBCC and the LBCC Foundation, the 2024 SummerFest & Drone Show will feature a variety of vendors, interactive educational booths, face painting, carnival games, food trucks, music, and an array of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) focused activities – all capped off with an entertaining drone light show featuring 200 drones.

“Long Beach City College is thrilled to host our first-ever ‘Summerfest & Drone Show,’ a celebration that truly embodies the vibrant and welcoming spirit of our community,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “With an evening that culminates in a spectacular drone light show, this will be an unforgettable experience for all ages. We want everyone to join us for a day of fun, learning, and community connection.”

The event takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. STEAM-related highlights include demonstrations from the LBCC Robotics program and soccer-playing bots. Music will be performed by the LBCC Jazz Ensemble, the popular cover band Breezin, and the kids-centric music group Jelly of the Month Club, known for catchy tunes such as “Robot Boogie.” The event will culminate in a brilliant drone show, featuring hundreds of drones blending innovative technology and creativity to light up the sky above Vets Stadium.

“Summerfest is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to enjoy the spectacular drone show and the enriching STEAM activities we have planned,” said Vivian Malauulu, LBCC Board of Trustees president. “I encourage everyone in our community to join us for an afternoon and evening full of fun and learning at our Liberal Arts Campus.”

“LBCC Foundation is thrilled to sponsor the inaugural SummerFest & Drone Show,” said Paul Kaminski, LBCC Foundation executive director. “This event provides a fantastic family-friendly opportunity to showcase our STEAM initiatives to the community while offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fireworks.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages four and older. Children ages three and younger get in for free. Parking is available for $5. For further details and to secure your ticket today, visit www.LBCC.edu/summerfest. Tickets will not be sold on-site.

LBCC’s Veterans Memorial Stadium is at 5000 E. Lew Davis St., near the corner of East Carson Street and Clark Avenue.

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.

Catalina Island Events

Catalina Museum for Art & History has announced a series of events scheduled for the summer and fall seasons. These events will offer a rich cultural experience for visitors and locals alike.

Ann Weber, Artist Talk and Demonstration, July 27, 7:30-9 p.m. Join us for an insightful artist talk and demonstration by renowned sculptor Ann Weber. Learn about her creative process and watch as she brings her unique art to life. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. to view the exhibition Ann Weber: 26 Miles and enjoy beverages from the no-host bar. The presentation begins at 8:15 p.m. in the Ackerman Family Amphitheater, followed by a Q&A with Weber at 9:15 p.m.

Director’s Film Series Part 3: Mystery at the Museum Night, Aug. 16, 8-10 p.m., Dive into an evening of intrigue and suspense with the third part of Catalina Museum’s film series on Friday, Aug. 16 for the film El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes), a 2009 mystery/thriller directed by Juan José Campanella and starring Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil and Pablo Rago. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles, is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 129 minutes.

Dinner and a Movie with Elvis, Aug. 17, 6-10 p.m. Join us for a beloved museum tradition - Dinner and a Movie with Elvis! The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner and a show in the Schreiner Family Plaza featuring the best Elvis Presley impersonator in the Los Angeles area, James Kruck. After the dinner and entertainment, head to the Ackerman Family Amphitheater for a screening of an Elvis movie.

Catalina Museum Summer Documentary Series: Rosie and Lolo, Aug. 23, 7-9 p.m., The second installment of the Summer Documentary Series, Rosie and Lolo, delves into the heartwarming and inspiring story of two women who made a significant impact on the Catalina Island community. The first, Rosie, features beloved island resident Rosie Cadman. The film celebrates her life in Avalon and her current role as the island’s favorite grandmother. This feature will be followed immediately by Lolo and the Barbershop, highlighting the life story of lifelong and iconic Catalina islander Lolo Saldana.

Director’s Film Series Part 4: The Grand Finale, Sept. 12, 7:30-10 p.m. Conclude the Director’s Film Series with a grand finale, featuring the classic 1954 murder mystery/thriller Dial M for Murder directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Catalina Museum Summer Documentary Series: Jani and Jay, Sept. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. The third and final event in the Summer Documentary Series will feature two more videos from the museum’s Catalina Story Project. The first celebrates and honors longtime island resident, Jani Eisenhut. Her story spans from her younger days growing up in the casino, to driving tour buses through the interior, playing the chimes and so much more. The feature will be followed with a video honoring longtime island resident, Jay Guion. His family’s Catalina Island story dates back to the early 1900s and is mostly focused on Joe’s Rent-a-Boats at the center of action on the Pleasure Pier since 1927.

Nov. 1, 6-9 p.m. You are invited to join Catalina Museum for a special First Fridays at the Museum celebration of the 6th Annual Dia de Muertos Family Festival. Families and friends of all ages are invited to experience the colorful Mexican tradition celebrating life and death while honoring family members and friends who are no longer with us. The event features kids’ art projects, local food vendors, tequila tasting, live music and performances and the 2024 Barbie Signature Collection Dia de Muertos doll raffle. The festival also invites all creative artists to submit their artwork in the Día de Muertos Family Festival Ofrenda/Altar & Art Contest for a chance to win a cash prize.

For more details and to book reservations, please visit Catalina Museum’s event calendar CatalinaMuseum.org/events.

Get Published, Win Book

Local students have a chance to get their artwork in a new publication in conjunction with the lunar new year.

As part of the worldwide celebration of Lunar New Year, the Long Beach – Qingdao Association (LBQA) will publish a 2025 Lunar New Year ArtBook with artworks of students aged 9-18 from both the city of Long Beach and the City of Qingdao. The theme is the celebration of the Lunar New Year in the respective city of the artist. This community-produced work of youth art is being published with support of Makersville and Makersville Services of Long Beach.

Youth aged 9-18 who live, attend school, work or have a connection to Long Beach, may enter the competition and submit a digital photograph of their artwork (300 DPI minimum) by Oct. 1. Short works of poetry and writing are also welcome. Winners will be published and will each receive a copy of the book.

To enter the competition, artists complete the artwork submission form on the LBQA website at https://www.lbqa.org/lunar-new-year-calendar-art-book and email the artwork and the completed form to longbeachqingdao@gmail.com on or before the due date of Oct. 1. By submitting the artwork, artists certify that they are the owners of the work and grant the LBQA permission to showcase the work online, in physical exhibit, publications or in any other fashion.

The Long Beach-Qingdao Association, established in 1985, aims to facilitate and promote cultural and business exchanges between Long Beach, CA and Qingdao, China. The Association seeks to strengthen people-to-people connections and promote peace and prosperity between the two cities and their respective countries. With a focus on shared values and mutual respect, the LBQA strives to create lasting friendships and opportunities for growth and development on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

“We are thrilled to have sent the first 10 students of the 50,000-goal set by Chinese President Xi Jinping,” says Eduardo Vargas, president of Long Beach-Qingdao Association. “It has always been our mission to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two cities.”

The Port of Long Beach has long supported the initiatives of Sister Cities of Long Beach, fostering people-to-people exchange programs in the areas of art, culture, and technology.

Makersville and Makersville Services serve the Long Beach Community, providing an incubator environment for social entrepreneurs, specializing in hands-on STEAM education, creative development opportunities, camps and international experiences for youth and adults.

Any questions regarding this project, please contact Vivian at longbeachqingdao@gmail.com and Trish at Patricia@makersvilleservices.org (562) 225-9589.

Aug. 3 Raptor Ramble

Naturalists will share their knowledge and passion for the wetlands as participants look for wildlife and learn about the lives and culture of the native peoples of the area. Bring binoculars, 8-10 a.m.

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.