Community News

LBCC Lifetime Learning Center Fall Programs

Registration is live on the LBCC Foundation website for the Lifetime Learning Center Senior Studies Program at Long Beach City College at the Pacific Coast Campus. Classes offered in person are:

“Landmark Broadway Musicals” with Lucy Daggett on Fridays, Sept. 13 to Dec. 6, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

“Hollywood Classic Film Series” with Erroll Parker, Tuesdays, Sept. 10 to Oct. 8, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

“Computer Basics, Microsoft Windows” with Phil Newell, Wednesdays Sept. 11 to Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Plants Around Us” with Howard Manning, Mondays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Tech Talk” with Phil Newell, Wednesdays, Oct. 9 & 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Introduction to iPhone” with Phil Newell, Wednesdays, Dec. 4 & 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Classes offered on Zoom are “Strength Training” on Mondays and Wednesdays with Jessi McMaster from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Days Tours on Luxury Buses are “The Almansor Court, Hit Parade,” Sept. 19, “Flames to Fame” with Curt Tucker, Oct. 3 and “East Meets West” with Curt Tucker, Nov. 21.

Adult Classes and Tours are open to everyone. Parking is only $5 a semester and is free with a handicap placard. Register online at https//lbccfoundation.org/lifetime-learning-center/classes/or contact Theresa Brunella at (562) 938-3047.

Chips Ahoy

Children’s Benefit League’s first fund development event of the season is Chips Ahoy on Sept. 13 from 11 to 2 at the Long Beach Yacht Club. Visit their website at CBLLB.org to purchase a $100 ticket, which includes $25 worth of chips, silent auction, a drawing plus pick your main salad for lunch.

Children’s Benefit Leave has been in “business” since 1948, it supports five charities for children and families in need. To date they have donated over two million to these five charities: The Children’s Guidance Clinic, The Dental Clinic and the small outreach on Catalina Island, the Health Clinic, Ability First and John Tracy Clinic.

Represented at Last

The Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB) presents its latest exhibition: Represented at Last! The Transformation of Long Beach’s People and Politics. This original exhibition is mounted on mobile panels and will first be on display at their museum, 4260 Atlantic Ave. on Friday, Sept. 6, followed by the Civic Center Lobby, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Sept. 10-16. A free opening reception will be held at the Civic Center on Monday, Sept. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. and is open to the public.

Economic and urban development in Long Beach led to waves of migration from Black, Latinx, Indigenous and Asian communities throughout the twentieth century to present day. The increasing diversity within Long Beach became visible with the election of the first Black council member, James “Jim” Wilson in 1970.

Since then, there has been growing visibility and involvement of people of color within the Long Beach community and politics. Our project highlights the shift in government representation, traces the evolution of nontraditional leadership in the city of Long Beach and explores the significance of electing historically marginalized groups into positions of power. The HSLB will feature the stories of these remarkable individuals who paved the way for Long Beach to become the city that it is today.

Local writers and historians who worked on the project include Cecile Harris Walters, Jason Ruiz, Karen Harper, Lauren Ribancos, Lawrence Fortenberry, Mackenzie Stanton, Mihir Pandya, Nick Diaz, Reina Avila and Sandy Vu. The HSLB hired Victoria Roa, MA in U.S. and World History, to lead the project.

Represented at Last! The Transformation of Long Beach’s People and Politics is mounted on nine, 6-foot mobile panels packed with narrative and images. The exhibition will be displayed at community events throughout Long Beach after September.

The Historical Society of Long Beach collects, preserves and presents local history. Through historical collections, exhibitions and programs we connect people to the past and to the place they live. HSLB is committed to exploring the intersecting histories of the different races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds and identities who lived in and shaped Long Beach.

Greater Long Beach Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at the Grand, 4101 E. Willow St., Long Beach. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the buffet breakfast is at 9:30 a.m. Guest speaker: Shaun Frederickson, founder of Freedom Revival and collaborator with Prager U and Turning Point USA. His topic: Is Conservatism Dead? Cost is $30 for members, $35 for non-members. For a reservation, call Maryann von der Horst at (562) 760-1556 or email vonderhorstm@aol.com.

OLLI Fall Registration

On Sept. 9 the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will begin registration for its fall session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations and online using Zoom.

More than 80 classes, including 18 new ones, will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including computer/tech skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, food and nutrition, French and Spanish language, writing, literature, history, current events and recreational activities. OLLI will also provide ten free educational programs and workshops open to the community.

The eight-week session begins on Oct. 1 and is open to all adults 50 and over. The annual membership fee is $40 and classes are $15 each. More information including registration, can be found by visiting 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.

PANS/PANDAS Awareness Event at Granada Beach

On Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon, an event will offer awareness and education and fun time with family and friends, on a very serious medical condition affecting families. Long Beach Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal will be speaking at the community event, along with several families who have been affected by PANS/PANDAS.

Lowenthal is working with the state legislature to build support for Assembly Bill (AB) 2105 that would add health insurance coverage for inflammatory brain disorders that can become chronic or life-threatening conditions when left untreated, impacts children up to 13 years of age.

The event will take place at the Granada Beach launch ramp, located at 5100 E. Ocean Blvd. It will start with Arts & Crafts, where you can design your very own rally T-shirt, create eye-catching rally posters, or simply kick back and enjoy a variety of beach activities. Attendees can express themselves, support their cause and have a wonderful time with friends and family.

Lowenthal and families affected by PANS/PANDAS will be speaking at the rally from 10:15 to 10:45. In addition to the awareness event and rally, there will also be a 1.5- mile walk to further show solidarity and support.

See this Eventbrite link for more detailed information on the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/long-beach-ca-panspandas-community-family-e...

Event Helps Children Adopt Healthy Habits

Help Me Help, a local non-profit, will run its 4th Annual Nutrition Knights Healthy Habits event during September at seven Long Beach elementary schools to encourage students to adopt healthy eating and living practices as well as feed the in-need community.

As Long Beach students get ready for the new school year, food insecurity continues to persist leaving many families unable to access affordable and nutritious food to feed their children. According to the California Association of Food Banks, more than 30% of Californian households suffer from food insecurity and this is steadily increasing.

In LA County, Long Beach has the highest percentage of low-income households experiencing food insecurity. Families are often faced with not having enough to eat, missing meals and being forced to choose between buying food or paying for other essential living expenses. It is estimated that at least 1 in 4 families suffers from food insecurity.

The knock-on effect of food insecurity, especially on the growing mind and bodies of children can, have adverse effects on their well-being and even their future outcomes. To ensure children can achieve optimum health status and development, good mental health and positive educational outcomes; it’s essential that they have nutritional foods and healthy habits.

Participating elementary schools in Long Beach, include Cesar Chavez, Lincoln, Oropeza, Whittier, Stevenson, Lindsey Academy and McKinley. This 4th Annual Nutrition Knights Healthy Habits event is provided with the support of the City of Long Beach, Long Beach CAP, Albertsons and Bimbo Bakeries.

For event schedules visit helpmehelpu.org/ggng.