Community News

Winter Class Registration Now Available

Registration for winter recreation classes offered by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is now available. From December 2024 to February 2025, PRM is offering over 600 various activities taking place throughout the city. Residents of every age from preschool-aged children to adults will have access to special interest subjects, as well as classes in arts, music, nature, fitness, sports leagues and more. Class offerings include:

Preschool

Preschool Cake Design (ages 2 years, 6 months to 5 years)

Biddy Soccer League (ages 2 to 3 years)

Parent & Me Soccer (ages 2 years to 3 years, 6 months)

Youth

Jazz Tap (ages 9 to 17 years)

Build a Beat (ages 5 to 6 years)

Beginning Karate (ages 5 to 6 years)

Adults

Ceramics Workshop (ages 16 years and older)

Argentine Tango (ages 18 years and older)

Cardio Kickboxing Fusion (ages 16 years and older)

Older Adults

Senior Line Dancing (ages 50 years and older)

Gentle Yoga (ages 50 years and older)

Zumba Gold (ages 50 years and older)

Residents can register now for classes at lbparks.org under Online Registration, by calling (562) 570-3111 or by visiting the Registration Reservations Office (2760 Studebaker Rd.), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Convenient in-person registration appointments are also available.

For more information on other PRM programs, visit lbparks.org or call (562) 570-3150.

Nature Center to Host Native Plant Sale

The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer their annual California Native Plant Sale beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5 through Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St. The plant sale will feature hundreds of beautiful and beneficial native plants to enhance gardens, patios or balconies and increase habitat for wildlife.

Plants will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while supplies last. Plant sale patrons can expect an easy shopping experience by completing the following steps:

• Download the plant order form from the PRM website or pick up a form at El Dorado Nature Center in advance or upon arrival to the sale.
• Complete the form by checking the type and quantity of plants you would like to purchase.
• Drive through the designated order fulfillment line.
• Bring acceptable payment (cash, checks or credit cards) to the pickup. Staff will collect the completed order form and payment and load the available plants into the shopper’s vehicle.
• Plant quantities are limited, and certain plants may be sold out at time of purchase. Pre-orders are not available, and the items chosen on one’s plant order form are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Proceeds from the California Native Plant Sale will benefit Friends of El Dorado Nature Center, an affiliate of the nonprofit Partners of Parks, a group that works to cultivate respect, understanding and stewardship of the natural world.

For more information, call (562) 570-1745 or visit the El Dorado Nature Center webpage.

Malcolm Gladwell to Speak in Long Beach

Observer, thinker, podcaster and best-selling author, Malcolm Gladwell, is coming to Long Beach as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. He is appearing live at the Long Beach Terrace Theater on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Series tickets can be purchased at www.speakersla.com.

Through a powerful speech and unscripted Q&A session, that is sure to be both inspiring and impactful, Gladwell will explore the complexities of human behavior and share compelling stories to explain often misunderstood societal concepts.

Gladwell is considered one of the most popular authors alive today. His books are known for changing how people understand the world and themselves. Celebrated for his intellectual curiosity and engaging storytelling, Gladwell has penned eight New York Times bestsellers. He has been recognized as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People and one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers.

Gladwell’s seminal work, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference, was published in the year 2000, spent over 400 weeks on bestseller lists, and launched the global “big idea” publishing phenomenon – a hugely popular genre blending social science, history, pop culture and business to revolutionize the way we view ourselves and the world.

His books have sold more than 23 million copies in North America alone. On Oct. 1, Gladwell released his most recent work, an instant bestseller, “Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders” and the “Rise of Social Engineering.” This highly anticipated sequel revisits social epidemics, exploring how the rapid spread of influences has intensified amid political upheaval and disruptive technologies. He addresses the potential of tipping points to effect positive change while also highlighting the risks of social engineering.

As co-founder of Pushkin Industries, Gladwell produces the acclaimed podcast Revisionist History, which reevaluates overlooked events and ideas, and Broken Record, featuring interviews with diverse musicians. He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996. Gladwell has received a National Magazine Award, honors from the American Psychological and Sociological societies, and is a member of the Order of Canada, holding an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Toronto.

The Distinguished Speaker Series of Long Beach is held at the Long Beach Terrace Theater, 300 East Ocean Blvd. Gladwell’s program begins at 7:30 p.m. He is the second of six talks offered as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series. He will be followed in Long Beach by Dr. Sanja Gupta (January 16), Kevin Fedarko and Pete McBride (February 13), Zanny Minton Beddoes (April 24), and conclude with Emily Chang (May 22).

The Distinguished Speaker Series is open to the public in subscription packages only. Now in its 4th season in Long Beach, the remaining series packages range from $320 to $550 for one ticket to all five evenings. Tickets to a single speaker are not available. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.speakersla.com or by calling (310) 546-6222. The Series is sponsored by LAist.

Queen Mary to Celebrate 57 Years in Long Beach

The Queen Mary, an iconic landmark of Long Beach, will celebrate 57 years in the city on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, with a series of exciting events and launches.

The anniversary will be marked by an elegant dinner-dance gala, featuring the Johnny Holiday Dance Orchestra, as well as the introduction of a new archives exhibit, an exclusive membership plan catered to the local Long Beach community, and the “Adopt a Rivet” program for enthusiasts to be involved with preserving the Queen Mary for years to come. With festivities planned throughout the day, evening and beyond, the Queen Mary invites visitors and the community to join in celebrating her enduring presence on the Long Beach waterfront.

A highlight of the anniversary, guests are invited to an elegant gala dinner and dance onboard the Queen Mary. The gala will take place in the Grand Salon, the former first-class dining room, and guests will be able to experience a three-course elegant dinner inspired by the original menu from the docking ceremony of 1967.

“For nearly six decades, The Queen Mary has been a cherished part of the city of Long Beach’s heritage, and it’s heartwarming to see how much she means to all of us,” shared Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary. “We extend a heartfelt gratitude to the citizens of Long Beach and to everyone who shares the passion for this iconic ship. Your unwavering support keeps her legacy alive, and we’re excited for what the future holds in this new golden era of The Queen Mary.”

As part of the celebration, the Queen Mary will unveil an all-new onboard exhibit: “Queen Mary Archives Museum,” featuring rare and historic artwork, furniture and other items from the ship’s sailing days. Open to guests during regular hours, this exhibit invites the public to step back in time and experience the elegance and rich history of The Queen Mary.

To further connect with her admirers, the Queen Mary will also launch the “Adopt a Rivet” program, allowing the public to become a part of the ship’s history while supporting her preservation. Built with over 10 million rivets, each one represents the strength and resilience of this engineering marvel. With a $10 donation, guests can “adopt” a rivet, with all proceeds directed toward preservation. Donors receive a digital certificate, and those who adopt ten rivets will also receive a replica rivet as a keepsake. This program will launch both online and onboard starting Dec. 9.

In addition to these commemorative initiatives, the Queen Mary will also introduce a new Membership Program, offering exclusive benefits to enthusiasts. Members will enjoy year-round admission for themselves and a guest, along with discounts on dining and shopping, access to a quarterly newsletter, and invitations to members-only events. Memberships start at $145 and will be available beginning Dec. 9, with additional perks to be announced in the coming months.

Tickets for the gala dinner, along with more information on the new exhibit, membership program, and Adopt a Rivet initiative, are available on the Queen Mary’s official website or click here. For more information on the Queen Mary visit http://queenmary.com, or connect with us on social@TheQueenMary.

Job Fairs for Recreation Leader Opportunities

The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will host a series of job fairs to share information on current and upcoming job openings for Recreation Program Leaders. These positions are part-time, non-career opportunities that will assist with various programs at the city’s many beautiful parks.

Upcoming job fairs will take place at various parks throughout the city on the following dates:

• Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.)
• Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Whaley Park (5620 E Atherton St.)
• Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)

The job fairs will include information on a wide range of PRM programs that are currently hiring or will start hiring soon within the Community Recreation Services Bureau. These programs include Day Camps, Youth Sports, Older Adults, Teens and Mobile Recreation.

Those interested in job opportunities are encouraged to come by and meet PRM supervisors and staff and learn what a day in the life of a Long Beach Recreation Leader is like.

Applicants can view information about the positions and complete an application at the PRM Job Opportunities webpage.

For additional information about the PRM Job Fair, visit LBParks.org or call (562) 570-3150.

Prince Of Peace Pageant

Long Beach, CA: The 51st annual “Portraits of the Prince of Peace” Pageant since 1973 will be held nightly, 7-8:30 p.m. on Wardlow Road at Bellflower Blvd. in Long Beach on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8.

The Christmas Pageant, as it is better known, began in 1973 and was initially hosted by three churches. The founders were Long Beach Christian Reformed Church, St. Lukes Lutheran Church and University Baptist Church.

In the following years they were joined by St. Cornelius Catholic Church and Truett Memorial Baptist Church which is now known as The Anointed Place. The Pageant has taken place continuously since 1973 with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic and this is the 51st presentation.

The pageant is an outdoor event featuring over a dozen separate visual presentations with living statues and live animals depicting the prophecy and birth of Jesus Christ. There are many participating musical groups that provide live music. The pageant is open to the public free of charge. Enjoy a pleasant evening stroll while you review each scene; ample parking is available. Or, if preferred, you may remain in your vehicle and drive the entire route.

Take Pictures with Santa at Christmas Car Wash

Experience the magic of the holidays in a whole new way at the Christmas Car Wash – the best way to take pictures with Santa this holiday season. Gather your friends and family, skip the mall crowds, and enjoy an interactive drive-through experience that combines holiday cheer with a real car wash.

Back for its second year and better than ever, the Christmas Car Wash will run on select nights from Dec. 6-29. This immersive event offers everything you need to celebrate the season: Photos with Santa, interactive holiday characters, fun holiday photo-ops, a dazzling display of holiday lights, plus a real car wash. All from the comfort of your vehicle.

What to Expect:

• Photos with Santa – Capture magical holiday moments with Santa. You can park and exit your vehicle for the photos.
• Immersive Drive-Through Experience – Interact with festive characters, enjoy holiday photo-ops and dazzling Christmas lights.
• A Real Car Wash – Your ticket includes Carwood’s best express car wash, retail value of $20.

Tickets & Location:

• Dates: Select nights from Dec. 6 to Dec. 29
• Location: Carwood Car Wash 2729 E. Carson St, Lakewood
• Only one ticket per vehicle is required
• Get Tickets: www.carwoodcarwash.com
• Tickets start at $25 per car, making it an affordable holiday outing.

“We’re excited to bring back this holiday spectacular, perfect for the entire family, and this year it will be bigger and better than ever,” said Brian Spongberg, owner of Carwood Car Wash. “The idea was inspired by our friends at The Haunted Carwash, who transform Carwood into a spooky realm of terror every October.”

Create unforgettable holiday memories at the Christmas Car Wash – an experience that’s sure to bring joy to all ages! Follow Carwood Car Wash on Instagram, Facebook, or Tik Tok for updates and previews.