Community News

Independence at Home

As part of SCAN Independence at Home’s free online classes, they are offering a series developed by the National Council on Aging, an organization striving to make sure every person can age with health and financial security. The Aging Mastery Program is composed of 10 classes each focused on a different aspect of aging.

Participants will learn how to build their own personal playbook for aging well by following key steps to improve their well-being. The weekly program runs online via Zoom, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays, starting February 24 and running until April 28.

Participants will learn about the following topics:

• Navigating Longer Lives – February 24, 2025
• Exercise and You – March 3
• Sleep – March 10
• Healthy Eating and Hydration – March 17
• Financial Fitness – March 24
• Medication Management – March 31
• Advance Planning – April 7
• Healthy Relationships – April 14
• Fall Prevention – April 21
• Community Engagement – April 28

Register by visiting https://bit.ly/4fXDGSb. For more information about all of the SCAN Independence at Home services and education classes, visit https://www.IndependenceatHome.org. or call (866) 421-1964.

Roots of Justice Convening

The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) announced its 2025 Roots of Justice Convening, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St.

This annual event brings together hundreds of community members for a day dedicated to dialogue, learning, and reflection, all aimed at advancing justice and equity within our communities.

CCEJ’s 2025 Convening will feature a breakfast keynote conversation with Jenan Mohajir, vice president of external affairs at Interfaith America and Reena Hajat Carroll, CCEJ executive director, on the topic of Building Bridges in Divided Times. Jenan is renowned for her work in building relationships across diverse communities and has over 18 years of experience training young leaders to engage in civically minded leadership.

After the keynote, guests will participate in workshops and dialogues focused on preventing hate, building connections across differences, and developing skills to promote equity and inclusion in schools, workplaces and communities. The day will conclude with a panel discussion featuring Youth Leaders from CCEJ’s programs.

To purchase tickets, please visit CCEJ's Root of Justice Convening webpage at www.cacej.org/convening.

A Taste of Olli

On March 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will host “A Taste of OLLI,” an open house for the community. This free event will be held on the CSULB campus in the Duncan Anderson Gallery, 6351 E. State University Dr. (near Palo Verde Ave.).

Attendees will experience an informative and fun-filled morning where they will find out about the vast array of classes and social activities offered by OLLI for adults 50+. The program will provide opportunities to meet passionate instructors, lifelong learners and OLLI leaders. Guests will learn how to become an OLLI member and register for spring session classes.

All attendees will be eligible to participate in a drawing to win OLLI memberships and receive giveaways and free refreshments. Convenient free parking will also be provided. RSVP by March 5 at: olli@csulb.edu.

For 29 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

The Assistance League of Long Beach will welcome the greater Long Beach community to an open house at its Cherese Marie Laulhere Philanthropic Center, 6220 E. Spring St. on Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to noon and 5-7 p.m.

The open house is an opportunity for prospective members, supporters and community members to explore Assistance League of Long Beach's impactful programs, connect with service-minded individuals and discover ways to get involved. Attendees will learn about volunteer opportunities and hear first-hand stories about how its programs affect the lives of children and families in the community.

“Last year more than 23,000 individuals in the greater Long Beach area were served by Assistance League of Long Beach’s philanthropic programs” said President Julie Wilson. “We are committed to making a profound difference in the lives of those in need and thrilled to be able to share our work with the community in the hopes of inspiring others to join us.”

For questions regarding the open house, contact Reem Mehtar at (562) 627-5650 or Reem@allb.org.

Join us for the Chicano Legacy Reception

The Historical Society of Long Beach invites you to the Chicano Legacy Reception on March 13. We will be celebrating the lasting impact of the Chicano political movement in Long Beach with the opening of Discovering Jenny: The Personal Collection of a State Senator, An Educational Installation.

Jenny Oropeza was a barrier-breaking elected official whose career built on the activism of the Long Beach Chicano Political Caucus and others. Oropeza was the first Latinx elected to the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education and the Long Beach City Council. She went on to serve in the State Assembly and Senate until her untimely death.

We will also be bidding a fond farewell to Centro de La Raza: John A. Taboada Legacy Photo Collection 1970-1985, featuring the newly published official catalog for purchase. These exhibits both illustrate how community and representation can uplift and empower us all.

The event is 5-7 p.m., with a program at 6 p.m. at HSLB gallery, 4260 Atlantic Ave., The reception will feature:

• A discussion of the connections between the two installations

• An exploration of the Oropeza collection and what can be learned from it

• Why pieces were selected for display

• Hosted Mexican cuisine and wine.

Tickets are on sale now, so get yours and make sure you don't miss this historic evening!

Info: www.hslb.org or call (562) 424-2220.

Small Business Makeover and Grant Program

The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (EDD) announced the opening of applications for the second cohort of its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB), a program designed to support entrepreneurs and propel small businesses toward success and sustainability. The program will assist 20 small business owners with support services, workshops and $10,000 in grant funding to help take their small business to the next level. 

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and make up 52% of jobs in Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The continuation of the Level Up LB Program reflects our commitment to supporting small businesses, bolstering local job creation, innovation and connection, and the economic future of our city.” 

Level Up LB will connect selected entrepreneurs with essential business support resources and comprehensive workshops that focus on crafting new business and marketing plans. Upon completion of a ten-week course, selected businesses will receive $10,000 in grant funding to help grow their small business. Level Up LB will be led by EDD staff, with coordinated support from local partners. Businesses selected to participate will be provided with technical assistance and resources to evaluate their business plan and financials, sales metrics and benchmark and identify strategies to reach the next level of growth. 

Applications are available through 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Businesses will be scored and selected based on their need and readiness to participate and the potential impact of the program to their business. More information about eligibility requirements is available at longbeach.gov/levelup.

“With Level Up LB, we are investing directly in the dreams and hard work of our entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez. “We are proud to provide the support and resources needed to help our local businesses grow and contribute to the fabric of our community. When small businesses succeed, our entire city succeeds.”

Last year, 29 small businesses were awarded $266,000 through Level Up LB. As part of the adopted Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, the Long Beach City Council approved a one-time funding of $500,000 to support business improvement districts and small businesses, with $250,000 being allocated toward continuation of Level Up LB.

For information about Level Up LB and other assistance for small businesses, those interested can visit longbeach.gov/bizcare, call the city’s BizCare Hotline at (562) 570-4BIZ (4249) or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

2^nd & PCH

Here’s what’s coming up: The Maker’s Hive Friendship Fest – Sunday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. A vibrant local market celebrating friendship and community with handcrafted goods, one-of-a-kind treasures and an opportunity to support talented artisans.