Community News

Republican Women

Greater Long Beach Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting on Saturday, March 8, at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. Registration 9 a.m., buffet breakfast 9:30 am.

Guest speaker is Bryan Watkins, chief operating officer & executive director of CAGOP, speaking on California 2025 & Beyond.

Cost is $30 for members, $35 for non-members. For a reservation, call Sandy Dubrowskij (562) 310-4283 or email glbrw2024@gmail.com.

Spring Day Tours

The Lifetime Learning Center at LB City College is offering day tours on luxury buses with tour guide extraordinaire Curt Tucker.

On March 27 we experience a taste of France at the Getty Center (Monet, Renoir, Degas, gilded furniture, elaborate chandeliers and more) and enjoy a classic French Lunch ($160).

The April 15 tour begins at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum, lunch at Philippe’s, the USC campus, Exposition Park and the BMO Stadium ($130).

On May 8, we experience the treasures of Pasadena, starting with the culinary classics at the Chado Tea House, followed by a docent-led tour of the Wrigley Mansion and Gardens.

All tours depart at the LBCC Foundation in the morning and return around 5 p.m. For more information or to register by phone call Theresa Brunella (562) 938-3047. Register online at https//lbccfoundation.org/lifetime-learning-center/tours-events/

Queens in the Making

The Queen Mary will produce and host the first-ever “Queens in the Making” Women’s Empowerment Summit on Saturday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Designed to inspire, uplift and empower women in all stages of their journeys, the summit will feature keynote addresses, speaker sessions, interactive workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

“This event is about bringing women together to share stories, exchange ideas and empower one another in a truly unique and historic setting,” said Steve Caloca, managing director at The Queen Mary. “The Queen Mary has always stood as a symbol of strength and resilience, making it the perfect place to host an event that uplifts and supports women in their personal and professional growth.”

The event will bring together a diverse group of influential women from various industries to foster meaningful conversations, mentorship and leadership development. The keynote speaker is LaTanya Sheffield, Olympic gold medalist and track and field head coach at Cal State Long Beach University. Among the featured speakers are Koco McAboy, Emmy award-winning journalist and reporter, Mary Zendejas, District 1 councilwoman of Long Beach, Riji Raja, founder of Affirmation Darling, Stacey Lewis, CEO & founder of HR Interrupted, Samantha Mehlinger, vice president of communication and marketing for Visit Long Beach, and Keichun Graves, speaker, author and innovator.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in engaging discussions, hands-on learning sessions, interactive workshops and networking moments over coffee and lunch. The event will also showcase exhibiting vendors, providing further resources and inspiration for professional and personal growth.

“We are bringing together an incredible lineup of women who are leaders in their fields and champions of empowerment,” said Hayley Myles, special events manager at the Queen Mary. “With even more inspiring speakers soon to be announced, this is truly shaping up to be a powerful and unforgettable event.”

The Queens in the Making summit aligns with The Queen Mary’s commitment to fostering community, education and empowerment, offering a space where women can connect, learn and be inspired to take the next step in their careers and personal endeavors. Tickets for the summit are $26.50 per person for ages 12 and up.

For more information, upcoming events, programming and more visit www.queenmary.com/seasonal-events.htm and queenmary.com/whatsondeck, or connect with us on social @TheQueenMary.

OLLI Spring Registration

On March 17, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will begin registration for its Spring Session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations, and online using Zoom.

Over 80 classes including 28 new ones will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including computer/tech skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, foreign languages, writing, movies, literature, history, current events, personal finance and recreational activities. OLLI will also provide eight free educational programs and workshops open to the community.

The seven-week session begins on April 1 and is open to all adults fifty and over. The annual membership fee is $40 and classes are only $15 each. More information, including registration, can be found by visiting the OLLI website www.csulb.edu/olli.

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.

Free A1C Testing

The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is helping to bridge access to health care for blood donors by providing free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes, on all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March.

One-third of people lack access to regular primary care in the U.S., where diabetes affects 1 in 10 people and nearly a quarter of those living with it have been undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The free A1C screening aims to help address this gap by empowering blood donors with valuable information to maintain their health and well-being. This new offering is among the longtime work of the Red Cross to support the health of communities, which also includes disaster relief efforts such as basic disaster health and mental health services among other assistance.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to book a time to give in March and learn more about your health. Additionally, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/March for details on both offers.

You can also make a financial donation at redcross.org/GivingDay on March 26 to support people with disaster services such as emergency shelter, food, relief supplies, basic health care, emotional support and financial assistance. Both efforts are part of its Red Cross Month activities in March.

The Red Cross is also helping to support the health of communities by installing free smoke alarms and sharing home fire safety information with families in at-risk communities through its Sound the Alarm events. Volunteers are needed for events in East LA, Lomita and West Athens. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Register and learn more at redcross.org/losangelesevents.

According to the CDC, some 90% of people living with diabetes in the U.S. have Type 2, a largely preventable and often reversible insulin-resistant condition that can cause dangerously high blood sugar levels. Left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications, such as kidney failure, stroke and heart issues.

“Type 2 diabetes develops over years and may not cause obvious symptoms until serious damage has been done,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “By understanding our own health, we can create a foundation to help prevent chronic illness, improve the quality of day-to-day living and save lives. Blood donation can now be part of that journey.”

The Red Cross will begin the month-long A1C screening for successful donations starting on March 1. Donors can expect to receive the results of their test within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or online donor portal and they are encouraged to consult their health care provider if their A1C level is elevated. A1C is the latest health insight that the Red Cross provides to blood, platelet and plasma donors, who can already access ongoing donation information such as pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels.

As part of disaster relief efforts, disaster health and mental health services are as important as ever in the face of intensifying extreme weather across the country. The Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many major disasters than it did a decade ago across the country – on top of everyday crises like home fires and storms in Los Angeles. After disasters of all sizes, the Red Cross also provides emergency lodging, food and financial assistance.

Red Cross health and mental health support may include replacing lost prescription medications and medical equipment, helping people in its shelters cope with chronic illnesses aggravated by the disaster and providing emotional support and referrals to community health and mental health professionals for additional care.

So far this year, the Red Cross has helped people affected by large disasters such as the record-breaking wildfires in California. This came on the heels of 2024 having the second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters in a single year, due to major events like hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Rev Up for a Cause!

On Saturday, May 3, Assistance League of Long Beach will host its first-ever day-long Car Show and Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of its Cherese Mari Laulhere Philanthropic Center at 6220 East Spring Street in Long Beach.

Assistance League of Long Beach is excited to welcome the community to a fun-filled day for the whole family. Admission is free and the event will feature as many as 50 unique and classic cars, live music and food trucks. There will also be beer, games and raffles tickets for purchase, in addition to a shopping boutique with more than twenty (20) vendors focusing on gifting for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation.

“I am particularly excited to share our good work with the community,” said Assistance of League Long Beach President Julie Wilson. “In addition to showcasing stunning cars and offering fantastic entertainment, the event will highlight the work of Assistance League and the many ways in which our organization uplifts the community through volunteer-driven initiatives.”

The milestone event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors, underwriters, donors and dedicated volunteers, with special thanks to Wilson Motor Sports, along with LBS Financial Credit Union, HUB International and Jerich International whose contributions will help ensure a successful and engaging experience for all attendees.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of our sponsors, who share our commitment to making a meaningful impact in Long Beach,” said Holly Reinhard, event chairperson. “Their generosity allows us to create an unforgettable community event while continuing our mission of service and giving back.”

For questions regarding the event, please visit www.allb.org.