Community News

Republican Women

Greater Long Beach Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting Saturday, June 14, at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the buffet breakfast starts at 9:30 am.

The guest speaker is Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud, on the topic: What does the City Auditor do? Learn how the auditor’s work that benefits Long Beach residents.

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

Carnival Car Wash

Carwood Car Wash is putting the “Car” in Carnival. Buckle up for a nostalgic drive-through adventure where you never have to leave your vehicle, featuring carnival characters, classic games, sweet treats and yes, a car wash. Running on select nights from June 20 through July 20, this all-ages event is perfect for families, date nights, or friends looking for something fun and different to do this summer.

Here’s what to expect

• Meet lively carnival characters as they guide you through a magical journey
• Stop at fun-filled game stations to play classic carnival games
• Enjoy delicious treats like popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and churros along the way
• Capture the moment at vibrant photo-op stops
• Drive away with a sparkling clean express car wash

Tickets & Details

• Get tickets now at: bucketlisters.com/experience/carnival-car-wash
• One ticket per vehicle – bring the whole crew for an unforgettable experience!
• Carwood Car Wash, 2729 E. Carson St., Lakewood
• Select nights, June 20-July 20

Free/Low-Cost Recreation

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer a variety of popular, free and low-cost recreation programs for families, teens and older adults beginning Monday, June 16. Residents can call or visit their neighborhood park community centers for schedules and to register for activities.

Summer Fun Days engage children ages 5 to 12 in supervised fun such as sports, games, arts and crafts and special events. This is a free drop-in program where registered participants may come and go as they please. The program will run weekdays Monday, June 16 through Friday, Aug. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. each day at parks throughout Long Beach. Pre-registration is required at program locations, available on the Summer Fun Days webpage.

Be S.A.F.E. (Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) offers free recreation activities at 11 city parks weekdays June 16 through Aug. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. Residents have many options for spending time together including arts and crafts, games, sports, science activities and special events such as movies sponsored by the Port of Long Beach and cultural events. More information, including the list of Be S.A.F.E. locations and the movie schedule, is available on the Be S.A.F.E. webpage.

Movies in the Park, sponsored by Signal Hill Petroleum and Partners of Parks, will offer free, family-friendly movies at various parks throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill from June 16 through Aug. 22. Movies begin at dusk. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic-style dinners and their family and friends. Visit the Movies in the Park webpage for the complete list of locations and movie titles.

The Mobile Recess Program, taking place June 16 through Aug. 22, brings trucks loaded with supplies and equipment to neighborhood streets to provide free recreational activities for youth ages 5 through 14. Streets are blocked off for safety and kids participate in physical fitness and arts and crafts activities. Participants can register at Mobile Recess locations. Visit the Mobile Recess webpage for days, times and locations.

In addition to these free summer activities, the low-cost El Dorado Nature Center Summer Concerts will offer live music in a beautiful lakeside setting. All concerts are $5 per person and take place from 7 to 8 p.m., with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Friends of El Dorado Nature Center members can enter at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and low chairs. Call (562) 570-1725 for more information.

• June 12 – Salty Suites
• June 26 – Big City Hillbillies
• July 10 – Corday
• July 24 – Steele Parade
• Aug. 7 – JP McDermott and Western Bop
• Aug. 21 – Sligo Rags

OLLI Announces Summer Session Registration

On June 16, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will begin registration for its summer session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations and online using Zoom.

More than 60 classes – including 12 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 eight-week session begins on July 7 and is open to all adults 50 and over. The prorated annual membership fee is $20 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.

spcaLA’s Pet Adoption

Adopt a pet at spcaLA’s 19th Annual Pet Adoption Day on June 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., at spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St.

Presented by 95.5 KLOS and VCA Animal Hospitals here’s what’s on deck:

• Adoption fees waived*!
• Puppies, kittens, dogs & cats available for adoption (adoption requirements & FAQs)
• Free gift bags for adopters
• Prize drawings
• Fun booths
• Free parking
• Giveaways, games, meet your favorite KLOS on-air personalities and more!

*Waived adoption fee is for qualified adopters only (excludes dogs 3-months or younger). All adopters must meet spcaLA adoption requirements. Additional fees for medications or spay/neuter surgery deposit may apply.

Dogs must be on-leash at all times. Well-behaved, owned dogs are welcomed in the vendor booth area of the Village. If you wish to view adoptable pets, you must valet your dog. Dogs must be current on rabies vaccine & DHPP (or equivalent). Please leave cats and other pets at home.

Applications Accepted for Public Service Corps

The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (EDD) is accepting applications for the third cohort of the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program (LBPSC). The program offers paid internships that provide young people with practical work experience in various roles across city departments. Applications are available online through Monday, June 30.

Facilitated by the EDD’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center, formerly known as Future LB, the LBPSC provides local college students and recent graduates ages 18 to 30 with hands-on experience working in city government and exploring careers in public service. The program is intended to foster economic inclusion and expand opportunities for residents, including young people, to develop successful career paths.

Participants will engage in a series of professional development workshops designed to highlight important topics in public service, such as budgeting, community engagement, crisis management, sustainability, ethics and policy. Participants will be compensated $22 hourly for a maximum of 800 hours during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Priority will be given to senior-level students at California State University, Long Beach or California State University, Dominguez Hills, those completing a career technical education program at Long Beach City College, students residing in Long Beach and those who face a barrier to employment. Additional information regarding eligibility and requirements is available on the LBPSC webpage.

“The Long Beach Public Service Corps provides youth with innovative and unique opportunities to break into the workforce and discover a future in public service,” said EDD Director Bo Martinez. “We are developing the next generation of talent in Long Beach and we’re incredibly excited for the promising and talented young people that the third cohort is sure to bring.”

The program is funded by a $2.5 million grant from the California Volunteers, Office of the Governor #CaliforniansForAII Youth Jobs Corps initiative, which strives to bring together youth across the state to help address urgent challenges in California’s communities. This funding also supports other youth employment efforts coordinated by LBWIN, including public service internships and the Long Beach Urban Planning and Design Internship Program. The LBPSC is also supported by a one-time allocation of $300,000 that the Mayor and City Council approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

The program is a collaborative effort between the EDD’s Workforce Development Bureau, the Long Beach Human Resources Department and the city’s legislative offices. EDD staff will oversee case management and payroll coordination for participants, as well as supportive wraparound services, including transportation assistance, clothing vouchers, rental assistance and utility payment assistance to ensure participants have the foundation and tools to complete the program successfully.

Participants will also receive job counseling, employment placement and access to industry-recognized training to support their long-term career goals.

For additional information about the LBPSC, those interested may visit longbeach.gov/psc or contact the LBWIN Youth Career Services Center at (562) 570-4700.

Free Kids’ Summer Meals

Beginning June 16 through Aug. 22, the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) will provide free meals in parks for children and youth Mondays through Fridays, with operating times varying at each site between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (excluding holidays on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, July 4, 2025). Additionally, meals will be served at Bret Harte and Brewitt Neighborhood Libraries Tuesdays through Fridays beginning June 17 through Aug. 8.

Meals will be available to all attending children and youth between 1 and 18 years old. Infant meals will not be provided. Lunches must be eaten in the designated eating area. Meals will consist of well-balanced, nutritious options and will include cold components such as milk, juice, fruits and vegetables. To participate, eligible youth can simply arrive at a participating location during the designated times, no registration required.

This year, the Summer Food Service Program will operate at 24 locations throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill. To view the complete list of times and locations where meals will be provided and for more information, visit the Summer Food Program webpage or call the Summer Food Office at (562) 570-3524.

The Summer Food Service Program began in Long Beach in 1979 and has since provided more than two million meals to children and teens, ages 1 to 18 years. The program was established to ensure that during the school summer break, children would be able to receive the same well-balanced meals they receive during the school year. The Summer Food Service Program for Children is funded through USDA and administered by the California Department of Education.