Community News

Fun & Free Nature Walk

Check out cutting-edge wetlands restoration in a unique patch of open space between Long Beach and Seal Beach Aug. 2, from 8 to 10 a.m. You will tour the plant-growing section and enjoy views of Zedler Marsh, an area normally off-limits to the public. The walk is for ages seven and up. Meet at the corner of PHC and 1st Street in Seal Beach.

Email elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org with questions or to RSVP.

Summer Event Series at 2ND & PCH

2ND & PCH invites the community to dive into a season of sunshine and celebration with its Beachside Beats Fest, Movies & Moonlight and PCH Explorer Kids Clubs, creating a lively lineup of free outdoor concerts, movie nights and kid-friendly activities perfect for the whole family.

Guests are invited to listen to vibrant tunes at the outdoor concerts, free and open to the public. Between 5 and 8 p.m., concertgoers can look forward to the following schedule:

Beachside Beats Vibes – More intimate summer performances at the Grand Staircase:

• Thursday, July 31 – Yacht Rock night with Browndition
• Thursday, Aug. 21 – RnB Night with Turn Tables
• Thursday, Sept. 24 - Boyband tribute with 3 of a Kind
• Beachside Beats Fest – High-energy concerts celebrating music and culture on the mainstage on Seaport Way:
• Thursday, Aug. 14 – Prince Tribute by The Purple Generation
• Thursday, Sept. 18 – Salsa Night

The center’s free outdoor movie series, Movies & Moonlight, returns with exciting family-friendly entertainment. Self-seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Guests are encouraged to bring their own low-profile lawn chairs and blankets and pets are welcome, but must remain leashed. From 6 to 10 p.m., guests can head to the following feature:

Friday, Aug. 22 – Moana 2

Designed for little ones and their families, the PCH Explorer Kids Club series returns with interactive entertainment and themed activities throughout the summer. Programming is free and open to the public, offering a fun and creative way to engage with the community. Events run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grand Staircase, including:

• Tuesday, July 29 – Summer Luau with Special Character Appearances
• Tuesday, Aug. 5 - Radical Reptiles and Animal Safari
• Tuesday, Aug. 19 - Nike Fitness Club for Kids
• Wednesday, Aug. 20 - Under the Sea Adventure

2ND & PCH welcomes guests to enjoy various restaurants, retailers and specialty services within the center before, during, or after events. For more information on events and a complete list of tenants, visit 2ndandpch.com.

Prepare for Summer Heat

As the summer heats up, the City of Long Beach reminds residents to stay prepared for extreme temperatures. While no heat alert is currently in effect, the city is encouraging people to take proactive steps to protect themselves and others from heat-related illnesses.

According to the National Weather Service, Long Beach typically experiences around 16 high-heat days – with temperatures at or above 90°F – during July, August and September; however, due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of extreme heat days are expected to increase. Between 2022 and 2024, Long Beach recorded 55 medical emergency calls related to heat-related illnesses, with the highest number of calls involving infants and children up to four years old.

To support residents, the city is highlighting available resources and safety tips that can help reduce heat-related risks. These resources are also provided with consideration in mind for people who live in communities that are disproportionately impacted by extreme heat and are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses due to a lack of shade and green spaces, air-conditioning, fans, Wi-Fi and transportation.

During periods of high heat, air-conditioned public spaces can provide important relief. All Parks, Recreation and Marine Community Centers and Long Beach Public Library branches serve as designated cooling centers during their normal business hours. For details, people may visit longbeach.gov/coolingcenters.  

In addition to physical spaces offering relief from the heat, the city  is also providing an accessible, digitized heat resource guide to help educate and inform the community. The Community Heat Safety Toolkit includes downloadable flyers, social media graphics and safety tips in multiple languages. The toolkit is available at longbeach.gov/extremeheat.

Whether accessing a cooling center or utilizing the community heat safety toolkit, residents are encouraged to follow essential safety practices during extreme heat. These simple actions can make a difference in preventing heat-related illness.

Below are tips to reduce risk during extreme heat:

• Dress cool. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Stay inside during peak heat (noon–6 p.m.) and use fans or air conditioning.
• Drink water regularly. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty.
• Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those living alone.

It is also important to recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses. Heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache or confusion can be signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms are severe or persist.

The city remains committed to helping residents stay informed and safe throughout the summer and will regularly issue heat alerts and notices during extreme heat events. For more information, visit longbeach.gov/extremeheat.

Emergency alerts and heat notifications are also available through Alert Long Beach. Residents can sign up to receive notifications via phone call, text or email at longbeach.gov/alertlb.

Queen Mary Commodore Everette Hoard Passes

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Commodore, Everette Hoard [last week], who was the living embodiment of the Queen Mary’s spirit,” said Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary. “His love for this ship, its legacy, and every person who stepped aboard was unmatched. We have not only lost a family member – we’ve lost a legend who will live on in our hearts and our souls.”

Commodore Everette was more than a crew member; he was the heart and soul of the Queen Mary. For over 40 years, he dedicated his life to honoring and preserving this historic ship, though his love for her began long before his first official day aboard. As he often recounted, he was a young child when his parents first brought him to see the Queen Mary, and from that moment on, he knew his heart belonged to her.

Everette didn’t just serve aboard the Queen Mary; he welcomed every guest as though they were stepping into his own cherished home. With warmth, grace and encyclopedic knowledge of the ship’s history, he brought her stories to life and made every visitor feel like part of something greater. His presence touched thousands of lives, from lifelong fans to first-time visitors, and his impact on the Queen Mary community is immeasurable.

We will miss his kind heart, his passion and his unwavering devotion. Commodore Everette Hoard is forever part of the Queen Mary’s story and his legacy will continue to shine as brightly as the ship he so dearly loved.