Community News

PRM Classes This Fall

Registration for new and existing recreation classes offered by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) began Monday. Fall is right around the corner and PRM is offering over 700 activities catering to all ages and taking place throughout Long Beach. Enjoy special interest subjects as well as classes in arts, music, nature, fitness, sports leagues and more available to residents ranging from preschool to older adults.

Below are select highlights for what is available to participate in this upcoming fall.

Preschool

Petit Ballet (ages 2 years, six months to 6 years).

Creative Kids: Parent and Me Art Class (ages 2 to 3 years, 11 months).

Biddy Soccer League (ages 5 years and younger).

Youth

Basic Cooking for Kids (ages 7 to 13 years).

Jammin Music Glee Club (ages 7 to 14 years).

D-Up Ballers Basketball (ages 7 to 16 years).

Teens

Drawing Fundamentals (ages16 years and up).

Yoga with Lacey (ages16 years and up).

Jujitsu (ages 13 years and up).

Adults

Oil Painting (ages 16 years and up).

Latin Rhythms (ages 18 years and up).

Forest Bathing: Shinrin-Yoku (ages 12 years and up).

Older Adults

Round Dance Intermediate/Advanced: Drop In (ages 35 years and up).

Chair Based Yoga (ages 50 years and up).

Zumba Gold Toning (ages 50 years and up).

Residents can register for classes by visiting lbparks.org and clicking on “Online Registration” under “LB RecConnect,” 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.

Classes will start in September and extend through November. Check out all of this season’s activities in the latest issue of the Recreation Connection, PRM’s programs catalog, available at LBParks.org or at Long Beach Park Community Centers and Long Beach Public Library locations beginning Aug. 4.

Puppy Pilates Event

The Barre, Long Beach’s newest boutique fitness studio has partnered with Sparky and The Gang rescue to host a Puppy Pilates event on Saturday, Aug. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. – where fitness meets furry friends and supports a good cause.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Fix Parvo ICU to help save puppies from canine parvovirus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, particularly in puppies. All puppies in attendance will be available for adoption and Sparky and The Gang’s team will be there to answer any questions.

Join us at The Barre, 5207 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., for this playful and heartwarming afternoon of Pilates alongside adorable, adoptable puppies from local nonprofit Sparky and the Gang Animal Rescue. This all-levels class promises a light-hearted workout and lots of tail wags, with plenty of time after class for snuggles, photos and adoption inquiries.

Tickets, available at www.thebarre.fit, are $40 and space is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged.

“We love creating space for wellness and community – and what better way to combine both than with puppies and Pilates?” said The Barre founder, Amanda Parsons DeRosier. “We are proud to partner with Sparky and The Gang for this amazing event. Whether you’re here for the stretch or the snuggles, this is an afternoon sure to lift spirits and hopefully find these pups their forever homes, while helping save puppy lives from parvo in the process.”

Puppies make everything better. Bring your friends, contribute to a good cause, and help save puppy lives.

Hearing Loss Meeting

A general Q&A about hearing loss, starting with a discussion on how hearing loss affects cognitive skills, the emotional side of hearing loss and how hearing loss affects ones identity will move onto questions and input from attendees on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Weingart Center, 5200 Oliva Avenue, Lakewood.

Monthly Meetings are held on the second Thursday, are captioned, free and open to the public and a friendly place to share questions, find solutions and learn about technology that makes living with hearing loss easier. For more information, text (213) 705-3629.

Free “J Baby” Classes

Jewish Long Beach is hosting free “J Baby” classes this summer for babies 0–12 months and their grown-ups at the Alpert Jewish Community Center (Alpert JCC). Designed to spark early learning, social connection and family engagement, the program includes music, movement, art, parent-baby swim lessons, and casual meetups – all at no cost to new families through Aug. 31.

Interactive classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and are held weekly, with options across multiple weekdays. They include music, movement and art classes alongside casual social meetups. The intent is to provide Long Beach area families a welcoming space to connect, learn, and build community with other families.

Swim lessons will be Saturdays at 9 a.m., also free for members in the newly renovated Mary Alpert pool, designed for babies 7-25 months.

“Studies show that early exposure to water offers a multitude of developmental benefits, including improved physical development, enhanced cognitive growth and increased parent-baby bonding. Swimming can also boost confidence, improve sleeping patterns and potentially reduce the risk of drowning,” said Bryce Sammons, aquatics manager.

New families registering for infant classes during this time will also qualify for complimentary membership (a $110 / month value) along with a waived $150 registration fee.

Alpert JCC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program uses play‑based learning informed by Reggio Emilia philosophy, supporting infants in their critical first years. The ECE team engages in ongoing professional development to stay at the forefront of childhood education.

This offer applies to families with babies 0–12 months and enrollment is first-come, first-served through Aug. 31. Terms apply. Full details and registration available at https://alpertjcc.org/early-childhood/jbaby/

Chorus Heard in China

When the curtain rose last week in Qingdao, China, the Long Beach Youth Chorus made their Chinese debut. In celebration of 40 years of sister city friendship, the voices of two combined choruses thrilled the thousands in the Grand Hall.

Singing on video, the Qingdao youngsters were accompanied in a “round,” all in English, by the Xiao Bai Fan Art School singers. The show featured dancing by both the Long Beach Ballet and local young dancers from the Xiao Bai Fan Art School. It is just one event of a multi-day visit by a large group representing Long Beach, Sister Cities of Long Beach, Inc. and the Port of Long Beach.

The vocal collaboration was much harder than it may appear. When Executive Director Stan DeWitt agreed to participate on behalf of the chorus, it was disappointing that there just wasn’t enough financing to send the local singers with the large delegation headed there by Mayor Rex Richardson, who was there along with more than 50 others traveling from Long Beach.

Arts & Crafts Faire

The Seal Beach Lions are hosting its annual Arts & Crafts Faire Sept. 6 and 7 at Eisenhower Park at the base of the Seal Beach Pier. More than 100 vendors will be selling their handmade creations, music by our local youth and a “make it and take it” art area for kids.

Info: Elizabeth Kelly (714) 585-8217.