Community News

Step Out Walk

On Saturday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is hosting the annual Step Out Walk: Southern California to raise awareness and provide critical support for all people affected by diabetes – one of the fastest growing chronic diseases in the world. 

Approximately 3,538,800 adults in California, or 10.5% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. Every year, an estimated 231,000 adults in California are diagnosed with diabetes.

The walk at El Dorado Park (Area III Golden Grove) benefits diabetes research, education, management and prevention supporting ADA’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes – and increasingly those living with obesity, as the Obesity Association, a division of the ADA, expands outreach and education.

The community is invited to participate in a morning filled with engaging activities for everyone, and attendees are invited to wear red ADA gear, and bring banners and signs to show support for the cause.

The Step Out Walk will also provide valuable diabetes resources and experts on-site to provide advice on diabetes management and prevention for attendees.

This year’s Step Out Walk is sponsored by Novo Nordisk. Registration for the event is free. To learn more and register, go to diabetes.org/StepOutSoCal.

Team Naming Contest

The Long Beach Baseball Club (LBBC) announced it is extending the deadline for its team-naming contest to Sept. 26, following an outpouring of community interest and nearly 1,000 submissions since the contest launched on Sept. 2. Fans can submit name ideas at https://www.longbeachbaseballclub.com/lbbc-name

As entries continue to roll in, LBBC is showcasing top community ideas with epic “first-look” video promos across its social channels – bringing potential team identities to life while the contest is still open.

“The response from Long Beach has been incredible,” said Ena Patel, president of the LBBC. “This city’s creativity is unmatched, from sports to arts, music and culture and we want our team’s identity to reflect that spirit. We’ve received everything from mock-up jersey ideas to video submissions to artwork for potential logos to catchy slogans.

“We couldn’t have expected a better response from the community, but we still want to hear from the kids and youth across Long Beach, so keep the ideas coming.”

Enter the contest by submitting at https://www.longbeachbaseballclub.com/lbbc-name. LBBC is looking for video submissions showcasing your idea and how it reflects the city of Long Beach and the local community as well as a short description of the inspiration and any visual ideas.

Following the submission window, LBBC will review entries and share select finalists with fans for further feedback before announcing the official team name. The club reserves the right to adapt or modify submissions to best fit the team’s brand and community goals.

Backed by Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP), whose co-founders have ownership ties to the Oakland Ballers, LBBC is working with the City of Long Beach and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to make Blair Field the club’s home, with a target of beginning play in the 2026 Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) season.

Inspired by the Oakland Ballers’ community-driven model, LBBC is developing a game-day experience that blends baseball with Long Beach’s unique culture – through music, food and city-proud events for fans of all ages.

The city’s commitment to this effort was reinforced when Mayor Rex Richardson and the Long Beach City Council moved to facilitate collaboration between the city, CSULB and LBBC to prepare Blair Field for independent professional baseball.

[Editor Note: The Beachcomber has a poll online seeking name suggestions. Go to the bottom of page 1 and vote at www.beachcomber.news.]

Room at the Table

On Sunday, Oct. 5, Bay Shore Community Congregational Church will open its doors for Room at the Table, a free, family-friendly evening of food, live music and conversation designed to inspire and connect neighbors.

The event begins at 5 p.m. in the Bay Shore Church Fellowship Hall, located at 5100 The Toledo in Belmont Shore. All are welcome.

Our theme, Inspiration, invites attendees to honor people who have lit a path in their lives and to reflect on the ways they, too, can bring light to others.

This gathering will be held in place of Bay Shore’s regular Sunday morning worship service, which takes a pause to make way for the Long Beach Marathon.

Highlights include:

• Free buffet dinner featuring pasta, salads and breads from around the world
• Live folk music
• Interactive activities for all ages – including candle-lighting, card writing, a Wall of Light mural, and creative table doodling
• Table conversations celebrating personal inspirations
• Special guest Justin Rudd – Long Beach activist, organizer and community leader – sharing about the people who have inspired his life.

“Gathering around a table is one of the most deeply spiritual acts we know,” says Dave Clark, pastor of Bay Shore Church. “In the early church, shared meals were spaces for connection, storytelling and hope. Room at the Table brings that tradition into the present day – for families, neighbors, seekers and friends.”

Leaders Honored

The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) will host its 61st Annual Humanitarian Awards Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Reef on the Water in Long Beach.

This year’s celebration will recognize three outstanding honorees for their unwavering commitment to equity and justice:

Julie Meenan, recipient of the Humanitarian Award, for her decades of service uplifting youth and strengthening the Long Beach community through philanthropy and civic leadership.

Chuck Barnes, recipient of the Gene Lentzner Human Relations Award, for his tireless work advancing racial and economic justice in Long Beach and beyond.

Musical Theatre West, recipient of the Building Bridges Award, for using the power of storytelling and performance to foster cross-cultural understanding and inclusive community engagement.

As the organization looks ahead to the future, guests will be the first to witness the unveiling of CCEJ’s new name – marking the next chapter of its work to advance equity, justice, inclusion and belonging in communities.

Proceeds from the Humanitarian Awards Celebration support CCEJ’s mission to educate and empower youth and adults to lead change for equity and justice in our communities.

Tickets are available at www.cacej.org/humanitarian.