Community News

Parkin on Straight Talk

City Attorney Charles Parkin is the guest on the next edition of Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss the challenges of leading a large law office composed of 24 attorneys and a total staff of 70. The office handles work generated by the city’s diverse economic activities such as the port and the airport, as well as the 700-800 claims against the city made each year.

This Straight Talk show will air in Long Beach/Signal Hill on Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on LBTV Channel 3 and Frontier FiOS 21. It also airs Saturday and Sunday in Long Beach and 70 surrounding cities at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Charter Channel 188. The show will be repeated the following weekend at the same times. Straight Talk is viewable on demand at www.StraightTalkTV.com.

Holidays Support Group

JFCS of Long Beach & West Orange County is offering “Hope for the Holidays,” starting Nov. 29 and meeting weekly on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. through Jan. 10, 2018.

Acknowledging that the holiday season can be a stressful and lonely time for many, the agency invites participants to come and share their thoughts and feelings, and find the support they need at what can be a very difficult period. Such groups can be of great benefit to people as they and others express their ideas and emotions. The group setting is reassuring in that participants find comfort as they learn that they are not alone.

The support group will be facilitated by Roxie Diba, MFTI and Alan Chudnow, MFT trainee, and will meet at the JFCS Conference Room inside the Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Willow Street in Long Beach. Cost to attend is $15 per session. Participants may attend one or all sessions as they so choose.

For more information, call (562) 427-7916 or visit jfcslongbeach.org/home-for-the-holidays.

Victorian Christmas

The magic of the Bembridge House Victorian Christmas returns again this year. Guests will enjoy learning about the holiday traditions of yore and be enchanted by the beauty of the decorations as they tour the lovely 1906, historic Queen Anne home at 953 Park Circle. This year’s theme is “Toys & Yuletide Tunes.” It was during the reign of Queen Victoria, which began in 1837, that the holiday traditions that we celebrate today came to be. The house not only showcases Victorian holiday décor, but the creativity of the volunteer decorators from many of Long Beach historic districts, community groups and Long Beach Heritage itself. Beautifully crafted, handmade bird and garden-themed accessories and plants can be found in the carriage house garden boutique.

The traditional daytime event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Besides tours of the House, this family-oriented day will include crafts for children in the Carriage House, a visit from Santa and refreshments. The South Coast Chorale will be singing carols for everyone to enjoy. Two adults-only evening Victorian Christmas receptions and tours will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, and Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m. Additional home tours will be given on Tuesdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, and Saturdays Dec. 9, 16 and 30, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Reservations for all of the Victorian Christmas Tours are $10 per a person. For the family Sunday event, children under 12 are free with an adult and prior reservation, but may be purchased at the door for full price. Tickets can be purchased through PayPal on www.lbheritage.org or by mail at Long Beach Heritage, P.O. Box 92521, Long Beach 90809. For additional information, please visit www.lbheritahe.org or call (562) 493-7019. Proceeds will be used to maintain the historic Bembridge House.

Prince of Peace Pageant

The 45th annual “Portraits of the Prince of Peace” Pageant will be held nightly, 7:30-9 p.m. on Wardlow Road at Bellflower Blvd. in Long Beach on Dec. 8, 9 and 10. This pageant is presented through the joint efforts of six Long Beach churches located on Wardlow Road. The churches participating are: The Neighborhood Church, St. Luke’s Lutheran, University Baptist, St. Cornelius Roman Catholic, Long Beach Christian Reformed and Calvary Chapel of Long Beach.

The pageant is an outdoor event featuring over a dozen separate visual presentations with living statues and live animals depicting the prophecy and birth of Jesus Christ. There are many participating musical groups that provide live music. The pageant is open to the public free of charge. Enjoy a pleasant evening stroll while you review each scene; ample parking is available. Or, if preferred, you may remain in your vehicle and drive the entire route.

Exhibit Debuts

“Access 2: A Rock & Roll Art & Photography Exhibit,” is open at Made by Millworks, 240 Pine Avenue, and runs through Dec. 31. Show is open to all ages and admission is free. Ample parking is available around the venue. All work and merchandise will be for sale and available for signing by the artists who will be in attendance. www.madebymillworks.com.

White Christmas

This holiday season’s weather report forecasts snow. Start with a timeless tale of joy and goodwill, fill it with classic Irving Berlin songs and top it off with glorious dancing and you have Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, coming to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center Dec. 1-10. Tickets are now on sale at the Musical Theatre West ticket office, at www.musical.org, or by calling (562) 856-1999 ext. 4. Tickets start at $20.

Republican Women

Lydie Denier will be the speaker at the Long Beach Republican Women Federated meeting on Saturday, Dec. 9. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive.

Lydie M. Denier is an accomplished actress and the author of “A Voice for Ambassador Christopher Stevens.” Listen to Lydie weigh in on Hillary Clinton and how she should have done a better job at listening and not ignoring security requests in Benghazi.

RSVP is required to LongBeachRWF@gmail.com or call (562) 938-9180 and leave a message. Cost is $27 for members and $32 for guests and includes breakfast. You may register online at www.longbeachrepublicanwomen.com. All are welcome.