Community News

Republican Women

Greater Long Beach Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting Saturday, June 13, at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. Registration is at 9 a.m. followed by a buffet breakfast 9:30 a.m.

The guest speaker is Gloria Romero, former California State Senator and nationally recognized leader on education reform and school choice. Gloria is currently a candidate for California Lieutenant Governor. Cost is $30 for members, $35 for non-members. For a reservation, call Sandy Dubrowskij (562) 310-4283 or email glbrw2024@gmail.com.

Annual Scholars’ Day

 Operation Jump Start (OJS) will bring together students, families, educators and  community leaders for its Annual Scholars’ Day Celebration on Saturday, June 13, at 9:30 a.m. at the Long Beach Yacht Club.

The annual event will recognize more than 30 graduating high school seniors who have overcome significant barriers on their path to higher education and are preparing to become the first in their families to attend college.

During the celebration, OJS will award more than $12,000 in scholarships while raising support for its year-round College Access and Success programs, including college tours, academic advising, nutrition and wellness workshops, career exploration opportunities and  mentorship.

Each graduating senior joined Operation Jump Start between eighth and eleventh grade and has spent years preparing for college through individualized guidance, educational workshops, leadership development and  mentoring relationships designed to help students thrive both in college and beyond.

Long Beach Unified School District graduating seniors Michelle Calamaco and Sebastian Quintero Reyes will serve as the student Master of Ceremonies for the event. Featured honorees and speakers include Dr. Jill Baker, outgoing superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District, and Dr. Lupe Pasillas, Interim Dean of Student Equity at Long Beach City College.

“Scholars’ Day is one of the most inspiring moments of the year because it celebrates the determination, resilience and  achievements of our students,” said Irene Quevedo, chief executive officer of Operation Jump Start. “Many of these young people are breaking generational barriers as the first in their families to pursue a four-year college degree. Their success demonstrates what is possible when students are supported by mentors, educators and  a community that believes in their potential.”

Tickets and additional information available at ojslb.org.

Child Abuse Response

Long Beach-based nonprofit For The Child has opened applications for their Training Academy for volunteers interested in joining their Child Abuse Response Team (CART).

For 30 years, CART members have been available to respond 24/7 to local hospitals in Long Beach, Torrance and San Pedro when law enforcement believes a child or adolescent has been recently sexually assaulted. The advocate accompanies the victim (any age from toddler to 18) at the hospital and provides accompaniment and support during their visit.

Mostly, CART volunteers report that they often spend the call playing, reading, or talking with the child in a comfortable waiting room before the child sees a medical professional.

 “If you can play with kids, you can be a CART volunteer,” said Lisa Callamaro, a 17-year member of the CART. “The training prepares us for everything. I didn’t realize how prepared I was until I went on my first case and was able to help the child without hesitation.”

For The Child prepares advocates with thorough training to be ready for any scenario and understand the circumstances. When arriving at the hospital, the advocate has a teddy bear to present to the victim along with materials to color, play games, read books, or other activities.

For The Child will hold meet and greet information sessions for potential volunteers on Saturday June 13 (9 – 10:30 a.m.). To register for one of these sessions please contact Jenny Magana jmagana@forthechild.org. For the Child is opening its CART Training Academy (40 hours) beginning Tuesday June 16. Classes take place several Tuesday evenings from 6 until 8:30 p.m., and on two Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., dates to be determined.

“There are openings for 15 volunteers at this time,” Magaña explained. “I look forward to hearing from interested caring adults in the area and getting those applications processed.”

For more information, contact Jenny Magaña at jmagana@forthechild.org or (562) 317-2466. CART response calls and follow-up counseling are at no charge to families thanks to a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services. For more information visit https://forthechild.org/volunteer/.

FTC’s mission is simple and important. Children should be treated with respect and protected from abuse. The nonprofit 501c3 meets this challenge by providing both comprehensive child abuse treatment and trauma-informed mental health care, counseling and  therapy to strengthen families and provide the tools of healing to children.

Municipal Band Concerts

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) announced the 117th season of the Long Beach Municipal Band summer concert series. This year’s performance theme, Picnics and Pops, is an ode to Long Beach’s iconic history, culture and community through popular hits across the decades. Concerts will take place at five Long Beach parks beginning Tuesday, June 23, through Friday, July 31. Each performance week will showcase a different theme, offering spectators a variety of musical entertainment all summer long.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring picnic style dinners, blankets, chairs and their best dance moves to enjoy a summer evening under the stars with the delightful sounds of the Long Beach Municipal Band. Performances will take place on the dates listed below. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free.

• Whaley Park North on Tuesdays, June 23 and 30
• Bixby Annex Park on Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28
• Los Cerritos Park on Wednesdays, June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
• Conductor Larry Curtis Concert Park at Marine Stadium on Thursdays, June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
• El Dorado Park West on Fridays, June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31

“This year’s Long Beach Municipal Band performances capture the charm of a relaxed summer picnic, effortlessly paired with an eclectic mix of musical favorites across the decades,” said Conductor Kurt Curtis. “From timeless classical pieces to upbeat pop arrangements, powerful patriotic tunes to emotional movie soundtracks and crowd pleasers from the American songbook. Each performance will bring the energy and excitement of one of America’s finest bands.”

The weekly themes for the 2026 concert series are as follows:

• Week 1: “City Lights, Jazz Nights”
• Week 2: “America the Beautiful: A Musical Tribute”
• Week 3: “The Music Behind the Magic”
• Week 4: “Songs for the One You Love”
• Week 5: “John Williams in Concert: A Legacy of Cinema”
• Week 6: “Legends of Vinyl: The Bands That Defined an Era”

The Long Beach Municipal Band is hosted by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, with additional sponsorships from Port of Long Beach, Partners of Parks and  Long Beach Energy and Environmental Services.

Plant A Seed, Read

The Long Beach Public Library invites the community to participate in Plant A Seed, Read, the library’s annual Summer Reading Program from Saturday, June 13, through Saturday, Aug. 8. The free, eight-week program encourages children, teens and adults to read, learn and  explore all summer long through books, activities and family-friendly events at all 12 library locations. Participants can earn points by reading books, attending library programs, completing creative challenges and discovering new interests.

Residents may register for Summer Reading beginning June 13, either in person at any library location or online through the Beanstack platform. Participants may join at any point during the program, though early registration offers more opportunities to earn incentives.

“Libraries are places where curiosity takes root, and this year’s ‘Plant A Seed, Read!’ theme reflects the many ways reading can spark new ideas, confidence and lifelong interests,” said Cathy De Leon, director of Library, Arts and Culture. “We are proud to offer free experiences all summer long that bring people together and make learning fun for every age.”

The program launches Saturday, June 13, with special family performances at three library locations:

• Billie Jean King Main Neighborhood Library (200 W. Broadway) – Michael Rayner’s juggling comedy show at 11 a.m.
• Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.) – Christopher T. Magician at 12:15 p.m.
• Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.) – Christopher T. Magician at 3 p.m.

Throughout the summer, library locations across the city will host additional performances and activities, including music, crafts, animal presentations, puppet shows and more for children, teens and adults.

Children up to 12 years old can earn prizes for every 10 points completed. Teens and adults can also earn prizes by participating in reading and activity challenges throughout the summer. Children who earn at least 10 points will qualify for a Grand Prize drawing, with additional opportunities to enter available to children who reach 50 points. Teens and adults who complete the program will also have the opportunity to enter special prize drawings.

The Summer Reading Program is made possible through support from the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Long Beach Public Library and the Port of Long Beach. Those contributions help provide books, prizes and special performances by professional family entertainers and educators.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the event and upcoming library programs, please contact the library at (562) 570-7500 or visit lbpl.org.

Gun Buy Back

The Long Beach Police Department is hosting a Gun Buy Back Event on June 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the availability of firearms in the community. Community members can turn in firearms to receive a gift card. The event at Martin Luther King Jr. Park is sponsored by the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

Gift cards will be valued as follows: $50 for non-functioning firearms, $150 for working pistols, rifles and shotguns, $200 for ghost guns (guns with no serial numbers) and $300 for assault rifles.

The value of the firearms, such as 3D-printed firearms, will be determined at the event.

“I am pleased to be partnering with the county on this upcoming Gun Buy Back. This is an opportunity to raise community awareness and focus on reducing gun violence” said LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish. “We remain committed to supporting programs which can reduce the availability and accessibility of firearms in our community.”

This event provides the community with an incentive to anonymously surrender firearms that could otherwise be used in an unlawful manner.

“This is my office’s 17th gun buyback and I have come to think of them as a public service,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I have talked to people who had unwanted guns for years but didn’t know how to get rid of them. I know people worry about what would happen if their guns were stolen or found by their kids. This buyback is a safe, anonymous, and easy way to get firearms out of your home and give you some peace of mind. I’m grateful to the Long Beach Police Department for partnering with me to make this happen.”

Those participating are directed to enter the event with the unloaded firearm(s) in their vehicle’s trunk. Community members will be instructed to remain in their vehicle while detectives recover the firearm(s). Community members will then receive gift card(s) and the firearm(s) will be secured with the LBPD’s Forensics Science Services Division.