Community News

A Christmas Carol

December is a month for honoring traditions, celebrating with family and friends and reminding ourselves that compassion and kindness never go out of style. Fortunately for all of us, 170 years ago Charles Dickens mixed those things together and created a story he called “A Christmas Carol” in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas. The title has been shortened over time but not its ability to lure us into the story.

“We’ve made ‘A Christmas Carol’ an annual tradition for the Playhouse and the people who come to the show. It’s a wonderful show for a family outing. It’s an uplifting story set in an era that lends itself to beautiful sets and costumes,” said Madison Mooney, the organization’s executive director. “This is our sixth annual production. But we never do it the same way twice.”

The show opens Dec. 9 and runs through Dec. 23. Performances are 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $14 for students and $24 for adults. They are available at: www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is a community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Sheldrake on Straight Talk

Mike Sheldrake, owner of Polly’s Gourmet Coffee and president of the Belmont Shore Business Association is the next guest on Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss the popular Belmont Shore Christmas Parade, which just celebrated its 35th year.

Mike also describes the work of the BSBA and shares some important concepts of retailing that help smaller merchants like Polly’s succeed against the large chains.

This Straight Talk show will air in Long Beach/Signal Hill on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 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.

This will be repeated the following weekend at the same times. Straight Talk is viewable on demand at www.StraightTalkTV.com.

Success Network

You are invited to attend the next The Success Network meeting which will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:30-9 a.m. at Corner Bakery, 6507 E Pacific Coast Hwy. at The Marketplace in Long Beach. No membership required. Networking begins at 7:30 a.m.

The Success Network is a unique networking group for people who seek an opportunity to build relationships through professional connections, a positive attitude and a personal touch.

The speaker is Rev. Michaela Rena on the topic of “Power of Reciprocity.”

Releasing triggers to regain the flow of whole life wellness with a balance of giving and receiving.

Rev. Michaela Rena has studied the field of metaphysics, religion, and spirituality for over 28 years.

Premiere Performance

Long Beach has never had a children’s chorus to compare with the Los Angeles Children’s Choir, the South Coast Children’s Chorus (Orange County), or even the South Bay Children’s Chorus in Torrance. On Dec. 17, that will change, as the premiere performance of the Long Beach Youth Chorus will take place at Grace First Presbyterian Church.

The chorus will perform a short concert of six pieces under the direction of Artistic Director Steven Clausen (Hughes Middle School choral director). There will be dignitaries on hand to welcome the Chorus’ singers to the artistic fabric of this great city.

The mission of the Long Beach Youth Chorus is to develop the appreciation of choral music and musical talent among young people from diverse backgrounds in a mutually supportive environment. Their long-range goal is to become (within five years) an organization on par with the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and similar choruses, with a multi-tiered choir program for ages 5-18. They are open to all young singers in the community and are currently already offering scholarship assistance for singers with need. They are starting up under the umbrella of Grace First Presbyterian Church, with the goal of forming their own 501c3 within two to three years.

The free concert will be held in the sanctuary of Grace First Presbyterian Church, on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Grace First Presbyterian Church is located at 3955 Studebaker Rd. The phone number is (562) 420-3393.

Parade of Lights

Island Packers offers a special holiday gathering. Schedule a Ventura Harbor holiday cruise or whale watching trip aboard our 64-foot catamaran.

• A one-hour caroling cruise in Ventura Harbor
• A Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights cruise
• A private holiday cruise

These cruises offer a fun, unique way to bring relatives and friends together for an outdoor activity. View the decorated boats in Ventura Harbor as well as the decorated lighted homes in the Ventura Keys. Come early for parking and enjoy the shops and restaurants at Ventura Harbor Village before your cruise.

Advance reservations are recommended. Call (805) 642-1393 or visit www.islandpackers.com.