Community News

City Prosecutor Q&A

Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert will be the guest on the next edition of Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss the work of his office, and the benefits of having an elected as opposed to an appointed prosecutor.

This Straight Talk show will air in Long Beach/Signal Hill on Saturday, Feb. 3 and Sunday, Feb. 4 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. Straight Talk is viewable on demand at www.StraightTalkTV.com and on YouTube.

Collaborative Shows

One of the staples of Long Beach Playhouse’s Collaborative each year has been Held2gether, Improv for Life’s original sketch comedy shows. This is the 5th annual collaboration between the Long Beach theatrical landmarks. The original sketch compilation known for selling out its weekend run, has added a Thursday preview night, running March 1-3 in the Studio Theatre. The all-new show returns with a dozen sketches touching upon universal relationships, the current political climate, outrageous characters and commentary on pop culture.

The sketch show is part of the Held2gether improv comedy program that features classes in Long Beach including all levels of improv comedy, sketch writing and performance. “Our collaborative continues to strengthen each season, and Held2gether is a huge part of that,” says Playhouse Executive Director Madison Mooney. “Their shows are fresh, hilarious and showcase Long Beach’s extreme talent, part of our ongoing mission here at Long Beach Playhouse.”

Tickets for Grass-Fed are $15 Friday and Saturday, and $10 for Thursday night preview. They are now available through the box office of the Long Beach Playhouse (562) 494-1014, option 1 or at lbplayhouse.org.

Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 1-3. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday, 3-8 p.m.

Chocolate Festival

The 14th Annual Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival on Saturday, Feb. 10 has been a popular tradition and a sweet way to enjoy what the shore has to offer as you start thinking about your Valentine’s Day plans. Businesses will be offering an array of chocolate treats and other sweets. With over 25 restaurants participating, everyone will be able to find something to satisfy that sweet tooth!

There is no entry fee for the event, only the cost of tickets used to purchase the dessert items. Twelve tickets for $10 Tickets will be sold beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the event in front of Chase Bank, 5200 E. 2nd St.

The first stop of the day will be the Homemade Chocolate Dessert Contest, noon to 1 p.m. Open to all who have a chocolate dessert you would like to share. The categories include: Chocolate Cakes & Pies, Chocolate Cookies & Brownies and Unique Chocolate Treats. The cost is $10 per dessert to enter. The contest will be located on Corona Ave. (only judges may sample the desserts).

Starting around 3 p.m. those who would rather eat chocolate than make it are welcome to enter the Hof’s Hut Chocolate Pie Eating Contest. Contestants will race each other to see who can eat an individual size chocolate cream pie the fastest. Sign up the day of event on Corona Ave. (south of 2^nd St.) or at www.belmontshore.org.

Belmont Shore offers an array of restaurants, sweet shops, retail and places to indulge your Valentine’s Day sweetheart.

Pet Adoption & Walk

Bring your pooch for a fun, 1.5-mile stroll through El Dorado Park on Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 8:30 a.m. 50 percent off adoption fees for Underdogs/Undercats (Ages 6+ or resident for 3 months or longer), meet and greets with 95.5 KLOS’ Frosty, Heidi & Frank, vendor booths, giveaways, food trucks and more throughout the day. All walkers receive a free gift bag!

It’s at the spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St. (in El Dorado Park).

Singing Auditions

Long Beach PrimeTime Players is holding auditions for its spring 2018 show, celebrating the music of (Richard) Rodgers and (Lorenz) Hart (“R&H”) on Feb. 12, at the Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St. 2nd floor ballroom, 1-4 p.m. Bring an R&H song you would like to sing and, if possible, a Karaoke CD you can sing to. If you cannot acquire a CD, then sing a capella (without musical accompaniment).

For further information, please contact Barbara Klein at (562) 433-1734 or byrdbud2@verizon.net.

California Writers

The California Writers Club of Long Beach presents “How to Make Your Writing Deliciously Intimate” with speaker Janet Williams, author of You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get and is a regular presenter at the Southern California Writers Conference.

The free program is on Saturday, Feb. 10, 3-5 p.m. (Networking starts at 2:30) at the Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library, 4055 Bellflower Blvd.

Their mission is educating writers of all abilities in the craft of writing and in the marketing of their work. Info: www.calwriterslongbeach.org or email info@calwriterslongbeach.org.

Dance Concerts

The CSULB College of the Arts and Department of Dance present the 2018 Contemporary Dance Concert, with performances on Thursday-Friday, Feb. 15 to Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the CSULB Martha B.Knoebel Dance Theater. This diverse and exciting evening of dance features original choreography by CSULB undergraduate choreographers Megan AuYeung, Spencer Jensen, Jasmine Mosher, Adrien Padilla, Toria Painter, Katelyn Sanchez and Jan-Matthew Sevilla.

The seven dances being presented draw upon a wide range of dance styles, musical inspirations and artistic collaborations. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $16 for seniors, students (with valid ID), CSULB faculty and staff and dance.

Summer Staff Needed

The Youth Center in Los Alamitos is now looking for highly-qualified staff members for their 2018 Camp S.H.A.R.K. to be held at Rossmoor Park. S.H.A.R.K. stands for “Science and Self-Esteem, Hands on and Happy, Art and Action, Recreation and Relationships, Knowledge and Kindness.”

Camp S.H.A.R.K. runs for seven weeks from June 18 thru Aug. 7, and offers a unique opportunity for staff to gain further and extensive experience working with kids ages 5 to 12. There will be weekly themed events, crafts, games, classes, sports and field trips geared towards the overall growth and development of healthy kids.

Summer camp staff must be 18 years old or older and have some experience working with children. 

Pay is $11 per hour. Hours are flexible between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The most qualified applicants will be determined by an application and interview evaluations. To apply, visit online at theyouthcenter.org/employment.asp or call Summer Camp Director Jay Martz at (562) 493-4043.