Community News

Peter and the Starcatcher

Peter and the Starcatcher is performing at the Long Beach Playhouse through May 5. It is based on the 2004 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and adapted for the stage in 2011 by Rick Elice, providing a backstory for the characters of Peter Pan.

In various reviews the play is described as literate, clever, enchanting and an extraordinary coming of age story. It’s a play that transcends time and one that is equally at home in Victorian times as in the 21st Century. The show premiered in California then moved to Broadway where it was nominated for several awards including a Tony for best play.

Tickets ($14-$24) are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Scandinavian Music

Norwegian musician Ann-Marita Garsed will be preforming an acoustic show of traditional Scandinavian folk songs at the Sons of Norway Lodge-Fridtjof Nansen in Long Beach on April 14.

Join us for lunch and program at noon at Christ Lutheran Church, 6500 E. Stearns St. Questions call (714) 928-5975.

Questing Heirs

The Genealogical Society will host speaker Joel Weintraub will address the topics of “What Happened at Ellis Island? The Name Change Myth” and “Crowdsourcing the Path to the 1950 Census” on Sunday, April 15, at 1 p.m. at 5918 E. Parkcrest St.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Join us as we learn tools for genealogical research from experienced experts. Visit our website at Questing Heirs Genealogical Society, Inc. Visit http://www.qhgs.info/

Americana Fire

Music at the Point welcomes Georgia master guitarist and songwriter Brooks Williams to the Grace First Sanctuary on Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m.

Brooks Williams hails from Statesboro, Georgia, the town made famous by country-blues legend Blind Willie McTell. Ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists, he’s a mean finger-picker and a stunning slide guitarist. Plus, “he has a beautiful voice,” says AmericanaUK, “that you just melt into.” Not one easy to pigeon-hole, Brooks’ music is the love-child of country-blues and soulful Americana.

Grace First Presbyterian Church is located at 3955 Studebaker Rd. The phone number is (562) 420-3393. This concert is a free-will donation concert, with a suggested donation of $10.

Life Summer Camp

spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp is for kids 8-13 years old with eight Monday to Friday sessions available, running June through August at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center, 7700 E. Spring St.

At camp, kids learn the basics of pet care and responsibility, respect for all animals, and the beginnings of dog training – all while making new friends.

Teens 14-17 have the opportunity to be Counselors in Training (CIT). CITs participate in advanced dog training and develop leadership skills as they guide younger campers through various camp activities.

Registration begins April 16 at 10 a.m. at www.spcaLA.com. Scholarships available with fees of $350 per camper and $250 CIT. For more info visit www.spcaLA.com or call (562) 216-2544 or email humaneeducation@spcaLA.com

Writing Workshop

Get inspired and revitalize your writing this spring with author Laura Deutsch. Author of Writing from the Senses will lead a workshop in developing content and strengthening your writing on Sunday afternoon April 22 at the studio home of artist Sue Ann Robinson in Long Beach. She will lead you through exercises to help hone your story and uncover your bset materials. Whatever your book format, this workshop will be an invaluable aid. The workshop is limited to 10 participants.

To register please contact Sue Ann Robinson at sueannrob@aol.com or (562) 421-5546.

Diabetes Self-Management

Join the Diabetes Program at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center for a free diabetes self-management class on Tuesday, April 24 and Tuesday, May 1, 4-7 p.m. at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Pavilion, Conference Room A2, 2801 Atlantic Ave.

The class will be across two separate sessions and will cover diabetes medication and management. Participants will be able to discuss blood glucose monitoring, nutritious meal planning, fitness motivation and more while learning about acute and long-term complications and skills that contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Call (562) 933.5043 to RSVP. Parking will be validated.

Research Colloquium

The Long Beach State University’s annual Women’s Research Colloquium will be held Thursday, April 26, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Walter Pyramid. The event is open to the public and there is a $20 registration fee.

The President’s Commission on the Status of Women represents all of Long Beach State University’s female students, staff, faculty and administrators. The commission offers funding opportunities supporting projects and events advocating for and addressing women’s issues, scholarships and awards supporting achievements affecting the lives of women and the Research Colloquium (which spotlights research contributing to the public’s understanding of issues and causes important to the advancement of women).

Plant Sale & Tour

The Lakewood Garden Club will host its plant sale on Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5646 Lakewood Blvd. A large variety of plants will be for sale at reasononable prices.

A self-guided garden tour starting at the same address will be on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include five gardens in Lakewood, Bellflower and Cerritos. Donation is $10.

For more information, call Barbara Richardson at (310) 871-7566.

The Garden Club will be meeting  on Thursday, April 26, 11 a.m. at the Youth Center at Del Valle Park. The meeting will include a speaker who is an expert on geraniums.

Pray for Unity

On Wednesday, May 2, there will be a National Day of Prayer event at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4644 Clark Ave. 7-8:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Event includes Boy Scouts presenting colors, patriot songs, community speaker, prayers for our nation and outside candlelight closing. All invited. Contact: Ted Pearson, (562) 429-2129.

Republican BBQ

Long Beach Area Republicans annual red, white and blue live BBQ is set for Friday, May 4 at the El Dorado Golf Course, 2400 Studebaker Road, 6-8:30 p.m., dancing 8:30-10 p.m. to the band Squeezebox. Speakers are Jim McDonnell, L.A. County Sheriff; Janet Nguyen, 34th Dist. State Senator; Travis Allen, Gubernatorial candidate; Stacy Dash, former Fox News commentator, and others.

Reservations required to (562) 424 1246 or email dkla1@verizon.net. Purchase tickets on line at www.longbeachrepublicans.org or mail a check to LBAR, P.O. Box 14746, Long Beach, CA 90853. Advance purchase is $65 for members, $75 for non-members, and $80 for all at-the-door purchases. Membership is $25 per household for the year 2018.