Community News

Crumbs of Joy

The Long Beach Playhouse opens its 2018 season today with Lynn Nottage’s play entitled “Crumbs from the Table of Joy.” The play has been described as a cross between Tennessee Williams’ “A Glass Menagerie” and Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin the Sun.” Set in 1950, it is the story of a grieving widower named Godfrey Crump who hopes he can find peace in the religious teachings of a man named Father Divine and by moving his teenage daughters from their home in Florida to Brooklyn, New York.

“The story includes several themes from the 1950s: institutional racism, the emerging feminist movement and interracial marriage,” said Madison Mooney, the Playhouse’s executive director.

Variety describes the play as “a crowd-pleasing comic melodrama.” In the review Variety notes that “The interplay between reality and fantasy makes for a lively narrative structure, ensuring kitchen-sink dramatics are balanced with emotionally heightened scenes that might as well be set in Joan Crawford’s living room.”

Ticket prices range from $14 to $24 and are available at www.lbplayhouse.org or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

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.

Donate Blood

This May, the American Red Cross is calling for donors to give blood and platelets regularly to be prepared to meet the needs of patients in emergency situations.

According to the National Trauma Institute, trauma accounts for approximately 41 million emergency department visits and 2 million hospital admissions each year.

Regular blood, platelet and plasma donations help ensure that blood is available at a moment’s notice. In fact, it is the blood on the shelves that is used to help save lives at the time of an accident or sudden illness.

Donors of all blood types are urged to roll up a sleeve this May to help meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

All those who come to donate from April 9 to May 13 will be entered to win one of three $1,000 gift cards to a national home improvement retailer, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply. More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lets-Do-More.)

Red, White, Blue BBQ

Long Beach Area Republicans Annual Red, White and Blue Western 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.

Plant Sale

The Long Beach City College Horticulture Department’s popular plant sale and open house will be held May 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pacific Coast Campus 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway.

The horticulture area is located on the east side of the Pacific Coast Campus, south of Building QQ. Parking will be free in all PCC parking lots.

The plant sale will be held on the same day as National Public Gardens Day (May 11) where people are encouraged to walk in gardens and enjoy the plant life surroundings. Workshops and demonstrations will be presented on both days, including special guests The Butterfly Whisperer and Society for Calligraphy Southern California who will write out visitors’ names for free in a variety of lettering styles.

The sale will also feature metal garden art and other items created by LBCC’s Fabrication/Welding Club, water-wise plants and vegetables, and butterfly-friendly plants. An open art table will also be available for children and watercolor workshops will be held from 10 a.m. – noon each day. For more information call (562) 938-3086.

Garden Party

The American Association of University Women Long Beach Branch’s Annual Garden Party will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2-4 p.m. at the Park Estates home of member Janice Furman.

Members are encouraged to bring a friend, colleague or neighbor, as well as any prospective members. The annual event is planned for everyone to see the opportunities available as a member of the branch with display tables that showcase the organization’s programs and special interest groups. A variety of light snacks, desserts and appetizing finger foods will be served.

Republican Women

Christopher J. Harris will be the speaker at the Long Beach Republican Women Federated meeting on Saturday, May 12. He is the director for legislative and political affairs for the National Border Patrol Council and American Federation of Government Employees and will be discussing border patrol, national security issues, immigration reform, DACA reform, asylum and “The Wall.”

Registration starts at 9 a.m. The meeting promptly begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Long Beach Airport Marriott, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive.

RSVP at LongBeachRWF@gmail.com or call (562) 881-5661 and leave a message.  Cost is $30 for members and $35 for guests and includes breakfast.  You may register online at www.LongBeachRepublicanWomen.com. Guests are welcome.

Diabetes & You

Join the Diabetes Program at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center for Diabetes & You: Ask the Expert – a quarterly class that features a presentation on various diabetes-related topics. The Tuesday, May 29 class at 7:30 p.m. also provides an opportunity to network and find support from other people living with diabetes. Light refreshments will be provided.

Call (562) 933-5043 to RSVP. Walk-ins are welcome at 2801 Atlantic Avenue, MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Pavilion | Conference Room A2

Diabetes Support Group

Join the Diabetes Program at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center for a support group for adults with diabetes held the second Monday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m. in the 5th floor classroom. Get support and interaction with peers on a variety of diabetes-related topics, including insulin-pump related issues. Cost of the support group is free and significant others are welcome. Call (562) 933-5043 for more information.