Community News

Thrift Shop Day

Today. Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (SOLAC), will offer additional promotions and special giveaways to celebrate Goodwill shoppers, raising awareness of how shopping at Goodwill creates employment placement and job training in our community.  Area stores will run different sales in support of National Thrift Shop Day to ensure customers can enjoy a wide range of specials as they browse. 

Goodwill shoppers are local heroes, because when they purchase an item at Goodwill SOLAC they Bring Good Home in more ways than one. Eighty-seven cents of every dollar spent at Goodwill SOLAC stores is reinvested in the community to create employment placement, job training and career support services in Southern Los Angeles County.

Goodwill’s donation-resale model extends the life of clothing and other goods to earn revenue for Goodwill SOLAC on-site and virtual training, access to computers for job search assistance, employment placement job training and other community-based services, such as career counseling, and industry-recognized credentials for anyone facing challenges to finding employment.

Fall Class Registration

Registration for new fall recreation classes offered by Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is going on now. The community is invited to explore and register for more than 400 classes in art, music, nature, fitness, and special interest subjects; and adult sports leagues and aquatics programs will be offered starting in September. These programs provide opportunities for exercise and recreation, social interaction and learning, and growth and relaxation for preschool aged children to adults.

Those interested can register for a class through one of three ways, including:

• Visiting www.lbparks.org and clicking on “Online Registration” under “LB RecConnect.”
• Calling (562) 570-3111.
• Visiting the Registration Reservations Office at 2760 Studebaker Rd., anytime Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Classes that are offered include many different topics and activities for various ages, such as:

• Lil Sprouts Cooking Class where preschoolers can learn to create healthy snacks. They can learn to express themselves with art and Spanish language immersion classes. Other fall offerings include music, dance, gymnastics soccer, tee ball and preschool reading and math.
• Art classes for youth, which include cooking, hip hop dance, musical theater, reading and math development, and music. Additionally, young athletes can hone their skills in basketball, ice skating, gymnastics, ice hockey, martial arts, volleyball, skateboarding and soccer.
• Classes for teens to help them prepare for obtaining a driver’s license, writing a winning college essay and staying active in sports.
• Classes for adults, which include photography, sewing, knitting, quilting, ceramics, painting, dancing and the art of voice over. Students can also learn how to train a dog.
• Dance, yoga and Zumba classes for fitness, that are catered to adults 50 years of age and older.
• The “Recreation Connection” also lists dozens of free activities including after school programs, Fall Fun Day programs, Halloween activities, youth sports leagues, teen centers and senior centers. Free use facilities include skate parks, dog parks, fitness zones, bike and walking paths, and more.

Residents can visit www.lbparks.org to see the digital version of the “Recreation Connection” or pick one up at a local park or library.

LBCH on Straight Talk

Matthew Faulkner, head of the Community Hospital Foundation will be the guest on the next edition of Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss the efforts to save Community Hospital and keep the emergency department open for the benefit of residents of the east side of Long Beach and the community at large. He will discuss the task force formed to generate support for the hospital and the pressing need to maintain the ER and the critical care units.

This show will air the weekends of August 18 & 25 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on LBTV Channel 3. The show is also viewable on demand at straighttalktv.com.

Aquarium Discounts

The Aquarium of the Pacific is inviting the public to meet new animals and explore new exhibits and programs with discounted admission. Those who visit the Aquarium during Discounted Summer Late Nights will enter for just $14.95 after 5 p.m. The entire aquarium, except Lorikeet Forest, will remain open until 8 p.m. on select nights in August.

Guests can explore the new Tentacles and Ink exhibit featuring a day octopus, see the baby seal, and dive into the Aquarium’s 20th anniversary celebration with new films, selfie stations, contests, and more. Additional nights will be added throughout the summer.

Guests can also delve into the aquarium’s three main galleries highlighting the waters of Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific, and the Tropical Pacific and outdoor exhibits, including the interactive Shark Lagoon, and Ray Touchpool. The aquarium features more than 11,000 animals to discover with family and friends. The coffee cart will be open for guests to purchase snacks, light dinners, and drinks; Pacific Collections will also be open for the late night shoppers.

Labor Day Weekend Discounted Late Nights also available: Sept. 1 and 2, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Info: (562) 590-3100.

Going Vegan

Linda Blair, star of “The Exorcist” will be signing her book “Going Vegan” as well as other items to raise money for her foundation “Linda Blair World Heart Foundation,” a dog rescue, care and adoption facility for a $20 tax deductible donation at Planet Books, 3917 E. Anaheim St. on Saturday, August 18, 2-6 p.m.

Questing Heirs

There will be a meeting of the Questing Heirs Genealogical Society on Sunday, August 19, at 1 p.m.  The meeting is free and open to the general public. It will meet at 5918 E. Parkcrest St. (in the Lakewood Masonic Center building).

Join us as we learn tools for genealogical research from experienced experts. For more information contact Liz Stookiesberry at (562) 760-3027 or visit our website: http://www.qhgs.info.

Beach Streets Twilight

Beach Streets, the popular Long Beach Open Street event, is returning to the downtown area. The public is invited to participate in “Beach Streets Twilight” on Saturday, August 25, 5-10 p.m. At this nighttime event, participants can walk, bike, or roll along a car-free route. The event kick-off will be held in front of The Pike Outlets Ferris Wheel, at 5 p.m.

The event route goes from Shoreline Village through the Pike Outlets, continuing to the Aquarium Way circle and loops back around. There will be decorative lighting for participants to enjoy along Shoreline Drive.

Attendees can look forward to mFor more information, the community is encouraged to visit www.beachstreets.com.

LBCC Student Housing

HOPE, Inc. will celebrate the Sept. 5, grand opening of its newly acquired and renovated College-2-Career (C2C) housing at 4751 Clark Ave., located just blocks from the campus of Long Beach City College (LBCC). This site is HOPE’s third property dedicated to providing students with developmental disabilities a dorm-like residential experience while completing college courses to obtain a certificate or associates degree.

This new C2C location, in the Lakewood Village neighborhood of Long Beach, sits on a 17,000+ square foot lot. A charming courtyard adjoins two neighboring buildings that together now offer eight units of housing for 14 students, with one unit reserved as an on site staff office. Students accepted into the program will lease their housing units at the affordable rents of $350-$500 per month.

At the 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. event, statements will be made by project partners and elected officials. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will directly follow the program.