Community News

Rudd on Straight Talk

Community Activist Justin Rudd will be the guest on the next edition of Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss his many community activities such as the monthly beach cleanup, the Bulldog Beauty Contest, Operation Santa Paws, the Turkey Trot 5K and 10K Race, the Annual Miss Long Beach Contest and other unique events.

This show will start airing Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on LBTV Channel 3. The show is also viewable on demand at straighttalktv.com.

Menorah Lighting

The annual Menorah lighting at Seal Beach will be held Sunday Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. Chanukah comes early this year (Dec. 2-10) and to kick-off the Chanukah season Rabbi Shmuel Marcus of Chabad will light a 9-foot menorah at Eisenhower Park near the pier.

This year’s lighting will include a free concert by the Jewish rock band 8th Day and will feature LA’s sensation Izzy D Jay. World famous juggler David Cousin will perform and a special program honoring the 11 Jews killed in Pittsburgh will be held prior to lighting the giant menorah.

The public menorah at Seal Beach Pier (Corner of Ocean and Main St.) maximizes the radiance of the Chanukah lights and publicly proclaims the timeless message of light’s victory over darkness and love’s victory over hate.

The Menorah at Seal Beach brings the warmth and spirit of Chanukah to the young and old of our community. The free event offers live music, traditional Chanukah foods, holiday giveaways and the grand lighting of a giant nine-foot Menorah. The event is free and open to the public and paid for by Chabad of Los Alamitos and local sponsors.

For more information visit www.SealBeachMenorah.com or call Chabad at (714) 828-1851.

City Tree Lighting

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center will host the Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting, a community-wide celebration to kick off the holiday season. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia will flip the switch to light up Long Beach’s tallest Christmas Tree on the Terrace Plaza at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

The lighting of the 50-foot tree with more than 60,000 colorful LED bulbs signals the start of a family-friendly holiday party that includes performances by local musical and dance groups, spectacular fireworks show set to music, laser lighting effects, the dancing waters of the new Terrace Fountain, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a giant snow globe selfie station, two electric kiddy trains circling the Rainbow Bridge and thousands of free “light-up” wearables for the children. A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase from a selection of curbside food trucks.

Now in its fourth year, the official Tree Lighting has become one of the Long Beach community’s best holiday events, bringing in thousands of Long Beach residents and visitors for an evening of fun and holiday entertainment. Parking is free at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center parking structure.

Playground Grand Opening

The public is invited to attend a grand opening celebration for the new playground at Whaley Park, located at 5620 Atherton St. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 3:30 p.m.

This is the fourth playground completed of six Measure A-funded playground upgrades. An adventure course guided passport will be provided to all youth in attendance to use to explore the new playground with some exciting super hero characters. The Long Beach Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo will also be on hand to add to the fun. Children will have the opportunity to create sounds with various instruments.

The project included the installation of two new playground structures, one for ages two to five years and another for ages five to 12 years, site furnishings and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements. The playground was designed with an arts and sciences theme, intended to enhance the robust arts and sciences programming and camps available at Whaley Park community center.

The project was made possible by using Measure A and cost $910,000. Measure A (2016) is a Long Beach ballot initiative approved by voters as a 10-year sales tax to fund public infrastructure and public safety services.

Info: (562) 570-3150.

LBCC Theater

“The Mousetrap” directed by LBCC faculty member Gregory Mortensen plays Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 and Dec. 6 – Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the LBCC Studio Theatre, Building H, 4901 E. Carson St. Purchase tickets at LBCC.edu/PerformingArts or call (866) 811-4111. Info: Greg Mortensen (562) 938-4270 or gmortensen@lbcc.edu.

LBCC Music

Ring in the Holidays! The Long Beach City College Wind Ensemble and Evening Wind Symphony will perform marches, international music, traditional American songs, contemporary popular music and holiday selections! Directed by LBCC faculty member Brian Hamilton and guest conductor Dr. Gary Thomas Scott. It’s on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Long Beach VA Hospital, “Egg” Auditorium, 5901 E. 7th St. Admission and parking are free.

LBCC Lecture

Listen to guest lecturer Gregorio Luke talk about Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz – the 17th century Mexican poet, nun and advocate for women’s rights on Thursday, Dec. 6, 6-9 p.m. in Building T, Room 1200, Liberal Arts Campus, 4901 E. Carson St. It’s Free and open to the public. Info: Dr. Cynthia Quintero at cquintero@lbcc.edu.

LBMA Exhibitions

The Long Beach Museum of Art presents “Exhibition Walkthrough With Jane Brucker” on Dec. 1, 2-3 p.m. Explore the exhibition “Fragile Thoughts” together with artist Jane Brucker. Outmoded objects and everyday materials are transformed as narrative passages from the artist’s own family are embedded into the work. Spanning 25 years, the thought-provoking exhibition delves into themes of collective history, mortality and fragility.

The event is free but space is limited. Reservations are required.

Aquarium Holidays

Get into the holiday spirit Dec. 1-23, at the Aquarium of the Pacific during the month-long Aquarium Holidays celebration, featuring special holiday décor, daily penguin parades at 10 a.m., shopping, snowfall in the Great Hall, daily screenings of the original cartoon Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” a special holiday menu in Café Scuba and daily appearances by Santa Diver and the Aquarium characters in their holiday outfits. A display of gingerbread houses will start Dec. 8.

On weekends the aquarium will have a snow play area, children’s crafts and photo opportunities with Santa. Hanukkah storytelling with opportunities to play dreidel will be presented on Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9.

A toy drive runs daily Dec. 1 through 23 and supports the Long Beach Fire Department Spark of Love Toy Drive. Aquarium guests who donate a new, unwrapped toy – at a $15 value or more – will receive a coupon valid for $10 off adult/$3 off child, up to 4 total admissions. Aquarium members will receive a complimentary Aquarium admission ticket for each toy donated (maximum of six).

Holiday Ugly Sweater weekend is Dec. 22-23. Wear an ugly holiday sweater and get $5 off all ages upon request.

Book Launch

Bake n’ Broil Restaurant, 3697 Atlantic Ave, will host a book launch and signing for local Artist/Writer/Tile Master Robert David Meyer, on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 4-6 p.m. The book is entitled Skewered: Baked, Broiled and Rinsed in California Heights and is a cartoon-based, humorous satire about the landmark restaurant, in the heart of California Heights-Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach. The book is Meyer’s first and will be available for purchase.

Skewered is a homage to the staff and owners of Bake ‘n’ Broil. Meyer states, “If you are very lucky, even in a relatively big city, you might find a homey, family-run restaurant, that serves good food, at reasonable prices, by a friendly wait staff. I am fortunate to live close to just such a place.”

For further information, please contact Peter Werrenrath, Top Duck Productions, (562) 208-9818 or info@TopDuckProductions.com.