Community News

MWD on Straight Talk

Randy Record, chairman of the board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, will be the guest on the next edition of Straight Talk. He joins host Art Levine to discuss the vital role of the MWD in bringing water to Southern California.

This Special Edition of Straight Talk was taped “On the Road” in Palm Springs, Calif. at the Spring Water Conference of the Urban Water Institute held at the Hilton Palm Springs Hotel.

This Straight Talk show will air in Long Beach/Signal Hill on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5 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 also viewable on demand at www.StraightTalkTV.com and on YouTube and can be heard on iTunes.

Women’s Symposium

The Women’s Symposium of Southern California (WSSC) is poised for its second annual educational-based event celebrating International Women’s Day. Join women from across Southern California on Wednesday March 8, 6-9 p.m. at the Long Beach Marriott for an empowering evening of networking, workshop discussions, and tools to get you on the path to empowerment and everyday financial know-how.

This year’s theme is “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World,” which aligns with the theme set forth by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) of UN Women. Panelists and facilitators from the corporate world, Small Business Association, financial services, and career development industries will be on hand to discuss issues such as business, compensation, work-life balance, health and safety, civic engagement and marketing practices. From women starting their careers, taking care of older relatives, and in their retirement years, there will be a wealth of information to help you get financially fit.

This is a free event with Registration at: www.WSSoCal.org or on Facebook. You can choose from two of four breakout sessions to learn and converse about varied topics such as financial planning, small business, family and career, as well as transitioning and reinvesting oneself after age 50.

For sponsorship opportunities or more information contact the president Marah Fineberg-Kuck, CFP at womenssymposium@outlook.com or by phone at (858) 361-8556.

Proceeds from the 2017 Women’s Symposium of Southern California will be donated to the following charitable organizations: United States National Committee for United Nations Women (SoCal Chapter), Soroptimist International of Long Beach (SILB), and Precious Life Shelter.

Republican Woman

James E. Horn, author and retired U.S. Diplomat, will speak about “Sanctuary Cities” at the Long Beach Republican Women Federated meeting on Saturday, March 11. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Long Beach Airport Marriott Hotel - 4700 Airport Plaza Drive on Spring between Clark and Lakewood Blvd. RSVP is required to LongBeachRWF@gmail.com or call (562) 938-9180 and leave a message. Cost is $27 for members and $32 for guests and includes breakfast. You may register online at www.longbeachrepublicanwomen.com. All are welcome.

Kids in Kitchen

Junior League of Long Beach invites kids and their families in the Long Beach community to participate in a free and fun day of healthy eating and exercise at their 12th annual Kids in the Kitchen Fair. The event will be Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at 1950 Lemon Ave.

The event is a health and exercise oriented fair which will include booths and demonstrations from members of the Long Beach community including:

Performances and skate safety instruction from Skate Dogs

Healthy food choices and samples from Healthy Active Long Beach, prepared by the Long Beach City College Culinary Arts Program

Jump rope tutorials from JumpLA

Free opportunity drawings and giveaways

The Kids in the Kitchen event welcomes all ages, but is geared towards children in elementary and middle school. The Junior League of Long Beach hopes to get their community’s children thinking about healthy eating and fitness early by introducing them to new foods they can cook at home and fun ways to stay active outside of school.

“It’s exciting to see so many people come together to organize the event and to attend,” said Virginia Zart, the 2016-2017 President of Junior League of Long Beach. “Adults and children of all ages participate with the activities and food tasting, and leave with ways to lead a healthy and active life.”

This year’s Kids in the Kitchen Chair, Emily Wratschko, is excited about the event, adding, “The Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle Fair is the marquee event for the Kids in the Kitchen committee, but we are assisted by all the committees of the League to produce, sponsor, and work this amazing event to meet the needs of over 1,300 local participants. We supplement with games and prizes, but the real treat is the educational takeaway from the day: each kid leaves the fair feeling more confident about making healthier food choices and knowing how to live an active life.”

The Junior League of Long Beach works with local community partners to combat bullying through character development and life skills programs for 5-8 graders and their caregivers that encourage relationship building and respect for self and others. Through needs assessment, support of fund development and volunteer hours, the Junior League of Long Beach has been instrumental in launching more than 60 projects and programs into the greater Long Beach community since its establishment 85 years ago, in 1931.

Casino Night

Come and revel in the Luck of the Irish Casino Night at The Grand in Long Beach, this St Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $39 online, $50 at the door and includes dinner, one drink ticket and starter gambling chips. Join and win great prizes such as a beach cruiser, iPad Mini, Smart TV, printer, Flowers, Jewelry and more! Info: longbeachexecs.com.

Questing Heirs

There will be a genealogy meeting on March 19, 1 p.m., at 5918 E. Parkcrest St. It is free and open to the public. Join them and learn the tools for genealogical research from experienced genealogists.

Visit www.qhgs.info or contact Liz Stookesberry at (562) 760-3027

Beach Streets on April 29

East Long Beach will bustle with activity on Saturday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the city’s fourth Beach Streets Open Street event, from Atherton Street up to Spring Street, and will feature thousands of people walking, bicycling and socializing on car-free streets.

Several entertainment hubs along the Beach Streets University route, including a dedicated children’s area at Whaley Park, will feature outdoor music, food and drink specials, activities and more. The route is Atherton Street along California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and up Bellflower Boulevard and Los Coyotes Diagonal to Spring Street between Bellflower Boulevard and Studebaker Road.

Several intersections for vehicles to cross Bellflower Boulevard, Los Coyotes Diagonal and Spring Street will be maintained along the route; however, the entire route and the extended streets will be closed to vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and anything with a motor. Acceptable modes of transportation along the route include: bicycles, skates, rollerblades, skateboards, walking, etc. The only motorized vehicles allowed must be officially marked means of transportation for those with disabilities.

Many city deepartments and community groups will participate with healthy, active-living activities, booths and information for the whole family, along with demonstrations, food, entertainment and more.

For more information, including updates, entertainment, maps and parking information, visit www.beachstreets.com.