Community News

State of the Union

Long Beach Area Republicans mixer and State of the Union viewing to be held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. at the Gas Lamp on Pacific Coast Highway at Loynes. It’s a “don’t miss event” with great food (included in price) and even greater company.

RSVP by sending check to LBAR, P.O. Box 14746, Long Beach, CA 90853, or pay via PayPal on the home page at www.longbeachrepublicans.org. Members are $30 if pre-paid and $35 for non-members pre-paid. $40 for everyone at the door.

Become a member for $25 per household for the year and get special pricing to all events. Questions? Email andywhallon@yahoo.com or call (562) 424-1246.

Chocolate Festival

The 15th Annual Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9. Belmont Shore Businesses will be offering an array of chocolate treats and other sweets for all chocolate lovers along with other sweets to satisfy the whole family. With over 25 restaurants participating, everyone will be able to find something to satisfy that sweet tooth.

There is no entry fee for the event, only the cost of tickets used to purchase the dessert items. Twelve tickets for $10. Tickets will be sold beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the event in front of Chase Bank, 5200 E. 2nd St. Also at the Shore Business Center, The Beach on 2nd, LaStrada and Urban Table.

Enter the Homemade Chocolate Dessert Contest if you have a recipe for a chocolate dessert worthy of an award. A panel of judges will sample the desserts and choose winners in three categories: Chocolate Cakes & Pies, Chocolate Cookies & Brownies and Unique Chocolate Treats. The cost is $10 per dessert to enter. The contest tent will be located in the parking lot next to Chase Bank. (only judges may sample the desserts). The contest begins at noon and the awards will be announced at 1 p.m.

Starting around 3 p.m. those who would rather eat chocolate than make it are welcome to enter the Hof’s Hut Chocolate Pie Eating Contest. Contestants will race each other to see who can eat an individual-size chocolate cream pie the fastest. Sign up the day of event on Corona Ave. (south of 2nd St.) Age groups: 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 12 to 14, 15 to 17 and adults. Sign up in front of Chase Bank on the day of the event.

MLK Parade, Celebration

The 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration is happening on Saturday, Jan. 19, rain or shine.

The parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street. An open-air celebration with live entertainment, food, merchandise and information vendors follows from noon to 5 p.m., at MLK Park, located at 1950 Lemon Avenue.

The parade line-up has over 80 entries and it is hosting a variety of organizations such as, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Chosen Few Motorcycle Club and Viva Home Schooling Cooperative. Among the elected officials are Mayor Robert Garcia, City Auditor Laura Doud, Judge Christopher Frisco and representatives from the cities of Paramount and Huntington Park.

The music line-up includes:

• DJ Mr. Quick
• Long Beach City College Jazz Ensemble at noon,
• Shy But Flyy and the All Starz at 1 p.m.
• Trumpeter Tatiana Tate Quartet at 2:15 p.m.
• Boxcar 7 at 3:45 p.m.

A kids’ zone will be hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach and will have face painters, a bouncy maze and other attractions.

A total of 33 food, merchandise, and informational vendors have confirmed attendance. Among the booths are: JPs Pure Essentials selling hand-crafted jewelry and all natural body care products; Paparazzi Accessories selling jewelry; and The City of Long Beach’s Black Infant Health program. Psi Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority will be providing blood pressure checks and other health screenings.

For more information, please call (562) 570-6816.

Lifetime Learning

The 2019 Spring Semester for the Senior Studies Program at the Lifetime Learning Center at Long Beach City College starts Jan. 28. Registration for the classes and day tours is Jan. 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in QQ 122. All classes are held at the Pacific Coast Campus in the Lifetime Learning Center, Bldg. QQ.

• Music Appreciation & Musical Theatre Lovers is Mondays, Jan. 28 to May 6, 1-3 p.m. with Lucy Daggett and Sidney Hopson.
• World Affairs with Mary Thoits and guest speakers starts on Wednesdays, from Jan. 30 to May 8, 1-3 p.m.
• Tai Chi for Better Balance is held on Fridays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. begins on Feb. 1.
• Artist Workshop with Mori, Drawing & Watercolor Techniques is Wednesday, Feb. 6 to March 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Writing Your Memoirs with Dr. Ginny Baxter is Mondays, Jan. 29 to Feb. 19.

New this semester is Murder, Sex & Betrayal-Tales from the Underbelly of Classical Music on Tuesdays, March 5 to April 30, taught by Angela Romero Anderson, 1-3 p.m. Classes range from $30 to $55.

Long Beach Transit will be joining us on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to take photos and applications for the Senior Transportation TAP cards. Bring proof of age.

The Lifetime Learning Program is a non-profit organization and operates under the LBCC Foundation. For more information, call Theresa Brunella at (562) 938-3047 or Carol Conley at (562) 938-3048.

Aquarium Festival

Join the Aquarium of the Pacific for its sixteenth annual Festival of Human Abilities, a celebration highlighting the creative talents and abilities of people with disabilities on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26-27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This event will feature wheelchair dance, live music, sign language choirs, art demonstrations, and accessible SCUBA diving demonstrations. Participate in free classes led by people who have disabilities. All major programming will have sign language interpreters for guests who are deaf, and the Aquarium will provide visitor guides in Braille and audio tours for guests who are blind.

Cost: $29.95 adult (12+), $26.95 senior (62+), $17.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members

Diabetes Self-Management

Join the Diabetes Program at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center for a free diabetes self-management class on Wednesday, Jan. 23 & Wednesday, Jan. 30, 4-7 p.m. at MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach Pavilion, Conf. Room A2.

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.