Community News

Willmore City Walking Tour

Willmore City was Long Beach’s first residential development, started in 1881, and is home to the Bembridge House, an impressive Queen Anne Victorian home adjacent to Drake Park, named for Colonel Charles Rivers Drake, developer of The Pike amusement complex and the Knoll Park housing development.

Tour attendees on May 25, 9:30-11 a.m., will be introduced to a cross-section of early 20th century Long Beach residential architecture, including numerous variations on the Victorian style as well as turn-of-the-century transitional homes such as a Tudor Revival Duplex, Chalet Craftsman, Dutch Colonial Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival and Sears Kit House. The tour includes interior visits to the Bembridge House and a fully restored Queen Anne “workman’s cottage.”

More information and $15 tickets: https://www.lbheritage.org/event/wilmore-city-walking-tour/

Taste of Downtown Returns

The much anticipated Taste of Downtown returns for its 12th year offering a fun and affordable way to enjoy dozens of Downtown Long Beach eateries one taste at a time. Hosted by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA), this two-day tasting event is part of a series held throughout the summer providing the perfect outdoor setting to enjoy food, drink and entertainment with family, friends and work colleagues.

The first event kicks off in the East Village (May 29-30) at 1st and Linden Ave., followed by Pine Avenue and the Promenade (June 26-27) and a summer finale at The Waterfront (August 28-29). Each day of the event is 6-10 p.m.

Come and taste a variety of signature dishes and drinks served up by Downtown’s culinary favorites. An updated list of participating restaurants can be found here. Hosting the bar for the East Village event will be the popular Latin themed restaurant, Padre and entertainment will be provided by Manuel The Band.

Admission is free and $1 tasting tickets can be purchased on the day of each event, or in advance online by visiting http://bit.ly/TODEV19. Tickets purchased in 2019 will be honored at all of this year’s Taste of Downtown events.

Great Homes Tour

Six architecturally significant private residences, located in unique neighborhoods throughout the city, will be open for public viewing during the 18th annual “Great Homes of Long Beach” tour on Sunday, June 2, from noon to 5 p.m.

Sales to the public began April 15, with discounted early-access pricing at $40 for the general public and $35 for Long Beach Heritage members. For more information, call (562) 493-7019 or visit www.lbheritage.org.

Book Sale

The Women’s Council at St. Bartholomew’s hosts its Annual Book Sale from 4-6:30 p.m. on  Saturday, June 1 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 2. Money raised goes to local nonprofits.

Donations of Books, DVDs, CDs, Videos and Records will be accepted Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31 between 10 a.m. to noon in the Parish Hall at 5100 E. Broadway.

Pet Adoption Day

It’s spcaLA Pet Adoption Day, our biggest pet adoption event of the year – meet your Friend for Life!

Enjoy a day of sunshine and pet adoptions at spcaLA’s PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center in Long Beach!

Pick Your Own Price pet adoption fees, vendor booths, giveaways, food trucks and more!

 It’s on Saturday June 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St. (in El Dorado Park)

Established in 1877, spcaLA is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services include Cruelty Investigation, the Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education and a variety of shelter services.

Beatles vs. Stones

A Musical Showdown comes to the Gaslamp Restaurant on Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m. The show is appropriate for all ages.

Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the county’s top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career. They face off against renowned Stones tribute band Hollywood Stones, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion.

Tickets are $20 and available at http://www.gaslamptix.com or by phoning (562) 596-2718.

Family Floors New Store

Please join us as we celebrate the grand opening of our newest location in Huntington Beach at 16917 Algonquin St., #F.

We will be having a ribbon cutting, raffles, prizes, food, desserts and drinks. We hope you can all join us, it will be a great time. Please feel free to invite your friends and family on June 19 at 4 p.m.

Fabulous 40s Show

Senior Comedy Afternoons is celebrating the 40s and our veterans on Sunday, July 14, at the newly renovated Proud Bird Restaurant and Events Center at 11022 Aviation Blvd. in Los Angeles, near LAX. Doors open at 12 noon.

A three-course served luncheon starts at 12:30. Our comedy cabaret show starts at 1:30. Everyone is encouraged to wear red, white and blue. A guided tour of the Air Park takes place post show.

Comedians to perform are:

Fritz Coleman, NBC’s top weather reporter who’s made many an appearance on the Tonight Show and has won numerous awards for his comedy specials.

Cathy Ladman, whose comedy is described as “self-probing, anxiety-venting humor and a vehicle for “exposing personal neurosis” has also done nine spots on the Tonight Show, had her own HBO Special Series and been a guest on many TV shows.

Steve Bruner is one of the most successful comedians in the business. You can see him regularly in clubs, on television, on corporate stages and on cruise ships. He’s been featured On Showtime, A&E Network, ABC, Comedy Central and has performed with some of the biggest acts in the business.

Peter Chen, the “Asian Rodney Dangerfield” has been a working comic for 30 years and also an award winning documentarian with his film “Saving Face, a Documentary”.

In addition the fabulous Hollywood Hotshots do some 40s dance numbers like It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing!

Tickets are $76. It includes the show, a three-course served lunch including taxes and tip. Tickets are available online at www.seniorcomedyafternoons.com or by calling (714) 914-2565.