Community News

Sneaker Night

Long Beach State Athletics presents “Sneaker Night” on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Walter Pyramid.

It begins at 2:30 p.m. with keynote speaker Nelson Farris of Nike, followed by a panel discussion with Willie Alexander (Runners High), Ron Lodevico (Illery), Tim Scanlan (Long Beach Skate) and Carlos Heredia (Breakout LA).

The concourse will feature local shoe companies.

LBSU versus UCSB men’s basketball follows at 4 p.m. Order today at www.fevo.me/sneakernight. Bring used shoes to donate to soles4souls (under privileged youth).

Riveting Entertainment

On Saturday evening, Feb.1, at 7:30 p.m. Long Beach’s Bembridge House will light up with entertainment, as Emmy-Nominated Producer/Director Pamela Peak and the incredible On Impulse Actors return to perform the timeless, heartfelt story of The Elephant Man (based on a true story). The show will unfold around you, just inches away. Guests will enjoy refreshments and snacks at 7 p.m. Then, the exciting show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information and tickets see: https://www.pamelapeakproductions.com/the-elephant-man-the-bembridge-house. The address of The Bembridge House is: 953 Park Circle.

Otter Bowl

The Aquarium of the Pacific presents its sixth annual Otter Bowl on Feb. 2, at 4 p.m. Watch as the aquarium’s sea otters vie for the championship at Otter Bowl VI. The fast-paced action will include collecting footballs made out of frozen clams and retrieving enrichment toys. There will be lots of eating and playing going on during this big game as the sea otters compete.

The game starts during the 4 p.m. sea otter show in the Northern Pacific Gallery, and an aquarium educator will be calling the play-by-play. At 3:30 p.m., the otters will be off exhibit in their “locker room” as the aquarium’s animal experts prepare the “field” for Otter Bowl VI.

Visitors can receive discounted admission of $19.95 per person from 3 to 6 p.m.

Info: (562) 590-3100 or aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/otterbowl/

Antarctica Overview

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7:15 p.m. diver/researcher Jeffrey Bozanic will share photos and information about his trips to Antarctica.

Antarctica is a fragile environment, full of interesting fauna. Research that is conducted there is surprisingly pertinent to people everywhere. Despite its remoteness, Antarctica is surprisingly accessible to interested individuals wishing to see the continent for themselves. Come listen as Jeff describes his work and travels to South Georgia Island, the Falklands, the Antarctic Peninsula, and Ross Island. He has many amazing photos of penguins, sharks, other animals and the underwater world.

The Sierra Club’s monthly meetings are open to all, please join us on the first Wednesday at the Environmental Services Bureau, at 2929 E. Willow St. in Long Beach.

For more info contact gabrielle@workwithweeks.com.

‘Ragtime’ Feb. 7-23

Musical Theatre West (MTW) brings five-time Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center Feb. 7-23. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s acclaimed novel, the 13-time Tony-nominated musical tells the story of three families trying to find their way during the turn of the 20th century in New York City; each struggling with the changing cultural climate in America and each facing the promise of hope and new beginnings in the midst of prejudice and bigotry.

Showcasing music and lyrics by the Tony Award-winning team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and a Tony Award-winning book by Terrence McNally, Ragtime features a score with such memorable songs as “Your Daddy’s Son,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Till We Reach That Day” and “Make Them Hear You.”

Tickets are now on sale for Musical Theatre West’s production of Ragtime. For tickets, go to www.musical.org, call (562) 856-1999, or visit the Musical Theatre West Box Office. Tickets start at $20 for select performances.

Chocolate Festival

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 on Saturday, Feb. 8. 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 day of the event in front of Chase Bank (5200 E. 2nd). Also, our merchants Shore Business Center, The Beach on 2nd, Blue Windows, LaStrada, Polly’s Coffee, Salon Soma.

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, 5200 E. 2nd St. (only judges may sample the desserts). The contest begins at noon; awards are 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.

Free Market Warrior

Loren Spivack will be the guest speaker at the Long Beach Republican Women Federated Feb. 8 meeting. Spivack, who founded Free Market Warrior in 2009 to make a positive difference in American politics and economics, will share why Republicans fight. He will also offer insightful approaches to overcoming challenges posed by liberals. The Feb. 8 meeting is at The Grand in Long Beach (4101 E Willow St.). Registration starts at 9 a.m. with a buffet breakfast. The cost is just $30 for members and $35 for non-members with free parking.

As a special bonus for Republican Women Federated members and guests, can purchase autographed copies of Spivack’s books.

With California’s primary just a few weeks after this meeting, Republicans will also hear updates about candidates and positions to help them vote in the March 3 primary.

The community is invited to join like-minded women and men. The morning breakfast meeting is an opportunity to learn more about Republican Women Federated and how to be part of America’s largest grassroots organization. For information and reservations: Email: loisledger5@gmail.com; Call: (562) 432-5822; Web:     www.longbeachrepublicanwomen.com/calendar.

Writers Club

The California Writers Club of Long Beach is holding its free monthly meeting on Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library, 4055 Bellflower Blvd. The meeting is 3-5 p.m. Networking starts at 2:30.

The club’s February topic is “First Page, Lasting Impression.” This revision workshop will be led by two veteran Southern California Writers Conference presenters, Greta Boris and Megan Haskell. Greta and Megan have coauthored PUBLISH: Take Charge of Your Author Career and are co-directors of OC Writers.

California Writer’s Club is a non-profit 501(C)(3) educational organization. For more information, see www.calwriterslongbeach.org, info@calwriterslongbeach.org.

The California Writers Club was originated by honorary founder Jack London in 1909 and currently has approximately 2000 members and 22 chapters statewide. Our mission: To educate writers of all abilities in the craft of writing and the marketing of their work.

Candidate Forum

The Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association (LCNA) is sponsoring a candidate forum for the 8th District City Council race on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 3610 Locust Ave.

Everyone is invited to hear from the three candidates seeking the 8th District City Council office: Al Austin, Juan Ovalle and Tunua Thrash-Ntuk

The LCNA Board will select all questions for the moderator, LCNA President Bob Gill. Members of the public are invited to submit questions for consideration via e-mail by Feb. 7 to info@loscerritosna.org No audience questions will be accepted.

Jazz, Blues Festival

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Aquarium of the Pacific will present a festival featuring four Long Beach-based jazz and blues bands in its state-of-the-art Honda Pacific Visions Theater. The acts will include The Bernie Pearl Blues Band, The Al Williams Jazz Society, saxophonist Alvin Hayes Jr., and New Blues Revolution. Tickets include aquarium admission, and the aquarium will be open until 8 p.m.

This performance will take place in the aquarium’s new 300-seat Honda Pacific Visions Theater, which features state-of-the-art audio, visual, and multisensory technology and a 133-foot long and 32-foot high screen with a floor projection disk.

Long Beach Blues Society, managed by Bill Grisolia, celebrates the city’s world-renowned contributions to music and preserves and promotes all styles of blues music with education programs for schoolchildren, veterans, and seniors. The organization is a co-producer of the New Blues Festival held each Labor Day weekend at El Dorado Regional Park.

For additional information, call (562) 590-3100 or visit www.pacific.to/jazz.