Community News

Take Out Tuesday

Are you ready for a change from Thanksgiving fare? Join the members of St. Bartholomew’s Church for Take Out Tuesday at Naples Rib Company on Dec. 1. Call (562) 439 7427 to order and let them know you are supporting St. Bartholomew’s Church. Proceeds go to local charities supported by the Women’s Council. Take Out is available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 5800 E. 2nd St. in Naples.

Happy dining to you!

Social Isolation

While we tend to think of the holidays as a time of joy and festivities, any combination of chronic diseases, limited mobility and attempts to prevent exposure to COVID-19 can mean seniors feel forgotten and invisible. The effects of loneliness and social isolation are not limited to a senior’s mental health. There are physiological impacts as well.

Studies by researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad reveal that a lack of social connections can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Further, loneliness and social isolation are associated with a 30 percent increased risk of having a stroke.

To learn more and to earn free CE Credits, register for a webinar hosted by the American Society on Aging called “Social Isolation Among Older Persons: Hidden in Plain View” on Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

To register: https://www.asaging.org/web-seminars/social-isolation-among-older-person....

Comedy/Musical Fundraiser

Proving that a pandemic will not interfere with holiday cheer for a good cause, the Long Beach Playhouse, Held2gether and WomenShelter Long Beach (WSLB) have joined forces to put on a virtual show to raise spirits and money for these three organizations. The night of merriment includes improv by the award-winning troupe, Held2gether, along with music and performances by actors from the Long Beach Playhouse and an important message from WSLB.

The improv and musical performances will be intertwined with videos and a raffle. It will be delivered live on YouTube. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be split between Held2gether, WSLB and the Playhouse.

Ticket buyers can purchase $5 general admission or choose to be Superstars ($15), Merry Elves ($25) or Santas ($50). Purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/miracle-a-comedy-musical-fundraiser-tickets.... Ticket buyers will be sent a special link that will open the virtual door to an evening of fun beginning at 7 p.m.. The show will be available to ticket buyers after it is streamed live, for the following week.

“While the pandemic hasn’t dimmed our belief in miracles, it has dealt blows to the finances of these community organizations. Your support and donations are deeply appreciated. We also hope you will share information about this event with your friends and families. The more the merrier!” they claim.

“This night of comedy and music is sure to be fun and the organizations are counting on the community to show up – virtually – to lend a hand.”

More Information can be found at www.lbplayhouse.org/show/miracle.

Holiday Donation Drive

Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence announces the kick off for the annual Holiday Donation Drive. From now until Dec. 21, Su Casa is accepting donations gift cards to make the holiday and the rest of the year special for the families escaping domestic violence that call Su Casa home.

Each year, Su Casa appeals to the community to make holiday donations in support of the families who reside in Su Casa’s domestic violence shelters. In past years, Su Casa has sought donations of physical items that could be wrapped and given to the clients. “This year though, in an abundance of caution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we are requesting that the community donate gift cards,” stated Dean Lockwood, Su Casa director of development. “We want to thank our friends of the Delta Kappa Gama Beta Omicron for being the first to contribute gift cards this year,” added Lockwood.

Gift cards from major retailers, such as Walmart and Target, Grocery Stores, Gas Companies, and Amazon are encouraged. The gift cards can be sent to the Su Casa administrative offices. These donations will ensure that the families, that may have arrived at the emergency shelter weeks before the holiday, can still have a special holiday and even begin new traditions free from domestic violence.

Gift Cards can be mailed to or dropped off at the Su Casa administrative office, located at 3750 E. Anaheim St., Suite 100, Long Beach 90804. More information is available by calling Su Casa at (562) 421-6537 and ask for Jenny or go to the Su Casa website, www.sucasadv.org/donate.

Presenting ‘Dear Brutus’

Mid-World Players close out their 2020 season this Thanksgiving with a streaming production of J.M. Barrie’s “Dear Brutus.” Directed by Jesse Seann Atkinson and adapted exclusively for the digital landscape, the show is the third in the company’s Quarantine Collection of socially distant performances.

“Dear Brutus” tells the story of six strangers, who’ve been invited to a country estate by a capricious host. When a mysterious forest appears outside, they find themselves drawn towards the promise of a new beginning.

Mid-World Players are a theatrical troupe based at the Found Theatre in Long Beach. Established in 2019, Mid-World is the brainchild of CEO and Artistic Director Jesse Seann Atkinson. They made their debut with Atkinson’s original work, “Love Shakespeare: A Musical Review,” and went on to perform “Bonnie and Clyde the Musical.”

Adapting quickly to the constraints of the pandemic, they presented their first socially distant production, “Dog Sees God,” in June, following it with their haunting production of “No Exit,” in August.

Mid-World is devoted to keeping theatre alive any way they can. In hopes of getting back to the stage as soon as they can, they will continue to be creative, giving the community theatre in a new form: Socially distant filming, edited together to create a whole new experience.

“Dear Brutus” will premiere on Thanksgiving Day and will be available for streaming until Jan. 1.

Visit the link, http://gf.me/u/y5w7hx and make any kind of donation to Mid-World Players to receive the Vimeo link to the film and Playbill via email.

Red Cross Urges Donations

The American Red Cross and country music star Martina McBride have joined together this holiday season to remind people to take care of one another, sharing comfort and joy with hospital patients through the gift of blood donation. Health emergencies don’t pause for a pandemic or holiday celebrations. The Red Cross needs the help of blood donors now to ensure patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood.

As the U.S. experiences a new surge in COVID-19 cases, the Red Cross is becoming increasingly concerned about the nation’s blood supply – including convalescent plasma. A convalescent plasma donation collects plasma from COVID-19 survivors because antibodies to the disease in their blood may help patients who are currently fighting the virus. Increased hospitalization of patients with coronavirus this fall and winter has caused the Red Cross to distribute a record number of COVID-19 plasma products to hospitals treating patients who are battling the virus.

This holiday season, Martina McBride is reaching out to country music fans and all eligible individuals, “If nobody has ever asked you to give blood before, I’m asking you to give blood – especially during this trying time.”

As a thank-you for helping meet the need for blood donations from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, Suburban Propane is offering blood, platelet and plasma donors a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, powered by Propane, to enable a lucky winner to enjoy socially distanced celebrations with family and friends this holiday season. The prize includes a propane-powered pizza oven, fire pit, outdoor heater and stipend towards propane.

Eligible individuals are urged to make an appointment to donate blood now to help patients in need. Find a donation opportunity using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)..