SHOP, BUT DON’T DROP
Nancy’s Decorating,175 E. Roosevelt Rd., will host its annual holiday open house and boutique on Friday, Dec. 3 from noon to 7pm, and Saturday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 5 from 10am to 4pm. Dichroic glass, origami note cards, semi-precious beaded jewelry, felted handbags, silk flower arrangements and more will be available. Call (562) 427-7300.
SHOPPING AT THE SHORE
The Belmont Shore Business Association will offer its Starlight Shopping event Fridays, December 3, 10 and 17 from 6pm to 9pm near 2nd Street in Belmont Shore. Dickens carolers will stroll through the streets, and markdowns, discounts, free gifts with purchase and refreshments will be available in participating stores. There will also be free parking for holiday shoppers on Saturdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 10am to 7pm at all metered spaces on 2nd Street, side streets and public parking lots. Visit belmontshore.org.
HERON HIKE
The Inaugural Heron Hike to Marketplace Marsh at Los Cerritos Wetlands will take place Saturday, Dec. 4 from 8am to 9:45am. Hikers will meet in the parking lot off Studebaker Road, just north of the corner of Studebaker and Westminster (2nd Street). Attendees will have the chance to view wetlands that are usually not open to the public. Parking lot gate will open at 7:45am and close at 8:10am. No latecomers will be admitted, and all participants must stay for the duration of the tour. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed-toe shoes and binoculars are encouraged. RSVP to (714) 357-8576 or ejlambe@verizon.net.
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!
The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library will hold a one-day used-book sale Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10am to 5pm at the Ruth Bach Library, 4055 Bellflower Blvd. Hundreds of used books and DVDs will be available for sale at low prices. Gift wrapping will be available with a donation. All proceeds of the book sale will benefit the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library. Call (562) 570-1038.
HERE WE COME A-WASSAILING
Members and guests of the American Association of University Women Long Beach Branch will start off the holiday season by serving their traditional wassail on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church, 5100 The Toledo, in Belmont Shore, from 10am to noon. The wassail is free to members and guests. AAUW membership is open to anyone. Visit aauw-longbeach.org.
HOT TAMALE!
The St. Isidore Plaza, 10961 Reagan St., will offer a tamale-making workshop on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10am to 2pm. Cost is $60. All ingredients, necessary steamers and equipment are provided along with a detailed “how to” booklet. Call (562) 595-9918 for reservations or email name and phone number to tamaleworkshop@live.com.
HIDDEN TREASURES
The 2nd City Council Art Gallery and Performance Space, 435 Alamitos Ave., will present a Mosaic Fundraiser & Hidden Treasures Art Sale on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10am to 4pm. All proceeds support the gallery’s programs. Lots of gently used art items will be available, including art books, jewelry, instruments, paintings, art note cards, 3D books, and more. Admission cost is a $5 donation per person or $15 per group of four. Email 2ndcitycouncil@earthlink.net or visit 2ndcitycouncil.org. Call (562) 901-0997.
OUT OF THE WILD, INTO YOUR GARDEN
Learn about native plants and water-wise gardening at a free gardening class at the El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St. on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 2pm to 4pm. Speak with experts on California native gardening and learn about gardening for every season. Call (562) 570-1745.
O CHANUKAH, O CHANUKAH
The Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Willow St., will host a community Chanukah celebration on Sunday, Dec. 5 from noon to 3pm, which will include a candle-lighting ceremony, Chanukah crafts and games, a moon bounce and joust. Cost is $5 for children 2 to 12. Children under 2 and adults are free. Food will be available for purchase. Call (562) 426-7601 ext. 1012.
CUSTOMS OF CHRISTMAS PAST
The public may experience 19th Century Christmas traditions and learn about local history at Rancho Los Cerritos’s annual Christmas Open House, 4600 Virginia Rd., on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 1pm to 4pm. Costumed volunteers will share past traditions with guests as they explore the adobe home, which will be adorned with Victorian-era swags and wreaths, as well as evergreen trees. Check out the “new” 1870s blown-glass ornaments, as well as handmade ones by children, and learn about gift-giving in the late 1800s. Children may make old-fashioned holiday decorations and small toys. Storytellers will entertain youngsters with seasonal tales, and children can take a turn swinging at the piñata. Santa will visit, and photos may be taken. All guests will be treated to cookies and spiced cider, and three vocal groups will provide music. Call (562) 570-1755 or visit rancholoscerritos.org.
HONORING OFFICERS
Job’s Daughters #161, Long Beach will hold its 127th semi-annual Installation of Officers on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 4pm at the Long Beach Masonic Lodge, 3610 Locust Ave. Dress is semi-formal (ladies— dress or skirt, and gentlemen— ties). There will be a reception with refreshments afterwards. Call (562) 303-6226.
BRING A DISH!
The Wrigley Association will host its annual potluck dinner Monday, Dec. 6 at 7pm at Veterans Park, 101 E. 28th St. The public is invited to enjoy food, friends and live entertainment. General meetings are conducted on the first Monday of each month at 7pm at the Social Hall. Child care and parking are free. Refreshments will be served. Call (562) 424-0790.
SUCCESS STORIES
WE Succeed is a professional networking group which meets on the second Wednesday of every month. The group is open to business owners who seek networking opportunities with other professionals who are also interested in growing their businesses through building relationships and quality referrals. The next meeting will take place Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 7:30am to 9am at The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. Breakfast is $20, cash only. No membership required. To RSVP, call (714) 527-8111.
THROUGH WITH THE FLU?
The Signal Hill Park Community Center, 1780 E. Hill St., will host a free flu clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 9am to 11am. The flu vaccine is available for anyone over 6 months of age who is not allergic to eggs. Some individuals are at greater risk of flu infection and should make a special effort to get vaccinated. Call (562) 989-7330.
MIX AND MINGLE (AND SUPPORT LOCAL PUPILS)
The Neighborhood Resource Center invites the public to its holiday potluck mixer on Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 6pm to 7:30pm at 425 Atlantic Ave. Bring a dish to share, and meet, mingle and eat with individuals and neighborhood groups who work on improving the city. Donations will be accepted on behalf of School on Wheels, a volunteer tutor program for homeless children in Long Beach. Suggested donations are as follows: backpacks (preferably stuffed with new school supplies), workbooks (all grades), dictionaries, calculators, binders, markers, crayons, colored pencils, paint sets, scissors, highlighters, erasers, rulers, flashcards, glue sticks, graph paper, toys, books, board games, and gift cards (K-12). RSVP by contacting (562) 570-1010 or emailing sharron.hinkey@longbeach.gov. The event is free, and free parking is available.
BOOKWORMS UNITE!
The next Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association Literary Society meeting will take place Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7pm at the Expo building, 4321 Atlantic Ave. to discuss the book Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett. Refreshments will be provided, and parking will be available along Atlantic Ave. Call (562) 595-0081 or email info@bixbyknollsinfo.com.
NOW HEAR THIS!
The Hearing Loss Association of America, Long Beach/Lakewood Chapter will have its annual holiday potluck dinner on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6pm. The potluck will be followed by a rap session where members and guests break into groups and share coping strategies that help them to interact in the hearing world. Admission is free. Call (562) 438-0597 or visit hlalongbeachlakewood.org.
‘TIS THE SEASON
Get into the holiday spirit at Rancho Los Alamitos on Thursday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 10 from 4pm to 7pm at 6400 Bixby Hill Rd. The public is invited to enjoy the yuletide sparkle of the ranch house, the trimmed tree, mantles and hearths festooned with greens, complimentary holiday treats and strolling carolers. $5 donation suggested. Free on-site parking available at the Rancho. Reservations are required. Call (562) 431-3541 or visit rancholosalamitos.com.
NOT JUST COOKIES AND MILK
The community is invited to dine with Santa Claus on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Signal Hill Park Community Center, 1780 E. Hill St. Tickets include a meal, craft for children, entertainment by the Wilson High School Choir, and story time with Santa. Price for residents is $13 for children 13 and under and $8 for adults; price for non-residents is $18 for children 13 and under and $14 for adults. Choice of breakfast (pancake buffet) or lunch (sandwich buffet). Call (562) 989-7330.
A NOVEL DISCUSSION
The Los Altos Neighborhood Library Book Group will discuss A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 10am at the library, 5614 E. Britton Dr. Spend the holiday season with Oswald T. Campbell in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. New members are always welcome to attend the discussions. Call (562) 570-1045 or email cliff.phillips@lbpl.org.
MUSIC IN THE AIR
Bethany Lutheran Church will present its 41st Annual Christmas choir concert Rejoice and Be Merry! under the direction of Dr. Carol R.S. McDaniel, minister of music, Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1:30pm, 4pm and 7pm at 4644 Clark Ave. The musical presentation will include handbell choirs, a 75-voice adult choir, children-through-high-school choirs, a festival orchestra, organ and piano. This year’s concert will feature portions of Vivaldi’s Gloria, as well as many other Christmas favorites. There is no admission charge. A free-will offering will be accepted. Free parking available. Call (562) 421-4711 or visit bethanylutheran.org.
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1959
The public is invited to join the Grand Prix Committee of 300 & the Historical Society of Long Beach (HSLB) for a night of festivity, fun, frolic, food and fifties-vibe on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Frisco’s Carhop Bar & Grill, 4750 Los Coyotes, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Entertainment will include food, dancing, opportunity drawings for prizes, Santa Claus, a silent auction, and more. Tickets are $20 at the door ($15 for kids under 12). Ticket proceeds will be donated to the HSLB. Attendees are encouraged to wear 1950s-style clothing, such as poodle skirts, sweater sets, cuffed jeans, ponytails, ducktails and pompadours or favorite holiday attire. All ages are welcome.
MINGLE ALL THE WAY!
The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association will host its annual community holiday party Thursday, Dec. 16 from 7pm to 10pm at The Long Beach Petroleum Club, 3636 Linden Ave. This annual party brings local businesses and residents together to celebrate community with holiday cheer. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Bill Child and jazz band Majic Bullet Theory. Call (562) 595-0081.
GAILY THEY RING WHILE PEOPLE SING
The Friends of Music at California Heights United Methodist Church, 3759 Orange Ave., will present the cantata The Winter Rose by Joseph M. Martin to be performed by the Chancel Choir, Fire Within Us, and the Chancel Orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 4pm. Also performing will be the Carillon Handbell Choir. Visit calheightsumc.org or call (562) 595-1996. Free-will offering. Child care provided.
