SOMETHING FISHY
What Discounted entrance at Aquarium of the Pacific
Who Presented by Aquarium of the Pacific
When Friday, Jan. 1 and Saturday, Jan. 2 from 5pm to 8:30pm
Where Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way
More Info As part of its Discounted Holiday Nights promotion, the aquarium will be discounted, and entrance will be $14.95 per person. It will be free for members and kids under the age of 3. Call Marilyn at (562) 951-1684.
WALK THE WALK
What Winter wetlands walk
Who Led by biologists of Los Cerritos Wetlands
When Saturday, Jan. 2 from 8am to 10am
Where Los Cerritos Wetlands, Pacific Coast Highway and 1st Street
More Info Biologists will lead a nature walk of Southern California’s last remaining wetlands. The event will include a history of the wetlands and behind-the-scenes looks and how oil operations work. Closed-toe shoes are required. The walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. RSVP by emailing Elizabeth at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org .
BE A LOSER!
What Weight-loss challenge
Who Presented by Justin Rudd and the Community Action Team (CAT)
When Saturday, Jan. 2 to Sunday, March 13; weigh-ins are Saturday mornings from 9am to 10:30am and Sundays from 4pm to 5:30pm
Where Bay Shore Church, 5100 E. The Toledo at Granada Avenue
More Info Justin Rudd’s 10th-annual “Long Beach Losers” weight-loss challenge involves teams of four people, with individual contestants welcome, to compete and see which group loses the highest percentage of body weight. Participants will be able to compete as individuals or as groups for cash prizes. The cost is $60 to participate, and the money is due at the initial weigh-in. Email justinrudd@yahoo.com .
IT’S A WINTER WONDERLAND ! OF CRAFTS
What Creation Station: Winter Wonders event
Who Hosted by Rancho Los Cerritos
When Saturday, Jan. 2 from 1pm to 4pm
Where Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Rd.
More Info Children ages 6 through 11 will be able to participate in seasonal arts and crafts and historically themed activities. They will also be able to use the various materials to create their own snowman, seasonal decorations, knit a bracelet and more. Call (562) 206-2040.
TREE-CYCLE!
What Christmas tree roundup
Who Hosted by Signal Hill Disposal
When Monday, Jan. 4
Where Ready for pickup at residential curbsides
More Info Live trees free of decorations will be picked up free of charge at residential curbsides on the specified dates. Residents may put tree on the curb the night before to ensure pickup. The trees collected will be turned over for recycling. Call (562) 597-0608.
GOLDEN YEARS
What Senior programming
Who Presented by the 8th District Senior Advisory Committee and Councilmember Al Austin
When Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 10am
Where Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave.
More Info The senior program in 8th District Long Beach will be on hiatus through the end of the year for the holidays. The program is a free recreational center for seniors that involves activities such as yoga, arts and crafts, cards, chess, bingo, music and classes. Email district8@longbeach.gov .
WRITE RIGHT
What Writers club meeting
Who Hosted by the California Writers Club
When Saturday, Jan. 9 from 3pm to 5pm
Where Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library, 4055 Bellflower Blvd.
More Info The meeting will debut at its new location for the new year. The topic for the event is “Tips for Professional Editors.” Guest speakers include Cal Writers members Barbara Ardinger and Eve Gumpel. Call Kathryn at (562) 400-1100.
THE STATE WE’RE IN
What “State of the City” address
Who Presented by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia
When Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 5pm to 8pm
Where Terrace Theater, Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd.
More Info Garcia will deliver a 2016 address to Long Beach residents in an event that will feature dining choices from food trucks, refreshments, photos and games. RSVP at eventbrite.com . Email robert.garcia@longbeach.gov .
CRACK A BOOK
What Literary discussion
Who Hosted by the Bixby Knolls Literary Society
When Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 7pm
Where Elise’s Tea Room, 3924 Atlantic Ave.
More Info The literary discussion will focus on Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dosteovsky. The story tells of Raskolnikov and his struggles with nihilism and the forces of good and evil. The public is welcome, and all are encouraged to read the book beforehand. Refreshments will be provided. Call the Bixby Knolls Improvement Association at (562) 595-0081.
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS
What Parade celebration
Who Presented by 6th District Councilmember Dee Andrews
When Saturday, Jan. 16 from 10:30am to 6pm
Where Begins at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, intersecting Anaheim Street and ends at King Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.
More Info The parade will begin at the Martin Luther King Jr. stop and end at King Park for celebratory festivities. The theme of the parade event is “Infinite Hope,” reflecting the words iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. once said. Call (562) 570-6816.
WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
What Monthly meeting
Who Questing Heirs Genealogical Society
When Sunday, Jan. 17 at 1pm
Where Lakewood Masonic Center, 5918 Parkcrest St.
More Info The group meets with the purpose of collecting, preserving and publishing data relating to genealogy, and it hosts its monthly meetings on the third Sunday of every month. Contact qhgs.info or Shareholder Liz Myers at (562) 598-3027.
LET IT GROW
What Neighborhood tree planting
Who Presented by I Dig Long Beach, a nonprofit project to improve air quality
When Saturday, Jan 23 from 9am to noon
Where Meet at Hughes Middle School, 3846 California Ave.
More Info A team of neighbors, city staff and volunteers will gather together to plant trees around the neighborhood. All tools and supplies will be provided. Call (562) 570-6866.
IT’S A DATE!
What Movie fundraiser
Who Presented by the Soroptimist International of Long Beach
When Saturday, Jan. 23; lunch served at 12:30pm; showtime at 1:15pm
Where The Art Theatre of Long Beach, 2025 E. 4th St.
More Info The movie event will help raise money for Meals on Wheels Long Beach. The fundraiser will include a screening of the film Chef, a raffle, door prizes and a Q&A after the movie with Russ Parsons, a columnist and former food editor for the LA Times. Tickets are $30 and are available at soroptimist-longbeach.org . RSVP by Jan 18. Email silb.movie@gmail.com .
SURF’S UP
What Tidepool walk
Who Hosted by Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
When Saturday, Jan. 23 from 2pm to 3:30pm and Sunday, Jan 24 from 2:30pm to 4pm
Where Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr.
More Info Get a chance to explore low tides at a rocky shore in a two-day event that will feature an informative slideshow and a tour of Point Fermin’s tidepools. Call (310) 548-7562
THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY
What Breakfast fundraiser
Who Hosted by the Long Beach Alumnae Chapter— Delta Sigma Theta sorority
When Saturday, Jan 30 from 8am to 10am
Where Applebee’s Restaurant, 899 E. Spring St.
More Info The breakfast includes an all-you-can-eat selection of pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee. To reserve a spot, a $10 donation is required beforehand. Registration can be fulfilled by mailing a donation to: DST Long Beach Alumnae, P.O. Box 91623, or registering at eventbrite.com . Call (844) 378-5222 ext. 2201 or email events@lbadst.org .
BASE RUNNING
What Race on the Base event
Who Hosted by nonprofit Honoring Our Fallen
When Saturday, Feb. 27
Where Joint Forces Training Base, 11206 Lexington Ave.
More Info The fundraiser event, which will benefit families of fallen veterans, will include a 5K, a 10K and a glow-in-the-dark run for kids. Other donations can be made athonoringourfallen.org . Register at eventbrite.com .
