DINE AND DISH
Hearing Loss Association, Long Beach/Lakewood Chapter, a support group offering education on coping skills and resources to help survive in a hearing world, meets at 6:30pm on the second Thursday of each month at the Weingart Senior Center, 5220 Oliva Avenue in Lakewood. Admission is free. Call for information at (562) 433-6509. Tonight the group will have its annual holiday potluck dinner and begin at 6 pm. Members and guests are encouraged to bring their favorite dish to pass around for all to enjoy. After dinner, members will form into small groups for rap sessions on devices and techniques helpful for hearing loss.
OPEN HOUSES
Join Out and About LB on Saturday, Dec. 13 for its seventh annual Holiday Progressive Event, featuring the Bixby Mansion as one of the hosting homes. Performing will be the South Coast Chorale and Poly High School Choral group. Beginning at 3pm, there will be three holiday open houses hosted by Out and About members. This event is the group’s year-end gathering to raise funds for: Hughes Middle School Art Department, C.A.R.E Program and Poly High School Choral Department. Food and drinks will be served. Out and About is asking for a minimum contribution of $30 per person with RSVP and payment in advance. The minimum contribution at the door is $40. Visit www.outandaboutlb.org/calendar or call (562) 397-2511.
PARADING POOCHES
The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance (WANA) invites all dogs decked out in their holiday best and their two-legged companions to march in the 55th Annual Wrigley Daisy Avenue Parade Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5pm. Check-in is no later than 4:45pm south of Willow Street on Daisy Avenue (near Bank of America). Contact Joan at (562) 355-8679.
THE PROVERBIAL FREE LUNCH (AND A T-SHIRT)
Donate blood at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center during the month of December and receive a free T-shirt. Donate blood on Tuesdays from noon to 3pm and receive a free lunch. To schedule an appointment, call the Blood Donor Center at (562) 933-0808. All blood donated is used for patients at Long Beach Memorial and Miller Children’s Hospital.
GOODWILL FOUND
The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., will present its second annual benefit performance for the international humanitarian aid group Doctors Without Borders Saturday, December 13 at 8pm. Called “Playing For Peace,” the holiday event is appropriate for all ages and will feature an eclectic mix of music, comedy, performance, and spoken word, featuring such artists as Kerry Getz, Drayfus Grayson, Ross Altman, Jackie Kashian, Dorothy Spirus, and good old Santa Claus! Refreshments will be available. All proceeds from ticket, raffle and refreshment sales will go directly to Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.org). Tickets are $15, under 12 is $8. For reservations, call (562) 433-3363 or email info@foundtheatre.org.
CALLING GUITAR HEROES
The Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Willow St., is hosting “Chanukah Rocks!,” Sunday, Dec. 14 from 11:30am to 3pm. The event will feature Hamo’Robyn in concert, as well as a teen rock band tournament, gift boutique, bounce house, jousting arena, skateboard park (must bring board, pads and helmet to participate), games and crafts. Price is $5 for ages 2 to 12, free for adults and children under 2. Call (562) 426-7601 or visit www.alpertjcc.org.
DANCING AND PRANCING ON CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane will feature two performances at 20th Street and Daisy Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 14: the Silverado Samoan Youth Dance Group at 7pm and Mariachi Juvenil Alegre at 8pm. Contact Joan at (562) 355-8679.
PLAY BALL!
Long Beach Plaza Little League invites all boys and girls ages 5 to 18 for the 2009 Spring Baseball, Fastpitch Softball, and Challenger season. Early discounted registration is currently underway through December 21. Registration forms and online signups are available now at www.plazalittleleague.com. For more information email plazalittleleague@msn.com or contact Steve Turner at (562) 420-1881.
KEEPING “THE DREAM” ALIVE
Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews needs volunteers for the 21st Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace and Unity Parade Celebration scheduled for January 17, 2009. Volunteers are encouraged to help carry on the teaching of Dr. King by calling the office of Councilman Andrews at (562) 570-4006.
