FROM RUSSIA WITH LIT
The College of Liberal Arts at California State University, Long Beach will host the Fryodor Dostoyevsky Festival on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6—7, in the campus’ Karl Anatol Center. Admission is free. The festival opens Friday, Feb. 6, at 10am with remarks by Gerry Riposa, dean of the CSULB College of Liberal Arts, and RGRLL Chair Lisa Vollendorf, followed by Dobrovolsky reading a speech by Dostoyevsky. Other activities include the screening of a biographical film about Dostoyevsky, a review of the author’s life by Moscow State University’s Volgin, a roundtable discussion of the author’s survival of hard labor in Siberia, a discussion of the author’s philosophical views of German culture and a screening of the film Demons, based on the author’s novel. On Saturday, the program includes an address by Dostoyevsky’s great-great-grandson Alexey on his participation in the 1988 film Boys, based on a chapter of The Brothers Karamazov and a screening of the film. Also a screening of the 1958 Hollywood film version of The Brothers Karamazov. The conference concludes that evening with a Biennial Gala Dinner hosted by program donor Gail Hutton at her Huntington Beach home to benefit the Russian Studies Endowment at CSULB. Call (562) 985-8525.
CALLING ALL BOOKWORMS
The public is welcome to join the Signal Hill Library’s new adult reading club session, which begins Friday, February 6 at 11:30am in the library meeting room, 1770 E Hill Street. The group will discuss the nonfiction book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. To obtain a copy of the book, call the library at (562) 989-7324.
PHILANTHROPIC FASHION
Miller Children’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor their annual fashion show Saturday, Feb. 7, featuring world-famous designer Kevan Hall unveiling his new line of evening wear. A runway show, a silent auction and a gourmet luncheon will complete the festivities designed to raise funds for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Miller Children’s Hospital (MCH). The event will take place at Hyatt Regency, 200 S. Pine Avenue. The auction begins at 10am and fashion show begins at noon. Admission is $85. Call the hospital gift shop at (562) 429-3777.
TAKE HEART
In honor of February’s being National Heart Awareness Month, Long Beach Memorial is hosting a Women’s Heart and Stroke Seminar, where experts will discuss recognition and treatment of heart attack and stroke in women, and participants will learn strategies in management of risk factors such as high cholesterol and glucose, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and life-style. The Women’s Heart and Stroke Seminar is Saturday, Feb. 7 with registration and screenings beginning at 7:30am and the seminar beginning at 9am. Screenings will include blood pressure, carotid artery ultrasound, cholesterol and blood glucose (non-fasting). The $20 per person fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. Call (888) 794-9466.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL
In the movie School of Rock, Dewey Finn is described as a “hell-raising guitarist with delusions of grandeur.” The wannabe rock star transforms a group of school kids into a rock ‘n’ roll band— a concept that will soon become reality thanks to local entrepreneur and musician Frank McIlquham, along with his wife Katherine. Instead of transforming the students though, the transformation focuses on the teachers themselves, and 30 of them will perform live to an audience at Wilson High School on the Saturday, Feb. 7 from noon to 5pm. Support the local community by indulging in food, raffles, silent auction and some retail therapy, courtesy of a range of Long Beach retailers, and meet a celebrity at Wilson High School, 4400 E. 10th Street. Tickets are $10 per person, and kids under 10 are free with a paying adult. Call (866) 597-1116 or visit www.therockclub.net.
BE A PAL
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and Fourth District Long Beach City Councilman Patrick O’Donnell invite the community to an open house on Saturday, Feb. 7 from noon to 3pm at the Freeman PAL Center, 1205 Freeman Avenue, to celebrate the start of regularly scheduled youth recreation programs for ages 5 to 14. The Department of Community Development supports this program with Community Development Block Grant Funds. The Center will be open Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm and on Saturday from noon to 4pm. For info about recreation programs at the Freeman Pal Center and other Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine programs, call (562) 570-3100 or visit www.lbparks.org.
CHINESE DINNER AND A MOVIE
The Chinese New Year of the Ox will be celebrated by the U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association at a silent auction of unique Chinese artifacts, luncheon, DVD presentation of recent impressions of China. Included in the program will be views of the Zhangjiajie National Park, the new and old in Hong Kong, and Poly High School students learning Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple during Chinese Summer Camp. The auction begins at noon on Sunday, Feb. 8 at the Peking Wok restaurant, 6252 E. Pacific Coast Highway. The public is invited, but reservations are required. The cost of auction, luncheon and presentation is $15 for adults and $7.50 for students. Contact Elizabeth at (562) 596-8478 or Hazel at (562) 494-0107.
IF I ONLY HAD A HEART-HEALTHY GREEK DINNER
Cardiac Rehabilitation at the Memorial Heart and Vascular Institute at Long Beach Memorial will present a Big Fat “Heart Healthy” Greek Dinner at Houssels Forum at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 5:30pm. Cost is $18 per person or $30 per couple. Call (562) 933-9326 to RSVP.
A LEISURE ACTIVITY ABOUT WORK
The February selection for the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association Literary Society is Working by Studs Terkel. Participants are urged to select their favorite interviews for discussion at the Wednesday, February 11 meeting and prepare to discuss the meaning that work has in their own lives. The meeting will be at the Richard Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave. Parking available along Atlantic and on Burlinghall. Refreshments provided.
IS HAPPINESS A CHOICE?
Family Outreach Counseling Services is offering affordable seminars as an outreach to the community on Thursdays from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Bixby Business Center, 4401 Atlantic Ave, Ste 200. On Thursday, February 12 join Dr. Mary Simms as she helps participants understand if the circumstances in their lives really determine their joy or if they simply need to “re-frame” their thinking. Dr. Simms will help participants identify the symptoms, causes and struggles of sadness and depression when life has not fulfilled once desired dreams. The cost is $20 per person. Visit www.seminarsforgrowth.org for more info or RSVP at registration@seminarsforgrwoth.org.
A CLEAN SWEEP
Join Councilmember Dee Andrews and Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance (WANA) at the 6th District alley and street clean-up Saturday, February 14 from 9am to noon. Meet at the southeast corner of 20th Street and Pacific Avenue. Refreshments, tools and supplies will be provided. Tires and electronic waste (anything with a cord) will be accepted for proper disposal. High school community service hours available. Visit www.litterfreeLB.org or contact Jill at (562) 599-1822.
