A PET PROJECT
The City of Long Beach Animal Care Services is hosting a Pet Literacy Launch Tuesday, April 14 from 3pm to 4pm at P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring Street. The goal of the event is to improve the adoptability of animals. This program will utilize volunteers who will read to animals and improve their sociability. Call (562) 570-PETS or RSVP at animalcare@longbeach.gov.
BE A BOOKWORM
The April selection for the Bixby Knolls Literary Society is Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor. The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 14 at 7pm at the Richard Goad Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Avenue. The discussion leader will be Frank Gaik, professor of English at Cerritos College. Refreshments provided. Call (562) 595-0081.
ANIMAL “HOUSE”
The 19th Annual “Benefit for the Animals” will be Thursday, April 16 at the Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street. The evening begins at 6:30pm with a reception and entertainment. Along with opportunity drawings and a door prize, there will be a silent auction. The Playhouse production of the romantic comedy Sabrina Fair begins at 7:30pm. Set in a luxurious Long Island estate in the 1950s, it tells of the romance between a chauffeur’s daughter and the two sons for whom her father works. As is their tradition, the Friends of Long Beach Animals will be honoring a local “Hero to Animals” — Dr. Loren Eslinger. The award is to publicly thank her for all her efforts on behalf of the animals of Long Beach and Signal Hill. Tickets for the play and reception are $25 per person and can be reserved by calling (562) 988-7647. All proceeds benefit “The Friends of Long Beach Animals,” a non-profit organization dedicated to helping animals in Long Beach/Signal Hill and promoting responsible pet ownership.
A TRUE COMMUNITY EFFORT
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Greater Long Beach/San Gabriel Valley Autism Society of America and Easter Seals are participating in Justin Rudd’s “30-Minute Beach Cleanup” in Belmont Shore and inviting adults and kids with autism to attend in an effort to show the community that those with autism are also contributing members of society. The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 from 10am to 10:30am. Meet at corner of Granada Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. Bags, gloves, refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Shoes and sunscreen should be worn; school volunteer credits available.
ALL IS “FAIRE”
Children’s Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will host “Nightingale Spring Faire” Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 from 8am to 5pm each day at the Houssels Forum at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, 2801 Atlantic Avenue. The event will feature more than 60 booths (offering jewelry, clothes, shoes, etc), silent auction baskets, major gift certificate basket raffle and baked goods. All proceeds benefit Miller Children’s Hospital.
FAMILY FAIR FUN
The annual St. Joseph Parish and Elementary School Fair will be Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26 at the school, 6200 Willow Street, at the corner of Palo Verde Avenue. Hours are Friday 4pm—11pm, Saturday 11am —11pm, and Sunday 11am —6 pm. Fair will include carnival rides, games & prizes, a cantina and lots of food. Live music Friday by The Elm Street Band and Saturday by Big Box of Men, each night from 7pm—10 pm.
MAY DAY, MAY DAY!
Long Beach Heritage and the Willmore City/Drake Park community
will celebrate the fourth annual “Spring Into May” May Day 2009 on
Saturday, April 25 from 1pm to 5pm. The event will take place at the Bembridge House and Drake Park, located at 10th Street/Park Circle and Maine Avenue. Park activities are free; tour is $2, free for children under 13. Call (562) 493-7019.
COLOR YOUR WORLD
Color specialist Shoshanah Siegel will offer guidance and inspiration on choosing the best colors for a home in a free presentation at 1:30pm on Saturday, April 25 at the Dana Branch Library, 3680 Atlantic Avenue. For more info, call (562) 427-0440.
FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT
Dramatic Results is a nonprofit educational arts agency whose purpose is to improve students’ academic confidence and performance through the power of art. Dramatic Results specializes in curriculum that integrates art into other core subjects, meeting California content standards and the needs of a diverse student population. The organization will host an open house at its headquarters at 3310 Lime Avenue on Wednesday, April 29 from 4pm to 8pm. The event will highlight the organization’s programs and there will be free family art activities, basket making, origami, painting, art exhibit, raffle and silent art auction. All ages are welcome. Visit www.dramaticresults.org.
LEARN ABOUT FALLS THIS SPRING
Community Hospital of Long Beach, 1720 Termino Avenue, is offering a free health lecture entitled “Discussing Balance and Falls” with Olfat Mohamed, PhD, PT, Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Long Beach, from 6:30pm to 8pm on Wednesday, April 29. Falls threaten the health and quality of life of older adults and are usually caused by a number of things. By changing some of these things, we can lower the chances of falling. Learn about what works to prevent falls, as evidenced by scientific research. Call (562) 494-0532 to make reservations.
