BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
Tomorrow’s First Fridays celebration promises to be one of the best ever, according to Blair Cohn, executive director of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA). He explained that some of the things that used to be part of the “Snow in Bixby Knolls” event— which is not taking place this year— will be incorporated into Friday’s festivities.
“The lighting of the Christmas tree and the menorah are scheduled for 7 p.m. sharp, December 5 at Nino’s Italian Restaurant,” Cohn said. He explained that the two holiday symbols will be placed in grassy patches next to the restaurant’s fountains near the southwest corner of Atlantic Avenue and Roosevelt Street. “We will light them both up as the start of a new Bixby Knolls tradition,” he said. “Thackerberry Farms (the company that operates a strawberry stand on Long Beach Boulevard and Bixby Road) is donating an eight-foot tree and the menorah will be about seven feet tall.” He added that he hopes the trees will get taller each year.
For several years the BKBIA would place a Christmas tree on top of the Bixby Mortgage building, but there was no tree lighting last year. This is the first year that a menorah— symbolic of the Jewish Hanukkah— will be lit up. Cohn said that residents and business owners expressed their desires to have both symbols displayed in Bixby Knolls during the holiday season. “And First Fridays was the perfect day to light them since so many people are already planning on being in Bixby Knolls at that time,” he said.
12-year-old Christopher Anderson will also provide a kinara for the Kwaanza portion of the festivities.
The lighting ceremony will feature Christmas carolers, a visit from Santa and free hot chocolate compliments of Nino’s. “We are also asking everyone to bring a Christmas decoration to hang on the tree,” Cohn noted. “We want the residents and businesses to participate in decorating it so that we can all have a sense of community.” He added that ornaments can be brought to the tree lighting ceremony or dropped off at the BKBIA office, 4313 Atlantic Avenue.
Cohn said tomorrow’s First Fridays celebration will have about 15 different venues. “It’s definitely grown since it began two years ago,” he said. “This year we asked most of the venues to keep it holiday themed on top of the normal things that you do with your artwork and so on.”
To make the occasion more festive, Long Beach’s famous Big Red Double Decker Bus will move up and down Atlantic Avenue providing free rides to all the businesses participating in the December 5 First Fridays. “The art walk is going to have something for everyone,” Cohn said. “Kids will love visiting with Santa from six to 9 p.m. at Vangie Ogg Photography and Pixie Toys at 3930 Atlantic Avenue.” He noted that children and adults will be able to have their pictures taken with or without Santa and the photos will be available for free downloads in an online gallery one week after the event.
“There is even going to be belly dancing, believe it or not, at Marina Mitri Salon, 3848 Atlantic Avenue,” he said, adding that guests will also be treated to a free neck massage.
The BKBIA office itself will be converted to a Christmas lounge. “A bluegrass band will be playing, and we will have it all lit up with lights and candles and have free hot cider and holiday treats,” Cohn said.
He added that Long Beach Arts will display its 2008 Open National Exhibit with 35 works of artists from all over the United States, including Puerto Rico. That venue will also include music, refreshments and finger food.
Other attractions include: “A Retrospective; Frederick F. Myers” a mid-20th Century artist at Gallery Thor in Thor Antiques, 4122 Atlantic Avenue with wine, hors d’oeuvres and homemade holiday desserts; the Jammin’ Music String Quartet at Jammin’ Music, 3972 Atlantic Avenue; the photography of Carlo Cruz at Elsie’s Tea Room 3924 Atlantic Avenue; and holiday photos of pets at Precious Paws, 3848 Atlantic Avenue; Christmas carols at Scrapbooking Sisters, 3932 Atlantic Avenue; the Historical Society of Long Beach’s vintage postcard exhibit with postcards from as far back as 100 years ago; FreeSpirit Yoga, 3910 Atlantic Avenue, will feature a holiday bazaar with handmade gifts from the studio’s own teachers, staff and students; It’s A Grind, 4245 Atlantic Avenue, will feature the acoustic jam of Lars and Friends; L’ Exotique Appeal, 3846 Atlantic Avenue, will be throwing its holiday party and will feature the custom t-shirt line of Maria & Celica Correa; The Richard Goad Theatre, home of the Long Beach Shakespeare Company, will have the Company’s players in their costumes for their medieval King Arthur play, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Rickter & Associates, 3920 Atlantic Avenue, will be showcasing their latest collection of fine art photography; and Salon Medusa, 4232 Atlantic Avenue, extends the holiday cheer into the salon with treats and an art display.
“There is a lot of action and excitement on the street, and people are really getting into it,” Cohn said. “There probably won’t be enough time to see all the fun things that will be available, but we are expecting a lot of people to come out this Friday.”
