With election season almost behind us (votes are still being counted, which could take a few weeks), and the holidays looming ahead, it’s a perfect time to celebrate community and all the things that make Long Beach, Long Beach. Inside this week’s edition of around town, you will find chances to donate, honor various cultures and learn new hobbies.
Residents can spend Friday getting their hands dirty caring for plants at Willow Spring Park, taking part in the Asian World Film Festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific or letting loose at a comedy show at Ficklewood Ciderworks. There are also a handful of Veterans Day events throughout the city, which will begin Friday morning.
Saturday offers more opportunities to surround yourself with nature, either at the two-year anniversary for Foliage plant shop or at a cannabis cultivation workshop hosted by Highline Nursery. Shop from local vendors at the Eastside Night Market, then dance into the night while donating to the local unhoused community at El Barrio After Dark.
Friday, Nov. 11
Restoration Fridays: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Every second Friday of each month, the public is invited to Longview Point in Willow Spring Park (2745 Orange Ave.) to help tend to the native habitat by watering plants, pulling invasive weeds, picking up litter and more. Volunteers are encouraged to bring water bottles, apply sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes. Free.
Cambodia Day Red Carpet Gala: 5 p.m. The Asian World Film Festival is hosting the inaugural Cambodia Day Red Carpet Gala at the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) for the world premiere of “La Beauté Du Geste,” a film celebrating the Cambodian Royal Ballet. The film will be screened at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100.
The Friendzone Comedy Show: 7 p.m. Comedians from Long Beach, Los Angeles and Orange County will be performing at Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway). The event is free to enter, but there is a two-drink minimum. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration can be made on Eventbrite.
Saturday, Nov. 12
2-Year Business Anniversary: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local plant shop Foliage (205 Long Beach Blvd.) will be celebrating two years in business with a two-day celebration. The celebration will include giveaways, raffles, prizes and rare plants. Free to attend.
Fall Into Health & Wellness: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The WomenShelter of Long Beach invites the public to 4201 Long Beach Blvd. for dental screenings, giveaways and family-friendly activities. Free.
Khmer, Come All!: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Author Mayly Tao will hold a discussion about her book “An American Dream, With Sprinkles” at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E Anaheim St.). Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Tao questions after the discussion. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Free to attend.
Cannabis Cultivation Workshop: 4:20 p.m. to 8 p.m. Highline Nursery and the Long Beach Collective Association will be hosting a cannabis cultivation workshop for cannabis industry professionals as well as cannabis consumers. To register for this event and receive the location, visit thelbca.com/highlinehighlights. This workshop is appropriate for those 21 and older. Free.
Eastside Night Market: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. A variety of independent vendors will be selling their products at 2300 E Pacific Coast Highway.
El Barrio After Dark: 10 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. Marcella’s Community Outreach invites those 21 and older to 1731 E 4th St. to dance late into the night and donate to their unhoused neighbors. Donations of money, hoodies and jackets will be collected from attendees to be donated to local unhoused people. Free to attend.
Sunday, Nov. 13
Patchwork Show Festival: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 200 of Long Beach’s local artisans and makers will be selling handcrafted items and teaching do-it-yourself (DIY) crafts in the Marine Stadium parking lot (490 Bay Shore Ave.). Free to attend.
Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Former rescue dogs turned canine athletes will delight the audience with a variety of tricks and physical feats at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center (6200 E Atherton St.). Tickets can be purchased on www.carpenterarts.org/tickets for between $15 to $25.
Monday, Nov. 14
Research for Starting, Managing, and Growing Your Business: 11 a.m. to noon. Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to learn how to use Reference Solutions, a free program available at the library, to help them start, manage and grow a business. Registration is required for this event. To register, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6932781878054041870. Free.
Spanish Story Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring children to enjoy stories told in Spanish at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.)
3D Printing for Kids: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children 5 years and older are invited to learn the basics of 3D printing during this workshop at the Signal Hill Library (1800 E Hill St.). Only 10 spaces are available. To register a child, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Sankofa Parent Village: 5:45 p.m to 7:45 p.m. Parents and caregivers of Black children attending LBUSD schools are invited to this support group organized by the Black Student Achievement Initiative in Jordan High School’s Community Room (6500 Atlantic Ave.) The event will include a light dinner, childcare, tutoring and giveaways. Email Elyssa Taylor-Stewart etaylor@lbschools.net for more information. To register, visit lbusd.co/Sankofa. Free.
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Make a Difference Through Government Responsibility: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Poet Tony Wallin-Sato will lead a discussion on civic responsibility at the Los Altos Neighborhood Library (5614 Britton Dr.). Free.
Citizenship 101: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Immigrant community members are invited by Centro CHA to the Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St.) to learn more about the path to citizenship. A presentation will cover the steps of naturalization. Participants will have a chance to ask questions at the end. Free.
Wednesday, Nov. 16
HIV Testing: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. HIV testing will be provided at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.) Call (562) 570-4289 for more information. Free.
Baby’s Storytime: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are welcome to bring babies between 0 to 15 months old to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) for stories, rhymes, music and play. Free.
Sensory Story Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children to this inclusive storytime at the Bach Neighborhood Library (4055 N. Bellflower Blvd.). Children of all abilities will use their senses to read, create, and learn through stories, songs, and play.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Cuentos y Cantos Bilingual Storytime: 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring young children to read, talk, sing and play in English and Spanish at the Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway).
ArtLAB: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. An art exploration program for children ages 7 to 12 at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.). Free.
Romance Comedy Book Club: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Book lovers are invited to discuss “By Any Other Name” by Lauren Kate at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). This book club is available for those 16 and older. Registration is required. To register, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
