Whether you’re itching to connect with nature or realign your sense of tranquility, Long Beach and Signal Hill provide the perfect backdrop with community-centric events.
Pick up a new hobby while connecting with neighbors at the weekly crochet club at the Signal Hill Public Library, the monthly Silent Book Club at Los Altos Park, two different bird-watching gatherings throughout the week or a virtual photography class.
Residents can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by raising a commemorative flag with the city of Signal Hill or learning the origins of horchata (complete with a tasting, of course) at the Brewitt Neighborhood Library. Teens can learn the history of piñatas (complete with candy, of course) at the Mark Twain Library.
Treat your body to a relaxing, healthy outing through guided meditation and sound bath at Colorado Lagoon, a wellness workshop at the Jewish Alpert Community Center or a yoga series at the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach.
Friday 9/15
Fall In Love Adoption Series: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Long Beach Animal Care Services will be waiving adoption fees every weekend in September. Friday through Sunday, people can pick out a new best friend at the shelter (7700 E Spring St.). Free.
Crochet Club: 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to crochet together for an hour. This event is appropriate for all skill levels. For more information, call (562) 989-7323. Free.
Grand Opening: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited to the grand opening of the newest Sweet Fin location (4612 2nd St.). The first 50 customers will get a free tote bag. During the grand opening, 30% of sales will benefit the Conservation Corps of Long Beach.
Saturday 9/16
Come Aboard the Arctic Sunrise: 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Greenpeace USA will be giving tours of its ship the Arctic Sunrise while it’s docked at the Pine Avenue Pier in Rainbow Harbor. Visitors will learn about the work Greenpeace is doing to combat climate change. To register for a tour, visit engage.us.greenpeace.org. Free.
Silent Book Club: 10 a.m. Book lovers are invited to read a book of their choice silently together at Los Altos Park (5481 E Stearns St.). Free.
Wetland Warriors Cleanup: 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help clean the Jack Dunster Marine Biological Reserve (intersection of Boathouse Lane and Los Cerritos Channel). Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes. Meet in the parking lot in front of the rowing center. The parking fee will be waived.
Sound Bath: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join a guided meditation complete with journaling, relaxation and harmonious sounds to center oneself and align your energy through this sound bath at Colorado Lagoon (E Sixth St. and Monrovia Ave. RSVP on the Devotion Fitness app. Drop-in rate is $12.
Plant Swap: Noon to 2 p.m. Plant lovers are invited to swap extra plants and plant supplies at Plantiitas (2011 E 4th St.). Plants should be free of pests and disease, and inside clean containers. Besides plants, attendees can also trade seeds and cuttings. Cuttings may be swapped inside a container with water, a moist napkin or moist moss. Admission is free.
Oktoberfest Kick Off Party: 3 p.m. Start off Oktoberfest with a celebration at Rasselbock (4020 Atlantic Ave.), featuring live music, food and beer specials, giveaways and more. Free to enter.
Sunday 9/17
Morning Bird Walk: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Birders are invited to walk through the El Dorado Nature Center (7550 E. Spring St.) with volunteers and staff to spot local birds. Registration is required. To register, call (562) 570-1745. Free to attend. Parking is $8.
Place’s 1st Birthday Party: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate the first anniversary of the community space Place LB, featuring art demos, snacks, music and more. There will also be a rummage sale, with the proceeds benefiting Place. To reserve a ticket, send a suggested donation of $25 through Venmo, @placelb.
Monday 9/18
Wellness Workshop: Noon to 1:30 p.m. The public is invited to the Alpert Jewish Community Center (3801 E. Willow St.) to learn about joint pain and restorative therapies from experts in the field. General admission costs $10.
Mobile Recess: 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Kids between the ages of 5 and 14 are invited to participate in sports and arts and crafts in a safe environment during this City-run after-school program at Grace Park (361 E. Plymouth St.). Free.
Commemorative Flag Raising: 4 p.m. Signal Hill will raise a flag commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month at Signal Point Terrace (1800 E Hill St.). The event will include light refreshments. Free.
Karaoke & Happy Hour: 8 p.m. DiPiazza’s (5205 Pacific Coast Highway) will be hosting an all-ages karaoke night. There will be no cover charge.
Tuesday 9/19
Discover the Birds of the Long Beach Coast: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mary Parsell, President of the El Dorado Audubon Society, will be speaking about local birds. The discussion will be held on the second floor of Alamitos Neighborhood Library(1836 E. 3rd St.), and there is only stair access. Free.
Rita Moreno Tribute: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to a screening of the PG-13 rated documentary “Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It” at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). Refreshments will be provided. Free.
Wednesday 9/20
Horchata History and Tasting: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to learn about the African origins of the Latin drink horchata before tasting it for themselves. This event will be held at the Brewitt Neighborhood Library (4036 E. Anaheim St.). Free.
Community Violence Listening Session: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Members of the public are invited to express their feelings and opinions about violence in the community at Church One Ministries (700 E 70th St.). This event is organized by multiple local nonprofit organizations including Centro CHA, the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, the United Cambodian Community and more. Free.
Yoga Series: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach (2017 E 4th St.) is hosting this yoga and mindfulness workshop on the first and third Saturday of each month. To RSVP, email arinesyogalbc@gmail.com. Free.
Thursday 9/21
Arts & Culture Fundraising Fair: Noon to 6 p.m. To kick-off the annual Long Beach Gives fundraising event, Friends of Recreation Park Bandshell and Arts Council for Long Beach is hosting an arts and culture nonprofit fair and fundraiser. Residents can enjoy live music and learn about 38 various arts and culture nonprofits at Recreation Park’s (4900 E Seventh St.) outdoor amphitheater. Free.
¡Piñataracas!: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Teens and tweens are invited to make piñatas inspired by maracas at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library (1401 E. Anaheim St.). Participants will decorate a piñata already filled with candy, while learning about the history of piñatas. There will be enough supplies for 15 participants. First come, first served. Free.
A Vision for Heritage Park: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Black residents of Long Beach are invited to attend a planning meeting to help create a new vision for Heritage Park that takes into account the historical and cultural contributions of the local Black community. The event will start with networking and a meal followed by park planning and will be held at 3515 Linden Ave.
Photography Class: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuttle Cameras is hosting a virtual photography class with John Stoilov where residents can learn tips on aviation photography. Free, but online registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
