Take advantage of the sunny weather this week and traverse the towns of Long Beach and Signal Hill, learning new things and meeting new people along the way.
There are plenty of chances to appreciate and help clean up the different landscapes in the city. Residents can volunteer to clean the area surrounding MacArthur Park or Junipero Beach, both Saturday morning. Plantiitas is providing a place for plant parents to meet up and swap seedlings, containers and healthy plants. The community is invited for a free day of swimming at Martin Luther King Park Sunday morning.
Throughout the week, residents can participate in budget planning meetings for fiscal year 2024, a trivia night at Auld Dubliner or a chef and comedian talk at Aquarium of the Pacific. Expecting parents who are Khmer-speaking can attend a virtual breastfeeding class, and those with little ones can visit their local library for free and friendly story times.
Friday 1/20
Tim Burton Burlesque: 9 p.m. Harvelle’s Long Beach (201 E. Broadway) will be hosting a Tim Burton-themed burlesque performance for those 21 and older. Performers will be dressed like characters from “Alice In Wonderland,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and other Tim Burton creations. The event will also feature cosplay, vendors, live art, prizes, trivia and more. General admission costs $15. Tickets can be purchased online at https://longbeach.harvelles.com/events. Doors open at 8 p.m. and guests are welcome to buy food and drinks before the performance.
Fat Friday LBC: 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Grey LB (237 Long Beach Blvd. Suite B) will be hosting a party for those 21 and older featuring live music, dancing, drinks and food. General admission costs $20. To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
Saturday 1/21
Neighborhood Cleanup: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Councilmember Suely Saro and others are asking volunteers to help clean the area around MacArthur Park (1349 Warren Ave.). A dumpster, tools and refreshments will be provided. Free.
Beach Cleanup: 10 a.m. to noon. The Cleanup Coalition needs volunteers to help pick up litter on Junipero Beach (2100 E Ocean Blvd.). Volunteers are asked to bring their own sunscreen, reusable gloves and reusable water bottles. The Cleanup Coalition will provide coffee, donuts, water refills, trash bags, sifters and a limited supply of gloves. Volunteers will also learn more about plastic, including how it’s made, plastic reduction, microplastics and more. Free.
Khmer Storytime: 11 a.m. to noon. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children of all ages to the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.) to enjoy Khmer stories, music and movements led by local business Khemara Kids. Free.
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.
Sunday 1/22
Community Swim Day: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy the public pool at Martin Luther King Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave.). All ages are welcome. Children must be at least 48 inches tall, or be accompanied in the water at all times by an adult. For more information, call 562 741 9010. Free admission.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story: 6:30 p.m. This musical performance tells the story of folk-rockers Simon & Garfunkel. The performance will be held at The Terrace Theater (300 E Ocean Blvd.) General admission is $40. To buy tickets, visit Ticketmaster.
Monday 1/23
Blood Drive: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Councilmember Al Austin is organizing this blood drive at the EXPO Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave.). Volunteers are needed to donate lifesaving blood that will be used in medical settings. Free.
2024 City Budget Community Meeting: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Long Beach residents are invited by the City to give their input on the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2024, which designates how much money will be dedicated to various public services and programs. This community event will be held in the El Dorado Park West Teen Center (2800 N Studebaker Rd.), and is the second in a series of five meetings residents can attend. For more information, call 562-570-6465. Free.
Trivia Night: 7 p.m. Those 21 and older are invited to the Auld Dubliner (71 S Pine Ave.) to participate in a weekly trivia competition hosted by America’s Pub Quiz. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Free to attend.
Pushing Limits: Growing Orchid Species in Southern California: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The South Coast Orchid Society is hosting a program led by Scott McGreggor at the Whaley Park Community Center (5620 E. Atherton St.). Attendees can learn about new, experimental species of orchids that are able to grow in Southern California, as well as tips and techniques for outdoor growing. Free.
Tuesday 1/24
Baby Time: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers of young infants are invited to bring them to Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) to enjoy songs, rhymes, bounces, instruments and short picture books. This event is ideal for infants who haven’t learned to walk yet. Free.
Khmer Breastfeeding Class: 3 p.m. Khmer-speaking expectant mothers who receive benefits through the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program are invited to this virtual prenatal breastfeeding class. Pregnant women will learn online how to breastfeed their newborn once they arrive. To join the support group, text NEWBORN to 888-410-3674 or email Health-WIC@longbeach.gov. Free.
Wednesday 1/25
Hiring Event: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Goodwill will be holding a hiring event at one of its Long Beach locations (800 W Pacific Coast Hwy.). Job seekers are invited to apply for a variety of roles, such as hiring managers, associates, truck drivers, maintenance workers and more. Free.
Dive Into Parenting: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parents and guardians of babies, toddlers and preschoolers are invited to learn how to enroll their child in school and how to prepare them for kindergarten. This workshop will be held at the El Dorado Neighborhood Library (2900 Studebaker Rd.). This event is part of the Long Beach Public Library’s “Dive Into Learning” program, which encourages parents and guardians to read 1000 books to their children before they enter kindergarten. For more information, call (562) 570-6445. Free.
What Am I Supposed To Eat?: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The public is invited to watch a discussion by chef Noah Galuten, comedian Iliza Shlesinger and Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) president Dr. Peter Kareiva on the topics of food, nutrition, sustainability, pleasure and shame. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions. At the end of the event, Galuten will sign copies of his book ”The Don’t Panic Pantry Cookbook” and those 21 and older will be able to buy cocktails at the bar. General admission is $15.
Thursday 1/26
Long Beach Homeless Count: 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The City of Long Beach is asking for residents to volunteer for the annual Homeless Count, which attempts to count the number of people living on Long Beach’s streets. The information gathered during the Homeless Count will be used to measure the scope of homelessness in the city and plan services. To register to volunteer, visit tinyurl.com/2023lbhc. After the City has 250 volunteers, those who sign up afterwards will be placed on a waitlist. Free.
Senior Line Dancing: 10 a.m. to noon. The United Cambodian Community of Long Beach invites senior citizens to learn different line dances while socializing with each other at the Signal Hill Public Library (1800 E Hill St.). To register, call (562) 989-7323 or visit the Signal Hill Public Library. Free.
Toddler Storytime: 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring toddlers to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) to enjoy stories, songs and fun. Free.
Community Partnership Meeting: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Best Start Central Long Beach partnership invites the families of children between 0 and 5 years old to learn about community resources and projects at 241 E Cedar Ave. Dinner will be provided. To RSVP for the event, call 562.294.6014 or email lidia@lbforward.org. Free.
Wine & Roots: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Those 21 and over are invited to learn how to repot a plant while enjoying wine at local plant shop Plantiitas (2011 E 4th St.). This event is a collaboration between local businesses Plantiitas and Art du Vin. General admission costs $40. To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.
