There is no cost to participate. In fact, Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team (C.A.T.) is donating $10 on behalf of every person that participates in the Long Beach Polar Splash (up to $2,000). In order to “earn” a donation for one of their preferred charities, participants must submerge completely (including the head). And NO wetsuits! 

Read the rest of Long Beach Polar Splash Invites Locals to Chill Out for Charity

Read the rest of Local Non-Profit To Give Away 2,200 books to Children at the Daisy Avenue Christmas Parade

Read the rest of Holiday Bone-Anza Fundraising Festival For Eastside Dog Park

Long Beach has many family-friendly Halloween events that are safe and fun for kids.

As soon as the sun goes down, kids all over Long Beach will head out to collect candy from every home with an active porch light.

Families that prefer not to go trick-or-treating door-to-door, have their pick of kid-friendly events all over Long Beach. In addition to neighborhood groups and churches, several business districts will also pass out candy.

Read the rest of All Treats! Halloween events for Kids in Long Beach

Carlos F Morales President / Pack Leader of wooftidoo pet services

EverythingLongBeach recently spoke with Carlos F Morales, President / Pack Leader of wooftidoo pet services, via email. They talked about inspirations, challenges and what’s it’s like having a business in Alamitos Beach.

Read the rest of Spotlight on wooftidoo pet services

Read the rest of First Fridays Promises to “Raise the Spirits” Tonight in Bixby Knolls

Fiendishly fun events for Halloween in Long Beach!

Are you looking for tricks or treats? Halloween in Long Beach always has plenty of both. Whether you want to dance the night away at a costume ball or prefer more family-friendly entertainment, there are more than enough events to make adults and kids shriek with delight.

We’ve rounded up a list of terrifying Halloween events including Dark Harbor on the Queen Mary, costume contests for people and pups, Halloween festivals in Long Beach, and dramatic Halloween-themed performances from the symphony, HSLB and more.

We’ll add to the list as we find more fun things to do for Halloween in and around Long Beach.

Read the rest of Halloween in Long Beach 2011

Photo by Brit

People and their dogs are invited to participate in the 11th annual Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK for the Animals on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the El Dorado East Regional Park Archery Range.

The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Long Beach Animals and the Long Beach Friends of Long Beach Animals Animal Care Services Bureau.

“The Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK for the Animals helps fund low-cost spay/neutering and humane education programs and to provide medical attention for shelter animals,” said Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who represents the 5th District. “The 2K and 5K Walks will wind through picturesque parkland over dedicated concrete paths that are an easy stroll for both humans and dogs of all ages and abilities.”

The 11th annual Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK for the Animals is Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the El Dorado East Regional Park Archery Range located at 7550 East Spring Street in Long Beach. Check-in and registration begin at 9 am, and walks begin at 10 am.

The entry fee for individual walkers and teams of up to 12 is $25 per person before October 8 ($30 on October 8). Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, a swag bag, and a ticket for an opportunity drawing.

The monthly Animal Care Services Low Cost Vaccination Clinic will offer convenient vaccination and microchip service at the event from 10 am to 12 pm. Patrons should pay with cash only. Visit www.longbeach.gov/acs for a list of all services and fees.

The event also will feature information about pet products, services and adoptions, food, entertainment, including canine agility demonstrations and a children’s activity area.

For more information, visit www.longbeach.gov/acs or www.friendsoflongbeachanimals.org or call 562.988.7647.

Photo Credit

Read the rest of Officers Shoot Dogs That Attacked Owner

Walking or watching are both fun at the annual pet fair and fundraiser. Photo courtesy of Kate Karp

“If we could walk with the animals, talk with the animals, grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals,” sang Rex Harrison’s Dr. Doolittle in the film of the same name. Anyone who’s ever loved a pet knows full well that they talk if you know how to listen, and all attendees of the Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK for the Animals that takes place Oct. 8 in El Dorado Regional Park will have a chance to walk with them, too. 

Read the rest of FOLBA Pet Appreciation Fair and WALK: Commune with Your Utmost Beast

Read the rest of Renowned Long Beach Area Artist Saves Pups through Portraiture

Councilmember Steven Neal

Councilmember Steven Neal and ASK Long Beach invite you to the first annual Long Beach BMX Skate Park Jam and Contest at Houghton Skate Park Saturday August 20, 2011. The Skate Jam will highlight local Long Beach skateboarders as they compete for prizes.

Read the rest of First Annual Long Beach BMX & Skate Park Jam and Contest Saturday Aug. 20

Read the rest of 14 Long Beach High School Students “Explore, Dream, & Discover” at “Camp Justin!”

Read the rest of Community Action Team Celebrates 12-Year Anniversary of “30-Minute Beach Cleanup”

Councilman Dee Andrews

Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, along with the Long Beach Ministers Alliance, and others will host the Annual Juneteenth Celebration, at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Saturday, June 18th.

Juneteenth is the celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. “I am inviting everyone to join me for this fun loving celebration. Let this joyous occasion remind us that together we can overcome any obstacle,” said Councilman Dee Andrews.

Read the rest of Annual Juneteenth Celebration Hosted by Councilman Dee Andrews June 18th

The 1.9-acre dog park at the northwest corner of Wardlow Road and Golden Avenue was the site of the former police horse stable and later became passive open space.

“The Wrigley and West Long Beach areas are desperate for increased access to open space for recreation,” said Councilmember James Johnson. “The Wrigley Heights Dog Park will be an example of how to maximize the usage of available open space to serve the community.”

Read the rest of Councilmember Johnson Invites Public to Wrigley Heights Dog Park Dedication Saturday, May 21st

For a few hours of your time and a reduced course fee, you can learn crucial life-saving skills to protect your friends and family. CPR courses run throughout the day and may last up to two and half hours. Select classes will also be taught in Spanish and classes are available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Pre-Registration ends May 15th and walk up classes are available on May 21 for open classes only.

Class fees are as follows:

Read the rest of Learn to Save a Life or Bandage a Cut At The 16th Annual CPR Saturday

Photo by Summer of '69

Animal lovers, wine aficionados, community members and those looking for fun will sample assorted fine vintages and fetch silent auction bargains while raising funds and awareness for homeless German Shepherds at “Wines, Woofs and Wishes III, A Celebration of Compassion”, set for Sunday, April 3, 2011 at L’ Opera Ristorante at 101 Pine Avenue in Long Beach from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. All proceeds will benefit German Shephard Rescue of Orange County, a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes purebred German Shepherd dogs in the greater Los Angeles area.

Read the rest of L’Opera to Host Wine Tasting Fundraiser Benefiting Homeless Dogs

After rescuing the dog from the burning house, firefighters performed canine resuscitation.

On Thursday, March 3, just before 10:30 a.m., Long Beach Firefighters responded to a house on fire in the 4800 block of Bentree Avenue after a Long Beach Gas Department employee saw large amounts of black smoke coming from a home.

When the fire engine arrived they discovered heavy black smoke coming from the back of the house and attic vents. After forcing their way through the front door, firefighters wasted no time in stretching a hoseline inside for an aggressive attack on the interior fire. Firefighters and paramedics quickly pulled a backup line to the rear of the home while the truck crew laddered the roof to cut a hole and relieve the intense heat and the heavy smoke below. 

Read the rest of LBFD Use Canine Resuscitation, Save Dog from House Fire

Snow is predicted in Whaley Park on Saturday, February 26 for the fifth annual Snow Day..

Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell welcomes fourth district residents to Snow Day in Whaley Park on Saturday, February 26. The 2011 event will feature more than 10 tons of fresh snow for sled races and snowball making.

“This year’’s Snow Day event will be bigger than ever,”” O’’Donnell said. “”We’’ve got so many things to do and see for the whole family that we expect to see even more people coming from all sides of the City.”

Indeed, this year’’s day of fun and play in the snow is shaping up to be much bigger than in years before.

Read the rest of Snow Will Fall in Whaley Park Again this Year

Read the rest of Mr. White, Mr. Pink, & Mr. Brown Stop By The Art Theatre Tonight

Photo by Bright Meadow

The California Writers Club of Long Beach will host a presentation by best-selling author and radio host Arden Moor, on Saturday, 22 January 2011, at the Los Altos Branch of the Long Beach Public Library. Published and aspiring writers of all genres are welcome to attend.

Arden Moore will unleash tips, tricks, and tactics on how to write in a fetching style that is sure to attract book publishers, magazine editors, and online blogs. Discover how to thrive as a freelancer by purposely going to the dogs and being a bit catty. Moore, the author of 19 pet books, is the founder of Four Legged Life (www.fourleggedlife.com), an online pet community; and host of the award-winning Oh Behave show on Pet Life Radio. (www.petliferadio.com).

Read the rest of California Writers Club of Long Beach presents Arden Moore “Sit! Stay! Write! Good Author!”

This map shows where rabid bats have been found in Los Angeles County. In 2010, 21 infected bats have been identified.

With an unusually high number of rabid bats recorded in Los Angeles County so far this year, the Department of Public Health is reminding all residents to avoid touching any wild animals, especially bats. So far in 2010, 21 rabid bats have been detected countywide, compared to an average of 10 per year.

Bats are protected by federal law and are an important part of our ecosystem. In nature, about 1 in 1000 to 1 in 10,000 bats is infected with rabies. However when a sick bat is found, the risk of that bat having rabies is much higher; approximately 10 percent. Bats seen flying in daylight, or found on the ground, are more likely to have rabies.

Three rabid bats this year had direct contact with family pets (2 dogs, one cat) this year—just another reason it’s important to vaccinate your pets. Dogs and cats with current vaccines that have come into contact with rabid animals may be re-vaccinated and kept in quarantine for 30 days to ensure they have not been infected by rabies.

Although bats are the animals that are most likely to carry rabies in Los Angeles county. Most bats do not have rabies, and try to avoid contact with people and pets.

Read the rest of Cases of Rabid Bats Double in L.A. County

Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot shows off as the nation's top dog in 2009. Courtesy American Kennel Club

Nearly 2,500 dogs will compete for more than $225,000 in cash prizes at the Tenth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship (AENC) on Dec. 4 and 5, 2010 in Long Beach. The two-day event is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 473 and 117 respectively), the Junior Showmanship competition (134 competitors) and the Eukanuba World Challenge (43 participants), making for a combined entry of 3,233 dogs competing in all events.

“We’re proud to welcome the country’s best conformation, agility and obedience competitors to the 10th edition of our show,” said Ron Menaker, show chairman. “With more than 3,000 total entries, and nearly 40% of the entry from our AKC breeders, the backbone of the sport, the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is one of the largest AKC dog shows in 2010 and a great way to cap off a year of exciting competition.”

Read the rest of 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Calls the Hounds to Long Beach

Photo by Wayan Vota

Our Howl’oween Spooktacular will showcase a costume contest, groovy gift bags and prizes!

Hey dog lovers! Do you also love Halloween? i Love Dogs and Hotel Maya are holding their fifth and final “Mojitos & Mutts” Happy Hour. In keeping with the tradition of Mojitos & Mutts, we’re combining the fun of mingling with dog lovers and their party-friendly pooches with a terrific drink and hors d’oeuvre menu—all while benefiting companion animals!

Read the rest of The Fifth and Final Mojitos & Mutts Event by i Love Dogs and Hotel Maya to Benefit spcaLA!