Photo by Jonathon Colman

Looking to jump into something new with the New Year? Join Parks, Recreation and Marine this January for a brand new teen course in break dancing. This course is for individuals with little or no dance experience. Prepare yourself for six week of physical and mental training as we learn the movies, techniques, and history of break dancing. This course is for teens ages 14 to 18, and is only $50 per participant. Class will take place Thursdays from January 12 to February 16, 7 to 9pm at the North Long Beach Community Center.

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Photo by Jeremy Wilburn

For the second year in a row, friends, families and community members will come together for the Palliative Care Program Pursuit Walk. The walk is being held to raise awareness of palliative care, a specialized area of care offering physical and emotional support and comfort to pediatric patients with chronic or serious illnesses, as well as to raise funds to expand the supportive/palliative care program at Miller Children’s. The palliative care program improves “quality of life” for children with life-threatening illness and to better address the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of pediatric patients and families.

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“We are excited to continue to provide support and hope to Long Beach families during these tough times,” said Kym Livesay, co-founder of the Long Beach Basket Brigade. “Through our Annual Thanksgiving Event, we hope to produce and deliver more than 1,000 baskets again this Thanksgiving. We are able to do this by partnering with the generous individuals and business donors from our community.”

The Long Beach Basket Brigade was founded in 2005 by a small group of individuals driven to make a difference in their local community. Starting out in the living room of local Long Beach residents, their efforts have grown from providing 50 Thanksgiving holiday baskets that first year to 826 baskets in 2010. 

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All materials will be provided; just bring scissors. This course is for children ages 6 to 12 and an accompanying adult. The course is $25 with a $20 materials fee payable in cash. Class will take place Thursday, November 17, from 4 to 6 pm at Recreation Park Community Center, 4900 E. 7th St.

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Read the rest of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Releasing Winter Class Guide

LB Parks and Rec will hold a Halloween Fun Workshop this Wednesday.

Get your household ready for Halloween with a brand new workshop from Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine.

Participants will paint and decorate with embellishments to create their own pumpkin art piece that is sure to get “Boos and Ahs.” Bring a small or medium pumpkin, and all other materials will be supplied. Many tips as well as treat recipes will be shared to give to your little monsters.

The Halloween Fun Workshop takes place Wednesday, October 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., $25 plus $15 materials fee. 

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“If more people walk, they can take more time to scrutinize each street for cracks and potholes, elevated sidewalks, missing signs, graffiti and other issues that make people feel sad about their neighborhood,” Schipske says.

“It’s also a great way to do something great for your body, and neighborhood with your neighbors, “ she adds.

This month’s walk covers the triangular area from Studebaker Road to Stevely Avenue and from Stearns Street to the 405 Freeway.

Residents should wear comfortable shoes, hats and sunblock, bring water and meet at the Stearns Street and Volk Avenue inlet.

A group of 16 residents July 30th found 245 issues in need of improvement in their neighborhood east of Studebaker Road and north of Wardlow Road when they walked with Schipske and her staff.

“Sidewalks are in need of repair,” Schipske explains. Residents also noted 69 Code Enforcement issues; 29 cases of trees in need of trimming; several places where streets have potholes or “alligatoring,” which is multiple cracks and cratering; seven cases of standing water; one sign needed replacement and one resident found graffiti.

“All the service requests are processed into the city’s database, and my website at www.lbdistrict5.com,” Schipske says. “ Residents can click on the maps under Shaping Up the Fifth, which are updated every two weeks to see what’s happening with them.”

Kids ages 7-12 can learn the joy of cooking at Top Chef Camp, one of three fun summer camps starting in August through Long Beach Parks and Rec.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine offers people of all ages opportunities to improve physical fitness, express their creativity and to just have fun. Here are some fun youth classes that are currently accepting registrations:

Top Chef Camp

Learn how to handle food, prepare fun, delicious dishes and master delectable competitions. At the end of the week, each student will invite two guests to our restaurant for the final day’s meal. Ages 7 to 12. Monday, Aug. 22, to Friday, Aug. 26, 1 to 4 pm, $135 per student.

Read the rest of There’s Still Time for Summer Fun Camp for Kids

Read the rest of Rock, Roll or Make Art! Youth Classes Ready for Summer Registration

Read the rest of El Dorado Nature Center Makes Science Really Fun

Read the rest of Plenty of Summer Activities Listed In The New Summer 2011 Recreation Class Guide

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, 140 teams comprised of over 500 Long Beach Middle and High School students will compete for top-spots in speed and design at “El Dorado Park Raceway” during the  2nd Annual Long Beach Solar Grand Prix sponsored by Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and the 5th District Solar and Sustainability Taskforce.

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Photo by JDRF Bay Area

To support the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach, patients, family members, employees and community supporters will participate in the Palliative Care Pursuit Walk. The walk is being held to raise awareness of palliative care, a program offering physical and emotional support and comfort to patients with chronic or serious illnesses, as well as raise funds to expand the palliative care program at Miller Children’s. The palliative care program improves “quality of life” for children with life-threatening illness and to better addresses the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of pediatric patients and families.

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Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske’s Lakes, Ponds and Wetlands Taskforce will meet on Thursday, February 3, 2011.

The public is invited to the meeting to hear information the City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine tree trimming and lake management policies, in addition to updates on fishing tackle recycling, the proposed dog park, soccer fields at El Dorado Park and the El Dorado duck pond.

The 5th Council District Lakes, Ponds and Wetlands Taskforce works together to improve the quality of Long Beach lakes, ponds and wetlands for plants, animals, and humans. Participants provide feedback and make recommendations to Councilwoman Schipske regarding Long Beach’s natural bodies of water.

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Each session is one day per week for eight weeks. The first classes begin January 8. Pre-registration is required for all classes.

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Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 5th Council District, Long Beach

Alert: Sandbags and sand are now available in 5th Council District at Fire Station 5 on Wardlow in El Dorado Park.

Click here for map

With powerful storms bearing down on the region, residents and businesses are urged to prepare themselves for the possibility of significant rainfall.

The City is providing sand and bags for residents to make their own sandbags. The public may pick up sand at four fire stations – Fire Station 7, Fire Station 12, Fire Station 13, and Fire Station 14.

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The certificates can be sold in any amount and used towards over 450 classes for ages pre-school to senior citizen including art, music, dance, career enrichment, cooking, language, fitness, and sports. There are also 18 community centers, 13 picnic sites, and numerous ball fields and athletic facilities that can be reserved to make your next party or special event a memorable occasion. El Dorado Regional Park parking passes can be used for a 364 days (closed December 25) of vehicle entry into the 388-acre park with fishing lakes, playgrounds, picnic areas, an Olympic archery range, a train ride and much more.

Read the rest of Give the Gift of Recreation with a… Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Gift Certificate!

Annual Kids Fishing Derby returns to El Dorado Park November 20.

Kids ages 5-15 are invited to cast a line in the water during the Annual Youth Fishing Derby at the lake in Area II at El Dorado East Regional Park lake in Long Beach. Individuals over 16 years of age may participate but are required to have a California State Fishing License.

The fishing derby is designed to give boys and girls who live in urban areas an opportunity to enjoy a fishing experience in or close to their own neighborhood, with rod & reels, tackle, bait, and assistance provided.

The free fishing derby will take place this year on Saturday, November 20, 2010.

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Here’s what you can expect to find, besides great beer of course:

Read the rest of Last Weekend for Long Beach Oktoberfest in El Dorado Park

Photo by JDRF Bay Area

Be The Cause hosts its ninth Walk for Hope Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the Golden Grove Picnic area, El Dorado Park.

The purpose of the Walk for Hope is to unite the community by spreading more compassion in the world. The 3.5 kilometer (2.2 mile) route is graced with dozens of hand-crafted quotes representing the best of modern and ancient wisdom, interactive ‘participate and learn’ stations that promote global consciousness coupled with ‘be the change’ action, live international entertainment and a complementary t-shirt!

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Opened in 1970, the El Dorado Library was built to fit naturally into the park that surrounds it.

El Dorado Neighborhood Library will celebrate its 40th year of service to the Long Beach community on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

Named after the park in which it is located, El Dorado Library opened on September 23, 1970. The library was built to fit into its natural surroundings and is one of the larger neighborhood libraries in Long Beach.

With a community meeting room that has a capacity of 80, the building has become a popular place for local community events. In fact, two book clubs meet at El Dorado Library — the 50+ Book Club and the Mystery Discussion Group.

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Zumba Gold is a fun, Latin inspired fitness program that includes merengue, salsa, cha cha, cumbia, belly dance, flamenco, tango, and rock & roll, creating a safe and effective workout for the mind, body, and soul. Classes are only $3 each, every Friday at El Dorado West from 8:45 to 9:45am.

Read the rest of Fall Age 50+ Classes with City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine

Bring photos and personal memorabilia and make your own memory wreath with Long Beach Parks and Recreation.

Nurture your creativity with Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine art and cultural classes including these new offerings: Needlefelting, Memorabilia Wreath, and Dance or Musical Theatre Intensive Workshops.

Be sure to register early for classes with enrollment limitations and to pay any required materials fee in cash at the first class meeting.

Learn Needlefelting with Parks and Rec

Needlefelting, or the sculpting of wool with a barbed needle, creates home décor, clothing, toys, sculptures, and more with beautiful strands of fiber from the sheared, washed, and combed coat of a sheep. This is a fast growing handcraft because it is all natural, easy to learn, has a wide range of uses, and results in quick and unique creations! The two projects in the course are a Fall Cornucopia and Mother Nature figurine. All materials are included in the $30 material fee. This course is for individuals age 16 and older, $30 per student. Class takes place Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm, and is available September 22, October 6, and October 20 at Heartwell Park.

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Parks, Recreation and Marine

Fight like a Girl is designed specifically for girls ages 12-17. The class gives teens the skills they need to keep themselves safe. Teens are uniquely vulnerable to assault – it’s estimated that over a third of all assaults occur before the age of 18. Our teen program is a 9 week class that helps teens to set protective boundaries and teaches them the fundamentals of effectively fighting back. The class is taught by Britto, $50, and takes place Saturdays from 10:30-11:30am, September 11 to November 6.

Read the rest of Fall Teen Classes with City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine