On two days last month, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach CEO Don Rodriguez and his friend, Dr. Grant Uba, hit the pavement to raise money for more than 4,000 club members.
This year’s event, “Beach Walk: 25 in 2025,” challenged the duo to walk 25 miles in two days. The first 22 miles of the walk took place throughout the city. More than 40 donorsand supporters greeted their 3-mile finish on the second day at the Long Beach Sea Base Aquatics Center.
“Beach Walk: 25 in 2025” aimed to raise more than $150,000 to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach’s vital and critical programs. These year-round, life-changing programs, from college and career readiness to youth sports leagues – build confidence, foster teamwork, and equip young people with the skills and support they need to succeed.
If interested in supporting the walkers and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, visit: bgclublb.org/BeachWalk.
Seen at the Scene: Dr. Grant and Debbie Uba, Don Rodriguez, Dr. Marvin Zamost and Linda Haley, Rich Archbold, Priscilla and Jim Zehmer, Mark Arima, Greg Bornstein, Kelly Buck,Tony Chukuka, Eric Chapman, Ingrid Avery, Craig Cross, Carlos Delherra, Carol and Scott Fowler, Mark Goldsmith, Kelly and Michael Irving, Dan Gooch, Doreen and Danny Haramoto, Rachel and Andrew Korkos, Michael Okabayashi, Noelle Polmanteer, Diana Wolf, Jaimz and Teresa Woolvett.
Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, photo from left, Don Rodriguez, Kelly Buck, Linda Haley, Debbie Uba, Noelle Polmanteer, Dr. Grant Uba. Linda and Debbie supported the walking crew along the 22 miles. (Courtesy photo)
International City Theatre, photo from left, honoring Doug and Lisa Haubert, Michelle Byerly with The Nonprofit Partnership, caryn desai (the Shashin Desai Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement), and Gail Wasil with the ICT James Ackerman Crystal Arts and Humanitarian Award. (Courtesy photo)
Musical Theatre West, photo from left, MTW Board of Directors Barbara Bixby Blackwell, MTW Trustee Marlene Temple and Footlighter Jacki Stanfield. (Courtesy photo)
Musical Theatre West, photo from left, MTW Footlighters Nancy Koblensky, Chris Huff, Parliamentarian Roxanne Korzeniowski, and President Marnos Lelesi. (Courtesy photo)
Rainbows for Ability First, photo from left, Jennifer Moore, Deloris Mayuga, Caroline Hansen, Linda Silver, Patricia Meekes, Roxanne Korzeniowski, Julie Taboada, April Stover. (Courtesy photo)
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Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, photo from left, Don Rodriguez, Kelly Buck, Linda Haley, Debbie Uba, Noelle Polmanteer, Dr. Grant Uba. Linda and Debbie supported the walking crew along the 22 miles. (Courtesy photo)
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International City Theatre’s ‘Encore’
Celebrating ICT’s 40th anniversary on Oct. 8, Encore 2025 featured a Ruby Jubilee theme. The event raised more than $180,000 to support productions and education programs for2026, ICT’s 41st season.
Some 250 guests enjoyed a fun champagne reception in the Long Beach Arena lobby to kick off the night with balloons and fun games organized by ICT General Manager Jordan Gohara. Included was a chance to win a “treasure chest” valued at $2,000. Following the celebratory reception, guests entered the Pacific Ballroom, decorated in ruby red. Recognized with ICT’s James Ackerman Crystal Arts and Humanitarian Award were recipients Michelle Byerly (with The Nonprofit Partnership), Doug and Lisa Haubert, and Gail Wasil and Jerry Miller.
Guests sipped wine and dined on a tasty dinner prepared by Savor. Dinner chair for the evening was Sandy VandenBerge. ICT board co-Presidents Gary Einstein and Jim Preuschwelcomed everyone and introduced the master of ceremonies, ICT board member Cory Allen. ICT board member David Zanatta prepared the videos for the honorees, and Noah Sinclair served as auctioneer. Dr. Gary Busby shared his musical talent on the piano during dinner. He will return to ICT as music director for their 2026 season opener, “I LoveYou, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”
Presenting sponsor and Crystal Event Executive Producer was Ackerman Family/Bauer Foundation. Other key Sponsors were Port of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach, ASM Global, and the Temple Family Charitable Foundation. Encore 2025 funds will support ICT’s 41st anniversary season productions and six education programs reaching thousands ofchildren and seniors annually in every district of Long Beach and surrounding communities.
The special honorees for the evening, who received ICT’s James Ackerman Crystal Arts and Humanitarian Award were recognized for their service, philanthropy and support of arts and education. This year’s presenters were Nancy Ackerman Gaines, former LA County Supervisor Don Knabe, and ICT Artistic Director/producer caryn desai.
Michelle Byerly with The Nonprofit Partnership was recognized for dedicated service and support to many nonprofits. City Prosecutor Doug Haubert and Lisa Haubert were recognized for their longtime investment in the community in many areas and special services for the youth. Their acceptance was a fun, clever script with many theater terms to express their appreciation. Gail Wasil and Jerry Miller were to be recognized in 2020, which never happened with COVID-19, and sadly Jerry died last year but was not forgotten for his and Gail’s extraordinary service to Long Beach.
A surprise award, the Shashin Desai Impact Award for Lifetime Achievement, was presented to caryn desai by Preusch and Gohara.
Seen at the Scene: Nancy Ackerman Gaines, Hon. Cindy and Randy Allen, Richard Neri, Cory Allen, Griselda Suarez, Amy Eriksen, Dawn and Doug McIntosh, Marlene Temple, Robert Smit, Ray Blanton, Adolfo Mejia, Julie Meenan, Minnie and Vickie Douglas, Lyn and John Pohlmann, Jim and Carol Preusch, Stephanie Loftin and Reba Birmingham, David and Michelle Haubert, Don and Julie Knabe, Gloria and Celine Cordero, Jennifer Richey, Paul Jacek, Melinda Elmer, Mark and Claire Guillen, Josephine Molina and Heather Rudy, Kevin Scott, Maria and Scott Melendres, Gary and Joan Einstein, Carolyn Caldwell, Michael Neils, Josh Byerly, Christina Kreachbaum, David Miller, Paula-Rose Wihongi, Janet Nelson, HarrySaltzgaver, Randall Fudge, Marcus Tyson, Henry and Julie Taboada, Jaye and Rick Johson, Jeff Malin Marco Pizzo, Mike and Arline Walter, Rose Wright, Delaney and Judy Haubert,Doug and Freda Otto, Pat West, John and Laura Keisler, Kelly Ruggirello, John Cross, Gail Schwander, Susan Wise, Jay Beeler, Teresa O’Neill, Teresa Velarde Page, Charlie Parkin,Suzie Price, Reena Hajat Carrol, Marissa Semense, Lucy Pollak, Tammi Hopkins, and Michael Donovan.
Rainbow for Ability First at the races
“A day at the Races” was off to a running start at the Los Alamitos Race Course on Oct.11. This was the exciting site for Rainbow for Ability First’s fundraiser, which raised almost $80,000. This success will impact the lives of more than 100 program participants at the Long Beach Ability First Center.
After greeting participants, April Stover, senior director of programs, introduced “Echoes our Song to Sign Interpretative Group,” whose performance of signing “God Bless America,”touched all. Auctioneer Jon Gotz, took the stage and noted that proceeds are appreciated for community outings, group classes, and program supplies.
Friends greeted each other and spent time visiting and sharing news. Soon, they were bidding on silent auction items. Featured were beautiful straw baskets filled with a tempting assortment.
The live auction began with a favorite, Boathouse on the Bay’s “Dinner and Duffy boat ride.” Bidding was fierce for the Pechanga Resort Getaway, resulting with the winner jumping for joy. Another popular item up for bidding was the prime rib dinner at Lawry’s with a chauffeur.
Special guests were Denise and Wayne Evans, parents of Dylan, an afterschool program participant. Wayne stressed how important it is having such important resources for his son. Then, Gotz offered a fan for the guests to raise and donate funds. The room filled with fans and donations poured in.
While checking out their race sheets and listening to the announcer calling the races, Gotz went from table to table giving hints about the horses. There was special interest in the second race that was dedicated to Ability First.
Seen at the scene: President and CEO Sergio Rizzo-Fontanesi, Courtney Jurado, April Stover, Mayra Alcala, Joan and Tom Alderson, Bea Almada, Joyce Antimarino, Lynne Clark, Kathy Elkins, Caroline and Dale Hansen, Roxanne Korzeniowski, Ellen Mathis, Deloris Mayuga, Patricia Meckes, Jennifer Moore, Mary Pat Sabol, Linda Silver, Jean Stone, Julie and Henry Taboada, Linda Toomakian, Yolanda Wallin Sharon Young. Brittany and Neal Janssen.
Musical Theatre West
Also Oct. 11, Musical Theatre West Associate Producer Bren Thor welcomed the more than 70 guests to Music in the Morning – a periodic event highlighting upcoming performances –at the Grand Event Center.
The room was beautifully decorated in red and black to celebrate the upcoming production of “Hello Dolly.” After a social hour, the attendees were treated to a stunning rendition of “Before the Parade Passes By” by the show’s headliner, Tami Tappan Damiano.
Members of the ensemble sang and danced to “Elegance,” followed by “It Only Takes a Moment.” Damiano closed the entertainment with a poignant performance of “So Long, Dearie.”
After a short business meeting, MTW’s Footlighters President Marnos Lelesi welcomed attendees. She recognized MTW Trustees Robert Green and Marlene Temple, Board of Directors members Cynthia Terry, Barbara Goen, Diane Spiegel, Roxanne Korzeniowski and Barbara Blackwell, as well as members of the Footlighters board. Marnos also described the various education outreach programs that are supported by the Footlighters, noting that in 2024, nearly 18,000 students participated in these various programs, including special performances, classes, workshops, summer camps and scholarships, all intended to expose schoolchildren to the magic of live theatre.
Executive Director and Producer Paul Garman reported that MTW met its fundraising goal during the recent Long Beach Gives drive, and that a strategic plan for the next 2-5 years is being developed. He mentioned the MTW Travel Club’s recent trips to New York, and London and Dublin. Garman recognized attendees and MTW General Manager Douglas Senecal and Facilities coordinator Daryl Leach.
Event organizers included: reservations, Toni Ellis and Susan Joy; arrangements, Gloria Nelson; greeters, Temre Vouga and Nancy Eilers; and photographers, Ginny Pace and Chris Pace.
Jack Gesner and Nina McMullen sold lots of “chance” tickets that Diane Spiegel and Lisa Maloney pulled for a variety of lovely prizes. Included were a wine basket won by Cynthia Terry; a set of beautiful crystal bud vases by Lynn Danielson; a plaid tote by Diana Carroll; two purses and a black and gold shawl by Robert Sciortino; and Marno Lelesi’s coveted hand-made custom greeting cards by Nancy Eilers.
Seen at the Scene: Stephanie Davis, Pam Dingwell, Dolorie Thurner, Jan Foster, Chris Huff, Marlene Temple, Jacki Stanfield, Barbara Bixby Blackwell, Nancy Koblensky, Karen Larsen, Linda Loseke, Mary Kay Peterson, Carol Senske, Ami Silverman, and Jan Hall Zolin.
“Hello Dolly” will run from through Nov. 2 at the Carpenter Center on the CSULB campus.
Dramatic Allied Arts Guild
Despite the rains on Oct. 14, several ladies from Dramatic Allied Arts Guild boarded a deluxe coach and ventured off to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Along the way, they stopped for a delicious and delightful lunch at PF Chang’s in Anaheim. At the Bowers, the ladies thoroughly enjoyed seeing and learning of the “World of China’s Terracotta Warriors.” They viewed more than 110 newly uncovered treasures, including the warriors, chariot regalia, jade and gold adornments, bronze vessels and immersive digital experiences. These artifacts offered the audience unprecedented glimpses into China before and during the Qin Dynasty.
Dramatic Allied Arts Guild’s primary purpose is to promote and advance the study of the dramatic, fine arts and allied arts in Long Beach. This is accomplished through awarding, on an annual basis, tuition-only scholarships to deserving students at CSULB, LBCC and Musical Theatre West. This outing event is one of the many fundraisers that will help DAAG continue their efforts in providing the scholarships.
Seen at the Scene: Organizers co-chair Cindy Odegard and Cheryl McNulty, Stephanie Davis, Lynn Danielson, Claire Rand, Jan Foster, Donna Yeske, Cathy Crane, Susan Townsend,Penny Wilds and Nancy Koblensky.
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9468. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at for more information.