Just when I was gearing up to enjoy all of autumn’s offerings leading up to Thanksgiving, everyone seems to have already shifted gears to peppermint. It’s almost like we didn’t get any chance for fall or Thanksgiving at all.

So now that we’re in Christmas mode, instead of sipping a pumpkin spice latte,  I’m shopping for pajamas —so I’ll have something to wear for the 41st Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade, which will take place on the Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 6.

This year, the folks at the Belmont Shore Business Association, who put on the parade, are hoping to break the world record for the biggest pajama party ever with the theme “Jingle & Jammies.”

“For 2025, organizers are asking parade participants to curbside spectators — to wear their favorite festive pajamas,” the event’s website said, “in an attempt to set a world record for the most people wearing pajamas at one time at a public event.”

Plans call for over a dozen local marching bands, 100 entries, cub scouts, marching bands, and a couple carloads of Grunion Gazette and Press Telegram writers,  waving and celebrating the season.

Thousands of friends and families are expected to line up along Second Street for the best parade viewing of the night, including appearances from Santa Claus, plenty of elves, colorful bands, costumes, floats , and more.

There are already over 100 parade entries so far, including over a dozen local marching bands, cub scouts, and, of course, a couple carloads of Grunion Gazette and Long Beach Press-Telegram writers, waving at the crowds and celebrating the season.

For more details about this year’s parade, go to belmontshore.org/christmasparade.

The folks at The Ordinarie have also jumped on the early Christmas bandwagon.

The Ordinarie will be closed until Friday, Nov. 7, as their little elves are transforming the space into Miracle — an immersive Christmas cocktail pop-up. The eatery is located at 210 The Promenade.

“This year is bigger and better than ever before. The décor is unhinged, over-the-top and as kitschy as ever,” the business posted online. “We have new surprises big enough to make even the Grinch grin. Join us this Friday for a Christmas Miracle.”

They’ve also promised some new menu items — though there are no details about that yet.

Liquidation sale

Compound and its restaurant, Union, located at 1395 Coronado Ave., closed last month — and starting today, the business will host a liquidation sale to get rid of the restaurant’s  furniture, appliances, catering equipment, and more.

The sale will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both Thursday, Nov. 6 and Friday, Nov. 7.

All items will be final sale, and buyers will be required to bring their own packing and moving equipment.

New chef

Wood & Salt Tavern, located at 4262 Atlantic Ave., has a new executive chef — who is bringing some new items to the menu.

The new chef, Albert Lopez, will bring bold flavors and “chef-driven passion” to Wood & Salt Tavern’s kitchen, the restaurant wrote in a recent social media post.

“Every dish starts with fire, but it’s finished with intent,” Lopez said in the post. “That’s where true flavor lives.”

Some new menu highlights include a 72-hour fermented housemade bread with tomato chili fennel butter and grilled prawns with bone marrow salsa verde, Calabrian chili crunch, burnt lemon aioli, and kaffir lime.

The tavern also teased a brand-new brunch menu that is set to launch next weekend.

“Come taste what’s next,” the restaurant wrote.

Burgers and pie

The Win~Dow on Second Street in Belmont Shore will offer $3 slices of Superba Pumpkin Pie every Thursday through Thanksgiving.

The pies will only be available in-house —  and will only be available while supplies last.

Liv’s, the restaurant at  5237 Second St. known for its locally sourced seafood, also announced new hours for the winter season. Here are the new hours:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m.
Sunday for brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We’re adjusting our hours for the winter season to match the flow of business,” the restaurant said in a recent newsletter, “but don’t worry, your favorite dishes, drinks, and oysters are here waiting for you.”

90th anniversary

LBS Financial Credit Union celebrated its 90th anniversary last month.

The business was founded in 1935 by employees of Long Beach Unified School District and Long Beach City College, according to a recent news release. With just 28 members in 1935, the business has significantly grown and now boasts over 140,000 members.

The company hosted a company-wide picnic at El Dorado Park on Sunday, Sept. 7 to celebrate its 90th anniversary, featuring various activities, music, and more for employees and their families.

As part of the celebration, LBS Financial Credit Union also donated $90,000 to nine foundations and nonprofits focused on education — including the Long Beach Education Foundation, Long Beach City College Foundation, CSULB 49er Foundation, the Assistance League of Long Beach, and more, the news release said.

“LBS Financial takes enormous pride in serving the local area for the past 90 years,” the company’s president and CEO Sean Hardeman said. “Our collective effort of putting Members first, building trust, and creating meaningful connections is what sets us apart and has sustained us through the years.”

The credit union, today, has expanded to serve employees from select local businesses and cities and counties where members live or work alongside local school staff.