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Twyla, Nov. 14 Pet of the Week

November 11, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWWW!

A senior cat relinquished to a shelter is heartbreaking to think about. Twyla, 10 years old, is one of these cats. Like other senior pets, she’s lived most of her life in a (hopefully) safe, loving home, and now, she’s suddenly in a kennel in a strange setting wondering where the lap went. Twyla is a friendly brown tabby with a white triangle that flows up from her muzzle to between her lovely green eyes. She’s affectionate and would be a calm addition to a home. Additionally, adopting or fostering Twyla would make room for the cats who came in from a hoarding situation of 74 of them. To adopt or foster Twyla, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Ask for ID#A749556. Better yet, come meet her and all the other cats in person at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner

Rabbit, Nov. 7 Pet of the Week

November 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWWW!

Look at those eyes, as blue as the sky on a clear day! They belong to Rabbit, a year-old Siberian husky blend. Rabbit earned his name from the way he hops and skips playfully around the yard with the doggie friends he’s made at Long Beach Animal Care Services and helped adjust to shelter life. He loves the doggie pool! Rabbit has human friends, too—he loves his volunteer buddies, although he’s shy at first with new people. Like any rabbit, Rabbit loves tricks, especially agility and “sit pretty.” Shelter life, as good as it may be at Long Beach Animal Care Services, is no place for any pet, particularly one as timid as Rabbit. A forever home, or at least a foster, would be ideal, with a predictable setting and consistent, loving human attention. Could you do the trick of pulling the Rabbit out of the hatch? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Rabbit or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Ask for ID#A738526.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner

L.A.’s Wildest Holiday Tradition Returns!

November 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

 TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

CREDIT: © Los Angeles Zoo

 L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow, L.A.’s Wildest Holiday Tradition, is returning for 2025 and tickets are now on sale at www.lazoolights.org! Running from Nov. 13, 2025 through Jan. 11, 2026, guests will immerse themselves in a dazzling world of lantern sculptures and lights, with exciting new elements that will delight and entertain the entire family.

In 2025, L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow brings guests through a holiday themed wonderland; the weird and wonderful world of plants and pollinators featuring larger than life birds, butterflies, insects and flowers; glowing lanterns depicting wildlife of Southeast Asia; and an African landscape that includes representation of the continent’s iconic regions and wildlife, all illuminated by spectacular sculptural lights.

In addition to the all-new lanterns and light displays, the Zoo is returning some of last year’s fan favorites including the interactive displays, a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, seasonal treats and cocktails, and photo-ops through the park including Santa Claus himself. Guests can ride the conservation carousel and enjoy warming treats like churros, smores, and hot cocoa. Those 21 and older can enjoy beer, wine, and spiked hot cocoa available every night, and credit card bars Friday through Sunday.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow will also host two special community nights:

  • Sensory-Inclusive Zoo Lights: Dec. 9, 2025 – A serene evening with sensory accommodations for all guests, which includes smaller crowds, quieter music, sensory bags available on a first-come first-served basis, reentry options, and more.  
  • Pride Night: Jan. 8, 2026 – Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community with added festivities, including an all-ages DJ dance party and a full cocktail bar for adults 21-and-over. For this event, guests are welcome to use their chosen restroom facilities.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow is L.A.’s wildest holiday tradition. The event runs from Nov. 13, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2025, however, the event is closed most Mondays and Tuesdays, plus Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Dec. 25), and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31). General admission tickets start at $19 for children ages 2-12 and $29 for adults ages 13+. L.A. Zoo members receive a $5 discount off ticket prices. For the event’s full schedule, information, and ticket pricing, visit www.lazoolights.org.

Credit: Los Angeles Zoo.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

Spheria, Oct. 17 Pet of the Week

October 16, 2025 By Leave a Comment
AWWWWWWWWWWW

Trick or Treat! Spheria’s sweet! She would love a meet-and-greet! Senior Spheria’s an extremely friendly Lab who kept straying from her home and winding up at the shelter. The final time, her owner didn’t come for her despite every effort from Long Beach Animal Care Services. The volunteers say she’s a lovely dog, and at 11 years old, she deserves to spend her golden years in a real home with loving people. Could you give her that ultimate treat? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Spheria or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Ask for ID#A594917

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner

NOW OPEN: Dogs! A Science Tail Returns to the California Science Center

May 23, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Dogs! A Science Tail, a hands-on science exhibition that highlights the unique and dynamic nature of the bond between humans and dogs and enables guests to experience the extraordinary way that dogs see, hear, and smell the world, returns to the California Science Center and is now open. This free, immersive, multisensory, and highly interactive exhibition enables guests to learn first-hand the many ways dogs experience the world around them.

The exhibition demonstrates how science is helping us better understand and communicate with each other, which lies at the heart of the unique relationship between humans and dogs, and what makes this one of the most successful interspecies partnerships of all time. Dogs! A Science Tail was created and developed by the California Science Center in 2019 with support from the Annenberg Foundation and Wallis Annenberg PetSpace. PetSmart Charities®, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, sponsored the subsequent national tour.

“Dogs! A Science Tail explores the powerful connection between dogs and humans, while examining their extraordinary traits and abilities,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center. “There is so much we can learn from dogs—how they restore our calm, strengthen communities, and live up to their title as man’s best friend. This has been a popular exhibition as it has toured the country, and we are delighted to bring it back home to advance our mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone.”

Guests will be able to explore the world from a dog’s perspective through a variety of hands-on exhibits. Experiences will range from listening to hidden sounds that dogs can hear but humans can’t, excavating replicas of fossils to determine if they belong to wolves or dogs, walking through an interactive neighborhood to understand how pets strengthen the community, or testing your pop-culture knowledge during a game of “Jeopawdy!” based on the show Jeopardy! and hosted by the late Alex Trebek. Guests can also interact with virtual dogs, explore the jobs that dogs and humans undertake together, test their running speeds, and get inside a dog’s head to see and hear like them.

Pets are not permitted inside the Science Center (apart from service dogs*), but guests can share personal digital photos and record stories of their dogs on a digital sharing wall in the exhibition photo gallery.

(*The Science Center welcomes service dogs. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is defined as one that is individually trained to do work or perform specific tasks for a guest with a disability. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, pets and therapy dogs are not service animals under the ADA and are not permitted in the Science Center. Service dogs must behave in a safe manner and be under control at all times.)

Credit: The California Science Center.

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

Aquarium helps two green sea turtles, and one is in recovery…

April 2, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Rescued green sea turtle at Aquarium of the Pacific’s Molina Animal Care Center on March 27, 2025 in Long Beach, California. Photo: Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Aquarium of the Pacific staff were able to free an entangled green sea turtle and rescue another green sea turtle that needed immediate medical attention in early March thanks to a partnership and permit with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) West Coast Region. Both turtles are estimated to be subadults and were found in distress in the San Gabriel River, where the Aquarium conducts its ongoing Southern California Sea Turtle Monitoring Program. The sea turtle that was rescued was in critical condition and brought to the Aquarium where veterinary experts are trying to save it. The turtle is now in stable condition, had surgery on its injured flipper and also to remove a hook from its throat, and is going through recovery.

Working in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, the Aquarium of the Pacific’s veterinary staff members regularly help to rehabilitate ill or injured sea turtles for release back into the ocean. The Aquarium has cared for turtles since 2000, including green, olive ridley, and loggerhead sea turtles.

All seven of the world’s sea turtle species are endangered. If you see a stranded sea turtle in the San Gabriel River or elsewhere, please call the West Coast Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network 24/7 hotline at: 562-506-4315.

Credit: The Aquarium of the Pacific.

Filed Under: Featured Content, SoCal City Kids News

My New Favorite Place For Tea!

December 8, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Racer Tea Bar in the South Bay (Redondo Beach)

I’ve always been a big fan of tea but thought I preferred coffee until I found out about the Racer Tea Bar. Someone I met on a dating app actually told me about the place. That definitely didn’t work out (the date) but I checked out the place a couple of months ago and have been hooked ever since! I’ve tried a few of the tea lattes and prefer The Rocker and The Greaser. My new favorite is the Peppermint Greaser! Oh my! It tastes like an Andes Mint in a cup! I don’t even know how that is possible but they also have a Bananrama that tastes like a banana nut muffin in a cup.

This is sooooo good!

I also found the story of how this place all started quite intriguing! It all started with a 1975 Dodge Van that the owner (Chad Webber) was serving tea from during the pandemic, the middle of 2020. He had a passion for making tea after a trip to Southeast Asia and wanted to share that experience with others! For 2 years he drove all over LA serving his creative tea lattes and on December 23, 2021 they opened their first brick-and-mortar! So far it’s going great and they have uncovered so many tea lovers and have even made those who thought they disliked tea, love it! It’s a tea revolution! Here is a video made prior to their opening of the store in Redondo Beach.

I also recently learned that they have live music there on Saturday evenings (which I will be checking out soon and will report back!)

The Racer Tea Bar will be having live Jazz this Saturday night and will be introducing Mock Tails!
These do sound delicious!

This is a place you will have to check out this holiday season! If you love Tea…..it’s a must-try! If you don’t love Tea….this place definitely could change your mind! They also have the best protein balls and scones and yes, I’ve tried them both. Actually, I can’t go in there without buying the protein balls. The crew there are super friendly and I have to give a shout-out to Drew & Leila!

Now, if I can only find a dating app that rocks like this place! 😉

Happy Holidays!

Filed Under: Featured Content, Featured Events

Irene, Sept. 29 Pet of the Week

September 29, 2023 By Leave a Comment
awww!

Irene’s beautiful orange eyes against her glossy midnight fur are like twin moons at night. They hold enough kitty mystery and misery to write a sad story, and she could do that if she had opposable thumbs. Irene belonged to an unhoused person whom shelter staff and spcaLA were trying to assist. The person was later found dying on the street. Irene was with the person, on a dirty leash but well groomed and fed. She had obviously been loved very much. Irene’s human would want to know that she’ll be likewise cherished by another person. To adopt Irene, ask for ID# or any pet in the shelter, visit Long Beach Animal Care Services and talk to a volunteer, or call (562) 673-5050. Please check out more pets who need to go home by accessing https://www.longbeach.gov/acs/our-animals/adoptions/. Shelter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). You can email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process for adopting or fostering any pet!

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Filed Under: Featured Content, Pet Corner
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