Life + Culture

Q&A: Wendi McLendon-Covey

The actress and comedian sits down with us to talk about her rescue cats and why Long Beach remains home Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Provided Long Beach City Lifestyle: Where did your love for animals and pets begin? Did you have pets growing up, or did that come later in life? WENDI MCLENDON-COVEY : I’ve always been an animal lover —  I hated playing with dolls. It used to irritate me when people would give me dolls as a present because I preferred stuffed animals. A cat...

Local Services

Neighbors Helping Children Thrive

At Autism Spectrum Therapies, local longtime clinicians bring compassion and personalized care to children Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Nirav Solanki and provided by AST On the corner of Willow Street and California Avenue, Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) has turned an office space into an inviting learning center for autistic children. This past March, the center expanded to a newly remodeled second floor, adding more areas for children to play and learn. The space now...

Life + Culture

Can't Make a Fur-ever Commitment?

Fostering might work for you and an animal needing a shelter break Article by Kate Karp | Photography by Nirav Solanki Are you thinking about getting a dog but aren’t sure whether you can make any commitment other than unconditional, forever love? Fostering one might be a way to find out if you’re ready. Dogs stuck in a kennel for weeks or months often experience kennel stress, which manifests in barking at passersby, wall-to-wall pacing and jumping or spinning in the kennel. Long Beach...

Life + Culture

Long Beach to Boston

How family, community and music shaped my journey from Poly High to Berklee College of Music Article by Alexander M. Fearing | Photography by Provided This spring, I graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School and made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I chose to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston after receiving a full tuition scholarship. I was also accepted to UC Berkeley, and I feel incredibly grateful for both opportunities. In the end, music has always been my...

Life + Culture

Beyond the Classroom

How Westerly School of Long Beach Created a Community Unlike Any Other Article by Atira Rodriguez | Photography by Provided by Westerly School of Long Beach Walk onto the Westerly School of Long Beach campus during one of its community events — say, the annual Holi Celebration, where students arrive in white and leave in color — and something becomes immediately clear. This is not your typical school gathering. "It's like a big family reunion," says Amber Dickens, director of admission and...

Travel

Coastal Cool Meets Hero-Worthy Adventure

Gaylord Pacific Resort is the newest coastal escape worth the drive Article by Kara Witherow | Photography by Gaylord Pacific For Long Beach residents craving a nearby summer escape, Gaylord Pacific Resort is redefining the California getaway. Nestled along the scenic Chula Vista Bayfront in San Diego, this new resort blends dramatic ocean, bay and mountain views with unforgettable experiences designed for every type of traveler.  Superhero Summer featuring DC  Can you crack the trickiest...

Life + Culture

The Adventure That Shaped Conservation

Theodore Roosevelt’s First Trip to California: A Journey of Adventure and Legacy Article by Chris Epting | Photography by Photography Provided As the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, there is no better time to reflect on a pivotal moment in American history – Theodore Roosevelt’s first trip to California in 1903. This transformative journey not only marked a monumental adventure for Roosevelt, but also ignited the movement that would ultimately give birth to the National Park...

Home + Design

Exploring Outdoors Through Everyday Home Design

From Mount Baldy hikes to backyard projects, Melissa Polson designs homey outdoor spaces Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Photography Provided by Melissa Polson Imagine standing at the top of Mount Baldy after a long day hike, taking in the views that stretch across Southern California. For Long Beach designer and avid hiker Melissa Polson, exploring trails like this is one of her favorite pastimes. Her pull to explore the outside goes back to her childhood. She grew up with a...

Travel

Checking In, Please

Four hotels that provide the best staycation in Long Beach Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Photography Provided Picture arriving at a hotel where your hardest decision is whether to start your day with a spa session or a slow morning with a coffee in hand, overlooking scenic views. The kids rush to the pool, ready to spend hours swimming, while you sink into a lounge chair with a book or finally treat yourself to that massage you have been delaying.  Between coordinating summer...

Life + Culture

Behind the Wheel

Attorney Michele Dobson explores RV roads and her next chapter Article by Stephanie Perez | Photography by Michael Farmer/f8 Studios The first time Michele Dobson drove her 36-foot RV, she steered it across the country. She had just purchased the camper from the daughters of a former client, Brad, who called it his dream RV. “They’re like, ‘Dad passed away, and we think that he would love it if you bought his RV,’” she said.  She bought it in March 2024 and went on her first trip several...