Life + Culture

Long Beach’s Saint Of the Streets

Meet the Hood Santa: Tito Rodriguez continues to give back to the neighborhoods that raised him. Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Jon Nakamura and Brandon Alexis Sanchez Thirteen years ago, a little boy on 17th Street said something to Tito Rodriguez that would forever change his life. “He taps me on the chest and he says, ‘Hey — you’re the Hood Santa, because Santa never comes over here,’” Rodriguez recalled while he was in Central Long Beach that December, handing out gifts to...

Life + Culture

One Person At A Time

How Duke Givens is changing lives on Long Beach's streets Article by Jackie Rae | Photography by Jackie Rae, Ricky Hurtado and Tromaine Asar Ellis/The LBC Photographer In late 2019, the onset of the COVID-19 virus left many people around the world facing fear and uncertainty about the future. For Long Beach native Sylvester “Duke” Givens, that uncertainty sparked an innovative approach to supporting people living on the streets.  “We first started out with just meeting the needs of our...

Food + Beverage

Tropical Tidings In A Mug

Spice it up with a Jamaican Rum Latte this holiday season. Article by The Wicked Wolf Staff | Photography by Thea Mercouffer Lattes and cocktails can be tricky to master at home, but this holiday, you can surprise your overnight guests with a spirited latte that's easier than you think. It's the perfect warmup for a lazy Saturday morning. Ingredients: ½ cup espresso  1 oz. Appleton Estate 8 Year Old Reserve (or your preferred dark rum) .75 oz. Rhubarb liquor (or any fruity liqueur) .5 oz...

Shopping

Gifts Worth Giving

From self-care to custom sculptures, find the perfect present close to home. Article by Long Beach City Lifestyle Staff | Photography by Provided   For all the men frantically Googling "gifts for her" right now: breathe. This guide offers a curated collection of options that'll impress the women in your life, from indulgent self-care to designer accessories and personalized art. You're welcome. Take the stress out of gifting with Here I Am's curated self-care boxes. This Long Beach-based...

Food + Beverage

A Cape Cod Thanksgiving

Cornish Hen with Cranberry-Thyme Sauce Article by Melissa Ramsay For me, Thanksgiving has always been more than just turkey and stuffing — it’s about honoring heritage and place. My mother’s family has deep roots in Cape Cod, where cranberry bogs have been a part of our family for generations. Those ruby-red berries have been a staple on our holiday table for as long as I can remember, and quite honestly, I like to say the cranberry juice runs through my veins. They remind me of my Cape...

Real Estate

A Mid-Century Time Capsule In East Long Beach

Picture spending your holiday season in a home that embodies an iconic era of design.  Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Nirav Solanki It’s that time of year again.  Imagine gathering with your loved ones around a table set aglow with autumn candlelight, the aroma of a holiday feast drifting from the kitchen and laughter echoing beneath retro-futuristic lighting straight out of a design magazine. A home like this East Long Beach mid-century gem, on the market through The Whipple Group...

Professional Services

Fierce By Design

How Self-Taught Designer Alanna Singleton Built 'A Fierce Marketing Company' Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Nirav Solanki When Alanna Singleton launched A. Fierce Marketing Co . in 2020, it wasn’t with a formal degree in design or years of agency experience under her belt. Instead, it was grit, an instinct for aesthetics and a love for Long Beach that carried her into the digital marketing world. Her journey began with a leadership role in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she...

Life + Culture

Grateful Voices

From daily joys to life's transitions, our community reflects on what inspires gratitude. Article by Long Beach City Lifestyle This time of year naturally invites us to turn inward toward reflection and pause in appreciation for all that surrounds us. Gratitude isn't just found in life's brightest moments — it lives in the quiet spaces between joy and sorrow, in times of growth and change, and even when we're saying goodbye to someone or something we love. This November, members of our...

Life + Culture

Publisher's Picks

Thanksgiving on the Waterfront: Five Fine Dining Experiences with a View Article by Atira Rodriguez 1 - FUEGO AT HOTEL MAYA An à la carte menu with striking views of the downtown skyline.   2 - CITY CRUISES An upscale buffet brunch or dinner cruise along the Southern California coast.    3 - SKY ROOM A gourmet buffet and spectacular 360 degree views of the shoreline and downtown.   4 - BOATHOUSE ON THE BAY A premium buffet and an exquisite view of Alamitos Bay.   5 - PARKERS'...

Entertainment

Every Star Has A Beginning

Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias opens up about his humble Long Beach roots, career milestones and the healing power of comedy. Article by Kat Schuster | Photography by Nirav Solanki On July 2, Gabriel Iglesias took a seat inside the Queensview Steakhouse at Parkers’ Lighthouse, staring out at the harbor view he once admired only from the sidewalk.  Long before he became “Fluffy” — the first stand-up comic to sell out Dodger Stadium — Parkers’ was out of reach for a much younger Gabe. “I used to...