April 2026 Meeting Recap

The Kiwanis Club of Bixby Knolls/North Long Beach gathered at Taboon Mediterranean for its April meeting, welcoming two special guests: Jackie Acosta from the Kiwanis Club of Carson, and Madison Mooney, Executive Director of the Long Beach Playhouse.

A Winning Night from the St. Patrick’s Day Raffle

Jackie Acosta stopped by to deliver good news — two of our own members came away as winners in the Kiwanis St. Patrick’s Day Raffle, held on March 27th, which distributed 24 prizes ranging from $200 to a $2,000 grand prize. Dan Ryan won $200 (with his winnings to be delivered in cash, as he was not present), and Rudy and Janice Guevara also took home $200 on ticket #195. Congratulations to both!

Guest Speaker: Madison Mooney, Executive Director of Long Beach Playhouse

The evening’s highlight was a wonderful presentation by Madison Mooney, Executive Director of the Long Beach Playhouse, a community theater at 5021 E. Anaheim Street in Long Beach. Operating with a small paid staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the Playhouse runs two performance spaces: the 200-seat Mainstage thrust stage and the 98-seat Studio Theatre on the second floor.

Madison spoke enthusiastically about the Playhouse’s current and upcoming productions across both stages — there is truly something for everyone this season. For the full lineup of Mainstage productions, visit lbplayhouse.org/shows/category/mainstage-theatre, and for Studio Theatre productions, visit lbplayhouse.org/shows/category/studio-theatre.

Madison also gave members a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how community theaters actually secure the right to perform a show. Every production requires an application to a rights company — organizations like Concord Theatricals, Music Theater International, or Dramatists Play Service — and rejections can come without any explanation. The Playhouse applied to produce Harvey for nearly a decade before finally receiving approval this season. Looking ahead, the Playhouse is applying for And Then There Were None (an Agatha Christie they last produced around 2012–2013), both the male and female versions of The Odd Couple, The Crucible, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Of particular interest to Kiwanians: the Playhouse offers what they call a “command performance” arrangement, in which a nonprofit or business rents out the theater on a Thursday or Sunday evening during an existing production run. The renting organization handles ticket sales, food, and raffle items, keeping all the fundraising proceeds. This is the very model our club uses for its annual Theater Night fundraiser, traditionally tied to the Playhouse’s January Agatha Christie production — an opening night tradition Madison confirmed they maintain every year.

Madison also highlighted the Playhouse’s Collaborative Series, which runs January through March in the Studio Theatre and features between 9 and 13 productions from individual artists and smaller organizations that don’t have their own performance space. Recent examples included a full Superman musical and an intimate one-man show about Mark Twain. The Playhouse also partners with Jewelbox Children’s Theater on a summer youth camp in July, open to children ages 9 and up, running 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Scholarships are available for families who need assistance — a wonderful resource for members with grandchildren, nieces, or nephews interested in theater.

Mark your calendars for the Playhouse’s annual radio play fundraiser on June 11th, held at Keystone Young in Long Beach from 6 to 8 p.m. Written by Harry Shearer and featuring Long Beach city officials — including Council members Alan and Josh Lowenthal — the event includes an open bar and appetizers, and is sponsored by the Port of Long Beach. Postcards and invitations were available at the meeting.

For full ticketing and membership information, visit lbplayhouse.org/tickets/box-office.

Club Business

In April, we celebrate birthdays for Chuck Ponti and Cindy Orozco.

Election Results Are In

The April meeting marked a significant milestone: the election of the club’s 2025–2026 officers and board. After ballots were counted by a small committee during the meeting, the results were announced. Myra Kremen was re-elected as President, David Lalonde was elected Vice President, Stephen Donnenfield was elected Treasurer, and Marco Marano was elected Secretary. All candidates who ran for Board of Directors positions were elected: Roger Leue, Alba Swalheim, Scott Ostergren, Tony Diaz, and Janice Guevara. David Lalonde, who had been nominated for both Vice President and a board seat, stepped down from his board candidacy upon his election as VP. Congratulations to all incoming officers and board members!

Club Shirts Coming Soon

The club is pleased to announce it will be purchasing a new shirt for every member. If you haven’t yet spoken with David about sizing, please make sure to connect with him soon.

Key Club Update

Tony Diaz shared exciting updates from the Key Club front. Graduation medallions were personally delivered to senior Key Club members at Rancho Dominguez High School (14 graduating seniors) and Jordan High School (4 graduating seniors), to be proudly worn on their graduation gowns. Additionally, three $2,000 scholarships are available exclusively to Key Club members at both schools, with applications due the following Monday. Tony planned to visit both campuses on Thursday to encourage members to apply. Rancho Dominguez has already finalized its officer slate for the coming year, while Jordan is still working through that process.

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events

There is plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. Stamp Out Hunger returns on Saturday, May 9th from 2 to 4 p.m. at the post office on Spring and Bellflower — this is the club’s fifth year participating in this important food drive, organized by Myra Kremen. Members with memories of last year’s heat are forewarned, though Myra has secured air-conditioned positioning this time around!

On Sunday, May 3rd, the club is invited to the Governor’s Visit and Distinguished Service Award Ceremony at the ARC in Downey, with dinner beginning at 4 p.m. Our own Roger Leue will be honored as the club’s Distinguished Service Award recipient — a well-deserved recognition. Members who sign up will be billed for their meal even if unable to attend, so please cancel in advance if your plans change.

The 28th Annual Middle School Citizenship Awards Luncheon is set for Monday, June 2nd, with setup beginning at 10 a.m. and the event starting at 11 a.m. at a cost of $40 per person. Roger Leue will be sending follow-up letters to all seven participating schools, with student names due May 13th. Honoree names will be distributed to City Council, the Board of Education, and the awards committee. Volunteers for setup are warmly encouraged to come early.

Bowling Night is coming up at Cal Bowl on the evening of June 23rd (6–8:15 p.m.), with 40 spots available across 10 lanes. The cost is $25, which includes shoe rental. This one fills up fast — make your check or cash out directly to the organizer (not the club) and get your name in early.

Finally, the club will be hosting the District Council Meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd at 6 p.m. right here at Taboon Mediterranean. The meal is $35 for those who wish to dine, and attendance without dining is also welcome. With Lt. Governor Doug Hall unable to fulfill his duties, Tyler Soto will be presiding. It would be wonderful to have a strong showing of our members for this occasion.