About

You’re probably wondering what this magazine is and what we think it means for Long Beach. It started out of my own frustrations with not feeling connected, not having an outlet to express myself creatively and not finding an outlet for my opinions regarding what was going on in my own community. There are many other magazines around, but none of them seemed to meet the needs that I felt were important. How do we connect in our city? How do we learn about and take advantage of all of the amazing events and organizations that make this city great? There are so many people who live in Long Beach, yet venture out to LA or Orange County for cultural and recreational activities and either ignore or are unaware of the abundance of opportunities right in their own back yards.

It turns out that many of my friends felt the same frustrations. We decided to act. I shared with them my ideas about creating a community-based magazine and GetOutLB was born. I want GetOutLB to show the successes and expose the needs in our community. I want it to be a forum for the people of Long Beach to be heard, to get informed and to create connections in our community. We all know the bar scene and the restaurants, but do we know the people and the organizations that make this city the amazing place that it is? I want you to Get Out into your community!

This is GetOutLB. It is a living magazine created to echo your views and reflections of Long Beach. It is a place to share stories, ideas, goals, progress and frustrations. It is a forum for you to engage with others about the community in which you live.

I’ll leave you with our mission statement: GetOutLB is a magazine for the community by the community. I encourage my community to participate, to speak up and be heard. Share your ideas and enjoy the ride with your community and Get Out, LB!

Sal Flores

GetOutLB@gmail.com

————–

MEET THE CREW:

Sal Flores – Executive Director/Creative Director

I graduated from Long Beach State in 2009 with a degree in Art and Graphic Design. I consider myself an artist and free-spirited person, and am very passionate about the Arts in general. I believe that art can change people–it doesn’t matter where you live or what you do–it has the ability to influence you in one way or another.

Long Beach opened its arms to me more than seven years ago and I have called it my home ever since. Now it’s time for me to show how amazing this city is by providing relevant information to my fellow community members, and  giving all of us a voice and the opportunity to be heard. I started this magazine because I believe in the power of community–and becoming a better person through the power of exchanging ideas. GetOutLB.com will be that space where we can connect with OUR COMMUNITY.

Sharon Maraj – Editor-in-Chief

It would be easier to have someone else write this about me, because I don’t like talking about myself and sprint from the spotlight. But, here goes:

I like to be different, but I don’t like to stand out. I constantly strive for balance, but love to weigh the factors of contradiction. I automatically love songs with handclaps. I’m a down-to-earth person who is pretty observant, which is why you’ll find me sitting quietly watching the show (and playing the age-old game of Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover). I’m not spiteful or vicious and would never intentionally hurt anyone. If I sound sarcastic, spiked with a little cynicism, I am. I’m 100% serious and 100% silly. I’m not as scary as you think; you just have to “get” me. I’m pretty versatile: I like staying in and watching a movie as much as I like going out; it just depends on my mood.

I like making mixed CDs and being a perfectionist (I’m a Virgo, after all). Driving with the windows down and the music up is therapy enough for me.

I try to surround myself with people who care as much about me as I do about them, and tend to be protective over my friends and family. I expect the same things of others as I do from myself, which leaves me disappointed 99% of the time. People wise beyond their years fascinate me, however, I believe nothing can ever really make up for one’s own experience and perspective. People who know the difference between “to” and “too” are a breath (not breathe) of fresh air. People who don’t exude “the OC” (Hint: it’s not just a look, it’s a state of mind, too) are as well.

And perhaps my biggest accomplishment in life will come when I learn to accept people with differing points of view. That’ll be the day.

Music is very much a part of who I am. It fills the hole where my heart and emotions should be, and allows me to express myself. Some of my favorites are: The Doors, The Cult, Billy Idol, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Fat Boy Slim, Frank Sinatra, The English Beat, Nine Inch Nails, Morcheeba, Thievery Corporation, Zero 7, Nikka Costa, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Smiths, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Michael Jackson, Funk, Soul, Rap, Classic Rock, Classical, Electropop, Electronica, Rock, Metal. Pretty much everything but country. Feel free to chat me up about them.

Favorite TV shows: House; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia; The Office; Arrested Development; Family Guy; Welcome Back, Kotter; The IT Crowd; Friends; and Sex and the City.

Favorite movies: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Harold and Maude, 24 Hour Party People, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, High Fidelity, The Usual Suspects, 10 Things I Hate About You, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Harry Potter series, The Bourne Identity, Reservoir Dogs, Ocean’s 11 (original), Rounders, The Saint, The Breakfast Club, and Father of the Bride, Part 2.

I have worked professionally as an editor for the past three years, and unprofessionally for most of my life. I like turning errors into polished perfection, and cringe when an apostrophe is misused. And by some miracle, I’ve figured out how to get people to pay me for telling them they’re wrong. Just lucky, I guess.

And, last but certainly not least, who would play me in a movie about my life? Christopher Walken.

Brian Trimble – Arts & Culture Contributor

The arts have always sustained me. Even when I’ve had those lows in life, I could always find refuge and meaning in art, and I think that society as a whole could benefit from having creativity and art experiences for everyone.

I really do believe that art has the power to change the world on many different levels. I’ve benefited from having a mother and two older brothers who share my interest in the arts, so you could say it runs in the family.

I have a BFA in Ceramics, a Masters in Art Education and I’m working on my doctorate in Educational Leadership. I currently work as the Director of Education for a small, but vibrant Southern California museum and I teach part-time at CSULB whenever the opportunity arises.

I am proud to be part of the arts community in Long Beach. We have so many creative and cultural opportunities in our city, but we still have much work to do. I have a passion for community-based arts organizations and I try to be involved as much as I can, even with my busy schedule. I hope that by contributing to GetOutLB I can make a difference in our city by supporting our local artists and creative organizations.

Chris Brown – Community Contributor

Hello, my fellow Long Beachians! I have lived in this wonderful city for the last 10 years. I am a true Scorpio who enjoys working out, running, going to the beach, grooving to my favorite music and not taking life too seriously.

I joined GetOutLB as a way to become more involved in our community and to have a voice. I hope to interact more with you, my neighbors, and collaborate together in order to create a truly unique webzine.

Xavier Espejo – Night Life Contributor/Promoter

I’ve lived in Long Beach since late 2007 and I really like it! I am currently in a monogamous relationship and I’m pretty happy with it. My zodiac sign is Virgo and I like to make new friends wherever I go. I’m actually a shy person and more of an observer than a talker, but I do have a crazy side that sometimes I just can’t help. I love dance music and I love to dance. I am unapologetic about my shirtlesness and my love for food (especially buffalo wings!). I love my family and friends and value a good friendship. I like to smile, be happy and goof around most of the time, but I am serious about business. If you wanna know more about me, add me on Facebook…you’ll learn a lot. LOL. http://www.facebook.com/xavier.espejo

Giovanna Ferraro – Health & Fitness Contributor

My life revolves around health and fitness. Growing up, I played soccer, and as an adult I play on a professional women’s tackle football league. It gives me a great sense of pleasure to challenge myself to 5K runs, 10K runs and triathlons. I started off with numerous personal training certifications, which began this amazing journey of health education. My background has allowed me to work as a full-time firefighter for five years, as well as work in an emergency room as an E.R. Technician. Seeing the lack of knowledge in the field, my desire to further my education and help on the preventative side brought me to Cal State Long Beach. There I acquired a degree in Health Science and now teach 9th grade health in South Los Angeles.

As my journey continues I also do part-time work with the American Red Cross to help educate those in C.P.R. and first aid. Writing the Health section for GetOutLB will give me an opportunity to share information that is truly helpful to all readers. Disease, fitness, environmental health, mental/emotional health and community health are all components that will be discussed. Health education is always changing and new information is constantly coming in, so it will be my pleasure to present useful health tips to all who read!

Laura Wiley - Music Contributor

Music has been my whole life for as long as I can remember. My family has musical talent, and from the time I was old enough to speak, we would sing oldies in the car together. As I got older I started playing piano, which then prompted me to start writing music. By the age of 17 I was performing my own material and had recorded my first album. Performing with lots of different groups, including my own, assured me that the stage was the place I was meant to be.

Lately, though, the only stage I perform on is at The Silver Fox on karaoke night. I took some time away from my music so I could focus on school and my career in writing. I recently moved back from Boston where I got my Master’s in Publishing and Writing. My specialty out there was music journalism, writing for Performer magazine and doing the writing and PR for Illumina Records and Wax On Felt Records. I’ve been able to interview some of my favorite musicians, including one of my biggest influences musically, Gavin Degraw.

My all-time favorite artist though is James Morrison. As far as music goes, I really do like everything, but there are definitely artists that stand out and he is one of them. My love of music has also made me a huge musical theater fan, and I try to see as many shows as is financially possible. It was always my dream to one day be in a musical, but hey, I’m still young, who knows.

I think Glee is the best show on television. I don’t know if I said that yet, but it had to be said. I wait for it all week; it’s something to look forward to every Wednesday. I always hear people say it’s hard to pick favorites. I have no problems with that. Favorite movie: Almost Famous. Favorite restaurant: La Creperie. Favorite bar: The Silver Fox. I don’t know if I’ve said enough about how much I love the Silver Fox.

Over the years it’s become my second home, and I’ve made friends for life there. I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a fruit fly, but becoming a regular at The Fox has really made me feel part of the gay community in Long Beach. Even though I was born and raised in Huntington Beach, I’ve always felt a strong connection to Long Beach. I got my Bachelor’s from Cal State Long Beach, I worked for a long time in Long Beach, and of course, my favorite bar is in Long Beach!

I wanted to join GetOutLB because of the close friends I have working there, but also because I love Long Beach. I’ve always said that Long Beach is the perfect combination of Orange County and L.A. because you get the cultural hipness and diversity of L.A. with the beauty and beach lifestyle of Orange County. It’s also amazing how such a large area can have such a tight-knit community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

I will be covering the music section, including local artists and shows, but also CD reviews and music-related topics. I hope to do my city proud.