July 2009 Archives
A Long Beach police officer shot a dog at 10:20 a.m. today in the 8200 block of Tulare Street.
The dog, a rottweiler, was unleashed in a driveway and approached the officer "in an aggressive manner," according to an LBPD news release.
After the dog was struck, it fled back into an open garage. The dog lived at the same address.
Animal Control responded and transported the dog to a local animal hospital for treatment.
The owner of the dog was home during the incident and apologized for the dog trying to attack the officer and being unleashed, according to the LBPD news release.
Witnesses are asked to contact Long Beach Homicide detectives Russ Moss or Teri Hubert at 562-570-7244.
The dog is in stable condition and expected to recover.
The owner of the dog was home during the incident and apologized for the dog trying to attack the officer and being unleashed, according to the LBPD news release.
Witnesses are asked to contact Long Beach Homicide detectives Russ Moss or Teri Hubert at 562-570-7244.
The Press-Telegram plans full coverage when the city budget is released at 2 p.m. today by City Manager Pat West and Mayor Bob Foster. We'll have writers, a photographer and a videographer at the press conference and are planning stories for the Web and print editions. Stay tuned.
Andrew Vonderschmitt has been named acting artistic director/technical director at the Long Beach Playhouse, the Los Angeles Times reports this morning:
Vonderschmitt previously served as techical director for Garden Grove Playhouse (2004-06) and Deep Blue Sea Repertory of Orange County (2002-04). He is also an actor, director, writer and designer.
Long Beach Kids Connection plans to stage a fundraiser to benefit Children Today, an organization that provides daycare services to homeless children so their parents can work or look for work.
The second annual Taste of the Coast event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m.Sunday at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 15 39th Place.
The event will feature a Children's Fun Zone with face painting, balloon animals, art activities and other activities.
Two Long Beach bands, King Salmon and Lil Albert and the Blue Stars, plan to perform.
The event will feature food from more than 40 Long Beach restaurants.
Food and nonalcoholic beverages are included with admission. Beer and wine will be sold.
The event features a raffle with a grand prize of airfare for two and seven nights at the Manhattan Club in New York City.
Presale adult tickets are $50, teens $20, children 12 and under, $10.
To purchase tickets, visit http://www.lbkidsconnection.org/ or send a check to Long Beach Kids Connection at 6444 E. Spring, No. 223, Long Beach, CA 90815.
For information, call L.B. Kids Connection at 562- 233-4338.
john.canalis@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1273
The city has reopened Mother's Beach, Marine Stadium and Colorado Lagoon, according to a notice from the Health Department. A sewage spill east of Cal State Long Beach leaked into Los Cerritos Channel Sunday evening. The city closed the beaches Monday morning.
The Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce wants to school candidates for elected office.
The business group plans to offer "non-partisan training" at its 2009 Candidate Academy.
Classes, which begin next month, are for "individuals considering running for public office at all levels of government."
The upcoming workshops will constitute the chamber's fourth candidate academy class since 2005.
"We have trained a total of 76 people to run for public office," Randy Gordon, chamber president and CEO, said in a prepared statement. "Of the 76 people, 17 actually ran for office and of those 17, six won and are currently serving in some capacity ranging from Long Beach City Council, to the State Senate to Congress."
The chamber provided a list of 17 alumni -- liberals, conservatives and moderates -- from its academy.
Some of the better known graduates on the list who are in elected or appointed office include U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach; 3rd District Councilman Gary DeLong; 9th District Councilman Val Lerch; Long Beach Unified School Board members Felton Williams and John Meyer; and Planning Commission Chairwoman Becky Blair.
Classes meet from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday evening from Aug. 6 to Aug. 27 at Ristorante daVinci, 2801 E. Spring St., 3rd Floor, Long Beach.
Cost is $100 per person.
For information, contact Shaun Lumachi, the chamber's government affairs consultant, at 562-843-0947 or shaun@chamberadvocacy.biz
Jack O'Connell, the state superintendent of schools, visited Long Beach Tuesday to discuss programs that tie student test performance into teacher evaluations, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times reports:
The Long Beach Unified School District's use of student scores to assess the effectiveness of programs, instructional strategies and teachers is a rarity in California, and state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell called it a model for other California school districts during a hastily arranged round-table discussion. Other participants included district administrators and staff.
U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson's Sacramento house is the subject of a congressional ethics probe, the Los Angeles Times reports this morning.
Times Staff Writer Jeff Gottlieb writes:
A Richardson spokesman declined comment.U.S. Rep. Laura Richardson's rundown Sacramento house, which became the scourge of the neighborhood and a sore point with an investor who thought he had bought it out of foreclosure, has drawn the interest of a House ethics panel.
The Office of Congressional Ethics contacted real estate investor James York, who bought Richardson's house at a foreclosure auction last year, only to have Washington Mutual take it back after he had recorded the deed and return the house to the congresswoman.
The office also has interviewed at least two of the Long Beach Democrat's Sacramento neighbors, asking about their efforts -- and their expenses -- to tidy up the front- and backyards of Richardson's two-story house. The city declared the house a public nuisance on one occasion and "blighted" on another.
Leo Wise, staff director and chief counsel of the ethics office, said its policy was to neither confirm nor deny investigations. He said House members are notified when their activities are reviewed.
Members of the Los Angeles Sparks will be at the Trader Joe's in the Long Beach Marketplace from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday to meet with fans. The WNBA players will work throughout the store, greeting shoppers, bagging groceries and offering food samples. Read the details here.
A classified ad on the Long Beach Craigslist states that "a local elected official is seeking a temporary administrative aide." Not sure who the official is; the ad doesn't say. The pay is $41,000 a year with benefits.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, a candidate for governor, will be in Southern California on Wednesday. He will speak in the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 350 S. Bixel St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. The subject is the economy.
The event is free and open to the public.
Newsom served as political grand marshal in the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade. You can read my interview with him in our archives.
A Huntington Beach breast cancer survivor and her sister, a Los Alamitos resident, have started a clothing company for women who have undergone mastectomies, the Orange County Register reports in today's business section. The Los Al-based clothing line is called LBC Post-Op Tops.
A story I wrote for today's paper about a weekend shooting on Pine Avenue prompted someone to send me a link to the Save Pine Avenue Website. Check it out at http://SavePine.ning.com/
Candidate Mandy - no last name is given - is identified as a 26-year-old fitness and dance instructor in her online bio. She is seeking a man who is "religious, outgoing, adventurous, athletic, family oriented, ambitious, philosophical, affectionate, romantic and funny."
She is seeking the affections of Luke Conley, a 26-year-old former college lineman who weighs in at 300 pounds. His photo is below.
The Relay for Life Saturday and Sunday at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base raised $82,500 for cancer research, according to this report in the Seal Beach Daily. More than 450 people participated.
Jill
Hill, a candidate for the 7th District City Council seat opening up
next year, plans to host a campaign kickoff and mixer from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Park, 101 E. 28th St. There will be food and
refreshments at the picnic table area located on the southeastern side of the
park.
Hill, president of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Association, has also launched a website: www.JillHillForQualityNeighborhoods.com.
The 7th District seat, which includes much of the Wrigley, the Westside and California Heights, is occupied by termed-out Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga. The councilwoman's husband, Roberto Uranga has said he intends to run for the seat. Also in the race is James Johnson, assistant city auditor.
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster just issued this statement regarding tonight's City Council review of the breakwater reconnaissance study:
"This study adds a tremendous amount of facts to the discussion. We
learned that wave height does not necessarily improve coastal water
pollution, especially knowing that most of the pollution travels down from
upstream in the L.A. River, but we also see that some modifications to the
breakwater bring waves back to Long Beach without harming property.
"There is no real silver bullet answer to our challenges but adding these facts is
a very important step going forward. I also want to thank the Long Beach
residents who pushed the City to study this issue.
"Tonight's report is the first step in a lengthy process involving the City
of Long Beach, the US Army Corps of Engineers and numerous federal
agencies."
In an online poll, 55 percent of 100 Orange County Register readers said Sunset Beach should become part of Seal Beach.
About 30 percent said Huntington Beach made more sense. Another 20 percent voted for Sunset Beach cityhood.
Sunset Beach residents recently voted to join Seal Beach, after a county commission recommended that the 1,200-resident community be annexed by Huntington Beach.
Read about the poll in the OC Register and the overall issue, also in the Register, here.
Feel free to weigh in on the debate on my blog.
The Cunningham Report, a respected publication that covers the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, calls the odds of the Long Beach Breakwater coming down "pretty slim."
The project would "have too many negative impacts that cannot be mitigated, including impacts on the Port of Long Beach," the Cunningham Report states. "That's unwelcome news to area surfers who have been pushing to remove the breakwater for decades."
Meanwhile, the City Council was expected to review the breakwater study tonight.
Former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill plans to discuss her tenure at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of the Historical Society of Long Beach's "Mayors Oral History Series."
In 1994, O'Neill became the second person to be elected mayor by a direct vote of the people. The position had rotated among council members in the past.
She went on to easily win a second term and then an unprecedented third term as a write-in candidate against former Vice Mayor Dan Baker.
O'Neill, a former Long Beach City College president, is credited with leading the city through a tough economic period following the aerospace downturn and the U.S. Navy's departure from Long Beach. She sought to improve the economy with her "Three Ts," trade, technology and tourism.
Former state Sen. and Assemblywoman Betty Karnette will interview O'Neill.
Previous events in the series featured former mayors Tom Clark, Eunice Sato and Ernie Kell.
At the final installment of the series, Mayor Bob Foster plans to be interviewed at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 by County Supervisor Don Knabe at the same location.
The events will take place in the Historical Society of Long Beach's Main Gallery, 4260 Atlantic Ave.
Admission for both events is $10 at the door for those who are not members of the Historical Society of Long Beach.
Admission for students and Historical Society members is free.
For more information call 562-810-9329.
Long Beach Kids Connection plans to stage a fund-raiser to benefit Children Today, an organization that provides daycare services to homeless children so their parents can work or look for work.
The second annual Taste of the Coast event will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 15 39th Place.
The event will feature a Children's Fun Zone with face painting, balloon animals, art activities and other activities.
Two Long Beach bands, King Salmon and Lil Albert and the Blue Stars, plan to perform.
The event will feature food from more than 40 Long Beach restaurants.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are included with admission. Beer and wine will be for sale.
The event features a raffle with a grand prize of airfare for two and seven nights at the Manhattan Club in New York City.
Presale adult tickets are $50, teens $20, children 12 and under, $10.
To purchase tickets, http://www.childrentoday.org/Calendar/TasteOfTheCoast.aspx or send a check to Long Beach Kids Connection at 6444 E. Spring, No. 223, Long Beach, CA 90815.
For information, call L.B. Kids Connection at 562-233-4338.
A very tired state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, appears rubbing his eyes during an overnight budget session in Sacramento in today's Los Angeles Times.
Former Press-Telegram real estate writer Don Jergler is penning his Reality Bites column again. The latest appears in the Long Beach Post. Good to see him back in town.
The Los Alamitos City Council raised rates on parking tickets at its meeting last week, OC 180 News reports. The steepest fine is $350, up from $270, for parking in a handicap space.
According to the story:
If you park in a fire lane, it will cost you $105, up from $56 in the old schedule. Most of the other fines were increased from $34 to $40.
JetBlue Airways on Monday announced cut-rate airfares from Long Beach Airport to several destinations nationwide.
The promotion offers a $39 one-way fare from LGB to Oakland or San Francisco. Long Beach to Las Vegas is $44. Long Beach to New York is $134.
The cheapest fare from LGB, at $29, is to San Jose.
Rates apply mainly to fall and early winter flights. Travel must take place between Sept. 8 and Dec. 16.
New York-based JetBlue is calling the 10-day sale the "But Wait, There's More!" promotion. Rates apply to 56 destinations throughout the carrier's network.
Long Beach Airport is JetBlue's West Coast hub.
Aug. 5 is the deadline to book. Reservations must be made online at www.jetblue.com. Fares require up to a 14-day advance purchase.
The following rates are one-way from Long Beach Airport:
- Austin, Texas: $99
- Boston: $139
- Chicago: $109
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: $119
- Las Vegas: $44
- New York (JFK): $134
- Oakland: $39
- Portland, Ore.: $84
- Sacramento: $45
- Salt Lake City: $55
- San Francisco: $39
- San Jose: $29
- Seattle: $79
- Washington, D.C. (Dulles): $129
New details emerged this morning about the arrest of the man suspected of shooting a 4-year-old boy in Long Beach this week. U.S. Border Patrol agents apparently found the suspect suspicious and had not seen the nationwide bulletin that was sent out by the Long Beach Police Department, as was previously reported. LBReport has the latest information at http://www.lbreport.com/news/jul09/earlshu2.htm
The Long Beach City Council will receive the breakwater reconnaissance study in a special session at 5 p.m. Monday. The public is invited to listen to the engineering report, which offers several options for reconfiguring the breakwater and possibly returning surf to parts of Long Beach.
The council will meet in chambers at City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd.
The baby tiger shark at the Aquarium of the Pacific is the only one of its kind in the continental United States, reports Zoo and Aquarium News.
Here's a bit of the article:
They are often feared as the second-most dangerous shark in the ocean. The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a species that can grow up to 14 feet and weigh over 1,400 pounds. Few aquariums have had tiger sharks, and today only two other aquariums in the U.S. are home to these awesome predators. A 5-foot baby tiger shark is now on exhibit for the first time at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California--making it the only tiger shark currently on exhibit on the nation's mainland. Aquarium shark experts aim to learn more about this little known species and hope to inspire the public to want to protect these incredible animals.
The Long Beach Health Department just reported the city's first swine-flu death. A story is forthcoming, but in the meantime here's the city's press release:
Health officials just received confirmation of the first fatality in Long Beach due to pandemic H1N1 influenza virus (previously known as swine flu). The patient was a man in his mid-20's with an underlying medical condition who became ill in late June, was hospitalized, but died of complications in early July.
In the last three weeks, 15 other residents of Long Beach have been reported as hospitalized due to pandemic H1N1, and more than 73 total cases have been reported in Long Beach since the start of the outbreak. After an initial decline in disease activity in late May and early June, H1N1 reports have been increasing throughout the state during the last 5 weeks, and disease activity remains high and widespread. Statewide, there have been more than 400 hospitalizations and more than 60 deaths due to pandemic H1N1.
The Health Department encourages people to see their healthcare provider if they develop flu-like symptoms (fever with cough and/or sore throat) and to practice the following healthy habits to prevent catching or spreading the flu:
· Wash hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer frequently,
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick,
· Stay home if you are sick,
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into clothing (sleeves),
· Eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, exercise, get plenty of rest, do not smoke and avoid alcoholic beverages.
Although there is not yet a vaccine available for pandemic H1N1, production and testing of a vaccine are under way, and the Health Department is working on plans for vaccine distribution once it becomes available. For further information on H1N1, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's H1N1 webpage at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or the Health Department webpage at www.longbeach.gov/health.
The District Weekly spotted a blog item stating that Tracht's, an upscale restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel, is closing. Suzanne Tracht, the founding chef and owner of Jar in L.A., is leaving and the name will change, but there will still be a restaurant in the hotel, according to the story at Food GPS.
I am wrapping up a Sunday profile on Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud, who plans to run for a second term in 2010. Doud, as you may recall, pulled off an upset in 2006 by beating 14-year incumbent Gary Burroughs.
Also, if that's not enough on the Auditor's Office, click here to read a recent profile I did on Doud's No. 2, Assistant City Auditor James Johnson, who is running for City Council in the 7th District.
Here's a bit of the profile:
Not everyone is anxious to hear from City Auditor Laura Doud.
"I don't think I am the most popular person at City Hall," she says. "It's not always easy. I think departments want to think they are operating as efficiently as possible and don't necessarily like someone looking over their shoulder."
Doud, 42, was elected three years ago to look over the shoulders of those running the county's second-largest city. While no one welcomes an audit, Doud says that her charge to find savings is appreciated -- and sometimes requested -- in an era where city spending is tighter than violin strings.
"Our goal is not to fault, criticize and embarrass," Doud says. "Our goal is to find money for the city."
The Press-Telegram newsroom moved from the 14th floor of the ARCO Center to the first floor this morning.
News and editorial types share the floor with some business-side departments. Other workers are on the fourth floor.
The mailing address (300 Oceangate, Long Beach, CA 90844) remains the same.
The Daily 49er reports that Cal State Long Beach housing officials are having trouble filling the campus dorms. Last year, there were more applicants than spaces. The economy and rising student fees are believed to be the problem. Read about it at http://www.daily49er.com/news/dorm-wait-lists-not-needed-this-year-1.1776322
Attending a Little League Allstar game in Long Beach led the Wall Street Journal's legal blogger to consider recent cases challenging whether it is appropriate to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, namely because it mentions God, in public places. Read the piece at http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2009/07/22/in-lawsuits-we-trust/
Dismissing a report that he proposed to actress Jennifer Love Hewitt at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach, "Malibu's Most Wanted" star Jamie Kennedy played into Long Beach stereotypes (yes, he invoked Snoop Dogg and called Long Beach the LBC) while dismissing our town as not romantic enough for a proposal. Those of us who proposed here would disagree.
According to People magazine:
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Kennedy, "There's a lil rumor going round that i got down on one knee in Long beach. If i was gonna get down on one knee do u think i wud do it in the LBC???? I mean i'm down with Snoop but L Beach dosent scream Romance. I luv my girl and wen it happens you'll be the first to know."
The Cranky Flier, an aviation industry blog, weighs in on the recent discussion surrounding the open commuter slots at Long Beach Airport. Eighteen of 25 slots are unfilled. Read about the issue at http://crankyflier.com/2009/07/21/long-beachs-75000-pound-weight-limit/
Long Beach Heritage's Stan Poe plans to lead a bus tour of historic downtown-area churches from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Poe is a noted Long Beach historian and author.
Many of the stops will feature interior tours of several churches, including First Congregational, St. Luke's Episcopal, The Little Brown, First United Presbyterian, St. Anthony Catholic and St. John Missionary Baptist.
"All churches will be toured with an emphasis on the unique architecture, the beautifully designed stained glass windows and the history of the church," according to a news release from Long Beach Heritage.
Guests will board the Big Red Bus, which is donating its services, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 525 E. Seventh St. Parking is free.
The tour costs $20 for Heritage members and $25 for non-members. Reservations are required. Call (562) 439-7019
Stroll and Savor the Shore, an opportunity to taste food from Second Street restaurants, returns for its third helping of the summer from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Books of script are on sale for $10 at the Bay Shore Branch Library, Cafe La Strada, Mail Boxes Etc. and Sweet Jill's.
During the event, tickets will be sold at Chase Bank, 5200 E. Second St.
Long Beach author Alan Rifkin, the author of "Signal Hill," will perform (yes, perform) his new book, "Alt.Country," at 7 p.m. at Fingerprints Music, 4612 E. Second St., in Belmont Shore.
Tonight's event will feature "a live novel in concert, featuring songs from and for the text performed live by Jerry and Debbie Burgan of pivotal Grammy-nominated '60s folk-rock ensemble We Five; roots rocker Stanley Wycoff''s band with Rick Shea on steel guitar; and singer-songwriter David Stadalnikas of Uninvited Dinner Guests," according to a news release from Rifkin.
Here's a description of Rifkin's unsual book:
A musical and online novel, 'Alt. Country' traces the legend and love story of Harvey Kooper, a country rocker in a last-chance marriage. Haunted by a lifetime's mistakes, he runs from near-fame, leads spiritual fasts in the San Fernando Valley ("Country Music's Salinger," a bartender calls him), finds Jesus, marries a radio host who spins musical dreams of half-remembered pasts . . . and then recreates all the chaos and tragedy he had tried to break free of. Meanwhile he is shadowed by a faded Rolling Stone reporter who believes that the artist's slide to obscurity is a story for our times.
Rifkin, who teaches English at Cal State Long Beach, is a former contributing editor to Details magazine who has also written for the Los Angeles Times Magazine, Premiere, L.A. Weekly, Buzz and The Quarterly.
Tim Grobaty recently wrote about Rifkin's novel at http://www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_11937633
The District Weekly profiled Rifkin at http://thedistrictweekly.com/2009/print/features/the-give-it-away-man/
You can read Rifkin's new novel and hear the songs at http://www.alanrifkin.com/
Justin Rudd and his team of volunteers will meet today at the foot of Granada Avenue in Belmont Shore to collect trash from the shoreline. An after-party sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation and Barefoot Wine will follow at Panama Joe's on Second Street.
Rep. Linda Sanhchez, D-Long Beach, recently complained that annual congressional softball game included no female players. She couldn't play this year because she recently gave birth.
So on the night of the Major League All Star Game, congressional women from both parties played against female staff members from the Republican and Democratic campaign committees.
Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach, played in the game. A staff member said she made a stunning catch at third base.
The game raised $50,000 for the Young Survival Coalition , an international organization that helps women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under.
Jack Heeger, a retired Cal State Long Beach journalism professor, and all-around nice guy, has died, the Daily 49er reports. I remember Jack, who primarily taught public relations, from my days as a CSULB journalism major.
Following a 10-month bout with cancer, Jack died in Napa, where he was writing a wine column for the Napa Valley Register and other publications. He was 78.
"Jack Heeger had the unusual ability of moving easily between the professions of journalism and public relations," journalism Professor William Mulligan, told the Daily 49er via e-mail. "He brought to the students in his classes this unique background of being a successful, trusted professional newsman, as well as a trusted public relations specialist."
Disclosure: I teach journalism part-time at CSULB.
"Mixed Messages," a group art show, will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 24 at Picture This Gallery, 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach.
"Mixed Messages" is a group show of more than 20 artists that work in a variety of styles, including drawing, painting and mixed media.
The city's weekend recycling event collected more than 36,000 pounds of electronic waste and 200 used tires in three hours.
A city press release called the haul a record.
About 525 people participated by dropping off outdated computers, cell phones, monitors, TVs, keyboards and used tires.
E-waste will be disassembled and recycled. Used tires will be turned into new products, such as rubberized asphalt.
Jill Hill, a longtime Wrigley District community activist, on Thursday announced her candidacy for City Council.
Though it had been reported that Hill had pulled election papers, she had not formerly announced her campaign for the 7th District, a territory that includes the Wrigley, California Heights and the Westside.
Hill, 50, is president and co-Founder of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, or WANA.
She chairs the city's Community Development Advisory Commission and works as a consultant in the city's Environmental Services Bureau's litter abatement and awareness program.
"I realized 25 years ago the necessity of making a contribution, working for and giving back to the community and that is exactly what I will continue to do as councilmember for the 7th District," Hill said in a campaign statement. "I know I have something of value to offer Long Beach."
Hill moved to Long Beach in 1985. She became active in community issues, such as the effort to scuttle flood insurance for homes near the Los Angeles River, about five years later.
Joan Greenwood, a city sustainability commissioner, environmental consultant and well-known Wrigley activist, is supporting Hill's candidacy.
"I have lived in Wrigley for almost 23 years," Greenwood said. "Jill has been in the Wrigley for over half of those years. She is a proven and tenacious advocate for quality of life in the neighborhoods.
"She takes her positions on citywide issues based on a thorough investigation of the facts, not rumors and false perceptions."
The race to replace termed-out Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga is heating up. Uranga's husband, Roberto Uranga, a personnel office at the city Health Department, is seeking the seat, as is Assistant City Auditor James Johnson.
Along with the citywide offices for mayor, auditor, attorney and prosecutor, odd-numbered council district seats are up for election on April 13, 2010.
A member of the Belmont Shore Residents Association called this morning to say that a meeting on a proposal that would allow valet parking at Bono's restaurant on Second Street in Belmont Shore has been cancelled. LBReport has the story at http://www.lbreport.com/news/jul09/belmeet.htm
LONG BEACH -- Vice Mayor Val Lerch plans to formally launch his bid for third term in early August, according to a candidate statement released Wednesday.
Due to the city's term limit laws, Lerch, who represents the 9th District on the City Council, is running a write-in bid.
Pencil-me-in campaigns can be difficult to win. Former Mayor Beverly O'Neill succeeded, whereas former 5th District Councilwoman Jackie Kell did not.
Since his 2002 election, Lerch has played a part in constructing a new North Long Beach Police Substation, paving dirt alleys, opening the skate park at Houghton Park and attracting a Target store.
As for his reelection bud, Lerch plans to focus on public safety, balancing the city budget and attracting more business to the 9th District.
His opponents have also focused on public safety and economic development as key campaign issues.
Lerch, so far, faces three challengers in the 2010 contest: Brad Shore, who is active in North Long Beach community groups and issues; Dan Pressburg, a financial consultant and former Lerch staff member; and Steve Neal, a social worker who lost to Lerch by 132 votes in 2006.
Lerch plans to kick off his campaign from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at El Ranchito, 5345 Long Beach Blvd.
Some gay leaders want to wait until the 2012 election cycle to challenge California's Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Others think 2010 is the right time to try and reverse Proposition 8. The Los Angeles Times has the story at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prop8-2009jul14,0,7577908.story
The Long Beach Public Library now has a Facebook page that updates patrons on new materials, provides answers to questions and allows book lovers to exchange messages. Check it out at http://www.lbpl.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=108
The Art Theatre of Long Beach, 2025 E 4th St., plans to show the Tour de France live on its movie screen from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Tony Cruz, bicycle ambassador for the city and a professional bicyclist, will host.
Click here to RSVP. For more information, e-mail charles.gandy@longbeach.gov or call 562.570.6679.
"The simulcast will feature Stage 15, 129 miles with a mountain climb from Pontarlier in Eastern France into the Swiss Alps and Verbier, Switzerland," according to a city press release.
Lance Armstrong, seeking his eighth victory at age 37, is in third place.
Free indoor secure bike parking will be provided. Coffee and breakfast will be available for purchase.
Free indoor secure bike parking will be provided. Coffee and breakfast will be available for purchase.
Attendees are encouraged to ride their bicycles to the Art Theatre and make a donation to benefit Miller Children's Hospital at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
Click here to RSVP. For more information, e-mail charles.gandy@longbeach.gov or call 562.570.6679.
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The Seal Beach City Council on Monday eliminated $550 in fees residents had to pay to install solar panels. City staff recommended a fee reduction but the council opted to go solar and free at the same time. The Seal Beach Daily sheds sum, um, light at http://sealbeachdaily.com/
The Target store in Seal Beach is now selling groceries. The store sells meat, produce and other perishables along with frozen and packaged fare. Only a few Target stores, including locations in Costa Mesa and Orange, sell a full range of groceries.
The late Shannon K. Quigley Runningbear once wrote about the pleasures of teaching others to write.
"As a community of writers, my students and I are bonded in our continuing journey," she wrote in her professional biography for Long Beach City College, where she taught English. "As any of my former students would confirm, I am willing to do almost anything to assist the discovery and development of their own process of expression."
Runningbear died Jan. 4 of complications related to stomach surgery. The Signal Hill resident's death at age 40 stunned not only LBCC faculty, students and alumni, but a closely knit group of Belmont Shore volleyball players.
The players, known for their regular pickup games on the beach, plan to stage the "Shannon Runningbear Beach Volleyball Tournament" Saturday.
The doubles' tournament aims to combine Runningbear's love of athletics and education. The event will benefit LBCC's S.T.A.R. Basic Skills Learning Community Program.
"She worked a lot of extra hours," said Amy Dwyer, Runningbear's life partner and teammate in doubles volleyball. "The kids loved her. They threw a Christmas party for her in her classroom. I don't know any teachers I would have done that for."
Runningbear, a Redondo Beach native, was widely known on both athletic and academic circuits. She graduated from Redondo Union High School in 1986. She earned her bachelor's degree from UC San Diego in 1991 and her master's from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 1995.
While at UCSD, she was on the women's volleyball national championship team and an all-American in the shotput and discus.
After years of teaching part-time at area colleges, she won a full-time position teaching English at LBCC in 2001. She coached javelin, shotput, and discus at El Camino College.
"Teaching is coaching," Runningbear told the Torrance Daily Breeze in 1999. "The trick is finding the right way to reach each student so that they can learn."
Check in for the tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the courts next to the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool, 4000 E. Olympic Plaza.
The format is men's and women's doubles. Bringing a partner is not necessary, as the event is round robin "pool play," meaning players will be matched with others in their group.
Play begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $35 per person -- cash only.
The tournament fee includes food, but players are asked to bring their own water and drinks.
The California Governor and First Lady's Conference on Women sold out in a record two hours Monday morning, organizers said.
Demand was so high that many people could not log on to the website to buy tickets to the events.
"We doubled our server capacity this year in anticipation of very high demand," said event spokeswoman Marissa Moss. "We received hundreds of thousands of simultaneous requests at 9 a.m., and it overwhelmed our servers.
"Thousands of people did make it into the ticket queue before the servers crashed and were able to fulfill their ticket requests."
Some called the Press-Telegram with complaints that they could not get through.
Passes to the main conference, which is Oct. 27, sold out, as did tickets for "A Day of Transformation," a new event, on Oct. 26.
Tickets remain for the Oct. 26 "Night and the Village" and the Oct. 27 "Minerva Awards" honoring humanitarians.
Last year, tickets were gone in three hours.
First lady Maria Shriver, the event organizer, last week announced a marquee list of speakers from the worlds of politics, entertainment, media and business.
Expected to draw 25,000 people over the two days to the Long Beach Convention Center and Arena, the annual event is the biggest of its kind in the nation.
Speakers include CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson, attorney Caroline Kennedy, former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, singers Alicia Keys and Shakira, actresses Kelly Preston and Susan Saint James, attorney and author Elizabeth Edwards, photographer Annie Leibovitz and race car driver Danica Patrick.
For more information, visit www.womensconference.org.
I spent the morning in Seal Beach, interviewing children and parents for a column I am writing for next week on Miller Children's Hospital's Type I diabetes support and play group.
It was a beautiful day on the south side of the pier.
The parents continuously encouraged each other as they discussed like dilemmas: blood-sugar testing, insulin shots and pumps, and diet. Since schools do not always have registered nurses, many of the parents must leave work one or two times a day to give their children insulin shots. It's quite a juggle.
Type I diabetes is the genetic form of the disease that usually presents in childhood or young adulthood. In short, the pancreas stops producing insulin. The disease is manageable with diet, exercise and insulin, but cannot be controlled as easily as many forms of Type II, or adult-onset, diabetes. The disease is especially challenging with infants and toddlers, as getting them to eat right is already a challenge for most parents.
More on the group one week from today.
The Long Beach Police Department needs volunteers to staff the front desk at substations.
An informational workshop to explain the volunteer duties and qualifications will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the North Substation, 4891 Atlantic Ave.
Applications for the Civilian Volunteer Program may be obtained by visiting www.longbeach.gov/police and then clicking "Volunteer Opportunities."
This free workshop will be presented in English with Spanish and Khmer translation available. Please call 48 hours in advance for Khmer translation. Parking is free.
An informational workshop to explain the volunteer duties and qualifications will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the North Substation, 4891 Atlantic Ave.
Applications for the Civilian Volunteer Program may be obtained by visiting www.longbeach.gov/police and then clicking "Volunteer Opportunities."
This free workshop will be presented in English with Spanish and Khmer translation available. Please call 48 hours in advance for Khmer translation. Parking is free.
The Neighborhood Resource Center and the Long Beach Police Department are co-sponsoring the program.
To RSVP or for more information, e-mail Kathleen.McCleary@longbeach.gov or call 562-570-1010.
To RSVP or for more information, e-mail Kathleen.McCleary@longbeach.gov or call 562-570-1010.
Melissa Sandvig, 29, a ballet teacher from Los Alamitos made into the Top 10 on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." The Seal Beach Daily has the story -- and a video clip -- at http://sealbeachdaily.com/2009/07/10/update-los-al-ballerina-dances-to-top-10/
My family and I went to the Thursday night performance of the Long Beach Municipal Band.
Marine Stadium and Marina Vista Park looked like a scene from a plein-air painting.
Families sat on blankets and beach chairs. Picnic baskets and blankets were spread out on to the lawn.
Bulldogs and huskies solicited pats.
Children ran on the grass, some kicking around soccer balls. No one complained when the kids obstructed the view.
Boats crowded the edge of Alamitos Bay, passengers taking in the tunes from the water.
The sun took forever to set.
And then there was the reason people came: music. Defining American music from 1924 to 1937. Ragtime, Dixieland. Swing.
The Long Beach Municipal Band is celebrating 100 years -- and a century of music this summer.
I am no music critic, but I found a stringless rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue" stirring. It brought me back to childhood, when my mom would play the tune on the piano.
Conductor Larry Curtis, now in his 16th season, told stories behind the songs and gave a little history about the century-old band.
I liked the background, particularly for those of us raised in the era of synthesizers and drum machines.
One tidbit: In its heydey, when Long Beach was a fast-growing city, the band played hundreds of performances a year.
The stage was draped in a banner. I could see Curtis conducting but not much more from my vantage point.
But I could hear.
When the band played, my daughter, a 3-year-old, danced in circles.
Other children could be seen dancing near the speaker stands.
I spent the intermission chasing my daughter around the path and rocks lining the bay.
Someone left a few pieces of pastel chalk on the path. Little ones, including mine, stopped to draw on the path.
Intermission ended. John O'Campo and the Studio Band, a smaller group, played a few jazz standards.
Then it was swing -- the early kind as well as a selection from the 1990s revival.
We didn't stay until the end. My daughter needed to get to bed.
But we left the free event feeling rich.
An Assembly committee has approved a bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would ban smoking at state beaches and in designated areas of state parks.
"Our majestic beaches have been marred by cigarette butts for far too long," the Long Beach Democrat said.
Senate Bill 4, the "No Smoking at State Parks and Beaches Act," passed a review by the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.
The vote came after the bill was amended to allow the state Department of Parks and Recreation, citing enforcement concerns, to designate areas where smoking is banned, according to Oropeza's office.
The law would apply only to state beaches and parks. Long Beach already bans smoking on the beach by municipal ordinance.
SB 4 now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. No date has yet been set.
The bill has already cleared the Senate.
Maria Shriver on Wednesday announced another marquee list of speakers from the worlds of politics, entertainment, media and business for her California Governor and First Lady's Conference for Women.
"Once again, it's the Super Bowl of women," Shriver said in a phone interview.
Expected to draw 25,000 people Oct. 26-27, the annual event is the biggest of its kind in the nation.
Though a complete list of participants will be released before tickets go on sale Monday, confirmed speakers include:
- CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric;
- Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson;
- Athor and attorney Caroline Kennedy;
- Singers Alicia Keys and Shakira;
- Actresses Kelly Preston and Susan Saint James;
- Attorney and author Elizabeth Edwards;
- Photographer Annie Leibovitz;
- Race car driver Danica Patrick;
- Cindy Hensely McCain and Megan McCain, wife and daughter, respectively, of Sen. John McCain;
- Airline Pilot Sully Sullenberger III, who in January successful ditched an troubled U.S. Airways jet in the Hudson River.
The 2009 conference will grow from a day and a half to two full days of speakers, workshops and networking opportunities at the Long Beach Convention Center and Arena.
Demand is typically strong. Even as the economy began to unravel last year, tickets to see former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, investor Warren Buffett, U2's Bono and actress Jennifer Lopez sold out in three hours.
"Women are hungry for information," Shriver said. "They are hungry for community and connection, and they're hungry for networking, and I think this conference does all that."
Shriver said she and Couric plan to moderate a "conversation on grief and learning and how to live with it" with Edwards, St. James and Preston, who have each lost a son. Couric lost her husband to cancer.
Shriver anticipates an "incredibly moving conversation" on "resilience" where "you could hear a pin drop when that goes on."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to moderate an economics conversation with Branson and FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair.
Tickets will be sold separately for the three events and as part of packages.
The Oct. 26 Day of Transformation, a new event, will feature information on personal, professional and spiritual development, as well as tips on how to start a business, survive a layoff or move up in a down economy. Tickets are $75 and include admission to Night at the Village.
The Village event includes speakers and networking at various booths and in meeting rooms. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Shriver said she hopes the Transformation and Village events teach participants "how to actually become the architects of change that you will see the next day."
Tickets to the Oct. 27 Minerva Awards, which recognize humanitarians, are $40.
Full day passes for the Oct. 27 women's conference range from $125 to $3,600 for a floor table of 12.
Shriver said hopes that women who live and work in Long Beach support the Day of Transformation and Night at the Village events.
Tickets to the main events sell out quickly and she said she wants Long Beach women to participate as much as possible.
"The goal is that we always try to give back to the Long Beach community," she said. "We've stayed strong there, and we hope people will come out for this new day."
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster attended last year's conference and said that he is delighted it is returning.
"It's been a true testament to Maria Shriver's hard work and dedication to see this conference grow in size and stature year after year," he said. "Long Beach is proud to be part of the leading Women's Conference in the nation."
On that note, Shriver said she has been asked to move the event to Los Angeles but is committed to Long Beach for at least this year. The location for 2010, her last year as first lady, has not been decided.
Shriver said she plans to continue working with the conference, likely with the next governor and his or her spouse, after Schwarzenegger leaves office.
She is also considering an event for men, who are welcome at the Women's Conference.
"I encourage women to bring men they work with," Shriver said. "There's no reason the Day of Transformation cannot be half men. I would love that."
For those who cannot get tickets to the conference, Shriver said the entire event will be broadcast online this year with the goal of reaching 1 million viewers.
For more information on the conference and tickets, visit http://www.womensconference.org
Maria Shriver on Wednesday announced another marquee list of speakers for her California Governor and First Lady's Conference for Women.
"Once again, it's the Super Bowl of women," Shriver said in a phone interview.
Though a complete list of participants will be released when tickets go on Monday, some of the better known speakers confirmed for the Oct. 26-27 gathering are:
More information on the event is at http://womensconference.org
- CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric
- Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson
- Author and attorney Caroline Kennedy
- Singers Shakira and Alicia Keys
- Actresses Kelly Preston and Susan Saint James
- Attorney and author Elizabeth Edwards
- Photographer Annie Leibovitz
- Race car driver Danica Patrick
- Cindy Hensely McCain and Megan McCain, wife and daughter, respectively, of Sen. John McCain
- Airline Pilot Sully Sullenberger III, who saved the lives of 155 U.S. Airways passengers in January by successfully ditching an ailing plane in the Hudson River.
I just got off the phone with California first lady Maria Shriver. She provided me with a partial list of speakers for her 2009 California Governor and First Lady's Conference for Women Oct. 26-27 in downtown Long Beach. The list is embargoed until 11 a.m., so check back then. Tickets go on sale Monday. Last year, they sold out in three hours.
In the meantime, for information on ticket sales, read Andrew Shortall's story from today's paper at http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_12772808
The California State University Board of Trustees today will discuss a $584 million budget deficit, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Trustees, who will meet at CSU headquarters in Long Beach, will consider student fee increases, layoffs and furloughs to close the budget gap.
Full disclosure: I teach journalism part-time at Cal State Long Beach.
Read the Chronicle's take on events at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/07/BADL18GM25.DTL
Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Long Beach, on Tuesday announced $100,000 in federal stimulus funding for arts programs in Long Beach.
The Long Beach Opera and the Khmer Arts Academy will each receive $50,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Grants will be awarded through the National Endowment for the Arts.
"We know that when children are participating in the arts, they have more balance and are more likely to succeed academically," Richardson said in a prepared statement. "Therefore, it is important to help these outstanding organizations preserve jobs during these tough economic times so that they can continue to engage our youth and play a positive role in their academic and social maturity."
The organizations will use the funding to preserve jobs that have been threatened by a decline in philanthropic donations during the current economic downturn, according to a news release from Richardson.
Richardson began taking an interest in Cambodian-American affairs in 1998 when she worked as a field representative for the late Rep. Juanita Millender McDonald.
"I will never forget 10 years ago when I first saw Khmer dance which tells a story of history, discipline, grace, balance and yes art," Richardson said. "Since my arrival in Long Beach, I have always felt a sense of service to the Cambodian community since they were barely recognized and supported unlike other groups in the area.
"To start, I successfully brought the Cambodian New Year celebration back to El Dorado Park in Long Beach, started the New Year Parade on Anaheim Street and continue to support the Khmer Arts Academy's efforts to preserve several jobs and culture."
Of the opera, Richardson said, "my father was a musician, and so I understand the benefits of being surrounded by various forms of art during adolescence."
Could the death of Michael Jackson the reason more people are flying to SoCal airports? Citing Expedia data, CNN reports today that Southern California airports have seen a spike in reservations. Long Beach Airport is up 20 percent. LAX is also up 20 percent, while Orange County logged a 5 percent spike. Read the story at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/07/06/michael.jackson.airline.tickets/
A bill by state Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would curb a greenhouse gas previously thought safe for the environment cleared the state Assembly's Natural Resources Committee today, her spokesman said.
Senate Bill 104 would give the California Air Resources Board, or CARB, the authority to regulate nitrogen trifluoride, or NF3, which is considered more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide.
Oropeza's bill is a follow-up to another assembly bill designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California.
That measure, however, did not address NF3, which at the time was thought to be a clean alternative to gases used in manufacturing televisions, solar panels and microprocessors.
However, in 2008, a UC Irvine study concluded that NF3 has a global-warming potential 17,000 times greater than carbon dioxide, according to Oropeza's office.
Further, a UC San Diego study found that, contrary to industry claims, a larger amount of NF3 has been released into the air than had previous been believed.
Several environmental and scientific organizations are supporting SB 104, including the Sierra Club and the National Parks Conservation Association.
The bill has passed the Senate.
SB 104 is headed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for review. A date has not yet been set.
In March, I wrote about a couple of local guys in their 20s who are riding their motorcycles to churches in 49 of the 50 states. (Can't really ride to Hawaii).
I just received a nice e-mail from Nathanael Rowe and Ryan Moritz, who go to Parkcrest Christian Church in Lakewood. The two friends wrote from Maine, their 38th state, to say they are still riding strong.
Looks like they celebrated Fourth of July in -- where else? -- Boston.
Catch up with them at http://www.usamotorcycletrip.com/
To read my original column, visit www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_11974565
The city of Long Beach is hosting an electronic waste and tire disposal roundup from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St.
For environmental reasons, it's illegal to dispose of old televisions, computers, monitors, printers, VCRs, cell phones, DVD players, microwave ovens and other electronics in regular trash. Those and similar items can be brought to the roundup for lawful disposal.
The city will also be collecting another environmental hazard: used tires.
There's no limit on e-waste but tires are limited to five tires per vehicle. Do not bring wheels or rims.
In addition, hazardous waste is not allowed at the event.
For more information, visit www.longbeach-recycles.org or call 562.570.4694.
Long Beach City College, faced with difficult budget cuts, canceled a summer class that produces content for the campus newspaper, The Viking, as well as courses in other fields. The Grunion Gazette has the story online at http://www.gazettes.com/articles/2009/07/06/community_news/doc4a4d1764081f8578370834.txt
The U.S Census has decided to count same-sex marriages in states where the practice is legal, USA Today reports today. In places like California, where gay marriage was legal for only a short period of time, the U.S. Census will classify those living together as "unmarried partners." Read the story at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2009-07-05-samesexcensus_N.htm
I reported quite a bit on this issue in March at http://www.presstelegram.com/search/ci_11868643
Album cover artist Tom Wilkes, who designed the Rolling Stones' "Flowers" and "Beggars Banquet," as well as Neil Young's "Harvest," has died, according to Billboard. He was 69.
Wilkes died "unexpectedly" June 28 in Pioneertown, but a news release of his death is dated July 5. Wilkes was born in Long Beach and went to Long Beach City College before UCLA and Art Center.
Some of his other credits include Eric Clapton's eponymous album and "Pearl" by Janis Joplin.
He won a Grammy for a package related to a live recording of The Who's "Tommy."
The cause of death was not immediately available.
A memorial is planned for July 11 in Orange.
Long Beach pops up in today's New York Times Magazine cover story on the California governor's race. The Times catches up with former EBay CEO Meg Whitman's speech a couple months back at the Hyatt. On the cover is Gavin Newsom, who recently served as grand marshal in the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade. State Attorney Gen. Jerry Brown, who dropped by the Press-Telegram not too long ago to discuss law enforcement and other issues, also gets plenty of ink. The piece provides a great overview of those vying to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger. Check it out at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/magazine/05California-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
The Los Alamitos joint Forces Training Base plans to celebrate the career of retiring Birg. Gen. James Combs at tonight's fireworks show. Combs, 60, has served as installation commander for the past three years. The Orange County Register has the story at http://www.ocregister.com/articles/combs-base-army-2483623-family-first
Our friends at Olives on Second Street and Argonne Avenue told this morning that customers keep asking for bagels. They began serving bagels, as well as cream cheese and lox, this morning.
My family and I headed to the tip of the Peninsula this morning to enjoy the Fourth. We parked at the meters on the beach-side and found a surprisingly cool breeze. It was surprisingly uncrowded. On the way home, we saw the throngs gathered on the bay-side, particularly on Bay Shore Avenue, and what seemed to be a large police presence. Traffic on Second Street seemed relatively light, but there were plenty of bicyclists.
Belmont Shore community activist Justin Rudd's "Fourth of July Bike Parade & Contest" begins at 10 a.m. at 1 Granada Ave. This is the sixth installment of the parade, where riders decorate their bikes -- or tricycles, in my daughter's case -- in patriotic spangle. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m.
Long Beach Public Libraries will be closed Friday and Saturday for Independence Day observations. All libraries are closed on Sunday as usual.
Four libraries will reopen to the public on Monday: El Dorado, Harte, Mark Twain and North.
Four libraries will reopen to the public on Monday: El Dorado, Harte, Mark Twain and North.
Eight libraries will reopen to the public on Tuesday : Alamitos, Bach, Bay Shore, Brewitt, Burnett, Dana, Los Altos and Main.
The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners on Thursday announced that the city reached a 10-year record low for water consumption in June.
This is the 14th consecutive month Long Beach has achieved a 10-year record low, according to the board.
For the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2008, Long Beach water use is 16.6 percent below the historical 10-year average.
June 2009 water consumption was 18.4 percent below the historical 10-year average water use.
Rep. Laura Richardson plans to pose this question to Long Beach-area constituents today:
"If you could tell Congress and President Obama one thing about health care reform, what would it be?"
The Long Beach Democrat is heading a panel discussion on health-care reform at 9 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Medical Center.
In addition to Richardson, the panelists are Dr. Mark Davis, director of the C.A.R.E. Program at St. Mary; Anna Totta of Catholic Charities; nurse Kathy Crow of the disaster Resource Center at St. Mary; Pat Kennedy of the Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization; and nurse Minnie Douglas, who will moderate.
The goal is to provide ideas and solutions to the Obama administration and Congress, according to a news release from Richardson.
Findings from St. Mary and other Catholic Healthcare West hospitals that host town hall meetings will be sent to the Obama administration.
The event will take place in St. Mary's Parr Health Enhancement Center, 1055 Linden Ave.
To RSVP, call: 888.478.6279. Parking is $1 with a validation.
Rep. Linda Sanchez and a cadre of Latino lawmakers from greater Southern California are working to stop a boycott of the 2010 Census by immigrant rights activists.
Sanchez, D-Lakewood, has joined the effort to convince immigrants, documented or undocumented, to allow themselves to be counted.
In hopes of accurately tracking population, Census workers are not allowed to report immigration status to other agencies. Census data are confidential.
But the issue currently circling is not so much about deportation concerns as pressuring Congress and the president to change U.S. immigration policy.
The effort to boycott the Census is being led by Miguel Rivera, head of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders, to "prod the federal government to overhaul immigration laws," according to Wednesday's Wall Street Journal.
Rivera told the newspaper that at least 1 million people so far have agreed not to participate in the Census.
"I hope members of Congress will also sit down and look at these numbers [of potential boycotters] and say 'Hey, this is really serious,," Rivera said. "That means they have to fix [immigration policy]."
Sanchez was traveling over the holiday weekend and could not be reached for comment.
However, she and U.S. Reps. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles, Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles, and Grace Napolitano, D-Norwalk, issued a joint statement:
"As members of Congress from California, we have been working for years to ensure that the Census 2010 provides a fair and equal count of all our communities." they wrote. "Without an accurate portrait of our state, we cannot address the needs of our diverse population.
"A boycott would be a significant step backward in the progress we have made to make sure Latinos, and indeed, all minorities, are treated equally."
The lawmakers also explained that an inaccurate count can hurt communities because federal funding for schools, health care, job training and infrastructure is calculated in part by population.
In addition, the lawmakers pointed out, federal funding can hurt programs that directly benefit recent immigrants and their children, such as Head Start, daycare, school lunch program, public transportation and the emergency rooms used to treat those without health insurance.
Census data are also used in apportioning Congressional seats.
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced today that the Long Beach Water Department will receive more than $3 million in stimulus funding for its desalination project in East Long Beach. The P-T will have a more complete story up soon.
The Assembly Health Committee has approved a measure by state Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would require operators of mammogram machines to better inform patients of serious inspection violations.
Senate Bill 148, authored by the Long Beach Democrat, would require medical providers who operate mammogram machines to post notices of serious violations, such as failing routine inspections, in places where patients can see them.
"At critical junctures, women need assurances their potentially life saving diagnostic tools are effective," Oropeza said.
Each year, more than 25,000 California women develop breast cancer, and 4,000 of them die, according to numbers provided by Oropeza's office.
The senator is a cancer survivor.
SB 148 will next be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. No date has yet been set.
The measure has passed the Senate.
I took Ocean Boulevard to work today. Lamp posts on the south side of the street were lined with flags from Bluff Park to downtown in honor of Fourth of July.
