July 2009 Archives
When I covered the city of Paramount as a beat reporter, I always thought it oddly fascinating that the Zamboni machine --- the iconic ice smoother that rolls out at nearly every hockey game half-time and pre-skating competition --- would be invented in some snowy place such as Canada or Finland, not in sunny Southern California.
But it was here in unassuming Paramount --- former stomping grounds of Long Beach City Manager Pat West --- where the late Frank Zamboni created the storied ice-resurfacing machine and where the Zamboni family still manufactures the machines in a warehouse. (Sometimes, workers take the Zamboni machines down the main street for a test drive.)
This week, it was announced that Frank Zamboni will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame with former NHL stars Tony Amonte, Tom Barrasso, John LeClair and the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey team. Zamboni, who died in 1988, is already a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Association Hall of Fame, the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Find out more about the inventor here.
Next month, some of the biggest electric car models will be on display in Long Beach.
The Chevy Volt, the Ford 550 Plug-In Hybrid Truck, the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and the Plug-In Toyota Prius are expected to make an appearance at the Plug-In 2009 Conference & Exposition Public Night Aug. 11 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
The event also will feature a discussion on "Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: Getting the Message Out" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with panelists Chris Paine, director of "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and "Revenge of the Electric Car"; Bill Nye, "The Science Guy"; Chelsea Sexton, founder of The Lightning Rod Foundation and former General Motors EV1 specialist; Peter Horton, writer/director of "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Philanthropist" and Mark Duvall (moderator), director, electric transportation, Electric Power Research Institute.
Admission is $10 per person. The event will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center, Hall A, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Visit www.plugin2009.com for more.
The Chevy Volt, the Ford 550 Plug-In Hybrid Truck, the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid and the Plug-In Toyota Prius are expected to make an appearance at the Plug-In 2009 Conference & Exposition Public Night Aug. 11 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
The event also will feature a discussion on "Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: Getting the Message Out" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with panelists Chris Paine, director of "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and "Revenge of the Electric Car"; Bill Nye, "The Science Guy"; Chelsea Sexton, founder of The Lightning Rod Foundation and former General Motors EV1 specialist; Peter Horton, writer/director of "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Philanthropist" and Mark Duvall (moderator), director, electric transportation, Electric Power Research Institute.
Admission is $10 per person. The event will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center, Hall A, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Visit www.plugin2009.com for more.
The economic downtown has prompted restaurants big and small to appeal to people's shrinking pocketbooks by offering lower priced fare.
The latest comes from Frenchy's Bistro, which is offering their signature French food at very affordable prices, including $3 tapas and $10 dinner menu items such as sauteed sand dabs with lemon sauce and crispy duck a l'orange. The offer expires Aug. 31.
Check it out:
The latest comes from Frenchy's Bistro, which is offering their signature French food at very affordable prices, including $3 tapas and $10 dinner menu items such as sauteed sand dabs with lemon sauce and crispy duck a l'orange. The offer expires Aug. 31.
Check it out:
The Long Beach Chapter of the Lincoln Clubs will host Thomas P. O'Brien on Aug. 27 at Legends in Belmont Shore.
According to the e-vite:
O'Brien was nominated to be the United States Attorney for the Central District of California by President George W. Bush on July 12, 2007. He was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on October 4, 2007, and was sworn in as United States Attorney the next day. As the senior federal law enforcement official in the Central District of California, Mr. O'Brien is responsible for all federal criminal investigations and prosecutions, as well as all civil matters involving the United States, in the largest federal district in the country, encompassing seven counties and more than 18 million residents. In addition to his responsibilities as United States Attorney, Mr. O'Brien sits on the President's Corporate Fraud Task Force and is Chair of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee's Cyber/Intellectual Property Subcommittee.
According to the e-vite:
O'Brien was nominated to be the United States Attorney for the Central District of California by President George W. Bush on July 12, 2007. He was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on October 4, 2007, and was sworn in as United States Attorney the next day. As the senior federal law enforcement official in the Central District of California, Mr. O'Brien is responsible for all federal criminal investigations and prosecutions, as well as all civil matters involving the United States, in the largest federal district in the country, encompassing seven counties and more than 18 million residents. In addition to his responsibilities as United States Attorney, Mr. O'Brien sits on the President's Corporate Fraud Task Force and is Chair of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee's Cyber/Intellectual Property Subcommittee.
Mr. O'Brien is a former Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, where he was assigned to the Hardcore Gang Division for more than five years. During that time, he tried approximately 65 cases, including dozens of gang murder cases, as well as cases involving allegations of rape, assault, kidnaping, car-jacking, counterfeiting, and narcotics trafficking. He was named Prosecutor of the Month in July 2000 by the Los Angeles County Association of Deputy District Attorneys.
Mr. O'Brien graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981, and from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1993, where he was an Associate Editor of the San Diego Law Review and received his degree with honors. He has accumulated 2,000 flight hours as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-14 "Tomcat" fighter aircraft, and is a graduate of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons ("Top Gun") School.
The event will be at noon at 5236 E, Second Street. Admission is $25 for members and $35 for non-members.
Please RSVP To 562-439-9390 or dkla1@verizon.net
From the city:
Long Beach Airport has been advised that two F-18 fighter jets will arrive at the airport tonight, Friday, July 24, 2009, at around 6 p.m. They are not expected to depart until late tomorrow morning.
Please note, these aircraft may be louder than the typical airplane on arrival and departure, making them more noticeable to the public.
Long Beach Airport has been advised that two F-18 fighter jets will arrive at the airport tonight, Friday, July 24, 2009, at around 6 p.m. They are not expected to depart until late tomorrow morning.
Please note, these aircraft may be louder than the typical airplane on arrival and departure, making them more noticeable to the public.
Why not weigh in? Residents are invited to vote on 39 pictures taken during the Bixby Knolls Summer Shutters 2.0 digital photo contest.
Cast votes for the "People's Choice Award" in the "digitally enhanced" category by going here and clicking on the button.
Voting for other categories such as Best Bixby Interior, Best Business Photo, or Best Nature Photo, will be done by members of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association board of directors, event sponsors, and members of the Arts Council prior to the reception. Cash and product prizes will be awarded at the reception.
There will be a reception at 8 a.m. Aug. 7 at the Expo, 4321 Atlantic Ave. for the photographers and all images submitted to the contest will be on display.
The reception is free to the public.
Cast votes for the "People's Choice Award" in the "digitally enhanced" category by going here and clicking on the button.
Voting for other categories such as Best Bixby Interior, Best Business Photo, or Best Nature Photo, will be done by members of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association board of directors, event sponsors, and members of the Arts Council prior to the reception. Cash and product prizes will be awarded at the reception.
There will be a reception at 8 a.m. Aug. 7 at the Expo, 4321 Atlantic Ave. for the photographers and all images submitted to the contest will be on display.
The reception is free to the public.
Long Beach City Councilman Patrick O'Donnell and Musical Theater West executive director Paul Garman will speak at the East Anaheim Street Business Alliance meeting July 28 at Cucina Picarelli.
O'Donnell will provide an update on the latest happenings at City Hall and specifically the 4th District. Garman will discuss upcoming shows and ongoing programs offered by MTW.
The meeting will be at noon at Cucina Picarelli, 5096 Pacific Coast Highway. Lunch is $12 (includes beverage, tax and tip). To RSVP or if you have any questions, call 562-494-3800.
O'Donnell will provide an update on the latest happenings at City Hall and specifically the 4th District. Garman will discuss upcoming shows and ongoing programs offered by MTW.
The meeting will be at noon at Cucina Picarelli, 5096 Pacific Coast Highway. Lunch is $12 (includes beverage, tax and tip). To RSVP or if you have any questions, call 562-494-3800.
At about 10 p.m. today, a 50-ton wingless C-17 aircraft shell and its transport cradle will make a slow nine-mile road trip from the Boeing Co. Aircraft facility adjacent to the Long Beach Airport to the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, said Gregg Smith, Public Affairs Officer for the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach
Police will accompany the transfer of Static 1, the old C-17 fuselage Boeing donated to the U.S. Army. It had been used for initial testing during the C-17 program's early days.
To move the 150-foot-long, 25-foot-high aircraft shell, streets will be closed at portions of southbound Cherry Avenue, eastbound Willow Street, southbound Lakewood Avenue, and southbound Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, as well as southbound PCH and southbound Seal Beach Boulevard in Seal Beach.
Once at the Seal Beach base, the fuselage will be loaded onto the Army transport vessel, SSGT Robert T. Kuroda, and travel east to its future home at the U. S. Army Transportation Center and School in Fort Eustis, Va.
Police will accompany the transfer of Static 1, the old C-17 fuselage Boeing donated to the U.S. Army. It had been used for initial testing during the C-17 program's early days.
To move the 150-foot-long, 25-foot-high aircraft shell, streets will be closed at portions of southbound Cherry Avenue, eastbound Willow Street, southbound Lakewood Avenue, and southbound Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, as well as southbound PCH and southbound Seal Beach Boulevard in Seal Beach.
Once at the Seal Beach base, the fuselage will be loaded onto the Army transport vessel, SSGT Robert T. Kuroda, and travel east to its future home at the U. S. Army Transportation Center and School in Fort Eustis, Va.
Residents from Lakewood, Bellflower, Downey and other cities craving Avgolemono soup or Lamb Souvlaki from George's Greek Cafe soon won't have to cross the Long Beach border to satiate appetites.
The Loizides family is expanding its 10-year business into neighboring Lakewood, where the family plans to open its third eatery along Restaurant Row near Lakewood Center in early September.
The Loizides family, who opened George's in 1999, has restaurants at 5316 E. Second St. in Belmont Shore and at 135 Pine Ave. in downtown Long Beach
"We've been wanting to open a third location for awhile now, but we wanted to make the move first," said Jimmy Loizides, referring to the move last year from its original Pine Avenue location to its current digs down the street.
They were also looking for the right deal, he said.
"We were looking at spaces 1 1/2 years ago and everything was just too expensive," he said.
Lastly, the family wanted to expand, but remain a locally run business.
"Lakewood's perfect," he said. "It's close to the two restaurants and it just seemed like the perfect location. We get a lot of customers from that area, too, and it seems like that part of Southern California -- Lakewood, Cerritos, Bellflower, Downey -- are very underserved with it comes to Greek restaurants."
George's Greek will take over the space formerly occupied by Cafe Chin Chin, situated next to another business that began in Long Beach, Super Mex.
The Lakewood location at 5252 Faculty will have a full bar, room for banquets, and 160 seats, including a 60-seat patio area that wraps around the front of the restaurant.
Asked about expansion plans beyond Lakewood, Loizides has considered Huntington Beach and Newport Beach as possible locations. But for now, he wants to focus on Lakewood. The opening is set for September, but that depends on how quickly he can train the 40 employees who will be working at the new restaurant.
"That's our biggest priority," he said.
The Loizides family is expanding its 10-year business into neighboring Lakewood, where the family plans to open its third eatery along Restaurant Row near Lakewood Center in early September.
The Loizides family, who opened George's in 1999, has restaurants at 5316 E. Second St. in Belmont Shore and at 135 Pine Ave. in downtown Long Beach
"We've been wanting to open a third location for awhile now, but we wanted to make the move first," said Jimmy Loizides, referring to the move last year from its original Pine Avenue location to its current digs down the street.
They were also looking for the right deal, he said.
"We were looking at spaces 1 1/2 years ago and everything was just too expensive," he said.
Lastly, the family wanted to expand, but remain a locally run business.
"Lakewood's perfect," he said. "It's close to the two restaurants and it just seemed like the perfect location. We get a lot of customers from that area, too, and it seems like that part of Southern California -- Lakewood, Cerritos, Bellflower, Downey -- are very underserved with it comes to Greek restaurants."
George's Greek will take over the space formerly occupied by Cafe Chin Chin, situated next to another business that began in Long Beach, Super Mex.
The Lakewood location at 5252 Faculty will have a full bar, room for banquets, and 160 seats, including a 60-seat patio area that wraps around the front of the restaurant.
Asked about expansion plans beyond Lakewood, Loizides has considered Huntington Beach and Newport Beach as possible locations. But for now, he wants to focus on Lakewood. The opening is set for September, but that depends on how quickly he can train the 40 employees who will be working at the new restaurant.
"That's our biggest priority," he said.
Refinery worker-turned-business owner Eleno Machuca is opening a new neighborhood coffeehouse downtown on Saturday, July 18.
Machuca will celebrate the grand opening of Birdcage Coffeehouse at noon Saturday at 224 W. Fourth St., around the corner from the newly refurbished Varden Hotel on Pacific Avenue.
A downtown resident since 2001, Machuca worked 15 years at Unocal 76, saving enough money to pursue his dream of running his own coffeehouse.
The business will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more, call 562-628-9835.
Machuca will celebrate the grand opening of Birdcage Coffeehouse at noon Saturday at 224 W. Fourth St., around the corner from the newly refurbished Varden Hotel on Pacific Avenue.
A downtown resident since 2001, Machuca worked 15 years at Unocal 76, saving enough money to pursue his dream of running his own coffeehouse.
The business will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more, call 562-628-9835.
Three new businesses are opening at a shopping center in Central Long Beach.
Phnom Pich Jewelry, Roma Pizza and K's Coin Laundry are opening for business in the Phnom Pich Center at Anaheim Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, 6th District Councilman Dee Andrews' office announced today.
"I am very excited about the opening of this center and I hope that my neighbors can join me in supporting these businesses," Andrews said.
The councilman on Saturday (July 18) will host a grand opening event of the privately funded shopping center owned and designed by sisters Kathy Lor and Bopha Song, who have been working on their "dream project" for more than five years.
"We are very excited that the Grand Opening has finally arrived," Song said.
"We could not have chosen a better city to open our business," Lor said. "We really love Long Beach and everyone has been so supportive."
The grand opening event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1000-1006 E. Anaheim St. in Long Beach. For more information on the event call Tonya Martin at Andrews' office at 562-570-6816.
Phnom Pich Jewelry, Roma Pizza and K's Coin Laundry are opening for business in the Phnom Pich Center at Anaheim Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, 6th District Councilman Dee Andrews' office announced today.
"I am very excited about the opening of this center and I hope that my neighbors can join me in supporting these businesses," Andrews said.
The councilman on Saturday (July 18) will host a grand opening event of the privately funded shopping center owned and designed by sisters Kathy Lor and Bopha Song, who have been working on their "dream project" for more than five years.
"We are very excited that the Grand Opening has finally arrived," Song said.
"We could not have chosen a better city to open our business," Lor said. "We really love Long Beach and everyone has been so supportive."
The grand opening event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1000-1006 E. Anaheim St. in Long Beach. For more information on the event call Tonya Martin at Andrews' office at 562-570-6816.
Robert Garcia hopes so.
The 1st District City Councilman is trying to close the gap on a deal to bring a Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market to downtown. In a mass e-mail delivered Monday afternoon, Garcia is rallying residents to write letters supporting the move to City Place.
Here's the letter:
The 1st District City Councilman is trying to close the gap on a deal to bring a Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market to downtown. In a mass e-mail delivered Monday afternoon, Garcia is rallying residents to write letters supporting the move to City Place.
Here's the letter:
Dear Neighbor:
When I was President of the North Pine Neighborhood
Alliance, one of our top priorities was to recruit a
quality market to the Downtown. During the City
Council campaign, I promised that we would work hard
to recruit a Trader Joe's, a Whole Foods or a Fresh
& Easy Neighborhood Market.
Well, I am proud to say that we are VERY CLOSE
to signing a lease for a Fresh & Easy Market in the
Downtown!
Fresh & Easy is interested in moving into the City
Place Shopping Center in the First Council District.
This is extremely important for the future
development of Downtown Long Beach. The Fresh & Easy
would serve as a key anchor that would open up new
opportunities for quality retail.
I need your help. Click on
www.RobertGarcia.com/
Please submit your letter of support by this Friday (July 17),
and feel free to call my office at (562) 570-6919 if
you have any questions.
I look forward to continue working with the
community, the Long Beach Chamber, the Downtown Long
Beach Associates and other organizations to continue
efforts to attract jobs to the First District. Also,
for all Trader Joe's fans, we are still working hard
to bring a store to the area...
We are going to build a better
Downtown together.
Go Long Beach!
Robert
Eager to leave the day's stresses? Or perhaps thinking of other ways --- besides alcohol --- to ease out of a long work day?
The consider this month's Community Happy Hour sponsored by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, happening this Thursday (July 16) at Everyday Zen Relaxation Studio.
The free event will feature demos from a masseuse, an esthetician, a Shaman and a Reiki Master. A harpist will play some soothing tunes as well. It's also a chance to meet business owners and win door prizes. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 3740 Atlantic Ave. Ste. 201.
For more info, e-mail info@bixbyknollsinfo.com or call 562-595-0081.
The consider this month's Community Happy Hour sponsored by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, happening this Thursday (July 16) at Everyday Zen Relaxation Studio.
The free event will feature demos from a masseuse, an esthetician, a Shaman and a Reiki Master. A harpist will play some soothing tunes as well. It's also a chance to meet business owners and win door prizes. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 3740 Atlantic Ave. Ste. 201.
For more info, e-mail info@bixbyknollsinfo.com or call 562-595-0081.
When a customer involved with the Susan G. Komen organization asked for help, Michael's On Naples owner Michael Dene stepped up to help the breast cancer advocacy group.
Dene, who is hosting the Dine Out For The Cure fundraiser at his restaurant on Wednesday, July 15, has been personally affected by the disease. His wife of 47 years, Patricia, and his 97-year-old mother are breast cancer survivors.
"What family has not been affected by this devastating disease," he said. "We are completely in support of the Susan G. Komen organization as it provides the medically underserved and uninsured populations in LA County with screening, diagnostics and treatment for breast cancer. On behalf of the entire staff, we're glad to do our part."
Ten percent of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit.
Patricia Dene, who was diagnosed in 1995 with a 20 percent chance at survival, said the ristorante is doing its part by following the Slow Food Movement, which encourages back-to-the-basics cooking with organic produce and artisanal processes.
"I feel that breast cancer, as with many cancers, are an environmental concern, and I do believe it's what we eat and what we drink and what we breathe in that's causing this," she said. "We want to raise awareness for all cancer patients and Michael's on Naples can contribute to that."
Call 562-438-7080 to RSVP.
Michael's on Naples is one of 16 restaurants in Los Angeles County participating in Dine Out for the Cure. For more about the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, visit www.komenlacounty.org or call 310-575-3011.
Here's a list of participants:
BLVD 16 at the Palomar Hotel (Breakfast, Dinner) - Westwood
Café Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel (Lunch, Dinner) - Beverly Hills
Cézanne at Le Merigot Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) - Santa Monica
Ford's Filling Station (Dinner) - Culver City
La Grande Orange Café (Dinner) - Pasadena
Michael's On Naples (Dinner) - Long Beach
Roy's: Downtown LA (Lunch, Dinner), Pasadena (Dinner), Woodland Hills (Dinner)
Rush Street (Lunch, Dinner, Lounge Reception) - Culver City
The Gardens on Glendon (Lunch) - Westwood
The Madison (Dinner) - Long Beach
The Organic Panificio Cafe (Lunch, Dinner) - Marina del Rey
The Waterfront Restaurant (Dinner) - Marina del Rey
The Zinc Lounge at the Shade Hotel (Lunch, Dinner) - Manhattan Beach
West Restaurant & Lounge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) - Brentwood
Dene, who is hosting the Dine Out For The Cure fundraiser at his restaurant on Wednesday, July 15, has been personally affected by the disease. His wife of 47 years, Patricia, and his 97-year-old mother are breast cancer survivors.
"What family has not been affected by this devastating disease," he said. "We are completely in support of the Susan G. Komen organization as it provides the medically underserved and uninsured populations in LA County with screening, diagnostics and treatment for breast cancer. On behalf of the entire staff, we're glad to do our part."
Ten percent of the evening's proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit.
Patricia Dene, who was diagnosed in 1995 with a 20 percent chance at survival, said the ristorante is doing its part by following the Slow Food Movement, which encourages back-to-the-basics cooking with organic produce and artisanal processes.
"I feel that breast cancer, as with many cancers, are an environmental concern, and I do believe it's what we eat and what we drink and what we breathe in that's causing this," she said. "We want to raise awareness for all cancer patients and Michael's on Naples can contribute to that."
Call 562-438-7080 to RSVP.
Michael's on Naples is one of 16 restaurants in Los Angeles County participating in Dine Out for the Cure. For more about the Los Angeles County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, visit www.komenlacounty.org or call 310-575-3011.
Here's a list of participants:
BLVD 16 at the Palomar Hotel (Breakfast, Dinner) - Westwood
Café Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel (Lunch, Dinner) - Beverly Hills
Cézanne at Le Merigot Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) - Santa Monica
Ford's Filling Station (Dinner) - Culver City
La Grande Orange Café (Dinner) - Pasadena
Michael's On Naples (Dinner) - Long Beach
Roy's: Downtown LA (Lunch, Dinner), Pasadena (Dinner), Woodland Hills (Dinner)
Rush Street (Lunch, Dinner, Lounge Reception) - Culver City
The Gardens on Glendon (Lunch) - Westwood
The Madison (Dinner) - Long Beach
The Organic Panificio Cafe (Lunch, Dinner) - Marina del Rey
The Waterfront Restaurant (Dinner) - Marina del Rey
The Zinc Lounge at the Shade Hotel (Lunch, Dinner) - Manhattan Beach
West Restaurant & Lounge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) - Brentwood
Lots of things can be said about our City Hall reporter Paul Eakins: Kansas native. Mild-mannered reporter. Latin music aficionado.
Well, add taco lover to that list. Here is Mr. Eakins in his own words:
A local barbecue taco phenomenon is coming to Long Beach tonight (Thursday, July 9.) Kogi Korean BBQ-To-Go, which operates three taco trucks that travel around Los Angeles County, will have one of its trucks next to the Queen Mary tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. You can avoid that hefty parking fee at the ship, because parking is free for Kogi guests.
Apparently, Kogi has developed quite a following as people monitor the trucks' locations online at kogibbq.com and through Twitter. The crowd and line can get quite large, but I've been told that the tacos are well worth the wait. They're like traditional small Mexican tacos, but with a Korean barbecue flair.
Tacos are one of the best foods ever invented. I'm definitely going to try these tonight.
Well, add taco lover to that list. Here is Mr. Eakins in his own words:
A local barbecue taco phenomenon is coming to Long Beach tonight (Thursday, July 9.) Kogi Korean BBQ-To-Go, which operates three taco trucks that travel around Los Angeles County, will have one of its trucks next to the Queen Mary tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. You can avoid that hefty parking fee at the ship, because parking is free for Kogi guests.
Apparently, Kogi has developed quite a following as people monitor the trucks' locations online at kogibbq.com and through Twitter. The crowd and line can get quite large, but I've been told that the tacos are well worth the wait. They're like traditional small Mexican tacos, but with a Korean barbecue flair.
Tacos are one of the best foods ever invented. I'm definitely going to try these tonight.
The Women's Financial Literacy, Business and Tax Seminar will take place on Friday, July 10, at the Long Beach Groundwater Treatment Plant.
Discussion topics include state and federal resources to enhance small businesses and tax compliance, staying in business during difficult times and career and financial planning in the current economy.
The free event will take from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2950 Redondo Ave., near Spring Street. Parking also is free. Call Audrey Noda at 213-833-6010 or Helene Ansel 562-495-4766 or email helene.ansel@senate.ca.gov for more information or to RSVP.
Discussion topics include state and federal resources to enhance small businesses and tax compliance, staying in business during difficult times and career and financial planning in the current economy.
The free event will take from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2950 Redondo Ave., near Spring Street. Parking also is free. Call Audrey Noda at 213-833-6010 or Helene Ansel 562-495-4766 or email helene.ansel@senate.ca.gov for more information or to RSVP.
Boats, bands and bikini-clad women will help kick off Powerfest Thursday on Pine Avenue July 9.
The second annual event along Pine between Broadway and Fourth Street launches this weekend's Powerfest Boat Races from Long Beach to Catalina.
Two giant pools will be built in the middle of Pine Avenue, where riders will perform mid-air stunts for round one of the Wakeboard Rail Jam Stunt Show starting at 6 p.m.
At 7 p.m. at the main stage, a dozen women will strut their stuff for the Miss Powerfest Bikini Contest.
And at 7:30 p.m., LBC will perform their tribute to Sublime. A second Wakeboard Rail Jam show will close out the evening.
Throughout the event, fans can check out the two monster trucks and several race boats and watercraft that are on display and meet and get autographs from racers. Also, Red Bull DJ Judd Nester will mix it up.
The Downtown Long Beach Associates-hosted event is free. Visit www.downtownlongbeach.org or call 562-436-4259 for more.
The second annual event along Pine between Broadway and Fourth Street launches this weekend's Powerfest Boat Races from Long Beach to Catalina.
Two giant pools will be built in the middle of Pine Avenue, where riders will perform mid-air stunts for round one of the Wakeboard Rail Jam Stunt Show starting at 6 p.m.
At 7 p.m. at the main stage, a dozen women will strut their stuff for the Miss Powerfest Bikini Contest.
And at 7:30 p.m., LBC will perform their tribute to Sublime. A second Wakeboard Rail Jam show will close out the evening.
Throughout the event, fans can check out the two monster trucks and several race boats and watercraft that are on display and meet and get autographs from racers. Also, Red Bull DJ Judd Nester will mix it up.
The Downtown Long Beach Associates-hosted event is free. Visit www.downtownlongbeach.org or call 562-436-4259 for more.
A San Diego real estate developer and an online radio enterprise are staging the comeback of a major downtown music venue.Medina
Investments and Development and X1FM Network Radio on Monday announced
their $4 million effort to renovate the 1,100-capacity Vault 350 in
time to reopen in early 2010. (In fact, officials expect to open quietly in December to work out any kinks.)
Plans call for a multifaceted entertainment venue that would feature a new marquee, new stage lighting, upgraded video and audio components, new kitchen and restrooms.
Vault 350 also will serve as the flagship venue for X1FM, where musical content will be produced and broadcast worldwide live on the Web.
"It's a very great vision, and I think we have a pretty accomplished team here," said Medina Investments founder and president Rudy Medina. "We want to create an iconic venue. ... Long Beach deserves it and can support it."
Check out the rest of my story here.
A week or so ago, I wrote a story about the newly painted Shared Lane Markings, or sharrows, up and down Second Street in Belmont Shore.
For the story, I spoke at length with Charlie Gandy, the city's new mobility coordinator, about trying to transform Long Beach into a bike-friendly city. One aspect of our conversation revolved around bicycling's impact on economic development.
"In Texas, I was part of the Chamber of Commerce welcoming committee that showed executives from Silicon Valley places where their employees can ride bikes and run," he said. "It was selling quality of life."
Gandy cited desktop computer publishing software maker Adobe Systems, which moved its offices and some 500 employees into a new 300,000 square foot building near the Burke-Gilman bicycle and foot trail in Seattle.
"This is not an abstract concept related to economic development," he said. "It is a key selling tool. It's more than putting stripes on the street. ... It's showing motorists that bicyclists are executives of companies or teachers or next-door neighbors and some of them ride fast and some of them dawdle and all that is OK. But we ought to provide safe places for all those people to ride their bikes and the good news is, in Long Beach we have that infrastructure."
The recent Bike and Shop event for the grand opening of the new sharrows in Belmont Shore was one way to demonstrate bicyclists' economic power, Gandy said.
"If I can mobilize the bike community to show their financial clout in this town ... that will help us in moving this conversation forward," he said.
For the story, I spoke at length with Charlie Gandy, the city's new mobility coordinator, about trying to transform Long Beach into a bike-friendly city. One aspect of our conversation revolved around bicycling's impact on economic development.
"In Texas, I was part of the Chamber of Commerce welcoming committee that showed executives from Silicon Valley places where their employees can ride bikes and run," he said. "It was selling quality of life."
Gandy cited desktop computer publishing software maker Adobe Systems, which moved its offices and some 500 employees into a new 300,000 square foot building near the Burke-Gilman bicycle and foot trail in Seattle.
"This is not an abstract concept related to economic development," he said. "It is a key selling tool. It's more than putting stripes on the street. ... It's showing motorists that bicyclists are executives of companies or teachers or next-door neighbors and some of them ride fast and some of them dawdle and all that is OK. But we ought to provide safe places for all those people to ride their bikes and the good news is, in Long Beach we have that infrastructure."
The recent Bike and Shop event for the grand opening of the new sharrows in Belmont Shore was one way to demonstrate bicyclists' economic power, Gandy said.
"If I can mobilize the bike community to show their financial clout in this town ... that will help us in moving this conversation forward," he said.
About the Blogger
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
Telegram
in April 2002 as a beat reporter, covering the cities of
Lakewood, Bellflower and Paramount. She now covers business,
specifically redevelopment, tourism and small businesses.
She also writes Eye on Redevelopment, a monthly column that
appears in the Business Monday section.
E-mail Karen at karen.robes@presstelegram.com.
