October 2009 Archives

I promise --- this is the last Halloween-related item until next year, but this one is for a good cause.

Dr. Fabiola Liendo of Somerset Family Dentistry in Bellflower is inviting folks on Monday, Nov. 2, to bring in their surplus Halloween candy to his office so he can send them to troops overseas as part of Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages to U.S. military

My colleague Kelly Puente interviewed the doctor, who is also using the event to promote healthy teeth.

"Ditch the candy, that's what we're saying," Liendo said. "Visiting your dentist twice a year and brushing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether would really give your teeth a boost."

  For every pound of candy, the dental office will be giving away a raffle ticket for prices including iPods and gift certificates for local restaurants. Each child will also get an electric glowing toothbrush.

The candy will be collected at Somerset Family Dentistry, 9426 Somerset Blvd., on Monday only from 3 to 6 p.m. The event is open for children ages 2 to 12 and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The candy must be unopened.
For information call 562-239-2194.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing Co. an $84 million contract to make additional avionics software upgrades to its B-1 bomber fleet, the company announced today.

Once a year, Boeing engineers in Long Beach and Oklahoma City deliver the newest avionics software for the Air Force's fleet of 66 B-1s.

Each software sustainment block includes changes to navigation; weapon delivery; radar; electrical multiplexing; communication/navigation management system software; and controls and displays.

Sustainment Block 14 is in flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, and will be delivered to the Air Force in 2011. Sustainment Block 15 will be delivered in 2012.
The new contract allows Boeing to begin work on Sustainment Block 16.

"We are honored to continue providing these upgrades to the Air Force and are excited about all the B-1 potential that will be provided with SB 16," said B-1 program director Mahesh Reddy said in a statement. "This major block will enhance the aircraft's color cockpit displays, data link, radar and navigation in ways that will significantly improve B-1 aircrews' ability to execute their missions."

4th Street Vine, along with other shops on Retro Row, are participating in a Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Drop off canned food donations in the box at the front of the store at 2142 E 4th St. from now until Nov. 20.

Usually, holiday promos start coming my way around Thanksgiving, but lately more and more Long Beach businesses have been filling my in-box with Halloween-themed events to attract customers. Here are some interesting events happening around town:

The latest one comes from the Bellflower Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring a Halloween Trick or Treat in Downtown Bellflower on Oct. 30. The event will run from 4 to 6 p.m. on Bellflower Boulevard between Flower and Oak Streets. Children will be able to go door-to-door to collect candy from local businesses on Bellflower Boulevard, and there will be games and activities set up in Friendship Square. For more information, call (562) 867-1744.

(Also, if you have time, swing by the Lakewood Sheriff's Station from 4 to 10 p.m. and experience the Haunted Jail. Costume characters will be on hand highlighting an evening of fun, food and games. For more information, call (562) 623-3500.)

Here are activities in Long Beach:

RETRO ROW
Merchants along 4th Street's Retro Row are planning zombie-themed offerings on Oct. 30 starting at 4 p.m.
At Lil Devils Boutique on 2218 E. 4th St., folks from Alive Theatre will host a complimentary Kiddie Zombie Makeup Clinic from 4 to 10:30 p.m.
At 10 p.m., the "undead" will convene at Portfolio Coffeehouse for the 10:30 p.m. 4th Street Zombie Walk.
The evening will end with a midnight showing of George A. Romero's original classic "Night of the Living Dead at the historic Art Theatre.
Also, Portfolio Coffeehouse at 2300 E. 4th St., Art du Vin at 2025 E. 4th St., Lola's at 2030 E. 4th St. and other merchants along 4th will offer zombie-themed drinks and Halloween surprises.

DOWNTOWN
The Downtown Long Beach Associates will sponsor a Frightening Free Halloween Festival from 8 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 31 at Pine Avenue and Broadway.
There will also be food and drink specials from nearby eateries, music by DJ Groovy Lu, a "hair-raising comedy showcase" by the Laugh Factory and a costume contest for Best Superhero, Best Villain, Best Female Overall, Best Male Overall and Most Outrageous. More than $1,000 in prizes will be offered.

NAPLES
Fancy something more romantic? Michael's On Naples will host its inaugural "Yelloween," an evening dedicated to Veuve Clicquot on Oct. 31. (François Clicquot, whose father started the label in 1772, left his widow in control of the company that eventually focused solely on producing fine champagne.)
A '30s French theme will be carried through the restaurant with items furnished by the house of Veuve Clicquot. The rooftop deck will feature jazz guitarist Bruce Baldwin.
"We're delighted to announce our inaugural Yelloween - Michael's on Naples version of Halloween filled with fine food, live music, seasonal cocktails and, most notably, a nod to the widow Clicquot," said the restaurant's General Manager Massimo Aronne. "Whether you come in street clothes or are dressed up for the occasion, we welcome the public to our celebration."
The special 3-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef David Coleman is $40.
Guests may order Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV for $12 by the flute, $60 by the bottle. Autumn-themed martinis (e.g., orange chocolate, cider, pumpkin and spice apple) will be served for $10. Call (562) 439-7080 to RSVP.

Rep. Linda Sánchez, D-Lakewood, introduced a bi-partisan resolution calling for the observance of a National Labor History Month to honor the labor movement's heritage and its contributions to America's history, including the labor leaders who fought to end racial discrimination against African-Americans working in the defense industry and Cesar Chávez' United Farmworkers Union, who fought not only for labor rights but for equal rights for Latinos.

"Today, most Americans work in clean, well-lit, well-ventilated, air-conditioned workplaces," Sanchez said in a statement. "It is all too easy to forget the desperate conditions and treatment in which workers, including children and women, were forced to endure less than a hundred years ago. The labor movement played a leading role in ending inhumane and unfair practices."

Co-sponsored by New Jersey Republican Frank LoBiondo and 52 other members, the resolution highlights labor leaders' roles in fighting to end racial and gender discrimination in the workplace.

"In addition to fighting against the exploitation of workers, labor leaders also played a significant role in the civil rights movement, in the creation of the Social Security system, and in the growth of pensions, sick leave, paid vacations, and disability insurance," she said. "This bill pays tribute to those contributions so that the legacy of this struggle is permanently honored."

Belmont Shore Business Association will host a free "Art Walk Along 2nd Street" on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Businesses such as Blue Windows, Fern's Garden, Fingerprints, Olives Gourmet Grocer and We Olive will feature Cal State Long Beach graduate students, artists from individual boutiques, trunk shows, demonstrations and children's art.

The event, which starts at 11 a.m., is part of the citywide "I ART Long Beach" coordinated by GLOBAL (Greater Long Beach Arts Lab) established by the Arts Council for Long Beach.  Visit www.globalLB.com for more.

The Downey Chamber of Commerce will host its anniversary celebration mixer on Oct. 29 at Embassy Suites.

The free event from 5 to 7 p.m. will include refreshments, live entertainment and drawing. RSVP to the Downey Chamber at 562-923-2191.

The popular Long Beach Greek restaurant opened its third restaurant at 11 a.m. today in Lakewood's Restaurant Row near Lakewood Center.

The Loizides family, which opened George's on Pine in 1999, took over the space formerly occupied by Cafe Chin Chin, 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.

The family also has restaurants at 5316 E. Second St. in Belmont Shore and at 135 Pine Ave.

Johnny Rebs', the iconic barbecue place that rose from the ashes of a fire in 2007, is celebrating its 25th anniversary at its Long Beach location.

The restaurant at 4663 Long Beach Blvd., gutted by an interior fire in August of 2007, is brightly refinished, except for the occasional scorched license plates on the walls, and offering the revival of some original recipes, all you can eat specials and a grand prize drawing for a free weekly breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Johnny Rebs' was founded in 1984 by Cheryl and Larry Carter and the franchise has expanded to include restaurants in Bellflower, Orange and Victorville.

Check out www.johnnyrebs.com for more on the food and its history.

Two new businesses in Lakewood will host grand openings in the coming weeks, according to the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

Cash America Pay Advance at 4100 South St. will open at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 and The Oncology Institute at 3300 South St., Ste. 350 will welcome visitors at 4 p.m. on Nov. 4. Chamber members and residents are invited to attend.

For more information, call the Chamber Office 562-531-9733, e-mail info@lakewoodchamber.com or visit 24 Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood.

Long Beach Playhouse Executive Director Joan Van Hooten and Jan Ward from the West East Side Community Association will address business owners and residents at the monthly East Anaheim Business Alliance meeting, set for Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Cucina Picarelli Italian Restaurant.

Van Hooten will provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the historic theater. Ward will discuss WESCA's latest projects, including the annual Halloween Carnival.

Admission is $12. The meeting will be at noon at 5096 E Pacific Coast Hwy. Overflow parking will be provided by the Long Beach Playhouse (at E. 14th Street and PCH).

To RSVP or if you have any questions, please give us a call at 562-494-3800. Visit www.easba.com for updates.

Rep. Grace F. Napolitano, D-Norwalk, will host an employment fair Saturday, Oct. 24 at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera.

The free event will feature resources for veterans and those serving in the military, advice from experts and a chance to meet with local employers.

The event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6501 S. Passons Blvd. Call 562-801-2134.

Farmers & Merchants Bank and the Assistance League of Long Beach will be honored with Condit Spirit Awards on Nov. 21 by Community Hospital of Long Beach Foundation.

Named after former Long Beach Mayor Fillmore Condit, whose charitable gift in 1924 helped make Community happen, the awards spotlight the two groups' commitment to the hospital, which this year selected Farmers & Merchants Bank as their corporate honoree and the Assistance League of Long Beach as their community-based honoree.

The reception and silent auction at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner, awards, and live auction at 7pm. Admission is $175 per person. For reservations and more information, please visit www.conditspiritawards.com or call 562-494-0576.

PATENTAX® CLE will present a business networking mixer tonight, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation on "Your Tax Procedure Rights" at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Pacific Escrow Education Center, 6621 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Ste. 105 in Long Beach (behind building 6615).

Admission and parking are free.

HARRINGTON & HARRINGTON is the CLE/CPE sponsor. Cardinal Pacific Escrow is the educational facilities sponsor.

CLE/CPE Credit includes:
2.0 hours of MCLE credit for Attorneys
2.0 hours of MCLE TAX SPECIALIZATION CREDIT
2.4 hours of TAX CPE credit for CPA's and EA's

Accreditation Source:
(1) State Bar of California, Tax Specialization, Provider 15203
(2) Harrington & Harrington is an IRS Approved
Education Provider No. 672

Go to http://patentax.com/CLE for a map and more info or call 562-594-9784

The Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network is providing no-cost environmental safety and remediation training, thanks to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds issued through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

To learn more about the free training, individuals can attend a no-cost orientation session on either Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Thursday Oct. 20 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Center for Working Families, 1900 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach.

At this session, learn about hands-on skills training and how you can get industry certifications, learn life skills, resume writing, and interviewing techniques and receive job placement assistance.

Registration with Pacific Gateway is not required to attend the orientation sessions, but is required in order to register for the program.

Pacific Gateway offers free services to both businesses and job seekers. Visit www.pacificgatewayworkforce.com or call 562-570-WORK, 800-292-7200, or TTY 562-570-4629. 

The servers of Belmont Shore's La Strada Restaurant will celebrate the launch of their pin-up calendar on Oct. 6.

La Strada owner Lisa Ramelow said that the "La Strada Pin-up Girls 2010 Calendar," retailed at $15.95, was inspired by a longtime customer who died of pancreatic cancer in 2008.

Richard Hollingsworth, who was president of Gateway Cities Partnership, was a regular customer at La Strada, dining there with his wife most every Friday night for 12 years. (His daughter, Aoife, 23, has worked as a La Strada server for five years.) He died a year after diagnosis at the age of 55.

Ten percent of proceeds go to PanCAN for pancreatic cancer research. Calendars are already on sale online or www.lastradaon2nd.com/shop or in-store.

The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at 4716 E. 2nd St.

This year, the tradition of loading on pasta and other carbohydrates before the 25th Long Beach International City Bank Marathon is coming to Pine Avenue.

After years of heading to the Queen Mary, runners will come to downtown proper on Oct. 10 for the inaugural Pine Avenue Carbo Load co-sponsored by the Downtown Long Beach Associates.

Six restaurants -- George's Greek Deli, Smooth's Sports Grille, Alegria Cocina Latina, Sevilla, Hooters and L'Opera Ristorante -- will be offering distinct menus to fill runners up for the marathon or half-marathon.

Register by Oct. 3 and pay $20 per person and get a commemorative Pine Avenue Carbo Load t-shirt. After that, it's $22.50 per person. Visit http://www.dlba.org/restaurants.php to purchase meals.

East Village Association president and Downtown Long Beach Associates board member Richard Lewis announced today his intent to run for the Long Beach school board seat vacated in September by board member Michael Shane Ellis, who resigned from the Long Beach Board of Education Sept. 1.

The 12-year Long Beach resident and father of two said after this morning's DLBA meeting at the AVIA Hotel that he intends to file his candidacy papers Friday for the Dec. 29 special election to fill the seat.

"Hopefully I'll be able to do some of the stuff we've been able to do here, common sense stuff -- being able to listen to each other, being able to dialogue, coming up with good solutions," he said.

Lewis is the fourth person to announce an intent to run for the District 3 in downtown Long Beach. Also intending to run are Raymond Chavarria, John J. McGinnis and Pauline Gonzalez Stenberg.