December 2008 Archives

As Christmas dinner settles around our waists and the New Year's festivities subside, neighborhood groups will be rallying out of their holiday hangovers in the early going in 2009.

In Wrigley the two local neighborhood associations will be back in business.

The Wrigley Association plays host to its first meeting of the year Monday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at Veteran's Park, 101 E. 28th Street.

City Auditor Laura Doud will be the main speaker at 7:30 p.m. and will talk about money-saving issues in the current budget and tough economic times. Her presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance holds its meeting Thursday, Jan.  8 at 7 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Academy 2750 Pine Ave.

Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Shipske will present the history of Rosie the Riveter.

Long Beach officials plan on reaching out to community programs, examining their wish lists --- with a possible new funding capability from the state.

According to a report recently made to the council, Long Beach is expected to receive "an unspecified amount" of Public Educational Government (PEG) cable funds in January, due to recent changes in state law.

"A variety of programs that should be considered for funding include public access television, the arts, Channel 8 operations, vocational/youth opportunities, and public/private partnerships," the staff report stated.

Public input for the City Council will be gathered by the staff for possible future use of PEG funds.

Details are still pending on the outreach effort --- and the level of program funding.

In an effort to enhance usage of Long Beach shoreline  parking lots during the summer, the council has agreed on a pilot pilot program providing free overnight parking at two lots.

Beginning Jan. 1, there will be free overnight parking in the La Verne Avenue and Junipero Beach parking lots for a four-month period, ending April 30.

According to a staff report, the city implemented a paid overnight parking program a number of years ago, offering it at five lots: Alamitos Beach, Junipero Beach, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, La Verne Avenue and 54th Place.

This program was initially priced at $30 per month. The pricing was changed in 2007 to $25 per month if prepaid, and $30 per month if paid monthly with a credit card, according to the city staff .

There are currently 93 customers with overnight passes.

A great majority, 82, live in the 90802 zip code area, according to city staff, which believes that the only parking lot that now is significantly used for this program is the Alamitos Beach lot in the downtown area.

In an effort to determine if cost is a factor in the use of the lots, a four-month pilot program was launched.

Phil T. Hester, director of the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, advised the council that better use of the lots could have a positive financial impact on the Tidelands Operating Fund.

 More than 40 musical ensembles, choirs and dance companies will present a six-hour holiday spectacular Dec. 24.

The free show -- the 49th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration -- will be staged at at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center, from 3 to 9 p.m.

Several of the performances are from Long Beach, including Backhaus Dance, Dengue Fever and South Bay Ballet. Inspirational Voices of Free! is from San Pedro.

 Admission is free and also includes free parking under the Music Center.

 Reservations are not necessary.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m., and patrons may come and go throughout the six-hour performance.

Complete program information is available at www.holidaycelebration.org and (213) 972-3099.
A live broadcast of the holiday celebration is available on KCET.

<CF12>The votes are still being counted, but Belmont Shore residents seem to be opposed to a proposed Seaport Marina project.

The plans will soon be reviewed during the Long Beach permit process, and Belmont Shore Residents Association president Mike Ruehle has sent out an email questionaire about the project.

As of Dec. 22, 46 residents, slightly more than half of those responding, want the current zoning to remain, limiting; 10 approve six-story limit; 13 support 12-story buildings; five want to wait for the pending SEADIP study details; and seven decided to abstain from the informal association poll.

The developer indicates the plans to replace the existing low rise hotel with 6-story and 12-story buildings to include a hotel, condominium units and 200,000 square feet of restaurants and retail, according to Ruehle. This will require rezoning of this area to include residential uses. It will also require a variance from the city in order to exceed the maximum 35-foot height zoning requirements, he added.

The potential benefits include: The city may receive more sales tax and property tax revenue because more residential and commercial units can be constructed.

The potential detriments include: The zoning variance may set a precedent, allowing the surrounding area, including Marina Pacifica, Marketplace Shopping Center, Pumpkin Patch, Gaslamp restaurant and Golden Sails Hotel, to also construct buildings to the same high-rise standard, aggravating traffic congestion.

The poll ends Tuesday (Dec. 23).

The flu season could last until spring, so health officials encourage everyone to vaccinate against it.

 It's not too late, health officials emphasize.

"Many people mistakenly believe there is no benefit to getting a flu vaccine after November," Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Director of Public Health and Health Officer, said in a recent emial statement.

 "In fact, influenza activity does not often peak until after the start of the new year and can continue through March, so vaccinations received in December provide protection at the time when people are most likely to catch the flu," he added.

Each year, between 5 and 20 percent of the population is infected with influenza, a serious disease that can lead to complications including pneumonia, hospitalization and death.
For example, in Los Angeles County in 2005, flu and pneumonia complications led to over 2,000 deaths.

Yearly flu vaccinations are the best way to prevent influenza, health officials said. The vaccine can prevent 70-90% of cases in healthy adults under 65 years of age.

Health officials emphasized that the vaccine does not cause the flu.

 Free flu vaccines are available in Los Angeles County. To find a clinic, contact the county's information line at 2-1-1 or visit www.findaflushot.com

Local officials are putting out the word to encourage residents to volunteer for a couple of upcoming events.

In the Central Area, volunteers are needed to help stage the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Unity Parade Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 17.

The event is always popular and volunteers are needed to help with the parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and the celebration afterward at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.

Those interested can call Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews office at 562-570-4006.

Also searching for volunteer are organizers of the fourth biennial count of the city's homeless population Thursday, Jan. 29.

About 300 volunteers, in teams of three, span the city to count, talk to and offer service to the homeless.

The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for federal funds for the city's continuum of care for homeless.

A one-hour orientation session is recommended before the count. Information is available bac calling 562-570-4003 or on-line at www.longbeach.gov/health/fss/homeless_services/default.asp .

They're down to the stretch run now for the annual festivitives at the Daisy Ave. Christmas Tree Lane parade and celebration.

 Activities begin Friday, Dec. 12 with a house decorating contest.  Judging will take place at 7 p.m. with prizes to the top three houses between Willow to Hill streets and between Hill Street and Pacifici Coast Highway.

The parade will be staged Saturday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. between Hill and PCH.

On Sunday and the following weekend, there will be entertainment on the green at 20th Street and Daisy Avenue. On Sunday, Dec.14th at 7: p.m. the Silverado Samoan Youth Dance Group will perform, followed at 8 p.m. by Mariachi Juvenil Alegre.

On Friday, Dec.19 at 7 p.m. the Long Beach Police, Blue Steel Band plays.

On Saturday, Dec.20th at 7 p.m. Women of Note perform, followed by Jackie Robinson Academy at 7:30 p.m. and Ballet Folklorio Izamna at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, Dec.21, the movie "Elf" will play at 7 p.m.

Santa will be present to distribute candy canes from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on each of the entertainment nights. For more information contact Maria Norvell 562-427-5021 or e-mail : wrigleyalliance@msn.com

The Christmas Tree Lane parade is sponsored by the Wrigley Association, while the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Association oversees the decorations on the lane and the surrounding activities on the green.

Both organizations have house decorating contests.

Residents looking for activities to keep the kids engaged over the winter break should check with their local parks. The Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department is planning activities for kids of all ages during winter break this year.

Winter Break Day Camps are slated to run Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Camps are for youngsters, ages 5 to 12, at Stearns Champions Park, 4520 East 23rd St. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.  (Birth certificates required for 5- and 6-year-olds.) The fee for the camps is $90 per week, sliding scale available. Extended care is available from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an additional fee of $20 per week for either the morning or the afternoon session. The camps will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.  For registration information call Stearns Champions Park Camp 562-570-1685 and King Park Camp 562-570-4405.

The El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., will host Winter Break Workshops. Morning sessions from 9:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. are for 6- to 7-year-olds who have completed kindergarten.  Afternoon classes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. are for 7 to 9-year-olds. Fee is $9 per participant per workshop. Classes include Dec. 22 - Science Sorcery; Dec. 23 - Fool the Eye; Dec. 24 - it's a Bug's Life; Dec. 26 - Backyard Buddies; Dec. 29 - Weave and Wear; Dec. 30 - Migrant Monarchs and over-Wintering Wings; Dec. 31 - Yuck!; Jan. 2 - Sensational Serpents.  Space is limited.  Sign up early by calling the Nature Center at 562-570-1745.

Many parks are open for Winter Fun Days for extended hours with drop-in activities for ages 5 to 12 during the winter school break.  Call parks for specific schedule of activities and hours. Thhere is no custodial child-care provided. Sites will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.