April 2009 Archives

Several gay rights groups are to host a townhall meeting Thursday, April 23, to discuss possible strategies for when the California Supreme Court makes its upcoming decision on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the measure voters passed to ban same-sex marriages.
The event will be at the ART Theatre, 2025 Fourth Street, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Organizers will talk about how Long Beach can contribute to the statewide LGBT response to the decision, including canvassing and outreach programs and demonstration/march plans when the decision comes down.
Among the speakers will be John Ireland and several gay and lesbian couples featured in a campaign public service announcements aired statewide by gettoknowusfirst.org, that show the importance of same-sex marriages; Jenny Pizer, senior counsel and marriage project director at Lambda Legal and co-counsel in Strauss v. Horton, the LGBT community's challenge to Prop 8; and Tom Crowe and Ján Montoya, activists from Long Beach Equality who are organizing local response.
The event will also be available on-line at www.ustream.tv/channel/lb-equality-town-hall.
Informantion is available at www.centerlb.org.

 

The Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Ave., plays host to a free workshop Monday, April 20 to teach nonprofit organizations how to better win grants and funding.

John Glaza of the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership will lead the session from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Topics will include locating funding opportunities, who gives grants and differences in funding sources, tips for writing winning proposals and what grant reviewers look for when evaluating proposals.

It is asked that attendees send an RSVP to the NRC 562-570-1010 or e-mail Scottie Hinkey at Sharron_Hinkey@longbeach.gov. The workshop will be offered with translation in Spanish and Khmer.

 

After a popular debut a year ago, residents of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance are inviting residents to joing them in a guided walking tour of the Dominguez Gap wetlands on Sunday, April 19 at 1:45 p.m.

The Dominguez Gap wetlands are an important and diverse ecological area that is easy to miss amid the urban sprawl. At this time of year it is often awash in spring colors as California wild flowers are in bloom.

A $7 million project was the first of its kind in L.A. County and helped to restore the 52 acres of wetlands in the Dominguez Gap. It uses diverted water from the L.A. River that has both replenished the wetlands and cleaned polluted water. What is left is an important habitat for migrating birds and a scenic area for urban wildlife enthusiasts.

A tour guide will talk about the history of the area and its restoration and the different species of flowers and wildlife.

The tour is about a 2-mile roundtrip and will begin at the corner of Oregon Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard. Those attending are asked to show up early to register beginning at 1:15 p.m.

Street parking is available along Oregon Avenue and "Wetlands Tour" signs will be posted. Allow about 2 to 2 1/2 hours for the tour. Refreshments will be served at the halfway point.

A shorter walk will also be offered, beginning at the 3700-3800 block of Del Mar Avenue just north of Los Cerritos Park. That tour will begin at about 2:30 p.m., with registration starting ah half-hour earlier and should last 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

A donation of $5 per person or $7.50 for a couple or family is requested to WANA's Habitat Restoration Project at 19th Street and the L.A. River in the Wrigley area.

Information is available from Joan Greenwood at 562-599-0812 or by e-mail at wrigleyalliance@msn.com.

Parents seeking an evening without the kids, and without worrying about what the baby sitter might up to, are invited to be a part of Parents Night Out in Wrigley.

The event, sponsored by the Wrigley Association and Grace Lutheran Church, will provide licensed childcare, plus pizza, snacks and a movie, for kids from 3 to 10 years old on Friday, April 17 from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the church's preschool, 245 W. Wardlow Rd. A donation of $20 is asked. Proceeds will benefit the Wrigley Association and the church for its expansion of school. Information is available by calling Danny Amat at 310-210-6829 or by e-mail at wrigleyvillage@att.org.

 

Long Beach has been chosen as one of four cities in California in which the James Irvine Foundation will teach strategies to arts organizations in proposal writing and tips about applying the the Foundation's Creative Connections Fund.

The event is Monday, June 8, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd.

The free program is in three parts. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Grantseeker's Guide to Winning Proposals and The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing. Information is available from The Foundation Center-San Francisco at shu@foundationcenter.org or 415 397-0902.
Part One: Learn about the basics of writing a proposal
Topics covered will include:
The key components of a proposal to a foundation or corporation
How to package your proposal
Steps to take if a proposal is turned down
Part Two: How to apply to the Creative Connections Fund
A program officer from the James Irvine Foundation will provide an overview of the goals and priorities of the Creative Connections Fund, and how to make the most compelling case for support. Irvine staff will also be able to answer questions.

California arts organizations with annual revenue over $100,000 are eligible to apply and preference is given to organizations working outside San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Please see the Irvine web site <http://www.irvine.org/grantmaking/grantmaking-programs/arts-program/fundingguidelines/creativeconnectionsfund> for more details and to confirm your organization's eligibility.
Part Three: Learn about the basics of budgeting for a proposal
Topics covered will include:
What kinds of expenses are covered under "personnel"?
How do you determine an overall amount that is neither too high nor too low in relation to what you expect to accomplish?
What kinds of expenses should be included on the "overhead" line?

Long Beach health officials have set up town hall meeting for Thursday at the Miller Family Education Center.

The Health Department's public health town hall meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. The center is at 3820 Cherry Ave.

 Among the many potential topics: the safety of peanut butter or pistachios; coyotes around your home; dogs and cats reigning in your neighborhood; what to do about asthma and allergy attacks.

A city report shows that the 5th Council District has the greatest need for sidewalk repairs.
The district's needs represent 20.29 percent of the citywide need, according to the report reviewed by the council today.

The other districts have the following needs:

District 8 with 18.37 percent need.
District 3 with 15.53 percent need.
District 7 with 14.89 percent need.
District 4 with 11.14 percent need.
District 9 with  9.02 percent need.
District 2 with  4.87 percent need.
District 1 with  3.24 percent need.
District 6 with  2.64 percent need.

 

Bay Shore Library  will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on April 25.

Councilmember Gary DeLong and other guests of honor are expected at the 1 p.m. tribute, including the unveiling of artwork.

Entertainment will include live music and a DVD presentation of Bay Shore 'then and now.'
Free crafts for kids of all ages will follow the event. Refreshments will be served.

Parking is available but limited. It's two-hour metered parking for 50 cents.

Bay Shore Neighborhood Library is located at 195 Bay Shore Ave., Long Beach. For more information, call the library at (562)570-1039.

Steve Goodling of the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau will be the guest speaker at the monthy meeting of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance (WANA)  Thursday, April 2 at Jackie Robinson Academy, 2750 Pine Avenue, across the street from Veteran's Par. The meeting will run from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Free parking and child care are available. For further information call, Jill Hill at 562-599-1822 or email:  wrigleyalliance@msn.com.  

The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Association will stage its second annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 11, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on the green at 20th Street and Daisy Ave.

Also available for purchase will be baked goods to raise funds for the neighborhood group. There will be an Easter bunny, games, face painting, egg coloring and plastic eggs filled with coins, candy and prizes. Information is available at 562-599-1822.