June 2010 Archives

Readers of all ages are invited to join the Summer Reading Program at their Long Beach Public Library.

The summer reading programs began June 17 and will continue early August.

Kids who sign up at their local library receive a reading folder to record "minutes read" and the titles of the books they read. Young readers can earn new books, which are provided by Molina Healthcare's Book buddies program.

Free weekly children's activities are offered at all 12 libraries, including craft programs, magic shows, nature programs and science workshops. The programs are funded by the Helen Fuller Cultural Carrousel.

In addition, Musical Theater West, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra will be providing programs at the libraries.

This year, the traditional summer program has expanded to include teens and adults.

Both teens and adults can access online book review forms from the library's website. By bringing in their book reviews, readers can earn a chance to win one of a number of prizes donated by local businesses. Teen readers can also participate in summer crafts programs.

Surf over to the library's website at www.lbpl.org for more details and for a roster of summer programs.

Attention, history buffs!

Discover Long Beach's historic gems on the third Saturday of most months.

Long Beach Heritage is hosting walking tours, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The journey of discovery begins in front of the WPA Mural at the north end of the Promenade.

The Walking Tour Program, according to organizers, fosters preservation advocacy and education throughout Long Beach. The average distance covered is about 1.5 miles, at a moderate walking pace. A few of the building included on the tour: WPA Mural, Insurance Exchange Building, the Breakers, the Wilmore building, Farmers & Merchants Bank, First National Bank, Security Bank Building.
There's a $10 donation for adults.

RSVP: Reserve at least three (3) days in advance. Pay through PayPal at www.lbheritage.org or call 562.493-7019 for other payment options, or if making reservations less than three days in advance.

Parking is free until noon at the parking structure at Third Street & Promenade.

Long Beach Heritage is a non-profit education and advocacy group promoting public knowledge and preservation of significant historic and architectural resources and the cultural heritage of Long Beach. Net proceeds for this event will benefit and support the Historic Bembridge House.

The Fourth of July can be a frightening time for animals.

Loud firecrackers and fireworks often send pets scurrying out of the house or yard in search of security or shelter, and Long Beach Animal Care Services officials remind animal owners to follow a few suggestions to avoid heartache and anxiety:

-- Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area. DO NOT tether an animal, officials warn, because it can lead to more harm or an accidental death.

-- Double check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape.
 
-- Make certain pets are wearing identification,tags, including the name and current telephone number of owner.

-- Anyone who loses a pet in Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Signal Hill or Cerritos should visit www.petharbor.com or the city's pet lost and found online at www.longbeach.gov/acs. If you do not find your pet online, visit the local shelter on Wednesday, July 7, between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., at 7700 E. Spring St.

The shelter will be closed July 4-6, but Animal Control officers will be responding 24-hours a day to emergency calls, such as stray and injured animals, and animals that have bitten or scratched others.

Animal Care staff will contact owners of lost pets that have identification tags or microchips. Animals with identification will be held at the Village for 14 days, pending being claimed by their owner. Animals without identification will be held for a minimum of six days before being evaluated for adoption.

The shelter is open to the public Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter is closed on Monday, Tuesday and all holidays. For Animal Care Services or more details, call 570-PETS (7387). After-hours emergency phone calls are automatically transferred to the Fire Department for dispatch service.

For more details, contact the Animal Care Services Bureau at 562.570.7387 or visit www.longbeach.gov/acs.

The West East Side Community Association is kicking off the summer with its regular monthly meeting and clean-up and capped by the annual Block Party and Skate Jam.

The group's monthly meeting will be held Thursday June 24th at 6:30 p.m. at Lee Elementary School and include, among other things, updates on the weekend festivities.

The United Cambodian Community, 2201 E. Anaheim St., will be the staging area for the monthly clean-up Saturday, June 26 from 8 a.m. until noon. Water and gloves will be provided and people with trucks are particularly urged to help. A city trash truck will also be on hand and tire and e-waste (anything with a cord) will be accepted.

The clean-up will be followed by WESCA's popular Block Party/Skate Jam at Orizaba Park. The summer kick-off event for area children and families. The event will feature pro skaters doing demos, music, arts and crafts, and hot dogs provided for and cooked by police. There will also be an opportunity drawing and giveaways of sports equipment.

Long Beach Organic is celebrating the onset of summer with its second annual Summer Solstice Celebration, Saturday, June 19, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Wild Oats Community Garden on 10th Street between Loma and Grand avenues.

Tours of the garden, music, artisan products and organic food will be available.

Residents are invited to enjoy one of the longest days of the year Saturday by participating in the third annual Summer Solstice Stroll at Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 N. Virginia Rd. Participants are encouraged to arrive early. The 3.5-mile stroll through the neighborhood will depart at 6:30 p.m.

Sorry, no dogs allowed.

After the stroll, ice cream, cookies, watermelon and cold drinks will be available. Participants can then sit on the lawn or stroll the gardens and enjoy the evening. The rancho will be open for self-guided tours.
 
Information is available at info@bixbyknollsinfo.com

The regular monthly meetinf for the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance ( WANA ) is Monday, June 21 at 7 p.m. at  Veterans Park Community Center, 101 East 28th Street.

Felton Williams will be the featured speaker and provide an update on issues at the Long Beach Unified School District. Also the Redevelopment Agency will talk about improvements along Pacific Avenue in Wrigley Village and the re-modeling plans for 520 Willow - the "Swap Meet" building between Daisy and Magnolia.

Long Beach is set to launch a new homebuyer financial assistance program Saturday.

 The Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2) First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program will provide up to $200,000 in silent second mortgage loans to assist qualified first-time homebuyers in purchasing a home.

Participants may also qualify for up to $40,000 in grant funding to fix code-related violations, make energy-efficiency improvements and assist with closing costs.

To introduce the NSP2 Program, Long Beach is hosting a kick-off event, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The event will take place at The Grand Long Beach Event Center, 4101 E. Willow St., Free onsite parking is available.

"Participants in the Program not only get financial assistance, but also help with navigating the home buying process, finding reputable lenders and realtors, and locating homes for their families," said Dale Hutchinson, Housing Operations officer for Long Beach.

Attendance to the kick-off event is a requirement to be able to participate in the First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program, said Hutchinson.

Residents interested in NSP2 are asked to RSVP at 562.570.6949.

The Music Center of Los Angeles County has launched its nomination process for the Annual Bravo Award, honoring teachers and schools for exemplary arts education.

The Music Center Bravo Awards program, established in 1982, recognizes teachers and schools for innovation and excellence in arts education. It honors educators who use the arts to revitalize teaching, enhance student achievement and foster self-esteem, teamwork and cross-cultural communication and understanding.

Teachers and schools can be nominated in four categories: School, School Arts Program, Generalist Teacher, and Arts Specialist Teacher.

In order to be considered for a Bravo Award, arts educators must first be nominated by principals, faculty committees, superintendents, parents or through self-nomination.

Nominations forms are available at www.musiccenter.org/education or by calling (213) 972-3387. The deadline is Oct. 15, and completed applications are due Nov. 1.

Upon completing an application, nominees will participate in an extensive review process, including site visits and feedback by the judging committee, as well as an invitation to participate in a winter forum addressing key topics in arts education. All Bravo Awards applicants will be recognized at an event to be held at the Music Center in spring 2011.

The Annual Juneteenth Celebration is scheduled for  Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on June 19.

Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, along with the Long Beach Ministers Alliance, Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Weed & Seed Program, and the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach is hosting the event at 1950 Lemon Avenue, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 "I am calling out to all my neighbors to join me for this community celebration in honor of our freedom," Andrews said in a prepared statement. "Let this celebration remind us that together we can overcome any obstacle."

This year's theme is "Let the Children Sing," a tribute to our community's inspirational youth, with entertaining performances by local youth choirs and youth entertainers. The main stage entertainment is hosted by the Long Beach Ministers Alliance.

Included at this year's event is the Annual 6th District Domino Tournament with great prizes and a good ole fashion community BB-Q, with free food for the youth provided and prepared by the Long Beach Fire Fighters Local 372 and the Long Beach Police Officers Association.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that  Union soldiers -- led by Major General Gordon Granger -- landed at Galveston, Tex., with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.

This was two and a half years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official Jan. 1, 1863. The proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April 1865, and the arrival of Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to overcome the resistance.

Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. There will be live musical performances, free barbeque and a health pavilion, sponsored by St. Mary Medical Center, which includes free various health screenings.

Kids can enjoy a spectacular children's area with water games, jumpers and much more.

For more details, call Andrews' office at 562.570-6816.

Looking for a gift to give your paw-pal??

 "A microchip is the best gift you can give your animal this year", John Keisler, Animal Care Services manager, advises. "Every day, we are able to reunite pets with their owners because they have microchips, which last a lifetime."

The first monthly microchip and licensing clinic scheduled this summer is set for June 26. The Friends of Long Beach Animals are partnering with the city to provide animal owners with the opportunity to microchip their cats and dogs for only $10 (including registration).

Low-Cost Microchip Clinic
Center for Families and Youth, Houghton Park
6301 Myrtle Ave., Long Beach, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

This special offer is made possible by a generous donation of the Friends of Long Beach Animals, a local non-profit that is paying half of the cost of the microchip for one day only. Residents may also get their pets licensed. Costs include:

· $10 AVID Microchip (includes registration)
· $20 dog licenses (for altered animals)
· $90 dog licenses (for unaltered animals)

Animal Care Services provides monthly mobile licensing and microchip clinics throughout Long Beach. For more details, call 570-PETS (7387) or visit www.longbeach.gov/acs.

Animal Care Services is located at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach.

A pending hearing could be set soon for the revocation of the entertainment license belonging to Belmont Shore-based Club EVO.

 The actual hearing would be scheduled with a hearing officer to occur within 45 days of the passage of the City Council's Consent Calendar on June 15.

The entertainment revocation license hearing is open to the public and notice should be given.

A number of local faith congregations will will gather at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 607 E. Third St. Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. for a breakfast to honor Christian Outreach in Action (COA).
COA has spent more than 30 years in Long Beach helping the homeless and poor population by serving meals, distributing clothing, securing transitional housing and providing case management services.

Want to learn how the Long Beach Police Department dispatches 911 calls?

A free workshop on June 15 has been scheduled 5 - 6:30 p.m. at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library Community Room, 1401 E. Anaheim St.

Rich Funke from the city's 911 Communication Center will give a presentation on the dispatch procedures, including:

-- How the LBPD prioritizes and dispatches 911 calls.

-- How to communicate with dispatchers in order to have an effective police response.

-- And why dispatchers ask the questions they do.

The meeting is sponsored by Anaheim Street Community Police Center and MacArthur Park/Whittier School Neighborhood Improvement Strategy Area.

The workshop will be presented in English with Spanish and Khmer translations. Light refreshments will be provided, and free parking is available in the library parking lot.

For more information, email bryant.ben@longbeach.gov or call 562.570.1691.

Summer concerts by the Seal Beach pier begin July 7.

All concerts are free and at Eisenhower Park at the foot of the pier from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sept. 1. The final concert of 2010 will be on Saturday Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.

The concerts will also feature a "Vendor Village"  2 to 8 p.m. on each of the concert dates.

The chamber again expanded the band line-up, bringing a total of 10 concerts. The 10th concert will coincide with the city's Founder Day, which is a celebration of Seal Beach's 95th birthday.

The concerts are offered FREE to the community through sponsorships by Jim Klisanin of Baytown Realty and Alan Brawer of Verizon FIOS.

The Chamber Concert Series offers something for everyone:

July 7 - Sligo Rags: A mix of contemporary and traditional Irish and folk-themed music.

July 14 - Hollywood U2: Non-stop energy and stream of hits pay tribute to the greatest band of its generation.

July 21 - Robby Armstrong: Original music.

July 28 - Nobody Cares: 9-piece reggae/ska style band with a rhythm section.

Aug. 4 - The Kelly Fitzgerald Group: Songwriter and vocalist Fitzgerald leads this group with music steeped in rock, country and blues.

Aug. 11 - Emperors: A classic rock band.

Aug. 18 - Eddie Montana: Performers from three decades feature inspirational gospel, country and rock.

Aug. 25 - The Regular Guys: Distinctive brand of funk-blues, with great covers and many original tunes.

Sept. 1 - The Elm Street Band: Long-standing classic rock band, playing favorite tunes.

Oct. 9 - Sin Twins Rhythm & Blues Revue: An R & B  performance, complete with a horn section, offering tunes for singing and dancing.

Parking for the Seal Beach Chamber Summer Concert Series is available at the pier and costs $6 per vehicle.

For more details, call the Seal Beach Chamber at 562.799.0179; e-mail at director@sealbeachchamber.org or visit www.sealbeachchamber.org

Saving a 106-year-old house from demolition earned the Willmore City Heritage Association first-place honors in Neighborhoods, USA's Neighborhood of the Year Award 2010 national competition in the category of Physical Revitalization - Single Neighborhood.

The winning project saved the house at Third Street and Maine Avenue from demolition, moved and restored it, helped a local family buy it and removed two blighted, vacant lots from the neighborhood.

"Congratulations to Willmore City Heritage Association for this tremendous accomplishment," said Councilmember Robert Garcia, who represents the First District, where the house is located. "Their caring and hard work on behalf of this community and their commitment to historic preservation are inspiring, and they really deserve this recognition. We are lucky to have such great partners in our community."

The award was announced last month in Little Rock, Ark.

The Neighborhood Resource Center will host a reception to celebrate the win on Monday, 6 p.m., at 425 Atlantic Ave.

"Our work is an exciting example of how to turn around and revitalize aging inner city neighborhoods in the urban core and to allow for the development of schools or other public improvements without destroying the fabric, history and architecture that exists within these communities," Carrol Goddard, association past president (1998-1999), said in a prepared statement.

The two-story house was built in 1904 at the southwest corner of Maine and Third. Ninety-nine years later, the vacant and run-down house was moved to a temporary site to make way for Cesar Chavez Elementary School.

In July 2006, the house was moved to 419 Daisy Ave., anchored on two vacant and blighted lots. 

Willmore City Heritage Association secured a $350000 loan to rehabilitate the house, then sold the house to a neighborhood couple, who now live in it.

"It was a lengthy, expensive and complicated project that took five years to complete, but we have created a project that is a model for other cities and communities to replicate, " Cheryl Perry, past association president (2004-2009), said in a prepared statement.

Partnerships in the project included: Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, City of Long Beach Neighborhood Services Bureau, the Long Beach Water Department, Long Beach Development Services, the Jordan High School ACE Program, Blue Gecko Landscape Design, Friends House at Drake Park, Ed Gonzalez Landscape, Elena Munoz Handy Work, and Ed Gonzalez Painting.

This is the second time that the Willmore City Heritage Association has been a winner in the Neighborhood of the Year Award national competition. In 2004, the association was awarded 2nd place in the national Neighborhood of the Year contest at the Neighborhoods, USA Annual Conference held in Hollywood, Fla. The award, in the category of Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood, was given for a school children's safety project completed in cooperation with several partners including the Willmore Community Police Center, Madres Unidas, Girl Scout Troop #246, Edison Elementary School, United Cambodian Community, MTA, and the Neighborhood Services Bureau.

The Neighborhood Resource Center, according to city officials, has helped several Long Beach neighborhoods to compete for this award. In recent years, other winners in the competition from Long Beach include:

2009 - We Love Long Beach
Finalist, Social Revitalization/Neighborliness - Single Neighborhood

2008 - North Long Beach Community Action Group
Grand Prize Winner AND
First Place, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

2007 - Bluff Heights Neighborhood Association
Second Place, Multi Neighborhood Project Partnerships

2007 - Neighbors of Rancho Los Cerritos
Finalist, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

2007 - Stevenson/YMCA Community Leadership Institute Alumni
Finalist, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

2006 - Better Balance for Long Beach
First Place, Multi-Neighborhood Partnerships

2006 - Coolidge Triangle Neighborhood Association
Second Place, Multi-Neighborhood Partnerships

2005 - East Hill/Salt Lake Neighborhood Watch
First Place, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

2005 - Craftsman Village Historic District
Second Place, Physical Revitalization/Beautification - Single Neighborhood

2003 - El Dorado Park South Neighborhood Association
First Place, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

2002 - East Hill/Salt Lake Neighborhood Watch
Finalist, Physical Revitalization/Beautification - Single Neighborhood

1999 - Emerald Villas Homeowners Association
Finalist, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

1998 - Magnolia Industrial Group
Finalist, Social Revitalization - Single Neighborhood

Long Beach police would like to remind high school 0000 graduates and parents about the dangers of underage drinking.

Underage drinkers are more likely to involve themselves in unsafe behavior, or become a victim of a crime due to vulnerability.

The affects of alcohol impairs judgment, affects physical coordination, and may prevent one from maintaining control of their body, according to police officials. It may also result in poor decision making such as driving under the influence. And minors may become more susceptible to being victimized because they may be considered an easy target, police officials caution.

The LBPD is strongly encouraging graduates and their friends and families to plan celebrations with these  safety tips in mind:

Curfew: The city's curfew law will be strictly enforced. Section 9.58.010 of the Long Beach Municipal Code states: "It is unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years to remain in or upon any 'public place' as defined in Section 9.02.090, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. the following day."

Alternatives: Long Beach is offering a variety of summer programs, activities and classes for youth of all ages through the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, and in partnership with the Long Beach Convention & Visitor Bureau. Concerts and movies in the park are favorites and something a family can do together. For details, visit www.lbparks.org and www.100daysofsummer.org, call (562) 570-3100 or e-mail 100days@longbeach.gov.

North Neighborhood Library will be closed next Wednesday and Thursday for a special inventory project.

The branch, 5571 Orange Ave., will reopen on June 11 at 10 a.m.

The inventory will determine that all specialized technology is functioning accurately and effectively, ensuring the best possible service to all library users, officials said.

Library materials may still be returned in the library book bins, or in person at any other open Long Beach library branch.

 Libraries located near the North Library include: Dana Library, 3680 Atlantic Ave.; Bret Harte Library, 1595 W. Willow St.; and Ruth Bach Library, 4055 Bellflower Blvd.

For more information, visit www.lbpl.org