January 2011 Archives

The community is invited to come out to Town Hall meeting and discussion on the proposed ban of plastic bags in local supermarkets.

The event is Saturday, Jan.29 at 10 a.m. at the Water Treatment Plant, 2950 Redondo Ave. and being presented by Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.

Panelists include representatives from Heal the Bay, the California Grocers Association, the American Chemist Council and the Sierra Club. Participants will address the effect of plastic bags on the environment, issues and concerns with the prohibition of plastic bags, and a discussion of viable options for Long Beach.
 

Community residents are invited to be a part of the Peace Makers Mural Community Painting Day beginning Saturday, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. at Seaside Park at the corner of Chestnut Ave. and Cowles St.
Under the guidance of local muralist Jose Loza, a painting depicting great spiritual will be created. It was feature Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, Mohatmas Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Harvey Milk, Mother Teresa, Robert Kennedy, Chuon Nath, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks and Dolores Huerta.

 

    "For Once In My Life," a documentary film about the disabled singers and musicians who make up the Spirit of Goodwill Band, will be aired Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the auditorium of the Long Beach Main Branch Library, 101 Pacific Ave. The free film will be followed by a panel discussion.

    The film is the latest in the series of monthly movies and panel discussions under the auspices of the Independent Television Service's Community Cinema series being showed at the Library.
    A national series, Community Cinema premieres movies in advance of their national broadcasting on PBS. The free screenings are shown in more than 60 communities nationwide. In Long Beach they are aired monthly on the last Tuesday when the City Council is not in session.
    "For Once In My Life" is described as a film that "challenges preconceived notions about what it means to be disabled."

     The story revolves around the 28-member Spirit of Goodwill Band, "about "a unique assembly of singers and musicians who live with varying degrees of physical and mental disability. They bond over their mutual love of music, and their fierce drive to improve and play to ever-larger audiences."

    The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Janet McCarthy-Wilson, President and CEO of Goodwill, Southern Los Angeles County; Chuck Scarpaci, Director of LINKS, Sign Language Interpreting Services; Helen Dolas, Founder and CEO of Arts and Services for the Disabled, Inc.; and moderated by Frances Emily Dawson Harris, community activist on disability issues.

 

     Rancho Los Cerritos is looking for volunteers to act, and we mean ACT, as living tour guides at its site on Virginia Road. Openings for other positions are also available.

     A 10-week training session for living tour docents will begin on Jan. 29.

     Anyone interested in learning about becoming a guide or other volunteer opportunities is urged to attend an informational  coffee and continental breakfast Saturday, Jan, 22 at 10 a.m. at the Rancho, 4600 Virginia Rd. For reservations and additional information, call the Rancho at 562-570-1755 or contact Jan Shafer at jan.shafer@longbeach.gov

    Here is what the Rancho people say about what they offer:

   "Discover the "actor" in you as a living history tour guide, learn about opportunities in the historic gardens, explore work on the historical collections and research needs, and see if your talents are a fit with our museum shop operations.  Staff and volunteers will also share information on the Rancho's educational programs and events, including our award-winning fourth grade school program Adobe Days Revisited,and our seasonal family activities:  Christmas Candlelight Tours, Summer Concert Series and Mud Mania.

This is a great way to make new friends, see how a museum operates "behind-the-scenes," learn about local history and antiques, and give back to your community in a meaningful way. 

Living History Guide Training starts Jan. 29 at Rancho Los Cerritos

Ever wished you could time travel?  Or perhaps you've always longed to have a conversation with a famous historical figure - or an ancient relative -to find out what life was like in their day?  

Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is seeking volunteers to "become" rancheros, housewives, field hands, sheepherders, cooks, gardeners, or housemaids, and then present these unique accounts of Rancho life to the general public.  

This 10-week training course will include a detailed look at Rancho Los Cerritos' history, architecture, collections and gardens.   Additionally, volunteers will select an historical persona and explore the world of living history interpretation through character development, storytelling, interactive games, and improvisation techniques.  By the end of training, our new living history docents will be so immersed in the customs, manners, morals and costumes of their chosen character and time period that they will be ready to share the Rancho's unique stories with visitors of all ages!

Living History Tour Guide Training begins on Saturday, January 29, from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm.  For additional information or to enroll, please call (562) 570-1755 or contact meighan.maguire@longbeach.gov ."

   Residents interested in learning about and maybe becoming involved in the California Endowment's Building Healthy Communities project are invited to attend a free informational session Wednesday, Jan. 26 at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Ave. from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

   Long Beach is one of 14 communities selected to participate in the Healthy Communities project, a 10-year, $1 billion program. The aim is "to improve health by improving employment opportunities, education, housing, neighborhood safety, unhealthy environmental conditions, access to healthy foods and more. The goal: to create places where children are healthy, safe and ready to learn. Ultimately, we're aiming at nothing less than a revolution in the way all of us think about and support health for all Californians."

   Within that broad framework there are numerous opportunities for projects and grants to fund community and other activities, workshops, etc.

   The Wedneday session will be presented by Rene Castro, vice president of programs for the California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) and Sandy Chiang, program officer for the California Endowment

   Among the items being discussed will be the vision behind the program, its boundary areas, opportunities for involvement and funding opportunties.

   RSVPs can be made to the Neighborhood Resource Center at 562- 570-1010 or by email Scottie Hinkey at Sharron.Hinkey@longbeach.gov 

   The workshop is presented in English with Spanish and Khmer translation available.

 

   Residents of the Wrigley Area can hear from Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert and receive an update on the Geophysical survey being conducted in town at the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance monthly meeting, Monday, Jan. 24 at Veterans Parkl, 101 E. 28th Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

   Coffee, deserts & other refreshments will be provided by WANA. Free parking and child care are provideed. Information is available by calling Maria 562--427-- 5021 or via email :wrigleyalliance@msn.com

The city of Long Beach Animal shelter invited animal lovers and residents to an open house Saturday. Here is the information provided:

 

2011 OPEN HOUSE AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
TO FEATURE STATE OF THE CITY FOR PEOPLE AND ANIMALS
January 22, 2011 10 AM - Noon)

The  City  of  Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau invites residents and
guests  to  its  2011  Open  House  from  10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday,
January  22,  2011.  Outstanding accomplishments of local organizations and
residents  will  be recognized as well as comments from the Vice Mayor Suja
Lowenthal

The  animal  shelter  is  located  at 7700 E. Spring Street.   All  residents, friends and guests are welcome to attend.  No RSVP is necessary.

"The  past  year was a tremendous year of growth and positive change," says
Ronald  R.  Arias,  Department Director, "the coming year promises to be an
exciting  year  for  building on the vision of becoming California's safest
large city for people and animals."

Over the past five years, the Live Release Rate at the shelter has improved
by  more  than 33 percent.  With over 10,000 new animals currently licensed
and  vaccinated in the City, nearly 500 more animals were adopted, redeemed
or  rehabilitated  at  Long Beach Animal Care Services than in the previous
year,  the  best results in over 20 years.  How did it happen and how do we
continue progress in 2011?

Residents  and  guests will be provided with a report card on the past year
as  well  as  an  overview  of  new  programs and technologies available to
residents in 2011.  Refreshments, tours and comments from residents will be
included.   Information  on animal adoption, dog licensing, spay and neuter
programs, and other animal care information will be available.

Further information regarding Animal Care Services in Long Beach, feel free
to   contact   the  Animal  Care  Services  Bureau  at  562.570.7387.  More
information about responsible pet ownership online www.longbeach.gov/acs.

City of Long Beach
Animal Care Services
7700 E. Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815

Contact Us:
animalcare@longbeach.gov
(562) 570-PETS (7387)
www.longbeach.gov/acs

 

 

Over the years, neighborhoods in Long Beach have gained national recognition for their efforts at revitalization and improvement from Neighborhoods USA.

If you or a group you're involved with has done something of note the Neighborhood Resource Center would like to talk to you and help. Here is information for those interested from the NRC.

Does Your Neighborhood Deserve National Recognition?

Does Your Neighborhood Publish a Fantastic Newsletter?

Neighborhoods, USA (NUSA)
Neighborhood of the Year
and Best Neighborhood Newsletter
2011 Competition Application Workshop

Wednesday, January 19, 2011
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
425 Atlantic Ave.

Learn more about the application and awards.  

Willmore City Heritage Association (WCHA), the 1st Place Winner
of the Neighborhoods, USA's "Neighborhood of the Year Award 2010"
national competition in the category of Physical Revitalization -- Single Neighborhood
will share their NUSA power point presentation and offer tips for success in the competition.

For NUSA Neighborhood of the Year applications, please go to www.nusa.org, or pick one up
at the Neighborhood Resource Center.

Application deadline: Tuesday, February 15, 2011

To attend, RSVP to the Neighborhood Resource Center at (562) 570-1010
or e-mail Scottie Hinkey at Sharron.Hinkey@longbeach.gov

This FREE workshop will be presented in English
with Spanish and Khmer translation available

The Central Project Area Committee kicks of 2011 with its first meeting of the new year on Thursday, Jan 6 at the Union Bank building at 1900 Atlantic Ave., 2nd Floor. Here is the agenda for the meeting.

 

CENTRAL LONG BEACH PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE AGENDA

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6546, Long Beach, CA 90806

Monthly Meeting
January 6, 2011

6 p.m.

Agenda

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Minutes for November, 2010

Comments: All Council Districts
All council districts or their representatives are invited to inform the PAC and guests
of any information pertaining to redevelopment issues.

Public Comment (3 min. per speaker)
Members of the public are invited to address the PAC on items of interest/relevance
within the PAC's jurisdiction.

14th Street Community Center, Jim Lewis and Developer

Long Beach Blvd. Task Force Update

RDA Staff Presentation

Chair Report

Old Business

New Business

Adjournment

Next Meeting:
February 3, 2011, 6 p.m.