July 2011 Archives

 The Bixby Knolls Supper Club is taking reservations for its next meeting, which will be Monday, Aug. 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Cafe Bixby and Pizza, 3900 Atlantic Avenue.

 Seating is limited to 100 so reservations are recommended at info@bixbyknollsinfo.com
 According to organizers "The Supper Club supports local restaurants on a Monday night which is typically a slow night. We come together to meet and eat and support the local economy."

 

 A free community pool day will be held at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Here's the flier:

The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association is hosting its monthly happy hour.

Here's the postcard:

The East Anaheim Business Alliance monthly meeting is upcoming. Here's what they have to say about what's on the docket:

 

"Please join us for our regular monthly meeting and luncheon at noon, Tuesday, July 26th at the historic Long Beach Playhouse located at 5021 E. Anaheim Street. There is plenty of parking behind the Playhouse.

This month, we are honored to have joining us as our guest speakers Jeff Williams, Executive Director of Leadership Long Beach and April Economides, Program Manager of the City of Long Beach Bike-Friendly Business District program.

We also will have regular updates from Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell's office and the Long Beach Police Department.

As always, our delicious buffet lunch (price: $12) will be prepared by Moon Dance Catering of Long Beach.

Because our luncheons are catered, we need to have an accurate headcount, so please RSVP as soon as possible by email at info@easba.com or by calling 562-494-3800.

We look forward to seeing you at the Long Beach Playhouse on Tuesday, July 26th at 12 noon.  Please feel free to visit their website at: www.lbplayhouse.org .

For all the latest news and updates, please visit our website at www.easba.com.

 

 Emergency and disaster preparedness will be the focus at the Anaheim Street Community Police Center's monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 19, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, 1401 E. Anaheim St. in the Community Room.  Free parking is available at the library parking lot.  Translation will be provided in Khmer and Spanish.

 Health educator Veronica Ornelas from the Public Health Emergency Management Program will give a presentation about disaster preparedness.  The workshop will give an overview of how to prepare for emergencies such as earthquakes. Topics will include creating an emergency plan for your family, tips on how to handle emergencies and preparing an emergency kit.

Information is available by calling Bryant S. Ben at 562-570-1691 or email bryant.ben@longbeach.gov

 

The West Eastside Community Association is having its monthy community meeting and clean-up this weekend. Here are the particulars provided by the group:

"THURSDAY July 21st at 6:30pm is the next WESCA meeting. Remember St. Vincent De Paul is the NEW LOCATION FOR OUR MEETING.  They are located at 2750 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, on the corner of 17th Street.  We will have Officer Claudia Lopez attending our meeting.  She is the mew Patrol Resource Officer for East Division and is fluent in Spanish.  We will also have a representative from Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell's office in attendence.
 On SATURDAY, July 23rd, we will have our monthly alley clean up.  This month we will meet at 2307 E 15th St.  We will start at 8am an have a BBQ at the end.  Water and gloves will be provided.  We especially need people with a truck to come out and help.
  Please try to be there at 8am so we can make the most of the trash truck that will be there at 8am."
 

Our friends at the Top of the Town send along this message about an upcoming event:

Dan Pressburg 12:08pm Jul 15 Citizenship workshop set for Saturday Long Beach. A citizenship workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday JULY 16 at First Friendships Preschool, 6650 Orange Ave. The event is sponsored by the NALEO Educational Fund, YMCA of Greater Long Beach, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), Human Rights Campaign, the Office of 1 st District Councilman Robert Garcia and State Farm Insurance. This workshop is onlyopen only to applicants who register in advance. registered in advanced. For more information call 888-839-8682 or visit http://www.facebook.com/l/2AQCPQ6RBAQCnFfb0cHmGnOH3t5ZlptlzwHPaB54OGkFxTQ/www.yaeshora.info. Ya Es Hora www.yaeshora.info

 A little more than four years after Cambodia Town was officially recognized as an area of Long Beach, the first street sign identifying the area will be unveiled Saturday, July 16 at 10 a.m. at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Anaheim Street.

 A program with traditional Cambodian practices such as blessings by Buddhist monks, a special ceremonial dance will be held.

 

 Dee Andrews will be swinging his hammer Saturday, The 6th District Councilman will participate in the demolitions of two former Central Area liquor stores that were purchased by the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. The events are at 10 a.m. and noon.

 The first demolition will take place at the former Sim's liquor store, 552 E. Willow Street. The second at the former Whistler liquor store, 941 Pacific Coast Highway.

 Refreshments will be served and the community is encouraged to attend.

 For more information, please contact Seyed Jalali at (562) 570-6172 or seyed.jalali@longbeach.gov.

 Kevin Wattier, general manager of the Long Beach Water Department, will be the guest speaker at the monthly 3rd District Neighborhood Association meeting, Thursday, July 21, 11:45 AM at the Long Beach Yacht Club, 6201 East Appian Way.

 

 Wattier will talk about changes in water restrictions now that the drought is officially over, the new billing system and water meter technology.

 Reservations for lunch should be made before Tuesday, July 19, to Julie Maleki 562-570-8756 or by e-mail Julie.Maleki@longbeach.gov . The cost is $15.

 

A free Family Health & Safety Resource Fair set for Saturday will focus pancreatic cancer.

The 10 a.m.-4 p.m. event, at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave., will be hosted by Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews, along with Desean Jackson, and his mother Gayle Jackson.

Over 10 different health screenings will be provided by St. Mary Medical Center and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

 In addition, there will be presentations highlighting health & safety with healthy eating habits, and open discussion about pancreatic, breast and colon cancers.

Desean Jackson, a Polytechnic High School graduate who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, lost his father to pancreatic cancer two years ago and wants to assist in getting the word out about this undetected disease.

The fair will also have free family activities such as games and face painting, with free healthy snacks provided by Whole Foods.

Enjoy outdoor yoga, stress relieving activities, breathing techniques, and spoken word performances out on the main stage.

 Participating sponsors of the event include: St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach Fire Department, Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine, Long Beach Department of Health & Human Services, Long Beach Public Library, the Port of Long Beach, Healthy Active Long Beach, WSS, Warehouse Shoe Sales, The Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach and the Peace Garden at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

 For more details, call 562.570-6816.

Residents are invited to use Smartphones to report graffiti, potholes and other issues during a "digital clean-up" Saturday.

Councilman Robert Garcia is spearheading the First District effort,  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 Volunteers  will canvas the downtown neighborhoods using their Smartphones and the GoLongBeach application to report graffiti, potholes, damage to sidewalks, illegally dumped items, and other issues for the city to address, according to Garcia's office.

"The GoLongBeach app has been incredibly successful, and we want to encourage as many residents as possible to use it," said Garcia in a prepared statement. "This is a way for us to take care of our neighborhoods, spend some time with friends and neighbors in the community, and use this great technology to make the city more livable."

The GoLongBeach app was created last year, based on a proposal by Garcia.

The app allows users to report code violations and other issues to the city with a Smartphone, such as an iPhone or Droid.

 Volunteers can take a picture of the problem, write a description, and track the issue to resolution. The application automatically records the issue location with GPS.

As of this week, there have been over 5,900 service requests submitted, with 5,500 closed. The most common request is graffiti removal, with over 2,660 requests submitted and over 2,530 closed. The next most common issues were pothole requests, with 900 submitted and 770 closed, followed by illegal dumped items, with 800 submitted and 780 closed.

To participate, meet at the Kress Market at Pine Avenue and Fifth Street, and bring a Smartphone with the GoLongBeach app.

Lunch will be provided, Garcia's office said.

The Seal Beach Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Saturday  at the intersection of First Street and Pacific Coast Highway.

The checkpoint will be operated 6 p.m. to 3  a.m.

 A DUI arrest costs upwards of $10,000, time in jail and the loss or your driver's license, including years of increased insurance rates.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  The office of 6th District Councilman Dee Andrews wants to remind residents of a number of free family events in the district this summer.

 These include:

 Movies In the Park
 Karate Kid, July 20th, at Veterans Park, starts at dusk

 Tron Legacy, August 3rd, at MacArthur Park, starts at dusk

 Yogi Bear, August 15th, at King Park Park, starts at dusk

 6th District Port Tour, RSVP REQUIRED, 6pm - 8pm, Thursday, July 28th 
 6th District Day at Martin Luther King Jr. Pool, Noon - 4 pm, Saturday, July 30th

 6th District Senior Water Exercise Classes, Tuesday, Thursday &  
Friday, 8 am - 9 am, Martin Luther King Jr. Pool

 6th District Evening at MOLAA, Museum of Latin American Art "Target Free Day at MOLAA", RSVP REQUIRED, 12 pm- 4 pm, Sunday, August 21st

 Concerts in the Park
Mambo Soul Salsa- Mambo and Latin Dance, 5 pm - 8 pm, Aug. 25th,at Vets Park

 6th District Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific, RSVP REQUIRED 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Thursday, September 8th

For more information call the Office of Councilman Dee Andrews 562-570-6816 or log on to his website page.

 

The Neighborhood Resource Center will be holding a potluck celebration for two neighborhood groups that won awards in the recent Neighborhoods USA contest in Alaska.

 The event will be staged Wednesday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at the NRC officers 425 Atlantic Avenue.

 Being feted will be Better Balance for Long Beach, which garnered the grand prize at the national competition. Also recognized witll the Central Neighborhood Advisory Committee (CNAC) and South Wrigley Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG) which combined.

 Also being recognized will be Best Neighborhood Newsletter Award Winners
Willmore City Heritage Association abd North Long Beach Project Area Committee

 Those attending can learn about these neighborhood groups' award winning projects and see the award winning presentations these neighborhood groups made to the judging panel.

 Resident are encouraged to bring a dish to share. RSVP to the Neighborhood Resource Center at (562) 570-1010  or email Scottie Hinkey at Sharron.Hinkey@longbeach.gov

 

The City of Seal Beach, will officially unveil its two new electric vehicle charging stations Monday, July 11, at 5 p.m. at the 8th Street Beach Parking Lot.

 The City received a federal grant from the Department of Energy for the stations which were recently installed. The stations can charge electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt.

 A city press release invites residents to "join us for the ceremony to see and learn about the electric vehicle sensation."

 

 Long Beach City Manager Pat West will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance ( WANA ) Monday, July 18, 7-9 p.m.at Veterans Park Social Hall, 101 E. 28th Street .  
 The event is free and open to the public. Coffee, deserts and other refreshments will be provided, Parking and on-site child care are free. For more information call: Maria 562 - 427 - 5021 or email: wrigleyalliance@msn.com.

 

 Councilman Dee Andrews announced that the Sixth District Youth Employment Workshop will start Friday at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

The free 10 a.m. workshop --  at the park's Social Hall, 1950 Lemon Ave. -- will focus on summer jobs for local youth, ages 16 to 24, while offering assistance in developing their career path skills.

 "As a young individual, obtaining and maintaining your first job can be very difficult. Workshops like this prepare youth with job readiness, placement and employment support," said Andrews in a prepared statement.

The councilman is joining in the effort  with Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network, City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation, & Marine and the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach,


Participants will have the opportunity to apply for a work program in a variety of entry-level jobs at government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, nonprofits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises and retail organizations. The workshop will include the chance to learn about summer jobs, year-round employment and career pathway strategies

 Area youths are invited to attend at 6th District Youth Employment Workshop presented by the Pacific Gateway and Hire A Youth, Friday, July 8, 10 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1950 Lemon Ave.

 Attendees can learn about summer job opportunities, year-round employment and career
strategies for youth.

I nformation call 562-570-6816

George Chapjian, the new director of the Long Beach Department of Parks Recreation and Marine, will be the featured speaker Tuesday, July 12 at the monthly meeting of The Good Neighbors of North Long Beach at Spires Restaurant, 1935 Del Amo Blvd., from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. 

Councilman Robert Garcia will host a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday with community youth for new basketball courts park at 14th and Locust Avenue.

The groundbreaking is set for 10:30 a.m. at the new urban courts, which feature a full size and half size court, just east of the Mike Green Skatepark that opened a year ago.

 The new urban courts also feature bleachers for spectators and all new fencing. The courts will greatly enhance the community that has traditionally lacked open space.

The courts are being funded by Los Angeles County, through the help of 4th District County Supervisor Don Knabe. The basketball courts received $140,000 from his Proposition A discretionary funding.

"These new courts will provide a great opportunity for local youth to participate in a healthy and safe activity," said Garcia in a prepared statement. "Along with the new skatepark, and the adjacent Seaside Park, we are building a great new center for recreation in the Washington Neighborhood."

Refreshments will be served.

Animal Care Services will provide a low-cost vaccination and licensing clinic Saturday to residents and pets at Houghton Park in Long Beach.

 No reservation is necessary, but only cash is accepted for vaccinations.

The low-cosst pet clinic is scheduled 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave., 562.570-7387.

A state licensed veterinarian will be onsite to provide the shots, and residents
can process their license renewals onsite.

For details, Visit http://scvvc.webs.com/ for a full listing of prices. Services available include: Dog Rabies: $7; Cat Rabies: $7 (or if preferred, "Purevax" Rabies @ $20); DHPP (DA2PP): $16 (dogs); Bordetella: $13 (dogs); Lyme: $22 (dogs); FVRCP: $16 (cats); FELV: $18 (cats); AVID Microchips: $28 (cats and dogs); Altered Dog License: $20 (half-price for seniors); Unaltered Dog License: $90 ; Altered Cat License: $10 (half-price for seniors).

Low-cost pet clinics are scheduled every month to provide Long Beach residents with a one-stop shop for vaccination, microchipping and licensing services. More details on clinics at http://www.longbeach.gov/acs/pet_license/microchip/microchip_clinic_schedule.asp

Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., is open Wednesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Village is closed on Monday, Tuesday and all holidays. Call 570-PETS (7387) for service. Visit ACS online: www.longbeach.gov/acs.

City officials and community activists launched the 2011 Long Beach Summer Night Lights project Tuesday.

Councilmembers from the 1st. 6th, and 7th districts, joined officials from Parks, Recreation & Marine and the Police Department, community-based and faith-based non-profit organizations and youth and community leaders for the kickoff.

The project is a 10-week, after-hours summer program designed to address youth violence in key neighborhoods during the critical summer, providing an array of stimulating and organized activities for at risk youth. There also is free food, athletic leagues, arts & culture projects, parent empowerment workshops, family-fun night activities, health screenings and neighborhood improvement efforts.

One new campaign encourages residents who live near the three Summer Night Lights parks to turn on their porch lights to help ensure that youth and families get home safely in the evening after the program hours.

Summer Night Lights will operate to Sept. 9, Monday through Friday, 6 to 9 p.m., at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Drake Park, and Admiral Kidd Park.

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

The loud sounds of firecrackers and fireworks often sending pets scurrying out of the house or yard in search of security or shelter.

 Long Beach Animal Care Services reminds all animal owners that their pets can be spared a high degree of  anxiety by following a few suggestions:

-- Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area (never tether an animal 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, including the name and current telephone number of the owner

Anyone who loses an animal 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 cannot find your pet online, visit the local shelter in person on Wednesday, July 6, between  10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., at 7700 E. Spring St.

The shelter will be closed July 4 and 5, 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 information, call 570-PETS (7387). After-hours emergency phone calls for services are automatically transferred to the Fire Department for dispatch service.

For further information regarding Animal Care Services in Long Beach, feel free to contact the Animal Care Services Bureau at 562.570.7387. For more information about responsible pet ownership visit www.longbeach.gov/acs.

 The Neighborhood Resource Center will be holding a potluck celebration for two neighborhood groups that won awards in the recent Neighborhoods USA contest in Alaska.

 The event will be staged Wednesday, July 13, at 6 p.m. at the NRC officers 425 Atlantic Avenue.

 Being feted will be Better Balance for Long Beach, which garnered the grand prize at the national competition. Also recognized witll the Central Neighborhood Advisory Committee (CNAC) and South Wrigley Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG) which combined.

 Also being recognized will be Best Neighborhood Newsletter Award Winners
Willmore City Heritage Association abd North Long Beach Project Area Committee

 Those attending can learn about these neighborhood groups' award winning projects and see the award winning presentations these neighborhood groups made to the judging panel.

 Resident are encouraged to bring a dish to share. RSVP to the Neighborhood Resource Center at (562) 570-1010  or email Scottie Hinkey at Sharron.Hinkey@longbeach.gov

 

 With a hot weekend forecast and summer swinging into full gear, the Department of Health and Human Services wants to remind people to be prepared the handle the heat. The organization is releasing its seasonal reminders of ways to deal with the heat.

 Here are their suggestions and precautions:

 Long Beach would like to remind our residents to be safe and practice heat
precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illness and injury,
especially while participating in outdoor activities. The elderly, people with chronic illnesses, infants and young children are at greater risk for heat-related conditions. All those who spend time outdoors should take precautions to reduce the risk of heat related illness and injury.
Precautions include:
     Remain hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after outdoor
     activities;
     Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors;
     Wear loose-fitting, light clothing; wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover
     the face, ears and neck if you'll be outside;
     Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors
     and re-apply at least every two hours - sunscreen prevents skin
     cancer.
     Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages that have caffeine or
     alcohol;
     Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; limit
     time outside during peak heat;
     Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace
     gradually;
     Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.
     Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts.
     Seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat at stores, malls,
     theaters, etc.;
     Check on frail elderly or home-bound individuals to make sure they
     are not affected by the heat;
     Move to a cooler location at first sign of heat illness (dizziness,
     nausea, headaches, muscle cramps); rest and slowly drink a cool
     liquid;
     Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in the direct
     sunlight;
     Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink.
     Prevent children from drowning by providing adult supervision at all
     times and having an entry-proof barrier that surrounds the pool or
     spa.
     Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of
     eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions. Mosquitoes
     can carry diseases such as the West Nile virus. Mosquitoes usually
     bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear
     repellent during these times.
For more information on how to stay healthy during hot weather please visit
the Health Department's website at www.longbeach.gov/health.

 The Central Project Area Committee will have its monthly meeting Thursday, July 7 at 6 p.m. at the community meeting room above the Union Bank, 1900 Atlantic Avenue.

Here's the agenda:

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Minutes for June 2, 2011

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.

Container Usage, Derek Burnham, Planning Department

RDA Presentation
a. Status of Redevelopment

Chair Report

Old Business

New Business

Adjournment

Next Meeting:
August 4, 2011, 6 p.m.

Have an adult or juvenile criminal record that needs clearing?

A no-cost Expungement Education Workshop is scheduled for July 11, 4 - 5 p.m., at the Center for Working Families, 1900 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach.

Experts will provide information  on certificate of rehabilitation; information on expungement of adult convictions; and sealing of juvenile records; and assistance with required expungement forms.

For a self-help tool to file a petition on a Long Beach case, visit http://CityProsecutorDougHaubert.com/expungements/default.html

For more information, please call 562.570.WORK.