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Happy Friday, District 5! Though it has been a wet winter, we look forward to the beginning of March, as spring seems to be just around the corner. The days will begin to lengthen, the weather will warm, and a sense of freshness will lighten the air. There is much to look forward to, but first, let’s finish February strong as we move forward into this weekend and next week.
As we commence the final weekend of this year’s Black History Month, there are still several opportunities to celebrate! You can head over to LBX on Saturday the 24th from 11am – 5pm for a Black History Month Celebration where you can shop from local vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and hear insights from a Black-owned Business Panel. Through this Saturday, February 24th, you can also visit the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach’s current exhibit, the “Love My Neighbor Project,” to view artist Alexey Steele’s work that showcases the remarkable stories of his inspiring neighbors. Lastly, don’t forget to continue to patronize your local Black-owned businesses throughout the district, and even earn rewards through Shop Long Beach. See below for more information.
There are a handful of other ways to get out and involved with the community this weekend as well. The New Hope Grief Community will be hosting their 2nd annual “Rhythms of Grief” event, this Saturday, February 24th at 9am. Join in community with fellow neighbors who have experienced loss and discover the healing power of music together. You can also gather with your neighbors at Relativity Space’s Community Day this Saturday at 10am, to learn about the exciting and innovative projects they are working on right here in Long Beach. Finally, you can stop by the Dana Neighborhood Library at 10:30am for a free community concert by musicians from the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra. See the flyers below for more information about all these events and more.
As the renewal of spring draws near, it’s the perfect time to get a jump start on some spring cleaning! This Saturday, February 24th, you can recycle your e-waste and get rid of old tires for free, thanks to our friends at the Conservation Corps of Long Beach. Next weekend you can keep your clean streak going, with free mattress recycling and a free shred event on Saturday, March 2nd. See the flyers below for more details, including times, locations, and what items are accepted for recycling at each event.
Looking forward to next weekend, support the local arts at First Fridays in Bixby Knolls on March 1st, or by attending the next artist workshop at Rancho Los Cerritos on Saturday, March 2nd. Those who are able can also support the art program at Cubberley Elementary School by sponsoring or participating in a “Family Paint Night” fundraiser on Friday, March 1st, where your artwork or business logo can be printed onto tiles for a wall installation on campus. Additionally, next Saturday, March 2nd, the Public Works Department will be holding a community meeting to provide an overview of the Studebaker Road Complete Streets Project at El Dorado Park West at 10am. Check out the flyers below for more information.
Finally, I’d like to note that the next City Council meeting will not be until Tuesday, March 12th, due to the regularly scheduled "dark week" the last week of the month, as well as Election Day on Tuesday, March 5th. A list of items of interest for the meeting on March 12th at 5pm the City Hall Chambers will be provided in a future newsletter. I encourage you to attend or watch online.
As always, I am grateful for your continued engagement with me and my office, and I look forward to seeing you out in the community.
The work continues,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Upcoming Events &
Community Meetings
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Public Works Department
News & Events
Community Meeting: Studebaker Rd Improvements
The City of Long Beach is hosting an in-person community meeting to provide an overview of the Studebaker Road Complete Streets Project. The meeting will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 11 am to 1 pm at the El Dorado Park West Community Center (2800 Studebaker Rd.).
The project will implement major street improvements along the approximate 5-mile corridor between 2nd Street and Carson Street. Improvements include multi-modal enhancements such as upgraded traffic signals, fiber optic communication, pavement resurfacing and repair, ADA compliant paths of travel, protected intersection treatments, curb-protected bikeways, street beautification and new landscaping elements.
For more information about the project, visit the project webpage at longbeach.gov/studebakerccsp or email contactLBPW@longbeach.gov with the subject line “Studebaker Corridor Project."
LEARN MORE...
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Long Beach Utilities
News & Updates
Rehabilitation of Well Commission 14 - Heartwell Park
At the end of this month, a contractor for the Long Beach Utilities Dept will begin working to rehabilitate Well Commission 14, an existing municipal drinking water well, located on the south side of Heartwell Park (near the intersection of Parkcrest St and Gondar Ave).
The work, which will include piping and electrical improvements, is expected to begin on February 28, 2024, and expected to end in December 2025. The schedule is subject to delay due to inclement weather or other unforeseen complications. Working hours will be from 7am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Adjustments to working hours may be made as necessary to perform the work or as required by permit conditions.
Please use caution when driving in the construction area and obey all construction signs, including any temporary “No Parking” signs. For questions regarding this project, please call (562) 570 2325.
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Long Beach Police Department
News & Updates
Report Traffic A Complaint
To report traffic complaints or to ask traffic-related questions, residents can email the LBPD Traffic Enforcement Unit at PDTrafficComplaints@longbeach.gov.
The LBPD Traffic Enforcement Unit focuses on locations identified through ongoing traffic analysis, crime trends, and resident complaints. Officers focus on high visibility and increased enforcement in these specific areas.
Common issues that can be reported online include speeding issues, turning, red light, stop sign and pedestrian violations, distracted driving (i.e. cellphone violations) and driving under the influence (DUI) violations, speeding vehicles at a regular location, habitual parking issues and/or violations, abandoned vehicles, and sign or signal damage and/or obstructions.
If the incident you are reporting is an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. Do not report the incident online. Online reporting should only be used to report incidents that do not require immediate attention.
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Celebrate Black History Month With Shop Long Beach
Earn Extra Rewards by Shopping at Black-owned Businesses in February
Celebrate Black History Month and support local Black-owned businesses through the Shop Long Beach program! Use the Shop Long Beach Rewards Program powered by the Localight App to spend and earn rewards at participating Black-owned businesses during the month of February, and earn an additional 10% back. Below are the participating businesses within CD5!
*These are the Shop Long Beach Spotlight Businesses where you can spend earned Shop Long Beach reward money.
Let’s invest in Black-owned businesses, to help provide financial support to entrepreneurs looking to grow their ventures, and let’s shop Black-owned businesses that reflect the diverse cultural influences of our vibrant communities in Long Beach.
Your ongoing support can help sustain these businesses during this Black History Month celebration and create a more inclusive and equitable economic landscape for everyone throughout the year! Learn more at shoplb.org.
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Parks, Recreation & Marine
Spring 2024 RecConnect Classes for All Ages
Registration opened February 5th for Parks, Recreation & Marine's Recreation Connection classes offered from March through May 2024.
Classes will be offered for ages preschool to 50 years and older, and include a variety of physical, intellectual, and fun interests. From cooking to dance classes to sports leagues and more, there's something for everyone! Click here to view the class catalog or visit lbparks.org to learn more.
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City of Long Beach
News & Updates
Ballot Drop Boxes Now Open, Two in CD5
Vote by Mail ballot distribution for the March 5, 2024 Primary Nominating Election has begun! All registered voters in LA County, which includes Long Beach, will be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot. Ballots may be returned by mail (no postage required), in person at any Vote Center in LA County, or at any Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box.
There are over 400 participating locations in LA County with 24-hour drop boxes, including 17 in Long Beach. Below are the two located within CD5:
Vote by Mail Drop Boxes are now open and will remain open until 8:00pm on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. All voters may track their ballots here. More information, including a current list of all LA County 24-hour Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Boxes, or to check registration information or request a ballot in a different language, is available at lavote.gov.
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Long Beach Recycles
News & Updates
Become a Recycling Ambassador
If you are a Long Beach resident 18 years or older, apply to join our Compost and Recycling Ambassador Program! Registration for the program opened on 2/12/24. Offered at no cost, you’ll learn about waste reduction, recycling, and composting through lectures and hands-on experiences over the course of 8 weeks.
The Spring session begins 03/21 from 9 am-12 pm and meets weekly every Thursday for 8 weeks, until 5/1. The course takes place in-person at the Environmental Services Bureau located at 2929 E Willow St. Long Beach, CA 90806.
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Voting Centers Open This Weekend for March 5 Presidential Primary Election
For the Presidential Primary Election taking place Tuesday, March 5, 2024, on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk will open all 11-day vote centers throughout Los Angeles County.
The four-day Vote Centers will open on March 2, 2024.
All Vote Centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 4. On Election Day, March 5, all Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
LEARN MORE...
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City Hosting ‘Data Walks’ to Increase Transparency and Public Awareness for City’s Data Collection Practices
In an ongoing effort to enhance data privacy, digital rights and transparency, the City of Long Beach Department of Technology and Innovation, in partnership with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), is launching a series of mobile community workshops for residents to learn about the technologies the City deploys and how it uses the data it collects.
The walks coincide with the City’s upcoming implementation of a new data privacy and digital rights platform, launching this spring.
LEARN MORE...
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Health Department Launches Substance Use Harm Reduction Program
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has launched a new program that provides resources and supplies to Long Beach residents so that those who use drugs can minimize their risk of possible serious or deadly outcomes.
This is part of a strategy called harm reduction—a set of practical strategies and ideas that aim to reduce the negative consequences associated with substance use.
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LB Health Department Launches Brush, Book, Bed to Promote Healthy Dental Habits for Children
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has launched the Brush, Book, Bed campaign, which encourages children to build routines that establish good dental health habits, combining oral health, literacy and an appropriate bedtime.
The kickoff to the campaign, led by the Oral Health Long Beach advisory committee, coincides with National Children’s Dental Health Month, taking place throughout February.
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. March 12, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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