Spring Is Here & Latest News | |
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Happy Friday, District 5! This week marked the official arrival of spring, with the spring equinox occurring on March 19th. Spring is associated with feelings of freshness and renewal as the longer days and warmer weather slowly bring new life to our environments. Many celebrate the change of seasons by cleaning and decluttering or finding more reasons to enjoy being outside. If that sounds like you, CD5 has plenty of opportunities for you! More on that below, but first a brief note of business.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, Item 20, the sale of former Fire Station 9 was approved to Tolentino Properties, owners and operators of Gemmae Bake Shop. We are pleased to share this exciting news of next steps for this growing local family business, coming soon to CD5! In the spirit of spring, the plans for adaptive reuse of the former fire station will breathe new life into the old service building, while still honoring the history therein. At Tuesday’s meeting, my colleagues and I also approved Item 17, directing staff to begin research that will inform the implementation of the Speed Safety Systems Pilot Program. Long Beach is one of several cities in California participating in this pilot program per Assembly Bill 645, and we are eager to see what positive impacts these systems will bring towards regulating speeding and making our streets safer for everyone. Though this program is not the end-all answer, we look forward to this next step on our city’s journey towards minimizing the amount of traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
If you’re looking to get started on your spring cleaning, this weekend is the perfect time! The Conservation Corps of Long Beach is hosting an e-waste drop off at two locations (3251 E 19th St and 340 Nieto Ave) this Saturday, March 23rd, to help neighbors declutter their old electronics and recycle them properly. They will also have volunteers at 2755 California Ave to collect old tires for recycling. See the flyers below for more details.
To get out and engaged with the community this weekend, you can stop by LBX for “National Puppy Day” to enjoy a pet-friendly market on the Hangar Lawn on Saturday, March 23rd. With photo ops, entertainment, and great food, you can bring your four-legged friends for an afternoon of fun while supporting local small businesses. Or, you can “Hop Around Bixby” on Saturday, March 23rd, for Bixby Knolls’ first ever boutique crawl. While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Ambitious Ales to congratulate them on five years in the neighborhood, and enjoy their celebration with food, drinks, magic, and more! Check out the flyers below for more information.
For all you parents out there, we know spring also means “spring break” from schools. To help keep your kids active and busy while out of school, the Parks, Recreation & Marine department is hosting Spring Fun Days, a free youth recreation program running from April 1st – April 5th. Children ages 5 to 12 can engage in fun activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and special events! See below for more details.
As you plan for next week, keep in mind a handful of upcoming community meetings. On Tuesday, March 26th, the Community Development department is hosting a meeting to talk about the proposed housing community on Wardlow Rd. Starting at 5:45pm, at the Expo Arts Center, join to hear from the developer and learn details about the proposed plans for the site. See more details below; don’t forget to RSVP! Also on Tuesday, March 26th, LBPD East Division Commander Pennino is hosting a Commander’s Forum at 5pm at Soundhouse Church. Then, Wednesday, March 27th, North Division Commander Gallo will be hosting a Commander’s Forum at 6pm at Ramona Park. These forums are a great opportunity to connect with your area’s commander and other PD personnel to discuss topics of community concern. See below for more info, including a map of LBPD Divisions.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, April 2nd at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. A list of items of interest will be included 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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Community Development
News & Updates
Upcoming Community Meeting
The Community Development Department, in partnership with our office and the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, is hosting an informational meeting on the proposed new housing at 1131 E Wardlow Rd. on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave) from 5:45pm - 7pm. You and any interested members of the community are invited to attend to learn about affordable housing and high resource areas, as well as details about the proposed housing, including the development process and timeline. The City team and the developer will have presentations prepared. Following, there will be opportunity for community questions. Please reserve your spot at NSB@longbeach.gov or (562) 570 6949.
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Long Beach Police Department
News & Updates
North & East Division Commander's Forums
Next week, join your community to hear from your respective LBPD Division Commander. As a reminder, CD5 is split between North Division and East Division; check this map to find out which one you're in!
LBPD East Division: Commander Pennino
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 | 5:00 p.m-7:00 p.m.
Soundhouse Church | 1429 Clark Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815
RSVP to LBPDEast@longbeach.gov
LBPD North Division: Commander Gallo
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | 6:00 p.m-7:00 p.m.
Ramona Park | 3301 E 65th St, Long Beach, CA 90805
RSVP to LBPDNorth@longbeach.gov
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Office of Equity
News & Updates
Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disability: Transportation Day
The City of Long Beach's Office of Equity and the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disability (CACoD) is hosting Transportation Day 2024!
Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 1:30pm - 4pm
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library | 5870 Atlantic Ave, 90805
Transportation Day serves as an opportunity for the disability community to hear from the transportation entities that serve the greater Long Beach area, apply for Access Paratransit and Long Beach Transit Dial A Ride, get your mobility device cleaned for FREE and get your questions answered about public transportation.
This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/TranspoDay2024. You can also RSVP by contacting jennifer.kumiyama@longbeach.gov or at 562-505-7952.
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Parks, Recreation & Marine
News & Updates
Spring Fun Days: April 1st - 5th
The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer its free youth recreation program, Spring Fun Days, at various parks throughout Long Beach during the upcoming school spring break.
Spring Fun Days engage children ages 5 to 12 in fun activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and special events. This is a free drop-in program where registered participants may come and go as they please. The program will run Monday through Friday, April 1-5, from noon to 5 p.m. each day at parks throughout Long Beach. Pre-registration is required. Registration forms may be picked up at participating parks beginning Monday, March 18. Call or visit parks for registration times.
More information, including the complete list of participating locations, is available on the Spring Break Fun Days program webpage.
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City of Long Beach
News & Updates
E-Bike Lending Library Pilot Program
Long Beach is pleased to introduce the E-Bike Lending Library Program. With funding from the Long Beach Recovery Act (LBRA), this program will provide 35 electric bicycles (E-bikes) for a rental period of up to 3 months, at no cost for selected applicants. At least 24 of the E-bikes will be reserved for residents who can show proof of enrollment in any of the qualifying federal or state assistance programs. Through this program, community members will have the opportunity to experience the advantages of active transportation to the community while promoting E-bikes as a reliable option.
Selected participants will receive the required program information, such as a participant guidebook, an E-bike training manual, GPS information, storage instructions, and safety guidelines. Visit the website for more information including program requirements and answers to FAQs.
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Office of Veterans Support
News & Updates
"Long Beach Honors" Veterans Banners Program
The City of Long Beach is accepting nominations for the first-ever “Long Beach Honors” Veterans Banners Program. As part of the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget, $10,000 was allocated for a pilot Veterans Banners Program to be administrated by the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Veterans Support and the Long Beach Veterans Commission.
The community is encouraged to nominate a veteran, living or deceased, who was in Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard to be honored with a light pole banner. Click here for more information regarding nomination criteria and details.
Nominations for the “Long Beach Honors” Veterans Banners Program will be accepted until March 31, 2024, at 11:45 p.m. PST.
Veteran honorees will be selected by a subcommittee comprising members of the Long Beach Veterans Commission in April and the banners will be installed in time for Memorial Day, which falls on May 27, 2024. The nomination form can be found here.
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Nextdoor Kind Foundation
LA County Microgrant Program
The Nextdoor Kind Foundation has launched an LA County microgrant program that will award $500 grants to individuals making a difference in their neighborhoods and communities. There will be 100 grants awarded for a total of $50,000 directed straight into local communities like Long Beach.
Do you help clean up your community? Organize community group meet ups? Encourage public art? If you do anything to better your community, please apply today! The application takes no longer than 10 minutes, and is open until March 29th. See FAQs below for more information.
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Community News & Updates
Grace First Presbyterian Church to Open Food Pantry
Beginning on April 7, Grace First Presbyterian Church will open a food pantry that will operate on Saturday mornings on the first Saturday of each month.
In response to the growing need for food assistance in our community, Grace First Presbyterian Church is proud to announce the opening of its new food pantry. Located at 3955 N Studebaker Rd, the pantry aims to provide essential support to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
The food pantry will be open on the first Saturday of every month. Individuals and families in need are encouraged to visit the pantry and access the resources available to them. In addition to providing food assistance, Grace First Presbyterian Church will also offer additional support services and resources to help address the root causes of hunger.
For more information on the food pantry program at Grace First, contact Stan DeWitt at stan.gracefirst@gmail.com or 562-972-3324.
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Fair Housing Foundation News & Events
2024 Youth Poster Contest: "A Place to Call Home"
The Fair Housing Foundation is now accepting submissions for their annual Fair Housing Poster Contest, open to students in 4th to 8th grade. Students must create a poster on any size paper with this year’s theme, “Fair Housing: A Place to Call Home,” and submit the entry via email for a chance to win up to $125! See the flyer below or visit fhfca.org for more details.
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Ocean Protection Council News & Events
Request for Community Input to Inform Statewide Plastics Monitoring Strategy & Plan
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) is partnering with the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) to develop a first-of-its kind comprehensive Statewide Plastics Monitoring Strategy & Plan to track the state’s progress and to support future efforts to reduce plastic pollution.
The OPC invites members of the public and community leaders concerned about plastic pollution throughout California’s coastal and statewide regions to share information regarding their plastic pollution priorities and concerns to inform the development of this strategy. You can provide feedback by submitting an online form at SFEI’s website from now until April 3, 2024, or by attending the OPC and SFEI’s upcoming virtual public meeting. This regionally focused public meeting presents an overview of the project and gather feedback at the early stages of this project. Click the date below to register.
- Southern Region: April 3, 2024 | 11am – 1pm
Please visit SFEI’s website for more details about the monitoring plan and community engagement. All questions can be directed to plastics@sfei.org.
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City of Long Beach Recognizing California Tsunami Week March 23-31
In recognition of California’s Tsunami Preparedness Week, observed March 23-31, 2024, the City of Long Beach Department of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is encouraging residents to get informed, learn the warning signs of a tsunami, and develop and practice evacuation plans for their families, home and workplace.
Tsunami Awareness Week serves as an annual reminder to refresh the community’s tsunami knowledge and emergency preparedness. The public can participate by familiarizing themselves with the following preparedness tips and resources...
LEARN MORE...
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City Outreach Events in April to Commemorate Community Development Week
The City of Long Beach will commemorate 2024 National Community Development Week with several outreach events from April 1-6 to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Led by the Community Development Department, a total of five workshops and community meetings are slated during the week to showcase and gather input on the annual grant program that provides Long Beach and more than 1,200 local governments nationwide with funding to improve the physical, economic and social conditions of communities.
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Parks, Recreation and Marine to Offer Summer Day Camps for Youth, June 17 through August 23
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer Summer Aquatics and Park Day Camps from June 17 through August 23, 2024.
Registration for the Summer Park Camps and Summer Aquatic Camps begins Saturday, April 13 at 9 a.m. and will be conducted through an online portal at LBParks.org.
The online portal can be accessed through a personal home computer or smartphone, or at designated City sites. On April 13 from 9 a.m. to noon, PRM staff will be onsite with internet capable devices for families to self-register at the locations listed below.
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LB Public Library Adds Monday Service Hours at Two More Neighborhood Libraries
The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) will soon offer expanded service hours at two additional neighborhood library locations, Burnett Library and El Dorado Library, as part of LBPL’s ongoing commitment to enhancing access to library resources and services for the community.
Beginning Monday, April 1, 2024, Burnett Library (560 E. Hill St.) and El Dorado Library (2900 Studebaker Rd.) will offer an additional day of service on Mondays. This expansion of service is made possible through structural and one-time enhancements to Library Services as approved in the City's Adopted Fiscal Year 2023 Budget by the City Council.
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Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato to be Inducted into Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame
The City of Long Beach, in partnership with the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, announced today the honorees for the 2024 Motorsports Walk of Fame, Katherine Legge and Takuma Sato. The honorees will be inducted during a public ceremony taking place Thursday, April 18, ahead of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 19-21.
Legge and Sato will be inducted into the Walk of Fame during a free, open-to-the-public ceremony at 11 a.m. in front of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center on South Pine Avenue.
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City Launches Electric Bicycle Lending Library Program
Long Beach is launching the application period for its Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) Lending Library program, a new initiative that will allow residents to borrow E-bikes for up to three months at no cost.
The program will provide education on E-bike technology, encourage E-bike ridership, and promote an active zero-emission mode of travel. In alignment with the City’s focus on equity, the program will allocate 24 of the E-bikes to residents who are enrolled in a qualifying federal or state assistance program and the remaining E-bikes will be available for all Long Beach residents.
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. April 2, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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