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Happy December!
Happy Holidays! I hope that you all enjoyed Thanksgiving and that your December is off to a great start. This month is going to be action packed for the City Council. Here is a brief overview of the biggest items on our agenda.
On December 8th, we will once again address the issue of whether the City will allow medical marijuana dispensaries in Long Beach. I am pretty sure you all know how I feel about this issue and its' potential impact to our police and other City resources. I think the action is premature in light of the State's recent action and the time needed for state law to become operational. If you are interested in voicing your opinions for or against this item, please feel free to email me or come to the Council meeting on December 8th. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
On that same night, the City will have a study session on the recent analysis by Mestre Greve Associates indicating that nine more commercial flights must be added at the Long Beach Airport in order to stay in compliance with the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance. We expect the study session will be informative and that a spirited discussion will ensue after the presentation.
On December 15th, the City Council will take a final vote on whether to build a new Civic Center in light of the seismic issues that have been identified at the City Hall building and the Main Library. The new Civic Center complex would include an upgraded Main Library, City Hall, Port headquarters and a reconfigured Lincoln Park. The Civic Center will also have housing, hotel and retail spaces. The City voted last year to select Plenary Edgemore as the City's partner in the rebuild project. Since then, Plenary has conducted numerous public outreach meetings and has made some design and functionality changes as a result of the input they have received. This Public Private Partnership will be similar to the arrangement used to build the Long Beach Courthouse. Details regarding alternatives to a rebuild, financing obligations and the ownership arrangement will be discussed at the meeting on the 15th. That meeting will begin at 5 p.m.
Council will meet on December 22nd, although I don't expect any major items to be on that agenda at this time. That could always change depending on what items are added to the agenda between now and then.
In January, Council is expected to take up the issue of whether the City should adopt a minimum wage.
Our Third District Team will be all over town this December. We have several City employees retiring this December. I want to give a personal note of appreciation for Jyl Marden of the City Manager's Office and Braden Phillips of LBPD for their outstanding service to the residents of Long Beach. I also want to thank Jim Kuhl, from Public Works for his service to the City. It has been a pleasure to work with all of them. Our Public Works Director, Ara Maloyan is leaving Long Beach to go to work for the City of Pasadena. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Ara and will miss him greatly. He has been a very responsive department head and the CD3 team appreciates all of his efforts to get our projects completed.
Happy holidays to all of you. I hope that you have a peaceful and memorable time with your friends and family this December.
Looking forward to a great month!
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3RD DISTRICT COMMUNITY EVENTS
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3rd District Community Meeting with Councilwoman Suzie Price
Councilwoman Price will be hosting the Third District Community Meeting at the Livingston Park Tot Lot on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 9:30 AM.
There will be a representative from the Po
lice Department to provide an update on policing throughout our district.
We will present design diagrams from Parks and Recreation for replacement play equipment in Livingston Park. At the meeting we will be asking residents to vote for their favorite new playground equipment. This will be the community's opportunity to provide feedback on the look and the design of the equipment.
I know, voting on playground equipment may not be enough to get you out on a Saturday morning, but maybe the fact that we will be giving away cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate will "sweeten" the offer for you.
--- by Jack Cunningham
3rd District, District Office Director
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Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade
 Naples Improvement Association gladly presents the 69th Annual Holiday Boat Parade on Saturday, December 12th. The large boat parade starts at 6:00 PM, with the small boat parade starting at 6:45 PM.
Please keep in mind that Naples' canal streets close at 5:00 PM, so for viewing purposes, it is best to park and walk to Naples Island. Alamitos Bay Marina off 2nd Street and Marina Drive offers substantial free parking just over the Davies Bridge from Naples. Mothers Beach off Ravenna and Appian Way also has some metered parking with quick access to Naples. Marine Safety Officers will close the canals to boat access at 3:30 PM to prepare for the parade. Look for Councilwoman Suzie Price in a gondola during the small boat parade!
For more information about this great event click here.
---by Lisa West
3rd District, Business Relations Liaison
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3rd District Neighborhood and Association Meetings
Belmont Heights Community Association
2nd Wednesday of each month
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Belmont Heights United Methodist Church
Belmont Shore Resident Association
2nd Thursday of each month
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Bay Shore Library
Friends of Belmont Shore
Last Thursday of each month
(November & December are dark)
6:00 - 8:00 PM
St. Bartholomew Meeting Hall
NW Belmont Park Community Watch
Approximately every 3 months as determined
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Third District Field Office
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Preparing for El Nino and Obtaining Sand Bags
It has been widely reported that scientists are predicting that the El Nino climate pattern occurring in the Pacific Ocean will bring frequent and powerful storms to Southern California this coming winter and spring (January through March). I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the numerous things that the City is doing to prepare for the upcoming storms. The City is clearing 5,300 catch basins as well as cleaning and testing 28 pump stations. The Fire Department has sand bags and sand available at the Fire Department's Beach Operations facility located next to the Junipero beach parking lot. Our Parks and Recreation Department will build and maintain the sand berms to protect our coastal communities from extreme wave activity and flooding.
The City encourages residents to pay close attention to weather forecasts via television, radio, print and/or social media and check emergency kits at home making sure you have medicine, food and water supplies, and warm clothes on hand. Clean out rain gutters and remove any items that could prevent water run-off. Please remember that you should never drive or walk through flowing water and call 911 if you witness any downed power lines. If you have further questions on the City's disaster preparedness plan, do not hesitate to contact the Third District Council Office by calling (562) 570-6300 or emailing
district3@longbeach.gov.
-- by Julie Maleki
3rd District, Chief of Staff
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Menorah Lighting
Please join Councilwoman Price at the Grand Chanukah Music Festiv
al and Menorah Lighting event featuring the Mostly Kosher Klezmer band on Sunday, December 6th at 4:00 PM at Citibank (5354 East 2nd Street). This family friendly event offers Chanukah crafts, face painting, dreidels, games, donuts, and prizes. Last year the Councilwoman had the pleasure of attending this wonderful event with Mayor Garcia and Long Beach College Board of Trustee Sunny Zia. Chanukah is a holiday that enriches our lives with the light of tradition and this event is dedicated to spreading light and goodness in our community. We hope to see you and your loved ones this Sunday!
-- by Julie Maleki
3rd District, Chief of Staff
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Urban Table
Belmont Shore restaurant, Urban Table is the brainchild of self-described foodie and "passionate wine and cheese lover" Carolyn Baer and her husband, Sam Isaac. After starting Cheers Catering, Inc. in Los Angeles 29 years ago, Carolyn and Sam fell in love with the Argonne and 2nd Street building that houses this fresh, fashionable and unforgettable café restaurant and market. Over the past year Urban Table has evolved into a full service restaurant with an emphasis in wine and wine events because they listened to their customers.
"We are so diverse because we cater to what people want," Baer said. "I want to serve food to delight the palate and to nourish both body and soul." After visiting with Carolyn it is easy to understand that food is as important to her life as it is to her guests. There is no doubt that Urban Table is modern, casual dining at its best.
The look is upscale, warm and inviting serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, small plates, ultra thin crust pizzas, and Carolyn's play on the "Taco Tuesday" theme of Tapas Tuesday, which feature Mediterranean Pita Tacos with specials on Spanish beer and wine. "The cuisine is globally inspired, but much of it is locally grown and raised," said Baer.
Urban Table also offers catering as well as "made to order" off the menu items, including incredible salads, fruit, grilled fish or changing entrees. They also offer both gluten free and vegan entrees if needed. One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is the market, which allows customers to purchase many ingredients that go into making Carolyn's food, and the expanding
array of fine wine and craft beer choices make it convenient and easy to bring home your next favorite bottle.
Get to know what a true neighborhood restaurant is all about! This one offers great food, owners who care about their community, and services that suit every lifestyle.
--- by Lisa West
3rd District, Business Relations Liaison
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| City Council Meetings City Council Meetings are held every Tuesday evening, with the exception of the last Tuesday of the month when council is "dark." Meetings are held in City Hall - Council Chambers (333 W. Ocean Blvd.) at approximately 5pm. Times do change, so please check with our office or website for exact times. City Council meetings are open to the public and we encourage your attendance, especially if there is an important topic up for discussion. Charter (channel 3) and FIOS Verizon (channel 21) subscribers can view the City Council Meetings on their televisions or you can live stream the video through LBTV.com, View City Council Meeting. Agenda items change on a weekly basis so please check the city website for the most current agenda. The City Clerk is required to post the City Council Agenda the Monday, a week prior, to the Tuesday of City Council Meeting. View agenda items Important agenda items coming this month are as follows... December 8 - Medical Marijuana, Airport Noise Budget Analysis and Slot Allocation December 15 - Civic Center Hearing and Infrastructure needs December 22 - City Council meeting December 29 - City Council is dark
--- by Antonella Schaub
3rd District, Communications Director
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Trees in the Bay Program
History
The Trees in the Bay program is a tradition dating back to 1949 when a resident floated a decorated single tree in Alamitos Bay. Over the years, local homeowner associations also became enthusiastic about the program and began contributing funds for the program's support. From the first lighting on Thanksgiving Day through Christmas, residents and visitors are treated to the festive lights as t
hey travel through the City.
About the Trees
Currently 70, 18' tall (after placement on platform) trees are placed along Long Beach
waterways. The locations are Rainbow Lagoon, Colorado Lagoon, Alamitos Bay Marina (Lower/Upper Bay), The Peninsula, Spinnaker Bay, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, Rainbow Harbor, 2nd Street medians, Scherer Park, Heartwell Park, and El Dorado Park West. The City's Marine Maintenance staff oversee the installation and removal of the trees.
Community Involvement
The following organizations support the program: Alamitos Bay Beach Preservation Group, Alamitos Heights Improvement Association, Friends of the Colorado Lagoon, Belmont Shore Busine
ss Association, Downtown Long Beach Associates, Long Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Partners of Parks, Spinnaker Cover Slip Owners Association, and the Tr
ees in the Bay Association. The groups pay utility costs of about $9,000. City Tideland funds cover about $3,000 in costs for the repair and rebuilding of trees each year.
--by Jane Grobaty
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau
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HOW TO PREVENT A BREAK-IN
- Remember, an unlocked lock is not a lock. Always lock your doors and windows even when leaving for just a minute.
- Don't leave notes indicating you are not at home or when you will return.
- Familiarize yourself with the people and cars in your neighborhood.
- Watch out for suspicious people knocking on doors. They may be a potential burglar checking to see if anyone is home. Please call for police assistance if you suspect a person has suspicious intentions.
- Screen all work crews and contractors appropriately.
- Never have a name or identification tag attached to your house keys or on the front of your home. If they are ever lost or stolen you might get an unwelcome visitor.
- Never leave a house key hidden outside your home whether it's under a doormat, in or under a flowerpot, under a rock or on a door ledge.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked when you are not in or near it. Burglars can enter an open garage and remove bikes, tools and other expensive items in just a few seconds.
- Keep trees and bushes trimmed so they do not block the view into your home or looking out. Overgrown trees and shrubs can also provide concealment for burglars and large tree limbs make great ladders for burglars.
- Make sure that your address numbers are visible both at night and during the day. Also include them on your back fence if your property is adjacent to an alley, as this will assist police in locating your residence in the case of an emergency.
- Lighting is the number one deterrent of crime, so always keep your home well lit.
- Keep your porch light on during the night or consider installing a photocell sensor. This sensor will automatically turn your lights on at dusk and off at dawn.
Use timers throughout your house for times when you may not be home.
- Invest in a burglary alarm system. Burglar alarms in addition to good locks and lighting add an extra means of security to your home.
- Engrave your valuables with your California drivers license number. This makes your property more difficult to pawn and helps law enforcement to identify your property, if it is recovered.
- Remember, if you come home and see a broken window, open door or evidence that someone has been in your home, don't go in! Phone the police immediately!
Police Communications Center
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 562-435-6711
Headquarters: 562-570-7260
Brought to you by the Long Beach Police Department
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What Can You Do To Protect Your Property During the Holidays
There has been an increase in auto burglaries, and in many cases the victim
unknowingly makes the burglar's job very easy. Commonly stolen items
include purses, wallets, electronics, mail, cell phones, iPods, GPS devices, and
compact disks, often left in plain view. The Long Beach Police Department
wants to prevent you from becoming a victim. The following tips will help to
reduce the chances that your vehicle will be targeted, and help keep our
community safer.
Place ALL items out of sight, or remove them before exiting your vehicle
* Do not leave cell phone chargers, computer equipment or other
electronics accessories connected to the console
* Do not leave mail or documents with your personal information in the
car-even blank papers left in plain sight are a temptation to a thief
* Secure your vehicle before leaving it - lock the doors, and close the windows,
including the sunroof
* Call 9-1-1 (or 562-435-6711 if calling from a cellular phone) to report
suspicious activity, including loiterers around parked vehicles
* Park in a well-lighted area where your vehicle is visible to pedestrian and
vehicular traffic
* If you have a garage, use it and keep it closed and locked
What message is your car sending to burglars?
Message brought to you by the Long Beach Police Department
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December Brings Awareness to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
MADD's mission is: To end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.
Drugged driving, like drunk driving, is a choice and 100% preventable crime, leaving families hearts broken. That's why MADD changed its mission statement in 2015 to include, "help fight drugged driving."
MADD hopes to bring awareness to the growing threat of drugged driving on our roadways, much in the same way we have with drunk driving since our founding in 1980. While the substances are different, the results are the same - needless deaths and injuries.
While drunk driving deaths have been cut in half, we know that even one life lost is one life too many. In 2016, we want to make even more progress through MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® by advocating for mandatory ignition interlock laws in the 26 states which includes California. MADD continues to support law enforcement efforts to catch and deter drunk drivers, and encourages the development of in-vehicle technology that will, one day, make drunk driving impossible.
What does MADD Southern California do:
* Provide services to victims and families of drunk and drugged driving crashes,
* Lobby to support stronger drunk driving laws,
* Educate our youth of the dangers of underage drinking through initiatives geared toward parents, youth and community,
* Partner with local, county and state law enforcement and governmental agencies working to eliminate drunk driving and prevent underage drinking.
* Provide public Awareness via local and national media
* Tie One on for Safety / Red Ribbon Campaign
* Walk Like MADD (WLM)
* Victim Impact Panels (VIP)
* Power of Parents/Youth/Community
* Fairs and Festivals (Crash Car)
* Presentations to community groups
MADD Southern California is kicking off MADD's annual Tie One On For Safety campaign by reminding Southern California residents to display a red ribbon on their cars as a reminder to plan ahead for a designated non-drinking driver before holiday celebrations begin. The Tie One On For Safety red ribbons also signify support for law enforcement officers, who will be out in force as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
New Year's Day (after all the midnight toasts on New Year's Eve) is the deadliest day of the year for drunk driving on our roadways. A total of 161 people were killed by drunk driving crashes during the New Year's holiday in 2013 - 44 people on New Year's Day alone. Get your Tie One On For Safety red ribbon at madd.org/toofs or the MADD Southern California office.
Safe Party Tips
The safest choice is to always designate a non-drinking driver before you leave home, but if you see someone trying to drive after drinking, step in and offer to help them get home safely. Suggest alternate ways of getting to their destination - a cab, a non-drinking driver, public transportation. Enlist a friend to help you or to act as moral support - it's more difficult to say "no" to two (or three or four) people than one. If possible, get the person's keys. It is far easier to persuade the potential driver when you hold this leverage. If all else fails, call law enforcement. It's better to have a friend arrested than injured, killed or kill another driver on the road.
--by Councilwoman Suzie Price
and Executive Director of MADD Southern CA Chapter, Pat Rillera
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Memorable Holiday Traditions from your 3rd District
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Holiday traditions were very important in my family. Growing up, my Italian parents made Christmas an extra special holiday, and it started with the Feast of the Seven Fish on Christmas Eve. Since I love Christmas traditions and seafood, Christmas Eve was my favorite part of Christmas.....
by Lisa West
Decorating the Christmas tree with my family....by Julie Maleki
I enjoy our tradition of Christmas Eve. Mark, the boys and I put on Christmas music and cook a nice dinner together, then we put on our Christmas pajamas and watch a Christmas movie together. It's a memory I associate with Christmas every year...by Councilwoman Suzie Price
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In early December my family would always walk into downtown and go to this old family run candy shop to watch them make candy canes in the window. By the time we got there is was always cold so we would get hot chocolate and tamales from a street vendor before walking home to watch the California Raisin's Christmas Special....
by Jack Cunningham
I love the smell of my mother's Italian Christmas cookies throughout the house. As a child I could not make them as pretty as her's but she always let me help. Today my kids look forward to Nonna's cookies. They also love seeking some of the raw cookie dough for sampling....by Antonella Schaub
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