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It's hard to believe we are already approaching the end of the school year for our children and entering another summer season. It feels like just yesterday that I was writing a back to school message to all of you. For those of you with school-aged children, I hope the school year was a productive and memorable one. At the Price home, the boys will be heading to Long Beach Junior Guards and various LB Parks, Recreation and Marine programs. It should be an action-packed summer, as I am sure is the case for many of you.
As a result of concerns raised by my residents, I brought an item to City Council in late May requesting that the City Manager develop a strategic plan that addresses homelessness from a 360 degree perspective. The item focused not just creative approaches to identifying and providing homeless services, but also on enforcement of the unintended quality of life concerns that are often reported as collateral consequences of this complex regional issue. You can read my item here:
Homeless Comprehensive Strategy
 In terms of quality of life issues, bike theft has been a relevant issue since the passage of Proposition 47, which made theft of items valued at under $950 a misdemeanor. This change in legislation has resulted in more theft related incidents in general, but especially so with bike thefts. Bikes and bike parts are a major form of currency for those who are addicted to drugs and have no other source of income. Later this month, my office will be sponsoring an item dealing with bike thefts and bike registration programs. There are opportunities for us to be more aggressive with bike "chop shop" prosecution efforts. Additionally, recovered bikes are often not claimed by the owner because there is no formal bike registration program or infrastructure in place to track and identify bike theft victims. My item will seek to close this gap and allow people to better track the whereabouts of their bikes. Please look for our "coming to council" emails for more information on the date and time of this agenda item.
As you can see from this month's newsletter, we have been very busy and the next few weeks are no exception to our usual pace. Please join us for as many events and programs as you can. We love seeing the community supporting our efforts.
 Finally, happy Father's Day to all of the great dads out there. In your own way, each of you is helping to shape a future leader in our community. I see the work that you do all around our community. Each of you is shaping the lives and futures of your children and in turn, making a positive impact in your own families and for all of us. I am grateful or my husband Mark for his countless hours of commitment to our boys. Without him, my boys would lack a critical roll model in our family and between the two of us Mark is the athletic, talented, smart and funny parent. Best to all of the dads this Father's Day!
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3RD DISTRICT COMMUNITY EVENTS
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TOUCH - A - TRUCK EVENT - JUNE 4th
The 3rd Annual Long Beach Touch A Truck event is this Sunday! Councilwoman Suzie Price is once again partnering with Justin Rudd's Community Action Team to bring this exciting event to Long Beach. Touch-A-Truck is a free, family event that offers children a hands-on opportunity to explore working trucks of all types and to meet the people who protect and serve the community.
This popular event allows kids to have fun climbing up into the driver's seat of their favorite trucks and construction vehicles along with tractors, fire engines, off road trucks, police cruisers and much more. We will limit attendance this year so please register for tickets here.
The parking lot fills up quickly, so we encourage you to take alternative modes of transportation to the venue. Admission is free for all ages. Food and refreshments available through various food trucks, and the Long Beach Firefighters Association is donating and cooking hot dogs, while supplies last.
Details:
Who: Councilwoman Suzie Price and Justin Rudd's Community in Action
What: Long Beach Touch-A-Truck
When: Sunday, June 4, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Granada Avenue Beach Parking Lot, Ocean and Granada
3rd District, Director of Business Relations, Programming & Outreach
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BELMONT SHORE PARKING STUDY - JUNE 29th
We invite all residents to attend the 5th meeting regarding the Belmont Shore Parking Study on June 29 at 6pm at the Third District Field Office (340 Nieto Ave). This event is jointly sponsored by Council District 3 and Public Works. Walker Parking Consultants conducted a Belmont Shore parking study and developed a draft implementation plan as part of this study.
These efforts were kicked off October 2016 with an initial community meeting, where Walker Consultants presented the parking study. Both the parking study and draft implementation have been presented at Belmont Shore Parking Commission meetings, a Belmont Shore Business Association meeting, and a Third District Community Meeting. City staff is currently reviewing Walker's draft implementation plan; staff will evaluate the recommendations and provide an update to the Mayor and the City Council with recommendations. Before staff presents recommendations, we will host one final community meeting. We encourage all interested residents to join us at the Field Office on June 29.
3rd District, District Office Director
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FURNITURE RESTORATION HOME IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOP - June 17
Councilwoman Price will partner with W.I.N.T.E.R. (Women in Non-Traditional Employment Roles)
to host a furniture restoration workshop on
Saturday, June 17 from 10 AM - 2 PM at
Rosie the Riveter Youth Build located at
690 Studebaker Road.
Refinishing and re-purposing furniture is a great feeling and a big accomplishment.
The people at W.I.N.T.E.R. will teach you the basics of how to restore/renew one small piece of furniture.
So please bring a small piece of furniture and your favorite paint color to the workshop. They will provide all the other materials and tools. You can RSVP to this event by emailing
[email protected] or phone 562-570-6300.
- By Lisa West
3rd District, Director of Business Relations, Programming & Outreach
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100 DAYS OF SUMMER IN LONG BEACH!
Finally, the season that all kids and most adults have been waiting for is arriving! First day of summer is on June 20th, although most people start welcoming summer on Memorial Day weekend! Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department is partnering with the Long Beach Convention and Visitor's Bureau and they have a website: www.100daysofsummer.org - which lists hundreds of free or low cost summer events, programs, and activities that are offered throughout Long Beach. Movies on the beach, concerts in the park, museum and historic site programs, recreational swimming sessions, different cultural art festivals, storytelling events, El Dorado Nature Center activities, the Long Beach Sea Festival, and performances by the Long Beach Municipal Band are all offered in the events!
We hope to see you out this summer, enjoying fantastic weather, absorbing lots of Vitamin D, and long hours of daylight (with sunscreen of course!) - Just
simply enjoying all the amazing public amenities that our City has to offer.
Happy summer!
- By Parastoo Toosi
3rd District Office,Administrative Assistant
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May 6th - Leadership Long Beach Community Planting on Bellflowr Blvd. Re-Cap:
 Have you seen the new landscaped medians on East Bellflower Blvd. between Colorado and PCH? This was a community and City effort led by a group of 2017 Leadership Long Beach members as their class project. The group partnered with many businesses and organizations around Long Beach. Special thanks to local Long Beach resident Todd Bennitt, of Bennitt Design Group for donating his landscape design services, Toro Irrigation and Finley Installers for their donation of supplies and installation of the drip-line system, Lowe's for their donation of tools, and Matt Higgins from Dunkin' Donuts for providing coffee and breakfast to the 50 volunteers that came out that morning. Of course, this would not be possible without our partnership with Conservation Corp, Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works. This was truly a community effort.
Projects like this are available to the community to beautify and update a neighborhood. Contact your District Office if you would like to start a project in your area and partner with the City of Long Beach one median, parkway and round-about, at a time.
Please view the GoLong Beach video below, with Councilwoman Price, on the about project.
3rd District, Communications Director
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May 13th Community Meeting Re-Cap:
Thank you to all of our residents who attended the Third District's May Community Meeting at the Gaslamp Restaurant. We had a packed house with lots of engaging questions about happenings in the community! Attendees were able to hear updates from Councilwoman Suzie Price, Lieutenant Poe Siavii, Marine Safety Captain Omar Naranjo, and Jason Ballmann, the Southern California Earthquake Center's Communications Specialist. Following our Community Meeting, CenterCal hosted a great Open House regarding the 2nd and PCH development. Residents were able to speak directly with the EIR and Development Team regarding the project. A special thank you to the Gaslamp Restaurant for allowing our office to use their space to host the meeting. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement about our next community meeting and don't miss out on the opportunity to attend!
3rd District, District Office Director
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May 20th Colorado Lagoon Opening Re-Cap:
Thank you to all of our neighbors who attended the Colorado Lagoon Grand Opening on May 20th. This project began in Fall of 2016 and, less than a year later, we were so pleased to see a great turn out for the Grand Opening. The goal of this restoration project was to enhance the water quality and the natural habitat to ensure that we have a cleaner lagoon for the community to enjoy. Among the many improvements that were made, some of the most notable included reclaiming the water irrigation system, adding 1,000 cubic yards of sand surrounding the lagoon, implementing a vegetated bioswale to assist with the removal of pollution from surface water runoff, and planting native vegetation. In addition to those water quality measures, the community will be able to enjoy an upgraded pedestrian bridge and the newly installed decomposed granite walking trail.
The Third District is unbelievably lucky to have a breadth of natural habitat right in our backyard! This restoration project has allowed us to preserve the raw beauty of the Colorado Lagoon so that generations of families and neighbors can continue to enjoy all that the lagoon has to offer. While appreciating the lagoon's natural habitat, visitors of the lagoon are able to swim, picnic, bird watch, and take in the sun.
The Colorado Lagoon is treasured by so many, not only here in the Third District, but around the City. That much was made evident by the outpouring of support that this project received. My office worked alongside Congressman Alan Lowenthal, the Friends of the Colorado Lagoon, the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach City staff, and other community supporters to bring this idea to fruition. If you haven't had a chance to come down and check out the great work that was done on the lagoon, I encourage all residents to make their way down here. Be sure to stop by at our Field Office next door (340 Nieto Ave) and share a coffee or tea with a member of our staff!
Although this phase of the Colorado Lagoon restoration Project is done and the lagoon is in use again, the work isn't over just yet. The next phase of this project involves creating an open channel. This open channel will connect the Colorado Lagoon to Marine Stadium. We anticipate having more details about the designs, project schedule, and plans in the near future. Our office will be hosting a community meeting to unveil the design, so keep your eyes peeled for an email with more information!
3rd District, District Office Director
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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 Residents Association
2nd Thursday of each month
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Bay Shore Library
Friends of Belmont Shore
First Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm
St. Bartholomew Meeting Hall - 5100 E. Broadway at Granada Ave.
NW Belmont Park Community Watch
Approximately every 3 months as determined
Third District Field Office
Peninsula Beach Preservation Group
Bluff Park Community Meeting
Grace United Methodist Church - 2535 E. 3rd St
June 28 - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Do you have a community or
neighborhood meeting that you
would like to add to the 3rd
District calendar? Email:
[email protected]
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COUNCIL PASSES HOMELESSNESS AGENDA ITEM
On May 23rd at a City Council meeting that ran well past midnight the Council unanimously approved an agenda item brought forth by Councilwoman Price.
The agenda item requested reports back from a number of city departments on how they are approaching issues of homelessness and where there are opportunities for expanded responsibilities. Currently most all homelessness issues fall on the shoulders of the Health Department or the Police Department, however there is significantly more work that needs to be done, and resources that need to be dedicated to this issue in order for the city to both provide the services and opportunities that help people get off the streets long-term, and also be responsive to the lingering quality of life issues that are felt in many of our neighborhoods.
This agenda item seeks to take a more comprehensive look at how the city addresses homelessness by looking for new creative solutions that are working in other cities, and expanding current Long Beach programs that are succeeding, while also involving more city departments in working to address homelessness. As Long Beach continues to work to provide services and resources to our homeless population it is also important to ensure the city is conscious of the impacts homelessness has on people in residential and business areas.
This agenda item's goal is to find new approaches that provide better services for those experiencing homelessness while also addressing the concerns felt daily in neighborhoods throughout Long Beach.
Full agenda item can be found
here
- By Jack Cunningham
3rd District, Chief of Staff
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FATHER'S DAY! - JUNE 18th
The celebration of honoring fathers is on
June 18th! Families gather around to honor
fatherhood and celebrate the father figures in their lives. For our active fathers, Marina Vista Pa
rk is holding a running event on Sunday, June 18th including 5k, 10k and half-marathon and marathon running (price varies).
You can find more info
here.
Happy Father's Day to all the great fathers! We hope you enjoy your day and celebrate it with your loved ones.
-By Parastoo Toosi
3rd District Office, Administrative Assistant
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NEW BATTING CAGES FOR WILSON GIRLS' SOFTBALL
When good people come together, great things happen! Approximately 7 months ago, our office was approached by a 3rd District resident and father of a Wilson softball player, Terry Cleaveland. He informed us that the Wilson baseball and football programs have their own fields on campus, but the girl
s use the City's Joe Rodgers Field that they share with the adult leagues and Poly High School's softball program for their home field games. The batting cages at this location were originally financed years ago by Wilson softball dad and former CSULB president King Alexander and the Wilson softball booster club. They had a dirt floor and were constantly overgrown with weeds. When it rained the mud made them unusable. As a result of Terry Cleaveland's outreach, we saw an opportunity to make a permanent improvement to the batting cages
and put the girl's facility more on par with what the baseball program and other high school softball programs enjoy.
Now, fast forward a few months...as a result of using
one time infrastructure funds of $12,400, Councilwoman Price is happy to report that the girls' softball batting cages are no longer dirt cages!
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Long Beach Parks Recreation and Marine department for coordinating our efforts to improve this facility. We now have a concrete floor just like the baseball cages. Although the Wilson girls didn't get time to enjoy the cages this season, the lasting improvement will remain as their legacy for many years to come.
Thank you Terry Cleaveland for taking the first step by seeing the need and wanting to make a difference!
Wilson High school Varsity softball team and coaches. Photo courtesy Terry Cleaveland
- By Lisa West
3rd District, Director of Business Relations, Programming & Outreach
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MEASURE A PROJECT
This month the Third District saw many infrastructure projects throughout Belmont Shore
. Curbs, gutters, and alley entrances were repaired and brought up to code in addition to the street repairs that will greatly extend the life of these roadways.
This work came as a result of the additional funding the city is receiving from Measure A and represents the biggest investment in public infrastructure Long Beach has seen in decades. These repairs are only some of the many projects occurring citywide right now, and that will be done in the next ten years over the life of Measure A.
- By Jack Cunningham
3rd District, Chief of Staff
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PJ's PET CAFE
Long Beach loves its
pets and so does Rossana Estravides of the newly reopened PJ's Pet Café. We are so happy that Rossana chose the 3rd District to reopen her business.
Conveniently located on 7th Street and Redondo Avenue, PJ's Pet Café is one of the cutest stores around focusing on pet daycare, doggy birthday parties, a pet bakery and a pet store. Never have I met an animal lover like Rossana. Everything she does is for the well-being of the animals she cares for.
Located at: 3412 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA.
Store Hours: Monday - Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Daycare appointments & birthday party reservations: (562) 386-2348
Named after her
treasured own dog PJ, this is also the place to pick up a
special treat or to take your pet for a home cooked meal. PJ's also has an array of toys, collars, leashes and pet accessories for purchase.
Driven by a purpose, the pet daycare aspect of Rossana's business is a real treat for animals. She has numerous areas to keep the pets entertained and happy while the owner is at work or running errands. The display case with cakes is so fun and tasty. Please make a point of visiting PJ's Pet Café, you won't be disappointed. Thank you Rosanna and the Estravides family for being a great asset to the 3rd District. We're so happy to have you!
- By Lisa West
3rd District, Director of Business Relations, Programming & Outreach
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CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
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
June 6 - Permit for Panxa Concina for Sidewalk dining
June 13 - Fee waiver for dock space at Alamitos Bay Marina
June 20 -
June 27 - Council is dark
- By Antonella Schaub
3rd District, Communications Director
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WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE BELMONT SHORE MEDIANS ON 2nd STREET?
 The 2nd Street Median Project continues to run smoothly. The first phase which involved concrete demolition, tree stump removal and minor repairs to existing curbs is on task. The palm trees were skinned to update their appearance and the flag poles were removed according to the plans. The electrical contractor was able to determine they could use the existing conduit, so replacing it will be one less expense on the project. Construction is anticipated to last through July. The City is working with the businesses on 2nd Street to provide updates on construction activity and to mitigate
interruptions to the street. Extra care is being taken to minimize work during scheduled events. If you would like more details on the project, please contact (562) 570-5160.
- By Antonella Schaub
3rd District, Communications Director
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Residents can call Public maintenance to
report potholes and any
other highway related matters - Phone Number: (213-897-4426)
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WATCH OUT FOR THOSE BIKES!
As summer approaches, the weather will be getting even better so kids will be playing outside with their bikes and families will be taking local bike rides. Drivers, please look out for those bikes on the streets and control your speed in residential areas where kids are playing. The last day of school for the Long Beach Unified School District is Thursday, June 15th.
Also, on June 27th, Long Beach Junior Life Guards Program will begin with over 500 kids participating this year. Most of these kids will be riding their bikes from homes to the Claremont Beach lot. So please watch out for those eager lifeguards.
Drive carefully and ride your bikes safely!
- By Parastoo Toosi
3rd District Office, Administrative Assistant
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LONG BEACH VA HOSPITAL RENAMED - THE TIBOR RUBIN VA MEDICAL CENTER
Long Beach VA Hospital held a ceremony on May 10th, 2017 to rename the VA Medical Center to Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center. Last year, Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) introduced new legislation to rename the Long Beach Department of Veteran's Affairs Medical Center to Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, which received approval by House of Representative and finally signed by President Obama in December of last year.
Tibor Rubin was a Holocaust survivor and a Medal of Honor recipient who passed away on December 5th, 2015 in Garden Grove. When Rubin was 13 years old, he survived a Nazi labor camp. Later, in 1948, he immigrated to the U.S. where he received the Medal of Honor in 2005 for his dedication and action during the Korean War as a U.S. Army soldier.
 After moving to Garden Grove, he started to volunteer at the Long Beach VA hospital and spent more than 20,000 hours, earning him an award for his contributions.
"I am honored and humbled to see the President sign into law my legislation to name the VA Medical Center in Long Beach after an American hero," Congressman Lowenthal said. "Throughout his life, Tibor Rubin was dedicated and devoted to helping others through acts of kindness, courage and bravery. When challenges came his way he remained steadfast and determined to help others around him. I am proud to have met and represented such an honorable man like Mr. Rubin; I know the VA Medical Center in our community will pay tribute to his legacy and it is my hope that it serves as an inspiration to those that come after him," said Lowenthal.
- By Parastoo Toosi
3rd District Office, Administrative Assistant
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WHO WOULD YOU CALL?
Some Important City and non-City numbers
Broken/ Inoperable Traffic Light and Signs: (562) 570-3264
Broken Street Light: (562) 983-2000
Shoes hanging on power or utility lines: (562) 570-2700 - Ext. 8
Graffiti on Buildings: (562) 570-2773
Gas Emergency: (562) 570-2140
Damaged Banner: (562) 570-5333
Leaking Fire Hydrant: (562) 570-2390
Broken Curb: (562) 570-2770
Pot Hole: (562) 570-3259
Abandoned Shopping Cart: (800) 252-4613
Noise Abatement: (562) 570-4126
Trash in Street: (562) 570-2876
Water Department: (562) 570-2390
Damaged Trees: (562) 570-2700 - Ext. 4
Overflowing Sidewalk Trash Can: (562) 570-2876
Damaged or Missing Tree Gate: (562) 570-2770
Damaged Sewer: (562) 570-2440
Storm Drains: (562) 570-2700 Ext. 3
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Visit the link to see all the upcoming events in Long Beach...
EVENTS
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Other Events in Long Beach
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DANCING FOR WATER @ LONG BEACH!
Mark your calendars! Long Beach will dance for water on June 24th 2017! Global Water Dances (GWD) is a visionary worldwide event of simultaneous outdoor performances illuminating water issues, inspiring and empowering citizens to take action. Since 2011, more than 70 cities dance on one single day to raise awareness about local and global water crisis. These performances are open to the public and free of charge, and are shared by live streaming and video uploads on the website www.globalwaterdances.org.
When: Saturday June 24th at 4:00 PM
Where: Alfredo's Beach Club (Granada Beach Launch Ramp @ 5101 Ocean Blvd)
*** Special thanks to Alfredo's Beach Club for partnering with Global Water Dances Long Beach and hosting this event. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
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STROLL AND SAVOR- JUNE 21st AND JUNE 22nd
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