Beachcombing

Jay Beeler

One member of the team that delivers bulk quantities of the Beachcomber every other Friday has a problem. Perhaps you can help him out.

Roberto Vazquez, 55, is homeless and lives out of his van, which needs extensive engine and transmission work. He can’t afford it.

Reporter Kirt Ramirez wrote a Beachcomber story about Rob in July 2021 in his quest to swim 40 laps around Naples Island within one year. That’s a total of about 100 miles and a very cold way to take a bath..

Subsequently we offered Rob a Beachcomber delivery job that biweekly provides three hours of work. Rob also submitted some feature stories – mostly aquatic related – for which he was paid.

While a few hundred dollars each month was sufficient to cover meals and gas, it’s not enough to cover a repair bill for thousands of dollars. When I shared this story on social media in hopes of finding a replacement van, my friend Ian Patton suggested and initiated a GoFundMe appeal.

Within one week almost a thousand dollars was raised toward a goal of $5,000, thanks to some of our friends, relatives and Beachcomber supporters.

You too can help. Go to https://gofund.me/6d6da893. All donations are sincerely appreciated.

 

Congratulations to the organizers of the 48th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach for another very successful event.

According to Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian, the race hosted more than 192,000 attendees, a record for the modern era (since the 2008 INDYCAR – Champ Car series merger), with all grandstand reserved seating having sold out. And preliminary concession and merchandise sales numbers reflect a substantial increase in sales as well.

“The 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach was a resounding success!” said Michaelian. “We were blessed with three days of perfect weather, great racing and a wide variety of activities for our fans. There was a sense of real enjoyment from the diverse crowd that gathered to enjoy all that the Grand Prix – and the City of Long Beach – had to offer.”

Even as the racing circuit is being dismantled, plans are underway to enhance the fan experience at the 49th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, scheduled to take place April 19-21, 2024.

publisher@beachcomber.news

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