Bits 'n' Pieces

Get Vaccinated to Qualify for Incentives

The City of Long Beach is encouraging community members to get the COVID-19 vaccine to qualify to receive gift cards and cash prizes from the State of California and be entered into daily opportunity drawings held by the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department (DHHS). The incentives aim to encourage more individuals to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as California moves toward a full reopening of the economy on June 15.

Vax for the Win State Incentive Program – The State of California has launched a $116.5 million incentive program for vaccinated residents. The vaccine incentive program is the largest in the country and includes cash prizes of up to $1.5 million. All Californians who have had at least one COVID-19 dose, including those receiving the vaccine in Long Beach, will automatically be entered. Individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible for a chance to receive a $50 gift card and other cash prizes.

Long Beach Vaccine Incentives – The City of Long Beach is continuing to offer incentives for those who receive their first dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or their one and only dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine through any city-run vaccination site. From June 1 through June 5, those who receive vaccination will automatically be entered to win opportunity drawing prizes including their choice of either a Sun Bicycles Revolutions 24 beach cruiser, a Firmstrong Urban Lady Single Speed beach cruiser, Apple Airpods or a one- to two-night stay at a local hotel. Those selected will have the opportunity to choose either prize. Parent/guardian consent is required for those under the age of 18. This week’s participating hotels include Courtyard Long Beach Downtown, Golden Sails Hotel, Marriott Long Beach and The Westin Long Beach.

Additionally, every Wednesday throughout the month of June, The Habit Burger will be onsite at the evening vaccination clinics at the Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus (PCC) providing complimentary meals to everyone receiving the vaccine.

There are a variety of ways eligible people can receive vaccine in Long Beach:

• Long Beach Convention Center, located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Mobile Community Clinics at Admiral Kidd, MacArthur and Houghton Parks
• Mobile Vaccination Vehicles for homebound individuals and people in hard-hit neighborhoods
• Mobile vaccination at local schools, including Cabrillo High School on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Grant Elementary on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Washington Middle School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Evening vaccinations at PCC, located at 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Appointments are not required, but people interested in scheduling an appointment may do so by visiting the state’s vaccination portal, MyTurn.ca.gov, or by calling the California COVID-19 Hotline at (833) 422-4255.

Ransomware Protection

You probably heard about the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack. It shut off the gas supply for millions of people. When you think about what hackers can disrupt, it’s pretty scary.

You might not think that has much to do with your business, but the truth is, hackers more frequently target small and medium businesses than they do the big companies that make the news.

Why?

Because small and medium businesses are easier targets. Many are lacking the cyber security needed to protect their business and critical data.

Read more about what the Colonial Pipelines attack means for small and medium business and learn how to get your own CyberSCORE to learn how well your business is protected from cyber-attacks, visit https://www.stimulustech.com/2021/05/20/how-the-colonial-pipeline-hack-a....

Library Summer Reading Program Kicks Off

The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) will kick off its 2021 Summer Reading Program on Saturday, June 19, at 11 a.m., via the LBPL Facebook page. The special kick-off event will feature virtual performances by Christopher T. Magician and Pacific Animal Productions.

This year’s eight-week program, “Reading Colors Your World,” encourages readers of all ages to explore the colorful world around them through books and creative activities. Readers are encouraged to pick up a book, read five days each week and complete two activities to earn virtual badges and be entered into weekly drawings. Participation serves as a great way to keep young minds active during the summer months and prevent a “summer slide” in their academic performance.

Patrons can register online beginning June 2 by using the LBPL’s virtual reading platform, Beanstack, a web and mobile-friendly application that allows users to log their reading and activities, unlock achievements and discover new books. Starting June 2, individuals can also register in person at open library locations.

“Our annual Summer Reading Program is a wonderful way for families to spend meaningful time together,” said Long Beach Public Library Director Glenda Williams. “This year, we are offering a hybrid program for readers of all ages to read, learn and discover throughout the summer.”

“Reading Colors Your World” runs June 19 to August 14 and offers free virtual programs for children, teens and adults to encourage and support a love of learning. Summer activities include weekly virtual storytimes for younger children and take-and-make crafts for children ages four to 10 years old. Teens can enjoy an afternoon with Mark Oshiro, author of Each of Us a Desert, and Make Create Design, a 5-part video game design series. Programs for adults feature a book club, author and artist talks and an opportunity to attend “Paint Night” with special guest Paco the Sloth where participants will learn to paint while learning interesting facts about sloths. 

The Summer Reading Program is made possible through support from the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and Friends of the Long Beach Public Library. Their generosity enables the LBPL to offer books and other incentives to participants, as well as provide special performances by professional family entertainers and educators.

To learn more about the Summer Reading Program and upcoming library events, visit lbpl.org or call (562) 570-7500.

New Tenants

2ND & PCH welcomes eleven new tenants. The latest lifestyle services, retailers and restaurants will include:

• Active Culture Café
• Brixton
• Compass Real Estate (now open)
• Dan Modern Chinese
• Fire Wings
• Jinya Ramen Bar
• One Medical (now open)
• Palapa
• Sunglass Hut
• The Shoal’s
• Tocaya Organica

In addition to the new tenants, Seaport Way continues to be closed to vehicular traffic through the summer providing additional common area seating and unique experiences for guests to enjoy.

Tips to Prevent the Spread of Diseases

The Long Beach Health Department is asking residents and businesses to partner with them in controlling mosquitoes and preventing diseases. City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis advises that residents should follow the below precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes and the diseases they may carry.

Mosquitoes can carry serious diseases like West Nile Virus, encephalitis, malaria and Zika, and can present a serious public health concern. Mosquitoes cannot transmit the COVID-19 virus.

What can people do to protect themselves?

• Empty any containers filled with water in and around the home.
• Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls at least once a week.
• Dump water from potted plant saucers.
• Ensure that water-related play areas (kiddie pools, water slides, etc.) are properly maintained.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and drain water from pool covers.
• Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants.
• Install screens on doors and windows.
• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as DEET to prevent mosquito bites. DEET is safe for children two months and older as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers (always us as directed).

Residents are urged to report unusual numbers of day-biting mosquitoes and neglected or green pools in one of the following ways:

• Call the Long Beach Mosquito Hotline at (562) 570-4132.
• Submit an online report at longbeach.gov/mosquitoes.
• Report dead birds to the California Department of Public Health by calling (877) WNV.BIRD or online at westnile.ca.gov.

Residents can find more information about mosquitoes, rodents and fleas by visiting longbeach.gov/health.

4th School Food Pantry

Help Me Help You (HMHY) commenced the 4th Nutrition Knights school food pantry location at Lincoln Elementary School on May 12 to feed those greatest in need by expanding access to free healthy groceries. Communities that were already battling with food insecurity prior to the COVID-19 pandemic have grown in numbers, as hunger remains a critical problem for Long Beach children and their families. With the recent reopening of schools, the Nutrition Knights food pantry service also provides the opportunity to entice children and families back to the school environment.

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Long Beach is part of the South Bay Service Planning area which has the highest percentage of low-income households experiencing food insecurity. Families are often faced with cutting down or skipping meals and having to choose between using their money to buy food or pay for housing, or other living expenses. It is estimated that at least 1 in 4 children in America suffers from food insecurity.

When identifying the best locations to expand Nutrition Knights school food pantry services, HMHY prioritizes the areas with the greatest need as well as the school’s willingness to help the community. According to the California Department of Education, 95% of Lincoln Elementary school children are economically disadvantaged, and 9.30% of children enrolled in the 2019-2020 school year were homeless. Food insecurity can have an adverse domino effect on the overall well-being of children and the community.

“It can lead to depression, developmental problems, health issues, and poor education outcomes. As a community, it’s essential that we help children and families with the greatest need to access nutritious fresh produce and packaged food,” said Zina Washington, HMHY executive director.

The reopening of LBUSD schools in late April 2021, has seen few children return to school, with Lincoln Elementary reporting approximately 25% attendance of children enrolled. The new HMHY Nutrition Knights food pantry at Lincoln Elementary School, invites all those in need to receive healthy groceries and essential community service information in a friendly and familiar school environment every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, between 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM.

“Lincoln Elementary is very thankful to HMHY, Nutrition Knights, for providing free groceries to our Lincoln families that require much-needed help during these difficult times. Lincoln Elementary + Help Me Help You, Nutrition Knights = A community in action!” said Juan Gonzalez, Lincoln Elementary assistant principal.

HMHY currently operates seven other Long Beach community and school food pantry locations including Oropeza, Cesar Chavez, and Stevenson Elementary Schools, as well as a Long Beach Food Pantry Delivery for seniors, however, there remains a great need for additional school locations throughout the area.

You can support HMHY food pantry services by making donations at http://www.helpmehelpu.org/donate. For more information on Nutrition Knights school food pantries, please contact us on (562) 612 5001 or visit www.helpmehelpu.org/food-pantry.

Established in 2002, Help Me Help You (HMHY) is a 501(c)(3) community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families in need by increasing access to food, public benefits, economic security, and social security benefits.

Summer Adaptive Youth, Adult Recreation Programs

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer in person adaptive recreation programs for middle and high school youth and adults, providing fun and enriching experiences such as art, games and fitness activities designed for people with special needs. Programs will run June 21 through August 27, and registration begins on Monday, June 7, at 2:30 p.m.

The Adaptive Youth and Adult Recreation Programs will take place Monday through Friday at Stearns Champions Park, located at 4520 E. 23rd St. The middle and high school programs, for youth grades six through 12, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the adult program will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. The program cost is $20 per week for youth and $15 for adults.

Registration will be available beginning June 7 at 2:30 p.m. in-person at Stearns Champions Park by appointment only. To make an appointment or for more information, people may call (562) 440-2867.

Both programs will maintain appropriate staff-to-participant ratios and other enhanced safety protocols for the health and safety of both participants and staff.

Additional information about the various other PRM summer recreation programs and offerings is available by calling (562) 570-3150 or by visiting LBparks.org.

Popular Summer Camps for Children and Youth Return

Grace First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach has long been the host of numerous popular summer camps. Some of the camps are church camps, and others are secular music camps. After a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, the camps are returning this summer.

The first up will be Vacation Bible School (VBS). This camp will run from June 21-25 from 9 a.m. to noon, and is open to children and youth ages 4-6 grade. Embark on an epic quest through hidden ruins, ancient caves and dense jungles.

At Treasured VBS, kids dig into action-packed, faith-filled adventures. They’ll discover God’s greatest treasure isn’t diamonds, gems, or gold– it’s them!  The cost for this camp is $40 per child, $50 for 2 siblings, or $60 for a family.

Then in July, the first of the music summer camps, Musical Theater Camp, will run from July 12-16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Join us as we sing, dance, and act our way through an exciting musical about people from various races, creeds, ages, religions and backgrounds including Malala Yousafzai, Anne Frank, Nelson Mandela, Ryan White, George Washington Carver, Betsy Ross, Albert Einstein who all made a difference in this world. This musical has 6 original songs and over 50 lines. At the end of the camp we will have a live performance, time TBD.The cost for this camp is $40 per child, $60 for a family.

Then the loudest and most spectacular of all is School of Rock for middle schoolers and high schoolers. This camp runs from July 19-23, noon to 4 p.m., with a dinner and final performance on Friday, July 23. This camp features sessions on songwriting, recording, jamming, lessons, clinics, and performances by working professional musicians.

This year’s performers are the Hipster Replacements, the Brophy Dale Trio, Chadwick Bishop, Saydi Driggers, and a big closing concert featuring the campers opening for Jelly of the Month Club. Cost is $100 per youth, $150 for siblings/families. Scholarships are available for all three camps.

To find out more or register for the camps, go to https://www.gracefirst.org/children-youth. For more information, contact Minister of Music Stan DeWitt at (562) 972-3324 or stan.gracefirst@gmail.com.