Bits 'n' Pieces

Water Commissioners to Vote on Budget and Rates

 The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners will vote on two separate resolutions regarding their Fiscal Year 2017-18 proposed budget and rates for Long Beach Water on Thursday, June 15. The regular board meeting will be held at 9 a.m. at the LBWD Administration Building at 1800 E. Wardlow Road.

The rate resolution proposes a four percent water rate increase and a two percent sewer rate increase to meet continuing increases in the cost of delivering water and sewer services safely and reliably to our community. The average combined water and sewer bill for a typical single family household will increase by $1.84 per month. Typical usage is based on 10 billing units for water and 10 billing units for sewer per month. The new rates will go into effect October 1.

The adoption of the proposed budget and rates for FY 2017-18 is subject to a Proposition 218 public hearing and adoption by the City Council. A notice of the Proposition 218 public hearing will be mailed to all LBWD customers of record.

The full agenda packet can be found at lbwater.org/meeting-times-location-agendas after 12 noon on Friday, June 9.

Assistance League Installs New President of the Board

Before an audience of more than 200 member volunteers, Patti Brown was installed as the 77th president of Assistance League of Long Beach on Monday, May 22, at The Centre at Sycamore Plaza. Brown joined as a chapter member in 2009 and has served in many leadership roles, including Vice President of Philanthropic Programs, and Assisteens Coordinator.

The 2017-2018 Board of Directors include: JoAnn McDonald, President-Elect; 1st VP Philanthropic Programs, Diane Gleason; 2nd VP Fund Development, Susan Rivard; 3rd VP Special Events, Darlene Hopkins; 4th VP Finance, Cindy Summers; 5th VP Membership, Kerri Birnie; Secretary, Marilyn Wittkop; Treasurer, Catherine Vandenberg Smith; Thrift &Vintage Shop Chairman, Liz Breslauer.

Also, Marketing Communications Chairman, Linda Drummond; Strategic Planning Chairman, Cynthia Terry; Rick Rackers Auxiliary Chairman, Katey Conley; Las Hermanas Auxiliary Chairman, Ann Tarango; CAMEO Professional Auxiliary Chairman, Diane Fagan; Assisteens Coordinator, Shelly Barbre; and Parliamentarian, Vickie Sullos.

Outgoing president Vickie Sullos presented an annual report that highlighted the accomplishments of the many philanthropic programs.

During the past year, Operation School Bell provided more than 8,000 children in need with new sets of school uniforms attending Long Beach Unified School District schools. The Orthodontic Program treated over 900 patients in various stages of orthodontic treatment. Member volunteers have contributed 81,000+ hours of service to Assistance League of Long Beach and to its philanthropic programs.

Chavez Family Launches Scholarship Program

This year four deserving seniors in the PACE Program at Long Beach Poly High School were awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarship funding as part of the first annual Chavez Family Scholars Program. For the inaugural class of scholarship recipients, The Chavez Family Scholars Program sought to identify students who demonstrated academic excellence, leadership ability, and community service. Not only did the four winners meet the requirements, but they also demonstrated compassion, integrity and perseverance.

The four recipients were Veronica Santana, Derek Matos, Ashley Huendo, and Jessica Diaz. Santana will be attending Harvard University. Matos, Huendo and Diaz will attend UCLA in the fall. Beyond high GPAs and test scores, these students showed a degree of leadership, courage, and maturity that deserves to be recognized and rewarded.

The Chavez Family Scholars Program was created to invest in Long Beach’s best and brightest students. “I wanted to create a legacy of giving back to an institution that has been at the forefront of academic excellence in Long Beach for 42 years,” commented James Chavez, the founder of the scholarship program.

Huxton Breaks Ground in Downtown Long Beach

The City of Long Beach, in partnership with City Ventures, Inc., celebrated the groundbreaking of Huxton, a solar powered, all-electric, townhome condominium community in the East Village. The project will be one of the first single-family condominium housing developments to be built in downtown Long Beach in almost a decade.

Located at 227 Elm Ave., Huxton will consist of 40 three-story townhome condominium units situated above a garage, a community room building, outdoor courtyards and an integrated pedestrian paseo that will activate the streetscape and promote connectivity in the Downtown. The contemporary development will also incorporate several advanced technology, energy-efficient and water-efficient features to promote a healthy, active, and earth-friendly lifestyle.

The transit-oriented development lies within walking-distance of the Metro Blue Line and the Long Beach Transit Gallery, and will offer key mobility amenities, including on-site bike storage and a bike repair room for residents.

Hornblower Celebrates Summer with Cocktail Cruises

For something new for families in Long Beach area this summer, imagine a lovely two-hour cruise on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach with ever changing views, sips of a cool beverage and relaxing background music. Hornblower Cruises is offering a casual  two-hour bay cruise with drink specials and snack bar every Weds and Thursday Starting June 1 all summer. The new Long Beach Sunset Cocktail Cruise on ships cruise is designed to entertain summer visitors and locals seeking a unique and relaxing happy hour with music. The cruise is open to all ages.

Offered on Wednesday and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Adult tickets are $39.95 and children 4-12 years old cruise for $17.50 and under 3 is free. Tickets can be purchased on line or on board the Hornblower yacht at Hornblower Cruises is located in Long Beach Rainbow Harbor adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific at Dock 6A. Exit the 710 South, follow the signs to the Aquarium. There will be a full adult cocktail bar with Kraft beer, cocktail specials and snacks.

For a complete list of holidays and special events, visit www.hornblowerholidays.com.

For more information or reservations please go online to www.hornblower.com or call 1-888-Hornblower.