Bits 'n' Pieces

LB Receives Excellent Water Quality Grades

The City of Long Beach continues to receive excellent water quality grades from Heal the Bay, with 92 percent of its beaches receiving “A” and “B” grades in the 2017 Annual Beach Report Card that was issued recently. Long Beach has seen sustained improvements in water quality over the past six years.

Twelve of the 13 beaches sampled received “A” or “B” grades from April through October, including three “A+” grades. The State Health and Safety Code, known as AB 411, requires testing of recreational waters during this important time period when the most people go to the beach and enjoy the water.

One beach received a “B” grade, and one received a “C.” Long Beach also received 62 percent “A” and “B” grades, during the dry winter months. This is down from last year’s 80 percent “A” and “B” grades, possibly due to high rainfall and runoff in 2016.

Water quality in the Alamitos Bay received high ratings, including one “A” and two “A+” grades from April through October, and an “A+”, an “A” and a “B” grade from November to March.

Rainy weather remains a challenge for the region as well as the City of Long Beach, with the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers flowing into Long Beach waters. This year’s rainfall levels exceed the five- and ten-year averages, which may have impacted winter and wet weather grades. The city will continue to work with upstream cities, state and federal regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to address impacts from storm water runoff.

For current information on water quality in Long Beach, visit https://bitly.com/LBWaterQuality. The Heal the Bay 2017 Annual Beach Report Card is available at www.healthebay.org.

Assistance League of LB Awards Scholarships

Local students received $111,950 in Assistance League of Long Beach scholarships for the coming 2017-18 school year. Each of 15 teacher education students at CSULB was awarded $2,250; twelve $1,000 scholarships were awarded to LBCC students. In addition, LBUSD’s instrumental music departments were awarded $15,000, and Cabrillo High School received $1,200 for its Band Spectacular. The $1,000 Christopher Newton Scholarship (in memory of Christopher Newton who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks) went to Lakewood High School’s Performing Arts Program.

Two students were awarded a Patricia Delaney Horton Scholarship. Assistance League of Long Beach awards the Patricia Delaney Horton Scholarship annually to one or more promising students who meet both academic merit and financial need criteria. Pat Horton was a longtime member of Assistance League of Long Beach. Because she and her husband Wes believed in the transformative power of a college education, they wanted to provide financial support to students who might not otherwise be able to attain their dream of a college/university degree.

Yolanda Garcia, a junior at UCI majoring in psychology and social behavior, was the happy recipient of a $10,000 Patricia Delaney Horton Scholarship for the second year in a row. Yolanda, a graduate of CAMEO Professional Auxiliary’s Mentoring Program, is just the type of person the Hortons wanted to help. She has had to deal with major family and financial issues and concerns beyond her years. Despite those difficulties she retained a positive, optimistic attitude, and is dedicated to “paying it forward” to a community that helped her and her family. Nohelia Gavarrete, a senior majoring in business at CSULB, received a $2500 Horton Scholarship.

CAMEO Professional Auxiliary of Assistance League of Long Beach awarded $25,000 in scholarships to the 10 students graduating from its Mentoring Program: Four students from Wilson (Anthony Gomez, Olvin Hernandez, Jasmine Robles, Adonis Rubio); four from Poly (Seanita Caim, Noel Gallegos, Jaylon Ray, Sandy Rios, Adriana Torres), and Rebecca Linares from LBCC. Each student received a $1,000 continuing education scholarship and a computer and printer. The graduates will be continuing their education at LBCC, CSULB, Glendale Community College, UCI, and Stanford University.

CSULB President Comments on Climate Change

 Long Beach State University President Jane Close Conoley recently issued the following statement proclaiming the campus remains ‘all in’ on the effort to lead others in the fight against climate change.

“Long Beach State University remains steadfast in its pledge to lead in the fight against climate change,” said President Jane Close Conoley. “The trajectory we are currently on has us improving climate outcomes by reducing our own global footprint, generating research in related fields of study, and educating a new generation of innovators. Aligning a healthy climate with a robust economy is within reach if we act quickly. We are proud to do our part.”

In 2015 the campus joined 200 other colleges and universities across the United States in signing the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge that demonstrated support for strong international climate action.

Hospital Awarded $500K Grant for Initiatives

Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center has received a 2-year/$500,000 grant from the UniHealth Foundation to implement the Healthlink Project. In partnership with Mental Health America (MHA) Los Angeles, the project will identify the most vulnerable emergency department (ED) patients and provide them with comprehensive case management services, housing resources, and emergency financial support.

A patient-centered, multi-disciplinary Healthlink team, including a case manager and a licensed clinical social worker, will connect patients to community resources and treatment interventions. The projects goal is to assist ED patients with mental illness; unstable housing; one or more chronic medical conditions; and/or without a primary care provider, or insurance.

“The HealthLink Project will have a tremendous impact on St. Mary Medical Center’s ability to provide comprehensive services by recognizing and addressing the needs of our patients who suffer from mental health disorders and homelessness,” states Pamela Fair, RN, Director of critical care and emergency services. “We also anticipate that it will help reduce our ER utilizations.”

According to a recent statement from the City of Long Beach, our community’s homeless population is over 1,800, yet has declined by 20 percent over the past year due to expansion of permanent housing options, innovative outreach methods, and coordination between the city and community members. The Healthlink Project will further help in this effort.

The Healthlink Project is supported by a grant from UniHealth Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization whose mission it is to support and facilitate activities that significantly improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities

Symphony Executive Director Signs Contract Renewal

Long Beach Symphony Association Board of Directors announced today that they will renew a three-year contract with Executive Director Kelly Lucera.

Viewed as a reward for her performance since her hire in March of 2013, the board unanimously agreed to continue Lucera’s tenure based on the positive and transformative growth experienced by the Symphony since the beginning of her contract and her potential to spearhead further growth in coming years.

The symphony’s 83rd season, which begins July 1, 2017, will bring new artistic vision under the baton of the symphony’s new Music Director, Eckart Preu. Beginning with a rousing Inaugural Night concert on October 7, 2017, the Symphony will produce 16 total concerts for the season, including six classical concerts led by Maestro Preu at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, five POPS! concerts held at the Long Beach Arena.

This summer, Long Beach Symphony will educate and entertain young children throughout the City with its Instrument Petting Zoo sessions at five neighborhood libraries, and on July 15 Maestro Eckart Preu will join Symphony principal trombonist, Alex Iles, for a free family performance at Cesar Chavez Park during their Season of Live Arts and Music Series (SLAM). For further information or to purchase tickets, visit longbeachsymphony.org or call (562) 436-3203.

Haeseler Earns “Premier Advisor” Designation

Wells Fargo Advisors has, for the 6th consecutive year, designated Gregory Haeseler, First Vice President, Investment Officer, as a member of the firm’s Premier Advisor Program. The Premier Advisor designation is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by business production, completion of educational components, and professionalism.

 Haeseler has been a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors for 9 years and has 37 years’ experience in the brokerage industry. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from CSU Dominguez Hills.