Bits 'n' Pieces

LGB Aims to Reduce Airline Curfew Violations

Long Beach Airport is beginning a public process to consider amendments to the city’s noise regulations. The recommendation is based on an initial analysis by airport staff and review by the city attorney’s office, outside legal counsel, and preliminary discussions with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to encourage compliance and reduce curfew violations.

The Noise Ordinance has been largely successful in minimizing the number of departure and arrival curfew violations; however, in more recent years, the number of curfew violations increased significantly. From Jan. 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017, there have been 119 violations during the sensitive nighttime hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., with an additional 14 violations occurring during 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Between 2015 and 2016, the number of curfew violations significantly increased from 89 to 134. Through the first six months of 2017, air carrier curfew violations conducted outside of the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. for a total of 133, nearly double the number of violations in previous periods. This pattern illustrates that the current fine structure does not provide the financial incentive to avoid curfew arrivals and departures at the airport.

“We are encouraged that with recent administrative regulation changes made at other noise controlled airports, there is precedent for the city to make some adaptations to our airport noise regulations,” said Jess L. Romo, airport director. “Long Beach Airport has a long history of working with the community and balancing the interests of our various stakeholders. We are fortunate to have one of the few noise control ordinances in the nation. Originally enacted in 1995, these updates are needed to encourage compliance.”

The proposed amendments would:

Increase the fine structure and target repeat violators by progressively increasing fine amounts to be more in line with fines at other curfew airports in the region.

Authorize the airport director to require the return of allocated air carrier flight slots in the case of excessive and repeated noise violations.

Modify the minimum flight slot-use regulations to require increased utilization.

Make other updates and changes to modernize the ordinance, while ensuring that the city maintains its grandfathered status under the federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act or “ANCA.”

For specifics on the proposed changes, please visit: http://bit.ly/LGBNoise

The Sky is the Limit for New Aviation Explorer Post

The Long Beach Area Council announces the opening of a new Aviation Exploring Post at Long Beach Airport. Hosted by the Long Beach Airport Association, this hands-on learning program focuses on introducing local youth to the field of aviation.

We’re very excited to welcome the new members of the Aviation Explorer Post to our Long Beach Airport family,” said Aeroplex Aviation President/CEO Curt Castagna. “Interested students should sign up as soon as possible to take advantage of this amazing opportunity to explore the possibilities and excitement found only in an active airport environment.”

In the months ahead, Aviation Explorers will experience hands-on learning in the areas of air traffic control, airport operations and airplane mechanics, to name a few. They will also be exposed to the daily routines of a flight attendant or pilot. With the ultimate goal of developing leadership and teamwork skills, the program will be tailored to the student’s specific learning interests.

Fledgling Explorers will be in good hands with Justin Castagna, operations and project manager at Aeroplex Aviation, leading the way as post advisor. Curt Castagna will serve as executive officer, while Cindy Goodfellow, also of Aeroplex Aviation, will be the committee chair. Lewis Eddie Garcia and Michael Duckhorn of Signature Flight Support will round out the leadership team as associate advisors, offering a diversified range of knowledge and experience.

To learn more about the Exploring program please contact Exploring Coordinator Rosa Talag at (562) 427-0911 x271 or at rosa.talag@longbeachbsa.org.

Annual School Supply Drive

An astounding 83 percent of the members at Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach live in poverty and qualify for free or reduced lunches. Families have difficulties paying rent and purchasing food and find it incredibly difficult to buy the supplies their kids need to be successful this school year. This is where our Long Beach community can help – by donating backpacks and school supplies to these kids who need it the most. Throughout the month of August, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach will be collecting school supplies and backpacks to distribute to their members who cannot afford to purchase the items on their own.

“Each child deserves a chance to start off the new school year with the necessary supplies in hand.” stated Don Rodriguez, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach. “We have been very fortunate to partner with great corporations, like Fluor Enterprises, who donate school supplies for 300 kids every year, but the need doesn’t end there.”

In addition to the annual school supply drive, the clubs are also asking the community to sponsor a child’s membership to the clubs. BGCLB serves over 5,500 kids annually, where it costs the club $600 to serve one youth for one year. The child’s family is only asked to pay $15 a year, but no one is turned away for the inability to pay. This year, the clubs have partnered up with your local retail stores to help collect donations. You can make cash donations during checkout at our local GAP and Lowe’s stores.

With 82 percent of the club members living in poverty, they serve as a safe, fun and affordable place for kids to go after-school. Research shows that kids and teens who attend after-school programs have better attendance, improved behavior and higher grades and test scores.

Support Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach to ensure all kids and teens have the right tools and support to be successful this school year. Learn more about their annual school supply drive and sponsorships at www.bgclublb.org/Back2School.

Collaborative to Establish New Youth Program

The Long Beach Community Foundation (LBCF) and nine local philanthropic partners recently pooled their charitable resources to establish the LBCF Funders Collaborative. During the collaboration’s inaugural endeavor, more than 25 grant applications competed for a onetime

$75,000 grant award. This new Health Engaged Youth! (HEY) program rose to the top to win the grant which will serve deserving Long Beach youth through the YMCA of Greater Long Beach.

“The YMCA has a tradition of efficient, impactful programs in Long Beach that address the holistic needs of youth, which is a perfect match for this grant,” said Gary DeLong, LBCF board chair. “Additionally, they have the experience and sustainability resources to successfully achieve the collaboratives’ goal of funding Youth Empowerment; Health, Education and Opportunity, and Community Improvement.”

The YMCA of Greater Long Beach’s HEY! Program targets 30 to 40 at-risk youth in Downtown and North Long Beach through a variety of experiences including youth and government leadership programs, internships, club memberships, and attending camps focused on team building in order to build future leaders for the community. The program will be used to teach physical, social, emotional, cultural and workforce skills to empower youth.

“The grant applicant pool was phenomenal and many qualified organizations submitted proposals. Our selection committee deliberated intensely about whether the best recipient for this type of fund was an established nonprofit with a demonstrated track record or a smaller nonprofit who could make tremendous strides with an influx of funding at this level,” said LBCF President & CEO Marcelle Epley. “Philosophically, the grant was established to fund either type. The YMCA’s program leverages their existing resources; best addresses the inter-related areas of health, education and opportunity; creates a new service model; and will be sustainable.”

The following partners made financial contribution to support the LBCF Funders Collaborative: The California Endowment, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Rudolph J. and Daphne A. Munzer Foundation, The Adams Legacy Foundation, The Johnson Family Fund, Dameron Family Foundation, Robert Brush Foundation Fund, The Josephine S. Gumbiner Foundation, The Barbara Bixby Blackwell Foundation Fund and The Long Beach Community Foundation.

“Obviously, we are thrilled to receive a $75,000 grant award,” said YMCA Executive Director Alfredo Velasco. “But more importantly, we are honored to be the first recipient of the LBCF Funder’s Collaboration grant. Being selected is a testament to the community’s confidence in our abilities to strengthen the community through youth development.”

Viva Falafel Opens

If you are looking for some delicious all natural, organic or vegan food then newly opened Viva Falafel is your place to go. Located at the corner of 4th Street and Ximeno, this small but comfortable restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The menu consists of  a variety of Middle Eastern sandwiches, wraps and build your own salad. Sandwiches include your choice of sweet potato fries, french fries or a salad.

The pita sandwich has of an ample amount of falafels, turnup strips, lettuce and tomatoes. This is topped of with a creamy tahini sauce. Make sure you are hungry when ordering this sandwich. By the way, the sweet potato fries are fantastic.

Side dishes include hummus, tabauleh and  babaghanouch. Breakfast dishes include a variety of sandwiches that include fruit and hash browns. Drinks include coffee, hot tea, pomegranate lemonade, kambuchba on tap and kombuchelada.

Viva Falafel is open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Phone (562) 588-9292.

Anil Sharma Awarded Fellowship by AAPM

Anil Sharma, Ph.D., director, Medical Physics,      Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Radiation Oncology Center, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, Long Beach Memorial, was named a Fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). Election to fellowship is AAPM’s highest honor and was established to recognize members who have made significant contributions to the field of medical physics.

The award requires that the recipient has demonstrated excellence in leadership to the profession, service to the Association, research and scholarly works or teaching and mentoring. Less than one percent of AAPM members are fellows.

“I’m honored to be recognized by my peers for my ability and qualifications to serve as a medical physicist and advance my field over the last several decades,” says Dr. Sharma.

Board-certified in both medical physics and radiology, Dr. Sharma serves a vital role in planning and administering radiation therapies for patients being treated for cancer at the Radiation Oncology Center at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial. 

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