Bits 'n' Pieces

Community Invited to Re-imagine Shoreline Area

The City of Long Beach invites residents as well as business and community representatives to participate in a series of visioning exercises to create a plan for the downtown shoreline area. Community members are invited to participate in the many activities taking place in the area through June 20 and complete an online survey available now through June 24.

Led by the Community Development Department, the multi-day event, known as a Community Design Charrette, will engage residents, youth, community stakeholders and design experts in generating and testing ideas and strategies to implement the community’s vision for the Downtown Shoreline. The area, which is south of Ocean Boulevard, is home to iconic residences, offices, hotels and restaurants amid venues such as Shoreline Village, The Pike, Long Beach Convention Center and Aquarium of the Pacific. Over the past year, community input has been gathered by city staff to inform these planning efforts.

The charrette will be comprised of a range of events and activities designed for the public to participate in the next stage of the planning process through a series of exercises to envision and consider potential alternative futures for the shoreline. Events taking place are listed below:

Friday, June 14, Studio One Eleven (245 E. 3rd St.)

Small roundtable discussions will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on specific topics like environmental, economic and youth planning considerations.

Saturday, June 15, Studio One Eleven and various locations around the shoreline area

A day of community events starting at 9 a.m. with an “everyone’s shoreline” roundtable discussion on how to plan for the future of downtown shoreline to benefit everyone in Long Beach. In addition, walk and bike tours of the area will take place throughout the day. Also, community members will be invited to drop in for “open studio hours” throughout the afternoon and evening to speak with designers and planners about their ideas for the future of the downtown shoreline.

The feedback provided throughout these events will be analyzed and presented to the Planning Commission on Thursday, June 20 at a study session during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.

In addition, over the past year, community input has been gathered and translated into Draft Guiding Principles to guide the downtown shoreline visioning process. These vision and guiding principles will provide a framework for the Downtown Shoreline Vision Plan, and include broad, aspirational ideas for the shoreline’s future.

The community is encouraged to participate in an online survey to review the principles, identify priorities and provide feedback on any additional ideas to be considered when defining the future shoreline. The online survey is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog through June 24.

The downtown shoreline area serves as the threshold between Downtown Long Beach and the city’s waterfront and covers the coastal area south of Ocean Boulevard from Golden Shore Drive to Alamitos Avenue. However, the city’s land use plan for the shoreline area has not been updated since the 1970s. This re-imagining and planning process aims to create a community vision and guidelines for creation of a world-class waterfront that will serve as a global destination. The vision plan will provide a foundation for a future update of the land use plan, which is expected to begin next year.

The public is encouraged to learn more about this initiative and its end goal of developing a new Shoreline Vision Plan by visiting longbeach.gov/dtshorelb.

The Shoreline Vision Plan and an in-progress companion update of the downtown plan are expected to go before the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration in early 2025. Those interested in receiving project notifications about those meetings can sign up online.

Summer Reading Program

Adventure awaits as the Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) gears up to kick off its annual Summer Reading Program, inviting readers of all ages to embark on literary adventures under the theme, Adventure Begins at Your Library. Spanning nine weeks from June 8 to August 10, the program offers a plethora of enriching summer activities, events and incentives across all 12 Library locations.

Through the Summer Reading Program, participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in the magic of reading, completing activities and indulging in special events tailored for diverse age groups. Children up to age 12 can earn incentives for every five books they read, while those above 13 years of age will be rewarded for each book completed. Those who achieve milestones of 20 books for children and three books for teens and adults become eligible for entry into a grand prize drawing, with additional commendations for surpassing targets.

Throughout the summer, a myriad of captivating performances, including magic shows, juggling, wildlife encounters, and more will grace each library location. Teens and adults can unleash their creativity through the library’s Maker Challenge, hosted by The Studio, with exclusive prizes awaiting innovative minds.

“Summer Reading is not just about preventing the ‘summer slide’ in academic skills; it’s about fostering a love of books and reading,” said Director of Library Services Cathy De Leon. “Through our program, we aim to spark curiosity, fuel imagination, and nurture a sense of wonder that extends far beyond the pages of a book.”

The LBPL extends its gratitude to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, The Friends of the Long Beach Public Library and the Port of Long Beach for their generous contributions, enabling the provision of books, incentives and captivating performances by professional family entertainers and educators.

For a comprehensive list and to register for the Summer Reading Program, visit lbpl.org or call (562) 570-7500.

Win a $300 Prize Package

Long Beach Towne Center invites the community to participate in its “Summer is Calling” giveaway. Gear up for the season with a chance to win a summer-themed retailer gift card bundle valued at $300.

Participants can enter to win on Instagram by commenting with a favorite summer-themed emoji on the center’s summer giveaway post. Entries will be accepted now through June 16. Must be 18 or older to both enter and win.

One lucky winner will be randomly selected and contacted via the center’s Instagram comment stream on or around June 19. The winner must reply within 48 hours or their prize will be forfeited and another winner selected. No purchase necessary. To learn more, visit https://lbtownecenter.com.

Port Presents $300,000 in Scholarships

The Port of Long Beach recently awarded $300,000 in scholarships to 136 high school and local college students to assist in their pursuit of education and training in port-related fields including engineering, environmental science, maritime law and technical trades.

The scholarships were announced at the annual Celebrating Education event, which brings together students, educators, public officials and business leaders to highlight the port’s education outreach programs and recognize the accomplishments of students involved.

“It’s important to invest in the future workforce of the goods movement industry, right here in the city,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “Scholarships are an important way to nurture a labor pool with the talents and skills to keep cargo moving efficiently through our trade gateway.”

“We’re building the future of our industry at the Port of Long Beach with new ideas and innovative technologies,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Developing a skilled workforce through our comprehensive education program is a big part of making that happen.”

Since 2014, the Port has awarded more than $1.4 million in scholarships to students pursuing careers in international trade and goods movement. This year’s scholarships went to students from local high schools, Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach. This year’s budget for scholarships was $300,000, up from the previous year’s $250,000.

In an expansion of its commitment to supporting education outreach and workforce development, Olvera also announced that the port is creating a new Tools Scholarship designed to assist new and aspiring tradespeople in launching their careers. The scholarship will help new Long Beach City College trades program students and graduates buy their first set of tools.

At the Celebrating Education event, Olvera also awarded 10 students from the ACE Academy of Jordan High School with $200 Harbor Freight Tools gift cards. The gift cards were donated by the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program to the Mayor’s Fund for Long Beach, which facilitated the gift cards free of charge.

For more information about the Port’s education outreach programs, go to www.polb.com/education.

Online Pay Tool for Infractions in LA County

To improve access and convenience for court users, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County launched an online Ability to Pay (ATP) tool on June 6 for individuals seeking a reduced or modified payment plan for fines and fees incurred as a result of traffic and non-traffic infractions issued anywhere in Los Angeles County.

Launched in partnership with the Judicial Council of California, the online ATP tool will provide an expedient option for eligible individuals struggling with debt incurred as a result of a traffic or non-traffic infraction with the following requests without having to appear in person:

• Suspension of the fine, in whole or part.
• Creation of a payment plan (if available).
• Modification of an existing payment plan.
• Satisfaction of the fine through the completion of community service.

The online ATP tool is available at MyCitations.courts.ca.gov. Anyone with a citation issued in Los Angeles County will have the ability to look up citations, ask questions about their options, and submit an online request to the court for a possible reduction in the amount owed, a payment plan, or community service in lieu of payment.

The online ATP tool will require requestors to provide documentation to support a request for an ATP determination, such as proof of public benefits, fixed monthly payments, pay stubs, bank statements or work or family obligations. An online chat tool will also be available to provide guidance to court users for some of the most frequently asked questions.

Once an online ATP request is filed, the Court will make a ruling on whether the individual meets certain criteria for a reduced or modified payment plan and will notify the requestor electronically. This new online ATP tool supplements the court’s existing Ability-to-Pay request options, which include an in-person petition option at the time of adjudication or the submission of a written petition via U.S. mail.

Gaylord Running for LBCC Board of Trustees

Twenty-four-year Long Beach City College Personnel Commission member and past President Dick Gaylord has announced he is running this November for the vacant Area 4 seat on the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees.

Gaylord is a long-time resident of the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach and local community leader who has served on numerous city boards and commissions. A small businessman, he is also a leader in the Long Beach real estate community, having served as president of the local, state, and national realtors associations. He has an extensive background in higher education, having worked as both an administrator and faculty member.

Gaylord who ran for the college board seat in 2020 and lost by a margin of only 1.6%, has been endorsed by the Long Beach City College Faculty Association (LBCCFA), Certificated Hourly Instructors (LBCC CHI), and Council of Classified Employees (LBCCE-AFT-AFL-CIO) for his race this fall for the open Area 4 trustee seat. Area 4 includes both southeastern Long Beach and Catalina Island.

Once elected, Dick Gaylord promises he will:

• Commit to serving his entire 4-year term and will not use the position as a launching pad to run for a higher political office.
• Provide much needed leadership and professionalism to a governing board viewed by many in the community as overly political and not always representing the college, its students, its faculty, and the Long Beach community, in a positive and professional manner.
• Prioritize fiscal responsibility and bring transparency to all board of trustee actions, including important fiscal matters such as costly existing lawsuits between board members and past employees.

Grand Prix Foundation Presents Scholarships

Nine college-bound students from Long Beach high schools received $1,500 scholarships on June 6 at a gathering of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach.

The Robert E. Leslie Scholarship Program has been part of the foundation since 1997. The program is named for former Long Beach Fire Chief Robert E. Leslie, who helped establish the foundation.

Money for the awards comes from foundation events – primarily the Run the Course 5K, which takes place on the Accura Grand Prix of Long Beach track the week before the big race.

Normally eight scholarships are awarded. But this year, there was a tie and no one wanted to choose one over the other, according to Valerie deMartino and Matt Fischer, cochairs of the scholarship committee.

Here are this year’s winners and their schools: Vivian Aldrete, Cabrillo High School; Leilany Castro, Poly High School; Haley Dunk, Poly; Teryn Faulcon, Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science; Anaya Gillette, Wilson High School; Lucas Lachica, Sato; Favio Lopez, Poly; Emily Mello, Avalon K-12; and Sarah Okuno, Poly.

Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics

The City of Long Beach’s Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) is partnering with Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP) to host weekly low-cost vaccine clinics to provide essential vaccinations and basic wellness services for pets at an affordable price. The partnership aims to ensure all pets in the community are receiving the necessary medical treatments to prevent and protect against diseases. Increasing access to weekly vaccination clinics is part of LBACS’s Compassion Saves model to improve and enhance the quality of life for all pets in the community.

The clinics will occur every Monday, second Friday, and fourth Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at LBACS (7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815). The clinics will be closed on Sept. 2 due to the Labor Day holiday. The complete schedule is available at longbeach.gov/acs.

Additional low-cost vaccine clinics will be available at one of the city’s contract cities, Signal Hill, at the Signal Hill Public Library parking lot (1800 E. Hill St., Signal Hill, CA 90755), on the following dates and times:

• Saturday, June 29, 8 a.m. – noon
• Friday, July 19, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 17, 8 a.m. – noon

These events will offer vaccines and treatments such as Bordetella, flea/tick treatments, and rabies, which is a requirement for all dogs and cats four months or older as stated in Long Beach Municipal Code 6.12.110. For a full list of vaccines and basic wellness services offered at each clinic, please visit CAMP’s website.

In addition to vaccines, microchips will be available for purchase at all clinics and are highly encouraged as the Fourth of July holiday approaches. The noise of fireworks can create panic for many animals, and shelters fill with runaway pets every year. Obtaining a microchip will help ensure that a pet can be identified and reunited with their owner if they become lost or separated due to the fear of fireworks. More information about how to protect your pets is available on the LBACS Fourth of July webpage.

Clinics are open to the first 60 pets and there is no appointment necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring all past vaccine records for their pets. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. All residents are welcome to participate in these clinics. You do not have to be a resident of Long Beach or one of the city’s contract cities (Signal Hill, Los Alamitos or Cerritos) to participate.

Long Beach Animal Care Services ensures “Compassion Saves” by supporting the people and animals of the community through outreach, education, guidance and support services, and protects shelter animals by creating an environment of care through enrichment and innovative programs. For more information on services and programs provided, visit longbeach.gov/acs.