Bits 'n' Pieces

Increased Flea-Borne Typhus Infections

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is reporting a higher-than-usual number of flea-borne typhus (typhus) cases so far this year, along with a localized outbreak, compared to other years.

Typhus is a bacterial disease spread to people by infected fleas typically carried by rats, opossums, community cats and other animals. Typhus is not spread from person to person. Common symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, body aches/pain and rash. Typhus is treatable with antibiotics. People who think they may have typhus should talk to a healthcare provider about testing and treatment.

As of July 31, 2025, 20 cases have been reported in the city, compared to 12 cases during the same period in 2024. On average, 20 cases get reported each year and if this trend continues, Long Beach is expected to surpass its 2021 record of 28 cases reported in a single year. 75% of cases in 2025 were hospitalized and all have recovered.

While Typhus can occur throughout the year, the majority of the cases occur in the summer and fall months. The increased observation in recent months highlights the importance of community awareness and prevention. To help prevent typhus infection, Long Beach residents are urged to:

• Keep pets indoors and treat them regularly for flea control medication.
• Avoid feeding or interacting with wild animals (such as rats, opossums or cats).
• Clear overgrown vegetation and clutter around homes.
• Cover trash bins and remove outdoor food sources.
• Seal openings and crawl spaces under homes.
• Report dead animals to Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387.

DHHS is actively monitoring the situation through disease surveillance, case investigation and working with local healthcare providers. The Vector Control Program also provides assessments and education to affected neighborhoods to mitigate the spread. Community education efforts are also being expanded to help residents understand the risks and how to protect themselves.

For more information, visit longbeach.gov/typhus or reach out to lbepi@longbeach.gov.

Two New Members Added to Golf Hall of Fame

The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame inducted two new members, Dana Dahlquist and Troy Grant on Aug. 3. The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame was created by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) in 1996 to recognize those who left a mark on golf in Long Beach.

The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held during the closing ceremony for the Long Beach Open Tournament at El Dorado Park Golf Course.

“The members of the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame are an inspiration to all who play golf in Long Beach,” said Parks, Recreation and Marine Director Brent Dennis. “Thanks to the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame Committee who worked hard to select Dana and Troy as inductees for 2025. Both men have truly left their mark on golf in Long Beach.”

“The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame acknowledges people who were born or have lived in Long Beach and excelled at the game or made it better for those who play it,” said Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Bob Livingstone. “Dana and Troy both exemplify the best in the sport of golf and are very deserving of induction into this prestigious group.”

Dana Dahlquist grew up playing at Virginia Country Club. Despite competing in mini-tour events in his youth, he gravitated toward teaching. He started his coaching career in the early 2000s at Heartwell Park, then Skylinks, and ultimately El Dorado Park, becoming known for his ability to connect with players across all levels and to leverage cutting-edge technology like video, Sportsbox AI, Trackman and force-plate analysis. Dana has earned widespread acclaim – including being ranked the No. 1 golf teacher in California and ninth in the United States by Golf Digest in 2024 – and has coached top amateurs and professionals, including Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, Jake Knapp, Beau Hossler, Anna Rawson and others.

He is raising the city’s profile in the national golf instruction community through his recognized coaching certification program with more than 20 recognized instructors in the United States., Australia, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Troy Grant has been a respected figure in the Long Beach golf community, known for his playing career and commitment to teaching and mentorship. As the lead instructor at Recreation Park 18 Golf Course, Troy is recognized for his passion, ability to connect with players of all ages and for helping golfers take their game to the next level.

Through the Troy Grant Golf Academy, he has guided players from their first swings all the way through high school and college competition. He offers clinics for the City’s Men’s and Women’s Golf Clubs and donates his time to give back to the Long Beach community that helped shape him.

As a player, Troy made his mark early by earning Century Club honors all four years at Lakewood High School and being named the Long Beach Press-Telegram High School Player of the Year. He went undefeated at Long Beach City College in 1999, becoming a state champion, and made history as the youngest golfer ever to qualify for the Long Beach Open at just 15 years old – a record that still stands today. After more than nine years competing as a touring professional on various satellite tours, he returned to Long Beach to invest in the next generation of golfers. Troy is trusted by elite professional athletes and well-known entertainers who seek out his expertise and approachable teaching style – a testament to his respected status in the world of golf instruction.

With the addition of these two individuals, the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame now has 96 members.

Colonna Elected Harbor Commission President

Harbor Commission Vice President Frank Colonna was elected President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners, the five-person board that oversees the Port of Long Beach.

The board also selected Steven Neal as vice president and Sharon L. Weissman as secretary.

Every July, commissioners select a president and two board officers to serve one-year terms.

The commission’s new officers began their terms on Aug. 6, when outgoing Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal handed the gavel to Colonna.

Colonna served two terms on the Long Beach City Council, including two years as vice mayor. Appointed to the Harbor Commission in 2017, he has previously served a one-year term as president of the board, two terms as vice president and two terms as secretary.

“I am honored by the trust my colleagues on the Board have placed in me,” Colonna said. “I look forward to navigating our way through shifting trade policies, building the necessary infrastructure that will keep us competitive and continuing our pursuit to become the first zero-emissions port.”

The Harbor Commission sets policy for the port and directs the port’s chief executive officer, who leads about 550 employees in developing and promoting the Port of Long Beach. Members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. They may serve up to three four-year terms, under a City Charter amendment approved in 2024 by Long Beach voters.

Port Appoints Kwok as Finance Director

The Port of Long Beach has appointed Don Kwok as its new director of finance. Kwok, who joined the port in 2016 as assistant finance director, also served as acting director of finance for the port from September 2017 to April 2019.

The director of finance is responsible for ensuring effective implementation of fiscal policies at the Port of Long Beach, which maintains an AA+ Standard & Poor’s Credit Rating – one of the highest credit ratings for U.S. seaports; sound oversight of Harbor Department income, expenses, capital projects and debt issuance and service; and budget alignment with the port’s Strategic Plan.

The port operates entirely on revenues and existing funds and is not funded by taxes or the city’s General Fund.

With nearly 30 years of experience as a finance professional across both public and private sectors, including at the Port and various Fortune 500 corporations, Kwok is a proven and proactive financial leader for large organizations. His professional background includes eight years as complex controller for International Paper in Los Angeles, and three years as finance manager for Johnson & Johnson in Diamond Bar.

He earned a bachelor of science in accounting from the University of Southern California.

Bridge Inducted Into Tennis Hall of Fame

Mitch Bridge, a respected Southern California tennis coach and founder of Bridge the Gap Tennis, was officially inducted into the South Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame on July 19, in recognition of his lifelong dedication to growing the sport at both grassroots and elite levels.

Originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, Bridge began his tennis journey during the sport’s boom in the 1970s. A former collegiate standout at Long Beach State and professional player, Bridge has since spent more than three decades advancing tennis education and access nationwide.

“I was born in South Dakota. I learned to love the game of tennis growing up there during the tennis boom of the early ‘70s,” said Bridge. “I’m honored to be receiving this induction.”

Bridge’s influence spans from founding youth academies across the country – including the Southern California Tennis Academy in 2011 – to managing two city-run tennis facilities in Long Beach: the Billie Jean King Tennis & Pickleball Center and El Dorado Tennis & Pickleball Center. His nonprofit organization, Bridge the Gap Tennis, focuses on expanding access to tennis for underserved youth.

Queen Mary Membership

A new era has arrived aboard The Queen Mary in Long Beach. The historic ocean liner, an icon of maritime elegance, wartime service and decades of cultural legacy, is inviting guests to come aboard in a whole new way with the launch of its all-new membership program. Designed for history lovers, locals and loyal visitors alike, the new tiered memberships offer exclusive perks, year-round access and a deeper connection to the ship’s ever-evolving story.

With four unique membership tiers to choose from: Queen Mary+ Pass, QM+ Family Membership, Spirited Pass and VIP Pass, fans of the iconic ship can enjoy benefits such as free admission for themselves and guests, discounts on dining and shopping, access to more than 23 onboard exhibits and invitations to members-only events and experiences.

“This new membership program is about more than access, it’s about community,” said Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary. “We wanted to create a way for our most loyal visitors to experience the ship like never before and feel like they’re truly part of her living legacy.”

Memberships start at $149 and go up to $1,967 for the exclusive VIP tier, which includes private tours and VIP tickets to signature events like the Queen Mary’s Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve celebrations. The “Spirited” tier also adds a haunted twist with paranormal tour tickets and overnight stays in the famously haunted Stateroom B340. The QM+ Family Membership, priced at $298, allows members to bring up to three guests aboard, making it the perfect option for families or small groups looking to experience the ship together throughout the year.

In addition to the new membership offerings, the Queen Mary is inviting guests to quite literally anchor themselves into the ship’s storied past through its Adopt a Rivet Program. For just $10, participants can adopt one of The Queen Mary’s 10 million rivets, a symbolic gesture that supports the ongoing preservation and restoration of this iconic landmark.

“Adopting a rivet is a simple yet powerful way to be part of history,” Caloca added. “Every donation helps us protect this treasured vessel and ensure its grandeur continues to inspire future generations.”

All proceeds from the Adopt a Rivet program go directly toward preservation efforts and each adoption serves as a meaningful gift or tribute to a loved one, offering supporters the chance to connect with the Queen Mary in a personal and lasting way.

Whether you’re exploring the ship’s exhibits, raising a glass at the Observation Bar, or supporting restoration efforts one rivet at a time, there’s never been a better moment to be part of The Queen Mary’s journey.

To become a member visit www.queenmary.com/qm-membership.htm.