Bits 'n' Pieces

Give Blood, Save Lives

The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give more life to patients now and into the new year by giving blood or platelets.

Donations decline during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available to give and many blood drives may be canceled due to severe winter storms. Last year, nearly 64,000 fewer blood and platelet donations were given through the Red Cross during the seven weeks from Thanksgiving through the first week of January than the average during the rest of the year.

Blood is perishable and can only be replenished by volunteer donors. Red blood cells, the most transfused blood product, must be transfused within 42 days. Platelets, the tiny cells that form clots and help stop bleeding, must be transfused within just five days. More than half of all platelet donations go to cancer patients who may need platelet transfusions to prevent life-threatening bleeding during chemotherapy.

All blood types are needed this winter. Platelet donations are especially encouraged the first week of the new year, which is among the most difficult to collect enough platelets to meet patient needs. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a special thank-you for taking the time to donate, those who come to give Dec. 21 through Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

MemorialCare, RadNet, in Joint Venture,

MemorialCare and RadNet, Inc. providing fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 298 owned and/or operated outpatient imaging centers, announced they formed a joint venture. The venture, with 34 outpatient medical imaging centers spanning Long Beach, South Bay, Southern Los Angeles County and Orange County, will become Southern California’s largest imaging network.

Under the joint venture, with operations beginning Jan. 1, 2018, RadNet will contribute 24 existing outpatient imaging centers in Southern California cities. MemorialCare will contribute 10 outpatient imaging facilities in many of those markets. Upon commencement of operations, RadNet will manage day-to-day operations of the facilities and provide administration and back-office support functions on behalf of the partners.

In addition to developing a comprehensive imaging network, the partnership will allow for significant operating system efficiencies and improved patient access and care. It will include adoption of RadNet’s eRAD Radiology Information System at all locations and integration and coordination of the radiologist professional component.

Modica Named Interim Director of Development

Tom Modica was named Interim director of development services by City Manager Pat West, effective January 8. Modica will concurrently serve as assistant city manager while the city conducts a national recruitment for the director of development services position.

“Tom is a great asset to our city currently overseeing city department operations, guiding department projects and leading special initiatives, including the city’s innovation efforts,” said West. “As we search for a new director, Tom will be instrumental in leading the award-winning work our development services team produces.”

Modica has served as assistant city manager since 2014 and has worked for the city for 15 years. As interim director, he will be responsible for an annual budget of over $118 million and oversee 206 full time employees in the planning, building and safety, housing and neighborhood services, administrative and financial services, and code enforcement bureaus. He lives in Long Beach with his wife and children. Modica will not be a candidate for the permanent position.

On Nov. 29, the city announced that Amy Bodek, current director of development services, accepted one of the top planning positions in the nation, as director of regional planning for the County of Los Angeles. Her last day with city will be Jan. 19.

In spring 2018, after the national recruitment, the city manager will appoint a new director.

New Public Affairs Director at Cal State Long Beach

Communications veteran Jeff Bliss is the new executive director of media and digital news in the Office of Public Affairs at California State University Long Beach.

Bliss has previously worked in communications and media relations at several universities, including Stanford, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his alma mater, Pepperdine. Bliss also has enjoyed a career in print, web and broadcast journalism. Most recently, he was the co-host and correspondent for a nationally syndicated radio program. 

“With so much of the daily news and headlines directly affecting our college campus, from free speech to DACA to funding for education, Jeff’s wide-ranging experience will be a key asset to reporters and news organizations,” said Terri Carbaugh, CSULB associate vice president of public affairs. “Jeff’s knowledge of crisis communications, issues management and digital news will add significant value to our operation.”

He can be reached at (562) 985-5109 or Jeff.Bliss@csulb.edu.

Chamber PAC Endorses Mungo in 5th District

 The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce PAC, the political action committee of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, announced the endorsement of Stacy Mungo for re-election to the 5th District Council seat.

“While the PAC normally conducts a candidate interview process, we elected to move forward with this endorsement immediately since we supported Councilwoman Mungo in her initial election and overall have been pleased with her support of the Long Beach economy,” stated Gary DeLong. Councilmember Stacy Mungo is the type of individual we need on the Long Beach City Council. She recognizes that supporting a vibrant business community results in good jobs and quality business services for her constituents, continued DeLong.

“I appreciate the Long Beach Area Chamber PAC’s endorsement of my re-election campaign. I will continue to work with neighbors and businesses to create good paying jobs and grow our local economy. Long Beach cannot succeed without a thriving business sector and I look forward to working with the Long Beach Area Chamber PAC, business owners and labor to continue to improve the business friendliness of Long Beach,” stated Councilwoman Stacy Mungo.

Price Announces Endorsements

Long Beach City Councilwoman Suzie Price announced early endorsements by the Long Beach Police Officers Association, the Long Beach Firefighters Association and the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce PAC for her re-election campaign. These three Political Action Committees are some of the most prestigious organizations that issue endorsements in Long Beach elections.

These endorsements come on the eve of the opening of the official nominating period for candidates to file for election, illustrating that these organizations support Councilwoman Price regardless of any opponent who might consider running.

“As the Chairwoman of the Public Safety committee and a prosecutor I am proud and appreciative of the early endorsements from the Long Beach Police Officers and Firefighters Associations,” commented Third District Councilwoman Suzie Price. “I have made public safety my top priority on the City Council and this recognition of our efforts to make Long Beach a safer place to live, work, play and raise a family is a tremendous honor.”

For more information on the Suzie Price for Long Beach City Council campaign please visit the web site:  www.SuziePriceForCityCouncil.com.

New Innovation Center

A partnership agreement approved by the Long Beach City Council on Dec. 5, will create a new downtown learning and working center for business owners and entrepreneurs. The lease agreement formalizes a partnership between the city, Long Beach City College (LBCC) and BlankSpaces to revitalize 309 Pine Ave. into a shared working environment and entrepreneurial innovation center.

Under the agreement, the city will invest $250,000 in improvements to the property. LBCC will provide educational resources such as business advising, international accelerator programs, workshops and access to capital to support Long Beach’s existing and emerging entrepreneurs, and other innovative programs to grow the LB entrepreneurial ecosystem.

BlankSpaces, a private company that creates shared working environments in the greater Los Angeles area, will design and develop the property as a shared working space, manage day-to-day operations and rent working spaces to local entrepreneurs. A portion of the proceeds generated from activities in the innovation center will be used to reimburse the city for its initial investment.

The city-owned 309 Pine Ave. is currently occupied by LBCC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In July 2016, the City called for proposals to leverage public-private partnerships and maximize City-owned assets to increase the number of businesses in Long Beach. LBCC submitted the winning proposal that included a new partnership with BlankSpaces to develop a shared working space at the 309 Pine Ave. building.

The innovation center groundbreaking is set for January 2018 and the goal is for the hub to be fully operational by spring 2018.

Dempsey Incoming Goodwill Board Chair

Harry Saltzgaver, a longtime volunteer of Goodwill, Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (SOLAC), will officially complete his term as the organization’s board chair at the end of this year. Anitra Dempsey has been appointed as Goodwill SOLAC’s new board chair, beginning in January 2018.

Saltzgaver has served as a dedicated volunteer to Goodwill SOLAC for nearly 12 years. As a journalist, he currently serves as the executive editor of the Gazette Newspapers

Dempsey’s volunteer work for Goodwill SOLAC spans nearly a decade, having served on the organization’s marketing and audit committees. In her professional life, Dempsey has worked for the City of Long Beach for nearly 30 years and she is currently the executive director of the Citizen Police Complaint Commission. Earlier this year, she was appointed as the interim deputy city manager and she has previously served as the city’s human dignity officer.

Also announced at the recent Goodwill SOLAC board meeting was the addition of Tim Skillman as the organization’s newest board member. Skillman, a managing director for Deloitte, will serve on Goodwill SOLAC’s joint finance/investment and human resources committee.