Bits 'n' Pieces

JetBlue Departing

Long Beach Airport (LGB) will see changes in JetBlue’s flight schedule and will include two, new seasonal destinations. These changes will take effect in fall and winter 2018.

JetBlue’s revised schedule at LGB includes reduction in frequencies to select markets in the Bay Area, an additional daytime flight to Boston, starting September 5, and seasonal service to Bozeman, Montana and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Both of these markets will be served twice weekly beginning December 2018. The changes involving frequency reductions are expected to occur in fall 2018, and no existing destinations are planned for reduction.

JetBlue’s decision was not entirely a surprise to the city. A number of the markets served have presented a challenge to achieve or maintain profitability under present service models, and airlines are continually adjusting when needed to be as profitable as possible.

LGB has received a lot of interest in additional flight slots from other carriers and already has an established waiting list. LGB anticipates that the soon-to-be available slots will be filled quickly. Airlines currently in the waiting list include Delta, Southwest and Hawaiian, all of which have expressed interest in additional slots in Long Beach. This will allow the city to diversify its airport business model.

“The decision by JetBlue was not unexpected, and we respect decisions airlines make to ensure they are best positioned in a market, especially one that is competitive,” said Airport Director Jess L. Romo. “We see this as an opportunity to create a better balance among the air carriers serving Long Beach Airport and one that will maintain our existing service, and in fact will likely lead to new markets in the very near future.”

Allocation of flight slots that become available is managed through a process to ensure transparency. Slots that become available are offered to carriers who have previously requested placement on the list. In turn from top to bottom, incumbent carriers are offered one slot, and the process repeats until all slots are allocated or until demand is satisfied.  Currently LGB believes demand exceeds supply. As a result, available slots will quickly be filled.

LBX Openings

Burnham-Ward Properties, together with its affiliate Burnham USA and Rockwood Capital, announced that several establishments are opening this week at Long Beach Exchange (LBX). PetSmart opened its LBX location on Monday, April 23; wildly popular market 365 by Whole Foods opened on Wednesday, April 25 and Dunkin’ Donuts will serve its first cup of coffee at LBX on Friday, April 27. Additionally, two new tenants, AT&T and Portola Coffee Roasters, have been added to the center’s impressive lineup that includes Nordstrom Rack, ULTA Beauty, MOD Pizza and Ra Yoga.

‘Giving Day’ Brings in More Than $1.1 Million in Gifts

In a comprehensive effort to bring together Long Beach State University alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends through its inaugural “Giving Day,” the campus was able to record gifts totaling more than $1.1 million from 1,550 donors.

Donors could give to any area of campus, four areas were highlighted – basic needs, Beach Fund, scholarships and Study Abroad, and gifts were accepted online throughout the day (March 15) and as well as at the on-campus Philanthropy Fair. Each of the initiatives benefited from individual as well as corporate gifts and matching challenges/gifts. These donors included SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Associated Students Inc., the 49er Shops and alumni Kathleen Reams Hansen (1975, ’82) and Bob Summers (1983).

New Curator

Rancho Los Alamitos has welcomed Angela Scott as its historic site curator. The position is responsible for managing the Rancho’s historic resources and curatorial staff. Scott comes to the rancho with a wide range of experience from scientific diver to museum docent, from outreach instructor to collections manager and curator. Her resume includes positions with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Archaeology from UC Berkeley and a Master’s degree in American Studies, as well as a graduate certificate in Early American History, Material Culture and Museum Studies from the College of William & Mary.

LBS Financial Hosting Grand Opening of New Branch

LBS Financial Credit Union will be hosting the grand opening of their newest branch at the California State University, Long Beach 49er Campus Bookstore on Tuesday, May 1, 10-11 a.m.

The new branch opened its doors on April 2 to Long Beach State students, faculty/employees and those in the greater Long Beach community that may be visiting on campus. On May 1st the Credit Union will officially invite those on campus, members and the community to visit the new branch for their grand opening. The branch is a little over 300 square feet and within the bookstore, so space is limited.

The VP/Branch Manager is Cindy Thomas, who also manages the Credit Union’s East Long Beach branch at 10th and Ximeno in Long Beach and has been with the Credit Union for over 10 years.

CSULB ‘Best Value College’

Long Beach State University has been selected for inclusion on Forbes’ third annual America’s Best Value Colleges 2018 list, which rates the campus as among the best in the nation for a students’ return on investment. The campus was ranked at No. 53 among the 300 schools making the list and No. 26 among all public colleges and universities.

Using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and PayScale, Forbes evaluated colleges and universities based on net price, net debt, alumni earnings, timely graduation, school quality and access for low-income students. (For state schools, in-state tuition was used.) Forbes’ list evaluates institutions offering four-year degrees and does not include private for-profit schools.

Sixteen other California State University campuses joined Long Beach State University on the Forbes list.

To see an in-depth explanation of how the list was developed, visit the Forbes website.

City Launches GreenlightLB

The City of Long Beach launched GreenlightLB, an informational campaign, through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Cannabis Education Program, to educate the public about safe cannabis use, the risk of cannabis use to developing minds and the risks and legal ramifications of driving under the influence of cannabis. The campaign was established in light of survey results revealing the need for widespread cannabis health and injury prevention education in Long Beach.

In 2017, the Cannabis Education Program, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAP-C), conducted a survey to better understand behaviors and perceptions surrounding cannabis and prescription drugs in the community. The survey finds that 46 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds in Long Beach who have used cannabis have driven while high.

Additional findings include:

72% of 18 to 25-year-olds agree or strongly agree that cannabis is harmful to the brain development of youth.

61.5% of adults over 18 years of age have used cannabis. This figure is similar among 18 to 25-year-olds (61.0%).

Of the 61% of 18 to 25-year-olds who have used cannabis;

83% use for fun.

67% to relax.

45% to get high.

44% to help sleep.

For more information about survey results and the Cannabis Education Program, please visit www.longbeach.gov/cannabisedu or email marijuanaeducationprogram@longbeach.gov. To keep up to date with the GreenlightLB campaign, follow the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department’s official Facebook page.

LBCC Senior Studies Offers
5 More Free Presentations

LBCC Lifetime Learning Center Senior Studies program is offering five more free presentations on the series of “Aging Issues”.

Monday, May 14, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Making the Most of Your Doctor Visits” presented by Ed Ramos

Monday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Home Safety & Fall Prevention” presented by the LB Fire Ambassadors

Monday, June 4, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Food Finders, Rescuing Food, Reducing Hunger & Volunteering” presented by Lisa Hoffmaster

Monday, June 11, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Chronic Diseases” presented by Ron Stock

Monday, June 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Alzheimer’s Update, What You Want to Know? presented by Charles Wilcox

All presentations in held in the Lifetime Learning Center in room QQ 122 at the LBCC Pacific Coast Campus off of Walnut Avenue and next to Horticulture. Please RSVP to Theresa Brunella at (562) 938-3047.

The Lifetime Learning Program is a non-profit organization and operates under the LBCC Foundation.  For more information, call 562-938-3047 or email tbrunella@lbcc.edu.