Bits 'n' Pieces

Save CHLB

Community Hospital Long Beach (CHLB) Foundation is releasing the findings from the “Consumer Demand for Critical Care Services” survey of the population of east Long Beach and Signal Hill regarding the role of Community Hospital Long Beach to this population.

Two local PhD professors prepared the survey, which included interviews with focus groups to develop the pertinent questions to be asked on the survey instrument. Interviewing Services of America then conducted interviews with 400 households surrounding CHLB to secure independent data on usage and demand for these services. 

Three related issues were questioned: (1) experience with hospitals within the greater Long Beach area; (2) satisfaction with their level of service and care; and (3) awareness issues about CHLB.

Respondents were 58 percent female and 42 percent male; 90 percent were over age 41; the majority was well educated and had a relatively high-income level (over $50,000 to $250,000).

A target of 400 households participated from zip codes 90755, 90804, 90814, 90803, 90815 and 90808. A margin of error was set at 5 percent with a confidence level of 95 percent.

Survey questions included: Community Hospital Long Beach, Memorial Medical Center, St. Mary Medical Center, Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Miller Children’s and Los Alamitos Medical Center.

81 percent of respondents agreed that CHLB resources and services are essential to the eastside of Long Beach and Signal Hill.

91 percent rated the ER services as critical.

86 percent rated critical care as necessary.

81 percent rated CHLB as a critical resource to the designated area.

79 percent rated CHLB Behavior Health Unit, not offered at the other hospitals, as extremely important.

75 percent rated ICU/CCU services a necessity.

A copy of the “Consumer Demand for Critical Care Services” entire study may be accessed on the web site www.#SAVEtheER.com.

New Works Festival

In 1990, the Long Beach Playhouse established the New Works Festival to encourage playwrights to submit their unproduced works for consideration in an annual competition. Now, 28 years later, literally thousands of individuals have submitted their plays for consideration and the New Works Festival enjoys a solid reputation as an opportunity for a playwright to have his or her work considered for a prize and a staged reading that includes a moderated talkback with the audience and critiques from theater professionals.

One weekend at the end of March is dedicated to the festival. Each day one of the winning plays is presented in the form of a public staged reading in the Studio Theater. The readings give the playwrights the opportunity to hear their words brought to life by actors. The audience plays an important part by providing feedback for the playwrights in the discussion that takes place after the reading.

To submit a play, please visit www.lbplayhouse.org/special-events/new-works-festival to download the submission form. Scripts must be postmarked by June 30 to be considered for the Festival and will not be returned. For more information contact us at newworks@lbplayhouse.org.

Re-Opening of Bay Marina

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and Bellingham Marine marked the completion of a multi-year rebuild of the Alamitos Bay Marina on April 27.

The $105 million dollar project included the complete upgrade of more than 1,600 boat slips throughout the marina and additional infrastructure improvements, such as:

State-of-the art concrete floats.

Rounded slip fingers for ease of navigation into assigned slips.

On-slip pump out stations to aid boaters in conveniently removing waste material from their vessels while also supporting clean Long Beach waterways.

ADA accessible gangways so the marina is welcoming to the entire boating community.

Alamitos Bay Marina originally opened in the late 1950s and has served Southern California’s boating community as a popular home port and destination for guest boaters for more than 60 years. The marina includes boat slips and side tie docks ranging from 15 feet to 115 feet, to accommodate a wide array of recreational vessels. 

This large scale project was funded entirely through revenue bonds, paid back through marina slip fees and other revenues. No General Fund tax dollars were used to fund the project or the Marina’s day to day operations.

New VP of Business Svs.

The Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees approved Marlene Dunn as the new Vice President of Business Services for Long Beach City College at its April 24 meeting. Dunn’s duties will oversee the district-wide fiscal, facilities, business and technology services, as well as the economic development programs.

Dunn has served as Chief Business Officer for the Lynwood Unified School District since 2015 in which she oversees its budget, risk management, maintenance and operations. The majority of her career was spent with the Los Angeles County Office of Education within Business Advisory Services from 2000 – 2014, focusing on school business and finance-related services to school and community colleges districts within Los Angeles County. As director of business advisory services, Dunn was responsible for fiscal oversight of 80 public school districts and other agencies with budgets totaling more than $22 billion.

Dunn is a resident of Cerritos. She received her associate degree from Cerritos Community College and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

Deputy Chief Appointed

Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna announced the appointment of Commander Alex Avila to the position of Deputy Chief. In his new assignment, Deputy Chief Avila will assume command of the Long Beach Police Department’s Support Bureau.

Deputy Chief Avila, a 27-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department, began his career as a police officer in 1990 and promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1999, lieutenant in 2006 and commander in 2012. Most recently, he was responsible for overseeing the department’s Security Services Division.

Deputy Chief Avila has an extensive and diverse work history, which includes serving as a patrol officer, field training officer, robbery detective, Investigation Bureau administrative sergeant, family services lieutenant, port police division commander and training and communications division commander. He holds the distinction of being the only person to be assigned to the department’s Gang Enforcement Section as a detective, sergeant and lieutenant.

Deputy Chief Avila holds a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach, a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies and an Associate of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Long Beach City College. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California Delinquency Control Institute, the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, the F.B.I. Executive Leadership Course and the F.B.I. National Academy.

Development Svs. Director

City Manager Patrick H. West named Linda F. Tatum, FAICP, as the city’s director of development services. Tatum brings more than 34 years of professional experience in urban planning and economic and community development.

Ms. Tatum has served as the city’s planning bureau manager since March 2015. During her tenure, she has directed and was an integral participant in, numerous key city projects, such as: the Midtown and Southeast Area specific plans; the planning, design and entitlement for the new Long Beach Civic Center; and the implementation of the Mobility Element with adoption of a new Bicycle Master Plan, Downtown and Transit-Oriented Development Pedestrian Master Plan and Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (CX3) Plan that coordinates health and safe routes to school.

The Development Services department is comprised of 180 staff members with a budget of over $118 million that provides planning, building and safety (inspection and permit), code enforcement, housing and neighborhood services.

Ms. Tatum is replacing Tom Modica, who filled the position on an interim basis. Mr. Modica will resume his position as assistant city manager.

Su Casa’s Gala a Success

Su Casa presented the 1st Annual Gala of Light Saturday, April 21 at the Old Ranch Country Club.

Supporters of Su Casa enjoyed an evening of auctions, raffles, a steak or salmon dinner and entertainment by the King Salmon Band. Some of the auction prizes taken home that evening included round trip airfare anywhere in the US and a hotel and long term parking from Southwest Airlines and Courtyard Marriot, Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets and a Madonna Inn winetasting adventure.

Karen D’ingillo, a member of the board of directors and author, presented her life story of domestic abuse, her life’s trajectory to today and how agencies such as Su Casa are so important to our community. The audience was deeply touched by her honest and emotional description of how domestic violence impacted her family.

Following Karen’s address, thousands of dollars were raised in a Raise the Paddle event, led by Debbie Vince and Robert McKenna. Audience members were able to provide financial support for areas of need for Su Casa – Ending Domestic Violence.

Learn the Strategies of Private Equity Pros

Long Beach business owners who want to grow their businesses are invited to a complimentary event to meet top private equity professionals from throughout Southern California and ask questions of industry experts in a panel discussion, “Achieving Exponential Business Growth – Learn the Strategies of Private Equity Pros.”

The free event will be held May 31 at 6:30 p.m. in the Long Beach Bixby Knolls area and is limited to 40 business owners whose companies have annual revenues of $2 million or more and are looking to grow their business exponentially.

In addition to business owners, top private equity professionals from all over Southern California will attend to share information and answer questions.

The event will be held on the rooftop of the Bryson Financial offices at 3777 Long Beach Blvd., 5th Floor.  A wine and hors d’oeuvres networking welcome will kick off the event at 6:30 p.m. with the panel presentation starting at 7 p.m.

For more information or to register, please visit www.brysonfinancial.com or contact Logan Ross at Bryson Financial, (562) 435-4267, logan@brysonfinancial.com.