Bits 'n' Pieces

City Eliminates Convenience Fees

City of Long Beach utility customers will no longer be charged a convenience fee when paying their bill, effective Oct. 8. Eliminating these convenience fees to consumers provides a better customer service experience for those who pay by credit or debit card and avoids an additional charge of $3.75 per payment and $0.95 for utility customers paying by eCheck.

Additionally, utility customers will have the expanded convenience of paying their utility bills, including shut-off notices, without an additional charge of $1.50, at any CVS Pharmacy or 7-Eleven location in the United States, effective Monday, Oct. 15. Payments must be in cash and will be applied to their accounts the same day.

“I am very excited about improving the customer experience and adding more locations where people can pay their utility bills,” said John Gross, director of financial management.

The city’s utilities provide gas, water, sewer and refuse service. For more information, community members can visit www.longbeach.gov/utilitybilling, e-mail GO-UtilityBilling@longbeach.gov or call (562) 570-5700.

Groundbreaking College Promise 2.0

The Long Beach College Promise announced a new milestone today with the unveiling of Promise 2.0. Beginning in fall 2019, the enhanced initiative will feature a guaranteed transition from Long Beach City College (LBCC) to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) for qualifying graduates of Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). In addition, The Promise welcomed the Port of Long Beach as the first industry partner in the Long Beach College Promise.

LBUSD graduates eligible for Promise 2.0 will attend LBCC to complete their lower division courses and thereafter receive guaranteed admission to CSULB.

By entering into Promise 2.0, LBUSD students would benefit by:

• Paying a lower tuition rate by attending LBCC, including free tuition for the first year.
• Earning transferable college credit at LBCC towards a bachelor’s degree from CSULB.
• Receiving priority registration for classes at LBCC.
• Earning a bachelor’s degree from CSULB.
• Ensuring a smooth transition from LBCC to CSULB. Students will be able to map out courses at both institutions. Students would also receive guidance from both LBCC counselors and CSULB academic advisors.
• Being part of a cohort of Promise 2.0 students.
• Receiving both LBCC and CSULB student ID cards that will allow students to enjoy benefits of both colleges, allowing them to participate in special events at both CSULB and LBCC.

The university, the community college and the school district first committed to The Promise in 2008, extending the promise of a college education to every student in the Long Beach Unified School District. The City of Long Beach and its Mayor’s Office joined the initiative in 2014. Since its inception, The Promise has served as a model for communities in California and across the nation to develop partnerships centered on student success.

The Port of Long Beach recently joined as the newest partner in the Long Beach College Promise. As the first industry partner of The Promise, the Port will strengthen its partnerships with LBUSD, LBCC and CSULB to further their education outreach and workforce goals to prepare the next generation of leaders in our industry by building awareness and understanding of the Port and the maritime industry, developing a skilled workforce that supports international trade and goods movement by creating career pathways and programs, training the trainer by ensuring that teachers and administrators have access to the maritime industry for curriculum development and creating an online hub that provides job and training resources, career profiles and opportunities to attend trade-related educational events.

The Promise includes efforts to align academic standards, teaching methods and student assessment across institutions to improve student achievement and teacher quality. The initiative has garnered recognition and attention by the White House, Gov. Jerry Brown and the California State Senate, and it has been modeled by many other communities in California, including Fresno, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Francisco.

Xavier Espino is New Long Beach Fire Chief

City Manager Patrick H. West announced the appointment of Xavier Espino to fire chief. Espino is a Southern California native who has served in the Long Beach Fire Department since 1986, where he has most recently served as assistant chief. He is a second-generation firefighter; his father retired as a Los Angeles County Fire Department captain.

Prior to becoming assistant chief, Espino had served many roles in the department, including: firefighter/paramedic, captain and battalion chief. During his time in the department, Espino has had many achievements. Most recent notable achievements include: being a principle representative in the concept, design, operation and management of the first dual fire academy in the department’s history; and leading, as fire boat program manager, the design, construction, acceptance, training and delivery of two world-class fire boats.

Espino has a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

“Thirty-two years ago, I was blessed to be hired by the finest fire department in the country,” said Espino. “I have enjoyed a career, where co-workers quickly become family; shared victories and loss, laughter and tears. Today, I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to lead the tremendous men and women of the Long Beach Fire Department. I intend to continue our department’s history of exemplary service to the residents and visitors of this great city. Semper Paratus.”

Espino has been married to his wife, Colleen, for 30 years, and has two adult children. Espino succeeds Chief Michael A. DuRee, who retired after 24 years of service in the department. Espino’s first day as fire chief was Oct. 6.

City to Offer Free Vaccination Clinics

After a particularly severe flu season last year, the City of Long Beach Health Department is providing access to free flu shots in the coming season by hosting neighborhood flu vaccination clinics throughout Long Beach. The first event is a free vaccination clinic that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Stadium, located at 5000 E. Lew Davis Street. This will be the largest flu vaccination clinic in Long Beach and attendees will have the option of receiving their vaccines without getting out of their cars. Anyone 12 years and older can receive the vaccine in a drive-thru. Families with children under 12 years old will be directed to the walk-up area.

The Health Department recommends that everyone six months of age and older get the flu vaccine every year, especially those with a health condition that may increase their risk of serious complications from the flu. The flu vaccine helps develop immunity and lessens the severity of flu symptoms if infection occurs.

For most people, flu symptoms may include fever, chills, aches, pains and coughing, while for others, the flu can be deadly. Flu shots are especially important for people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, including:

• Those 60 years of age and older.
• Pregnant women.
• Caregivers of seniors or infants.
• Those with underlying chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or a chronic heart, lung, kidney or liver condition.
• Those who are immune compromised, such as persons with HIV/AIDS, are on dialysis, or receiving cancer treatment.

A complete listing of the upcoming free vaccination clinics is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog at www.longbeach.gov/flu. No appointments are necessary.

In addition to the free neighborhood flu clinics, the community can also schedule a flu shot appointment at the Health Department by calling (562) 570-4315 during regular business hours. A small administrative fee, covered by most insurance providers, will apply at the time of the appointment. Adults with Medicare Part B or other insurance must bring their Medicare/insurance card to their appointment. Parents should bring their children’s immunization records, as some children will need two doses of the vaccine administered one month apart, depending on their immunization history.

The Health Department also recommends that everyone practices healthy habits to prevent getting or transmitting the flu by:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying home from work or school if sick.
• Covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer frequently.
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with flu virus.
• If the flu is contracted, taking antiviral drugs if the doctor prescribes them.

New Water Commission Officers

The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners unanimously elected Gloria Cordero as board president at their last regularly scheduled board meeting. Harry Saltzgaver was elected vice president and Frank Martinez was elected secretary. Officers will serve from October 2018 to September 2019. The newly elected officers began their new terms on Oct. 4.

Cordero was appointed to the Board of Water Commissioners by Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia in January 2015. Cordero also represents the City of Long Beach on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Board of Directors; she was appointed by Mayor Garcia and installed as the Long Beach representative in September 2016.

Commissioner and immediate past-president Robert Shannon congratulated the incoming president, Gloria Cordero, noting, “Sincere congratulations to my friend and colleague. In addition to her love for Long Beach, Gloria brings to this position a successful background in government and public affairs and education.”

“I’m honored to have this vote of confidence from my colleagues,” said Gloria Cordero, president of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. “I am excited to develop new, creative partnerships to elevate Long Beach Water’s visibility in the community.”

LGB/CSULB School of Art Review Partnership

Long Beach Airport (LGB) has partnered with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to present the School of Art Review (SOAR), a pilot program to incorporate artwork at the airport and engage the community. “CSULB SOARs @ LGB” is an opportunity for college students and recent graduates from CSULB to showcase their talents and promote Long Beach’s rich art and culture scene to travelers and the public.

The artwork is exhibited outdoor in the public plaza between the terminal and the concourse. Artists working with sculpture, wood, ceramics, fibers and metals were encouraged to participate. Seven projects were reviewed by an airport panel and four were selected for display for a six-month period.

“It has been a pleasure to partner with Cal State Long Beach and present this opportunity for student artists to have their work on display for the thousands of travelers that come through Long Beach Airport every day,” said Airport Director, Jess L. Romo. “Long Beach has a rich history of aviation and the arts, so it’s wonderful to have a program like SOAR that incorporates these themes into their work.”

“We are enthusiastic to showcase our artists in the public setting of Long Beach Airport,” said School of Art Director, Aubry Mintz. “Art is a synergistic force that adds value to daily life and brings us together – we are eager to see the affect these works have on both travelers and the local community.”

“The Mountain” by Manny Krakowski and “Luggage for Native Soil” by Lena Wolek are currently on display for the next six months. Following that, “Drifting” by Jojo Solo and “Collection” by Amy Williams artworks will be displayed in early 2019.

MemorialCare Expands Sports Medicine Program

MemorialCare Medical Group has announced the expansion of its sports medicine program with the opening of its new Long Beach office at 2888 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 325.

The new health center includes two board certified primary care sports medicine physicians – Jeffry Lai, M.D. and Joshua Snodgrass, M.D. – with significant specialized training in both the prevention and treatment of sports-related illness and injuries including sprains, muscles strains, fractures, tendonitis and osteoarthritis.

Drs. Lai and Snodgrass are experienced in performing ultrasound-guided procedures and injections and providing non-surgical treatment of acute and chronic sports injuries, management of sports-related concussion and ImPACT testing, fracture care and consultations, sports pre-participation physicals, exercise prescriptions and minor procedures including sutures and wound care. They also promote healthy lifestyle choices and advise on nutrition, supplements and ergogenic aids to help improve physical performance.

MemorialCare Medical Group accepts most major HMO, PPO, EPO, POS and some Covered California plans, as well as Medicare, Tricare, Medicare Advantage and Supplemental plans. New patients are now being accepted. The health center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking is available.

For more information about MemorialCare Medical Group’s sports medicine program or to request an appointment, please call (562) 933-0013.

Create Some Change with Your Spare Change

Goodwill Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County (Goodwill SOLAC) and ARCO have partnered together to help fund job training and placement programs that enable people in your community to find work. You can help by donating at a participating ARCO station, where 100% of every contribution goes directly to fund Goodwill SOLAC’s job-training programs and initiatives that help Southern Californians move from poverty to self-sufficiency.

Stop by a participating ARCO station during the Give at the Pump campaign from Oct. 8 through Nov. 18, 2018.

Goodwill SOLAC is a nonprofit organization that transforms donated goods into job training, education and placement services for individuals with barriers to employment. Goodwill SOLAC serves 22 cities and communities throughout Southern Los Angeles County.

Goodwill SOLAC’s main facility — located at 800 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach — houses its administrative offices, training programs, processing operations, transportation fleet, LiNKS Sign Language & Interpreting Services, a retail store and its e-commerce operations. To learn more about Goodwill career services or to find your nearest Goodwill store or donation center, visit www.ThinkGood.org.