Bits 'n' Pieces

LBCC Oversight Committee Seeking New Member

The Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Citizens’ Oversight Committee (COC), which oversees district bond projects, is seeking a new member to represent the community at large. Applications are being accepted through Oct. 29.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and reside within the LBCCD boundary, which includes the cities of Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood and Avalon.

The LBCCD board of trustees will be asked to approve the new member at its November meeting. The term of service for the new appointee is Nov. 13, 2018, through June 30, 2020. The COC has two mandatory meetings each year and may schedule others as needed. The next COC meeting date is Feb. 11, 2019.

The COC oversees both Measure E, a $440 million bond measure approved by the voters in 2008, and Measure LB, an $850 million bond measure approved by the voters in 2016. Funds are used exclusively for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of LBCCD facilities, or the acquisition or lease of real property for use by the district.

Complete information about the bond measures, the COC, and the application form can be found online at https://www.lbcc.edu/citizens-oversight-committee. Community members can call (562) 938-4540 with questions.

DLBA Website Refresh

In its continued effort to serve as a clearinghouse of information, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) launched a major website refresh of its domain, www.downtownlongbeach.org.

Working with Downtown Long Beach-based firm Commune Communications, DLBA’s objective for the website refresh was to improve the user experience while providing more relevant information. The refreshed website provides a more intuitive experience with subject matter and areas of interest more easily located. Whether the user is a DTLB local, a tourist, a potential or existing business owner, or investor, the site is structurally better aligned enabling easier access to a wide variety of information.

One of the newest functions made available to the public is the ability to submit events and have them featured within an interactive event calendar. Accessible from the events page, the calendar shows both DLBA signature events and third-party events that will occur in Downtown.

Another new feature is the interactive map. The interactive map allows users to search for a variety of information about businesses in the Downtown area based on filters. Looking for art galleries? Simply select art galleries under the “Business Type.” If one only wants to see those galleries that are located in the East Village, simply select by “Area.” More filters will soon be added to the interactive map such as park locations, murals, bus stops and more.

Over the course of the next few months, DLBA will be engaging in further improvements, as well as continual maintenance to best address needs of its website visitors. The public is encouraged to check out the website, and provide any feedback or requests to info@dlba.org.

Dynamic Approach to Control Flea-Borne Typhus

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has implemented a dynamic approach to control the spread of flea-borne typhus in Long Beach including providing education to residents, health care providers, and veterinarians who all play an important part in stopping the spread of the disease. This year, Los Angeles County has seen a rise in typhus fever.

Cases of flea-borne typhus in Long Beach are currently double that of past years, with 12 cases reported so far and several others under investigation.

A public health advisory to medical providers was sent out in September, notifying them of the increase in cases and reminding them to consider flea-borne typhus if patients present with corresponding symptoms. Also, a notice was sent to all veterinarians in Long Beach to remind them of the dangers of flea-borne typhus and to ensure proper flea control in their patients.

In Long Beach, each typhus case requires the patient is interviewed by an epidemiologist to determine exposures and conduct education and then referred to the Vector Control Program, who visits the homes of individual cases and their surrounding neighborhood to provide recommendations and education on how to avoid fleas in the home.

Flea-borne typhus, also known as murine typhus, was first introduced to Long Beach in 2006 and is now endemic to Long Beach, which means a certain number of cases are expected each year. This year’s increase in cases is not specific to one geographical location in Long Beach,

Residents are encouraged to protect themselves and their families from flea-borne typhus and prevent the spread of typhus by doing the following:

• Practice safe flea control by treating pet dogs and cats regularly.
• Do not leave pet food outdoors.
• Avoid debris and overgrown vegetation that may harbor wild animals.
• Do not provide food or water for wild animals.
• Store trash in cans with secure lids.
• Apply an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent labeled for use against fleas if there is a risk of exposure during activities such as working outdoors.

The Health Department continues to conduct heightened surveillance and response activities around flea-borne typhus. For more information regarding flea-borne typhus, visit www.longbeach.gov/Typhus.

Keller Named Among Best Urban Schools

The National Center for Urban School Transformation announced this week that Keller Dual Immersion Middle School has earned a 2018 America’s Best Urban Schools Award.

The awards were part of the Oct. 8 to 10 America’s Best Urban Schools Symposium in San Diego. Winning schools demonstrate multiple indicators of excellence for each demographic group served

“Among the thousands of urban schools throughout the nation, this outstanding school is one of the few able to document that it met all of our rigorous award criteria,” NCUST Executive Director Joseph Johnson said. “You should be proud that Keller serves as a model for urban schools throughout the United States.”

Keller Principal Thomas Espinoza said his school has surpassed state levels for each demographic group on assessments.

“It’s amazing that out of hundreds of schools nominated, only 15 were winners at the national level,” Espinoza said. “It’s great to see everyone at Keller recognized for their hard work. Really, everyone had a hand in this.”

Winning schools were recognized at the gold, silver and bronze levels, with Keller earning a bronze award.

The Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education in 2015 approved the re-use of the former Keller Elementary School site to offer dual immersion instruction in English and Spanish for grades 6 to 8. The middle grades program moved from nearby Patrick Henry K-8 School, which returned to its original K-5 configuration. The reconfiguration allowed the school district to expand the sought-after dual immersion program in Henry’s elementary grades by devoting a separate, entire site to the middle grades immersion program. Dual immersion programs remain in high demand among parents.

Avalon Eatery Will Offer Sweeping Views of Harbor

The Catalina Island Conservancy has partnered with the team behind Bluewater Avalon to bring Catalina’s one million annual visitors a new restaurant and event space. The new restaurant, Toyon Grill by Bluewater, will be located on the second floor of the Conservancy’s highly anticipated Trailhead visitor center and offer sweeping views of Avalon Harbor, the Green Pier and Avalon Casino.

The Trailhead will serve as the gateway to exploring and understanding Catalina’s 42,000+ acres of wildlands. Visitors can obtain information on how to start their adventure on Catalina – everything from camping or glamping in the Island’s tree-lined or oceanside campsites, boarding an Eco Tour to catch a glimpse of a fox or bison, trekking 165 miles of recreational trails and roads to simply enjoying a delicious meal with a view right in Avalon.

A new, more informal restaurant concept from the folks who made Bluewater Avalon an Island landmark, Toyon Grill will be a casual eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner plus specialty coffees, small-batch craft beers, cocktails and California wines, including Rusack Vineyards. A selection of grab-and-go picnic boxes will be available for hikers, Eco Tour riders and other adventurers headed out to explore Catalina’s rugged interior.

Visitors who do venture into the Island’s interior are likely to encounter the Toyon (also known as the Christmas Berry or California Holly), a perennial plant native to Catalina that features red berries and white blooms, and was the inspiration for the restaurant’s name.

Toyon Grill will combine spectacular view-oriented indoor dining with a meeting and event space, holding up to 125 guests. The space is expected to draw the attention of businesses, prospective brides and grooms wanting a unique wedding and reception venue, as well as many other local and visitor groups.

The concept emphasizes friendly service, hyper-local ingredients when possible and a commitment to sustainability consistent with the mission of Catalina Island Conservancy that owns, manages and protects 88 percent of Catalina Island. The space is uniquely configured to accommodate large groups and will feature a rotating display of the Conservancy’s Catalina plein air art collection.

The restaurant’s prime location overlooking the Avalon waterfront will beckon diners looking for that ideal spot to enjoy a great meal. Thanks to The Trailhead’s location on the east waterfront, the front patio provides the last views of the sunset in town. The restaurant will follow Bluewater’s mission of serving the freshest, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, innovatively prepared and served in an atmosphere of casual style at affordable prices.

Both the Trailhead visitor center and Toyon Grill by Bluewater are set to open by year end.

Windes Named Civic 50 Orange County Honoree

Windes, a leading California accounting and advisory firm based in Long Beach, has been named as an honoree in the second annual Civic 50 Orange County awards by the Orange County Business Journal and OneOC.

The award provides a local standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

This is the second time the Civic 50, a national initiative of Points of Light, has been localized for a specific market. Since 2012, the Civic 50 has annually recognized the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation as determined by a survey developed by True Impact. For Orange County, honorees were determined using True Impact’s adapted national Civic 50 online survey that is independently administered and scored.

Companies were selected based upon four dimensions of their community engagement programs: investment, integration, institutionalization and impact. The Civic 50 OC honorees include businesses from three categories: small, medium and large (based on the company’s number of local employees).

New LBCC Deans, Directors

Lisa Orr was named the new dean of social science, business and arts. She attended LBCC after graduating from Millikan High School. She then transferred to Oberlin College in Ohio where she received her bachelor’s degree in history. She received her master’s and Ph.D. in history from Indiana University. Orr joined the LBCC faculty in 1999 and taught U.S. History. She became the department head of history and political science in 2015 before becoming interim dean of the school of social science, business and arts in 2017. She and her family live in Long Beach.

Anthony Pagán’s new role at LBCC is the associate dean of the career and technical education (CTE) department. The Santa Ana resident began teaching at LBCC in 2014 in networking and computer security. He received his bachelor of science degree in business administration information systems, with a minor in Chicano studies from San Diego State University. He received his master’s degree in industrial and technical studies from California State University, Los Angeles. He also has more than 10 years of working and teaching in the information technology field.

Deborah Miller-Calvert is the new director of student health and student life. Miller-Calvert provides leadership for LBCC services that address mental health issues, nutritional insecurities, stress management and other challenges facing today’s students. She received her bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders, and her master’s degree in educational counseling from the University of Redlands. Prior to LBCC, she served as the director of housing and residence life at Chapman University. Miller-Calvert lives in Huntington Beach with her husband and son.

Maria Ek Ewell is LBCC’s new director of disabled student services, which provides a variety of services to help students with a disability the opportunity to participate in college programs and activities. The Downey resident holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of California, San Diego, and master of science in counseling from San Diego State University. Her past experience includes special education and school psychology at the Los Angeles Unified School District and counseling at other local community colleges.

Craft Cocktail Tour

Beach City Food Tours has expanded their tour operations by launching a walking cocktail tour that offers residents and tourists alike the opportunity to sip boozy offerings from some of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars. Participants experience Long Beach’s eclectic East Village neighborhood through a unique sensory journey while learning about the neighborhood’s history, Hollywood connections and cocktail trivia along the way.

The tour is currently available only in the East Village neighborhood but is expected expand to other parts of the city over the next several months.

The tour runs approximately three hours on Friday evenings and visits four venues, where a signature cocktail or cider & mead flight is offered. Curated small bites are included at two of the stops that complement the featured adult beverages. The guided tour is priced at $79 per person and participants must be 21 years of age.

The stops on the East Village guided cocktail tour include:

James Republic

The Blind Donkey

Great Society Cider & Mead

Mezcalero and Padre

The tours boast an intimate experience with 4-12 participants and approximate quarter mile total of walking to the different venues. Private tours are also available. For more information on the East Village Craft Cocktail Tour and to book reservations, visit www.beachcityfoodtours.com.