Bits 'n' Pieces

Unemployment Remains Low

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County was unchanged over the month at 4.7 percent in January 2019 from a revised 4.7 percent in December 2018 and was the same as the rate of 4.7 percent one year ago. Civilian employment increased by 4,000 to 4,919,000 in January 2019, while unemployment increased by 1,000 to 243,000 over the month. The civilian labor force increased by 6,000 over the month to 5,163,000 in January 2019. (All of the above figures are seasonally adjusted.) The unadjusted unemployment rate for the county was 4.9 percent in January 2019.

The California seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in January 2019, 4.1 percent in December 2018, and 4.4 percent a year ago in January 2018. The comparable estimates for the nation were 4.0 percent in January 2019, 3.9 percent in December 2018, and 4.1 percent a year ago.

Treasure Trove of Free Digital Resources

The Long Beach Public Library has launched a newly designed website where community members can find free digital resources and more. The new website is located at http://www.longbeach.gov/library. Visitors are encouraged to explore the new website and sign up for Library’s mailing list to receive direct

The new website features a revamped digital library, which allows users to filter by resource type, subject, and target audience to find the best resource for specific needs. The digital library resources cover a range of topics: business and career development; language learning; job hunting; test preparation; homework help; genealogy; general research; veterans; new immigrants; and entertainment such as streaming movies, digital magazines, ebooks, and eaudio.

The resources within the digital library are free to library cardholders and can be enjoyed anywhere. Another new feature is an improved events calendar with enriched content on the home page to promote Library events. Library has free programs for all ages taking place almost every day.

“In planning for this new website, we focused on offering a contemporary, clean layout with improved navigation to better connect site visitors with the essential services, programs, information, and community resources available through our libraries,” said Glenda Williams, director of library services.

The library’s new website will be updated regularly with news and happenings, accomplishments and milestones, and special events. Public feedback is welcomed and can be shared through the form on the Contact Us page.

Professors Honored for Science Education

Two longtime members of the Long Beach State University community were recognized for their contributions to the world of science education by the Association for Science Teacher Education.

Lisa Martin-Hansen, the department chair of science education, was recognized as the Science Educator of the Year for 2019 by the organization.

“Modeling exemplary pedagogy is key,” Martin-Hansen said, who takes her students to local schools to practice their teaching. “Our master’s students are practicing science educators who work at aquariums, museums and schools. The coursework and experiences we provide help our educators to further develop their expertise leading to many of them becoming state leaders in science education.”

The association also recognized Bill Ritz, professor emeritus, who acted as the founding chair of the Department of Science Education at Long Beach State University. On campus, Ritz is known as the father of the campuses Head Start on Science program. Ritz was among those educators recognized for outstanding longtime service.

DLBA Hires New Manager

The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) welcomes Mariah Hoffman as its new placemaking manager, announced today by DLBA President and CEO Kraig Kojian.

Hoffman offers experience in architectural in-fill and construction project management to a role that has become synonymous with successful projects such as Pine Avenue’s creative mid-block crosswalk art and The Loop at Pine + Ocean.

Before joining DLBA, Hoffman lived and worked in San Diego coordinating single and multi-family architectural projects for a small design-build firm and pursued a passion of building her own “tiny house” on a trailer. Arrangements are being made to move the tiny house to Long Beach, where Hoffman has been a regular visitor and admirer of downtown before joining DLBA.

In addition to her project management experience, Hoffman will draw upon her training in landscape architecture, sustainable design and machine fabrication in guiding DLBA public realm projects to completion, including pedestrian way finding and sidewalk decals coming to downtown in 2019.

In her capacity as placemaking manager, Hoffman is responsible for leading the DLBA’s efforts to enhance the public realm as outlined in the DTLB’s Vision 2020, the organization’s strategic plan. Areas of emphasis include improving connectivity between the waterfront and other downtown neighborhoods, supporting the implementation of the Downtown Plan, and activating public spaces to enhance the overall environment.

TGA Expands Local Youth Sports Programs

TGA Premier Sports (TGA), a leading youth sports organization specializing in introductory and recreational sports programs, announces its latest multi-franchise expansion in Long Beach.

Kevin Oliver, a former software and technology executive, has acquired three TGA franchises, golf, tennis, and team sports, which will cover the areas of Long Beach, Seal Beach and Los Alamitos.

Since 2003, TGA has been impacting schools, youth, and families nationwide with its innovative youth sports curriculum. This now includes 19 franchises in the Los Angeles/Southern California area, which has had over 25,000 kids participate with no signs of slowing down.

“I have been an active sports enthusiast my entire life with an entrepreneurial side that together, is the perfect combination for TGA,” said Oliver. “I am very excited to bring these programs to area schools and community centers and positively impacting the lives of children in our neighborhoods, through sports, the same way it had an effect on me at their age.”

Schools and youngsters ages 3-13 will now have multiple sport opportunities to participate in golf, tennis, floor hockey, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee to name a few through TGA’s innovative introductory and recreational youth sports platform.

The programs are utilized anywhere on campuses or centers regardless of weather, including gymnasiums, hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, fields and blacktops giving the program the ability to run year-round.

“We will be offering multi-sport enrichment programs of golf, tennis and floor hockey after school this semester in partnership with Los Alamitos Unified Schools, Los Alamitos Education Foundation and the City of Los Alamitos,” explains Oliver

TGA’s (Teach, Grow, Achieve) unique program delivers introductory youth sports directly at schools and community centers through before- or after-school enrichment programs. Schools and families nationwide have embraced the TGA youth sports program not only because of its innovative station-based curriculum that combines athletics, academics, and life-skills, but also a safe and healthy environment for kids to participate and have an unparalleled experience playing sports. The other differentiator is how students also participate in interactive STEAM Labs that allow them to explore and relate concepts such as gravity, aerodynamics, and simple machines through the sports they are playing.

TGA’s youth sports model has become a leader in the youth sports industries. The governing body of tennis, United States Tennis Association (USTA), quickly recognized the traction TGA had in schools and joined forces to help TGA develop the fast-growing model for tennis.

In addition, with its new Team Sports franchise, TGA has aligned with the American Development Model (ADM) created by the U.S. Olympic Committee, which includes skill progression and physical fitness creating a pathway toward an active and healthy lifestyle.

For more information and to find out where TGA programs are running in Long Beach, visit https://longbeach.playtga.com/