Bits 'n' Pieces

Published by admin on Dec 19, 2019

City Offers Holiday Tree Recycling

Residents have several options for free disposal of holiday trees while keeping trees out of the trash. All decorations and stands must be removed and trees over 12 feet tall should be cut in half. Please note that flocked trees will be accepted. 
 
Residents can drop off trees from Dec. 26 through Jan. 10 at one of 12 locations throughout the city. The hours for all locations are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. The drop off locations are:
 
  • Bixby Park, 1st Street at Cherry Avenue
  • Cesar E. Chavez Park, Golden Shore at 4th Street
  • CSULB Recycling Center, 5800 Atherton Blvd.
  • El Dorado Park, 2760 N. Studebaker Rd., south parking lot (behind administration building)
  • Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St.
  • Fire Station #14, 5200 Eliot St. 
  • Houghton Park, Myrtle Avenue at Harding Street
  • Hudson Park, Hill Street at Webster Avenue
  • North Police Substation, 4891 N. Atlantic Ave. at Del Amo Boulevard (enter on 46th Street)
  • Stearns Park, 23rd Street at Roycroft Avenue 
  • Veterans Park, 28th Street at Pine Avenue
  • Wardlow Park, Monlaco Avenue at Rutgers Avenue
Free holiday pick up is available for residents with city refuse and recycling service on Saturday, Jan. 11. Trees need to be set out for collection by 7 a.m. that day wherever your recycling is normally collected.
 

Winter Shelter Opens

The Long Beach Winter Shelter, which shields people experiencing homelessness from cold weather and provides shelter, food and safety during the coldest time of the year has opened. The 125-bed facility in West Long Beach is operated in partnership with The United States Veterans Initiative (US Vets) and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
 
Shelter participants can only access the Winter Shelter via the Winter Shelter bus, which will make daily pick-ups at the following locations and times:
 
  • Long Beach Multi-Service Center (1301 W. 12th St.) – daily at 5 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.
  • 14th Street Park (14th Street and Palmer Court, near Long Beach Boulevard) – 5:25 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
  • Channel Street Park and Ride (110 Underpass/Channel Street, San Pedro) – daily at 4 p.m.
Every morning, the Winter Shelter bus will drop people off where they were picked up. 
 
The Winter Shelter will be open daily through March 31. For more information, people can call US Vets at (562) 200-7303 or the Multi-Service Center at (562) 570-4500. 
 
Other local year-round shelters in Long Beach include the Samaritan House and Lydia House, operated by the Long Beach Rescue Mission and Project Achieve and Elizabeth Anne Seton Residence, operated by Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. The first phase of the Atlantic Avenue Bridge Housing Community, the city’s year-round shelter and permanent supportive housing community, is expected to open by June 2020. 
 
Throughout the year, staff from the City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department’s Homeless Services Division and its community partners canvass Long Beach daily, engaging people who are experiencing homelessness and offering emergency shelter, transportation, access to service providers and opportunities for housing. The city also leads the Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC), which collaborates with multiple partners, including business and neighborhood associations, nonprofit and faith-based agencies and medical and educational institutions to proactively address homelessness.
 

Leadership Long Beach Appoints New Director

The Leadership Long Beach (LLB) Board of Directors announced the selection of Kerri Cissna as its next executive director. After an extensive search of involving more than 80 applicants, the LLB search committee made a recommendation and the board unanimously approved Cissna. She will start working for the organization in January 2020.
 
Kerri Cissna comes to Long Beach following a 20-year career of directing leadership programs at Pepperdine University, Azusa Pacific University and Asbury University (Wilmore, KY). She brings expertise in fundraising and nonprofit leadership. 
 
She has been teaching leadership and communication and research methods at Pepperdine University. During her tenure at Pepperdine, she led several leadership conferences and programs. She is a founding member of the Center for Women in Leadership and a research team that has interviewed over 500 women leaders. Kerri holds a Doctorate of Education and a PhD in Global Leadership from Pepperdine.
Following his 10-year stint as executive director, Jeff Williams will support Kerri in a seamless transition through January. Board President Gies asserts, “As an alumnus and executive director, Jeff has served the organization and its mission with an unwavering passion. The organization could not have asked for a better person to take us through our challenging times a decade ago. Leadership Long Beach and the community as a whole is in a much better place because of Jeff’s ability to inspire others to serve. He will be missed.”
 

Urban Plates Opens Its 19th Store at 2nd & PCH

 
Urban Plates – the chef-driven, fast-casual restaurant concept serving made-from-scratch meals using ethically sourced ingredients opened on Dec. 16. Urban Plates continues its mission of serving quality food at affordable prices, empowering guests to enjoy both wholesome and delicious food choices. 
 
The new location debuts with a continued #GoodIsServed social media campaign (which invites fans to share their “do good moments” this holiday season).
 
Founded in 2011, Urban Plates combines the seasonal freshness and variety of a food marketplace with a commitment to culinary integrity. All menu items are prepared on-premise daily (no commissary kitchens) using thoughtfully sourced ingredients, including fresh local produce; GMO-antibiotic-hormone-free, grass-fed and finished steak; line-caught tuna; sustainably sourced seafood; and humanely raised and sourced, cage-free, hormone-free chicken. 
 
Restaurant menus offer guests a breadth of choice, from fresh seasonal salads and sandwiches to steak plates, grilled seafood, soups, sides and more – always using clean ingredients sourced from partners the culinary team knows and trusts. 
 

Beverly O’Neill Backs Dick Gaylord for LBCC

 
Richard (Dick) Gaylord announced that former Long Beach Mayor and Long Beach Community College District Superintendent-President Beverly O’Neill has endorsed his campaign for LBCC Trustee, Area 4. 
 
“Dick’s years of work and volunteerism in the city of Long Beach has provided him a depth of knowledge in both business and education that will assure a positive contribution to the Long Beach City College Board of Trustees.” said Mayor O’Neill who served as mayor of Long Beach from 1994 to 2006, the city’s only three-term mayor.
 
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of one of Long Beach’s most inspirational figures, Mayor O’Neill. There are few people who know and understand the needs of this community as she does and I am proud that she trusts me to address those needs.” said Gaylord “I have been working with LBCC since Mayor O’Neil was in office and I look forward to continue working for the betterment of this campus for every faculty member, parent and student we serve.”
 
With more than 20 years of service on the LBCC Personnel Commission, Long Beach Civil Service Commission and more Dick Gaylord has spent a lifetime working to improve the conditions and services of Long Beach City College. Mayor O’Neill’s endorsement exemplifies the commitment to service that Dick will bring to the Board of Trustees.
 

Celebrating 2-Years of Tax Cuts & Jobs Act 

 
Two years ago, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act was signed into law. The year end review highlights include more than seven million jobs created since November 2016, and unemployment rate at the lowest rate in 50 years, with rapid business startups by minority women. 
 
This is why 83 percent of small business owners believe the TCJA is having a positive impact on the economy, according to a recent study by the National Federation of Independent Businesses. In the last twelve months, American workers have seen a three percent wage increase. This is great news, especially during the holiday season. 
 
Across the nation, women and especially minority entrepreneurs are starting businesses locally and adding flavor to local main streets and taking their business global. 
 
At SBA, their mission is to empower entrepreneurs in their business journey, whether it’s starting a business, expanding or taking it global. 
 
SBA resource partners provide free or low-local assistance to help entrepreneurs develop business plans that take their business to their next chapter in their journey. 
 
Today, businesses are taking advantage of tax reform and the ability to deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income. Businesses are investing in their business by buying new equipment, machinery and property taking advantage of the temporary 100 percent expensing for qualified property.
 
Looking ahead to 2020, businesses can work with local SBA resources to plan their next level. The end of the year is an opportunity to set goals for next year and map out how to exceed them. It’s an opportunity to continue to take advantage of tax reform and continue to chart an upward path. 
 

PRM Director to Retire

 
The City of Long Beach announced the retirement of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Director Gerardo Mouet. He joined the city on June 18, 2018, after serving for 14 years as executive director for the City of Santa Ana’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency. 
 
“Parks, Recreation and Marine is one of our city’s largest departments, and whether it’s moving forward with a new plan for compassionate animal care, opening a new playground or serving as a safe place for kids to go after school, Mr. Mouet has shown great leadership,” said Acting City Manager Tom Modica. “We are thankful for his service to Long Beach over this past year and a half.”
 
During his time in Long Beach, he oversaw the launch of PRM’s new Strategic Plan and the development of the Animal Care Service’s landmark Compassion Saves plan.
 
“My announcement is bittersweet as I have really enjoyed serving this vibrant and diverse city, and being a part of a team that truly cares for the community,” said Mouet. “However, retirement will give me some quality time to take care of my health and spend more time with family. I’m excited to see the great work that will continue to come out of the PRM team.”
 
Mouet’s last day with the city will be Jan. 31, 2020. The city manager will announce an interim PRM director prior to Mouet’s departure. 
 

Volunteers Wanted to Count Homeless

 
The City of Long Beach is seeking 200 volunteers to help conduct the 2020 Point in Time (PIT) Count, its street count of persons experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. The PIT Count is vital for determining the scope of homelessness, defining existing resources available and identifying gaps. 
 
To volunteer for the PIT Count, people must meet the following criteria: be 18 years or older; attend an orientation prior to the day of the count; and commit to a three- to four-hour canvassing shift on Jan. 23. Volunteers can learn more by downloading the homeless count flyer or register directly online. Registration will close once 200 volunteers have been recruited.
 
On the morning of the count, volunteers will arrive at the Multi-Service Center (1301 W. 12th St.) at 4 a.m. Groups of three to five volunteers will form each canvassing team: some will conduct a residential-based count of all people living in emergency and transitional housing programs, and others will be assigned a GIS-mapped segment of the city for the street-based count. The field work begins at 5 a.m. 
 
One-hour orientations for volunteers will be hosted at the Multi-Service Center in advance of the Jan. 23 count. Volunteers need only attend one of the following orientation dates:
 
  • Monday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. or 6 p.m. 
In addition to canvasing a map segment, volunteers can help by raising awareness and recruiting other volunteers to participate in the PIT Count via social media; host donation drives to collect outreach engagement items such as socks, travel size hygiene products and pre-packaged snacks; and donate funds to support count activities. For more information, volunteers can call the Multi-Service Center at (562) 570-4499.
 
Long Beach’s homeless population has decreased by 40 percent since 2011, with a flat count recorded in 2019. That year, a total of 1,894 individuals were counted in emergency shelters, transitional housing and living in places not meant for human habitation like parks, beaches and city streets.
 
Addressing the issue of homelessness continues to be a leading priority for the city. Long Beach has taken a multipronged approach, working across departments to provide wrap-around services for people experiencing homelessness as well as vulnerable populations. 
 
Long Beach is one of only three cities in Los Angeles County to operate its own Continuum of Care, a local planning body funded by HUD that coordinates and funds housing and services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
 
In an effort to prevent future incidents of homelessness wherever possible, last year the vity launched Everyone Home Long Beach, a highly coordinated, multi-organizational approach to ending homelessness. Designed to build on the city’s comprehensive homeless assistance and affordable housing efforts already underway, Everyone Home Long Beach looks at innovative approaches to provide new pathways into homes and prevent residents from falling into homelessness. Everyone Home Long Beach is guided by a series of goals and recommendations brought forth in December 2018 by a task force of local leaders. 
 
The Homeless Services Division, part of the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, organizes the PIT Count effort and provides leadership to the Long Beach Continuum of Care. 
 

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