Bits 'n' Pieces

Homeless Count Declines

The 2017 Biennial Homeless Count findings reveal a 21 percent reduction in the total number of persons experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, and a 26 percent reduction in chronic homeless persons. Compared to 2,345 in 2015, the total number of homeless persons in the city has dropped to 1,863; and the total number of chronic homeless persons has dropped from 927 to 686. The 2017 count, conducted on January 26, marks the fourth consecutive Point-In-Time (PIT) count that reflects a reduction in homelessness in Long Beach.

The notable decrease in homelessness in Long Beach can be attributed to the expansion of permanent housing, innovative models of outreach and a well-coordinated system of care. In the last two years, permanent housing resources have nearly doubled.

While citywide homelessness is down, the results also show a dispersion of homelessness across the city since 2013; moving from higher densities in specific neighborhoods to a more general dispersion across the city. This dispersion may be attributed to various factors including downtown’s revitalization, maintenance efforts along river corridors, and wetland and greenspace restoration.

This population shift has led some to believe there is an overall increase in homelessness, when in actuality there are fewer homeless individuals. However, some of the population has shifted to areas outside of traditional concentration areas. 

CSULB Picks Fee for Its New Athletics Director

Following a nationwide search, Long Beach State University President Jane Close Conoley announced  Andy Fee as head of the Department of Athletics. Fee will replace Vic Cegles, who departed last May.

Fee comes from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) where he spent seven years as the Intercollegiate Athletics Deputy AD/Chief Development Officer. The nationwide search was steered by CSULB Vice President for University Relations and Development’s Andrea Taylor. Taylor lead a search committee consisting of coaches, students, community boosters, faculty and staff. More than 75 candidates applied.

“It is not easy to leave my UC Santa Barbara family, however. As I look ahead to this wonderful opportunity at Long Beach State, I am especially grateful to UCSB Athletics Director John McCutcheon, Chancellor Henry T. Yang and Associate Vice Chancellor Beverly Colgate who have been wonderful mentors and friends. My wife and I are thrilled to join the Long Beach State family,” Fee said.

Fee officially will be introduced to the campus community as Long Beach State’s 12th athletics director via a welcoming event. This event/press conference will be open to media. The date is to be determined.

Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Long Beach continues to boom with construction of a new full-block, mixed-use development currently underway at the site of the former State Office Building, 245 West Broadway.

The AMLI Park Broadway will reactivate and enliven the previously vacant area on Broadway, spanning from Pacific Avenue to Cedar Avenue, breathing new life and economic energy into the heart of downtown. 

This project adds to the growing number of major developments under construction in the downtown area, including the re-envisioned Long Beach Civic Center, Shoreline Gateway and other mixed-use and residential developments. 

The AMLI Park Broadway will consist of a 222-unit residential component, a three-level parking garage, and approximately 8,500 square feet of retail space. The development will feature a high-quality, context-sensitive building design, and staggered building heights that complement the surrounding area.

Can Your Butts

The City of Long Beach launched a Can Your Butts campaign to promote a clean, safe litter-free community by offering education and assistance to Long Beach restaurants, bars and other businesses to reduce cigarette litter in commercial corridors.

Participating businesses can receive free resources such as posters, pocket ashtrays and a cigarette waste receptacle for the front of their establishment. Thirty-three businesses along the Broadway corridor will participate in the first phase of this campaign. The campaign will expand to other business districts over the next several months. For more information, please visit litterfreelb.org.

Cigarette butts and other tobacco products make up over a third of all litter found on U.S. roadways, public spaces, beaches and waterways. Cigarette butts cause environmental and public safety problems as they are not biodegradable. They leach toxic chemicals into the environment and are especially poisonous to children, pets and wildlife if ingested. Cleaning up cigarette litter costs millions of dollars every year.

Long Beach City Code requires businesses that sell tobacco products, serve alcohol or allow smoking to provide and empty a tobacco waste receptacle.

Award Winner

Long Beach resident Annette Scott, a senior physician advocate for UnitedHealthcare in Cypress, was named a OneOC Spirit of Volunteerism Award winner on April 24, 2017, at a special ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel.  

Scott was honored for her exemplary work on community service programs supported by her company’s social responsibility committees. One of those programs is Project Sunshine, which provides arts and crafts materials and activities for patients at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach.

Another program she has worked diligently on is an “adopt-a-family” initiative where low-income households are provided with various holiday gifts and treats. The effort, which her managers have ecstatically encouraged, has grown so much that this past holiday season she organized support for some 130 families across Southern California.

She was also recognized because of her energetic leadership and how she has inspired many co-workers to get involved in local volunteer activities and fundraising campaigns.

Race With a View

The month of May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and JFCS is gearing up for Race With A View 2017, to be held on May 7.  All are invited to get involved and move for access to mental health services for all in our community.  Now in its 29th year, everyone can be part of Race With A View, whether you walk, run, volunteer, sponsor or become a fundraiser.

Participants will gather at Pierpoint Landing, with onsite registration starting at 7 a.m. and the run/walk beginning at 8 a.m.  “We are once again promoting the idea of participants inviting their friends to join them and putting together a team.  It’s an ideal way to get a workout in, enjoy the company of friends, and then maybe indulge a little with brunch at one of the great restaurants nearby,” said Dressner.  Elex Michaelson of the ABC7 news team will be the emcee at the event.  A limited number of colorful T-shirts will be available for those who register onsite.

Registration is available online at www.racewithaview.com.  Individuals can register directly on the website and pay with credit or debit cards. Once registered, participants will be able to create teams and ask their participants to register online.  Participants can also fund raise for JFCS, and they can ask their potential donors to log onto the website to donate directly to JFCS. 

For more information on Race With A View, visit www.racewithaview.com or call Pattie Davidson at (562) 427-7916 Ext. 235.

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