Community News

Wetlands Central Tour

The rainy season is the perfect time to view wetlands! Learn about the history of Los Cerritos Wetlands and restoration of wetland habitat during walk on Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Bring binoculars, if you have them, to view wetlands wildlife. This walk is appropriate for ages 7 and up. Closed toes shoes are required. Park at the intersection of PCH and 1st St., at the border of Long Beach and Seal Beach.

For more information or to RSVP for the nature walk, contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org.

Police Oversight

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Long Beach is excited to have the recently appointed director, Francine Kerridge, give an introduction to the City of Long Beach Office of Police Oversight at our Saturday, March 2 meeting at 11 a.m..

She will discuss the duties of the office as well as the vision for the newly created Police Oversight Commission. And she will discuss the process that created the office, the authority of the office, and how the office will interface with the new commission.

Guests are welcome to attend this program that starts at 11 a.m. at Long Beach City College, 4900 E. Conant St. Follow signs to Building O2, Room 208.

To attend please RSVP at: aauwlongbeach.reservations@gmail.com.

Make a Difference

Greater Long Beach Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting Saturday, March 9, at the Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. Registration is at 9 a.m. with buffet breakfast starting at 9:30 am.

Guest speaker: Barbara George, state director for CA Moms for America. Her topic: “How to Make a Difference.”

Cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members. For a reservation, call Maryann von der Horst at (562) 760-1556 or email vonderhorstm@aol.com.

OLLI Classes

On March 11, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach will begin registration for its spring session. Classes will be held on campus, at satellite community locations, and online using Zoom.

More than 80 classes, including 20 new ones and eight free programs and events, will be offered covering a wide variety of subjects including personal finance, computer skills, music, art, crafting, fitness and wellness, French, writing, literature, history, current events, and several discussion groups.

The seven-week session begins on April 8, and is open to all adults 50 and over. Annual membership is $40, and classes are only $15 each. For more information including registration, visit the OLLI website www.csulb.edu/olli.

For 28 years OLLI has been dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults throughout Greater Long Beach and Orange County by providing educational opportunities and social engagement.

Critical Step Forward

Councilmember Kristina Duggan, chair of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, announced the approval of a pivotal land exchange agreement by the California State Coastal Conservancy on Feb. 15 to restore more than 150 acres of coastal wetlands in Long Beach.

This landmark agreement, involving an exchange of a five acre parcel owned by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority with a 150 acre parcel from Los Cerritos Wetlands LLC, marks a significant step forward in the restoration and protection of the Los Cerritos Wetlands.

“Over the past year, we rolled up our sleeves to come to terms on a deal that transitions 154 acres of private oil fields to beautiful coastal wetlands that can be enjoyed by everyone,” said Duggan. “This historic occasion not only decommissions oil wells on the site over 15 years earlier than anticipated, but it also serves as a key milestone in our city’s transition away from oil drilling and I am proud to lead this effort.”

“Today’s action is a major step towards the LCWA’s ability to restore the wetlands and bring back a coastal and community benefit to the area [Long Beach],” said Mark Stanley, executive officer of the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority.

The project aims to create a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem, incorporating educational and recreational opportunities for the community. With the addition of trails, a visitor center, and other amenities, the restored wetlands will become a destination for nature enthusiasts, students, and families alike.

The project also aligns with Long Beach’s broader environmental goals, marking a departure from the city’s historical reliance on oil production and moving towards a future focused on conservation and public access to natural spaces.

“This approval will help facilitate a public/private partnership necessary for the restoration of over 150 acres of Upper Los Cerritos Wetlands in Long Beach,” said John McKeown, Project CEO of Los Cerritos Wetlands LLC. “We look forward to moving forward with this project and are excited to have partnered with the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority to be long-term stewards of the property.”

“We’re encouraged with the Coastal Conservancy approval of the land exchange. It will help reconnect and restore the area’s natural wetlands and allow public access to a site which has been closed to the public for decades,” said Peter Zak, Project Principal of Los Cerritos Wetlands LLC.

The Land Exchange Agreement still requires additional approvals from the California State Department of General Services and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority Board of Directors.

Brush, Book, Bed

The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has launched the Brush, Book, Bed campaign, which encourages children to build routines that establish good dental health habits, combining oral health, literacy and an appropriate bedtime.

The kickoff to the campaign, led by the Oral Health Long Beach advisory committee, coincides with National Children’s Dental Health Month, taking place throughout February. As part of the campaign, the DHHS will be sharing resources, such as bookmarks, dental kits and short storybooks. Messaging will also be shared via the DHHS’ social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and X, digital billboards, and on Long Beach Transit buses. Community organizations are also encouraged to adopt the campaign into their existing dental hygiene or literacy programs.

When daily brushing and flossing is ignored, bacteria in the mouth can cause tooth decay, gum disease, or worse. Studies have attributed cardiovascular disease, endocarditis, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases to poor oral health. For pregnant women, skipping dental hygiene can lead to premature birth and low birth weight.

“We know the well-being of a community starts in childhood; this campaign provides a simple yet powerful avenue for amplifying its influence through a collective impact approach,” said Acting HHSD Director Alison King.

Organizations interested in participating in the Brush, Book, Bed campaign can visit longbeach.gov/oralhealth to learn more and download digital and print assets.

Oral Health Long Beach is funded through a grant from the California Public Health Department from revenue raised through the California Healthcare Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act (Proposition 56). The Brush, Book, Bed campaign was adopted from the American Academy of Pediatrics, who invite all similar focused agencies to join them in the effort.

Grand Prix Sponsor Added

SmartStop Self Storage has joined the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach family of sponsors. The Acura Grand Prix, one of the premier events in motorsports, is set to return to Long Beach’s city streets April 19-21, with more than 190,000 spectators and enthusiasts from around the world in attendance.

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, known for its thrilling races and electrifying atmosphere, is the perfect platform for SmartStop to showcase its commitment to excellence and community involvement.