Bits 'n' Pieces

George Murchison Way to Honor St. Mary Supporter

Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) recently unveiled George Murchison Way, formerly St. Mary Ave., to honor the achievements and commitment of long-time Long Beach resident and hospital supporter, George Murchison. Carolyn Caldwell, SMMC hospital president noted, “The dedication Mr. Murchison has shown the city and our community is remarkable, however, his time served at the hospital is unmatched.”

 “St. Mary’s commitment is very personal for me,” Murchison said. “Our son was born there in 1964, and I had heart surgery there in 1959. Its Catholicity and community presence further enforced that inspiration.” George joined the hospital’s very first medical center board in 1968 and has remained ever since. His 50-plus year tenure included a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, a term as foundation board chair in 2012, and now serves as chairman emeritus.  Joyce, George’s wife of nearly 60 years (and St. Anthony High School sweetheart), also has a deep commitment to St. Mary by serving within the Foundation’s Sister Alphonsus Tallon Circle of Philanthropy.

George’s love for Long Beach runs deep. He was six years old when his father, a welder during World War II, was transferred to the Long Beach Shipyard from New Hampshire in 1942. George credits his early career for teaching him the importance of giving. He shared, “I grew up in an environment professionally where connecting with community was essential. The more I did it, the more I wanted to do it.”

Water Dept. Increases Incentive for Turf Removal

The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners increased the financial incentive for Long Beach residents and businesses participating in the award-winning, Lawn-to-Garden turf removal program, using new funding provided by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The Lawn-to-Garden program changes go into effect Monday, April 1, 2019.

The residential program changes include:

• Increased the front yard conversion incentive to $3 per square foot (from the current $2).
• Created a new backyard and side yard conversion incentive of $2 per square foot.
• Increased the maximum square footage to 5,000 square feet (from the current 1,500 square feet).

The commercial program changes include:

• Increased the conversion incentive to $2 per square foot.
• Increased the maximum square footage to 50,000 square feet (from the current 25,000 square feet).

All Lawn-to-Garden projects will include water-wise or California native plants, 65 percent plant coverage, a storm water retention feature, an efficient irrigation system, habitat development and the use of mulch and other natural materials.

Residents that have completed a front yard Lawn-to-Garden transformation in the past may be eligible to transform their side and/or backyards. Customers will be limited to one application/project per fiscal year.

For more information and to apply visit lblawntogarden.com or call (562) 570-2429.

Since its start in 2010, the Lawn-to-Garden program has supported and incentivized landscape conversions from thirsty and non-functional grass to beautiful, water-wise gardens. It has successfully converted over 3,400 landscapes and 3.5 million square feet of turf.

Each spring, Long Beach Water hosts a free Lawn-to-Garden Tour and Festival that features water-wise landscape conversions throughout the city and a water education festival at 1800 E. Wardlow Road.

The 8th Annual Lawn-to-Garden Tour and Festival is on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Start your day by touring up to 20 newly transformed gardens and speak to the homeowners about their beautiful, water-wise landscapes. After your tour, join the festival and enjoy delicious foods and beverages available for purchase by our Certified Blue Restaurants, entertainment, learn about ways to be more sustainable and visit our California-friendly plant sale. Register for the tour map at lblawntogarden.com.

Groundbreaking for Newest Affordable Housing Project

The City of Long Beach and its nonprofit affiliate, the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), joined with the Clifford Beers Housing Corporation on Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of Vistas del Puerto, a 48-unit affordable housing development in Midtown Long Beach.

In September 2017, the LBCIC approved an agreement to convey the project property on Locust Avenue to Clifford Beers, a local nonprofit housing developer, and approved a gap financing loan of approximately $2.8 million to support the development of Vistas del Puerto. In February 2018, the LBCIC approved additional gap funding for Clifford Beers to bring its total loan amount to $3.02 million in support of the development.

Vistas del Puerto will consist of two buildings featuring one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for lower-income families earning between 30 and 50 percent of the area median income. The transit-oriented development is located less than a quarter mile from the Metro Blue Line light rail and bus lines that operate along both Long Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, which will connect residents to vital services and workplaces in Long Beach and beyond. The development will also include large and open community spaces, a roof terrace, and bike storage and repair space for residents.

Civil Rights Leader to Receive Honorary Degree

In honor of Women’s History Month, Long Beach State University is pleased to announce longtime civil rights activist Naomi Rainey-Pierson will receive an honorary doctoral degree from the College of Liberal Arts during this year’s commencement ceremony.

Rainey-Pierson will be the fifth woman to receive such a distinction. Only 12 people have ever received an honorary degree from CSULB.

“Because of my religion and background, we are taught to serve without expecting recognition, but I must’ve danced and praised the Lord for a long time because it feels good to be recognized,” Rainey-Pierson said.

In 1972, Rainey-Pierson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts. She later continued her education at CSULB where she earned two master’s degrees and several teaching credentials.

“Naomi Rainey-Pierson spent 50 years fighting to eliminate racial prejudice as an activist with the NAACP and Long Beach State is proud to be the place where Naomi got her start in civic activism,” said Long Beach State University President Jane Close Conoley. “Since leaving CSULB she has become an award-winning educator, philanthropist and entrepreneur and is a model of what we hope our students endeavor to achieve.”

The civil rights advocate has been the president of the Long Beach branch of the NAACP since 2000. For 31 years, she has continuously donated to the university, worked to increase enrollment of women and minority students and volunteered on various campus projects. In 2012, a dorm was re-named in her honor.

Rainey-Pierson hopes she inspires graduates to continue to be actively involved long after graduation.

“I want my legacy to show that it’s better to be united, but even as one you can make a difference,” Rainey-Pierson said.

She is expected to be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) degree during the first College of Liberal Arts ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22.

Tips to Control Mosquitoes, Spread of Disease

With the introduction of spring, the Long Beach Health Department is reminding residents that warmer weather creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes. Since mosquitoes can carry diseases like Zika, West Nile virus, encephalitis, malaria and canine heartworm, it is important that the entire community works together to control mosquitoes.

The Health Department’s Vector Control Program is encouraging residents and businesses to partner with them to control mosquitoes on private property and report mosquito breeding in all areas. With the recent heavy rains and warmer temperatures, conditions are ideal for mosquito breeding.

The community can help minimize mosquito breeding and mosquito-related diseases by following these recommendations:

• Tip and toss any standing water in and around your home
• Empty any containers filled with water in and around the home.
• Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls at least once a week.
• Dump water from potted plant saucers.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and drain water from pool covers.
• Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants.
• Change pet water bowls every seven days and remove standing water from around your home to protect your pets from mosquito bites.

The community can also directly protect themselves from contact with mosquitoes by:

• Using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent such as DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) to prevent mosquito bites. DEET is safe for children 2 months and older as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Always use as directed.
• Making sure to install screens on doors and windows.

Residents and businesses are urged to report unusual numbers of day-biting mosquitoes and neglected or green pools by calling the Long Beach Mosquito Hotline at 562-570-4132 or submitting an online report at www.longbeach.gov/mosquitoes. The community should also report dead birds to the California Department of Public Health by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. Dead birds may carry West Nile virus and is primarily spread by the bite of a mosquito. These infected mosquitoes can spread the West Nile virus to humans and other animals when they bite. 

For more information about mosquitoes, to schedule a community presentation about mosquito-borne diseases, and for more details on upcoming activities, please visit: www.longbeach.gov/mosquitoes.

Housing Development Breaks Ground

The City of Long Beach, in partnership with the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC) and LINC Housing Corporation (LINC), recently celebrated the groundbreaking of The Spark at Midtown (The Spark), a 95-unit affordable housing development in Midtown Long Beach.

The event, featuring ceremonial shovels used by city and Los Angeles County elected officials and representatives from partner agencies, was held on the vacant lot at 1900 – 1940 Long Beach Blvd. where the five-story apartment project will be built.

The Spark will feature a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for individuals and families earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income, including 47 units reserved for households experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The development will also offer 12,388 square feet of ground floor retail, including a new YMCA Youth Institute, a Mental Health America of Los Angeles café for workforce training, and a Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center health clinic.

Residents will have access to over 11,000 square feet of common open space and residential amenities will include a 3,700-square-foot community room with a kitchen and dining area, a community garden, and a dedicated space for an after-school program for school-age residents.

In October 2017, the LBCIC approved an agreement to convey the project property to LINC, a nonprofit housing developer, and approved a total loan of $3 million to provide gap financing for the development of The Spark.

For more information on the city’s affordable housing and assistance programs, visit http://lbds.info and click on “Housing and Community Improvement.”

Partnership with CSULB to Bring Classes Downtown

The Long Beach City Council authorized the city to enter into an agreement with the California State University, Long Beach Foundation, to provide continuing education workforce development classes in Downtown Long Beach. Mayor Robert Garcia and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) President Jane Close Conoley, first jointly announced the initiative in 2017. The 10-year, $1,000,000 agreement will set the stage for CSULB to open classrooms in one of the city’s major professional employment centers and within walking distance to LA Metro’s Blue Line service.

The partnership is a major step in fulfilling the city’s Economic Development Blueprint key objective of preparing the workforce and businesses through the alignment of economic development training, education and community partner efforts. The grant will specifically engage CSULB, College of Professional and International Education (CPIE) to deliver a robust offering of classes in project management, cybersecurity, social work, and other innovative sectors that are critical to the growth and competitiveness of employers in the city’s westside and downtown business district.

The agreement is poised to provide CSULB with the resources necessary to: establish 16 classrooms with an estimated 25 seats each (400 total seats) closer to a major city cluster of professional employment; deliver CPIE continuing education programs to advance careers of residents and professionals in the west side and downtown; and provide additional space for overflow classes provided at its main campus.

“Ongoing partnership with the city is of central importance to us, and the idea of having a permanent presence in the downtown area is of great interest,” said CSULB President Jane Close Conoley. “For several years, we have been looking at ways that a downtown complex might meet our academic needs and address affordable housing concerns.

“As the downtown area is more fully developed, we know this is a location where we want to be. It is a place where students and faculty can better collaborate and learn from the region’s businesses, industry and non-profit leaders; where we can provide greater insights and influence on key partnerships like the Long Beach College Promise; and where we can create more opportunities for our students and the people of Long Beach.”

Downtown classrooms will be developed from converted retail spaces adjacent to 4th Street and The Promenade in the pedestrian-oriented shopping and restaurant destination known as “The Streets.” Downtown classes are expected to start in 2020.

Pacific Gateway, the city’s federally-funded Workforce Development Bureau will lead the implementation of the grant. They identified CPIE as an innovative partner bridging the CSULB campus with the business community and offering access to opportunities to residents. CPIE will spur economic development in the region by connecting and collaborating with businesses and industry, non-profit organizations, public schools and various government agencies. CPIE provides professional education and training for employers in Long Beach that rely on skilled workforce growth.

“Local employers across industries report that skill shortages are resulting in missed business opportunities and are constraining growth – an area of concern across all industries, and particularly the high-wage and strategically important industries that are central to the region’s economic vibrancy,” said Nick Schultz, Pacific Gateway Executive Director. “Pacific Gateway’s purpose is to reverse these trends by aligning around a demand-driven talent development strategy, and this innovative partnership with CSULB is a major step in accomplishing that end.”

Funds for the $1,000,000 grant were made available through proceeds from the city’s property sale of Broadway Block Site B. CSULB will be responsible for additional costs associated with program implementation and staffing, and securing and maintaining the downtown classrooms.