Bits 'n' Pieces

Tips for a Healthy Heart

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked or significantly reduced causing damage to the heart tissue. In the United States, someone suffers a heart attack every 40 seconds, with approximately 805,000 cases occurring each year, according to the CDC. Additionally, the American Heart Association the average age for a first heart attack is 65 in men and 72 in women.

There are many preventative measures a person can take to lower their risk of heart disease. According to Cardiologist Nik Kapoor, MD with Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, “regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress and quitting smoking are all key factors in protecting heart health.”

Maintaining heart health starts with simple lifestyle choices. Here are key steps to lower your risk of heart disease:

• Stay Active: Regular exercise not only reduces the risk of heart disease but also helps lower stress levels. Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity each day, such as walking, to support cardiovascular health.
• Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on nutrient-rich foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans and legumes, lean meats and fish, low-fat or fat-free dairy, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil and avocado. Limit sugar, salt, alcohol, and highly processed foods, as well as trans fats found in fried fast food, chips, and baked goods.

• Get Regular Health Screenings: Routine checkups, including blood pressure and cholesterol level tests, are essential for early detection and prevention. Additionally, oral health plays a role in heart health—gum disease has been linked to heart and blood vessel conditions. Be sure to brush and floss daily and schedule regular dental checkups.

Add Property in Trust to Insurance Policy

In light of the recent Los Angeles fires, TLD Law strongly recommends that all clients with real estate or real property held in trusts contact their insurance providers to confirm that their trust is listed as an additional insured on their property insurance policies. This is typically a no-cost endorsement and ensures that the trust is covered in case of a major loss.

For most clients, adding a revocable trust as an additional insured is a straightforward process that does not require extra underwriting or costs. Given the increased risks from recent fires, we advise handling this update as soon as possible to ensure full protection of your property.

In Summary: If your property is held in a trust, contact your insurance provider ASAP to ensure the trust is listed as an additional insured—it’s usually free and ensures proper coverage in case of disaster.

If you would like more guidance, please don't hesitate to contact TLD Law at info@tldlaw.com.

Spinal Surgery Advancement

MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is the first in California to adopt Stryker’s Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software. This system revolutionizes spinal surgery by enabling precise, computer-assisted navigation for both open and minimally invasive spine procedures. By integrating optical tracking capabilities, sophisticated algorithms, and advanced instrumentation, the Q Guidance System significantly enhances surgical planning and execution, offering spine surgeons unmatched accuracy and efficiency.

“The Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software truly streamlines every aspect of spine surgery, from preoperative planning to intraoperative execution,” says Brandon Ortega, M.D., spine surgeon, MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, Long Beach Medical Center. “This technology not only improves precision but also provides Long Beach Medical Center with customization capabilities that are needed to optimize outcomes for our patients.”

The Q Guidance System’s advanced proprietary camera provides surgeons with exceptional speed and flexibility, offering multiple tracking options, including full-spectrum active and passive hybrid optical tracking. This technology enables the calibration and registration of surgical instruments in under two seconds, saving valuable time in the operating room. The accompanying Spine Guidance Software further enhances efficiency with an intuitive, modern interface. Its customizable dashboards allow surgeons to tailor the system to their workflow preferences, ensuring a seamless and optimized surgical experience.  

“The Q Guidance System is a powerful tool that delivers the reliability and scalability needed for a wide range of spine procedures,” says Dr. Ortega. “When used with the Airo TruCT scanner, the Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software can help simplify our intraoperative decision-making with its suggestion-based platform. Its intuitive and customizable software enables us to configure the system to fit our preferences.”

Stryker’s Q Guidance System with Spine Guidance Software represents a significant advancement in spine surgery technology. It offers surgeons the ability to personalize their approach, integrating advanced planning tools, gesture recognition, and compatibility with multiple spine screw systems. These features, combined with the flexibility of customizable settings and an array of surgical instruments, allow surgeons to tailor the system to meet the unique demands of each procedure.

Historic Queen Mary

The Queen Mary, the legendary ocean liner docked in the Port of Long Beach, is proud to announce its induction into Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that recognizes, celebrates, and promotes the finest historic hotels in the United States.

The iconic Queen Mary joins a distinguished group of more than 300 historic hotels and resorts nationwide recognized for preserving their architectural integrity, historical significance, and unique ambiance. With its rich maritime legacy, original Art Deco décor, and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach skyline, the Queen Mary remains a cherished landmark and cultural treasure.

“Historic Hotels of America is delighted to induct The Queen Mary, an iconic ocean liner that first set sail on her maiden voyage in May 1936,” said Lawrence Horwitz, executive vice president of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “We commend The Queen Mary, the City of Long Beach, and Steve Caloca and his leadership team for their ongoing dedication to preserving this one-of-a-kind destination. Their stewardship ensures that future generations of travelers can continue to experience its historic charm and grandeur.

To be selected for membership in Historic Hotels of America, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.

"The Queen Mary’s induction into Historic Hotels of America is a testament to its enduring legacy as one of the most celebrated luxury ocean liners in history," said Steve Caloca, managing director of The Queen Mary. "This recognition reaffirms our commitment to preserving its rich past, while providing an unparalleled experience for guests who come from around the world to step aboard this living jewel of history."

Built in Clydebank, Scotland, The Queen Mary was launched in 1934 and became a pinnacle of luxury travel during the Golden Age of Ocean Liners. She transported Hollywood celebrities, world leaders, and royalty across the Atlantic before being repurposed as a troopship during World War II, earning the nickname "The Grey Ghost." After her wartime service, she returned to passenger travel before retiring in 1967, when she found her permanent home in Long Beach.

Today, The Queen Mary invites visitors to explore its history through immersive museum exhibits, guided tours, and captivating storytelling. Guests can dine at signature restaurants like the Promenade Café and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar, enjoy the renowned Royal Sunday Brunch in the Grand Salon, or host memorable events in 14 grand Art Deco salons. With 250 staterooms, including nine luxurious suites, The Queen Mary remains a unique hospitality experience blending history with modern elegance.

LBCCD Appointments

The Long Beach Community College District (LBCCD) Board of Trustees recently approved the selection of Candace Jones as the vice president of Administrative and Business Services, Rick von Kolen as associate vice president of Human Resources, and Fabiola Huerta as the director of Administrative and Business Services for Long Beach City College (LBCC).

Jones will oversee the districtwide fiscal, facilities, business, and technology services. Reporting to the vice president of Human Resources, von Kolen will oversee programs such as collective bargaining, employee relations, and academic recruitment and hiring. Huerta will report to Jones and will oversee purchasing, contracts, mail and reprographics services, and other areas.

Jones was the assistant-superintendent/vice president of Business and Administrative Services at Pasadena City College. She joined Pasadena City College in 2018, transitioning from career positions at the University of California, Office of the President, UCLA, and Pepperdine University. She holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in History from Pepperdine University and is completing an Ed.D. program with Saint Mary’s College of California.

Von Kolen comes to LBCC with 20 years in higher education and 14 years of Human Resources experience. He previously served as the employee relations director for CSU Long Beach, and the director of Employee & Labor Relations for Los Angeles Community College District. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Huerta brings more than 16 years of public sector experience and is known for her strategic leadership, financial acumen, and operational excellence. In her previous role as the city manager and city clerk for La Habra Heights, she successfully oversaw the agency's budget and implemented innovative fiscal policies to streamline procurement and enhance accountability. Huerta holds a Master of Arts in Humanities from Mount Saint Mary’s College and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a Minor in Speech Communications from California State University, Fullerton.

Brush, Book, Bed Campaign

In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced the second year of its Brush, Book, Bed campaign, which encourages children to build routines that establish good dental health habits, combining oral health, literacy and an appropriate bedtime. To promote this year’s campaign, DHHS’s Oral Health Long Beach program has created a new sing-along song and video in effort to establish a simple three-step routine each night that will contribute to improving the community’s dental health.

The American Dental Association’s NCDHM takes place in February and is a month-long national observance to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others. To further these efforts, the Oral Health Long Beach advisory committee, which leads the campaign and oversees and implements activities to improve oral health among Long Beach residents, collaborated with the Long Beach Youth Chorus to create and perform the sing-along. The Harbor Dental Society sponsored the children’s performance and production.

The sing-along, along with additional Brush, Book, Bed campaign printable resources, such as bookmarks, an oral health daily calendar and a referral card for community partners can be found on the Oral Health Long Beach webpage. All materials are downloadable and accessible in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Messaging will also be shared via the DHHS’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and X, digital billboards and on Long Beach Transit buses.

Regardless of age, 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.

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.

For more information about the campaign and Oral Health Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/oralhealth.

Scholarships, Internships Available

Know a Long Beach-area high school student planning for college and beyond? Applications are available for two opportunities from the Port of Long Beach – Scholarship and Summer High School Internship programs. Program details, eligibility information and online applications can be found on the port’s website at polb.com/education.

The scholarships are open to high school seniors attending Long Beach Unified School District service area high schools and pursuing careers in international trade and business, logistics, engineering, environmental planning and other port-related fields. The port will award $350,000 for high school and college scholarships in 2025, ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Applications for port scholarships at Long Beach City College, Cal State Long Beach and California Maritime Academy are handled in each school’s scholarship application office. Please contact them directly for more details.

High school internships at the Port of Long Beach are available to current juniors and seniors who reside in Long Beach or are current high school juniors and seniors in the Long Beach Unified School District service area. The port’s paid six-week program offers real work experience and mentoring for those interested in careers in international trade and related fields.

Applications for the Port High School Scholarship Program and Summer High School Internship Program are due Friday, March 14; no late applications will be accepted. Applicants are advised to read the instructions carefully.