Hello Long Beach! Here are some of the latest local news highlights to kick off the week of June 12, 2023.
City council discusses Long Beach Rescue Mission Property to serve as permanent homeless shelter
On Tuesday, June 13, the city council will decide on the purchase of a property located at 702 W. Anaheim Street to serve as a permanent, year-round shelter for people experiencing homelessness. The property, owned by the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Inc., is currently making the space available to the city as a temporary emergency shelter. Long Beach has made an offer of $7.2 million for the space, and an additional amount (not to exceed $5.6 million) will be needed for upgrades including heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and plumbing systems. Funding for this property will come from the $6.5 million commitment from Los Angeles County to acquire a permanent homeless shelter, $5.7 million from the City’s Measure A Funds, and the remaining one million dollars from the City’s General Fund. The shelter will continue to operate under First to Serve Ministries, Inc., which provides services such as case management, onsite showers and restrooms, meals, and security. Shelter participants will have access to screening for housing programs, assistance obtaining identification and documents, connection to mental health resources, and more. Learn more here.
New resource center opens in North Long Beach
On Friday, L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan officially opened a new Community Resource Center in Long Beach that offers a variety of programs for the community. Visitors to the center have access to fitness activities, nutrition and cooking classes, homework help for students, stress management classes, and educational resources about health care coverage. The health plans have opened this center as part of their $146 million commitment to open 14 centers across Los Angeles County so that communities can stay active, healthy, and informed. These Community Resource Centers have been designed with a holistic approach to building healthier communities by addressing the various factors that affect health. According to Zulay Carrillo, manager of the Long Beach Center, a lot of community members have reported feeling less stressed since participating in the programs of the center. The Center is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Clean Shipping Act to reduce emissions produced by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
The American Lung Association has given Los Angeles County the No. 1 spot for the worst smog pollution in the country. To address the bad air quality of the area, Congressman Robert Garcia has introduced the Clean Shipping Act of 2023 to put new caps on greenhouse gas emissions produced by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The ports of LA and LB have acknowledged their contribution to the worsening air quality, and have even set a goal to install entirely zero-emission equipment by 2030. The ports have also joined the Green Shipping Corridor to combat climate change by creating the world’s first zero-emissions trans-Pacific trade route. The Clean Shipping Act would set stricter limits on how much greenhouse gas emissions are allowed from ocean shipping companies and regulate carbon intensity standards for maritime fuels. Learn more here.
Long Beach is Offering Free Recreation Programs Starting June 20
Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine is offering free recreation programs for people of all ages to enjoy this summer. Here are the different programs that will begin Tuesday, June 20, and run until Friday, August 25.
Movies in the Park: Free family-friendly movies will be showing at dusk throughout various parks in Long Beach and Signal Hill. Residents are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, food, and snacks. For a complete list of locations and movie titles, click here.
Be S.A.F.E.: Be S.A.F.E.” (Summer Activities in a Friendly Environment) is a program that offers extended free supervision hours at designated parks during the evening. Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., 11 Long Beach city parks will be offering free movie showings and activities ranging from arts and crafts, games, sports, science activities, computer labs, and more. A full list of participating parks, movie schedule times, and more information on the program on the Be S.A.F.E program can be found here.
Mobile Recess Program: Trucks loaded with supplies and equipment to neighborhood streets will provide free activities for youth ages 5 through 14. Streets will be blocked off for safety and for kids to participate in physical fitness and arts and crafts activities. Participants can register online or at any participating Mobile Recess location. Click here for days, times, and locations.
Summer Fun Days: For children ages 5 to 12, free supervised programs are available at parks around the city, offering sports, games, arts and crafts, and special events. Parents must pre-register for their children to be a part of this program through the city’s website.
Catalina Island hosting 2nd annual Pride celebration
Catalina Pride Festival is taking place Saturday, June 24 at 12 p.m. in the heart of Avalon, the city of Catalina Island. The event, hosted by Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority, will feature live music, entertainment, and a pride walk to commemorate the LGBTQ+ community. Performances will include the all-woman band Pulp Vixen, DJ Asha, pop-rock band KingQueen, singer/songwriter Devan M., and the Long Beach Cheerleaders. There will also be a series of afterparties after the main festivities have concluded, according to the event page’s website. Volunteers of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will also be supporting the evening by offering resources and information. For more info and a schedule of events, click here.
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