2022 Road Paving + Street Vendor Safety + Pine Avenue Hullabaloo

It’s another beautiful day in Long Beach, the Aquatic Capital of America!

Welcome to the Long Beach Patch Daily Newsletter, the easiest and most enjoyable way to know what’s happening down the street and around the corner.

The potholes and pitted streets of the city are legendary, but relief might be in sight with the 2022 paving program recommendations. Also, the City Council is looking for ways to create a safety program for street vendors. Finally, there's a fuss developing about the reopening of Pine Avenue. Closed for nine months, restaurants aren't sure that they want it to reopen.

First Things First: Today’s Weather and Allergy Outlook

Sunny Southern California doesn’t disappoint, with June temperatures reaching 77° for the high and 59° for the low. It’ll be sunny and gorgeous out here.

Even though it’s grass pollen season, along with olives and nettles, levels of pollen in the air are reducing but still considered low to medium.

The Five News Headlines That Everyone’s Talking About

1. The Department of Public Works has presented the City Council with a proposal for the 2022 Paving Program. Suggestions include Elm Avenue between 6th and 8th Streets, the Outer Traffic Circle, and 60th Street from Atlantic to Orange. (Legistar)
2. The LB Council is considering a safety program for street vendors. The goal is to protect them and their small businesses from violence. Council member Suely Saro (District 6) is taking the lead in this effort. (LB Post)
3. Pine Avenue’s reopening has been pushed back to next Friday. The section of road that has been closed for nine months between 1st and 3rd will now open on June 18. The section between 4th and 5th will stay closed through June 30. At issue are parklets (spaces for sidewalk dining). (City of LB)
4. Restaurant managers have second thoughts about reopening Pine Avenue because the added outdoor dining areas increase the numbers of seats for guests. With the state’s reopening on Tuesday, the hospitality industry is looking for compromises. (CBS Los Angeles)
5. Long Beach YIMBY speakers confronted SB 9 opponents during a telephone hearing. The City Council is not yet weighing in on the proposal to split up single-family lots to allow for “up to four dwelling units.” (LB Report)

What’s Happening Today in Long Beach?

• Kayaks on the Water at 5411 East Ocean Blvd. (9:30 a.m.)
• Downtown Farmer’s Market at 4th and North Promenade. (10 a.m.)
• The Art of Tai Chi at Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Avenue. (10 a.m.)
• T.H.E. Show at the Hilton LB, 701 West Ocean Blvd. (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
• The Cannabis Club meets in LB; you get the address with your reservation. (4:20 p.m.)
• SouthSide Slim’s Musical Gumbo at Roscoe's Jazz Lounge, 730 East Broadway Blvd. (8 p.m.)

Today’s Long Beach Patch Notebook

It may not fit into news or events, but you sure want to know about it!

• Long Beach Water offers access to information about water-saving hacks at LiveH2OLB.

That’s it! You’re now in the know and ready to weigh in at the water cooler. Better yet, head out and experience Long Beach! I’ll bring you another serving of tasty news and events morsels tomorrow.

-Sylvia

Sylvia Cochran is a freelance writer who has lived more than 20 years in Long Beach and its various neighborhoods. I love books, dogs, volunteering, and embrace social justice. If you have a juicy tidbit of what’s happening locally, don’t keep it to yourself; reach out by emailing me at longbeach-ca@patch.com!