🌱 Billie Jean King Library Opens + Autism Night Out At The Boathouse

Hello, everybody; today is International Sloth Day! It's Sylvia, your host of the Long Beach Daily. Let's get this Thursday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about that's going on in town these days, including updates on:

• 🏙️ “My Hood, My City” program premieres today
• ✈️ A plan to reduce lead pollution from small planes at the LB Airport
• 💰 Another look at the vacancy tax

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌤️ But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 84 Low: 64.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Long Beach! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in Long Beach

• Vons at 1818 Ximeno Ave., $5.15
• Sinclair at 5588 Long Beach Blvd., $5.29
• ARCO at 3401 Long Beach Blvd., $5.37

🎃 Halloween Poll!
Will you celebrate Halloween this year? Tell us your plans! So far, 50.8% are turning off their porch lights, 34.9% will hand out candy, 6.3% are attending a party, and another 7.9% will accompany children to go trick-or-treating.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1) The city is introducing the My Hood, My City program, featuring “youth-led neighborhood tours.” You have the opportunity to go on a tour of neighborhoods in the Washington, West and North areas. Hosts will range in age from 14 to 24; tours run between 20 and 40 minutes. The first tour is today, Thursday, at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the El Sol Bakery. (Patch)

2) The Billie Jean King Main Library in DTLB is reopening today, Thursday, on a limited schedule. After voicing concerns about security, “specifically, from a recent rise in volatile incidents involving people with mental health challenges,” staff members underwent added training, and the city created a temporary security plan. Until November 1, hours of operation will be limited to a 10 a.m. opening time and a 4 p.m. closing time. (Long Beach Post)

3) The City Council voted on Tuesday to collaborate with the Long Beach Airport to minimize leaded fuel use by small planes. Introduced by Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, the goal is to “take voluntary action now strikes the right balance between protecting public health while continuing to provide services.” It’s not a ban on leaded fuel, even though the “Long Beach Airport ranks No. 2 in (the) country for lead pollution.” (Aviation Pros)

4) Council member Al Austin initiated a plan that would develop a policy for dealing with vacant properties. Frequently the results of speculative investing, the vacant spaces do not benefit residents. “Activation of long vacant locations could revitalize corridors in low-income communities and lead to a more equitable distribution of quality businesses,” he said. One way of dealing with these properties could be a vacancy tax. (LBC Meeting Notes)

5) Mark your calendars! The Boathouse on the Bay at 190 North Marina Drive announced it will host an "Autism Night Out." This will be a recurring event starting October 25 and then continuing on the last Tuesday of the month. Our autistic children are welcomed “with all behaviors accepted, (for) a buffet-style meal, free fidgets, and more.” “It runs from 3 to 8 p.m., and pre-purchased reservations are required.” (Press-Telegram)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Top Tactics For A Changing Market seminar at the Long Beach Yacht Club (11 AM)
• Tai Chi For Beginners at Marine Stadium Park (11:45 AM)
• Free Admission Thursday at the Long Beach Museum of Art (3 PM)
• Move On From Heartbreak virtual workshop (4:30 PM)
• Madball w/Section H8, Countime, Firestarter & Sanctify at Supply and Demand (8:30 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "🚨 Are you or someone you know interested in the Long Beach Firefighters, Fire Recruit classification? 🚨 If so, don’t miss out on the chance to apply for this challenging but rewarding opportunity. Fill out a job interest card." (Long Beach Fire Department via Facebook)
• "We are re-launching the 'Free Internet Services and Computing Devices Program' to provide free mobile hot-spots, Chromebooks, training and more for residents, businesses, & non-profits critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 📶" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "The Historical Society of Long Beach and LB Living are collaborating to bring you the first Historical Cemetery Tour COSTUME CONTEST! Whether Victorian, Roaring '20s, or Steampunk, we invite you to enter when you attend." (Historical Society of Long Beach via Facebook)
• You have until October 24, 2022, 15 days before Election Day (November 8, 2022) to register to vote. Register by visiting 🔗 https://registertovote.ca.gov/ ➡️ (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ A community visioning meeting for the LGBTQ+ Cultural District will be held by the City of Long Beach on Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Bixby Park Community Center (130 Cherry Ave.)." (Long Beach City via Facebook)

🛒 More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• The Pumpkin Factory at Westminster Mall — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Vistamar School Open House (October 22)
• Urijah Faber's A1 Combat #6 Talbott VS Jimenez - Live Pro MMA! (October 22)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire 24 Year Anniversary Celebration! (October 23)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire 24 Year Anniversary Celebration! (October 23)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you soon.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Long Beach Daily? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com