🌱 Cali Vibes Festival Returns + ‘Big Bang On The Bay’ In Court

Hello again, everybody! Today, we celebrate Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day by not sweating the small stuff. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your copy of the Long Beach Patch newsletter and lots of local news. Today you'll find these stories and more:

• 👮 Two more businesses were burglarized.
• 🛑 Al fresco dining parklets are gone.
• 🚧 Construction on 4th Street

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🌥️ But first, today's weather:

Cooler; an afternoon shower. High: 64 Low: 45.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in the City of Long Beach

• American Oil at 6850 Long Beach Blvd., $3.95
• ARCO at 4385 Atlantic Ave., $4.05
• ARCO at 3201 E 7th St., $4.09

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Poll! 🤔
Daylight saving time begins on March 12. According to history, we can thank entomologist George Hudson for coming up with the idea in 1895. Implementation took place in 1918 to save resources and extend the work day during wartime. In 1966, daylight saving time became the law of the land, but states could opt out. So far, only Hawaii and Arizona have done so. Now, dueling studies point to the successes and failures of the practice. Where do you stand on the issue? So far, 66.7% don’t like daylight saving time, while 32.7% do. Only 0.6% don’t care one way or the other.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. Under the heading “this is why we can’t have nice things,” two more businesses were targeted by burglars Thursday morning. The companies hit are the Steel Cup Café at 2201 North Lakewood Boulevard and LW Pizza, which is right next door. One of the business owners said he’s primarily concerned with “providing a safe environment for both his employees and customers.” (Long Beach Post)
2. As of Thursday, the city’s al fresco dining parklets are gone. Despite talk to make some of them permanent, “the city is backlogged with applications.” It could take up to six months for permit approvals and parklet construction. Several restaurateurs are also upset at the price tags for this process, which could be as high as $50,000. On the other hand, some residents applaud the parklet removal because parking is at a premium in the city, and the parklets took away a lot of spots from shoppers and those living in the area. (NBC)
3. Avoid the intersection of 4th Street and Alamitos Avenue if you value your time. Right now, the north side of 4th — going up to Elm Avenue — looks like a jigsaw puzzle of open trenches and parked construction equipment. (Those riding the 151 bus already know about the detours.) On the bright side, when finished, drivers have two additional parking spaces, and pedestrians will enjoy ADA-compliant curbs. Depending on rainfall, this project may continue into April. (Patch, Long Beach Post)
4. Just a few months before Independence Day, the “Big Bang on the Bay” fireworks extravaganza landed in federal court. The Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation sued to get the organizer to admit that the show pollutes the bay, which would mean the need for mitigation actions under the Clean Water Act. The organizers disagree. The court could decide within the next few months if Long Beach can continue with its fireworks display. (yahoo! news)
5. The Cali Vibes Festival is coming back to Marina Green Park, y’all! Running from February 17 to 19, we now know that Snoop Dogg is a Saturday night performer! Other Saturday performers are Cypress Hill and The Wide Eyed Kids. On Friday, listen to Soja and Los Rakas, among others, while on Sunday, Stephen Marley, Paula Fuga, and many more will perform. (Cali Vibes Fest)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Coffee, Conversations, & Clean Up meet-up at the Lincoln Park Library Terrace (10:30 AM)
• “Don’t Text The Ex” Anti-Valentine's Day Brunch Party at Café Sevilla (11 AM)
• LB Wax & Vegan Grub (previously known as the LB Vegan Social) returns to The Hawk Bar (12 PM)
• The Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival meets at 5200 2nd St (12 PM)
• Micheladas, Chisme and Piñata making with Adelitas Revenge and TikTok Creator Luis Octavio go down at Viento Y Agua (6 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "‼️The most Students at a Basketball game since 2016!😤 Sandpit, you packed The ‘Mid and brought the energy🗣️ Let’s do it all again next Saturday!" (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• "Today, members of LBFD Command Staff presented newly appointed Fire Chief Dennis Buchanan with his Fire Chief badge. Chief Buchanan is the 19th Fire Chief in the 126-year history of the Long Beach Fire Department." (Long Beach Fire Department via Facebook)
• "On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Long Beach City Council approved to award the contract to Los Angeles-based firm, Connect-Homes, for the design, manufacturing, delivery and installation of 30 to 35 modular non-congregate shelter units (Tiny Homes)." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Did you know that students who read at age level are more likely to graduate from high school? As part of Rotary Club of Long Beach’s 'Reading by 9' program, our Executive Director and CEO, Veronica, spent some time this morning reading to TK, Kindergarten and 1st Graders at John Muir Academy!" (Long Beach Public Library Foundation via Facebook)
• "🚎 Leave the driving to us! Download the 📲 Ride Circuit app and enjoy free, on-demand electric shuttle rides in the Downtown-Alamitos Beach and Alamitos Bay-Belmont Shore service areas. ADA-accessible shuttles also available." (Long Beach City via Facebook)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Long Beach?

• Median Listing Home Price $720K
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $603
• Median Sold Home Price $725K

Check out more Long Beach real estate information!

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Featured announcements:

• Attention AETNA and CIGNA plan members! (Details)
• Add your announcement

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com