🌱 Decorating Contest + Sexual Predator + Wilson HS Controversy

Welcome back, Long Beach! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

Neighbors can participate in a Christmas decorating contest! Also, there may be more victims of a recently-identified sexual predator out there. Finally, as expected, the gender-neutral locker rooms at Wilson HS are not welcomed by everyone.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 66 Low: 56.

Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. The NextDoor 3rd Annual Christmas Decorating Contest begins this Sunday! If you want to participate, sign in and leave your address. “Entries should be done by December 15.” Voting starts December 16 and ends December 22. Winners will be announced December 23. There will be several categories. You can also participate by donating prizes. If you need to get in the mood, check out the Grinch and Whoville display at 3149 Conquista! (NextDoor)
2. The LBPD is looking for more possible victims of “29-year-old Jerod Curtis of Carson” who “was arrested on multiple counts of sexual battery and sexual crimes against a minor.” The suspect is a youth volleyball coach and works as a massage therapist. On Saturday, the PD announced that they identified him “as the suspect in two other sexual battery cases involving adult women.” If you were a victim or have information, please call child abuse detectives Hector Gomez or Jose Castro at 562-570-7321. (ABC)
3. Wilson HS Gender Neutral Locker Room Update: The school’s $23-million pool with gender-neutral locker rooms is a test case. “The design is planned to be repeated throughout the district’s comprehensive high schools.” The LBUSD spokesperson said Saturday that the decision about the locker room design “was based on focus groups conducted with students.” Students there expressed “feeling uncomfortable in the communal showers and open changing areas found in traditional locker rooms.” However, rather than building “50 closed-door changing and shower rooms” in gender-specific locker rooms, the district opted to build “inclusive facilities” that align “with the district’s equity and inclusivity values.” (LB Post)
4. On Saturday morning, there was a structure fire at 1315 Hellman Street. The LBFD responded and dealt with the blaze, preventing its spread to adjacent buildings. Firefighters found one person inside, rescued them, and transported them to the hospital. (@lbfirefighters)
5. Winter in Willmore is back! The Downtown Long Beach Business Alliance announced Saturday that the celebration will take place at Drake Park, 951 Maine Avenue. Taking place on December 18, it runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bring cans to support Food Finders. There’ll be real snow, arts, face painting, food, music, and more! (@DLBA)

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Today in Long Beach:

• 23rd Annual Long Beach Symphony Golf Classic at the Virginia Country Club, 4602 North Virginia Road (10:00 AM)
• Holidays In Paris, Annual Women's Council of Realtors, at The Grand, 4101 East Willow Street (11 AM)
• Michael Lington "A Foreign Affair Holiday Show" with Special Guests at Spaghettini, 3005 Old Ranch Parkway (6 PM)

From my notebook:

• Long Beach Public Library: Have questions about the path to US Citizenship? Join the staff and Centro CHA Inc at BJK Main on Dec. 7 at 6 PM for an information session covering the steps in the citizenship process and more! (Facebook)
• Long Beach Public Library: Visualize music through the magic of digital audio synthesis in the Studio's upcoming Digital Instrument Maker workshop! Discover how sound and music are created through experimentation with different digital platforms. (Facebook)

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Events:

• Intellectual Virtues Academy High School Information Session (December 8)
• Vistamar School Admissions Open House (December 11)
• Torrance, CA 90501 (December 12)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire Holiday Sale (December 12)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 14)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 16)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! I'll see you soon. If you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? You can email me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com.