🌱 Diesel Theft Suspect + Bulldog Beauty Contest At Granada Beach

Up and at 'em, Long Beach; and happy National Sloppy Joe Day! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around town today.

A Nevada suspect has been linked to LB diesel theft. Also, the Bulldog Beauty Contest is a go! Finally, which cultural institution is accused of misogyny and racial tokenism?

First, today's weather:

Sunshine and nice. High: 74 Low: 55.

Shoutout to our premier local sponsor:

Do you have a child who needs a more personalized learning experience? Fresh Education is a non-profit here in Long Beach with credentialed teachers who offer young learners a highly individualized educational experience in a warm and welcoming space. Click here to learn more about their programs, and mention Patch for $100 off your first month.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Here are the top five stories in Long Beach today:

1. Gas Station Fuel Theft Update: We recently talked about diesel thieves with specially outfitted trucks targeting, among others, a “Chevron gas station located on the corner of the 700 block of Redondo Avenue.” On Wednesday, we learned that the LBPD arrested a 27-year-old Las Vegas resident “on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime.” Officers said that there are at least two more suspects and three vehicles have been towed. (LB Post)
2. On Sunday is the 18th annual Bulldog Beauty Contest. Put on by tireless community organizer Justin Rudd, this year’s festivities will be at the “Granada Beach Launch Ramp, next to Rosie’s Dog Beach.” And yes, there will also be contests for other types of dogs, such as “best large dog, best small dog, best siblings, best senior dog and best young dog.” (Press-Telegram)
3. The Minister of Culture, Associate Artistic Director & Chief Impact Officer, and Engagement and Education Coordinator resigned from the LB Opera back in December. They cited “a culture of misogyny, a sustained pattern of racial tokenism, a lack of defined values and principles, and a structural failure to process uncomfortable feedback.” On Monday, the opera announced the cancellation of the production “Stimmung.” (Ltr, Black Opera Alliance)
4. The Aquarium of the Pacific is bringing back the High Tide Film Festival. High school students have until March 28 to “submit videos up to 180 seconds in length on ocean innovation, local treasures, or coral reefs.” There will be cash prizes for the first three places and plenty of bragging rights. “Finalists from the 2021 film festival include students from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Lakewood High School, and Whitney High School in Cerritos.” (LB Local News)
5. On Thursday, Mayor Robert Garcia reminded small business owners to take advantage of the City’s BizCare program. These help “connect you with grants and other resources.” There are pop-ups happening Monday through Thursday throughout the year until December 23. You can make an appointment or just walk in. (@LongBeachMayor)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. We all know that Ring is the leader in video doorbells for home security. But did you know that Ring now makes a home security system that is getting raves from consumer electronic experts? (Reviewers at CNET called the new system — known as the Ring Alarm Pro — “a giant leap for home security”). So why the kudos?

In a nutshell: the Ring Alarm Pro can protect your home both online and off. It includes a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router to help you get reliable physical and digital security in one, innovative device. Now you can help protect your home with all the benefits of the Ring Alarm, to keep your home safe and secure, while experiencing fast, reliable connectivity.

To learn more about the system CNET called “the future of home security” or to build your own custom system, you can visit Ring here.

Today in Long Beach:

• Coffee With Councilman Al Austin (online) (9:30 AM)
• Yoga + Beer at SteelCraft (10 AM)
• Live Q&A Webinar with the Long Beach SBDC: All About Marketing Your Small Business (11 AM)
• Full Moon Sunset Sound Bath & Guided Meditation at Rosie's Dog Beach (4 PM)
• John Kraus And The Goers at the Grand Annex (8:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• A Bluff Heights neighbor found a puppy, female, with what appears to be her littermate. The dog followed my husband home and is in our garage, seemed to be very hungry. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• GISTEK Networks, Inc. — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 28)
• Add your event

Loving the Long Beach Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can subscribe
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be 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.