🌱 Retro Row Power Outage From Explosion + Fire Chief Espino Retires

Hey, neighbors! Today, we honor Veterans Day! It's Sylvia, your host of the Daily. Here's all the community news you need to know right now, including:

• 💻 Details about the Smart City Initiative
• 🌊 A warning against swimming near the beaches
• 🤔 Complaints from downtown businesses over area conditions

🌥️ But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 70 Low: 49.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in Long Beach

• Vons at 1818 Ximeno Ave., $4.78
• 76 at 5170 Long Beach Blvd., $4.84
• 76 at 6580 N Paramount Blvd., $4.94

🦃 Thanksgiving Poll!
Thanksgiving is on November 24th. How do you celebrate? So far, 47.3% celebrate a big meal as a family tradition, while 29.1% don’t celebrate and treat it like any other day. In a smaller group, 1.8% don’t celebrate because they feel it glorifies the conquest of Native Americans; however, 21.8% choose to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving out of gratitude.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1) There was a power outage around Retro Row on Wednesday afternoon. Reportedly, it originated in the 1700 block of 4th Street. Witnesses heard “an explosion that lifted up a manhole cover,” and firefighters “witnessed smoke coming from the manhole.” The explosion occurred inside an electrical vault and affected at least 1,270 people. (Long Beach Post)

2) Have you heard about the Smart City Initiative that Long Beach recently launched? We learned on Thursday that this program seeks to help residents who lack the tech training to “thrive in the digital age.” In particular, it targets residents in the “Hamilton, Ramona Park, Willmore, and Lower West Side neighborhoods.” Approved participants “receive training in technology development, earn a professional certificate and a $1,000 stipend.” (Government Technology)

3) The city’s Health Department warned residents against jumping into the recreational swimming areas along the coast. Citing the rainfall, officials said on Wednesday that “unhealthy conditions may result from increased runoff from storm drain outlets and rivers, which eventually reach the City’s beaches.” (KTLA)

4) Long Beach business owners are pushing back against ongoing crime downtown. We learned on Wednesday that the Downtown Long Beach Alliance has heard from Beachwood Brewing, “The Ordinarie, BO-beau kitchen + roof tap, District Wine, and Farmers & Merchants Bank” as being among the companies complaining. Issues of discontent include “aggressive and erratic behavior of individuals who may be suffering from substance abuse or mental health challenges” as well as open drug use, violence, and disruption of business, which drives customers away. (Long Beach Business Journal)

5) A shoutout to Long Beach Fire Chief Xavier Espino! He joined the Long Beach Fire Department in 1986 and became Fire Chief in 2018. Espino will retire on December 30. Thank you for your service! (Long Beach City)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Downtown Long Beach Farmers Market at 4th and North Promenade (10 AM)
• Alpert Jewish Community Center Honors Veterans with Commemoration and Exhibit at 3801 E Willow St (11 AM)
• The Circus Vargas Express at 500 Lakewood Center Mall (7:30 PM)
• Dearly Beloved Burlesque, a Tribute to Prince at 201 E Broadway (8 PM)
• Rudy De Anda performs at The Bamboo Club (9 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Our Long Beach Police Department (CA) helped find pups that were stolen from Mexihanas Hibachi Grill restaurant owner. ⤵️" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Congratulations to our Long Beach Airport for being honored with a 🏆 Digital Advertising award for Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience by Airports Council International - North America! 🎉" (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• There are several businesses honoring veterans and active duty personnel with freebies and discounts today. (Extensive List via Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• The Pumpkin Factory at Westminster Mall — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (November 14)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (November 15)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new 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 Daily? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com