🌱 Get A $100 Gas Bill Credit + Only 3 Trucks For Beach Trash Cleanup

Hey, hello! Today, we celebrate National Drink Wine Day. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Long Beach Patch newsletter, discussing everything you need to know that's going on these days in town. Today you'll learn about:

• 👮 Shots fired on Pacific Avenue
• 📖 A return to in-person service at the Alamitos Library
• 🍜 Participating in the Community Kitchen Cookbook

💗 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:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 70 Low: 47.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Long Beach who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

• Sam’s Club at 7480 Carson St., $4.16
• Del Amo Petroleum at 4990 Long Beach Blvd., $4.19
• ARCO at 2601 Santa Fe Ave., $4.27

🍰 Spring Dessert Poll! 🍓
The first day of spring is March 20! Among the things we look forward to in spring are refreshing desserts. Which is your favorite spring dessert? So far, 25% each chose mixed berry buckle, ambrosia salad, fruit tarts, and a write-in: key lime pie.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. Someone fired off some shots Thursday evening near 52nd Street and Pacific Avenue. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) responded and connected with an unharmed man. He said that “he was walking in a poorly lit area when he was approached by an unknown subject.” After a short conversation, the subject shot at him and took off in a vehicle. (LBPD)
2. The Long Beach Utilities Commission set aside $575,000 that it will credit to customers in one-time $100 payments. Any residential gas customer in the city can apply for the credit. It is particularly for those who don’t “qualify for the Low-Income Senior/Disability Discount Program or the Low Income Gas Discount Program.” But hurry; when the money is all distributed, you’re out of luck. (Long Beach Water)
3. We can go back to visiting the Alamitos Neighborhood Library at 1836 East 3rd Street on Tuesday! Hours of operation vary. You may remember that the branch switched to a to-go service model last summer. The Dana Neighborhood Library at 3680 Atlantic Avenue will return to full service on March 7. The same goes for the Brewitt Neighborhood Library at 4036 East Anaheim Street. (City of Long Beach)
4. Speaking of the library, it's setting up a Community Kitchen Cookbook and wants your recipe! You have until March 14 to send in your submission — or until the program collects 25 submissions. Submit the information in English, Spanish, Khmer or Tagalog. In the summer, the library will share the collected recipes on its website. (Long Beach Public Library)
5. A shoutout to our neighbor Alison! She took it upon herself to keep an eye on beach trash removal that wasn’t happening. A Friday status update informed us that she’s reached out to the mayor’s office without success, but found a responsive contact at the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. Reportedly, the city only has three dump trucks. However, beach cleanup of 25 piles of trash should start this week. “They will start first at Pier, then Junipero area, then Alamitos Beach.” Next time y’all walk your pups in the area, keep an eye open for beach trash removal progress. (Nextdoor)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Visit the Bixby Park Farmers Market by Local Harvest at 130 Cherry Ave (10 AM)
• Participate in the Bob Long Memorial Mutt Run at the Claremont Launch Ramp near Rosie’s Dog Beach (9 AM)
• The Cali Vibes Fest continues at Marina Green Park (12 PM)
• The Grand Annex hosts Lizzie No & a Wine Tasting (7 PM)
• Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grille presents the Babylon Rockers (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "After the first round of the John Burns Intercollegiate, Ian Gilligan shot a Single-Round Career-Best and course record of 61 for 11-under par 👏⛳️" (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• "Our Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine will continue the 'Young Community Planners of Long Beach,' urban planning program for youth ages 13-18. This program is in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "📢 Our Mayor, Rex Richardson, will host a 'Housing Provider Community Forum,' next Wednesday (2/22) at the City’s Housing Authority building. The forum will be for local housing providers to learn about programs and incentives for landlords." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Congratulations on the 3rd Anniversary! - Ubuntu Cafe, 335 Nieto Avenue, Long Beach, Ca." (Nextdoor)
• "We have a holiday closure on Monday, February 20 in observance of Presidents Day/Washington's Birthday. City of Long Beach offices and services will be affected. Please visit our website at http://longbeach.gov for more details." (LB Public Works)

🏡 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!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Wills vs. Trust (February 23)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

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

That's it for today. I'll see you around!

— 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