🌱 LA County Ditches Masks For Some + Lincoln Park Vandalized

Good morning, Long Beach, and happy National Tortilla Chip Day! Here's everything you need to know to get this Thursday started.

The County plans to drop the mask mandate for vaccinated individuals, but there’s no telling if LB will do so as well. Also, Lincoln Park’s ribbon-cutting was just a few days ago, and taggers already hit it. Finally, weigh in on a new Food Truck Ordinance!

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sun. High: 63 Low: 39.

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Here are the top five stories in Long Beach today:

1. Spurred by dropping hospitalization numbers, Los Angeles County plans to speed up the process for doing away with masks. We learned Wednesday that “the vaccinated can go maskless starting Friday, while the unvaccinated will still have to wear masks or provide proof of a recent negative COVID test in indoor public settings.” There is no word yet if Long Beach, which has its own health department, will follow suit. (Patch)
2. The news broke Tuesday that Lincoln Park, which just celebrated its ribbon cutting, has already been victim of “significant tagging and vandalism.” Besides that, “one of the swings at the park fell off by itself after having been ‘incorrectly installed’.” City officials are urging the public to remember that “this park is meant for everybody.” (LB News)
3. The city is asking for the public’s input about updates to its Food Truck Ordinance. The goal is to create “a Food Truck Program that will streamline procedures, ensure regulatory compliance from food truck operators, and allow for a better and more streamlined enforcement of food truck operations in Long Beach.” You can weigh in via a virtual town hall next Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. (City of LB)
4. Mayor Robert Garcia reminds students that the “application period for the Port of Long Beach Scholarship Program closes on March 1.” This gives you less than a week to get in your paperwork. If you know any high school student who hasn’t taken advantage of this opportunity, please remind them! (@LongBeachMayor)
5. Mom’s Touch is bringing its Korean-based chicken sandwiches to 6191 Atlantic Avenue. There is, of course, an opening special. Today, Thursday, you can get “‘Buy One, Get One’ on all Mom’s Touch sandwiches.” From Monday to March 3, it’s “Chicken Fingers Week” and from March 7 to 10, it is “Wing Week.” (The HiLo)

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Today in Long Beach:

• How To Read Faster & Comprehend More (online) (7 AM)
• Dine Out Long Beach, Restaurant & Cocktail Week (various locations) (9 AM to 11 PM)
• Tai Chi for Beginners at Marine Stadium Park (11:45 AM)
• The Liquid Lounge Bar hosts Open Mic Night (8 PM)
• Jeff Livingstone (Solo Acoustic) at The Auld Dubliner (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Long Beach Public Library Foundation invites you to join the next Miller Room Book Club meeting taking place online via Zoom on Thursday, February 24, from 5:30 - 7 PM. (Facebook)
• An Alamitos Heights neighbor is looking for a gardening/landscaping service. Any recommendations you can share would be greatly appreciated. (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow 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.