🌱 Many Brave Rain To March In MLK Parade + Parvo ICU Hospital Opens

Good morning, friends! Today, we’ll expand our taste horizons on National Kombucha Day. It's Sunday in Long Beach, and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know that's happening in the community, including news concerning:

• 👮 A dead man found near Rainbow Harbor
• 🚗 Smooth road on South Pine Avenue
• 🚧 Market Street corridor improvements

💗 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:

Mostly cloudy, a shower; cool. High: 60 Low: 52.

Business owners and marketers in Long Beach: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

• ARCO at 4235 E Anaheim St., $3.99
• ARCO at 1785 Bellflower Blvd., $3.99
• Del Amo Petroleum at 4990 Long Beach Blvd., $3.99

💐 Valentine’s Day Poll! 🥂
Pink hearts, boxes of chocolates, and greeting cards – reminders that Valentine’s Day is coming are everywhere. But responses to the holiday are mixed. What are your feelings about the occasion? Do you celebrate? So far, 50% take a bah-humbug approach, while 42% plan on a Valentine’s Day with all the trimmings. 2% plan on celebrating Galentine’s Day, and 6% focus on Singles Awareness Day.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. On Saturday morning, authorities found the dead body of an adult male in the water near Rainbow Harbor. Reportedly, “an area business reported the body just after 10 a.m. Saturday, and a Long Beach Lifeguard boat located and transported the body to the docks just south of Parker’s Lighthouse.” There’s no word yet on how the man died or if there’s foul play. (Long Beach Post)
2. If the ride on South Pine Avenue between Shoreline Drive and Seaside Way feels smoother, you aren’t imagining things. The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and the City of Long Beach teamed up and completed the repaving of this portion of the road. If you’re a fan, you know that the “improved segment comprises Turns 6 through 8 of the iconic street circuit” for the April 14-16 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Racer)
3. Though it was wet on Saturday, folks turned out for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade! Former Mayor Robert Garcia said it best when he commented that “even in the rain, we marched and walked for Dr. King and his legacy of justice and hope. It was great to see so many friends and neighbors from across Long Beach.” Other city leaders in attendance included current Mayor Rex Richardson, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal and Councilwoman Megan Kerr. (Robert Garcia)
4. Have you been down Market Street lately? Sure, the blocks between Cherry Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard have plenty of traffic delays. However, it’s all for a good cause. “All streetlight poles are being replaced along the corridor with a new decorative style & energy efficient LED upgrades.” Besides that, pedestrians can look forward to high-visibility crosswalks, protected bike lanes and repaired sidewalks! (Long Beach Public Works)
5. Fix Long Beach opened a Parvo ICU Hospital at 1749 Magnolia Avenue. It’s been challenging for pet parents to find a veterinarian who could accommodate the infected dogs that have to be kept separated from healthy ones. “Staff and volunteers care for the dogs and sterilize the facility around the clock—they successfully cared for over 20 dogs during the holiday week before the clinic officially opened, not even a week ago.” When you treat Parvo early, dogs have an 80% chance of survival. (Long Beach Post)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Online Soul Care Reset for moms raising kids with mental health challenges (11 AM)
• Shannon's At The Top hosts R&Brunch presented by Urban Society Long Beach (11 AM)
• Sesame Street Live at the Terrace Theater (2 PM)
• The Sunday Social w/Trulio Disgracias (Tribute to Kool And The Gang) at Alex's Bar (2 PM)
• Intent w/DJ Rome at DiPiazza's (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "The City of Long Beach is launching a donation campaign to raise money for the Mayor’s Fund for Homeless Action (Mayor’s Fund). Donations from residents, businesses and community organizations will support grants to organizations." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Good morning, Long Beach! The rain is starting to come down in our beautiful city, however, that won’t prevent us from being a part of the MLK Parade! 💙" (Long Beach Police Department (CA) via Facebook)
• "🗣Get involved! We are launching a new Smart City program called the 'Long Beach Colaboratory' (LB Co-Lab), to engage residents with civic technology design and equip them with technology skills to thrive in our 'smart' economy." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "7th & 8th graders! Join us for a series of workshops that will challenge your creativity, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and connect you with a passionate community of makers, learners, and educators: https://bit.ly/3W8oV4E" (Long Beach Public Library via Facebook)
• Our Upper Westside neighbor says, "Hi there, Westsiders! - Next week we have an opportunity to go hear and be heard in regard to the Long Beach Budget for next year here on the Westside. It will be held Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 at Stephens Middle School, 1830 W. Columbia St." (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Day After Day: The Life and Music of Doris Day (January 20)
• Lemur Mom (January 27)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Veterans Only - Free IT Support Specialist Tech Training Program (Details)
• Add your announcement

You're officially in the loop for today! See you soon for 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Long Beach Daily? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com