🌱 Pedestrian Death On 2nd Street + Long Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

Good morning, friends! Today, we dig World Soil Day! Sylvia here with your Monday edition of the Long Beach Daily. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in our community, including updates on...

• 🧑‍⚖️ How homeless court is doing
• 🏀 The recent Long Beach State Women’s Basketball team win
• 🚢 The 76th annual Naples Boat Parade

💗 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:

Mainly cloudy. High: 65 Low: 51.

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

• Sinclair at 5588 Long Beach Blvd., $4.19
• Vons at 1818 Ximeno Ave., $4.28
• ARCO at 1001 Redondo Ave., $4.29

🍪 Holiday Treats Poll! 🎄
December is the month for holiday treats and goodies. Which is your favorite? So far, 32.3% love See’s Candies, while 22.6% look forward to sugar cookies. Peppermint bark appeals to 9.7%, and eggnog has a loyal following of 32.3%. Poached pears are favorites for 3.2%.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1) On Sunday morning, just before 1 a.m., there was a traffic fatality at 2nd Street and Marina Drive. A vehicle struck a pedestrian walking outside a marked crosswalk after it “crossed the bridge from Appian Way.” The vehicle fled the scene, and the police are looking for witnesses. If you saw anything, please contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Kevin Johansen or Detective Jeff Meyer at (562) 570-7355. (Long Beach Police Department)

2) Did you know that Long Beach has a homeless court? We learned on Sunday that it's an intentionally casual setup at the Multi-Service Center on the Westside, and is the result of a 2021 pilot program that helps people experiencing homelessness resolve misdemeanors. While statistics tell us that, so far, only about 200 cases have been heard, officials are optimistic. They see it as “a powerful incentive for people to get help, and gives a needed boost to those who are already seeking help.” At the program’s two-year anniversary, “officials said they plan to look at recidivism rates, and whether a person has remained in housing.” (Long Beach Post)

3) The Long Beach State Women’s Basketball team won against Cal Baptist 67-59. They played the game Saturday at the Walter Pyramid. “Defense was the key for Long Beach State as they forced the Lancers into a season-high 24 turnovers, including 13 steals, giving the Beach a 22-11 advantage in points off turnovers.” It's fair to say that the coach was happy with the defensive performance of the players. (The562.org)

4) Today, Monday, is the Long Beach tree lighting ceremony! At 5 p.m. in the Terrace Theater Plaza, Mayor Robert Garcia will flip the switch that turns on the 67-foot artificial tree's “500,000-plus lights.” Organizers say it will “be accompanied by music, dancing, performances, and fireworks; an eye-popping, jaw-dropping array of lights, displays, fun, and food.” (Visit Long Beach)

5) On Saturday, December 10, head to Naples for the 76th annual Boat Parade. This parade traditionally has a lot of participation from the 90805 ZIP code; expect more than 100 entries! Some participants of note include the Wilson High School alumni syncopated drummers and the Sea Scouts. “The parade passes underneath eight bridges . . . big boats start at 6 p.m. in the bay, and the little ones enter the canals at 6:30 p.m.” (Press-Telegram)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Moving & Grooving virtual event with the Aquarium of the Pacific (9 AM)
• Winter Wonderland Holiday Luncheon with the Women's Council of REALTORS® at The Grand (11 AM)
• 8th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Terrace Theater (5 PM)
• Women's Ministry presents Celebrating HIS Excellency with Guest Speaker Krista Harvey at the Cornerstone Church (6 PM)
• D'Jam at DiPiazza's (9 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "Sunday Dec 18 - spread out over 20 acres you'll find millions of antiques, collectibles and vintage items for sale at wholesale prices.... Join the dealers, designers and celebrities who shop "The Flea Market With Style©. "" (Long Beach Antique Market via Instagram)
• "Check out these beards! 🧔🏻‍♂‍ We’ve been overwhelmed with all the support from our community and proud to see all the personnel who participated in No-Shave November. Thank you! 💙" (Long Beach Police Department (CA) via Facebook)
• "We had an amazing time last night at the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade! All the beautiful lights and smiling faces made this the best way to kick off the Holidays in Long Beach! 🎄" (Long Beach Police Department (CA) via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Frosty's Winter Wonderland In Corona — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Vistamar School Open House (December 10)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire Holiday Show (December 11)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right. See you all tomorrow morning 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