Permit Boost + Beach Concessions + New Grants For SB Owners

It’s another beautiful day in Long Beach, the Aquatic Capital of America!

Welcome to the Long Beach Patch Daily Newsletter, the easiest and most enjoyable way to know what’s happening down the street and around the corner.

With the permitting process for buildings and other projects inching along at a snail’s pace (uphill), the City Council is weighing software improvements among other innovations to speed things up. Also, many beach goers will once again enjoy concessions at selected beaches this July 1. Other beaches are still waiting for contracts. Finally, small business owners drowning in commercial rent debt might be able to qualify for a life ring in the form of a grant.

First Things First: Today’s Weather, Heat Watch, and Allergy Outlook

Sunny Southern California doesn’t disappoint, with June temperatures reaching 78° for the high and 63° for the low. It’ll be mostly sunny and gorgeous out here.

There is an excessive heat watch from Tuesday at 10 a.m. to Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Even though it’s grass pollen season, along with olives, levels of pollen in the air are reducing but still considered low to medium.

The Five News Headlines That Everyone’s Talking About

1. The city’s permitting process may speed up and get some streamlining. The remote system, in use since March 2020, has not met “the needs or expectations of our customers.” The City Council will weigh solutions this Tuesday during its meeting. (LB Press Telegram)
2. Vendors are returning to some beaches. The City Council awarded contracts to “Louisiana Charlie’s, Grill ‘em All and Saltwater Deck” for Mother’s Beach, Bayshore Beach, and Junipero Beach. No word yet on vendors for Alamitos Beach or Granada Beach. (LB Post)
3. LB launches a $1.5 million grant program to help small business owners pay commercial rent if they were impacted by COVID-19. You may qualify for up to $4,000. The application deadline is July 22. (LB Area Chamber of Commerce)
4. When searching City Auditor Laura Doud’s website for reports on Queen Mary capital improvement audits, a report suggests a decade of inactivity. There are audits for 2009, 2010, and 2011, but nothing later. (LB Report)
5. The 3000 block of Bellflower Blvd. is home to Tracy’s Bar and Grill and 24 Hour Fitness. Police responded to a report of men fighting. The investigation led to two arrests and the seizure of two firearms. (LB Post)

What’s Happening Today in Long Beach?

• KayaKing-with-Friends at the Leeway Sailing Center, 5437 East Ocean Blvd. (8:30 a.m.)
• LB Sunday Farmers’ Market at East Marina Drive, South of 2nd Street. (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Scout Day at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Dine and donate to benefit the spcaLA at Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, 4201 McGowan Street. (11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.) [Please download the flyer!]
• Ozzie and Friends Rescue is hosting a doggie beach party at Rosie’s Dog Beach, 5000 East Ocean Blvd. (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Luckey Dog Lemonade Stand with doggie photo at Stearns Park, 4520 East 23rd Street. (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Super Sunday Service by Namasté Center for Spiritual Living at 6500 Stearns Street. (4:30 p.m.)

Today’s Long Beach Patch Notebook

It may not fit into news or events, but you sure want to know about it!

• A quick reminder that the hours at Rosie’s Dog Beach (for residents with dogs) are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• When MOLAA reopens, the museum will need volunteers!
• The spcaLA offers student community service projects; earn up to 20 hours to meet school requirements!

That’s it! You’re now in the know and ready to weigh in at the water cooler. Better yet, head out and experience Long Beach! I’ll bring you another serving of tasty news and events morsels tomorrow.

-Sylvia

Sylvia Cochran is a freelance writer who has lived more than 20 years in Long Beach and its various neighborhoods. I love books, dogs, volunteering, and embrace social justice. If you have a juicy tidbit of what’s happening locally, don’t keep it to yourself; reach out by emailing me at longbeach-ca@patch.com!