🌱 Pietris Bakery Makes A Change + Cal State To Close Faculty Daycare

Hello, everybody! Today, we celebrate National Do A Grouch A Favor Day by loving up on those who are a little harder to be around. It's Sylvia, your host of the Long Beach Patch newsletter. Keep reading for everything you need to know that's happening these days in town. In this issue, you'll learn about:

• 🔥 A deadly fire near Cambodia Town
• 🤝 A Silverado Park community meeting
• 🛑 Contraband animal products

💗 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 sunny. High: 68 Low: 44.

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

• Sam’s Club at 7480 Carson St., $4.09
• Vons at 1818 Ximeno Ave., $4.11
• ARCO at 3401 Long Beach Blvd., $4.13

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Poll Results 🤔
Daylight saving time begins on March 12. According to history, we can thank entomologist George Hudson for coming up with the idea in 1895. Implementation took place in 1918 to save resources and extend the work day during wartime. In 1966, daylight saving time became the law of the land, but states could opt out. So far, only Hawaii and Arizona have done so. Now, dueling studies point to the successes and failures of the practice. We asked: where do you stand on the issue? You answered! The majority, 66%, don’t like daylight saving time, while 33.5% do. Only 0.5% don’t care one way or the other. Thank you for participating!

📰 Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. An apartment fire left an elderly man dead in the 1200 block of Walnut Avenue. The Long Beach Fire Department responded to the address on Wednesday morning around 3:30 a.m. Firefighters found the blaze in a second-story unit and contained it to that apartment. The Red Cross was on hand to assist anyone displaced because of the blaze. Officials are now searching for the fire’s cause. (Patch, Long Beach Fire)
2. Cal State Long Beach will close its Child and Family Center on June 30. The closure will likely last 13 to 16 months. The administration intends to renovate the space and double its capacity. Moreover, the upgrades will make it possible to “offer child care for the first time to student-parents.” However, faculty members criticize the planned closure, citing the impact it will have on them and their families. “With lengthy waitlists at every nearby child care facility, they may be forced to consider other child care options, such as taking unpaid leave or delaying tenure or promotions.” (Long Beach Business Journal)
3. After protesters came out over the weekend criticizing the Silverado Park winter shelter plans, the city scheduled a community meeting on February 23. Residents say that bringing the shelter to the park “would strip away a vital community resource from an underserved community in West Long Beach.” One resident suggested using the Convention Center, which former Mayor Robert Garcia transformed into a migrant shelter in 2021. Critics also pointed out that East Long Beach residents were treated differently when the Community Hospital was selected as a shelter site, with “multiple meetings held prior to the city’s decision.” (Long Beach Post)
4. Do you ever wonder about products that show up at the port and really shouldn’t be let into the country? Wednesday’s report outlines that U.S. customs agents “seized a record amount of contraband animal products from China at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port” last year. These animal products aren’t approved for consumption in the United States. Examples include products using pigs, cows, ducks and poultry. When compared to 2021, the seizures show a 7% increase; however, compared to 2020, it’s a 162% increase. Possible pathogens present, while they might not kill you, could “cause 100 percent mortality in animals.” Do shippers know what they’re doing? Well, they’re packing the animal products in boxes of cell phone covers, shoes and clothes. (Patch)
5. Pietris Bakery at 5000 2nd Street is retooling. After shutting down over the weekend, the owner announced the closure would last for 45 days, after which time the venue will reopen as Nick the Greek. Guests can look forward to more Greek menu items and interactions with the employees they love. (Pietris Bakery)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• The Heart Christian Academy hosts an Information Meeting at the Cornerstone Church (10 AM)
• Participate in a LBGLCC & Keen Social Luncheon discussing "The Future of Advertising - What is Programmatic Ad Buying" at the LB City College (11:30 AM)
• Attend a FREE Fair Housing Workshop at the Mark Twain Library (2 PM)
• Vist the Un-Valentine's Cabaret at the Aurora Theatre (7 PM)
• See The Long Run: "Experience the Eagles" at the Grand Annex (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "I was just looking out my dining area window and I saw a one medium-sized coyote strolling down the sidewalk going North on Linden. - Neighbors put your fur babies in a safe place. I’m in the 4400 block." (Nextdoor)
• "Hey LB! Want to win free concert tickets?? Bring a reusable mug or cup to Black Ring Coffee or Alder and Sage to be entered to win tickets to CaliVibes festival this weekend! If chosen, proof of purchase is required, so save those receipts. Good luck and happy reusing!" (Long Beach Recycles)
• "This morning, we kicked off the second leg of our 100 Businesses in 100 Days Tour by bringing together over 30 small businesses in Bixby Knolls. Small businesses are a crucial part of the fabric of our community. I want to thank each of the folks who participated in our round table discussion for sharing their stories today. We’re off to visit a few businesses—keep an eye out for more in your neighborhood!" (Long Beach Mayor)
• "Join the AOC7 Neighborhood Group community clean-up happening this Saturday, February 18th, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at 1101 Gardenia Avenue." (Long Beach Public Works)
• "A sea lion pup was discovered in the kitchen of the King Harbor Yacht Club. The Marine Mammal Care Center says this time of year is common to find a stranded sea lion pup, as they're weaning from their mother. If you find a distressed marine animal, call the MMCC hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE." (Spectrum News 1)

🏡 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!

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Featured announcements:

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

That's it for today. 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com