🌱 RIP 'Mother' Doris Topsy-Elvord + Belmont Plaza Pool Progress

Morning, people of Long Beach! Sylvia here with your Friday copy of the Long Beach Daily.

The city lost one of its most esteemed public servants on Wednesday, Doris Topsy-Elvord. Also, there’s movement on the Belmont Plaza pool front. Finally, a new restaurant chain is coming to Harding Plaza.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 66 Low: 41.

Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. Doris Topsy-Elvord died Wednesday morning at the age of 90. She had a distinguished public service career that included representing council district six as the first African-American woman to serve on the LB City Council. She served twice as vice mayor. Ninth district council member Rex Richardson remembers her as “Mother Doris,” for taking “all of us under her wing.” Earlier this year, the community center at Houghton Park was named after her. (LB Post)
2. Back in 2014, the City tore down the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool. Residents were promised a replacement. However, getting a new pool has been an uphill battle. Recognizing the importance of having this feature in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the City set up a survey on Wednesday. “We are thrilled to be entering into this phase of the project, making us one step closer to making the new center a reality. I encourage the community to provide robust input, so we can ensure the project is inclusive of our entire community,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. (LBIZE)
3. Are you hip to Mom’s Touch? It’s a specialty fried chicken chain with a Korean twist that made a splash in Gardena last summer. The response was so favorable that another location will open up at Harding Plaza in LB, we learned Wednesday. Look for it at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Harding Street early in 2022. (QSR)
4. The Renowned Canna Boot Camp is coming to the LB Convention Center! Billed as the “World’s Largest Scientific and Medical Cannabis Conference,” the event is scheduled for February 2 through 4 as noted in Thursday’s press release. On the schedule are psychedelics speakers, sacred tobacco healers, and five educational tracks. (Yahoo! Finance)
5. Do you remember the restaurant break-ins that happened across the city back in June? They involved La Taqueria Brand, Waffle Love, The Breakfast Bar, Chipotle, Chen’s Chinese Restaurant, Pancho’s Vegan Tacos, Park Pantry and The Ordinaire. On Wednesday, we learned that a 21-year-old with prior convictions for burglary pleaded “no contest” and received a four-year sentence in prison. The young man “agreed to pay restitution involving all of the charges.” (LB Post)
   

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Today in Long Beach:

• Downtown Long Beach Farmers Market at 4th and North Promenade (10 AM)
• Preschool Storytime at the Signal Hill Public Library (10 AM)
• LBGLCC Holiday Party at the Beach Garden Social House (6 PM)
• The Long Beach Nutcracker at the Terrace Theater (7:30 PM)
• 80's with Knyght Ryder at the Gaslamp (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• Do you know someone experiencing homelessness? Direct them to the Long Beach Winter Shelter, which provides shelter, food and safety during the coldest time of the year. (Facebook)
• The City was recognized by Bloomberg Philanthropies as one of 10 new cities to achieve What Works Cities certification for exceptional use of data to guide decision-making to help improve the quality of life of residents. (Facebook)
• A Rose Park South neighbor woke up to find a Beach Cruiser Bike - One Speed - on the side of their house. Is it yours? (Nextdoor)
• Our Alamitos Beach neighbor needs recommendations for a pro doing shoe repair. Do you know one? (Nextdoor)
• A Carson Park neighbor was attacked on the 3700 block of Iroquois by a big Akita. (Nextdoor)
• A medium to large dog near Walnut and Wardlow found this neighbor in Cal Heights. Please let them know if you are missing your dog. (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early 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.