🌱 Ruth’s Chris Opens On Ocean Blvd + El Dorado Duck Pond Project News

Hi all; today is National Watermelon Day, which celebrates the berry (!) that has been known to grow up to 262 pounds in weight. I'm back with your new copy of the Long Beach Daily. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

The famous steak house now has a presence in DTLB. Also, the duck pond saga continues with an anticipated 2023 completion date. Finally, should health care workers get a $25 minimum wage?

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 69.

FYI: Long Beach Cooling Centers are open daily from noon to 6 p.m. You find them at the Houghton, McBride, and Admiral Kidd community centers as well as the Senior Center and El Dorado Park West.

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🚗 Three Of The Cheapest Gas Stations In Long Beach 🚗

• Rocket Oil at 1701 W Anaheim St., $4.89
• Speedway Express at 907 E 7th St., $4.99
• Arco at 1945 E Pacific Coast Hwy., $4.99

💻 Back To School Poll!
The kids are going back to school soon. Should schools still take COVID precautions? Please let me know your thoughts! As of right now, 39.6% say the kids should just go back to school, 25.2% say that kids should wear masks, 32.4% want there to be distancing and sanitizing, while 2.7% prefer distance learning for the kids.

Here are the top five stories in Long Beach today:

1. If the sizzle of a steak arriving at your restaurant table is music to your ears, we have good news! Ruth’s Chris Steak House opened on Monday at 180 East Ocean Boulevard. “The restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 4-10 p.m. and Sundays from 4-9 p.m., as well as a happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday.” (LB Business Journal)
2. On April 11, we discussed that the El Dorado Duck Pond project was paused during nesting season, which would also allow the City Council to find the $3 million it needs to finish upgrades. On Tuesday, we learned that Public Works will host a virtual meting on August 10 to give the community an update. “Construction should start next month and be complete in late 2023.” Funding is coming from “the city’s Measure A tax fund, Los Angeles County’s Measure W, LA County Regional Park and Open Space District grants and federal grants.” (Patch, Press-Telegram)
3. Update on the Health Care Wage Hike: As the City Council continues to mull over adopting a $25 minimum wage “for all employees at private health care facilities” or passing the responsibility to voters in November, we learned of the Economic Development Commission report that was revealed on Tuesday. According to the stats, “raising health care wages could eliminate upward of 58 jobs in Long Beach.” Also, “to pay for those increased labor costs, hospital providers could raise prices for patients, dip into profits, reduce investments in equipment or close locations that are already struggling.” On the other hand, those who keep their jobs could see “a net income change of between $7 million and $9.9 million.” (Long Beach Post)
4. Long Beach began offering the Novavax vaccine on Monday. Recently approved, this COVID-19 vaccine is protein-based and “developed without the use of mRNA technology.” This vaccine is for adults only, comes in a two-shot series, and has no recommended boosters. (KNX News)
5. Mark your calendars! The Collect-A-Con is coming to the Long Beach Convention Center! This is the “Nation’s Largest Trading Card, Anime & Pop Culture Convention.” It is scheduled for August 20 and 21, will have more than 500 dealer booths, feature vintage toys right next to TCG cards, and have a crop of celebs, concerts, and comics. (Convention Center)

Today in Long Beach:

• Online Author Talk with Historian and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Dr. Marcia Chatelain (11 a.m.)
• Rock And Roll Yoga at Alex's Bar (3:45 p.m.)
• Karaoke Night at Ficklewood Ciderworks (6:30 p.m.)
• Spencer LaJoye w/ Ben Grace at Wrigley Coffee (7 p.m.)
• Karaoke Wednesday at DiPiazza's (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• One month till the Long Beach State Athletics home opener against Boise State! Make sure to grab your tickets! (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• 📢Long Beach licensed child care/education providers, sign up for FREE infant supplies. (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• Mark your calendars and share with friends! The City of Long Beach is kicking off the FY 2023 Budget development process and we want you to join the conversation. ☑️Thursday, Aug. 11 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. ☑️Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• Our Los Coyotes neighbors are listing their house for sale. They wanted to give the neighbors first crack at it. With three bedrooms and one bathroom the pricing is around $929,000. (Nextdoor)
• An Alamitos Beach neighbor wants to know who has the best pizza in LONG BEACH? (Besides Canadian pizza and fat tomato pizza) not too greasy ! 🍕 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning 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.

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