🌱 Sewage Spill Closes Beaches + Black Restaurant Week Planned

Good morning, Long Beach and Happy New Year! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

The Dominguez Channel stinks again. Also, we are going to have a Black Restaurant Week. Finally, would your street qualify as a street of shame?

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cool. High: 60 Low: 40.

Here are the top five stories today in Long Beach:

1. On Friday, the City announced the closure of all beaches until further notice. It occurred in the wake of Thursday’s report that “2 to 4 million gallons of untreated sewage was discharged into the Dominguez Channel.” The CA Office of Emergency Services blames a 48-inch sewer mainline in the City of Carson. (KTLA)
2. We’re going to have a Black Restaurant Week! Organized by LB Food & Beverage, the week is devoted to “celebrating African, African-American and Caribbean fare” while also highlighting Black-owned eateries and Black bartenders and chefs. The event is scheduled for January 23 through 30. (Black Restaurant Week LB)
3. Would the maintenance of your sidewalk or road qualify the stretch of concrete as a street of shame? A Thursday call to action encourages residents to let the Beachcomber know where the City has been “doing a poor job of street and sidewalk repairs.” Currently, in the running are 14th Street between Ximeno and Termino, the Appian Way in front of Mothers’ Beach, and Los Arcos Street east of Studebaker Road. (Beachcomber)
4. The LBPD arrested a 32-year-old L.A. resident in connection with attempted murder charges from last year’s shooting near Davenport Park. Officers found the suspect in a stolen car near Coolidge Park. During the arrest, the PD “seized two firearms, including a ghost gun.” (LB Post)
5. Fourth Street is attracting new businesses by leaps and bounds. Chez Baccus, a new restaurant featuring a seasonally accurate menu, is scheduled to open at 743 East Fourth Street. A grand opening might take place in spring, with a soft opening possible at the end of February. (The HiLo)

Today in Long Beach:

• Happy New Year 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon at 5400 East Ocean Boulevard (7 AM)
• “I Woke Up Like This” New Year’s Day Pajama Brunch Party at Café Sevilla (11 AM to 3 PM)
• Disney On Ice: Dream Big Long Beach at the LB Convention Center (1 PM)
• Saturday Night with The Portuguese Lover at Mezcalero (9:30 PM)
• La Mirage Nightclub presents the Best Of Hip-Hop And Latin Vibes (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The LBPD announces that we have had a total of 44 fatal traffic accidents thus far this year. In an effort to keep our drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe, they will be performing DUI saturation patrols through New Year's Day. (Facebook)
• Volunteer in the 2022 Point in Time Count! The City is seeking 250 community volunteers to help conduct its street count of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (Facebook)
• The Billie Jean King Main Library experienced a known COVID-19 exposure and out of caution and for the safety of staff and patrons, it has closed to do a deep clean of the affected areas. The library will reopen on Tuesday, January 4th. (Facebook)
• A Freeway Circle neighbor is getting rid of dialysis supplies their husband can no longer use. (Nextdoor)
• Can you tell our East Village neighbor where they can get an asada burrito that is as good as the one served at Tito's Bakery? (Nextdoor)
• A Ridgewood Triangle neighbor is looking for a housekeeper. (Nextdoor)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you 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.