Smoky Air + No-Ride Zone For E-Scooters + AI To Take Over Traffic

Breathing the air is more difficult in Long Beach. Also, e-scooter riding is restricted until October 1. Can AI untangle the Gordian Knot that is Long Beach traffic?

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First, today's weather:
Clear throughout the day. High: 77 Low: 63.

Here are the top stories today in Long Beach:

1. Smoke from the wildfires in central California is here. If you noticed the yellow haze yesterday afternoon, you weren’t alone. The South Coast Air Quality Management District “issued a smoke advisory for parts of Los Angeles County.” “The agency advises closing windows and doors, and running an air purifier, to keep indoor air clean. Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air.” (LB Post, SCAQMD)
2. The City has implemented a no-ride zone for e-scooters. Traffic around the Grand Prix will keep the scooters grounded until 10/1. The affected area is south of Ocean Avenue within the Pike Outlets and event areas. (@LBPublic Works)
3. Artificial intelligence may be what Long Beach congestion needs. Project X is a 10-month pilot program that tests “the ability of traffic lights to respond to traffic patterns in real time.” Near the end of the year, a fleet of 50 smart vehicles will hit the streets and communicate with each other to give real-time data to traffic signals. (LB Business Journal)
4. FB Nashville Hot Chicken inside Liberation Brewing Company is closing its doors. “Because of the pandemic, they've been facing some hardships like short staffing and will be closing down Sept. 26.” The Liberation Brewing Company stays open. But all is not lost. If you have a hankering for their dishes, FB Nashville Hot Chicken operates another location in Anaheim at 1560 South Lewis Street. (ABC 7)
5. Mayor Robert Garcia recognized the efforts of the Bluff Park Neighborhood to preserve the integrity of its historic district. Recently, the group finished phase two of its historic lamppost project. The Mayor noted that these efforts “enrich our communities and engage with our city’s history.” (@LongBeachMayor)

Today in Long Beach:

• Long Beach Dog Park Jam at Recreation Park, 5201 East 7th Street. (10 a.m.)
• Family Health Festival on the Plaza at Grace Church, 3601 Linden Avenue. (11 a.m.)
• Saturday Night Party at Caliz Sports Bar in Long Beach featuring DJ Peeta, 300 West Anaheim Street. (10 p.m.)

Long Beach Patch Notebook:

• Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach - Saturday Pass (Gates Open: 7:30 AM); there are still tickets
  
• The Long Beach Coffee Club is meeting at Confidential Coffee, 137 West 6th Street at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome, but please Register.

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects and German to English business translations. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Fishdom (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

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