🌱 The Urban Lumber Program + Plans For A Senior Safe Home

Hello again, hello! Today, we appreciate Josh de Jong of New Zealand for inventing National Random Acts of Kindness Day. I'm back in your inbox this cloudy winter morning with your new edition of the Long Beach Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Today we'll cover these stories and more...

• 🚘 Washington neighborhood residents want action.
• 🔥 A residential fire update
• 🌊 The 2023 Congressional Cup

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☁️ But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 69 Low: 46.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in the City of Long Beach

• ARCO at 1785 Bellflower Blvd., $4.09
• ARCO at 3201 E 7th St., $4.15
• American Oil at 6850 Long Beach Blvd., $4.15

🍰 Spring Dessert Poll! 🍓
The first day of spring is March 20! Among the things we look forward to in spring are refreshing desserts. Which is your favorite spring dessert?

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. On February 4, a 25-year-old man was hit while crossing Pacific Avenue at 16th Street. He survived. On Wednesday, Washington neighborhood residents called for action. They identify cars speeding through the crosswalk as a significant contributor to several accidents at this location. The Public Works Department agrees, but the Pacific Avenue Cycle Track that will reduce traffic volume won’t break ground until 2024. Council member Mary Zendejas “did not respond to multiple requests for comment.” It’s important to remember that the community has been asking for something to be done for a while now. (Long Beach Post)
2. Residential fire update: We recently talked about the deadly fire in the 1200 block of Walnut Avenue. Later on Wednesday, we received more information. The venue of the fire was the Chez Bon Guest Home, an assisted living home, and the fatality was a 59-year-old man. One of the residents living at the facility noted that “crazy stuff happens here a lot, but not to this extent.” (Long Beach Post)
3. If you have someone between the ages of 18 and 26 in your home who’s not sure what they want to do with their lives, introduce them to the Urban Lumber Program! An outcropping of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, it offers young adults a year of paid on-the-job training while they explore various careers. In the case of the Urban Lumber Program, we learned on Wednesday that folks are removing 1,000 dead trees and turning them into usable lumber “that will become available to the community later this year.” (ABC)
4. Vice Mayor Cindy Allen went on record stating that “about 800” seniors in the city faced abuse last year. Together with council member Mary Zendejas, she’s looking for a way to protect those over the age of 60 with a senior safe home. On Wednesday, we learned that the City Council will discuss in 90 days the expenses associated with “creating a senior safe home, along with a list of government-owned buildings where it could be established.” Preliminary plans call for 15 units, case management and free meals “for up to 90 days.” (Signal Tribune)
5. The Long Beach Yacht Club is preparing for the 2023 Congressional Cup. Scheduled for April 18 through 22, the race will begin at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Because the races are held off the pier, spectators have an easy time following the racers. We know that defending Congressional Cup Champion Ian Williams will return. At least one of challengers is Chris Poole, who recently bested Johnie Berntsson. The prize for the winner will be the Crimson Blazer, which “is yacht racing’s equivalent to the Masters’ Tournament Green Jacket.” (The Log)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Visit the Downtown Farmers Market at The Streets between 3rd and 5th (10 AM)
• Cali Vibes opens at Marina Green Park (12 PM)
• Join a 3D Modeling w/ TinkerCad workshop at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (3 PM)
• Attend a Special ASL Performance of “9 to 5, The Musical” at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center (8 PM)
• TGI Fridays hosts Moondogg (9 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Coyote spotted on California and San Antonio Dr. - Heading west on San Antonio Dr. Stay safe and vigilant. Close encounter with woman and dog right before my eyes." (Nextdoor)
• "Two full-grown coyotes followed my dog and husband from Kakkis to Chelsea Ct. - at 11:30 PM. One crossed the street. Just be careful." (Nextdoor)
• "Natural cleaning products are safer for the environment, reduce waste, & save money! Learn how you can get all these benefits at Do It Yourself (DIY) Green & Safe Cleaning Workshop on Saturday, 3/4, 10-11am at the Michelle Obama Library! Sign up http://bit.ly/diygreen34" (Long Beach Recycles)
• "Congratulations to our Planning Bureau for receiving the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation award! The team received the award for their incredible work to preserve the designated historic landmark, the First Congregational Church of Long Beach." (Long Beach Builds)
• "Save the date for our next Neighborhood Tenant Council meeting that will be taking place on Wednesday, February 22nd between 5:30 - 7:30 PM. You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about your rights as a renter. Hope to see you there!" (Long Beach Residents Empowered)

🏡 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!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Wills vs. Trust (February 23)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

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

You're officially in the loop 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