🌱 Visit The CSU Puvungna Pow Wow + New Nonstop Flights Out Of LB

Hey, everybody! Today we celebrate a Nintendo icon on National Mario Day. It's Friday in Long Beach, and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in our community, including news on:

• 🏥 The new Veteran Resource Center at the VA
• 🩺 A Diabetes Prevention Health Fair
• 🎉 Songkran vs. Chaul Chnam Thmey

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🌧️ But first, today's weather:

Cooler with rain. High: 58 Low: 56.

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

• American Oil at 6850 Long Beach Blvd., $4.35
• Vons at 1818 Ximeno Ave., $4.39
• Sam’s Club at 7480 Carson St., $4.39

😋 Fair Food Poll!
Fair food is the ultimate cheat meal. Although we all know it’s unhealthy, everyone has a guilty pleasure. Which is your favorite? So far, 37% admit to loving funnel cake, and 14.8% love candy apples. 11.1% each reach for guacamole and corndogs, while 7.4% each order cheesecake and tri-tip sandwiches. 3.7% each favor fried cheese curds, guacamole with cheese, and cotton candy.

📰 Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. Southwest Airlines continues to add more nonstop services at the Long Beach Airport. Beginning March 9, the airline is offering daily service to Kansas City and seasonal flights to Maui. Beginning July 11, you can take daily flights to Colorado Springs and El Paso; a Saturday route to Orlando will start. Come September 5, passengers can take daily flights to Albuquerque. (City of Long Beach)
2. On Tuesday, the VA Long Beach Healthcare System officially opened a new resource center. The Veteran Resource Center prides itself on providing a one-stop solution for a wide variety of needs. Examples include beneficiary travel services and whole health services. “Before, you had to run all over the place, and you never knew for sure where anyone was going to be,” said a veteran. If you’d like to see it for yourself, head to the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center and seek out building 165. (Long Beach Business Journal)
3. A Diabetes Prevention Health Fair is scheduled for March 25 at Houghton Park. Because of racial disparities surrounding diabetes healthcare, the California Black Health Network will offer FREE screenings for the disease. Concurrently, the organization will launch “No Sugar Baby,” the campaign focused on diabetes prevention and management. Also at the fair, you’ll see cooking demonstrations, get ideas for physical fitness, receive flu shots and catch up on COVID-19 vaccinations. (Precinct Reporter Group)
4. On February 23, City Councilwoman Suely Saro discussed the city’s first-ever plans for a Songkran (Thai) New Year celebration. On March 7, more than 20 Cambodian residents addressed the City Council, asking it to keep the Cambodian New Year celebration. Historically, the city celebrated Chaul Chnam Thmey (Khmer New Year) from April 14 to 16, since 1976. The delegation explained that “the introduction of Songkran has divided the Cambodian community, specifically among elders and younger generations.” Saro argued that Songkran focuses on inclusion, incorporating Laotians, Thai and Buddhists; also, you’d have Asian American Pacific Islander groups performing as well as “Latin and African American programming.” At this point, a Long Beach Songkran event will take place at the Long Beach City College on April 1. (Signal Tribune)
5. The California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Pow Wow is back! Also known as the CSU Puvungna Pow Wow, it’s happening on Saturday and Sunday. The last time the celebration was held, in 2019, more than 6,000 guests attended the festivities. Enjoy gourd dancing, singing, drumming, a healing ceremony, and more cultural experiences. When it’s time for a break, head to the pop-up stalls selling traditional foods, art and handmade jewelry. Everyone’s invited to come, and attendance is FREE. (CSULB)

📆 Today in Long Beach:

• Bring the kids to a Toddler Storytime at the Bach Neighborhood Library (10 AM)
• The 2023 Value Series 7th Annual Women’s Conference kicks off at the Courtyard LB Downtown (1 PM)
• Bob Malone performs at The Grand Annex (8 PM)
• Hear LIVE Jazz, Blues, Old School R&B, Latin Jazz at Roscoe's Jazz Lounge (8 PM)
• Alex's Bar hosts Mad World 80s Night w/DJs JoJo & Tommy Gunn (9 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "🚨SCHEDULE UPDATE🚨 Due to the weather forecast for Friday, we have altered our weekend series with USF Baseball. Game 1 of the series will now be at 1pm on Saturday as part of a doubleheader. Game 2 will remain the 6pm start." (Long Beach State Athletics via Instagram)
• "Long Beach is and was home to so many strong women in aviation. During World War II, many women came to work for the Douglas Aircraft plant in Long Beach. Women could be found welding, wiring, and operating hydraulic presses." (Long Beach Airport via Instagram)
• "In partnership with Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation Network, we are seeking a qualified Long Beach-based organization to facilitate outreach efforts with formerly incarcerated community members and their families." (Long Beach City via Facebook)
• "Join the Los Angeles County Public Works for a free live webinar on Organic Gardening. - Learn to create a beautiful yard with healthy soil and natural flora to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Also, learn how to grow delicious vegetables without pesticides!" (Nextdoor)
• "My cute foster Skittles is looking for her forever home. - She’s about 5 1/2 years old. She is sweet as pie and is all love. Got groomed and they said she was wonderful. Contact Muttsinneed.org to fill out an application." (Nextdoor)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Long Beach?

• Median Listing Home Price $750K
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $610
• Median Sold Home Price $695K

Check out more Long Beach real estate information!

🐶 Check out cats, dogs, and other Pets Available For Adoption at Long Beach Area Shelters!

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Featured events:

• 2023 Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival (April 1)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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