🌱 Volunteer Attacked At Bixby Park + Garage Fire On East 2nd St.

Hey, Long Beach, and happy National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on around town today.

A septuagenarian was attacked by a 30-year-old man. Also, a detached garage under construction caught fire. Finally, a shoutout to Poly’s Nala Williams and Kristal Caldwell.

First, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 74 Low: 46.

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Here are the top five stories today in Long Beach:

1. A 70-year-old volunteer has been attacked by a 30-year-old man. The assault happened last week on Monday “while handing out supplies to the homeless community at Bixby Park.” During initial contact, the man declined help. She moved on and made her rounds when “the man approached her and punched her in the face.” (CBS)
2. There was a house fire Thursday morning. The LBFD was called to the 2300 block of East 2nd Street, where “heavy smoke was reported from the rear of the structure.” Firefighters knocked down the blaze that turned out to be a detached garage under construction. (@LBFD)
3. Long Beach Poly (girls’ basketball) won its Wednesday match and will take on Fairmont Prep on Saturday. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the opposing team will have the home court advantage. “Poly is on a 13-game winning streak, led by two McDonald’s All-American nominees: senior guards Nala Williams and Kristal Caldwell.” (Press-Telegram)
4. “Looking Back to Advance Forward” is a stormwater reclamation project. On Wednesday, a ceremonial groundbreaking kicked off this construction project at the Rancho Los Cerritos. It “aims to capture and reuse 100% of the rainfall to decrease water use.” (@portoflongbeach)
5. The Kilroy Star is situated at 3750 Kilroy Airport Way, on top of the AERO parking structure. It features 30,000 LEDs and is designed by the realty firm to “uplift our communities.” Now, it “has dedicated a special red, green, and gold light program to celebrate Black History Month.” Other displays planned are “red, white, and blue to celebrate the closing of the Winter Olympics and in observance of President’s Day. Beginning in March, the Kilroy Star will be lit up in purple to celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.” You can see the installation from the 405 Freeway. (Kilroy Realty, LB Local News)

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Today in Long Beach:

• Virtual JobFairX (11 AM to 2 PM)
• 2022 Libertarian Party Of California Convention at the Long Beach Marriott (4 PM to 2-21, 5 PM)
• Dine Out Long Beach 4- Course Prix-Fixe Menu at Michael's on Naples Ristorante (5 PM)
• Los Angeles A Cappella Festival 2022 at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center (5 PM to 2-19, 10:30 PM)
• Chef Key Locke’s Naked Sushi at The VIP Experience (9 PM)

From my notebook:

• A neighbor in Arbor Village is wondering if anyone knows of a contractor who will paint a mobile home. (Nextdoor)
• A kind Bixby Knolls-N of Cal Heights neighbor found a dog near Cherry and Bixby. Is it yours? (Nextdoor)
• Our Belmont Shore-Belmont Park neighbor lost their cat! It was last seen on Pomona Street and Broadway. (Nextdoor)
• A Stratford Square neighbor invites you to visit Cassidy’s Girl Scouts cookie store booth this FRIDAY! From 3pm-5pm! If you can’t make it you can message them with your favorites, and they'll deliver free to you! (Nextdoor)

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You're officially in the loop 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.