🌱 Will XPO Drivers Unionize? + $8,200 For Weightless Experiences

Hey, neighbors, and happy National Irish Coffee Day! It's me again, Sylvia, your host of the Long Beach Daily.

Alleging misclassification, the Teamsters are requesting an unionization vote. Also, the Zero-G Experience® is coming to the airport. Finally, Partake hosted an open house.

First, today's weather:

Areas of fog, then sun. High: 65 Low: 46.

Here are the top five stories today in Long Beach:

1. On Monday, we learned that the Teamsters have requested a “unionization vote for the 250 or so drivers at XPO Logistics Inc.” These drivers work the ports. The organization alleges that XPO treats drivers as independent contractors rather than classifying them as employees and paying benefits. The vote could take place in the middle of February. (Splash 247)
2. The Long Beach Airport is getting a new two-day attraction. The Zero-G Experience® plans to welcome customers on February 11 and 12. It is billed as “the only commercial opportunity on earth for individuals to experience true ‘weightlessness’ without going to space.” A modified Boeing 727-200, known as G-FORCE ONE, creates weightlessness with hydraulic pressure changes that send participants floating in a padded area. A flight lasts five hours and costs $8,200. (Los Cerritos News, GoZeroG)
3. On Monday, Partake Long Beach hosted an open house at 456 Elm Avenue at 5th Street. The event was open to “chefs, caterers, food artisans, and those who aspire to be.” The Partake Collection is a ghost kitchen that allows newcomers to the market to rent a space for a day or so. Partake is now an alternative to the Daisy Diner and the venue at 4712 East 7th Street. (LongBeachIze)
4. We learned Monday that Volta on Pine (635 Pine Avenue) has changed hands. The downtown complex features 271 apartment units and ground-floor retail space. Holland Partner Group and NASH sold the parcel to Gelt for $156 million. (GlobeSt)
5. The Literary Women Festival of Authors conference is planned for March 19 at the Long Beach Convention Center. So far, seven new authors are confirmed. “The conference will be celebrating its 40th year in Long Beach since its inception in 1982 by Harriet Williams and Virginia Laddey.” (TheHilLo)

Last week, we told you about our new favorite non-alcoholic go-to — the refreshingly bitter drinks from our partners at Betera. They’re chef-created from natural botanicals, lightly effervescent and worthy of life beyond “Dry January.” We mentioned that their Ginger-Orange was excellent; we’ve since tried Elderflower-Lime and loved it as well — light and floral with the perfect amount of zing. We're converts.

Enough of you took Betera up on their 15% discount on first orders for Patch Daily readers that they’ve extended the offer for another week. Use PATCH15 at checkout. Highly recommended — try Betera here.

Today in Long Beach:

• Free Grab 'N' Go Lunches For K-12 Students at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship (2:15 PM to 5 PM)
• The Resume Makeover Masterclass (online) (3 PM)
• Creating Your First App Using UI/UX FREE Workshop by CSULB Digital Skills Bootcamps (online) (3:30 PM)
• Sunset Date Night by Wine with an Ocean View at the Long Beach Shoreline Marina (4 PM)
• Reverse Autoimmunity In 4 Simple Steps by the Sklar Center for Restorative Medicine (online) (6 PM)

From my notebook:

• Our North Long Beach neighbor lost their dog. Did you see it? (Nextdoor)
• An eagle-eyed Central Wrigley neighbor found a driver's license for a gentleman named Nicholas on Maine Ave near Bennett in Wrigley. Is it yours? (Nextdoor)
• An Alamitos Beach neighbor is looking for low-income places to get cheaper flea meds for a dog, or even for free? (Nextdoor)
• Our Historic Zaferia Village-NW neighbor has seen a cat around that might have gotten lost. It has a collar and a unique fur pattern. Is it yours? (Nextdoor)
• An El Dorado Park Estates neighbor is looking for any rustic or vintage wedding decor that has been used. Signs, window panes, small crates for centerpieces, ... (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday! See you all tomorrow morning for your next 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.