Feb. 11: Lincoln's Birthday, New Patch Features, Homes Sold

It's the dead of winter and traffic on Long Beach's streets is certainly much lighter now than during the summer months, but the traffic on your local Patch is getting heavier with stories, informational posts and readers' comments. So here's what to keep an eye out for on this site and in the city this Friday:

1. President Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday is observed today. That means City Hall and the Magnolia Senior Center are closed and the city’s bus system switches to a holiday schedule. The Recreation Center remains open.

2. Return later today for a feature story on Lincoln and how some people remember our 16^th President and teach his history in Long Beach schools.

3. Patch is abuzz rolling out a host of new features: Get Out is a guide on local things to do each weekend; Moms Talk Q&A and our Moms Council address your parenting questions, including how you can help your child deal with bullies; Patch Picks highlights our choices on a variety of themed activities, as well as the most romantic local restaurants to celebrate Valentine’s Day; Frugal Family tips you off about some great savings around town; and Great Escape suggests places parents can go for some kids-free down time. Look out for some more new features today.

4. One of our new Friday features is Sold!, a column that lets you know about homes that recently came off the market in Long Beach or neighboring towns.

5. Why not catch a new movie today? Long Beach Cinema will show two new movies this Friday (listed first): Black Swan (R) (12:30 , 3, 5:15, 8), Just Go With It (PG-13) 12:10, 2:45, 5:45, 8:45), The King’s Speech (R) (12, 2:30, 5:30, 8:15), The Roommate (PG-13) 12:20, 3:15 , 6,  8:30).