Long Beach Sea Festival begins JUNE 1st!!!

It all begins @ the Marina Park Green on June 1st from 1-7.

Tons of family fun things to do there - including a showing of FINDING NEMO outdoors!!! This tradition has been going on for a very long time. Lots of food trucks will be there too.

Get ready - the 3 month long schedule of events is about to kick off!!!

LB Airport - Cheapest in CALIF!!!

Congratulations to the LB Airport. It's been designated the lowest priced airport to fly out of in California AND - #2 in the NATION in that category!!!

Long Beach Airport has recently added two new terminals, a garden and concession, and restaurant space, and the result is a resort-like atmosphere.

"Even with the recent upgrades to the airport's new passenger concourse, LGB has been able to retain its reputation of affordable and comfortable travel because our goal was to create a travel experience that we can all enjoy," Airport Director Mario Rodriguez said. "It is possible to create incredible quality of service without overpricing the customer."

Courtesy of Elongbeach.

New OUTLET Mall...WHAT???

You heard right...and if you know me, you know i'm loving this. Plans have been revealed to turn the Pike @ Rainbow Harbor into an Outlet Mall. ABOUT TIME!!!  The first store to open appears to be Restoration Hardware in the former V20 location. More are scheduled to open by the end of the year. See ya there!

New Park Dedication

Hey everyone -

If you are around the LB area tomorrow morning @ 11am - stop by the dedication ceremony for the Newly Opened:  Harvey Milk Promenade Park and dedication of Equality Plaza, at 3rd Street and The Promenade. Mayor Foster and Vice Mayor Robert Garcia will be on hand. 

"The Harvey Milk Promenade Park is an example of how a small, well designed open space can transform its surroundings and provide a profound purpose, " said Mayor Bob Foster.  "The park also serves as a place where visitors can learn about Harvey Milk and our very own Long Beach leaders who battled incredible odds for the rights of the LGBT community."

Courtesy of the e-notify Longbeach

National Bike Month in Long Beach!!!

Hey y'all - (like my accent?)

MANY activities are planned for the city to celebrate a healthy lifestyle.

THIS WEEK is Bike to Work Week. Do you live close enough to partake??? I wonder what I'd look like biking along PCH.

Long Beach is striving to become the most bike friendly city in America. LB has added more than 30 miles of bicycle infrastructure since 2009.

Financial Analyst position

Are you a Financial Analyst? Do you know one?

The City of Long Beach is currently accepting applications for a Port Financial Analyst. Go to the city's website for further info:

www.longbeach.gov/civilservice

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach - OPEN TO PUBLIC!!!

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is opening up its track to the public on Thursday, April 18, from 2 to 4 pm. The community is invited to walk, bike, roller skate or even push a stroller along the course where the world's best Indy Car drivers scream over 180 mph. No motorized vehicles or animals are allowed.

Time to get some exercise!!!

For the first time since the race began here in 1975, the community is allowed to join the drivers as they themselves get a more intimate understanding of the course. People can travel at their own pace while experiencing up close the tire tracks, sights and all 11 turns of one of the most famous street courses in the world.

"On Thursday, it's the people's track," said Councilmember Suja Lowenthal, who represents the 2nd District. "This 'Grand Prix-View' event is yet another great experience for residents and workers, and helps us showcase our exciting and beautiful Downtown."

The two entrance points for the public to access the track are at:

   Pine Avenue and Seaside Way
   Seaside Way and Linden Avenue.

The event will promote a healthy, active lifestyle, and will travel in the same direction as the 2-mile race. Parking is available at The Pike Parking Structure, 65 S. Cedar Ave.

For more information, call 562.570.3150.

710 Freeway Construction

If you travel on the most southern end of the 710 freeway, be aware that it will be closed on Sunday the 24th for annual construction:

On Sunday, March 24, the southern terminus of the Long Beach (710) Freeway will be closed below Anaheim Street from 5 am until 1 pm so crews can complete street maintenance during an annual maintenance project.

Signs will inform motorists of detours, as the following ramps will be closed:

    Southbound 710 Downtown off-ramps that access 6th Street, Broadway and Golden Avenue exits

    Northbound 710 on-ramps from Shoreline Drive, Ocean Boulevard, 3rd Street and 7th Street

Harbor Scenic Drive will not be affected by this closure. 

Info via: eLongBeach

Atherton Improvements

A 1.5 mile section of Atherton between Bellflower and Studebaker is being improved with center island medians, curbs and gutters.

Did you know that 37,000 pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users travel along this street daily. It will be a great improvement  for the corridor. Most of the project is funded by a $703,000 grant from the MTA.

Chittick Field Improvements

Release information this weeks - Occidental Petroleum Corporation had donated $1m dollars to help fund improvements to Chittick Field. If you don't know where that's at, it's that sunken 19 acre site near PCH and Walnut. It was developed over 60 years ago with Baseball and Soccer fields, but has fallen into disarray, especially when we have wet weather.
When the phase of improvements is complete - it will feature 2 youth soccer fields, one adult soccer field, one regulation football field surrounded by a 400 meter all weather track and field.
How exciting!

SCE and Alamitos Ave Utility Underground Project

Southern California Edison (SCE) and other utility companies will soon be 
starting work to underground all overhead utility lines along Alamitos Avenue 
between 7th Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Construction in the public right 
of way will start shortly and last approximately six to eight months. 

"This project will provide several benefits to the community," Mayor Bob Foster 
said. "Placing utility lines underground lowers tree-trimming costs; improves 
reliability from system upgrades during the undergrounding process; lowers the 
number of motor vehicle accidents involving striking utility poles; reduces the 
risk of live-wire contact injuries; and improves aesthetics and property 
values."

There will be a community information session on Thursday, March 28, at 5:00 pm 
at Ernest McBride Park's Cal Rec Community Center, 1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Ave. 

"We are excited to give Alamitos Avenue a facelift with a new street and 
underground utilities," said Vice Mayor Robert Garcia, who represents the 1st 
Council District. "This continues the great work happening around Craftsman 
Village." 

Courtesy of: eLongBeach

Civil Service Jobs in LB

The City of Long Beach Civil Service Department is currently accepting 
applications for the following jobs:

Emergency Medical Educator / CLOSES on 03/29/13
Senior Civil Engineer / CLOSES on 04/05/13

Remember to visit our website for information on additional upcoming jobs and to 
sign up for notifications when specific jobs open. 

Check our the City Website: "http://www.longbeach.gov/civilservice

North LB to get Senior Apartments

Located next to Ramona Park, the 60-unit development will be made affordable to 
low- and very low-income seniors. The project consists of 48 one-bedroom units 
and 12 two-bedroom units and will be constructed to comply with City green 
building standards as well as meet a minimum certifications standard set by LEED 
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an internationally recognized 
green building program. 

"This is the first of many projects to break ground in 2013 as part of the 
'Uptown Renaissance.' Investments like this bring vitality to the neighborhood, 
renew property, and support businesses," said Councilmember Steven Neal, 9th 
District. "I am honored to take part in a project that will not only provide our 
seniors with a place they can afford to thrive and live comfortably, but will 
also contribute to the revitalization of the Artesia corridor."

Ramona Park Senior Apartments is designed to complement Ramona Park.  With a 
warm and contemporary exterior design, the two-story residential development 
will contribute to the neighborhood by offering an aesthetically pleasing design 
and landscaping. Recreation areas will include passive sitting/reading areas, a 
swimming pool, circuit training course around the site, and a clubhouse that 
encompasses a kitchen, library, fitness center, computer room, dining area, 
entertainment area and restrooms. Residents will be provided with services such 
as life-style counseling, social activities, and classes that include computer 
use and personal financial management. 

Info courtesy of: eLongBeach

The Cruz Team has arrived...