BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
About 800 pupils that attend Long Beach schools got free backpacks and school supplies last week and Monday. The giveaways were part of the Fluor Corporation’s “Global Building Futures Project,” which has provided assistance to students of low-income families in nations all over the world for the past eight years. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Community · Education
BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
For more than a year now, the mortgage meltdown, and the high cost of fuel and food have been hitting the retail industry like a gang of highway robbers. As the nation’s economic woes continue to erode the disposable income of many Americans, restaurateurs and store owners look hopefully to anything that might bring more customers their way.
Several Bixby Knolls businesses closed their doors during the last 12 months and several more are still struggling to survive, but recently several events took place that could result in more people spending money in the area. [Read more →]
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BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
After seven months of being closed, one of the main gateways to Bixby Knolls is back in operation. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reopened the northbound San Diego Freeway Atlantic Avenue offramp last week.
“We opened it at 9:50 a.m. last Wednesday (Aug. 27),” said Maria Raptis, Caltrans spokesperson. “The slope stabilization process took longer than was originally envisioned, but we are confident that there will be no more mudflows on that ramp.” The agency originally predicted the ramp would reopen in April or May, but the slope stabilization process was delayed for more than one reason. [Read more →]
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→ No CommentsTags: Around Town
In the August 19 issue of the Signal Tribune, we asked readers what they knew about the picture above. Long Beach resident Dorlyne Genrich wrote in, saying:
My friend Russ Hunt contacted me in regard to your interest in the famous Long Beach Model-T sponsored Shell Hill Climb. We have identified several in the picture. As chairman for several years, I am acquainted with much of the event. An avid Long Beach history student, Mr. Dennis Morowski has produced over a dozen important video presentations and one of them is just on the Hill Climb. I have a CD of it as it is on loan from a member for my use. It would also be a good program for any Signal Hill group. There is a wealth of presentations about our hill climb via the Long Beach Model-T Club.
→ No CommentsTags: Reminiscing Revealed
Bonnie Lowenthal will launch the final stage of her quest for the 54th Assembly District seat with an open house celebration at her campaign headquarters on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The public is invited to come meet the candidate, explore volunteering opportunities and enjoy light refreshments. The campaign office is located at 2115 Bellflower Blvd. in Long Beach. [Read more →]
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BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
The world has changed a lot since 1908, but it all happened so gradually that Trease Booth took it all in stride. The North Long Beach resident was born September 9, one hundred years ago in Salem, West Virginia. “We didn’t have a car when I was a little girl,” she said. “We walked everywhere we went, so I guess you could say life moved at a slower pace.” [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Community · Health
Submitted by Marjorie Grommé
In the August 14 issue of the Signal Tribune Kelly Nielsen wrote of “Love, Duty, and Compassion.” He wrote of the roller coaster of emotions that goes with the job he has undertaken as caregiver for his aging father.
In my younger days I worked for L.A. County in Long Beach. For some nine years I worked with elderly persons who, for one reason or another, ended up badly in need of financial assistance and medical care. In the main part these were not irresponsible people, they were hard working and respected in their communities. Having to ask for help was the most embarrassing thing that could have ever happened to them. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Commentary
By Carol Berg Sloan
Registered Dietitian
To eat healthier, you have to start at the very beginning– a healthy kitchen cupboard. We recently did a walk-through of our kitchen stock for a couple of reasons: 1) to get rid of stuff that had been in the cupboard way too long and 2) to be more mindful shoppers with the recent increases in grocery prices. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Health · Nutrition Nuggets
Onisko & Scholz, LLP Certified Public Accountants, 5000 E. Spring Street, Ste. 200, in Long Beach was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in L.A. for 2008 by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This countywide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Los Angeles County, benefiting the region’s economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Places to Work in LA list is made up of 70 companies split into three groups: five small-sized companies (15-24 employees), 50 medium-sized companies (25-249 employees) and 15 large-sized companies (250 or more employees). Onisko & Scholz, LLP Certified Public Accountants has been named in the small-sized company category. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Business · Finance
Poets, young punks, photographers, painters, politicos, guitars, B-boys, Django Reinhardt, and a new art gallery make up the September 5 First Fridays event in Bixby Knolls. Mike the Poet also returns this month to make a guest appearance on the Gabelich Trolley, reciting his beat poetry for guests riding up and down Atlantic Avenue. Guests can pick up the trolley at designated stops at the participating venues. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Art · Community · Entertainment
By Rae Gabelich, Long Beach 8th District Council Member
Recently I took my son to see Wicked at the beautiful Pantages Theatre located on the famous corner of Hollywood and Vine. One of the lines in the play that caught my attention was when the Good Witch Glinda said: “ I am a public official. It is my duty to speak with encouragement.”
Well, as your public official, encouragement is good, but I feel my responsibility is to relay the reality of city hall finances as I understand it. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Communique From Rae
The Lafayette Historical Preservation Group will present “Starlight Rendezvous”- an evening of artistic, architectural, musical and culinary enchantment on Friday, September 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lafayette Building in Long Beach. The evening will culminate with an outdoor concert by Broadway singer Yoly Tolentino on the Starlight Patio. Proceeds from the event will benefit the restoration of vintage tile murals original to the rooftop patio. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Community · Entertainment
By Athena Mekis
Contributing Writer
The Gaslamp Restaurant and Bar entertains family and friends with a load of activities every day of the week. The owners Alicia Shelton and Jennifer McDonald are continually changing people’s opinion of The Gaslamp.
The previous owners had received complaints because of their customers’ boisterous behavior, but Shelton and McDonald fashion each event respectfully. “I want people to keep an open mind and come experience for themselves,” Shelton said. Stained wood, stucco walls and dim chandeliers give it a European elegance. The décor is sophisticated and formal yet comfortable and friendly. [Read more →]
→ 1 CommentTags: Entertainment
William G. “Bill” Keichline has been chosen as the Elk of the Month for July for the Bellflower/Long Beach Lodge #888.
He joined the Bellflower Lodge No. 2003 on March 26, 1997, where he supervised retro fitting. He served on breakfast committee there for six years, was a trustee for five years, and was chairman for redevelopment of Elks property and served on the merging committee for Bellflower and Long Beach Lodge in 2005-2006. He has been chairman of the fireworks stand for several years and works all four days putting in many hours and works very hard at it, earning more than $1,000 more than last year.
He’s also been a member of the house committee for the past three years.
→ No CommentsTags: Community · News
Orange County Children’s Theatre (OCCT) is presenting its production of Once on This Island, with wall-to-wall dancing, movement and mime. From the first number, titled “We Dance,” the audience is drawn into the evening’s once-upon-a-time storytelling style and Caribbean island atmosphere.
Directed and choreographed by Edward Bangasser, with assistant choreographer Jene’a DeCastro, and vocal direction by Mary DiCamillo, the show will be performed at Stanton Civic Center, 7800 Katella Avenue in Stanton through Sept. 7. Tickets for all shows are $10 online, $12 at the door. All tickets can be purchased online at www.occt.org. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Entertainment
BY CORY BILICKO
Managing Copy Editor
When, 14 years ago, Max Fraley, the director of Adult Education for the Long Beach Unified School District, hired former actor and stunt man Ray Sharp to teach a film analysis class for the district’s School for Adults, he may not have realized he would soon be fulfilling a lifelong ambition. After word got out about the superb projection system and a film series through which people could see classic movies on a big screen with other film enthusiasts, the class quickly gained distinction as a revival house with consistently satisfying programs. “One thing led to another and a longtime dream of mine of having a film forum or society seemed possible with a partner like [Sharp] to lead the program,” he said. “I obtained a license to show the films on the school site. We planned our first series of films to test the waters and relied on word of mouth and free publicity to bring in our patrons.” [Read more →]
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BY VICKI PARIS GOODMAN
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Wasn’t there an old song about a Frankie and Johnny who were lovers? And in that song didn’t Frankie murder Johnny for his infidelity? I figured Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune would at least loosely follow the song’s tragic tale of jealousy and love gone wrong. But instead it takes a much different turn, one far less physically destructive but arguably just as riveting.
Veteran playwright Terrence McNally does draw on the “legendary” couple of song to the extent that his two characters are modern-day losers– Frankie, a diner waitress, and Johnny, a short-order cook at the same diner. Frankie’s dreams of love and success have been all but shelved, relegated to distant memory and a faint cynicism. Johnny, on the other hand, possesses only the reasonable desires of an ordinary man, but they continue to escape his grasp. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Entertainment · Vicki's View
By Rachael Rifkin
Memoirist
In California Heights, there is a women’s group that has been active for more than 60 years, with members from all age groups and all walks of life. But you won’t find this club advertised in any local newsletter or posted on any bulletin board. In fact, originally you couldn’t even belong to the Neighborhood Group unless you owned a home in the Jotham Place cul-de-sac, or “the circle” as locals call it.
During WWII, the women of Jotham Place began meeting to wrap bandages for the soldiers. Jotham Place was still new then; the first homes in the circle were built in 1939, with most of the other homes following within the next few years. The women enjoyed their get-togethers so much that they continued to meet even after the war was over. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Community · Reminiscing with Rachael
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) welcomed its newest dean to the fold on Monday, Aug. 18, as Jeet Joshee began his tenure as dean for University College and Extension Services (UCES).
Joshee comes to CSULB from Cal State San Bernardino (CSUSB), where for the last three years he served as dean of the College of Extended Learning and professor of education. During that time he expanded the college’s presence locally and internationally, establishing the American Culture and Language Program Center in Seoul, South Korea, the first overseas center of its kind for CSUSB. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Education · News
On Friday, August 29, 2008, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Long Beach lifeguards rescued a female swimmer who was in distress in the ocean water in the area of 56th Place and Ocean Boulevard. The female was in full arrest and the lifeguards performed CPR. She was transported to a local hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Police have been unable to identify the swimmer. She had no identification and no one was at the beach location with her.
The female is described as an adult in her mid to late 20’s, 5’4”-5’6” tall, 130-150 pounds, with shoulder-length hair that has brown roots and has a reddish tint color. She appears to possibly be of Filipino or Hispanic descent and was wearing a one-piece magenta bathing suit. She also has a religious necklace on that is made of black fabric that reads “Our Lady of Mt. Carmel” and “Our Lady Scapular Promise.” She has a birthmark on the outside of her left knee.
If anyone has information about the identity of the female swimmer, please call the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 435-6711.
→ No CommentsTags: Community · News
The Long Beach Sierra Club and the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust are sponsoring a free, guided tour through the Los Cerritos Wetlands on Saturday, Sept. 6 with naturalist Erik Zahn.
Zahn, a graduate of the biology program at California State University Long Beach, did his field work research on the wetlands and knows every part of this once extensive natural habitat. [Read more →]
→ No CommentsTags: Community · Thinking Green
BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
On land, Ron Harvey and Angela Madsen use wheelchairs to get from place to place. But put either one of them in a rowboat and the next thing you know, they’re on the other side of the bay.
Harvey and Madsen are paraplegics. They are also world-class rowers who have won medals in the World Championship rowing competitions in different countries every year. More recently, Harvey and Madsen were selected to represent the United States in the international Summer Paralympics, which take place in Beijing, China in less than two weeks.
The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with physical, mental and sensorial disabilities. The games are held every four years, right after the Olympic Games and are governed by the International Paralympic Committee. [Read more →]
→ 1 CommentTags: Sports
