Signal Tribune Newspaper » Communique From Rae

Communiqué with Rae

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:30:09 +0000

Councilwoman Gabelich Column

Making a list, checking it twice…the last minute shopping, the wrapping, the menus and, oh yes, the time to reflect on what the season means to me.
Thought I would take a break from all of that to wish each and every one of you a very blessed holiday season. This gives me the time to reflect, so I thank you.

2008 has been an interesting, promising, exciting and challenging year. I think most would agree.
From a city perspective we have experienced numerous changes and challenges since the beginning of 2008. Locally we have witnessed many as well:
We have said good-bye to some of our favorite neighborhood businesses and hello to some new establishments in town. We miss Four Olives, but have you seen the incredible artistic side of Doug Orr at the recent First Friday’s event? We welcome our own Little Italy with the lovely La Vineria Italiana and the romantic ambiance of II Poggio– oh yes, the food is great too! I must also mention Trattoria Limon located on Orange and Wardlow as well. They each represent a different area of Italy in their style and fare.
We have witnessed the physical improvements along our Atlantic Avenue corridor, with newly painted lampposts– thank you Redevelopment Board, the City of Long Beach and City Light & Power. Also, the two new crosslights that improve safe crossing in our community and encourage more pedestrian activity, which in turn supports our local businesses.
Our own Boy Scouts project led by Eagle Scout Tyler Anderson has improved our Carson Avenue corridor by creating a passive parkway next to the Panda Garden restaurant. This project took many man-hours from conception to creation and we thank all of the scouts and their leaders who took part in providing us with this Bixby Knolls addition.
Blair Cohn, executive director of our Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, has brought many of us out into the night (and the early morning, if you happen to be a Stroller) for Community Happy Hours and special events held at the Petroleum Club and the Literary Society Book Club. All with great success! We had out 1st Annual Tree and Menorah Lighting evening that tied in with another successful First Friday’s event.
We do have much to be grateful for in this wonderful community. Of course, there is always more to do. And we will face those opportunities when we enter 2009.
Our city will continue to tighten its financial belt. We have no choice. The downturn our country is experiencing, is having a serious impact on Long Beach as well.
There will be program cuts that will affect each one of us– from streets and sidewalks to recreational opportunities. What I will commit to you, as your representative, is my strong support for adequate public safety needs. We will cross that bridge in the very near future as we begin to identify how to balance the city’s budget. Please let your voice be heard. What is important to you as a resident of Long Beach?
In the closing of 2008, I want to thank you again for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your representative for the next four years. We may not always share the same vision, speak the same language or function at the same speed, but good things will continue to emerge here in Long Beach when we all come together.
If your New Year’s resolutions include volunteering in your community, please contact me at (562) 570-6685 to get ideas on how you can be involved. If you have a son or daughter who would like to join our 8th district youth group and earn community service hours, please have them contact Veronica Servin at (562) 570-1326.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a blessed 2009! Stay involved!

Communique from Rae

admin — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:26:25 +0000

by 8th District Councilmember Rae Gabelich

Thanksgiving 2008!! How is this possible? It seems as if we were just gathering for the 4th of July events and yet here we are in the midst of the holiday season.
Okay, let me try to stay in the moment and not rush onto next month without reflecting on what I/we have to be thankful for.

I believe what is always at the top of our “thankful” list are those families we are born into and those we acquire through life. They give us our purpose, our strength, our focus, our grace, and, of course, our sense of belonging.
Our family cores then grow out into our neighborhoods– our churches, temples, schools, athletic gatherings, volunteer opportunities, and workplaces where we bond with other like-minded people who join our bigger family.
Here in the heart of the 8th district, we are blessed with many opportunities for involvement. I encourage you to connect with our larger community family in a variety of ways.
Through your support of our local restaurants and coffee houses, both new and established. Give yourself the gift of a friendly “family” visit over a cup of your favorite coffee, a bowl of soup, a glass of wine or an easy meal.
Or is it time for the family to enjoy a theatre experience together? We have our own Richard Goad Shakespeare Theatre that is indeed one of our hidden treasures. The newest addition at Nino’s is the Mystery Dinner Theatre events, and don’t forget Elise’s Tea House that serves a theatre experience as well.
If you are feeling the need to “Pay It Forward,” you can join one of the BKBIA committees that meet monthly to improve our community. You can contact The Guidance Center, Rancho Los Cerritos, Food Finders or one of our local schools to volunteer in a worthwhile capacity, to change a life and help to grow our community family. There are still a number of 8th district commission appointments that are in need of your visionary skills. All it takes is a phone call to make the connection.
Maybe you’re in need of some personal alone time. A visit to our Long Beach Historical Society is always of interest. While you’re there you may find a photograph of old Long Beach that a “family” member might enjoy.
A leisurely trip to Sweet Treasures Home or L’Exotique Appeal & Gifts allows for the mind to wander to simpler times for sure.
This time of change that we find our country experiencing is uncharted territory for sure, but by focusing on the good, envisioning the outcome and remembering all that we do have to be thankful for, we can realize a positive, productive future.
I personally am thankful for the unlimited opportunities available to each one of us here in Long Beach. Even those that appear to be somewhat challenging!
As we move closer to the Christmas season, please do include a visit to our local merchants for those special items on your list that may include a gift of health through yoga classes, a spa visit, manicure/pedicure or consider an investment in your family history with a family portrait, music lessons, a new puppy or the camera to capture the moments.
Don’t forget the gift of flowers is always appreciated! When I visit McCoy’s Flowers, I always seem to find a special one-of-a-kind treasure that is just perfect in addition to the fantastic arrangements. I might add that the gift cards to Trader Joe’s always seem to be appreciated.
Yes, I am trying to persuade you to support your local merchants who must realize a balanced budget every month if they want to stay in business. I am grateful that they choose to call Bixby Knolls their home. I am confident that with our thoughtful support our retail opportunities will multiply.
Friday, December 5 is our last First Fridays of the year. A holiday celebration is being planned for all to enjoy.
Our 1st Bixby Knolls Christmas tree and Menorah lighting ceremony will take place in front of Nino’s at 7 pm with carolers and much holiday cheer. This month we are introducing the double-decker Red Bus, also decorated in the holiday spirit for all to enjoy, compliments of FreeSpirit Yoga and your 8th district council office.
Join in the Community Holiday Spirit!! Bring your family and friends to begin your holiday journey.

Happy Everything! Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:04:42 +0000

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.
We are all well aware of the dilemma that we face with our city budget next year. Over $16 million in cuts will be necessary for 2009. We already know that between 2010 and 2011, we will face an additional $21 million deficit.
How did we weave this financial web? Well, it’s clear that the latest contract approvals play a significant role in the debt; however, the City of Long Beach has been making annual budget cuts for over the past five years. It started with the easier levels of service, the areas that are not visible to many citizens.
For instance, adjustments were made to the basic levels of service that were contracted out for landscape maintenance, the reduction of fleet operations, the reduction in tree trimming schedules and the list goes on.
This year, the “low hanging fruit” is limited! We are confronted with choosing between programs that provide structure and support for our youth who are the most in need, to the threat of closing our main library that serves thousands of citizens every year. These are the most publicly discussed budget cuts, but there are many more necessary to achieve a balanced budget for 2009.
The legislative department was asked to join in the effort to realize cost savings as well. For those of you who are following our progress, you know it has not been easy for the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th districts to reach the goal of a 10 percent reduction. The other council offices and the mayor’s office were able to quickly reach their goal because they all had vacant positions within their budgets.
Speaking for the 8th district, we do not have the benefit of unaccounted revenue or a vacant position. We also have the additional costs related to funding a field office so that our residents may have easier access to their city office.
I have a staff of four who serve our district’s needs. Our talented office manager Rose, who handles all of the scheduling needs, mailings, event coordination and city hall constituent calls. Linda and Veronica, who both serve you from the field office on Atlantic Avenue. In addition to constituent needs, they each have their areas of expertise.
Veronica takes responsibility for organizing and leading the monthly clean ups that we make available to neighborhoods on request. She has been instrumental in working with the 38 new Neighborhood Watch groups that we have started since 2004 for a total today of 58 in the 8th district. This is a proven program to defeat criminal behavior and strengthen the sense of community within our neighborhoods. She also leads the 8th district youth group and helps them initiate projects to improve quality of life within the 8th, while allowing them to work on their leadership skills within the community.
Linda is our liaison with many community groups such as North Project Area Committee, North Long Beach Community Action Group, the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, NorthPointe Housing Development and a number of our neighborhood groups. She attends many of the events citywide to represent the 8th district when I am not able to do so, as well as attending monthly city commission meetings to keep us on top of projects that are under development or consideration. And last but certainly not least is Jonathan, who serves as my chief of staff and is the wizard with the ways of government- local, state and federal- keeping me informed and on track while managing the dozens of projects that we commit to throughout the year.
This is the last month that we will have an intern in a paid position, since those funds had to be eliminated as well. And that pay was more of a stipend than a salary. Her work, on the other hand, was impeccable- she was dependable, energetic and responsible. Maili started with us when she was a junior in high school and returned to us during her college summer and holiday breaks and could pick up where she left off. She will be missed dearly!
Each staff person provides invaluable service to our district. Each person gives their 110 percent to improving the quality of life for our 56,000 residents and have earned the level of salaries they receive. I do not doubt that in the private sector, they would be able to demand significant income increases with less demands on their time.
For myself, as your council member, I receive an annual salary of $35,000 that translates into $1800 take home each month. These jobs are not about obtaining wealth; they are about being a part of creating change, improving life within our City of Long Beach.
If anyone is interested in seeing our line-item budget, please contact my office and we will make that available to you. In the meantime, I will work with my colleagues and attempt to build a better understanding about the differences among the council districts, having nothing to do with the individual council members!
Please join us in the process. Let your positions be known without casting blame. Be a part of the solution, not the catalyst for more problems.
Stay Involved! Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:31:11 +0000

All aboard!!
As First Fridays continues to grow, the opportunity to visit all of the venues is challenging. I tried myself in June, along with the LBTV Channel 8 Heart of the City team, and realized that walking shoes and an early start were necessary.
While I was enjoying a weekday lunch with my dear friend John Morris at Smooth’s, I watched the George’s Greek Cafe trolley go past and knew this was the answer. I phoned Jimmy, the owner of George’s, to discuss the possibility of a First Fridays Trolley and, without hesitation, he agreed. Perhaps that’s because he is about to say “I do,” “I will” and “Yes, dear” as he commits to his marriage with a wonderful woman! Or just because he cares about the successes in all of Long Beach.
I am pleased to sponsor the next four months of the First Fridays Trolley. This will be funded by my Eighth District Office Holder account, which comes from private contributions. During these days of significant potential service and program cuts in the City, I want to make clear that this sponsorship will not be coming from taxpayer funds.
If the trolley proves to be a successful addition to First Fridays, then we will be recruiting monthly sponsorships from local businesses and/or residents themselves. If this is of interest to you, please call my City Hall office at (562) 570-6685 for additional information.
I want to publicly welcome our two newest restaurants, Il Poggio and La Vineria Italiana to our Bixby Knolls neighborhood. I think we are becoming Long Beach’s Little Italy! Each one of our Italian restaurants provides a different regional cuisine, which allows for unlimited quality dining for everyone. Please remember the importance of supporting all of our restaurants large, small, new or older. As they succeed, additional retail seems to follow.
Hope to see you on Atlantic Avenue between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. this Friday!
On to the City side of life in Long Beach. The following commissions and committees have 8th District vacancies that are waiting patiently to be filled: Public Safety Advisory Commission; Homeless Services Advisory Commission; Senior Citizen Advisory Commission; and the Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee.
To be the voice representing your own community is very important and rewarding. If any of these openings sound interesting to you, please submit your application, which can be found online at www.longbeach.gov. You can also find detailed information on the responsibilities and time commitments for each commission and committee.
Housekeeping continues along our Atlantic Avenue corridor. Thanks to the efforts of Craig Beck of Development Services and the Redevelopment Agency, Mike Conway of Public Works and City Light and Power, the street light poles are being repainted.
The Atlantic Avenue repaving will begin soon, followed by engaging the new traffic signals at Marshall and Cartagena. All are part of the revitalizing efforts for Bixby Knolls.
Mark your calendar for Friday, August 8, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., for a special night at the Long Beach Petroleum Club. The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association has partnered with the Petroleum Club and The District Weekly to create “A Midsummer Night’s Swing.” The Petroleum Club is opening its doors to the community for a fun evening for people to meet and greet. It’s another great opportunity for BIA members and residents to get to know each other in the Knolls.
Come hang out in the retro bar, card room, and the famous Red Room as a “date night” for couples or enjoy a drink while listening to Frank, Sammy, Dean, The Velvet Fog, and other greats.
The lights will be low, the Rat Pack music will be turned up, Ocean’s Eleven will be shown on the flat screens (as well as The Olympics opening ceremonies), and there will even be poolside bar and food service. The Petroleum Club is located at 3636 Linden Avenue.
Lots of energy in our part of this great city called Long Beach!

Ciao.
Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:58:03 +0000

For those of you who missed the final Champ Car race here in Long Beach, it was a great send-off to an organization that worked hard to bring honor, respect and fans to the sport of open wheel racing.
Kevin Kalkhoven, the owner of Champ Car and the KV Racing teams (who, by the way came in first place with driver Will Power and yes, I was told that is his given name) is a gentleman beyond words. A savvy businessman who recognized that in order to save open wheel racing in our country a compromise would have to be reached with IRL (Indy Racing League). After lengthy negotiations, an agreement was reached and now our Long Beach Grand Prix fate rests in the hands of Tony George and the IRL organization. If Mr. George proves to be even half as dedicated to the sport, Long Beach should be in for another long run of successful street racing when we celebrate the 35th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in April 2009.
I have great admiration for Mr. Kalkhoven, who has proven to follow through on his commitments and is able to speak his truth, even when not politically correct. A man after my own heart! Thank you, Kevin!
Next in line for our community are the Earth Day celebrations. On Saturday, April 26, we begin with a Bixby Knolls tree-planting coordinated by the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association with Leadership Long Beach and the Long Beach Department of Public Works. For those of you who want to participate so that you can one day point out to your children and grandchildren how you worked to improve your community, please join us at It’s A Grind at 4245 Atlantic Avenue for coffee and nourishment at 8:30 a.m. and begin the tree planting at 9:00 a.m.
Following the BIA event, we invite you to come over to 51st Street and DeForest Avenue, just behind Perry Lindsey Academy, (formerly known as Sutter Academy) and join us at the Harbor Arbor Day from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for more tree planting and the creation of a greenbelt and walking path for all to enjoy. There will be food and entertainment along with the planting event, so bring the whole family.
Our Port of Long Beach is reaching out to communities to find ways to improve our air quality and quality of life. It is a new day, to finally see not only our port neighbors, but our country, move towards the necessary changes that will begin to improve our environment. Recognizing that, without change, the negative impacts will fall upon our children and their children.
So, we can plainly see, whether it’s getting into the habit of bringing our own “in the now” shopping bags to the supermarket, redoubling our recycling efforts, conserving water, or planting a tree- we all have a part we can play in making our world, here in the City of Long Beach, a better-balanced place to be.
Every day, there is a way for each of us to make a difference. What will you do today?
Our very own North Long Beach Community Action Group, commonly known as CAG, has been nominated for Neighborhoods, USA’s “Neighborhood of The Year” Award. They are one of six nationwide finalists and are being considered within the Social Revitalization- Single Neighborhood Category for their North Long Beach History Project. I am very proud to add that Linda Ivers, your 8th District field representative and also an 8th district resident, worked on this project and will attend the finals in Hampton, Virginia on May 22.
Last year, the Neighbors of Rancho Los Cerritos was a Neighborhoods, USA finalist, so it is indeed an honor to have an 8th district organization recognized two years in a row.
Coming up in June, we are planning a “Shred Fest” to allow our 8th district residents an opportunity to clean out those no-longer-needed files, outdated tax papers and other miscellaneous documents that need to be shredded. Start your part today, and in next month’s column we will provide the details and location.

Stay Involved! – Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:09:05 +0000

By Rae Gabelich,
Long Beach 8th District Council Member

Well, spring is definitely in the air! The weather has been fantastic, the flowers around town are beautiful and people are out riding bikes and walking once again.
I personally have been making the attempt at “spring cleaning” before I allow myself to enter the garden. This is my favorite time of year and I do love the opportunity to be creative in my yard.
For those of you who are also nature lovers, tree huggers or our garden-variety volunteers, join us on Saturday, April 26 as we celebrate Arbor Day in two District 8 locations.
The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association has orchestrated a partnership with Leadership Long Beach and the Long Beach Public Works Department to plant 49 trees along the Atlantic Avenue corridor between Carson Street and Burlinghall Drive.
My BIA connection, (a.k.a. Blair Cohn, executive director of the BIA) has shared with me that the trees are identified as Tabebuia, better known as Trumpet Trees. They have beautiful flowers from early spring through mid-summer.
So, throw on your favorite gardening clothes (gloves will be provided) and bring your family, friends and neighbors. Meet at It’s A Grind Coffee House at 4245 Atlantic Avenue for a continental breakfast provided by It’s A Grind and your 8th District council office. Coffee and pastries will be ready at 8:30 a.m. The planting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon.
For those who ache to spend more time celebrating Arbor Day, please join us from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 51st Street and De Forest Avenue where the Port of Long Beach is sponsoring a fantastic greenbelt beautification project located just behind Perry Lindsey Academy (the former Sutter School on Del Amo Boulevard). There will be live entertainment, free food and plenty of activities for the children.
I want to publicly thank the Port of Long Beach for their commitment to work to improve the quality of life for our neighborhoods. Their leadership in reducing the carbon footprint associated with port business is spreading to several of their tenants and clients as well. These efforts, in time, will have a positive impact on our environment and the health of our families.
More good news!! Work should be starting soon on the installation of new traffic signals on Atlantic Avenue at both Marshall Place and Cartagena Street, with completion expected by early summer. This is part of the ongoing effort, with the help of city staff, residents and business owners, to calm the traffic on Atlantic and make our main retail corridor more pedestrian friendly. More opportunities to walk and shop in Bixby Knolls!
This will be followed with repaving of Atlantic between Bixby and San Antonio this year and hopefully Wardlow Road to Bixby in 2009. We all know that all it takes is money!
Speaking of money, the new branch of Washington Mutual is now open for business. It is located next door to KFC in the Bixby Knolls Shopping Center. You can use the front access door on Atlantic for the ATM and use the rear parking lot to enter the main bank offices. I was told that the interesting entry is a new concept, designed for a more customer-friendly environment once inside the bank.
We all know how dangerous the traffic back-ups can be at the Roosevelt location, so I encourage you to give this new branch a try and spread the word.
And in closing, I hope to see you all at First Fridays tomorrow night on Atlantic Avenue. It is a great opportunity to socialize, enjoy the arts and support our local businesses.
Denise Anya and her band will bring classic vocal jazz to Nino’s. The Long Beach Historical Society is still displaying the Smithsonian Institute’s exhibit entitled “The Way We Worked” and Four Olives will be serving great food and sharing mood-altering jazz and art for your enjoyment.
These and other First Friday event locations can be viewed at www.firstfridayslongbeach.com
So, lots to do here in Bixby Knolls. For those of us who are looking for the balance in life, our community is a good place to focus.
Stay Involved!
Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:09:36 +0000

By Rae Gabelich, Long Beach 8th District Council Member
I’ve spent the better part of this rainy day doing a bit of early spring cleaning that led me to enjoying numerous photo albums that highlighted my entire life.
From the carefree days of childhood surrounded by loving family, for which I am so grateful, to my transition into the creation of my own family and our journey over the past two decades. Amazing how fast life does go by!
Each day we create new memories with friends, family and experiences, which, if captured on film or today’s digital world, will bring us smiles tomorrow.
I want to share with you a number of events that could be the background for creating those magic moments.
Starting March 7, the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit entitled “The Way We Worked” comes to the Long Beach Historical Society located at 4260 Atlantic Avenue.
Through more than 80 riveting photographs from the National Archives, this exhibition portrays our American workforce and the workplace from the mid-1800s through the 1980s. This event is an opportunity to share a piece of history with our children who are inclined to believe that things have always been as they are. The presentation runs through May 17.
I would love to have you join me for a “Tea Party” at Elise’s Tea Room at 3924 Atlantic Avenue on Sunday, Mar. 16 at 2 p.m. This is an opportunity to support the Fairfield Family YMCA’s “Send a Kid to Camp” program with your $100 donation and to enjoy delicious food and great entertainment in the High Tea experience with a friend, sister, mother or daughter.
Thanks to 8th District resident Richard Jacobs, the Private Client Group of Wachovia Securities is underwriting this event, so all proceeds will go directly to the “Send Kids To Camp” program.
Seating is limited, so please call my office at (562) 570-6685 or contact the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association at info@bixbyknollsinfo.com to arrange for tickets.
On Thursday, Mar. 20, please join us for a free evening at the Aquarium of the Pacific from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bring the entire family and friends to share one of Long Beach’s highlights.
And last on the list for the upcoming “Kodak Moments” is our 3rd annual Bixby Knolls Dragster Expo and Car Show, which will be held on Saturday, July 12. This year should be bigger and better than ever with music, food and great nostalgic moments.
We know through the grapevine that there are many one-of-a-kind, restored automobiles parked in the garages located within our neighborhoods. We would like to encourage you to show off your beauties, so without hesitation our car show director, Steve Beatty, has agreed to reduce the entry fee to $15 for early entries if you live within the 90807 and 90805 zip codes.
Who knows? You may win a trophy to place on your mantel, just like the good old days! You can call our office or contact the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association for an entry form.
And finally, not on the Kodak scale, but of utmost importance to support our environmental efforts and clean our garages, on Saturday, Mar. 15, we will be hosting the 2nd annual E-Waste Drive. All electronic items can be dropped off at our north police sub-station from the hours of 9 a.m. to noon.
Councilmember Suja Lowenthal has challenged us to surpass the 2nd District’s collection of over 17 tons of e-waste at their drive this year. I’m counting on each of you to do your part this year and bring the trophy home to the 8th District!
Keep smiling and stay involved!
— Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:14:57 +0000

On my recent vacation to Waikiki Beach, I realized the importance of proper planning and how wise it is to master plan an area for how it will function and look for the next 20 years.
As a flight attendant in my earlier life, I had the privilege of visiting Waikiki on the island of Oahu every week for over 14 years. As a person in my 20s, I enjoyed it, but I’m not so sure I appreciated at the time what it was back then.
Today, Waikiki is saturated with hotels and massive chain stores that seem to have sucked the life out of the charm and aloha spirit of Hawaii. Some see this as progress and good development, without knowing differently– but for those of us who remember the special charm, we wonder what the leadership was thinking.
There is currently a discussion among Hawaii’s leaders about how to attempt to control massive development of over 850 acres on the North Shore of Oahu. They recognize that to succeed they will need more thinking, more discussion and more planning. As a former Hawaii governor stated, “otherwise, we will continue to drift from project to project, and incrementally we will lose what we hold most dear about Hawaii.”
Well, in our little corner of the world known as the 8th District of Long Beach, many of you have shared your concerns about proper planning as we see development moving our way through our redevelopment corridors and adjoining neighborhoods.
These conversations have led us to the creation of the 8th District Vision Coalition to help define the possibilities for our community. We will begin meeting this month. If you can make the time commitment to participate in the development of a specific plan, please contact our office manager, Rose Stevens, at (562) 570-6685.
For those of you who have the interest, but are short on the time, our updated general plan, referred to as the Long Beach 2030 Plan, will be discussed at public meetings throughout the city in the coming months. The city staff will be asking for your input and sharing the outcome of the many community fairs that were held citywide last year.
I’d like to extend a special welcome to our new Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) executive director, Blair Cohn. Blair comes to this position recognizing the importance of bringing the residential and business communities of our area together. It is critical that these two entities support each other to bring continued success to our neighborhoods.
Without consistent support from our residents, the mom-and-pop stores and small businesses that we say we love will continue to diminish.
Join Blair and his new walking group “The Strollers” at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings at the Starbucks at Atlantic and San Antonio to take an hour’s walk through both residential and commercial areas of our Bixby Knolls community. It is a fun way to begin your day, meet new friends and get a real view of what Bixby Knolls has to offer.
In closing, I want to acknowledge the opportunity to serve our district for an additional four years. I look forward to working together with you to improve our quality of life here in the 8th District.
Thank you for your trust and support! Stay Involved!
- Rae

Communiqué from Rae : New Scherer Park Community Center

admin — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:02:26 +0000

By Rae Gabelich, Long Beach 8th District Council Member

Welcome to 2008. I hope that you were blessed with a safe and healthy holiday season filled with family, friendships and lots of love.
For our celebration, nothing seemed to follow my mental plan, but it did all flow perfectly. Perhaps that has something to do with reaching a point in life when it’s easier to recognize what is truly important. I am thankful for that piece of peace.
As for New Year’s resolutions, according to Webster, one definition of a resolution is the act of resolving or determining a course of action.
As your councilmember, I’d like to determine the future course of action for the 8th Council District, with your assistance. In the first quarter, we will be organizing the 8th District Vision Coalition. I believe it is in our best interest to begin with a visual plan that identifies growth and development opportunities within the boundaries of our district.
It is important to recognize that we are a diverse council district. The 8th district begins at Wardlow Road to the south and extends to South Street to the north. It includes the industrial area west of the 710 and crosses to Paramount Boulevard to the east. We are a microcosm of our city, with significant wealth, and yet there are so many families with great challenges and needs. It is about the balance and that is one of my personal goals for 2008—balance.
If you are interested in taking an active role in this group, please contact our office at (562) 570-6685 to add your name to the invitation list. It will be a commitment of time, but, I hope, worth the effort.
For another opportunity to participate in a new vision for Bixby Knolls, attend the meeting to discuss plans for a new Scherer Park Community Center, which will take place at the Fairfield Family YMCA at 4949 Atlantic Avenue on Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
This planning process began a year ago. The reason for the year-long delay was the need to identify the financing for the initial development plans.
This is a very exciting project that will provide our area with a location for Parks & Recreation programs for our children, a senior center, an exercise gym and a community room for private and public events. Included in the design are a dog park and an exercise path that flows throughout Scherer Park.
Mark your calendars and come to share your input to make this a significant addition to the 8th district.
And I will close in thanking the Redevelopment Agency for their financial support in the repaving of Long Beach Boulevard and California Avenue. Without the financing provided by the Redevelopment Agency, we would not see the many improvements along our corridors.
Keep your eyes open in 2008 as we improve our local neighborhoods and as we connect the dots to provide for many lifestyles within the 8th District of Long Beach.

Happy New Year and Stay Involved!
Rae

Communiqué from Rae

admin — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:06:46 +0000

By Rae Gabelich, Long Beach 8th District Council Member

I was thankful to be able to spend this recent Thanksgiving holiday with my family in Palm Desert. Unfortunately, I missed the council meeting where the decision was made to change the allotted time that the public is allowed to address any number of items on the consent calendar.
The action taken by the Council no longer allows an individual to pull items from the consent calendar. If the mayor or a council member does not remove the item from the consent calendar, an individual will only have three minutes total to speak about any and all items on the consent calendar.
Having been a frequent participant at the podium, challenging many items that appeared to be buried within the consent calendar, I find this to be on the wrong side of democracy. I also believe this could lead to incredible confusion in attempting to respond to multiple agenda concerns.
I do agree that there are times when the right and privilege of speech appear to be abused by the overuse of this public communication tool. But, for the most part, people are respectful of the need for efficiency in their government’s work. I and others will watch this change closely to determine if a correction is necessary.
I’m interested in hearing your opinions on this particular subject. Do you feel that you have appropriate access to your local government? Are there changes that you would like to see?
On to merrier topics! We are now in the Christmas and Hanukkah holiday season. It is the season that so many of us connect with giving and sharing.
I’d like to once again ask your participation in our 4th Annual Shop For Mom event on Sunday, December 16th. At Grisham Housing Community (an 8th district housing development) there are 100 children under the age of 12 that will have the opportunity to choose a gift for their mothers to put under their Christmas tree or share according to their holiday rituals.
The success of this event is dependent on the community’s generosity, so please check your gift closets or pick up an extra gift card on your next shopping spree. Your gift items can be dropped off at our field office, located at 3837 Atlantic Avenue or call (562) 570-1326 to arrange for a pick-up.
You will be helping a young child learn the art and joy of giving.
We are also looking for individuals or companies that would like to donate toys for the annual Carmelitos Holiday Party. There are hundreds of children that benefit from this organized event, but this year, participation is appearing to be much leaner than years past.
For many of these children, the gift they receive on this day may be their only one. Our commitment is to encourage as many folks as possible to join us in this worthwhile program, so that every child does receive at least one present.
If you would like to volunteer at either of these events, please call Veronica Servin at our field office for further details.
In closing, there are parades, decorating, shopping, wrapping, festive parties, church activities and hopefully the time to enjoy them all along with our friends and family. Whatever your path is, I wish for you and your family a season filled with a warm glow of love, tenderness and joyous celebrations!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and blessings to all!

Rae Gabelich