By Stephen Sutton, President | |
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Guided History Tour
This Sunday,
January 26 at 10am
BHNA is kicking off the new year with an engaging historical walking tour to promote one of our favorite local legends: Miner Smith. This ambitious and prolific stone-mason-turned-builder designed at least 25 homes as well as countless urns, pillars, cabinets, fireplaces, and fixtures during his short tenure in Long Beach at the beginning of the 20th century.
Please join local historian and BHNA President Stephen Sutton for a walk in Bluff Heights and take a peek inside a Miner Smith restored masterpiece while learning a little about Long Beach history in the roaring twenties.
A $22 BHNA PAYPAL donation will confirm your reservation.
BHNA will send an email confirmation and confirm meeting location.
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At Work In the Community
On Sunday, December 8th, Bluff Heights Neighborhood Association hosted a volunteer appreciation holiday mixer sponsored by the Port of Long Beach and Long Beach City Councilwoman Cindy Allen. This was an opportunity to give back to our many volunteers who dedicate countless hours of service to host the 4th of July Block Party on Vista, neighborhood improvement projects, forums, and other events. This event was hosted at one of Bluff Heights faves, La Parolaccia Osteria. Each volunteer was given a premium amaryllis bulb (courtesy of our Port of Long Beach sponsorship).
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More than 80 participants celebrated, served, and unified for the 3rd annual MLK Day of Service at Mann Elementary School on Saturday, January 18. Mann Elementary PTA President Sara Bloom kicked off the day by honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of civil rights work and peaceful action, and encouraged attendees to continue to serve their communities throughout the year.
Attendees enjoyed a free lunch from the Breakfast Bar, supported by District 2 Councilwoman Cindy Allen’s office. A neighborhood cleanup and planting activity was led by BHNA and Litter Free Long Beach. Activities also included a collaborative mosaic art project provided by Rose Park Neighborhood Association’s ArtWorksLBC program, letter-writing to firefighters with Mann Elementary PTA, and refreshing the school’s chain-link fence art. Health and wellness resources were provided to families from the Long Beach Health Department Advancing Peace program, ChildNet, and LBUSD’s Parent University, Positive Behavior Intervention Team, Bethune Homeless Education, and Foster Youth Department. Popcorn was provided by Mann Elementary Student Leadership.
Thank you to all who attended, and may the act of serving your community and improving the quality of life in your neighborhood inspire you all year long!
We’d love to see you as a volunteer or participant at one of our special events in the weeks and months ahead!
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BHNA’s next Neighborhood Forum will take place at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 6th at Immanuel Place (3215 E. 3rd Street). We’ve booked a local organist to delight us with some tunes on the one-of-a-kind pipe organ. We’ll also be featuring a member of the Long Beach Office of Sustainability to speak about our free mulch and tree-planting services accessible to any qualified Long Beach resident.
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On Sunday, April 13th we’ll be partnering with Rose Park Neighborhood Association for another unforgettable Earth Day Celebration from 1-4 p.m. at 8th and Orizaba. We’re planning to bring back our popular butterfly release along with plants from Long Beach Organics and enhanced art activities. We’re really looking forward to this year’s celebration.
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On Saturday, May 3rd, BHNA is proud to once again host notable Art Deco historian John Thomas for another exciting big red bus tour of Downtown Long Beach! Guests can enjoy a glass of specially-priced wine at The Wine Crush (3131 E. Broadway) before boarding the big red bus to delight in some fun and Art Deco education while riding from Belmont Heights to Downtown Long Beach. BHNA will sponsor swag bags and John Thomas, co-author of Long Beach Art Deco, will have books available for signing.
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And of course, our legendary 4th of July Block Party on Vista will surely make 2025 another year to remember in the neighborhood. | |
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How to Be More Successful with Resolutions
By Your Inner Voice
Making New Year’s resolutions is a tradition for many people. Despite our best intentions, many of us fall short of our goals and end up giving up on them. Here are some tips for keeping your resolutions:
- Be realistic: Set goals that are attainable and avoid making promises you can't keep.
- Plan ahead: Consider what you want to accomplish and make plans before the new year.
- Track your progress: Use a journal or app to record your progress and stay motivated.
- Find an accountability partner: Choose someone who will support you and check in with you regularly.
- Get support: Ask friends, family, or coworkers for help and encouragement.
- Prioritize your goals: Focus on one or two goals at a time and make them a priority.
- Create SMART goals: Use the SMART method to create specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
- Don’t Give Up: New Year’s day is not the only beginning to use as an occasion to start over. If you have a slip-up on your resolution, don’t give up on the goal. Instead, use another “beginning” (the start of the next month, the next week, the next full moon, etc.) to start over.
Making too many resolutions can be overwhelming and often leads to failure. Instead, focus on one or two goals that you can realistically achieve. You can also try breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable steps.
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Wildfire Resources
By Meghan O'Dell
Many of us in Bluff Heights have felt helpless over the devastating wildfires that broke out on January 7th, destroying huge swaths of Pacific Palisades, the Hollywood Hills, the San Fernando Valley, and Altadena. At least 27 people have died, more than 14,000 structures have burned, and countless animals have been injured and displaced. Entire neighborhoods are gone, leaving residents little to return to if their home was spared. But a strong sense of community has risen from the ashes–it’s been uplifting for many to see how many people have lent a hand, whether through volunteering clothing and objects, donating money, offering a place to stay, or fostering animals. If you’re able to join in this effort–which will continue for months, if not years–here are a few ways to help.
You can find many more organizations here.
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Each issue we will publish a photograph from our neighborhood. This photo of the sunbathing pooch was submitted by Frank Ginipro.
If you have photos that highlight the beauty and uniqueness of our neighborhood, please send them to info@bluffheights.org
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Backyard Bounty
The second Sunday of the month is Backyard Bounty day in Bluff Heights. Share the bounty from your backyard by placing it in front of your house. Take a walk through the neighborhood, get a little exercise, and enjoy the bounty. Find the label HERE.
Sunday, February 9 and March 9, starting at 9:00 AM
Fresh Produce at Local Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets and farm stands are great places to browse, sample, and buy fresh produce and handmade products. Visit the market at Bixby Park (130 Cherry Avenue) every Tuesday starting at 3:00 PM and every Saturday starting at 9:00 AM
Find more details HERE.
Saving Water Is the Long Beach Way
As we face unprecedented drought across California, we all need to do our part to conserve water. HERE is a flyer from the Long Beach Water Department outlining the new rules. Find more information on water conservation HERE.
Is it Time to Trim your Waste-Line?
It's really simple to trim your "Waste-Line!" All you need to do is collect your e-waste, hazardous waste, and/or old tire waste and bring it to one of three local collection centers under the conditions set by the City of Long Beach on this flyer.
You will feel much lighter now that you took care of those extra notches on your Waste-Line! Doesn't being a loser feel good?
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PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES,
ESPECIALLY OUR SPONSORS
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Ms. Theresa Marino
aka
Theresa on 3rd
Neighborhood Advocate & A Neighbor Who Cares
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Coastal Real Estate Experts
Stephen W. Sutton | stephensuttonrealtor@gmail.com
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The Bicycle Stand
Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital
Dr. James Dohn
Flamin Curry
Gallagher's Pub and Grill
Granny's Donuts
Hot Java
Hug Life Ice Cream
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Hug Life Ice Cream
La Parolaccia Osteria
Nice Alterations and Tailoring
Park Pantry
TC Raw Eats
Tru Nature Juice Bar
Syndicate Barber Shop
The Wine Crush
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Click HERE to inquire about showing support in our newsletter. | |
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YES, I'M A SUPPORTER!
The Bluff Heights Neighborhood and Historic District is a great place to live. Your $10 of support will go a long way toward making your neighborhood even better through our communication outlets, community events, and critical activities!
THANK YOU to all the neighbors who have already donated!
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DO YOU KNOW A LONG BEACH LEGEND OR A BUSINESS WE SHOULD FEATURE?
SEND US STORY IDEAS!
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