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(562) 570 5555 | district5@longbeach.gov | |
Weekly Updates: Ford & the Fourth of July! | |
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Happy Friday, District 5, and happy Independence Day! Have you heard? On Wednesday, Mayor Richardson announced that the Ford Motor Company is returning to Long Beach and will be located in District 5 at Douglas Park. We look forward to welcoming them in early 2025. This, and other exciting economic development news was shared at the Grow Long Beach Event, please see below for additional information.
Fourth of July is fast approaching, and I hope you all have the chance to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine as we celebrate our nation’s independence. As a reminder, a number of city services and facilities will be closed on Thursday, July 4th in observance of the holiday, including our CD5 office. Check for the City's Press Release with more details early next week.
However you celebrate, please remember to do so safely! See below for more information on the City’s Celebrate Safely Campaign and how it relates to reporting fireworks. As a friendly reminder to our neighbors in Bixby Knolls, Virginia Country Club will be holding a permitted fireworks event this Saturday, June 29th.
On Tuesday evening, my staff and I joined community members online at the FAA’s informational webinar, where we heard directly from the FAA and Airport staff regarding community concerns around general aviation at the Long Beach Airport. See below for more information.
Earlier this week, the Arts Council for Long Beach opened the voting period for community input on a crop of new murals slated for public spaces across the city. Each Council District will be getting one new mural—CD5’s will be in Heartwell Park—and neighbors are asked to cast their vote for the mural inspiration they feel best suits the neighborhood! See below to learn more.
Looking for things to do in CD5 this weekend? On Saturday, June 29th at 9am, you can join my office, Assemblymember Lowenthal’s office, and CalTrans in a Community Clean Up of the 405 Fwy! Help us beautify the neighborhood and clear the offramps of litter and debris. On Saturday, you can also bring the whole family to the Long Beach Youth Chorus’ 3rd Annual Family Arts Festival, at Grace First Presbyterian Church from 11am – 1pm. On Sunday, June 30th, you can continue to express your creativity with a “Paint n’ Brunch” event at SteelCraft Long Beach at 12:30pm. Check out the flyers below for more details on these and other upcoming events.
This weekend, you can also join LBPD in helping make our neighborhoods safer by bringing your car to the Etch & Catch Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention event, or by turning in your firearms in exchange for gift cards at the Gun Buy Back event, both on Saturday, June 29th. See the flyers below for more details.
Looking ahead, save the dates for upcoming community events, such as Coffee with the Commander, East Division, on Tuesday, July 9th, and our CD5 Community Day on the Queen Mary on Monday, July 15th! Don’t forget to keep an eye on the free summer events calendar for activities throughout the district!
My team and I are always looking for new avenues for community outreach. This summer, we are launching a series of “Conversations with the Councilwoman,” where I will be available at local businesses throughout the district for brief, one-on-one chats with neighbors. See below for more information on dates, locations, and how to register for an appointment.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 16th at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. A list of items of interest will be provided in a future newsletter. I encourage you to attend or watch online.
As always, I am grateful for your continued engagement with me and my office, and I look forward to seeing you out in the community.
The work continues,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Upcoming Meetings & Events | |
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Economic Development Department
Grow Long Beach - New Businesses Coming to CD5
This week, Mayor Richardson gathered with business owners and executives, city teams, and community leaders to discuss the status of the Grow Long Beach Initiative. This initiative is a comprehensive approach toward bolstering our local economy by bringing in new businesses with hundreds of new jobs, maintaining the thriving small businesses and business corridors we already have, and making sure our housing and education systems align with bringing and retaining vital talent to live and work in Long Beach.
Among exciting initiatives all over the city, in District 5 we are lucky to be the focus of one major element of the Grow Long Beach initiative: Space Beach. Long Beach is continuing to attract space-focused companies that want to become a part of our city’s storied history of innovation and technology.
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Alongside our longstanding aerospace companies, more new businesses such as Ampaire, PCX Aerosystems, NovaWurks, and Mayman Aerospace, are coming in that will put Long Beach on the map for space technologies, clean tech, and electric aircraft.
Also returning to Long Beach, and coming to CD5, is Ford Motor Company, as they work on designs for affordable electric vehicles. With engineering pathways at CSULB, technology pathways at LBCC, a new Space Beach Youth Summer Camp, and a new Space Advisory Council, Long Beach aims to foster and maintain the focus on the future of technology and travel through Space Beach.
CD5 Small Businesses Chosen for Level Up LB Program
In addition to these exciting new businesses coming in, Grow Long Beach is about building up and assisting existing businesses as they aim to thrive within our local communities. The Economic Development Department has announced the recipients of the “Level Up LB” grant program. Congratulations to our CD5 businesses: Back to Basics Learning Programs, Gemmae Bake Shop, The Merchant, Simple Health Acupuncture & Wellness, and Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice!
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City of Long Beach
Celebrate Safely on July 4th!
The City of Long Beach wants everyone to enjoy the Holiday. In order to keep the city’s residents and visitors safe, all personal fireworks, even those deemed “safe and sane,” are illegal in the City of Long Beach. Read here for ways to get in the patriotic spirit without fireworks!
To report illegal firework activity in Long Beach, you can:
- Submit a fireworks complaint on GoLongBeach
- Call the non-emergency number at the Communications Center (562) 435 6711 to report fireworks usage and/or sales
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- Email the LBPD patrol division where activity is occurring to provide addresses, videos, license plates, photos, and any other information that can be investigated, as well as your contact information in case its necessary. Remember District 5 crosses the borders of North and East Divisions.
LBPDNorth@longbeach.gov
LBPDSouth@longbeach.gov
LBPDEast@longbeach.gov
LBPDWest@longbeach.gov
Call 911 for emergencies only. Do not call 911 to report fireworks, unless the fireworks have caused an injury or fire.
Note: LBPD Officers must witness illegal activity in order to make an arrest. Learn more at longbeach.gov/fireworks
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Long Beach Animal Care Services
Help Prevent Crowding at Shelters During and After 4th of July
The Fourth of July can be a dangerous time for pets, as celebratory fireworks can cause panicked animals to run away from home. This time of year, our Long Beach Animal Care Services shelters experience an increase in incoming pets, and the kennels are already over capacity!
You can make a difference by short-term fostering an adoptable dog or cat, creating space for incoming animals during the Independence Day holiday.
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LBACS is hosting a final “Foster the Fourth” event on July 2nd from 10am – 4pm, however appointments are required. Visit the ACS Foster the Fourth webpage to learn more about how to become a pet foster, and email petfoster@longbeach.gov to schedule your appointment!
You can also help by preparing to keep your pet safe for 4th of July. Ensure they are wearing collars with ID tags, have them microchipped before the holiday and/or verify that their microchips are registered with current contact information. It’s also advised to keep pets indoors on the Fourth and try to help them remain calm by closing doors and windows and turning on radios or TVs to help soften the sudden noises.
Learn more at longbeach.gov/acs.
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Federal Aviation Administration
Long Beach Airspace Webinar Recap & Meeting Link
On Tuesday, June 25th, the FAA and LGB cohosted an informational webinar to discuss community concerns around general aviation. The webinar began with a series of videos that outlined the history of Long Beach Airport, and specifically the relationship with general aviation, as well as an overview of how the FAA, Air Traffic Controllers,
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and pilots manage and navigate the complex and dynamic airspace above LGB and throughout the Southern California region.
The meeting then transitioned to a Q&A Session, where industry experts answered questions submitted by community members in attendance. The questions focused on areas of community concern such as the use of leaded fuel, the altitude at which GA planes fly, and the parameters of enforcement per Long Beach’s existing Noise Ordinance. We encourage you to watch the full meeting to learn directly from the industry professionals and subject matter experts.
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Arts Council for Long Beach
Cast Your Vote for a New Murals at Heartwell Park
The City of Long Beach is excited to announce the opening of the voting period for the Creative Economy Grants – Public Mural Program. From now until July 8, 2024, neighbors can vote for one of three mural inspirations per district. Your vote will help decide the style of new murals that will adorn public facilities citywide, reflecting our local communities’ vibrant and diverse spirit.
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Follow this link to cast your vote for our District 5 mural, to be located at Heartwell Park!
To learn more, and to view all the available mural sites and candidates, visit artslb.org.
If you need help or have any questions about the voting process, please contact ArtsLB at (562) 204 6503 or publicart@artslb.org.
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Long Beach Police Department
July 9th | Coffee with the Commander, East Division
Join LBPD East Division Commander Benson for a coffee and a casual conversation about your community! Take the opportunity to ask questions, voice your concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood.
As a reminder, District 5 spans across the North and East Divisions, and you can check which division your home is in with this map. We encourage any East Division residents to attend and get to know your area’s Commander!
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Parks, Recreation & Marine
Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts in the Park
This summer, the Long Beach Municipal Band celebrates their 115th season of free outdoor summer concerts in Long Beach parks. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.
District 5:
Wednesday, July 3
Wednesday, July 10
Wednesday, July 17
Wednesday, July 24
Wednesday, July 31
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Other Districts:
Tuesday, July 2
Tuesday, July 9
Tuesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 23
Tuesday, July 30
Thursday, July 11
Thursday, July 18
Thursday, July 25
Thursday, August 1
Friday, July 5
Friday, July 12
Friday, July 19
Friday, July 26
Friday, August 2
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Economic Development
July 15th | CD5 Community Day on the Queen Mary
Have you visited the Queen Mary lately? Now's your chance! The Economic Development Department has partnered with our office to offer a free community day for CD5 residents on the Queen Mary!
On July 15th at 6pm, District 5 residents are welcome aboard the Queen Mary to experience and explore the local landmark. Use the QR code or click the flyer to register today! Discounted parking will be available with validation.
RSVPs will be handled by the Queen Mary, but please call or email our office if you have any questions.
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District 5 Office
Conversations with the Councilwoman
Join Councilwoman Kerr for a one-on-one chat at one of District 5's local businesses. Click your location of choice below to select an available date and time. Please note, the time slots are for 15-minute meetings. We ask that you please be prompt and respectful of everyone's time! These meetings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to sign up for only one time slot in order to keep the opportunity available for as many interested neighbors as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding with our first attempt at this form of community outreach.
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Long Beach PD Hosts National Night Out on August 6 | Host a Neighborhood event | |  |
Long Beach Neighborhood Resource Center Hosts: Financial Education Workshop | | |
Long Beach Airport Expands "Careers Taking Flight" High School Externship Program
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Long Beach Airport Records Another Record-Breaking Month for Commercial Travelers | | |
Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. July 16, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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