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Hope this finds you well,
I spy with my little eye; a familiar sight which reminds me that the holidays are around the corner. A procession of floating trees headed to their various destinations. A beautiful sight which immediately brings joy and generates spontaneous smiles. The Trees in the Bay program is an anticipated Long Beach tradition. And like all traditions, they provide that “all is well” with the world feeling. As one of the most challenging years of our lives draws to an end, lets reflect on those things, places, and people for which we are grateful.
When in 1949, Don May first place a decorated Christmas tree on a raft and set it adrift in Alamitos Bay, he never thought that seventy-one years later 67 lighted floating trees would mark the beginning of Long Beach’s holiday traditions. Do you think that over the years, he realized how important this tradition became to residents? While other traditions will be set aside due to COVID, this is one tradition that all of us can enjoy. You will find trees along the Peninsula, Alamitos Bay, Colorado Lagoon, Rainbow Lagoon, Rainbow Harbor, Belmont Pier, Spinnaker Bay, on 2nd Street medians, in lakes in Scherer and Heartwell parks and the duck pond at El Dorado West park.
Unlike most years when our family avoids launching our boat during the Christmas season due to increased traffic and celebrations on the water which include alcohol, this year we plan to drift by these icons of happiness and enjoy this Long Beach tradition. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when out in the water this season: 1 – If you are the Skipper, limit the number of distractions around you; the extra traffic and inexperienced boaters require more of your attention. 2 – The best life jacket is the one you are wearing. 3 – Don’t drink and drive; have a designated operator on board. 4 – Check the weather. 5 – Create a float plan and inform a friend or relative of your plan; the Coast Guard promotes the use of their app. And 6 – Always have a reliable means of communication such as VHF radio and a fully charged cell phone.
Now for the final thoughts of 2020. Between now and the Christmas Day anyone who emails me a photo of these icons will be entered in a contest. The Marine Advisory Commission will vote on the winner. The winning photo and photographer will be featured in the Jan/February issue of the Marina Reader and the prize is a $50 Visa gift card donated by yours truly. Any takers? My email address is: elvira.hallinan@longbeach.gov write Trees in Bay Photo in the subject line.
Marinas and Beaches staff wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.
Until next time,
Elvira Hallinan
Your Long Beach Marinas Manager
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Marina Offices are open and are now accepting new vessel permit applications. To protect you and our staff from COVID-19 please call the ABM and Shoreline offices to set up an appointment for any and all boating needs. Note – Many requests can now be handled by phone or email.
MONTHLY SLIP PAYMENTS
Payment for your monthly slip fee is due on the 1st of each month. Late fees are applied to accounts after the 10th of each month. Applied late fees will not be waived for payments processed after the 10th of each month.
New face covering signage has been placed at every gangway and dock. Please continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the CDC’s recommended social distance and COVID-19 health safety protocols. The CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
SET YOUR CLOCKS
Daylight Savings Time ends on November 1. Remember to “Fall Back.” In March 2021 you can “Spring Forward.”
LOOK TO THE WATER!
As per tradition the Trees on the Bay will be lit on Thanksgiving night, November 26.
DID YOU KNOW?
On December 15, 1791 The Bill of Rights was added to the United States’ Constitution. November’s Full Moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. Why this name? In the Colonial Era, this was the month to set one’s beaver traps before the swamps froze and beavers retired to their lodges, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.
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We Southern Californians generally do not take our boats out of commission for a number of months as So-Cal weather can turn summer at any time. While we live in a moderate coastal environment and freezing temperatures are rare, there are some things you can do to help assure your boat will be ready go whenever you need it. We recommend winterizing for the off-season with these tips:
Adding fuel stabilizer is a good idea as you may find your boat sitting without movement or the engine running for extended periods of time. Fuel stabilizers will help to lessen gum accumulation and water build up. Gum build up
can cause gum to clog jets on smaller engines and injectors on larger engines. Water in your fuel can accumulate due to condensation and separate from untreated fuel causing corrosion and damages well beyond the low cost of
adding a fuel stabilizer.
If storing out of the water, either at your home or in our dry boat storage facility, make sure your boat has sufficient
battery charge.
If you have an Outboard review lines for cracking or wear. Lines include both fuel and electrical. Also don’t wait till
the busy Spring season to get that annual tune-up as mechanics will have less availability to service your engine.
Inboards are very easy to maintain in the off-season. Now could be a good time to change the oil, spark plugs and
other basic tune-up items. For those of you with Stern Drives make sure to check your stern drive housing for any
barnacles or other critter or plant life making their home there.
Lastly, make sure to properly secure canvas and inspect your bow and stern mooring lines. Double check your dock
mooring cleats to make sure your vessel can withstand any storm surge throughout the Fall/Winter season ahead.
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Please join us in welcoming aboard our newest member of the Marine Patrol Detail, Special Services Officer III Granieri. Officer Granieri grew up in Bakersfield, CA. She attended California State University, Fullerton and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Studies.
She was a teacher for ten years prior to joining the Long Beach Police Department to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. Officer Granieri recently completed her onboard training and is now training in the field.
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Get to know Keisha Sanker, our Clerk Typist III with the Department of Park, Recreation and Marine. She works out of Beach Maintenance and is currently overseeing the clerical operations for both the Beach and Marine Maintenance Divisions.
Her career with the City started as an Apple One temporary employee in 2016. Within the first few months we quickly recognized her value, work ethic, knowledge and ability to adapt to the job at hand. So, we jumped at the opportunity to hire Keisha before risking any competitive offers taking her away from us. Prior to working for the City, Keisha spent 20 years working with Dunn Edwards Paint Company. Keisha is currently attending Long Beach City College, working towards a degree in Public Administration, and will be transferring to Cal State University in the coming year.
Kindness, sincerity and excellent customer service are the values Keisha brings to work with her every day. She is often the first person our guests and patrons will speak with, whether in person, by phone or email. She manages our GoLB platform and our Cityworks service management systems. Keisha quickly identifies core issues and concerns when dealing with the public and always goes above and beyond to accommodate customer needs.
Keisha enjoys spending her free time with her family, riding bikes throughout Long Beach with her husband, going to the gym for a good workout, hot yoga to decompress, shopping… and she is looking forward to traveling in the near future. She is focused on finishing her education and we look forward to seeing her advance within our Department.
Please join us in thanking Keisha for supporting two Divisions and her sincere approach towards serving the public.
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Shoreline Yacht Club was established in early 1983, just after Shoreline Marina first opened. With humble beginnings in a second floor “clubhouse” in Shoreline Village, it took 20 years to finally build its own building.
The club has always been a gathering place for people who enjoy boating. SYC maintains around 270 memberships of two people each and is close to 50/50 in sail/power boat diversity. Boat ownership is not a prerequisite to join and 20% of club members do not own a boat currently.
SYC is known as the “Friendly Club” and the focus is FUN. Even during these Covid times SYC offers a busy calendar of on- and off-the-water socially distanced events. Although SYC is a volunteer club with members organizing activities, the club retains staff for the bar, restaurant, office and janitorial needs.
Cruising is one of the most popular activities with 10 or more cruises normally scheduled every year throughout Southern California. As a member of SYC you have “reciprocal” slip and dining privileges at many other yacht clubs.
SYC also has an active racing program. With a fleet of Cal 20 sailboats available, SYC hosts a popular Taco Tuesday Racing Series and learn to sail classes.
Bar and restaurant services are available for dinner four nights and Sunday brunch with outdoor dining on the huge wrap-around deck overlooking the harbor and the Queen Mary.
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With the amendment of the City of Long Beach Health Order on Monday, October 5 playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment across the City were opened and made available for public use. Some of the more highly utilized fitness stations cleared to re-open reside within our Downtown Fitness Loop.
The Loop is a 4.8-mile walking/running path bordered by Alamitos Avenue, East Shoreline Drive, Aquarium Road, West Shoreline Drive and Ocean Blvd. The loop has distance markers that connect fitness equipment stations, allowing exercisers to develop a routine suited for their fitness level.
Throughout the path, five active stations such as pull-up/dip bars, and six passive stations such as balance stretch, squats have been positioned. The fitness loop also complements the Beach Pedestrian Path and the nearby Bixby Fitness Loop.
COVID-19 safety protocol signage has been placed at each of the fitness stations along the loop. Make sure to adhere to the rules. Wash your hands, wear a face covering, maintain 6-feet of social distance and if you are not feeling well or have symptoms related to COVID-19 stay home and contact your physician.
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