ELB gets homeless outreach mobile van visits

 East Long Beach gets visit  by Multi-Service Center mobile van  

The van known as the Mobile Access Center (MAC) arrived in East Long Beach’s Los Altos Center on Monday March 6, 2023. 

 

According to the outreach workers the MAC van first parked in the Los Altos Market Center between the Sears building and the Wells Fargo Building.  Early in the morning, Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw visited them and advised them the Los Altos Center North (LACN) across the street was were the homeless tended to congregate.  The MAC van moved across Sterns Street to the LACN in the center of the parking lot under the shopping centers marquee sign.

The outreach workers said they had spoke to a few people and encouraged anyone to tell the homeless that they would return Monday and Thursday mornings to the area. Thursdays they are scheduled to be parked  in the Bellflower and 23^rd Street area.

Click on schedule to enlarge

The MAC van has been operating in the downtown area since January.  According to media reports, the City of Long Beach has plans to add two more MAC vans.

Last week Mayor Richardson tweeted an update on the MAC's outreach data. The Mayor tweeted that as of February 27th the MAC has “helped 414 people experiencing homelessness” and connected 204 people (49%)  to “services” .

The offical announcement that the MAC would rotate into the  Los Altos Village for 2 days during the week came after Mayor Richardson made a surprise visit to Councilman DarylSupernaw’s monthly community meeting last week on Tuesday February 28, 2023.  At that meeting the Mayor was asked by a community member when the MAC would be visiting East Long Beach. Mayor Richardson replied that the were plans were to have the MAC  rotate around the city after the initial work downtown.

Three days later on Friday March 3, 2023 the City of Long Beach released a press releasewith the MAC’s March schedule.   

Councilman Supernaw has the longest running community meetings and weekly  newsletters of anyone currently on the City Council.   Supernaw’s meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month.  Councilman Supernaw’s  District 4  newsletter is emailed every Friday at 1:30 pm.  You can sign-up for the newsletter by emailing your request to district4@longbeach.gov.

For more informaiton:

 Mayor Richardson crashes 4^th District Community Meeting

Friday March 3,  2023  City of Long Beach released  press release

 

Mayor Richardson crashes 4th District Community Meeting

Mayor Richardson crashes 4^th District Community Meeting

Mayor Rex Richardson showed up apparently unannounced at Councilman Supernaw’s 4^th District Council monthly meeting  on Tuesday night February 28, 2023.

The Mayor and one aide showed up just as Chris Garner the General Manager of the Long Beach Utilities was ending a long question and answer session  at the meeting room of the Los Altos Library.   As traditional with the Supernaw meetings, Garner as the guest speaker was first on the 3 item agenda. The Mayor was not on the agenda.

Just as Garner was finishing and leaving for the Signal Hill City Council meeting, Mayor Richardson appeared at the meeting room door.  Councilman Supernaw told the crowd “ We have a surprise guest, the Mayor!”

The Mayor came up to the podium and introduced himself with “I’m Rex” .  

He then gave a very brief biography of himself and his first few months as Mayor. When he talked about his family, he noted he as the first Long Beach “Mayor Dad” with small children.  He mentioned his children attend school at Bethany School in the 4^th District. 

In discussing the homeless issue, the Mayor briefly touched on his announcement earlier in the day that the city would not be pursuing a shelter at Silverado Park. He stated that wanting the shelter came from a “heart of service”.   Richardson said that the city is having success in reaching  people to move off the streets but capacity is full in the current shelters.

Earlier in the day in his announcement about the city would not be using the gym at Silverado Park for a homeless shelter, Richardson said he would be meeting with groups and leaders across Long Beach to discuss solutions.  His Los Altos visit however was clearly just informational about what the city is doing concerning the homeless and not a discussion on possible solutions.

Richardson took questions from the community members.  The questions included questions on the Port of Long Beach, taxes, the Basic Guaranteed Income program and home ownership. 

Richardson spoke personally  about his experience at buying a home at 25 years old. 

The Mayor was asked to work to help some Council members and members of the community stop vilifying homeowners and small mom and pop landlords. 

During the question and answer time, the Mayor said he wanted to be "the mayor who listens."

 

Trader Joes takes over Los Altos Cleaners space and GNC is back

 Los Altos Center UPDATES:

Trader Joes takes over Los Altos Cleaners space and GNC is back

The Los Altos Trader Joe’s has taken over the former Los Altos Cleaners space next door. 

However, don't get to excited for a less crowed shopping experince. The new space is not for an expanded sales floor.  The new area will be dedicated to storage, employee restrooms and a break room.

A few doors down, GNC has reopened its storefront that it closed during the pandemic. 

Also of note in the Traffic Circle’s Marina Shopping Center, the Habit Burger is now open.  Habit Burger occupied the old Burger King at the corner of PCH and Ximeno. The Marina Shopping Center had long been part of the 4^th District, but in redistricting it was moved to the 3^rd District.

  

Fairbrook Manor returns to haunt Los Altos' trick-or-treaters

 Fairbrook Manor returns to haunt Los Altos' trick-or-treaters

The display at 5426 Fairbrook Street will be open to walking through the two last weekends of October from 7-10 pm. On Halloween, Monday, October 31, the outside will be on display, but the maze will be closed. 

For the third year, Fairbrook Manor Haunted House returns to haunt  Los Altos' trick-or-treaters with an expanded front-yard-themed Halloween experience at 5426 E Fairbrook.

Entry to the neighborhood haunt is free, but food and personal care item donations for the Long Beach Rescue Mission are being accepted. 

Supernaw will host Los Altos Meet and Greet for Suzie Price

 LACAN UPDATE        

Supernaw will host Los Altos Meet and Greet for Suzie Price at Whaley Park North

Councilman Daryl Supernaw will host a Meet and Greet for the Los Altos Village area this Sunday, September 25th at 3 pm for mayoral candidate Councilwoman Suzie Price. 

Councilwoman Price received one of the rare few endorsements Councilman Supernaw has ever given out in his seven years as the 4^th District councilman.

 

The Meet and Greet will take place at the corner of Los Santos and San Anseline at Whaley Park North.  

Since it is in the park, folding chairs or a blanket for seating are recommended. 

Kennedy’s takes over Ecco’s Pizza location & ELB Beach Streets schedule

  

LACAN UPDATE         

Kennedy’s Craft Kitchen takes over Ecco’s Pizza location and Beach Streets returns to ELB

Kennedy’s Craft Kitchen owner Ian Moston and Chef Ryan McIntyre announced on social media  the takeover of the former Ecco’s Pizza space.

The second Los Altos location will be a family-friendly pizza house dubbed District 4 Pizza, the social media posting described the concept as “Quality pizza & pasta. Top of the line beer and wine” in a “kid friendly environment”.

Demolition of the old Ecco’s Pizza space has already begun.

 

            Kennedy's Ian Moston, Ryan McIntyre & Nevi Maddy at soon-to-be-remodeled Ecco's counter                                                                                                                                      photo:@ryanmcintyre

ELB Beach Streets Schedule for Saturday 9/17/22

Long Beach’s first post-COVID closure open streets will be in East Long Beach with the Second University Beach Streets.  

The first ELB Beach Streets was held five years ago in April 2017 (see video below).

Free Bike Valet and portable restrooms will be available at the entertainment hubs throughout the event.

While it is named after CSULB, only one of the five “hub” activities is actually located at CSULB.

The “Pyramid Hub”  will be in the park area in front of the CSULB Walter Pyramid.   Along with the more “official”  popups at the event, music at the hub will be provided by DJ Dennis Owens and four popular local band favorites (click on blue hyperlinks for more information on bands):

PYRAMID HUB

·       10:00 AM    DJ Dennis Owens (all day)

·       10:15 AM    Lakedub - Reggae & Ska

·       11:30 AM    Knyght Ryder - 80s and 90s Covers

·       1:00 PM    Electric Funeral - Black Sabbath Tribute Band

·       2:30 PM    Arise Roots -  Reggae

A couple of blocks down Atherton at Whaley Park  will be the “Kids Hub” at North Whaley and a planned Adults only “Beer Garden” at South Whaley:

WHALEY KIDS HUB

·       10:00 AM    DJ Mic D (all day)

·       10:00 AM    Jelly of the Month Club - Fun family band that educates through music

·       11:15 AM    Elizabeth Messick, Siren of Magic - Magician 

·       12:15 PM    Rasputin Marionettes - Puppeteer

·       1:15 PM    Elizabeth Messick, Siren of Magic - Magician 

·       2:15 PM    Rasputin Marionettes

·         3:15 PM    Jelly of the Month Club

A few miles away down Atherton, North on Bellflower to Los Coyotes Diagonal (LCD) to Spring Street will be the two other major hubs. On the way, bikers will be treated to a small “405 Hub” ( a drive-by hub)  under the 405 overpass at LCD. There will be music will be provided by the Long Beach based GRN + GLD music collective:

405 HUB

• 10:00 AM    GRN + GLD & Friends (all day)

At LCD and Spring, going West to Bellflower gets you to the “West Hub” at Bellflower and Spring:

WEST HUB

• 10:00 AM    Meowhaus 
• 12:15 PM    Soundfrom
•   1:30 PM    Asi Fui - Experimental psychedelic rock
•   2:45 PM    Britain's Finest - Beatles cover band

At LCD and Spring, going East just past Palo Verde gets you to the “Extreme Hub” with BMX demos and more:

EXTREME HUB

This  Hub will also feature BMX and Skateboard demos, a rock wall, and more brought to you by Skate Dogs and Action Sports Kids Foundation: 

10:00 AM   Morning Shivers

12:30 PM   DJ Polyester & Masterdroog

While Los Altos Village and other neighborhoods directly impacted by street closures have been notified by flyers put on front doors and the information has appeared in 4th District Councilman Daryl Supernaw’s weekly newsletter, the 405 on ramps and the Los Altos and the Spring Street shopping areas are major draws from all of East Long Beach and West Orange County, so many are sure to be caught unaware. This will lead to a lot of traffic challenges.

 

Beach Streets East Long Beach street closure information

In addition to the 405 ramps at Bellflower having detours, here are the following traffic patterns that will be in place:

•  Eastbound traffic on Atherton at Bellflower will be directed South on Bellflower Blvd.
•  Northbound traffic on Bellflower Blvd. at Atherton will be directed West on Atherton.
•  Southbound traffic on Bellflower will encounter "Street Closed Ahead" signs at Spring Street (eastbound Spring will be closed at Bellflower).  Traffic continuing South down Bellflower and not taking the 405 on-ramps will be directed East on Willow or South East at the Los Coyotes Diagonal (LCD) at  Bellflower.
•  North East Bound Los Coyotes traffic at Bellflower will be directed North on Bellflower.

 ELB Beach Streets promotional video:

Long Beach At Home store's Grand Opening Saturday, June 18, 2022

At Home store's Grand Opening 

New At Home store in the Los Altos Gateway Center occupies former KMart speace. 

The Grand Opening for the new Long Beach  At Home store was on Saturday, June 18, 2022.  The   Texas-based home decor company renovated the former KMart next to the Lowe's in the  Los Altos Gateway Shopping Center.  The new store opened with a soft opening on June 1, 2022.

At Home is a superstore for both indoor and outdoor home decor.   The store features a selection of both name brands and At Home private label brands.    Inside the store, isles include both warehouse-like isles for big-bulk items like furniture and regular shopping isles for items like kitchen accessories.   As an example of the huge selection, the mirror "department" includes 6 isles of various types of mirrors. 

The Long Beach store joins other seven California stores. The four Southern California At Home stores are in Lake Forest, Riverside, Temecula, and San Diego.  In May 2021 At Home was sold to the powerhouse investment firm of Hellman & Friedman in an all-cash deal of $2.8 billion.  

Operating over 200 stores in 40 states, At Home has a target of growth of 600 stores nationwide. The stores are known for their huge inventory of over 50,000 home and garden-related items at reasonable pricing.  The inventory features 75% of unbranded merchandise developed specifically for At Home.

The E Long Beach Kmart site was a focal point in the original Land Use Element fight.  Long Beach Development Services argued that with the inevitable demise of Kmart and big-box retail, the site should be slated for mixed-use residential and business.  After strong local opposition led by eastside neighborhood association members of the Council of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO), the site remained zoned for retail only.