Utilities Commission Approves Gas Bill Credit

Yesterday, February 16th, the Board of Utilities Commissioners approved a new natural gas bill assistance program. Residential gas customers struggling to pay drastically high winter bills can now apply for a one-time $100 credit. Any customer can apply for the Residential Gas Assistance Credit. To qualify, customers must fill out an application and sign, under penalty of perjury, attesting that higher than normal gas utility bills have caused them financial strain. More information is available at this link.

El Dorado Duck Pond Renovation Update

The City's contractor, Los Angeles Engineering, continues to dewater the duck pond due to an influx of rain and drainage reintroduced from recent weather. Dewatering is anticipated to be completed in the next few weeks. The contractor also continues to work on the duck pond's concrete shoreline. Construction began in September 2022 and is estimated to be completed, barring weather or other unforeseen delays, by late 2023. The work schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Parking is impacted, but patrons can still park on Studebaker Rd. Park patrons should keep children away from the construction. For any questions or concerns, please call the El Dorado Duck Pond hotline at (562) 570-6591 or e-mail contactlbpw@longbeach.gov

Reporting Foodborne Illness (food poisoning)

562-570-4302 | Report Online

If you or someone you know becomes sick with foodborne illness related symptoms after eating at a local food facility (restaurants, fast food, food carts, food trucks, or events), contact the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. Common symptoms of foodborne illnesses include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. To report an incident, call (562) 570-4302 or visit longbeach.gov/foodborneillness.

New CD4 COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Sites

Monday - Friday | 9:30 am - 1 pm & 2:30 - 5 pm | 2800 N Studebaker Rd.

Recently, one of the Health Department's COVID-19 testing sites was relocated to El Dorado Park Recreation Center to be more accommodating of the community’s current needs. There is another vaccine & testing site in CD4 located at Long Beach State.

California State University, Long Beach

Mondays & Wednesdays | 12 pm - 3 pm | 1401 Palo Verde Ave. in front of the SRWC

To make an appointment, visit this link or call (562) 570-4636. View the press release at this link.

Nature Center Bird Count This Weekend

February 17-19th | 9 am - 3 pm | 7550 E Spring St.

Join bird enthusiasts at the El Dorado Nature Center to participate in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count. Stop by the education table Friday, Saturday or Sunday, February 17, 18 & 19 from 9 am to 3 pm each day. You’ll learn about this fun way to participate in citizen science at your local park or right outside your window. For more information, visit www.birdcount.org.

Blind Date with a Book at Los Altos Library

Month of February | 5614 E Britton Dr.

The Los Altos Library is offering a Blind Date with a Book program, where participants can check out one book that has been wrapped to take home. Then, unwrap your mystery book and read it for the first time! Patrons will have an opportunity to earn a prize by completing a "Rate my Date" form submitted by Saturday, March 4. More information at this link or call (562) 570-1045.

New Nature Center Art Exhibit

Tuesdays - Sundays in February | 8:30 am - 4 pm | 7550 E Spring St.

The El Dorado Nature Center is hosting its monthly art gallery. This month's exhibit will feature "The Gold of El Dorado" with watercolor artwork and photography from artist Mary Long. For more information, call (562) 570-1745.

LB Public Libraries Closed Tomorrow

February 18th | 10 am - 5 pm | Citywide

In observance of Presidents Day, all Long Beach Public Libraries will be closed tomorrow, Saturday, February 18th. As per the usual schedule, libraries are not open Sunday and Monday. They will reopen on Tuesday, February 21st. For a full list of LBPL hours visit: https:/bit.ly/325cjF0. Access the LBPL digital archives for free at: https:/bit.ly/32911Dp1

Presidents Day Closures on Monday

February 20th | All Day | Citywide

In observance of Presidents' Day, the City of Long Beach offices and services will adhere to the following schedule on Monday, February 20th. Closures include Animal Care Services, City Hall, El Dorado Nature Center, libraries and street sweeping. Refuse and recycling collection will occur on their regular schedules. Parking meters with holiday exemptions will NOT be enforced. Visit this link for a full list of closures.

Rancho Docent Information Session Tomorrow

February 18th | 11:30 am - 12: 30 pm | 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd.

Rancho Los Alamitos is recruiting for Saturday Docents. They seek folks who enjoy learning, talking to others and immersing in history. Learn more at the information session at the Rancho tomorrow Saturday, Feb. 18, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. RSVP to Steve@RanchoLosAlamitos.org and view the flyer at this link.

Rancho Los Alamitos Internship Opportunities 

March 6th deadline | 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd. | Apply Online

Rancho Los Alamitos is seeking two temporary, part-time interns to support the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. The successful applicants for this exceptional opportunity will be upper-level undergraduate or graduate students at CSULB and will work from June 2023 into fall 2023. The time commitment is approximately 5-10 hours weekly (130 total), and each intern will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Apply here by Monday, March 6th.

Next on the City Council Agenda

February 21st | 5:00 pm | 411 W Ocean Blvd. and Online

The City Council meeting will start at 5:00 pm in the Bob Foster Civic Chambers on the ground floor of City Hall, located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd. City council meetings are broadcast live online and are available on Channel 3 for Charter cable subscribers and Channel 21 for FIOS subscribers. Comments can be submitted by email to: CityClerk@longbeach.gov. Items on Tuesday's meeting agenda include:

• Ceremonies and Presentations: Black History Month
• R-10: Recommendation to receive and file a new list of City Council Standing Committees, Authorities and Memberships.
• R-11: Recommendation to respectfully request City Council approval of the 2023 State Legislative Agenda as recommended by the State Legislation Committee.
• R-13: Recommendation to adopt resolution proclaiming the termination of the Local Emergency and the Local Health Emergency caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). (Citywide)

The entire agenda can be found here. To see the schedule and agenda for all upcoming city meetings, click here.

Long Beach Little League’s 71st Opening Day

February 25th | 11 am | 4520 E 23rd Street

Long Beach Little League's Opening Day is Saturday, February 25th at Stearns Champions Park. The opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 11 am. Again, this year, I'll have the honor of participating in the event on the field where I once played. Please feel free to attend and cheer on the kids as they start their season! For more information please visit the LBLL website.

CD4 Community Meeting at Los Altos Library

February 28th | 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm | 5614 E Britton Dr.

We are hosting a Council District 4 community meeting at the Los Altos Library on February 28th from 5:30 to 6:45 pm. All CD4 residents are invited to attend. Our special guest speaker will be the Utilities Department General Manager Chris Garner. Please join us for an informative meeting on the latest happenings in our council district. Go Fourth!

Bird is the Word - Don't Be a Birdnapper!

El Dorado Nature Center staff are preparing for another season of phone calls with questions about injured or orphaned wildlife. It's common to find baby birds around our neighborhoods, and people are often unsure about what steps to take. The Songbird Care and Education Center (SCEC) tells us, "Nestlings are birds that are naked, have pin feathers or down. They are dependent on their parents. Fledglings are feathered with short tails. They are learning to fly and should be left alone. Their parents are close by and will continue to support them."

Three facts from SCEC about baby birds and their parents:

1. Birds only need to be rescued if they are injured, icy cold, naked or abandoned. 
2. Parent birds will search for their babies even after 24-48 hours of absence.
3. Parent birds will feed their babies after you have touched them. 

If you happen to find a bird in distress, call the Nature Center at (562) 570-1745, and they will be happy to put you in contact with a wildlife rehabilitation group.