Community Hospital Winter Shelter

A plan to establish a winter shelter for the unhoused at Community Hospital will be on Tuesday’s City Council agenda. The title of the agenda item #33 is below under the heading “Next on the City Council Agenda”. Tonight (Friday at 5 pm), you’ll be able to access the agenda item and supplemental material at this link. City staff has also created an FAQ Sheet that is available now at this link.

Belmont Shore Christmas Parade

The huge crowds were back on 2nd Street for the first Christmas Parade in three years. Circle Porsche provided us with a red 911 convertible, and we handed out more than 2,600 mini candy canes. The only thing we heard more than Merry Christmas was “nice car”. It marked the last time we will have a parade car from Circle Porsche. This week, the 53-year-old dealership was sold to Fletcher Jones and is being renamed Porsche Long Beach. The great news is they will remain at the traffic circle! You can visit their website here, and we’ll have more information in next week’s newsletter.

New El Dorado Pickleball Courts

The new pickleball courts at El Dorado Tennis Center opened this week. Our council office provided the funding of more than $7,000 for restriping and new nets. To celebrate, free play was offered on Tuesday morning. Pickleball on a drop-in basis is offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, as well as Friday nights for $5 per person. It is anticipated these schedules will evolve over time. Contact the operator, Bridge the Gap, for more information at (562) 425-0553 or visit the BTG Tennis website at this link.

Sidewalk Vending Survey Available Online

The City of Long Beach is initiating its outreach efforts to receive community input on sidewalk vending. City staff is gathering community perspectives to assist in the development of rules and regulations. The survey is anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information; demographic questions are also included. Responses are due by Sunday, Dec.18, 2022. For more information, call (562) 570-6211 or read the press release at this link. Take the survey here.

LBPD Toy Patrol Donation Drive

Now thru December 12th

The Long Beach Police Department’s annual Toy Drive is underway. There are over 30 locations in and around the City of Long Beach to drop off any unwrapped toy. All the locations are listed at this link. Council District 4 drop-off locations include:

• Farmer's & Merchants Bank - 2302 Bellflower Blvd
• LBPD East Division - 3800 E Willow Street
• Los Altos Family YMCA - 1720 Bellflower Blvd
• Dr. Tom Clark Community Center - 2800 Studebaker Rd
• Starbucks - 6560 E Spring St
• Starbucks - 2590 Lakewood Blvd
• Starbucks - 1775 Ximeno Ave
• The HydraFacial Company - 3600 E Burnett
• Unitarian Universalist Church of LB - 5450 E Atherton St
• Relativity Space - 3500 E Burnett St

LBFD Spark of Love Toy Drive

Now thru Dec. 24th

The Long Beach Fire Department holiday toy drive is underway. Please help LBFD spread some holiday cheer this year! Monetary and toy donations are being accepted now through December 24th. See additional information at this link. Unwrapped toy donations may be dropped off outside all LBFD fire stations. CD4 locations drop off locations include:

• Fire Station 5 - 7575 Wardlow Rd.
• Fire Station 17 - 2247 Argonne Ave.
• Fire Station 22 - 6340 Atherton St.

Filming in the Fourth

December 7, 8 & 9 | 7 am - 11 pm | 2280 Bellflower Blvd.

Filming will continue this afternoon and evening at 2280 N. Bellflower Blvd., Panera Bread (CLOSED TO PUBLIC). Filming will consist of interior and exterior dialogue with talent against scenery. Exterior scenes to include establishing shots and talent entering and exiting the restaurant. Interior scenes to include simulated business operations, food on tables, and talent seated for a meal. Production MUST leave a 4-foot pedestrian access on sidewalks/walkways at all times. Production may NOT have camera, equipment, or persons in the street at any time.

Holiday Open House at Rancho Los Alamitos

December 9th | 4 - 8 pm | Reservations here

In the early 1900s, the Bixby family hosted the ranch’s community of workers, families, and friends for a big Christmas party. Now you’re invited! Enjoy a festive evening at Rancho Los Alamitos, tour the decorated Ranch House and enjoy music and light refreshments. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Free parking for RLA members and $5 for others. For more information, please call (562) 431-3541 or email info@RanchoLosAlamitos.org

Assistance League Holiday Pop-Up

Dec. 9th (12 - 8 pm) & Dec. 10th (10 am - 5 pm) | 6220 E Spring St.

Assistance League of Long Beach is hosting its annual Holiday Pop-Up shop on December 9th and 10th. Attendees can shop for oils, jams and jellies, baked goods, clothing, jewelry, woodwork, fine soaps and much more! Sales will benefit their eleven philanthropic programs. For more information and for a list of vendors, visit this link.

Towne Center Holiday Tree Lighting

December 9th | 7 pm - 9 pm | 7501 E. Carson St.

The Long Beach Towne Center invites the community to a Christmas tree lighting and extravaganza featuring a dramatic laser light show with falling snow, a musical performance by the Jazz Angels and a selfie-worthy meet-and-greet with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, festive stilt walkers and a life-size holiday Teddy Bear. The fun begins at 7:15 pm, and the light show and snowfall repeats at 8 pm. The event is FREE and open to the public. It will take place outdoors in the Regal Edwards Promenade.

Hmong New Year Festival

December 10th & 11th | 7 am - 5 pm | 7550 E. Spring St.

The Hmong New Year Festival will take place from 7 am to 5 pm on December 10th and 11th at El Dorado Park. The event will feature Hmong, Lao and Thai Dance, traditional foods, ball tossing and more. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 10 am. For more information, view the event flyer at this link.

FREE Household Hazardous Waste Event

December 10th | 9 am - 2 pm | 2755 California Ave.

Household cleaning products, pesticides, paint, e-waste including batteries?, medications?, and many other products are considered hazardous waste and should not go in your trash or recycling carts. The next collection event is tomorrow, Saturday, December 10th. Learn more at this link.

Rancho Los Alamitos Winter Family Festival

December 10th | 12 - 4 pm | Ticket Link



Celebrate the season while learning about the diverse traditions of those who once called Puvungna and Rancho Los Alamitos home. Enjoy hands-on activities, dance and musical performances, a petting zoo, carriage rides, food for purchase, and more! Tickets will be $18 for adults (12 and up), $15 for children (3 and up), and free for children 2 and under. Tickets can be purchased at this link. Free parking at CSULB lot G13. Enter the parking lot from Palo Verde.

Christmas Events at Farmers Marketplace

December 11th | 8 am - 1 pm | 5000 E Spring St.

Farmers Marketplace will be hosting multiple events this weekend including some Christmas festivities.



• Christmas at the Market: Come see Santa Claus in his grotto booth and wants to meet children of all ages from 10 am to 12:30 pm. There will also be carolers from the Long Beach Children's Theater, face painting, and the usual farmers, vendors, crafters and food. 
• Monthly Car Meet: The return of the Farmers Marketplace Car Meet Up takes place this weekend! All car enthusiasts are welcome to join other gearheads to talk about cars and appreciate each others’ vehicles.
• Pet Food Drive: There will be a collection of pet food for local rescues and shelters. Drop off any canned wet food, kibble, blankets, and toys at the Information Booth.

For more information on these events, visit this link.

99-Year Holiday Tradition at F&M Bank

December 12th - 17th | regular bank hours | 2302 Bellflower Blvd.

Wassail & Gingerbread week at Farmers & Merchants Bank since 1923! Interestingly, the story of wassail & gingerbread begins in the warm summer months in Downtown Long Beach. Carrie Walker, wife of F&M Bank Founder, C.J. Walker, offered lemonade to clients waiting in line at the un-airconditioned Main Office. Looking for a way to continue the tradition during the winter, Carrie decided to serve the family's wassail recipe with a slice of homemade gingerbread. Every year in December, clients are served wassail & gingerbread at each F&M Bank branch office including the Los Altos branch all next week at 23rd and Bellflower.

Towne Center Blood Drive

December 13th | 11:30 am - 6 pm | 7411 E Carson St.

The Long Beach Towne Center will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 11:30 am to 6 pm. The bloodmobile will be located in the parking lot near Lucille's. Please visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code: LBTowneCenter to schedule an appointment. For updated donation safety protocols, please visit this link. For more information, visit this link.

Next on the City Council Agenda

December 13th | 4:30 pm & 5:00 pm | 411 W. Ocean Blvd.

Prior to the regular council meeting, there will be a Special City Council Meeting at 4:30 pm where a presentation for the keys to the City of Long Beach will take place. 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:

• Presentations: Outgoing Mayor, City Attorney and Councilmember Ceremonies

• R-33: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution declaring a shelter crisis, suspending applicable provisions of local law, including zoning provisions contained in the Long Beach Municipal Code and regulations; and, authorize the operation of a Winter Shelter between the dates of December 16, 2022 and March 31, 2023; and, Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a Lease Agreement, including any necessary ancillary documents and amendments, between MWN Community Hospital. LLC, a CA limited liability company (Lessor) and the City (Lessee) and a Sublease between the City (Sublessor) and First to Serve Inc., a CA nonprofit corporation (Sublessee), or its assignee, for approximately 81 beds within 18,140 rentable square feet of space at 1720 Termino Avenue, for use as a Winter Shelter; and, authorize the addition or reduction of security services at the Winter Shelter, as needed, at the discretion of the City Manager. (District 3).

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

Los Altos Library December Holiday Events

Dec. 14th: D.I.Y. Snowglobe - Teens - 4 - 5 pm

• Attendees will be able to build their own snowglobe at this winter craft session for Teens.

Dec. 21st: Holiday Storytime - 1-5 years - 11 am - 12 pm

• A festive twist on children's storytime, join Los Altos librarians for a cheerful storytime and a festive craft session.

Dec. 22nd: Holiday Wreath Workshop - All Ages - 5 - 6:30 pm

• Sheena Langub from Rooted Harmony will host a wreath-making workshop to celebrate the holiday season. Space is limited to 15 attendees, so reservations are required.

For more information and to register for events, call (562) 570-1045.

Pet Supplies Plus Adoption Event Next Friday

December 16th | 11 am - 2 pm | 2086 Bellflower Blvd.

Visit the Long Beach Animal Care Services Adoption Waggin' on Friday, December 16th, from 11 am - 2 pm at the monthly Pet Supplies Plus adoption event. Don't miss out on finding your new best friend! For more information on this event, call Megan Ignacio at (562) 570-3094.

Deadline Extended for MAP Application

Deadline December 16th | 2 pm | Apply Here

The City of Long Beach Management Assistant Program is California's longest-running municipal management development program. The Program offers a one-year fellowship consisting of high-priority projects, engaging rotations, and advancement opportunities for career and personal growth. The final deadline for the 2023-2024 application is Friday, December 16th, 2022 at 2 pm. For more information, visit this link.

LBACS Wrap-Up Event

December 17th | 4 - 6 pm | 7700 E Spring St.

Join Long Beach Animal Care Services for their wrap-up event at the LBACS shelter. The event will feature music, festive activities, and vendors. Attendees are encouraged to come in Christmas-themed ugly sweaters and bring unopened store-bought pet treats for stocking stuffers. Bring a gift for a furry friend to put under the Christmas tree. The event is free to attend. View the press release at this link or find more information here.

Nature Kids! Winter Break Workshops

December 26th - January 6th | 10 am - 12 pm | Register Here

Registration for Nature Kids! Winter Break Workshops are now open. The workshops will take place at the El Dorado Nature Center where children aged 5-8 years will experience nature through investigation, hands-on activities, games and crafts. Children must have Kindergarten experience. Registration at this link is required, and there is a $20 fee per class.

8th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Over 6,000 people were in attendance on the Terrace Theater Plaza Monday night, with residents coming from all over Long Beach to Downtown to participate in the 8th Annual lighting of the Long Beach Christmas Tree by Mayor Garcia and other elected officials. You won't want to miss this celebration next year! Check out the video of Monday's event by clicking on the arrow below.