Real Cabbage Patch Kid
June 20th, 2008
By Karin Wasinger
Special to the Signal Tribune
Los Cerritos Elementary School third graders harvested their Bonnie Plants cabbages on Wednesday, June 11 at 9 a.m. for a chance at a $1,000 scholarship. This is the third year in a row that Los Cerritos third graders participated in the program.
Early in the year, (plant seller) Bonnie Plants gives a young cabbage plant to each third-grade student. Then, students decide whether they’d like to plant and care for their cabbage plant at home or school. For several months it is the responsibility of students for care for their cabbage.
Two to three months later, the school harvests the cabbages and weighs them. The students who grow the heaviest cabbage in each of the four third-grade classes have their names submitted to the Bonnie Plants Scholarship Program. Read the rest of this entry »
Workshops bring SH closer to its 10-year master plan for parks
June 20th, 2008
BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
On June 11, during a community workshop, the City of Signal Hill inched closer to developing a 10-year master plan for its parks. The hour-and-a-half-long workshop was held at the Signal Hill Community Center in the evening hours and drew about 24 residents.
The gathering was the second and final workshop conducted for the city’s recreation needs assessment, which has been going on for several months. Kathy Sorensen, director of community services, explained that the city has been asking residents to respond to written questionnaires and telephone surveys related to the future needs of Signal Hill Parks. Residents were also invited to participate in two park planning workshops on May 14 and June 11. Read the rest of this entry »
Councilman hosts meeting publicizing low-cost prescription program
June 20th, 2008
BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
Seniors and other people with fixed, moderate or low incomes often have trouble paying for much needed prescription drugs. To help them with that, 6th District Long Beach Councilman Dee Andrews recently hosted two meetings to discuss ways for residents to obtain low-cost medications.
“Being a senior citizen myself, I know that it is important to reach out to my generation especially when it comes to saving money,” Andrews said. “A lot of people in my generation are on fixed incomes, and every penny counts.”
The first meeting took place last Thursday at New Hope Home, a senior apartment complex on New York Street. About 25 people attended. Sabrina Ross, representing Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), told the audience that the organization provided good options to those who have a hard time paying for medications. Read the rest of this entry »
Around town : June 19, 2008
June 20th, 2008Local events and happenings for the coming week. Read the rest of this entry »
Reminiscing…
June 20th, 2008
Do you recognize this event or where this photo was taken? If you have any information, contact the Signal Tribune at 2669 Myrtle Avenue, Suite 111, Signal Hill, CA 90755 or go online to www.SignalTribune.com and click on “Reminiscing” to see more photos.
Local insurance agency donates to CAHP widows, orphans fund
June 20th, 2008Recognizing the outstanding volunteer efforts of California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) to support their crucial Widows and Orphans Fund, Bixby Knolls neighborhood Allstate Insurance Company exclusive agent and community leader Brenda Soto-Bryan will formally be presenting the South Los Angeles office of the CHP with a donation for the fund during her agency’s Client Appreciation Day, Saturday, June 21, at Los Cerritos Park in Long Beach. Read the rest of this entry »
Long Beach community groups share ideas at CHNA meeting
June 20th, 2008BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
When people or organizations work together to accomplish shared goals, amazing things can happen. With that realization in mind, two associations and one nonprofit group have joined forces to create a synergy for positive change in a swath of Long Beach where many businesses are struggling to survive.
The three organizations– California Heights Neighborhood Association (CHNA), Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) and the Atlantic Avenue Corridor Project– gathered last week to discuss improving the quality of life and the business climate in an area that includes California Heights, Bixby Knolls and a portion of North Long Beach. They came together during the monthly CHNA meeting at the Long Beach Petroleum Club last Thursday evening. About 30 people attended the event. Read the rest of this entry »
Thoughts from the Publisher : Gay Marriage
June 20th, 2008
Tuesday was the first full business day that same-gender couples could legally wed in the state of California. The Supreme Court ruling overturning a ban on same-sex marriages actually took effect Monday at 5:01 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »
Commentary: Run for your life … it’s Gay Bridezilla
June 20th, 2008
Submitted by Kelly Nielsen
My parents were married for 53 years until my mother passed. Sadly, I can’t ever recall hearing the words “I love you” shared between them. Religion was the only thing standing in the way of divorce.
I’ve been to weddings held in churches, hot-air balloons, Las Vegas chapels, at parks and beaches, and on cruise ships.
I’ve thrown bachelor parties, I’ve been the best man, and I usually dance with both the bride and groom during the dollar dance. I’ve even caught the garter a few times.
I last attended the marriage of my 22-year-old nephew (just back from Iraq) and his 20-year-old fiancé. I hope he doesn’t read this column, because I believe the main reason they wed was to increase his military benefits.
Marriage has become an incredible source of entertainment and profit. My view of marriage has become tainted. Read the rest of this entry »
Aquarium of the Pacific to celebrate 10 years in Long Beach
June 20th, 2008
BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer
Strolling past the exhibits at Aquarium of the Pacific is like visiting marine ecosystems throughout the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean, while being introduced to a variety of sciences. For the next several months, the Aquarium will be celebrating the ten-year anniversary of its opening on the Long Beach shoreline. Special events, seminars and banquets are scheduled, and all of them are aimed at highlighting the vital importance of preserving the ocean’s ecosystems.
Last Thursday, the Aquarium hosted a press preview to publicize the facility, its programs and the special events planned for the next 12 months. The two-hour preview began with a press conference, which included comments by various local officials. “I can’t tell you how excited the City of Long Beach is to help our Aquarium celebrate its 10th anniversary. It is one of the icons of our community,” said Long Beach City Manager Pat West. “It truly is a crown jewel for Long Beach.” Read the rest of this entry »
Bixby Knolls invites all to take a stroll around the neighborhood
June 20th, 2008
Business owners, residents, friends and family are encouraged to join the new walking club, the Bixby Knolls Strollers, every Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. It’s been a great way for strollers to get fit, check out the businesses, explore the neighborhoods and meet neighbors, and the group keeps growing in size.
Strollers have been touring the area with walks up and down the boulevards, to Forest Lawn Cemetery, through Rancho Los Cerritos, to the Cliff May homes, through California Heights, and over to the Dominguez Gap. The routes are approximately 3.5 miles and change each week. Read the rest of this entry »
Signal Hill recreation now and into the future
June 20th, 2008
By Mike Noll
Signal Hill Mayor
Signal Hill is completing a survey of park and recreation needs of our community. WE NEED YOUR INPUT!! Over 300 random phone calls were made to residents during the month of May, and the City received valuable information. There is still time for seniors, families, and youth to provide input via the City Web site (www.cityofsignalhill.org). Let us hear from you so we know what your priorities are for programs and facilities in Signal Hill. Read the rest of this entry »
Long Beach Transit makes slight changes for summer
June 20th, 2008
Long Beach Transit will implement its summer service change, effective June 22, 2008, resulting in minor impacts to the operating schedules of certain fixed-route services.
Certain timepoints in the weekend time schedules for Passports A and D have been changed by a few minutes, but weekday service will continue to operate without adjustment. Midday service frequency for routes 51 and 52 has been increased to 12 minutes during weekdays, with slight time schedule adjustments, but weekend service remains the same. Routes 45 and 46 have minor frequency changes during peak school hours, and weekend running times have also been slightly altered. Read the rest of this entry »
Strong performances overcome shortcomings in ICT’s The Sweepers
June 20th, 2008
By Vicki Paris Goodman
Arts and Entertainment Editor
Just as the women remaining stateside sweep the dirt off their front porches each day, so are they expected to “sweep up” the ravages of war. This is, in part, the reproachful message of The Sweepers, John C. Picardi’s World War II-era play enjoying its West Coast premiere at International City Theatre.
The Sweepers focuses on Mary, Dotty and Bella, three Italian-American women in a seedy Italian section of Boston. Their brick and concrete neighborhood may lack greenery, but the environs are the home of the generations-old traditions that allow the women’s close friendship and commonality to sustain them while beloved husbands and sons are defending our nation’s freedoms overseas. Read the rest of this entry »
Film contest ends with a surprising twist
June 20th, 2008
The entries have been tallied and the winner has been determined for the United Artists movie contest…or should we say winners?
Most contests are straightforward– the correct answers are culled from the boatload of entries and a winner is chosen from that group. That was indeed the intent for the Signal Tribune staff when it came to how the contest would be conducted. With a set of 20 classic titles on DVD as the prize- precision and fairness were key. Read the rest of this entry »
BKBIA Summer Shutters photo contest begins this Saturday
June 20th, 2008The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association has announced its new event, Summer Shutters 24-Hour Digital Photo Contest. The goal of Summer Shutters is to capture all the beauty, nuances and charm of Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Virginia Country Club and Los Cerritos neighborhoods.
This includes the businesses, the people, the environment, the streets, and the subtleties of this special area of Long Beach all during a 24-hour period. Read the rest of this entry »
Maureen Lawrence…singer and DJ rolled into one
June 20th, 2008
By CORY BILICKO
Managing Copy Editor
Years ago, Maureen Lawrence made the move from booking the entertainment for parties to actually being the entertainment. She now offers her service as a professional vocalist as well as a deejay for special events. Read the rest of this entry »
Long Beach fire stations to give away free smoke detectors Saturday
June 20th, 2008On Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Long Beach fire station will give away up to two smoke detectors for each residence in the city of Long Beach.
Statistics show that properly installed and maintained smoke alarms in the home are considered one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire. Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by enabling residents to detect fires early in their development. In fact, the risk of dying from fires in homes without smoke alarms is approximately twice as high as in homes that have working smoke alarms. Read the rest of this entry »