NEWS
OCTOBER 11, 2013
LB City Council approves formation of Uptown business district
After about three years of organizing by north Long Beach property owners, the Long Beach City Council voted Oct. 8 to approve the formation of an Uptown Property and Business Improvement District (PBID), according to 9th District Councilmember Steve Neal’s office. The venture is a joint project undertaken by the Uptown Property & Community Association, 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal, 8th District Councilmember Al Austin and the North Long Beach Business Alliance. The intention behind the PBID, which will become effective on January 1, 2014, is to foster economic development, security, and maintenance along the Atlantic Avenue corridor, according to Neal’s office. Specifically, the targeted area will be Atlantic Avenue, between Artesia Boulevard and Market Street, and Artesia Boulevard, between Atlantic and Orange avenues.
The Uptown Property and Community Association (UPCA) will be the new nonprofit organization that will administer the PBID, which will have an annual budget of $188,367, according to Neal’s office. The Board of Directors of the UPCA, currently in formation, will manage the newly formed district. “We have seen such benefit from the great work of BIDs in Long Beach neighborhoods like Bixby Knolls and downtown,” Neal said. “With the loss of redevelopment, this new district will be a crucial tool to bring economic vitality and a sense of community pride to north Long Beach. I applaud the Uptown Property and Community Association, commercial property owners, businesses and all of the stakeholders on the formation of this historic new PBID.” Yanki Greenspan, principal at Westland Real Estate group and an
uptown property owner, said the PBID’s formation is emblematic of the dedication of businesses in the area. “This district represents the commitment of north Long Beach property owners to the revitalization of our business corridors and the entire community,” Greenspan said. “We had a spirited discussion amongst stakeholders, and [Tuesday’s] vote was a major leap in the right direction.” Austin expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the business district. “I am encouraged by the positive support of the property owners in the Uptown PBID,” Austin said, “and I look forward to the positive accomplishments that our property owners, business, and the City will be able to achieve together along these key commercial corridors.” Source: Neal’s office
Wilmington man found guilty of reckless driving, hit-and-run, evading arrest, filing false police report
A jury has found Marcus Brandon Williams, 33, of Wilmington, guilty of multiple charges stemming from an incident that began with a reckless-driving incident, followed by a police chase in Long Beach last year, according to the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s office. Williams evaded officers that night, but he was caught by police after reporting his car stolen. According to a press release issued by the City Prosecutor’s office, on Aug. 26, 2012, Williams, then unidentified, was speeding and driving recklessly in a 2011 Chevy Malibu at 11:45pm. When he ran a stop sign at PCH and 19th Street, a Long Beach Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop. Williams kept driving at high speeds in an apparent attempt to evade the officer, until he careened into two parked cars. Williams then fled on foot and was able to evade the officer. Three days later, Williams called LBPD to report that his car had been stolen. When detectives ran the vehicle’s identification number, they discovered the incident from three nights prior and conducted an investigation. Williams was identified as the driver who had fled from officers. The Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office filed charges, and on Oct. 7, 2013, Williams was convicted by a jury of reckless driv-
ing, hit-and-run, evading arrest, and filing a false police report. “This is a serious crime,” said City Prosecutor Doug Haubert. “People need to be held accountable for their behavior, and I am glad the jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges.” Deputy City Prosecutor Ryan Sanders is the prosecutor who presented the case to the jury. “What Williams did, by his reckless driving and his running from the police, endangered the public and the officer who was trying to do his job,” he said. “Our next priority is ensuring the victims recover fully from the damages caused by his crime.” At Williams’s sentencing on Oct. 9, prosecutors sought a restitution order requiring the defendant to repay the cost of damages to the cars he hit. According to information Haubert provided to the Signal Tribune on Oct. 9, the following are the conditions of Williams’s sentencing: three years summary probation, 90 days in county jail, 20 days of labor with Caltrans, search-and-seizure conditions and restitution. “The jury listened to all the evidence and returned the right verdict,” Haubert said. “Breaking the law, then lying to cover it up was not a smart move.” Source: LB City Prosecutor’s office
SIGNAL TRIBUNE
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AN UNPROHIBITED DISCUSSION What Author talk Who Dana Branch Library Where 3680 Atlantic Ave. When Friday, Oct. 11 at 11:30am More Info Claudine Burnett, local historian and author, will introduce her new book, Prohibition Madness: Life and Death In and Around Long Beach, California, 1920-1933. Call (562) 570-1042 or visit lbpl.org .
FOR THE ANIMALS What Free mobile animal clinic Who Fix Long Beach Where Martin Luther King Park, 1950 Lemon Ave. When Saturday, Oct. 12 from 9:30am to 4pm More Info Event will offer free spay and neuter procedures to those who have made appointments. Microchipping, deworming and flea-control products as well as nail trimming will be offered at discounted prices, and appointments are not necessary to get required shots for dogs and cats. Visit fixlongbeach.com .
CELEBRATING EQUALITY AND JUSTICE What 50th annual dinner Who The California Conference for Equality and Justice Where The Grand, 4101 E. Willow St. When Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5:30pm More Info The CCEJ will introduce its officers and new board members at the meeting and report to the community. Tickets are $75 per person. Call (562) 435-8184 or visit cacej.org .
DINNER AND A PARTY What Homecoming Who American Legion Family of Lakewood Post #496 Where 5938 Parkcrest St. When Friday, Oct. 18 at 4:30pm More Info National Auxiliary President Nancy Brown-Park will speak at the event. Dinner will cost $15. Call (562) 425- 3879.
GETTING BACK TO WORK What Getting Back To Work 2013: Summit on Good Job Creation and Small Business in Long Beach Who 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal Where Long Beach Convention Center, 200 E. Seaside Way When Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9am to 4pm More Info The summit will feature a full day of activities to benefit job seekers, small-business owners and general observers. The summit will include a welcome by Mayor Bob Foster, a series of workshops for small businesses and job seekers, and a networking mixer. Call (562) 570-6137 or email district9@longbeach.gov .
JOIN THE WALK What 3rd Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Who Alzheimer’s Association Where Rainbow Lagoon Park, Shoreline Drive in downtown Long Beach When Saturday, Oct. 19 at 9am More Info In addition to the 5K walk, Walk to End Alzheimer’s will include entertainment, food, awards and a family festival. Onsite registration will open at 7:30am. Visit alz.org/socal . DINNER AND A PARTY What Networking brunch Who Rossmoor/Los Alamitos Republican Women Federated Where Marriott Courtyard, 5865 Katella Ave. in Cypress When Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9:45am to noon More Info Steve Moeller will be the speaker, and guests will have an opportunity to network and socialize. Cost will be $20. Call (562) 857-3962.
WHO ARE YOU? What Monthly meeting Who Questing Heirs Genealogical Society Where Resurrection Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 1900 E. Carson St. When Sunday, Oct. 20 at 1pm More Info The meeting will feature a talk by speaker Cele Moore, who will talk about DNA testing for genealogy. Visit qhgs.info or call (562) 598-3027.
HONORING SMALL BUSINESSES What 2013 Excellence in Business Awards Who Senator Ricardo Lara Where Office of Keesal, Young & Logan, 400 Oceangate When Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 6pm to 9pm More Info Senator Ricardo Lara will honor local small businesses that continually help the community. Lara will also provide an update on the current state of affairs in Sacramento. Parking is available in the parking structure behind the Union Bank Building at the corner of Golden Shore and Seaside Way. Call (562) 495-4766. CALLING ALL GREEN THUMBS What Plant sale Who Friends of El Dorado Nature Center and Partners of Parks Where El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St. When Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9:30am to 2pm More Info A wide variety of drought-tolerant, native plants will be available: California buckwheat, coast sunflower, ceanothus species, sages and more. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Call (562) 570-1745 or visit longbeach.gov/naturecenter .
MYSTERY-FILLED LUNCH What 5th annual “Luncheon Most Deadly” Who American Association of University Women Where Old Ranch Country Club, 3901 Lampson Ave. When Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11am More Info Author Lisa See will be the featured speaker. The fundraiser will benefit fellowships, research and project grants for women seeking education. Cost is $60 per person and includes the luncheon, program, silent auction, book sales and signing. Due to Old Ranch’s dress code, guests are discouraged from wearing jeans or strapless tops. Call (562) 493-4749.