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6 SIGNAL TRIBuNe NewS Downtown LB Farmers Market moves to temporary Pine Avenue spot after being uprooted from City Place
Sean Belk Staff Writer
The fruits and veggies will continue to flow in downtown Long Beach, although, for now, at a new, temporary spot. Last Friday, the property manager of the City Place shopping center suddenly ejected the open-air Long Beach Downtown Farmers Market that has operated Fridays in a section of the center at 4th Street and Promenade North for the past eight years. Operators of the farmers market and sellers of handmade arts and crafts were given notices early in the morning to vacate the premises, making it their last day at that location. But now, Harbor Area Farmers Markets (HAFM), which opened in Long Beach more than 33 years ago and now operates six weekly farmers markets, including the one downtown, announced the operation will remain open today, July 19, from 10am to 3pm, at a new, temporary location at 641 Pine Ave., just south
of West 7th Street. HAFM manages approximately 35 farmers and local food artisans that sell to the downtown Long Beach community. “Our goal was to quickly find a temporary solution to avoid the economic and social losses that our market and the downtown community would experience,” said Dale Whitney, HAFM manager, in a statement. “Rather than bringing our problems to City Hall, we’re bringing a solution and our gratitude. We just want to move onward and upward. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the Long Beach community and are pleased to announce that we’ll be open for business on Friday.” HAFM officials stated that Mike Wylie and Nima Nami of Cultural Alliance of Long Beach and Historic Old Pine Avenue offered up the space, adding that a verbal agreement has been reached and the insurance documents are in the process of being settled and acquired. “It’s an honor to have the oppor-
In the Studio
tunity to help a fellow Long Beach nonprofit,” stated Wylie. “We strive to raise the bar in local giving, and we look forward to future partnerships to serve the downtown Long Beach community.” HAFM offiCourtesy HAFM cials also said The Long Beach Downtown Farmers Market will no longer be located at the City Place shopping center they met with (pictured). After being told by the property manager to leave, the market is moving to a temporary locaLong Beach Vice tion at 641 Pine Ave., just south of West 7th Street. Mayor and 1st District Countions,” according to HAFM officials. manager of City Place, could not be cilmember Robert Garcia, who “All of our farmers and food arti- immediately reached for comment expressed support for finding both sans are small businesses, and we before the Signal Tribune’s press temporary and permanent locations don’t want them to suffer because of time. in order to “continue to serve down- what happened,” Whitney stated. Julia Kohn, spokesperson for town residents uninterrupted.” “Our market is where thousands of HAFM, however, said there were To stay open permanently in downtown residents and office several reasons the property manager downtown, however, HAFM has workers buy their food every week. forced out the farmers market, includasked for city officials’ help in facil- The farmers market is the essence ing planned construction in the area, itating “any required permits and of community, culture and local with Chuck E. Cheese’s and other show leniency and compassion on commerce, and we don’t want to restaurants moving into the center. any fees associated with acquiring miss a beat.” Nordstrom Rack’s closing was also a the temporary and permanent locaJanice Schuerman, operations factor.
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Pet of the Week:
Mr. Boggs
Mr. Boggs is just a baby, but like any Siamese, he’s talked from an early age. And he has plenty to say, like “What am I doing here? Why can’t people be responsible for their animals so we won’t have so blasted many of me during kitten season?” He’s awfully cute; sadly, there’s plenty more where he came from. Meet Mr. Boggs and his litter mates on the shelter side of Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A499802.
Sponsored by:
SH vice mayor ed wilson reappointed to San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and mountains conservancy Signal Hill Vice Mayor Ed Wilson has been reappointed to the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), which was created by the California legislature in 1999. The RMC is one of 10 conservancies within the California Resources Agency. Its mission is to preserve open space and habitat in order to provide for low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements. RMC’s territory covers eastern Los Angeles County and western Orange County. The governing board is composed of 13 voting and seven non-voting members who are appointed or are designated by virtue of the office they hold, at local, state and federal levels. The Conservancy has no power
of condemnation or authority over city zoning laws. The RMC has provided over $50 million in grants for open-space acquisition and restoration, according to Wilson. Wilson was initially appointed to the RMC by then California State Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson in 2003. He was reappointed by Speaker Karen Bass and most recently by Speaker John Perez.
The Campaign Trail
Source: SH Vice Mayor Ed Wilson
Megan Kerr, a volunteer and PTA member in the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD ) for the past 12 years, has announced her candidacy for the LBUSD school board. According to her campaign website, Kerr has worked in classrooms, offices, music programs, sports programs and green teams at every school her children attended as well as other schools in the LBUSD. She has also served on school site councils as well as district-wide committees as a parent representative. For more information, visit megankerr.com .
Daniel Haro, a political strategist from Sacramento who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, has announced his candidacy for city councilmember to represent Long Beach’s 3rd district. “The 3rd district needs a candidate who is not part of the liberal, elite status quo at City Hall that include City Councilwomen Suja Lowenthal and Gerri Shipske [sic] who have made a mess,” reads a press release issued by Haro’s chief of staff, Jeffrey Benson. “Daniel is the only true conservative in the race running for the first time.” Haro’s campaign video may be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=cniZmixth_Q .