Encampment Clean-Up + Flavored Tobacco Ban + Corpse Flower Blooms

It’s another beautiful day in Long Beach, the Aquatic Capital of America!

Welcome to the Long Beach Patch Daily Newsletter, the easiest and most enjoyable way to know what’s happening down the street and around the corner.

It’s been in the works for years, but the City will finally clean up 22 freeway encampments. Negotiations with Caltrans about reimbursement became moot when the City opted to use federal pandemic money for the task. Also, LB has banned flavored tobacco products. Enforcement starts August 15. Finally, the CSULB corpse flower is blooming for the second time in two years! Let’s hear it for its caretakers who made this rare event possible.

First Things First: Today’s Weather and Allergy Outlook

Sunny Southern California doesn’t disappoint, with June temperatures reaching 75° for the high and 64° for the low. It’ll be mostly sunny and gorgeous out here.

Even though it’s grass pollen season, along with olives, levels of pollen in the air are slightly increasing but still considered low to medium.

The Five News Headlines That Everyone’s Talking About

1. Years of negotiations between LB and Caltrans have ended with a plan to clean up 22 freeway encampments. Federal pandemic recovery funds are the game-changer that let the city move forward without worry whether Caltrans would pay. (LB Post)
2. LB is permanently banning flavored tobacco products beginning August 15. The goal is to “further protect public health.” Business owners who need assistance with compliance should contact the Tobacco Retail Enforcement Program at 562-570-7905. (City of LB)
3. Cal State Long Beach’s corpse flower named Phil is blooming again for the second time in two years. Typically, these plants only bloom once every five to ten years. (OC Register)
4. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $30 million to LB City College. LBCC intends to use the funds to address “racial equity gaps” and engage in “equity-minded practices.” (LB Local News)
5. The LB FD reminds residents that fireworks are illegal in the city. It encourages those who see something to say something by reaching out via www.longbeach.gov/fireworks. (@LBFD)

What’s Happening Today in Long Beach?

• Band of Brothers is a weekly men’s Zoom meeting hosted by Cornerstone Church. (8 a.m.)
• Veteran’s Comeback Hiring Event at US Vets LB, 2001 River Avenue. (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Tai Chi for Beginners at Marine Stadium Park, 5300 East Eliot Street. (11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.)
• Uptown Certified Farmers’ Market at Atlantic Avenue & East 46th Street. (3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
• Bands on the Bay featuring Frank Meyer at the San Pedro Fish Market, 6550 East Marina Drive. (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
• Encarnación + Smile Goth at Alex’s Bar, 2913 East Anaheim Street. (8 p.m.)

Today’s Long Beach Patch Notebook

It may not fit into news or events, but you sure want to know about it!

• Join the friendly folks at Cornerstone Church in serving at Christian Outreach in Action. The next opportunity is June 24.

That’s it! You’re now in the know and ready to weigh in at the water cooler. Better yet, head out and experience Long Beach! I’ll bring you another serving of tasty news and events morsels tomorrow.

-Sylvia

Sylvia Cochran is a freelance writer who has lived more than 20 years in Long Beach and its various neighborhoods. I love books, dogs, volunteering, and embrace social justice. If you have a juicy tidbit of what’s happening locally, don’t keep it to yourself; reach out by emailing me at longbeach-ca@patch.com!