FPV Outbreak + Plastic Bag Store Movie + 49,000 Owe Library Fines

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.

A recent FPV outbreak at the animal shelter has officials urging residents to keep healthy cats at home. They offer vouchers to help you with kitty care and spaying or neutering. Also, an innovative film brings residents face to face with our plastic addiction. Visit the Aquarium to see what it’s all about. Finally, there are currently 49,000 residents barred from borrowing from the local libraries. It’s time to end the overdue fines.

First Things First: Today’s Weather, Surf Report, and Allergy Outlook

Sunny Southern California doesn’t disappoint, with June temperatures reaching 77° for the high and 61° for the low. It’ll be partly cloudy and warm out here.

Ocean water temperatures are around 57° with surf heights of three to four feet.

Even though it’s oak pollen season, along with sagebrush and chenopods, levels of pollen in the air are decreasing steadily but still considered low to medium.

The Five News Headlines That Everyone’s Talking About

1. An outbreak of Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) at the animal shelter causes officials to urge residents to vaccinate cats against the disease. Also, they ask that you “do not bring healthy cats to animal shelters,” but rather contact animal services to get help and vouchers to care for animals. (City of LB)
2. “Plastic Bag Store: The Film” is a collaboration between UCLA’s Center of Art Performance and the Aquarium of the Pacific. It adapts the New York Times Square immersive experience for local residents. See the film beginning Sunday. (Aquarium of the Pacific)
3. The Library Services Director warns that 43,000 adults and 6,000 minors cannot currently check out books and other media because of fines they owe. She urges that the Council should permanently eliminate library fines. (City of LB)
4. Fire Station 9 is still there. The Planning Commission “indefinitely postponed a vote” that would have led to the demolition of the building. Citing a lack of certainty on the city’s part about what to do with the land, members declined to take up a vote at this time. (LB Post)
5. Mexihana’s Hibachi Grill is a pandemic success story. Opening up in a do-or-die style at 1782 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, the owners have changed the neighborhood’s vibe, which earned them plenty of praise from Hood Santa (Tito Rodriguez). (HiLo)

What’s Happening Today in Long Beach?

• YMCA Fairfield Family Branch begins summer camp at 4949 Atlantic Avenue. (6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Bixby Park Summer Camp for 5-12 starts at 2760 North Studebaker Road. (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Nature Kids for 4-6 at the El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 East Spring Street. (9:45 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
• Aquatics Level 1 with parent participation for ages 6 to 13 at Silverado Park Pool, 1540 West 32nd Street. (10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.)
• Reading Development 2-6 at Cherry Avenue Park, 1901 East 45th Street. (4:20 p.m. to 5:05 p.m.)

Today’s Long Beach Patch Notebook

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

• The Local Hearts Foundation is the brainchild of Hood Santa, a.k.a. Tito Rodriguez. Get involved today!

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!