By Gina Redican
I’d like to thank all those who continue to maintain their membership status and to welcome all newbies to the association. We’re dedicated to making the neighborhood even better than it already is and are open to new ideas. If you have thoughts on projects or events you’d like to see happen in Belmont Heights, please contact us via our beautiful website at www.MyBelmontHeights.org and be sure to check out our online store while you’re there.
I’d like to say a quick thank you to those that made October’s Goblins on the Greenbelt so much fun! If you find yourself in need of any of these services, please consider these local sponsoring businesses:
Kelsey from Inspyr Arts who ran and supplied the pumpkin decorating station, Heidi Brantley of Coldwell Banker, Studio M Dance Academy, Elizabeth Kibbey and family, Escape Long Beach, Haven-Belmont Heights, Law Offices of Kuper & Wilson, Root & Branch Landscape Design, Pack 14 Cub Scouts, Lauren Friedman of Keller Williams Pacific Estates, Muska Homes and Accel Fitness. Long time BHCA leader, Dianne Sundstrom, generously donated pumpkin decorating supplies and support was also provided by the Third District through Gabby Yates and Councilperson Suzie Price.
Community Meeting: In November, the BHCA got a chance to meet our new LBPD East Division Commander Michael Richens. After introducing himself and sharing a bit about his background, Commander Richens addressed the recent increase in break-ins, offering helpful advice to reduce incidents. Top on the list is to make it as difficult as possible for potential burglars by checking doors and windows to make sure they are locked and secured. Our LBPD East Division team is always hard at work for us, and do not hesitate to reach out to them at LBPDEast@longbeach.gov if you have any non-emergency related questions.
Our main topic for the evening was an update on the Colorado Lagoon Open Channel Project from Dave Pirazzi, founding member of Friends of Colorado Lagoon. Dave brought beautiful renderings of what the project will look like, informed us of upcoming phases, the timeline, and answered some detailed questions on project funding. Dave is an incredible source of information on all things Colorado Lagoon.
Long Beach Redistricting: A special thank you to VP, Julie Folcik, and Board Member, Kathleen Brady, for their hard work on this project as they attended every meeting involving Belmont Heights, which sometimes would last until 2:00 a.m.! Beyond that, they put in countless hours of work on drafting maps with other local neighborhood representatives that they felt, as individuals, served our community. Due to the urgency and quickness of this process, BHCA representatives participated as individuals and we made sure not to represent the entire membership as we were unable to get a quorum. With a mission motto of “whole and together,” we submitted letters and spoke at meetings asking that no neighborhood in Long Beach be split into two districts, and that neighborhoods that share interests remain together. A huge win was keeping Alamitos Heights and other eastern coastal regions within our Third District, but Bluff Heights and Bluff Park are now in District Two. We welcome new neighbors to the north extending up to the traffic circle, including Bryant neighborhood.
November Drive-Thru Food Drive: Our November Food Drive was a tremendous success thanks to a local business sponsor, Keller Williams Coastal Properties. Agents and clients of this Keller Williams Team collected more than 50 bags of food and goods throughout November and, combined with our neighborhood residents, flooded the LBCC Viking Vault. If your neighborhood business wishes to sponsor one of our monthly food drives, please contact us via our website!
Holiday Party: COVID struck again! Due to the surge of the new variant, the BHCA made the decision to cancel our annual Holiday Party. We can’t wait to be with you all again and are hopeful for next year!
Long Beach Multi-Service Center: In December, a small group of local community leaders were invited to take a tour of the Long Beach Multi Service Center (MSC) at 1301 W. 13th Street. We were led by State Senator Lena Gonzalez and team, MSC staff including the Director and Deputy Director Health & Human Services, Kelley Colopy, and Dr. Jessica Schumer (also a BHCA member). The MSC is a tremendous resource for those in need of services related to homelessness. Individuals can receive basic amenities such as showers, food and laundry as well as medical treatment including for mental health, substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. The MSC’s main goal is to help people achieve self-sufficiency and help rebuild people’s lives.
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