By Neena Strichart
With all the news and happenings around here, our heads are spinning trying to get the details out to our readers in a timely manner. This week I am using the space in my column to fill you in on as much as I can— in chronological order.
• Petco in Signal Hill officially opened Friday, Sept. 25. Located at 3065 California Ave., near Home Depot and Jack in the Box, the city’s newest store is sure to be a welcome sight for pet lovers and their four-legged friends.
• Speaking of pet lovers, according to Long Beach Councilmember Robert Garcia, the brand-new “K-9 Corner” Dog Park (which is “off the grid” and 100-percent solar-powered) at 9th Street and Pacific Avenue, opened Sunday, Sept. 27. The grand-opening celebration featured a neighborhood block party complete with an animal adoption fair, a barbecue hosted by the Police Officers Association, visits from K-9 officers and their canine companions, and plenty of other activities sponsored by the North Pine Neighborhood Alliance (NPNA).
• Give your taste buds a treat at the first-ever Taste of Downtown on Pine Avenue. Stroll the streets Wednesday, Sept. 30, while enjoying live music and samples from more than a dozen of downtown’s restaurants. Each participant will have a table in front of their restaurant, redeeming tickets for trial-sized portions of their specialties. Tickets will be on sale at the event only, for just $1 each or 12 for $10. Stop by the information booth to purchase tickets and pick up a map of the area, which includes Pine between 1st and 4th Streets and portions of Broadway. See www.dlba.org for details.
• It has come to our attention that many local school music programs are being discontinued due to budget cuts. Long Beach residents Dodie Carmichael and singer/songwriter Michelle Mangione have partnered up to help save the music at Mayfair High/Middle School in Bellflower. They will continue their efforts to help the school by collecting instruments and monetary donations at the Mirage Coffeehouse, 539 E. Bixby Rd., Friday, Oct. 2 from 7:30pm to 10pm. If you have an instrument to donate, please bring it to the Mirage or make your donations directly to the school at 6000 N. Woodruff Ave.
