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The World Dodgeball Society Launches Long Beach Season

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:30:47 +0000

World Dodgeball Society (WDS), the premier co-ed sports and social organization based on nostalgia and camp of the 80s, kicks off their first 2012 season with an open gym play time today, Tuesday January 31st at 8pm at Cesar Chavez Elementary School; the official league will start the week after on February 7th.

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Community Involvement to be Honored at DLBA’s Celebrate Downtown Event

Editor — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:00:51 +0000

The DLBA will host Celebrate Downtown on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Themed Recognizing the Spirit of Our Community, this event will highlight contributions members of the community have made to Downtown and introduce the inaugural Spirit of Downtown Award.

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DLBA and Long Beach Officials Dedicate Downtown Long Beach Bike Banners

Editor — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:30:29 +0000

(from left to right) John Case, Bike Station; Martin Howard, Bikeable Communities; Vice Mayor Dr. Suja Lowenthal, Second District; Councilmember Dr. Robert Garcia, First District; Kraig Kojian, DLBA President and CEO; and Tony Cruz, Long Beach’s Bicycle Ambassador and Olympian.

On Thursday, January 12, 2012, the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA), Vice Mayor Dr. Suja Lowenthal, Second District, Councilmember Dr. Robert Garcia, First District, and Martin Howard, Bikeable Communities, officially dedicated new street banners that celebrate the dedicated bike lanes along Broadway and Third Street.

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Vice Mayor Lowenthal to Host Draft Downtown PBID Community Forum

Editor — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:00:54 +0000

Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal

Vice Mayor and Second District Councilmember, Suja Lowenthal, will be hosting a community forum to discuss the current draft Property-Based Improvement District management plan on Thursday, January 12, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Main Library Auditorium 333 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802 (located in the downstairs foyer). The purpose of the meeting is to provide a face-to-face opportunity for property owners in the downtown to express their position to Dr. Lowenthal about the draft PBID management plan proposed by the Downtown Long Beach Associates.

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Realm Group Acquires Downtown Long Beach Office Building

Editor — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:30:28 +0000

Realm Group II, LLC of Newport Beach, CA has acquired, through its affiliated company Realm 200 Pine Holdings, LLC, the 200 Pine Avenue office and retail building located in the heart of downtown Long Beach. Realm acquired the property for $9,580,000 or $143 per foot. The 67,000-square-foot building contains 54,000 sf of office and 13,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. 200 Pine is situated at the corner of Pine Avenue and Broadway, just two blocks east of Ocean Boulevard. The building was 70% occupied with local and national tenants such as Ignify and XO Communications. In addition to the office, the project’s retail tenants include Octopus Restaurant and Gaucho Grill.

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The Downtown Residential Council Host Holiday Forum Monday December 19th

Editor — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:30:27 +0000

The Downtown Residential Council (DRC), will hold its end of the year holiday forum December 19, 2011 at Avia Long Beach. Meetings are free, open to the public, and all Downtown residents are encouraged to attend.

The Downtown Residential Council is comprised of resident leaders from the six Downtown neighborhood associations: Promenade Area Residents Association, Ocean Residents Community Association, North Pine Neighborhood Alliance, West End Community Association, Willmore City Heritage Association, and East Village Association.

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Tickets Now on Sale For DLBA’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Editor — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:30:19 +0000

Photo by wolfro54

Tickets are now on sale for the Downtown Long Beach Associates’ (DLBA) massive New Year’s Eve celebration taking place on Pine Avenue and Broadway. Kicking off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2011, the high-energy street party will encompass two-square blocks and feature live music by Wayward Sons and Love Fool, covering hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s and the ‘90s.

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LBCC Downtown Small Business Development Center Opening Tuesday

Editor — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:00:44 +0000

The City of Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and Long Beach City College (LBCC) will celebrate the opening of the LBCC Downtown Small Business Development Center at 10 am, Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 309 Pine Avenue in Downtown Long Beach.

“The new Downtown Center will be an incredible opportunity for small business owners to connect with the great resources at Long Beach City College and our own city economic development programs and tax incentives,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “It’s a great move and I applaud LBCC for opening this center.”

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Downtown Long Beach Kicks off the Holiday Season With Festival of Lights

Editor — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:30:40 +0000

Nearly 30 businesses will again get into the holiday spirit this year by decorating for the season as part of the Downtown Long Beach Associates’ (DLBA) annual Festival of Lights promotion taking place from December 1, through 24, 2011.

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RDA and Arts Council for Long Beach to Dedicate New Public Art Project

Editor — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:00:41 +0000

The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, in partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach, announces the dedication of a new permanent public art project for The Promenade on Tuesday, November 22, at 11 am.

Image Emergence: Promenade of the Clouds by Craig Cree Stone is an integrated public artwork located on the south block of The Promenade in Downtown Long Beach. The artwork is composed of five large-scale, stainless steel sculptures, which cast shadow images based upon the themes of flight and the future. The cast shadows appear and disappear depending upon the time of day and weather conditions. In addition, 12 illusionistic shadows, which complement the sculptures, are permanently stained into the concrete. At night, the free-standing sculptural elements are illuminated to create images that are evocative of constellations.

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DLBA Hires Gina Dartt as Marketing and Special Events Manager

Editor — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:30:23 +0000

The Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) has hired Gina Dartt as Marketing and Special Events Manager effective today, November 14, 2011, it was announced today by DLBA President and Chief Executive Officer Kraig Kojian.

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World-class Percussion Group Adaawe Comes Join Community Drum Circle

Editor — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:30:43 +0000

Bring your drum for a community drum circle featuring the world-class west african beats of female drumming group ADAAWE.

Those who follow the beat of their own drum aren’t alone. Drummers from across Long Beach will gather to experience the world-class beats of female percussion group Adaawe for an evening of community drumming, fire dancing, soul food, and a celebration of peace. The Arts Council for Long Beach and the Catalyst Network of Communities have partnered together to host “Peace & Rhythm” on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at The Promenade Park in downtown Long Beach.

As the featured performers of the event, Adaawe is a dynamic group of seven diverse women who create rich organic music with the voice and drum. In the Adaawe tradition of Ghana, West Africa, women gather in the moonlight to create music and songs about life’s joy and sorrows. Adaawe brings audiences to their feet with high energy djembe drumming and poetic lyrics. The group has opened for known musicians including James Brown, Los Lobos, Spearhead, James Ingram, Harry Belafonte, Sugar Hill Gang, Yolanda Adams and many others.

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LB Goes Over the Edge! Daring Fundraisers Rappel Down 16-Story Hotel Downtown

Editor — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:00:39 +0000

The Over the Edge Fundraiser for Special Olympics will send 100 people rappelling down a 16-story hotel in Long Beach.

Do you have the courage to go Over the Edge? Adventure seekers will rappel 158 feet down the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on October 29 to raise money for Special Olympics athletes. Participants — including Courtney Prather, Hotel Maya Director of Rooms — will descend the entire length of the hotel, to a cheering crowd below.

“I’m naturally competitive so when the opportunity to rappel the 16-story hotel was presented on behalf of Hotel Maya, I was immediately committed to meeting the challenge to support Special Olympics Southern California,” says Prather.

“Over The Edge” is sponsored by the Hyatt Regency Long Beach for Special Olympics Southern California as a unique, higher challenge to individuals to raise or commit to $1,000 in support of the organization’s athletes.

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“Dead Man’s After-Party” Concert Showcases Johnny Vatos’ Tribute to Halloween

Editor — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:00:40 +0000

Tickets are still available for the Zombie Walk after-party after-party featuring Johnny Vatos “Tribute to Halloween”! Playing the hits that were part of the kinetic Halloween concerts attended by fans year after year, Vatos & band said their farewells at their last performance in 1995… until now! Back and better than ever—and perpetuating their musical legacy—expect to witness a barn-burning performance loaded with Boingo classics including “Dead Man’s Party,” “Weird Science,” “Cinderella Undercover” and “Out of Control.”

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It’s a Thriller Night At Long Beach Zombie Walk Street and Music Fest

Editor — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:00:20 +0000

Lots of new updates to report for the upcoming Long Beach Zombie Walk Street and Music Fest slated for Saturday, October 29th and presented by the Long Beach Cinematheque (lbcinema.org) and its midnight cinema program counterpart, Mondo Celluloid! First and foremost, the Street Fest & Zombie Walk is now FREE. Zombie Central—on the Promenade, between 3rd Street and Ocean Blvd—is where all the festivities will be happening, including makeup artists, food, beer garden, art, vendors, and live music and muralists at the Tinderbox! Stage. Rock out to a live set by Buskerfest-winners WILD PACK OF CANARIES at 9pm (more bands to be announced; stay tuned to http://zombiewalklb.com and Facebook for details).

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Halloween in Long Beach 2011

Editor — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:30:15 +0000

Fiendishly fun events for Halloween in Long Beach!

Are you looking for tricks or treats? Halloween in Long Beach always has plenty of both. Whether you want to dance the night away at a costume ball or prefer more family-friendly entertainment, there are more than enough events to make adults and kids shriek with delight.

We’ve rounded up a list of terrifying Halloween events including Dark Harbor on the Queen Mary, costume contests for people and pups, Halloween festivals in Long Beach, and dramatic Halloween-themed performances from the symphony, HSLB and more.

We’ll add to the list as we find more fun things to do for Halloween in and around Long Beach.

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Long Beach Connections Efforts Assist in Reduction of Homelessness In Downtown Area

Editor — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:30:39 +0000

A recent survey of people experiencing homelessness in downtown Long Beach revealed that the homeless population has decreased by 12 percent since 2009, largely thanks to efforts of the Long Beach Connections initiative. The 2011 survey identified 303 individuals living on the streets in downtown Long Beach, down from 345 identified by a previous survey in 2009. Veteran homelessness and homelessness-related costs to public health systems also decreased during the two-year period.

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Phineas and Ferb On Stage At The Terrace Theater This Weekend

Editor — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:30:36 +0000

Photo by Kelly Kathleen Ness

Disney Channel’s animated gem, the critically acclaimed “Phineas and Ferb,” has inspired a live stage show that will make a stop at the Terrace Theater/Long Beach Performing Arts Center for three performances this weekend! This show is a presentation of Feld Entertainment.

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Sound Art in Public Spaces; SoundWalk Returns Oct. 1st

Editor — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:30:33 +0000

SoundWalk is a free annual one-night event of sound installations by local and international sound artists held in Long Beach, Ca since 2004. The event, which will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 5:00-10:00 pm, will take place throughout 4th St, Linden Ave, First Street and Elm Ave. Produced and curated by the artist cooperative FLOOD, SoundWalk transforms the sidewalks, storefronts, parking lots, parks and bus stops of downtown Long Beach’s dynamic East Village community into postmodern auditory works of art.

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Residents and Visitors Alike to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Bikestation Thursday

Editor — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:27 +0000

The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency and Bikestation Long Beach invite the public to come celebrate the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art public bicycling center at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 15, at Bikestation/Promenade Square Park, 223 East 1st St. Free parking is available at the southwest corner of Long Beach Boulevard and Broadway.

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Food Trucks Rolling in for Downtown Drive-In Screening of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Editor — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:00:35 +0000

Thanks to assistance from the historic Press Telegram site in downtown Long Beach, and the support of the MADhaus and Hollywood Outdoor Movies, Long Beach Cinematheque is bringing the Drive In experience back to Long Beach with a back-to-school favorite — 1986′s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

The group will host an outdoor movie presentation at Downtown Drive In on September 17. Parking starts at 6:30 p.m. and Ferris Bueller takes the screen at 8 p.m.

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DLBA Brings Live Music Series to Promenade Square Park

Editor — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:00:20 +0000

The Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) will host Out to Lunch, a free series of mini-concerts at Promenade Square Park, every Friday during the month of September. Residents, visitors and employees are invited to purchase ‘Lunch To-Go’ meals from Downtown restaurants while they listen to festive music from local bands.

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Your Chance to Dine With a Funk Legend Before You Party With The Rest

Editor — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:30:28 +0000

Want to prep your funk before the festivities kick off at the 3rd Annual Long Beach Funk Fest? Courtesy of Long Beach Funk Fest organizers, “Breakfast With Fred” is the invite you’ve been waiting for—all are welcome to dine at the same time with Fred Wesley, Fred’s daughter Joya Wesley, funk band members and Long Beach Funk Fest founder, Bobby Easton from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20th, at Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles at 730 E. Broadway, in Long Beach.

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DLBA Unveils New and Improved Website

Editor — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:00:14 +0000

The Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) has introduced a newly revamped website that expands and enhances the organization’s ability to promote Downtown businesses, it was announced today by President and Chief Executive Officer Kraig Kojian. The improved version of www.downtownlongbeach.org also provides a more user-friendly design with greatly improved functionality.

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Art Deco Expert Leads Downtown Walking Tour Aug. 27

Editor — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:00:39 +0000

WPA Mural at Third Street and the Promenade in Downtown Long Beach.

Step back in time with Art Deco expert John Thomas (author of Long Beach Art Deco) for a walking tour of Downtown Long Beach and discover the Long Beach of the 1920s and 30s. Wonderful examples of Art Deco and Streamline Modern architecture and design will be showcased on the tour Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 9 am.

Thomas will emphasize significant events in Long Beach history and the Art Deco era, and discuss contributions prominent architects Cecil Schilling, Horace Austin, Nate Piper and Hugh Davies made to Long Beach architecture.

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