Belmont Beacon
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2015 - MARCH 1, 2015
belmontbeacon.com
Discover the Role of Maps, MapMaking, and GIS in the Future of Designing Cities The Aquarium of the Pacific will host a lecture with two leaders in the world of mapping and data to examine and prepare for a better future The Aquarium of the Pacific will host a conversation between Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, and Richard Saul Wurman, architect and creator of TED and TEDMED conferences. These two leaders will discuss the roles of maps, map-making, and geographic information systems in charting a course to a better future. Wurman partnered with Esri to develop the Urban Observatory, an exhibit and app that allows users to examine and compare characteristics of cities to design better cities for the future. Wurman is also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian
Richard Saul Wurman
Design Museum in New York City. This speaking engagement will be streamed live via the Aquarium’s website. Fol-
– Courtesy photo
lowing the presentation, viewers tuning in from the Aquarium’s free lecture stream can Please see page 2
Michael Beckman Appointed Deputy Police Chief Long Beach City Manager Pat West and Police Chief Robert Luna announced the appointment of Commander Michael Beckman, a 25-year veteran of the Police Department, as Deputy Chief. He will assume command of the Support Bureau to replace Deputy Chief Laura Farinella, newly named Chief of Laguna Beach
Police Department. "Michael Beckman displays integrity, innovation, and leadership at the highest levels," Chief Luna said. "He has distinguished himself as an effective administrator and will be an asset to our executive team." Commander Beckman's most recent assignment has
been Commander of the Patrol Bureau Field Support Division. He has worked in all geographical patrol divisions and his previous assignments include duties in the Field Training Officer (FTO) program; the Training Division as the Police Academy Sergeant, Peace Officer Standards and Please see page 3
VOLUME 2, NO. 8
Bluff Park ReOpened to Community on Friday, Feb 13 The City of Long Beach re-opened beautiful Bluff Park to public use Friday, February 13. After many months of improvements, the public once again is able to stroll along the approximately one-mile long stretch above the Pacific coastline. Hydroseeding has enabled the full re-establishment of grass for the heavily used area along the coast, and native landscaping along the top edge of the bluff has been installed behind the handrail. The irrigation system, sidewalk, and handrail have been replaced and upgraded. “Bluff Park is one of my favorite parks in the city and it’s now more beautiful and accessible than ever,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “It’s one of the best locations to enjoy with family, walk your dog, exercise, or take in the sunset. We are all happy it’s been reopened.” Bluff Park consists of 13.2 acres along Ocean Boulevard from 20th Place to 36th Place, and features green space, telescopes, benches and the Lone Sailor Memorial. With a view of the Pacific Ocean and pleasant sea breezes, Bluff Park frequently attracts joggers, strollers, dog walkers and others who come to enjoy the beautiful view. Please see page 4
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Map-making Lecture Continued from page 1
participate in the Q&A session via Twitter using the hashtag #aopGIS. Following the lecture/discussion the audience will be invited to a demonstration of the Urban Observation program at the Aquarium’s second floor hyperwall display. WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 COST: $5 per seat per person; FREE for Aquarium members, seniors age 62 and up, teachers, and students with valid ID and advanced reservations. You can also tune in live online for free. INFO: (562) 590-3100 or http://www.aquariumofpacific. org/events/info/mapping_and_ gis_for_a_better_future/ The Aquarium of the Pacific, a nonprofit institution, celebrates our planet’s largest and most diverse body of water: the Pacific Ocean. The institution is dedicated to conserving nature and its resources by building relationships among people. Home to over 11,000 animals, the Aquarium explores the waters of Southern California and Baja and the Northern and Tropical Pacific. The Aquarium features handson discovery labs staffed by knowledgeable volunteers, the
Molina Animal Care Center, Lorikeet Forest aviary, interactive Shark Lagoon, Ocean Science Center, Wonders of the Deep gallery, June Keyes Penguin Habitat, and Discover the Wonder exhibits. Beyond its exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from handson activities to lectures by leading scientists. It is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and important topics facing our planet and our ocean are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in the search for sustainable solutions. A world of discovery awaits.
The Real Thing... Is It or Isn't It? All is Revealed at the Long Beach Playhouse
Louisa Dienst and Noah Wagner
Jack Dangermond - Courtesy photo
Tom Stoppard, author of “Shakespeare in Love” and several other well-regarded contemporary works, takes aim at truth, fiction, romantic illusions and the realities of relationships in his play “The Real Thing.” First produced in 1982, the play draws on pop culture allusions and other plays and playwrights in its quest to examine marriage, fidelity and infidelity. "Stoppard is masterful in the way he constructs side-byside analyses of the real life marriage of a playwright and his wife using a play within a play to disclose the truths and the fictions of their relationship," said Andrew Vonderschmitt, Executive and Artistic Director for the Playhouse. Sean Gray is at the helm as the director for the Playhouse production of The Real Thing. Gray, who is ordinarily behind the scenes, literally, as the theatre's Technical Director, has taken the reins for several Playhouse productions. And always to the great delight of
-Photo by Mike Hardy
the audience and the media. Reviews in publications such as the Long Beach Post, PressTelegram and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, have called Gray's directorial work fearless, artful and delightful. "Sean is one of the best directors I've ever worked with," said Vonderschmitt. "His ability to help actors find the truth, humanity and nuance in their performances is impressive. I know the audiences will find plenty to enjoy in this production. It is funny, touching and honest - it lets all of us think about the ways we tell the truth and the ways we hide it." Pay what you can Thursday Feb. 26 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford. Two for One Preview Friday Feb. 27 - Tickets are $12. Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on Feb. 28- Tickets are $27. Adults are $24, seniors $21, and Students $14. Tickets are available at Please see page 4
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Police Chief Continued from page 1
Training (POST) instructor; and the Administrative Lieutenant to the Deputy Chief of the Patrol Bureau. Commander Beckman is a proud native of Long Beach, and an R. A. Millikan High School graduate. He holds an Associate in Arts degree from Long Beach City College, a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a concentration in Disaster Management. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy Session No. 256 and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) Class No. 242. "I am truly humbled by this honor to serve our great city, its valued community members, and our Police Department as Deputy Chief," Commander Beckman said. "I will strive to represent the highest standards of excellence in service to our community." Commander Beckman serves as the elected President of the Long Beach Police Department's Command Officers Association. He is a Charter Member of the Long Beach Police Foundation and a former at-large member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). Commander Beckman is also a member of many professional associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Long Beach Branch of the NAACP, International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO), Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), and supports Special Olympics Southern California and American Cancer Society's Relay for Life community events.
Help Endangered Species With Your Tax Return Would you like to help protect California's rare, threatened and endangered species? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites you to do that by making a voluntary contribution to the Rare and Endangered Species Protection Program and/or the California Sea Otter Fund on your California income tax return. Just enter the dollar amount you wish to donate on lines 403 and/ or 410 of your tax return (form 540). If you itemize deductions, you can deduct the amount you donate on next year's return. "Donations to these funds have helped CDFW study species that are in trouble, determine what they need to thrive
and develop ways to improve their health and populations," said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. "Californians continue to show they understand and care about threatened and endangered species, and the need to protect their habitat." One of CDFW's tax donation funds facilitates recovery of the southern sea otter, which is listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act and as a Fully Protected Species under state law. A 2014 survey indicated there are fewer than 3,000 sea otters in California waters - a fraction of their historic numbers. This small populaPlease see page 4
Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
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Bluff Park Open to Public Continued from page 1
“The re-opening of Bluff Park is very exciting,” said Councilwoman Suzie Price. “Bluff Park is once again welcoming families and individuals to enjoy our wonderful coastline.” While Bluff Park is now open, improvements to several areas of the bluffs will continue. Late last year, the Council paused work on bluff erosion to review stabilization options. On Dec. 16, 2014, the City Council authorized the City Manager to proceed with the project as planned. Completion of stabilization is anticipated by fall of 2015. Stabilization consists of soil
Sunday in Bluff Park
Help Endangered Species Continued from page 3
nails that prevent the further erosion and increase the seismic stability of the bluffs, as well as native vegetation planted to take deep root to provide further stabilization and green space.
-Photo by Doug Kerr
- Photo by Fred Miller, courtesy Flickr
tion is vulnerable to oil spills, environmental pollution, predation by white sharks and other threats. Donations to the California Sea Otter Fund support research by CDFW scientists, who are currently studying 15 years of sea otter mortality information and recently discovered viruses not previously known in sea otters. These studies should provide a better understanding of mortality causes and contribute to population recovery efforts. Donations to the Rare and Endangered Species Protection Program support numerous conservation projects for California's rare, threatened and endangered species. CDFW biologists have been able to achieve important recovery milestones to conserve vulnerable species, thanks to California taxpayers like you. More information about how CDFW uses funds in the Rare and Endangered Species Protection and Sea Otter programs is available at www.wildlife. ca.gov/TaxDonation and www.facebook.
com/SeaOtterFundCDFW. If someone else prepares your state tax return, please let him or her know you want to donate to the California Sea Otter Fund on line 410 or the Rare and Endangered Species Protection Program on line 403. If you use Turbo Tax, when you're near the end of your tax return it should ask if you want to make a voluntary contribution to a special fund. Click "Yes" and go to lines 403 and 410. The state has listed more than 200 species of plants and 80 species of animals as rare, threatened or endangered. Money raised through the tax donation program helps pay for essential CDFW research and recovery efforts for these plants and animals, and critical efforts to restore and conserve their habitat. - Courtesy of CDFW
Long Beach Playhouse Continued from page 2
www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1. To request an interview with the director, cast members or reserve your media tickets to this performance, please send an email to: pr@ lbplayhouse.org. Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long
Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is communitysupported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on scheduled matinees.