LETTER FROM CYNTHIA, NPNA PRESIDENT
Boy, just when things are getting good, I have to bid farewell to the NPNA Board of Directors. It’s sudden, but this has been brewing for some time now. As Director of a community non-profit located in West LA, my farmers’ markets and farm-to-school nutrition programs are expanding and need my attention to make sure that growth is not hindered but enhanced.
I live here in Long Beach and will continue to keep my ear to the pulse of downtown and attend meetings like the Pine Avenue Task Force and NPNA meetings. As a founding member of the NPNA, I was part of the grassroots effort and was a facilitator in the development of K9-Corner, our prized dog park. I also assisted in the efforts to force the City to stop the saturation of predatory Check Cashing stores in the North Pine community, resulting in a citywide ordinance to limit their numbers. I’ve enjoyed working on Robert Garcia’s campaign for Council Office and am so happy with all that he’s done for our community since being in office.
I’ve been a proud member of the NPNA and will miss working in the trenches with my neighbors and community representatives. The NPNA continues its efforts to improve the quality of life with our great volunteer board members.
We have an election coming up and you can be a part of these fulfilling opportunities and assist in the development our urban community. Attend the upcoming NPNA board election meeting and consider volunteering your talents to the cause; it’s well worth your efforts. Until then, I’ll see seeing you at K-9 Corner, Wokcano, Kress Market, or all the other spots I like to support!
Best Wishes, Cynthia Ojeda, NPNA President
ELECTIONS, EVENTS, and MORE!
NPNA Elections – Get ACTIVE!
Do you want to make a difference in your neighborhood? Consider joining the NPNA board.
The NPNA is currently seeking nominations from individuals who would like to serve on the NPNA board of directors.
How to submit a nomination?
Nominees should submit their full-name, contact phone number and email, and a 100-words or less bio and explanation as to why you would like to be a board member to northpineneighborhood@hotmail.com. Floor nominations/write in candidates will also be accepted at the membership meeting!
Election Date
NPNA elections will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 6:30 pm. Exhibit [A] Gallery at 555 Pine Avenue.
About being a board member
- Board members must be a resident from the NPNA community (boundaries: Pacific Avenue to Long Beach Boulevard, 3rd Street to Anaheim Boulevard)
- Board members will serve for a 1 year term
- NPNA board meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of each month; membership meets every other month on the 4th Wednesday of the month
- Regular attendance at board and membership meetings is needed
- For more information on the NPNA’s board of directors, please see NPNA Bylaws Executive Committee.
Voting
- Voting will occur at the September 22 membership meeting
- Floor Nominations/Write in candidates will also be accepted
Current Candidates
Loara Cadavona
Pedro Costa
Kerry Gerot
Andreas Herr
Robert Navarro
UPCOMING EVENTS
State of the First District
Monday, August 23 from 6 to 8 pm
Renaissance High School
235 East 8th Street in Downtown Long Beach
(plenty of street parking)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=150538771627940&index=1
Final Fridays, organized by PARA
Friday, August 27 at 7 pm
Octopus Restaurant
200 Pine Ave in Downtown Long Beach
http://www.octopusrestaurant.com
Acres of Books – open one last time
Saturday, August 28 from 2 to 7pm
http://www.dlba.org/uploads/8.10.10%20PR%20ARTX%200002.pdf
Busker Fest
Saturday, August 28 from 5 to 11 pm
East Village in Downtown Long Beach
http://www.dlba.org/SAM2010_page
North Pine Avenue Task Force (NPATF)
Tuesday, August 31 at 6 pm
location tbd
For more August events, check out http://www.downtownlongbeach.org/Events.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Pacific Avenue Garden Revitalization
So what’s up with the Pacific Avenue Garden project?! Well, here’s the scoop… The project, a collaboration among the Pacific Avenue Task Force, NPNA, and LB Organic, will be split into two phases in order to minimize the impact of the project on current crops.
Phase 1 will focus on painting the fences, gazebo, and shed, as well as installing the fence art; this phase will begin in the next few weeks.
Phase 2 will focus on replacing deteriorated planter beds and defining pathways; this phase will begin after the current crops die out.
Want a sneak peek of the garden? Click 081810 elev and floor plan.
A big thank you to Pedro Costa who has donated his time and talents to designing the new garden.
If you have not already signed up to volunteer to help on the project, please email us at northpineneighborhood@hotmail.com or post a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NPNALB.
98 Cent Store
After two years in the works, the 98 Cent Store on Pine Avenue and 8th Street will have a face lift thanks to a collaborative efforts between the NPNA and the City of Long Beach. Stay tuned for more!
WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
Retail Visioning & Shopping Local
What’s up with the Retail Visioning Project?! Well, the final report will soon be distributed to the public. One of the first priorities will be to kick-off the Shop Local campaign, so stay tuned for more.
In the meantime, get out there are support your local downtown neighborhood businesses – http://www.downtownlongbeach.org/Business_Directories!
THE END!
Well, if you’ve gotten to this point in the newsletter, thanks for sticking with us and reading through to the end!
Stay tuned for updates on our election, and we look forward to see you on September 22nd!
