North Pine Neighborhood Alliance

President: Pedro Costa

Vice-President, Economic Development:  Andreas Herr

Vice-President, Communications:  Loara Cadavona

Vice-President, Community Projects: Kerry Ann Gerot

Vice-President, Community Outreach:  Robert Navarro

Our meetings are now quarterly, so we’ll see you in January!

Loara Cadavona currently serves as the Vice President of Communications of the NPNA.  She recently served as co-chair of the Downtown Retail Visioning project, and serves on the committee of the Shop Local Campaign, one of the 32 initiatives established as a result of the project.  Additionally, Loara is co-chair of the Pacific Avenue Task Force, member of the Port of Long Beach Mitigation Grant Advisory Committee, and member of Citizens for a Better Long Beach.  A six year resident of downtown Long Beach, Loara hopes to remain on the NPNA board to support the organization’s continued efforts to improve the quality of life in the North Pine neighborhood.

Pedro C. Costa is a current board member of the North Pine Neighborhood Alliance, a member of the Task Force for Pine Avenue Improvements, City of Long Beach, Downtown Residential Council (DRC) representative on the DLBA Capital Improvement Projects Task Force, and DRC representative on the DLBA Board of Directors.

He has over 35 years of national and international experience in architecture, regional and urban planning, economic development, real estate development and construction, preparation of development packages,  property acquisition, property management and public relations.

He specializes in medical programming, planning, design and seismic retrofit of health care facilities, urban design, city planning and educational facilities.

Pedro Costa has been associated with world-recognized consultants such as Professor R. Buckminster Fuller, Professor Patrick Horsburgh and institutions such as the Ford Foundation (Educational Facilities Laboratories).

Mr. Costa is licensed to practice architecture in California and is NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) Certified.  In addition he is a registered architect in Uruguay.

Kerry Gerot has lived in downtown Long Beach for 12 years and is currently President of the Board of Directors for the Kress Lofts HOA. She is also Vice President of the Executive Committee for the Downtown Residential Council, co-chair of the North Pine Avenue Task Force for the First Council District Office, and Commissioner on the Human Relations Commission for Long Beach. She would like to continue serving as a Vice President on the NPNA in order to stay close to the North Pine Neighborhood community as changes are taking place on North Pine Avenue with the Task Force. She has extensive experience in managing projects and people, and feels that this experience is a great benefit in the work being accomplished on North Pine Avenue and the downtown area.

Andreas Herr is one of the founders of the NPNA and currently serves as the Vice President of Economic Development for the group. He’s a 5yr resident and homeowner in downtown and also housed his business headquarters in the downtown for a number of years. Professionally his passion for creative expression has led him to partnering in various creative businesses including Anthem Magazine—a national lifestyle and culture magazine, a visual communications firm and a lifestyle marketing agency. His clients have ranged from small independents to large corporations including Nike, Microsoft, Fox Searchlight and Quiksilver.

Robert Navarro moved to Long Beach in 2000. He is a case manager at Los Angeles’ Weingart Center Association, a non-profit organization providing comprehensive human services to homeless men, women and at-risk individuals, as well as providing them an opportunity to lead productive lives off the streets. Recently, Robert was part of a 5-month Long Beach Neighborhood Leadership Program.   Robert has volunteered with many non-profit organizations from feeding the homeless on skid row to helping build homeless shelters with community churches in Mexico. He has received many awards and recognitions, including “Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation in Los Angeles” and “Award of Recognition from Councilmember Robert Garcia”.   Robert would like to join the NPNA board of directors because he wants change in Long Beach.  He feels he will be an effective leader in improving the quality of life in the city of Long Beach. He is a team player and overall flexible community leader. As a resident of the 1st district, he finds it important to become involved in the community and utilize his civic duties to make a difference in Long Beach.

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, 3^rd 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 4^th 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 8^th 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 22^nd!

The Lightbulb-Mouth Radio Hour
Wed, August 11 at 7:30 pm (every Wednesday!)
The Basement
149 Linden
http://lightbulbmouth.com/

The Long Beach Experiment!
FREE Art & Music Show
Wed, August 11 at 8:00 pm
The Cellar
201 E. Broadway
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=148645441817426

Kress Market Grand Opening
Thurs, August 12 from 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
433 Pine Avenue
Come out and support your local organic market!
http://www.kressmarket.com/

Classic Beats
S.A.M. (Summer and Music)
August 13 & 14, 2010
Ocean & Lime
www.summerandmusic.com

exhibit A 03-10 recent works of Juan Sanchez Diaz
Sat, August 14 from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Exhibit A
555 Pine Avenue
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=141206385914107

Downtown Residential Council (DRC) Mixer
Mon, August 16 – doors open at 6:30, meeting starts at 7:00
Renaissance Hotel
111 East Ocean Blvd.
* Hear about building community from Blair Cohn – http://www.bixbyknollsinfo.com/

Please mark your calendars, tell your neighbors, and get out there and support Downtown!

Wed, July 21
The Congregation Ale House Residential Mixer – 7 to 9:30 p.m.
WCHA Auction at the Bembridge House – 7 to 10:30 p.m. -  (see http://willmorecity.org/?page_id=68)

Thursday, July 22
Funk Fest planning meeting at DLBA – 6:30 pm
L’Opera Hotflash Happy Hour kicking off Menopause the Musical – 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 24
Promenade Square GRAND OPENING – 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Street Food Festival in Rainbow Harbor – 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. -  (see http://www.lbstreetfoodfest.com)

Monday, July 26
North Pine Avenue Task Force Meeting – @ 6PM: KICK-OFF  Where? DOMA 401 Pine Ave.

Last, but not least, check out SAM all summer long – www.summerandmusic.com!

Phew… can’t wait to see you out there!

Join us for a community discussion about public safety in the North Pine Neighborhood with New Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell

Topics Include: Police Staffing, Crime Updates, & New Plans for Community Policing

Saturday, July 10, 2010 • 10:00 am
The Temple Lofts – Courtyard
835 Locust Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813

Coffee Provided

For More Info Call • 562-570-6919 or email district1@longbeach.gov

Event-PoliceCheif7-10-10FINAL

NPNAers!

Tomorrow, our city has an opportunity to take an historic step to restore our beaches, clean our water, and bring waves back to Long Beach!  Tomorrow, we need our City Council to vote YES to partnering with the Army Corp of Engineers on an feasibility study to reconfigure the Breakwater. Wave activity will improve our water quality, stimulate tourism, and boost our local economy by making our beaches a new and exciting destination. We can do all this while protecting our coastal homes and the Port of Long Beach.

Please attend tomorrow, June 22 City Council meeting and voice your support for a federal feasibility study. The meeting starts at 5pm, but the vote will occur at approximately 5.30 pm.

If you cannot make tomorrow’s meeting, please email and/or call your councilmember and ask them to vote YES in support of the feasibility study.

1st District Robert Garcia, 562-570-6919, district1@longbeach.gov
2nd District Suja Lowenthal, 562-570-6684 district2@longbeach.gov
3rd District Gary DeLong, 562-570-6300 district3@longbeach.gov
4th District Patrick O’Donnell, 562-570-6918 district4@longbeach.gov
5th District Gerrie Schipske, 562-570-6932 district5@longbeach.gov
6th District Dee Andrews, 562-570-6816 dee.andrews@longbeach.gov
7th District Tonia Reyes Uranga, 562-570-6139 district7@longbeach.gov
8th District Rae Gabelich, 562-570-6685 district8@longbeach.gov
9th District Val Lerch, 562-570-6137 district9@longbeach.gov

For more information on the Breakwater Reconfiguration, please click here.

Please help spread the word!

Don’t forget to join other downtown neighbors at “First Mondays!”

What:  First Mondays, Downtown Residential Mixer hosted by Wokcano and in partnership with the Downtown Residential Council (DRC)
When: June 7 @ 7:00 pm
Where: 199 North Promenade, Downtown LB

Hope to see you there!

Please join us for Commander Johnson’s Community Leadership and Downtown Neighborhood Watch Meeting on Thursday, May 27 at 7 pm.  These quarterly meetings provide an opportunity for community leaders and concerned citizens within the South Division to discuss and exchange information.  Commander Johnson will share current statistics and trends and provide information relative to how crime is being addressed.

Take this opportunity to say farewell to Commander Johnson who will be moving to Emergency Operations and welcome the new South Division Commander Joe Stilinovich who is transferring from the Police Academy to South Division.

Thursday, May 27, 2010 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Long Beach Police Department-Community Room
400 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Please RSVP to Police Service Specialist, Mary Antunez, (562) 570-5829 or E-mail Mary.Antunez@longbeach.gov

Validated Parking Available at the Civic Center Parking Structure located at 332 W. Broadway (adjacent to City Hall)

For more info, click CommanderJohnsonQuarterly5-27-2010.