Hundreds attend Good Neighbor Festival

Wow it was hot on the eastside today. But what a great Good Neighbor Festival and Picnic. Hundreds of people braved the hot sun to listen to Elm Street Band and to line up to eat hot dogs prepared by our Firefighters, hamburgers prepared by our Police, consume water and soda brought by our lifeguards.

The Port of Long Beach provided snowcones and sunscreen (not together) and dozen of community organizations came and set up informational booths.

The highlight was certainly Tim Patton, Assistant to Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, narrating our burrito and pie eating contests. Yes, Baja Sonora --- my favorite mexican restaurant in the 5th -- brought 2 lb burritos and that were consumed in 10 minutes. Later we had the pie eating contest with pumpkin and whipped cream provided by East Spring Street Business Association.

A big thank you to City Manager Pat West, Airport Director Mario Rodriguez, Police Chief Jim McDonnell, Fire Chief Alan Patalano and 4th District Councilmember Pat O'Donnell for attending. And much gratitude to my 5th District staff and Parks, Recreation and Marine staff who always do more than their fair share of work to make this event successful. Thank you!

Good Neighbor Festival Saturday, September 25th -- Food, Music, Fun

Calling All Rosie the Riveter's

If you worked in the aircraft plant or the shipyard or any where else that helped the United States win World War II -- then we are honoring you at the upcoming Long Beach Veteran's Parade on November 6th.

That's right. We are calling all "Rosie the Riveters" to be honored this Veteran's Day in Long Beach. Rosie the Riveter has been named as Grand Marshall of the parade.

Please contact my office at: 562 570-6932 if you would like to ride in the parade.

PS. "Rosie the Riveter" is the affectionate and collective name given to women who worked in the aircraft plants, factories and shipyards during World War II. It was popularized by the 1942 song performed by the African American group, The Vagabonds, called "Rosie the Riveter."

Long Beach is developing the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center at the corners of Clark and Conant just steps from where thousands of women assembled thousands of military aircraft at Douglas Aircraft plant.