These days, building a business that enriches lives is a rare occurrence. A fast-food franchisee may believe that opening a new location will be a lucrative investment, but other than money, what are the community benefits? For most franchise owners, money is enough of a reason. But what choices does a person have if they want financial stability and an opportunity to make a real difference in their community?
If you hold yourself to a higher business standard, franchise opportunities in Long Beach, CA are now available with Always Best Care.
Since being founded in 1996, thousands of American families have trusted Always Best Care senior care for compassionate home care services. We are known for providing the very best non-medical home care for seniors who wish to remain at home as they age. Our home care franchise owners play a crucial role in preserving the independence and dignity of our clients, and now you can too.
Simply put, the home care industry is booming. If you're reading this page, you're in the right place at the right time. As a result, you can find senior care business opportunities in just about every American community. As the home care market continues to grow, your home care business will grow as well, and that growth is easy to sustain when you consider these U.S. based stats:
During the next 30 years, seniors will make up 20% of the U.S. population. When given a choice, these people want to maintain their current lifestyle, not check into a nursing home. The challenge is that as people age, mobility problems, health issues, and memory lapses happen more frequently. About 80% of seniors have at least one chronic health condition, while 50% have at least two. So, while seniors want to age at home, they need a little help to do so. As an Always Best Care franchisee, that's where you come in - to provide consistent, compassionate support to the growing demographic of seniors who need care in your community.
The bottom line? Since home care is the fastest-growing industry in the U.S., and seniors represent the fastest-growing demographic of our population, capitalizing on home business opportunities is a stable path to profitability for decades to come.
However, changing demographics aren't the only factor driving unprecedented growth in the home care industry. Attitudes are changing about aging, too.
Statistics show that most baby boomers have a strong desire to remain independent as they age. These hardworking Americans are turning their noses up at the idea of spending their golden years in a strange nursing home. They have an unshakeable yearning to live life at home as long as possible. This factor, combined with advances in modern medicine that are helping seniors live longer, has set the stage for more home care franchise opportunities than ever before.
Research by the University of Alabama shows that more than seven million people in the U.S. need some form of home care. This fact is bolstered by the rising trend of "aging in place." Seniors not only want to be self-sufficient - they wish to remain at home, where the surroundings are familiar and family is near. Always Best Care nurtures this need by providing quality in-home care that helps both the seniors in need and their families.
When you implement Always Best Care's proven business model, your senior care franchise in Long Beach, CA will become a pillar in your community. You will be part of a highly regarded, reputable organization that others will respect. While you refine your reputation and earn respect, you'll be living an entrepreneurial lifestyle that lets you make a difference in other people's lives.
Great entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for recession-resistant franchising opportunities. In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, in-home care is now an essential service -- one that will continue to be needed, regardless of the economy. No matter what hurdles we must overcome, one thing is for sure: people will always need care.
At Always Best Care, our proven franchise model enables hundreds of dedicated franchisees the opportunity to achieve financial freedom in the most uncertain times. Our award-winning training program provides franchisees with the tools to succeed and the stability they need.
Always Best Care is one of the fastest-growing senior care franchise systems because our franchisees are more than just business owners, they are compassionate professionals dedicated to helping others. Perhaps most importantly, their home care business lets them care for people in their community while building a rewarding business for themselves.
There's a reason why Always Best Care is consistently recognized by media outlets like Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise Gator, and Franchise Business Review. We are one of the few senior care franchise systems that offer individuals from all walks of life the chance to generate three potential revenue streams in their community:
Our practical, proven business model gives home care franchise owners the certainty of increasing revenue, the promise of longevity in the marketplace, and the perks of an entrepreneurial lifestyle. Our in-home care, assisted living, and home health care services are trusted by families across the country. And unlike some senior care businesses, the Always Best Care brand is synonymous with excellence. We are dedicated to doing everything possible to help you build a successful home care franchise in Long Beach, CA, including:
Like most things in life, you must establish a solid base of knowledge and expertise to achieve success in the home care industry. Fortunately, our unmatched training and support system makes it easy for new franchisees to get started on that path sooner rather than later.
Always Best Care has one of the most successful training systems in the industry. Aptly named ABCUniversity, our training program focuses on the operational activities of setting up, managing, and marketing your senior care agency. During your franchise onboarding process, you will work directly with a National Director or Area Representative, as well as the VP of Franchise Training.
We utilize a variety of media resources and time-tested techniques to help new franchisees absorb the Always Best Care system. When training is complete, new business owners learn the key methods needed to operate a successful Always Best Care franchise.
Building a successful senior care business isn't easy, and it will take time. However, Always Best Care provides new franchisees with unparalleled ongoing support on both local and corporate levels.
Based near your local franchise market, National Directors and Area Representatives provide business-building advice, on-the-spot coaching, and one-on-one mentoring. They offer extensive industry experience throughout multiple markets with guidance from our Executive Leadership Team - an invaluable experience for new and seasoned franchisees alike.
Always Best Care was one of the first senior care franchise companies to provide this additional layer of local assistance, mentoring, and proactive strategic growth. All new franchise owners can count on the following:
Our experienced corporate team works with new in-home care franchise owners to provide comprehensive training for you and your staff, marketing resources, performance metrics, turnkey operating tech, systemwide benchmarking, national accounts, and customer satisfaction support.
Your local Area Representative and our National Directors work with all new franchisees to arrange mentoring opportunities, communications and team-building strategies, and ongoing strategic planning. That way, you have a leg up in your market and access to key resources to build your confidence as you develop your business.
Your Always Best Care franchise development specialist will make sure you have contact information in your state to complete any state licensure requirements. We link you to the nation's top health care licensure consultants, thus allowing you to discover the most cost-effective and time-efficient procedures to get your license, launch your business, and begin serving your community.
Each Always Best Care franchise territory is protected and exclusive to you using zip codes in your state.
Our powerful combination of corporate and local support paves a clear and proven path for new Always Best Care franchise owners to succeed. And with your initial training, field training, and ongoing support, you always have access to Always Best Care repesentatives as you grow your senior home care business.
You may have seen a home care franchise for sale in Long Beach, and thought to yourself, "I can do this! The timing may not get better than today." Of course, being ready and motivated to take on the challenges of franchise ownership is a must. However, some very careful self-analysis is needed before buying a franchise.
The reality is this: business ownership is not easy. While Always Best Care does everything in its power to set up new franchisees for success, the franchise owner must be prepared to manage the business. The very best home care franchise owners accept that they may have to work harder than they ever have in their lives.
Are you ready to make that commitment?
Ask yourself these questions before moving forward, so you can make a rational, educated purchasing decision:
The "secret" to franchising success is the consistency of the services and products that customers find at franchise locations. When you advertise the sign and logo of a franchise, you're letting customers know that you follow a specific system. If you are fiercely independent and refuse to follow established formulas, home care franchising might not be for you.
Anybody thinking about opening a home care business needs to be honest about their finances. One of the most common reasons businesses fail is a lack of capital. Remember, you will need enough money to both open and operate your home care business. Though Always Best Care is proud to offer low start-up costs relative to other franchises, an investment of time and money is required.
Your ability to interact well with your franchisor, franchisees, employees, and customers is crucial to your initial and ongoing success. After all, many franchise businesses are based around interacting with people. During the course of your day, a solid problem-solving skillset is also needed to succeed. To run a successful franchise, it's crucial to maintain good relationships with your corporate team, in-house staff, and customers.
If you're ready to seize the day and take destiny into your own hands, we're prepared to help you with the next steps of owning an Always Best Care franchise.
The next steps in your discovery process is to talk with an Always Best Care representative, request a Franchise Disclosure Document, complete an application, and "validate" everything you have learned about our winning franchise business model. Once complete, you will have a candid discussion with current franchisees who have been selected by experience to reach their entrepreneurial dreams.
At Always Best Care, we believe in providing you with the info you need to make an informed choice about our home care business franchise opportunities. Our Franchise Disclosure Document has detailed information covering the most important matters for prospective franchisees. We consider your Franchise Disclosure Document to be an indispensable legal document covering your rights and obligations. Once read, you will understand the relationship between Always Best Care and its home care franchisees.
With your discovery process finalized, your last few steps will be to have a private conversation with Always Best Care President and CEO Jake Brown. After your one-on-one meeting, our corporate team will approve or deny your status as an Always Best Care franchisee. Your personal meeting with our President and CEO may take place via video conference or phone. If you prefer, we can make arrangements for an in-person Discovery Day, where you can meet with our executive team at our corporate headquarters in Roseville, CA.
If you have made it this far, it's now time to learn more about Always Best Care and the enriching opportunity that lies ahead. If you are ready to turn your dreams of living an entrepreneurial lifestyle into reality, you're closer than ever before. By downloading our free E-Book , you're taking the exciting next steps towards building a home care business that makes a true difference in your community.
Patch has your complete guide to Independence Day fireworks shows, parades and other celebrations in and around L.A.'s West Side & South BayLONG BEACH, CA — Happy birthday, America!After a year or two of COVID-related restrictions, Long Beach and cities and towns throughout the West Side and South Bay/Long Beach region are back in the star-spangled swing with Fourth of July parades, events and fireworks extravaganzas.July 4, 2022 falls on a Monday. Do note not all Independence Day events are on that date, wit...
LONG BEACH, CA — Happy birthday, America!
After a year or two of COVID-related restrictions, Long Beach and cities and towns throughout the West Side and South Bay/Long Beach region are back in the star-spangled swing with Fourth of July parades, events and fireworks extravaganzas.
July 4, 2022 falls on a Monday. Do note not all Independence Day events are on that date, with several spread throughout the holiday weekend or earlier. And always confirm with organizers that events are proceeding as planned.
Scroll through our annual event guide to find what's going on near you. And have a happy, safe and festive 4th of July, from Patch!
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JULY 3: July 4th Weekend Over-The-Line Tournament & Movie In Park. "Ghostbusters Afterlife" plays at 8 p.m.
JULY 4: July 4th Celebration, Music & Fireworks. Festivities include family games & live music.
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JULY 4: July 4th Great American Kids' Bike Parade. Hosted by Justin Rudd, with free entry.
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JULY 4: LA Galaxy Soccer & July 4th Fireworks: Dignity Health Sports Park. Fireworks follow game against CF Montreal.
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JULY 2-4: July 4th Weekend Fests, Parades & Fireworks. Avalon & Two Harbors both hosting fireworks extravaganzas.
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JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks & 'Let Freedom Ring Celebration' - A community tradition, now in its 49th year.
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JULY 3: July 3rd Independence Day Fest & Fireworks: West LA College. Featuring live music, food & fireworks.
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JULY 4: July 4th Fest & Fireworks. Wristbands on sale.
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JULY 4: July 4th Ironman 'Run, Paddle, Chug' - "The quintessential bonhomie experience."
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JULY 2-4: July 4th Fireworks, L.A. Philharmonic, Steve Martin & Martin Short: Hollywood Bowl. "Join us for one of LA's greatest July Fourth traditions."
JULY 2-4: July 4th Weekend Outdoor Movies & Fireworks: Hollywood Forever Cemetery. A different movie each night, plus DJs, food & photo booths.
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JUNE 25: Civic Center Block Party & Fireworks. Live entertainment, "Taste of Lakewood" & family fun zone, too.
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JULY 2: Independence Day Dog Parade. At Lincoln Park.
JULY 3: July 3rd 'Big Bang On The Bay' Fireworks & BBQ: Boathouse on the Bay. Ticket proceeds benefit charities.
JULY 4: July 4th Great American Kids' Bike Parade. Hosted by Justin Rudd, with free entry.
JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks At Waterfront. An annual tradition!
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JULY 1 & 4: LA Dodger July 4th Weekend Fireworks & Games. The great American pastime ... followed by fireworks extravaganza.
JULY 4: July 4th LAX Coastal Parade. This year's theme is"Yours for a Better Community: Celebrating the Best of America," in honor of philanthropist Howard Drollinger's 100th birthday in Westchester.
JULY 4: Grand Park July 4th Block Party & Fireworks. Night of food, music, DJs, dancing & fireworks!
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JULY 3: July 3rd Fireworks Show, Food, Entertainment & Family Fun. Includes food trucks, live entertainment, bounce houses, lawn games & more.
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JULY 1-4: July 4th Weekend Fireworks. Check for latest updates on barge displays.
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JULY 3: July 3rd Salute To The Troops: Picnic & Concert. Pack a picnic & enjoy The Satin Dollz.
JULY 4: July 4th Begg Pool Party Celebration. $5 per person.
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JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Burton Chace Park & Fisherman's Village. "There's no better place in Los Angeles to see 4th of July fireworks than in L.A.'s Marina."
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JULY 4: July 4th Will Rogers 5K, 10K & Kids' Fun Run. Annual event, dating to 1977, draws participants from young children to those 80 years old!
JULY 4: July 4th Parade, Flyover & Fireworks. Advance ticket sales required for fireworks.
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JULY 4: July 4th Celebration & Carnival. Pony rides, food trucks, games, beer & wine booth also planned.
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JULY 3: Village Runner Independence Day 5K Run & Firecracker Dash. With costume contest, plus T-shirts & medals for finishers.
JULY 4: July 4th Fest, Bands & Fireworks: Riviera Village. On Avenue I & tickets on sale.
JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Seaside Lagoon. On a first-come, first-serve basis.
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JULY 1: July 1st 'Cars & Stripes Forever' - Fireworks & Music. "The popular patriotic event Port of Los Angeles Cars & Stripes Forever! returns to the LA Waterfront in 2022!"
JULY 4: July 4th Community Observance At Korean Bell. At Angels Gate Park, home of the Korean Friendship Bell.
JULY 4: July 4th John Olguin Fireworks Spectacular Party: Cabrillo Beach. Tickets on sale.
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JULY 2-4: July 4th Weekend Fest & Fireworks: Six Flags Magic Mountain. Featuring nightly fireworks.
JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Westfield Valencia Town Center. Soundtrack broadcasts live on KHTS AM 1220.
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JULY 1-5: July 4th Weekend Ferris Wheel Flag Display: Pacific Park. Pacific Wheel will fly a 90-feet tall American flag & interchanging display for weekend celebration.
JULY 4: July 4th Parade. "We're proud to honor our community heroes, first responders during the pandemic years: healthcare, public safety & food service workers."
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JULY 1-4: July 4th Weekend Carnival & Fireworks. Thrill rides, midway games, carnival food & more!
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JULY 4: July 4th Celebration Fireworks. Viewing will be on first-come, first-served basis.
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JULY 2-4: July 4th Weekend Fireworks: Universal Studios Hollywood. With nightly fireworks show.
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JULY 2-4: July 4th Weekend Fest & Fireworks: Six Flags Magic Mountain. Featuring nightly fireworks.
JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Westfield Valencia Town Center. Soundtrack broadcasts live on KHTS AM 1220.
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JULY 3-4: July 4th Weekend Electric Light Parade. A unique event, only in Venice!
JULY 4: July 4th 'Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach' Competition. Includes guest appearance by body-building legend, Bill Grant, aka,"The Man of Steel."
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JULY 4: July 4th LAX Coastal Parade. This year's theme is"Yours for a Better Community: Celebrating the Best of America," in honor of philanthropist Howard Drollinger's 100th birthday.
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Long Beach, CA – Beginning Friday, June 24, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will now have the ability to begin vaccinating anyone 6 months of age and older. The City will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility by offering the Moderna vaccine to children 6 months to 5 years of age, as well as the Pfizer vaccine to children 6 months to 4 years of age.“This is a huge step forward in our City’s efforts to keep our children and community safe in this public health crisis,” sai...
Long Beach, CA – Beginning Friday, June 24, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will now have the ability to begin vaccinating anyone 6 months of age and older. The City will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility by offering the Moderna vaccine to children 6 months to 5 years of age, as well as the Pfizer vaccine to children 6 months to 4 years of age.
“This is a huge step forward in our City’s efforts to keep our children and community safe in this public health crisis,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Vaccines are safe and effective — especially at preventing hospitalization and serious illness. With vaccines now available to infants and toddlers, anyone who needs a vaccine can receive one.”
The Health Department will offer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 6 months to 4 years old. Previously, the Pfizer vaccine was only offered to those ages 5 and older. The vaccine that will be given to this new age group will be a lower dose of the Pfizer vaccine and will be administered as a three-dose primary series. The initial two doses are administered three weeks apart, followed by a third dose administered at least eight weeks after the second dose.
The Health Department will offer the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. Previously, the Moderna vaccine was only offered to those who are 18 years of age and older. The vaccine that will be given to this new age group will be a lower dose of the Moderna vaccine and will be administered as a two-dose primary series. The initial two doses are administered one month apart. A third primary series dose, at least one month following the second dose, will be available for immunocompromised individuals.
To accommodate families and children of this age group, appointments for children ages 5 and younger will only be made available in the child-friendly clinical space at the Health Department’s Main Facility, located at 2525 Grand Ave., on the following days and times:
Vaccines for this new age group will not be offered at any other City-run COVID-19 vaccination site. Families that include people with disabilities, access or functional needs, or underlying health conditions who are not able to travel to this vaccination site can request mobile vaccination at longbeach.gov/COVID19MobileVaccination or by calling 562.570.4636.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of these vaccines for infants and toddlers on June 17, which was followed by approvals from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on June 18, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on June 19.
The ACIP and CDC recommend that all children 6 months to 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo rigorous safety monitoring. The COVID-19 vaccines have been found to be safe, and parents and guardians can contribute to continued safety monitoring by signing up their children for V-Safe to share with CDC how a child feels after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. The Health Department also urges all healthcare providers and vaccine recipients to report any suspected adverse events following receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS).
The Health Department continues to urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible, as it remains the single best way to protect yourself and those around you against COVID-19. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and especially effective at preventing hospitalization, serious illness or death among breakthrough cases of the virus. To view the most up-to-date vaccine clinic schedule and to schedule an appointment, visit longbeach.gov/vaxLB or call 562.570.4636.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up-to-date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach.
After a catastrophic year of oil spills and sewage equipment failures, here’s some good news for the California coast: Most beaches across the state are still much cleaner than in d...
After a catastrophic year of oil spills and sewage equipment failures, here’s some good news for the California coast: Most beaches across the state are still much cleaner than in decades past.
In its annual “report card,” Heal the Bay graded more than 700 beaches and found that 94% of California’s beaches logged clean water-quality marks between April and October 2021, and that 51 beaches had perfect year-round scores — a good sign for a shoreline once riddled with so much trash and bacteria that people often got sick when they swam.
But the report still found troubling pockets of pollution — some surprising and others stubborn — especially in the winter months.
Another year of extreme drought has also made things more complicated: Beaches tend to be less polluted in drier years (imagine all the litter, pesticides and microplastics that flush into the ocean whenever it rains), but this trend has become less clear-cut. Scientists are starting to study how record wildfires and changing storm patterns could also affect water quality by the shore.
Without further ado, here are the dirtiest beaches in California:
1. Erckenbrack Park (Foster City, San Mateo County)
2. Marlin Park (Foster City, San Mateo County)
3. Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, Los Angeles County)
4. Mother’s Beach (Marina del Rey, Los Angeles County)
5. Moonstone County Park (Humboldt County)
6. Newport Bay, Vaughn’s Launch (Orange County)
7. Lakeshore Park (San Mateo County)
8. Tijuana Slough, north of Tijuana River mouth (San Diego County)
This annual report card, now in its 32nd year, is based on routine water-quality testing conducted by local health officials, sanitation departments and state and tribal agencies. Beach samples are analyzed for three fecal-indicator bacteria that show pollution from numerous sources, including human and animal waste.
Because each agency formats their raw data in different (and sometimes confusing) ways, Heal the Bay — an environmental nonprofit based in Santa Monica — began compiling and translating the information into simple A-plus through F grades for the public. Swimming at a beach with a grade of C or lower greatly increases the risk of skin rashes, ear and upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses such as the stomach flu.
The State Water Resources Control Board endorses this report, which helps scientists and policymakers spot trends and specific beaches that need closer attention.
Santa Monica Pier, for example, came as a surprise this year. This popular tourist attraction used to consistently log the worst grades in the state because of a big storm drain under the pier. But that changed after 2018, when the city built a 1.6-million-gallon tank beneath the parking lot to capture and recycle dirty runoff before it flushed into the ocean.
City officials are still trying to figure out what’s causing this new spike in pollution. Birds roosting and pooping under the pier are likely culprits. (Birds are also likely behind the high bacteria concentrations logged this year at Vaughn’s Launch in Newport Bay, which is situated within an ecological reserve.)
Beaches with poor circulation also continue to be an issue. For the third year in a row, a concerning number of beaches in San Mateo County topped the list of dirtiest beaches in California. Many of these swimming areas — similar to Mother’s Beach in Marina del Rey — are confined by urbanized channels and harbors.
Although these beaches are shielded from big waves — making them popular for families with young children — pollution and bacteria build up easily with so little circulation.
“The physical nature of those beaches is a big issue — the surrounding development goes right up to the water’s edge,” said Luke Ginger, a water quality scientist at Heal the Bay. “So there’s a lot of concrete, a lot of impervious surfaces. The stormwater flows right off the street and into the water.”
Failing infrastructure also proved to be a huge problem this past year. Last summer, 17 million gallons of sewage spewed into the waters off Dockweiler and El Segundo beaches after equipment at Los Angeles’s largest wastewater treatment facility broke down. Off the coast of Huntington Beach, an estimated 25,000 gallons of oil leaked into the sea in October after an aging pipeline ruptured.
At the border with Mexico, almost a billion gallons of sewage flushed into the Pacific after a deteriorating pipe known as the “International Collector” cracked in January. Communities near the mouth of the Tijuana River — which starts in Mexico but enters the ocean in California — have been chronically haunted by these failures to contain raw sewage flows.
“Just one big failure can undo a lot of work and cause a lot of problems,” said Ginger, who noted the many decades of efforts to clean up California’s beaches. “With aging and deteriorating infrastructure, we’re worried that events like this will become more common.”
Massive spills aside, runoff from storm drains remains the largest source of pollution for California’s beaches. Unlike sewage, which is usually filtered through treatment facilities before it’s released, most of this dirty water flushes straight into the ocean through a network of storm drains and concrete-lined rivers.
A good rule of thumb is to stay at least 100 yards away from storm drains and piers — and to be mindful when swimming in enclosed beaches. And always, always wait at least 72 hours after it rains before going into the ocean.
Ginger and his team have also been improving their daily reports, dubbed NowCast, at 25 local beaches to help people stay better informed. And for the second time this year, the report card included three popular beaches in Tijuana that are regularly affected by raw sewage: El Faro, El Vigia and Playa Blanca, which received the worst grade out of all the beaches assessed this year.
Inspired by the way this annual beach report has led to better statewide standards, a growing movement of people are now directing their attention up the watershed — to the many rivers and creeks that feed into the ocean and serve as recreation for inland communities.
The same urban runoff polluting the ocean often starts in these seemingly fresh rivers. But unlike today’s beach monitoring, there is no statewide oversight or standardization for freshwater pollution monitoring in California. Because of this data gap, people swimming in rivers are not provided the same public health information as beachgoers.
Now in its fourth year, Heal the Bay’s “river report card” uses a similar grading framework for 35 sites along Malibu Creek, the Los Angeles River and San Gabriel River in Los Angeles County.
Here are popular river locations in the Los Angeles area that pose the highest risk of illness:
1. Los Angeles River at Riverfront Park (Maywood)
2. Los Angeles River below the Rio Hondo Confluence (South Gate)
3. Los Angeles River at Hollydale Park (South Gate)
4. Compton Creek
5. Los Angeles River below the Compton Creek Confluence (Long Beach)
6. Tujunga Wash at Hansen Dam (Pacoima)
7. Los Angeles River at Willow Street (Long Beach)
8. Los Angeles River at Rattlesnake Park (Elysian Valley)
9. Las Virgenes Creek (Malibu Creek State Park)
10. Bull Creek (San Fernando Valley)
It was alarming to discover just how bad the pollution has been in the lower L.A. River, the report noted, especially along areas that are not meant for recreation but still used for swimming and fishing. Homeless communities have also relied on this part of the river for washing and other needs.
Bacteria levels along this stretch of river were more than 10 times higher than what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers safe.
Tracy Quinn, who became Heal the Bay’s new president in May, said that expanding the river report card is a big priority. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new legislation last October that tasks state officials with identifying every lake, river and stream in California that should be monitored for public health risks.
Quinn, who formerly oversaw California urban water policy at the environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council, is also advocating for more projects that can absorb and clean urban runoff, while also doubling as parks — providing much-needed green space for inland communities. Our built environment and our health, she said, are ultimately inseparable.
“We have replaced natural landscapes with impervious streets and structures and that has resulted in high pollution loads in our rivers and in our ocean,” she said. “When we’re talking about coastal water quality, we need to think of it as a watershed issue. We need to address this from summit to sea.”
SOHMA Integrative Medicine is committed to the continual health of Lakewood and Long Beach.LAKEWOOD and LONG BEACH, Calif., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SOHMA Integrative Medicine is determined to better the health of citizens of Lakewood and Long Beach by combining eastern and western medicine. SOHMA's commitment is to get people out of pain, into balance & ...
SOHMA Integrative Medicine is committed to the continual health of Lakewood and Long Beach.
LAKEWOOD and LONG BEACH, Calif., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SOHMA Integrative Medicine is determined to better the health of citizens of Lakewood and Long Beach by combining eastern and western medicine. SOHMA's commitment is to get people out of pain, into balance & back to play without the use of drugs or surgery. SOHMA Integrative Medicine opened its doors in 2014 and since then has utilized evidence-based practices while treating patients in a holistic way, unifying ancient wisdom with modern technologies.
"SOHMA's goal is about bringing a healthier and balanced lifestyle to all of Lakewood and Long Beach residents," said Dr. Daniel Hoover, DC,LAc, MH, CCSP®, CEO of SOHMA Integrative Medicine. "Through our combination of eastern and western medicine, we help improve our patients' lives in a non-invasive way," said Dr. Hoover.
About Traditional Eastern Medicine
Using traditional Eastern medicine like acupuncture, cupping therapy, and medical tai-chi, the patient's body is assisted in the healing and recovery process naturally. Acupuncture uses thin, sterile single-use needles inserted into strategic points, which can have positive therapeutic results when stimulated by the needles. Cupping therapy uses either fire or a pump to create a vacuum inside the cup, which is placed onto the skin, causing vasodilation which circulates stagnant toxins out of the affected area while bringing in fresh nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood to promote natural healing. Medical tai-chi classes bring participants of all ages together to increase flexibility, balance, agility, and stamina while reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. Tai-chi classes are provided entirely free every Sunday at Heartwell Park in Long Beach, CA, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, or can be followed online.
SOHMA's Approach to Health using Technology
SOHMA's modern technology includes non-surgical spinal decompression, joint injections, and IV therapy. Non-surgical spinal decompression uses a spinal traction, a specialized table to gently pull at either side of the spine. It releases pressure that may have built up within the spine, giving patients pain relief and improving balance. Joint injections use either human cellular tissue products (HCT/P) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in a unique approach to repairing the human body. PRP injections use the patient's platelet enriched plasma to promote healing and reduce post-surgery recovery times. HCT/P injections support the body's healing by regenerating and regrowing damaged tissue without the need for invasive therapies. SOHMA offers IV therapy in the forms of the Myer's cocktail and ozone therapy. Myer's cocktail is a blend of vitamins used to hydrate, replenish nutrients, and treat various conditions. Ozone therapy uses ozone's anti-inflammatory properties to kill bacteria and prevent viral replication.
About SOHMA Integrative Medicine
Founded in 2014, SOHMA Integrative Medicine ranks among the best health centers in Long Beach and Lakewood, CA. Winning three awards for best health clinic, best chiropractor, and best acupuncturist in The Absolute Best of Long Beach Awards in the three categories for which it was nominated and just named best of Long Beach Reader's Choice by the Long Beach Post.
Media Contact:Mariah Dominguez562-420-2112[email protected]
SOURCE SOHMA Integrative Health Center
John Morris and the Boathouse on the Bay have hosted the Big Bang on the Bay, a July 3 fireworks show to raise money for the nonprofit Children Today and other charities, since 2011.“And I want to be clear,” Morris said recently. “The show will go on this year.”But for the last two years, environmental groups have fought the event, saying that the fireworks over Alamitos Bay are polluting the water and endangering birds in the area. This year, the Sierra Club Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force persuaded th...
John Morris and the Boathouse on the Bay have hosted the Big Bang on the Bay, a July 3 fireworks show to raise money for the nonprofit Children Today and other charities, since 2011.
“And I want to be clear,” Morris said recently. “The show will go on this year.”
But for the last two years, environmental groups have fought the event, saying that the fireworks over Alamitos Bay are polluting the water and endangering birds in the area. This year, the Sierra Club Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force persuaded the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to issue an order requiring water quality tests and reports.
“Sierra Club Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force has urged the CA Coastal Commission and LB Special Events not to permit these fireworks,” a letter from the group’s co-chair, Ann Cantrell, says. “In addition to water and air pollution, terrifying vets and pets, there is a rookery containing Herons, Egrets and Gulls nesting a few hundred yards from the barge where the fireworks are launched.”
Morris said Monday that he is already doing everything the water quality board was requesting, including water quality tests before and after the show. He has also hired a scientist to check on birds around the bay before and after the show, Morris said.
“They always come back,” Morris said.
Fireworks, which are launched from a barge in the bay for the show, can emit a wide range of chemicals when they explode, as well as physical components such as cardboard and plastic, according to the water quality board.
But the fireworks used for his show are biodegradable, Morris said, adding that he has hired a diver to check the bay floor after the show to see if there is any debris.
Another environmental group sued in 2015 over the impacts of the Big Bang; a settlement included the before and after water quality studies.
A second lawsuit was filed in federal court last year by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, which also has other lawsuits pending against fireworks shows elsewhere, including those at Sea World in San Diego.
That lawsuit accuses the fireworks show of violating the federal Clean Water Act.
“Defendants’ discharge of pollutants causes and/or contributes to the impairment of Alamitos Bay and compromises or destroys its Beneficial Uses,” the lawsuit says. “With every sparkle and flash of color from fireworks, pollutants in the form of debris, fuses, toxic metals and chemical residue fall into the waters below.”
The lawsuit is still in mediation, according to federal court documents, so no trial date has been set.
That group is pushing him to settle and pay their attorney fees, Morris said Monday, June 20, but he has declined.
“It’s blackmail, plain and simple,” he said.
Many fireworks shows in California are set off over the ocean or other bodies of water, partially to avoid the danger of falling debris sparking fires. Long Beach and its Convention & Visitors Bureau have a Fourth of July show planned in Queensway Bay — and there are no known orders against that show.
The order from the water quality board, meanwhile, says it is part of a larger investigation regarding the impact of fireworks on water quality in the region. It also notes that the type and amount of residue varies with the type of shell, angle of launch, weather and more.
Cantrell’s letter said her group has urged both the state Coastal Commission and the city’s Special Events and Filming Department to deny a permit for the show. Morris, though, said he has the Coastal Commission permit in hand and has been told the city’s special event permit is on the way.
City officials said on Tuesday they were looking into whether a permit was on its way, but did not provide an answer by deadline.
The water quality control board order includes a requirement to do an alternative study looking at other locations or alternative types of fireworks, but does not require that until December.
But a Best Management Practices report was due on Wednesday, June 22. There are 18 different categories of best practices to be addressed.
Morris said he is relying on the city’s special events staff regarding best practices, which the city also requires. He has gone through the list and believes he is following them, Morris said.
The one additional requirement is for video and photographic monitoring of the fireworks shoot on the barge. Morris said he was happy to comply with that.
There is a consequence to not turning reports in, according to the board’s order.
“Failure to submit the required report described above by the specified due date(s) may result in the imposition of administrative civil liability by the Los Angeles Water Board,” the order says, “in an amount up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each day the report is not received after the above due date(s).”
There is no requirement or attempt to stop the show in the order.
Cantrell’s letter, though, says her group has suggested a drone light show as an alternative, but Morris has refused. Morris confirmed that he declined that suggestion.
Cantrell concludes her letter by asking people to contact their City Council representative to block the special event permit.
“All they are doing is taking money out of the charities,” Morris said. “Last year, I spent $13,000 for the testing and the bird guy, and this year I’ll have to spend more.
“I want to do what’s right, I have been doing what’s right for the environment,” he added. “They’re just taking money away.”
For information about the Big Bang on the Bay, go to boathouseonthebay.com/big-bang.