Dear Neighbor,

I hope you're enjoying the cooler weather as we ease into fall, with all the memory-making moments it brings, such as, apple picking, pumpkin carving, and the stunning colors of autumn. It's a season full of charm!

Amid the fun of harvest activities and beautiful landscapes, fall also marks a special celebration: Hispanic Heritage Month, running from September 15 to October 15. During this time, we honor and celebrate the incredible contributions and experiences of Latinos in the United States. Join us this year as we congratulate our 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month honorees, who are making incredible strides in civic engagement, women’s rights, social justice, and much more!

In the same spirit of recognition, September 15 through September 21 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Truckers haul over 11 billion tons of freight each year and reach virtually every corner of our country. More than 80% of communities depend solely on trucks to receive their goods. Clearly, we owe truck drivers miles of gratitude for the work they do and the sacrifices they make to help put food on our tables, keep our homes comfortable, and support our families and jobs. So please join us in saying thank you to the truck drivers who always go the extra mile for us.  

Additionally, I want to share an exciting opportunity for college students with disabilities who are interested in public service. The Office of Equity and the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Disability are hosting an event at the Long Beach Civic Center on Thursday, October 3, 2024, where students will have the chance to shadow a city employee and explore public service careers. Applications are due by Friday, September 20th at 11:59 p.m. PST, so be sure to spread the word to anyone who may be interested.

Finally, as we’ve recently witnessed, communities across Southern California continue to face the challenges of wildfires, and even areas far from the flames can experience unhealthy air quality due to smoke. To stay safe, I encourage you to visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website, where you can find valuable information on protecting your health before, during, and after a wildfire. By taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce your exposure to harmful pollution. You’ll find this and other helpful resources below.

As always, if you need any other information or assistance, please contact my office at (562) 256-7921 or send us a message here.