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5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival: Final Lineup
5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival: Final Lineup 5/27/2016

For the fifth consecutive year, the Uptown Jazz Festival is back!

The 5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival is making its way back to Uptown in style, featuring show-stopping headliners Goapele and DW3! 
The Creative Corridor Challenge: Mural 4
The Creative Corridor Challenge: Mural 4 Started 5/27/2016 The Creative Corridor Challenge to Beautify North Long Beach has been sweeping its way through Uptown, leaving behind inspirational imagery for generations to come. 
PB Harvard
District 9 Success Stories: North Long Beach Takes PB to Harvard 5/27/2016 This past week, Councilmember Richardson was invited to speak on the District 9 Participatory Budgeting (PB) Initiative at the 2016 Participatory Budgeting Conference held in Boston at Harvard University.
5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival Final Flyer
5th Annual Uptown Latin Jazz Festival 5/20/2016 For the fifth consecutive year, the Uptown Jazz Festival is back!

North Long Beach will feature a taste of southern sounds during its 5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival, with Goapele and DW3 headlining the show. Goapele, also referred to as the “spiritual love child of Sade and D’Angelo”, has inspired the world with heartfelt songs like "Closer to my Dreams". DW3 tore down the stage at last year's festival, which we hope to expect this time around as well. Check out a recent live performance of theirs, here.

From 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., come out and music, food, vendor booths, a Kids Zone, and much more at this free community event. The free community concert, hosted by Councilmember Rex Richardson, will take place on Saturday, June 11th at Houghton Park. Save the date and share the news!

RSVP for the 5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival in order to stay in the loop with updates! If you missed out on last years' Festival, check out some great pictures from the day here.
Heal Zone Initiative
$1 Million Grant Will Enable Health and Human Services to Expand Efforts to Address Obesity in North Long Beach 5/19/2016

$1 million dollars in grant funds were received by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for enhancement of the HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) Zone Initiative, an effort launched in in order to foster healthier lifestyles in North Long Beach. Kaiser Permanente was responsible for awarding the funds, honoring a larger part of their HEAL Zone investment to promote healthy communities across Southern California.

The presence of HEAL Zones foster a chance for direction towards a healthier lifestyle, more specifically, those met by challenges in undeserved communities. Reducing the likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes and hypertension is a probable outcome for this initiative, and a constant goal for DHHS and the Coalition for a Healthy North Long Beach since asserting partnership in January 2012.

“Poor nutrition and lack of exercise are key drivers of diabetes, obesity and heart disease,” Kelly Colopy, director of health and human services, said in a statement. “Increasing education, access to healthy foods and safe, fun places to exercise makes health easier. It takes all of us working together to make this possible.” - Read more from the Long Beach Post here!

One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the food and physical activity environments of a neighborhood while also improving the nutrition and exercise habits of entire families. Since establishment in 2007, the City of Long Beach DHHS Childhood Obesity Prevention and Advocacy Program is tirelessly reaching towards that goal.


The Coalition for a Healthy North Long Beach meets regularly - learn more and get involved with the coalition by emailing: healthynorthlb@gmail.com
CCC III
Mural 3 of the Creative Corridor Challenge Complete! 5/19/2016 The third mural from the Creative Corridor Challenge has been completed! Beautifying North Long Beach has been the objective of this challenge, combining community narratives with artistic taste and touch.

Artist Jose Loza added the finishing touches to the "Twelve Steps" inspired mural, which is still undergoing final naming. Inspiration behind the mural title stems from the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) Twelve Step program, which is well known for its use in treating addictive and dysfunctional behaviors.

The first 12 step program began with A.A. in the 1930s and has since grown to be the most widely used approach in dealing not only with recovery from alcoholism, but also from drug abuse and various other addictive and dysfunctional behaviors.

View the artwork today, located at 5881 Cherry Ave (Intercity Fellowship Hall). Also, watch the first Community Paint day of Loza's mural in North Long Beach, here!


Read More: New North Long Beach Mural Symbolizes Rebirth; Artist Leaves Interpretation to Viewer
Hotel Transylvania 2 in the Park and Participatory Budgeting Vote!
Hotel Transylvania 2 in the Park and Participatory Budgeting Vote! 5/9/2016

It's Now Participatory Budgeting Vote Week!

This years' voting will be accommodated with a movie in the park, this Friday, May 13th. North Long Beach residents are invited out to Ramona Park for a movie and Participatory Budgeting (PB) project voting and a showing of Hotel Transylvania 2! PB Voting will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m, while the movie will is set to start around 7:45 p.m.

RSVP for the event here!

Vote at the Field Office

In-person voting hours are available at the District 9 Field Office this year!

Monday - Thursday, May 9-12th, 12:00-7:00 p.m. 
Saturday, May 14th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
For more information, contact (562) 570-6137 or visit www.pblongbeach.org!
5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival
5th Annual Uptown Latin Jazz Festival 5/2/2016

For the fifth consecutive year, the Uptown Jazz Festival is back!

North Long Beach will feature a taste of southern sounds during its 5th Annual Uptown Jazz Festival, with Goapele and DW3 headlining the show. Goapele, also referred to as the “spiritual love child of Sade and D’Angelo”, has inspired the world with heartfelt songs like "Closer to my Dreams". DW3 tore down the stage at last year's festival, which we hope to expect this time around as well. Check out a recent live performance of theirs, here.

From 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., come out and music, food, vendor booths, a Kids Zone, and much more at this free community event. The free community concert, hosted by Councilmember Rex Richardson, will take place on Saturday, June 11th at Houghton Park. 
Save the date and share the news!
PB Flyer May 7
VOTE on How to Spend $250,000 to Improve Long Beach's 9th District! 4/25/2016 From May 7-14, if you're 14 years of age or older and live in District 9, YOU can VOTE on how to spend $250,000 of Councilmember Rex Richardson’s discretionary funds. Projects on the ballot include park improvements, safety upgrades, community art, and more.

Help spread the word! Click here to view the flyer in Spanish.
CCC Community Faces
The Creative Corridor Challenge: Murals Reflecting North Long Beach Community 4/25/2016 It's amazing to have an opportunity to reflect a community through artwork.

Here are the faces of North Long Beach local children that are now part of a mural. We love the amount of community pride that is invested in this design.Thank you Tracy Negrete for your incredible design.

Follow our Creative Corridor Challenge Page as we continue to add the remaining murals to District 9!
RMD Group
North LB-based RMD Group Lands TV Show on Discovery 4/4/2016 We're excited to share with you that CEO Ralph Holguin of local, 9th District-based experiential marketing firm, RMD Group, have been selected to be part of the new television show line-up on the Velocity network, a division of Discovery Channel.

Ralph and his team will be filming a show called “RMD Design” which is scheduled to air in September 2017, which will bring viewers inside Holguin’s garage in North Long Beach as they push automotive design boundaries to create eye-popping wheels that make car lovers everywhere swoon.

This is a great example of how a dynamic and innovative business can locate and thrive in Uptown Long Beach. "RMD DESIGN" brings viewers inside the garage of Ralph Holguin, an entrepreneur who takes pride in creating timeless automobiles, and jaw-dropping experiential advertising for top brands.

Join us in congratulating Ralph and RMD Group!
100 Trees Hamilton
National Arbor (Earth) Day: HNA to Plant 100 Trees 3/31/2016

Please join Hamilton Neighborhood Association, Long Beach Neighborhood Services Bureau, Women in Non-Traditional Employment Roles, and other Community Groups by saving the date, Friday, April 22, 2016. 

On this date we will be planting 100 trees in and around Hamilton Middle School. Check back for more information as we get closer to the date.
North Long Beach Parks Workshop
Let's Go Design A Park, North Long Beach! 3/28/2016 Come out to Coolidge Park and join us in designing a potential park of the future on Saturday, April 9th, 2016!

This workshop, organized alongside Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine, will feature innovative input, all of which we hope to be included in what we envision in our parks to come.

There will be two different workshop start times: 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Healthy refreshments and snacks will be provided.

For more information or in order to RSVP, contact Meredith Reynolds at: meredith.reynolds@longbeach.gov or (562) 570-3165.

Let your voice help shape our community by joining the workshop!
Library Topping
Topping Off the New Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library 3/14/2016

This past weekend we topped off the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library alongside our Mayor, Robert Garcia, and ecstatic community leaders and friends. Check out more photos here.

"Topping-off" refers to the point in time during the construction of a new building when the highest structure or beam is added. For the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, the original spire from the former Atlantic Theatre was used to “top” our new building. 

The library incorporates a reproduction of the former Atlantic Theatre's iconic tower into a glass roof accenting the children's section. The original spire, which has been refurbished, was placed atop the tower this past Saturday, March 12th, 2016.
Principal for a Day at Grant Elementary
Principal for a Day at Grant Elementary 3/14/2016 On Thursday, March 10th, 2016, I was able to act as Principal for a Day at Grant Elementary, taking on the outstanding role of Kim Baril.

The day was remarkable, as I witnessed how smart our students are, while also having engaged with an involved parent group.

Thank you to Grant Elementary for the great opportunity to experience a day in the life of a principal, one of the most critical leadership positions in our youth education systems.

Check out some more photos from the day, here.
Meet the New Uptown Business District Director
Meet the New Uptown Business District Director 3/14/2016 The Deforest Park Neighborhood Association has invited Tasha Hunter, the new Executive Director of the Uptown Business District to come and present her vision for our wonderful business district corridor that includes Atlantic Ave from Market St. to Artesia Blvd (as well as Artesia Blvd from Atlantic to Orange).

Tasha W. Hunter will manage operations to rehabilitate properties, maintain clean and safe programs, support local businesses, and partner with North Long Beach residents on community projects.

Come find out how we can partner with the business district to engage and improve our community!
Top off the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
Let's Top of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library 3/10/2016 This Saturday, March 12th, at 11:30 AM we will be "topping-off" our new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, and you can join us to celebrate!

"Topping-off" refers to the point in time during the construction of a new building when the highest structure or beam is added. For the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, the original spire from the former Atlantic Theatre will “top” the new building. The library incorporates a reproduction of the former Atlantic Theatre's iconic tower into a glass roof accenting the children's section. The original spire, which has been refurbished, will be placed atop the tower.

Come sign up for a library card if you don't already have one, and enjoy music, food trucks and your neighbors!
iClip CCC Mural
iClip - 9th District Creative Corridor Challenge 3/10/2016

North Long Beach residents worked together in order to bring about mural and landscaping improvements at the Golden State Humane Society. The beautification effort is the first project of Long Beach 9th District Councilmember Rex Richardson's "Creative Corridor Challenge", a civic engagement initiative to unite artists, residents, and stakeholders to identify and collaborate on projects that will beautify North Long Beach's corridors.

Checkout the iClip footage!

Partnering with the Arts Council for Long Beach, Squeeze Art Collective, The Uptown Property & Community Assoc, and the City of Long Beach Office of Sustainability, Richardson dedicated $50,000 to support community driven projects that include tree planting, mural installations, vacant building and/or lot activation, and public art and utility box beautification.

Several murals are planned to make their way to more corridor walls within North Long Beach, with 7 total in this years' challenge!  Regularly check insidedistrict9.com for more updates!
#ReadWithRex Challenge and the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
#ReadWithRex Challenge and the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library 3/4/2016 Celebrate the opening of the NEW Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library by pledging to check out and read books within the first 100 days of the library's opening!

It's easy to take the challenge.

Add your name below and pledge to do the following:

1. Get a Long Beach Public Library Card

2. Pledge to check out and read no less than 3 books or other educational media items at the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library when it opens this summer.

3. Share on social media and ask your friends, family, and neighbors to take the pledge! Add a photo and use the hashtag #ReadwithRex

4. Together, we can demonstrate our excitement for literacy and the opening of our new library, while inspiring a new generation of readers and scholars in our community.

Join me in taking the challenge!
Read Across America: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
Read Across America: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss 3/3/2016

On Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016, we celebrated the Birthday of Dr. Seuss, a beloved childhood author his memory still lives on today!  In honor of Read Across America, Councilmember Richardson read to students at Colin Powell Academy (150 W. Victoria St., Long Beach, 90805).

Students around the country spent Dr. Seuss' birthday in the most scholastic and appropriate way, reading Seuss' books on the beloved writer's 112th birthday! Thank you Colin Powell Academy for allowing me to read with you and launch the ‪#‎ReadwithRex‬ challenge.

We will also be kicking off “Read with Rex” where I will challenge the community to check out and read 10,000 additional books within the first 100 days of the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library opening later this summer!!
His proposal is two-fold, both addressing a demographic whose minds may not be fully formed, but also a demographic which statistically represents the largest group in Long Beach and also the one most
Diversion Program Finds Funding Source in The California Endowment, Commencing Pilot Program in Long Beach 3/3/2016 It’s been over eight months since the Long Beach City Council initiated a fund-finding mission to finance a pilot program that aims to provide second chances to low-level offenders through work and education diversion. Last night, the Promising Adults Tomorrow’s Hope (PATH) program received its first outside funding in the form of a $75,000 contribution from The California Endowment, which will allow the city to initiate the program.

The grant request was submitted by Pacific Gateway on behalf of the city, as it and city prosecutor's office both serve as partners in the diversion program. The gap in funding had kept the program on the shelf since last June, but the infusion from The California Endowment will commence year one of the pilot program.

“Today is really about The California Endowment really stepping up and helping fill that gap and providing much-needed resources to ensure that this is a comprehensive program that uses both workforce and education as a means for diversion,” said Ninth District Councilman Rex Richardson, who championed the cause last year.

PATH and its outreach efforts aim to address those 16-24 year-olds who qualify for mentoring, job placement and occupational training in lieu of criminal prosecution. Richardson based his proposal on science that suggests that youth in that age group have brains that aren’t fully formed, arguing that youthful mistakes should not create a negative lifelong ripple effect.

“Young adults make mistakes, and if not given the right opportunities, those mistakes might often lead to loss of life or the loss of livelihood,” Richardson told the Post last year. “Brain science tells us that young adults are distinctly different than adults because their brains aren’t fully developed until they’re 25. So we as a city, we should make sure that our programs and our services and our systems are developmentally appropriate and we respond to young adults in developmentally appropriate ways.”
Take the #ReadWithRex Challenge
Take the #ReadWithRex Challenge 3/3/2016 Celebrate the opening of the NEW Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library by pledging to check out and read books within the first 100 days of the library's opening!

It's easy to take the challenge.

Add your name below and pledge to do the following:

1. Get a Long Beach Public Library Card
2. Pledge to check out and read no less than 3 books or other educational media items at the new Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library when it opens this summer.
3. Share on social media and ask your friends, family, and neighbors to take the pledge! Add a photo and use the hashtag #ReadwithRex

Together, we can demonstrate our excitement for literacy and the opening of our new library, while inspiring a new generation of readers and scholars in our community. Join me in taking the challenge!
CCC Launch
The Creative Corridor Challenge Installation Series Recap 2/22/2016 North Long Beach residents will soon see a mural and landscaping improvements at the Golden State Humane Society. The beautification effort is the first project of Long Beach 9th District Councilmember Rex Richardson's "Creative Corridor Challenge", a civic engagement initiative to unite artists, residents, and stakeholders to identify and collaborate on projects that will beautify North Long Beach's corridors.
CA Trees
North Long Beach Urban Forest Strategy Survey 2/22/2016 In the midst of rising temperatures stemming from global climate change, and reduced amounts of water availability due to drought conditions, the question of whether or not tree plantings can benefit a city is a definite to ask.

The California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board has found that the right tree can improve air quality as well as provide other benefits such as shade and beauty. With the help of our City of Long Beach, Office of Sustainability arborists, we can find the perfect tree for your street.

Click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5TGPQN3 to take the short, 3 question North Long Beach Urban Forest Strategy Survey, which well help us to identify where to plant, and who will help maintain the future green infrastructure that will make its way to uptown.
The Creative Corridor Challenge Instillation Series Kick-Off
The Creative Corridor Challenge Instillation Series Kick-Off 2/18/2016 Due to the weather forecast, we have decided to reschedule the Creative Corridor Challenge Project Launch event. We'd like to apologize for the cancellation, especially to those of you that were as excited as myself to see these past months of hard work finally unfold.

Join us instead this Saturday, Feb. 20th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as we celebrate the implementation of the first Creative Corridor Challenge mural and beautification project at the Golden State Humane Society (555 E. Artesia Blvd., 90805). We hope to see you there.

The launch will highlight 7 art and beautification projects that are scheduled to take place from February to June 2016. The very first mural and landscape project will begin behind the Golden State Humane Society property.
Food Hub
North Long Beach Online Food Hub Survey 2/8/2016 The Growing Experience Urban Farm is currently researching the feasibility of developing a food hub for the greater North, Central and West Long Beach area, and needs your help to get a pulse of the communities District 9 serves.

The goal of this survey is to gain community-based insight on designing a food hub that would best serve the public.
Below are links to the online survey. Simply stating your preferences through the survey can bring about a food economy change in North Long Beach, ultimately for the better.

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BYPTSLP 

Español: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B7VXLLG
Black History Month
Black History Month Celebration at Long Beach City Hall 2/8/2016

This past Tuesday, February 1st, 2016, Black History Month was celebrated in style alongside other council districts, with council district 8 at the forefront of organizing.

After loosening our limbs together to the tune of African drums, we enjoyed some wonderful live singing and powerful words from our leadership. I had the pleasure of delivering a resonating message to those in attendance, highlighting the collective council efforts such as the My Brother's Keeper Program, which benefits young men of color.

Check out some more amazing photos from the memorable day.
9th District Houghton Community Center Design Update
Houghton Park Community Center Design Update 1/27/2016 Come out to Houghton Park in order to get a sneak-peak of our four Houghton Park Community Center Designs, on Thursday, February 4th, 2016.

The new, Houghton Park Community Center planning continues to move forward! Check out this exciting report, filled with exciting news, facts and easy-to-understand charts.
Leadership LB MLD Day of Service
Ocean Friendly Rain and Community Garden Project for MLK Day of Service 2016 1/26/2016 In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and commitment to service, our "Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service" included:

Propagation/ planting of trees, shrubs, and drought-tolerant, native plants, application of a paper-sheet and cardboard barrier that will be covered with mulch, construction of bioswales within specified parkway space, and solidification of our ocean-garden as a "Monarch Butterfly Waystation".

Monarch Way stations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration.

The completion of this project also helps reduce our landscape's water-footprint, flooding at the intersection of Gundry and 65th, increased removal of silt and pollution from surface runoff water (bioswales) and supply of ecosystem services, and improved visual aesthetic through creative design.
Michelle Obama Library Meeting Photo
Long Beach Community Approves Michelle Obama Library Name 1/22/2016 First Lady Michelle Obama is a winner.

At least she was Thursday evening in north Long Beach, when a majority of those attending a community meeting agreed that naming a new library there after her was a good idea.

More than 150 people gathered Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Houghton Park Community Center to figure out what to name the library at Atlantic Avenue and 59th Street, which is currently under construction.

Ninth District Councilman Rex Richardson has spearheaded the campaign to name the library for Obama, and he kicked off Thursday’s meeting by showing the same slideshow and video presentation he’d previously shown the City Council. The council has voted — twice — to support reviewing the name. But others have opposed it.
MLK Parade 2016
28th Annual Long Beach Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Unity Parade 1/18/2016

Today's 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade was a great success.

Our theme for our entry this year was "I Am My Brother's Keeper", which highlights our Long Beach "My Brother's Keeper" initiative to support boys and young men of color. We were joined by the Jordan High School Omega Brothers, Jordan Math Collaborative, Southern California members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Jordan High School Marching Band. 

Check out more photos from the day.

The audience was on hand for stepping, training, chanting, and an overall demonstration of college bound young men of color from North long Beach and beyond.
Ocean Friendly Day of Service
Ocean-Friendly Rain and Community Garden Project for MLK Day of Service 2016 1/7/2016 The Ocean-Friendly Rain and Community Garden Project is a collaborative sustainability effort organized by Grant Neighborhood Association, Hamilton Neighborhood Association, Leadership Long Beach, Long Beach Surf rider Chapter, Council District 9, and the Office of Sustainability in the City of Long Beach. Completion of the project will provide the 9th District field office and community with numerous environmental and human health benefits.

Volunteers are needed on both days of project implementation. Please contact (562) 570-6137 or councildistrict9@longbeach.gov in order to lend a hand towards the effort.

"Demo Day" - Sunday, January 10th, 2016
Shift I: 3 hrs (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Shift II: Shift II: 3 hrs (12:00 - 3:00 p.m.)

"Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service" - Monday, January 18th, 2016
Shift I: 4 hours (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Shift II: 3 hours (12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
We Need Parks 1
Create the Future of Your Parks! 1/5/2016 On January 14th, 2016, 9th District residents are invited out to Houghton Park in order to contribute input to its future development. Over the course of 15 months, between March 2015 and June 2016, the County will assess park needs in 189 Study Areas, including cities and unincorporated areas, with Houghton Park in North Long Beach representing one of the many.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end around 8:30 p.m. Through participation, residents can ensure that their inputs redirect park funding to areas such as Houghton Park, which is already undergoing Councilmember Rex Richardson's Houghton Park Master Plan.
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library Naming Proposal Approved by City Council
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library Naming Proposal Approved by City Council 12/23/2015 The process of naming the new North Branch Library the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library moved forward last night after the city council voted 5-0 to approve the recommendation and to refer it to the council’s Housing and Neighborhoods Committee for further discussion.

The item, which had received plenty of criticism online for its perceived lack of local flavor in the naming proposal, was met with nearly unanimous support from those in attendance. The council’s vote of approval was short of its usual nine votes due to a multitude of issues including illness, a surgery and death in the family that kept council members Dee Andrews, Suzie Price, Stacy Mungo and Daryl Supernaw at home.
Rex it Snow
"Let it Snow at the North Pole" 12/22/2015 Houghton Park in Long Beach was transformed into the North Pole on Saturday during the annual “Let It Snow at the North Pole” event.

Over 4,000 people participated and over 2,500 toys were given away. Thanks our partners, SEIU Local 721 and Department of Parks, Recreation, and Marine.
North Long Beach Library
Councilmember Richardson Proposes Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library in North Long Beach 12/15/2015 Ninth District Councilman Rex Richardson has come up with a name for the new under-construction North Branch Library — the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.

Richardson has put the proposal on the Dec. 22 City Council agenda. He said that he has talked with a number of neighborhood leaders in north Long Beach, and offered a list of supporters for naming the library after the First Lady, including presidents of 10 Ninth District neighborhood associations, former Ninth District Councilman Steve Neal and Long Beach Unified School District board member Megan Kerr, who represents north Long Beach on that board.
Let it Snow at the North Pole
Let it Snow at the North Pole 12/15/2015 Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s coming to UPTOWN!

Join us on Saturday, December 19th, as Houghton Park is transformed into the North Pole with lots of toys, cookies, and snow...
PB Budget Delegation
Participatory Budgeting Delegate Training: Recap 12/14/2015 On the evening of December 15th, 2015, our office hosted the first PB budget delegate training. A diverse array of North Long Beach residents joined us to begin crafting project ideas into proposals.
62nd Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade
62nd Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade 12/12/2015 This evening we were accompanied by our City Prosecutor, Doug Haubert, who rode with us throughout the 62nd Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade.

Houses literally almost out shined the parade street spotlights, but there was nothing present as bright as the smile on residents' faces.
Groundbreaking Ceremony DeForest
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the DeForest Wetlands Restoration Project 12/1/2015

The DeForest Park Wetlands Restoration Project will provide for the development of 39 acres of wetlands, riparian and upland habitat, accessible public trails, and educational interpretation along the Los Angeles River, from DeForest Park to Del Amo Boulevard. Along with the adjacent Dominquez Gap wetlands, the DeForest Wetlands Restoration Project will create almost 3 miles of recreated wetlands along the Los Angeles River, and will be a significant step in completing the 52-mile Los Angeles River Greenway. 
Houghton Park Fitness Zone
New Fitness Zone at Houghton Park 11/24/2015 This morning, we were thrilled to cut the ribbon on the new Houghton Park Fitness Zone. We were joined by Mayor Robert Garcia, and the Departments of Parks, Recreation and Marine, Public Works, and Health and Human Services in celebrating the grand opening of the Fitness Zone.
Turkey Giveaway
Turkey Giveaway with Congresswoman Hahn 11/23/2015
Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving by distributing turkeys and other items to over 200 local residents.

Thank you to Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Andy St. Community Association and Community Grace Brethren Church for collaborating on this event with us. It was a very enjoyable event and we were proud to see our community come together to help those in need. To view more images from the day, visit here
Roadmap to Renaissance
9th District 2016 Budget Highlights 11/17/2015 Budget Highlights for the 9th District & the Roadmap to Renaissance.
DeForest Wetlands Restoration Project
DeForest Wetlands Restoration Project Receives Final Approval from City Hall 11/10/2015 The DeForest Wetlands restoration project was granted final approval at Tuesday's city council meeting, November 10th, 2015.

This restoration project will open 34 acres of land for public use, by converting large areas of overgrown vegetation into a river parkway with freshwater wetlands, wildlife habitat, and native plants, while retaining flood control and management properties.
19th Annual Veterans Day Parade & Vets Fest 2015
19th Annual Veterans Day Parade & Vets Fest 2015 11/8/2015 Long Beach has been the home of thousands of war veterans and decades of Veterans Day parades. For the last nineteen years, North Long Beach has hosted the parade, and Saturday's edition was an excellent example of why Northtown is a great host for the event.
NSBE Walk for Education
Welcome to Uptown: National Society of Black Engineers Walk for Education 11/5/2015 On October 31st, 2015, over 50 Engineering and Scientist, Collegiate and Professionals were present at Houghton Park for an annual education walk.
Public Engagement Hands
Long Beach One of Eight North American Cities Doing Public Engagement Right 10/26/2015

Long Beach was one of just fourteen new 2014 additions to Bloomberg Philanthropies’ highly sought-after Innovation Team grants. In conjunction with local groups, it has whetted its engagement chops by “taking the pulse” of the community through compelling, well-attended events like its People’s State of the City. Further, it has gained experience with online engagement through its Go Long Beach app, which was among the first in the country for a city of its size. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Council Member Rex Richardson’s community website, which is one of the best district online portals that we’ve seen.
Fire Win
A Great Night for Public Safety 10/6/2015 Over the past month, the Long Beach Fire Department has begun the process of eliminating the controversial Rapid Medic Deployment (RMD) Program, thus reverting our paramedic response system back to 2013 staffing levels. We asked the Long Beach City Council to support a study that evaluates two priority topics that potentially create a more stable response system:
Creative Corridor Challenge
The Creative Corridor Challenge: Phase I 9/30/2015 On September 30th, we launched a new civic engagement project called the Creative Corridor Challenge.

The Creative Corridor Challenge gives District 9 residents and stakeholders the chance to identify and collaborate on projects that beautify and activate North Long Beach corridors. The target corridors in District 9 include Artesia blvd., Long Beach blvd. Paramount blvd., Atlantic ave., Cherry Ave., Orange Ave., Downey Ave., and South St.
Long Beach Drive Electric Vehicle Exposition
Long Beach Drive Electric Vehicle Exposition 9/14/2015

Long Beach residents got a small glimpse into the future of transportation at Houghton Park Saturday morning as they viewed Teslas, electric motorcycles and a prototype of an electric bus that will soon be ferrying people around the city.

The Long Beach Drive Electric celebration was the first in what local advocates and leaders hope will be an annual showcase of electric vehicles and emerging green technology.
2nd Workshop Houghton Park Master Plan
2nd Workshop for the Houghton Park Community Master Plan 9/1/2015 Houghton Park in North Long Beach is getting a full makeover for the first time since it was developed nearly a century ago.

The heavily-used park is a community fixture, serving as a meeting place, center for activities and a safe route for students walking home from Jordan High School on the park’s north end. Residents, however, say the park and North Long Beach as a whole have been ignored for years. City Councilman Rex Richardson, who represents the area, is leading a community initiative to revitalize the park through equipment upgrades, grounds improvements, more parking and other initiatives.
4th Annual Uptown Latin Jazz & Blues Festival
4th Annual Uptown Latin Jazz & Blues Festival 8/25/2015
Our 4th Annual Uptown Latin Jazz & Blues Festival was a blast. The sound of renaissance filled the air as Houghton Park was filled with friends and family seeking quality music and time with each other. Although we may have run out of space on the dance floor, there was a surplus of good energy and community spirit to compensate. Halle Johnson, Brown Suede, Joe Colderon Trio, Boxcar 7, DW3 and Headliner, Tito Puente Jr. hit this stage in memorable fashion, keeping the spirit of Latin Jazz & Blues alive. An estimated 2,500 people were counted in attendance, indicating the love and support we have for this annual effort.
Beach Streets Village Fest 2
Beach Streets Village Fest 6/6/2015 On June 6, 2015, North Long Beach hosted its first Beach Streets Festival made possible by Metro Los Angeles, Long Beach City Council member Rex Richardson, and the Uptown Business District in conjunction with the Whole Village initiative. The atmosphere was live and joyous over the a love of cycling, community, and live entertainment.
Spring Winners
3rd Annual 9th District Spring Cleaning Results 4/6/2015 This year's Neighborhood Challenge winner is the Hamilton Neighborhood Association, who collectively reported a total of 79 issues ranging from graffiti, dumped items, potholes, and more. This neighborhood is awarded a $500 neighborhood improvement grant.


Councilmember
Rex Richardson

City Hall Office
333 West Ocean Blvd, 14th Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-6137


Field Office
6509 Gundry Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90805
(562) 570-3319

 
district9@longbeach.gov
www.insidedistrict9.com

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