Whole Foods Market 365 To Open In Douglas Park In April

Whole Foods Market 365 will open at the Long Beach Exchange at Douglas Park on April 25, the grocery chain announced today. The market is a smaller concept than traditional Whole Foods stores at 28,000 square feet. It will include a restaurant by Yellow Fever and a café by Groundwork Coffee. The market will “offer exceptional value in a fun and convenient new format” while still maintaining its promise to stock natural and organic foods. The store’s location is 3881 Lakewood Blvd.

 

Local Legislator Denounces Community Hospital’s Upcoming Closure

After today’s announcement that MemorialCare Community Medical Center will terminate its lease with the City of Long Beach in 120 days, thereby closing the hospital, Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell reacted with dismay. O’Donnell had recently introduced legislation that would have kept the hospital open longer, if passed. “In my perception, the decision is clearly motivated by MemorialCare’s desire to both leave the hospital and prevent other providers from coming in to serve the greater community,” he stated. “Community Hospital offers the only emergency room on the east side of the city. This decision will put even more pressure on other emergency rooms throughout the region and endangers the health and safety of east side residents.”

 

Health Care Organization Pushing For State-Based Insurance Mandate

The California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) released a statement today urging state legislators to create a state-based individual health insurance mandate. The federal mandate will sunset in January 2019 due to a provision in recently passed tax reform legislation. According to CAHP, a California mandate would stabilize the state’s health care marketplace “and protect the significant gains California has made under the Affordable Care Act.” The organization cited evidence that removing the mandate would cause about 378,000 Californians to drop health coverage.

 

Councilmember Partners With CSULB Students On Homelessness

Third District Councilmember Suzie Price is partnering with public relations students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to interview a focus group on the issue of homelessness in the district. Students are currently recruiting participants. If interested, contact Krista Coriaty at krista.coriaty@csulb.edu by Friday, March 9.

 

Aquarium Hosting Speakers On Agriculture And Disaster Preparedness

The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting a lecture by A.G. Kawamura, former secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, on March 6, 7 p.m. in the Ocean Theatre, 100 Aquarium Way. Kawamura will discuss how expanding technology and information systems, as well as climate change, affect agriculture. The Aquarium is also presenting a Tsunami Science and Preparedness Panel on March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Ocean Theatre. Panelists are from the city’s department of disaster preparedness and emergency communications, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the California Geological Survey. Click here for more information.