By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Long Beach opens 1976 time capsule — with surprise gifts inside
Fifty years after a group of Long Beach residents sealed their hopes for the future inside a metal capsule and buried it outside City Hall, the City of Long Beach will crack it open on Wednesday, July 22, at 1:30 p.m. inside the Long Beach City Hall Council Chambers, 411 W. Ocean Blvd.
The capsule was originally placed on July 4, 1976, as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration and the dedication of the former City Hall and Long Beach Public Library. Of the more than 84 items inside, the public already knows about Bicentennial flags, 1976 newspapers, and yearbooks from Lakewood, Millikan, Poly and Wilson high schools.
What nobody knows — including current city officials — is what the capsule’s creators designated as surprise gifts for the mayor and the mayor’s wife. Several Long Beach residents who wrote letters as elementary school children in 1976 will attend and read their messages aloud.
“A time capsule is more than a collection of artifacts — it’s a promise between generations,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Fifty years ago, Long Beach residents captured their hopes for the future. Today we’re honored to open that window into our past as we celebrate how far our city has come and recommit ourselves to building an even brighter future for the generations who follow.”
The event is hosted by the Office of Mayor Richardson, the City Manager’s Office, the Long Beach Public Library and the Department of Technology and Innovation, with support from the Historical Society of Long Beach, Rancho Los Cerritos and the Arts Council for Long Beach.
Baldwin Park housing voucher lottery closes July 27 — apply now
The City of Baldwin Park Housing Authority is accepting online pre-applications for its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list lottery through Monday, July 27, at 5 p.m.
There are 10,000 slots available through a random drawing. Submitting early confers no advantage over applying on the last day.
Applicants will need household income information, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and full legal names for all household members, as well as a valid email address. One application per household is allowed — duplicates will be removed. The Housing Authority does not determine eligibility at the time of application; eligibility will be verified only after selection. Selected applicants will be notified within one month of the list closing.
Pre-applications are online only at www.baldwinpark.com or waitlistcheck.com/CA2295.
Hochman brings LGBTQ+ town hall to West Hollywood July 28
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman and his office’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board will hold a community town hall forum in West Hollywood on Tuesday, July 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Hollywood City Council Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd.
The forum is designed to strengthen trust between the DA’s office and LGBTQ+ communities, address issues uniquely affecting LGBTQ+ individuals and allow community members to submit questions directly to Hochman and the advisory board.
The event is co-sponsored by the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the Williams Institute. No advance registration is required and there is no age limit.
Parking information is available at www.weho.org/calendar.
For more information, contact Jennifer Del Toro, City of West Hollywood Community Affairs Supervisor, at jdeltoro@weho.org or (323) 848-6549. Deaf or hard-of-hearing residents may dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 TTY for California Relay Service assistance.
Court hands Burbank a win in fight over Metro bus rapid transit lanes
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has denied Metro’s motion for a preliminary injunction in its legal dispute with the City of Burbank over the NoHo-Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit project — handing Burbank a procedural victory in a fight over how buses should run along a key segment of Olive Avenue.
At issue is whether buses on the Olive Avenue segment between Buena Vista and Lake Streets should operate in dedicated bus-only lanes or share lanes with regular traffic.
Burbank supports the BRT project overall but has pushed for mixed-flow on that segment, citing concerns about intersection congestion and spillover traffic into adjacent residential neighborhoods.
Metro sought the injunction to prevent Burbank from blocking the project’s design. With that motion denied, Burbank’s underlying legal challenge moves forward.
The next court hearing is scheduled for August 19, when the court will hear Burbank’s demurrer motion and hold a case management conference.
Lakewood names Jeff Wood mayor for third time, swears in new council member
The Lakewood City Council completed its annual reorganization on July 14, selecting Jeff Wood to serve as mayor through July 2027 and David Arellano as vice mayor for the same period — marking Wood’s third term as mayor since his original election to the council in 2011.
The reorganization also featured the swearing-in of new Council Member Rudy Villarreal, who won the open District 2 seat in the June 2 election. Villarreal is an active law enforcement officer, helicopter pilot and United States Army Reserve veteran.
The seat opened when veteran Council Member Steve Croft, honored at the meeting for 21 years of service, chose not to seek re-election.
Outgoing mayor Cassandra Chase was recognized for her 2025-26 term and continues serving on the council through July 2030.
Briefs
Bellflower Parks Master Plan wins regional planning award. The City of Bellflower’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan has earned the Award of Excellence in the Comprehensive Plan category from the American Planning Association Los Angeles Section, recognizing outstanding planning efforts that strengthen communities.
Developed with extensive community input and guided by the Bellflower City Council, the plan has since supported new park projects, successful grant funding and expanded recreation opportunities across the city.
Covina pedestrian bridge moves closer to reality. The City of Covina secured a $460,000 grant from LA County’s Regional Park and Open Space District in April 2026 to further design of a proposed pedestrian bridge connecting the future Covina Recreation Village development and the Metrolink commuter train station at 319 E. Front Street. Mark Thomas and Company is under contract for a feasibility study due around August 2026.
No construction funding has been committed yet. Questions: dchadwick@covinaca.gov.
Azusa Senior Center closing for renovations August 29. The Azusa Senior Center at 740 N. Dalton Avenue will temporarily close for safety and accessibility renovations beginning Friday, August 29 at 1:30 p.m.
The temporary location is Memorial Park North Recreation Center, 340 Orange Ave., Azusa. Dial-A-Ride transit services remain available at (626) 812-5206. Meals, activities and trips will continue with some possible adjustments due to space.
Contact: Senior Services Division at (626) 812-5204.
Artesia offering security camera rebates up to $500. The City of Artesia is offering rebates to residents and business owners who purchase qualifying home security systems, including cameras, alarm systems and motion-sensor lights with cameras. Residents may receive up to $250 and business owners up to $500. Applications must be submitted within 60 days of purchase and equipment must have been purchased on or after July 1, 2026.
Program funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications and full requirements: email Danielle Osborne at dosborne@cityofartesia.us or mail to Artesia City Hall, 18747 Clarkdale Ave., Artesia, CA 90701.
