Did you make a New Year’s resolution this January?  I did, too.  As I enter my second year as president, mine centers less on myself than on my surroundings; my desires to strengthen, and in many cases create connections to the ties that bind.  These ties make a community whole, bring us to work together, support each other and improve the quality of life for all of us, even for those who choose not to get involved.  These ties, once made and nourished, bind us together to form the kind of community that many of us claim to crave but fail to realize.

Last year I agreed to assist a local organization that has worked for years to bring life to our local office and shopping areas.  The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA or BIA) has been underappreciated and underutilized for years by local business owners, property owners and residents alike.  While not a business owner myself, I realized our focus must sometimes go beyond our immediate realm.  So, even though I had accepted my new position as CHNA president, I thought I would attempt to see if my time could be well spent coloring outside of our Cal Heights lines.

Reaching out to other entities that have similar goals is both a satisfying and effective means of working towards a more dynamic and cohesive living environment.  Cal Heights ReLeaf has already infused the BIA with the ability to continue tree plantings that will eventually create more attractive, pedestrian friendly streetscapes for residents, and the BIA has stepped up efforts to create a cleaner landscape in response to local residents’ requests.

If we crave activities close to home, like dining, shopping, useful services and recreation, then it makes sense to get involved with those who are attempting to attract them.  We can make known what types of businesses and activities we want, work together to get them, and then, most importantly, support them once they’re here.  Support is the key, for without it, we will neither attract nor retain those who give us a chance.

It’s tough out there right now for our local businesses.  Alas, we are losing many as I write this message.  Remember, buying local is one of the best ways to strengthen the ties that bind, contribute to the health of your area, create local income and generate sales taxes that are an important means of bolstering municipal coffers, coffers that unless full fail to provide services that we all consider vital.

Please search out opportunities to create more community ties.  From First Fridays to Strollers, from welcoming a new restaurant to celebrating with old ones, supporting the Rancho, seeing a play or attending a community meeting, or just coming out to plant a tree or enjoy a concert in the park, please consider your parts in securing the health and vitality of our area.

Thank you!

John Royce CHNA President

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Important Resources

888 Clean LA

Bixby Knolls Businss Improvement

City of Long Beach

Dana Branch Library

First Fridays - Long Beach

Litter Free Long Beach

Rancho Los Cerritos

Tree People

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