Leap back more than a century and experience a family-style celebration in Long Beach Heritage’s lovingly decorated Bembridge historic house, one of the last great Victorian-era homes in Long Beach. Each year as the holiday season approaches, Long Beach Heritage invites various community groups to decorate a rooms in a style befitting the home’s architecture and grand past, and for many years RPNA has been honored to take part–and this year is no exception. Plan a visit on any one of the following dates to see the house, grounds, and RPNA’s room (the middle room upstairs, a.k.a. “Dorothy’s Room”). Reservations are $10. There is no charge for children ten who are under accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be held at the door. Remaining dates and times for this year’s tours are:

• Saturday, December 14, 2013 1:30p & 2:30p
• Tuesday, December 17, 2013 1:30p & 2:30p
• Saturday, December 21, 2013 1:30p & 2:30p
• Saturday, December 28, 2013 1:30p & 2:30p

The house is located at 953 Park Circle in Long Beach, which is at the west end of 10th Street, and west of Magnolia Ave. Your donation helps Long Beach Heritage mantain the property. To make your reservation or for more information, visit http://www.lbheritage.org/index.php/brembridge-house/victorian-christmas. A big thanks goes out to Scottie Hinkey and Joanna Alpízar who prepared and arranged our decorations this year!

Commander Rocchi of LBPD’s West Division would like to share with all of us in the Rose Park and surrounding areas that there have been several armed robberies in the city’s Beat 8 area mostly south of 5th Street and east of Alamitos for cell phones. Both males and females were victimized as they walked and talked on their smart phones. Suspect(s) are described as male African Americans in their twenties armed with a handgun which may be a real firearm or a replica. Citizens are urged to take extra precautions in the hours of darkness as most of these robberies have occurred between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Long Beach Police Department would like to provide the community with some simple and effective crime prevention tips:

Street robberies are violent crimes that can be a very traumatic experience for the victim. Not only is there a loss of property that is taken during the robbery, but the victim can be injured during the incident as well. One of the best ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a crime is to be aware of your surroundings and to diligently practice the following safety tips:

• Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
• Whenever possible, avoid using your IPOD, cell phone, or portable game system while walking in public areas.
• Don’t “advertise” that you have valuables in public view (money, jewelry, electronic devices, etc.).
• Be aware of locations and situations, which make you vulnerable to crime, such as dark parking lots, walkways, ATM machines, and alleys.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend.there is safety in numbers.
• Stay in well lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk close to the curb and avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to 9-1-1.

Finally, getting to know your neighbors will not only create a safe environment but a more enjoyable neighborhood as well.

The LBPD thanks all of us for our support and continued partnership in keeping our neighborhood safe—and RPNA would like to take this opportunity to thank them as well. That’s what partnerships are all about—getting things done together!

Please forward this message to friends, family and associates who can benefit from it!