Dear Mother

When I need

Images,

Role models

Of strong women,

I turn from you

Because in you

That is not

What I see,

What I hear,

What I sense

When I see you,

I see weakness

I see fear,

I see cowardice.

Because only

a coward

would trap

her daughter

like a rat,

and feed

that rat to the

boy,

the Peter…

I’m Glad I Had Your Love

I would they tried

To erase me

To snuff me out

I’m glad I had

Your love to

Run to,

Walk to,

Crawl to,

More than

A million dollars,

You are what I needed

A safe place to cry

A safe place to sleep

A place where I can eat,

Where I don’t need to sneak,

And hide and

Watch in fear,

I can be…

Thievery Corporation's new album "Culture of Fear" is yet another release of high quality downtempo music.  The duo from DC drops another great record, and "Where It All Starts" is my top pick. …

Since it's important to keep the community not only together, but involved, we have to remember that it's also essential for those same people to fellowship with each other. That's why 9th District Councilmember Steven Neal on July 23, hosted the first…

 It is no secret that the Long Beach youth love to skate. There are a few skate parks here and there, but on Satuday, July 23rd, Freedom to Ride; Skate Jam BBQ brought out some of the city's skate life to Bixby Park (which is nowhere near Bixby Knolls).

 With a live DJ, Long Beach Skate, free hotdogs, and the summer sun in the LBC, how could this not be a fun event?  

 There…

Politics, My Mistress

Hello girl,

I’m kind of in a relationship

But, you know…

Well,…

You caught my eye

I know I shouldn’t

Look at you

Dream about you

Remember the way

You touched me

The way you made me feel

The passion you ignited

In my mind

Working for you

For hours

From

Before the sunrise

To after

the…

Me and my girl, Katrina, have been on a concert kick lately.  A "bucket list" of shows, you can say.  From Prince to Femi Kuti, we're focused on spending our money on shows this year.  One of our MUST SEE shows is Stevie Wonder, who will be performing on Sunday at The Hollywood Bowl for KCRW's Global Soul night with a whole slew of special guests.

Peep a small list of the…

Gratitude Journal

By Nicole

July 21, 2011

1. I am grateful for friends I can be 100% my authentic self with.
2. I am grateful for the unconditional love of God.
3. I am grateful for having a bed to sleep on, rather than just a floor.
4. I am grateful for a church I can be 100% my authentic self in.
5. I am grateful for me – my brilliance, my resourcefulness, my beauty, my heart, my strong body, the strength of my…

So after the long debate about banning plastic bags from grocery stores, the city of Long Beach has made it clear that the plastic bag ban will begin August 1. Below is a press release that was sent out this morning. What are your thoughts on this whole…

My man DJ BLUZ sent me a mix he just made and I thought I'd share with you all.  Midtempo goodies from all across the board. 

FREE DOWNLOAD on his soundcloud page.

1. 6th Borough Project - String-a-lude

2. Zap Mama - Bandy Bandy (Aaron Jerome Remix)

3. Reel People feat. Omar - Outta Love (4hero Remix)

4. Nas…

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. on Kbeach.org is another episode of 562CityLife Radio With Matt and The Man. This week, we're speaking with 8th District candidate Alvin Austin. Austin is running for the current 8th District…

From Boogie to Bus Pass

I used to bitch about

the latte wait

Now, I just hope

for the free samples

at Starbucks

Used to complain about

the lines to get

on the treadmill

Now, I the only way

I’m going to a gym

is a three-day pass

Going to the gym

for showers,

not workouts

Instead of going

to restaurants,

I’m wishing for a

job at…

The Long Beach Cinemathaque has kicked off their free "Movies on the Beach" series in partnership with Alfredo's Beach Club, but they need your help to keep it going! As an organizer of many amazing and free community events, 562CityLife believes in fully supporting the Long Beach Cinematheque, and that's why we're now also asking you CityLifers to do your part. The…

As you most likely already know, Long Beach's new ordinance banning single use plastic bags is slated to go into effect August 1st. Well, maybe not so fast. Just released from Councilwoman Schipskes office is an email calling for a repeal on the ban. Apparently, the original understanding was that Walmart, Target, and Kmart, were NOT to be included, however now the final list of impacted…

What's up City Lifers? I was checking some of the headlines today and I came across an article regarding the shutting down of red-light cameras in Long Beach. Currently, there are five locations which include these intersections: 

Seventh Street and Redondo Avenue; Bellflower Boulevard and Willow Street; Cherry Avenue and Artesia Boulevard; Wardlow Road and Long Beach Boulevard; and Anaheim Street and Long Beach…

There were brilliant red veins in his eyes

Where pain remained unspoken;

Nearly broken, he was unwilling to acknowledge

Defeat, even the streets couldn't break him.

Unaware of the potential dangers,

He vulnerable to strangers,

Felt compelled to conceal the anguish

Those veins revealed.

And I knew

He had the heart of a soldier,

Because the Mo was solid!

His delivery was polished and

I could see that…

What a day! The team all hung out saw the best cars, meet the best people, and saw some great familiar faces. If you didn't get to pick up one of the new 562CityLife T-Shirts, we'll post them for sale here on the site very soon. We'll also, be adding fitted girls tee's and maybe some kids Tees…

How do you deal with life’s issues, how do you compromise with your family, friends, work environment and relationshiphs?  Are you pleased with the cards you've been dealt or are you looking for reason to blame somebody other than yourself for your short comings? How do you play the game of life and how to you deal with problems that…

"Thriving is more than just surviving; it's growing, prospering, and flourishing. This day-long event explores how communities, organizations, and individuals can thrive mentally, physically, and artistically. Attendees will have opportunities to hear and discuss "ideas worth spreading" from innovators in well-being, creative cultures, sustainability and lifelong learning. Come be entertained and…

 Congratulations to all of the class of 2011! After the celebrations are done and the summer comes to an end, one question that should have been on the students’ mind throughout their senior year was, “Where am I going to school next…