Rl 04 14 16 web

Saving San Pedro, Councilman Joe Buscaino threatened with lawsuit p. 7

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South Bay, Harbor Area emerges as center for arts p. 11

Just FAITH spreads hope and love on stage p. 15

Court Strikes Down BNSF Railyard Project On March 30, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Barry P. Goode voided plans for BNSF’s off-port railyard, Southern California International Gateway, SCIG. His decision was based on violations of the California Environmental Quality Act. The decision brought to a halt—at least for now—a project with a 50-year lease. The project has been in a formal planning process

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

since September 2005. The decision brought to a halt—at least for now—a project with a 50-year lease and a formal planning process that goes back more than 10 years. But the fierce grass roots opposition BNSF faced every step of the way also has a long history. The judge’s ruling, which was announced shortly before Earth Day, validated a decades-long strategy of selfeducation and self-empowerment by low-income

communities of color that echoed environmental justice struggles across the country and around the globe.

“This is a people’s victory,” said Jesse Marquez, executive director of the Coalition for a Safe Environment, a key community-based plaintiff organization. “This is a court victory that involves residents of the Harbor

Area who 15, 20 years ago started to raise the red flag that there was a connection between port pollution and public health.”

“The project was literally the definition of environmental racism,” said Mark Lopez, executive director of East [Environmental Justice, see p. 4]

TESORO BATTLE HEATS UP See page 5

The Local Publication You Actually Read

April 14 - 27, 2016

Executive director of Communities For a Safe Environment, Jesse Marquez, alongside environmental justice organizations, won a major court case against the Southern California International Gateway, March 30. Photo by Phillip Cooke. In the background is the proposed site for SCIG and the Tesoro refinery above it. Tesoro is the next battleground for the communities surrounding industrial expansion in their fight for environmental justice.

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April 14 - 27, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

Community Announcements:

Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 30 Years

Harbor Area

Avalon Expands Desalination Technology to Fight Drought

By Christian Guzman, Editorial Intern

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium invites the public to participate in the Earth Day Beach Cleanup.

Join local volunteers as they spend the morning cleaning marine debris off the beach.

Time: 8 to 10 a.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: (310) 548-7562; www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro

Crime Victims’ Rights Week Pancake Breakfast

This event is to build trust and restore hope in victims, as well as bring awareness to killings that plague streets in Los Angeles County.

Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 16 Cost: $5 for pancake breakfast Details: (310) 738-4218 Venue: 601 University Dr., Carson

Used Motor Oil and Oil Filter Collection Event

The City of Avalon, in partnership with Los Angeles County,opened its second desalination plant in December 2015. File photo.

Avalon and Southern California Edison. This past year, he proposed funding for the plant with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

In February, the board allocated $500,000 for the plant’s funding. Avalon contributed an additional $500,000 to Southern California Edison to mitigate cost increases to customers. However, since the plant cost more than $3 million, the people of Avalon still will see some increase in their bills.

Ron Hite, the Catalina Island Southern California Edison district manager said that the new desalination plant treats 240 to 400 gallons of saltwater per minute. Each day, the plant is expected to provide 125,000 gallons of freshwater.

Avalon’s residents are excited to have the desalination plant up and running. Without it, hotels and restaurants would be forced to turn away some customers to stay within their water allotments. Southern California Edison estimated that there would have been a 10 percent revenue loss to the city. But at the request of SCE, the California Public Utilities Commission agreed to not initiate 50 percent water rationing when the Middle Ranch Reservoir reached 200 acre feet. The commission determined that the plant could produce enough freshwater to supplement the reservoir’s reserves. Businesses and residents

have been spared for now.

“We’re really relying on this new desal plant to get through this severe drought,” Avalon restaurant owner Steve Bray said. “If [rain] doesn’t come, this [plant] is going to … make sure we have enough water over here.”

The desalination plants, new and old working in tandem, can provide about 300,000 gallons of freshwater a day to Avalon. Business owners and residents will stay at 25 percent water rationing, instead of 50 percent. But their relief may only be temporary.

California has been in a drought for more than four years now. This year’s El Niño has helped some, but NASA has concluded that California needs three more years of above average rainfall to return statewide reserves to [See Desalination, page 6]

Bring in your used motor oil and oil filters to the City of Carson and receive a complimentary gift.

All used motor oil must be stored in a clean, uncontaminated, sealed container. Used oil filters must be placed in sealed bags.

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: (310) 847-3520 Venue: CJMM Community Center Parking Lot, 801 E. Carson St., Carson

Airport Meeting

Join the discussion about the Long Beach Airport.

On Jan. 19, the Long Beach City Council approved, on a 6-3 vote, the award of a contract to Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. to provide comprehensive feasibility study for a federal inspection service facility at the Long Beach Airport. Airport staff and members of the Jacobs Engineering Group team will answer questions regarding the study.

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. April 20 Venue: LB Gas & Oil Auditorium, 2400 E. Spring St., Long Beach

Shred & E-Waste

Be part of the solution at a shred and e-waste event.

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23 Cost: Free [See Announcements, page 7]

The Local Publication You Actually Read

While cities throughout California are coping with the drought by mandating water reductions and instituting fines, the Catalina Island city of Avalon is adding a technological strategy: it recently installed a second desalination plant.

In 1991, Avalon became the first California city to augment its water needs with sea water.

When the first desalination plant was brought online, it supplied one-third of the city’s fresh water. But the city’s population has grown and with it the demand for water in an already water-deficient state. On Dec. 5 of this past year, a second plant was activated to manage the increased demand and decreased supply.

The Middle Ranch Reservoir, Avalon’s main source of fresh water, has steadily diminished during California’s drought. The California Public Utilities Commission monitors the reservoir and mandates conservation at critical points. In 2014, the reservoir fell below 300 acre feet, which caused the commission to order 25 percent water rationing for Avalon.

Despite obstacles, the people of Avalon remain determined and resourceful. When the drought was at its worst, they managed to shave their water use by 46 percent, which exceeded the mandated reductions. In Avalon, water conservation is a way of life. Businesses and residents’ response included shipping laundry to the mainland and installing salt water toilets in about 90 percent of homes. Restaurants even served disposable utensils to avoid washing silverware.

The drought persisted the next year. The Middle Ranch Reservoir approached 200 acre feet. The California Public Utilities Commission would then mandate 50 percent water rationing.

“With a local economy dependent on nearly 1 million tourists and visitors each year, that [50 percent] reduction would have crippled the island,” said Andrew Veis, a spokesman for Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe’s Office.

Knabe championed the establishment of a new desalination plant through negotiations with

Earth Day Beach Cleanup

April 14 - 27, 2016

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[Environmental Justice, from page 1]

Paul Tanaka, One-time LASD Undersheriff, Faces Up to 15 Years in Prison

LOS ANGELES—On April 6, Paul Tanaka, who was the second in command of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, was found guilty of two obstruction of justice charges for overseeing efforts to derail a federal investigation into corruption and civil rights violations by sheriff’s deputies at two downtown jail complexes.

After brief deliberations, a federal jury convicted Tanaka for being the leader of a broad conspiracy to obstruct the federal investigation, a scheme that started when the sheriff’s department learned that an inmate at the Men’s Central Jail was an FBI informant. Tanaka directed a conspiracy that had previously resulted in the conviction of eight other former LASD deputies.

In addition to the conspiracy count, Tanaka was found guilty of one substantive count of obstructing justice.

Tanaka, 57, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson on June 20.

Local Port Chiefs Appointed to Commerce Dept. Advisory Committee

SAN PEDRO—Gene Seroka and Jon Slangerup, the executive directors of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, respectively, have received Commerce Department appointments to a advisory committee on supply chain competitiveness.

Seroka is among 11 new appointees on the committee that is tasked with advising the secretary of commerce, the Department of Transportation, and other U.S. agencies on supply chain issues that affect the international competitiveness of U.S. businesses.

The advisory committee, which now has 45 members, has provided President Barack Obama’s administration with a series of recommendations related to developing U.S. freight policy and plans.

Big Win for CSU Faculty Union

April 14 - 27, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

LONG BEACH—California State University faculty members gained a 10 percent salary increase on April 8, averting an expected strike, officials said.

The California Faculty Association, the union which represents CSU faculty members, had planned a five-day strike. For more than year, CSU faculty members had been protesting the university system’s unwillingness to give them a 5 percent general salary increase.

A 2 percent budget increase will go toward salary increase promised in a tentative agreement between the university system and the union. The agreement needs to be ratified by the union. It then will be submitted to the State Controller’s Office before it is implemented.

Details of the agreement are at http:// tinyurl.com/CSUTentativeAgreement.

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Jury Reaches Verdict in 2013 OIS Case

TORRANCE—On April 7, four Torrance Police officers were found not liable in a fatal 2013 officer-related shooting.

On an issue of negligence, one officer was found not liable, one resulted in a hung jury and two officers were found liable with the decedent 85 percent at fault. The damages awarded to the plaintiff are $900,000.

The lawsuit stemmed from an incident that took place December 2013, when 19-year-old Asa James Dolak led officers a 13-hour crime spree, which included robbery, arson and attempted murder.

When officers searched for him at Madrona Middle School, Dolak surprised officers.

Bloodied, Dolak wielded a knife. When he failed to comply with instructions, and while turning with the knife, police shot Dolak eight times.

IN PURSUIT OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, another key plaintiff.

The eventual decision had been expected all along, he said.

“I think it’s very validating for our community leaders who [have] been active in this for so long,” Lopez said. “So, we’re very proud of the work that folks put in.”

“It’s a vindication that all the arguments we were making in the public policy arena really had substance behind them, and were justified, because the information and arguments we’re making were based on a clear understanding of the project,” East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice co-founder Angelo Logan said. “BNSF and the port were really spinning the project in public, and the court reviewed the information, and found that our claims were accurate.”

“Our prayers have been answered,” exclaimed Pastor Alfred Carrillo of the Wilmington Apostolic Faith Center. “As a pastor I have struggled for years on how to console my church members when they come to me crying about their children having to be rushed to the emergency room at hospital because their child could not breathe and was having a life threatening asthma attack.”

“We knew all along that they were misrepresenting the environmental impacts,” said Morgan Wyenn, a Natural Resources Defense Council lawyer. “We never had any doubt. The [environmental impact report] just really did not make sense in a lot of ways…. It’s great to know that all that hard work paid off, and that now there will be some changes by what the port does.”

The judge’s order voided key decisions by the Port of Los Angeles: its March 7, 2013 certification of the project’s environmental impact report, followed by its “Site Preparation and Access Agreement and Permit” with BNSF and by the Los Angeles City Council, and its May 8, 2013 approval of the port’s actions. Two other EIR-related documents approved by the port were also voided.

“We are disappointed,” both POLA and BNSF stated separately.

BNSF was disappointed, “because the decision appears to delay a nationally and regionally significant transportation infrastructure.”

The port stated that it was “disappointed with the court ruling that delays or deprives the region of many environmental benefits and both ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach of important rail infrastructure.”

But it was the very inadequacy of the plan’s environmental protections compared to harms that lay at the core of the ruling.

“There isn’t one public school or child care center in the harbor that can cope with the amount of air pollution from the ports, trucks and the railroad industry now,” California Kids IAQ Executive Director Drew Wood said. “How can we expect them to deal with hundreds of tons more of toxic air pollution annually from the BNSF SCIG Facility?”

In fact, Wood told Random Lengths that indoor air pollution—both in homes and schools—is the most overlooked threat of all.

“There isn’t one building [in] all of Southern California in the worst polluted areas that is properly dealt with,” he said.

The SCIG would only add to an already highly toxic environment.

“The whole area was an oil field a 100 years ago and then homes were built on that land,” Wood said. “So you have gases permeating to

Communities For a Safe Environment founder, Jesse Marquez, left, with California Kids IAQ Executive Director Drew Wood and Pastor Alfred Carrillo of the Apostolic Faith Church in Wilmington. Photo by Phillip Cooke

“It’s a tribute to our communities and our environmental justice organizations, and other groups, where we do research, where now we are in a chess match. We can checkmate the port and almost everything that it’s proposing to do with a better proposal.”

—Jesse Marquez Founder Communities for a Safe Environment

the surface, and into the homes, and buildings, and then you have the outside air to contend with as well.”

In short, children nearby the SCIG are already sorely in need of environmental protection—as they have been for generations. Responding to the judge’s decision, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Toebben called it “a body blow” to Southern California’s economy.

But it’s the actual bodies of real children who would suffer even further, if the judge had not ruled as he did.

“The order makes it clear to me that especially when a facility is going to be built in an area that will impact so many lower income communities of color, and is right next to schools, and playgrounds, and daycare centers, that special effort really has to be made to analyze the health impacts of such a project,” said Andrea Hricko, USC professor of Clinical Preventive Medicine.

The off-dock railyard, four miles from the port, would have handled more than a million containers a year that are now trucked to its [See Environmental Justice, page 5]

Human Error Caused Vopak Oil Spill

By Mike Botica, Editorial Intern

On the morning of March 31, watchmen for the U.S. Coast Guard received reports of an oily-water substance leaking from a holding tank on the Vopak Terminal. The terminal is at berth 189 of the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington.

Coast Guard representative Sondra-Kay Kneen said investigators believe the spill took place the previous night, but conditions were too dark to make a report until hours later.

This was the second oil spill at the port in almost three weeks. The prior spill was reported on March 13 at Berth 198 in Wilmington. The Coast Guard reported that a faulty pipe on the Istra Ace was the culprit in that spill. POLA spokesmen did not want to comment on that spill, stating that comments would be handled by the Coast Guard.

Another spill also took place at the sister Port of Long Beach, where oil water leaked from a well this past January. More than 2,000 gallons of oil water were spilled onshore at the Port of Long Beach. Some of that spill ended up in the storm drains.

The March 31 oil spill happened after a breach on TULA, a Mexican oil and chemical tanker that was carrying large quantities of

bunker fuel while docked at the Vopak Terminal.

Kneen said that most of the oil was contained on the pier.

According to sources close to Vopak Terminal, who asked their names not be used for this article, an unidentified subcontractor didn’t turn a valve properly, causing the leak of at least 20 gallons of bunker fuel into the POLA. The clean up cost some $1.4 million according to one source. The subcontractor has been removed from working at the terminal.

This was confirmed by another Coast Guard spokeswoman Andrea Anderson, who said the spill was due to an open valve that leaked an oilywater mixture into the harbor.

Oil spill response organizations, such as the National Response Corp., worked to clean the spill using oil skimmers and absorbent pads with the help of the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard specifically used oil containment booms to clean the spill from the harbor. A court order precluded the tanker ship from leaving the harbor. However, TULA was allowed to depart from POLA April 4, once the spill was fully contained.

It headed back to the Lazaro Cardenas harbor in Mexico.

[Environmental Justic, from page 4]

SCIG DEFEATED

Hobart Yard facility in Commerce—25 miles away. The gains in time, efficiency and reduced air pollution would have been substantial, proponents argued. But from field hearings 10 years ago to the court proceedings just concluded, critics charged that the plan sacrificed the wellbeing of those vulnerable communities closest to SCIG, including school children and a homeless veterans service center, while improperly ignoring the full extent of its impacts to the region as whole. It also fails to ensure it would keep improving with new technology.

A key question was whether containers handled at SCIG would replace those at Hobart Yard, or be added to it. The EIR simply ignored any analysis of Hobart on the assumption of replacement only, much as the port has previously defined projects narrowly, even in piecemeal fashion, to avoid dealing with the full range of their impacts.

“They never really analyzed what was going to happen at Hobart,” Wyenn said. “They just said that other things might happen there, but

they claimed those other things aren’t caused by the project… And the judge was like, ‘No! No! No! The fact that you have this extra space is because of the SCIG project and we need to analyze what would happen at the SCIG and what would happen at the Hobart Yard.’”

“I think the Hobart analysis was cheating, to get to a desired result, and the court called them on it,” NRDC senior attorney David Pettit added.

“We told them back in 2005, ‘This thing needs to be built on dock,’ and if they had listened to us, it would be up and running right now.”

Whatever the motivation, ignoring Hobart violated CEQA. Relatedly, the EIR also ignored the “cumulative impacts” of SCIG along with another planned railyard nearby, Union Pacific’s Intermodal Container Transfer Facility —another CEQA violation. The EIR also fell short on specific issues of air quality impacts, greenhouse gases, noise impacts and transportation impacts.

One of two key air quality failings concerned a mitigation measure, MM AQ-9, “Periodic Review of New Technology and Regulations.”

The purpose of such a measure is to ensure that newer, cleaner technology continues to replace older, more polluting systems. But the judge

found that “as drafted, the measure has no real ability to require mitigation. It could leave outdated technology locked into a major project for half a century,” and thus found that “MM AQ-9 is inadequate as a mitigation measure.”

“We are pleased with the court’s decision today,” said William A. Burke, chairman of the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board. “Communities in the surrounding areas are already highly impacted by air pollution from the ports and other activities…. This is a public health victory for all the residents and others who go to school and work in these areas.”

This case marked the first time the AQMD had sued to block a project under CEQA. The California attorney general also intervened in the case, along with the City of Long Beach and its school district—an unprecedented alliance of public entities opposing such a project.

But the heart of the opposition came from residents in the communities and organizations that had formed to protect them. This represented the culmination of a decades-long process of community self-education and self-organization, Marquez pointed out.

“We were ground zero 15 years ago, 20 years

Activists Seek More Information on Tesoro Merger

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

$

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310-519-1442

shutting down that unit would be the equivalent of removing 13,500 passenger vehicles from local roads each year. Nitrous oxide, sulfur oxide, particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions also will be reduced.

• According to the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., the project would create 4,090 annual jobs, including: 1,810 direct jobs, 1,210 indirect jobs generated through its supply chain and 1,070 induced jobs generated by the household spending of wage earners.

[See Tesoro, page 10]

[See SCIG, page 6]

April 14 - 27, 2016

in Random Lengths

Community organizer for Communities for Better Environment, Alicia Rivera. Photo by Terelle Jerricks.

But environmental justice activists like Alicia Rivera of Communities for a Better Environment, see the merger as a environmental justice issue and is skeptical of Tesoro’s claims.

Communities for a Better Environment is asking for 90-day extensions on the draft EIR and the Title V permit comment periods.

The Title V permit process refers to Title V of the Clean Air Act, which requires major sources of air pollutants and certain other sources to obtain and operate in compliance with an operating permit. Sources with these “Title V permits” are required by the act to certify compliance with the applicable requirements of permits, at least annually.

There are Title V permits for all of the pieces of equipment. They are ranked by the level of pollution they emit, Rivera explained. Rivera noted that the DEIR document stated that the fluid catalytic cracking unit was to be replaced with a hydrotreatment process.

“They say that by shutting down that [unit], it’s going to reduce a lot of emissions but they will have to compensate for the production loss somehow,” Rivera said. “We know they have to put in something else. The question is what’s

It’s Easy! DBA Filing & Publishing

• The merger would only increase production capacity over the combined refinery capacity by 2 percent, or 6,000 barrels per day. The two refineries together produced 363,000.

• And, the types of crude oil and feedstocks processed will not change as a result of the proposed project, which seems to exclude the possibility of refining products from tar sands or Bakken crude oil—the dirtiest and most flammable crude and feedstocks available.

The Local Publication You Actually Read

For the past couple of years, Tesoro has been doing all it can to smooth the path toward merging its refinery with former British Petroleum assets in Carson that the petroleum refining and marketing giant purchased in 2012.

Tesoro plans to invest $460 million to connect, integrate and upgrade its Carson and Wilmington facilities. Tesoro claims that the refinery merger will create a single refinery, which would be cleaner and more efficient. By substantially reducing local emissions, Tesoro is also promising improved air quality.

In a way, the move should be considered a win-win. Tesoro purchased BP’s Carson refinery for $2.5 billion. The sale was part of BP’s $38 billion asset-disposal plan intended to repay costs stemming from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and refocus the company after the subsequent Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The purchase made Tesoro the state’s newlyminted, second biggest, petroleum refining company.

On April 6, the refinery giant hosted the first of three workshops on the draft environmental impact report on their proposed refinery merger.

Attendees included students, who were there as part of an assignment, and a few community members, including former City Clerk Jim Dear.

He supported the project when he was mayor two years ago.

Organizers promoted some of what they described as the merger’s benefits: • The merger would substantially reduce the refinery’s greenhouse gas emissions locally, by shutting down one of the refinery’s fluid catalytic cracking units—a piece of equipment that’s been in use since World War II. Tesoro states that

ago,” Marquez said. “We didn’t have answers to many of these questions, in fact, at that time, we weren’t even sure what kind of questions we should ask.”

They didn’t even know the words to form the questions. In 2001, Marquez recalled, the port launched a proposal to build a wall 20feet tall and 1.4-miles long in Wilmington. The purpose behind it was port expansion: a six lane diesel truck highway, a railroad track extension and expansion of the TraPac container terminal further into Wilmington. The community pushback immediately gave birth to Marquez’s organization and eventually resulted in the Wilmington Waterfront Park, instead of a long concrete wall. That same year also saw San Pedro home owners launch the China Shipping lawsuit, as well as the emergence of East Yards Communities for Environmental Justice. The Long Beach Alliance for Children With Asthma was also being formed, and a partnership between public health and environmental scientists at UCLA and USC, formed in the 1990s, began reaching out to work with community groups under the leadership of Andrea Hricko.

But it was the public relations firm that first pushed the wall proposal that introduced Marquez to the word “mitigation.” Once he learned its meaning, he eagerly advanced from simply objecting to project harms to proposing alternative solutions in ever-growing detail.

“My first public comment, was only 6 to 7 pages long, [but] when it comes to the BNSF SCIG project—now 15 years later—my public comments range from 30 to 50 pages long,” Marquez said.

And that was just the EIR. “When it came to our presentation to the downtown city LA City Council, I submitted over 3,000 pages of documents to support our public comments, because we know if later on we were to file a lawsuit, having all these documents there, having all our detailed public comment submitted, they would help our case go forward,” Marquez said. “It’s a tribute to our communities

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[SCIG, from page 1]

SCIG

April 14 - 27, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

and our environmental justice organizations, and other groups, where we do research, where now we are in a chess match. We can checkmate the port and almost everything that it’s proposing to do with a better proposal.”

Opposition to SCIG specifically started a decade ago.

“There was a lot of concern because of the location,” Lopez said. “If it was adjacent to schools, emergency housing for homeless veterans, parks, and other housing…. So community members spent a lot of time in our organization and others spent a lot of time building up an understanding of what the proposed project was, about the potential issues, the air quality impacts. And so, I think that something that probably isn’t really seen is the amount of community leadership that built up over the last decade.”

Thus, the whole movement has gone through a progression similar to what Marquez described—from objecting to harmful projects, to becoming advocates for specific clean technology alternatives, to pushing for systemic rethinking. Now, Lopez sees a real window of opportunity for the mayor and port executive director to break with the pattern of past mistakes that they had no role in creating.

“Hopefully they’re not invested in someone else’s mess,” Lopez said. “I think they’ve been very quick to distance themselves on the China Shipping issue [11 neglected mitigation measures], and say, ‘Oh you know, this was past leadership’s mistake.’ And so, we hope that they take the same approach on this project, saying,

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‘This was past leadership’s mistake. Let’s get this right this time. Let’s look at community—focused partners and really get to work on this.’”

“The port really needs to figure out how it’s going to deal with both near dock and faraway container movement,” Pettit noted. “That’s implicated at China Shipping, as you know, because of the port’s failure to comply with the [liquified natural gas] mitigation measure, and now it’s directly implicated in SCIG, which also had an LNG requirement in it … I’m sure the folks at [Union Pacific] who want to expand the [Intermodal Container Transfer Facility] are also looking at that.

“My own view is that the days of transporting containers by diesel power from the port to near dock railyard, I think those days are over, as they should be…. And, the port and the city need to recognize that, and move to a zero-emission system to get boxes from the port to the nearby rail yards. And, that applies to China Shipping, and also to SCIG, and also to ICTF.” Indeed, the entire state policy structure is moving toward a zero-emission freight system model, driven primarily by global warming concerns, but reinforced by public health and mortality impacts as well. Industry is fighting back, but their position is untenable, Marquez argues. This is because it’s built on lies that are being publicly exposed.

“When I took a tour of Europe, I went to the Port of Rotterdam and found out that for the last 80 years-plus they’ve always used electric trains there; so there was no train exhaust pollution coming out of electric trains there,” Marquez said. “But yet, the POLA, the Port of Long Beach and even representatives in different government agencies would tell us, ‘Oh, there’s no other alternative.’

Well, we began to realize they lied to us.”

On March 8, BNSF issued another statement blasting the decision, calling it “a major loss for both ports, the local community and the region,” but it was a claim without substance, as Andrea Hricko noted.

“BNSF is continuing to claim the same benefits of this project that they’ve been claiming for 10 years, but they can’t document those benefits,” Hricko said. “They cannot document that the air is going to be better. They cannot document that there’s going to be less traffic on the roads. And the judge is saying, ‘Your document isn’t able to show that and we need it to be re-analyzed.’”

What happens next will take time to unfold.

There will be more proceedings before the final judgment is issued, after which an appeal may be filed within 60 days. But those who sued are hoping that a more thorough rethinking process takes hold instead, one that finally shifts into a more holistic, long-term perspective.

“If you look at China Shipping, SCIG and TraPac, they do look like they were planned by three different entities, without knowing that the others were there,” Pettit said. “It’s definitely a

piecemeal approach and I think that that has hurt the port because they haven’t been thinking big picture about how to move the boxes when they show up on the docks.”

The need to refinance the Alameda Corridor, which we reported on in this past issue, is yet another consequence of this piecemeal pattern.

Pettit sees two major lessons for the port in all this.

“Lesson No. 1 is just be upfront in the environmental documents and if the project is going to cause problems, then confront them and figure out how to deal with them, rather than pretending they’re not there,” he said. “Secondly, is the vision problem, is looking ahead, and well, looking back at all the health problems the port has contributed to, and looking ahead to new technology…. It’s time to make a change. And I think the port leadership and the city need to step up and do that.”

“We’re looking forward to participating with the city and the port in a real comprehensive plan,” Logan said.

After more than a decade, community members can’t wait to get started.

[Desalinization, from page 3]

Catalina Desalination normal. In a report to the Avalon City Council, Southern California Edison noted that even with both desalination plants providing fresh water, peak summer demand cannot be supported. If the Middle Ranch Reservoir continues to drop, further rationing will be unavoidable.

Avalon’s residents are aware of this dismal possibility. Some people believe the government needs to do more to secure water for their city.

“The city [government] is trying, but more needs to be done by the state and federal

governments,” said Gregg Miller, manager of Hotel Metropole in Avalon. “We need more [water] storage and production.”

More infrastructure would help make fresh water more available, but construction would be costly. Residents also want the government to help pay for this.

“The state and federal government need to help us pay [for costs],” Miller said. “Most water users are tourists, and we [the residents of Avalon], cannot afford to absorb the costs.”

We are in the midst of a new, unstoppable progressive movement.

ILWU International endorses Bernie Sanders “Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for America’s working families. Bernie is best on the issues that matter most to American workers: better trade agreements, support for unions, fair wages, tuition for students and public colleges, Medicare for all, fighting a corrupt campaign finance system and confronting the power of Wall Street that’s making life harder for most Americans. ” —Robert McEllrath ILWU International President

To learn more visit www.BernieSanders.com Paid for by the readers of this newspaper. Send your contributions to RLNews, P.O. 731, San Pedro, CA 90733, note: Bernie 2016, or with paypal at www.randomlengthsnews.com

Joe Buscaino, Saving San Pedro:

‘Cease and Desist’

Joanne Rallo and George Palaziol take to social media during a Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting. File photo.

area’s neighborhood councils. Palaziol sits on the Coastal Neighborhood Council even though his residence is within Northwest San Pedro boundaries.

Utovac claims that the group’s practice of taking and posting images of local homeless is likely to impede their ability to get a job in the future, especially in fields related to the law.

Palaziol is unsympathetic.

“Tough shit if you can’t go to law school,” he said. “If you get caught doing something in public, you have to deal with the consequences.”

Palaziol argues that one of the page’s primary functions is to report and shame people for public misbehavior and law breaking.

“Social media is a doubled-edged sword,” he said. “It’s not the 1950s.”

The city attorney has until April 18 to respond to Utovac’s cease-and-desist letter.

For his part, Palaziol, who is in the process of turning Saving San Pedro into a 501(c)3 nonprofit, seems unlikely to comply with Utovac’s demand.

“If she wants to sue, then sue,” he said.

Community Announcements:

Harbor Area

[Announcements, from page 3]

Details: http://tinyurl.com/betterliving-shred Venue: Minnie Gant Elementary School, 1854 E. Britton Drive, Long Beach Lawn-to-Garden Program You can still receive $2.50 per square foot to replace up to 1,000 square feet of lawn with a beautiful landscape that thrives in our semi-arid region.

Details: (562) 570-2308; www.lblawntogarden. com

April 14 - 27, 2016

Land Use Study Prepares for Port of the Future The Port of Long Beach is conducting a comprehensive land use study to eventually create well-informed land use strategies.

The purpose of the study is to produce an evaluation process and tools that will help port staff, management and the Board of Harbor Commissioners make informed decisions about how to prioritize land uses for the port in the future.

Details: www.polb.com/landusestudy.

Career Online High School Long Beach residents may now have a second chance at earning an accredited high school diploma and a credentialed career certificate for free through the Long Beach public library system.

Students are able to graduate in four months and will be given up to 18 months to complete the program. Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, live in Long Beach and have a library account in good standing.

Details: www.lbpl.org/events/cohs

The Local Publication You Actually Read

By Kevin Walker, RLn Contributor On April 5, District 15 Councilman Joe Buscaino and founders of the Facebook group, Saving San Pedro, were dealt a cease-anddesist letter, requesting a halt to “defamatory statements” against local homeless people.

The letter, filed by lawyer Frank Grant on behalf of San Pedro resident Brynn Utovac, named Saving San Pedro founders Joanne Rallo and George Palaziol, group member Frank Nolan and Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino.

Utovac, whose life experience includes periods of homelessness, said Saving San Pedro is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 14th amendment.

Among her chief concerns are photographs of local homeless people—some, she contends, may not be older than 18—taken by Saving San Pedro members and posted on social media.

“We don’t know if these people are minors,” Utovac said. “These photos could have a long term damaging effect.”

Amy Gebert, a spokeswoman for Councilman Buscaino, said that the councilman had not seen the letter and that his staff is awaiting advice from the city attorney before issuing a response.

Gebert runs social media for the District 15 office. She says Buscaino belongs to 94 Facebook groups, but emphasized that the councilman has little to no control over those groups, including the Saving San Pedro page.

“On the pages we control we maintain a very high community standard,” Gebert said. “The councilman can’t control the Internet.”

Buscaino’s office does moderate the Facebook page for Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Watch, as well as a page for the district’s Spanishlanguage constituency.

Saving San Pedro was formed in late 2015 in response to growing homeless encampments in the Harbor Area. It has more than 4,000 members on Facebook, including Buscaino. However, the group’s attendance at the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meetings rarely amounts to more than a handful of people.

Buscaino has been public in his support of Saving San Pedro and has placed one of its leaders on his Homeless Task Force. This disturbs Utovac, who sees the organization as a hate group, promoting discrimination against the area’s homeless.

“Joe [Buscaino] is protecting people with established residences, that is the group he is interested in,” said Utovac about a potential violation of the 14th Amendment by the councilman.

Utovac also pointed to heated comments left on the Saving San Pedro page when news broke about the cease-and-desist letter; one of those comments seemed to provide a general description of her residence.

“We don’t hate anything,” said Palaziol.

“She’s just trying to garner attention from something negative in our community.”

San Pedro’s homeless, like that of the rest of the city, has been on the rise for at least two years. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority the neighborhood is home to several encampments, most of which are near the U.S. Post Office on Beacon Street.

Saving San Pedro has made a habit of documenting the activity at these encampments, which they say are magnets for crime and drugs, yet no evidence nor solutions were offered to the

7

Furutani for State Senate

Campaign 2016:

When Enough Isn’t Enough The legacy of Tahrir Square, Occupy and Inequality

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

It has been five years and a few months since the young people of Egypt rose up at Tahrir (Liberation) Square to protest and ultimately depose Hosni Mubarak’s regime 18 days later.

This was an unexpected but long overdue consequence of repression in the Middle East that has fueled other upwellings of discontent. The discontent has woven its way through Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Turkey. That discontent then transitioned into the Occupy movement in Europe and here.

Some of those same voices can be heard in the Umbrella protests in Hong Kong in the face of Chinese repressions or in Miramar’s prodemocracy movement. This is a global, universal uprising for human rights and it’s been a long time coming.

The underlying specifics in each of these countries are unique, but the thread of overarching inequality and political domination by moneyed political elites runs through them all– including here in America.

Some will even argue that it is U.S. economic domination that is the greater cause of the global corruption and greed. Others, as Naomi Klein did in her book, The Shock Doctrine, see the cause as the result of specific free market economic policies put into play during the Cold War and the expansion of global capitalism.

Whatever your take on all of these worldwide protests, the source of the current discontent expressed on both the right and left in the current U.S. presidential campaign is the same: growing economic inequality, greater awareness of corruption (think Panama papers) and an increasing sense of powerlessness by the many, while moneyed elites hide their assets in offshore accounts.

The politics that created this discontent stemmed from Milton Friedman, the Chicago School of Economics guru, whose monetary theory of free markets underpinned President Ronald Reagan’s “trickle-down economics” policies 35 years ago. Friedman is also responsible for promoting such policies as the all-volunteer military, freely floating exchange rates, the abolition of medical licenses, the negative income tax and school

Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya

“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it is, but to make people mad enough to do something about it.”

—Mark Twain Vol. XXXVII : No. 8 Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach. Distributed at over 350 locations throughout the Harbor Area.

revised Redevelopment Agency. Furutani got into the buffoonish Wagner’s face not once but twice before being physically restrained by his colleagues. Clearly, he is one to not tolerate a racist remark, even from colleagues in government and even when it’s not directed at him.

Again, rarely do we get to vote for a candidate with such solidly progressive politics that have been tested over time and who has such deep roots in our community that he stands out Warren Furutani amongst those who come better dressed but who don’t truly represent the working class.

His knowledge of this district was exhibited to me when he ran against Joe Buscaino for the Los Angeles City Council race in the 15th District. I asked him about the cultural assets of the district, thinking he might be knowledgeable of a few of them. Off the top of his head he listed every one of them from the Korean Bell at Angels Gate Park all the way up to the Watts Towers without skipping a beat—even naming a few I wasn’t aware of.

Make sure that when his campaign workers knock on your door that you get a lawn sign to tell your neighbors that Warren Furutani is the guy who will fight for the Harbor Area in Sacramento.

I am unsure at this point about drawing conclusions. But I believe all of these universal uprisings are connected. They are connected to all of us.

When I hear Sanders exclaim, “enough is enough” I am drawn to that as an inclusive statement that encompasses all of the above. It has a universal appeal that in the end just might lead to a global effort for universal economic reform and make Wall Street bankers and tyrants squeal as their monopoly on the game is broken and divided more equitably.

Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com

April 14 - 27, 2016

8

vouchers.

Increasingly, since the Great Recession of 2008, there has been a critical reassessment of Friedman’s monetary theory on the left and a gut reaction to its unequal results on the mostly white, working class on the right.

The result is Sen. Bernie Sanders on one side exclaiming, “enough is enough,” and Donald Trump on the other tapping into a distorted bit of nostalgia by saying “Make America Great Again.” The underlying cause of the dissatisfaction is the same for both sides, but their prescriptions for the ailments are a million miles apart. The 2016 election results will have universal repercussions and will resonate down to the smallest of neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

This leaves me with some unsettling questions: • Can we equate the rise of the Islamic State’s anti-Christian violence and extremism in Syria to the anti-muslim and anti-Islamic sentiment and violence of the Christian right and neo-fascists in America and Europe?

• Aren’t the Christian and Muslim extremists and neo-fascists linked to the same kind of global economic inequalities that divides the 99 percent from the 1 percent?

• Aren’t these the same disparities that cause economic and cultural exclusion, whether it’s Los Angeles street gangs battling for turf and dominance or immigrant Belgian terrorists resorting to violence as the final solution?

• Though the tactics and targets are different, aren’t the underlying causes the same?

By James Preston Allen, Publisher The acrimony of the traveling political circus that is the national presidential primary system takes up so much air these days that it’s sometimes difficult to pay attention to the down-ballot candidates. This is precisely true in the race for the 35th district seat in the California State Senate between Warren Furutani and Assemblyman Steve Bradford.

It’s a reality that’s out of balance.

The fact is that the closer to home that democracy is practiced, the more significant its impacts become. Hence, the importance of the state senate and assembly races, or even local city council and neighborhood council races.

It is even more rare to find politicians who measure up to their campaign promises. Warren Furutani is one of those rare exceptions.

Furutani, 67, has represented two-thirds of this Los Angeles County district, from serving on the LAUSD school board, the Los Angeles Community College District Board or as a Democratic member of the state Assembly, which he left in 2012. Moreover, he is a lifelong resident of the district, graduated from Gardena High and is a fourth-generation Japanese American with family ties to Terminal Island that pre-date World War II. He not only has the pedigree and the experience to represent the 35th district, he also has a track record of saying what he means and then standing up for it when he votes.

I’m reminded of a June 2011 incident when Furutani was in the Assembly and an Irvine Republican, Don Wagner, dropped an inflammatory, non-sequitur slur against Italian Americans during a debate over a

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Random Lengths News editorial office is located at 1300 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731, (310) 519-1016. Address correspondence regarding news items and news tips only to Random Lengths News, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733-0731, or email to editor @randomlengthsnews.com.

Send Letters to the Editor or requests for subscription information to james @ randomlengthsnews.com. To be considered for publication, all Letters to the Editor should be typewritten, must be signed, with address and phone number included (these will not be published, but for verification only) and be kept to about 250 words. To submit advertising copy email rlnsales@randomelengthsnews.com or reads@randomlengthsnews.com.

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Random Lengths News presents issues from an alternative perspective. We welcome articles and opinions from all people in the Harbor Area. While we may not agree with the opinions of contributing writers, we respect and support their 1st Amendment right to express those opinions. Random Lengths News is a member of Standard Rates and Data Reporting Services and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. (ISN #0891-6627). All contents Copyright 2016 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.

RANDOMLetters Hahn’s Open Letter to Time Warner

CEO Robert D. Marcus Chairman and CEO Time Warner Cable 60 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor New York, NY 10023 Dear Mr. Marcus, I am writing regarding the ongoing stalemate over the broadcasting of Dodgers games in the Los Angeles region. They are a Los Angeles treasure, and this is the third season where 60 percent of the region will be unable to watch their games on television.

I am asking you to not throw in the towel and come back to the negotiation table.

My family has a long history with the Dodgers, beginning with my father, County Supervisor Kenny Hahn, who brought the team to Los Angeles. It is disheartening to see that almost 60 years later, their fans are unable to watch their games. Lack of access this season is especially heartbreaking because, as you know, it is the final season of legendary Hall of Fame broadcaster, Vin Scully.

I am aware that a few weeks ago your company offered to reduce the price of SportsNet LA. However it is clear that this gesture is not enough and I ask that you take this matter seriously and either go back to the negotiating table, take up the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) offer to engage in mediation, or simply provide fans access to games for free much like you did at the end of the 2014 season.

This disagreement has gone on for far too long and is unfair to Dodger fans.

Rep. Janice Hahn San Pedro

Glass-Steagall Act

Imagine what would happen if you didn’t do your job…If you showed up at work but refused to do one of your most critical work responsibilities.

It’s quite simple, right? You’d be fired.

In refusing to vote or even hold a hearing on President Obama’s nomination of Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court, Republican senators aren’t doing their job, as it is clearly spelled out in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

And the GOP leadership has made clear that it won’t budge— that is, unless and until Republicans think they’ll be fired by voters and lose control of the U.S. Senate in November.

MoveOn.org has swung into action with an impressive campaign, but they didn’t budget for a Supreme Court fight this year and need your help to keep the campaign going. That’s why I’m asking you to chip in now for the campaign to make the GOP feel political pain for failing to do their job.

As I talked about in my recent video for MoveOn, this fight has huge implications. If the Senate confirms Judge Garland, progressives will have a 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court— for the first time in more than 40 years.

We could reverse Citizens United and remove the poison of big money from our democracy.

We could reaffirm the right to abortion and stop states from shuttering clinics. We could protect the rights of countless Americans who currently have little or no power in a system where more and more power is going to those the very top.

And that’s precisely why Republicans are refusing to do their job and allow a vote on Judge

going into the fall. It’s exactly the kind of pressure that MoveOn used to force Republicans to back down and end the government shutdown in 2013.

Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton

City of Los Angeles.

The air will still stink after the business closes for the night.

Thanks for nudging us a bit closer to cancer.

Jan Olsen San Pedro

Horrible Toxic Odor

Send Letters to the Editor to: letters @randomlengthsnews.com.

To be considered for publication, all Letters to the Editor must include your name with address and phone number included (these will not be published, but are for verification only) and be kept to about 250 words.

It is 4/6/16, 9 p.m.

The poison toxic odor is very overwhelming right now. The air stinks on 9th Street near 500 block half way to Grand Avenue—stinks!

Walking to Pacific Avenue stinks.

Thanks for the air contaminant,

Correction

April 14 - 27, 2016

A story on page one of the March 31 edition of Random Lengths News, titled “ILWU Endorses Sanders,” erroneously stated the affiliation of Ray Cordova. Mr. Cordova is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America.

Random Lengths News apologizes for any confusion.

GOP Intransigence Must Stop

Garland.

Now, there are cracks appearing in the Republican wall of opposition. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania—one of the most vulnerable Republicans up for reelection—has agreed to meet with Judge Garland.

With your help, MoveOn will continue to organize high-impact, creative, in-person and on-line actions and to use its organizational megaphone to call out this nonsense—until Republicans relent and do their jobs. That’s the kind of unyielding pressure we’ll need to break Republican obstructionism

The Local Publication You Actually Read

During the Clinton administration, unions wanted a streamlined voting procedure for union recognition, while banks wanted to gamble with depositors’ money. Banks got what they wanted and workers got screwed.

The Clinton administration chose Wall Street over Main Street, just like they did with the NAFTA deal that was a top-priority for corporate America—and guaranteed job— killer for working Americans.

Another sign of anti-worker bias is the kind of “advisors” presidents

use to guide their decision-making.

The Clinton administration and those that followed in both parties have relied on Harvard grad types, who often have a closed mentality that doesn’t allow them think out of their pro-business box.

President Roosevelt’s administration used advisors who thought outside of the box and came from different backgrounds.

Harry Hopkins, one of Roosevelt’s closest confidants, was a social worker from Iowa. Robert Jackson, the US Attorney General whom Roosevelt appointed to the Supreme Court, was a lawyer who had no law degree. Jessy Jones who ran Roosevelt’s bail-out program was a businessman from Texas who had no qualms about putting the nation’s largest financial institutions in receivership. Meraner Ekels, whom Roosevelt appointed to run the Federal Reserve, was a small time banker from Utah with no advanced degrees. Henry Wallace, the nation’s greatest agriculture secretary who also ran for President in 1948 with support from the ILWU, studied at Iowa State University and came to government after running a magazine for farmers. Harry Truman, FDR’s last Vice President, had no college degree at all.

In 1999, Bob Brooks of local 94 and l were both ILWU credit union board members who attended a panel discussion in Washington DC, where we calledout several Under-Secretaries of the U.S. Treasury for proposing to destroy the Glass-Steagall Act. This law was passed during the Roosevelt administration in order to separate investing from banking.

As banks and the finance industry grew more powerful in recent decades, they proposed gutting this law so banks could once again gamble with depositors’ money in high-risk investments. Treasury officials told us not to worry because the law was old, outdated, and would only allow the biggest banks to make risky investments.

That was back in 1999 when Clinton declared that the Glass Steagall protections “were no longer appropriate.” Just ten years later, we reaped the devastation of what two Longshoremen foresaw coming down the pike. If you ask me, Presidents in both parties have been relying too much on Harvard experts—and not enough on people with common sense—even if we

don’t have all the formal degrees and diplomas from the “right” universities.

This is just one reason—and a good one—for all of us to support Bernie Sanders for President.

He may not be popular with Washington insiders, but he’s listening to the American people and offering us a rare chance to be heard.

Lewis Wright ILWU, Local 63 San Pedro

9

[Tesoro, from page 5]

Battle Over Tesoro Heats Up

April 14 - 27, 2016

Serving the Seven Communities of the Harbor Area

going to be the threshold of the pollution allowed with the replacement technology.”

NOx RECLAIM, a nitrous oxide cap and trade program, was supposed to provide a baseline with which to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Companies that fail to reduce emissions in relation to that baseline figure can purchase credits from companies that exceeded the baseline levels of emission.

Rivera likened the system to a driver buying a smog check credit from another driver with a new car, to complete his car registration process.“How do we reduce emissions that way?” Rivera asked, rhetorically. “The pollutants still get into the air.”

She said the South Coast Air Quality Management District had been looking to change the nitrous and sulfur dioxide emission rules for several years and came up with a proposal in November.

“The Western States Petroleum Association shows up and said, ‘We have our own proposal.’

The board rejected the staff proposal and accepted the industry proposal.”

Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg reported on the issue in the March 17 edition of Random Lengths.

He quoted representatives from the Natural Resources Defense Council and EarthJustice.

Rivera says the board’s vote will actually help Tesoro’s refinery merger. Because the Environmental Protection Agency rejected the AQMD’s RECLAIM program, there’s little clarity on what the baseline measurement for emissions should be.

Rivera stressed the importance of people with the technical expertise to examine EIR Title V permits.

“A regular person reading a draft EIR is going to think that the project is going to reduce pollution. But how can we say we’re going to reduce pollution when there’s going to be more crude [oil] stored? Tell me you won’t be afraid of [an] explosion if that’s in your backyard.”

Rivera is also concerned about what’s going to be stored in the new storage tanks.

“They claim that it is for faster unloading,

10

Utility Users Tax on June Ballot

By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter

Tesoro plant in Carson.

but we don’t believe them, Rivera said.

Rivera noted that, industry-wide, the market is moving toward refining tar sands and bakken crude as a more profitable alternative. She believes that the extra storage tanks give Tesoro the option to sell refined petroleum products to other refineries or export it abroad.

“We just don’t know what they are going [to] store in those storage tanks,” Rivera said.

“Those storage tanks give them the potential to store anything.”

Retired oil industry consultant, Connie Rutter, echoed Rivera’s concerns and cited rail accidents involving Bakken crude across the country as impetus for those concerns.

“The trains hit something and they explode, or get loose and run into something and explode.

That’s all been Bakken crude,” Rutter explained.

“Light means that the crude has a higher proportion of propane, butane and pentane than regular crude. That is a more desirable crude because you can get more gasoline out of it,” Rutter said.

“However, it is also more dangerous because that stuff tends to come out when it’s stored for very long.”

Rutter noted that tar sands are the other extreme, a heavy petroleum product that is moved with bulldozers rather than pumped up [See Tesoro, page 17]

On June 7, Carson voters will vote on Measure C, which, if passed, will extend the city’s utility users tax for another seven years.

The current ordinance, which places a 2 percent tax on electrical and gas use, expires June 30.

The Carson City Council proposed the current tax in 2008. Voters approved the tax in 2009. After seven years, it is about to sunset.

The council’s original action was in response to a budget crisis that the Great Recession caused.

Measure C makes no changes other than to extend the term of tax collection for another seven years, until June 30, 2023.

The applicable ordinance reads, “proceeds of this tax are to be deposited in the General Fund of the City and are to be available to be used for any general governmental purpose that the city shall determine.”

As was the case for the past seven years, a Citizens Oversight Committee, subject to compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, will continue to “receive reports from the Tax Administrator at least annually” on how the tax funds are collected and spent.

The tax applies to both residences and commercial properties but the ordinance states residents who are 62 or older, or who meet certain income requirements, may apply to the city to receive an exemption.

According to literature distributed by the city’s public information office, the current tax

generates about $8.8 million annually to fund city services including sidewalk and street repairs, youth and senior programs, 911 medical response, and graffiti removal.

The public information office has also distributed a table and pie chart showing amounts of tax collected. Eighty percent is paid by businesses and 20 percent by residences, according to the pie chart. The table shows oil giant Tesoro paying the largest amount of tax, $1,035,884 annually. Other businesses in the top 10 include Shell, Phillips 66 and Watson.

“Revenue will help the city to maintain existing services without adopting other or new taxes,” said former Mayor Gil Smith.

Former city commissioner Rick Pulido took a contrary view.

“Residents don’t need to be taxed by utility tax, only the Carson businesses,” he said.

Carson mayor Albert Robles, however, is urging residents to renew the utility tax.

“Only 20 percent of the utility tax comes from residents,” Robles said. Low income residents and seniors are exempt. Business owners are paying the majority of the tax and they are in favor of it. If the tax is approved, residents won’t see a difference in their utility bills.”

Robles explained that failure to renew the tax could impair city services that Carson residents have come to count on, including the parks and recreation and 911 services.

Subcontract Workers Act Collectively Against California Cartage Co.

By Christian Guzman, Editorial Intern

California Cartage Co. warehouse workers participated in a one-day strike against the company on April 6, protesting the terms of their employment as well as recently issued notices that they will soon be unemployed.

Although many of the strikers have been working in the California Cartage Co. warehouse for more than five years, technically, they aren’t employees of the company at all. A staffing agency called Associate Management Resources Inc., provides the workers to California Cartage Co. “We are on strike because the company keeps violating our rights and breaking the law,” said Victor Gonzales, a warehouse worker. “Cal Cartage is trying to remove us—I’ve been here for seven years through a temp agency....We need to create permanent jobs for [us].”

California Cartage Co. does not plan to hire the workers permanently. Furthermore, the company has notified the workers that on April 30 the company will no longer be doing business with Associate Management Resources. Workers who want to continue working at California Cartage Co. would have to reapply with a new staffing agency.

The workers assert that California Cartage Co. is terminating them because of ongoing lawsuits between both parties.

“In 2014…they [the workers] filed a class action lawsuit alleging violations of the City of Los Angeles Living Wage,” said Celene Perez, co-director of Warehouse Worker Resource Center.

There is also a hearing scheduled in June for California Cartage Co. to address a complaint of labor law violations. The National Labor Relations Board will preside over the hearing.

In addition, the workers informed the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health of workplace hazards at California Cartage Co., which resulted in citations this past year.

California Cartage Co. and Associate Management Resources Inc. were contacted for comments on employee mistreatment. California Cartage Co. declined. Associate Management Resources Inc. did not respond.

The warehouse workers have largely been supported by the Warehouse Worker Resource Center. The center believes the California Cartage’s termination decision is in response to the workers’ collective actions and demands.

“These workers should be protected from retaliation,” Perez said. “California Cartage must retain these workers and bring them on as direct employees.”

The warehouse workers returned to work the day after the strike. California Cartage Co. still plans to terminate the workers. But in January, the workers successfully lobbied California Cartage Co. to supply them with state mandated steel-toe boots. So, the workers remain united and hopeful for change.

“The retaliation we are experiencing has been ongoing…but our fight will go on past May 1, until we win,” Gonzales said.

By Mat Gleason RLn Contributor

T

direction, the legendary MAS Attack exhibits, which include up to 100 artists, began here and now travel out of state.

At the other end of the region, the San Pedro scene is thriving. With South Bay Contemporary now operating in high gear, the nonprofit art organization is engaging emerging and established artists in exhibitions dealing with topics exploring science, humanities and current issues.

Establishing small critique

groups and inviting guest curators, South Bay Contemporary is engaging the art community as a whole.

Consider the shows in May: First is Skyline, Ben Zask’s curated exhibition of contemporary sculpture with an emphasis on found materials. Then come two solo shows: [See Art, page 14]

From left, South Bay Contemporary at the Loft in San Pedro, Torrance Art Museum and TransVagrant/Warschaw Gallery also in San Pedro are on the leading edge of a new identity for southwest LA County.

LIVE MUSIC

The Local Publication You Actually Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment >> INDEPENDENT ANDRead FREE

he South Bay has a larger, more vibrant art scene than it is ever going to be given credit for.

Much like Brooklyn will always be in the shadow of Manhattan, the South Bay and Harbor Area will always have the behemoth of Los Angeles with which to contend. But whereas the Brooklyn art scene is regarded internationally, the South Bay scene seems be both absorbed by Los Angeles and forgotten.

A smattering of local media offer reliable coverage but with the Los Angeles Times so close, yet so far away, you can forgive the locals for wishing there were a bigger megaphone.

But the artists and art lovers who make up the South Bay’s art world push on with or without a spotlight. I was the director at Gallery C in Hermosa Beach almost 10 years ago. When that grand and spacious place closed its doors, many lamented that it might be the death of contemporary art in the South Bay. But the region rose like a phoenix out of the ashes. The landscape is dotted with flagship spaces that have strong foundations.

Under the guidance of Max Presneill, the Torrance Art Museum is the undeniable center of the South Bay art scene. Featuring curated shows of international contemporary artists, this institution has programming that rivals any Southern California space when it comes to dynamic, rigorous exhibits that keep a finger on the pulse of where art is and an eye on where it is going. Under Presneill’s

ill!

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12

each City Grill has long been on my radar. comfort food. Popular items still include the Since its grand re-opening several months seafood gumbo and the jambalaya. The Gumbo ago, I’ve been eyeing it closely, eagerly ‘Ya-ya’ is a combination of both the gumbo anticipating my nostalgic reunion with the cozy and the jambalaya. It was hearty, comforting, eatery. spicy and had just the right amount of dirty rice.

When I was a little girl, I would beg my Some portions tend toward too large, but I found parents to take me there. It wasn’t like the other myself wanting a little more for the soft tacos. “adult restaurants,” where I would have to sit The dessert list is long enough to sustain quietly and stare at barren walls or doodle on a separate business all on its own. The variety my napkin until my grilled cheese sandwich of pies, cakes and the ever-popular Death by finally emerged from the depths of the kitchen.

Chocolate is enough to send anybody over the It was a magical place. I loved everything about edge and right into a food coma. it. The eclectic ambiance, the iconic beach towel What I particularly like about Beach City table clothes, the heavenly desserts and what [See Beach City Grill, page 13] seemed to be an endless basket of piping hot Cajun sweet potato fries. I lived for those fries; they were made of dreams.

More than 20 years later, I returned to find that very little has changed. I’m actually OK with that—in fact, it’s what I was hoping to find.

The place is cozier and much smaller than I remember, but I felt comfortable and content sitting alone in a booth, my gaze shifting back and forth between the fish tank and the open air kitchen. The menu is generally the same.

A little Cajun, a little creole, some Cuban and Caribbean, busy evening at Caribbean and Creole inspired Beach City Grill, where but mostly it’s international Adiners can order breakfast, lunch and dinner. Photo by Stu Smith

[Beach City Grill, from page 12]

Beach City Grill

Grill is that the menu is diverse and interesting, with something for just about everyone. Where else in the Harbor Area will you find a Cuban medianoche pork sandwich (a classic after-hours snack popularized by club goers in Havana) and shrimp divi divi, which tweaks a Caribbeanstyle dish with Indonesian peanut sauce? You won’t.

This restaurant is a role model for risk taking—regardless whether it’s Zagat-rated or

BEACH CITY GRILL

Let the culinary adventure begin anew—Beach City Grill has reopened featuring your favorites along with soon-to-be favorite new additions.

Now serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. Famous for Caribbean, Cajun specials, fresh seafood, salads, vegetarian and world cuisine. Be sure to try the award-winning desserts by Chef Larry Hodgson. Beach City Grill, 376 W. 6th St., San Pedro. (310) 833-6345 • www.beachcitygrill.net

Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria

A San Pedro landmark for over 40 years, famous for exceptional award-winning pizza baked in brick ovens. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-andtrue family recipes and hand-selected ingredients that are prepared fresh. Dine-in, take-out and catering.

There are two locations in Long Beach. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.11 p.m. • Buono’s Pizzeria, 1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 547-0655 • www.buonospizza.com

Niko’s Pizzeria

Beach City Grill offers its uniquely international twist on just about all its dishes. Photos by Stu Smith

Owner Philie Buscemi welcomes you to Philie B’s on Sixth, where New York– style pizza, Sicilian rice balls and pizza by-the-slice are the specialties. Fresh hot or cold sandwiches, gourmet pizzas and fresh salads are also served. Try the “white pizza” with smooth ricotta, mozzarella and sharp Pecorino-Romano cheeses topped with torn fresh basil. Extended hours accommodate San Pedro’s unique lifestyle and work schedules. Catering and fast, free local delivery ($15 min.) available. Philie B’s On Sixth, 347 W. 6th Street, San Pedro • (310) 514-2500 www.philiebsonsixth.com

San Pedro Brewing Company

A microbrewery and American grill, SPBC features handcrafted award-winning ales and lagers served with creative pastas, bbq, sandwiches, salads and burgers. A full bar with made-from-scratch margaritas and a martini menu all add fun to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Live music.

Open from 11:30 a.m., daily. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro (310) 831-5663 • www.sanpedrobrewing.com

Stripe Café

Stripe Café Executive Chef Brett Hickey’s focus is on plantbased, farm-totable options.

The​food is fresh and organic.

Everything is made in-house and reasonably priced. Hickey’s menu is full of surprises: salmon smoked each day, Nutella latte, lavender-infused olive oil cake topped with lemon curd, and daily fresh soups. The café​ is open for lunch, but pop-up dinners have already become highly anticipated special events.

Stripe Café, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes • Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

(310) 541.2479

The Whale & Ale

San Pedro’s British gastro pub offers dining in an oak–paneled setting, featuring English fish & chips, roast prime rib, sea bass, rack of lamb, beef Wellington, meat pies, salmon, swordfish & vegetarian dishes. Open for lunch & dinner, 7days/ wk; great selection of wines; 14 British tap ales, & full bar. First Thursdays live band & special

fixed price menu. Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sat. & Sun. 1-10 p.m. The Whale & Ale, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-0363 www.whaleandale.com

Waterfront Dining

Boardwalk Grill

C a s u a l waterfront dining at its finest! Famous for slabs of Chicago-style baby back ribs, fish-nchips, rich clam chowder, cold beer on tap and wine. Full lunch menu also includes salads, sandwiches and burgers.

Indoor and outdoor patio dining available.

Proudly pouring Starbucks coffee. Open 7 days a week. Free parking. Boardwalk Grill, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro (310) 519-7551

PORTS O’ CALL RESTAURANT

Since 1961 this landmark restaurant has extended a hearty welcome to visitors from around the globe. Delight in an awe-inspiring view of the dynamic LA Harbor while enjoying fresh California cuisine and varietals. Relax in the bar or patio for the best happy hour on the waterfront. With each purchase of the awardwinning Sunday Champagne Brunch, receive the first Spirit Cruises harbor cruise of the day free. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Free parking. Ports O’Call Waterfront Dining, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor, Berth 76, San Pedro • (310) 833-3553 • www.portsocalldining.com

SPIRIT CRUISES

An instant p a r t y — complete with all you need to relax and enjoy while the majesty of the harbor slips by. Dinner cruise features a 3-course meal, full bar, unlimited cocktails and starlight dancing—the ultimate excursion for any occasion. Free parking. Spirit Cruises, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 548-8080, (562) 495-5884 www.spiritmarine.com

Include Your Restaurant in the Dining Guide In Print & Online • (310) 519-1442

April14 14- 27, - 27,2016 2016 April

Gina Ruccione has traveled all over Europe and Asia and has lived in almost every nook of Los Angeles County. She is a member of the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association. You can visit her website at www. foodfashionfoolishfornication.com.

PHILIE B’S ON SIXTH

Walk into Pirozzi’s Italian Deli at Weymouth Corners and discover an ample selection of fine imported cheeses and salami, as well as a great assortment of imported prosciutto, pastas, sauces, olive oils and vinegars—all carefully selected by proprietor Vince Pirozzi. Best known for making fine homemade Italian sausages in five distinct flavors, Pirozzi’s also carries freshly prepared and frozen entrées and sauces available for take-out.

Pirozzi’s Deli offers a full catering menu, made-to-order deli sandwiches, homemade Italian cookies and desserts.

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm; Sat. 10 am-5 pm; Sun. 10 am-2 pm. Pirozzi’s Italian Deli, 1453 W. 8th St., San Pedro • (310) 548-0000 www.pirozzisdeli.com

The Local>> Publication You Actually Read Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment INDEPENDENT AND FREE

not. No chef should shy away from a challenge or pushing the status quo. There is no shortage of Thai, Chinese, Italian and greasy spoon, hole-in-wall places this side of the harbor, so the question becomes: What is your restaurant going to do differently?

I borrowed some garlic fries from a table next to me and didn’t return them. I wouldn’t go too hard on those fries for a date night, but if you’re out with friends or (somewhat) comfortable with your significant other, you might find they’re worth their weight in gold.

Beach City Grill is unlike any other restaurant in the area and the food is good. But honestly, I felt like something was missing since my visit more than 20 years ago. I miss Larry Hodgson, the original chef and owner who opened the restaurant.

I miss his passion—an ingredient often taken for granted. Dishes should be seasoned with just as much salt and pepper as they should be with a zest for cooking, plating and pleasing others. This is not to say the new owner does not exhibit those qualities, but I find it challenging to compare the two now. Or, maybe I just miss my childhood? Well, it’s nothing another slice of Death by Chocolate won’t fix.

Details: (424) 287-0645 Venue: Beach City Grill, 376 W. 6th St., San Pedro

One of downtown San Pedro’s signature restaurants features a full Italian menu, huge selection of pizzas, Greek specialties and a beer and wine bar featuring a wide selection of beers on tap and by the bottle. Watch sporting events on plasma TV screens throughout the restaurant. Delivery service to all of San Pedro, port locations and hotels. Niko’s Pizzeria, 399 W. 6th St., San Pedro (at the corner of Mesa and 6th sts.) • (310) 241-1400

PIROZZI’S ITALIAN DELI

13

[Art, from page 11]

Becoming a Center for the Arts

INDEPENDENT AND FREE >> Arts of • the Cuisine • Entertainment Serving the Seven Communities Harbor Area

PET by Tracey Weiss and Connections by Michael Freitas Wood. While the Weiss show is commentary on the recycling of plastic, Freitas Wood gives viewers a formalist tourde-force with exquisite gridded compositions that reflect the visual complexity of our contemporary communication systems.

And yet, they serve as perfectly attuned meditations on sophisticated anti-imagery in our overstated era. These three South Bay Contemporary exhibitions would be at home at any name gallery or not-for-profit art center in Southern California. Its programming stands as a testament to the commitment of the community to embracing a wide swath of the best local contemporary art.

Southern California art veteran Ron Linden is also curating in the Harbor Area.

His TransVagrant/Warschaw Gallery in San Pedro has hosted exhibitions for almost a decade, specializing in rigorous, almost scholarly shows, primarily of painting. Be they solo or group shows, Linden’s space has a severe eye for the reductive, the historical and the dedicated. Fearlessly championing Modernist forms and playing the long game with art history, TransVagrant/Warschaw exists in a context free from art world tropes that chase what was on the cover of this past

Photo by Ronald Gary Donlap.

Atists and curators Max Presneill, Peggy Sivert-Zask and Ron Linden, above, operate largely under the radar of the LA art scene.

month’s ArtForum. It is one of the crowning achievements of the region, inspiring and informing the whole scene.

It is no coincidence that Ron Linden, Max Presneill and South Bay Contemporary’s head Peggy Sivert-Zask are full-time studio artists in addition to their professional curating. The nascent South Bay scene is overflowing, but

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is still operated by an all-volunteer army, or at least a committed brigade. To wear two hats in the South Bay is the norm. But unlike so many art communities, the South Bay is refreshingly open to and inclusive of artists from the wider region.

San Pedro has had an art scene for more than 100 years. It waxes and wanes with the vagaries of the larger economy, but is currently hitting its stride with austere and precise spaces like Linden’s. It also has experimental gems like Cornelius Projects, whose range of exhibiting artists runs from the adventurous Peggy Reavey to the punk pioneer Joe Baiza. But the South Bay is expansive and one cannot confine all the action to any one point on the map, no matter how many exciting things are happening

there. Over in El Segundo, the El Segundo Museum of Art is radically redefining the boundaries of what an art museum can show, earning the scandalous LA Weekly description as Los Angeles’ most fascinating and rebellious museum this past year.

To mention all that’s happening in the South Bay would require an article three times longer than this. Between the Orange County line to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, and the 105 Freeway to the north, the South Bay is no longer the workingclass step-child of Los Angeles County. It is unquestionably becoming an arts destination, complete with the movers and shakers. Their contributions to the big picture are necessary for producing great contemporary art careers that matter.

Just FAITH Lives Up to Her Name

By Melina Paris, Music Columnist Singer-songwriter, Just FAITH, has been capturing fans far and wide, one stage at a time.

She performed at a fashion show and the Lighthouse Festival in 2014. In 2015, she performed at the Bully Prevention Extravaganza.

This past month, she was the opening act for the Mary Jane Girls, a 1980s band launched by rhythm and blues funk legend, Rick James, at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.

At age 13, she already has a long list of accomplishments. She released her first EP at 10 and then an album in May 2015. Her song, Ripples & Rapids reached No. 1 on Indie Music Charts in July 2015.

Just FAITH’s title track, Home Sweet Home, was nominated for best Christian song

by Hollywood Music in Media and is making rounds on more than 20 satellite radio stations.

She has also been in the top 10 for local rock charts since December 2014 (out of more than

200 artists for San Pedro and more than 330 for Long Beach), where she earned No. 2.

She is working now on a full length rock album, to be released later this year.

Just FAITH defies categorization by drawing inspiration from a range of musical genres, from Christian music to rock to hip hop. This young lady has a full, developed voice, reminiscent of Bjork. When she’s used her voice to sound more gravelly, she’s been told she sounds like the pop artist, Pink.

But Just FAITH is just being true to herself.

Her music has a powerful sound that is distinctly her own. It does not have a trace of pop-engineered sounds. On a track titled, Nametag, Just FAITH comes through with clear, beautiful harmonies and wide range Just FAITH began writing songs at nine years old, drawing inspiration from her lived experiences. Her songs are filled with messages

[See FAITH, page 16]

Arts Cuisine Entertainment APR 14 - 27 • 2016 ENTERTAINMENT April 15

The Good Foot!

Enjoy soul, funk and Latin sounds with guest DJ Johnny Basil, and resident DJs Rodi & Dennis.

Time: 9 p.m. April 15 Cost: $7 Details: www.alexsbar.com Venue: Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

April 16

Anne Walsh & Pretty World This concert will be a CD release celebration for the group’s newest CD Brand New. Time: 8 p.m. April 16 Cost: $25 Details: (310) 519-1314; http://tinyurl.com/Anne-Walsh-Pretty-World Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

April 17

Chris Wabich From Los Angeles, Chris Wabich is known as a versatile and original voice on the drumset.

The variety of artists he works with reflects his diversity as both musician and producer.

Time: 3 p.m. April 17 Cost: $15 Details: http://www.gighear.org/venues/show_ event.php?id=4845 Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

April 23

Joe Bonamassa As Joe Bonamassa enters his 26th year as a professional musician, he continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work.

Time: 8 p.m. April 23 Cost: $125 Details: http://tinyurl.com/j9alfvk Venue: Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

To Mindanao with Love To Mindanao with Love cultural solidarity night concert with Lumad indigenous people from Mindanao, Philippines. The show will feature live musical performances and short films about their struggle to defend their land and culture.

Time: 5 to 7 p.m. April 23 Cost: Free Details: http://tinyurl.com/ToMindanaoWithLove Venue: Cal State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Lecture Hall 150, Long Beach

BEAR STORY

PROLOGUE

SANJAY’S SUPER TEAM

by Sanjay Patel and Nicole Grindle (USA)

WE CAN’T WORLD OF LIVE WITHOUT TOMORROW Hertzfeld COSMOS by Don(USA)

by Konstantin Bronzit (Russia)

$20 General • $15 Student w/ID • $10 Senior/Child

For tickets: www.SPIFFest.org Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro SAN PEDRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2016 SAVE THE DATES — OCTOBER 6 - 16

April 24

Annette Warren Smith Smith made an indelible musical mark as the voice of Ava Gardner in Show Boat. Hear her stories and classic songs from the era of big bands and movie musicals.

Time: 3 and 7:30 p.m. April 24

COMMUNITY April 15

Steinfest Steinfest brings all the flair, contests, song, dance and fun of Oktoberfest to the Steinhaus Restaurant & Beerhall. The event includes free passes to the Alpine Village Oktoberfest opening weekend for everyone at Steinfest.

Time: 7 p.m. April 15 Cost: $10 Details: www.alpinevillagecenter.com Venue: Alpine Village Center, 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance

April 16

Lawn Bowling Celebrate spring with this free and fun event.

Time: 5 p.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: www.EASBA.com Venue: Long Beach Lawn Bowling Club, 1109 Federation Drive, Long Beach 2nd Annual Local LA Breweries and Artisan Food Festival Join in and celebrate Los Angeles’ local beers and food. The event will include craft beers from well known and up-and-coming Los Angeles breweries and a wide variety of artisanal foods made locally. Only people 21 and older will be admitted.

Time:12 to 4 p.m. April 16 Cost: $40 Details: www.alpinevillagecenter.com Venue: Alpine Village, 833 Torrance Blvd., Torrance City of Carson Resource Conservation Expo The expo will have workshops offering helpful conservation information related to water, electricity, gas and recycling. The first event is Recycling Bingo, in which attendees will learn about the right ways to recycle and win prizes at the end of the event.

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: http://ci.carson.ca.us/ Venue: Carson Community Center, 801 E. Carson St., Carson Earth Day Bird Fest Celebration The Earth Day and Coastal Bird Fest celebrates nature and local wildlife with a beach cleanup, educational demonstrations, music, arts and crafts, and activities for children of all ages.

Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: (310) 548-7562, www.CarbrilloMarineAquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro

April 14 - 27, 2016 2016

by Richard Williams and Imogen Sutton (UK)

April 29

Reverend Tall Tree Stompin’, shufflin’ and hollerin’, Rev. Tall Tree plays blues and American roots in the tradition of Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf and Bo Diddley.

Time: 8 p.m. April 29 Cost: $20 to $30 Details: http://tinyurl.com/ReverendTallTree Venue: Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

by Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala (Chile)

Kristin Korb Bassist and vocalist Kristin Korb returns to Los Angeles with a new show. The program features new originals and fresh arrangements of jazz standards.

Time: 8 p.m. April 23 Cost: $20 Details: (310) 519-1314; http://tinyurl.com/Kristin-Korb-Friends Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Singing For Chanson Juri Kamiyama, Yu Ooka, Satishi Kirisawa, Jeff Takiguchi, Nori Tani and Hiroshi Nunokawa take the stage at Alvas.

Time: 4 p.m. April 24 Cost: $20 Details: (310) 519-1314; http://tinyurl.com/SingingForChanson Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

The Local Publication You Actually Read Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment >> INDEPENDENT AND FREE

Classical Crossroads Classical Crossroads’ “The Interludes” concert series present Beverly Hills National Auditions winner, pianist Vladimir Khomyakov.

Time: 3 p.m. April 23 Cost: Free Details: (310) 316-5574; http://tinyurl.com/Vladimir-Khomyakov Venue: First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance

Cost: $20 to $50 Details: www.grandvision.org Venue: Grand Vision Foundation, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

[See Calendar, page 16]

15

[Calendar, from page 15]

Arts Cuisine Entertainment APR 14 - 27 • 2016

April 16

Earth Day Chalkfest This is a free Earth Day-themed chalk art festival.

Time: 10 a.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: www.PortOfLosAngeles.org Venue: Wilmington Waterfront Park, 1004 “C” St., Wilmington Salt Marsh Open House Step out into nature and discover the hidden world of the Salinas de San Pedro Salt Marsh.

Join Cabrillo Marine Aquarium educators as they help uncover the world of mud and water.

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: (310) 548-7562; www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org Venue: 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro The Gala Celebrate Palos Verdes Art Center’s 85 anniversary.

Time: 6 p.m. April 16 Cost: $250 Details: (310) 541-2479 Venue: PVAC, 5504 West Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes

27, 2016 AprilApril 14 - 14 27,-2016

INDEPENDENT AND FREE >> of Arts CuisineArea • Entertainment Serving the Seven Communities the• Harbor

April 23

16

Meet the Grunion Grunion are small sardine-size fish of the silversides family, which are one of the few fish species in the world that actually come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches.

They are found from central California through Baja California, with Cabrillo Beach being one of the better places to observe the fish.

Time: 8 p.m. April 23 Cost: $5 Details: (310) 548-7562; www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro Fresh 2016 This is a gala in support of continued programming, education and events for South Bay Contemporary, bringing contemporary art programming and art education to the South Bay Region. This year the gala will take place at the historic Italian villa courtyard of the Shriver family.

Time: 5 to 8 p.m. April 23 Details: http://southbaycontemporary.com Cost: $50 Venue: Shriver Courtyard, 21 Pomegranate Road, Rancho Palos Verdes

THEATER April 16

Out of Africa Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy presents Out of Africa. Following the film, former Conservancy board president Bill Swank will share remarks about living near the Blixen residence during his teens.

Time: 4 p.m. April 16 Cost: $10 Details: www.grandvision.org Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

April 24

Sister Act Musical Theatre West presents Sister Act, Broadway’s feel-good musical comedy at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Delores helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Time: 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through April 24 Cost: $20 Details: (562) 856-1999, ext. 4, www.musical.org.

Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach

April 25

Bear Story SPIFFest is presenting the 2016 OscarNominated Animated Shorts, which includes Bear Story.

Time: 5 p.m. April 25 Cost: $20 Details: http://tinyurl.com/SPIFFBearStory Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

April 27

A Walk in the Woods Nearing the end of the Cold War, a pair of arms negotiators—a clever, cynical Russian and an idealistic young American—step away from the bargaining table to meet in the woods outside Geneva for a series of talks.

Time: 8 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; April 27 through May 22 Cost: $47 to $55 Details: http://ictlongbeach.org/?p=2912 Venue: International City Theatre, 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach

April 29

H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival® & CthulhuCon™ promotes the works of H.P. Lovecraft, literary horror and weird tales through cinematic adaptations by professional and amateur filmmakers, panel discussions, author readings, gaming, art.

Time: 6 p.m. April 29 through May 1 Cost: $15 to $80 Details: www.hplfilmfestival.com Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

April 30

Mayday! Tales of Love and other Emergencies Celebrate the lusty month of May with delicious stories read aloud, outside, under the stars.

Suitable for all lovers and lovers of literature.

Featuring works by O. Henry, Alice Walker, Bret Harte, Dorothy Parker, W.B. Yeats and Irwin Shaw.

Time: 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. April 30 Cost: $10 Details: https://angelsgateart.org Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

ARTS

April 22

Spring Arts Academy Showcase The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor presents a showcase of works by talented young artists in all disciplines.

Time: 5 p.m. April 22 Cost: Free Details: (310) 833-1322 x 249, www.bgclaharbor. org/spring-arts-academy-showcase/ Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

April 24

Amadi Collection The Amadi Collection presents historic works spanning from Native American rugs to Ottoman textiles.

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24 Cost: Free Details: www.pvartcenter.org Venue: Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 W. Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes

April 28

San Pedro Student Art Show Drawing, painting, design, photography, ceramics, film and jewelry.

Cost: Free Venue: San Pedro High School Historic Gym, 1001 W. 15th St.

[FAITH, from page 15]

FAITH

of hope, perseverance and encouragement—a feature she credits to her faith.

“God influences me in my writing and gives me the words to sing every time,” FAITH said.

Just FAITH is a representative of the next generation of artists who blend their artistry and faith.

There is a growing diversity and versatility in Christian music, which has increasingly been breaking into the pop charts. This genre has grown in support. It even has its own music festival called Joshua Fest in Quincy, Calif. More than 50 bands play at this annual event.

Some of these crossover artists are the ones who have inspired her most, including, Skillet, RED, Flyleaf, Manafest, Lecrae, and NF. Just FAITH said she has been listening to Skillet since she was a baby. Skillet, RED and Flyleaf are Christian rock bands. Manafest, Lecrae, and NF are rappers.

“These artists inspire me because their lyrics are so deep and their music is so powerful,” Just FAITH said.

“They touch on topics that not a lot of people talk about.”

Just FAITH, who is a fan of Greek mythology, said many of her new songs contain references from fictional stories such as the Percy Jackson & the Olympian series.

Nico Di Angelo, a fictional character in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus series is referenced in a new song called, This Place Isn’t Made for You. He is the demigod son of Hades and mortal Maria di Angelo).

“I tell his story through

Just FAITH performs at the Gaslamp in Long Beach.

the eyes of Percy Jackson,” Just FAITH said. “I talk about Nico Di Angelo because I understand how he feels when he wants to push everyone away.”

This (feeling) is also explained in another one of her songs, Stand Out In the Rain, she added, where she talks about her own experience.

The messages of hope Just FAITH conveys in her songs have the straightforward thinking of a young person.

She talks about stopping to enjoy the moments and to notice the little things in life.

She is wary of materialism and believes the capacity for change is unlimited.

“It is exciting when I create the tracks for my songs and see all the different pieces come together,” Just FAITH said. “I enjoy the writing process, though sometimes there are challenges.”

Just FAITH cut her first EP, The Beat, when she was 10 and her first album, Home Sweet Home in 2015.

She felt many people did not understand her musical direction. So for her new album, she came into the studio with music and lyrics and the tracks mostly laid out.

Many of the instrumentals are from tracks she laid down at the Boys and Girls Club in San Pedro, with help from

Live Music

April 21st, 3rd Thursday Fridays

Rob on the Piano—Great food, great music. No cover, starts at 7 pm

Barry Anthony & The Whalers New Orleans Jazz

Saturdays

Markus Carlton Jazz Guitar.

No cover, starts at 6:30 pm

an employee there who has a degree in music production.

“In my newer songs, I used more sounds that are eerie and vintage in style, mixed with edgier rock than [in] my first album, which I am very excited about,” Just FAITH said. “I write songs to smile to, songs to cry to, and songs to dance to.”

Still, Just Faith aims for her music to touch and to change people. One of the ways she wants to make her mark is in bullying prevention.

This past year, Just FAITH’s team raised money to put on the Warner Grand Theatre event called the Bully Prevention Extravaganza.

She performed with a live band and between numbers, Just FAITH spoke on the meaning of her songs and how they relate to bully prevention.

Just FAITH’s team got the community involved and local businesses sponsored tickets for the extravaganza that they gave to schools.

“I love performing my new songs because I feel they represent more of who I am,” Just FAITH said. “I just debuted two of my new songs Take a Look Around and Trailblazer when I opened for the Mary Jane Girls. I had the most amazing time and just got lost in the songs because I love them so much.”

Just FAITH is looking forward to working with her band to learn new music and have more performing opportunities. She will be performing on May 21 at Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council’s elections and Los Angeles Public Safety Summit at Point Fermin Park.

Just FAITH was invited to perform at Joshua Fest 2016. Several of the bands she mentioned as inspirations will be performing there also.

As her name implies, if you just have faith you can do anything.

Details: www.JustFaithMusic. com, www.ReverbNation.com/ JustFaith and www.youtube. com/c/JustFaithMusicOfficial

[Tesoro, from page 10]

Tesoro Heats Up out of the ground.

“It’s tar with sand mixed into it. When they refine that, they have to mix in some light [components] with it. And that’s another market for butane and propane. And they can sell that to the refiners of the tar sand,” Rutter said.

Rutter noted that when tar sands are mixed with propane and butane, the resulting product can be run through pipes and refined.

Rivera noted that tar sands can’t be mixed with the crude they have now. She believes that to be the reason for the extra storage tanks.

However, the draft EIR, only states that the refinery will use the same crude and petroleum feedstock they have always been using and that the extra tanks are only meant to improve efficiency.

Rivera cited the Canadian Lac-Mégantic rail disaster in 2013 as an example of the dangers of transporting Bakkan crude and tar sands by rail.

“It was in their downtown. [In some cases], they couldn’t even find the bodies,” Rivera said.

“We have seen explosion after explosion in the United States. That material cannot be transported in regular trains. The trains were not designed to carry that material.”

Rivera noted that the DEIR references a piece of equipment that will remove sulfur, one of the means by which Tesoro says it will reduce emissions. But when you do that, it’s like when you have a blender. If you put in acorns, you might break the blades. But if you put in tomatoes, there’s a big difference. That’s exactly the difference between conventional crude oil and tar sands.

“Tar sands is so heavy that it requires, not five hours of processing, but three times that,” Rivera explained. “That means more sulfur emissions.

Why do they want [equipment that completely] remove[s] the sulfur? It’s because they plan to refine stuff with a lot of sulfur and that’s tar sands. That’s why we are concerned.”

It is for these reasons that Rivera believes adequate time is needed to submit informed comments during the comment period for both the DEIR and the Title V permits.

The comment for the draft EIR period opened March 8 and has since been extended to May 24.

The comment period for the facility’s Title V permit is set to end May 24.

Rivera alleges that Tesoro has not made documents available that outline the emissions of the new equipment, which is to be installed, and baseline emission figures for that equipment.

“We’ve been fighting ever since it came out to get the materials,” Rivera said.

“How can we make a comment on a diagnosis when we don’t what the doctor has found?”

Rivera asked. “You have nothing to go on. So that is the situation for us.”

Rivera said she and other environmental justice groups are using all avenues of recourse before turning to the courts, but is asking the public to petition the AQMD to grant a 90-day extension of DEIR commentary period.

“This is not a small project,” Rivera said, discounting Tesoro’s public workshops as “dog and pony shows.”

“We are also asking the public to help us push for a public hearing,” Rivera said. “Community residents should be given an opportunity to give their input.”

Rivera said that Communities for a Better Environment found out about the project by

happenstance when the AQMD was going to give them a negative declaration in 2014. That meant the facility would have been deemed as having no environmental impact.

“We acted immediately, she said. “That was

two years ago to the day…. We commented then and that’s why they delayed the project. They decided to pull the negative declaration. That’s why there’s an EIR now. Otherwise the project would be done already.”

Nun on Wheels: Grand Prix 2016

On April 6, Sister Celeste Trahan, vice president of Mission Integration, represented Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center as she hugged the corners driving the Camry Pace Car with driver Robby Gordon ahead of the 42nd Annual Toyota Grand Prix. Right Sister Celeste preps for the track.

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