RLn 01-10-13 Edition

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Ports O’Call Developer Selected, Optimism Grows p. 3 Les Misérables: A Success Desiptes Its Failings p. 11 Beer Enthusiast Bobby Trusela Highlights Classic Beers for 2013 p. 12

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Marijuana Wars

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The Local Publication You Actually Read

Assessing a year that’s been two steps forward, three steps back, with no way to turn yourself around is pretty hard.

President Barack Obama was re-elected, the war on women is still hot though relatively quiet compared to this time last year. Statewide, Democrats have a super majority for the first time, but it doesn’t necessarily mean getting things done will get any easier. And, if that weren’t enough, we had to contend with the rumors that the world was going to end.

So in this year-end review, I focused on as many highlights as I could fit in this space.

January 11 - 24, 2013

ven as the feds stepped up enforcement of anti-marijuana laws, proponents of legalization pushed even harder this past year.

In 2012, it seemed that a week never passed without a report of a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire Arms and Explosives bust of a California medical marijuana dispensary. Nationally, medical marijuana was approved in Massachusetts, while state-regulated sales were approved in Washington and Colorado, but defeated in Oregon.

On Jan. 18, 2012 the California Supreme Court agreed to review three Court of Appeal decisions dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries. This came a day after the Long Beach City Council decided to postpone until Feb. 14 its vote on whether to ban medical marijuana dispensaries all together when all of the council members were expected to be present.

On Feb. 14, the Long Beach City Council banned the sale of medical marijuana within the city, almost two years after the legislative body adopted a medical marijuana ordinance regulating it. Councilwoman Rae Gabelich was the lone opposing vote. Dispensaries that had complied with the medical marijuana ordinance were given a six-month exemption with a provision to reconsider the exemption after four months. In addition, dispensaries that went out of business during that

Graphic: Mathew Highland

Other side of the Apocalypse/ to p.14

HARBOR AREA

Committed to independent journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for more than 30 years

Local Year in Review—

A Focus on Land Use and the Environment

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

January 11 - 24, 2013

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

Major projects and redevelopment issues played a prominent role in local news this past year.

These projects and issues were haunted by the ghost of ill-conceived past decisions, embodied in the controversial Rancho LPG facility. The facility’s ongoing threat to public safety was the subject of numerous stories throughout the year, chronicling ongoing activist attempts to get the facility closed or relocated. These stories also reported myriad bureaucratic legal hurdles standing in their way.

The ongoing Rancho story vividly illustrates the challenge of dealing with the past and learning lessons for moving forward. While it’s still a discouraging story, so far, the same could be said about most of our optimistic stories in their genesis. Indeed, the desire to learn from and avoid past problems helped shape other major planning efforts impacting the community, including the Los Angeles Planning Department’s San Pedro Community Plan and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Department’s new Clearwater Wastewater disposal plan.

We began our Rancho coverage by continuing our look back at the 1977 pioneering reporting of Larry Prior and highlighting the legal efforts of attorney Anthony Patchett. We also heard from Reps. Janice Hahn and Laura Richardson.

In February, we described how Connie Rutter, a retired oil and gas industry expert, had joined the fight. She explained some fundamental misunderstandings of the science involved in making the facility so dangerous. In late June, we reported on Rutter’s withering critique of Rancho’s risk

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management plan, citing dozens of errors, topped off by a “worst case analysis” limited to a halfmile radius—rather than the 3-mile radius—and dictated by the laws of the physics involved. The actual area at risk is 36 times larger than Rancho admits under law.

A March 8 accident, involving a semi-truck and a train at the corner of Westmont Drive and Gaffey Street, further highlighted the potential dangers involved and gave renewed impetus to efforts to revoke Rancho’s month-to-month rail permit—a move recommended by the Port Community Advisory Committee, which the Harbor Commission rejected at its June 7 meeting.

Activists were initially excited at the prospects of a safety drill, scheduled for April, that Rancho agreed to perform, under the eyes of the Environmental Protection Agency. But the drill never happened.

In May, Councilman Joe Buscaino formally requested a Public Safety Committee hearing on Rancho LPG. But the meeting, which took place June 27, left community activists and representatives deeply dissatisfied, despite the wide range of agencies who presented testimony.

“Nobody’s looking at the big picture,” concluded Diana Nave, president of Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council.

In the interim, Hahn convened a less formal meeting May 24, which local residents found similarly frustrating. However, one long-time Rancho employee, Tom Vuoso, revealed that Rancho had been “ready to move for years” and had been amenable to relocation on Energy Island—the original rationale for building Pier 400. Speak-

ing of which, in November, we reported that Plains All American, which now owns Rancho, was pulling out of its planned terminal on Pier 400, an announcement tucked away in the details of its third quarter shareholders report.

San Pedro redevelopment news started off on a sour note with the closing down of the state’s community redevelopment agencies following a state supreme court decision.

“I believe redevelopment Top, Jayme Wilson, center, long time general manager of Ports O’Call law can work and I think San Village, at an event during his campaign for 15th District City Council.

Above, the Rancho LPG facility on North Gaffey St. File photos.

Pedro’s an example of it,” said past president of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, Jayme Wilson, for all of concern addressed in the plan’s Environmental Impact Report, but not in its baseline planning, the model’s flaws.

We followed up by reporting on efforts to staff explained.

These same concerns had a much bigger imcompensate for the loss, particularly by continuing design practices, which help preserve San Pe- pact on the proposed Southern California Internadro’s historical distinctiveness. These concerns tional Gateway intermodal railyard. The new cenfeed into the creation of a new community plan sus data was just one source of new projections by the city Planning Department—a process un- which caused the recirculation of the Gateway’s derway since 2006—which moved into its final draft environmental impact report, or DEIR. At stages beginning over the summer. We reported the November public comment meeting, commuon various concerns discussed by the neighbor- nity, environmental and health activists all comhood councils in a series of stories. We followed- plained that the revisions still did not make the up by reporting on the public comment meeting proposal community-safe. They were joined by that took place in December, where there ap- the Air Quality District, which criticized the plan peared to be general satisfaction with downtown on several grounds, not the least for violating the planning, including historic preservation and ports’ own Clean Air Action Plan.

On the other hand, several projects faced support for integrating waterfront and downtown development. The overwhelming focus of con- relatively smooth sailing, with mostly positive cern turned to subarea 260, the commercial one public comment meetings, and little controversy centered at 25th Street and Western Avenue. How- around their DEIRs. This included the USS Iowa, ever, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood the APL Terminal Expansion and the Al Larson Council continued to raise issues about projec- Boat Shop renovation. The Los Angeles County tions for future growth and the potential for large Sanitation District’s Clearwater Program—indevelopers—such as Ponte Vista—to monopo- tended to meet all waste water or recycling infralize the available future capacity. The use of 2005 structure needs through the year 2050—fell halfdata, rather than 2010 Census data was a major continued on following page

Cautious Hope for Ports O’ Call Redevelopment

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

Community leaders appear cautiously optimistic in response to the Port of Los Angeles’ announcement selecting the Los Angeles Waterfront Alliance as the developer for the Ports O’ Call opportunity site.

“It’s really nice that they have a partner that is local,” said Diana Nave, concisely expressing a common sentiment. Nave is president of Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, but was speaking as a private citizen; the council has yet to consider the proposal.

POLA Executive Director Geraldine Knatz announced the selection at a special meeting of the Harbor Commission on Dec. 20, 2012. Approval of the selection is expected this month.

This means that the port will enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement, but does not guarantee that the development will take place. Public input will be sought in developing the final form of the proposal, a point whose importance was stressed by Harbor Commission President Cindy

Miscikowski and Vice President David Arian; but the actual form, scope and depth that it will take remains unclear. Port staff declined comment for this story, pending further action by the board.

The selection process remains controversial and worrying to many because of its secretiveness and exclusion of the community, even though the end result has initial support. The port used a “request for qualifications” process, rather than “request for proposals,” but as Knatz’s presentation made clear, the proposals themselves played a major role in determining who was selected.

“It’s an unusual process,” said Whale & Ale proprietor Andrew Silber, who’s participated in the waterfront development process for more than a decade now. “Doesn’t mean it won’t work… It’s not what we’re used to seeing in the way of choosing a developer.”

June Smith, co-chairwoman of the Port Community Advisory Committee, found the process

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failing to meet future needs. We also reported on community, environmental and health activist groups proposing a much more comprehensive alternative in tandem with the 710 DEIR public comment meeting.

Although not a development plan, per se, the Air Quality Management District also merited attention with its latest update of its Air Quality Management Plan—its first update since 2007.

Although refreshingly candid about the unhealthy air we breathe locally, AQMD had surprisingly good news about our ability to come into compliance with the Clean Air Act with regard to soot pollution by 2014, rather than seeking an extension, which is allowable under federal law. It also reported on the substantial improvements in port pollution, but made it clear that much more remains to be done. This requires an aggressive approach toward developing zero-emissions technologies and deploying them as soon as possible.

way in between, as we reported on the project and the March 8 public comment meeting. Some serious concerns were raised about the preferred alternative path for the new outfall pipeline, but county staff appeared much more serious, open and diligent in taking steps to minimize potential impacts. Port staff continued its sharply contrasting secretive, insular approach with respect to plans for redeveloping Ports O’ Call, with an opaque process excluding public participation as we reported in mid-October and again in December, but the design concept and developer selected appeared to match community concerns better than the rejected alternatives, as we reported in the last issue of the year.

Farther afield, but still closely tied to local concerns, in August we reported on plans for the 710 Freeway. These seemed destined to repeat its past history of a narrow planning perspective,

POC Developer/ to p. 4

The Local Publication You Actually Read January 11 - 24, 2013

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from p. 1

ILWU Rejects EGT Contract

January 11 - 24, 2013

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

International Longshore and Warehouse Union members rejected a contract offer from Northwest grain terminal owners by 93.8 percent on Dec. 21 and 22, 2012, nine days after talks ended.

The labor dispute involves six terminals using a single agreement with the ILWU. About 3,000 people have been working without a contract since Sept. 2012.

Terminal owners, known as Pacific Northwest Grain Handler’s Association, want to secure a similar contract to one that Export Grain Terminal, or EGT, made in January 2012 in Longview, Wash.

Both sides say their disputes are about working conditions, not wages. Employers state that wages for ILWU members will increase to a range of $34 to $36 an hour. With an additional $30 an hour in benefits, the combined wages and benefits of the union members will be $64 to $66 an hour.

The EGT contract permits mandatory 12-hour shifts, limits control room operations to managers, and gives management broad latitude to make new rules, change methods and discipline employees, without workers’ input. The EGT contract allows the company to make permanent hires and requires the union to keep a list of workers who can be hired and fired at management’s discretion, as well as allowing stiff sanctions for strikes and other on-the-job protest actions. It also allows for fewer employees to load ships, flexibility to use elevator employees to assist in ship-loading; ability to eliminate the practice of paying employees a half-hour’s wages for working as little as six minutes; to hold the union to its agreement not to engage in work stoppages during the term of the agreement; and greater flexibility in start/stop times to meet production needs, among other stipulations.

Grain terminal owners have been laying the legal groundwork for a possible lockout, bringing replacement workers who are willing to cross picket lines into the area. Three owners—Louis Dreyfus Commodities, Marubeni Corp. and Mitsui & Co.—notified the union that they planned to implement the rejected contract at 6 a.m.

Dec. 27, 2012.

Union workers, who are free to strike, continued to show up for work without a union contract, knowing well that employers also are free to replace them.

A fourth employer, TEMCO reportedly is maintaining the old contract terms at its terminals in Tacoma and Portland.

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Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Comments Critical of Ponte Vista Project

“While this DEIR is an improvement over the document prepared by the previous developer, it is seriously flawed,” the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council said in its official comment document subitted on the new Ponte Vista proposal.

“The proposed project does not appear to be a good fit for the community nor for this geographically unique property. We have problems with the underlying assumptions and conclusions in the DEIR mainly relating to traffic, social services, utilities and service systems. Because the analysis is built on faulty assumptions, it is in effect a ‘house of cards,’ and all conclusions based on the analysis are also faulty,” the document said, before going into more specific details, including: The rezoning request will impair the orderly implementation of Regional Plans, City’s General Plan, and two Community Plans.

The DEIR incorrectly identifies the project News Briefs/to following page

Other Side of the Apocalypse period were not to be allowed to re-set up shop.

In the following days and weeks, the California’s Secretary of State announced that several proponents of marijuana initiatives were given permission to begin collecting signatures for their measures, but ultimately they failed to make the ballot. One of the initiatives would have established a new regulatory agency that oversees the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing and sale of medical marijuana, as well as impose fees and a 2.5 percent tax on medical marijuana retail sales. The proponents ultimately abandoned the effort after failing to raise enough money to collect the signatures, but vowed to work with state legislators to accomplish their long term goals.

Medical pot was often a litmus test issue, forcing candidates in local races from Long Beach City Council Candidate Daryl Supernaw to candidate Jackie Lacey to stake a position whether they would have power over enforcement or not.

On Sept. 17, the Los Angeles City Clerk verified that petitioners had received 110 percent of the requisite 27,425 signatures needed to force a referendum on the ban which was enacted by the Los Angeles City Council this past July.

This led to the city council repealing the ban on pot dispensaries a short time later in a 11-2 vote on Oct. 2. Councilman Joe Buscaino’s vote was one of the minority. The council’s move kept a referendum on the ban off the March 5, 2013 ballot, when Angelenos will head to the polls to vote on—among other things—who will replace Antonio Villaraigosa as the city’s next mayor.

Perhaps what was most interesting is the diversity amongst the ranks of proponents. Previously, we have heard from patients, pot dispensary owners and even recreational users, but who’d ever consider members of law enforcement?

In the July 26 edition of Random Lengths, we ran a profile on Stephen Downing, an executive

board member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, or LEAP. The organization led a multistate caravan this past summer to bring attention to legalization efforts.

Nevertheless, the federal government continued raiding pot dispensaries and schools that provide training in cannabis agriculture such as the one in Oakland, Calif.

War on Women Comes to Town

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wenty-twelve was the year the cold war against women turned hot. Radio personality and defacto mouth piece of the national Republican Party Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke, a law student, a “slut,” when she gave congressional testimony advocating for contraception to be covered by a health care bill. Personhood movements in Midwestern and Southern states were gaining ground, a movement that would give even unimplanted fertilized eggs— millions of which die naturally every year—rights that supersede those of mothers. This occurred within the same context of Planned Parenthood being defunded by Congress as a result of falsehoods and half truths.

In the April 19 edition, Random Lengths covered the local end of the backlash against this Republican war on women when we profiled the efforts of Sherry Anne Lear, along with compatriots Nanette Harrison along with core volunteers, Deborah Favorite and Melissa Stephens.

Lear, a San Pedro resident and civil litigation lawyer, noted that her awakening as a women’s rights activist came when she saw colleagues defending Limbaugh after his verbal assault on Fluke. From then on, running skirmishes over abortion rights and personhood legislation across Harbor Area Year in Review/ to p. 6

from p. 3

POC Developer

irregular as well.

“I disagree with that process,” she said.

“But I hope that the one that they have chosen addresses most of the community concerns and will be the vehicle that will allow us to craft the correct filling out of that proposal.”

Smith added that she was encouraged that the two top commissioners had both stressed the need for community involvement. She also pointed out as PCAC co-chair that “we’ve had a lot of experience in doing this and we are ready to serve in that capacity again.”

“The selection team did a good job,” said Sue Castillo, a professional planner who chairs the Planning and Land Use Committee for Central Neighborhood Council, adding that she was “happy to see that they quickly dismissed the concepts that were obvious misfits.”

But she did express some concerns.

“It will take a sharp analysis to convince me that moving the port’s administration offices to Ports O’Call is a good idea,” Castillo said. “They are heavily invested in their current building, which fits them pretty well as far as I can see... Would a new occupant be found for their existing building that would contribute to our downtown, or would this very large building just become another gaping hole in our urban fabric?”

Silber, for one, shares her concerns.

“I’d like to see development that enhances and does not draw from retail traffic to downtown San Pedro,” he added.

“I have similar reservations about the boutique hotel and conference center,” Castillo continued. “I don’t doubt that it could generate financial returns in Ports O’Call, but I fear that its success be at the expense of our downtown Crown Plaza Hotel and its conference spaces.

We cannot afford that!” continued on following page

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Silber, on the other hand, felt that a boutique hotel would be too little, rather than too much.

“I’d like to see a large hotel, not a boutique hotel on the waterfront,” Silber said. “We have a shortage of hotel rooms in San Pedro...When you want to attract a large convention or a conference, you can’t because there aren’t enough rooms for it.

“I’d like to see something big. I’d like to see something tall, that is kind of a beacon or landmark that you can see from miles away, and think, ‘Oh yeah, that’s on San Pedro’s waterfront,’” he elaborated. “Whether that ever comes to be, I doubt very much, because it requires vision and imagination.”

Doug Epperhart, who was involved with Long Beach development in the 1980s and 90s, understands these objections, but says they don’t fully take into account how successful development actually works.

“If you’re a good developer you don’t come in to steal business. You come in with the idea that it’s a growing market,” said Epperhart to allay Castillo’s concerns.

On the other hand, he doesn’t see competing with Long Beach’s convention business as a viable alternative, either.

“You are never going to compete with Long Beach, Long Beach is a different animal,” he said. “They have an

arena, they have tons and tons of convention space.

They have full-blown theaters available. All of that across the street, literally, from a lot of hotel rooms.

You’re not going to have a single entity, facility that’s going to, in any way shape or form, compete with Long Beach.

“Unique works a lot better than modelling off of somebody else,” he concluded.

And, that’s exactly the main thrust of the Urban Land Institute study that community leaders have repeatedly referred to—and that, encouragingly, port staff also highlighted in talking to potential developers.

Which brings us back to the boutique hotel concept, and how to best integrate it into a complete compelling package that synergizes well with the rest of the waterfront—and with downtown as well.

A museum component—perhaps an annex to the Cabrillo Aquarium, Epperhart suggested—could synergize with the Maritime Museum and be a better nonprofit presence than relocating POLA’s headquarters, for example.

Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that community members have plenty of ideas, as well as important questions that need answering.

“Now is the time for people to really weigh in

with what they want,” Nave said, “If there’s anything I would say it’s the importance of people following the public process and being involved in it.”

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as being in keeping with the surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, it ignores the shortfall in San Pedro for singlefamily homes.

The proposed project is not a good fit for the location. It is not in a transited oriented area. The gated community and mix of housing types are not appropriate.

The DEIR does not adequately consider the alternatives.

Random Lengths will continue Ponte Vista coverage in our next issue.

East Coast Ports Contracts Extended to Jan. 28

A 30-day extension on the contract between International Longshoremen’s Association and the East Coast Ports was reached Dec. 28, to give more time to come up with a better contract and avert a strike.

The two sides are still far apart on container royalties and guaranteed hours. The association wants to keep the same arrangement as in the last contract, while the U.S. Maritime Association wants to put a cash ceiling on how much money is put into the Container Royalty Fund for current longshore workers and ultimately end the Container Royalty Fund altogether in 25 years.

The Container Royalty Fund was created to make up for the jobs lost due to the onset of containerization.

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Harbor Area Year in Review the country popped up on her radar constantly.

Though Obama was elected, a number of states succeeded in defunding Planned Parenthood, even though it hurt their state’s efforts in providing basic health care needs. Other states have succeeded in passing legislation banning abortions after 19 weeks.

Labor on the Move

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January 11 - 24, 2013

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

wenty-twelve was an up and down year for the labor movement.

At the beginning of the year, the movement still had the momentum gained after Gov. Scott Walker bum-rushed a bill that ended public employees’ right to collective bargaining 16 months previously. Thousands of union folk and every day citizens marched on the capital in demonstration of their displeasure.

Walker and several state senators quickly found themselves on the recall chopping block.

But in June, the recall failed and the measures stuck, leading pundits to believe this would embolden other states to alter public employees collective bargaining rights.

Disappointed but undaunted, labor organizers regrouped by connecting and assisting allies.

The ILWU called out Clean Harbors for the damages they’ve caused to the environment, as well as the fact they don’t use ILWU labor.

On July 20, ILWU Local 56 Scalers Union and other labor demonstrators hosted a press conference outside the Clean Harbors Environmental Services LLC facilities as a warning to clean up their act.

A long history of environmental violations

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trail the Massachusetts-based environmental services company, ranging from the Department of Toxic Substances Control, California Air Resources Board and the state’s Water Resources Board.

“We’re here to warn the Harbor community that Clean Harbors has a spotty record when it comes to protecting workers and the public,” said Ruben Hurtado, business agent and dispatcher at Local 56.

On Aug. 11, Warehouse 52 – 57, in San Pedro, was filled with classic cars, inflatable jumpers, carnival games and face painting. The event included a stage for live music performances as well as food and lemonade stands.

Like dozens of similar events across the country, between late July and August, this event was in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a nonprofit organization committed to raising money for childhood cancer research. This was also the ILWU’s first of what will be an annual “Walk the Coast” fundraiser for the anti-cancer nonprofit organization.

The pediatric cancer charity was named for Alexandra Scott, who developed childhood cancer only days before reaching her first birthday.

Alex was afflicted with neural blastoma, a common infant cancer that grows out of immature nerves. More than 90 percent of those diagnosed with the cancer are younger than 5. Alex never went into remission despite going from one treatment to the next.

On July 28, Wilmington residents, the ILWU, elected officials and the family of Labor icon Harry Bridges celebrated his life with the grand

The ILWU Local 56 Scalers Union and other labor demonstrators held a press conference outside the Clean Harbors Environmental Services facilities on July 20, 2012, highlighting the environmental cleanup company’s record. File photo.

opening of the Harry Bridges Span School. The school was a long time in the making, but one of the ultimate messages that was delivered during the ceremony was the importance of teaching the upcoming generation about labor history and culture. The other message delivered was the importance of vocational training and education as an alternative to universities.

In April 2012, Toll Group truck drivers voted 45 to 15 to unionize under the Teamsters Union, capping a yearlong effort to get recognition and improve working conditions.

Toll Group is a global Australian-based logistics company with a Wilmington distribution yard. The company handles brand-name fashion imports in Los Angeles to Long Beach.

Employers across industries, like Toll Group, misclassify their employees as independent contractors to cut costs and avoid paying taxes. The result of this misclassification is that these disguised employees are left outside the protection of most labor and employment laws.

The Obama administration has been cracking down on misclassification. On the state level in California, Senate Bill 459 was implemented.

This levies fines on employers that willfully misclassify their workers.

On May 22, the Long Beach City Council voted 8–0 to put the proposed hotel worker’s living wage ordinance on the November ballot, which overwhelmingly passed. Shortly afterward, some workers complained of retaliation by the hotels, when they were laid off in mass.

If the June primary result knocked the wind out from labor, then the fight against Proposition 32 and the mobilization of the nationwide Black Friday walkout on Walmart brought labor back in the swing of things. Obama’s re-election and win of Prop. 30 and defeat of Prop. 32, were just the preliminary signs that the labor movement was undaunted by the year’s earlier set backs.

Near the year’s end, the Office Clerical Unit of the ILWU, in a 8-day strike shut down the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to spur stalled contract negotiations. The strike was widely considered a test run on the larger fight of industry practice of outsourcing jobs to non-union labor.

And, if that weren’t enough, the nearly 80year-old union has thrown down the gauntlet in its battle against the international grain conglomerate, Export Grain Terminal rejecting their best and final offer in contract negotiations by 98 percent.

Not surprisingly, considering the grain terminal was requesting about 750 changes to a contract that’s stood for three quarters of a century.

This came during the same time frame as when

Longshore workers in the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard threatened to go on strike to kick-start stalled contract negotiations. In both the Pacific Northwest and the East and Gulf Coast ports, the union pushed for more negotiations by either extending previous contract or choosing the use strike vote as an option of very last resort.

Occupy Rhetoric of the 99 Percent Effects National Conversation

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t the start of 2012, Random Lengths’ Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg marked the 10th anniversary of George W. Bush’s signing of the “No Child Left Behind” education “reform” with his coverage of Diane Ravitch’s lecture on her 2010 bestseller The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. In that lecture, she repeatedly contrasted the humanistic calling of education with the soulless approach of corporate reformers, ultimately invoking the Occupy framework of the 99% vs. the 1%.

But it wasn’t just the inequity in access to quality education that was viewed with this lens, the pay of state college presidents was affected as well. In August 2011, California State University Board of Trustees approved a 25 percent salary increase sparking a firestorm that led to reform of CSU presidents’ pay. The new CSU President Midlred Garcia (formerly of Cal State University at Dominguez Hills) and CSU East Bay president Leroy Morishita were the first to be affected.

At the local level, K-12 school districts were getting ready to sacrifice adult education to make up for the shortfalls caused by the state’s budget crisis. Citywide, students mobilized against the district to prevent the cuts. Ultimately adult education was spared, at least in part. Schools got a further boost when the Gov. Jerry Brown got Prop. 30 on the ballot and got it passed in the November election. The measure raised taxes to restore monies cut from education, as well as to pay for other priorities for the several years that follow.

San Pedro Development and Evolving Identity

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n the development front, 2012 was a year where many forward steps were taken while changes on how we initiate these developments were dismantled. As San Pedro continued transforming itself, bits of San continued on following page

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Pedro’s past rose to the surface. In March, a 40pound slab of fine polished granite engraved with the words, “San Pedro City Hall 1907.” This was one of several such plaques found at a Lomita dumpsite. Before the discovery, few knew that San Pedro had more than two City Hall buildings in its history.

A search of archived records at the San Pedro Historical Society indicates five or six and maybe more Old Town granite placards that have been uncovered in old landfills such as Fayal Valley and Stingaree Gulch in north San Pedro. That’s a good country mile from where the relic dated 1907 was unearthed, near the corner of North Gaffey and Gatun streets in March.

Random Lengths News reporter Art Vinsel searched archived records at the San Pedro Historical Society that indicate five or six and maybe more Old Town granite placards that have been uncovered in old landfills such as Fayal Valley and Stingaree Gulch in north San Pedro.

As San Pedro continues its transformation process, news items such as these tend to force locals to reassess its identity as a community.

Occasionally, San Pedro attracts attention from the outside, sparking the imagination of writers, artists and journalists, leaving San Pedro’s identity to be shaped by outsiders, from Joseph Wambaugh’s new police thriller, Harbor Noc-

In July, the Cevapcici festival was off and so was San Pedro’s designation as a “destination spot” in Southern California AAA travel magazine, Westways.

This past year, the Taste in San Pedro was canceled, though the official terminology from the sponsoring San Pedro Chamber of Commerce was “indefinite postponement.” What we did see was the arrival of the USS Iowa Left, the USS Iowa’s arrival was greeted by thousands. A month after its and the opening of CRAFTED arrival, the USS Iowa was receiving 10,000 visitors per week and has in old port Warehouses 9 and maintained a steady stream of visitors since. Photo: Terelle Jerricks.

Above, CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles opened in August. Though 10. Each achieved moderate to it hasn’t yet met expectations set before it launched, it has reached a great success, but neither has certain equilibrium with its 75 vendors and steady stream visitors that met expectations. Then again, may grow as CRAFTED evolves. File photo. the removal of some and returne, about a recovering Croatian longshoreman ducing of other parking meters in downtown Pedro to the San Pedro Squeeze Accordion Festival at that occurred this past year hasn’t really fulfilled the Grand Performances, of which none of the hopes. The USS Iowa has drawn thousands of visiaccordion players had anything to do with San tors, but downtown Pedro businesses have comPedro. plained they haven’t seen the resulting increase in When San Pedro isn’t being defined by non- foot traffic they’d hoped for. While attendance has locals, it seems that locals aren’t making the most been steady at CRAFTED since it’s August 2012 of the opportunities that fall in to their lap. launch, the crafts venue has not been able to attract

the 100-plus vendors they were trumpeting in the months before the opening, attracting instead no more than 75 vendors.

And, if it wasn’t missed opportunities, there were moments of confusion of what we want to be. The presence of gourmet food trucks at San Pedro’s First Thursday event is one example.

“Is it an artwalk or is it a food truck festival?”

The Other Side of 2012/ to p. 17

The Local Publication You Actually Read January 11 - 24, 2013

7

A Year of Passings Discovering who is the oldest person at the table and still trying to find the meaning of X James Preston Allen, Publisher

It has been a year of “sad passings,” we like to say. It’s a euphemism we use because of our difficulty in talking about death. And, 2012 seems to have had a significant amount of that, from the great and famous to the innocent and humble and close to home. Many friends and even my own family have lost dear loved ones this past year. I just wish we had some other form of social greeting other than, “Happy New Year” when there is this sense of loss. Happy isn’t quite what I’m feeling. Perhaps, “Glad it’s over,” could be used instead.

Still, we have to move on, grief and all. It helps to share your grief.

Perhaps with all of the high profile killings that have occurred lately, we should just declare a national week of mourning and get it all out. Even now, just reading this it would be appropriate to leave some space for a moment of silence for those who have gone before us.

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

But one of the things that happens when the elder matriarch or patriarch dies, at least it has in my family, is that you start to look around the table to see who is left and who is the oldest.

The cold days of winter don’t seem to make it any easier. Shaving in the mirror, I look at myself and think that just a while ago, I was 30 years old and suddenly I look around and I’m one of the elders. I’m not sure I’m that much wiser, but I do have a much greater context to work from. It is often said that people get better with age, kind of like fine wine or a good Scotch. But one of my readers put it like this, “You don’t get better with age. You just become more.” Meaning you just become more of whatever it was you were before and, I think that rings true.

So you know you are getting older when your children are reading in history books about events that you actually remember living through. You know that you are getting older when you spend a significant amount of your social time attending funerals, memorials and wakes, as opposed to birthday parties and rock concerts.

And, you know you are getting old when you look around a meeting table and realize that everyone else is younger than you. But I refuse to ever get so old as to not raise hell when I believe an injustice has occurred. And I refuse to lay off on the next generation ei-

ther the blame or responsibility for righting the wrongs of mine or my parents’ generation. For I don’t think that the next generation is any better or lesser equipped to deconstruct the problems of mankind or their own community than we were, no matter how digitally connected, social-media networked or how good their test scores may be. None of the global access to information in this new age makes anyone in particular better at solving problems or curing any malaise of mankind.

None of the new technology has made life any simpler—just faster.

Fast is convenient, but not always better. In our instantaneous world of news and fast food there’s plenty of room for corruption and errors. Efficiency of time doesn’t always bring quality. And even though we’d like our government to act quickly, especially in a crisis, we’d all like to have great decisions made with a certain quality of due process, like considering the effects of an environmental impact report or a court verdict on a persons life or the liberties we give up in the Patriot Act or the closure of our local courthouse. Even automated trading on Wall Street using sophisticated algorithms to conduct millions of electronic trades hourly has become its own kind of curse and caused some very “rational” fast catastrophes.

In fact, making things faster really seems to only work in scientific research, like using particle colliders to discover the elusive sub-atomic Higgs Boson particle, or figuring out how to send a rocket to Mars, or getting your cell phone to work better, which by the way doesn’t actually helps us communicate any better with each other.

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve had the meanings of digital messages mistaken by recipients. However, discovering the X factor, or the unknown, is more than an American Idol exercise in celebrity creation.

How do we discover what we don’t know?

When we stop being curious about what we don’t know… When we stop trying to solve the problem for X… And when we stop applying what we learn to solve the next problem, that’s when we’ve truly become too old.

And there’s a lot of people I’ve known for years, who are much younger than I, who have been too old for a very long time. Stay curious, but slow down to mourn. Glad this one is over!

January 11 - 24, 2013

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

8

“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. XXXIV : No. 1

Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya info@graphictouchdesigns.com Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com

Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communi- Assistant Editor Zamná Ávila ties of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, reportersdesk@randomlengthsnews.com Carson and Long Beach. Distributed at over 350 locations Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg throughout the seven cities of the Harbor Area.

www.randomlengthsnews.com

Vague $8.5 Billion Settlement Replaces Foreclosure Review

By Paul Kiel, ProPublica

The Independent Foreclosure Review was supposed to be a full and fair investigation of the big banks’ foreclosure abuses, and it was trumpeted as the government’s largest effort to compensate victimized home owners. Federal regulators, who designed the review, forced banks to spend billions to carry it out. Millions of home owners were eligible and hundreds of thousands submitted claims. But Monday morning, the very regulators who launched the program 18 months ago announced that it had all been a massive mistake and shut it down.

Instead, 10 banks have agreed to pay a total of $3.3 billion in cash to the 3.8 million borrowers who had been eligible for the review. That’s an average of around $870 per borrower. But typical of a process that’s been characterized by confusion, delays and secrecy, regulators said the details of how the money will be doled out were not yet available.

The headline number for the settlement is $8.5 billion, but that includes $5.2 billion in “credits” the banks will receive for actions they take to avoid foreclosures, such as providing loan modifications. That’s very similar to the separate $25 billion settlement reached this past year between five banks, 49 states and the federal government. That settlement has been criticized for awarding credit to banks for things they were already doing.

Columnists/Reporters Lyn Jensen Carson B. Noel Barr Music Dude John Farrell Curtain Call Gretchen Williams Entrée Andrea Serna Arts Writer Malina Paris Culture Writer Kevin Walker Community News Tami Jackson Community News Calendar 14days@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Terelle Jerricks, Diana Lejins, Betty Guevarra Contributors Danny Simon, Arthur R. Vinsel, Paul Kiel

Cartoonists Ann Cleaves, Andy Singer, Matt Wuerker Advertising Production Mathew Highland, Suzanne Matsumiya Advertising Representatives Mathew Highland, Chad Whitney reads@randomlengthsnews.com adv@randomlengthsnews.com Editorial Intern Joseph Barould Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 www.randomlengthsnews.com

Officials from Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, one of the federal regulators that ran the review and negotiated the new settlement, did not say how they arrived at the $3.3 billion in cash. Pressed on this question during a conference call with reporters on Monday, an official would only say, “The best way to think about that is that it was a negotiated amount. It represents an acceleration of payments to consumers that results in more consumers getting more money in a much quicker time frame.”

Critics had assailed the original review since it was launched. Regulators required each bank to hire an “independent” consultant to review the case of each eligible homeowner, evaluate if the bank had committed errors or abuses and, if so, determine how much money, up to $125,000, that the bank would have to pay the borrower.

But those consultants turned out to be companies that had other contracts with the banks and so relied on them for business, causing consumer advocates and some members of Congress, among others, to question how independent the consultants could be. Fueling suspicion was the fact that many details of how the banks and the consultants actually worked together were kept secret. Last year, ProPublica published a series of articles revealing that the banks’ own emcontinued on following page

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 adv@randomelengthsnews.com or reads@ randomlengthsnews.com.

Extra copies and back issues are available by mail for $3 per copy while supplies last. Subscriptions are available for $35 per year for 27 issues.

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 2012 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.

RANDOMLetters POC Development

Wake up San Pedro—the latest from the Port staff is they have decided WHO they want for POC development. The McArthur Glen Group I guess was too good for San Pedro. This group has outlets in Florence, Rome, Naples, Milan, London, Athens— just to mention a few. Look them up on your computer and see what the Port does not want us to have. What an asset this would be for San Pedro and would put us on the map.

How sad and then they wonder why no one wants to spend much time here.

Joyce Hall San Pedro

Regarding “At Length”

I marvel at your skills in writing and try to collect and save your articles.

I aspire to be a writer myself.

I am jealous of your intellectual competence in the responses you give in Random Lengths.

What troubles me about this

Community Alert

Clean Water Public Hearing

Settlement

ployees were heavily involved in the supposedly independent review, calling into question its fundamental integrity.

Regulators dumped the review and struck a deal for two main reasons, Office of the Controller of the Currency officials said on the Monday conference call with journalists. The officials spoke on the condition they not be named.

First, they said, the reviews had taken far too much time.

That was great news for the consultants that had been hired by the banks to conduct the reviews, because the banks have paid them more than $1.5 billion. But all that work has not resulted in a single payment to

I liked the small article on Ports O’ Call in the Dec. 14 Issue, it brought back many memories.

Ports O’ Call for me was the place my grandfather would walk me to get ice cream on the ferry boat and watch a puppet show, an arcade where you went with your older brother to play pinball and the place you went to buy your mother a Mother’s Day gift. For many of my friends it was where you went for your first job.

As I grew older and Ports O’ Call went into its great decline I would learn in my travels through the city of Los Angeles that Ports O’ Call was a weekend destination for many family’s all over the city.

People would go to look at the in-

teresting shops, and buy fresh seafood to eat there or to take home.

I hope the Port of Los Angeles takes all of these things into consideration when rebuilding Ports O’ Call, the new Ports O’ Call, like the old one should be a destination for every one in Los Angeles, a Port of Call.

Joe Bucci San Pedro

On the Passing of Huell Howser

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa issued the following statement regarding the passing of KCET-TV personality Huell Howser: I’m saddened to hear of the death of my friend Huell Howser, a Los Angeles treasure and California

icon.

Although he was originally from Tennessee, Huell loved California more than most natives. His long-running television program, California’s Gold, shared with audiences the best our state has to offer. Huell would travel anywhere to show viewers the beauty and variety of the Golden State, from its most famous landmarks to the least known sights. And his boundless enthusiasm and curiosity was infectious, making us all see these places with the same amazement he did.

His death is a loss that will be felt throughout Los Angeles and California. He will be greatly missed.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Los Angeles

Response to “A Hunter’s Perspective”

I was shocked to see an opinion piece from a hunter in a progressive publication like Random Lengths. And, I’ll wager that what he said didn’t win any hearts and minds. In the many years since I swore off any consumption/use of animals and animal products, I’ve not been able to understand the mind of hunters. Sure, I appreciate that folks who live at a subsistence level will kill an animal to survive.

But, what I’ve heard about such people—particularly those who are indigenous—is that they take only what they need and give thanks to the animal for its sacrifice. You don’t see them writing columns in newspapers to justify wanton killing and they don’t pose in pictures with their trophies.

Sandrita Mason

a borrower.

Second, months and perhaps years from now, when the consultants finally finished their work, most borrowers still would not have received compensation. The officials said only 6.5 percent of the case reviews completed so far had produced evidence of harm to the borrower.

Given the flaws in the review, it’s questionable whether that rate is “remotely accurate,” said Alys Cohen of the National Consumer Law Center.

“Because the reviews were flawed,” she said, “basing a total settlement number on them would grossly understate the harm and really be an abdication of responsibility on the part of regulators.”

January 11 - 24, 2013

The public hearing will take place at: Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 500 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Details: (800) 218-0018; www.

LACountyCleanWater.org

from previous page

Recalling POC

The Local Publication You Actually Read

The Los Angeles County Flood Control District is hosting a public hearing to consider a proposed clean water and clean beaches measure, at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 15, at the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room in Los Angeles.

The Board of Supervisors will receive oral and written testimony about the proposed clean water free.

Any property owner may testify or file a written protest with the Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors before or at the end of the hearing. A written protest must identify the parcel address and assessor’s parcel number, and must be signed by the owner or authorized representative.

The Board of Supervisors may continue the hearing to a future date. If the board has not received written protests against the fee by a majority of property owners before the end of the public hearing, it may authorize an election to approve the fee.

Protest forms may be mailed to: Executive Officer Board of Supervisors, P.O. Box 866006, Los Angeles, CA 90086.

Or hand delivered to: Executive Officer, Board of Supervisors, Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St., Room 383, Los Angeles, CA 90012

article you wrote was your quoting President Franklin Roosevelt on “the Second Bill of Rights.”

The President then must have been drawing on the principles that all men are created equal in that they posses the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I don’t think he was implying “you go left and I will go right”, or “that’s right and you’re wrong”.

What then is a human right? A right to life means no one should take from you your life, and Liberty your freedom. It also implies one can not take another’s life. It also implies the right to defend one’s life and liberty. Note, that it does not require other to do anything other than in a negative way “don’t tread on me.” The right to the activity such as a free press or freedom to worship or not to believe, places no burden on another person.

However, in your article I was not sure what you believe is a human right? Do jobs, homes, medical aid, food and property come to person with out the productive effort of another person? Do not these things have to be produced by someone? And if you had a right to it, would that not mean, it must be provided to you. Can this be possible that one does not have to work for it … it must be provided by others. This unrealistic idea, like in the Communistic Philosophy would it not lead to the enslavement of all mankind if we can get the populous to believe they are entitled?

The Founding Fathers made it clear, that you have a right to the pursuit of these needs and one would have to work, negotiate, trade and produce what we need to live. The right to life implies the right to the pursuit of property.

The right to life and liberty would not be possible with out the right to pursue the private ownership of property. Yet this is the first thing the Communist Manifesto and Socialist believe, that all property is theft. We work, we purchase food.

The implied contract is solid, and just. Now eat my food, was the property of the government and it is only on their permission you

can use it. A system of control used some 3 million years ago called Hydraulic Despotisms. Are we not going in that direction?

Was President Roosevelt wrong? Yea, but I think he wanted to express the humanitarian beliefs that we should help others survive.

Unfortunately real wealth is created by the productive effort of people who are free to produce in a Country that protects contractual rights; it does not come from the Federal Treasury Printing Press. I do hope enough people wake up to the truth of what is going on.

While I have your attention wishing you the best in the New Year & my regard to the whole staff that produces Random Lengths, Happy New Year to All. By the way, have you heard the “Theory of the Stolen Concept?”

An educator Nathaniel Brandon wrote that the statement “all property is theft” is a logical contradiction. The idea that the ownership of property makes possible the concept of theft, if no property ownership existed whence comes a concept of theft? It could not exist, because it genetically depends on the concept property that it tries to steal.

A recommended read is the book “Objectivist Epistemology”

by Ayn Rand.

Salvador Cassano Moreno Valley

9

The Extinguished Lights of 2012 We lost a number of trailblazers, standard bearers and legends in 2012.

Though their stars have faded from view, the legacies they left behind will continue shine.

Jenni Rivera

July 2, 1969 – Dec. 10, 2012 Born in Long Beach, Jenny Dolores Rivera Saavedra became an icon of banda and norteña music in the United States and Mexico.

The mother of five and grandmother of two, died in plane crash along with six others, about 60 miles from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Her songs reflected social issues and her personal struggles.

She was a supporter of immigrant and women’s rights issues.

Gwendolyn “Cindy” Rutherford

John Retsek

July 4, 1937-Nov. 1, 2012 San Pedro resident, creator KPFK’s The Car Show and longtime KCET producer.

Jan. 9, 1945 – Oct. 11, 2012 Former Los Angeles Unified School District board member and president of the Coro Foundation, John Greenwood, died of a heart attack in his sleep.

Greenwood served 8 years as an LAUSD trustee and was known as the founding president of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council. He also served as president of the Gang Alternatives Program

Harold Plople

Geoff Agisim

June 13, 1946 – Oct. 10, 2012 San Pedro sea chantey master Geoff Agisim lay down his banjo at the age of 66, after rejecting the treatment rigors of a late stage of pancreatic cancer.

He hit San Pedro in 1967 with a banjo and a head full of tunes and humor, staying convinced of the good that street performers do for people.

Mervyn Dymally

May 12, 1926 – Oct.7, 2012 Dymally, of mixed Indo-Trinidadian and Afro-Trinidadian heritage, was the first Trinidadian to serve California as state senator and lieutenant governor.

Lee M Anderson

Oct. 4, 1924 - Sept. 24, 2012 Longtime political insider in local and state politics and widow of the late Congressman Glenn Anderson.

Occupy Fights Foreclosure Float at the Rose Parade

Al Kaye

Alexander Cockburn

June 6, 1941 – July 21, 2012 A radical journalist who wrote for The Nation and the Village Voice, and co-founded the political newsletter CounterPunch.

Helen Frances Stark Allen

March 2, 1914 – March 24, 2012 Born near Stevensville, Mont., Helen Frances Stark Allen’s Family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression.

In 1968, she helped the first black family purchase a home in the then-all white Rolling Hills Estates.

Stark Allen reared four children, became director of the Palos Verdes Coop Nursery School, a founding

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area January 11 - 24, 2013

John Royal

June 24, 1922 – Feb. 8, 2012 John Royal served as a Merchant Marine during World War II and became a member of the Fisherman’s Union Local 33 ILWU in 1946. In 1957, he was elected executive secretary-treasurer of the union, a position he maintained until August, 1995.

He fought vigorously for the rights of the fishing industry. Other posts he held included president of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission.

Operation New Dawn

Long Beach

Total Deaths: 66 Killed in Action: 38

728 California War Dead: Los Angeles and Harbor Area War Dead: 52 Los Angeles

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner, left, officially swore in Rep. Janice Hahn on Jan. 3 in Washington, D.C., as the representative for California’s new 44th Congressional District in the 113th Congress. File photo.

Feb. 7, 1928 – Feb. 9, 2012 “Cheerful” Al was a fixture in downtown San Pedro as owner of San Pedro’s Union Surplus store.

Operation Enduring Freedom Total Deaths: 2,165 Killed in Action:1,715

Janice Hahn is Sworn in for 44th Congressional District

Al Kaye

Sims, Kafele H., June 16, 2009 Tello, Jhanner A., Dec. 10, 2009 Villanueva, Joselito O., Sept. 27, 2004 Young, Christopher D., March 2, 2007

Total Deaths: 4,422 Killed in Action: 3,489

OFF started the year 2013 by marching and chanting at the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena with "Giant Mr. Monopoly Man" on a wagon on the 5-mile route following the Parade. Occupy Los Angeles organizer, Carlos Marroquin said that the reason for marching at the Rose Parade is not only to protest illegal foreclosure practices of the major banks but also to create public awareness and spread the word about banks' fraudulent actions.

Sept. 24, 1947 – March 15, 2012 San Pedro artist Harold Plople succumbed to his battle with cancer.

Plople, a Vietnam veteran who also battled with mental illness, addiction and homelessness, was known as right, witty and clever. His peers saw his most recent curated work, American Characters in 2011, as an incredible breakthrough in comparison to his earlier work.

Though there was only one casualty from the war in Afghanistan in 2012, we still remember the sacrifices made by hundreds of others in the past 10 years of President George W. Bush’s wars in the Middle East. Below are the names of the fallen.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

10

John Retsek

member the Peninsula Democratic Club and the Pacific Unitarian Church.

Geoff Agisim

Feb. 27, 1946 – Nov. 8, 2012 Born one of 14 children in Birmingham, Ala., Gwendolyn “Cindy” Rutherford was widely known for her spunk and humor.

The owner of Century Motorcycle, a San Pedro business founded by her grandfather “Wild Bill” Cottom, lost her battle against ovarian cancer after two years fighting the disease, at the age of 66.

John Greenwood

Harold Plople

Ayres III, Robert “Bobby” T., Sept. 29, 2007 Barnes, Rocco M., June 4, 2009 Carrillo, Alejandro, January 30, 2007 Catalan, Romel, June 2, 2007 Curreri, Joseph F., Oct. 27, 2007 Figueroa, Luis A., Nov. 18, 2004 Gagarin, Greg P., June 3, 2007 Garcia-Arana, Juan de Dios, April 30, 2005 Gonzalez, Benjamin R., May 29, 2004 Hizon, Rudolph R., February 28, 2011 Lopez, Edgar Edelberto, Aug. 28, 2004 Lu, Victor R., Nov. 13, 2004 Marshall, John W., April 08, 2003 Martinez-Luis, Trinidad R., Nov. 28, 2004 Menyweather, Eddie E., Nov. 23, 2003 Monzon Jr., Milton M., July 24, 2005 Muy, Veashna, June 23, 2005 Nason, Christopher G., Nov. 23, 2003 Nunez, David, May 29, 2008 Pena Medina, Abraham D., April 27, 2004 Perez, Geoffrey, Aug. 15, 2004 Pineda, Carlos , June 24, 2005 Razani, Omead H., Aug. 27, 2004 Regalado, Jose, Nov.12, 2008 Sandoval-Flores, Felipe D., April 02, 2006

Castellano, Stephen A., Jan. 28, 2005 Collins, Randy D., May 24, 2005 Davis Jr., Anthony J., April 23, 2005 Garcia, Israel, July 13, 2008 Guerra, Ernesto R., July 29, 2005 Harvell, Andrew W., Aug. 6, 2011 Hutchison, Steven Long Beach May 10, 2009 Macpherson, Thomas R., Oct. 12, 2012 Marcus Jr., Lyndon A., May 3, 2004 Martinez Salazar, Roberto L., Feb. 4, 2006 Sunsin-Pineda, Astor A., May 2, 2007 Toomalatai, David T., Jan. 27, 2007 Torres, George D., April 11, 2004 Whitaker, Joshua R., May 15, 2007

Carson

Cagle, Daniel P., May 23, 2007

Lomita

Diaz Varela, Sergio R., Nov. 24, 2004 Gutierrez, Jose, March 21, 2003

Harbor City

Cazarez, Roberto, March 30, 2012

Torrance

Anzack Jr., Joseph J., May 23, 2007 Daclan Jr., Edgar P., Sept. 10, 2004 Ferrara, Matthew C., Nov. 9, 2007 Roque, Lester G., Nov. 10, 2007 Wood, Brian M., April 16, 2004

by: B. Noel Barr, Contributing Writer

L

in trailers, is breathtaking. The pain and agony of Jean Valjean, Fantine and the wasted youth offering themselves up for a higher cause speaks volumes.

The score and the supporting singers are beyond reproach. The addition of the original Valjean, Colm Wlikinson, playing the priest who changes our hero’s fate, adds tons of credibility to the piece.

In the end, this is the story of a common man. It is the willingness of this Jean Valjean to rise and meet his destiny with all the tragic twists and turns of great literature.

Tom Hooper’s Les Miserables, I think, might have made Victor Hugo proud. By not having the best singers in the world perform, he may have made a movie for everybody. If you have seen the musical on stage or have listened to it all quite frequently for over 20 years, as I have, then there may be some disappointment.

This musical was something that was an intimate part of my life with my children. It was Les Miz Continued on page 16.

January 11 – 24, 2013 January 11 – 24, 2013

es Miserables, the new musical film about the Victor Hugo’s classic, is a story of Hollywood, theater and the common man.

This has to be the greatest musical to date put to film. The acting, particularly that of Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway is stellar in so many ways. The mental and physical investment of these two actors is beyond reproach. Russell Crowe as the nemesis Javert, in this tale is stoic, reserved and very subtly filled with rage. The supporting actors Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter played to the film, not to the musical.

This is the blessing and the curse of the entire project. On one hand, we have a film that stands to be one the most innovative of its kind made to date. On the other, the producers missed the boat completely. You see this musical theater hit is played to a live audience and invites the people onto the stage of 19th century Paris. Les Miserables is operatic in nature. This is a production of full-voiced singing, not the nuanced styles of pop singing.

The medium of film in and of itself is intimate and does not call for the characters to be as over the top in film as they would be on stage.

There lies the problem.

Jackman, who has had musical theater experience but does not have the vocal chops of everyone else, played the part of Jean Valjean and saves himself through his acting. Though his singing comes out of his acting, the emotions there carry the day in the end.

Anne Hathaway, who is a trained Soprano and theater actor, is the best of this star powered cast. She delivers a riveting performance, which should garner her an Academy Award nomination.

Then there is Russell Crowe, acting-wise he plays the part as he should. Here he plays to the film, instead of the musical. Nevertheless, he cannot sing his part, which is normally played by a baritone. He sings like a second level Aussie rocker, which is what he is. Thankfully, he is a much better actor and in his final scenes, the rage and emotion come out.

For years I have listened to Les Miserables. I cannot get through the first few minutes without weeping. I questioned whether I could physically stand seeing this in the movies.

I did and I loved it. It was this marvelous story come to life. The grit and the reality of Paris in the 19th century transport’s you in this film. The opening scene, which is shown

ACE: Arts • Culture • Entertainment Support Your Community. Shop Local.

Les Miserables: A Film Review

11 11

Entertainment

• Happy Hour •

January 11

Blu Bar at Crowne Plaza • $4 Drinks and half off appetizers. (310) 519-8200, 601 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro

Louie Cruz Beltran The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation: Studio Cabaret Series presents Louie Cruz Beltran, Jan. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be available from the Red Car Brewery. Louie Cruz Beltran and his ensemble perform a variety of music from Brazilian style to Afro-Cuban rhythms. Tickets go on sale for $30 and $27.

Details: (310) 781-7171; www.louisecruzbeltran. com Venue: George Nakano Theatre Location: 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance

January 12

Eric Sardinas American blues-rock slide guitarist, Eric Sardinas, will be performing live at Harvelle’s, Jan. 12 at 9:30 p.m. Eric is known for his electrical guitar and his passionate on-stage performances.

Tickets are $12 and no persons under the age of 21 will be allowed to enter due to a two-drink minimum purchase.

Details: (323) 454-1172; www.longbeach.harvelles. com Venue: Harvelle’s Long Beach Location: 201 E. Broadway, Long Beach Richard Sears and Josh Nelson The piano duo, Richard Sears and Josh Nelson, will be performing at Alvas Showroom Jan. 12, at 8 p.m. Sears and Nelson will play tunes from their original composition, as well as familiar jazz ones.

The admission fee is $20.

Details: (800) 403-3447; www.alvasshowroom. com/ Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

January 11 – 24, 2013

Support Your Community. Shop Local!

Calendar continued on page 15.

12

Breakfast at The Barge Weekends 9am Eggs Benedict Best Chowder in the LA Harbor!

Hours: Mon, Tues 11am - 3pm Wed, Thurs 11am - 8pm Fri, Sat, Sun 9am - 8pm

611 N. Henry Ford, Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington 310-830-7937 • www.ChowderBarge.com

The Chowder Barge • Try the 34oz. captain’s mug! (310) 830-7937, 611 N. Henry Ford, Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington Godmother’s Saloon • Live jazz from Mike Guerrero Trio: 7 p.m. every Wed. (310) 833-1589, 302 W. 7th St., San Pedro Iron City Tavern • Happy Hour 1/2-price appetizers & drink specials: 4 to 6 p.m.

Mon. to Fri. 589 W. 9th St., San Pedro; (310) 547-4766 June’s Bar • Happy Hour: Mon. to Fri., 4 to 7 p.m. $1.00 Off drinks. (310) 521-9804, 1100 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro Ports o’ Call • Happy Hour: Mon. to Fri., 3 to 8 p.m. Taco Tuesdays. Oyster shooter & bloody mary Wednesdays. (310) 833-3553, Berth 76 Ports O’ Call Village, San Pedro San Pedro Brewing Co. • Happy Hour: 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Mon. to Fri. (310) 8315663, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro Trusela’s • Happy Hour: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tues. to Sat. (310) 547-0993, 28158 S. Western Ave., San Pedro Whale & Ale • Happy Hour: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mon to Fri., 4 to 7 p.m. on Wed. Late Night Happy Hour: 10 p.m. to Midnight, Fri. Only. (310) 832-0363, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro Happy Hour Listings Are Paid Advertising

The Belgian Trappist:

World Class Classics You Never Tried by: Bobby Trusela of Trusela’s Restaurant

T

he Indian Pale Ales has been dominating the market in popularity, appearing in pubs, breweries, and restaurants almost to the exclusion of everything else. But that’s beginning to change as enthusiasts have begun experimenting with Belgian Trappists ales, driving an underground

popularity of these beers. We’re now beginning to find these beers in places that used to have only Indian Pale Ales on tap. And, the interesting thing about this fact, is that they’re being brewed in Napa Valley, the heart of California’s wine industry.

The Belgian Trappist style has been growing steadily in popularity in recent years, and the brands grown in Napa Valley have begun influencing younger generations of beers in the state.

Orval Trappist beer, Westmalle Tripel, and Rochefort 10 are three examples of this beer.

The Orval has a light firm body with an acidic dry finish. This sort of beer is perfect as a before or after dinner aperitif with its earthy sage flavors.

The wild Belgian yeast brings out the traditional characters and flavors this beer is known for.

The Westmalle Tripel has an orangey gold color with a complex combination of flavors and aromas. It has fruity orange peel taste with spicy coriander sage. It has a relatively high alcohol content of 9.5 percent. This is an amazingly drinkable beer.

One major cool fact of this beer is that it’s brewed by a Catholic order of monks called the Cistercian Trappists. This was a full on lifestyle ingrained in their lifestyle of prayer, community, and work. They contribute the proceeds to rebuild monasteries, communities and other charitable works.

The top fermented ales are generally bottleconditioned, particularly the Trappist beers. A level of technically brewed beer that modern brewers try to match today.

The Rochefort 10 is legendary in beer circles after winning hundreds of competitions over the past few decades. It has been consistently crowd judged online on beer blogs such as ratebeer.com with five stars.

The Rochefort 10 represents the “strong dark” and/or “Quadrupel Belgian “style with its dark Belgian Trappist continued on next page.

Belgian Trappist continued from previous page.

ruby to dark brown coloring with a thick creamy head. There’s a finesse to this beer with its silky smooth mouth feel and rich deep flavors. Dark fruits, coffee, cocoa, classic Belgian yeast, spice notes, and malty sweetness, finishing off creamy. This beer enters the double digit alcohol levels at 11.3 plus percent.

These beers are a must drink from either their official monastery glass, the wide mouth goblet styled mug, or snifter styled brandy glass.

With all the history and culture that is imbued in these beers, I sometimes imagine myself in the dark ages drinking beer from a local monastery from a medieval wide-mouth goblet.

If you’d like to get an idea of what the Belgian Trappist beer taste like, pick up a Belgian or Trappist inspired beer at Trusela’s restaurant, or a fresh brewed version of this style at Monkish Brewery in Torrance.

Angels Gate Goes Into The Wild by: Joseph Baroud, Editorial Intern

Angels Gate presents Into the Wilderness: The Journey Within, from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 27 through April 17, showcasing art that gives you an appreciation for the wilderness.

The galleries are based on the vibrant, yet natural marvel and creativity of the wilderness itself, broadcasting its artwork via multi media and textile media.

Artists Heather Hoggan, Eloisa Guanlao, Mar y Coyne and Keith Rocka Knittel contributed and created the galleries.

Forest, For the Trees, the gallery Heather Hoggan features, is a built environment installation using standard, recycled and unusual materials, responding to the human threat of the destruction of our environment.

This exhibition hopes to portray the wonders and the perils of the forest by creating an environment that is at once unique and

fantastic. You can visit http://tinyurl.com/ heatherhoggan to see some of Heather’s work.

Wilderness Infostructure, presented by Eloisa Guanlao, looks into the attitudes of locals, by setting up a water-truck alongside various food-trucks, conducting water-surveys and giving out maps of local water sources. Her survey results aim to uncover a human impact on the natural distribution and process of the water cycle. After this small seminar, people attending will be able to determine the costs and benefits of water usage in Southern California.

You can find various information on Eloisa, her background and her work at http://tinyurl.com/ eloisaguanlao.

Mary Coyne presents Searchin’: Los Angeles and the Quest for the Sublime. Searchin’ considers critical engagements with the theoretical sublime viewed through academic studies and the artists’ personal journeys. Mary Coyne is a curator from the Los Angeles area.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Southern California.

She is interested in intersections between contemporary art, theory and performance.

Keith Rocka Knittel will be presenting the

Los Angeles National Forest gallery. The Los Angeles National Forest exhibition is constructed from a 7’ x 7’ x 7’ room with a 3’ x 5’ entryway into a planned wilderness. It considers the methodologies of contemporary art, theme restaurants, parks and interior design. With Los Angeles constructed with so many different landscapes intertwining with the desert and what it used to be, what is the natural landscape? Details: http:// keithrocka.com.

Over the course of the next year artist and curators will engage the term wilderness, from multiple perspectives ranging from ecological to introspective in the hopes of considering how our concept of wilderness defines contemporary life, and deciphering between physical and imaginary geographies. The creation of this show was inspired by environmental activist John Muir’s poetic and adventurous outlook on the wilderness.

Details: (310) 519-0936; www.angelsgateart. org.

ACE: Arts • Culture • Entertainment

SUSHI BAR

Japanese Restaurant Sushi Bar 380 W. 6th St. • 832-5585

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL

Jan 27 | 2pm Feb 2 | 8pm Feb 3 | 2pm PHILIP GLASS. One of Edgar Allan Poe’s most unsettling stories. Glass’ haunting and suspenseful music provides the soundscape. Long Beach Opera returns with, “...a journey to the edge of madness.” $160 - $29 www.longbeachopera.org

THE RYAN ROSSI/ ELIZABETH CARTER MEMORIAL CONCERT Feb 9 | 8pm Unite to Fight Blood Cancers presents ONE WORLD, AZURE and ONE TEN SOUTH to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Emcee Jason Love.

Advance: $27 / $20 Door: $30 / $25. experiencesp.com

GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: Bridesmaids (2011)

Feb 15 | 7pm Girls just wanna have fun, right?

Plan a night out once a month with your girlfriends for dinner and a movie.

Tickets $8 Series subscription available— tiramisu & a glass of wine for subscribers. www.brownpapertickets.com

478 W. 6th St. • Historic Downtown San Pedro • 310.548.2493

January 11 – 24, 2013

Jan 18 & 19 | 7:30pm Jan 20 | 2pm Encore Entertainers presents the zany world of Dr. Seuss.

Seussical is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Encore Entertainers is a non-profit corporation dedicated to education in the performing arts. $15 - $20. www.encoreentertainers.org

FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER

13

Family Wagon. File photo.

Family Wagon

Support Your Community. Shop Local!

A SoCal Band Ready to Ignite I

January 11 – 24, 2013

Sunday–Thursday 10am-11pm

Fast Delivery!

14

Fax: 310-732-5804

Friday & Saturday 10am–11:30pm

1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro

310–732–5800

n December, after numerous invitations to check out The Blue Cafe, I heard Family Wagon.

Their music was intense, alive, and powerful. It was rock ‘n’ roll in its youngest and purest form.

In four words: I was blown away.

The San Diego-based band consists of Calen Lucas on vocals, Gareth Moore on bass, Bryan Bangerter on guitar, Jarel Paguio on piano and Steve Serrano on drums. Together just four years now, they bring together blues and funk with some psychedelic sounds and 60s and 70s rock. Quite often they sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, injecting soulful lyrics with eclectic sounds.

In 2012 the band went to Austin, Texas to perform at the esteemed South By Southwest Festival. They performed five shows in four days and have been invited back again this year.

Serrano, the manager and drummer, admires The Band and Spoon and growing up he listened to Led Zeppelin. His drumming comes through powerfully and distinctively.

“We stay with the rock and roll aspect,” Serrano said. “We haven’t gone over into using electronic tracks. One thing I feel about rock and roll music is it’s about the imperfection of it as much as the perfection.”

The band’s name came from a van that Moore lived out of when he was taking a break from

by: Melina Paris, Contributing Music Writer

college, after his freshman year. When he returned, his friends welcomed him with humorous reactions to his adventure.

“I still had the van and another band member remarked, ‘You still have the family wagon,’” Moore recalled. “It stuck. That van’s been with us for a long time.”

Family Wagon’s latest extended play album, Last Drag, is evidence of the group’s diverse elements. Last Drag, which was released this past July, was recorded at The Compound in Long Beach.

The first cut, “Hard Times” has a bluesy undercurrent and soulful organ that carries along the infectious melody. Lucas is believable when he asks: “When did the good sorts become bad? he affirms; I look for love in the hard, hard times, even if it takes me my whole life Don’t lose sight in the hard, hard times.”

Then, there is a stirring female background vocal that’s reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” This song’s hook makes its way into your head and stays there indefinitely. The guitar and bassist Moore’s funky style makes this song live up to it’s lyrical message of not loosing

sight. Moore cites influences as Jimmy Hendrix, Ravi Shankar and The Black Keys. He projects raw high energy and he’s powerful.

Lucas has his own special brand of charisma and his intense stage presence comes naturally.

He has a sweet, clear voice that he can change over into a howl when needed. He was trained in opera, classical music and choir growing up.

Before he started college he sang and listened to Christian rock. Jim Morrison and The Rolling Stones influenced him later in life, both of whom he exudes naturally on stage.

Deeply soulful is the best way to describe keys player Jarel Paguio, unabashedly boogying and bopping at his keyboard. The keys seem to administer an electrical charge that possess his fingers, his arms, his body and his mind. He comes from a music education and jazz piano background in college. Growing up, he listened to a lot of Beatles music and his biggest influences are jazz giants Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson.

Within the title song, “Last Drag,” the lead guitar has a Southern rock sound. Paguio’s organ performance draws out the emotional power that you hear in church music. The result is a melodic story of an on and off again relationship declaring: Family Wagon continued on page 16.

San Pedro rapper, Devin C.A. Carter. File photo.

Devin C.A. Carter has been rapping for

almost a decade. Rapping for Carter first began as a hobby, but later, he developed that pastime into a craft, a paying one at that. With the airwaves and music stores being flooded with albums by people who can’t seem to have enough of themselves and their wealth, Devin hopes to be a refreshing change of trend, focusing on the realities that we face in our day-to-day lives.

I recently sat down with the local San Pedro artist to discuss the background of his music, his motivation and influences.

Joseph Baroud: Give me a little about you and what you do.

C.A.: I go by C.A., San Pedro born and raised.

I used to go by Young Ace at a younger age. I make music, rap, songwriting, just trying to be a good performer for San Pedro. [I] try to be a[n] outspoken voice for a lot of people other than the ballers, for the average individual.

J.B.: What is your reason for creating music?

C.A.: Well, my father used to be a rapper. He [was], actually, one of the first groups signed on

the West Coast, a group called 783, and he helped produce the group Cyprus Hill. So, I guess it is just in my blood. At a young age I just started throwing raps together. I think [in] my first rap, I got mad at a girl in class and I actually wrote a diss song about her and got in trouble for it.

J.B.: Well, yeah, that’s when you usually write your best music, when it’s coming from the heart and you are feeling it at that moment.

C.A.: Hell yeah, pissed off and everything.

So moms saw it and said I could never rap again and that pushed me to be stronger and I’ve been doing it ever since. I started probably putting out mix tapes at age 16, in high school. Pushed them throughout the high school, probably sold a good 200 through San Pedro High. It was a cool little profit, a dro boyz movement.

J.B.: Do you feel your lifestyle literally correlates with your music?

C.A.: Yeah, especially what I’ve been talking about now. I have a project in the past that’s about partying and having a good time and I’m the big dude on campus. But what I’ve been working on now, is I have an EP, and it’s just basically everything that happens around me. From what happen to friends, you know the gang violence out here in San Pedro to us just taking a trip to the coast just to relax, and chillin at Ports O’ Call and getting some good seafood. [I] just try to correlate my whole life and what I’ve been raised on and what I’ve seen in my life and translate it into music and have people see a side on San Pedro that they

might not know about.

J.B.: When you write your music are there any painful memories that come to mind?

C.A.: Uh yeah, I have a friend that passed away, his name was Kyle Pickle. He was always a big supporter. I would have to say, if he was still alive, he would probably be my manager right now because he would just run all over San Pedro like, “You gotta hear my boy rap.” So every time I rap, I make sure I dedicate a lot of time to him and just put the whole movement, my dro boyz movement, which we started together, and make it into a mainstream thing for him. He had to have his life taken at a young age and I always feel bad about that. I wanna be able to get everything in life that he never saw and just do it for him. You know what I mean?

J.B.: That’s right. Well, when do you most feel in your comfort zone when writing and are you always in that zone when you make your music?

C.A.: I have to be just focused. Like I kind of go into another realm and you see me just looking at different images with just a blank stare because all I’m doing is thinking of lyrics. My best comfort zone is a feeling, it’s not really any place I could be. I have to hear a good sound and sometimes, I don’t even hear beats. I just have a melody in my head and I just Unexpected continued on page 16.

Big Drum/Small World With Jazz Reach The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation: Guest Artists Series presents Big Drum/Small World With Jazz Reach, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. This music aims to show how jazz continues to unite us and exemplify our increasingly interdependent world.

This will include performances by recognized jazz composers from places around the world. Tickets will be on sale for $30 and $27.

Details: (310) 781-7171; www.jazzreach.org Venue: James Armstrong Theatre Location: 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance

January 19

Joe La Barbera Quintet Alvas Showroom will host Joe La Barbera and his quintet of jazz musicians, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. La Barbera has enjoyed a long music career and has played with jazz greats along the likes of Bill Evans.

La Barbera has entertained many across the world and now has given you the chance to reap those same rewards. The admission will be $20.

Details: (800) 403-3447; www.alvasshowroom. com/ Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

January 20

Continuum - Chris Garcia The Improvisational music band, Continuum, led

by Chris Garcia, will be playing at Alvas Showroom, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. Looking for a new and different sound? Continuum’s strengths, being their variety of music and personnel, might be the right fix. The admission will be $15.

Calendar continued on page 16.

January 11 – 24, 2013

J.B.: What do you discuss in your music?

C.A.: Mainly, what I have been focusing on is San Pedro lifestyle, relaxing, having a good time; my views on politics, the way I feel on how the streets are, from entertainment and the way we see it on television. I’m just trying to be a different type of voice that you really don’t hear.

by: Joseph Baroud, Editorial Intern

Calendar continued from page 12.

ACE: Arts • Culture • Entertainment

What You Wouldn’t Expect From San Pedro

15

Calendar continued from page 15.

D e t a i l s : ( 8 0 0 ) 4 0 3 - 3 4 47 ; h t t p : / / w w w. alvasshowroom.com/ Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Community/Family January 12

Think Clean, Go Clean! Eco Art Contest The South Coast Air Quality Management District and JPy Magazine present Think Clean, Go Clean!

Eco Art Contest and Festival, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is an event for the whole family to learn about air quality initiatives and healthy living.

The event will feature exhibits, an art contest, entertainment and food. Admission is free.

Details: (310) 781-7150 Venue: Torrance Cultural Arts Center Location: 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance Pre-Parade Clean Up Come help clean the Martin Luther King Jr. parade route, Jan 12., from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Everybody participating will meet at McBride Park.

Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: McBride Park Location: 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Long Beach 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Peace March The 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Peace March will be held, Jan. 12, at 5 p.m., at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Come join the community in commemoration of what he stood for, with a candlelight peace march. There is free parking across the street from the park, at Long Beach City College.

Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Location: 1950 Lemon Ave., Long Beach The Gift New Generations, is sponsoring a local gift drive, Jan. 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Local residents can attend to receive free food, clothing, services and accessories Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: Washington Middle School Location: 1450 Cedar Ave., Long Beach

Support Your Community. Shop Local!

January 13

Stunt Dog Experience The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation: Guest Artists Series presents Stung Dog Experience, at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. Come see amazing tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing and athleticism.

Tickets are on sale for $20 and $18.

Details: (310) 781-7171 Venue: James Armstrong Theatre Location: 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance

January 14

Dance For Peace The event is aimed to be an evening of dance and art in motion, with performances by local Long Beach artists, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: Manazar Gamboa Community Theater, Homeland Cultural Center Location: 1323 Gundry Ave., Long Beach

January 15

MLK Jr. Peacemaker Awards City Hall will present Peacemaker Awards, Jan. 15, at 4 p.m. The intention of the reward, in the honor of Dr. King, is to recognize community leaders that have continued his message for peace.

Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: City Hall Location: 333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

January 11 – 24, 2013

January 16

Vision of Peace The Long Beach Human Dignity Program will sponsor, Vision of Peace, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will include an evening of poetry and short story readings.

Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Location: 1950 Lemon Ave., Long Beach

January 17

A Day In the Life The California Conference for Equality and Justice will host, A Day In the Life, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

A panel of community members who knew the late Dr. King, share their personal stories.

Details: (562) 570-6816; www.longbeach.gov Venue: Martin Luther King Jr. Park 16 Location: 1950 Lemon Ave., Long Beach

Unexpected From San Pedro from page 15.

start writing to that. So, to me it’s really just the vibe in the air.

J.B.: Have there been any other events that have influenced your music?

C.A.: Yeah, not only Kyle Pickle, but I have another close friend named Joseph Lewis who was murdered and that was a very tragic thing. I was out of town when that happened. That was another person I put on board as well as L.T. It’s just a lot of friends, a lot of kids that have been taken from us and I try to take their influence and their past and friends that are locked up, their past and try to translate it into a viewable message, a positive message at the end of the day.

J.B.: So what would be your main influence?

C.A.: I would say my family and friends. I never got into this rap because I wanted to be, having the girls, cool guy, having chains and cars.

I mean, it’s a good lifestyle, It’s cool to have, but my thing is my family. I want to be able to take care of my family and friends. From my moms, my little sister, I have a family to take care of and that’s what really influences me to make sure I could be more professional and business orientated with this music, so I could get them out of their situation as well as myself.

J.B.: So what do you love so much about your city?

C.A.: I mean I love everything about my city man. I love how everybody knows everybody, which could be a downfall at times but it is a good thing to have. I love just the vibe of San Pedro. It’s a very chill relaxed city in my opinion. We just like to kick back, chill, have a good time, listen to music, probably drink a couple beers, smoke. I love everything, it’s very family orientated. A lot of people grew up here and their generations and their next generations; a long list of names. And not only that, we have a beautiful bridge, the Vincent Thomas Bridge, you could go to sleep and look at the blue lights every night. So, I love everything man, if I could change something it would just have to be the gang violence, honestly.

J.B.: Would you like to tell me a little about the Dro Boyz?

C.A.: We actually started back in high school.

We had different phases. We da dro boyz, it consist of me, my boy Oso, my boy Profane, Take-off, Rebel and a few list of other names who are in the background. We just a group of artist that are trying to come together and talk for the city of San Pedro. We have so many versatile people and artist within our group. I am one of the more lyrical entertainers. We have a hip hop dude, we have a Caribbean dude. We have a dude who makes trap music and talks about his gang lifestyle. The Dro Boyz is basically a sound that everybody in the Dro, whether you gang bang, whether you’re just the kid on the corner that wants to rap with the backpack on, whether you want to be that cool kid on campus. Whatever you want, we kind of push that in our music.

J.B.: How have you dealt with performances on stage? Are they nerve-wracking or do you enjoy it?

C.A.: I really enjoy it. Some of it is nervewracking. Cuz, you know, you got to develop a

plan on how to go on stage rather then just grab a mic and just start rapping the song. So it’s always nerve-wracking to see if your plan is gonna go down as well as you planned it. But, I feed off it, it’s really an adrenaline rush for me. My favorite drug is seeing the passion of the people in the crowd. Especially when we have a whole crowd of Dro town people and just, we don’t have a lot of artist for them to stand up for. We have a few, I can name a few, like Triggz, 110 To The End is coming in development but there’s not too many people where you could just see somebody from San Pedro, and be like, “Damn dat boy is doing his thing on stage” and just roots for him and have his back.

J.B.: What places have you performed at recently?

C.A.: Recently we performed at Blue Café, I’ve opened for Kendrick Lamar at the Whiskey Go Go. I performed at the Pig N’ Whistle down in Hollywood, the Dragonfly in Hollywood. Back when I was like 17, I performed at the Warner Grand. I still want to try and get a venue there, that would be a great positive movement if we just get high security and make sure everything is locked down, and nothing goes down too bad.

J.B.: Yeah, that’s really a famous site in San Pedro.

C.A.: Yeah, I think it would be a great look, you know what I mean? We could have San Pedro artists open and then have Miguel in the headliner.

I think that would be a wonderful thing to see for the city of San Pedro. But, that’s just a few place’s, as well as The Chop House, down there in San Pedro—can’t forget that one.

J.B.: OK, are you looking to produce something or own a record label eventually? Or, are you just trying to be a rapper?

C.A.: I think one day I’m going to go into production. I can’t lie. Start making beats, I have an interest for it now. I just don’t have the equipment.

As for the record label, I believe we could have one. I’d like to be one of the top people to at least give people with talent, and not necessarily money and a musical buzz the opportunity to have their talent heard. There’s just a lot of stuff that’s behind the scenes that you don’t see and that’s why a lot of these artist who weren’t really full of talent are so famous to this day.

J.B.: Have you put out any albums or anything?

C.A.: Yeah, I have one album, it’s called, By The Way My Name is C.A. I have them available, pressed-up. I’m actually gonna start giving those out. I feel like it’s an old album. It’s a lot of things that change about me, just in my personal and my outlook. It’s a two-year-old album. If you go to youtube.com, type in Devin C.A. Carter, you could check out the by-the-way video, the official video. It’s a very good video, a lot of streams, good graphics that you wouldn’t expect from somebody out of San Pedro.

J.B.: Well that’s about it with me, is there anything else you’d like to add?

C.A.: To hear more of my music check droboyz.com, that’s d-r-o-b-o-y-z.com. And we plan on just, having San Pedro be a movement, from Dro Boyz to 110 to The End, to a whole grip of other artists. We just want to have that little dot on the globe that says, “San Pedro.” You know what I mean?

from page 14.

Family Wagon “I’m the cigarette without the last drag, by the time you figure out who you want me to be, I’m gone again.”

Bryan Bangerter’s guitar expresses the emotion that’s in the lyrics, telling the story of a worn out relationship and the freedom gained from ending it.

“Wonder if She Knows” is a sweet ballad.

It leads with an acoustic guitar and kick drum, with Lucas’ voice coming through crystal clear. It’s a soft song that speaks of a man taken by a woman he’s trying to understand. The song builds to a crescendo, bringing together more instruments including the organ, bass, drums, cymbals and vocals, giving the song a quality of purity and loveliness, before quieting again to a soft close.

“Keeper of the Medicine” is a hard driving electric, psychedelic song. Lucas sings as if he were a sage weaving together warnings of life’s pitfalls against the backdrop of Bangerter’s furious guitar chords. One can almost envision smoke swirling around him as he prophesied.

In addition to being the guitarist, Bangerter is a drummer and the main songwriter of the group. His parents were musicians and he grew up on funk and soul artists such as James Brown, The Jackson Five and Stevie Wonder. He said that it was important for his parents to expose him to these artists.

The connection to these great artists’ poetic verses is carried through in Family Wagon’s meaningful lyrics.

Each one of these musicians stands out.

“Freedom to create, express, get loud and have a good time: That’s the freedom of rock ‘n’ roll,” said Lucas about what glue holds the members together.

For the month of January, Family Wagon has a residency at Casbah in San Diego every Monday night and have invited other bands to share the bill with them.

Yo u c a n f i n d t h e m a t : w w w. familywagonmusic.com

Les Miz from page 11.

through Les Miz that I taught my children of music theater and a bit of myself to them.

We have loved this music and story for many years. All of my children have seen this now and they have their opinions as well. As a family, we discussed this work. The movie stands alone. It is an equal to West Side Story, to a lesser extinct Oliver. The only difference is the singing; but these others do not deliver the scope of a tale like this, which is spread over 50 years in this one part of Hugo’s masterwork.

This also maybe the case of selling Hollywood star power, over the art of this great piece of music theater. Go see it and make up your own mind, I loved it despite its failings.

The National Year In Review

A

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

s is usually the case every four years, presidential election politics played a prominent role in our national political coverage.

In fact, one can usefully think of our national political coverage as dealing with two types of stories: those that are within the range of presidential electoral politics and those that highlight the limits of that range. In one case in particular—the issue of voter suppression—we saw an issue that was initially relegated to the political margins that get forced to center stage. Meanwhile, the more general constraint on U.S. politics—the pervasive dominance of the one percent— was dealt with on various occasions.

Tipping our hats to how crazy U.S. politics have become in recent years, we also ran three stories dealing with cognitive issues in politics.

In May we published “ALEC Normalizes Corruption In Statehouses Across the Land,” in which we explored how a relatively obscure network of corporate special interests and conservative activists—the American Legislative Exchange Council—has been rewriting state laws in secret for decades, while passing them off as “common sense” and “grassroots” expressions of popular will.

“Bills get considered and passed individually, but ALEC develops them like product lines, with carefully crafted cumulative effects that go far beyond what first meets the eye,” Random Lengths reported.

ALEC’s tentacles extended into two other major stories we highlighted. First: their longstanding alliance with the National Riffle Association, which played a key role in promoting the spread of kill-at-will laws that were made notorious by the murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida. Second: their extensive role in the corporate takeover of public education. Education consultant and activist Jeff Bryant pointed to Maine as an example. He cited 13 education bills with ALEC ties.

In February, we reported on a Diane Ravitch speech. Ravitch is the nation’s most prominent opponent of corporate “education reform.” She ultimately framed her argument in terms of teaching as a humanistic calling versus the soulless approach of corporate reformers, representing the 1 percent.

“The culture of testing and accountability has dominated American education now for 20 years,” Ravitch said. “This is the status quo. The status quo has failed. It’s time for fresh thinking.”

In April, we ran an article by Bruce

from p. 7

The Other Side of 2012

Redistricting and the Super Majority

C

is based on the actual history of how American prosperity was built in the first place.

We covered the impact of austerity policies on a more nuts-and-bolts level with our story on National Low Income Housing Coalition’s annual report last year, “Out of Reach 2012.” The report showed that minimum wage workers simply can’t afford to live in most places in the United States. In six states, including California, it takes at least three minimum wage jobs to pay the rent. We also ran stories revealing evidence that the Department of Homeland Security was involved in nationally coordinated efforts to suppress the Occupy movement. And, we talked about the Occupy-inspired movement to replicate the example of North Dakota’s publiclyowned state bank.

In “The Psychologists’ Guide to the Republican Brain” we used the psychoanalytical framework of ego defense mechanisms as an advance guide for the Republican National Convention, to help categorize the various patterns of evasive thinking that would be on display. Displacement, for example, we described as “redirecting negative emotions, ideas, actions, etc. to a (less threatening) substitute target,” adding that, “Absolving Wall Street for destroying the economy, then turning around and blaming teachers, firefighters and police officers for local budget deficits—that’s a perfect example of displacement in action.”

In “Don’t Buy It!” we reviewed the book by the same name, written by linguist Anat Shenker-Osorio. While Americans generally support the vision of a broadly egalitarian society— even Republicans would rather live in a Sweden-like economy, according to one study—they usually end up supporting something much more unequal. Much of the blame lies with how we think and speak about the economy, she explains.

The reason is that conservatives rely on the concept of the economy as a self-determined entity that can only

be made worse by outside meddling, as in the South Park episode, where residents discover that the economy is a vengeful and angry god. Progressives tend to flail about more, but there is a consistent progressive alternative available: the economy as a humanmade object in motion, most typically, a vehicle. If progressives learn to be more self-conscious in talking about the economy, she argues, then perhaps they could drive that discussion as well.

Finally, we did two stories on global warming. The first, for Earth Day, was primarily a review of Chris Mooney’s book, The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science, which focused particularly on its application to climate science. The second story, following the election and Hurricane Sandy, which brought the suppressed issue of global warming back front and center, was reminiscent of a story we did seven years ago, following Hurricane Katrina. As in that earlier story, we interviewed a climate scientist from a global reinsurance company. This time, though, the company, Munich Re, had just issued a 277-page report on the extreme weather impacts that have already happened in North America over the past 30plus years.

“The number of natural catastrophes per year has been rising dramatically on all continents since 1980, but the trend is steepest for North America,” the report noted, where costs total more than one trillion dollars for this period, with 30,000 lives lost, mostly due to heat waves. The number of loss events has nearly quintupled since 1980. Hurricane Sandy is just a nickname, you know? Her real name is Cassandra.

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January 11 - 24, 2013

alifornia Democrats came out of the redistricting process in 2011 with a stronger grip on the capitol than ever before. The Nov. 2012 elections was a fulfillment of that process, giving Democrats a super majority in the state legislature. More importantly, it was shown that with Democrats holding a 2-1 advantage over Republican in voter registration, the state’s Grand Ole Party is on its way to irrelevancy if nothing changes.

Democrats, with its embarrassment of riches, were forced to deal with the specter of Democrats running against Democrats. One of the more high profile races was the Rep. Janice

Hahn vs. Rep. Laura Richardson for the newly formed 47th Congressional District. Weakened by an ethics investigation that ruled against her, Richardson lost the primary. But due to changes in California’s election system, Richardson had to stick around because she was the second top vote-getter. Needless to say, she didn’t do much better in the run-off than she did in the primary.

Democrat and former Torrance school board member Al Muratsuchi defeated perennial Republican candidate Craig Huey for the state legislature and state Sen. Alan Lowenthal defeated Republican Gary DeLong for Congress.

This past year was politically notable for Los Angeles for a number of reasons, one of which is the fact that it’s the last year of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s term in office.

This has led to a whole new crop of candidates to replace him, including Councilwoman Jan Perry, Councilman Eric Garcetti, City Controller Wendy Greuel and a number of lesser known candidates.

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich ran for the District Attorney’s office, raising more than $1 million. He amassed a more than 2-1 advantage over his nearest competitor. Nevertheless, he came in third, with Assistant District Attorney Jackie Lacey succeeding her former boss, District Attorney Steve Cooley.

President Barack Obama stood on the victory stage again, winning an electoral college landslide over Republican challenger Mitt Romney, despite Republican efforts to suppress the vote. Republican operative Nathan Sproul, right, one of the instruments of voter suppression, seemingly got caught red handed after reports emerged of employees throwing away Democratic registration forms. File photos.

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is the question dividing downtown San Pedro business owners. The trucks have been successful in bringing foot traffic downtown, but without an official economic impact study, the benefits of the food truck on events such as this is still questionable.

This past December, Ports O’ Call Village, one of the crown jewels of the waterfront, is finally being developed, with the selection of a developer. However, the speed and secrecy of the port selected proposals has left many in the community suspicious about the redevelopment direction of one of San Pedro’s most important destination points.

Dixon, managing editor of Black Agenda Report, “Trayvon Martin, Troy Davis and the 2012 Election,” which was highly critical of how mainstream black political activists focus on emotional symbolic struggles, while neglecting the fundamentals of real political power. He noted, as an example, that “2000 Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore lost both Florida and his home state of Tennessee by margins far greater than the number of black voters disqualified by the felony restriction alone.”

In the end, however, the Tea Partyenthused Republicans were defeated by their own overreach in their to attempt to suppress the vote of minority communities—a gambit that backfired, stirring up a storm of grassroots anger.

This helped ensure President Barack Obama’s re-election.

We featured two stories on these efforts in October, tracing back to our earlier coverage starting with the 2004 election. One of those stories was, “The Wolf Who Cried Wolf,” which highlighted the activities of GOP operative Nathan Sproul. His consulting firm actively engaged in destroying Democratic voter registration forms and otherwise attempted to prevent voters from casting their votes. We first reported on Sproul’s activities in 2004, particularly in Nevada. But in 2012, the GOP pretended to be shocked at his methods. We discussed the Tea Party vote suppression efforts and provided statistics on the overwhelming efforts of Republican lawmakers to restrict ballot access in dozens of states. We also discussed the long historical background of expanding and contracting voting rights with Harvard historian Alexander Keyssar.

In our last pre-election story, we debunked Romney’s desperate “momentum” narrative, reminding people how Republicans had used a similar strategy in 2000 to spin the media in advance of stealing that election--this in addition to highlighting potential voter suppression trouble spots. In our post-election follow-up, “An Historic Election Foretold,” we highlighted the role of changing demographics in overwhelming voter-suppression efforts. Yet, the failure of one voter suppression strategy contrasted with a related, much more successful strategy: The intensive gerrymandering of congressional districts in swing states that Obama carried handily. But that gave the GOP a 2-1 edge in representatives they sent to the House.

The depression-level unemployment and under-employment rates tearing the middle class apart and destroying the hopes of those fighting their way into it were probably the most important but most neglected issues. We took the issue head-on in a story about “prosperity economics,” an inclusive alternative to the dominant obsession with austerity, which

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS FILINGS Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012230019 The following person is doing business as: Champion Data Supply, 28364 S. Western Ave Ste #2, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Brandden F. Blackwell, 1316 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: Jan. 1, 2012. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime.) Carmen Moen, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Nov. 16, 2012. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 were to expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 11/29/12, 12/13/12, 12/27/12,

01/10/12

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012217235 The following person is doing business as: San Pedro Spotlight, 800 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Miguel Gonzalez, 658 W. 22nd St. #4, San Pedro, CA 90731.

This business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: Aug. 1, 2012. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime.) Carmen Moen, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Oct. 31, 2012. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 were to expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 11/29/12, 12/13/12, 12/27/12, 01/10/12

Statement of Abandonment of Use of Fictitious Business Name File No. 2012238002 File no: 20080895010; Date Filed: 05/20/08 Name of Business(es) Nick’s Liquor Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code: 510 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Registered Owners: Brook Zewdie, 2005 Speyer Lane Unit #B, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. Tseday Kiwfe-Micahesi, 2005 Speyer Lane Unit #B, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. Business was conducted by a husband and wife.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime).This Statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on Nov. 30, 2012.

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012 253805 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. San Pedro Healing Arts Med Clinic, 2. San Pedro Physical Therapy, 3. Healing Arts Medical Clinic, 1366 W. 7th Street, Ste 4B, San Pedro CA, 90731. County of Los Angeles, 1952 Galerita Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

Registered owner(s): San Pedro Healing Arts Inc., 1366 W. 7th Street, Ste 4B, San Pedro CA, 90731. This business is conducted by Corpora-

tion. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 1992. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime.) San Pedro Healing Arts Inc. S/ Dr. Maria Baez, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on December 24, 2012. Notice- In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Business Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et. Seq., Business and Professions Code). Amended (New Filing): 01/10/13, 01/24/13, 02/7/13, 02/21/13

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012254805 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Get it-Got it Concierge, 3431 Muldae Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732. County of Los Angeles. Registered owner(s): Charles G. Abbott, Jr., 3431 Muldae Ave., San Pedro, CA 90732. This business is conducted by a General Partnership. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime.) Charles G. Abbot, Jr., owner/ general partner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on December 26, 2012.

Notice- In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Business Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any

change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et. Seq., Business and Professions Code). Amended (New Filing):

01/10/13, 01/24/13, 02/7/13, 02/21/13

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012240722 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. VB management Marketing Services, 2. VB Manage-

ment, 17809 Osage Ave., Torrance, CA 90504. County of Los Angeles.

Registered owner(s): Stephen A. Robbins, 17809 Osage Ave., Torrance, CA 90504. Carol B. Robbins, 17809 Osage Ave., Torrance, CA 90504. This business is conducted by husband and wife. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above 1/10/2000.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime.) Stephen A. Robbins owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on December 26, 2012.

Notice- In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious

Business Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et. Seq., Business and Professions Code). Amended (New Filing): 01/10/13, 01/24/13, 02/7/13, 02/21/13

Jeffrey Michael Mirich Oct. 1, 1956 – Dec. 11, 2012

Jeffrey Michael Mirich passed away with his immediate family at his side. Born and raised in San Pedro, Jeff was a recent resident of Canyon Lake, CA. A graduate of San Pedro High School, Jeff competed in swimming and diving. He life guarded for several years for the City of Redondo Beach and often surfed early mornings at Royal Palms before school or work. He was active in the Izaak Walton League. Jeff received a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from California State University Long Beach and a master of arts in business administration from the University of Redlands.

Jeff enjoyed a 19-year career with Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he held managerial positions in engineering, manufacturing, business development, research and mergers and acquisitions. He joined Disney Studios in 1997 as the CIO of Imagineering and became known as the soul of the Hollywood Information Technology Society comprised of CIOs of Hollywood studios. Earlier this year, he was presented with an unprecedented Variety “HIT Maker” Award for IT leadership.

Jeff was a visionary and a relentless warrior, driving collaboration among the studios and their service providers. He was instrumental in providing business and technology systems

that supported film, music, live stage production, marketing and distribution operations on a global scale.

Jeff regularly lectured at local universities on topics ranging from information technology to intellectual property management within the media and entertainment industry. He was a past board member on UCLA Anderson School’s IS Associates and WINMEC University-Industry Partnership, USC’s ETC/ IMF sponsorship group, HP’s Communications Media & Entertainment Board of Advisors, the CIO Leadership Network, Southern California CIO Executive Summit Governing Body, The Business Forum, The Hollywood IT Summit, and served on Sierra Venture’s CIO Advisory Board.

Jeff was sought out as a motivational speaker for several cancer research organizations.

Refusing to let his own terminal illness interfere with his family and friendships, he continued a lifestyle of camping, surfing, water skiing, and motorcycle riding—always with his dedicated wife and son at his side. Only days before his death, he could be seen driving past Palm Springs in a motor home while attached to an IV. He is survived by his wife Charlene, son Jeffrey Charles, stepdaughter Carey Jones (Josh), parents–in-law Chuck and Rose Schiada, and brothers Pete (Kathy) and Stephen.

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January 11 - 24, 2013

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