RL 10 12 17 issu

Ban the weed or take the money: The Prop. 64 backlash p. 5 Grand Annex showcases electrifying Hispanic beats in October p. 11 Lessons and questions from the Sustainable Seafood Expo p. 12

Spanish guitarist El Twanguero

Fake News, Dark Money and More Censored Storylines

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

In America, we commonly think of press freedom and censorship in terms of the First Amendment, which focuses attention on the press and places limits on the government’s power to restrict it. But the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted in the aftermath of World War II, presents a broader framework. Article 19 of that document reads: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

October 12 - 25, 2017

[See Missing Stories, p. 6]

Illustration by Anson Stevens-Bollen, Santa Fe Reporter.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

By highlighting the right to receive information and ideas, Article 19 makes it clear that press freedom is about everyone in society, not just the press, and that government censorship is only one potential way of thwarting that right. This is the perspective that has informed Project Censored from its beginning more than 40 years ago.

Even though Project Censored’s annual list of censored stories is specific, the overriding message has always gone beyond isolated examples. Collectively, they serve to highlight how far short we fall from the fully-informed public that a healthy democracy requires — and that we all require to live healthy, safe, productive, satisfying lives. It’s the larger patterns of missing information, hidden problems and threats that should really concern us. Each Project Censored story provides some of that information, but the annual list helps shed light on these broader patterns of what’s missing, as well as on the specifics of the stories themselves.

During the 1972 election, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were reporting on the earliest developments in the Watergate scandal — and they were covering it for the Washington Post.

1

ACT NOW!

CALL 310-326-3066 AND SCHEDULE A

FREE

CONSULTATION**

We accept most insurance plans, including ILWU 21250 Hawthorne Blvd.

Suite 430 Torrance, CA 90503

*Results may vary. Based on average weight loss of previous patients with BMI of 40 or higher, one year after surgery.

All surgeries carry risks. Risks and benefits will be discussed during initial consultation. **Subject to terms and conditions.

(310) 326-3062 www.TorranceBariatrics.com

Torrance Hernia Institute is the pioneer of robotic hernia surgery in the South Bay community. We are specialists in hernia repair, treatment and post operative hernia care.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

We ensure our patients the best outcome and quickest recovery without compromising safety.

“If you are in search of a robotic surgeon, then Dr. Roohipour is the one surgeon you should go with. He performed my hernia surgery through a small incision via my belly button, which is now totally invisible. I left the hospital two hours after surgery and got back to work in three days. Thank you!”

—Mike D.

October 12 - 25, 2017

MEET THE DOCTOR

2

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION* We accept most insurance plans, including ILWU 21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 430 Torrance, CA 90503

(310) 326-3062 www.TorranceHerniaCenter.com

Dr. Ramin Roohipour is board-certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of American College of Surgeons. Dr. Roohipour has successfully performed the nation’s first robotic single incision inguinal hernia surgery.

“My practice philosophy is very simple: My patients are my family. I wholeheartedly believe in ‘one patient at a time’ philosophy and also in the unique needs of each patient.” *Subject to terms and conditions.

Community Announcements:

Harbor Area Proposed Land Use Element Workshop

Long Beach is hosting citywide workshops to provide information and get public input on the draft Land Use and Urban Design elements of the city’s General Plan.

The General Plan is a long-range policy document required by state law, which sets forth the goals, policies, and directions the city will take to achieve the vision of the community over the next 20 years.

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14, and 6 to 8 p.m.

Oct. 18 Details: longbeach.gov/lueude2040 Venues: Best Western Golden Sails Hotel, 6285 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, and Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, respectively

I-710 Freeway Corridor Project Community Meeting

Learn about the proposed project and give input before the public review and comment deadline of Oct. 23 for the draft environmental impact report. Metro’s I-710 Project Team will be on hand to provide information on potential effects and project designs in Long Beach.

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 Details: metro.net/projects/i-710-corridorproject Venue: Expo Arts Center, 4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach

LB Health Department Advises Community Get Flu Vaccines The Long Beach Health Officer recommends that everyone six months and older get the flu vaccine every year, especially those with a health condition that may increase their risk of serious complications from the flu.

The Health Department will be hosting several Neighborhood Flu Clinics throughout the City. The following clinics are free of charge and no appointment is needed: Time: 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 19 Venue: Main Health Department, 2525 Grand Ave., Long Beach Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 24 Venue: Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 4th St., Long Beach Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 26 Venue: Schrerer Park, 4600 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach Details: (562) 570-4315; longbeach.gov/health

2017 Women’s Health Conference and Business Expo

Free Hepatitis A Vaccination Public Health Clinics

By Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor

Columbus Day was a flash point on the 525th anniversary of his voyage to the New World.

Recently, the Los Angeles City Council voted 14-1, Councilman Joe Buscaino opposed, to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. But the struggle isn’t over for indigenous people. The education system still largely ignores native histories.

“The history of this country is not told properly,” said John Funmaker, a community activist and spiritual Ho-Chunk leader. “It’s often ended in violence.”

For Native Americans, oral history is and has been a way to heal and reconnect with their ancestors. It offers a pathway to generations through time, identity and culture. Many Winters Elders’ Gathering, Oct. 12 through 15 at Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro will offer that opportunity for Harbor Area residents.

“The elders will bring their history through words, songs, dance,” said George Funmaker, John’s son. “We wanted to come back to the earth and return back to our culture through our elders…. Being in the city, we are disconnected from a lot of the culture. That’s why it’s important to have this event.”

The mission system, for example, still is venerated in California, ignoring the thousands of families torn apart when children were displaced and forced to assimilate Eurocentric standards. The Catholic church even canonized Junipero Serra who forced the conversion of many natives.

“For us, the California missions are the equivalent to concentration camps,” said George Funmaker. “There was a lot of abuse through the mission system.”

Many Winters Elders Gathering organizer, George Funmaker, discusses the construction of the sweat lodges that will be used for the Oct. 12-15 event. Photo by Phillip Cooke

In fact, indigenous people were outlawed from practicing many of their traditions until 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. “We suffered a great trauma at the hands of the U.S., the government and the church,” George Funmaker said.

The generational traumas bestowed upon indigenous people by the non-native governments include: mass incarceration, poverty, land stripping, exploitation of natural resources, violence against women and children, failed education, housing issues, inadequate health care, suicide, and the death of culture and language.

Cultural appropriation also continues to add insult to injury.

“It’s offensive to use natives as mascots,” George Funmaker said. “We are the only people who they can do that to. It’s a stereotype that [implies] that we are inferior…. When we are made caricatures, we are made less than humans.”

[See Gathering, p. 4]

October 12 - 25, 2017

Los Angeles County is experiencing an outbreak of hepatitis A. The majority of cases are occurring in individuals who are homeless and/or use illicit drugs. It is recommended that all persons who are homeless, active drug users, and those who provide services to the homeless receive Hepatitis A vaccine.

Free Hepatitis A vaccinations are available for all people at higher-risk at the following health centers in the Los Angeles Harbor Area. Please call ahead to confirm times: Harbor Community Clinic, which is a federally qualified health center in San Pedro is providing free Hep A vaccinations.

Time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday Details: (310) 547-0202 www.harborcommunityclinic.com Venue: Harbor Community Clinic, 593 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Harbor Gathers to the Call of the Elders

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

On Oct. 20, Carson City Councilwoman Lula Davis Holmes will be hosting Carson’s Women’s Health Conference and Business Expo. The conference includes workshops on topics that range from entrepreneurship to estate planning, as well as panels on health issues. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

Time: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20 Cost: $35 Details: (310) 952-1722;carrick@carson.ca.us Venue: CJMM Community Center, 801 E. Carson St., Carson

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

3

[Gathering, from p. 3]

Gatherng

George Funmaker sees this moment, with the struggle to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day back in the forefront, the rollback of environmental protections and the divisiveness caused by the current administration, as the best time to bring back the gathering “What better time to start this with the attacks on the environment [and on] the native people,” George Funmaker said.

While indigenous people are diverse in language and culture, there is one thing natives have in common: their respect for Mother Earth.

“All tribes have reverence for the natural world,” George Funmaker said. “Most natives want less development. We want to preserve the natural environment as much as we can.”

The gathering serves as a reminder that native people are still here and are part of contemporary society.

“We are looking at it as a ceremony of healing [and] people coming together to share their medicine,” George Funmaker said.

Their spiritual medicine is in the form of oral history, food, prayer and dance. Funmaker likens the event to a professional conference without the classroom setting. It will include seminars, booths and sweat lodges. Alcohol, cameras or other recording equipment will not be allowed.

“Humanity, compassion [and] respect are shared spiritual values,” George Funmaker said. “When you attend a ceremony there is no schedule. Things just happen. Come sit down and just listen to elders. We have a lot to offer and I think it’s come full circle to where the dominant society needs to listen and learn from the indigenous people.”

Fighting Back Against Genocide

“discovery” of America. John Funmaker was one of the founders of the event.

“They wanted to show he didn’t discover anything,” George Funmaker said. “‘Many Winters’ refers to our survival of 525 years of colonization. We have survived many winters and we are still here.”

The event took place at Angels Gate Cultural Center for about 12 years. The most recent Many Winters Elders’ Gathering took place in 2007. It is possible that the funding, energy and relationships with Angels Gate Cultural Center had changed over the years, but it’s back now.

And, it’s needed said John Funmaker.

“The teachings of native people are relevant to what is going on in the world,” he said. “The path that we’ve been led to is very destructive.”

Injured Sea Turtle Nursed Back to Health, then Released

October 12 - 25, 2017

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

The Many Winters Elders’ Gathering was started in 1992 as a response to the 500year celebration of Christopher Columbus’

Original organizers Tony Portillo, left. and John Funmaker during one of the earlier Many Winters Elders Gatherings at Angels Gate Cultural Center prior to 2007. File photo

4

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service asked the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach to rehabilitate a rescued sea turtle found injured in the San Gabriel River. The green sea turtle was brought to the aquarium for rehabilitation on Sept. 29. The animal is a sub-adult female and weighs 71 pounds. The aquarium’s veterinary team removed three fishing hooks from the sea turtle’s skin and completed a medical exam.

“Based on its exam, it appeared to be in good health with only minor injuries from the fishing hooks,” said Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific veterinarian. “The turtle was eating and swimming normally in its recovery pool and was quickly ready to be released.”

The National Marine Fisheries Service tagged the sea turtle to track its movements for research purposes, and the aquarium released it on Oct. 5 into the San Gabriel River in Long Beach, where it was originally rescued. The Aquarium’s Citizen Science Sea Turtle Monitoring program has studied the urban population of sea turtles in the San Gabriel River for the past few years in conjunction with NMFS. Photo Courtesy of Aquarium of the Pacific

The senior Funmaker was referring to the lack of reverence for Earth, climate change, the divisiveness that seems to be prevalent in today’s society and the value for materialism, which is often trumped over kindness and a love for nature.

Angels Gate Cultural Center’s Executive Director Amy Eriksen said she was interested in bringing back the event to the center, but waited for the right time.

“What I realized was [that] it will come back when it’s supposed to,” Eriksen said. “Our mission is to bring events to the community that include every culture that walks through our community.”

Angels Gate Cultural Center is a site where members of the Tongva nation came down from the foothills to do different types of fishing.

It was a place of sacred gatherings that has remained a part of nature throughout the years, she explained. The site also is connected to three of the four directions: water, land, air and fire.

Four is a special number for many indigenous nations.

“We have committed to organize the gathering for four years and hopefully beyond, honoring the four directions, the four colors, the four seasons, the four stages of life and so on and so forth,” George Funmaker explained.

The narrative of the event is simple: empathy, understanding and the courage to share and care for each other, Eriksen explained.

“These are things we really need in this world,” she said.

The event falls into their mission also as an art form, of which oral tradition is in and of itself.

“It’s a time of renewal and a chance to share stories and language that aren’t always used,” she said. “It’s really a handing off to the younger generations.”

Passing of the Torch

As a young man, George Funmaker was teased in school for his long hair and his uncommon surname. He was often the only Native American in his classroom.

“We live in two worlds,” Funmaker, now 34, explained. “For native youth, it’s a constant struggle with identity, having to be part of a lot of other cultures.

Following his father’s footsteps, the younger Funmaker has been active in his community,

not only as counselor, but also rallying and fundraising to support issues that impact Native Americans and the environment. This past year, he fought against the Standing Rock Dakota Access Pipeline.

“I pride myself in having a very spiritual, traditional family that is also very humble,” John Funmaker said. “Language, traditions, legends, all of them, I’ve carried them and I’ve passed it onto my son. He knows the importance of our culture. It’s the only way that we are going to survive.”

“This young group of organizers is making their own way,” said Laurie Steelink, the founder of Cornelius Projects, an art gallery in San Pedro.

“It’s really grassroots …. There is a newness, freshness.”

For many indigenous people, the gathering is an opportunity to reconnect with their roots.

Steelink, for example, has taken the opportunity to reconnect with her heritage that’s she’s been separated from for some time. Her biological mother belonged to the Akimel O’odham nation from Arizona, but she was adopted as child by a non-Native American family when she was 6 months old.

She grew up in a loving home, but she always had a sense of being outside. Being native was never kept secret from her. When she grew up she sought out information about her lineage and was able to find her birth certificate. Later, she met her birth mother after her adoptive mother died. By being part of the Many Winters Elders’ Gathering Committee, she is relinking with native cultures.

She recently hosted Gathering for the Gathering, a fundraiser to help pay for the expenses related to the Many Winters Elders’ Gathering. The fundraiser was an intimate exhibition of donated art works by contemporary indigenous artists. As an artist herself, she is starting to notice connection within her own work.

“I feel like I’m a child in this community and I’m learning, and I want to approach my education with respect,” Steelink said.

And, the learning is not limited to people with indigenous roots in America. Elders from across Turtle Island [i] (Turtle Island a term used to refer to North America) will share their teachings to foster a greater understanding of traditional indigenous values and spiritual beliefs.

“Mitakuye Oyasin[ii], we are all related,” said John Funmaker. “Everything is connected.

We humans, animals, plants, trees are all related. Whatever you do to your brother you do it to yourself. When we see each other as separate beings that’s a very destructive way of thinking.”

Angels Gate Cultural Center has made a commitment to host the event for four years. They are expecting between 500 to 1,000 attendees.

The Many Winters Elders’ Gathering will take place Oct. 12 through 15 at Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., in San Pedro.

The event is free and open to people unfamiliar with indigenous cultures.

Details: http://angelsgateart.org. [i] Turtle Island is a term used to refer North America. The term comes from creation stories of some East Coast native nations, such as the Iroquois.

According native mythologies the Great Spirit created their homeland by placing earth on the back of a giant turtle. [ii] Mitakuye Oyasin is a phrase from the Lakota language. It reflects the worldview of interconnectedness held by the Lakota people of North America.

Prop. 64 Controversy:

Ban the Weed or Take the Money

By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter

Carson is considering its options regarding recent changes to statewide cannabis regulation: ban commercial cannabis in a city-designated “drug-free” since 2008, or take what could be considerable tax revenue.

Proposition 64, passed in 2016, legalized marijuana for “recreational” adult use starting in January 2018. To reconcile systems for regulation and enforcement, the governor has signed the Medicinal and Adult-use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. The state will soon issue licenses for marijuana businesses.

At a city council meeting on Aug. 1, Assistant

City Attorney Chris Neumeyer explained possible courses of action.

“If cities are silent, likely state licenses will allow folks to operate [any licensed marijuana businesses] in that city,” he said. “Cities throughout California are asking, what are we going to do?”

Carson inched toward answering that question by convening two special city council meetings on Sept. 23 and Sept. 28. They were also described as workshops — to “consider seeking the community’s input regarding” Prop.

64, according to the agenda.

LA City Council Inches Closer to Setting Rules for Legal Cannabis

By Matt Garland, Legal Cannabis Advocate

licensing will allow our indigenous industry to participate in the legal marketplace voters approved in state Proposition 64.

Other tools to balance safeguards against youth exposure and existing community cultures are zoning requirements and the use of buffer zones around sensitive use properties.

These have been clarified in the current draft proposal. All retail cannabis businesses, known as dispensaries, will be required to locate in industrial or manufacturing zones. In addition, retail storefronts will be required to locate at least 800 feet away from other retail cannabis businesses and sensitive use properties. Sensitive use is currently defined as K-12 schools, libraries, public parks, and drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The de facto result of these restrictions is a lack of compliant locations for retail storefronts in most communities.

Other cannabis businesses including retail delivery, cultivation (including greenhouse), manufacturing, testing and distribution are also required to locate in industrial and manufacturing zones. (Cultivation may be allowed in agricultural zones.) Non-storefront cannabis businesses will not be required to adhere to sensitive use buffering. These types of cannabis businesses are anticipated to provide the biggest economic opportunities, while having minimal impact on community culture.

Join us on for our monthly meeting on

Monday, Oct. 30 7 p.m.

Featured speaker

Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-44)

who will discuss DACA and environmental issues in the 44th District Ports O’Call Restaurant Berth 76, San Pedro

LB Land Use Element Draws Overflow Crowd

Divorce $159-$289 + Filing Fee Bankruptcy $695 + Filing Fee Living Trust $375 Will $175 • Probate $299 Basic Prices for Simple Cases

October 12 - 25, 2017

Boos and hiss greeted Long Beach Director of Development Amy Bodek who made a presentation at an Oct. 4 Land Use Element community meeting at Whaley Park.

The General Plan is a long-range policy document required by state law, which sets forth the goals, policies, and directions the city will take to achieve the vision of the community within the next 20 years.

The proposed Land Use Element for the city’s General Plan expands density throughout Long Beach with sparse provision for increased parking.

The Long Beach Whaley Park community room overwhelmingly overflowed capacity (200) forcing the fire marshall to shut down the meeting. More than 400 people transferred to an overflow tent with more spillage outside. Photo by Diana Lejins

in arrests of black and Latino minors; a majority of marijuana businesses are in communities of color.

She compared banning commercial marijuana to keeping liquor stores out of minority neighborhoods. She received thunderous applause.

Carson residents who commented at the Sept.

28 meeting were divided. Some suggested Carson allow commercial activity for the tax revenue.

Others argued Carson is a “drug-free city,” referring to a council resolution passed in 2008, and minors should be discouraged from drug use.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

On Jan. 1, 2018, Los Angeles will become the world’s largest municipal marketplace for legal cannabis.

This past September, the city council’s 42-page revised draft of proposed cannabis regulations was sent to the city attorney’s office, which will prepare and present a draft ordinance.

This is not the first iteration of a city ordinance, under Proposition M, on cannabis and it won’t be the last. Nevertheless, there are some significant updates in the new draft.

Community impacts are at the forefront of the complexities of suddenly imposing modern-day regulations on an industry that has operated illicitly for 80 years. Los Angeles lawmakers are tasked with creating regulations that promote positive benefits for communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, while protecting those communities from the potential negative impacts of cannabis legalization. The new draft ordinance is striving to balance the community impacts of a legal, licensed cannabis industry to promote overall health equity in our city.

The most important development: the city ordinance is now proposing to issue municipal licenses for cannabis businesses instead of certificates of compliance. Cannabis businesses are required to hold a municipal license before applying for a state license on Jan. 1, 2018. Local

About 100 people attended the Sept. 28 meeting at the Congresswoman Juanita MillenderMcDonald Community Center. Council members Lula Davis-Holmes, Jawane Hilton, Elito Santarina and Cedric Hicks attended; Mayor Albert Robles did not.

Attendees learned that the new state laws will allow personal adult use of marijuana and home cultivation of up to six plants (enough for one ounce). Cities may ban outdoor cultivation (in public view) and regulate but not ban indoor cultivation (in private).

All operations must have state licenses but cities may impose additional requirements for local licenses or ban operations except private indoor cultivation. Torrance and Lomita have already banned all commercial activity.

Carson already has a law to tax any allowed marijuana operations. There is a state excise tax on legal marijuana activity, and some of that money can go back to the local level, but only to cities that allow commercial marijuana.

At both workshops, several panelists debated such activity. Matthew Eaton, a specialist in cannabis compliance, estimated perhaps 18,000 homes in Carson could be growing for personal use under the new law.

Panelists Tyler Strause and Susan Marks advocated for medical marijuana to scattered applause.

Another panelist, community activist Dianne Thomas, an advocate for medical marijuana, noted dispensaries are only a 10-minute drive away.

She produced statistics from the internet showing that three years after Colorado legalized marijuana, there has been a 58 percent increase

5

[Missing Stories, from p. 1]

The Missing Stories — Exposing Patterns of What

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Yet, their work was largely isolated. The story was covered as a developing criminal case; it did not transform into a political story until after the election. That’s a striking example of a missing pattern. It was among the issues that motivated Carl Jensen to found Project Censored; he defined censorship as “the suppression of information, whether purposeful or not, by any method — including bias, omission, underreporting or selfcensorship — that prevents the public from fully knowing what is happening in its society.”

In the introduction to the current edition’s list of stories, Andy Lee Roth writes, “Finding common themes across news stories helps to contextualize each item as a part of the larger narratives shaping our times.” Roth proceeded to cite several examples spanning the top 25 list: four stories on climate change, six involving racial inequalities, four on issues involving courts, three on health issues, “at least two stories” involving the Pentagon, three on government surveillance and two involving documentary films produced by the Shell Oil Co. “There are more connections to be identified,” Roth said. “As we have noted in previous Censored volumes, the task of identifying common topical themes within each year’s story list and across multiple years transforms the reader from a passive recipient of information into an active, engaged interpreter. We invite you to engage with this year’s story list in this way.”

It’s excellent advice. But to get things started on the more limited scope of the top 10 stories, three main themes clearly seem evident: first, threats to public health; second, threats to democracy, both at home and abroad; and third, an out-of-control military.

Don’t let this overview pattern blind you to other patterns you may detect. Individual stories often involve different overlapping patterns — environmental destruction and an out-of-control military or public health and infrastructure concerns. These patterns don’t just connect problems and issues, they connect people, communities and potential solutions as well.

A shared understanding of the patterns that hold us down and divide us is the key to developing better patterns to live by together.

With that thought in mind, here is Project Censored’s Top 10 List for 2016-17:

Widespread Lead Contamination Threatens Children’s Health and Could Triple Household Water Bills

October 12 - 25, 2017

After President Barack Obama declared a federal emergency in Flint, Mich., based on lead contamination of the city’s water supply in January 2016, Reuters reporters M.B. Pell and Joshua Schneyer began an investigation of lead contamination nationwide with shocking results. In June 2016, they reported that although many states and Medicaid rules require blood tests for lead in young children, millions of children were not being tested. In December 2016, they reported on the highly decentralized data they had been able to assemble from 21 states. Those limited results showed that 2,606 census tracts and 278 zip 6 codes across the United States had levels of

audit deadline was September 2017, yet neither the Pentagon, Congress, nor the media seemed to have paid any attention.

Pentagon Paid PR Firm in the UK for Fake Al-Qaeda Videos

Illustrations by Anson Stevens-Bollen, Santa Fe Reporter.

lead poisoning more than double the rates found in Flint at the peak of its contamination crisis.

Within that group, 1,100 communities had lead contamination rates “at least four times higher” than Flint.

In Flint, five percent of the children screened had high blood lead levels. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 2.5 percent of all children younger than six — about 500,000 children — have elevated blood lead levels.

Pell and Schneyer’s neighborhood focus allowed them to identify local hotspots “whose lead poisoning problems may be obscured in broader surveys,” such as those focused on statewide or countywide rates. They found such hotspots in communities that “stretch from Warren, Pa. ... where 36 percent of children tested had high lead levels, to ... Goat Island, Texas, where a quarter of tests showed poisoning. …

In some pockets of Baltimore, Cleveland and Philadelphia, where lead poisoning has spanned generations, the rate of elevated tests over the last decade was 40 to 50 percent.”

In January 2017, Schneyer and Pell reported that, based on their previous investigation, “From California to Pennsylvania, local leaders, health officials and researchers are advancing measures to protect children from the toxic threat. They include more blood-lead screening, property inspections, hazard abatement and community outreach programs.”

But there’s a deeper infrastructure problem involved. “Lead pipes are time bombs,” and water contamination is to be expected, reporter Farron Cousins wrote in the January 2017 edition of DeSmogBlog. The U.S. relies on an estimated 1.2 million miles of lead pipes for municipal delivery of drinking water, and much of this aging infrastructure is reaching or has exceeded its life expectancy.

In 2012, the American Water Works Association estimated that a complete overhaul of the nation’s aging water systems would require an investment of $1 trillion within the next 25 years, which could triple household water bills.

As Cousins reported, a January 2017 Michigan State University study found that, “while water rates are currently unaffordable for an estimated 11.9 percent of households, the conservative estimates of rising rates used in this study

highlight that this number could grow to 35.6 percent in the next five years.”

“While the water contamination crisis will occasionally steal a headline or two, virtually no attention has been paid to the fact that we’re pricing a third of United States citizens out of the water market,” Cousins concluded.

More than Six Trillion Dollars in Unaccountable Army Spending

In 1996, Congress passed legislation requiring all government agencies to undergo annual audits.

Nonetheless, a July 2016 report by the Defense Department’s inspector general discovered that during the past two decades the Army alone has spent $6.5 trillion that cannot be accounted for.

Dave Lindorff reported in This Can’t Be Happening! that the Department of Defense “has not been tracking or recording or auditing all of the taxpayer money allocated by Congress — what it was spent on, how well it was spent, or where the money actually ended up. Things aren’t any better at the Navy, Air Force and Marines.”

According to Likndorff, the report appeared at a time when, “politicians of both major political parties are demanding accountability for every penny spent on welfare.... Ditto for people receiving unemployment compensation.”

He noted that politicians have also engaged in pervasive efforts “to make teachers accountable for student ‘performance.’”

Yet, he observed, “the military doesn’t have to account for any of its trillions of dollars of spending ... even though Congress fully a generation ago passed a law requiring such accountability.”

In March 2017, after Donald Trump proposed a $52 billion increase in military spending, Thomas Hedges reported for The Guardian that, “the Pentagon has exempted itself without consequence for 20 years now, telling the Government Accountability Office that collecting and organizing the required information for a full audit is too costly and time-consuming.”

The most recent Department of Defense

Concern over Russian involvement in promoting fake news during the 2016 election is a justified hot topic in the news. But what about our own involvement in similar operations? In October 2016, a report by Crofton Black and Abigail Fielding-Smith in the Bureau of Investigative Journalism revealed that the Pentagon paid more than $660 million to a British public relations firm to run a top-secret propaganda program in Iraq from at least 2006 to December 2011.

The firm, Bell Pottinger, produced three kinds of products: TV commercials that portrayed alQaeda in a negative light, news items intended to look like Arabic TV and fake al-Qaeda propaganda films.

A former Bell Pottinger video editor, Martin Wells, told the bureau that he was given precise instructions for production of fake al-Qaeda films, and that the firm’s work was approved by former Gen. David Petraeus — the commander of the coalition forces in Iraq — and on occasion by the White House. Black and Fielding-Smith reported that the United States used contractors because “the military didn’t have the in-house expertise and was operating in a legal ‘gray area.’”

The reporters “traced the firm’s Iraq work through U.S. Army contracting censuses, federal procurement transaction records and reports by the Defense Department’s inspector general, as well as Bell Pottinger’s corporate filings and specialist publications on military propaganda.”

Black and Fielding-Smith also interviewed former officials and contractors involved in information operations in Iraq.

Documents show Bell Pottinger employed as many as 300 British and Iraqi staff at one point, and the cost of the company’s media operations in Iraq averaged more than $100 million per year.

It’s remarkable that an operation on this scale has been totally ignored in midst of so much focus on “fake news” here in the United States.

Voter Suppression in the 2016 Presidential Election

The 2016 election was the first in 50 years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act, first passed in 1965. In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), a 5-4 conservative majority on the Supreme Court struck down a key provision requiring jurisdictions with a history of violations to “pre-clear” changes. As a result, changes to voting laws in nine states and parts of six others with long histories of racial discrimination in voting were no longer subject to federal government approval in advance.

Since Shelby, 14 states, including many southern states and key swing states, implemented new voting restrictions, in many cases just in time [See Missed, p. 7]

[Missed, from p. 6]

Is Missed

When Richard Nixon first ran for Congress in 1946, he and his supporters used a wide range of dirty tricks aimed at smearing his opponent as pro-Communist. One was a boilerroom operation that generated phone calls to registered Democrats and simply said, “This is a friend of yours, but I can’t tell you who I am. Did you know that Jerry Voorhis is a Communist?”

Then the caller would hang up.

In 2016, the same basic strategy was employed, but with decades of refinement, technological advances and massively more money behind it. A key player in its deployment was right-wing computer scientist and hedgefund billionaire Robert Mercer, who contributed $13.5 million to Trump’s campaign Mercer also funded Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics company that specializes in “election management strategies” and using “psychographic” microtargeting — based on thousands of pieces of data for some 220 million American voters — as Carole Cadwalladr reported for The Guardian in February 2017.

“We are thrilled that our revolutionary approach to data-driven communication has played such an integral part in President-elect Trump’s extraordinary win,” said Cambridge Analytica’s CEO Alexander Nix, after Trump’s victory.

Until recently, Cambridge Analytica’s parent company, Strategic Communication Laboratories, participated in elections across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean with a style that was more old-school. In Trinidad, it paid for the painting of graffiti slogans that were generally assumed to be the work of grassroots youth. In Nigeria, it advised its client party to suppress the vote of the opposition “by organizing anti-poll rallies on the day of the election.”

These days, however, their approach is decidedly new-school, thanks to technology that

Antibiotic Resistant “Superbugs” Threaten Health and Foundations of Modern Medicine

[See Stories, p. 10]

SAN PEDRO — A gang-related dispute ended in one man being shot and a local gallery owners coming to back to work in the morning to find a bullet hole in their window on the morning after the monthly First Thursday Art Walk.

Los Angeles Police Department officials said Hispanic man was approached by another Hispanic man at about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 6 near on the 300 block of West 6th Street in San Pedro when a verbal altercation ensued. One of the men fired multiple rounds and the man was struck. The victim took himself to a local hospital where he is in stable condition. Officials said the incident is gang related.

No one else was injured, but the property of the Art Compound, on 6th Street, near Centre Street, was damaged. There was a bullet hole through one of its front windows.

Battle Between Ports O’ Call Merchants, POLA Heats Up

SAN PEDRO — Hours after offering public comment on the waterfront development at the Harbor Commission meeting that morning, Ports O’ Call merchants were issued 5-day eviction notices by the port’s leasing agent and port police.

The document was dated Oct. 5, but the merchants were not served the documents until Oct. 6. A few of those merchants were not available to be served until the next day.

One of the merchants, Gloria Laragione of Sea Breeze gift shop, recounted being served the eviction papers.

“When they gave me the papers I said, ‘Well, I a need a paper from you stating that you gave me these papers today. So that if I go to the courthouse in Long Beach, I can show them proof that I didn’t receive the papers until the 6th which is today,’ especially now that we have a lawsuit against the Port of Los Angeles,” Laragione said.

She said the port’s leasing agent Howie Phan, refused.

The merchants’ attorney, Anthony Patchett, said that it’s sad that a billion dollar industry like the port would replace minority owned businesses. They said select businesses that were successful would have an opportunity to return. Port Director Gene Saroka has asked for a private meeting with the merchants, but as of press time none was scheduled.

Patchett said he has enlisted former Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley as cocounsel. Patchett filed a response Oct. 10.

Third Phase of Harbor Blvd. Roadway Improvement is Underway

SAN PEDRO — The third phase of the Harbor Boulevard Roadway Improvements Project started Oct. 9.

The focal point of the third phase includes a modified traffic route, specifically rerouting the current traffic flow along Harbor Boulevard to the new three-way intersection along Harbor Boulevard at Sampson Way with direct access into Ports O’ Call Village. Other key elements in this phase include lane reductions along Harbor Boulevard at Sampson Way, plus two new street closures.

The Los Angeles Maritime Museum and Acapulco Restaurant are only accessible via 6th Street and Sampson Way — now a cul-desac that no longer connects to the Ports O’ Call Village parking lot. A closure on 7th Street, from Beacon Street to Harbor Boulevard, is also in effect as construction continues at the main 7th Street intersection.

The Port of Los Angeles began construction of the Harbor Boulevard Roadway Improvements Project in December 2016. The third phase is expected to be completed by spring 2018, with the final project wrapping up by the end of summer 2018. The street [See News Briefs, p. 10]

October 12 - 25, 2017

The problem of antibiotics giving rise to more dangerous drugresistant microorganisms (“superbugs”) has been present since the early days of penicillin, but has now reached a crisis, with companies creating dangerous superbugs when their factories leak industrial waste, as reported by Madlen Davies of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in September 2016. Factories in China and India, where the majority of worldwide antibiotics are manufactured, have released “untreated waste fluid” into local soils and waters, leading to increases in antimicrobial resistance that diminish the effectiveness of antibiotics and threaten the foundations of modern medicine.

“After bacteria in the environment become resistant, they can exchange genetic material with other germs, spreading antibiotic resistance around the world, according to an assessment issued by the European Public Health Alliance, which served as the basis for Davies’s news report,” Projected Censored explained. One strain of drug-resistant bacterium that originated in India in 2014 has spread to 70 other countries.

Superbugs have already killed an estimated 25,000 people across Europe, thus globally posing “as big a threat as terrorism,” according to a UK National Health Service Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies.

“At the heart of the issue is how to motivate pharmaceutical companies to improve their production practices,” Project Censored noted.

“With strong demand for antibiotics, the companies continue to

Man Injured, Gallery Impacted

Anson Stevens-Bollen, Santa Fe Reporter.

Big Data and Dark Money Behind the 2016 Election

enables them to micro-target their deceptive, disruptive messaging. “Pretty much every message that Trump put out was data-driven” after they joined the campaign, Nix said in September 2016. On the day of the third presidential debate, Trump’s team “tested 175,000 different ad variations for his arguments” via Facebook.

This messaging had everything to do with how targeted voters would respond, not with Trump’s or Mercer’s views. In a New Yorker profile, Jane Mayer noted that Mercer argued that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was a major mistake, a subject not remotely hinted at during the campaign.

“Suddenly, a random billionaire can change politics and public policy — sweep everything else off the table — even if they don’t speak publicly, and even if there’s almost no public awareness of his or her views,” Trevor Potter, former chair of the Federal Election Commission, told Mayer.

With the real patterns of influence, ideology, money, power and belief hidden from view, the very concept of democratic self-governance is now fundamentally at risk.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

for the election. These included restrictive voteridentification laws in Texas and North Carolina, English-only elections in many Florida counties, the last-minute relocation of polling places as well as the implementation of changes in Arizona voting laws that the Department of Justice had rejected before the Shelby decision.

Ari Berman, author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America, was foremost among a small number of non-mainstream journalists to cover the suppression efforts and their results. In May 2017, he reported that an analysis of the effects of voter suppression by Priorities U.S.A, showed that strict voter-ID laws in Wisconsin and other states resulted in a “significant reduction” in voter turnout in 2016 with “a disproportionate impact on African-American and Democraticleaning voters.” Berman noted that turnout was reduced by 200,000 votes in Wisconsin, while Donald Trump won the state by just over 22,000 votes.

Nationwide, the study found that new voterID laws significantly reduced voter turnout for elections from 2012 to 2016. In counties that were more than 40 percent African-American, turnout dropped five percent — more than twice the 2.2 percent reductions in places where the rules stayed the same. In counties where African Americans comprised less than 10 percent of the population, election turnouts decreased 0.7 percent under new voter-ID laws. Where there were no changes to voting laws, they increased their election turnouts by 1.9 percent.

“This study provides more evidence for the claim that voter-ID laws are designed not to stop voter impersonation fraud, which is virtually nonexistent, but to make it harder for certain communities to vote,” Berman concluded.

As Berman noted in an article published by Moyers & Co. in December 2016, the topic of “gutting” the Voting Rights Act did not arise once during the 26 presidential debates prior to the election, and “[c]able news devoted hours and hours to Trump’s absurd claim that the election was rigged against him while spending precious

little time on the real threat that voters faced.”

7

Social Media is the Real Fake News Source

Revelations expose that Facebook, Google are used by Russian Trolls

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

As the resident skeptic in this part of the great metropolis at the Port of Los Angeles, I tend to have contrarian reactions when I hear people start repeating mindless refrains about making America great again or insisting that standing for the National Anthem is somehow a mandatory expression of patriotism.

And even more contrary to the latest TV show, Wisdom of the Crowd, I quite often see that the psychology of the masses is the motivation towards conformity without any regard to whether the “group-think” is wise, just or even beneficial. This leads me directly to question why you — and everyone you know — have their nose plugged so deep into smartphones that you can’t even put them down for more than 15 minutes?

The answer is that the programmers up in Silicon Valley and now over at Silicon Beach are designing apps that bypass your better judgment and connect to your human instincts — just think of former US Rep. Anthony Weiner.

The benefit of these new “smart” phones is obvious to everyone who uses one. They are fast, portable and offer more access to information than you can possibly imagine. These devices, or rather Internet companies such as Google and Facebook have gotten quite good at predicting the user’s wants, desires and intentions — frustratingly so at times.

With the digitalization of 24/7 news delivery, Facebook and Google have become de facto gatekeepers as they have become today’s most dominant “publishing” platforms. Between the two, everything from personal home videos to 11 o’clock news clips and an increasing amount of political propaganda is being aggregated by these companies.

For most people, this is the perfect medium of free speech and at times it is. Yet often times, it’s just an echo chamber reinforcing the belief systems of the loudest voices or a battleground of fundamentalist ideologies fought with crude incivilities.

Facebook in particular is like a town hall meeting without a moderator. At other times, it’s a group counseling session without a psychologist. People get to yell or scream and say pretty much whatever they think or feel. It’s therapy I suppose. But the problem here, is that between media conglomerates buying up local news outlets and other media and Facebook and Google using whatever

algorithm to act as “gatekeepers,” Americans will become more susceptible to fake news and foreign and domestic manipulation. This will continue to be true as access to diverse media outlets are restricted and the American general public is unable to critically differentiate the news they are receiving.

It is the advertising side of social media that now concerns us as a nation, and me as a skeptic.

As reported on twice within the past month, both Facebook and Google have been paid to “publish” postings by “Russians who posed as Americans.”

In an Oct. 9 New York Times report, Google turned over more than 3,000 Russia-linked advertisements to the Senate and House intelligence committees. These intelligence committees are reportedly attempting to learn the depth of the sprawling foreign effort to interfere with the 2016 United States presidential election.

Just this past week, it was announced that Google found evidence that Russian agents bought ads on its wide-ranging networks in an effort to interfere with the 2016 presidential campaign.

This latest disclosure adds to the growing pile of evidence shows that the lax oversight of these giant corporations of the “new media” have made them complicit in foisting fake news and false information onto the public. And they’ve been doing it solely for the pursuit of profit–nothing more or less.

A while back, we received a comment on Facebook, asking, “if we believed the crap that we print.” I replied, “Yes, because we stand behind the news that we print.” The other side of this is that all media have an inherent bias or slant that they report from and that it is impossible to have completely “object” reporting. Unlike most of the corporate owned media in the country, we here at RLn, like many other alternative publications, are just more honest about it.

And this is why amongst all of the disruption and chaos that the new social media has presented, people like you still read a publication like this, because we stand behind what we print. We filter out a lot of useless B.S. and present you with what, in our subjective perspective, is most relevant.

It’s a judgment call that you trust us to make and we take that trust very seriously, because it’s more valuable than advertising dollars. It is becoming obviously clear that the new media giants have nothing more in mind than their bottom line.

October 12 - 25, 2017

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

8

Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya

Allan Poe. This is relevant because social media is more like the rumors that you hear as opposed to facts that you read, caution is the watchword of our new era of “smart” technology.

Rebuilding After a Hurricane, Cuba vs. U.S. Colony Puerto Rico

By Mark Friedman

Mobilizing thousands of volunteers, Communist Party members, mass organizations and units from the army, the revolutionary Cuban government is making rapid progress in repairing damage caused by Hurricane Irma and preparing to take on the serious challenges that remain.

While Irma caused more severe and widespread damage in Cuba than in most of the United States — and less than in some Caribbean islands like Barbuda and the U.S. colony of the Virgin Islands — workers and farmers in Cuba have a big advantage. Since the overthrow of U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959, opening the door for Cuba’s socialist revolution, Cuba’s working people run the government. As Cuban President Raúl Castro said, they ensure that “no Cuban family is left on its own. “Their revolution, and the way the Cuban people met the storm, is a powerful example for workers worldwide to emulate. More than 1,738,000 people were evacuated in advance of the storm

by Civil Defense committees, minimizing the loss of human life. The committees made sure shelters — from community centers to caves — were comfortable and adequately provisioned. Students

Columnists/Reporters Lyn Jensen Reporter Christian Guzman Reporter Richard Foss Restaurant

Reviewer Andrea Serna Arts Writer Melina Paris Culture Writer

Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com

Send Calendar Items to: 14days@randomlengthsnews.com

Paul Rosenberg Assistant Editor Zamná Ávila zamna@randomlengthsnews.com

Contributors Anson Stevens-Bollen, Mark Friedman

“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 Senior Editor Vol. XXXVIII : No. 21 Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach. Distributed at over 350 locations throughout the Harbor Area.

So the irony of writing this column is I needed to do a Google search to find the author of this quote that fits the subject, LOL, “Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.” —Edgar

Photographers Phillip Cooke, Terelle Jerricks, Raphael Richardson

Cartoonists Ann Cleaves, Andy Singer, Matt Wuerker Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya Advertising Representative Meagan Beckham rlnsales@randomlengthsnews.com Editorial Intern Nicolas Guzman Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 www.randomlengthsnews.com

went door-to-door to persuade and help anyone in a danger zone who was hesitating, to evacuate.

Tens of thousands of electrical and construction workers moved into action as soon as the storm died down. At the height of the hurricane, 100 percent of electric power — except for generators in some essential buildings — was shut down.

Some key power plants were severely damaged and more than 3,600 electrical poles came down.

But as of Sept. 16, 87 percent of the population had some electricity restored.

“What is needed now is solidarity, and for every Cuban that means offering whatever you have for your neighbor even if that means dividing it up so that a little bit gets into the hands of many,” wrote Guerrillero, the newspaper of Pinar del Río province, one of the less affected areas of the country.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces in Cuba is helping to lead the way. Granma reported Sept.

17 that brigades of 20 or 30 soldiers together with people from the Ministry of Construction and neighborhood organizations are going block by block cleaning up Cienfuegos.The challenges are [See Puerto Rico, p. 9] Random Lengths News editorial office is located at 1300 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731, (310) 519-1016. Address correspondence regarding news items and news tips only to Random Lengths News, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733-0731, or email to editor @randomlengthsnews.com.

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

Extra copies and back issues are available by mail for $3 per copy while supplies last. Subscriptions are available for $36 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 2017 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.

RANDOMLetters Where is the Outrage?

I have lived in San Pedro for more than 30 years. In that time, I have seen little change, e.g. the streets are still filthy; just drive down Gaffey, Western or Pacific— they are all an embarrassment. We have two beautiful new parks as you enter and leave San Pedro. And now we have gorgeous palm trees on Gaffey and some new trees on Western. That is a good start, but our sheriffs have new belt buckles to a tune of $300,000. And our schools are lacking for teachers, books and supplies. Children in foster care are often stolen into sex trafficking.

There are many reasons for this, one of which is that LAUSD refuses to talk about this uncomfortable subject in their schools.

By the way, right now on Governor Brown’s desk is AB 1227- HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION EDUCATION AND TRAINING ACT. The county has defunded a wonderful program, CASA, which is now a 501(c)3, and relies on private donations.

During the past year, I have tried to bring these issues to our elected officials’ attention many times. It is almost incredulous the response I get from our duly elected officials, who are hired and paid to solve problems—just smile and give the answer everyone wants to hear. Our children are dying for an education that can take them out of the poverty cycle they are stuck in. I beg of each of you to rise up and advocate for the little ones among us. Just call anyone of our city, county or state officials.

I have included some of their

names and phone numbers below.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT CITY MONEY IS CITY MONEY, COUNTY MONEY IS COUNTY MONEY AND SCHOOL MONEY IS SCHOOL MONEY. That in and of itself is a big problem, but where is our money best spent?

Ask 50 people and you might get 50 different answers. However, we have to look ahead and push as hard as we can to accomplish certain common, important goals.

First-rate teachers and curriculums in all our school, starting with elementary, would make a good crucial beginning. Calling one or more of the following numbers to express YOUR concern would be a great next step.

Gov. Brown: (916) 445-2841 Councilman Joe Buscaino: (213) 473-7015 Rep. Nanette Barragan: (310) 831-1799 Supervisor Janice Hahn: (310) 519-6021 Assemblyman Patrick

O’Donnell: (310) 548-6420 Arlene Dickey San Pedro

The Reunion No One Asked For

Next week, Donald Trump’s sham voting commission will be meeting again to get the gears turning on their voter suppression machine.

They’ve already submitted their requests for your personal information. Jeff Sessions is readying to lead the charge on voter roll purges throughout the country.

Who are some of these distinguished members of Trump’s sham voting commission? Well,

[Puerto Rico, from p. 8]

Puerto Rico

• There’s Mike Pence, who opposed an effort to register African Americans in Indiana because he said such efforts were fraudulent.

• And of course, we can’t forget about Kris Kobach, the proud “King of Voter Suppression” as the ACLU puts it. Kobach endorsed Trump’s claim that three to five million people voted illegally in the 2016 election and supported some of the most restrictive voter laws ever introduced in this century.

• In addition, there is Ken Blackwell, the former Secretary of State for Ohio, whose office released the Social Security numbers of nearly 6 million citizens.

that all individuals don’t have the right to their own opinion.

You and I went over this several times; in the last letter I sent you, I dealt specifically with this kind of rationale that was used and shown at Charlottesville. In earlier correspondences with me, you implied that everyone has a right to their opinion. In a later letter I challenged your logic and said that beliefs like this are the problem in today’s society. You had no solution for society’s problems; you are a hindrance to today’s society. That letter was never published. As you stated, we must let it be known that these actions and speech are a step too far. Who or what advocates this rhetoric,

had an opinion, based on a bible, that they were superior to that BLACK MAN and that all the Democrats where going to be just like that BLACK MAN, because they embraced his policies which were

Christian Ministers and they base it on a stupid bible. The solution is getting rid of the lie GOD and embrace SCIENCE. Paul: You said that the reason the Democrats lost so many positions in the Senate, Congress and state legislatures is because they failed to articulate.

I have another view. The Republicans can thank Fox news, conservative talk radio, which for eight years, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, said to its base that their troubles were because of that Black Man in the White House. They called our President everything in the world, and these white racists

[See Letters, p. 20]

Community Alert

State Lands Commission Hearing on Rancho LPG Los Angeles Harbor Area residents may speak to the California State Lands Commission on any concerns before the commission.

Time: 9 a.m. Oct.19 Details: slc.ca.gov Venue: Huntington Beach Council Chambers, 2000 Main St., Huntington Beach

• Connie Lawson was one of the pioneers of tougher voting restrictions in Indiana. And by pioneer, I mean she co-authored some of the nation’s first restrictions that would be picked up by fellow vote suppressors across the nation.

• Joining them is Hans von Spakovsky, who tried very hard to purge voter rolls in my home state of Missouri. He failed then, but he hopes that his latest effort will be successful.

Unless we continue to push back, this motley crew of vote suppressors will continue to use the right to vote as a political tool.

Jason Kander Let America Vote Washington, D.C.

Response to James Allen and Paul Rosenberg’s Articles

James, I read your article, and in the last paragraph, you stated

o6 MONTHS/13 ISSUES $20 o1 YEAR/27 ISSUES $36 Subscription

See Above Rates

x

#of Subscriptions

+

$ Donation

= $ TOTAL

Your Name Address City Form of payment:

State Check (payable to Random Lengths)

Accnt #

ZIP

Ph.# M/C

Exp Date

Visa

AmEx CVC

Signature Return this form to Random Lengths, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733

October 12 - 25, 2017

Mark Friedman is the coordinator of upcoming California tour of Cuban marine science educators.

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE! SUBSCRIBE TODAY

the social solidarity of the working class. There were reports of price-gouging, hoarding and a few cases of people taking computers from schools and circuit breakers from evacuated homes.

On Sept. 16 the assistant attorney general of Cuba announced that “hoarding, speculation, illicit economic activities, illegalities and infractions that harm what is costing so much effort” will be dealt with severely.

Troupes of musicians, actors and other entertainers have taken to the road to boost people’s spirits.

“The hurricane did not break the spirit of resistance of Cubans,” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said at the United Nations Sept.

18.

Rodríguez pledged that Cuba would “cooperate, within our modest possibilities, with our fellow peoples who have been affected by the hurricane.”

The nearly 800 Cuban volunteer health care workers who were in fellow Caribbean countries before the storm are pitching in and others from Cuba have volunteered to join them.

Compare this to the devastation in Puerto Rico where the entire infrastructure has been wiped out and won’t be rebuilt for months or decades as some say. Puerto Rico needs hundreds of millions in nostrings-attached aid and a cancellation of its $73 billion debt to the banks, which already wreaked havoc on the economy. The response of the U.S. government is a pittance of aid, but hundreds of national guards. Wonder why? Colony vs. a workers and farmers government.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

formidable. In addition to the electrical grid, tens of thousands of homes were damaged — 24,000 in Camagüey province alone. Dozens of oil wells, sugar refineries and more than 100,000 acres of banana, sweet potato, grapefruit, oranges, sugar cane and other crops, as well as chicken coops and feed lots for pigs and cattle were hard hit.

Farmworkers and peasants are organizing to salvage as much as possible of banana and citrus crops that were knocked to the ground. To replace lost vegetable and fruit production, farmers are planting seeds with shorter growth cycles that can still be harvested this year.

The Federation of Cuban Women, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and other mass organizations held a national cleanup mobilization Sept. 17.

University students helped too. As soon as the storm ended a large number of students headed to the University of Havana to begin cleaning up. “Nobody called us or went looking for us, but we all got there early because we knew that our support was needed. We’ve been working at the university and nearby areas ever since,” said student Karla Santana Rodríguez.

The government announced Sept. 18 it was subsidizing 50 percent of the materials needed to rebuild or repair damaged homes. Low interest or zero interest loans are available. And those who can’t afford loans can get materials for free.

Some individuals have taken advantage of the situation for themselves at the expense of

I’m glad you asked:

9

[Stories, from p. 7]

Missed Stories

profit despite the negative consequences of their actions…. The EPHA assessment recommended five responses that major purchasers of medicines could implement to help stop antibiotic pollution.

Among these recommendations are blacklisting pharmaceutical companies that contribute to the spread of superbugs through irresponsible practices, and promoting legislation to incorporate environmental criteria into the industry’s good manufacturing practices.”

Superbugs are especially threatening modern medicine, in which a wide range of sophisticated practices — organ transplants, joint replacements, cancer chemotherapy and care of pre-term infants — “will become more difficult or even too dangerous to undertake,” said Margaret Chan, head of the World Health Organization.

“Although the threat of antibiotic-resistant microbes is well documented in scientific publications, there is little to no coverage on superbugs in the corporate press,” Project Censored noted. “What corporate news coverage there is tends to exaggerate the risks and consequences of natural outbreaks — as seen during the Ebola

scare in the United States in 2014 — rather than reporting on the preventable spread of superbugs by irresponsible pharmaceutical companies.”

Once again, it’s not just a problem of suppressing a single story, but two overlapping patterns — the biological problem of superbugs and political economy problem of the corporate practices that produce them so wantonly.

The Toll of Navy Training on Wildlife in the North Pacific

The Navy has killed, injured or harassed marine mammals in the North Pacific almost 12 million times over a five-year period, according to research conducted by the West Coast Action Alliance and reported by Dahr Jamail for Truthout. The casualties include endangered species such as humpback whales, blue whales, gray whales, sperm whales, steller sea lions and sea otters. The number of destroyed and damaged marine lives was derived from the Navy’s Northwest Training and Testing environmental impact statement and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s letter of

authorization, which report the number of “takes” of marine mammals caused by Navy exercises.

“A ‘take’ is a form of harm to an animal that ranges from harassment, to injury, and sometimes to death,” Jamail wrote. “Many wildlife conservationists see even ‘takes’ that only cause behavior changes as injurious, because chronic harassment of animals that are feeding or breeding can end up harming, or even contributing to their deaths if they are driven out of habitats critical to their survival.”

As the alliance noted, this does not include impacts on “endangered and threatened seabirds, fish, sea turtles or terrestrial species” due to Navy activities. Those activities have dramatically expanded, according to the Navy’s October 2015 environmental impact statement. These include: • A 778 percent increase in number of torpedoes • A 400 percent increase in air-to-surface missile exercises (including Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary) • A 1,150 percent increase in drone aircraft • An increase from none to 284 sonar testing events in inland waters “It is, and has been for quite some time now, well known in the scientific community that the Navy’s use of sonar can damage and kill marine life,” Jamail reported.

“With little oversight on Navy training activities, the public is left in the dark regarding their environmental impacts, including especially how Navy operations impact fish in the North Pacific and marine life at the bottom of the food chain,” Project Censored noted. “There has been almost no coverage of these impacts in the corporate press.”

October 12 - 25, 2017

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Maternal Mortality a Growing Threat in the U.S.

10

The U.S. maternal mortality rate is rising, even as it declines across the developed world. Serious injuries and complications are needlessly even more widespread with shockingly little attention being paid.

“Each year more than 600 women in the United States die from pregnancy-related causes and more than 65,000 experience life-threatening complications or severe maternal morbidity,” Elizabeth Dawes Gay reported, covering an April 2016 congressional briefing organized by Women’s Policy Inc. “The average national rate of maternal mortality has increased from 12 per 100,000 live births in 1998 to 15.9 in 2012, after peaking at 17.8 [See Censored, p. 17]

[News Briefs, from p. 7]

realignment is in preparation for the planned San Pedro Public Market, slated to open in 2020 at the current Ports O’ Call Village site on the Los Angeles Waterfront.

Garcetti Announces Grant to Expand Domestic Violence Programs

LOS ANGELES — On Oct. 5, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the Justice Department has awarded Los Angeles $900,000 to boost assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

A three-year grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women will help the City serve 30 percent more victims through the Domestic Abuse Response Team and Sexual Assault Response Team programs.

Garcetti has expanded Domestic Abuse Response Team to all 21 of the Los Angeles Police Department’s geographic divisions — more than doubling the original number of trained, volunteer first-responder teams working with law enforcement to assist victims of domestic violence. In 2016, Domestic Abuse Response Team served more than 6,500 survivors of domestic abuse.

The program will be expanded by increasing the number of teams that help victims access specialized sexual assault response services such as trauma informed care, victim-advocate accompaniment to hospitals or emergency rooms, emotional and psychological assistance and follow-up counseling.

Brown Signs Veteran Legal Aid Bill

SACRAMENTO — On Oct. 5, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Torrance Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi’s Assembly Bill 360.

The new law requires the California State Bar to administer a program to coordinate free civil legal assistance to veterans and their families who otherwise cannot afford legal services. This new law also requires the state bar to conduct a statewide survey of programs that provide legal assistanc e to veterans in order to better identify whether and where their needs are the greatest. AB 360 received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Legislature.

The governor also signed a bill that will protect child sexual assault victims from repeated court proceedings. The new law will allow for the consolidation of child sexual assault prosecutions to protect child victims from having to relive their assault details multiple times in court. Under AB 368, sponsored by Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, when an offender commits certain sexual crimes with a minor in multiple jurisdictions, the offenses may be joined and heard in any one of those locations.

Better than Chain Store Service

• FREE DELIVERY • SAME CO-PAY • PERSONAL SERVICE • NO WAIT •Specialty Medicines • Professional, Familiar Service • Free Delivery Service • ILWU, Medicare Part D and all major insurances accepted

We’re your independent community pharmacy!

GIVE US A CALL

310-833-3535

1294 W. 6th St., Ste. 100, San Pedro

Across from Little Company of Mary Hospital

www.PeninsulaRx.com

Fax 310-833-9124

HOURS: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Grand Annex Showcases Electrifying Hispanic Beats in October

By Melina Paris, Music Columnist

One of Spain’s finest guitarists and an all-female salsa band are slated to get all feet on the dance floor this month at the Grand Annex in San Pedro.

Spanish guitarist El Twanguero performs Oct. 13 and Las Chikas, who are breaking ground in a maledominated genre will perform Oct. 28.

I recently spoke to them about their upcoming performances and music.

El Twanguero

(Diego Garcia)

El Twanguero brings his brand of Spanish guitar virtuosity to the Grand Annex on Oct. 13. File photo

[See Beats, p. 14]

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

El Twanguero doesn’t play concerts, he plays musical trips.

It is most evident in El Camino and Fields of America. They are soft and patient numbers that encompass a sonic journey which he says is inspired by the nuances of life.

“I have to pay attention to what happens out there and how it affects to my inner world,” El Twanguero said.

“Then I try to filter all that experience and change into sounds.”

The Spanish musician dubbed the fire-breathing guitar hero, El Twanguero launched his successful solo career after years of accompanying Latin music giants such as Bunbury, Calamaro, El Cigala and others.

El Twanguero is well versed in a range of sounds and genres from highenergy rock to rockabilly and low tempo numbers. He calls his sound “Spanish twang.” He started playing classical guitar, the Spanish repertoire, at the age

of six when he entered the conservatory of Valencia.

At the same time he was listening to his father’s vinyl records for bands like The Shadows, the Beatles and Dire Straits.

His upbringing has led him to develop an acclaimed sound and an impeccable finger-picking style. He has won a Goya and a Spanish Latin Grammy. His records include: Octopus, El Twanguero, The Brooklyn Session, Argentina Songbook, and Carreteras Secundarias (Volume 1). They encompass Spanish flamenco, tango and American folk.

One of his goals is to cross over to the American markets, not just the general market with his music (instrumental and Spanish flair) and also the American Latino markets.

His Grand Annex performance will showcase his Spanish twist on the music of Les Paul, Chet Atkins and Carl Perkins. But there may be other surprises to listen for such as the sounds on his album, Carreteras Secundarias (Backroads). The album is the result of a six month trip from Chicago to Argentina.

“It has an extensive palette of sounds that surround the album — echoes of tango, Brazilian choro, Mexican waltzes, blues and milonga,” El Twanguero said.

He is also working on a new album.

One new song, Gypsy Lady is set for release in November. The album will be released in the spring in Europe and United States simultaneously.

Details: www.twanguero.com/

1st Thursday After Party 9 p.m. to midnight

Wine Wednesdays

1/2 off bottles after 6 p.m.

Daily Happy Hour 3 to 6 p.m.

October 12 - 25, 2017

LIVE JAZZ SUNDAYS, 3 to 6 p.m.

11

T

Lessons and Questions from the Sustainable Seafood Expo

By Richard Foss, Cuisine and Culture Writer

James Smith of Omega Blue Seafood gets personal with an almaco jack fish. Right, Norah Eddy of Salty Girl shows off her child-friendly, minimally processed seafood products. Photos by Richard Foss

are focused upon following those national standards.

Anyone optimistic about the idea that capitalists will think long-term, might point out that it is in the best interest of businesses to maintain sustainability standards so they can sell fish for a long time.

Indeed it is, but seafood harvesters have a long history of focusing on short-term profit rather than long-term stability. The collapse of the Monterey Bay sardine industry memorialized in John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row is most famous, but you don’t have to have lived in our own Harbor Area very long to remember when thousands of people worked in the local fishing and processing industry. The last of the tuna canneries on Terminal Island shuttered in 2001, a victim of decimated local fish stocks and cheap foreign labor.

Some see a future in local seafood harvesting thanks to careful management, among them Kelly Stromberg, marketing

October 12 - 25, 2017

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

here was a curious mix of enthusiasm and concern among participants in the Sustainable Seafood Expo, Oct. 1, at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium.

The enthusiasm was largely due to the fact that even skeptical parts of society have admitted the importance of ensuring a continuing supply of seafood. The worry is that the awakening may be too late to save some of the species that Americans most enjoy eating.

Members of several ecological organizations and seafood industry entrepreneurs rubbed shoulders at the event that featured cooking demonstrations, a panel discussion about the state of the oceans and food sampling.

Simmering under the surface of the event were two questions: Who defines “sustainable?”

How much are consumers willing to pay to ensure a continuing stream of seafood?

One might expect to be able to get a simple answer from a government organization, since the United States enacted laws against overfishing as early as the establishment of the National Marine Fisheries Service in 1870. The successor to that organization is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and representatives were staffing a booth by the entrance.

Some of them admitted that “sustainable” is a difficult concept to quantify because it depends which organization is saying something is sustainable. There isn’t always agreement between, for instance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch and MSC Certification. The U.S. government does have an act in place with 10 standards of sustainability and all of their actions in managing fish

12

(310) 518-1030

1601 E. Anaheim St. Wilmington Open daily — M-F: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sat.: 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sun.: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

With coupon.

Dine-in only

director of Catalina Sea Ranch — the first American aquaculture facility operating in deep offshore waters. The Sea Ranch project is pioneering programs to farm mussels, oysters, scallops, abalone and kelp. Stromberg is optimistic that new regulations on harvesting sea urchins can make a difference. Those

urchins fetch good prices from Japanese and Italian restaurants, but indiscriminate harvesting is causing havoc in the ecology.

“There are different species of urchin, and some of the ones that are being wiped out actually help the kelp,” Stromberg said. “Also there are regions that have a good balance and shouldn’t be fished, so there are not enough urchins where they’re wanted and too many where they’re not.”

Catalina Sea Ranch sold its first batches of shellfish to local restaurants in July, and at this event their booth was across from another newcomer called Omega Blue. Representative James Smith explained that they have been raising almaco jacks — a fish similar to albacore tuna — in the Sea of Cortez to take advantage of the deep, pure water in the area. While posing proudly with a large whole fish, he mentioned that while the environment is important to the taste of seafood, there’s more to it than that.

“These were swimming 36 hours ago, but the quality of a fish isn’t all about how recently it was caught,” Smith said. “If you catch a fish on a line it was fighting and stressed, which releases a lot of lactic acid into its bloodstream … that degrades the quality of the meat. We put ours in an ice bath so that they literally fall asleep, so they’re never stressed. The shelf life of this fish far exceeds that of a line caught fish.”

The buyers at seafood restaurants who purchase Omega Blue’s fish pay a premium but know exactly what they’re getting. Marine biologist Sarah Rathbone suggested they may be in the minority. Rathbone is the cofounder of Dock to Dish, and she was eloquent about the problem with seafood fraud.

“Fish fraud is pervasive, a recognized problem in the industry and an unfortunate situation for consumers of seafood,” she commented. “The industrialization and globalization of the seafood market create this long chain of custody between the harvester and the place where people are buying or eating. One of the biggest problems is with fish labeled red snapper, a name that is slapped on every white fish with red skin. In California it’s usually some variety of rockfish, of which there are about 100 species.

“True red snapper are found only in the Atlantic. Any local menu that claims to offer local red snapper must be wrong. I’ve also seen local white seabass on a menu two weeks before the season opened. I asked the chef and he said it was too expensive to reprint the menus and they were serving corvina from Mexico.

Somehow the price doesn’t come down when they switch to cheaper fish.”

Dock to Dish offered tastes of a smoked fish medley that included king salmon, Pacific mackerel and black cod. Rathbone was emphatic that they actually were what was advertised.

“I saw the salmon landed at midnight on Avila Beach three days ago,” she reminisced. “It was very exciting for me.”

There is less drama for Neil Radix of Selva Shrimp because reeling in shrimp isn’t terribly exciting, but he has the same enthusiasm for his crustaceans that are raised in mangrove swamps in Vietnam. These operations are rare good news in the often exploitative world of aquaculture, because they involve careful maintenance of a natural environment.

“This shrimp isn’t intensively raised – they’re released into mangrove channels, and those channels provide all the food the shrimp needs,” Radix said. “There is not only no artificial feed, there is no feed at all, because they’re raised in their native environment in their natural densities. We let Mother Nature do what Mother Nature does. We manage what nature does, put guardrails on it. The downside of that is that we do have an unpredictable return. Last year there were heavier rains than normal, which lowered the salinity, and that slows the growth rate of shrimp. It’s just one of the things we have to work around. We have 3600 farmers in designated zones, and we have a traceability program that helps us to verify that our shrimp doesn’t get mixed in with intensively farmed shrimp.”

Radix was emphatic that any customer who

Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria

BUNZ GOURMET BURGERS

The Chori-Man

MARIA’S RESTAURANT

If you are in the mood for authentic Mexican food, at an affordable price, try María’s Mexican Restaurant.

The inconspicuous eatery on Pacific Avenue and 22nd Street in San Pedro offers a wide variety of savory, traditional dishes from tortas and burritos to chiles rellenos and camarones a la diabla. On a time crunch for lunch or dinner? Give María’s a call and they’ll have your meal ready for you within minutes.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. María’s Mexican Restaurant, 2215 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro • (310) 833-6666.

San Pedro Brewing Company

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

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

The Whale & Ale English Restaurant & Pub

The Victorian oak panels & elegant brass fittings will make you feel like you crossed the Atlantic.

Featuring popular pub fare such as Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, & entrées of Choice Steaks, Roast Prime Rib, Beef Wellington & Roast Rack of Lamb. Seafood selections include Chilean Sea Bass, Atlantic Salmon, Jumbo Tiger Shrimp & Sand Dabs. International draft beers & ales, as well as domestic craft beers on tap. Full bar; free, gated parking lot. Open daily for dinner and lunch Tues.-Sun. 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-0363 • www.whaleandale. com

Waterfront Dining

Boardwalk Grill

Casual waterfront dining at its finest! Famous for slabs of Chicago-style baby back ribs, fish-n-chips, rich clam chowder, cold beer on tap and wine. Full lunch menu also includes salads, sandwiches and burgers. Indoor and outdoor patio dining available. Proudly pouring Starbucks coffee. Open 7 days a week. Free parking. Boardwalk Grill, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 519-7551

PORTS O’ CALL RESTAURANT

Since 1961 this landmark restaurant has extended a hearty welcome to visitors from around the globe.

Delight in an awe-inspiring view of the LA Harbor while enjoying fresh California cuisine and varietals. Relax in the bar or patio for the best happy hour on the waterfront.

With each purchase of the award-winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, receive the first Spirit Cruises harbor cruise of the day free. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Free parking. Ports O’Call Waterfront Dining, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor, Berth 76, San Pedro • (310) 833-3553 • www. portsocalldining.com

SPIRIT CRUISES

An instant party— complete with all you need to relax and enjoy while the majesty of the harbor slips by.

Dinner cruise features a 3-course meal, full bar, unlimited cocktails and starlight dancing—the ultimate excursion for any occasion. Free parking. Spirit Cruises, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 5488080, (562) 495-5884, www.spiritmarine.com

October 12 - 25, 2017

Fourth-generation artisanal chorizo and meats. Purchase chorizo by the pound or try our burritos and tacos! Menu specials change weekly. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Catering available, email: info@ thechoriman.com for catering and special orders. The Chori-Man, 2309 S. Alma St., San Pedro • (424) 287-2414

The Happy Diner isn’t your average diner. It’s the idea of fresh creative dishes in tow San Pedro locations, and now a third—the Happy Deli. The selections range from Italianand Mexican-influenced entrées to American continental. Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new—take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables prepared any way you like. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner: Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro • (310) 241-0917 • Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 935-2933 • Open for breakfast and lunch: Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro (424) 364-0319

Bunz Gourmet Burgers is not your average burger joint. Founded in 2014 by two high school friends who came together to serve super fresh, one-of-a-kind, burgers with personality.

With eight different buns to choose from and your choice of chicken, beef, turkey or veggie patties, and over 26 “styles” of burger — the possibilties are endless. Try the loaded up fries topped with pastrami, pepperoni or bbq chicken and more. The enormous portions and savory flavor will leave you more than satisfied. Open daily until 9 p.m. 655 W. 7th St. San Pedro • (310) 514-8773

Happy DineR AND HAPPY DELI

“It’s an answer to moms all over the country who want better options – they want things that are convenient that kids love,” Eddy said. “We’ve made this awesome product that families can keep on hand and cook up like a chicken nugget, but it’s wholesome pure wild Alaska salmon.”

Eddy didn’t bat an eye in answering whether this was the world’s most sneaky way to get children to eat broccoli and have a balanced diet.

“Yes, totally,” she said. “They don’t even notice that it’s in there and they love it. After they’ve tried it and like it families can start this conversation about where food comes from. It’s a great way to get kids engaged, get them eating food with integrity instead of dinosaur-shaped mystery meat.”

Though the product in this case was far from its natural form, it followed a theme I heard in almost every conversation. The people who know sustainable seafood believe that once people learn about its health advantages, flavor difference and ecological impact, they’ll stop buying intensively farmed junk fish. They probably don’t care why you’re doing so, as long as you do it. Past experience suggests that we aren’t particularly good at resisting the immediate bargain and focusing on the long view, but there are counter-examples of ecosystems and species brought back from the brink. A trickle of seafood harvesting jobs is returning to the Harbor Area and if some of the local operations are successful the flow may increase.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

A San Pedro landmark for over 44 years, famous for exceptional awardwinning pizza baked in brick ovens. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and handselected ingredients that are prepared fresh. Dine-in, take-out and catering.

There are two locations in Long Beach. Hours: Sun.Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Buono’s Pizzeria, 1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 547-0655 • www.buonospizza.com

has had the genuine article can tell the difference between counterfeit sustainable shrimp.

“There is a flavor difference between wild caught and farm raised shrimp, because the farm raised are usually fed a diet that is designed to maximize their growth rate,” Radix said. “You can see the difference in color [and] taste it. If you take a raw wild shrimp and squeeze it, it’s more firm because they’re swimming more, they have more space to move than they would in a very tight pen. You taste that difference across the board, as sushi, ceviche, or cooked.

This type of shrimp has been revered in the Japanese market for years, not because of the sustainability but because of the quality.

Laura and Wyatt Wilson of Ports ‘O Call Restaurant served littleneck clams.

The Japanese will pay Photo by Richard Foss anything for the best Her product is frozen discs of mixed salmon, because they often prepare seafood with delicate broccoli and sweet potato and was conceived seasonings, so you really taste the quality.” as a way to get children to eat seafood that Radix emphasized the natural texture and isn’t fish sticks or some other highly processed form of his ingredients, while Norah Eddy of product.

Salty Girl spends her time concealing both.

13

[Beats, from p. 11]

Beats

Las Chikas

Reception October 21, 2 to 6 pm Awards Ceremony 3 pm All international work never before shown in a national exhibition

Having a salsa outfit comprised entirely of women is rare. Most salsa bands are comprised of all men; occasionally, you find one woman in a band.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, ‘Oh, you play pretty good for a woman,’” said Iliana Rose, who arranges Las Chikas’ music and plays keyboards during performances.

But she takes the backhanded compliment as a challenge.

“We not only bring it but we also play with a level of sensitivity that [only] we bring to the table,” she said. “I want Los Angeles to know that there is a smoking hot female salsa band in town and we’re ready to make some waves.”

Las Chikas has been evolving for almost a decade. Rose noted that women musicians, especially in Latin music, all kind of know each other and play in other bands, including other all-female bands. It’s no different for Las Chikas. They performed on a TV talk show featuring music and comedy called, Noches con Platanito, for four years and their relationship

“Every time [Lilly] sings, I’m in awe of her,” Rose said. “She is legit as it comes. And the combination, not only tone-wise, of Gabby’s voice and Lilly’s voice is so powerful but [it’s] also in their personalities. The onstage banter is hilarious.

“Lilly is the sassy Cuban with the finger snaps and Gabby is the sweet, young Mexican American, beautiful innocent girl,” she said.

Las Chikas will be performing a tribute to Celia Cruz. Rose and Tamez both include Celia Cruz as one of their biggest influences and inspirations.

Rose and Tamez want to carry on their musical heritage and make an album of original music and some of their favorite songs. Rose envisions possibly having an album within a year or next Christmas.

Las Chikas will perform songs that are nostalgic for many salsa fans like La Negra Tiene Tumbao and Carnaval. Rose said it might bring the audience back to maybe the first time they heard some of those songs. She feels not only incredibly fortunate to be a performer but also a responsibility to the public.

“Music is a way of bringing joy, of moving people both internally and externally,” she said.

“Music has the power of healing.”

Exhibition dates: October 5 - December 17 FOR MORE INFORMATION (310) 831-1099 Regular hours: Thurs., Fri. 10 am to 2 pm : Sat., Sun. 12 to 4 pm First Thursdays 6 to 9 pm

NATIONAL WATERCOLOR SOCIETY 915 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731 • www.nationalwatercolorsociety.org

LOU MANNICK

SAW & SOUL

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

The Los Angeles-based, all-female salsa band, Las Chikas will perform Oct. 28 at the Grand Annex. File photo

Featuring

Windy Barnes Otis Mannick David Witham Oliver C. Brown with Guest Performer

October 12 - 25, 2017

Mike McCollum

14

Tickets: $20

Sunday, Oct. 29 • 4 p.m.

Alvas Showroom 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro For tickets: www.alvasshowroom.com

(310) 833-7538

evolved. Eventually they decided it was time to perform live.

“Just as salsa erupted from a variety of farflung musical components, so have the members of Las Chikas found their flavor by stirring their distinct backgrounds — from Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, and Miami — into an international blend,” Rose said.

It was very deliberate to get together with these particular musicians.

“There’s really no other working female salsa band — locally anyway — that’s in existence right now,” Rose said. “And, there are so many talented female musicians that it was just a no brainer.”

Rose cited the chemistry between vocalists Gabby Tamez of Mexico and Lilly Hernandez of Cuba as an example.

Offstage, members contribute complementary skills. Rose focuses on arranging, composing and musical direction. Tamez is a wiz at gaining followers on social media, letting people know where they are performing and what the latest news for the band is.

“It’s spectacular … the openness to share your everyday world and bring people in so they can see that you’re not standoffish, you’re just regular people who enjoy making music,” Rose said.

“We do everything, salsa music, pop music, cumbia, bachata. We would love to play for as many people as possible all over the world. That is the ultimate goal. Take whatever work comes your way and just try to remain true to whatever allows you to be fulfilled and happy.”

Details: www.laschikas.com

SPIFF Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Short Horror Films

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Sean S. Cunningham has directed and/or produced more than 25 films in his career, but he will probably be most recognized for his film about that hockey mask wearing mass murderer, Friday the 13th.

Cunningham will attend a screening of the film at the festival and will engage in questionand-answer discussion on the iconic film after its screening during the San Pedro International Film Festival on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.

Cunningham has described the slasher film as a surprise hit. considering he had intended the film to be a project to keep his people working until the next big film. At that time, he was just completing the family comedy film, Manny’s Orphans, a Bad-News-Bears-meetssoccer-film. Cunningham had directed and produced more than five films at this point in his career and all the financing he had available was tied up in Manny’s Orphans.

Cunningham explained in a 2014 interview that the Friday the 13th film title came out of a brainstorming session for Manny’s Orphans, but saw the potential of what could happen with the proposed film the greatest horror film ever made.

He purchased advertising space in Variety magazine to see if there would be any objections using the proposed film title. But instead of objections, he received offers to finance and distribute the film. Friday the 13th is the final featured film of the festival, which began Oct. 5 and ends on Oct. 15.

The following is a bevy of short horror films set to be screened from Oct. 13 through 15: In My Room, directed by Michael Trainotti is about a young boy who has trouble going to sleep after watching scary movies with his dad.

Jitterman, directed by Alex Mathieson is about a malevolent entity hellbent on terrorizing a vulnerable babysitter, home alone!

Bestia, directed by Gigi Saul Gerraro follows the lone survivor (played by Mathias Retamal) of a disaster as he awakens on a deserted beach. It becomes clear that there are more dangers lurking in the woods than a hungry beast.

Underhanded, directed by Stephen Gregory Curtis is about a young boy who was shielded from the criminal underworld by his father, a rising mobster and witnesses the assassination of his father by gangsters in Atlantic City.

These mobsters flourish after seizing his father’s bootleg operation and expanding it

Cost: $100 for 2 day general admission pass Details: www.spiffest.org Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro GRAND

VISION

PRESENTS

Sean Watkins Thursday, October 26 7:30 pm Door • 8 pm Concert

Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter and co-founder of contemporary folk / Americana group, Nickel Creek.

Tickets & Info:

310.833.4813 | GrandVision.org The Grand Annex | 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Sean S. Cunningham, director of Friday the 13th will lead a discussion after the screening of his film on Oct. 13 as part of the SPIFF. File photo

to Chicago. Now a young man, he vows revenge. After receiving a tip, he tracks them down to a local speakeasy. Apprehensive, but determined, he decides to risk his life by confronting the murderers at their nightly poker game.

Perception, directed by Andy Cruz tells the story of the son of a Mexican immigrant who can draw anything from memory perfectly yet, he perceives the world differently and he shows this in his art.

The Masked Murderer, directed

by Devansh Agarwal is about an unassuming detective who interviewd a grieving woman regarding her boyfriend’s death but doesn’t realize what he is getting into when he enters her home.

The Adventures of Lucy, is directed by Teddy Valentovic.

In order to defeat the dark manifestation of her cancer, a young girl must use the power of imagination to overcome her fears.

Five Dollars, directed by Ty Coughenour tells the story of a father watching over his estranged son for the summer and encounters a couple of criminals on the run on his rural ranch in Washington.

White Room, directed by Garret Gaston is a film about an unhinged scientist goes to extreme measures to find out how love forms.

UFO Diary, directed by Jason Apuzz. Two Women’s Army Corps officers in the early days of WWII fight an alien invasion of L.A., becoming the unlikely heroines of one of the most famous UFO incidents in history.

Last Night In Town is directed

by Anja Paul. While getting ready to host a party, an elderly man

Enjoy Live Music No Cover Stay for Dinner 1st Thursday Artwalk Nov. 2nd Four-piece Jazz Band The Swinging Whalers

Fridays

Jazz Band, 7 pm

Saturdays

Jazz Guitar, 6:30 pm

October 12 - 25, 2017

Diablera, directed by David Mahlmann is about an escaped prisoner who encounters a Shaman in the desert, who cleanses more than just his soul.

The Collection is directed by Adam Roffman.Two friends stumble upon the holy grail of movie memorabilia in the most unlikely of places.

Leshy, directed by Irina Frederika Tarvida is about a small boy, Fedya, gets trapped by Leshy, the spirit of the forest, while Leshy’s son gets Fedya’s place in his family.

Stonehead, directed by Kohl Christensen tells the story of an old surfer, CK, who comes across an old photo of a secret wave from his younger years. He tells the story of Stonehead to his grandchild recollecting memories of the session that is forever engraved in his memory.

This is a story of adventure and dreams.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Scratch, directed by Emma Bell follows the story of a repressed 1950s housewife is left alone by her philandering husband, she makes a horrifying discovery about the noises in the house that are coming from the walls.

is confronted by his wife about his alleged infidelity and threatens to leave him, but despite his pleas and apologies, it may be one too many things to forgive and forget.

15

OCT 12 - 25 • 2017 ENTERTAINMENT Oct 13

El Twanguero Back by popular demand!

Once called a “fire-breathing guitar hero” by U.S. press, the Grammy and Goya award-winning guitarist, Diego Garcia, puts a Spanish twist on American rock ’n’ roll stylings of Chet Atkins, Carl Perkins and Les Paul.

Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 13 Cost: $20 Details: www.grandvision.org

Oct. 14

John Doe at Popfuji Brouwerij West’s concert series, Popfuji, continues into the fall with a special evening of music from music legend John Doe of the seminal Los Angeles punk band X and Cutty Flam.

Time: 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 14 Cost: $15 Details: www.brouwerijwest. com Venue: Brouwerij West, 110 E. 22nd St., San Pedro

Oct. 14

Tim Weisberg Tim Weisberg is widely considered one of the pioneers in rock-jazz fusion.

Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 14 Cost: $25 Details: https:// alvasshowroom.com/event/ tim-weisberg-2 Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

October 12 - 25, 2017

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Oct. 15

16

4 Level Interchange Long Beach’s 4 Level Interchange meld their influences of funk, post bop, rock, electronica and world music into compositions.

Time: 4 p.m. Oct. 15 Cost: $10 Details: https:// alvasshowroom.com/event/4level-interchange-2 Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 17

Brightwork Ensemble The ensemble focuses on newly composed concert music and masterworks from the 20th century. Ensemble percussionist Nick Terry will lead a masterclass for CSUDH students.

Time: 4 p.m. Oct. 17 Cost: Free Details: (310) 243-3543 Venue: California State University Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson

Oct. 21

Jeeyoon Kim Classical Crossroads’ “The Interludes” concert series presents Beverly Hills National Auditions winner, pianist Jeeyoon Kim. A native of South Korea, Jeeyoon Kim has performed recitals,

Cost: Free Details: lbpump.org Venue: Various locations in Long Beach

chamber music, and concertos in leading venues across the United States.

Time: 3 p.m. Oct. 21 Cost: Free Details: (310) 316-5574; http://www.palosverdes. com/ClassicalCrossroads/ TheInterludes.htm Venue: First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance

Oct. 21

Dirk Hamilton Dirk Hamilton will be singing, playing and talking some on acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals.

Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 21 Cost: $20 Details: https://alvasshowroom. com/event/dirk-hamilton Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 22

Sabine Trio Sabine is widely respected as an award winning classical pianist in the United States and Europe.

Time: 4 p.m. Oct. 22 Cost: $20 Details: https://alvasshowroom. com/event/ sabine-trio-2/ Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Oct. 24

Native Plant Society The Native Plant Society is a sextet led by CSUDH faculty composer Jonathon Grasse specializing in improvisation.

Time: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 Cost: Free Details: (310) 243-3543 Venue: California State University Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson

THEATER Oct. 13

Blood Wedding The classic Spanish play by Federico Garcia Lorca erupts into a deadly dance of love and deception, family and revenge, beauty and betrayal.

Time: 8 p.m. on Oct. 13 and 14, Cost: $10 to $15 Details: (310) 243-3589; www. csudh.edu/theatre/tickets Venue: California State University Dominguez Hills’ University Theatre, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson

Oct. 14

Cabaret From the enigmatic Emcee, to the wounded Sally Bowles, to a mature couple dealing with the difficulties of the prevalent antisemitism that flourishes around them, these familiar characters will reignite the sense of despair and danger so commonly found in fascist regimes.

Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 14 through Nov. 18 Cost: $20.00 to $24.00 Details: www.lbplayhouse.org Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

Seminal Los Angeles musician John Doe performs at Brouwerij West on Oct. 14.

Oct. 20

In the Heights Before there was Hamilton, there was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s cutting edge musical masterpiece In the Heights. The story is set over the course of three days in the vibrant New York community where the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.

Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28, Nov. 3 and 4, 1 p.m. Oct. 22, 29 and Nov. 5, 2 p.m. Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, and 6 p.m. Oct. 29.

Cost: $20 Details: (562) 856-1999; www. musical.org Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton, Long Beach

Oct. 20

The Dog’s Pond The Dogs Pond centers on a small band of veterans of our most recent wars, Owen, Stills and Bergsey, who have gathered for a reunion organized by Owen’s brother Carter at their uncle’s fishing camp cabin on the Dog’s Pond in Maine.

Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 20 Cost: $10 Details: www. panndoraproductions.com Venue: The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th St., Long Beach

Ongoing

Boeing Boeing A zany French farce featuring the swinging bachelor Bernard and his three stewardesses – all engaged to him without knowing about each other.

Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday, through Oct. 21 Cost: $23 to $45 Details: https:// shakespearebythesea.secure. force.com Venue: Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro Dracula Celebrate the Halloween season with the Long Beach Playhouse in the company of the most classic monster ever to roam through literature, film, and stage — Count Dracula.

Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 21

Cost: $20 Details: (562) 494-1014; www. lbplayhouse.org Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

ARTS Oct. 21

Saturday ArtWalk The San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District and the Arts District invite the public to explore the galleries and artist lofts. The free guided ArtWalk tours will be offered.

Time: 2:30 p.m. Oct. 21 Cost: Free Details: www.sanpedrobid.com Venue: Sirens Java and Tea, 357 W. 7th St., San Pedro National Watercolor Society The juried 97th National Watercolor Society’S International Watercolor Exhibition includes an awards ceremony and international works never before included in a national exhibition. Exhibition runs through Dec. 17.

Time: 3 p.m. Oct. 21 Cost: Free Details: www. nationalwatercolorsociety.org Venue: NWS, 915 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro

Ongoing

Diasporagasm South Bay Contemporary Gallery in conjunction with Michael Stearns Studio 347 presents a co-located multimedia exhibition curated by artist Beyoncenista. This exhibit brings together artists working in Los Angeles, Haiti, Ghana, the Caribbean and West Africa.

Time: Through Nov. 18 Cost: Free Details: (562) 400-0544 Venue: Gallery 347, 347 W. 7th St., San Pedro PUMP 2017 FLOOD, the artist group that brought Soundwalk to Long Beach for 10 years and recently inaugurated “soundpedro” at Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, is pleased to announce PUMP (Public Urban Multi-Sensory Presentations). This arts festival will highlight works by over 50 emerging and mid-career artists from throughout Southern California.

Time: Runs through Oct. 21

blink•point TransVagrant Projects and Gallery 478 are pleased to present blink•point, recent work by Ellwood T. Risk.

Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Nov. 25 Cost: Free Details: (310) 600-4873; (310) 732-2150 Venue: TransVagrant Projects and Gallery 478, 478 W. 7th St., San Pedro rebidishu III Los Angeles Harbor College Fine Arts Gallery presents rebidishu III, Recent Paintings by Katy Crowe. Abstract art is often seen as carrying a moral dimension, in that it can be interpreted to stand for virtues ranging from order and purity, to simplicity and spirituality.

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, through Nov. 30 Cost: Free Details: (310) 233-4411 Venue: Los Angeles Harbor College Fine Arts Gallery, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington

COMMUNITY Oct. 12

Many Winters Gathering of Elders The Gathering of Elders Committee is excited to announce the revival of the annual Many Winters Gathering of the Elders.

Indigenous elders from across Turtle Island will visit Tongva territory to share their traditional teachings and medicine.

Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 through 15 Cost: Free Details: http://angelsgateart.org Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Oct. 13

Red Bull GRC Los Angeles Created to produce the fastest and most exciting racing in motorsports, Red Bull Global Rallycross pits small productionbased cars driven by star drivers against each other in door-to-door racing featuring dirt, asphalt and tabletop jumps.

Time: Oct. 13 and 14 Cost: $35 to $200 Details: redbullglobalrallycross. com Venue: Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro

Oct. 14

Patti Cake$ at the Art! In a coming-of-age story straight out of Jersey, an unlikely rapper finds her voice as a one-of-a-kind hip-hop legend in the making in PATTI CAKE$, the first feature film from acclaimed commercial and music-video director Geremy Jasper.

Time: 11 a.m. Oct. 14 Cost: $8:50 to $11.50 Details: (562) 438-5435 www.arttheatrelongbeach.com

Venue: Art Theatre Long Beach, 2025 E 4th St, Long Beach

Oct. 20

LA Waterfront Movie Night: Moana Enjoy a free outdoor showing of the Disney movie Moana at Wilmington Waterfront Park.

Bring a blanket and chair and settle in at the park. No food or beverages will be provided.

Time: 8 p.m. Oct. 20 Cost: Free Details: www.portoflosangeles. com Venue: Wilmington Waterfront Park, 1004 W. “C” St., Wilmington

Oct. 28

Scary Stories 15 Snuggle up around the bonfire for an all-new program of scary stories with sound effects. It’s suitable for all ages. Fresh frights await you. Picnics are welcome; bring your own seating and dress warmly.

Time: 6:30 p.m . Oct 28 Cost: $5 Details: (310) 519-0936 Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Oct. 29

Spooky Pedro Walking Tour Join San Pedro historian Angela “Romee” Romero and Psychic Medium Mary O’Maley for a stroll through haunted and historic downtown San Pedro.

We’ll rattle some chains and see what bumps back.

Time: 5 p.m. Oct. 29 Cost: $20 Details: (310) 808-7800 Venue: Downtown San Pedro San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival 2017 The streets will come alive with art, culture, delicious cuisine and live entertainment. You can enjoy the sacred altar competition and exhibition, craft vendor booths, on-site face painters, a food court, children’s stage and play area and main stage entertainment.

Time: 3 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 Cost: Free Details:sanpedrodayofthe dead.com Venue: Downtown San Pedro, 398 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Ongoing

5th Annual San Pedro International Film Festival Fifth annual festival featuring an eclectic mix of feature length and short films, documentaries, panel discussions and special events.

Time: through Oct. 15 Cost: $10 Details: http://spiffest.org Venue: Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

[Censored, from p. 10]

Censored Stories

in 2011.”

“The U.S. is the only nation in the developed world with a rising maternal mortality rate,” Rep. Lois Capps stated at the meeting.

“Inadequate health care in rural areas and racial disparities are drivers of this maternal health crisis,” Project Censored summarized.

“Nationally, African-American women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, with rates even higher in parts of the U.S. that Gay characterized as ‘pockets of neglect,’ such as Georgia, where the 2011 maternal mortality rate of 28.7 per 100,000 live births was nearly double the national average.”

The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health has developed safety bundles of ‘best practices, guidelines and protocols to improve maternal health care quality and safety,’” Gay wrote. “These ‘bundles’ include equipping hospital labor units with a fully stocked cart for immediate hemorrhage treatment, establishing a hospital-level emergency management protocol, conducting regular staff drills and reviewing all

A key story about 2016 election has mostly been ignored by the media — a class-action lawsuit alleging that the Democratic National Committee broke legallybinding neutrality agreements in the Democratic primaries by strategizing to make Hillary Clinton the nominee before a single vote was cast. The lawsuit was filed against the DNC and its former chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in June 2016

[See Censored, p. 20]

Call or email: (310) 519-1442 or RLNSales@RandomLengthsNews.com

October 12 - 25, 2017

by Beck & Lee, a Miami law firm, on behalf of supporters of Bernie Sanders. At an April 27 hearing, DNC lawyers argued that neutrality was not actually required and that the court had no jurisdiction to assess neutral treatment.

As Michael Sainato reported for the Observer, DNC attorneys claimed that Article V, Section 4 of the DNC Charter, which instructs the DNC chair and staff to ensure neutrality in the Democratic presidential primaries, is actually “a discretionary rule” that the DNC “didn’t need to adopt to begin with.” In addition, DNC attorney Bruce Spiva later said it was within the DNC’s rights to “go into back rooms like they used to and smoke cigars and pick the candidate that way.” Sainato also reported that DNC attorneys argued that specific terms used in the DNC charter, including “impartial” and “evenhanded,” couldn’t be interpreted in a court of law, because it would “drag the Court ... into a political question and a question of how the party runs its own affairs.”

Jared Beck, representing the Sanders supporters, responded, “Your Honor, I’m shocked to hear that we can’t define what it means to be evenhanded and impartial. If that were the case, we couldn’t have courts. I mean, that’s what courts do every day, is decide disputes in an evenhanded and impartial manner.”

Not only was running elections in a fair and impartial manner a “bedrock assumption” of democracy, Beck argued earlier, it was also a binding commitment for the DNC: “That’s what the Democratic National Committee’s own charter says,” he said. “It says it in black and white.”

Much of the reporting and commentary on the broader subject of the DNC’s collusion with the Clinton campaign has been speculative and misdirected, focused on questions about voter fraud and countered by accusations of indulging in “conspiracy theory.” But this trial focuses on

cases to learn from past mistakes, among other things.”

More broadly, Kiera Butler reported for Mother Jones that doctors rarely warn patients of the potential for serious injuries and complications that can occur following birth.

“Women have a right to make informed decisions about their bodies and serious medical situations; however, when it comes to birth and its aftereffects, Butler found that doctors simply are not providing vital information,” Project Censored summarized.

Many state laws require doctors to inform women of the potential complications and dangers associated with delivery, but none require them to discuss potential long-term problems, including the fact that some complications are more prevalent in women who give birth vaginally, rather than by cesarean section.

“All told, according to a 2008 study by researchers at the California HMO Kaiser Permanente, about one in three women suffer from a pelvic floor disorder (a category that includes urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and prolapse), and roughly 80 percent of those women are mothers,” Butler reported. “Women

Primaries? Dems Say Party Empowered to Pick Prez Candidate

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Anson Stevens-Bollen

who deliver vaginally are twice as likely to experience these injuries as women who have a cesarean or who have not given birth. For one in 10 women, the problem is severe enough to warrant surgery.”

“The corporate news media have paid limited attention to maternal mortality and morbidity in the U.S.,” Project Censored notes. There have been scattered stories, but nothing remotely close to the sort of sustained coverage that is warranted.

17

CLASSIFIED ADS

Reach 63,000 Harbor Area Readers

Help WANTED PAID IN ADVANCE! Make $1000 A Week Mailing Brochures From Home! No Experience Required. Helping home workers since 2001!

Genuine Opportunity. Start Immediately! www.IncomeStation.net (AAN CAN) Multimedia Account Executive Random Lengths News, is seeking an energetic, outgoing individual for Multimedia Advertising Account Executive position.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for selling multiplatform advertising solutions including digital advertising, print advertising and event sponsorships to an exciting group of clients.

We are looking for connected, social-media savvy, high-energy, hyperproductive individuals.

Requirements: • Two-plus years of outside sales experience preferably in an advertising sales and/ or print and online media environment • Experience with Customer Relationship Management tools • Maintain a solid understanding of the online marketing and advertising industry.

• Demonstrates the ability

to sell with a consultative approach • Strong skill set with developing and building business relationships • Dependable transportation, valid driver’s license and auto insurance Responsibilities: • Making minimum of 125 outbound sales calls and securing and completing a minimum of 15 outside appointments per week.

• Multimedia Account Executives will be responsible for prospecting leads, making calls and going on appointments to bring in new business.

RLn offers: • Great work environment where creative thinking is encouraged • Unlimited earning potential • Base pay + commission + bonus Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Random Lengths News is an equal opportunity employe.

Send resumé to james@ randomlengthsnews.com or drop by the office at 1300 S. Pacific Ave. in San Pedro.

Career Training AIRLINE CAREERS begin here – Get started by training as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job place-

Bulletin Board

ment assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 800725-1563 (AAN CAN) EARN $500 A DAY As Airbrush Makeup Artist for: Ads . TV . Film . Fashion. HD .

Digital 35% OFF TUITION One Week Course Taught by top makeup artist & photographer Train & Build Portfolio.

Models Provided. Accredited.

A+ Rated. AwardMakeupSchool.com (818) 980-2119 (AAN CAN)

MISC NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book.

FREE author submission kit!

Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 888-231-5904 (AAN CAN)

FINANCIAL SERVICES Over $10K in Debt? Be debt free in 24 to 48 months. No upfront fees to enroll. A+ BBB rated. Call National Debt Relief 844-831-5363.

(AAN CAN)

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES English-spanish translation services - legal documents, letters and manuscripts/ for business, academic or personal use. Call Mr. Avila at 310-519-1016

MUSIC LESSONS VIOLIN LESSONS with Jim Sitterly. 310-548-1659. www.

JimSitterly.com.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

FOR SALE

Please help!

The animals at the Harbor Animal Shelter have ongoing need for used blankets, comforters, pet beds.* Drop off at Harbor Animal Shelter, 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro.

888-452-7381, x 143

PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET! *In any condition. We will wash and mend.

Worry-Free Tax & Accounting Service • Payroll • Income Tax • Notary Service

Save time. Save money.

Save stress.

October 12 - 25, 2017

Just Relax Tax Service

18

870 W. 9th St., Ste. 100A, San Pedro Call for appt. today 310.221.0034 • www.justrelaxtax.com

Don Marshall CPA, Inc. (310) 833-8977

Don Marshall, MBA, CPA Specializing in small businesses CPA quality service at very reasonable rates

www.donmarshallcpa.com

Poetry Book — Shadow Lands: Reflection on some people I’ve known. 12 original poems by RLn Publisher James Preston Allen. $10+$1.50 s/h Beacon Light Press, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733

VEHICLES A-1 DONATE YOUR CAR FOR BREAST CANCER! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention, & support programs. FAST FREE PICKUP - 24 HR RESPONSE - TAX DEDUCTION 855-403-0215 (AAN CAN)

CASH FOR CARS: Any Car/ Truck 2000-2015, Running or Not! Top Dollar For Used/ Damaged. Free Nationwide Towing! Call Now: 1-888-4203808 (AAN CAN)

VACATION RENTAL Big Bear cabin, 1 bdr/1 bath, sleeps 2, kitchen, laundry. $500/wk. (310) 534-2278.

Real Estate SERVICES Real Estate Investor seeks to purchase commercial or multi-unit residential properties in San Pedro. No Agents please.

310-241-6827

ROOMMATES ALL AREAS ROOMMATES. COM. Lonely? Bored? Broke?

Find the perfect roommate to complement your personality and lifestyle at Roommates. com! (AAN CAN)

DBA FILINGS Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2017195463 The following person is doing business as: Dreamy’s Ice Cream and Bakeshop, 285 W. 6th St./ 610 S. Centre St. San Pedro, CA 90731.

Los Angeles County. Mailing Address: 1846 Trudie Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number: AI #ON : 4021358.

Registered owners: TR Yamada, Inc., 1846 Trudie Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This Business is conducted by a corporation.

The date registrant started 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.)

S/.Terry R. Yamada, CEO. TR Yamada, Inc.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 24, 2017.

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 where it 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).

“Mass Appeal”— writ large.

08/31/2017, Original filing: 09/14/2017, 09/28/2017, 10/12/2017

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2017232465 The following person is doing business as Agua Vida, 734 N. Fries Ave., Wilmington, CA 90744. Los Angeles County.

Mailing Address: 1180 W. 7th St. #1, San Pedro, Ca 90731.

Registered owners: Virgilio Gutierrez, 660 W. 11th St., #4, San Pedro, Ca 90731, Ghilbeys Gutierrez, 660 W. 11th St., #4, San Pedro, Ca 90731, Rodel Filio, 1180 W. 7th St. #1, San Pedro, Ca 90731. This Business is conducted by a general partnership.

The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: Aug. 17, 2017.

I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information

[continued on p. 19]

© 2017 MATT JONES, Jonesin’ Crosswords

HEALTH MAKE THE CALL TO START GETTING CLEAN TODAY. Free 24/7 Helpline for alcohol & drug addiction treatment.

Get help! It is time to take your life back! Call Now: 855-7324139 (AAN CAN) Struggling with DRUGS or ALCOHOL? Addicted to PILLS? Talk to someone who cares. Call The Addiction Hope & Help Line for a free assessment. 800-978-6674 (AAN CAN)

OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill.

No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved!

FREE info kit: 877-673-2864 (AAN CAN)

Attention Viagra users: Generic 100 mg blue pills or Generic 20 mg yellow pills.

Get 45 plus 5 free $99 + S/H. Guaranteed, no prescription necessary. Call 877-290-9875 (AAN CAN)

DATING Livelinks - Chat Lines. Flirt, chat and date! Talk to sexy real singles in your area.

Call now! 1-844-359-5773

(AAN CAN)

ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards.

Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 877362-2401

It’s Easy!

DBA Filing & Publishing

$

135

310-519-1442

Across

1 Whipped cream amount 7 Meat-and-veggie sandwich 10 It gets checked, hopefully 14 Medium-sized Grande 15 Cheerleader’s yell (though maybe not so much these days) 16 Affirm 17 When to listen to 1950s jazz?

19 It comes between 3 and 27, in a series 20 Kilt fold 21 ___ Field (Brooklyn Dodgers’ home) 23 Receptacle for roses 26 Sand hill 28 Singer/songwriter/actress Jenny 29 Oklahoma neighbor of Vance Air Force Base 30 Glorify 32 The night before 33 Photo that anyone can take?

39 Sty resident 40 Beehive State cap.

41 Herd animal 42 Topaz mo.

43 Place to nap between two mountains?

46 “May ___ excused?”

47 Supremes first name 48 007’s alma mater 49 “Problematic with ___ Kasher”

(Comedy Central series) 52 One-fifth of quince 55 “___ Get It On” 56 Say yes (to) 58 It comes way before 18-Down 60 Designer Lagerfeld 61 “Just calm down with your iPhone releases, OK?” 66 Grade sch.

67 Old M&M hue 68 Magazine publisher 69 Lumberjack’s tools 70 Lofty poem 71 Words that can precede either half of the theme entries

Down

1 Dance move where you duck your head and stick out your arm 2 Gold, to a conquistador 3 Cup rim 4 Passed on the track 5 1977 Scott Turow memoir 6 Peeled with a knife 7 “Toxic” singer, casually 8 Getaway 9 “Get ___ to a nunnery”: “Hamlet” 10 Engine cooling device 11 “___ to a Kill” (Bond film) 12 Prefix for meter or pede 13 Strand of hair 18 Letter before upsilon 22 Pixelated

23 Gore ... and more 24 Blacksmith’s instrument 25 Persistent attack 27 Throw out 31 Words With Friends piece 33 Spotted 34 Edison’s middle name 35 Barely enough 36 Act together 37 Factory fixture, maybe 38 Balances (out) 44 Costar of “The Hangover” and “The Office” 45 Original “Saturday Night Live” cast member Newman 48 Go by 49 Fabricates 50 Neighbor of Silver Springs, Florida 51 Eyeglass kit item 53 Plumber’s right-angled joint 54 Bowler’s challenge

57 ___ Cooler (“Ghostbusters”themed Hi-C flavor) 59 Diner breakfast order 62 Experienced 63 Quiz site 64 Flowery chain 65 Tiny bit of work ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) For answers go to: www.randomlengthsnews.com

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, Bids for the following Work: BOLLARD REPLACEMENT at PIER G BERTH G215 LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S2565 Bid Deadline:

NIB -2 Pre-Bid Questions.

All questions, including requests for interpretation or correction, or comments regarding the Contract Documents, must be submitted no later than Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 5 p.m. Questions received after the pre-Bid question deadline will not be accepted.

Questions must be submitted electronically through the PB System. Emails, phone calls, and faxes will not be accepted.

Questions submitted to City staff will

Prior to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 Bids shall be submitted electronically via the Port of Long Beach PlanetBids (PB) System prior to 2 p.m.

Bid Opening:

Electronic Bid (eBid) results shall be viewable online in the PB System immediately after the Bid Deadline.

Contract Documents Available:

Download Contract Documents from the Port of Long Beach PB System Vendor Portal: www.polb.com/sbe Click on the POLB Vendor Portal 1. Register and Log In 2. Click “Bid Opportunities” 3. Double-click on respective bid Project Title 4. Click on Document/Attachments tab 5. Double-Click on Title of Electronic Attachment 6. Click “Download Now” 7. Repeat for each attachment For assistance in downloading these documents please contact Port of Long Beach Plans and Specs Desk at 562-283-7353.

Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting:

Julia Wu, P.E. at Julia.wu@polb. com

Please refer to the Port of Long Beach PB System for the most current information.

NIB -1 Contract Documents.

Contract Documents may be downloaded, at no cost, from the Port of Long Beach PB System Vendor Portal website. Bidders must first register as a vendor on the Port of Long Beach PB System website in order to view and download the Contract Documents, to be added to the prospective bidders list, and to receive addendum notifications when issued.

NIB -6 Contractor’s License.

The Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class “A”, California Contractor’s License to bid and construct this project.

NIB -7 Contractor Performed Work.

The Contractor shall perform, with its own employees, Contract Work amounting to at least 30% of the Contract Price, except that any designated “Specialty Items” may be performed by subcontract and the amount of any such “Specialty Items” so performed may be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees. “Specialty Items” will be identified by the City in the Schedule of Bid Items. The bid price of any materials or equipment

NIB -9 Prevailing Wage Requirements per Department of Industrial Relations. This Project is a public work Contract as defined in Labor Code Section 1720. The Contractor receiving award of the Contract and Subcontractors of any tier shall pay not less than the prevailing wage rates to all workers employed in execution of the Contract.

The Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the general prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed.

The rate schedules are available on the internet at http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlsr/ DPreWageDetermination. htm. Bidders are directed to Article 15 of the General Conditions for requirements concerning payment of prevailing wages, payroll records, hours of work and employment of apprentices.

This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

No Contractor or Subcontractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 (with limited exceptions from this requirement for bid purposes only under Labor Code Section 1771.1(a)).

No Contractor or Subcontractor

Contractors and Subcontractors must furnish electronic Certified Payroll Records (CPRs) to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, in addition to hardcopies, or if required, electronic copies, to the Port of Long Beach.

NIB -10 Project Labor Agreement. This project is not covered by a PLA. NIB -11 Trade Names and Substitution of Equals.

With the exception of any sole source determination that may be identified in this paragraph, Bidders wishing to obtain City’s authorization for substitution of equivalent material, product, or equipment, are required to submit a written request for an Or Equal Substitution using the form included in Appendix A together with data substantiating Bidder’s representation that the non-specified item is of equal quality to the item specified, thirty five (35) calendar days after Bid Opening. Authorization of a substitution is solely within the discretion of the City.

NIB -12 NOT USED NIB -13 Bid Security, Signed Contract, Insurance and Bonds.

Each Bid shall be accompanied by a satisfactory Bidder’s Bond or other acceptable Bid Security in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if Conditionally Awarded a Contract by the Board, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Contract is conditionally awarded to the Contractor by the City, execute and deliver such Contract to the Chief Harbor Engineer together with all required documents including insurance forms, a Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. All Bonds shall be on forms provided by the City.

NIB -14 C o n d i t i o n a l Award of Contract and Reservation of Rights. The Board, acting through the Executive Director, reserves the right at any time before the execution of the Contract by the City, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informality or irregularity.

The Conditional Award of the Contract, if any, will be to the responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive and responsible Bid. If the lowest responsive responsible Bidder fails to submit the required documents including insurance forms, bonds and signed Contract within thirty (30) calendar days after Conditional Award of Contract, the Board reserves the right to rescind the Conditional Award and Conditionally Award the Contract to the next lowest responsive and responsible

Bidder.

NIB -15 Period of Bid Irrevocability.

Bids shall remain open and valid and Bidder’s Bonds and other acceptable Bid Security shall be guaranteed and valid for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline or until the Executive Director executes a Contract, whichever occurs first.

NIB -16 Substitution of Securities. Substitution of Securities for retainage is permitted in accordance with

Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code.

NIB -17 NOT USED Issued at Long Beach, California, this 11th day of September, 2017.

Mario Cordero Executive Director of the Harbor Department, City of Long Beach, California Note: For project updates after Bid Opening, please contact plans.specs@polb.com.

DBA FILINGS [from p. 18] which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Rodel Filio, partner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2017.

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 where it 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).

08/31/2017, Original filing:

09/14/2017, 09/28/2017, 10/12/2017

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2017265888 The following person is doing business as Radisic Plumbing, 26340 Western Ave.,Lomita, Ca 90717. Los Angeles County. Mailing Address: P.O. box 347 Harbor City, CA 90710.

Registered owners: Jennifer Maire Radisic, 1817 256th St., Lomita Ca 90717. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: Sept. 2017. 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.)

Jennifer Maire Radisic, owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Sep. 18, 2017.

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 where it 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).

09/28/2017, Original filing:

10/12/2017, 10/26/2017, 11/09/2017

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2017291039 The following person is doing business as A&E Ship Repair & Welding, 1531 S. Leland St., San Pedro, CA 90732. Los Angeles County.

Registered owners: James B. Austin III, 1531 S. Leland St., San Pedro, CA 90732.

This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started 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.) James B. Austin III, owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Oct. 6, 2017. 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 where it 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: 10/12/2017, 10/26/2017, 11/23/2017

11/09/2017,

October 12 - 25, 2017

Copies of all Port insurance endorsement forms, SBE/ VSBE Program forms, Harbor Development Permit Applications and other Port forms are available at h t t p : / / w w w. p o l b . c o m / economics/contractors/ forms_permits/default.asp.

NIB -3 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit. The engineering staff of the City’s Harbor Department will conduct a mandatory pre-bid meeting and site visit at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, October 19, 2017 in the 1st Floor Meeting Room, of the Port of Long Beach Maintenance Facility, 725 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802.

Attendance is mandatory for the Contractors. It is not mandatory for Subcontractors but highly recommended. It is also highly recommended that bidders have their risk management/insurance professional attend this meeting. Each Bidder shall attend the mandatory Pre-bid meeting and the mandatory Site Visit, inspect and examine the Project Site and perform any observations and measurements to further document existing conditions and may use photography and/or video

NIB -5 Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Contractor shall achieve Affidavit of Final Completion of the Project within 240 calendar days as provided in Paragraph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from a date specified in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.2 of the General Conditions. FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CONTRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES SET FORTH IN SPECIAL CONDITIONS SC-6.3, INCLUDING THE ENGINEER’S APPROVAL OF AFFIDAVIT OF FINAL COMPLETION, WILL RESULT IN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS 6.4.

NIB -8 SBE/VSBE. This project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) Program.

The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal for this project is twenty-seven percent (27%), of which a minimum of five percent (5%) must be allocated to VSBEs. POLB expects all Bidders to achieve the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal. Award of the Contract will be conditioned on the Bidder submitting an SBE-2C Commitment Plan demonstrating the Bidder’s intent to meet the combined SBE/VSBE participation goal.

If the Bidder’s Commitment Plan does not demonstrate intent to meet the combined goal, the Bidder shall demonstrate that it made an adequate good faith effort to do so, as specified in the Instructions to Bidders. The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide information on the program requirements, including SBE certification assistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 283-7598 or sbeprogram@ polb.com. You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb. com/sbe.

may be awarded a contract for public work on a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5.

For the link to the Port of Long Beach PB System and for information on this Project and other upcoming Port projects, you may view the Port website at http:// www.polb.com/economics/ contractors/default.asp.

not be addressed and Bidder will be directed to the PB System.

NIB -4 Summary Description of the Work.

The Work required by this Contract includes, but is not limited to, the following: New bollard, new lighting pole, new walk path with railing for pulling mooring lines and removal of conflicting signs and poles.

rental costs from vendors who are solely furnishing materials or rental equipment and are not performing work as a licensed subcontractor on this project shall also be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees.

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Project Contact Person:

Date/Time: Thursday, October 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m.

Location: Port of Long Beach Maintenance Facility 1st Floor Meeting Room 725 Harbor Plaza Long Beach, CA 90802

to aid in preparation of Bid Documents. The City makes no guarantee that existing construction and site conditions matches construction depicted on record reference documents.

It shall be the Bidder’s responsibility to identify existing conditions during the Site Visit. EACH BIDDER MUST ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING AND SITE VISIT. FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING AND SITE VISIT SHALL DISQUALIFY YOUR BID. Bidders are encouraged to RSVP for the Pre-Bid Meeting through the PB System; located under the “RSVP” tab of the Prospective Bidder Detail.

Following the meeting a list of Pre-Bid Meeting signed-in attendees will be available on the PB System. Note that attendance at the prebid meeting can be used to satisfy a portion of a Bidder’s good faith efforts.

19

RANDOMLetters

[Letters, from p. 9]

Southern California’s Newest Marina has Full-Service Slips Available

good for the common citizen.

Damian Walters, San Pedro Mr. Walters, I have reread both of my last two columns and I find nothing that supports your statements against me. What I have said is that people have a right to their own opinions but not their own facts. I have also said that there are legal limits on free speech, such as not having the right to yell, “Fire!” in a crowded theater. Hate speech can and has crossed the line when it becomes a threat to create violence or to intimidate others from voicing their own free speech.

James Preston Allen Publisher

Bumper Stickers

The Shortest Run to Catalina SERVICES & AMENITIES

October 12 - 25, 2017

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

• 698 slips from 28’ to 130’ • Guest slips available • Ample courtesy parking • Water & electricity • Restrooms with showers • Ice machines & laundry • Pumpout — public and slip-in • 375 dry storage spaces up to 45’ with crane launching

20

Back in Reagan’s day, Newt Gingrich came up with a plan for gerrymandering and voter suppression intended to get hardcore conservative Republicans into office. It worked, with a few ups and downs. These Repubs delivered to their big money masters, like the Kochs, the tools to make the very rich the ultra-rich by making the middle class the lower

class and by forcing the lower class into poverty. Problem is, the people noticed. The 2016 election rejected BOTH the Repubs and the Dems because voters realized that both were controlled by the ultrarich. The Dems were able to keep Sanders from being nominated, so folks went for Trump who claimed to be an outsider, his original Big Lie. Newt’s gerrymanders, voter suppression and the Electoral College made Trump’s election possible. Now is the time for the people to form a new party with new ideas and new candidates. The old ones, like the Whigs and Tories, have clearly failed. So maybe we all need a bumper sticker: I AM NOT A REPUB OR A DEM! John Mattson San Pedro

Media Coverage of Las Vegas Mass Shooting

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Obviously the need for a state militia has been replaced by the National Guard and Coast Guard whereby trained military personnel are entrusted

[Project Censored, from p. 17]

Project Censored documentary evidence and questions of law — all publicly visible yet still treated as suspect, when not simply ignored out of hand.

As Project Censored notes, “[E]ven Michael Sainato’s reporting — which has consistently used official documents, including the leaked DNC emails and courtroom transcripts, as primary sources — has been repeatedly labeled “opinion” — rather than straight news reporting — by his publisher, the Observer.”

2016: A Record Year for Global Internet Shutdowns

Providing clean facilities and protecting our waterways from pollution

with the defense of this country against domestic enemies. Their weapons are tightly controlled and safeguarded.

The only two reasons for a citizen to own a firearm are for hunting or defense of the household from intruders. In either case, ownership of a handgun, shotgun or rifle is more than adequate to satisfy these purposes. There is absolutely no need for any U.S. civilian to own any weapon more powerful or sophisticated than these.

Accordingly, all handguns, shotguns and rifles must be licensed and registered to the degree necessary to match weapon to owner at the click of a computer key. Furthermore, we must guarantee that the mentally ill do not gain access to them under any circumstances. Finally, if we had prohibited the purchase of more sophisticated weapons several innocent victims would not have died or been harmed at shopping malls, college campuses, Congressional meetings, churches and now concerts.

We as a country must deal with this issue immediately lest our society fall back to the days when everyone carried a holster.

Joe Bialek Cleveland, Oh

According to the digital rights organization Access Now, in 2016 the world’s governments shut down internet access more than 50 times, “suppressing elections, slowing economies and limiting free speech,” as Lyndal Rowlands reported for the Inter Press Service.

“In the worst cases internet shutdowns have been associated with human rights violations,” Rowlands was told by Deji Olukotun, of Access Now. “What we have found is that internet shutdowns go hand in hand with atrocities.”

Olukotun said.

Kevin Collier also covered the report for Vocativ, noting that Access Now uses a “conservative metric,” counting “repeated, similar outages,” like those which occurred during Gabon’s widely criticized internet “curfew,” as a single instance. The Vocativ report included a dynamic map chart, designed by Kaitlyn Kelly, that vividly depicts internet shutdowns around the world, month by month for all of 2016, as documented by Access Now.

“Many countries intentionally blacked out Internet access during elections and to quell protest. Not only do these shutdowns restrict freedom of speech, they also hurt economies around the world,” Project Censored notes.

“TechCrunch, IPS, and other independent news organizations reported that a Brookings Institution study found that Internet shutdowns cost countries $2.4 billion between July 2015 and June 2016” — a conservative estimate according to the study’s author, Darrell West.

As Olukotun told IPS, one way to stop government shutdowns is for internet providers to resist government demands.

“Telecommunications companies can push back on government orders, or at least document them to show what’s been happening, to at least have a paper trail,” Olukotun observed.

On July 1, 2016, the U.N. Human Rights Council passed a non-binding resolution signed by more than 70 countries lauding the Internet’s “great potential to accelerate human progress,” and condemning “measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online.” It noted that, “the exercise of human rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression, on the Internet is an issue of increasing interest and importance.”

Yet, “understanding what this means for Internet users can be difficult,” Azad Essa reported for Al Jazeera in May 2017. Advocates of online rights “need to be constantly pushing for laws that protect this space and demand that governments meet their obligations in digital spaces just as in non-digital spaces,” he was told by the U.N.’s special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye.