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Holiday Inn, a perfect performance of typical Irving Berlin p. 9

Kerstin retail shops on Long Beach’s Retro Row (top) and Cathie Goldberg, proprietor of the popular upscale second-hand store, House 1002 on Pacific Avenue in San Pedro. Photos by Terelle Jerricks

[See Retail, p. 4]

December 12 - 18, 2019

Greta Thunberg: they want to silence us p. 8

ometimes it takes someone outside the scope of a situation to recognize the obvious. A friend and I were recently discussing the merits of the Retro Row shopping district in Long Beach and the prospects for revitalizing downtown San Pedro. My friend, a design engineer from Bellflower, made this observation: “I can point out one big difference that mirrors each community,” he said. “Retro Row has an LGTBQ center right in the center of everything, while Sixth Street houses, as it were — The Garden Church.”

His point is that both places have a cultural draw that contributes pedestrian traffic to the neighborhoods. The green space of the Garden Church, which was there before it became the Garden Church, was intended to be a spot punctuated with garden sculptures in the shape of prehistoric animals.

However, it was not intended to be a magnet for pedestrians.

A faction of San Pedro’s civic leaders and boosters promoted the transformation of downtown San Pedro into a bonafide arts, culture and entertainment center anchored by a credible arts or academic institution. San Pedro nearly got both when Marymount College established a satellite campus in downtown San Pedro and philanthropists Chuck and Marylyn Klaus donated a downtown San Pedro building to the college to become an arts institution.

The downtown campus was to include Marymount’s Sixth Street facilities, a music program housing the Olguin campus of San Pedro High School, and the Marylyn and Chuck Klaus Center for the arts on Sixth Street.

The combined facilities in the historic district of San Pedro provide undergraduate and graduate students with instruction, internships and a cultural Kansteiner, landlord of some of the busiest cafés and

Special Holiday Edition

Joe Biden’s astroturf campaign p. 7

By Melina Paris, Reporter

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The Amazon Impact:

A Cost Subsidized at 25 percent of Every Dollar Workers Earn

By Melina Paris, Reporter If you are shopping online for the holidays as you think about Christmas gifts and other essentials, you’d be surprised at how little has changed since Scrooge’s time in 1843 — nearly two centuries ago. It was a happy ending for the Cratchit family and for Scrooge in England in the 1800s. Could the same be said in a modern America?

public assistance benefits to meet essential needs.

The average annual amount of public benefits per worker is $5,245. The biggest component is publicly subsidized health insurance.

As a consequence of having low wages and insufficient incomes to afford adequate homes for their families, 57 percent of Amazon warehouse workers live in housing that is overcrowded and

Amazon workers sort arriving products at a fulfilment center in Tracy, Calif. File photo

The Economic Roundtable released a report entitled Too Big to Govern that documented the breadth of Amazon’s goods movement apparatus and its impact on the environment, its employees and on the county of Los Angeles.

The report also makes recommendations on what the company, valued at $165 billion, can do to remedy its negative impacts on Los Angeles County residents.

December 12 - 18, 2019

Special Holiday Edition

Economic Roundtable highlights

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Every day ships, trucks, trains and airplanes bring an estimated 21,500 diesel truck loads of merchandise to 21 Amazon warehouses in the four-county Los Angeles region, [which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino]. In total, Amazon’s trucking operations in the four-county region created an estimated $642 million in uncompensated public costs for noise, road wear, accidents, and harmful emissions.

An estimated 18,600 workers are employed at these warehouses. The typical Amazon warehouse worker had a total annual earnings in 2017 of just $20,585. For every $1 in wages paid by Amazon, warehouse workers receive an estimated $0.24 in

substandard. There is direct and indirect evidence of significant homelessness among warehouse workers.

Compared to non-union warehouse workers, Amazon workers earn nine times less than the 2018 basic skill rate for Longshore workers of $42.18 per hour. This is despite the fact less containers are now arriving at the twin ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach due to tariffs.

This is despite the fact less containers are now arriving at the twin ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach due to tariffs. This means less work for the Casual workforce which is not included in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

With an average of 2,180 miles traveled per flight, Amazon’s flights into and out of airports in Riverside and San Bernardino counties released an estimated 620,000 metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2018. The climate change resulting from those emissions creates an estimated $45 million in social costs for impacts on agricultural productivity, human health, flooding and ecosystem services.

Diesel trucks haul cargo from sea ports to [See Amazon, p. 14]

Community Announcements:

Harbor Area 6th Annual Stepping in the Right Direction College Fair

Find gifts for everyone on your list close to home this Holiday Season!

About 2,000 local high school students and their families are expected to attend this college fair to meet with representatives from more than 50 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The event is a partnership between Long Beach Councilmember Al Austin II and Stepping In The Right Direction.

“The HBCU College Fair is a growing annual event in Long Beach that students and their families look forward to attending,” Austin said.

“This free activity provides a great opportunity for local area students to pursue higher education by meeting face-to-face with college and university representatives.”

There will also be workshops offered on topics ranging from financial aid, scholarship and the application process. Students should bring copies of their transcripts and resumes for discussions with admission counselors.

Time: 12 to 4p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: Free Details: 562-570-6685; district8@longbeach.gov Venue: Long Beach Convention Center, Seaside Room, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

Volunteer for the 2020 LA Homeless Count

Every January thousands of volunteers provide service to the community by counting their homeless neighbors throughout Los Angeles County. The results of the annual count provide a critical picture of the trends, progress and scope of community members experiencing homelessness within the Los Angeles Continuum of Care.

Consider volunteering for the 2020 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count on January 21, 22, 23.

Details: www.theycountwillyou.org/ volunteer?utm

Special Holiday Edition December 12 - 18, 2019

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[Retail from p. 4]

A Retail Revival Tale connection to the already existing creative corridor downtown. And more importantly, they provide that pedestrian draw that could enliven downtown Pedro’s retail base.

For more than 20 years, San Pedro retailers looked at the redevelopment efforts in the city of Long Beach with a mixture of admiration and envy. San Pedro retailers didn’t necessarily want to look like Long Beach, but they did want the vitality that comes with a transforming downtown.

For decades, retailers in San Pedro’s downtown core complained of having to struggle du to lack of foot traffic along Pacific Ave and Sixth and Seventh Street corridors. Historically, San Pedro retailers have frequently been likened to fruit starving for nutrients on the vine.

The 2002 Urban Land Institute report on San Pedro noted that San Pedro needed to take advantage of its status as a destination for entrylevel homebuyers by building more housing units. The report’s authors also argued that if San Pedro retailers were to survive, it was essential to establish the downtown area as a pedestrian destination. And for this to occur, “the area needed to be repositioned as a boutique shopping area with specialty tenants catering to tourists and local residents beyond Gaffey.”

After 17 years, a flurry of new housing units (though not necessarily broadly affordable) have been built between 2005 and 2019 and the resulting crop of niche retail businesses appear to prove the report’s authors right.

Random Lengths News recently checked in with a few retail businesses in San Pedro and Retro Row Long Beach to assess the retail environment this past year and capture their thoughts on the contributing factors to their success in 2019.

Home and Coffee

December 12 - 18, 2019

Special Holiday Edition

If anyone understands the power of synergistic draw of dissimilar but complementary businesses, it would be Kerstin [pronounced Kasten] Kansteiner, the landlord of three longtime staples on Retro Row: Portfolio, on Fourth Street and Cherry Avenue, Berlin Bistro, about a mile west at Fourth Street and Elm and between the two establishments, the Art Theatre.

In all, Kansteiner has been serving Retro Row clientele for almost 30 years.

The first thing she told me was that Retro Row has worked hard for a long time to establish itself as a successful independent shopping district.

Brick and mortar retail has taken a hit from online shopping that doesn’t seem to be threatening the shops of Fourth Street. None of the retail spaces are vacant, a measure of success that even the thriving Second Street shopping district in Belmont Shore cannot claim.

This is where the creativity of Retro Row merchants paid off — they don’t sell products that can be found online. Their merchandise tends to be reused, recycled and vintage — not something you can order from Amazon. The pioneers of Retro Row years ago identified upcycling as their niche and the direction they wanted to go, but along with that certainty came a commitment to providing unusual experiences for the community. For instance, Retro Row recently hosted a makers mart for independent business owners who will have pop-ups in the stores along the street.

Kansteiner said the clientele has shifted.

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It used to mostly be young consumers who couldn’t afford to buy a sweater at Banana Republic. Now, it’s become fashionable to have upcycled items.

It’s no longer a taboo or “I can’t afford more so I’m going less.” It’s about consciousness for the environment.

She noted that the sidewalks of Retro Row are also populated by tourists from other cities and countries, shoppers who understand that you can go anywhere else in the world and see the same stores, over and over again.

“Retro Row provides something unique from Long Beach, from eateries to local food and merchandise,” Kansteiner said. “That’s not your malltype situation. We see a wide variety of consumers.

I do remember the times when people were afraid to come to Fourth Street because the area was not deemed safe, we’ve Kerstin Kansteiner outside of Portfolio Coffeehouse in Long Beach. Photo by Terelle Jerricks completely lost that. People are sitting out in parklets, dining. Thirty years which holds its board meetings at The Center. many things happening at The Center that have a ago they would have been afraid they were going “Thirty years ago The Center was just another positive effect on Fourth Street. The businesses to get shot. It never even comes up anymore.” entity on the street, but not as intricately involved also draw help and advice from The Center and it Kansteiner said The Center, by their own as it is now,” Kansteiner said. “Because the street has become part of Fourth Street. “Porter stands doing, have made themselves a larger part of the is so diverse, the merchants can celebrate that out,” Kansteiner said, “and he’s made this all community. Porter Gilbert is executive director with The Center.” happen over the last 10 years.” of The Center and he is on the Fourth Street Fourth Street has made a commitment to For example, the Art Theatre coordinates business improvement board [which is an all- films with The Center. They have the annual restaurants that when they hold events, the street volunteer board of Retro Row business owners], Q-Film Festival and Kansteiner said there are so [See Retail, p.5]

San Pedro and Retro Row Retail Sampler House1002 is a large, vintage emporium on Pacific Avenue that sells eclectic goods from $1 to $10,000. The Yard, an affiliate business sells industrial and garden finds at First Street and Pacific Avenue, San Pedro. https://house1002.com/ Badfish is a lifestyle clothing company that has been in business for 10 years, recently celebrating its anniversary, and has spent its whole life span on Sixth Street. https://badfishclothing.com/ Urban Feet specializes in classic, sporty and work shoes. To meet the evolving needs of customers, the business has grown to include mens and womens wear, including accessories and safety gear. http://www.urbanfeetandskate.net/ Songbird Boutique, central to Retro Row, is a novelty gift store about which owner Jennifer Hill always said a sense of humor is required in order to shop. Songbird merchandise is a colorful mix of a bit of punk, retro and kitsch. It’s what Hill likes to call eye candy. @songbird_boutique.

The perfect blend of contemporary and bohemian, in the heart of the East Village Arts District, Berlin serves up a unique blend of healthy cuisine and bold brews in a bistro setting. www.berlinbistro.com

The Assistance League Thrift and Vintage is a national organization and the thrift and vintage store is a chapter of the organization. The shop helps support the Assistance League philanthropic program which has over 200 volunteers that come through to help at the thrift and vintage shop. The dollars spent in the shop go directly

back to Long Beach program.

Instagram: @Allbthriftandvintage and @assistanceleaguelongbeach. https://www.assistanceleague.org/long-beach/

Portfolio Coffee House for over two decades has been the host to legions of local coffee drinkers and the essence of the neighborhood watering hole, providing poetry readings, live musical entertainment and as an exhibition venue for emerging artists. http://www.portfoliocoffeehouse.com/ Additional links The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, https://www.centerlb.org/ The Art Theatre of Long Beach, https://arttheatrelongbeach.org/ The Garden Church, https://www.gardenchurchsp.org/

Retro Row in Long Beach

[continued from p.4]

ULI Report Lights the Way

nimbleness as a retailer has allowed Badfish to experience incredible growth.

Romero foresees Sixth Street (at least on the retail side) as becoming a destination for young shoppers. Badfish Clothing and Urban Feet have been a favorite of young locals for years.

Meanwhile, he’s been joined by other youthful businesses options like the Machine Art Studio, Rox Shop, Coastline Shop and JDC Records.

People go from shop to shop making purchases or checking out events or galleries. Things are heating up and Romero cited downtown San Pedro events such as Dia de Los Muertos, Hot Import Nights, Christmas Parade and others as contributing to downtown San Pedro’s retail revival in general.

Romero says Badfish customers come from all over San Pedro, from Palos Verdes Peninsula and the South Bay to the west and Long Beach to the east. Badfish even sees clients from the San Fernando Valley who come to shop while film crews are on location. But the majority of its clientele are locals who want products that fit their lifestyles or represent them or where they come from.

Back in Long Beach, other than the many volunteers that come through The Assistance League there are only two paid positions at the shop. One of those positions belongs to Tammy Kline, the store manager, who said business was fantastic in 2019.

The shop has recently begun featuring better, more interesting donations, but keeps an eye on prices and the budgets of core clients. Basic items of clothing start at $5 and most housewares are inexpensive. They’ve also started using

December 12 - 18, 2019

Community Staples, Fun and a Sense of Humor

Jennifer Hill is the proprietor of Songbird Boutique and the Fourth Street board president. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Hill

Instagram to promote special items. It’s been a changemaker for them with great responses from followers. It’s a good thing as they will be closed over Christmas for renovations, with a tentative reopening Jan 13.

Kline said Retro Row is a unique location because they service the community at large, to purchase quality second-hand goods at well below retail price. On the other hand, many shoppers come to Retro Row because it’s so trendy and “kitschy”— the one who looks for that one of a kind item from 1980 that you can’t find anywhere else.

They draw a broad base of people, with many clients that have been with them nearly the whole time they’ve been open, with several living within walking distance. Kline said it’s pretty neat to have those long-standing relationships with the community.

Kline said that it’s an honor and pleasure for the Assistance League to help serve people who are part of the LGBTQ community at The Center, which sits directly across the street from the vintage shop. They appreciate knowing that there’s a great place on their street and in the community that is helping people in the ways that The Center does.

“Having The Center on our street not only ups our fun level but it adds to the heart of this community,” Kline said.

The Thrift and Vintage shop often serves as a place for friends to meet before moving to their next destination. And Kline said it adds another layer of fun and to how many things you can do by parking your car once.

Otto Henke is the manager of Urban Feet.

Henke’s business overall was good in 2019, with sales fluctuating one to two percent, up or down year to year. In consideration of the success — or not of business in 2019, he added there seems to be a positive attitude going around that business related things are improving in downtown.

The Urban Feet customers range from longshoremen to families with babies to high schoolers. The store sees clients from “all parts of San Pedro and up to Western Avenue, Palos Verdes and other neighboring cities.”

Jennifer Hill is the proprietor of Songbird Boutique and the Fourth Street board president.

Hill with her husband also own Sneaky Tiki on Retro Row, which they opened 14 years ago.

While Hill sells what she loves, she candidly presented the challenging side of her business.

For Hill, 2019 started really well, then sales dropped off around June. She’s not certain why but she is hanging on and with Christmas upon us, the sales she relies on are beginning to catch up. Her clientele covers all ages, from children to seniors, who are looking for the unique and affordable and who appreciate locally made items.

Hill echoed Kansteiner about The Center, saying it’s a positive thing and the director is very involved. Retro Row merchants share a sense of camaraderie.

“The merchants here realize that when we work together we are benefitting not just ourselves but the whole street,” Hill said.

“Retro Row is a destination. People don’t necessarily come for one store, they come for the whole experience of Retro Row. They can do that here because it’s a small street versus other areas which are larger and you can’t cover it all in one visit.”

Hill said that the restaurants do tie in as much as possible, with businesses working together to find good ways for its restaurants to participate. And how was that community dinner? “[It] was wonderful,“ said Hill.

5

Special Holiday Edition

will not book food trucks. Kansteiner explained that while food trucks have become a popular feature of street events, Fourth Street has always sought to protect their restaurants. This past month, a new feature was added to Fourth Friday. The street was blocked off to make room for a large table that could seat 40 to 50 people. All of the restaurants on Retro Row contributed to the community dinner.

“It was great to see everyone chip in,” Kansteiner said. “Many times we coordinate events and we make sure they don’t coincide with busy times for the restaurants. We try to be respectful; our meetings are open and it’s a democratic process where we’ve always tried to include everyone. The good thing with Fourth Street is you can be as involved or as little involved as you like.”

Skateboards at Urban Feet. Photo by Terelle Jerricks When Fourth Street merchants need something, they honor a commitment to contact the past three to four years as her customer community partners first before going elsewhere demographic has evened out to about 50 percent or online. The Art Theater does annual events like designers and film people and 50 percent local a silent film with a live score and when tickets are community. sold, they include the event plus a dinner seating One of Pacific Avenue’s characteristics that with any participating dinner restaurant on Fourth has been most helpful to Goldberg’s business Street for a special price. It gives everyone a is its constant flow of traffic, which has been piece of the pie, rather than having people take up enhanced by the much-maligned road diet parking just for the one event and then leave to go initiated by Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Great Streets elsewhere. They can have dinner and shop and see initiative. Goldberg doesn’t believe she would a film all in one place. have the same amount of pedestrian traffic on Sixth or Seventh streets without the initiative, and she credited the road diet with reducing San Pedro’s brightest retail star did not have the average speed on Pacific Avenue, allowing a lot of the advantages enjoyed by Long Beach drivers to see more. She said much of her Retro Row, but it did capitalize on San Pedro’s business comes from people who see sidewalk natural assets that the 2002 ULI report cited. displays of her merchandise as they drive by.

Cathie Goldberg opened House 1002 after “I hope more people will open more retail first leasing a booth in Crafted at the Port of Los business along Pacific Avenue,” Goldberg said.

Angeles right after the DIY-themed warehouse “People could park once [like Retro Row] and opened eight years ago. walk about to see everything.” From Goldberg’s In an interview with Random Lengths, perspective, having more unique shops would Goldberg described her initial struggles as what give the community an eclectic artistic vibe — comes with being the new girl on the block and and that draws people. being unfamiliar with the community and its Goldberg has considered opening another culture. store on Pacific Avenue with higher end goods She recalled her experience of looking for a because she said the market in San Pedro now space to rent on Sixth and Seventh streets, but warrants that. She sees a lack in “that next level ultimately found them to be too expensive for of sophistication,” which she would like to what she needed. bring to San Pedro. Goldberg does own another “But this space became available,” Goldberg business, The Yard, at 120 N. Pacific Avenue said. “This space was three times bigger than at First Street, with a more industrial type of what I saw on Sixth and Seventh and cheaper.” merchandise.

Goldberg said she fell in love with the The vintage emporium owner said a lot of art deco architecture, built in 1922, and the retailers have struggled on Sixth and Seventh cavernous space it provided — 6,000 square feet. streets. Having cheaper rent and making an effort “I was just in awe of the emptiness and largeness to reach out to designers and film companies of it,” she said. about her merchandise has helped her.

“It was kind of a dream come true to be able “If I were in Venice or LA business would to live and work all in the same place.” be impossible,” Goldberg said. She said that she Goldberg admitted feeling initially that is one of the last of her kind—she owns a large Pacific Avenue was a bit too “dicey.” She’s not store and she hasn’t been pushed out because she the first owner of a new business to express that controls her own space. sentiment. Some of Southern California’s most Word of mouth has helped her, as well persistent social problems — homelessness and as being a female business owner. Goldberg drug dealing — get higher-than-usual visibility has found a kind of kinship with other women on Pacific, and some merchants don’t stay long. entrepreneurs who want to help each other. She On the other hand, Goldberg noted that she loves being able to buy goods and sell them in a has developed a significant number of repeat creative space and San Pedro is the perfect fit for customers since she opened eight years ago. her right now.

Along the way she has met many newcomers to San Pedro, and her clientele has changed with the influx of new homeowners and others who are moving to San Pedro. She’s noticed the young Nicholas Romero is the marketing manager families and artists from Venice, Echo Park and of Badfish Clothing Company, which has two Los Angeles who have been priced-out of other San Pedro locations, on Sixth Street and on parts of the city due to gentrification. Goldberg Summerland Avenue near Western. He closed reported that sales have solidly doubled over

a downtown Long Beach location after a few years.

Romero reports the company’s traffic patterns have been pretty consistent over the past few years. He believes that traffic has been up in downtown San Pedro because it has more to offer, especially on Sixth Street, which is reflected in the declining vacancies.

Badfish sees much heavier traffic patterns at the downtown location when compared to foot traffic on Western.

Rather than set up a clone of their Sixth Street shop on Western, they instead turned it into Badfish Printshop, which does custom work. The shop also carries skateboards and accessories, which provides for the needs of San Pedro, especially skaters at the nearby skatepark in Peck Park. Romero said that his

Just Another Holiday Party ‘Tis the season for replacing presidents

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

Special Holiday Edition

I was standing near the door inside of Kalaveras Mexican bar on the night of the San Pedro Democratic Club’s holiday party and officer election meeting. It was a curious combination of collaboration and conflict over the leadership of the club between Carrie Scoville and Shannon Ross. The not-so-very large bar was mobbed with over 100 members and the cacophony of so many people socializing made it near impossible to hear much even when the underpowered amp and microphone were used.

Clearly the staff of Kalaveras was overwhelmed, perhaps even shocked, as were some members who asked, “Where did all these new members come from?”

While standing out of the fray, a young woman approached me saying she was taking a poll. I presumed that she was part of the Dems Club when she asked who I was supporting for president.

“Bernie Sanders,” I replied.

“Isn’t he a socialist? And isn’t a socialist next to being a communist?” she asked.

At this point I suddenly realized that the San Pedro Democratic Club holiday party had been invaded. Did a Republican spy or worse, a Trumpster infiltrate the party?

“Are you effing crazy? You don’t even know what you are talking about,” I responded.

After using a liberal dose of Anglo-Saxon expletives, she slinked back into the dining room a bit dejected. Perhaps she was really asking an innocent question, but I doubt it. Walking into a room full of progressive Democrats and making a false equivalency statement between socialism and communism is just plain stupid if not ignorant.

Party politics isn’t always polite nor does it have to adhere to a “code of civility” like in a neighborhood council meeting. But in this new age of hyper-sensitivity in the civic sphere, this might have been grounds for “harassment” but no, this was a lesson in political discourse and definitions. Sorry if I hurt your feelings, but you really weren’t “taking a poll.”

The issue of Sen. Bernie Sanders being a self-ascribed democratic socialist versus a Democratic Party loyalist plays to the heart of the San Pedro Democratic Club contest.

Most of these members voted for Sanders last time against Hilary Clinton in the 2016 California primary. As I recall, Sanders with the endorsement of the ILWU, captured

some 48 percent of the votes in the Harbor Area precincts.

This came as a shock for the more liberal [meaning moderate], county Democratic party leadership. And it sets the stage for the primary battle for California’s 55 electoral votes in nominating the next candidate to run against Trump.

The challenge is choosing a candidate who can actually defeat #45, a president committed to slandering, abusing and denigrating anyone who runs against him. So on the Democratic side the sentiment is we’ll vote for anyone but Trump, inside the party there is almost an equivalent “anyone but Sanders” bias with Sen. Elizabeth Warren being a runner up to this.

Yet both Sanders and Warren have moved both the party and the platform to a decidedly more left of center position on universal health care, global warming, clean energy and social justice. These are issues that make the Democratic Party leadership fret over their chances in winning Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio in the general election.

The leadership battle between Scoville and Ross may be more personality driven and yet there is this kind of underlying tug-of-war between moderates and progressive Dems taking place outside of the limelight except at the State Party Convention in Long Beach this past month.

The Progressive Caucus had a huge turn out and has a growing membership, of mostly younger Democratic voters yet the Progressives struggled to get many of their items on the state platform.

By contrast, the San Pedro Dems Club is hardly young and remains ardently in the progressive camp.

What is an even larger conundrum for the people in greater San Pedro Bay area is that even with a 65-plus percent majority Democratic registration and all of the elected offices represented by Democrats, much of the civic and business affairs are in the hands of those who are much less liberal. The Democratic Clubs, the non-partisan neighborhood councils on the Los Angeles side of the harbor, and the city councils of the surrounding cities remain the last bastion of small “d” democracy in an arena dominated

by Republican, corporate influenced chambers of commerce.

This has meant former Republicans like Councilman Joe Buscaino and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia had to change party affiliations just to become electable over the past

December 12 - 18, 2019

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

6

Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya

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

—Mark Twain Vol. XL : No. 26

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.

Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg paul.rosenberg@ randomlengthsnews.com

decade. But did they really change their political stripes? What we have is a crop of Democrats in name only [or DINOs] who change parties to run for office and show up at local party events masquerading.

Meanwhile, the San Pedro Dems Club’s elevation of Shannon Ross over Carrie Scoville by a 2 to 1 margin may say more about the direction of local politics than might be

imagined. But with impeachment proceedings and presidential Democratic debates (the next one is coming to Los Angeles Dec. 19) soaking up all of the attention through the end of the year, the meaning of this local contest may be lost until next year when the local clubs endorse candidates and California chooses a contender to rid us of Trump. The question is, just how many DINOs will show up to vote?

Joe Biden’s AstroTurf Campaign

By Norman Solomon

Last week, I attended Joe Biden’s first rally in California since he launched his presidential campaign more than six months ago. It was revealing.

Under sunny skies, with near abundant free parking and a vigorous social media and email promotion by the Biden for President campaign, the outdoor rally on the campus of Los Angeles Trade Technical College offered a chance to hear the man widely heralded as the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

No more than 500 people showed up.

Admittedly, as an active Bernie Sanders supporter, I didn’t have high expectations. But what struck me about the rally went beyond the dismal turnout and the stale rhetoric from a corporate Democrat posing as a champion of working people.

Biden’s slow decline in polls is empirical, but what ails his campaign — as reflected in that California kickoff rally — is almost ineffable.

Biden is a back-to-the-future product who often seems clueless about the present. In view of so many deep and widespread concerns, from income inequality to healthcare disparities to the

Columnists/Reporters Hunter Chase Reporter Adam R. Thomas Reporter Andrea Serna Arts Writer Melina Paris Staff Reporter Send Calendar Items to: 14days@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Terelle Jerricks, Steven Guzman, Raphael Richardson, Chris Villanueva Contributors Mark L. Friedman, Greggory Moore, Ari LeVaux, Norman Solomon, Gretchen Williams

climate emergency, his talking points are simply beside the point.

The Biden base has two main components: the corporate media outlets that routinely protect him from critical scrutiny, and the rich people who routinely infuse his lackluster campaign with cash. When and where he isn’t getting fuel from either component of that base, the campaign sputters.

Contrasts with the large and passionate rallies for Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren could hardly be greater. Not coincidentally, those two candidates are glad to rely on large numbers of small donations, while Biden relies on small numbers of large donations.

Biden is so afraid of Democratic activists that—for the second time this year—he declined an invitation to join other candidates in speaking to a convention of the California Democratic Party. The latest convention heard from eight presidential candidates on Nov. 16, two days after Biden’s kickoff rally, no more than an hour’s drive away in Long Beach.

While careful to stay away from engaged

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RANDOMLetters Student Letters

Editor’s note: In the past few weeks, Random Lengths News received a group of Letters to the Editor from the students of San Pedro High School English teacher Michael Kurdyla. Students commented on stories from the past few months. Reading through the letters, the students did an admirable job following their teacher’s instruction to read and critique stories that piqued their interest. The end result was more than 10,000 words from high school students engaging the most topical issues being discussed today. In the interest of space, we will select a few of the letters for print while posting the remainder online.

Re: “Barragan at the Border”

Re: “Avoiding Trump’s Twitter Trap”

After reading the story I have encountered that Trump uses Tweets to “expose” and put other people in danger. I have no experience with being accused

by Trump. But I have witnessed Trump’s twitter attacks from social media and I do agree that from the tweet Trump posted on July 31, 2019 about Don Lemon is putting the CNN reporter in danger.

There were many fascinating facts in the story, For example it gives many tips on how to avoid falling for Trump’s twitter traps.

One example is in paragraph 7 Rosen suggests, “The media can stop Trump’s twitter traps by simply suspending normal relations with the Trump government.” I personally 100% agree with Rosen because we keep giving Trump power by caring and interacting with what he says so what we can do is simply ignore him and his government.

The story uses many forms of strong powerful words. For example in paragraph four there is a picture shown that shows Brian Stelter replying to Trump’s tweet saying, “the presidents hateful tweets make journalists less safe.”

The words being used in that are extreme which is great. Reason being is because it shows how the tweet makes others feel. There could have been a better example of emotion for example the reporter being attacked by Trump could have been interviewed to ask how he felt about Trump’s tweet.

If the interviewer would have been interviewed than it would show his point of view in the article which would make the article more interesting. Although I do believe this article is fantastic and that the community can stop these hateful tweets from trump by reading this

[AstroTurf from p. 6]

AstroTurf

As a student at San Pedro High School, I am concerned for my generation of students as I believe we are not taught the necessary skills and advice which we will later need in life.

I believe it is important that we are educated in technology and future career opportunities. In the Random Lengths News article, “Today’s BattleBot Competitor, Tomorrow’s Engineer,” reporter Hunter Chase explores technology and its importance to the jobs of the future.

A major problem we face as a society is labor shortage. Not only is this bad for individuals who are left jobless, but this also devastates the U.S. economy as a whole. One major factor that impacts this labor shortage is the automation of jobs.

Many of today’s workers will be replaced by robots and, in the words of Rolling Robots founder, George Kirkman, “we’re trying to preserve those jobs, but these kids in 10 years, they need to be able to handle that automation.” We need to prepare our students for the jobs of the future in order to satiate the demand for workers in our society.

Many students aspiring for specific jobs are deprived of opportunities preparing them for their desired jobs. Technology courses are the most popular, however, the majority of students do not have these opportunities.

We need to educate our students in various industries to broaden the career paths students can be passionate about. More emphasis on career education is essential to the success of our students.

[See Letters, p. 14]

a kind of conventional wisdom now says that he is sure to fade from contention. But — in the absence of comparable polling numbers from the numerous other corporate candidates in the race — the Biden campaign is likely to be the best bet for deep-pocketed political investors seeking to prevent the nomination of Sanders or Warren.

Biden’s decision last month to greenlight super PACs on his behalf has underscored just how eager he is to bankroll his AstroTurf campaign against grassroots progressives no matter what. As he said during an interview in January 2018, “you shouldn’t accept any money from a super PAC, because people can’t possibly trust you.” But ultimately, Biden doesn’t need people’s trust, he needs their acquiescence.

Norman Solomon is cofounder and national coordinator of RootsAction.org. He is the executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy and the author of a dozen books including War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death.

December 12 - 18, 2019

grassroots Democrats, Biden made a beeline for wealthy donors immediately after his sparsely attended rally. First, he hurried over to a reception in West Los Angeles (tickets were up to $1,000 each). Later that evening, a local TV station noted, Biden’s fundraising schedule took him to “the Pacific Palisades home of Rick Lynch, the owner of the entertainment marketing firm BLT Communications, and music video producer Lanette Phillips,” with tickets “priced at $500 and $2,800, the maximum individual contribution during the primary campaign.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that Biden “previously made eight fundraising trips to California since entering the race in late April, visiting at least once a month. He has headlined 21 fundraisers in the state, raising money at the homes of Hollywood executives, Silicon Valley tech leaders and other affluent Democrats.”

Among some who roll their eyes about Biden,

Re: “Technology in Schools—Support for the Students’ Careers”

Special Holiday Edition

The Random Lengths article

by Paul Rosenburg, “Barragan at the Border,” covers the living situations for thousands of immigrants in ICE custody.

These living conditions have been reported as “dirty,” “overcrowded,” “willful neglect,” and “sad.” They have no cell phones to call their families or any shower access to clean themselves. Very small children are being separated from their moms and dads. “We were in that one cell with a woman from Cuba for about 45 minutes. And it was clear that human rights were being neglected,” said one of the reporters. Twenty-four immigrants have died in these “concentration camps.” I can not even picture what these families must be going through. I would feel so sad and hopeless if I was separated from my family! I can’t imagine. If this doesn’t change more lives will be on the line. More and more immigrants will be scared to come to America because they will think this is how we treat immigrants. No one will want to immigrate here.

This is bad because immigrants make up America! They are scared of ICE. This story has to be spread so America can be portrayed differently to outside countries. If we don’t act now, more helpless

families will end up separated or dead. We need to take action so that their lives are no longer in danger. We must rise up into action against ICE! Mia Murusic Olguin Campus, SPHS

article and following the steps that Rosen recommended.

If we don’t read and follow these rules than many people would be accused of being “disrespectful” towards Trump and Trump’s followers will attack those people. After reading this article story I do believe that i’m going to start looking into more news papers by RLN. Diana Aguilar Olguin Campus, SPHS

7

Greta Thunberg: ‘They try so desperately to silence us’

By Mark Friedman, Special Report from Europe Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said young people are “bringing change” to the Madrid climate talks and will not be silenced. She joined a march of 500,000 in Madrid and a conference of 30,000.

At a news conference, Thunberg said that she hoped the negotiations would yield “something concrete.”

The 16-year-old was mobbed by press and spectators when she visited the conference center. Having arrived via overnight train from Lisbon to large crowds waiting for her in Madrid, Thunberg joined a large demonstration in favor

of rapid climate action.

Speaking before the gathering she said that the voices of the young would not be drowned out. “People want everything to continue like now and they are afraid of change,” she told reporters.

“And change is what we young people are bringing and that is why they want to silence us and that is just a proof that we are having an impact, that our voices are being heard, that they try so desperately to silence us… We have been marching and striking for a year and basically nothing has happened.”

Global climate activist Greta Thunberg in Madrid, Spain for COP 25 Conference on Climate Change Dec. 6. File photo

December 12 - 18, 2019

Special Holiday Edition

Responding to a question from a journalist who asked why do some adults view her as “angry,” Thunberg said: “We are angry, we are frustrated and it’s because of good reasons.

“If they want us to stop being angry, maybe they should stop making us angry.”

Meanwhile, in a report released on Dec. 3 during the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the World Health Organization (WHO) called on countries to prioritize funding to deal with the effects of climate change on human health. In coming decades, global warming is expected to cause thousands of additional deaths each year from malnutrition, insect-borne disease and heat stress.

Even the Pope is concerned.

“We must seriously ask ourselves if there is the political will to allocate with honesty,

8

responsibility and courage, more human, financial and technological resources to mitigate the negative effects of climate change,” Pope Francis said in a message to participants.

At the meeting, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine noted that water covers much of their island at one or other point of the year as they fight rising tides. She noted that hundreds of people have evacuated their homes after large waves caused the ocean to inundate parts of the capital in Majuro last week.

She added: “It’s a fight to the death for anyone not prepared to flee. As a nation we refuse to flee.

But we also refuse to die.”

The world’s average surface temperature is rising rapidly because human activities release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, like the glass roof of a greenhouse.

Despite clear scientific evidence of climate change and its impacts on all of Earth’s organisms, multiple international conferences have failed to produce results. In fact, CO2 emissions continued to increase last year.

Talk is cheap and country after country have pledged voluntary actions—but few have implemented programs to halt corporate pollution and expansion of fossil fuel use and there are few governmental directives. Instead many have promoted a false “carbon credits scheme” which allows corporations to buy credits from others while not reducing their own carbon footprint in the least.

In a book of Greta Thunberg’s speeches that was just published, she says, “We are fighting for everyone’s future. And if you think that we should be in school instead, then we suggest you take our place in the streets striking from your work. Or better yet, join us so it can speed up the process… we must start today. We have no more excuses.”

Curtain Call

Holiday Inn,a Perfect Performance of Typical Irving Berlin

By Greggory Moore, Curtain Call Columnist

Louise (Liz Eldridge) and the ensemble of Musical Theatre West’s production of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. Photos by Caught in the Moment Photography.

M

Linda (Natalie Storrs) and Ted (Jeffrey Scott Parsons).

December 12 - 18, 2019

puts on shows only for Easter, Christmas, Fourth of July, etc. The shows are a hit, and Linda’s so good that Ted is sure that together they can make it in Hollywood.

The plot of Holiday Inn is more than serviceable enough to string together the musical numbers, which themselves are quite good. Without being behind the scenes it’s hard to know exactly how to dole out credit, but there’s no doubt that Danny Pelzig’s direction and Christine Negherbon’s choreography are first-rate.

Every scene is well-blocked and every dance number, big or small, makes all the right moves. That’s easiest to see with the show-stoppers, particularly Shaking the Blues Away, which is nonstop action at all levels of the stage and features not only elaborate tap-dancing but a whole jump-roping sequence, which should be stupid, but somehow works wonderfully.

More than any show I’ve seen, Holiday Inn is a bonanza for the ensemble roles,and all 16 of these performers do complete justice to the bounty they receive, in some ways even more responsible for the overall success of certain numbers than the leads.

They are aided in the endeavor by the multitude of sumptuous costumes they don. I’m told these are basically the same as were worn on Broadway and they look it.

With an ensemble doing so much so well, there’s the potential for the leads to be upstaged.

Thankfully, the cast is just as good at the top of the bill. Cameron Bond and Jeffrey Scott Parsons are flawless and Liz Eldridge (as Louise, lifelong friend to Linda and a “handyman” who sort of comes with Mason Farm) brings to mind Rosie O’Donnell in all the best ways.

Special Holiday Edition

ost movie musicals are adaptations of shows originating on the stage. Not so with Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. Written for the silver screen in 1942, the Holiday Inn that Musical Theatre West is staging right now didn’t exist until debuting on Broadway in 2017.

Having never seen the film, I can’t offer comparisons. What I can say is that this Holiday Inn is stylistically typical of World War II-era musicals, a simple story with big numbers and a breezy plot that walks the main characters through high jinx on the way to their happy ending. If you like this kind of thing, I can’t imagine you’ll come away from this show disappointed.

Jim (Cameron Bond), Ted (Jeffrey Scott Parsons) and Lila (Jennifer Knox) are a song-and-dance team, but sweethearts Jim and Lila are breaking up the band based on a promise to each other that they’d quit showbiz when the gigs dried up. Jim just bought Mason Farm in Connecticut, where they’re going to settle down; but when they get an offer for one more six-week tour, Lila and Ted take it while Jim goes to New England to set up house. While waiting for Lila to join him, Jim meets Linda Mason (Natalie Storrs), who recently moved out after the bank foreclosed. She too once had stars in her eyes, but she let her dreams go to come back home and care for her father during his final years and now lives a quiet, somewhat lonely life in a tiny apartment.

Meanwhile, Ted and Lila are a hit on the road, and Lila returns only to tell Jim that farm life was his dream, not hers.

As expected, romance ensues between Jim and Linda. And since both still have a yearning to perform, what could be more natural than turning Mason Farm into a performance venue? That’s the Holiday Inn, which

[See Curtain Call, p. 11]

9

T

he fog held thick against the coast and the roofs dripped with moisture as the young man made his way up 5th Street.

He was an immigrant, a fisherman, hoping that this new land would give him a chance.

They had told him in the old country to look for Ante Perkov when he got to San Pedro.

Perkov was a big-chested man with a deep voice and an easy laugh and he always wore a red carnation over his ear. He said the blossom was “for handsome” but it also made him stand out in a crowd. Ante knew everyone, and more importantly, everyone knew Ante. The emigrant had also come to San Pedro with nothing and knew the struggle of coming to a new country and making it home.

Ante welcomed all to his little café on 5th

The Restaurateurs of Old San Pedro

By Gretchen Williams, Dining and Cuisine Writer

Street, just up the hill from Beacon Street. If an immigrant had no money, Ante would feed him anyway, and then find him a job, a place to stay, introduce him to a nice local girl and help him become part of the community.

Ante moved his establishment to Palos Verdes Street, inhabiting the space formerly filled by the “Alaskan,” itself an overgrown version of the rough and ready bar. Ante warmed up the space and made the dining room one of the hot spots of San Pedro.

The extensive menu was full of Croatian specialties like roast beef and mostaccioli, stuffed cabbage rolls, roast duck, leg of lamb, grilled sardines, stewed tripe, liver and onions, sauerkraut with ribs, or favorite homemade cevapcici. Fresh seafood, clam chowder, prime rib, pork chops, shrimp and crab Louie rounded out the menu, with immense dinner salads laced with bleu cheese or thick lentil soup alongside.

Desserts were legendary, but the choice was tough; how to choose between spectacular apple strudel and sublime rice pudding with raisins?

The bar at Ante’s was also legendary— custom built to accommodate the bartender in the well, on the same level as guests seated on chair-height bar stools. This was thought to be more comfortable for all, but the design gave patrons a shorter fall when dismounting after hoisting a few. Ante’s banquet rooms hosted many parties, weddings, meetings and family events.

Ante Perkov at his eponymous restaurant.

Ante’s sons, Tony and Marion, carried on their father’s culinary tradition, both in the restaurant and catering special events, celebrating the community their father’s love and generosity had helped to create. With Tony’s passing, the restaurant has closed, but Ante Perkov’s family is honored on the stretch of Palos Verdes Street now named Ante Perkov Way. San Pedro was still young when the original “Majestic Café” opened in 1925

Special Holiday Edition

Trani’s Majestic.

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on 7th Street above the original Longshore Dispatch Hall. With a good start as a beer bar, the Majestic served wet bean sandwiches on thick slabs of Italian bread, great for soaking up the suds. Roast beef sandwiches dipped in au jus, spaghetti and meatballs, minestrone soup and beef stew completed the menu.

Boilermakers and draft beer were the only libations on offer until a late afternoon “slumming” by Humphrey Bogart and his sailing party. They were looking for cocktails after a cold day on the water, but the bartending skills at the Majestic were limited. The neighboring Norwegian ship chandler was summoned and quickly mixed a batch of Manhattans, saving the day for Bogey and his buds, and launching the fine cocktail tradition still enjoyed at J.Trani’s Ristorante.

Filippo Trani started the Majestic, his sons carried on and now his grandson and great grandson keep the tradition alive. Filippo is remembered every day as patrons enter J.Trani’s Ristorante and rub the nose of his bronze portrait in the entry for luck. Filippo’s son, Jim, brought the Majestic Café into the modern day with J.Trani’s Ristorante, located in the original, “Peppy’s” on 9th Street.

Jim’s son, Jim and grandson, Dustin, now run J.Trani’s and plan to open a new restaurant

[See Restaurateurs, p. 11]

[Restaurateurs from p. 10]

[Curtain Call from p. 9]

in addition at the old Canetti‘s location on the docks at 22nd Street. J.Trani’s menu is almost a century ahead of those wet bean sandwiches, though the minestrone soup is just as fine, and the roast beef sandwiches still contain the best beef, on slabs of fresh Italian bread.

Chef Dustin is serving cutting-edge cuisine, taking advantage of fresh local seafood for daily specials. Dustin and Jim are cold-smoking local swordfish for carpaccio that is phenomenal. Shishito peppers on the appetizer menu would be a surprise to Filippo, but do not miss this scrumptious treatment. Thin crust pizza is a Trani specialty, with the unusual pear and bleu cheese joining the regular margarita and it is delightful. (What local L.A. County Supervisor is sometimes seen enjoying Trani’s pizza at that little booth in the bar?)

J.Trani’s has been solving appetites for just short of a century and its collective memory spans the modern history of San Pedro, the development of the port and the evolution of the community. The Majestic Café was witness to the infancy of the ILWU, the heavy presence of the Navy and Merchant Marine, and the golden age of the fishery and canneries. The smell of marinara sauce on the breeze is the aroma of San Pedro.

Restaurateurs are the historians and the keepers of the flame in a community.

San Pedro has been blessed with ethnic diversity as well as a temperate climate.

Croatians, Italians, French, Japanese, Norwegians, Mexicans and many others came to San Pedro because it seemed like home. All brought their culinary traditions and gardening customs. Because of them, San Pedro is a delicious home!

Although you can’t really pick a standout in a cast where everyone is perfect, there’s no way not to mention Natalie Storrs, whose seemingly effortless command of every note and gesture, often in combinations that simply can’t be as easy to pull off as she makes it seems, is stunning.

The music is...well, it’s Irving Berlin. You know plenty of his songs even if you don’t know you know.

I recognized five in this show alone but if they’re not your bag (to me, he’s no Cole Porter (who to me is no Pink Floyd, if you get my drift)), it doesn’t matter how good he is at doing his Tin Pan Alley thing. In any case, there isn’t a clunker in this batch and one undeniable classic: White Christmas. You’ve heard it a billion times, yet every now and then it still makes you say: Awwww.

In terms of mise en scène (I really love that term), this may be the most impressive theatre craft I’ve seen from Musical Theatre West and that’s saying something. Major chunks of set roll on and off from the wings, flats are constantly dropping from the flyspace at multiple depths, props appear and disappear before you know what’s happening. Paul Black’s lighting design employs such a variety of base colors

Restaurateurs

BIG NICK’S PIZZA

HAPPY DINER #1

BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA

HAPPY DINER #2

Tradition, variety and fast delivery—you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza. The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pastas and our amazing selection of signature pizzas. We offer a wide selection of appetizers, salads, beer and wine. Call for fast delivery. Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro 310-732-5800 • www.bignickspizza.com

CONRAD’S MEXICAN GRILL

Built on the success of Happy Diner #1, Happy Diner #2 just expanded its dining room for parties of up to 100 guests and soon to open for dinner service.

American favorites like omelets and burgers, fresh salads, plus pasta and Mexican dishes are served. Happy Diner #2 is casual dining, a place to enjoy a relaxing meal with family and friends. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro 310-935-2933

HAPPY DELI

The Happy Deli is a small place with a big menu.

Food is made-to-order using the freshest ingredients.

Breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches include a small coffee.

For lunch or dinner select from fresh salads, wraps, buffalo wings, cold and hot sandwiches, burgers and dogs. Delivery to your home or office available. Ask about catering your next event. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 am. to 8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • 424-364-0319 www.happydelisp.com

Times: 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday; Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. through Dec.15 Cost: $20 to $92 Details: 562-856-1999 ext. 4; www.musical.org Venue: Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach

LA BUVETTE WINE BISTRO

La Buvette offers rustic French cuisine featuring the freshest ingredients from valued local purveyors.

La Buvette pays tribute to the classic French bistros of various regions of France where good food, good wine and friends come together to create the special joie de vivre. Free, private parking lot in rear Hours: Tues.-Wed. dinner 5 to 9 p.m.; Thurs. lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner: 5 to 9 p.m.; Fri. lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner: 5 to 10 p.m. Sat. coffee & croissants 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner 5 to 10 p.m.; Sun. brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner 5 to 9 p.m.; closed Mon. La Buvette Wine Bistro, 335 W. 7th St., San Pedro • 424-342-9840 • www.LaBuvetteBistro.com

MARIE CALLENDER’S RESTAURANT & BAKERY

Enjoy all your Marie Callender favorites at their new San Pedro location. From appetizers and salads to classic entrées and famous pies, there’s something for every taste and mood. For quick workday lunches or business meetings, try the Big, Boxed Lunch to go or delivery.

Dinner entrées include fresh seasonal selections as well as traditional favorites. Ask about catering for your next event. During June and July, buy one pie at regular price and get the 2nd pie for $4.99. Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Marie Callenders, 1030 N. Western Ave., San Pedro • 310-832-4559 • www.mariecallenders.com

PINA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Pina’s Mexican R e s t a u r a n t serves traditonal Mexican food from Michoacan for breakfast through dinner, and is known for specialty enchiladas, burritos, tacos and mariscos served in a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere. Pina’s now has a full bar, so come by for a real margarita! Catering available for any occasion. Hours: Saturday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pina’s Mexican Restaurant, 1430 W. 25th St., San Pedro 310-547-4621 • www.pinasmexicanrestaurant.com

SAN PEDRO BREWING COMPANY

A micro brewery 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 daily from 11:30 a.m.. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-831-5663 www.sanpedrobrewing.com

TAXCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

We are proud to serve our community for almost four decades.

Generous plates of traditional Mexican fare are the draw at this family-friendly restaurant. Visit us at our new location — the Garden Village in San Pedro, where Tony got his start. Catering for every occasion, beer, wine and margaritas to your taste.

Open Sun. and Mon. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Taxco Mexican Restaurant, 28152 S. Western Ave., San Pedro • (310) 547-4554

THE WHALE & ALE ENGLISH RESTAURANT & PUB

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

Featuring popular pub fare such as Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, 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, and domestic craft beers on tap. Full bar; free, gated parking lot. Happy hour five days a week. Hours: Mon. 5 to 9 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. 1 to 10 p.m., Sun. 1 to 9 p.m. The Whale & Ale, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro 310-832-0363 • www.whaleandale.com

December 12 - 18, 2019

Conrad’s menu reflects the cuisine of his native Oaxaca with a fresh focus on local, seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It features classic dishes from Oaxaca and regional Mexico, such as mole sauces, ceviche, empanadas and sopecitos. Sourcing the freshest ingredients, combining them with traditional flavors and rewriting familiar recipes into exceptional cuisine is Conrad’s mission. Ask about Conrad’s vegan menu. Caterng available. Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. noon to 8 p.m. Conrad’s Mexican Grill, 376. W. 6th St., San Pedro • 424-264-5452 www.conradsmexicangrill.com

The Happy Diner #1 in Downtown San Pedro isn’t your average diner. The selections range from Italian- and 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. Catering for any occasion available for your home or office. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro • 310-241-0917

that his work alone goes a long way toward establishing the numerous physical locations that flow from one to another. All of these elements simultaneously come together masterfully in several numbers, including Heat Wave, where we go on the road with Ted and Lila as they move from club to club and city to city, their success growing and growing until it’s fit to burst.

Now we come to the dreaded paragraph where I report on the bad. Twice during the performance I attended, a curtain got snagged on a piece of scenery for a few seconds before it was unsnagged.

If you think there’s so little negative here because I’m one of those critics who likes all things theatre and can’t bear to criticize the efforts of our brave thespians, then clearly you’ve not read many of my reviews. And let’s be frank: Chicago or Sweeney Todd this ain’t. But Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn is well-crafted lite fare served up perfectly by Musical Theatre West. So if you dig “Golden Age” musicals, give yourself an early Christmas present, because this is how they should be done.

Special Holiday Edition

Family owned and operated since 1965, Buono’s is famous for exceptional award-winning brick oven baked pizza.

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. to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buono’s Pizzeria, 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro 310-547-0655 • www.buonospizza.com

Curtain Call

11

A

DEC 12 - 18 • 2019

ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT

MUSIC

Venue: Brouwerij West, 110 E. 22nd St., Warehouse No. 9, San Pedro

John Doyle and Mick McAuley Celebrated Irish guitarist and singer-songwriter John Doyle, accompanied by Irish accordionist Mick McAuley, will stun audiences with their virtuoso playing and lovely, sometimes hilarious, songs.

Time: 8 to 10 p.m. Dec. 13 Cost: $20 Details: www.alvasshowroom.tix. com Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1413 W. 8th St., San Pedro

6162 Band This cover band plays Top 40s hits, dance, and R&B. Time: 9 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: $5 Details: 310-323-3954, alpinevillagecenter.com Venue: Alpine Village, 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance

Dec. 13

Winter Miracles Celebrate the season with an uplifting evening of music from classical to Broadway.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14 Cost: $25.

Details: http://www.

TorranceCivicChorale.org Venue: Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance A Joyful Sound The South Bay Strummers Ukulele Ensemble will perform holiday celebration music from throughout North America.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 13 Cost: Tickets are $25 Details: 310-781-7171; www.TorranceCivicChorale.org Venue: James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance

Dec. 14

December 12 - 18, 2019

Special Holiday Edition

A Celtic Christmas Eric Rigler, the world’s most recorded piper, and guitarist Dirk Freymuth bring you a night of acoustic holiday cheer. Stephanie Bennett joins on Celtic harp and special guest Nuala Kennedy from Dundalk, Ireland will be on vocals and flute.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 14; 5 p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: $30 Details: www.alvasshowroom.tix. com Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1413 W. 8th St., San Pedro

12

Colors of Christmas For 26 seasons, the popular Colors of Christmas extravaganza has delighted audiences. The lively annual tradition returns with Grammy winner Peabo Bryson leading an all-star lineup that includes Grammy nominee Oleta Adams, Broadway veteran Ben Vereen, and Grammy winner Jody Watley.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: $55 to $100 Details: 562-916-8500; www.cerritoscenter.com Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos Anuhea’s All Is Bright Tour 2019 At Brouwerij West Come sleigh the holidays with Anuhea and Friends this winter! Anuhea, Hawai’i’s Female Vocalist of the Year is celebrating her 10th Anniversary in music and the brand new release of her album A10: Best Of Anuhea.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: $25 Details: www.brouwerijwest. com

Dec. 15 Barbara Morrison An ensemble of top jazz players are joined by a cast of singers, along with jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison.

Time: 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: $10 Details: 310-547-2348 Venue: Janny’s Showroom, 365 W. 6th St., San Pedro Magnificat Celebrating the Season Los Cancioneros Master Chorale presents Holiday Concert Magnificat. ’Tis the season for celebration, whether it be music from the 18th, 19th, 20th or the jazzy setting from the 21st century.

Time: 7 p.m. Dec. 15 .

Cost: $25 and $15 Details: 310-781-7171, www.lcmasterchorale.com Venue: James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance Lou Giovannetti And Orchestra: It’s Christmas Time A spectacular evening which will include all your holiday favorite songs, accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 17 Cost: $35 to $108 Details: 310-722-1084; LouGiovannetti274@gmail.com Venue: James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance Big Band Christmas: All The Classics Gary Vecchiarelli Productions Las Vegas presents a 17-Piece Big Band featuring a cavalcade of hits from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s which will include the music of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Nat King Cole, and the Andrew Sisters.

Time: 2 p.m. Dec. 19 Cost: $20 to $49 Details: 310-781-7171 Venue: James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance

Dec. 20

Egyptian Lover Egyptian Lover performs his annual holiday concert at JDC Record Store.

Time: 7 p.m. Dec. 20 Cost: Free Details: 424-264-5335 Venue: 447 W. 6th St., San Pedro Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2019 Gather up the family and get into the spirit of the season with Dave Koz and Friends, Jonathan Butler, Melissa Manchester, Michael Lington and Special Guest Chris Walker.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 20 Cost: $60 to $100 Details: 562- 916-8500;

www.cerritoscenter.com Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos

Dec. 21

Jim Kimo West Holiday Slack Key Show Jim “Kimo” West and a special guests will perform music from his acclaimed holiday slack key CDs, Kimo’s Hawaiian Slack Key Christmas and Ki’Hoalu Christmastime.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 21 Cost: $20 Details: www.alvashowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro Holiday Songs with Silvia Van Wye Adults are invited to join us for an afternoon of holiday songs performed by vocalist, Silvia Van Wye. Time: 1 p.m. Dec. 21 Cost: Free Details: 310-781-7599 Venue: Torrance Library, 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Holiday POPS Spectacular!

2019 The Golden State Pops Orchestra’s Holiday Spectacular makes its triumphant return with joyous music and high spirits.

Time: 8 p.m. Dec. 21 Cost: $27 to $75 Details: www.tinyurl.com/ holidaypopsconcert Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

DANCE Dec. 13

The Nutcracker San Pedro City Ballet, home of American Ballet Theatre superstar Misty Copeland, presents its 26th annual production of The Nutcracker, with artistic direction

by Cynthia and David Patrick Bradley. Join Clara on a dreamlike journey with a dancing Nutcracker, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes and a magical Christmas tree.

Time: 7 p.m. Dec. 13; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: $19 to $39 Details: www.sanpedrocityballet. org Venue: Warner Grand Theater, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro LB City Ballet There are more than 100 productions of The Nutcracker every year across the U.S. on stages big and small. And all of them possess their own Sugar Plum Fairy-fueled holiday magic.

But only one boasts live orchestral accompaniment, cool special effects and an Arabian horse named Rebel.

Time: 2 p.m. Dec. 14, 21 and 22; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 Cost: $27.50 to $54.60 Details: www.longbeachballet. com Venue: Long Beach Performing Arts Center Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach Palos Verdes Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker The Palos Verdes Ballet is thrilled to present its 39th anniversary Nutcracker season. Directed by Uta Graf-Apotol, this enchanting ballet classic will be performed at the Norris Theatre for one

weekend only starting Dec. 14.

Time: 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: Tickets are $39 for adults and $28 for children Details: 310-544-0403 www.palosverdesballet.org Venue: Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Dr., Rolling Hills Estates

ARTS

Dec. 14

Fathom These four artists work at Angels Gate Cultural Center to foster a greater awareness and association between the Port of Los Angeles, life in San Pedro and art as a daily lived experience.

Blue McRight has created suspended vertical sculptures that address projected sea level rise and the urgent problem of ocean plastic. All of the Fathoms will be exhibited as an installation at Bridging San Pedro.

Time: 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: www.angelsgateart.org Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., Building G, San Pedro The Long Beach Art Walk Every second Saturday galleries and other businesses display artwork and feature musicians, a maker’s mart, and activated green space. Artists have a chance to display and sell their art while patrons enjoy strolling from one establishment to the next.

Time: 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: https://artslb.org/lbartwalk Location: East Village Arts District, Ocean Boulevard to 4th Street, and Long Beach Boulevard to Atlantic Avenue.

FILM

Dec. 20 Winter Movie at Malaga Cove Library Join a special winter movie presentation of Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. This musical gem from 1942 features Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds, directed by Mark Sandrich. Seating is limited to 50 chairs and is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Light refreshments will be provided.

Time: 6:30 p.m Dec. 20 Cost: Free Details: 310-377-9584 Venue: Malaga Cove Library, 2400 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates

Dec. 22

It’s A Wonderful Life Frank Capra's timeless holiday classic It's A Wonderful Life will screen at the historical Warner Grand Theatre. Bring the whole family and see it on the big screen.

Time: 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 22 Cost: $13 Details: www.spiffest.org Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St.,San Pedro

WELLNESS Dec. 14

Book signing with Lisa Erickson Lisa Erickson, author of Chakra Empowerment for Women, will give a talk on chakras and women’s energy bodies, as well as energy work for sexual trauma and how to reset yourself for 2020.

She will also lead a brief chakra meditation and sign copies of her book.

Time: 3 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ LisaErickson Venue: The Zen Den San Pedro,

360 W. 6th St., San Pedro Walk, Talk, Meditate Invigorate your mind, body and spirit. Meet at Starbucks at Golden Cove Shopping Center to walk to Point Vicente Interpretive Center cliffs. Feel free to bring an inspiring song, poem, quote, prayer or dance for sharing.

Time: 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: angiesabet@hotmail. com Venue: Starbucks, Golden Cove Shopping Center, 31202 Palos Verdes Dr. West, Rancho Palos Verdes

COMMUNITY Dec. 13

San Pedro Farmers Market Every Friday there are fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers available in historic downtown San Pedro.

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ SPfarmersmarket Venue: Downtown San Pedro, 6th & Mesa streets Friday Night Lights Enjoy yummy refreshments while browsing the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Gift Shop with hundreds of collectible ornaments, books, games, art cards, stationary and curated ocean-themed gifts.

The gift shop will be open after hours for holiday shopping until Christmas.

Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20 Cost: Free Details: www.cabrillomarine aquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro Friday Shark Lagoon Nights Get up close to the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for free during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon.

Time: 6 p.m. Dec. 13 Cost: Free Details: http://www. aquariumofpacific.org/ Venue: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach

Dec. 14

Breakfast with Santa Families will eat with Santa Claus, then children will board a bus to go to the United Methodist Church where volunteers will help them shop for gifts for their parents.

Adults can shop for their children in the church’s gym and can buy toys or gift cards.

Time: 9 a.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: 310-832-1145 Venue: 131 N. Grand Ave., San Pedro Old Fire Station Museum Open House Vintage firefighting equipment will be on display, and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions.

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ firestationopenhouse Venue: Harbor Fire Station, 639 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro Free Santa Photos at Peninsula Shopping Center Celebrate the holiday season with good cheer and fun activities for the whole family at Peninsula Shopping Center. Get your cameras ready for free photos with Santa and even a “Strolling Christmas Tree.”

Time: 12 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free

Venue: Peninsula Shopping Center, 67 Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estates Tech Toys Families are invited to build and code our LEGO WeDo kit. No instruction, just come and tinker!

No reservation required.

Time: 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: 310-375-8418.

Venue: Walteria Library, 3815 242nd St., Torrance Shoreline Village Holidays 2019 Spend the holidays at Shoreline Village. Take advantage of the free Santa Claus photo ops and costumed characters.

Time: 1 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 Cost: Free Venue: Shoreline Village, 401435 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade At this annual event that has been running for 73 years, viewers can see boats covered in Christmas lights, as well as festive houses decorated around the area.

Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 14 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ NaplesIslandParade Venue: Alamitos Bay, Naples Island, Long Beach

Dec. 15

Holiday Pet Photo Nights Bring your furry friend for photos with Santa at our Santa Set located at the Macy's Women's Court. Pug Nation Rescue of Los Angeles will be there with some four-legged pals in need of a home this holiday season. Photo packages will be available for purchase at the event.

Time: 6 p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: Free Venue: Del Amo Fashion Center, 3525 W. Carson St., Torrance Santa and The Polar Express The Lomita Railroad Museum offers fun for families including pictures with Santa, readings of The Polar Express, games and arts and crafts, balloon animals, a face painter, live music and tours of the museum.

Time: 12 p.m. Dec. 15 Cost: $20 per family Details: 310-326-6255; lomitamuseumstaff@lomitacity. com Venue: Lomita Railroad Museum, 2137 W. 250th St., Lomita

Dec. 18

Wild Birds Unlimited Walk This is a special guided tour of the White Point Nature Preserve, where guests can learn more about the birds that live in the area. Binoculars are available for beginners.

Time: 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18 Cost: Free Details: 310-541-7613 Venue: White Point Nature Preserve, 1600 W. Paseo del Mar, San Pedro Coding Club Children from the ages of 9 to 11 can try several different coding projects and learn computer skills.

Time: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 18 Cost: Free Details: 310-618-5964 Venue: Katy Geissert Civic Center Library, 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Nintendo Switch Gaming Compete with friends and get your gaming on with Nintendo Switch.

Time: 2:45 p.m.

Dec. 18 Cost: Free Details: 310-530-5044.

Venue: Torrance Library, 23115 Arlington Ave., Torrance

W

hen the weather turns cold, hot cocoa is everyone’s friend. It plays well with others and offers something for everyone. At work, mix it with coffee for more working power. At play, mix it with booze for more playing power. During the holidays, mix it with eggnog for more holiday power.

Hot chocolate has a way of roping everyone else into its game, like a kids game of blob tag — if the blob touches you, you’re part of the blob. Fancy European names like “café mocha” don’t obscure the basic fact that we are talking about a cup of hot chocolate with coffee. When you add alcohol, it’s spiked cocoa. When you add eggnog, it’s no longer eggnog: It’s a cup of cocoa that happens to be the smoothest, puffiest, fluffiest cloud of chocolate beverage bliss you could sip.

This does not mean you should bring a carton of eggnog home from the store and mix it with Swiss Miss. The eggnog we shall turn into hot chocolate comes from Luci Brieger, a veggie farmer with an attitude. Her eggnog recipe is no-nonsense to the bone, like everything else on the farm. It’s made from scratch with the freshest eggs and cream and while she may not cut corners, there’s no time to separate the eggs, beat the whites and fold them back in. But it’s still the best eggnog you’ll ever have, at least until we add chocolate and make it better.

As we bliss out on the flavor, stimulation and feelings of joy triggered by chocolate, we shouldn’t forget the people, many of them children, who are toiling in cacao plantations carved into the jungle. The work is brutal and the conditions are dangerous and uncomfortable, with no upward mobility or health benefits. It’s worth paying a few extra bucks to purchase fair

Cuckoo for Coca Nog

By Ari LeVaux, Contributor

trade cocoa powder that ensures basic standards and a baseline quality of life for the people behind our bliss. The savings you will realize by making your own chocolate far outweigh the extra price you pay for fair trade ingredients. So look for that Fair Trade Certified label. I’ve had great results with Volupta brand, which is fair trade and organic.

Now, about this

Coca Nog

Step one: Liquid ganache 6 cups milk 2 cups cream 1 cup cocoa powder ¾ cup sugar (or to taste) 3 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon nutmeg (If you plan to mix the cocoa nog with coffee, go light on the nutmeg) Mix the sugar and cocoa powder in a bowl. Add a tablespoon of milk and stir it into the powder with a fork until the milk is all gone. Add another tablespoon, stir it in, and keep going until all of the lumps and all powder are absorbed and you are left with a smooth, sweet, glistening chocolate

goodness that’s not unlike the soft frosting-like filling called ganache, found in the middle of a truffle.

Put the milk, vanilla and remaining cream into a heavy bottomed pot on medium heat. Add the ganache and mix it in. Add the salt and nutmeg, sweeten to taste, and slowly bring the pot to the point where simmer bubbles appear around the edge. Turn off the heat and proceed to the next step.

Step two: Luci’s Nog conversion The eggs won’t influence the flavor, but add a velvety thickness that you will quickly get used to.

8 cups piping hot cocoa (recipe above) 3 whole eggs Crack the eggs in a bowl and prepare to beat them fiercely with the Tool or your best alternative.

Add the hot cocoa to the eggs, very slowly, a little

eggnog cocoa. Instead of adding heated spiced sweet milk to eggs, which would make eggnog, we add heated spiced cocoa to the eggs.

Luci uses an immersion blender, which occupies such an important place in her kitchen she calls it “the Tool.” This blender on a stick is a great way to mix and puree hot food without transferring it to a blender. In the case of eggnog, the tool keeps the eggs moving while we temper the eggs with hot chocolate. If you don’t have the Tool, it’s fine to use a mixer or eggbeater. It can be done with a whisk, but it’s a challenge.

While hot cocoa mixes well with both eggnog and coffee, eggnog and coffee together are not a great match. Some may disagree, but I don’t think the bitterness improves the eggnog.

But when chocolate is involved, everything is fine. It bridges the gap between nog and coffee, and everyone gets along cheerfully. at a time, in a very slow, thin stream. Beat the eggs furiously as you add the cocoa, “so you don’t cook your eggs,” warns Luci.

If mixed properly, the result will be smooth, and not resemble scrambled eggs. Return the egged cocoa back to the pan on the lowest heat you’ve got, stirring slowly but obsessively. Stop as soon as you notice it thicken a little, and it coats a spoon. If you plan to mix it with coffee or booze, you must stop here.

If you keep heating, the liquid will soon get so thick it will start to set up into a pudding ahead of the spoon, and break into curds behind it. You now have chocolate eggnog dip for silver dollar pancakes, or chocolate eggnog pudding. Nobody will complain, but you will have to drink something else.

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13

RANDOMLetters [Letters from p. 7]

Modern jobs require us to create, express, and collaborate through the use of technology.

Required skills are taught and refined in CTE (career technical education) classes that specialize in subjects such as, “arts, audio/visual technology and communications; information technology; STEM, and hospitality and tourism.”

Although there are more career technical courses in LAUSD than ever before, many of the district’s schools lack these classes. This can result in various problems,

one being that not all students are taught how to use technology effectively. We, students, are given laptops and tablets which contain all of the world’s information but our schools are not leveraging these resources to their advantage.

Perhaps our cowardly schools are afraid of losing their dominance to computers. Personally, I had to learn how to utilize technology and become media literate on my own. But unlike me, some unfortunate kids might not have access to technology at home and their only available chances to use

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technology is at school.

Education is incredibly important to us. It gives us perspective and knowledge about the world around us. But the world is constantly changing, meaning we need to change how and what we learn. Students need to learn how to be independent, autonomous workers.

Gregory Wallace Olguin Campus, SPHS

Re: School Violence Prevention

In the recent article County Triples Down on Safe Bet for School Violence Prevention by Leslie Belt, they tried to persuade

the audience that school violence is a major problem and that we need to resolve this issue by taking safety measures. These tragedies have caused many conflicts to many families. Belt explains that school violence takes a toll over schools and even provides a resolution to any violence in the district.This is a major issue that needs to be resolved worldwide in school districts because school violence can have a negative impact on a student’s ability to learn.

School violence has caused great pain to many who are considered as victims for them.

The author states, “Known as the school Threat Assessment Response Team, START, program, this innovative partnership between county mental health professionals, schools and local law enforcement has proven critical to the prevention of school violence since it’s the Feb.14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.” This had caused many panic to family members and staff.But violence doesn’t take place just in schools, it can happen anywhere, from inside homes to outside on the streets. But how do we stop violence in schools? We can offer new support programs that help kids with challenges they go through on a daily basis.

Two county supervisors have suggested a new solution called the START program. After the START program was launched, Belt explained how, “The START

program is designed to address threat prevention and management challenges in school settings, including elementary, middle, high schools, community colleges, trade schools and university campuses.”

This program not only provides students with a safer environment on their school campuses, but it also assists those who have been victims of past attacks become mentally and physically healthy again. But schools can even help more than that by boosting students’ self-esteem to ensure that their behaviors and conditions don’t worsen.

I really want to inform the audience what violence does to schools worldwide. If we can reduce the amount of violence that occurs, the students will feel safer within the premises of the school.

We can help schools evolve into a healthier learning environment.

The conditions in schools are getting worse. Help us fight for what is right.

Arvind Subramaniam Olguin Campus, SPHS

RE: L.A. Raids Rapid Response Network Counters Trump’s ZeroTolerance

In Random Lengths real news, real people, totally Relevant. The article ̈Shocked into Action” by Judy Woodruff talks about family separation, detention camps by the border and ICE raids. Its felt by many people including myself that separating families is morally

[Amazon from p. 2]

December 12 - 18, 2019

Special Holiday Edition

Amazon

14

warehouses and release harmful emissions into low-income communities along freeway corridors.

In 2018, an estimated $790 million was paid out in the Los Angeles region for public subsidies and uncompensated public costs that supported Amazon’s profitability.

The Economic Roundtable asserts that it’s time for Amazon to come of age and pay its full costs to the communities that host it and the workers who create its profits. Amazon will benefit when its workers have living incomes because they will have the buying power to purchase the products it sells.

These are the recommendations Economic Roundtable makes for achieving equity in Amazon’s logistics operations: • Pay their employees a minimum wage of $20 an hour, adjusted annually for cost of living changes

and ethically wrong. The detention camps have lead to hygiene problems, insufficient medical care and no emotional support. I could only imagine being a young child and being separated how terrified id be and they would be.

It’s almost as if its a punishment to the families and does not appear to solve any problems. “Government officials are said to be pursuing about 2,000 undocumeanted immigrants and migrants who are no longer eligible to remain in the country after a court ordered them to be removed and deported”.

This has lead to the ICE raids have created family separation and detention centers. The opposition has a valid point though. “People overstay legal right to stay, if they have exceeded an order, many people would look at that and say well they are violating the law”.

They have a valid point however its the fact that we ́re treating them inhumanely. We don’t need to have family separations and detention camps. There are better solutions for example Shannon Camachos solution is to inform people of their legal rights in case they are approached by ICE. Another solution would be instead of costly detention centers they could have ankle bracelets to keep track of them. Instead of separating families and causing trauma we don’t separate them until they can sort out their legal status.

Willow Lisica Olguin Campus, SPHS

• Provide affordable child care onsite and comprehensive and affordable health insurance for warehouse workers, delivery drivers and their families, eliminating their need to rely on publicly subsidized Medi-Cal health insurance • Invest Amazon’s assets in building affordable housing in communities where its logistics facilities are located as well as the communities where employees from those facilities live • Become a partner in local, regional and statewide initiatives to raise the wage floor for the entire logistics sector • Step up as a leader in reducing climate change impacts by deploying zero emission vehicles and disclosing its full carbon footprint • Collaborate in improving and expanding the scope of impact estimates provided in this report to support analysis, planning and policies for reducing the costs and increasing the benefits of the services Amazon provides.

View the report here, https://economicrt.org/ publication/too-big-to-govern

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1 “The Italian Job” actor ___ Def 4 “Birdman” actress Watts 9 Callow 14 Money used just before the euro was introduced 15 Daily Planet reporter Jimmy 16 Bassoon relatives 17 Decorations that may change colors 19 Couldn’t avoid it 20 “What We Do in the Shadows” nourishment 21 Parisian waters 23 Place a wager 24 Affirmative responses 25 Tourist draw with seasonally changing colors 28 “Cosi fan ___” (Mozart opera) 30 Purpose 31 Like early-in-the-year forecasts, maybe 32 Words after “easy” 35 Channel where you could clearly watch “Doctor Who”?

37 Mammals that completely change color depending on the time of year 40 New York county near Pennsylvania 41 At a bargain 42 Insurance co. rep.

43 Pai ___ poker (casino game) 45 Marketer of Nutrilite vitamins 48 Lizards notable for changing colors 52 Bed frame piece 54 Prefix with pod or cycle 55 Bowed, to a violist 56 Designer cologne since 1994 57 Other song on a 45 59 Color-changing jewelry popular in the ‘70s 61 Peanut butter cup inventor H.B. 62 “Take it back!”

63 Note after fa 64 “The defense ___” 65 Quizzes 66 ___ scale of one to ten

DOWN

1 Toast eponym 2 Cougar’s cousin 3 It starts with a few digits filled in already 4 Domino’s ad character, once 5 “Solve for x” subj.

6 “Straight Outta Compton” costar ___ Jackson Jr. 7 Something forged 8 Winterizes, in a way 9 Classic Japanese drama 10 Addis ___, Ethiopia 11 Flash drive or mouse, e.g.

12 Assistants for pet projects?

13 That, in Lima 18 Reward poster subject, perhaps 22 Super Bowl played at Dolphin Stadium 25 Professionals’ charges 26 Prepare, as a mummy 27 Barrett once of Pink Floyd 29 Hauler’s charge 33 Non-slip bathroom surface 34 Hydroxide, e.g.

36 Cold beer, in dated slang 37 Do touristy stuff 38 Document certifiers 39 “Witness” actor Lukas 40 Tic-___-toe 44 Suffix with pay or Cray 46 King in “The Tempest” 47 Capital of Myanmar until 2006 (formerly known as Rangoon) 49 In the ___ of (amongst) 50 “___, all ye faithful ...”

51 “High” times?

53 Company behind the Cybertruck 56 Bulky old PC screens 57 “It’s cold!”

58 Suffix after employ 60 Part of e.g.?

December 12 - 18, 2019

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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

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PEDRO PET PALS is the only group that raises funds for the City Animal Shelter and FREE vaccines and spay or neuter for our community.

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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: 11/21/19,

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Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019301480 The following person is doing business as: Muslim Democratic Club of Southern California, 744 W. 9th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Najee Ali, 744 W. 9th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 10/1926.

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/. Najee Ali Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Nov. 18, 2018. Notice--In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from

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December 12 - 18, 2019

Special Holiday Edition