California’s Promising New Climate Agenda —
Activists Weigh In By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
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Coalition for a Safe Environment founder Jesse Marquez. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala
[See Activists, p. 4]
Scientists complete search for barrels of DDT off Palos Verdes Coast p. 3 Carson City Clerk Donesia Gause-Aldana leaves for Riverside p. 6
Bruce family goes toe-to-toe with Manhattan Beach City Council By Melina Paris, Editorial Assistant
travelled great distances to be able to bask in the sun on the California coast. But many white residents, as well as the wealthy San Pedro real estate developer George Peck, were not happy about these events — or the popularity of the resort. They harassed the Bruces and the Ku Klux Klan tried to burn down the resort. Ultimately, in 1924, the Manhattan Beach City Council robbed the Bruces of their land through eminent domain, claiming an “urgent need” to build a park. After it was left unused for many years, the land was transferred to the state in 1948. No park was built until 1957 and then in 1995 it was transferred back to Los
Angeles County. Racial covenants in real estate deeds, commonly known as “red lining’ were not outlawed in California until the California Supreme Court ruled in the 1967 case, Reitman v. Mulkey. Most of the South Bay, all of Palos Verdes and much of San Pedro were segregated by this method. Hahn seized upon the 1995 transfer of the land back into county hands as an opportunity to right an historic wrong. Hahn enlisted numerous allies in the state legislature to make this goal a reality. State Sen. Steven Bradford — who is a new appointee of the state reparations task force — April 12,
April 15 - 28, 2021
After nearly a century an injustice brought upon the Bruce family in Manhattan Beach stands to be repaired. On April 9, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, at a seaside press conference in that beach city, made formal LA County’s intentions to return the beachfront property to the direct descendants of the Bruce family. Upon hearing the story behind Bruce’s Beach, Hahn set out to correct a wrong and to get justice for the Bruce family. In 1912, Willa and Charles Bruce purchased two parcels of property in Manhattan Beach for $1,225. The couple built the first beach resort owned by and built for Black Americans when segregation prevented them from going to the majority of other beaches. Black families
Shakespeare by the Sea’s Measure for Measure: Meat-and-potatoes Bard in the Wild West p. 13
Century-Old Injustice Redressed by Hahn
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s we reported last month, California’s environmental record last year was abysmal — just 74% on the “Environmental Scorecard” from the California League of Conservation Voters. And the Greater SoCal 350 Legislative Committee’s report card was equally bleak — all Ds and Fs across every subject area, from “oil and gas extraction and operations,” to “transportation” and “plastic pollution” to “Green New Deal and just transition.” Coalition for a Safe Environment founder Jesse Marquez and other activists weighed in. “The last legislative session was a horrific disappointment,” said Sherry Lear, who heads the committee. The COVID-19 pandemic and oil company lobbying were two chief impediments cited in its report card. “Paid lobbyists were able to be present in Sacramento, while local folks were relegated to remote Zoom meetings,” it noted. “This meant more than ever that only those with ‘inside’ connections were able to be heard.” Perhaps most bitterly, as Lear recalled, SoCal 350’s highest priority bill for environmental justice, Assembly Bill 345, “died a very ugly death” in a committee hearing when three Democrats voted against it, with personal attacks on the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, as well as activists. The bill would have required health protection zones between hazardous and polluting oil and gas production facilities and sensitive uses such as schools, homes and hospitals. California is the only oil-producing state without such health safety zones. After such a disappointment, this year could be quite different. “We’ve been very pleasantly surprised at the sheer amount of environmental bills that have been introduced, and the quality and breadth of them,” Lear said. Some setbacks have already happened, but the sheer range of proposals is inspiring.
[See Bruce’s Beach, p. 8]
COVID-19 Deaths decline in LA County. On April 14, 2021: 23 new deaths • LA County total: 23,505 COVID-19 Deaths in the U.S.: 577,399
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Community Announcements:
Harbor Area 2021 Pathways to Employment
Pathways to Employment is an annual event focusing on supporting youth and young adults with the skills they need to become successful young professionals. Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 17 (presentation sessions 9 to 12 p.m. and mock interviews 1 to 2:30 p.m., prizes and closing 2:30 to 3 p.m.) Details: www.docs.google.com/forms/patwaysto-employment
State Of The City
Join LA Mayor Eric Garcetti live, April 19, for the virtual 2021 State of the City address. Time: 5:15 p.m. April 19 Details: Watch the live broadcast on Channel 35 and @MayorofLA at https://twitter.com/MayorOfLA and https://www.facebook.com/MayorOfLA
United Cambodia Community Mobile Vaccination Clinic
The United Cambodian Community, Council District 4 and the Long Beach Health Dept. are hosting a mobile vaccination clinic for the Cambodian Community, April 23. Appointments are required. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 23 Details: Register at 562-662-8901 Location: 2201 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Long Beach Transitions from VaxLB to My Turn
Long Beach has completed offering appointments through VaxLB for all eligible groups and has transitioned to a new online sign-up model. The City of Long Beach has transitioned to My Turn, the state’s new COVID-19 vaccine notification and appointment system. MyTurn is now required by the state and is intended to help manage vaccine distribution. Details: www.myturn.ca.gov
Arts Internship Program Opens
The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture’s Internship Program is now open. The purpose of the county’s program is to provide undergraduate students with meaningful on-thejob training and experience working in nonprofit arts organizations in the areas of performance, presenting, film, media, literary and municipal arts. Details: www.lacountyarts.org/opportunities/ arts-internship-program-students/arts
Mortgage Relief Available to Property Owners
The County of Los Angeles in partnership with the NHS Center for Economic Recovery has launched its Foreclosure Prevention & Mortgage Relief Program. Apply for up to $20,000 in assistance to help offset mortgage delinquencies. Details: 1-888-895-2647; www.nhslacounty.org/ mortgagereliefprogram
LA County Parks and Recreation Offers New Free Spring Programming
By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
Eric Terrill is an oceanographer with 25 years of experience leading basic and applied research programs around the globe. Photo by Erik Jepsen
toxins will enter the food chain,” Wells said. Reporters pored over shipping logs which showed that thousands of barrels of acid sludge laced with this synthetic chemical were being boated out to a site near Catalina and dumped into the deep ocean every month for years after World War II. Regulators reported in the 1980s that the men in charge of DDT waste disposal sometimes took shortcuts, dumping it closer to shore. When
the barrels were too buoyant to sink on their own, one report said, the crews simply punctured them with hatchets. A California Regional Water Quality Control Board scientist heard rumors of the dumping of DDT barrels into the ocean in the early 1980s. The scientist investigated by asking to review Montrose shipping logs and confirmed the rumors to be true. But nothing came of the reports. [See Rediscovered, p. 6]
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Just 10 miles off the coast of Los Angeles lurks an environmental disaster over 70 years in the making, which few have ever heard about. That is, until now, thanks to the research of a University of California marine scientist named David Valentine. Last month, a team of researchers led by scientists from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration completed a two-week survey between Catalina Island and the coast of Palos Verdes of an unknown number of barrels of hazardous chemicals to determine the extent of environmental damage and, potentially, who might be to blame. The study, which finished last month, included verifying how many barrels sit at the bottom of the ocean containing the toxic chemicals, possibly including Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, or DDT. Lauren Fimbres Wood, Director of Strategic Communications for Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said the survey amassed several terabytes worth of acoustic imagery and the chief scientist Eric Terrill is working to sift through the data to identify the scope and quantity of the debris field targets. “He is hopeful that in the coming weeks he can provide more accurate updates from the expedition to the media and the public,” Wood said. “But that likely won’t be until the end of the month (April).” The researchers used two autonomous underwater vehicles to conduct a sonar scan of the sea floor, Wood said. Their goal was to detect debris they can identify as barrels in a larger area of the sea floor than previously possible. This study was conducted in the wake of a Los Angeles Times story this past October that revealed the discovery of potentially hundreds of thousands of DDT barrels that for decades were dumped off the coast of Southern California. This is significant given the reporting on the DDT superfund site a decade prior suggested that DDT on the ocean floor, transported by sewage pipe off the coast of Palos Verdes had disappeared. The article detailed the discovery made by scientists working on a different topic of inquiry who decided to look into the issue using a deepsea robot outfitted with sonar equipment, bright lights and cameras. A Superfund battle that lasted for decades later exposed Montrose Chemical Corporation’s disposal of toxic waste through sewage pipes that poured into the ocean — but the DDT that was barged out to sea drew comparatively little attention. This happened even though there were records kept for years that documented the dumping of DDT waste off the Los Angeles coast and it was well known back in the 1980s by local marine biologists. It is curious to Raymond Wells, Ph.D., a retired marine biology professor who lives in San Pedro. “We all knew about the DDT barrels back in the 1980s,” he said. Yet, at the depth that they were discovered, about 1,500 meters, “I’m not sure how much the
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, or LA County Parks, is launching its Spring Into Parks program with a variety of new options for youth and families at no cost. The curricula and service offerings follow COVID-19 health guidelines. Every Body Explores promotes outdoor experiences and educational workshops. Sports For All encourages conditioning skills to play a favorite sport and try something enjoyable. Grab-N-Go events offer an activity kit for leisure, fun and food supplies. LA County Parks access to safe recreation and open spaces promotes health and wellness for all age groups this season. Details: www.apm.activecommunities.com/LosAngelesCounty/new-spriing-programming [See Announcements, p. 9]
How an Environmental Disaster was Rediscovered After 70 Years
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Eviction Protection Information If you are a renter who has experienced COVID-related setbacks and you are behind on your rent, there are laws that may protect you from being evicted. However, those laws may be changing soon and you’re going to have to start paying any unpaid rent back — if you haven’t already. Details: www.dcba.lacounty.gov/newsroom/behindonyourrentcovid
Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 40 Years
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[Activists, from p. 1]
Man Sentenced to Three Months in Federal Prison for Shooting Elephant Seal to Death
LOS ANGELES — A former resident of Santa Barbara County was sentenced April 12, to three months in federal prison for fatally shooting a northern elephant seal on a beach near San Simeon. Jordan Gerbich, 30, who at the time of the offense resided in Santa Maria and who now lives in Coalville, Utah, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer. Judge Fischer ordered Gerbich to be placed on one year of supervised release following his release from prison, serve a three-month term of home detention, perform 120 hours of community service, and pay a $1,000 fine. On Sept. 28, 2019, Gerbich drove to an elephant seal viewing area adjacent to the Piedras Blancas Marine Reserve and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Gerbich brought a .45-caliber pistol and, aided with a flashlight, used the firearm to shoot and kill a northern elephant seal as the animal was resting on the beach in the Piedras Blancas rookery. The next day, the elephant seal was discovered on the beach with a bullet hole in its head. “It remains unclear what motivated [Gerbich] to commit such an act; nevertheless, [Gerbich] knew it was wrong,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. Northern elephant seals are a protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement investigated this matter. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife provided substantial assistance.
POLB Reaches Busiest Month Ever
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
LONG BEACH — The Port of Long Beach achieved its busiest month and its second-best quarter on record as consumers turned their computers into virtual shopping malls. Although March is traditionally one of the slowest months on the shipping calendar, dockworkers and terminal operators moved 840,387 twenty-foot equivalent units last month, a 62.3% jump from March 2020. This marks the largest year-over-year increase for a single month at the port. Imports rose 74% to 408,172 TEUs, while exports declined 3.9% to 139,710 TEUs compared to March 2020, when the economic effects of COVID-19 led to canceled sailings and fewer cargo shipments processed through Long Beach. Empty containers moved through the port were up 112.5% to 292,505 TEUs. March’s numbers mark the ninth consecutive month that the Port of Long Beach has broken cargo movement records for a particular month amid a historic cargo surge that started in July 2020. The port has moved 2,376,128 TEUs during the first quarter of 2021, a 41.2% increase from the same period in 2020. It was also the port’s best first quarter on record, breaking the previous record set during the first three months of 2018 by 481,251 TEUs, and its second-best quarter overall, behind the fourth quarter of 2020.
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Barragán Approves of LB Convention Center Housing Migrant Children
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LONG BEACH — Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA 44th) released a statement on April 6 in favor of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leasing the Long Beach Convention Center for housing unaccompanied migrant children. It will be run by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and HHS for 120 days. Federal officials will work with state and local [See News Briefs, p. 12]
Activists Weigh In
Dealing with both causes and consequences — as well as related issues of equity and justice — has produced scores of proposed laws across a multitude of inter-related public policy areas, as described by Dr. Daniel Kammen, a professor of energy at UC Berkeley. “The overarching view of where we’re going … is very much captured in Senate Bill 582 that says we need to become more aggressive than a 40% cut in emissions by 2030 — the science says we could probably double that or more,” Kammen told Random Lengths News. “So, 80% or more is a possibility based on the dramatic movement of solar, wind, energy storage.” A paper he recently co-authored, “Accelerating the timeline for climate action in California,” argues that “California is falling behind in its climate leadership and would benefit economically and ecologically and in terms of social justice, by establishing more aggressive goals.” Kammen went on to highlight several different bills — dealing with sea level rise, and environmental justice, as well as “Assembly Bill 1110, the Charge Ahead California Initiative, which will bring ZEV charging and ZEV ownership options and lease options to lower income people” which “dovetails beautifully with the Biden plan to build 500,000 EV charging stations.” There are also “individual pieces that address the downside of our past, and that’s very much the bills that look in detail at fracking and our need to end natural gas, both for local health reasons, and for the more global climate story,” he said. “This is a big and mixed package,” Kammen summarized, “But beginning really with the high-level mission in 582 and then even jumping down to Assembly Bill 1325 that will allow micro grids to be a critical part of the story, all of these put together as a resilient low-cost climate solution.”
Fruits of Their Labor
That’s the overall view from a scientist who’s spent decades working on climate change. But bringing it to fruition will take a lot of grassroots citizen activism pushing up from below, which is where groups like SoCal 350 become critical. Lear has been active with 350 for several years, stepping into leadership as others have moved on or away, having overseen the expansion from a single group to a regional coalition of 350 chapters, local Indivisible groups and others, such as the Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy, whose operations director, Dave Shukla, brings a wealth of expertise to the group. “We’re early in the process, we’re just having committee hearings,” so the landscape of proposals, and the efforts to get them passed could change significantly. “Even the ones we really want to go somewhere may die in committee,” Lear said. Two such bills did as this story was being written. But, “There’s other bills we’re looking at, and kind of waiting to see what happens to them, and then we’ll jump on board, if they get out of committee and they’re going to the floor.” Because there is such urgent need and so much possibility, it’s helpful to understand a range of specific proposals being advanced — even the two bills that just died, because they’re bound to return in some form in the next twoyear session. A prime example is SB 467 — which died in committee on April 13, due to two crucial abstentions. It combined three distinct broadly-
“Paid lobbyists were able to be present in Sacramento, while local folks were relegated to remote Zoom meetings. This meant more than ever that only those with “inside” connections were able to be heard.” — from the Greater SoCal 350 Legislative Committee’s environmental report card
SoCal 350 Legislative Committee chairwoman, Sherry Lear. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala
supported proposals: First, to curtail fracking and related well stimulation treatments; second — like AB 345 last session — to create health protection zones to restrict oil and gas production from close contact with residences, schools, hospitals or long-term care facilities; and third, Lear explained, “It would also provide funding for retraining and a just transition for oil field workers. … Given bills like SB 47 and AB 896 [more on these below] which will address capping of orphan oil wells,
there will be a definite need for skilled workers to do this.” The bill was amended prior to the hearing in an effort to respond to objections. “SB 467 will be amended and will become a bill focused on “managed decline” of well stimulation, fracking, etc. in California,” Lear explained. “The time frame for phasing out has been extended to reflect the type and amount of well stimulation [See Agenda, p. 19]
Redlining and Environmental Justice Wilmington Illustrates a National Problem In February, CalEPA produced a storymap, “Pollution and Prejudice,” that sheds light on how government policy has contributed to environmental injustice, and thus incurred a responsibility to redress it, which needs to be a cornerstone of all environmental — and thus climate — policy. As the story explained, “CalEPAs racial equity team designed this story map to help staff across the agency and the public, explore the connection between racist land use practices of the 1930s and the persistence of environmental injustice.” Those practices were federally enforced via the Home Owners’ Loan Act, which aimed to stabilize and significantly expand the nation’s mortgage lending system. However, from 1934 to 1962, 98% of government issued home loans — totaling $120 billion — went to whites. The reason was simple: Neighborhoods deemed to be high risk for lending were outlined in red — hence “redlining” — and race, ethnicity and class were all taken into consideration. But there was an environmental component as well, the story explains: Less well-known is how “the presence of smoke, odors and fog,” or environmental factors, also drove the mortgage security risk rating for a neighborhood. As federal
investments were made in the form of home loans in the best and most desirable neighborhoods, local governments acted to protect that investment through zoning decisions. These decisions drove new industrial facilities to or near redlined communities, while at the same time upholding race restrictions through local covenants. The map of Los Angeles — one of eight cities covered — comes with the quotation, from an area description of Wilmington, “The area is now a typical oil well development and future residential desirability is non-existent.” The first section of that same document, dealing with population, states, “Subversive racial influence is increasing.” Current efforts to create health safety buffers and phase out fracking and other extreme measures (in SB 467) and to hold companies responsible for decommissioning wells (AB 896) need to be seen, in part, as long-overdue steps to begin righting these historic wrongs. CalEPA story map here: https://tinyurl.com/ EPAStoryMap Wilmington Area Description Document here: https://tinyurl.com/WilmArea
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New Sewage Tunnel to be Built Under San Pedro By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter
April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts are working on a new tunnel to carry wastewater to the ocean in an endeavor titled the Clearwater Project. This will be created using a tunnel boring machine, or TBM, which will travel under public streets along a 7-mile path, starting at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant in Carson (next to the 110 fwy) and going underneath Harbor City and San Pedro. This $700 million project was created to replace two existing tunnels that are part of the joint outfall system. One of the existing tunnels is 60 years old, and the other is 80 years old. Water that comes to the plant is treated, and then sent to the ocean via these tunnels. Despite their age, the two existing tunnels cannot be inspected or repaired, because they are still continuously used. In addition, they are not built to current seismic standards, and pass over two fault lines. The capacity of the tunnels was almost met twice during major storms. Once the new tunnel is created, the older tunnels will be kept as backups. While construction for the project began in 2019, the actual tunneling will begin in July, after a launch event on April 15. It will start in Carson and end at Royal Palms Beach in 2026. Along the way, it will go under Figueroa Street, Harbor Regional Park, North Gaffey Street, Capitol Drive and Western Avenue. The TBM should reach North Gaffey Street near the end of 2021, said Russ Vakharia, supervising engineer of construction management. “It’ll take several months to get the machine launched,” Vakharia said. “We got to go … across Harbor Park for quite a ways, and then onto San Pedro.” While the existing tunnels follow a straightforward path, the new tunnel will have more than 30 curves. “The purpose of that is to try to keep it under public-right-of-way,” Vakharia said. “[This is] to minimize the impact on the public, per the public’s request.” To minimize above ground impact, once the TBM begins its journey underground,
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[Rediscovered, from p. 3]
Rediscovered
And yet, Professor Wells learned about the barrels of DDT back in graduate school. “We all were aware that DDT had been dumped off the coast,” he said recently. David Valentine, professor of microbiology and geochemistry at UC Santa Barbara, found the reports more than a decade later and was intrigued enough to conduct a study using a remotely operated vehicle and discovered 60 to 100 barrels in a small survey area about 3,000 feet below the surface. It was not until they published the first paper describing the site and other aspects of their reconnaissance mission in 2019, followed by an investigative story in October 2020 in the Los Angeles Times, that people started to take notice. Random Lengths News first reported on the DDT and PCB pollution in February 1986 and many times subsequently. We find it curious that only now does this long ignored problem surface in the news as if they just discovered the Titanic.
it will not be emerging until it finishes at Royal Palms Beach. However, there will be several machines monitoring the project, including monitors above ground, which will monitor whether the TBM is moving the ground above. The dirt that is removed from the tunnel will have to be taken out through the TBM’s initial entrance shaft. The farther the TBM goes, the longer the removal will take, and the more the wiring attached to the machine will need to be extended. “Because there’s only one Rachel, the tunnel boring machine, will be used for the Clearwater shaft in Carson, near Figueroa project. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala and Lomita boulevards, everything has to come out that shaft,” Vakharia dividual pieces on the head that cut as well. The said. “As they go further, the logistics in terms tunnel itself will be 18 feet in diameter, because of time to get segments in, and people in and out, as it tunnels, the TBM leaves behind pre-made concrete rings 5 feet long, which form the inside plus dirt out, will increase for sure.” A slurry made of bentonite helps lubricate of the tunnel. The different sections of the TBM are so the head of the TBM, and then the bentonite is mixed with dirt, and sent back up the shaft. Once heavy that they will be placed into the shaft with it goes back up the shaft, it is treated, and the a crane one at time, and then welded together inbentonite and dirt are separated. The bentonite is side. It also pulls behind it more than 750 feet sent back to continue to lubricate the TBM, and the dirt is either disposed of, or sold if Dragados, the contractor the districts are using, can find a buyer for it. The TBM will not be remote operated, it will be manned all the time it is in operation. Vakharia said it will probably be used 20 to 24 hours a day, five days a week. Dragados estimates it will be able to tunnel 45 to 50 feet a day. By Joseph Baroud, Reporter “The contractor always has a crew down After nine years as Carson’s city clerk, there,” Vakharia said. “Even though the machine is very automated and all, there’s always an oper- Donesia Gause-Aldana resigned to take the ator there and then there are other people in there same position with the City of Riverside. Her resignation became official April 11 at 11:59 p.m. doing various other tasks.” Before replacing Helen Kawagoe as The Sanitation Districts have dug other tunnels before but have usually used simpler tunnel Carson’s city clerk in 2012, Gause-Aldana was a machines. This project is more complex, par- deputy city clerk in Compton for three years and tially because of the many curves the tunnel will an analyst in the Long Beach City Clerk’s office have, and the length of the tunnel. Many other for eight years. Gause-Aldana’s term as city clerk marked tunneling jobs are straight, and only one or two miles. In addition, the TBM must go through a a new beginning when she was appointed by variety of ground, ranging from soft ground to Carson’s city council following Kawagoe’s rock. Ordinarily, the districts would use two dif- retirement after more than 30 years. Gause-Aldana’s duties as city clerk include ferent machines for different types of ground. “We’re using one machine from one shaft to printing the agenda for the city council’s minimize the surface impact,” Vakharia said. “So bi-weekly meetings, as well as managing, maintaining and monitoring the city’s records of that machine has to be versatile.” Another challenge is that the entire tunnel all official council actions, contracts and bonds. Two years after her appointment, then will be below groundwater, meaning the TBM will need to function under significant earth and Mayor Jim Dear expressed a lack of confidence in Gause-Aldana’s abilities as city clerk and said water pressures. The TBM was built in a Herrenknecht factory he could do a better job. In 2015, he ran for the in Germany, where it was tested, then sent to the city clerk’s position and won. Gause-Aldana in plant in pieces. It is 21.5 feet in diameter, com- turn ran for a city council seat and won. Dear’s election as city clerk was fraught pletely electric and has a head that turns, with in-
of trailing gear, which includes ventilation for the workers, power cables, transformers, pumps, piping and safety equipment. “You have to support the entire crew with the trailing gear, and the entire tunneling operation,” Vakharia said. “It’s like a moving, underground city.” The various parts of the TBM were sent to the plant in 90 truckloads. This was slowed somewhat by the pandemic, as it was being manufactured last spring, when COVID-19 was at its height. “There were some factory shutdowns, logistic issues and all that did delay some of the parts being procured and delivered,” Vakharia said. “The ports have been really backed up, LA and Long Beach, so even some of the parts that came from elsewhere were held up.” There are other things that must be done inside the tunnel after the TBM is finished, such as the placing of a secondary steel where the tunnel crosses earthquake faults. However, there will not need to be any more concrete work. The plant has various contingency plans for different problems, such as if the machine breaks down. “It’s the contractor’s responsibility to maintain the machine,” Vakharia said. “There’s a lot of moving parts, and it’s [a] pretty high-tech machine, so depending on what the situation is, they always have mechanics and other people who are technically qualified, plus the manufacturer of the machine is available to provide support also.” If the TBM were to run into an unexpected oil deposit, or some other type of contaminant, there is a plan in place. “If we run into abandoned oil well or something like that, which is not shown in the drawings, we don’t think there’s anything there, we’ve done scans and all, then there is a procedure for stopping the mining and removing that,” Vakharia said. “We don’t anticipate that, but it’s always possible that there’s something out there that wasn’t shown on the drawings from a long time ago.”
Carson City Clerk Donesia GauseAldana to Leave Carson for Riverside with controversy at the time. Not long after, Dear was successfully recalled and Gause-Aldana went back to serving as the city’s clerk. The praise Gause-Aldana received during last night’s city council meeting, cited her growth and poise during the changes of members on the city council over the past six years, including the elevation of Albert Robles, Jawane Hilton and Cedrick Hicks. Robles has since been ousted as mayor, replaced by longtime councilwoman Lula Davis-Holmes. “Donesia, I want to say congratulations... I’m really impressed with your growth and your ability to handle controversy,” Jim Dear said. “I think in Riverside, they’re really going to benefit from your skills, your maturity, and your experience. They’re lucky to have you. You’ll be missed here.” The City of Riverside has had an interim city clerk until a new clerk is appointed. GauseAldana will continue to maintain and organize public records and ordinances while continuing to overlook the city’s elections. Now that Carson is a charter city, the clerk’s role will be chosen by a citywide vote.
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[Bruce’s Beach, from p. 1]
Bruce’s Beach
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Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
introduced Senate Bill 796, which he authored to allow the county to transfer the property back to its rightful owners. The 1995 transfer included restrictions that limited the county’s ability to sell or transfer the property and could only be lifted through state law. If the law passes, the transfer to the Bruce descendants must be approved by the Board of Supervisors. SB 796 will have an urgency clause, which requires a two-thirds vote of both houses because the authors of the bill want it enacted this year. Without an urgency clause it would only take a simple majority but it wouldn’t go into effect until next year, with the governor’s signature, Bradford explained. “If you can inherit generational wealth, you can inherit generational debt.” Sen. Bradford said at the dais. “I look forward to getting this legislation signed into law this year.” State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi said as co-author of SB 796, he will be fighting for a measure of justice for the descendants of the Bruce family. Bruce’s Beach was only one of two “so-called” Black beaches in LA County 100 years ago. “A lot has changed over the last 100 years,” Muratsuchi said. “But we still need to work for a lot more change but as a representative of Manhattan Beach … I know [this] is not a racist city ... There are good people … like Mayor Pro-tem Hildy Stern who was fighting for an apology from the City of Manhattan Beach to the Bruce family for what happened 100 years ago.” Muratsuchi noted in 1988 President Ronald Reagan apologized on behalf of this country
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Bruce’s Beach press conference on April 9. From left to right: State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, Chief Duane Yellowfeather Shepard -- representative of the Bruce Family, former Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward, LA County supervisors Holly Mitchell and Janice Hahn, and State Sen. Steve Bradford. Photo courtesy of Supervisor Hahn’s office
to the more than 110,000 Japanese Americans who lost both their property and their freedom because of the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. “Of course President Reagan didn’t have anything to do with the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII,” Muratsuchi said. “ … He was big enough to give an apology on behalf of the USA to all people of Japanese ancestry for the loss that they suffered during WWII. So, if [he] could do it, the mayor and city council can do it.” Representing the Bruce family was Chief Duane Yellowfeather Shepard, who said we all
know the shenanigans of the Manhattan Beach City Council. “My family asked me to tell the city council that when you go low, we stand toe-to-toe,” Shepard said. “We will not tolerate the insults that are coming from your city council and we highly suggest that you start revising your budget very soon. My name is Chief Duane Yellowfeather, the designated representative for Charles and Willa Bruce.” Shepard shared an — at the very least — tone deaf account, for those who didn’t know. The “slave master” of Willa Bruce’s mother
gave the name “Willy” to the young Willa, who eventually “threw off that name,” deciding to be called Willa. But someone on the Manhattan Beach City Council decided to refer to Willa by that slave name — a “slap in the face to the memory of our matriarch,” Shepard said. Then the city council issued an acknowledgement but no apology. “They say the events — the terrorism — that happened to my family was ‘reportedly done,’ events are ‘ostensible,’” Shepard said. “And people say I’m angry? I am. I am from the generation that Charles and Willa prayed for and we’re going to stay here until the job is done.” One of three options is on the table for the transfer to the Bruce family; transfer the property back to the Bruce family; transfer the land with a ground lease back to LA County to continue the lifeguard operations on the site, paying rent to the Bruce family; determine the property value and make a monetary payment to the Bruce family. Hahn acknowledged Kavon Ward, founder of Justice for Bruce’s Beach, for raising this issue to the public’s eye and for helping her to understand. Ward made reference to receiving death threats, intimidations and dog whistles but said they won’t silence her. “Now is the time for reckoning,” Ward said. “Reparative justice is what we seek. Apologize, make amends, pay restitution to the Bruce family. “Manhattan Beach,” she called, “restoration and reconciliation is not the sole responsibility of LA County, but thank you, Supervisor Hahn and Sen. Bradford for taking accountability and for positioning yourselves on the right side of history. Thank you for being waves in this movement with me ... as we, the movement is on the precipice of making history.” “And the people say, ‘Amen!’” said Hahn.
CRIME Watch
Teenage Video Gamers Swatted By Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Contributor
SAN PEDRO — On April 7, a hoax triggered a massive Los Angeles Police Department response including 12 heavily armed officers against some local juvenile videogamers. It was in response to a 911-call reporting a man “armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, shot and killed his father and was threatening to shoot anyone coming near his apartment.” Around 11 a.m. the 400-block of 2nd Street and Pacific Ave. in San Pedro was cordoned off to all traffic. A dozen LAPD officers outfitted in tactical gear, some armed with AR-15 rifles, moved in a slow formation to the subject’s apartment covered by two police SUVs. Minutes later, six juveniles were detained and questioned by detectives. “It was all a hoax,” said LAPD Sgt. Jensen.
“A fantastic story triggered to generate a police response.” The six juveniles were not perpetrators but victims of “swatting.” This is a criminal harassment tactic of deceiving or hoaxing emergency services to respond to a false incident such as a bomb threat, murder or hostage situation. According to LAPD officers on scene, the 911call came from an unknown number which may have been in retaliation to a recent online videogaming session; where the perpetrator interacted with the victims. All juveniles detained were released without incident and the case has been referred to the Los Angeles Police Department Major Crimes Division. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala
Community Announcements:
Harbor Area
[Announcements, from p. 3]
All Los Angeles County residents will be eligible for the free COVID-19 vaccine starting April 15. As venues begin to open, the LA County Department of Public Health urges businesses and residents to continue exercising caution even as certain restrictions are lifted. Details: www./publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/ coronavirus/vaccine/index.htm
LB Housing Element Update
April 15 - 28, 2021
The Long Beach City Council April 6, held a special meeting on issues related to housing in Long Beach, including the Housing Element Update. The Housing Element provides the city with a roadmap for accommodating the projected number of housing units needed to house existing and future city residents and guides future decisions that impact housing for the next eight years. The city is drafting an update to the Housing Element to fulfill requirements under state law. Your feedback is crucial to ensuring the update reflects the wants and needs of Long Beach residents. To learn more about the Housing Element and share your thoughts through a virtual open house, by recording a video, or sending a photo or email comment, visit the website at, www.longbeach. gov/lbds/planning/advance/housing-elementupdate Two more community meetings on the Housing Element Update will take place virtually: Time: 5 p.m. April 28 and 11 a.m. May 1. Details: To participate in these virtual community meetings visit, www.longbeach.gov/lbds/ planning/advance/housing-element-update/stayinformed
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
COVID-19 Guidelines and Vaccines
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Economic Refugees and Safe Encampments By James Preston Allen, Publisher
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
I find it curious that on the very night that the last Los Angeles City Council District 15 homeless working group held its recent meeting in which they were discussing a possible homeless campsite on Lots E and F on Port of Los Angeles property, the City and the Port of Long Beach opened up their arms and doors to house a few thousand refugees from another country. This was done with a unanimous vote of its city council and with a request from President Joe Biden’s Homeland Security agency. It seemed like a reasonable act of compassion in contrast to the previous ex-president’s disdain and penchant for incarcerating children at the border. There’s a natural compassion (at least for some) for innocent children fleeing from the conflicts and economics of Central America; not so much so for our own economic refugees whom we call “the homeless.” Here’s my point: the young children at our border and our homeless sleeping on our streets are both “economic refugees.” Regardless of what other personal issues they have, their condition is driven by poverty; in America it’s still a crime to be poor. If you are a wealthy immigrant, you can come in the front door with a visa. But if you are poor, then you are “illegal.” It’s the same with our unsheltered neighbors except that there’s a certain disdain as they are also seen as “lazy” and unwilling to work. In fact, we make it harder on our own people who are poor than we do on many immigrants who come here looking for work — because we need cheap labor. My main point in changing the narrative about what to call our homeless, unsheltered population and calling them “economic refugees” is that the underlying cause is poverty. Despite whatever other conditions they may have, whether it’s drug addiction, mental illness or outstanding warrants, they are still the most desperately poor among us. I have come to believe that this condition of extreme poverty threatens many of my neighbors who have a tenuous hold on the American dream and may just be a paycheck or two away from this circumstance themselves. In many other places in the world where there’s a refugee crisis, the United Nations or other humanitarian organizations would set up what are commonly called refugee camps. They would be provided tents, sanitation, food and water, and yes, services. This comes
before they are placed in homes, tiny or large, before they are relocated to permanent or semipermanent locations, or taken to longer term care facilities; but it’s done as the most efficient way to sort out and process groups of people in a humane, compassionate way. Kind of like is being done at the Long Beach Convention Center for refugee children. Let’s face it, the City of LA is many years away from having enough permanent housing for all of our current homeless refugees. Even with all the efforts over the past several years, we don’t have enough permanent low income apartments, shelter beds, tiny homes or even safe parking lots to handle what we have now and what I fear will come after the pandemic. In short, providing designated campsites that provide sanitation, safety and services that are off of the public right-ofway will address the population that is shelter resistant now — not later! I do understand the desire to go out and to canvas the local population to find out the various reasons why these people don’t accept shelter or services, but from the research that is generally available what we already know is that some 15% of all the homeless refugees are just flat-out resistant. And whatever the multitude of reasons for this is we must accept that as a reality — theirs, not ours. However, it is not our place to judge nor is it legally accepted to force people off the streets, but we can offer them something that is better than nothing. It is both the humane and economically conservative path forward at this point. Especially when you realize that when the city does one of its “clean sweeps” it costs you the taxpayers something like $35,000 each time. And it does little to build trust with our unsheltered neighbors — our own economic refugees! What is also becoming more obvious is that the kind of housing options that are being provided or forced upon the unsheltered are not really a good fit. In urban encampments, there’s often a natural sense of community, if not solidarity that is a natural part of the human condition. The communal living arrangements of these camps would be a good subject for a social scientist to study — where’s the next Margret Mead when we need her? The point being that our leaders, slow walking solutions, are trying to fit all round pegs into standardized square holes. Communal living solutions, either temporary or fixed, need to be considered as alternatives to the nuclear family or self-sustaining individual models now being ofPublisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com
April 15 - 28, 2021
Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya
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“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. XLII : No. 8
Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach. Distributed at over 350 locations throughout the Harbor Area.
Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg paul.rosenberg@ randomlengthsnews.com Internship Program Director Zamná Àvila
fered. We’ve seen this before in Los Angeles. The Dome Village is the previous incarnation of this approach, which can be read on Wikipedia. The main rationale behind safe campsites is that they can be done with the least expense using public property off the public right-of-way. They can be done now rather than later and with the right planning could take hundreds at a time rather than a few dozen. This also meets people where they are, rather than where we think they “should” be and addresses their basic human condition without judgment and it provides a solution that does not negatively impact either home owners nor businesses. The basic math at this point in San Pedro is that we have just 251 people living on our streets
if all the other options are at capacity. If half of these are shelter resistant, that is a number that can be addressed with a Safe Camping solution. This would make it far easier to provide a concentration of services, a focal point for providers and others, until more permanent solutions and trust is built. Think of this as a KOA camp solution for homeless refugees or an RV park for those displaced living in vehicles. We might even imagine that if we ever come to grips with solving this homeless crisis that these very campsites might even be used for low-cost tourism in a city where five-star hotels can cost upwards of $720 per night. I look forward to your perspectives in a response.
Prop. 19 Challenges; Unexpected Consequences By Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor
Proposition 19 is a constitutional amendment to Proposition 13 that allows seniors and the disabled to sell their home and buy a new one without experiencing an increase in property taxes. However, it also is a regressive policy that disproportionately impacts the ability of working-class and middle-income families to leave their homes to their children (and in some cases grandchildren) without them having to pay an increase in property taxes. Since November 2020, the Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor has received scores of inquiries about this challenging new law. It’s important to understand the issues.
Columnists/Reporters Melina Paris Staff Reporter Hunter Chase Staff Reporter Send Calendar Items to: 14days@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Terelle Jerricks, Raphael Richardson, Chris Villanueva Contributors Joseph Baroud, Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Ari LeVaux, Greggory Moore, Jeff Prang, June Burlingame Smith Cartoonists Andy Singer, Jan Sorensen, Matt Wuerker
To not put too fine a point on it, Prop. 19 may actually result in some working-class, median-income families having to sell their homes and family farms as well as other property to avoid a new property tax burden because the property now faces reassessment. Prop. 19 was approved by the voters last November by a slim margin and it is creating tremendous uncertainty and confusion among taxpayers and assessors statewide. To make matters worse, some of the most challenging provisions are already in effect as of Feb. 16, before many property owners really understood its impacts. [See Challenges, p. 11]
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RANDOMLetters Kudos on Port’s Clean Air Efforts? Not.
Rep. Nannette Diaz Barragán made the following statement on the case study released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognizing the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for their community engagement on reducing emissions and setting a goal of zero-emissions for trucks and cargo equipment at the ports, and encouraging other ports to follow suit. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have taken important steps to work with local stakeholders in the community to reduce diesel emissions. They should be applauded for those efforts. Still, the extremely high rates of cancer, asthma and other respiratory illnesses in the communities around the ports shows we have a long way to go. So, Rep. Barragan’s applause of the Port’s efforts on “Clean Air”
today is pretty disappointing. In light of the existing issue of the massive volume of uncontrolled emissions from the multitude of ships at anchor outside the ports for the past several months, there is very little reason to thank them for. Those ships have completely undermined any minimal air quality gains by the port. Important to remember that approximately 16 ships equal the emissions produced by 1 million cars. It is the “ships” that are producing the far greatest volume of pollution. The ports current haphazard way of addressing ship pollution, begun only after winning the “lawsuit” brought by our community residents, has been rife with issues. Their effort thus far is a travesty...and at best a lackluster attempt at ship emission capture. Unless the government and these ports invest significantly in the air emission technology that is available....as they did with the creation of a vaccination to resolve
[Challenges, from p. 10]
Prop. 19 Challenges
Gaetz Is Guilty
Matt Gaetz, the reactionary Republican Representative from the western portion of Florida’s panhandle region is the subject of an ongoing federal criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department on a bipartisan basis (under both the Biden Administration and Gaetz’s conservative cult leader Donald Trump’s Attorney General Bill Barr’s troubled tenure) for sex trafficking charges involving a minor child, according to the New York Times’ bombshell report of March 30, 2021. As reported in the Dec. 29, 2017 edition of Orlando Weekly, “...On Dec. 19, Gaetz cast the lone ‘no’ vote on a widely bipartisan human trafficking bill that passed unanimously through the U.S. Senate in September before sailing through the House by a count
demented mentor Donald Trump can share a bunk bed and jail cell together in federal prison sometime soon? As the defeated and disgraced former puppet president of Putin used to say, “We’ll see what happens.” Jake Pickering Arcata, Calif.
April 15 - 28, 2021
Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has been in office since 2014. Upon taking office, Prang implemented sweeping reforms to ensure that the strictest ethical guidelines rooted in fairness, accuracy and integrity would be adhered to in his office, which is the largest office of its kind in the nation with 1,200 employees. It provides the foundation for a property tax system that generates over $17 billion annually.
ber of the U.S. Congress to vote AGAINST holding human traffickers accountable for their criminal sexual exploitation of women and children? You know why! Because Rapepublican Matt Gaetz is without a doubt guilty of the exact same criminal behavior. Lock Gaetz up! Maybe Matt Gaetz and his
The campaign for Prop. 19 stressed that the initiative would give much-needed assistance to seniors, the severely disabled and victims of fires and natural disasters, while simultaneously providing revenue for wildfire protection agencies and counties. Indeed, it was titled “The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act.” And it does have some positive aspects for seniors and the disabled. However, as I previously mentioned, as of Feb. 16, parents and grandparents are no longer able to transfer property to their children or grandchildren without the possibility of an increase in property taxes. There is a solution to this regressive tax, and that is to encourage the California legislature to draft legislation that will serve as a corrective constitutional amendment to Prop. 19. Such a corrective constitutional amendment should aim to restore the ability of families to leave their homes and other property to their children that was previously available under Proposition 58 since 1986. In the meantime, I am working with the California Assessors’ Association and with state legislators to enact legislation that will address the numerous deficiencies and ambiguities in Prop. 19. I must emphasize that absent legislative clarification, the implementation of Prop. 19 will be a significant challenge and create a great deal of confusion and uncertainty for both the public and administrators. I will keep you posted as we move forward, but in the meantime, I encourage you to go to my website for the latest information regarding Prop. 19, assessor.lacounty.gov/prop 19. For more information on Prop. 19 or other tax savings programs, visit assessor.lacounty.gov or call 213-974-3211.
of 418 to 1. The legislation — the Combatting Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act — is an attempt to give the federal government more resources to combat the sex trade in the U.S...”. Now why do you think the alleged statutory rapist Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was the ONLY mem-
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
Many scrambled to address estate planning and family inheritance concerns before the Feb. 16 deadline. Let’s review: Under the pre-Prop. 19 law, parents (Prop. 58) and grandparents (Prop. 193) were able to transfer residential and commercial properties to their children and grandchildren without a tax hike because the homes would not be reassessed, allowing the original tax base to be carried over. Between 60,000 to 80,000 property owners statewide had been embracing this tax savings annually, avoiding as much as $10 billion in assessed property value from reassessment, according to data from the Legislative Analyst’s Office. However, in 2018, a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that Hollywood actors Beau and Jeff Bridges inherited a palatial Malibu home — with panoramic ocean views and access to a semi-private beach — from their father, the late actor, Lloyd Bridges of television (Sea Hunt) and movie (Airplane!) fame. The Times found the brothers rented the home for $16,000 a month, but retained their father’s annual tax property tax payment of about $5,000. This was possible because they inherited their parent’s home under Prop. 58, which has been informally referred to as the “Lebowski Loophole,” named for the character Jeff Bridges played in the 1998 movie, The Big Lebowski. Many believe that this was an unfair use of Prop. 58, the family inheritance law. Under Prop. 19, only a parent’s principal residence may be transferred to their children, and that home must then become the principal residence of the children/child within one year of the transfer. Although it certainly appears the intent of the measure was to eliminate the “Lebowski Loophole” for the wealthy, Prop. 19 does not just impact “the 1%” who benefitted from huge financial windfalls, it also impacts a broader range of the public and includes working-class and middle-income families whose family assets are often in the family home and perhaps other modest real estate investments. This places new stress on the ability to pass along new-found generational wealth.
the pandemic...any advances in air quality will continue to be minimal causing major health consequences and expediting the rapid pace of climate change. Janet Gunter San Pedro
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[News Briefs, from p. 4]
organizations to care for the children and find placement for them. Barragán said Long Beach has a long history of helping immigrants, and it makes sense that HHS would ask the city for help. She added that the children are fleeing crime, poverty and natural disasters, and that the city has a moral obligation to help them in their asylum process and try to reunite them with their families.
Wilmington Waterfront Starting to Take Shape
Promenade
WILMINGTON — Port of Los Angeles officials recently visited the construction site of the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade project to mark progress on the development, which broke ground this past October. Intending to create a “window on the waterfront” for the Wilmington community, the $70.8 million project includes construction of a community park adjacent to the Banning’s Landing Community Center, a waterfront promenade, public pier, public dock for commercial vessels, parking lots, a playground, public seating, bike racks, drinking fountains and a 2,500-square-feet pad for commercial development. The project also highlights a green restroom roof. Improvements along Water Street are also part of the project. The development is slated for completion in 2023. A companion project — the Avalon Promenade and Gateway — is in the design phase. The $23.8 million first phase will include construction of a pedestrian bridge along Avalon Blvd. to provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the new waterfront promenade. The second phase will complete the connection of Wilmington’s commercial corridor on Avalon Blvd. to its waterfront. It will include an entry plaza with a gateway feature, landscaping, hardscape, parking, restrooms and architectural finishes. Construction of phase one is expected to start in 2023. Details: www.youtube.com/watch?/lawaterfront-construction-update
SAN PEDRO — On April 6, City of Los Angeles 15th District Councilman Joe Buscaino announced a $3 million dollar community grant competition, using funds reinvested from the budget of the Los Angeles Police Department. Buscaino is using these funds even though he voted against the city council’s $150 million cut to the LAPD budget that created them. Buscaino, a former officer of the LAPD, argued that the funds should instead be reinvested in more community policing. Not-for-profit organizations in San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, and Watts will be able to apply for grants between $10,000 to $100,000 from April 12 to 30. Los Angeles County residents will be able to vote for eligible nonprofits from May 10 to May 31. Eligible nonprofits will be grouped together based on community. Details: LA15th.com/buscainogrants
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
Buscaino Announces Community Grant Competition
April 15 - 28, 2021
Gov. Newsom Announces Appointment
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SACRAMENTO — Chris Walter, 48, of Rancho Palos Verdes, has been reappointed deputy administrator at the Veterans Home of California in West Los Angeles, where he has served in that position since 2015. He has been a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and the California Army National Guard since 2019, where he served in several roles from 1989 to 2016, including infantry battalion commander, officer and enlisted soldier. Walter was vice president of logistics and military liaison at the Special Olympics World Games in 2015. He was a systems, test and project engineer at Northrop [See News Briefs, p. 20]
By Greggory Moore, Curtain Call Columnist
Shakespeare By the Sea’s Measure for Measure with a Wild West twist. File photo
Details: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qs0Tbz-v3Bs
April 15 - 28, 2021
(it’s considered one of his “problem plays” to categorize), it’s not as straightforwardly engaging as many of his better-known works (including another problem play, The Merchant of Venice). But ShakeSea wanted to utilize their pandemic season for plays not often produced — and to be sure, it may be quite a while before you find another local production of either Measure or Titus. Although there’s nothing especially standout about this production — it’s meat-and-potatoes Shakespeare with a Wild West mise-en-scène (including short bursts of music reminiscent of Ennio Morricone) — Shakespeare by the Sea can always be counted for a cast and crew who know what they’re doing (and believe me, I can’t say that about everyone). And as always, the proceedings come in at almost exactly two hours. No one can say these cats aren’t consistent and efficient. Shakespeare by the Sea’s Measure for Measure streams on-demand. Cost is free but donations gratefully accepted, reservations are required to receive the link. For more details, call 310- 2177596 or visit shakespearebythesea.org. If you already know you wanna see it, go here.
These also appear to be the highest quality of the bunch (or maybe just seems that way because they’re closest), so I’m not so sure the best choice wouldn’t have been to present the entire show alternating between this pair of shots. Nonetheless, the coverage is a clear improvement over Titus. While prior to now, ShakeSea has always staged shows more or less faithful to how they were mounted in the Bard’s own time (the significant exception being piped-in music between scenes), Measure gets a Wild West setting, an update that should be acceptable to all but the most dogmatic purists, if for no other reason than how well it fits the theme. To wit, Duke Vincentio (Patrick Vest) laments that permissiveness during his 19-year reign has engendered a populace with too little respect for law and order. But because he doesn’t want to be regarded as a tyrant for suddenly changing tack, he fakes a diplomatic trip abroad and leaves the strict and supposedly virtuous Lord Angelo (Jonathan Fisher) in charge to enforce the laws as he sees fit, then sticks around in disguise to watch what happens. Ever the student of human nature, William Shakespeare’s portrayal of how moralistic pols often turn out to be the biggest hypocrites, as well as how women are used and abused by the patriarchy, is as apt today as it was in the Wild West or Elizabethan England. But because Measure is neither particularly funny nor tragic
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W
ith rare exceptions, COVID-19 has all but put a stop to live theatre. But Shakespeare by the Sea would be damned before failing to perform two shows for their 2020 season, like they’ve done every year this millennium. Yes, they weren’t able to stage them concurrently (as they usually do), and they weren’t able to do them in front of an audience, and the second got pushed into 2021. Finally, with their new Measure for Measure, it’s mission accomplished. As with October 2020’s Titus Andronicus, rather than stitch a show together or use digital bells and whistles, Shakespeare by the Sea has opted to present Measure for Measure exactly as they would have staged it in parks throughout Southern California in non-pandemic times. Set and lighting are no-frills; the stage is mic’d, with sound delivered through a PA. The only appreciable difference is that multiple cameras means you get multiple angles, rather than the single view you’d get from your seat. This is both good and bad. Being that ShakeSea has neither fancy equipment nor pro camera operators or editors, the angles and shot selection can be clunky and random. That said, since Titus the troupe has upped their streaming game, roughly doubling the number of cameras. This includes two entirely new angles looking up at the actors from each side of the foot of the stage.
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G
April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
ardening is a conversation with the earth. The gardener does something, and the earth responds via the outcome. If you plant a tomato seedling upside down, for example, the earth will happily swallow it, thereby ending the discussion. A new dialog starts every time the gardener sows a seed or does anything to disrupt the status quo, even something as mundane as digging up last year’s beds. Like any language, a garden dialectic grows to reflect the landscape, complete with regional variations. When I lived in the New Mexico hills, a seasoned farmer told me to begin planting when the lilacs leafed out. That advice saved me a lengthy conversation with the earth. Farmers, unlike most gardeners, do this stuff all day and are fluent in these things. Up here in Montana, some farmer friends of mine begin the annual conversation with a handful of peas. It goes like this: As soon as the soil thaws, you plant some peas. You don’t have to soak the peas overnight first, like I usually do when I plant for real in order to jump-start the germination process. Just plant the peas and see how the earth responds. They may sit there for a week or two, but when they finally sprout is when you plant your peas for real. Planting that first handful of peas in a bare, brown field can be a lonely experience. It’s the feeling of being slightly early to the party, a feeling top gardeners know well. But you and your plants don’t want to be too early, or they might get nipped by a late frost. Or too late, on the other hand, because then you will spend the rest of the season playing catch-up. Late planted peas in particular won’t reach pod-bearing age before they wilt in the heat of summer. By planting a test handful of peas, you dial in the timing for the whole garden. When that first handful sprouts, it’s game on. Soak the rest of your peas, and start building a trellis. Maybe plant some spinach too, which grows happily at the foot of pea stalks. The pea pods themselves are not the only reason to grow peas. Many of the vendors at my local market sell pea shoots by the bunch throughout the season. They add crunch to salads, complexity to instant ramen and cute
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A Fist Full of Peas By Ari LeVaux, Flash in the Pan Columnist
weeks, keep the soil moist but not swampy. When they are about 4 inches tall — about three weeks — your pea greens are ready for harvest. They will be tender to about 8 inches tall.
Qing Chao Pea Sprouts (spinach)
Stir-fried pea greens, the harbinger of spring. Photo by Ari LeVaux.
curls when wilted atop anything hot. In a stirfry, which is my favorite way to eat them, those pea shoots are delicate and savory. And unlike the peas grown for their pods which can only be planted during that tight spring window in time, it’s never too late to plant pea shoots. Altogether, you could do worse than to go all-in on peas, right about now. Grow them for peas, grow them for greens, and grow them to keep your finger on the pulse of the garden.
How to grow pea greens
Pea greens grow fast and are high in protein and vitamins A and C. It’s definitely worth planting more peas than you think you’ll need, just to have a little crop of these delicious sprouts. Rather than paying a lot of money for a little envelope of dried peas, if I can I’ll instead pick up some dried cooking peas in the bulk bins of my local grocery store. They sprout just fine — just remember to eat them for the greens, and not
to expect any sweet peas. When I do order pea seeds, I buy the largest envelope I can find. Begin by soaking the pea seeds for about 24 hours. They should swell and turn a little green, and start to look a little bit alive. Work your pea spot, or arrange a container that drains, filled with potting soil. Make sure the soil is perfectly moist. Sow peas in a dense layer, so thick that they almost touch but none atop another. Cover the peas in another layer of soil, compost or potting mix. Water again. For the next few
This recipe comes from Budai, my favorite Taiwanese and Chinese restaurant in Albuquerque, from my time in those New Mexican hills. 2 servings 1 tablespoon peanut oil 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (or substitute one clove minced garlic) 1 pound chopped pea shoots, including leaves, stems and curlycues ½ cup broth (chicken or clam) ½ cup rice wine ½ teaspoon white pepper Salt to taste
Heat the oil on high in a wok or heavy pan. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and stir fry for 30 seconds. Add the pea greens, broth and wine, in that order. Stir it around quickly, cooking everything evenly. Add the white pepper. Stir fry one minute at high heat, so the sauce starts to thicken but doesn’t completely evaporate. Season with salt and serve.
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
April 15 - 28, 2021
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[See Calendar, page 16]
MUSIC April 16
Grand Pianola Music Music that began as a dream of California coast lines and highways for composer John Adams soars at the Hollywood Bowl. Conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. Time: 10 a.m. April 16 Cost: Free Details: laphil.com/soundstage Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2021 Annually curating a lineup of the biggest and most buzz-worthy artists across all popular genres, Coachella has hosted some of the most historic sets in festival history, with the likes of Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Prince, Radiohead and Bob Dylan.
Apr 15 - 28 • 2021 Time: 12 p.m. April 16 to 3 p.m. April 18 Cost: Free Details: Online event anyone on or off Facebook
April 17
The Gathering for the Grand, A Silver Screen Soiree Join the 11th annual Gathering for the Grand silent and live auction gala. This year it will be a virtual “Silver Screen Soiree” to continue the celebration of the Warner Grand Theatre’s 90th Anniversary in the classic 1940s style at the heart of the Golden Age of film. The Gathering for the Grand Auction will be open until April 17. Register and start bidding here, https://tinyurl.com/ WarnerGrandBidding Time: 7 p.m. April 17 Cost: $110
Details: https://tinyurl.com/ ASilverScreenSoiree. Links for this virtual event will be sent via email on the day of the event.
April 23
Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival Grab your crew and set your plans for two days in April. Time: 12 p.m. April 23 to 25 Cost: Free Details: Online Event, StagecoachFestival.com
April 24
Mick Fleetwood & Friends Watch the premiere of this one of a kind concert featuring performances by Neil Finn, Noel Gallagher, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, Jonny Lang, John Mayall, Christine
McVie, Jeremy Spencer, Zak Starkey, Pete Townsend, Steven Tyler and Bill Wyman. Time: 12 p.m. April 24 Cost: Free Details: www.facebook.com/ events/mick-fleetwood-andfriends Streaming via www.nugs. net
THEATER April 15
Keep the Lights On Musical Theatre West’s virtual benefit concert series continues its nine-concert streaming series April 1. Enjoy all concerts from the comfort of your own home with the latest in streaming technology, available to stream via computer, Amazon Fire, Apple TV or Roku devices. All proceeds benefit Musical Theatre West. Time: April 29 to May 9 Cost: $27 Details: www.musical.org.
April 24
Richard II Staged Reading Surrounded by social unrest, familial plots and shifting loyalties, King Richard makes a series of missteps that ultimately cost him his title, honor and legacy. Time: 2 p.m. April 24
Palos Verdes Art Center
April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
PVAC90: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
16
PVAC’s Art for Fun(d)s Sake event at Marineland of the Pacific
PVAC90 is year-long 90th anniversary exhibition celebrating the achievements made by Palos Verdes Art Center since its beginnings in 1931. It provides an opportunity to reflect on moving forward while remaining a valuable resource to our local community by collaborating with the world at large. Programming will be updated regularly at www. pvartcenter.org with additional galleries, event notifications and educational material. Curated by Aaron Sheppard. Details: Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, (310) 541-2479, www.pvartcenter.org
Ko-Ryu Ramen 362 W. 6th St. San Pedro 90731 310-935-2886
koryuramen.com Koi Ramen
Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ Richardll
April 29
Coachella Valley Repertory, Speak My Words, Tell My Truth Part poetry, storytelling and play, the dialogue of six characters who present the lives and works of Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Essex Hemphill, E. Lynn Harris, Tarrell Alvin McCraney and others, explore how their works influenced American cultural aesthetics and its acceptance of homosexuality. Time: 7 p.m. April 29 Cost: Free Details: www.us02web.zoom.us/ webinar/register
ART
We Got This: Art in the Time of the Pandemic The exhibit features 20 pieces by local women artists. In partnership with the Arts Council for Long Beach, the selected works express hope, respect for frontline workers and an acknowledgment of the challenges ahead. Details: www.longbeach.gov/ public/pandemic-art-exhibit
April 15
Reimagine Public Art Virtual Exhibition This virtual public art exhibition introduces over 250 local artists working across mediums, who give a glimpse at a new relationship between public space and art in the digital age, especially during a period of social, economic and health emergencies. Details: www.culturela.org/ reimagine
April 28
Frida Kahlo: Crossing Borderlines In this multimedia lecture, educator and arts advocate Dr. Gloria Arjona highlights the multiple instances in which Frida Kahlo “crossed the line” by mixing languages, genres, disciplines, and her own life and art. Time: 7 p.m. April 28 Cost: Free Details: www.zoom.us/webinar/ register/webinar-fria-kahlo
FILM
April 19
The Plastic Bag Store: A Film The Plastic Bag Store employs
[See Calendar, p. 17]
[from p. 16] inventive puppetry, humor, craft and a critical lens to explore how the hordes of plastic waste might be misinterpreted by future generations. Time: 7 p.m. April 19 to 22 Details: https://cap.ucla.edu/ calendar/details/frohardt
FOOD
April 23 Virtual Taste of DowntownThe event will encourage viewers to eat, drink and shop locally with their favorite Greenfocused downtown Long Beach businesses, who will demonstrate their offerings in creative prerecorded videos. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. April 23 Details: www.facebook.com/ downtownlongbeach
April 24 Winetasting and Silent Auction Enjoy a classic high quality wine tasting virtually with the winemaker or at your leisure. Hosted by Caymus Vineyards, Napa. This event will fund the YMCA food distribution program which is becoming a vital program in the community. Time: 4 to 6 p.m. April 24 Details: https://www. ywcawinetasting.org
COMMUNITY April 15
Point Vincente Interpretive Center The Point Vicente Interpretive Center has reopened with new exhibits exploring the human and natural history of the Palos Verdes
Peninsula. Interactive exhibits will take visitors alongside gray whales and birds as they journey along the coast of the Peninsula. The displays also explore the history of animal and human migration and navigation. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free Details: www.rpvca.gov/pvic Venue: Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes.
April 17
Family Art Workshops Art activities for kids and adults, ages 1 to 101. Experiment with printmaking in the kitchen, using those fruit and veggie pieces destined for the compost pile to create some beautiful designs. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Register to receive a Zoom link prior to the
event. Time: 1 to 3 p.m. April 17 Details: www.angelsgateart. us20.list-manage.com/family-artworkshop
April 22
The Importance of Marine Protected Areas to our Planet In honor of Earth Day, AltaSea will present a special webinar on Marine Protected Areas moderated by Val Zavala, with speakers, Jose Bacallao, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s exhibits director, Captain Bruce Heyman, Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s executive director and Meredith Brooks, sustainable aquaculture specialist and conservationist. Time: 12 p.m. April 22 Details: www.us02web.zoom.us/ webinar/register/importance-ofmarine-protected-animals
Celebrating the Diversity of Cambodian Civilization Cambodia Town, Inc. will host its 13th Annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival in a virtual edition. Time: 6 p.m. April 24 Cost: Free Details: www.cambodiatown.com
April 24
Let’s Talk About Race — Moving Forward This two-hour dialogue with Marymount University Professor Carlos Royal will highlight concepts and look at ways we can work together to move forward in reducing prejudice and bias. Pre-readings will be sent to participants for background and discussion. Time: 10 a.m. April 24 Details: Register www.us02web.
zoom.us/meeting/register/letstalk-about-race
April 25
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Peace Ride Justice For Murdered Children is hosting the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Peace Ride at Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park. This year’s theme is “Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.” It emphasizes the importance of leveraging community support to help victims of crime. Time: 12 to 5 p.m. April 25 Venue: Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, 25820 Vermont Ave., Harbor City. Details: 310-738-4218
Real People, Real News, Really Effective April 15 - 28, 2021
17
B.B. Dickerson
Bassist for Band War, Dead at 71 By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
Earlier this month Los Angeles Harbor Area native B.B. Dickerson died following a long bout with an undisclosed illness at the age of 71. The bassist — whose real name was Morris — was one of the founding members of the band War. Shortly after Howard E. Scott returned from West Germany, he and Harold Brown, both founding members of War, got together with Lonnie Jordan and B.B. Dickerson to form The Nightshift. The band included the late Deacon Jones, the NFL Hall of Fame defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams. While playing at a North Hollywood club in 1969, The Nightshift met famous producer Jerry Goldstein, Danish harmonica player Lee Oskar and Eric Burdon from the band, The Animals. It was at this point that the band War was formed. Dickerson was born in 1949 in Torrance, and was reared in Harbor City. He started playing bass at the age of 12. In 1962, Scott and Brown formed a group called The Creators, with B.B. joining the line-up a few years later. They went on to become War in 1969, and hit the height of their popularity in the 1970s. He co-wrote and played on popular War songs including Low Rider and Summer. War had a Billboard chart number one album in 1973 with The World Is a Ghetto, while their single The Cisco Kid reached number two. B.B. also regularly contributed vocals to songs, with him taking the lead on title track The War Is a Ghetto. Dickerson was playing with the group in London on Sept. 18, 1970 when Jimi Hendrix joined them onstage for the final 35 minutes of the set in
what would be Hendrix’s last public performance. Arguably the most popular funk group in the 1970s, War featured influences from soul, Latin, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz, reggae and blues. Much of this musical amalgamation was courtesy of the various backgrounds of the band members. In fact, War was touted as transcending racial and cultural barriers, promoting harmony and brotherhood through its music. War was plagued with band member fractures and lawsuits, some of which actually prevented the founding members from using the band’s name in association with their music. To work around the issue, Scott, Dickerson and Harold Brown began performing under the band name, The Lowrider Band, referencing one of War’s biggest hits. The musician reportedly died peacefully at his home in Long Beach on April 6, survived by his mother and children.
April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
B.B. Dickerson, bassist for War. File photo
18
PV Art Center’s Dream House Raffle is Back
The Palos Verdes Art Center’s 18th Annual Palos Verdes Dream House Raffle is back. Enter by May 14 for the Early Bird 1 drawing. Prizes include a 2021 Tesla 3 or $25,000 cash. Many other prizes, including an Audi e-tron or $50,000, three $15,000 prizes and five $10,000 prizes will be awarded throughout the raffle campaign. The grand prize is a Palos Verdes estate overlooking the Pacific or $5,000,000, which occurs at the end of the raffle on June 18. The best part is that any of these prizes are only a $150 raffle ticket away. The proceeds of this raffle will go toward supporting the 90-year-old Palos Verdes Art Center’s programs such as “Art
at Your Fingertips,” a school-based outreach program reaching over 7,000 grade school children annually that inspires kids to tap into their creative abilities by teaching art skills. The raffle also supports such initiatives as the Art Center’s “Special Mornings,” which offers special needs students from the Los Angeles Unified School District a chance to explore the world of art through personalized instruction and projects. Funds raised will also benefit The Studio School, which teaches year-round art classes to adults and children (online for now) and make possible an annual program of curated exhibitions. Details: pvartcenter.org, 833-604-1604
[Agenda, from p. 4]
New State Climate Agenda actually happening in our state, which is far more than was anticipated.” But it wasn’t enough to persuade two neutral senators. “While we saw this effort defeated today, this issue isn’t going away,” the bill’s authors, senators Scott Wiener and Monique Limon said in a joint statement. “We’ll continue to fight for aggressive climate action, against harmful drilling and for the health of our communities.” As referenced above, AB 896 authorizes Cal GEM (The California Geologic Energy Management Division) to place liens on wells that are unsafe or operator delinquent, or to recover costs for plugging and abandonment. It also establishes a collection unit.
projects eligible for funding that the state has for climate-related projects. … The goal is to spur innovation.” Its next hearing date is Monday, April 19. Finally, “SB 32 tells local governments that they should put a plan in place for building electrification” — both cities and counties.
Many already have such plans, “but other cities and counties haven’t done any kind planning around it, and so SB 32 says that they have to.” It’s being heard on April 15.
Just Transition
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions — about 40% of California’s total. This means reducing transportation needs as well as emissions. The former is epitomized by the
concept of a “15-minute city,” Lear explained, “which is that you live, work and play within 15 minutes of your home,” an idea promoted by Assembly Transportation Chair Laura Friedman. The latter is best captured in a pair of bills supported by Coalition For a Safe Environment. “We’re supporting two key legislative bills that support California achieving one million zero-emission fossil-free fuel vehicles in public service in California by Jan. 1, 2023,” said CFSE [See Agenda, p. 20]
Dr. Daniel Kammen serves as Distinguished Professor of Energy in the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley. File photo
Real People, Real News, Really Effective April 15 - 28, 2021
Starting in fiscal year 2022–23, SB 47 raises CalGEM’s spending cap to deal with hazardous wells, idle-deserted wells, hazardous facilities and deserted facilities from $1 million to $10 million. The Wilmington oil field has many such wells. “That’s definitely an environmental justice issue,” Lear said. “We make it a priority to make 50% of our work support environmental justice issues.” Another priority is building decarbonization, where Michael Rochmas, with 350’s Westside LA Hub takes the lead. “Natural gas in buildings is about 10% of our carbon emissions in California,” said Rochmas. “So, it’s really important to switch from gas to electricity and as the electric grid becomes renewable, then that will decarbonize buildings.” It’s not the largest factor, “But it is critical in order to hit our goals as a state.” It’s even more critical for green jobs. A UCLA study found it would create 100,000 new jobs. “There’s going to be a lot of work in terms of retrofitting buildings. … A lot of jobs for electricians, for example, to make sure that buildings can work with electrified appliances.” While the easiest way to electrify is with new construction, “Buildings last 40 or more years, so if we really want to electrify everything we really have to eventually retrofit.” A suite of three bills authored by Sen. Dave Cortese deal with decarbonization. “Each bill has a different target,” Rochmas explains. “The first one, SB 30, is targeting the buildings the government runs itself and saying that any new buildings the government buys or pays our bills will be carbon neutral, or all electric and that there be a plan for retrofitting those buildings.” Its start date was set to be January 2022, but it’s now being held back as a two-year bill. Next, “SB 31 is for building electrification
19
[News Briefs, from p. 12]
Grumman Information Systems from 2006 to 2015. Walter was a systems integration engineer at CACI Inc. from 2000 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $141,588. Walter is registered without party preference.
City Planning Releases Annual Report
LOS ANGELES — On March 23, The Los Angeles City Planning Department published its annual report for 2020. The report highlights the significant milestones many planning initiatives reached last year and the department’s expansion of online services to streamline the review of project submittals. City Planning advanced new housing opportunities across Los Angeles’s neighborhoods through policies that have produced more affordable units. Technology played a pivotal role in achieving greater efficiencies with limited resources. City Planning has augmented its information-sharing capabilities, using new media to keep Angelenos informed. Details: www.planning.lacity.org/odocument/ AnnualReport2020
California to Lift COVID-19 Restrictions on June 15
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s April 6 announcement of California’s intent to lift all COVID-19 restrictions — aside from wearing masks — on June 15 depends upon two conditions. First, COVID-19 vaccines must be readily available; Californians 16 or older must be able to schedule vaccine appointments within a two-week period. Secondly, hospitalizations must be stable and low, particularly among those who have been vaccinated. Newsom’s announcement comes as 20 million vaccines have been administered in California, and hospital case rates have stabilized.
Torrance Man and Sister Charged in Multimillion Dollar Real Estate Scam
April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
LOS ANGELES — A Southern California brotherand-sister team were arrested April 6 on federal charges alleging they orchestrated a $6 million real estate fraud in which they listed homes without the owners’ consent and collected money from multiple would-be buyers for each of the notfor-sale homes. Adolfo Schoneke, 43, of Torrance, and his sister, Bianca Gonzalez, a.k.a. Blanca Schoneke, 38, of Walnut, each pleaded not guilty to nine charges contained in an indictment unsealed after their arrests. The indictment charges Schoneke and Gonzalez with one count of conspiracy, seven counts of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Schoneke and Gonzalez, allegedly, with the help of co-conspirators, operated real estate and escrow companies based in Cerritos, La Palma and Long Beach under a variety of names, including MCR and West Coast. The indictment alleges Schoneke and Gonzalez found properties that they would list for sale — though many were not for sale. They did not have authority to list them for sale — and they then marketed the properties as short sales providing opportunities for purchases at below-market prices. Investigators estimate that several hundred victims collectively lost more than $6 million during the scheme. Both defendants will remain in custody until their respective detention hearings, scheduled for April 9 for Schoneke and April 13 for Gonzalez. If convicted of all charges, Schoneke and Gonzalez each would face a statutory maximum sentence of 162 years in federal 20 prison.
Sunken City: Exotic, Tourist Draw, Nightmare for Local Residents By June Burlingame Smith, Contributor
In the past, Sunken City was a fun, if challenging, place to hike down to the tide pool at its base. We all did it, knew the dangers of the sliding cliff and falling debris, but we were careful. Anyone who chooses to enjoy naturally dangerous places on earth accepts that responsibility. Now, Sunken City has become an attractive nuisance because the well-meaning project to protect private property along its edge by building a fence has morphed into the unintended consequence of a “keep them out at any cost.” And young people, especially, love such an “in your face” challenge. The fence keeps almost nobody out as people can gain access from the shore or they can cut or go around the fence. But it does hinder access in an emergency. Teams regularly run practice sessions so they can be prepared to help when they are needed. Police can “sweep the park (Pt. Fermin)” but not Sunken City at night. Consequently, helicopters using bull horns and
Sunken City in San Pedro. File photo
search lights are the answer to ongoing problems at night … waking everyone up within hearing distance, disrupting animals, children, and people with PTSD, in unpardonable ways. Sunken City is a huge expense for the City and County of Los Angeles as well as devastating to the families of those who lose their lives. No
one bothers or seems interested in totalling up the true cost, but it is costing citizens huge amounts of money to monitor, repair and rescue people from this “attractive nuisance.” Meanwhile, it’s been a great entrepreneur opportunity for others to make a buck. [See Sunken City, p. 22]
[Agenda, from p. 19]
New Agenda
founder Jesse Marquez. “AB 1110 and SB 551 mandate that the governor’s office take the leadership role, provide for long term funding support includes the building of statewide charging infrastructure, supports all public governmental entities such as small cities, local public transportation authorities and public school districts to purchase nonpolluting fossil-free public buses, transportation vehicles, and maintenance utility vehicles and offers special incentives to low-income residents and disadvantaged communities.” Another major transportation need is clear, says Dave Shukla, of the Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy: “Our transportation corridors statewide need a fundamental overhaul of policy and incentives to decarbonize along sciencebased climate goals, like 80% from 1990 levels by 2030.” That need could soon be answered. Sen. Lena Gonzalez — the daughter of a port trucker — is the new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and has introduced a set of three significant bills — SB 671, SB 726, and SB 338. “Taken together, these bills revamp existing Clean Trucks and Clean Freight programs to take more urgent action along scaled-up climate, environmental health, labor, and infrastructure goals,” Shukla said. “SB 671 updates the target dates and incentive programs for zero-emissions heavy and medium-duty trucks in line with Gov. [Gavin] Newsom’s recent executive order.” It would establish an assessment to identify freight corridors (or segments) to prioritize for the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and describe the necessary infrastructure, projects and operations. “SB 726 updates the goals for rapid deployment of zero-emissions vehicles and infrastructure in line with Gov. Newsom’s executive order,” Shukla noted. “It also proposes significant changes to how clean energy infrastructure and technologies — such as battery storage requirements and charging stations sitting in the Freight corridors — are planned, developed, and deployed
recommendations to transition California to a climateresilient and low-carbon economy that maximizes the benefits of climate actions while minimizing burdens to workers, especially workers in the fossil fuel industry, and their communities — especially those, such as Wilmington, facing disproportionate burdens from pollution. “What we don’t want is workers and communities who were already struggling with redlining, poor labor standards and conditions, pollution, cumulative health burdens, etc. before the pandemic to bear the brunt of the economic or social costs of transition,” Shukla summed up. Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi sponsored AB 345, an environmental justice bill that would have required health protection zones between oil and gas production facilities and schools, homes and hospitals. File photo
over the next decade.” Finally, “SB 338 takes steps to address a fundamental inequity in port trucking misclassification. In addition to creating health and safety standards for port drayage truck drivers, it would create a “bad actor” list for companies who commit violations of these standards, and make companies that continue to do business with these bad actors jointly liable for future violations, with more stringent requirements, including an audit, to get off the list.” Summing up, he said, “California needs a comprehensive strategy for rapid development and deployment of zero emission vehicles and infrastructure. Each of these bills is a good start, and we are looking forward to how they evolve over the course of the legislative process.” More broadly, “What the situation with the port trucking sector highlights is the importance of Just Transition policies in regional industry,” Shukla said. AB 1453, authored by Muratsuchi, would create a “Just Transition Plan” with
Corporate Accountability
This leads to the issue of corporate accountability. “We need more sunlight, more reliable and independently verifiable information, on what highly polluting companies are actually doing,” Shukla said. Two bills in particular stand out. “SB 260 is noteworthy, because it requires large corporations [more than $1 billion in annual revenues] to publicly provide greenhouse gas inventories, and, crucially, set science-based emissions reduction targets.” Another bill, SB 449, requires banks and other financial entities to create annual climate-related financial risk reports.” Another bill from Gonzalez, SB 342, addresses another aspect of accountability: providing a voice on the AQMD board for communities that are disproportionately burdened by high levels of pollution and issues of environmental justice. It would require the appointment of two members from such communities — one by the Speaker of the Assembly, the other by the Senate Committee on Rules. [See Activists, p. 22]
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Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021050433 The following person is doing business as:(1) George’s Barber Shop & Beauty Salon, 725 S. Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Gabriela Casique, 725 S. Pacific Ave, 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: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Gabriela Casique, Managing owner. This statement was filed
[continued on p. 22]
“All Over the Place”— it’s another themeless mess of words!
03/18/21, 04/01/21, 04/15/21
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021058571 The following person is doing business as: (1) Jasmine’s Day Spa, 28719 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: KALRUH LLC, 28719 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This Business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 06/2018. 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/. Yasmeen Khan, President.
with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 02/26/21. Notice--In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 where it expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions
ACROSS
1 Online request to “pay your respects” when your playable character dies 12 Internet acronym with origins on Usenet 15 Lead singer on the “Pinkerton” album 16 Hawaiian delicacy 17 One way to get up from the ground floor 18 Extreme degree, for short 19 Actor Hawke 20 B’way purchase 21 Washington Irving’s Bones 22 Scott of “30 Rock” and “Big Hero 6” 25 Location of a theater, in clichÈd ads 27 Soviet WWII force 29 Bandleader for Leno 30 Really silly 31 H.S. units 32 “Time to head out” 33 Japanese naval architect of WWII, Baron Yuzuru ___ 38 Shaker ___, OH 40 “Funky Cold Medina” rapper 41 It involves pinning and throwing 45 Like some chances 46 Begins with, in a screenplay 47 Bearded “South Park” puppet
48 Fitzgerald of jazz 49 Cobra’s warning 51 Pandemic-era romantic meetup 54 ___ Harbour (Miami Beach resort area) 55 Instant ramen brand name, originally (before ditching the middle letter) 58 Prefix with scope 59 Statistician with a speciality 60 Wanna-___ (copycats) 61 Opportunity to get a computer program early
DOWN
1 Untied 2 Sedimentary material in a delta 3 Exasperated outburst 4 Paradise residents 5 Subject of a historic June 2020 Supreme Court ruling 6 Pres. from Missouri 7 Friendly prefix? 8 Short 9 Pop poolside painter 10 Event to test out an act, perhaps 11 High rock pile 12 Former Fugees member Hill 13 “Check this out!” 14 Chemical indicator 21 Item with underwire 23 “Ehhh, really?” 24 Actor Sheridan of “X-Men:
Apocalypse” 26 “Essential” product of wormwood 27 “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-___” (Irish classic) 28 Canine suffix for Bern or Peking 34 Get ready to ride again 35 Carrier to Leonardo da Vinci Airport 36 Pantheon figure 37 High card 39 Site of intense magnetic activity 40 “___ Goes to the Mayor” 41 Briggs who hosts “The Last Drive-in” 42 Watching just one more episode, maybe 43 Some potluck desserts 44 ___ bind 50 Buckwheat bowlful 52 Jamie Lee’s “Freaky Friday” character 53 Direction from Madrid to Barcelona 55 Non-profit that started NPR in 1970 56 GRF’s vice president 57 2021 U.K. award for “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” actor Toby Jones
April 15 - 28, 2021
PLEASE HELP!
The animals at the Harbor Animal Shelter have ongoing need for used blankets, comforters, pet beds.* Drop off at Harbor Animal Shelter 957 N. Gaffey St.,San Pedro • 888-452-7381, x 143
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Original filing: 03/18/21, 04/01/21,
Don Marshall, MBA, CPA
Specializing in small businesses CPA quality service at very reasonable rates
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This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 03/10/21. Notice--In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 where it expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).
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Bulletin Board
MISC.
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021029353 The following person is doing business as: (1) Magic Plumbing, 1805 S Alma Street Unit A, San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Gusa Plumbing, 1805 S Alma Street Unit A, San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business by a corporation. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2021. 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/. Mladen Gusa, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 2021. Notice--In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 where it expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 03/04/21,
© 2021 MATT JONES, Jonesin’ Crosswords
My wife and I are looking for a house, even if it is a fixer upper. My name is Tom please call or text 714-6970833.
or Not - 24 Hour Response - Maximum Tax Donation – Call 877-266-0681 (AAN CAN)
For answers go to: www.randomlengthsnews.com
REAL ESTATE WANTED
• Reliable transportation Send resumé to james@ randomlengthsnews.com or drop by the office at 1300 S. Pacific Ave. in San Pedro.
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DBA FILINGS [from p. 21] code). Original
filing:
04/29/21, 05/13/21
04/01/21,
04/15/21,
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021058278 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. WE GOT THIS, 2. GIANINE P. RIZZI, 1075 W. 11TH ST., San Pedro, CA 90731County of LOS ANGELES, Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number: LLC/AI No 202005510392 Registered owner(s): WE GOT THIS PRODUCTIONS LLC, 1075 W. 11TH ST., SAN PEDRO, CA 90731; State of Incorporation: CA
This business is conducted by a limited.liability company. The registrant(s) started doing business on 02/2020. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). WE GOT THIS PRODUCTIONS LLC, S/ RYAN S. BLANEY, Secretary. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 03/09/2021. NOTICE-
In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered
owner. A new fictitious business 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: 4/15/21, 4/29/21, 5/13/21, 5/27/21
[Sunken City from p. 20]
Sunken City
Recreation and Parks says it doesn’t have the money to implement its plan to change things. It has done a geological study and knows what land is stable and what is not. And the city, with the permission of the Coastal Commission, voted to approve a fence (after a staff report that originally said to deny the permit and a second rather mysterious hearing was held a few months later) … not to keep people out of the area but to protect private property along the perimeter to the slide.
So we are confronted with the resultant situation: a fence that cuts off coastal access (a violation of the California Coastal Act) and doesn’t prevent people from using the area; a dangerous debris area with chunks of concrete and old Red Car rail tracks ready to fall on people and harm or kill them; and an inadequate drainoff from Pacific Avenue. Our leaders pay “lip service,” but do nothing except send in the police and tell us they have no funds. Enough of this economic and political nonsense.
Graffitti and impromtu art cover the rocks and rubble at Sunken City. File photo [Activists from p. 20]
April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
Activists
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“Giving these communities (including my own) a direct say in air quality issues is the right thing to do,” said Chris Chavez, Deputy Policy Director at the Coalition for Clean Air. “Currently, the forums available to these communities are, at best, advisory. SCAQMD will be considering rules on warehouses and refineries that can improve air quality for these communities. Yet, these rules, which have faced years-long delays, have faced stiff opposition from industry and hesitant board members,” he said. SB
342 would change that significantly — a crucial part of changing the overall constellation of California policy-making. Like the League of Conservation Voters, Coalition for Clean Air is a well-established organization accustomed to decades-long struggles, which inclines them towards caution. When asked about SB 582, and its accelerated target of 80% reductions by 2030, they both offered similar responses. “From a policy perspective it may make more sense at this point to put in place feasible measures to actually reach the targets already in law rather than put our energies into establishing new goals,” cautioned Bill Magavern,
Policy Director at CCA. “We are only setting ourselves up for failure if we focus too much on targets and not enough on concrete action,” warned Mike Young, Political and Organizing Director at League of Conservation Voters. But it’s an open question whether we have to choose, or whether, as Kammen argues, advances on each front can reinforce one another. The more voices are raised drawing the connections these bills and others make, the more likely it is we can advance on all fronts, which is why groups like SoCal 350 and its coalition partners have such a significant role to play. Time is growing short — for the planet and for California, as last year’s record forest fires remind us. “20-plus years ago the environmental justice movement began its advocacy in California of supporting our statewide dream for clean air, clean environment and healthy communities by advocating for new stricter environmental laws,” Marquez said. “Today, our new generation of environmental and equitable justice legislators are pioneering new laws, policies and programs and endorsing new alternative technologies that will achieve those dreams and create tens of thousands of new California jobs.”
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April 15 - 28, 2021
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April 15 - 28, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant