Motherhood and Enchiladas Mother shares her challenges, successes as a businesswoman
By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor, with Ruby Muñoz, Editorial Intern Editor’s Note: In this edition, Random Lengths News features a woman balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship. She is an example of how humanity will find a way to survive, if not thrive, even in the midst of a pandemic. She owns Las Palmas Cafe, a Carson restaurant serving authentic Zacatecas cuisine. The restaurant itself celebrated its 60th anniversary at the start of the pandemic.
[See Motherhood, p. 8]
Neighborhood Council leaders weigh in on Buscaino’s $3 million grant fund p. 3 Artists speak on the future of First Thursday Art Walks p. 9
Las Palmas Cafe proprietor Sonia Rodriguez-Fuentes with her children, Brian Dean Pearson and Jacqueline Fuentes. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala
Trio of New Bills Could Fix Badly Broken Port Drayage System By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
unjustly,” said Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a daughter of a port trucker and the author of Senate Bill 338, which would have large retailers liable for trucking company violations, strengthening enforcement and plugging loopholes in SB 1402, passed in 2019. “During the COVID-19 pandemic this included a failure to provide PPE at our ports, the largest ports in the nation,” Gonzalez declared. “Sanitizing shared equipment, notifying workers about potential COVID-19 exposures were non-existent. This is not what California stands for. How can we, as the fifthlargest economy, allow these injustices to continue at [See New Bills, p. 4]
April 29 - May 12, 2021
“Wage theft, unsafe working conditions, no safety net. This is the reality of thousands of port drivers like me,” said Juan Carlos Giraldo at an April 6 press conference. “And it doesn’t just hurt us. It hurts our families and it hurts our communities.” But that could finally start to change with passage of three bills whose proposal to the California legislature was announced that day in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis on top of the long-standing exploitation of drivers misclassified as independent contractors. “Today, we’re saying loud and clear again that we’re not [going to] continue to have our port drivers treated
The face on the plate: A family tradition that made Mother’s Day special p. 10
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
Sonia Rodriguez-Fuentes, 51, is a vanguard of a second generation of entrepreneurs. From her youthful appearance and staff uniform of blue jeans and black Las Palmas T-shirt, she is virtually indistinguishable from the staff with whom she works alongside on a daily basis. Rodriguez-Fuentes is a woman who, despite her sense of guilt about the amount of time the restaurant takes from her and her children, enjoys working sideby-side with her staff, making the restaurant’s longtime clientele happy. “It’s a strange feeling because I want them to know I’m working just as hard as they are,” Rodriguez-Fuentes said. “I have always done my best to understand my employees’ needs, and I try to make our working environment harmonious.” Her two children, 17-year-old Brian Dean Pearson and 9-year-old Jacqueline Fuen-
Port trucker Juan Carlos Giraldo in May 2020 delivering a letter and petition to Jaime L. Lee, president of the Board of Harbor Commissioners demanding protections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. File photo
Worldwide COVID-19 deaths as of April 28, 2021: 3,157,044 • USA: 587,504 • Calif.: 61,524 • LA County: 23,802 For the latest stats visit: www.randomlengthsnews.com/covid19
1
Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 40 Years
SpaceX Lands in Long Beach By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
SpaceX is coming to the Port of Long Beach, said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia in a press release on April 26. Starting May 1, the aerospace company will occupy the port’s Pier T, which was formerly occupied by Sea Launch, which vacated it a year ago. Sea Launch occupied the property for 20 years, and before that, it was the site of a United States Navy Complex. The Port of Long Beach Harbor Commissioners unanimously approved a two-year lease for the project on April 26. SpaceX will occupy about 6.5 acres, including 2.85 acres of land, 3.54 acres of submerged land. Eamonn Killeen, director of real estate for the port, said that this deal took a lot of effort from his staff, including moving Sea Launch out, and getting the facility market ready. “We worked closely with our engineering division as well as our maintenance division to address any deficiencies that needed to be brought up to par,” Killeen said at the April 26 meeting of the harbor commissioners. Killeen said that SpaceX will be using the majority of a 90,000 square feet warehouse and some acreage adjacent to the pier. In addition, it will have full control of the pier for its recovery barges. It can also berth ships, boats and other watercraft. SpaceX will pay $107,000 per month, but
2
Community Announcements:
Harbor Area The Post-COVID Future of Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated job displacement and unemployment trends — precipitated by advancements in technology and automation. CalMatters and the Milken Institute are hosting a discussion to reimagine approaches to traditional economic development that prioritize diversity and inclusion while also identifying new ways to fund and structure advancements in workforce and infrastructure development. Time: 12 to 1:30 p.m. May 11 Details: web.cvent.com/event/post-covid-futureof-work
Get Ready for Tax Day
A launch from a SpaceX launch facility. File photo
this will be subject to annual consumer price index adjustments. The two-year lease can be terminated with 90-days written notice by SpaceX. Killeen said the port would be open to extending the lease. SpaceX will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the property including the buildings and any improvements. However, the
port will maintain the primary wharf structure of the pier. Any improvements will be done on SpaceX’s dime, but only with the port’s approval. SpaceX will be required to apply to federal, state and local environmental standards. Because of this, it will need to use tugs with the cleanest available engines, and any off-road equipment that it purchases must meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 final engine standards. Frank Colonna, board president of the commissioners, praised SpaceX for sending astronauts to the International Space Station in one of its capsules just a few days prior to the meeting. “What an extraordinary situation compared to how it was a number of years ago,” Colonna said. “This is now private enterprise that’s working in conjunction with government and NASA to deliver this type of technology and transportation.” Alex Chairin, a representative of Curtin Maritime, a local business that operates in the port, expressed support for the project, as well as some concerns. He said that Curtin Maritime has been working with port staff for the past year to try to find a permanent location within the port’s boundaries. “Unfortunately, this property … was a prime location for the relocation of Curtin Maritime,” Chairin said. “While we understand the desire of the commission staff is to go with SpaceX, we would respectfully request that in order to prevent the displacement of Curtin Maritime and their relocation to Northern California, that as part of the motion today, if you could convince staff to continue to work with Curtin Maritime to find a location that will allow them to continue to service the port and its tenants.” Colonna said it was unnecessary to add what Chairin requested to the motion but said that the commissioners will ask port staff to continue to work with Curtin Maritime. Mario Cordero, executive director of the port, said there were several entities interested in that property, including Curtin Maritime. “This is not a situation where they’re being displaced, at least from that area,” Cordero said. “We’ll continue to have our discussions with our parties that are interested in being present in the Port of Long Beach.”
With tax day less than a month away, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin seeks to reduce the stress of meeting the May 17 filing deadline by offering low- to moderate-income Angelenos a new, interactive map of free tax preparation service providers throughout the area. The map lists 55 tax prep assistance locations that include local community-based organizations and resource centers. Galperin created the free tax preparation map specifically to aid individuals and households who earn less than $57,000 annually and qualify for state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits. Taxpayers who have disabilities, are elderly or with limited English skills are encouraged to check eligibility for these free services. All service locations on the map are staffed with IRS-certified volunteers who provide basic tax prep services, in addition to enrollment specialists who can help people sign up for public benefits like the CalFresh food assistance program. Details: https://lacontroller.org/data-stories-andmaps/free-tax-prep
New LA County Worker Protections
More businesses are now able to open as The County of Los Angeles enters the orange tier. As those businesses open, they must always follow proper public health protocols. Thanks to a new Los Angeles County law, if you work at a business that is violating health protocols, you can report it without fear of retaliation. Your employer cannot retaliate or discriminate against you (e.g. fire or threaten to fire you, cut your hours, demote, suspend, or discipline you) because you complain about workplace violations of public health laws, rules and regulations. Details: 800-593-8222; noretaliation@dcba. lacounty.gov.
Neighborhood Purpose Grants Available
The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council has announced that $8,000 in unused funds from the election budget have become available for Neighborhood Purpose Grants to nonprofit 501c3s and to public schools. Applications are being accepted now and will be reviewed at the finance committee meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. May 10. It will be decided at that time which applications will be recommended to the full board at 6:30 p.m. May 18. Plan to attend the May 10 meeting to support your application. Submit completed application no later than 5 p.m. May 7. Details: https://centralsanpedronc.org/neighborhood-purpose-grants; centralsanpedronc@gmail. com
Website Centralizes Services for LA County’s Immigrants
The Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs has launched a newly redesigned website to help the county’s 3.6 million immigrants access information about critical wraparound services available to them and their families. Details: https://oia.lacounty.gov.
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Available
All LA County residents are eligible for the free COVID-19 vaccine. As restrictions begin to loosen, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urges businesses, entities and residents to continue exercising caution even as they become more active. Vaccine appointments are available. Details: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/vaccine [See Announcements, p. 4]
NC Leaders Weigh in on Buscaino’s $3 Million Grant Program By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter
Although he was among the only two members of the Los Angeles City Council to vote against cutting $150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department this past June, the community grants program that District 15 Councilman Joe Buscaino proudly announced on April 6 is funded with $3 million of that reallocated money. With his vote against the budget, the councilman gets to be true to his roots as a cop and provide his district with the extra goodies that come with the saved money. The next thing to watch for is what projects the grants go to. Nonprofits from San Pedro, Harbor City, Wilmington, Harbor Gateway and Watts have until April 30 to apply for grants from $10,000 to $100,000. After that, residents of the City of Los Angeles can vote for one proposal per community from May 10 to May 30. “I believe each [council district] is getting probably about the same $3 million,” said Ryan Ferguson, field deputy for Buscaino, at the April 20 meeting of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council. “But there are other … allocations from the $150 million that are going to various departments and programs.” Harbor City Neighborhood Council President Danielle Sandoval said $12.5 million was allocated to Council District 15 out of the $150 million that was cut, but only $3 million is being offered in grants.
ministrative Officer Richard H. Llewellyn Jr. and Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon M. Tso revealed that approximately $12.1 million is proposed to be allocated to CD 15, all of which is going to specific services, such as reimagining public safety and homelessness. $3,078,123.34 is proposed to be allocated to Buscaino’s grant program. $1,000,000 will go to San Pedro; $328,123.34 will go to Harbor City; $550,000 will go to Wilmington; and $1,200,000 will go to Watts. Sandoval recently attended a town hall meeting in South Los Angeles with Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Mark Ridley-Thomas, who are involvCouncilman Joe Buscaino at a March 20 marathon with Port of Los ing the community in how the reAngeles High School and Dodson Middle School in Long Beach. Pho- appropriated funds will be used. to by Arturo Garcia-Ayala She argued that it would have been smart for Buscaino to do the same. “It hasn’t been transparent as to where the “It’s just disheartening that … there’s not rest of the money is going, and what that process is,” Sandoval said. “And, the community hasn’t a lot of transparency or communication, or outeven been told at all to see where we want the reach to the community,” Sandoval said. “I do money allocated; however the money that was think it’s a good thing that the money is going allocated was supposed to go to disadvantaged to nonprofits, I just would like the whole community to be involved in that, and it doesn’t feel communities, communities of color.” However, a joint report from City Ad- like it is. It feels political.”
Even though there are several neighborhood councils in the areas represented, the selection process circumvents them entirely, instead relying on a website where the public votes. “It’s an interesting exercise in direct democracy,” said Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council President Doug Epperhart. “In terms of having the neighborhood councils involved, they can be plenty involved. They can look at the proposals and come forward and say hey, we think people should support this one, or that one.” Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council President Lou Caravella said it would be nice if the neighborhood councils were included in the process, especially given how often they work with local nonprofits and people in their neighborhoods. “That being said, we are familiar with it, and the councilman’s office told us about it, so we’re trying to promote it,” Caravella said. Caravella said he would be open to his council reviewing the proposals, and seeing if there are any standouts. He said the council could find out where the community’s interest lies. “That’s another advantage that neighborhood councils have,” Caravella said. “We get opinions on the priority of the neighborhood pretty frequently.” Sandoval argued that the neighborhood councils should be involved in the process. “We’re the voice of the community,” Sandoval said. “We’re the ones on the ground, we’re the ones … in contact with our neighbors, with our stakeholders.” Sandoval said that she has been involved with the neighborhood councils for seven years and has been on the board of both Harbor City and Central San Pedro. During that time, she has [See Grants, p. 5]
Real People, Real News, Really Effective April 29 - May 12, 2021
3
Community Announcements:
Harbor Area
[Announcements, from p. 2]
LBPL Launches Chromebook and Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending Service
The Long Beach Public Library has launched Tech To-Go, a new Chromebook computer and Mifi hotspot lending service to support school students. Tech To-Go devices are equipped with automatic web filters, including Google SafeSearch for all Chromebook sessions and high school-level filters on the Mifi hotspots. The Mifi filters are geared toward students, but the devices can be used by non-students for activities including: job searching, career development, research projects and skill-building. Full-access library cardholders 18-years and older can schedule requests for devices online or by calling the library directly. Staff assistance is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Devices may be loaned for two weeks at a time. Parents or guardians must use their library cards to borrow the devices for those who are younger than 18 years old. Tech To-Go service is available at all LBPL To-Go locations: Bret Harte, Billie Jean King Main Library, Bay Shore, El Dorado, Los Altos, Mark Twain and Michelle Obama Library. Details: www.longbeach.gov/library
Drive-Thru Household Waste Roundup
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
The County of Los Angeles is holding a drivethru household hazardous waste/electronic waste roundup event May 1, in the city yard at Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall. This event is open to all LA County residents. For a list of do’s and don’ts, visit: bit. ly/3x9iumt. Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m May 1 Details: lacsd.org/hhw or call 800-238-0173. Venue: Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd.
4
[Mindset, from p. 6]
New Bills Focus on Fixing Broken System our port? It’s not fair and we must fight.” For five years, Giraldo has worked for Container Connection, a subsidiary of Universal Logistics Holdings, the subject of a recent Cal OSHA complaint he helped file on March 15, and the subject of an April 14 strike that was honored by ILWU dockworkers who refused to load Universal Logistics Holdings trucks. “Container Connection denies us our basic rights for a minimum wage,” Giraldo stated. “They do that by calling us independent contractors. But we’re independent in name only. We have to follow the company rules. The company can discipline us. We don’t run our businesses. We’re just like any other employee except without the protections.” Unemployment insurance is one of those protections, the lack of which constituted a pandemic within the pandemic last year. Another bill, Senate Bill 700, introduced by Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, would directly redress that problem, making trucking companies responsible for unemployment insurance. “My work dropped by 80%, when the pandemic hit,” Giraldo said. But he was just one of thousands. “As the pandemic hit and the amount of cargo in the ports dropped many, many drivers found themselves out of work,” Durazo said at an April 19 hearing on her bill. “When they applied for benefits, many were denied. Even worse, some of those classified drivers were deemed to be employers of other drivers, making them liable for … [unemployment insurance] taxes, instead of the companies profiting from their work.
Teamster port truckers shut down a Port of Los Angeles major terminal on April 12 for illegally firing truck drivers, denying drivers back pay, and refusing to recognize and bargain with the union the drivers voted to join. File photo
“[Those] decisions are being overturned on appeal, but workers cannot and should not wait. Their very survival, their ability to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table depends on timely access to benefits when work dries up. “SB 700 is critical to provide certainty and clarity to the EDD on who the true employer is, so that port trucking companies cannot evade liability under California’s complex UI code.” “To be clear, the legal system has weighed in,” said Teamsters Port Division lawyer Julie Gutman Dickenson in that hearing. “In every California state and federal court case, at every agency from the CUIAB [California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board] to the DLSE [Division of Labor Standards Enforcement], the DOL [US Department of Labor] to the NLRB [National Labor Relations Board] port drivers have been uniformly found to be employees of the trucking companies they work for, not employees of an LLC their employers incentivized them to obtain, and not employers or employees of their coworkers with whom they share a truck.” In short, SB 700 is simply codifying existing law, as interpreted by those responsible for enforcing it, removing a baseless cloud of confusion. SB 338, in contrast, is addressing shortcomings in a previous bill SB 1402, which have become apparent since it went into law. As Random Lengths News explained in 2019, it made retailers like Walmart and Target jointly liable for port trucker wage theft violations, along with the trucking companies directly responsible. Violators were placed on a list, so there could be no claims of innocent mistakes. “[T]oo many loopholes have left the bill ineffective in achieving system change,” said Shane Gusman, testifying on behalf of the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council on April 21. “We need SB 338 to fill these loopholes and make sure the exploitation ends once and for all.” Caitlin Vega, representing the Teamsters Port Division, provided specifics. “SB 338 proses three important changes to make the law more effective in raising labor standards at the port,” Vega said. “It adds health and safety violations, it creates a category for prior offenders who continually misclassify, and it adds an audit requirement to ensure that illegal conduct has stopped before a company is removed from the list.” The California Trucking Association has opposed the bill, but the teamsters have met with them several times. “And today we are accepting amendments
on many of the issues they’ve raised,” Vega said. Violations would be limited to final determinations, and the definition of prior offenders would be narrowed. Differences remain, but discussions continue. The third bill — Assembly Bill 798, the Climate Jobs and Equity Act authored by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo — represents a major part of California’s climate/jobs agenda. It would ensure that public funding to manufacture and purchase cleaner vehicles — including port trucks — is tied to labor standards, including proper classification. “AB 794 will get us to zero emission vehicles and secure compliance with labor laws, high-road workplace standards, create jobs for many of those who need them the most, and address climate and equity issues in our local communities,” Carrillo said at an April 21 press conference. “We need long term equitable and sustainable solutions, with economic development strategies to build back better for the COVID-19 pandemic and address systemic racism and economic justice. AB 794 shows how to do this with two iconic American industries: truck driving and auto manufacturing. “This is very personal to me. I grew up in a neighborhood with poor air quality. My little sister developed asthma, and we almost lost her.” Her current situation is similar. “The 51st Assembly District is surrounded by the 5 or 10 the 60 the 710 to the 134 and the 110 freeways,” she stressed. “This is a very real issue in my community. “California vehicle incentive programs function like a gate: vehicles enter the gate and trucking companies drive them out. AB 794 sets baseline standards for company performance on treatment of workers — domestic manufacturing and hiring disadvantaged workers — for a manufacturer to send a vehicle through the gate, and trucking companies to drive trucks out of the gate.” Manufacturing-side requirements include apprenticeship programs, domestic production and competitive pay requirements, hiring of disadvantaged workers and preservation of dispute resolution options. Trucking side requirements include compliance with labor, health and safety laws. “The bottom line is this: California should not subsidize companies that violate workers rights or shift the cost of going green onto the backs of workers or the state safety net,” Carrillo stated. “Public funding should reward companies that follow the law and respect workers because [See Trucking, p. 5]
Drive for Vaccine Profits Means Thousands More Will Die Cargo Surge Breaks First Quarter Records At POLA
SAN PEDRO — The Port of Los Angeles processed 957,599 twenty-foot equivalent units, TEUs, in March, a 113% leap compared to March 2020 when global trade slowed to a crawl at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the strongest March in the port’s 114-year history, its busiest first quarter and by far the largest monthly yearover-year increase. Year to date, overall cargo volume has increased 44% compared to 2020. March 2021 loaded imports reached 490,115 TEUs, an increase of 123% compared to the previous year. Loaded exports edged up 1.5% to 122,899 TEUs. Empty containers, heavily in demand in Asia, surged 219% compared to March 2020 reaching 344,585 TEUs. A traffic jamb of ships anchored outside the twin ports is still waiting to unload. Details: www.youtube.com/watch?/cargo-surgepola
Newly Formed Commission
Probation
Oversight
LOS ANGELES — The Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors announced on April 15 membership of the leadership team of the newly formed Probation Oversight Commission, which will monitor the Probation Department’s progress on systemic reform. All the people on the newly elected leadership team bring experience with justice reform in their professional and personal lives. The commission elected Franky Carrillo as its first chairman. Carrillo is a dedicated father and advocate who speaks up for those who have been silenced by the criminal justice system like he once was. The commission also elected Esché Jackson as vice chairwoman. Jackson leverages her firsthand and intergenerational justice system
By Mark Friedman, Columnist
Actions by the Joe Biden administration, in refusing to share the U.S. government-owned patent of the coronavirus vaccine, ensures the profits of the rich who own the giant for-profit pharmaceutical and medical insurance monopolies. It also guarantees that tens of thousands more will die — just as in Brazil 5,000 are dying per day for lack of vaccines. But there is another approach championed by Cuba, the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization: free vaccines for every single person in Cuba and for every country in the world that wants it by ending the “intellectual property rights” of the vaccine and allowing others to manufacture it. This was the policy of Jonas Salk who developed the polio vaccine six decades ago. He gave it freely to the world. It’s essential that all workers and their families get vaccinated to stop coronavirus and reach what is known as “herd immunity.” Working people, farmers and youth have been decimated by layoffs, job combinations and speedup, accelerated by the pandemic. Our response must be to band together where we work to defend our jobs, wages and to campaign on a national level for a public works program to create millions of jobs at union-scale wages, with safety committees organized by us. Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and other pharmaceutical companies received $2.3 billion in government funding (i.e., our tax dollars) for vaccine research, development and distribution. Yet they refuse to share their vaccine formula. This medicine-for-profit approach, along
Cuban people greeted with excitement and pride the progression of late-stage trials of two of the five vaccines they developed — Soberana 2 and Abdala —with Cuba becoming the first
Cuba’s goal is not only to provide inoculation against COVID-19 to its people, and to anyone who visits Cuba, but also to make it available around the world. Cuba’s government is organizing to provide free vaccines to the most exploited nations and at a sliding scale to others. Like other internationalist aid Cuba has provided around the world, the vaccine development is done under the principle, “We don’t give what we have left over. We share what we have.” While Cuba has the vaccine in near trial completion, they lack syringes and vials. Thus, an international campaign in Europe and in the U.S. (through the “Saving Lives Campaign”) is raising money to buy and send these critical, yet simple, medical supplies. For more information and to assist, contact the Los Angeles U.S. Hands off Cuba Committee at: la.us.handsoffcuba@gmail.com
April 29 - May 12, 2021
“It’s going to be interesting to see what comes forward,” Epperhart said. “The criteria is actually really broad, perhaps too broad. But, you know, the proof is in the pudding, so I guess we’ll see what comes out.” Epperhart said there is no real centralized reporting on police activity, and that people mainly rely on newspapers. “There’s a lot of things that need to be addressed,” Epperhart said. Epperhart said he would be disappointed if the program has several projects proposing the beautification of sections of Tarzana and South Shores or the west side. However, there is a chance for these grants to make a real difference. “I’d like to see a program that looks at teaching people about things like implicit bias, a program that really sets up a civilian monitoring of police activity,” Epperhart said.
experience has shown us that these policies and incentive programs to upgrade fleets without labor standards do not work. The misclassification of port drayage truck drivers for instance has been an obstacle to meeting climate change action goals and ensuring California air resources board air quality targets are met, because misclassified drivers have been unlawfully forced to bear all the cost of transitioning to clean trucks.” “AB 794 is a blueprint not only for California but for the working class throughout the United States,” said Romeo Torres, chairman of the United Auto Workers in the Ontario parts department. “Under the current law manufacturers receive taxpayers dollars for electric vehicles but don’t have to meet any requirements for creating jobs in California. This bill would help support U.S. job creation and support quality jobs so workers can support their family. California is the largest electric vehicle market in the United States. The message that California sends to the auto industry matters.” Together, this trio of bills may finally put an end to the systemic misclassification of port drivers, and the resulting wage theft and loss of worker protections. It’s telling that this will only happen in conjunction with responding to two other crises — the climate crisis and the COVID pandemic — which have highlighted injustices ignored for so long. After decades of struggle — at times with no allies at all — justice for port drivers is long overdue.
never seen Buscaino, a former LAPD officer, speak at any of their meetings. However, his field deputies do attend the meetings. “It’s very disappointing,” Sandoval said. “I’m more in contact with the field deputies than with our councilman. To be considered for a grant, nonprofits’ proposals must be in at least one of seven categories, including: • Addressing homelessness and its root causes, including addressing and preventing poverty • Addressing racial disparities • City services/beautification • Jobs/economic development • Nonprofit/community Investment • Recreation/youth programming • Reimagining public safety
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
Grants
Trucking
Cuba: ‘We share what we have’
Latin American country to make its own vaccine. It will vaccinate 1.7 million people — most of the adult population of Havana — by the end of May. The goal is to inoculate 70% of the population by August, the rest by the end of the year, Dr. Ileana Morales Suárez of Cuba’s Ministry of Health reported on Cuban television. How is Cuba able to do this? Cuba’s program relies on four basic principles. • Vaccination efforts encompass the entire Cuban people. • Vaccination is integrated into primary health care services. • The program relies on active community participation. • Vaccination is free of charge.
[Grants, from p. 3]
[Trucking, from p. 4]
[See News Briefs, p. 8]
with protectionism, and vaccinating rich countries first leaves billions in underdeveloped countries without the possibility of vaccination for months to come, if at all. Prolonging the pandemic will continue to devastate the livelihood of millions, and increase the potential of viral mutations that can sweep across the globe, as we are already witnessing. Most of the 142 countries enrolled in Covax, a program run by the World Health Organization, are in dire straits. The Guardian reported in January that Africa, with a population of 1.3 billion, will receive only 140 million doses by June, at best. And the Covax program is unraveling as pharma giants prioritize deals with the highest bidders. More than 7 billion vaccine doses had been purchased globally, with 4.2 billion going to major capitalist countries, the Guardian reports. The truth is the scarcity of vaccines is created by the workings of capitalist for-profit medical systems. Rather than mobilize all the resources of society, vaccine creation and production is left to the “market” and its “profit motive.” There are many facilities internationally that could produce the vaccine if given the hoarded formula. The winners hope to make trillions. Working people are the losers.
5
The Most Insidious Form of Censorship Not being invited to the meeting By James Preston Allen, Publisher
be conducted to consider what types of uses are appropriate for this location goingforward. Second, Lots E & F are currently being used to support development of the waterfront. Specifically, they are needed as overflow parking lots by tenants of the former Ports O’ Call site. The problem with the virtual Board of Harbor Commission meetings is that even as an allowed speaker, I couldn’t be seen on the Zoom video and the syncing of the video with the phone audio was frustratingly dysfunctional. Yet the motions were presented and Seroka did respond, similar to above. But there could be “no discussion” because of their interpretation of the Brown Act — a curious interpretation. In Seroka’s formal written response to the neighborhood council presidents, he stated the same position. Then his letter gets placed on the agenda item for a private meeting consisting of neighborhood council presidents and the executive officers at the chamber of commerce. This was a meeting few area residents knew about and did not adhere to the Brown Act. I was intentionally excluded from attending even though the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council voted for me to speak on this issue on its behalf. Yet, the invitations sent out by Augie Bezmalinovich didn’t include one for me, with the permissive acquiescence of Lou Caravella, the new president of CeSPNC, who had only held the title a week drinking the Kool-Aid.
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
I was reminded this week that one of the subtlest yet insidious forms of censorship is just not to be invited to the meeting where you don’t ask uncomfortable questions. As a journalist, this happens more often than you might expect and with the virtual meetings of the pandemic, it’s only gotten worse. Let me explain. In my last column, “Economic Refugees and Safe Encampments,” I argued for port properties, Lots E and F at the foot of 22nd Street in San Pedro, to be used as a site for a safe homeless encampment. This issue was first addressed at a March Board of Harbor Commission meeting where as the designated representative I was given five minutes to read, but not discuss the motions from two neighborhood councils. I filed a public records act request with the port after Gene Seroka, the executive director of the port, responded to two San Pedro Neighborhood Councils requests for a temporary use of the same property to serve the homeless. He replied both during a Harbor Commission board meeting and in a letter to the neighborhood councils that, “these lots are situated on a site that contains contaminated soil.” He continued, explaining: The site is currently under oversight by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, and use of it for homeless individuals could jeopardize their health. Once cleanup of the contaminated soil is completed, a health risk assessment must
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com
6
Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya
“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it is, but to make people mad enough to do something about it.” —Mark Twain Vol. XLII : No. 9
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
So there’s a private meeting, with an overwhelming number of port employees and a bunch of people who couldn’t read (or care to read) a toxicology soil study if they were forced to. My point is that even though Seroka has admitted that the “homeless crisis is an existential threat,” he and others don’t get that it’s an “immediate threat,” not just to the unsheltered but also to the entire community. And that if this is a crisis, then it should be addressed as a crisis with an all-hands-on-deck kind of cooperation from all departments of the city, including POLA. What I find unacceptable is that in the world’s wealthiest nation, in the shadows of America’s most profitable ports, less than half of 1% of our population is living in destitute poverty. This has nothing to do with being existential — it’s just morally wrong if not economically stupid. However, what we have gotten in the form of an excuse is a fact that reveals something the rest of San Pedro and all of Los Angeles have long ago forgotten (kind of like the DDT barrels dumped in the San Pedro Channel) — that the parcels of land down near lots E and F, once known as the GATX Annex, are still contaminated from an industrial fire that happened there almost 50 years ago! A San Pedro News Pilot article written by none other than Xavier Hermosillo recorded this event. The toxic mix of chemicals at that facility was later further exposed in Random Lengths News’ very first issue in 1979. Don’t get me wrong, there has been some “remediation” of this property over the years. Yet, if you travel down 22nd Street you’ll see a large parcel completely fenced off — that was GATX. That fenced off area was not Lot E and F, formerly known as Warehouse 12. The areas called Lot E and F are being used as a public parking lot.
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 Richard Foss, Mark Friedman, Greggory Moore, Dr. Wayne Pernell Cartoonists Andy Singer, Jan Sorensen, Matt Wuerker
James Campeau recently emailed me saying, “I think the port has put people in danger over many years with their contamination BS, as they have allowed use of Lot E & F as it is currently.” Yet, it is not certain that the entire property is so contaminated as to be unusable. Campeau noted that, “after the 1972 fire at the GATX ANNEX, Warehouse 12 was used for 20-plus years after the fire. I think an attorney would love this case. The Port of Los Angeles wants it both ways. It is either safe or close it up.” However, this is just one part of the not so public discussions that have been taking place while the rest of San Pedro have been in quarantine or otherwise preoccupied by not getting COVID-19 and dying. Public attendance at virtual meetings has limited access for many reasons — old computers, lack of resources or the complications of being on the right-somebody’s email list to get the Zoom invitation. And that’s only if it’s not a private, invitation-only Zoom meeting. The main reason why San Pedro and the rest of Los Angeles feel so disempowered is not that nearly everything can be found on your computer, it’s just that there is so much junk that gets on the internet that navigating around any particular website is like looking for Waldo — and then there’s the insidious censorship of not being given the password or link to actually speak at a virtual meeting. Once people recover from this lost year of the pandemic, they are actually going to want to know what’s been going in their name while they’ve been in quarantine. You may just have to watch the archive Zoom videos where only 20 people showed up, if you can find them. But by then it will be too late to speak and be heard.
Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya, Brenda Lopez
Address correspondence regarding news items and tips to Random Lengths News, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733-0731, or email: editor@randomlengthsnews.com.
Advertising Sales Chris Rudd Chris@RandomLengthsNews.com
Send Letters to the Editor to james@randomlengthsnews.com. To be considered for publication, letters must be signed with address and phone number (for verification purposes) and be about 250 words.
Editorial Interns Ruby Cherie Munoz, Iracema Navarro, Julio Tejada Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 Fax: (310) 832-1000 www.randomlengthsnews.com Random Lengths News office is located at 1300 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731
For advertising inquiries or to submit advertising copy, email: rlnsales@randomlengthsnews.com. Annual subscription is $40 for 27 issues. Back issues are available for $3/copy while supplies last. Random Lengths News presents issues from an alternative perspective. We welcome articles and opinions from all people in the Harbor Area. While we may not agree with the opinions of contributing writers, we respect and support their 1st Amendment right. Random Lengths News is a member of Standard Rates and Data Services and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. (ISN #0891-6627). All contents Copyright 2021 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.
RANDOMLetters Re: April 15, 2021 “At Length” Column
Your article regarding Safe Encampments is brilliant! Your definition of “economic refugees,” the possible reasons for being “shelter resistant,” the ridiculous cost of “clean sweeps” and the understanding of the human need to create social networks, all point to your suggested “Safe Camping” sites.
I wonder if there is a legal reason keeping these camps from being formed because it seems like a realistic and humane solution. Michele Vanderlip Rancho Palos Verdes Los Angeles has opened its first government-run homeless encampment, on a parking lot by the 101 freeway in East Hollywood. This comes weeks after officials shut down what was one of
the city’s largest encampments at Echo Park Lake, two miles away. The question for Councilman Joe Buscaino is whether he’s going to wait for Judge David O. Carter to issue an order to do the same in CD15? James Preston Allen Publisher
California Recall
It’s hard to know where to begin. Last week, celebrity and television personality Caitlyn Jenner announced she was running as part
Unpaint That Picture
We have reason to believe that Mark Zuckerberg, and the Oversight Board he created, will make the wrong decision later this month by allowing Donald Trump
“I hate Illinois Nazis.” — John Belushi (AKA Jake Blues)
Sweet Home Chicago, do yourselves a favor and make this the final season for the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks. “Blackhawks?” Seriously? It’s 2021, folks. Don’t be afraid of joining the rest of us in the 21st century already! Here are my 15 favorite new team name options for Chicago’s NHL franchise. Pick one, if you please, wonderful people of the Windy City: • Chicago Bike Locks • Chicago Hard Knocks • Chicago Chicken Pox • Chicago Wool Socks • Chicago Silly Walks • Chicago Detox • Chicago Dumb Jocks • Chicago Crosswalks • Chicago Jonas Salks • Chicago Woodstocks • Chicago Air Jordan High Tops • Chicago Oprah Talks • Chicago Ham Hocks • Chicago Wayne’s World Rocks • Chicago Fighting Cocks Jake Pickering Arcata, Calif.
Send letters to the editor to: letters@randomlengthsnews.com. To be considered for publication, your letter must include your name, phone number (not for print) and the city in which you reside. Please keep the word count to 250 words or less.
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Dr Wayne D. Pernell is the president of Dynamic Leader®, Inc. He founded the #StartsWithOne™ movement, he is a member of the Forbes Business Council, he is a TEDx Speaker, has been featured in the Amazon Prime Television series SpeakUp Season 2, and is regularly seen on television as well as heard on radio and podcasts around the world.
Trump Back On Facebook
Chicago Fighting Cocks
What happens when someone offers their worldview? Do you argue your stance or might you take the time to understand their perspective? They’ve changed and you can’t see it if you’re stuck looking through your old glasses. Maybe their worldview hasn’t changed the way you’d like; maybe it’s gotten further solidified. Notice. Just notice. You’ve changed and you know it. You might not know all of it… yet. You’re not the same person you were 20 years ago. You’re not the same person you were 10, five, or two years ago. You’re not the same person you were last year! Heck, look at how resilient and courageous you became! Might you acknowledge in some self-reflective place, that you’re not the same person you were last month, last week, or even yesterday? I’m certainly not who I was. Not from 20 years ago, not from a couple of months ago, and not even from yesterday when a casual meeting with a friend sparked a new idea for how to reshape my business model. It affirmed something in me and changed my outlook. A casual meeting created a life-changing directional thrust. My lunch-date has no idea that our conversation had such an impact on my trajectory. The problem is we miss things. Most people won’t see the changes others have experienced unless they dare to ask. They won’t notice how thinking, personal worldview, or values have evolved. Sure, we can live them and model them, yet most people won’t see them unless they’re called out. We have a picture of who the other is or is supposed to be. That “supposed to” is a subconscious process based on the need for object constancy. We need each other to be who we were to each other. Unless we don’t. Growth is predicated on the expansion of life in all forms. Thought is the first place that any reality exists. First thought, then comes physical expression of that thought. To grow and encourage the growth in others, we need to unpaint the picture that we held. What was is no longer what is. Seek a new perspective. Look for what has changed in the world around you and especially in the people around you. Unpaint the picture enough to recognize that your life is dynamic. So too are the lives of others. The picture isn’t static. See yourself — and others — for who you each are now… and now… and now… and now….
back onto Facebook. Zuckerberg has a wellestablished pattern of behavior whenever his platform faces public criticism of its record on white supremacy and disinformation. He trots out meaningless actions designed for PR, not for real change. And all of us pay the price. If Facebook again prioritizes greed over our democracy, safety and health, our movement must be ready to stand up and fight. The fact is, we have little reason to expect that the Facebook Oversight Board will do what is clearly the right thing. Facebook selected board members and pays them to do their work. Facebook decides what they review and limits the content they can base their decisions on. No one would respect a climate-change study funded by Exxon Mobil. Or a nutrition report from sugar-industry scientists. A ruling from the Facebook Oversight Board is the same thing, dressed up for the internet age. Free Press and Free Press Action are nonpartisan organizations fighting for your rights to connect and communicate. Free Press and Free Press Action do not support or oppose any candidate for public office. Editorial Board of Free Press Florence, Mass.
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
By Dr. Wayne Pernell We humans are social. We have a strong desire (need) to be acknowledged and that’s why my #StartsWithOne movement is such a big deal. To witness another’s life and to be witnessed by another, those basic constructs are foundational to alleviating the existential dilemma’s pressure to define self. It comes down to, “I’m seen/acknowledged, therefore I am.” The problem is, we miss things. We’re just not that observant. In fact, we’re lazy, relying on a built-in psychological construct from infancy called Object Constancy. If a ball rolls behind a block, we anticipate that same ball will roll out from behind that block. If we park our car in a certain spot, we expect it to be the same car in the same spot when we come out. It’s why magical illusions are so fascinating — what was once a woman is now a tiger! Poof! The problem is that because we expect things to remain the same, we miss things about ourselves and we miss things about each other. We overlook the growth and development that we’ve each experienced. The old, “my how you’ve changed” exclamation that comes from grandparents typically expresses the reality of a difference in height from the last visit to present. We don’t do the same for each other as adults. That could be a new greeting, instead of “Hi, how are you?” let’s begin with “Tell me what’s changed!” As much as we each crave the novel experience, it’s a basic human need, so too do we rely on things remaining the same. We damage relationships with each other when we do so. And this is especially true in families. Reflect on how often people revert or feel like they’re expected to revert to some old childhood role when they visit “home.” This happens among family members who connect beyond the bounds of what used to be home. Become intentionally aware. We miss things… unless we’re deliberately vigilant. Here’s a quick practice you might want to take up: The next time you meet up with a family member or friend, even someone you talk to regularly, even someone you see daily —ask yourself, “what’s changed? Where has this person grown since I last connected with them?” Take inventory for yourself, as well. It’s a great practice. If you’re going to be intentional about looking for the growth in others, start with that practice for yourself. How has your thinking changed since yesterday? What enlightening idea did you encounter? What new experience did you bring into your life that expanded your thought process? The answers could be found in something as simple as reading a post like this that invites you to examine your thinking or in a conversation with a friend who offers a unique perspective on world events.
of the Republican recall effort to unseat Gavin Newsom. The facts speak for themselves: Jenner supported Donald Trump when he first ran for President. And before her campaign launch, we learned that Trump’s former campaign manager — someone with direct access to Trump and his donor base — was leading Jenner’s campaign team. The last thing California needs is a celebrity governor beholden to Donald Trump. Not while we’re getting COVID-19 under control and our economy back on track. Unlike Donald Trump, Gavin Newsom put science and public health first, and that’s exactly why Trump Republicans are going after him. Gavin Newsom is up for reelection next year, but Republicans know they can’t win a general election in California, since their policies are so backward and unpopular. Instead, they are wasting millions of taxpayers’ dollars on a recall campaign. This is a critical moment for our state and we need to defeat the Republican recall efforts against our governor. Adam Schiff Congress Representative California’s 28th District
7
[Motherhood, from p. 1]
Dedication to Motherhood, Entrepreneurship tes (whose father she married) watched their mother’s struggles firsthand, balancing the struggles of entrepreneurship and motherhood. Rodriguez-Fuentes talks about her biggest disappointments, noting that they include prioritizing the restaurant high enough to cancel family plans to address an emergency. Her children recount the specific instances in which their mother had to go to the restaurant instead of vacationing with them. “It is upsetting, and when my kids were younger they didn’t understand but now they’re used to it,” Rodriguez-Fuentes said. “Running a business is a full-time endeavor and I do my best to navigate both my career and my family…. I carry guilt about my role as both a mother and a businesswoman.” The cafe is a few blocks north of the train tracks separating Wilmington from the City of Carson. Established in 1960, the restaurant is a classic old-style place with red tuck-n-roll booths. Originally operated by the Reyes family, the Rodriguezes purchased the restaurant from the Reyeses in 1985 and Rodriguez-Fuentes has worked there in one capacity or another ever since. You could say she grew up there.
Dreams and Ambitions
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
The fourth child of six, which included three brothers and two sisters. Rodriguez-Fuentes attended local schools, and earned degrees from Cal State Long Beach in business administration and international business. She once aspired to work in international trade and worked for three years at Liberty Mutual insurance in the workers compensation department. Her younger brother was running the restaurant at this time. But when the opportunity to become a full fledged member of the ILWU arose, he took the opportunity. Her father, Benjamin Rodriguez, the family patriarch who originally established the family’s restaurant holdings, offered her a choice: continue the path she had taken or take over the restaurant. Rodriguez-Fuentes took the reins of Las Palmas Cafe and shortly after she became a single mother of her first child. Most of her 12-member staff have been with the restaurant for a long time. Rodriguez-Fuentes noted there are employees who have been with the restaurant for 40 years and have retired. A significant part of the restaurant’s clientele have visited the restaurant since the days it was operated by the Reyes family and still remember the restaurant’s prior proprietor. The restaurant is an institution and Rodriguez-Fuentes works hard to maintain this atmosphere. “I’ve made friends [who] have become as much family to me as I am to them,” Rodriguez-Fuentes said. “I’ve always been told that I created an atmosphere where it’s like the TV sitcom Cheers, a place ‘where everyone knows your name.’” Rodriguez-Fuentes has hired locally, high school and college students, and the down-andout out of a sense of civic duty. She also created a food delivery program for families with a loved one stricken with cancer, called Irma’s Meals. The program is named for her elder sister who died from breast cancer. “We feed a family who is going through cancer to relieve them of the burden of cooking and enable them to gather together to enjoy their loved one who is dealing with cancer,” Rodriguez-Fuentes said. “I created Irma’s Meals as a way to honor my sister’s memory and a way to give back to others who are battling cancer.” 8
Las Palmas Cafe proprietor Sonia Rodriguez-Fuentes. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala
Beginnings of the Family Enterprise
Benjamin Rodriguez started off in the United States as a bracero worker picking fruit. “Bracero” references a World War II-era guest worker program that brought millions of Mexican guest workers to the United States. The program ended more than four decades ago. The pay was low, but Benjamin had greater aspirations. He eventually found work as a busboy at the Velvet Turtle, a high end Torrance steakhouse, back in the 1960s. He worked, he learned and he saved his money and purchased Rodriguez Billiards and placed a little taco stand right next to it. From there it expanded.
A conversation with her son quickly revealed that the values of family hard work had clearly passed down to him. Brian, a strapping 6-foot young man who’s serious about his future and his family, worked at the restaurant just like his mother did before him. When his father fell ill with prostate issues, he elected to move to San Bernardino to care for him. That meant changing schools and getting a part-time job on his own and contributing to the household. Pearson described himself as lackadaisical about life before he encountered this season of his life. “I really had to grow up,” Brian said. “My dad was having a hard time going to work and so he was like calling out. He went on disability because he couldn’t move at all.”
Behind the Las Palmas Name The name, Las Palmas, has long signified authentic Mexican cuisine, even if lines of what’s authentic versus not are sometimes blurred. One of the biggest success stories bearing the Las Palmas brand, and reinforcing this signifier, was created by Ramirez and Feraud Chili Co. in the early 1920s. According to company lore, the recipes that ended up being marketed by the company belong to Rosa Ramirez, wife of company founder Rafael B. Ramirez. Pillsbury, a subsidiary of Diageo purchased the Las Palmas brand, which was still later acquired by B&G Foods. The difference between the companies that owned the Las Palmas brand and the restaurateurs who chose to make Mexican cuisine under the Las Palmas banner is that many of those businesses remain tied to the families that run them. It’s an element that keeps Rodriguez-Fuentes grounded.
Benjamin eventually opened a second Pollo Lico in Wilmington before finally purchasing Las Palmas. The values of family first, hard work, commitment and perseverance are apparent. Rodriguez-Fuentes had just turned 15 when she had entered high school and her family had purchased Las Palmas Cafe from the Reyes family in 1985. Right off the bat she started helping out on the weekends ringing up bills as a cashier. “No questions asked. I just knew back then,” Rodriguez-Fuentes said. “Your parents told you what you had to do and you had to do it.”
Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala
Before joining his father, Pearson was an average student carrying a 2.8 GPA, who just helped out around the restaurant. After leaving to care for his father, he became a 4.0 GPA student, graduating near the top of his class with honors. “Before everything happened I was just like dangling,” Brian said. “[I thought] this is really what reality is.” Like many children of immigrant parents Sonia Rodriguez-Fuentes has worked hard and endeavored to make a place for herself and her family even with all of the impediments that life has thrown her way. In short she has persevered through it all and doesn’t expect a hand out but has received a hand-up.
[News Briefs, from p. 5]
experiences to center reform advocacy on rehabilitation, inclusivity and equity. She envisions a department driven by sound policies, perceptive approaches and collaborative oversight. Jackson is an at-large member of the commission. Dolores Canales was elected secretary for the commission. She is the founder of Family Unity Network and serves as the director for the National Network of Solitary Survivors and Families project and advocates to end the use of solitary confinement. Canales brings a wealth of leadership experience in organizing with those personally affected by incarceration, drawing from her own experiences as well as having a family member who is incarcerated. District 4 Supervisor Janice Hahn appointed Canales. The Board of Supervisors voted to create the Probation Oversight Commission in 2020 following the recommendations of the Probation Reform Implementation Team. Details: poc.lacounty.gov
Governors Call for Action to Accelerate the Clean Vehicle Transition
SACRAMENTO — On the eve of Earth Day and President Joe Biden’s climate leaders summit, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on April 21 joined a bipartisan group of 12 governors from across the country calling for the Biden administration to build on its early action to tackle climate change by creating a path to ensure that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. will be zero-emission in the near future, and by amplifying states’ investments in ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure. Details: www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/ clean-vhicle-transition
LA County to Develop Zero Emission Infrastructure Plan
SAN PEDRO — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors April 20, approved a proposal by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl to create an LA County Zero Emission Infrastructure Plan. The plan will identify gaps in the county’s current electric vehicle charging infrastructure and create a strategy to close them, especially in the county’s lowincome areas. The LA County Sustainability Plan set the goal of installing 60,000 new zero-emission vehicle charging stations by 2025, 70,000 by 2035 and ensuring 100% of all new light-duty private vehicles are zero emission vehicles by 2045. According to the California Energy Commission, there are less than 20,000 public and shared-private chargers in LA County today. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have committed to transitioning terminal equipment to zero emissions by 2030 and on-road trucks by 2035. The motion would direct the development of the county’s first Zero Emission Infrastructure Plan. The plan, which is due back to the board in 120 days, would include: • a GIS analysis of current charging stations across the county, not limited to county property; • Ways to partner with private, government and non-governmental entities in low-income communities to ensure equitable access to infrastructure and address issues of EV adoption disparity; • Possible funding strategies for the installation, operations, and maintenance of electric vehicle equipment; • A plan to provide technical assistance to cities to support streamlining of codes for electric vehicle charging equipment using the county’s code as a model.
By Melina Paris, Editorial Assistant
O
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Artists’ Input
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
n April 27, the San Pedro Waterfront Arts District Linden, who attended the first meeting, said the [a private 501c3] held its second First Thursday summary was rather superficial and the Waterfront Arts Working Group Zoom meeting, made up of artists and District has been missing the point from the start. Linden and stakeholders to determine how to redesign the San Ray Carofano of San Pedro’s Gallery 478 have been closely Pedro art walk and re-launch the event in July. invested in the art walk for a couple of decades. The previous meeting, in January, gathered many of “The message that Ray and I tried to give was that we the same suspects and a few more, to generate suggestions. need to be serious about this,” Linden said. The subsequent meeting included a preliminary survey and During the first meeting, Linden recalled the years summarized the best of the earlier suggestions and considered when the CRA was still around. He explained how it built how to apply them in these categories: marketing, event the downtown into the arts district that is still reaping the structure, live music, community outreach and food trucks. benefits of the CRA funding. In both instances, Random Lengths News solicited local “We were able to mount major exhibitions, publish artists and gallerists/curators on their thoughts about the art catalogs, it was really good,” Linden said. “Now there’s this walk. This time, Ron Linden, Laurie Steelink and once again, big void … If the district is serious and wants to do anything Michael Stearns shared their insights. progressive ... they should start investing in the arts district The San Pedro Art Walk/ First Thursdays was initiated the way that the CRA did.” in the mid 1990s and in 2008, the ACE [Arts, Culture Linden said he called on the arts district to “up some Entertainment] District was launched with a Community kind of real financial support” and for the PBID and the Redevelopment Agency or CRA grant. As Random Lengths Chamber of Commerce to do the same thing. First Thursday art opening in July 2012 at the Lofts News’ Harbor Living reported in 2008, the plan allowed for “I was also straightforward enough to tell them that Gallery. File photo. developers ... make money from the cache that is provided by a so-called arts structure, means of financial support and a five-year timeline district. But they never, ever incentivized the arts district, whether it’s the galleries, including measures to help secure affordable live-work spaces. That changed later that year when the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District emerged as a the artists, no matter what it is.” Linden said, if they really had an interest in fine arts, he would tell them to go self supporting means to manage and provide improvement and services that enhance the look around in different art environments and see what it looks like, who is at the downtown area. desk, what kind of equipment they have. Often there is someone at a desk, with PBID assessed property owners within the ACE District using a per square foot a computer and they are doing contact work. The place is clean, well lit and it’s formula based on property being residential, commercial or publicly owned. When this advertised. All of this is what successful established galleries do. measure came up for a vote it passed based on assessed property values — or in other Carofano and Linden fought feverishly to get rid of what they call the words — it skewed in favor of larger property owners, like the county, the City of LA, the “peripheral BS’’ to make it about art, local restaurants and bars. No sooner did they Port of Los Angeles and hotel property owners. succeed in that when the Chamber of Commerce decided to have food trucks at the The hope was that PBID and the ACE District could work together, but that wasn’t art walk. what happened. Artists were critical of the PBID budget which duplicated many same “That was a direct competition for local restaurants and bars,” Linden said. “If functions as the ACE District, but which were already provided for at a much lower cost. there’s going to be food trucks, put them out on the … perimeter. With the parklets A transition seemed to occur to a business oriented district with an arts district left to that we have dotting downtown San Pedro, they have been very successful. They survive on its own while being taxed. salvaged a lot of restaurants here.” Linden said that with the new parklets, food trucks would be such a street Linden, a painter, curator and associate professor of art at Los Angeles Harbor carnival event that it would just be horrendous. College, has put great effort into the arts district since its inception. For more than a “There shouldn’t be a food truck allowed anywhere between 5th and 7th decade he operated TransVagrant@Warschaw Gallery, which has been called as the [streets] and Pacific and Centre. It should be about the galleries, and then saunter crowning achievement of the San Pedro arts scene. [See Art Walk, p. 13]
9
A
s May rolls around each year, I watch the ads for ways to celebrate Mother’s Day. Florists suggest roses, chocolatiers beg to differ, spas suggest a relaxing massage and restaurants suggest that Mom should take a day off from cooking. Retail stores offer sales, and there’s probably a plumber somewhere who advocates that what Mom really wants is for the bathroom sink to drain more quickly. At one level, it’s hard to argue with any of these. Some people really appreciate chocolates and flowers, and unless you’re one of those people who doesn’t like strangers touching you, a stress-relieving rub sounds great. Taking a day off from cooking may be appreciated, though it’s possible that moms who are spending time in the kitchen nowadays are there because they like it. I won’t argue against retail therapy, and having the sink drain quickly may lack a certain romance but is certainly practical. All the same, these strategies for celebrating motherhood leave out something central: a mother is a mother because she has children, whether by birth, adoption, marriage, or something more informal. Where are the kids in all of this? How do they share in that day, show their love and appreciation for the person who brought them into the world, who gives her time and energy to build their character? The peddlers of various goods and experiences are offering things that a woman might like any day of the year, but they’re things that a friend or acquaintance might buy as a gift. They’re separate from the concept of family, nice but not meaningful, and probably destined to be soon forgotten. Then what, you might ask, would be a way
The Face on the Plate A family tradition shows how to make a Mother’s Day special By Richard Foss, Dining Columnist
Rebecca points out the edible details of her mother’s face to her mother on Mother’s Day. Photos by Richard Foss.
to invoke the concept of family and make the Mother’s Day special? Our family tradition has been for the children to assist in making her brunch that day, and later when they became
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
Join us for indoor and patio dining in the heart of Little Italy!
10
$7 OFF On purchase of $25 or more! Dine-In or Take-Out only. With RLn Coupon Exp. 6-10-21 Not valid with other offers.
Fine Italian Specialties • Beer & Wine Happy Hour Specials
Order online: www.BuonosPizza.com
222 R-1 W. 6th St., San Pedro • 310-547-0655
capable of it, to make it themselves. Our son was older and was first to be allowed to cook the eggs, which were at least theoretically going to be fried, but in the early years invariably came
out scrambled. If my wife found bits of shell in them, or they were either overcooked or runny, she was too polite to mention it. Our daughter, Rebecca, was younger but showed more culinary creativity, at first by carefully making pancakes in the shape of letters so she could spell out cheery messages. Her talent really manifested when she was judged competent to use a knife and cut fruit for the salad, which she carved with ornate flourishes before arranging it artistically. I credit my daughter with advancing the Mother’s Day brunch further when, at the age of about seven, she started sculpting breakfast into faces. The first ones were not portraits of any particular person — for instance, a clown made from a slice of cinnamon raisin toast with applesauce ears, nuts for eyes, a blueberry smile and a shirt made from cheese with raisins for buttons. As Rebecca’s skills increased, the food sculptures became portraits of her mother, the first made with a croissant for hair, and a tortilla, white and yellow cheese, bacon bits and chocolate drops making facial features around a nose sculpted from leftover chicken. More ambitious and accurate portraits followed, and by the time Rebecca was eleven she was baking brownies the previous night so she could cut them into a fairly accurate representation of my wife’s hairstyle. This was accented by barrettes made of cheese in the places where my wife wore them, and framed a face made of a slice of bologna with cheese, jicama and fruit. The next year she created a masterpiece with a pancake topped with a fantasy of fruit, jam and chocolatecovered raisins that was artfully designed and [See Face, p. 11]
[Face, from p. 10]
Face on Plate
delightfully silly. Our son meanwhile, got much better at eggs and also made breakfast meats that included homemade sausage. Though I had started out as the architect of the meal with the children helping, as they became more capable I was relegated to making coffee and opening the Champagne. I might occasionally be asked whether the raspberry jam or the blueberry better matched the color of her eyes, but if not consulted, I stood back until it was time to clean the kitchen and do the dishes. Each year the portrait in food and its accompaniments was delivered with ceremonial solemnity so my wife could enjoy breakfast in bed. When it was unveiled, there was much giggling, expressions of amazement, and parental pride. Each portrait was eaten gratefully and joyfully even though in early days the combinations were chosen more for visual than culinary effect. Pictures were taken and shared with colleagues at work, and though some may have found each annual creation odd, every mother who saw it understood. It was an expression of love and creativity devised by the children for their mother, and as such, priceless.
Tradition, variety and fast delivery or takeout—you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza. The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pastas and our amazing selection of signature pizzas. We are taking all safety precautions to protect our diners and staff. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on new developments. Call for fast delivery or to place a pick up order. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.Sun. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-732-5800, www.bignickspizza.com
BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA
CONRAD’S MEXICAN GRILL
Conrad’s reflects the cuisine of Oaxaca with a focus fresh on local, seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now Conrad’s features Peruvian dishes, as well as an inventive Mexican vegetarian and vegan menu. Dine in, dine al fresco or order online for curbside pick up and delivery. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. S. Conrad’s Mexican Grill, 376. W. 6th St., San Pedro 424-264-5452, www.conradsmexicangrill.com
HAPPY DINER #1
Built on the success of Happy Diner #1, Happy Diner #2 offers American favorites like omelets and burgers, fresh salads, plus pasta and Mexican dishes are served. Order online for delivery or call for pickup. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-935-2933, www.happydinersp.com
HAPPY DELI
The Happy Deli is a small place with a big menu. Food is made-to-order using the freshest ingredients. Breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches include a small coffee. For lunch or dinner select from fresh salads, wraps, buffalo wings, cold and hot sandwiches, burgers and dogs. Order online or call for takeout or delivery. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 am. to 8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 424-364-0319, www.happydelisp.com
SAN PEDRO BREWING COMPANY
A micro brewery and American grill, SPBC features handcrafted award-winning ales and lagers served with creative pastas, BBQ, sandwiches, salads and burgers. Order your growlers, house drafts and cocktails to go (with food purchase)! Open daily 12 to 8 p.m. for indoor or al fresco dining, takeout and delivery through Grubhub, Postmates and Doordash. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-831-5663, www.sanpedrobrewing.com
WEST COAST PHILLY’S
Welcome to West Coast Philly’s Cheesesteak and Hoagies where authentic Philly cheesesteaks meet the waterfront in San Pedro. Along with serving the classic cheesesteak, West Coast Philly’s puts its unique twist on its cheesesteaks and hoagies. Also on the menu are subs, burgers, wings and salads. Happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Indoor dining or order online or call for pickup. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. West Coast Philly’s, 1902 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, 424-264-5322, www.westcoastphillys.com
Support Independent Restaurants • Dining Guide online: www.randomlengthsnews.com/dining-guide [See Calendar, page 16]
April 29 - May 12, 2021
The Happy Diner #1 in Downtown San Pedro isn’t your average diner. The selections range from Italian- and Mexicaninfluenced entrées to American Continental. Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new—take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables prepared any way you like. Dine in or al fresco or call for takeout. Hours: Mon.-Wed. 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thurs.Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro, 310-241-0917, www.happydinersp.com
HAPPY DINER #2
Family owned and operated since 1965, Buono’s is famous for award-winning brick oven baked pizza. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected fresh ingredients. Now limited dine-in and patio service, takeout and delivery. Hours: Sun.Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buono’s Pizzeria, 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-547-0655, www.buonospizza.com
The Mother’s Day faces continued until Rebecca moved out of state to go to college, and our son and I haven’t continued it — those were hers to create. By that time, though, both children had a solid ground in cooking and had firsthand experience with the joy of giving and receiving food made with love. It didn’t take a fancy kitchen or professional skills, just a sense
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
BIG NICK’S PIZZA
A fruity rendition of mom’s face on a plate for Mother’s Day.
of whimsy and ingredients as simple as fruit, bread and the condiments that might be in any refrigerator and spice cupboard. Not everyone has children who love to cook as mine do — growing up with a food writer as a father could possibly have something to do with it. However, any parent might consider whether there is something that your children can do with their mother or for their mother that can show their devotion. If mom really likes flowers, might the children plant and tend that garden, even if it’s a few pots on a balcony? If there’s a fragrance she enjoys, could the children assist with infusing it into soap or candles? There are videos online for these and other skills, and the act of making the surprise for Mom together is a bonding moment for the rest of the family. Consider what she loves, have it made by whom she loves, and make it a truly special day.
11
APR 29 - MAY 12 • 2021 MUSIC May 6
Borderland Leti Garza, a Houston native who joined Witness at the Border at Tornillo, Homestead, and Brownsville, recently released Borderland an album that speaks to political issues and references Brazilian samba and South American cumbia and merengue. Join for music and a discussion with the artist. Time: 4:30 p.m. May 6 Cost: Free Details: www.mobilize.us/witnessattheborder/event/
May 9
Front Porch Concerts Wrigley Neighborhood Mother’s Day Special, Quartet 2, led by associate conductor, Tammi Alderman. RSVP to the concert you’d like to attend and you’ll be added to that concert’s contact list. A few days before the concert, you’ll re-
ceive an email that provides the address of where the concert will be held. Time: 4:30 p.m. May 9 Cost: Free Details: www.ci.ovationtix. com/35640/performance
THEATER May 1
Eastside Noir One night only, Eastside Noir is a completely improvised comedic neo-noir adventure from awardwinning theater companies Impro Theatre and Company of Angels. Spanning three different time periods in Boyle Heights, nine actors portray 27 different characters, all informed by audience suggestions on social media, to create a modern day film noir — and an entirely unique live theatrical experience. Time: 8:15 p.m. May 1 Cost: Free on Impro Theatre’s Twitch channel Details: www.ImproTheatre.com
ART
April 29
AGCC Reopens Galleries to the Public Angels Gate Cultural Center announces the reopening of its art galleries to the public starting April 29, following a year-long closure due to the pandemic. Gallery appointments are now available for two topical art exhibitions addressing the current pandemic experience: Sanctuary of the Aftermath and re-adaptations. Sanctuary of the Aftermath redefines the gallery as a place to experience solace during troubled times and includes immersive video, installation and auditory art. Artists in re-adaptations explore the ways in which monumental events have created a seismic shift in how people connect — with each other, our daily routines and inner-self. Time: Appointments are available between 12 to 3:30 p.m, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with timed entries through June 12
Details: www.eventbrite.com/e/ agcc-gallery-appointments-tickets and at www.angelsgateart.org Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro Artist Collaborative People’s Kitchen Collective People’s Kitchen Collective works at the intersection of art and activism as a food-centered political education project. Based in Oakland, California, its creative practices reflect the diverse histories and backgrounds of co-founders Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik, Jocelyn Jackson and Saqib Keval. Written in PKC’s families’ recipes are the maps of their migrations and the stories of their resilience. It is from this foundation that they create immersive experiences that honor the shared struggles of their people. Time: 5:30 p.m. April 29 Details: Register here www.sjsu. zoom.us/webinar/register/peoples-kitchen-collective Photo Works Alum Feature with Past Port Photo Photographers In collaboration with the Arts Council of Long Beach, the Port of Long Beach created PhotoWorks. This program is taking the place of the 2020 PhotoProgram, which has been reimagined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the program, the Arts Council for Long Beach features one PhotoProgram Alum every Friday. Details: To view all of the features visit: artslb.org/photo-works
May 6
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
ArmChair ArtWalk Tour Local Treasures Join on Zoom, by registering for a free ticket and register for a onehour virtual, interactive tour with some amazing artists. Register in advance for this meeting. Armchair ArtWalk will be talking with local artists, Cantor Ilan Davidson, Steve Shriver and Rebecca Forster about their work. Time: 6 p.m. May 6
12
Details: www.web.zoom.us/meeting/register/armchair-artwalk
FILM
May 11 Black in Mayberry Film Screening El Segundo for Black Lives and ESMoA invite you for a socially distanced screening of Black in Mayberry, a one-hour featurelength film featuring Black residents, professionals, students, and visitors to El Segundo. A limited number of tickets are available for free through Eventbrite. A Q&A will follow immediately after the screening. Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 11 Details: www.eventbrite.com/e/ black-in-mayberry-live-premieretickets Venue: Brewport Tap House, 204 Main St., El Segundo
DANCE April 29
The Patchwork Girl of Oz With colorful costumes, multimedia set and spectacular dance, Louise Reichlin & Dancers/ Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers take a dazzling interactive journey into the Land of Oz — one that ignites imaginations of young and old alike. In this story adapted from Frank Baum, follow characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as well as new ones — like the exuberant title character the Patchwork Girl. Time: Through May 12 Cost: Free Details: www.vimeo.com/showcase/ThePatchworkGirlofOz
FOOD
May 23
First Annual Long Beach Taco Fest There may be no other place on earth, outside of Mexico, with
more varieties of tacos than Southern California. Local restaurants and taco trucks will provide a rich and diverse taco loving experience along with live music and entertainment. All COVID-19 restrictions will apply. In order to attend event you must show proof of vaccination or show negative test result within 72 hours of event. Time: 12 to 6 p.m. May 23 Cost: $15 Details: https://kahlo.ticketspice. com/long-beach-taco-festival Venue: Scottish Rite Events Center, 855 Elm Ave., Long Beach
COMMUNITY May 1
El Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition The Cinco de Mayo holiday was born in California in 1862 as a celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French empire at the Battle of Puebla. The day holds a special significance for many Latinos as an opportunity to celebrate shared heritage. Join En Casa con LA Plaza to learn about the historic and cultural aspects of Cinco de Mayo and how they reverberate today. Watch on Zoom or Facebook Live. Time: 1 p.m. May 1 Cost: Free Details: www.lapca.org www.Facebook.com/laplazala Summer Career Internship Expo Cal State University Dominguez Hills Career Center has opened registration for its Summer Career and Internship Expo taking place virtually on June 2, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Register today to catch the early bird rate. Hire students, recent graduates and alumni from CSUDH’s diverse talent pool. Details: www.summer-careerinternship-expo-register
educational institutions here. “It could be an interesting inclusive community building event in this town,” Steelink said. “There are so many ways San Pedro could into the parklet at your local favorite restaurant be the first to do this, or that, in many ways but or bar afterwards. That’s what it’s about,” there doesn’t seem to be the push for that. I’m Linden said. “There are examples all over the a cheerleader for San Pedro and I want to see it place. Successful art and culture districts are all recognized for what it is. There’s something very around and it’s like they don’t exist rich and dense that’s going on here. It has a lot to these people who assume that they of history — some of it sordid – but are at the helm here.” [we need to] to work through that and To attract art buyers to the arts involve others and educate others.” district — a key item missing from Artist Michael Stearns of the art walk summary but which was Michael Stearns Studio@The Loft brought up in the second meeting in San Pedro, said we must come — Linden said you have to have to a conclusion of what the goal is. multiple galleries, just like you find He saw the first meeting go in two multiple restaurants in restaurant directions. districts. You have to have multiple “Some people want to have a venues so that it’s worth driving community fair — or [will] it be to San Pedro for people who live an artwalk?” he asked. “Are we elsewhere. looking to help drive business to the “In the heyday of the CRA restaurants?” we had half a dozen legitimate Stearns noted, between art galleries operating,” Linden Councilman Joe Buscaino’s efforts “…you have to bet said. “Angels Gate has done with Little Italy and restaurateurs on the artists and a good job. Their offering has coming to town, you have to not on the bureaucracy improved tremendously under [Amy make a decision on having a local or strictly business conErickson’s] tutelage but the rest of it, community event or an artwalk. cerns.” the downtown is still underserved.” “It may be even better to do Artist and curator Ron Linden in Gallery 478, San Pedro. Photo by Ray CaroHe pointed to the Croatian both separately,” Stearns said. “If fano Cultural Center, a big, beautiful The artist said she is somewhat opinionated building that would make a great gallery/art about what she’s seen over her years attending center. And Liberty Auditorium, another place it, even before she lived here. Looking at the Linden has tried to convince property owners document Steelink noted the order in which the to turn into an arts location, but he said nobody wants to put up any money or any effort into the points are listed. “Community and outreach should be at the arts. Jay McCafferty, one of Los Angeles’s very top and marketing should be last,” she said. “They want to reap the benefit of having most important and convention-defying art[The document is the opposite]. “The idea of it designated as a cultural location, but they ists, died March 21 at his home north of Santa marketing, it’s really all about substance.” don’t want to invest in it,” he said. “That’s the Barbara. He was 73. In her experience with the artwalk, problem.” Although commonly known as a MinimalSteelink said, storefronts were made available “When the art walk started it was inspired ist, he was also grouped with the Post-Miniby Robin Hinchcliff and it was totally an artists- to organizations like Angels Gate which malist tendencies of Conceptual and Process would have temporary exhibitions, and have run event. [The arts district] doesn’t realize that art. His working method remained constant if it supports it, art can be exciting, provocative, representation on First Thursdays. It adds — focusing rays of sunlight through a magweight and credibility to the event to have that innovating and it can be a draw. But you have nifying glass to achieve perforated surfaces presence. Community and outreach would be a to bet on the artists and not on the bureaucracy of great variety; from early works resembling way to get some substance to the event, she said. or strictly business concerns. You have to be transgressive, cigarette-sized burns on various “My biggest issue with San Pedro is, for willing to take a chance and that’s always been grounds and later to delicate, complex compoa small town, the community is so divided in the truth about art and artists.” sitions on pigmented papers. ways where there isn’t outreach amongst these Linden posited that it should be First McCafferty was born and raised in San different groups and there really needs to be,” Saturday, but First Thursday has been mostly Pedro, where he lived and worked for his Steelink said. about the community. “I understand what they entire life — with sojourns in Santa Barbara, She noted this idea of marketing being at perceive is the value of a homegrown operation, California. As a young artist, McCafferty the forefront of the document is akin to tearing but they didn’t serve the arts well,” Linden won the LA County Museum of Art’s New down the waterfront and changing the name of said. “They serve the food trucks that drive in Talent Award and received a National Endowthe development, because that’s what is going from everywhere in the greater LA area, they ment for the Arts fellowship grant. His art has to bring people down. She argued the magnet make their money and they drive home. None been exhibited locally, nationally and internawhich brings people down is actually what’s of it stays here. It’s a self-defeating situation. tionally, in well over 100 exhibitions between there, not the name. Saturday openings would be much better. 1971 and 2019. McCafferty’s work is held “There [needs to be] identification within “I’m going to keep going and maybe try to in numerous public collections including the the various communities that exist within San rattle the cage more than ever when things open Getty Museum, LACMA and the Museum of Pedro,” she said. “... Including high schools up,” he concluded. Modern Art. — education at all levels to be involved and After graduating San Pedro High School, participate in activities and also people who McCafferty studied for a brief time at Los Anhave store fronts that are empty, of which there geles Harbor College in Wilmington. Subseare many in downtown San Pedro, to lend their quently, he attended Chapman College where spaces to activities to bring the community out.” he also studied on the World Campus Afloat Laurie Steelink is the director of Cornelius Steelink said as a curator/director of a before attending California State University, Projects, a project space in her live-work artist space, this is very much in line with having a Los Angeles. There, he earned a bachelor of studio. Part of her activities under Cornelius group show as opposed to a solo exhibition. arts degree in Art. In 1973, he received a masProjects is to curate exhibitions that speak to The more artists who are in the group show, the ter of fine arts degree from the University of the community in San Pedro, the greater Harbor more people who will come to the opening. California, Irvine. At UCI, McCafferty studArea, and extend out to greater LA, working “Community and outreach is the number ied with such artists as Craig Kauffman, Ed with themes that relate to this particular area. one thing,” Steelink said. Moses and Tony DeLap. His classmates inPart of her practice is to bring together diverse Steelink suggested if landlords donate cluded Charles Christopher Hill, John Knight, groups of people into her space to experience empty spaces they have, there could be Richard Newton and Alexis Smith. McCafthese projects. more activities; like with local schools for ferty presented his first solo video exhibition Steelink noted, Cornelius Projects, near opportunities to expose the creative output of [Art Walk, from p. 9]
Art Walk
14th and Pacific Avenue, is off the path of First Thursday. “People will not walk from downtown to my studios,” Steelink said. “When the trolly was running, I did ask if it could come by my studio but was told that it would not come down that far. That’s my relationship to the art walk as far as Cornelius Projects is concerned, but as an artist, if I’m available I will attend the art walk.”
we want to do a legitimate art walk, put energy into making it real. It has to be more than local. Solicit people from the surrounding areas of Palos Verdes, South Bay and Long Beach. People have to know the art is good and it’s pretty tough to get people to drive here from LA on a Thursday night. But the restaurants can help in this.” He also said the arts district needs to build a database and then cross-market and to get the individual artists to buy into this. Continue to plug the art walk in newsletters and do a real advertisement in publications like Artillery Magazine, maybe with a special section on an artist. Stearns, like Linden, said art openings are usually on Saturdays. It’s easier to get people out and you know they’re coming for the art. He also suggested creating a standard press release which the artists can modify and personalize and send it out monthly to all local publications. After the meeting, director of Angels Gate Cultural Center Amy Erickson said, “It has been encouraging to see many artists and community members invested in the growth of the First Thursday Art Walk. The opportunity to make this event even better is a responsibility for the whole community and the work we have done over the last four months is a start to hearing the arts community wants and how to build from here.”
Jay McCafferty
Feb. 21, 1948 – March 21, 2021
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
Linking Galleries Beyond the Art District
April 29 - May 12, 2021
in 1974 at the Long Beach Museum of Art. It was described by the Getty’s Glenn Phillips as “a suite of truly humorous and poetic single-channel videos.” McCafferty was an associate professor of art and head of the art department at Harbor College from 1976 to 2019. For 30 years starting in 1966, he also worked as a lifeguard on beaches from San Pedro all the way north to Ventura County. During a teaching career spanning more than four decades, McCafferty taught and inspired multiple generations of artists, teaching everything from ceramics to painting to art appreciation. He is survived by Ellen Montgomery McCafferty, his wife of 41 years. Ellen wishes to thank Dr. Marston, Laura Guerrero, Susan Clark and Alex Velazquez from VNA in Santa Barbara for their extraordinary care of Jay. A memorial will be held at a later date. Please make any donations to VNA of Santa Barbara in Jay’s name.
13
CLASSIFIED ADS & DBA FILINGS
HOME & GARDEN B AT H R O O M R E N O VA TIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Beautiful new walk-in showers with no slip flooring. Also, grab bars and seated showers available. Call for a free in-home consultation: 844-242-1100.
FINANCIAL SAVE BIG on HOME INSURANCE! Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 844-712-6153! (M-F 8am-8pm Central) (AAN CAN) Do you owe over $10,000 to the IRS or State in back taxes? Our firm works to reduce the tax bill or zero it out completely FAST. Let us help! Call 855-955-0702. (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)
(AAN CAN)
Never Pay For Covered Home Repairs Again! Complete Care Home Warranty COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE Months! 1-877673-0511 | Hours Mon-Thu, Sun: 9:30 am to 8:00 pm Fri: 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (all times Eastern) White-Glove Service from America’s Top Movers. Fully insured and bonded. Let us take the stress out of your out of state move. FREE QUOTES! Call: 888-841-0629 (AAN CAN)
CANADA DISCOUNT PHARMACY. Save up to 80% off prescriptions. Eliquis, Flomax, Xarelto, Viagra, more! Mention “NEWS10” to save $10 on first order. Call 877752-6295 (Open M-F) (AAN CAN)
Still paying too much for your MEDICATION? Save up to 90% on RX refill! Order today and receive free shipping on 1st order - prescription required. Call 1-855-750-1612 (AAN CAN)
AUTOS
JOBS RLN SEEKING SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Responsibilities include: • Advertising sales— print and digital • Developing and maintaining social media Requirements: • 2-plus years of advertising or marketing experience
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
HEALTH
CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too! Call 866-535-9689 (AAN CAN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS. Your donation helps fund the search for missing children. Accepting Trucks, Motorcycles & RV’s , too! Fast Free Pickup – Running
Bulletin Board Serving the South Bay
DIVORCE • TRUST BANKRUPTCY $99 Down•Low Cost Attorney Assisted Law
(310) 781-2823
ADULT PULL-UP DIAPERS Xlarge case of 60 $30 VINYL EXAM GLOVES powder-free, small size box of 100 $20
310-719-8884
Don Marshall CPA, Inc. (310) 833-8977
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Don Marshall, MBA, CPA
14
Specializing in small businesses CPA quality service at very reasonable rates
www.donmarshallcpa.com
PLEASE HELP!
The animals at the Harbor Animal Shelter have ongoing need for used blankets, comforters, pet beds.* Drop off at Harbor Animal Shelter 957 N. Gaffey St.,San Pedro • 888-452-7381, x 143 PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET! *In any condition. We will wash and mend.
or Not - 24 Hour Response - Maximum Tax Donation – Call 877-266-0681 (AAN CAN)
MISC. HughesNet Satellite Internet – Finally, no hard data limits! Call Today for speeds up to 25mbps as low as $59.99/ mo! $75 gift card, terms apply. 1-844-416-7147 (AAN CAN) Cable Price Increase Again? Switch To DIRECTV & Save + get a $100 visa gift card! Get More Channels For Less Money. Restrictions apply. Call Now! 877-693-0625 (AAN CAN) 4G LTE Home Internet Now Available! Get GotW3 with lightning fast speeds plus take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/mo! 1-888-519-0171 (AAN CAN)
BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the work… You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Author’s Submission Kit: 844-511-1836. (AAN CAN)
DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 7/21/21. 1-855-3802501
PERSONALS Well-to-do lady seeks a good man age 62 to 80 to travel and have a good life with. I’ll pay my own expenses, you pay yours. (310) 684-1448.
PETS PEDRO PET PALS is the only group that raises funds for the City Animal Shelter and FREE vaccines and spay or neuter for our community. 310-991-0012.
DBAs $ 140 Filing & Publishing
310-519-1442 Remember to renew your DBA every five years
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,
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).
Original filing: 03/18/21, 04/01/21, 04/15/21, 04/29/21
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. 15]
“Not Quite!”— looks can be deceiving.
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.,
© 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.
• Reliable transportation Send resumé to james@ randomlengthsnews.com or drop by the office at 1300 S. Pacific Ave. in San Pedro.
For answers go to: www.randomlengthsnews.com
REAL ESTATE WANTED
ACROSS
1 Texting format 4 Iran’s leader, once 8 Counts with margins of error 13 Deviation in a rocket’s course 14 Prefix meaning “end” 15 Prove to be successful 16 Winter road clearer 18 Purport 19 D&D enemy 20 Grass cutter that might use a battery 22 Feeling of guilt 23 Used up 24 The “A” in PTA, for short 25 Test that might be “open” 27 Composer ___ Carlo Menotti 29 Acquire a second time 34 Mountain Dew energy drink 37 First name in fabric stores 38 Made a pit 39 Fu Mingxia, for one 41 Boston team, for short 42 Group in Santa Fe or Sacramento 45 “Switched-On Bach” synthesizer 46 “Mr. Robot” network 47 “Quantum of Solace” actress Kurylenko 50 Rice wine used in Japanese cooking 53 Hard work
57 Serious symptom of a cold, maybe 59 Quadruped up in the sky? 60 ___-Bissau (African country) 61 Actor shown in “One does not simply ...” memes 63 Nod, e.g. 64 “At Last” singer James 65 Tree on Connecticut’s quarter 66 Negatives from Nijinsky 67 Holder of many a merit badge 68 Toots and the Maytals genre
DOWN
1 Early online admin 2 Genre for “One-Punch Man” 3 Given an oath, with “in” 4 Longtime NASCAR sponsor 5 Assists, as with entering a tall pickup truck 6 Knocked for ___ 7 “This Is ___ Do It” (Montell Jordan hit) 8 It’s good for at least a few dates 9 Checked out for a bit 10 Chain that merged with AMC Theatres 11 Equipment used in Winter Olympics 12 Back of a yacht 15 Title ender of a 1974 film that distinguishes it from an earlier Best Picture Oscar winner
17 Photographer William who depicts Weimaraners with human hands 21 Keep occupied 26 Old detergent brand that used to sponsor radio shows 28 Lake Titicaca’s locale 29 Morning beverages, informally 30 Rude sound from a spectator 31 Invoice add-on 32 Samuel Barber’s “___ for Strings” 33 Clean out completely, as a building 34 “Selma” director DuVernay 35 Ran into 36 Cautionary beginning? 40 Place for a nursery rhyme trio 43 Garfield, for one 44 Gardening headwear 45 Fridge ornament 47 Hammond B-3, notably 48 Pretty dang bad 49 False front 51 Deceptive ploys 52 “___ Kick Out of You” 54 Cookies with a recent Lady Gaga-themed variety 55 “Wicked Game” singer Chris 56 Sri ___ 58 “... three French ___ ...” 62 “Yeah, probably not”
DBA FILINGS [from p. 14] Business and Professions code). Original filing: 04/01/21, 04/15/21, 04/29/21, 05/13/21
05/27/21, 06/10/21
DBAs $ 140 Filing & Publishing
310-519-1442 Remember to renew your DBA every five years
QUICK RESPONSE TIME!
5/27/21
COMPLETE PLUMBING SERVICE RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL
831-3138
(310)
Se Habla Español
Visit one of our locations Rancho Palos Verdes 310-953-4863 29621 S. Western Ave. RPV 90275
Carson 310-830-8006 259 E. Carson St. Carson 90745
Torrance 424-305-4004 23812 Crenshaw Blvd. Torrance 90505
• Custom Printing • Union Printing • Graphic & Logo Design • Email Marketing
1302 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro (310) 519-1442 info@graphictouchdesigns.com
April 29 - May 12, 2021
WE CAN REPAIR YOUR SMARTPHONE, TABLET, CONSOLE OR COMPUTER!
Lic. #748434
310-953-4863
DESIGNS
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021078313 The following person is doing business as: (1) Kurt’s Concrete, 1918 W 169th Street, Gardena, CA 90247, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Kurt Giles, 1918 W 169th Street, Gardena, CA 90247. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2009. 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/. Kurt Giles, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 04/02/21. 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
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
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. NOTICEIn 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,
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: 04/29/21, 05/13/21,
15
16
April 29 - May 12, 2021
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant