RLn 5-28-20

LA Mayor Lifts Orders on Low Risk Retail See guidelines at www.randomlengthsnews.com

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

[See 100,000, p. 8]

May 28 - June 10, 2020

hile Donald Trump played golf over the Memorial Day weekend and America’s official COVID-19 death count neared the 100,000 mark, two things stood out: First, Trump’s negligence. A Columbia University study has shown that if national shutdown actions had been started just one week earlier, 36,000 deaths could have been averted by May 3. About 54,000 deaths could have been averted if shutdown actions started two weeks earlier. But it gets worse: South Korea, which had its first case at the same time, has had only 267 deaths, just one-fifty-seventh of the United States on a per-capita basis.

Second, the threat to American’s well-being goes much farther than just one man. Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, seemed solidly opposed to taking any further action to help Americans cope with the ongoing disaster.

As mentioned in the prior issue of Random Lengths News, 20 countries and five U.S. states have shown that it’s possible to contain the contagion. The real challenge is the Trump administration and the forces supporting him.

W

Real News, Real People, Really Effective

The Pathology that Can Destroy America

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Community Announcements:

Harbor Area Cabrillo Beach Opens

On May 23, the Cabrillo Beach parking lot, bike path and beaches opened as part of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti’s phased approach towards reopening the city. The number of cars being allowed into the parking lot is limited as part of ongoing safety precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The beaches are open for active recreation use only. Visitors must also follow the City of Los Angeles COVID-19 safety guidelines, which include wearing masks and practicing social distancing at all times.

The aquarium and gift shop remains closed, but the gift shop is processing online orders.

Details: https://shop.friendsofcabrilloaquarium. org/collections/gift-shop

Harbor Department to Study Proposed Roadway Improvements Impacts

The proposed project will widen and extend the Berth 200 Roadway between South Avalon Boulevard and North Henry Ford Avenue. Its goals are to improve truck efficiency, allow trucks to be diverted away from the proposed Wilmington Waterfront Park and improve the park’s visual experience. In addition, all trucks must turn right at North Henry Ford Avenue.

The initial study/negative declaration includes a discussion of the proposed project’s effects on the existing environment. The initial study/ negative declaration is being circulated for 30 days for public review and comment. Public comments should be submitted in writing prior to the end of the 30-day public review period and must be postmarked by June 20. A copy of the document is available for public review at wwwportoflosangeles.org.

Submit comments to: Christopher Cannon, Director City of Los Angeles Harbor Department Environmental Management Division 425 S. Palos Verdes St. San Pedro, CA 90731

CalFresh Benefits Are Available

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

CalFresh (sometimes called SNAP or food stamps) issues monthly food benefits on an electronic benefits transfer card that can be used to buy most foods at most grocery stores and farmers markets. People and families with low income can apply for CalFresh any time. If you have a change in income, even a temporary one because of the coronavirus, you can apply for CalFresh food benefits.

Details: 877-847-3663; https://tinyurl.com/ Cal-fresh-online

LA Represents

This is a coalition of top law firms, bar associations and attorneys donating their services free of charge to help renters, domestic violence survivors and low income families and workers. It offers help with everything from employment issues, to debt and bankruptcy challenges, to small businesses.

Details: coronavirus.lacity.org/larepresents Grocery Gift Cards for Low Income Older Adults The Long Beach Community Action Partnership, Heart of Ida will provide grocery gift cards, groceries and/or deliveries to at least 200 older adults between now and Aug. 31.

Details: 562-570-3548; heartofida@gmail. com

May 28 - June 10, 2020

Immigration Legal Services

2

Centro CHA continues to provide immigration legal services remotely via virtual appointments. The following services are offered : Naturalization (N-400), renewal of legal permanent resident card and Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrivals renewal You must have a work permit, Social Security card, photo ID and a copy of your previous application.

Provide your name, phone number and service you are requesting assistance with.

Your call will be returned within 24 to 48 hours.

To schedule an appointment call 562-6121407.

Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 40 Years

When the Cost of Meat is a Pound of Flesh Local restaurants are facing higher meat prices

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Three barbecue days mark the beginning, the middle and the end of summer. But like much else in American life, the coronavirus pandemic will probably alter how Americans celebrate warm temperature holidays and their gastronomy for years to come.

When it became clear that the governmentimposed stay-at-home orders would be with us for much longer than anyone had anticipated, attention turned to what will happen to small businesses as Angelenos, like Americans everywhere, became a living social experiment.

Chef Shalamar Lane’s My Father’s Barbecue closed down at the start of the stay-at-home orders in March. Random Lengths News visited with the Carson business owner on the Saturday before Memorial Day to talk about meat. My Father’s Barbecue reopened May 14, fully reconfigured as a takeout restaurant with only half its staff and a hope that the publicity garnered by the COVID-19 food giveaway would jump start business ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

“We closed down for almost three months so there’s no income,” Lane said. “We lost well over half of our staff. For a lot of them, they are making more on unemployment than they were when they were working.”

Lane called the dynamic “sad.”

“With so many businesses closing, what’s going to happen when the money runs out? They are going to be looking for jobs again and it’s mostly the lower-income people doing things like that, so it’s kind of a bad situation.”

But labor wasn’t her biggest issue. Her biggest issue was the price of meat, and how it’s impacted business. She gave an example.

“One of the places I purchase meat has a warehouse the size of this parking lot,” Lane said, gesturing toward the large lot rimmed by businesses on the northeast corner of University and Avalon. “[That warehouse] was always full.

I’ve been in business for five years and I have never seen them without meat. [But] right now they have probably 15% of what they normally have in their freezers.”

Lane explained that now when she goes shopping to procure food for My Father’s Barbecue at places like Restaurant Depot, she’s only able to get one or two boxes, even as a restaurateur.

“I have to go in today, go back tomorrow and go back the next day,” Lane said. “Just like how you were seeing empty shelves at the grocery stores, we experienced the same thing at Restaurant Depot…. The same thing.”

Lane doesn’t believe this is due to panic buying as much as the supply just wasn’t there.

“One of my providers said he won’t be getting any more brisket for another two-anda-half weeks and the cost of everything has just gone up,” Lane recounted. “For instance, I usually charge $22 per pound for brisket. Now I’m charging $30 per pound for brisket. They can double their price for brisket, but I can’t double my price, but they double the price of brisket for me. We buy thousands and thousands of pounds of meat per year, but even with that, the cost is

Chef Shalamar Lane of My Father’s Barbeque in Carson talked about the struggle with meat availability over Memorial Day weekend. Photo by Terelle Jerricks

just crazy.”

The Choriman, the foodie destination that’s been grabbing attention with its brand of chorizo, a flavorful pork sausage is at the south end of the 110 Freeway in San Pedro. So far, The Choriman has been able to weather the stay-at-home orders fairly well, since it has been a takeout eatery from the start. But Humberto Raygoza, the man behind the brand, says the business still gives him cause for worries.

“So far, with our brick and mortar restaurant where we are selling food, it’s not so bad,” Raygoza said. “It’s not as busy as it used to be but we’re hanging in there.

“On the wholesale side of the business, that’s very busy because everybody wants oso burritos, meaning they want prepackaged products like our one-pound chorizo, which has picked up exponentially.”

[See Meat Prices, p. 11]

LA County Preps for Election During Pandemic

By Hunter Chase, Reporter

The Los Angeles County Registrar has a daunting task ahead of the upcoming November election. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered that all registered Californian voters be sent a vote-by-mail ballot prior to the election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re not going to let this pandemic stop us,” said California Secretary of State of Alex Padilla at the May 12 meeting of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council.

“Our democracy will not be a casualty of this pandemic.”

Padilla said that voters should expect their ballots about a month before the election, around the same time they receive their sample ballots. Once voters are finished filling them out, they can be mailed back with prepaid postage, or place them in special ballot drop boxes.

“It’s great that we’re going for vote-bymail ballots because no one should be put in danger … in order to vote,” said Carrie Scoville, president of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council and the former president of the San Pedro Democratic Club.

Scoville was also elected as delegate to the Los Angeles County Democratic Party Central Committee in November, but she won’t be

seated until June.

Californian voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot without having to give a reason, Scoville said. This is an advantage some states do not have. Some states require a doctor to give a reason why the voter cannot make it to the poll.

The reason must be medical. It can’t just be that the voter can’t make it out of work on time.

California had a similar rule previously, but it was changed decades ago.

“A vote-by-mail drive has been actively pursued by the Democratic Party for a long time because vote-by-mail voters are more likely to vote,” Scoville said. “It’s a higher turnout than there is for poll voters.”

Because of this, Scoville is looking forward to switching to all vote-by-mail ballots even though she prefers going to the polls.

“I like going to the poll,” Scoville said. “It’s a cultural, family tradition and I like to see that my poll is there and that it’s working.”

In-person voting will still be used in the November election and it will be made as safe and accessible as possible. It is being done mainly for voters who need assistance or who need to register on the day of the election.

“It’s still to be determined how many [See Preparations, p. 4]

City of Carson COVID-19 Response A message from the Carson City Council “Thank you, Carson residents for wearing your face masks and for your generosity during these most troubling times.�

Albert Robles Mayor

Jim Dear Mayor Pro Tem

Lula Davis-Holmes Councilmember

Jawane Hilton Councilmember

Cedric L. Hicks Sr. Councilmember

City of Carson, CARSON COVID-19 UPDATES Control Council: In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve Future Unlmited Disaster to keep residents safe, City of Carson elected officials unanimously approved partnering with

US Health Fairs, a Los Angeles-based 501(c)3 non- profit organization to provide free testing to ALL residents who may have been exposed to COVID-19. This includes those who are displaying symptoms and asymptomatic carriers. Those with acute (severe) symptoms such as high fever and shortness of breath will be redirected to a local ER. To schedule an appointment to get tested, please register online at https://ushealthfairs.org/ carson-testing/ or call (310) 952-1719.

Resource Center: Residents can call (310) 952-1750 for resources and information. Live operators are standing by Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Carson Essentials To Go: Residents can order groceries safely from their homes over the telephone, and city employees will deliver the package of their choice within 3 to 5 business days. Call (310) 952-1765 Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for more information, or to place your order. Order from four different packages based on family size that cost between $43 and $55.

Grab and Go: Los Angeles Unified, in partnership with the Red Cross, will continue to provide nutritious meals to all students who need them during the temporary closure of schools.

Our Grab & Go Food Centers are staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Each child can take home two nutritious meals. Visit https://achieve.lausd.net/resources for more information.

(310) 602-4909.

Real News, Real People, Really Effective

Meal Delivery: The City of Carson, in partnership with the Lighthouse, Meals on Wheels, and YMCA is providing meals to seniors and homebound residents. Lunch Pick-Up Monday through Friday starting at 11 a.m. until supplies last. Distribution takes place at Carson Community Center, 801 E. Carson St.

Visit: ci.carson.ca.us 701 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 90745 City Hall is closed to the public

May 28 - June 10, 2020

CITY HALL CONTACT Call (310) 830-7600, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Thursday 24-hour automated: (310) 952-1700

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[Preparations, from p. 2]

Election Preparations

May 28 - June 10, 2020

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

locations, how many days, but there will be in-person voting opportunities on and before election day,” Padilla said.

He also encouraged voting early, whether it is by mail or at the polls. This will reduce the size of the lines on election day, making it safer for both voters and poll workers.

There are several benefits to vote-by-mail ballots as opposed to poll voting, including not having to worry about whether your name will be on the list at the polling place.

“It’s also done in the privacy of their home,” Scoville said. “They can talk about it with their family; they can do it at their leisure; they don’t have to do it only on a certain date or a certain hour.”

Even in the previous election, about 64 percent of voters in Los Angeles County received a vote-by-mail ballot, Padilla said.

“We’re in the transition already to this new method of voting,” Padilla said.

In other counties in California, voters automatically received vote-by-mail ballots a month before the last election, he said.

In order to verify the ballots, the registrar’s office will compare the voter’s signature on the outside of the envelope to the voter’s most recent signature on his or her voter registration form.

The process is proven to be secure, Padilla said. There are other ways to verify the ballots as well. For example, if a voter sends in a vote-bymail ballot, but also votes at the polls, only the first ballot that is received will be counted.

A few years ago, vote-by-mail ballots had to be in possession of election officials by 8 p.m. on election night. While he was in the California

4

Senate, Padilla voted for a measure that made ballots postmarked on or before election day eligible to be counted if they arrived within three days after the election.

If the voter does not sign the ballot, it won’t be counted, but the registrar will send him or her a postcard saying that the voter has three days to sign it, Scoville said.

“Signatures change a lot over time, so it can be hard to tell, particularly with seniors,” Scoville said. “Their signatures change substantially, you know, as they age.”

Scoville is part of the Long Beach Gray Panthers, which encourages seniors to re-register so that their signatures on file will be up to date with the signatures on their ballots.

Donald Trump has been very critical of mailin voting, but Padilla said that his accusations were offensive and outright lies.

“Trump himself is a vote-by-mail voter,” Padilla said. “It’s pretty hypocritical that he’ll attack vote-by-mail, threaten to not fund the postal service, yet he himself is benefitting from vote-by-mail as a Florida voter.”

Padilla asked that all registered voters check that their registration information is correct at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/. At this website, vote-by-mail voters can also see if their ballots were received and if they were counted, as well as a reason for why their ballots were not counted.

“That transparency is good, both for public confidence and underlying integrity of the election,” Padilla said.

While vote-by-mail ballots are the most practical solution for the November election, Scoville believes that switching to online voting

is possible eventually. However, access to wi-fi and devices such as phones and laptops would need to be universal.

Such a system is used in Estonia, a small European country with a population of 1.33 million. About 44% of votes cast in the country’s 2019 elections were submitted online.

“They use online voting,” Scoville said, “And guess what? They’re right next to Russia and they don’t care. They use online voting and it works for them just fine.”

Estonian citizens can use ID cards or mobile

ID to vote from anywhere in the world, the Estonian government’s website said. The voter’s identity is removed before counting to preserve the voter’s anonymity. The polls are open for seven days and voters can even change their votes up until the last day.

Scoville believes that such a system could work for the United States, but it would need to be government-run.

“It needs to be really run by the government and not farmed out,” Scoville said. “That’s where you have the problem.”

Efforts Stepped Up to Provide Healthcare Workers with PPE

By Dayzsha Lino, Editorial Intern

On April 27, District 35 Sen. Steven at CSUDH used 3D printers to create the 1,000 Bradford announced that the Center for face-shields.

“I am extremely proud of our CSU Innovation in STEM Education at California State University Dominguez Hills donated [See Frontline Workers, p. 5] 1,000 medical face shields to be used for the personal protection of resident physicians treating patients with the COVID-19 virus at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

“These shields will provide that protection for those men and women who show up everyday to do the work that is so badly needed,” said Bradford, during a press conference.

Under the direction of program director, California 35th District Sen. Steven Bradford secured 1,000 face shields Kamal Hamdan, students produced by CSUDH students with 3D printing. Photo courtesy of CSUDH

Galaxy Star Donates to LB Frontline Workers

By Alex Witrago, Editorial Intern

Soccer fans often raise their favorite players as heroes, but to Galaxy goalkeeper David Bingman, the real heroes are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sports star celebrated National Nurses’ Week, on May 6, by partnering with El Barrio Tacos to provide 70 taco bowls to the emergency department, intensive care unit and respiratory care team.

“We had an outpour of support as you know to health care workers around the country and unbelievable amounts of donations from restaurants,” said Megan Martinez, a spokeswoman for Dignity Health St. Mary’s Medical Center. “David actually is a very humble genuine man. His father is a retired police officer and his sister is actually an ER nurse who works in Georgia.”

David has donated more than 250 meals to front line workers including the Redondo Beach Police Department.

“Because of social distancing we couldn’t have everyone out and we couldn’t necessarily have him (David Bingham) inside the hospital,” Martinez said. “We did it out front of the hospital but it was very heartwarming. He passed out lunches to the emergency department team, intensive care unit team and our respiratory therapist team; the leaders of those departments were outside to receive the delivery.”

Martinez said St. Mary’s Medical Center has been treating patients who are positive for COVID-19. However, she was not able to disclose the amount of cases at the center.

According to data from the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, as of May 24, Long Beach reported a total of 1,582 cases of COVID-19, with 67 people hospitalized, 73 people who have died and 1,100 people recovered.

[Frontline Workers, from p. 4]

Frontline Workers Get PPE Dominguez Hills family for their response to the health crisis,” Hamdan said at the press conference. “I’m proud of our students, our staff, our faculty and our leadership team.”

These efforts come at a time when personal protective equipment for frontline workers is more important than ever. On May 10, The Los Angeles Times reported that a 61 year-old nurse at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center named Celia Marcos died two weeks after saving a patient with COVID-19. Her surgical mask was not thick enough to withstand the particles spewing from the man as she performed various breathing treatments on the patient.

As shortages of personal protective equipment continue to be an issue in Los Angeles, many have taken their frustrations to the streets. On May 1,

nurses all across Southern California organized demonstrations arguing that the state was not doing anything about the shortages of N95 masks, which was putting nurses in danger by forcing them to reuse surgical masks.

However, despite initially slow efforts by the federal government to provide personal protective equipment earlier in the pandemic, nurses have been receiving various donations from members of the community.

“I believe [I heard] that nationally, hospitals were initially hit by surprise but upon checking we have received not only purchased items like masks, etc., but the community has come forward with amazing donations as well,” said Lysa Barry from Dignity Health at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach.

LABORNotes

McDonald’s Workers Strike Demanding Protections from COVID-19

By Mark Friedman, Labor Columnist

Demanding McDonald’s prioritize public health and worker safety over profits, hundreds of employees at the fast food chain (140,000 U.S. restaurants) went on strike May 20, a day before the company was set to hold its annual shareholders’ meeting.

Instead of McDonald’s distributing dividends to its shareholders, the striking employees are calling for the company to use its massive profits to pay for safety and financial protections for workers, scores of whom have contracted COVID-19 in at least 16 states so far.

Employees and strike organizers at the fair wage advocacy group Fight for $15 are demanding hazard pay during the pandemic of “$15X2,” paid sick leave, sufficient protective gear for workers and a company-wide policy of closing a restaurant for two weeks when an employee becomes infected, with workers being fully paid.

The strike is taking place at stores in at least 20 cities. Fight for $15 and the Service Employees International Union, which is also supporting the action, say it’s the first nationwide coordinated effort targeting the company since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.

Longtime McDonald’s cook Bartolome Perez joined the strike after having his hours reduced when he spoke up about working conditions during the pandemic.

“They only care for their profits,” Perez told USA Today. “They don’t care for our

lives. They show it to us again and again.”

The workers went on strike as 25 labor rights and racial justice groups launched a campaign to demand federal legislation protecting workers from employer retaliation.

“Workers being able to speak out is key for a healthy democracy and safe society,” Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future told Common Dreams, a nonprofit news site.

“Workers are our first line of defense against corruption, abuse and an essential part of fighting COVID-19. They must feel safe in alerting the public about dangerous threats as they appear.

Congress must act now.”

SEIU released a survey of about 800 McDonald’s workers, 46% of whom reported coming to work sick out of fear that they would be penalized if they stayed home. More than 90% of workers said their stores did not supply sufficient face masks.

McDonald’s workers in Chicago filed a classaction lawsuit claiming the company is still not providing enough hand sanitizer, gloves and masks for workers.

“I don’t think there would be strikes happening on 20 cities all on the same day if this was not a widely experienced condition of all workers in fast-food restaurants,” SEIU President Mary Kay Henry told USA Today in response to McDonalds’ denials.

Real News, Real People, Really Effective

May 28 - June 10, 2020

5

100,000 Dead —

A War We Don’t Seem to Be Winning

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

By James Preston Allen, Publisher Just this week, the U.S. death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic passed 100,000. It seems like such a long time ago that candidate Donald Trump kept saying, “We are going to Make America Great Again,” and that “We are going to win so much that you’ll get tired of winning.” See the actual video clip here: https:// tinyurl.com/trump-albany-rally.

Well, we’re still waiting to see what “winning” looks like because from this point of view, America seems to be losing the COVID-19 war while simultaneously tanking the longest running bull economy ever as DJT goes golfing. Reminds me a lot of Alfred E. Newman’s cartoon in Mad Magazine who famously spouts, “What, me worry?”

Donald appears not to worry about the coronavirus as much as he does about being compared to President Barack Obama, or his taxes being exposed or much else except what it would mean if he didn’t get reelected. The term “loser” comes to mind and getting him kicked off this real-life reality TV show would just be too exquisite to express.

However, it is a fundamental mistake to think that Trump and his pals are men without a plan. It’s just they don’t have a plan that includes protecting Americans from the COVID-19. Let me explain.

While we have all been either distracted by the pandemic or quarantined, the real plan is to just deconstruct all of the “big government” that the Republican Tea Party radicals can get away with, like destroying the U.S. Postal Service, deregulating the Environmental Protection Agency, defunding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization (and a string of other science and health departments meant to protect Americans from just this kind of pandemic) and even going so far as to rid these agencies of anyone who doesn’t support the use of hydroxychloroquine as the cure-all for COVID-19.

This drug, as you’ve undoubtedly heard about by now, is what DJT has selfprescribed (if he is to be believed, which most of us don’t). The common side effects of hydroxychloroquine include: headache, dizziness, ringing in your ears, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite,

weight loss (which might do him some good), mood changes, feeling nervous or irritable (which might just explain his midnight Twitter rampages), skin rash or itching or hair loss (we could only hope).

Don’t be distracted by his campaign ploy of the week like “Obamagate” or “Liberate Michigan.” Keep your attention on what’s really going on, especially at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue where Republic Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell is busily stacking the federal judgeships with rightwing ideologues.

Remember, “Moscow” Mitch, as he is now called, is the senator who stood in the way of President Obama appointing Merrick Garland to the vacant seat left by the sudden death of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Well, just wait until the election results come in on Nov. 3. When DJT loses to Joe Biden, old Mitch will be stacking the courts faster than a three-armed bricklayer on Adderall.

Meanwhile, local congressional representatives are ringing the alarm bell about the Trump administration actively trying to take away healthcare coverage from millions of Americans in the middle of this pandemic. Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) writes, “This isn’t the first time Donald Trump and his GOP allies have tried to obstruct American healthcare.

His administration has always been intent on dismantling the Affordable Care Act—and due to his attacks, millions of Americans are now uninsured. [He] still doesn’t have a plan to cover coronavirus treatment for uninsured Americans, despite promising to do so months ago when this crisis began.”

Again, this is the plan to dismantle “big government” programs not because they don’t work, not because they are shown to be essential or because they benefit the common good, but because libertarian Republicans don’t want the government to get in the way of the profit motive.

In other words, stopping large corporations from making even more profits at the detriment of the general public or their workers is a problem. We have all witnessed this tactic of using “fiscal conservatism” against public schools and colleges, public health care systems and even now with the U.S. Postal Service. The tactic is used to defund them on the grounds of

May 28 - June 10, 2020

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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.

By Peter Warren, Indivisible San Pedro

I am writing to tell the community about the at-berth regulation for ocean-going vessels proposed for implementation in January 2021. I am speaking on behalf of Indivisible San Pedro and its more than 300 members, all residents and California voters.

The members of our group support the proposed update to existing at-berth rules. They are necessary and overdue. The update strikes a compromise with industry, accelerating the date for inclusion of exempt classes of ocean going vessels, while providing additional flexibility for the shipping industry. Said industry is a key source of jobs and vital economic activity for our city, state and nation.

We remain concerned that some who have long opposed at-berth emission controls now suddenly discovered the COVID-19 crisis and call for delay, claiming a new environment and an

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

Photographers Terelle Jerricks, Raphael Richardson, Chris Villanueva

Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg paul.rosenberg@ randomlengthsnews.com

past three years?

Or has this administration cheated you, the taxpayer, by pouring billions into weapons and a Mexico border wall that can’t even stop the invasion of a single virus to the detriment of our national economy. Obviously, the Federal Reserve has the money to pay for many things, but only if Congress approves the spending.

At this point, if this is what he calls “winning,” I’d hate to see what losing looks like because 100,000 fatalities in four months is more than we’ve actually lost fighting the last three wars.

Clean Air Regulations 2021

Columnists/Reporters Andrea Serna Arts Writer Melina Paris Staff Reporter Hunter Chase Staff Reporter Send Calendar Items to: 14days@randomlengthsnews.com

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

“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. XLI : No. 11

saving taxpayer money. If these systems survive the budget cuts, they then claim these systems are inefficient or don’t work. This was done while raising the military defense budget from $316 billion in 2001 to over $685 billion in 2019.

Now let me ask you just one simple question — would a rational plan for the defense of our nation be to take just 10% of that defense budget to protect America against the current or future diseases? Would there not have been enough personal protective equipment in the National Strategic Stockpile if this had been done in the

Contributors Joseph Baroud, Mark L. Friedman, Greggory Moore, Peter Warren, Gretchen Williams Cartoonists Andy Singer, Jan Sorensen, Matt Wuerker

opaque future dictates rethinking this proposed update. Their cynicism and opportunism is breathtaking.

This new environment is killing people. That is a certainty. Rather than support delay, the pandemic emphasizes the urgent need for tough at-berth regulation. That’s because Californians whose health is damaged by goods-movement driven pollution — those with underlying lung, asthma, heart, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure — are the very people who are the most susceptible to the ravages of COVID-19 and those most likely to die from it, according to numerous reports in medical journals.

The at-berth regulation has been effective in reducing emissions from ocean going vessels, one of the top sources of harmful air pollution in California. The proposed changes to this [See Clean Air, p. 7]

Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya, Brenda Lopez

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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).

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RANDOMLetters Coronavirus Pandemic Like a devil out of the dark It has wreaked havoc It has left its mark Its virus has no goal It attacks the unsuspecting Taking a tremendous toll A toll of millions of people regardless of their worth Striking with swift consistency Throughout the entire earth The coronavirus comes like a thief in the night Its victims unaware That they are in a lifesaving fight Our entire world is fighting a great crisis Which mostly strikes groups of people And leaves a deadly virus With over 300,000 deaths The world is taking heed The people are in constant quest to find an antidote indeed Testing is of utmost importance To uncover the positive cases It makes a difference in the total

tested And the virus it erases The people quit turning their backs On COVID-19 officials Thus making a concerted effort To test the virus cases So let us give resolve And needful prayer and resolution As we tackle this dreaded disease While searching for a solution Jerry Brady San Pedro

Life After the Pandemic

Last week, the LA Times letters editor put out a call for informal hopes/dreams for “life after the pandemic.” I submitted the following. It’s not eloquent, it’s unlikely to see the light of day, and should come as no surprise, but it’s my wish. I know you’re working on it. Thank you.

“Beds don’t bring people inside. Relationships do,” I’ve said it many times. And, I’ll add this to it: trust does. Right now, we’ve earned the trust of thousands of

[Clean Air, from p. 6]

Clean Air

every major catastrophe to externalize more costs and subsidize corporations at the expense of people’s health. These very same industry voices have always opposed these regulations.

This delay would simply exploit the disaster to push industry’s long standing opposition to regulations proven to save lives.

It is hard to find a silver lining in the pandemic. Yet, there are things about it that call to our better angels, that hang a lantern on the true cost of letting industry externalize its costs on the public, that tell us we must build a greener future.

These pandemic days, locals walk on Paseo del Mar in San Pedro, experiencing the vista across San Pedro Bay to Newport Beach as it was in old time California. The air is crystal clear and the pollution is diminished. The people in the Harbor Area are and will be healthier for it.

We are an inventive people. We are entrepreneurial people. We are a hard-working people. Surely, both this vista and a thriving goods movement industry can be in our future.

Yes, we need the jobs and the goods, but the industry must at the very least go electric, plugin its ships at berth or bonnet them and not fall for the dodge of turning to drilled gas to power trucks and equipment in the 21st century.

make in order to cope pile up, and you begin to accept this new reality.

Weird silver lining: This pandemic has been scary enough for some to (temporarily) cut through that trauma and baggage like a razor, bringing people inside.

Giving us the biggest opportunity we’ve had thus far to keep them inside.

Thousands of people are the closest they’ve ever been to movein ready. LA is the creative capital of the world. We must utilize the very creativity we mustered to get

them inside in order to keep them there. Motels, city properties, my backyard. If any city can figure this out, it’s us.

Amber Sheikh Ginsberg San Pedro

Real News, Real People, Really Effective

regulation will save lives and money, as well as provide significant and widespread health benefits.

Our answer to those who would use the pandemic disaster to undermine clean air rules is: Shame on you. And perhaps the regulation should be tougher. We cannot afford to delay or pause efforts to move forward with lifesaving regulations, and it would be particularly inappropriate and a disgrace to delay the at-berth regulation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not going away this year or next, perhaps not in some of our lifetimes.

Further and perhaps as important is that there is no connection between the proposed regulations and the decline in business at the twin ports. You could cut emission rules and permit fees to the bone today and it would neither fix the feared recession in shipping nor the global recession, which are caused by the worldwide pandemic.

The fix is not in easing regulation. It is in defeating the virus. This cynicism from the goods movement folks is to be expected. They subscribe to disaster capitalism, which exploits

Angelinos facing homelessness.

They were just as scared as the rest of us in mid-march. Scrambling to understand how “safer at home” could be implemented without a home. They’ve trusted us as we brought them inside in unprecedented numbers using LA Rec and Park sites, Project Roomkey…

If you’ve never experienced homelessness, spent time with, or loved a person experiencing homelessness, it’s hard to imagine why people are hesitant to come inside. Why would someone not accept a shelter bed? I could speak endlessly on this topic.

On how complex (or simple) the often traumatic, isolating, and fundamentally worth-sucking road is to homelessness as well as the experience of being homeless can be. It is profoundly dehumanizing.

This is why programs like rapid rehousing are so important.

Every single day someone spends without a stable home makes it harder to ever imagine you’ll again be housed. Week one: your ID gets stolen, you are sexually assaulted, you decide to use to numb the pain. Bam. As the days pile up, the system has more opportunities to disappoint and fail you, your resolve lessens, the decisions you

May 28 - June 10, 2020

7

100,000… and Counting [100,000, from p. 1]

May 28 - June 10, 2020

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

Now, there are 48 countries that have shown the virus is containable, according to Endcoronavirus. org. The number of states has not improved, even as all 50 have taken steps to start re-opening. Experts warn that will lead to further outbreaks. A study from Imperial College London, using mobile phone data, warned that 24 states are still seeing epidemic spreading — including California. The challenge represented by Trump and those supporting him has only intensified.

To better understand that threat, Random Lengths turned to Ian Hughes, a physicist, trained psychoanalyst and author of the 2018 book, Disordered Minds: How Dangerous Personalities Are Destroying Democracy, describes how leaders with dangerous personality disorders — incapable of feeling the full range of normal human emotions — have repeatedly managed to build power bases largely comprised of similarly disordered supporters: Adolf Hitler’s Germany, Joseph Stalin’s Russia, Mao Zedong’s China and Pol Pot’s Cambodia.

America isn’t in that same league. The V Dem [Varieties of Democracy] Institute categorizes it as a democracy suffering “autocratization”: worse than Venezuela, but not as bad as Brazil. Still, the increasing emergence of violent rhetoric and armed protest fueled by Trump in recent weeks points ominously in this frightening direction. Hughes also describes how the growth and development of democracy serves to protect society against the dangers posed by this violent, malignant minority.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasized two truths about America,” Hughes said. “The first is the self-evident fact that Donald Trump suffers from a dangerous mental disorder,...

Mental health experts have been saying this since before Trump was elected, of course, but his response to the pandemic has made his cognitive and emotional deficiencies even more glaringly obvious.

“The condition that mental health professionals converge on with respect to Trump is malignant narcissism, which is a combination of extreme narcissism, paranoia and absence of empathy or conscience…. All of these aspects of malignant narcissism are plainly visible in Trump’s response to the pandemic. The degree to which he has made the tragedy all about himself is mind blowing, and completely inexplicable except in terms of psychopathology,” Thus, Trump first described the pandemic as “a Democratic hoax,” as if it had been fabricated simply to make him look bad. More systematically, a New York Times analysis of Trump’s coronavirus briefings and other remarks from March 9 through mid-April found that: “By far the most recurring utterances from Mr. Trump in the briefings are selfcongratulations, roughly 600 of them, which are often predicated on exaggerations and falsehoods.”

“His absence of empathy for the victims of the virus, and his complete inability to conceptualize the suffering of the sick and dying is chilling,” Hughes continued.

Of course, Trump has tried to show some superficial concern, but his feeble efforts only underscore how incapable he is.

“Mr. Trump’s attempts to display empathy or appeal to national unity (about 160 instances) amount to only a quarter of the number of times he complimented himself or a top member of 8 his team,” The New York Times reported.

to my mind, history has been one long struggle of the majority to try and reduce the malignancy of this minority.

Huge strides in this struggle have been made in the past — after the American Revolution and following World War II, for example, when sweeping systemic changes were made in social institutions. “There have been these episodes, but they usually come out of enormous periods of turmoil, enormous periods of violence,” he said.

Hughes also said that these periods of violence were caused by that minority and we’re in another such moment now.

That’s the backdrop for the way forward he suggested.

Fundamental changes are necessary

“He is experiencing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans as a personal affront,” Hughes added. “His narcissistic delusions are also evident in his constant reiterations that it will magically disappear, and the world will return to that wonderful state in which he can once again bask in adulation at his political rallies.”

Trump is only part of the problem facing America.

“The second truth that the pandemic has exposed more clearly is perhaps even more disturbing, namely the power structure that supports Trumpism and the extent to which pathology pervades the disparate elements of it,” Hughes said. “Pathology is visible in those within the GOP and its wealthy backers pushing people back to work, risking other people’s lives so they can secure their fortunes.”

The refusal to protect meatpacking workers, led by Republican governors in Iowa, Nebraska, the Dakotas and elsewhere, is a striking case in point.

“Pathology is evident in the evangelicals claiming that the blood of Jesus will save them, while recklessly dismissing the likelihood that their ‘religious freedom’ will kill others,” Hughes continued.

Churches are already virus-spreading hotspots, as noted by Forbes recently.

“As President Donald Trump sides with churches that want to reopen faster than their state’s safety guidelines will allow, new COVID-19 virus outbreaks associated with in-person religious services are being reported worldwide,” Forbes reported. Among the victims was a Virginia pastor who died in April after defiantly holding services throughout March, saying he would continue “unless I’m in jail or the hospital.”

“Pathology is evident in the armed white militias threatening violence against governors who are acting to save people’s lives,” Hughes added.

In Michigan, this went so far that the state legislature was shut down in mid-May. “Individuals who suffer from personality disorders, and who had hitherto not been involved in the group’s rise to power, emerge from within every community to assume positions of responsibility and become indispensable in spreading terror through every village, community and region of society,” Hughes wrote in his book.

So, what we’re seeing now in various reopening protests is just a foretaste of potentially much uglier things to come.

“The more alarming truth about America right now is not Trump,” Hughes said. “It is the fact that his pathology has been shown to be deeply embedded within a broad swathe of U.S. society.

“To overcome the pathocracy into which the U.S. has descended, a strategy is needed aimed at disarming and dismantling the power structure underpinning Trumpism, alongside a strategy to defeat Trump at the polls in November. It is a mistake to think that the task is only to change the president. The real task is to change society. And naming the pathology underpinning Trumpism needs to be a core part of the approach.”

“Pathocracy” is the name coined by Polish psychologist Andrew Lobaczewski, who suffered under the World War II Nazi occupation of Poland as a youth, followed by the Soviet occupation afterwards. What he saw in both was a system in which individuals with personality disorders — psychopathy, malignant narcissism, etc. — occupy positions of power, and shape social institutions to meet their pathological needs. Not everyone in such systems necessarily has a personality disorder, but they willingly accommodate themselves to it — as described, for example in the book, Hitler’s Willing Executioners. The long line of higher-ups who have joined the Trump administration, only to see their reputations ruined are a tell-tale signature of a pathocratic regime. But it’s not yet one that’s at all secure.

“We are living in a historical moment that is fraught with both danger and opportunity,” Hughes stated. “The COVID-19 pandemic is just one of a whole series of crises that we are facing, from climate change, species extinction, the erosion of democracy, unprecedented levels of inequality, the rise of right-wing nationalism, and rising geopolitical tensions, to name just a few. ... Almost every social institution upon which we have relied for direction and stability is failing. ...

This is true of democracy, religion, economics, gender, technology, education. And they are failing largely because they have lost their moral compass and their focus on the public good.”

In a recent podcast Hughes said that: We have always had pretty much a majority that are psychologically healthy, and this minority who is incapable of seeing others as equals, incapable of seeing others as anything but a threat, who are much more prone to violence and aggression and inequality ... And

“As these social institutions are currently configured, the values they valorize encourage pathocracy,” he argued. “A re-imagining, based on values of cooperation, empathy, inclusion and social cohesion, is necessary to neutralize the pathology that currently permeates U.S. society and to move in a more sustainable and humane direction.”

Those values have been vividly on display as the coronavirus pandemic has enveloped America — particularly in the way that essential frontline service workers have emerged as heroes and in popular support for sweeping, large-scale government action to promote the general welfare. But these values also registered strong support before the pandemic, in Democratic primary polling, and yet took a back seat to a supposedly “safer” candidate who promised a “return to normal” which now seems utterly fanciful.

Defeating The Death Cult

That’s profoundly problematic, according to psychotherapist Elizabeth Mika, who joined Hughes on that recent podcast.

“What worries me quite a bit is seeing the calls for return to the so-called ‘normal,’ and I understand that” Mika said in the podcast.

“However, the normal is what brought us Trump in the first place,” she pointed out.

“The normal is what gave us 150,000 deaths of despair — that’s the number of people who died in 2017 due to alcohol, drug abuse and suicide — in addition to 45,000 that died for lack of access to healthcare. There are thousands of people who die in mass shootings.”

In short, she summarized, “This is not normal. It has not been normal for a very long time. ... We have lived in a pathological society well before Trump was elected to the presidency, and so what we are seeing is an exacerbation of that pathological reality.”

Hughes agrees but with a more optimistic outlook.

“A broad coalition, drawn from right across society, opposed to the values of Trumpism and passionate about making the U.S. rational, humane, fair and democratic again is needed not just for a New Deal, but for building a new society which is the antithesis of the pathocracy that is currently destroying America,” he said.

It certainly helps that all of us have seen millions of our fellow Americans act heroically in that spirit over the last few months. It’s no longer a wild-eyed fantasy.

We’ve seen with our own eyes what it looks like to see those values in action. We know it’s possible. We can’t un-know it now. We don’t have to accept 57 times the deaths of South Korea. It’s time for the death cult to end.

We Are Here, Here We Are A Melina Paris, Arts and Culture Reporter

rtist-run gallery in downtown Los Angeles, Durden and Ray presents We Are Here / Here We Are, a Los Angeles Countywide exhibition of nearly 100 artists that explores our innate desire for connectivity through sensation. Due to the constraints of the COVID-19 lockdown, the artists in this exhibition have chosen public spaces to display their work — from Santa Monica to the east side and from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. The location of each piece will be posted on a Google Map that allows the exhibition to be explored virtually or in real life.

“To participate in this exhibition is a gift,” Weber said. “To myself, my neighbors and the art community. It’s so embracive. Even the cops slow down as they drive by and give a thumbs up. Some people ask the proverbial ‘What the hell is it?’ question and others fall all over themselves to let me know they know what art is. It’s hard to feel sad when there’s a giant sculpture in the front yard, where you would least expect it.”

Ann Weber’s sculpture can be seen at the corner of 24th and S. Grand Ave. in San Pedro

We Are Here

While the world turns inward, we are paradoxically more connected with each other than ever through the use of social media, digital technology, video conferencing and telecommunication. But as the streets remain empty, the restaurants and coffee shops remain closed and the houses of social engagement remain shuttered, we are rediscovering “real life” through our homes, our neighborhoods and ourselves. As the digital world feeds our need to connect through sight and sound, we are experiencing a severe disconnect from the other sensory functions of touch, taste and smell, yearning for experiences that happen through tactility, sensation, randomness and place, which are currently only possible in real life.

Here We Are

Times: Dawn-dusk, every day, unless noted, through June 20 Locations: https://tinyurl.com/Durden-Ray-Ann-locations Details: http://www.durdenandray.com/the-exhibition-project

Real News, Real People, Really Effective

Ann Weber’s Grandaddy Blue, a cardboard, staples, polyurethane, sculpture is on display in San Pedro as part of We Are Here, Here We Are. Courtesy of of Ann Weber.

The artists in the exhibition have chosen unorthodox alternatives to a traditional gallery setting, using a wide variety of media interventions in neighborhood alleyways, yards, trees, bushes, on rocks, fences, telephone poles and other publicly accessible areas, while honoring social distancing mandates. The works in We Are Here / Here We Are are ephemeral in nature: vulnerable to the elements and to those who might destroy or confiscate them. Their resilience shows an innate desire to be present in the real world and to be seen as an individual amongst a larger collective peer group, despite all odds.

To experience the exhibition: Click on the link to Durden and Ray’s personalized Google Map, which displays the coordinates of each work, a photograph of the piece in-situ, as well as a brief description that provides some context. A small placard is available at each site and provides some information about each piece, as well as a quick response code that links to the map with more information about the show and other works in the neighborhood.

More than a dozen artists from Long Beach are also showing pieces including sculptor Katie Stubblefield, painter Stephanie Han, photographer, Jennifer Gunlock and printmaker, Michael Nannery.

May 28 - June 10, 2020

9

I

n Amsterdam, restaurant tables are perched next to the canals and enclosed in clear glass greenhouses, traditionally used to grow plants. In Connecticut, clear plastic igloos protect diners at an outdoor restaurant.

In Vilnius, Lithuania, the entire capital city is being turned into an open air cafe, allowing restaurants to set up tables free of charge on sidewalks. Some streets have been closed to accommodate social distancing.

The weeks of safer-at-home combined with the coming of warm weather have made the desire for normal life to resume all the more acute. We miss each other, we miss the welcoming embrace of our favorite restaurant, we miss the social contacts and the great service and we miss the food. All over the world, restaurants are changing and adapting, hoping to survive the current crisis. Discouraging figures estimate the demise of over 25 percent of restaurants in the United States with a loss of many jobs. As the restaurant industry evolves, so will the way we behave at restaurants. Our expectations, our needs and our willingness to accept changes will determine the success of the new restaurant scene.

Timing is everything, and San Pedro’s timing was good for making the new face of restaurants in town open and welcoming again.

With Little Italy as its model, the proposal on the table at the city right now is to give San Pedro restaurants the opportunity to stretch dining into the streets and plazas of downtown and to allow sidewalk dining all over town.

California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom has given the go ahead for other areas of the state to open for restaurant service, but Los Angeles County does not meet the criteria for opening yet. Many restaurants in town are still offering full menus of takeout cuisine, with delivery or pickup options and are poised to re-open for full service when allowed to do so.

What Restaurants Look and Feel Like After the SaferAt-Home Order Ends?

May 28 - June 10, 2020

Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant

The restaurant is restorative, meant to be good for the body and the mind, but added stress and fear of exposure make that initial trip to our favorite spot tough. Restaurateurs are also hesitant, for many of the same reasons.

The process of dining out will show some changes, some temporary and some destined to stay. In preparation, the standard of protection is also incumbent on the diner to be responsible, using hand sanitizer, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.

10

Facing the New Face of Restaurants

By Gretchen Williams, Dining and Cuisine Writer

In Amsterdam, diners enjoy a meal out safe in their own glass house. File photo.

What Will Happen When You Go to a Restaurant?

The place will look different, with fewer tables, spread further apart. More outdoor dining will be offered and reservations may be required to allow for thorough cleaning between patrons.

Bars, breweries and wineries will be allowed to open if food is also served, but the close quarters of the bar or lounge will be discouraged at the beginning. New strategies will be needed to give restaurants the ability to provide service and good food as well as keep the dining public safe. The host may offer a paper menu or a slate of menu items to read from or even a menu email sent with the reservation confirmation.

The wait staff will be wearing masks and using techniques to minimize direct contact, like patrons ordering through the restaurant’s website and using cards to pay the tab instead of paper checks and paper money.

The table top will look bare, as common items like the salt and pepper shakers will be replaced by individual packets, as will ketchup

and mustard and other condiments. Disposable items will be used exclusively at first, with flatware always prepackaged and paper and

plastic ware used when possible. Buffets are out, as are things like table side service for dishes like Caesar salad or guacamole. Smaller menus with fewer options will give the restaurateur more leeway to deal with supply chain issues and shortages. More efficient table bussing and trash removal will also be made contactless, with disposable tableware going directly into sealed trash.

Some restaurateurs are contemplating the elimination of air conditioning — thought to be a vector in virus transmission — instead opening windows and doors to encourage natural air flow. Even the restrooms will look different, with hand dryers disabled and replaced with individual paper towels. Restroom visits may even be accompanied by waitstaff, to ensure restrooms are empty of other patrons and appropriately sanitized in between visits.

The size of restaurant parties may be limited, with large restaurant parties eliminated for the duration.

Life is challenging now and where we used to plan our activities weeks in advance, the present takes on new importance. All of us face the future looking over masks as the new normal. Small accommodations will allow us to take up our regular activities and restaurant dining will make life seem familiar again. Vital to our social, physical and financial health in many ways, our restaurant community here in the Harbor Area is precious to our way of life. Our restaurants deserve our support and continue to offer delicious drinks and dishes, even in the face of crisis.

[Meat Prices, from p. 2]

Meat Prices

Raygoza said that, so far, he hasn’t had any trouble keeping his supply but he has seen the price of beef double in the past two weeks.

“The beef, I know, has gone up a lot,” Raygoza said. “It’s just a taste of what’s to come.

If they keep closing plants down or if they can’t figure out what they are going to do with the plants that are open and they don’t have enough man power left to do the work….

The beef prices right now, it’s a little high.

It’s gone up a lot for beef. I don’t know how the other companies are doing, but every time I go to the cash-and carry place, they are always out of meat. And then, a lot of times we are not even getting a lot of stuff in because it’s so high priced.”

The California Beef Council weighed in on California’s meat supply and how it is impacted by the shutdown of meat processing plants due to the coronavirus.

The Producer End

Mark Lacey, a cattle rancher near Independence (about three hours northeast of Bakersfield), is president of the California Cattlemen’s Association and a member of the California Beef Council. That places him on the

BIG NICK’S PIZZA

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. Call for fast delivery. Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Fri.-Sat. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-732-5800, www.bignickspizza.com Family owned and operated since 1965, Buono’s is famous for exceptional award-winning brick oven baked pizza.

Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected ingredients that are prepared fresh. Takeout and delivery at all three locations. 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

COMPAGNON WINE BISTRO

Compagnon Wine Bistro (formerly La Buvette Wine Bistro) offers rustic French cuisine that pays tribute to classic French bistros in various regions of France. Call in your dinner and family meal orders for curbside pick-up, Wed. - Sun. 4 to 7 p.m. Compagnon Wine Bistro, 335 W. 7th St., San Pedro, 424-342-9840, www.CompagnonBistro. com

HAPPY DINER #1

The Happy Diner #1 in Downtown San Pedro isn’t your average diner.

The selections range from Italianand Mexican-influenced entrées to American Continental. Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new—take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables prepared any way you like. Call for takeout breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro, 310-241-0917, www.happydinersp.com

HAPPY DINER #2

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. Call in your order for curbside pickup. Hours: Mon. Sat. 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-935-2933, 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. Delivery to your home or office available. 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

PAPPY’S SEAFOOD

Pappy’s Seafood is your destination for fresh, sustainably caught seafood, locally sourced farm-to-table produce, craft beer, fine wines and cocktails.

Now offering curbside pick-up or delivery via Grubhub and Seamless. Hours: Wed.and Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Mon. and Tues. Pappy’s Seafood, 301 w. 6th St., San Pedro, 424-224-5444, www.pappysseafood.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 takeout and delivery through Grubhub, Postmates and Doordash. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-831-5663, www.sanpedrobrewing.com

[See Meat Supply, p.13]

TAXCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

We are proud to serve our community for almost four decades with generous plates of traditional Mexican Call in your order for pickup or order online for delivery at Doordash. com Open for orders 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Taxco Mexican Restaurant, 28152 S. Western Ave., San Pedro, 310-547-4554, www.taxcorestaurantpv.com

WEST COAST PHILLYS

Welcome to West Coast Phillys Cheesesteak and Hoagies where authentic Phillie cheesesteaks meets 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. Order online or call for pickup in the rear parking lot or delivery via Postmates, Doordash and Grubhub. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. West Coast Phillys, 1902 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, 424-264-5322, www.westcoastphillys. com

THE WHALE & ALE ENGLISH RESTAURANT & PUB

We’re open for Dinners To Go 4 to 7 p.m. Mon. through Thurs. Lunch and dinner available for pick up or delivery Fri. through Sun. 12 to 7 p.m. Order your favourite select pub entreés, such as fish or shrimp & chips, roast turkey, three curries, shepherd’s pie, bangers & mash, calamari, and salads plus pints to go for pick up and delivery with your purchase of food. Call in your order or order online at Postmates, Doordash and Grubhub. The Whale & Ale, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro, 310-832-0363, www. whaleandale.com

Support Independent Restaurants • Dining Guide online: www.randomlengthsnews.com/dining-guide

May 28 - June 10, 2020

Conrad’s menu reflects the cuisine of his native Oaxaca with a fresh focus on local, seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It features classic dishes from Oaxaca and regional Mexico, such as mole sauces, ceviche, empanadas and sopecitos. Conrad’s also features an inventive vegetarian and vegan menu. Order

online for curbside pick up and delivery. Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun. noon to 8 p.m. Conrad’s Mexican Grill, 376. W. 6th St., San Pedro • 424-264-5452, www. conradsmexicangrill.com

wholesale and retail prices. He not only credits the state’s stay-at-home orders for this state of affairs, but also the panic buying that took place just as everyday citizens stocked up on toilet paper and hand sanitizers during the earliest days of the pandemic.

CONRAD’S MEXICAN GRILL

producer end of the beef market.

“Everything is a little more expensive in California,” Lacey said. “Some of that has to do with regulatory costs.”

Lacey noted that major chain restaurants have raised their prices in response to rising

Real News, Real People, Really Effective

BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA

The Choriman founder, Humberto Raygoza, discussed staying open during the stay-at-home orders and the price of meat. Photo by Raphael Richardson

“This, at the very least stretched the availability of the meat supply from meat processing,” Lacey said.

Lacey blames the price increases on the meat processors, who he said have been able to ask for what they wanted.

“On the production end we are not seeing any decrease on the processing side,” Lacey said.

“On the processing side, initially there were these unknowns on what the government shut-downs were going to cost. People started rushing to the stores and stocking up on meat and the retailers responded by doing the same thing with their suppliers trying to keep their shelves stocked.”

Lacey suggested that beef processors have not been impacted by the coronavirus to the same degree as pork processors.

“A lot of the pork plants seem to have experienced shutdowns due to employees sick with illness or employees not showing up due to fear of getting sick,” Lacey said.

Lacey explained that when the beef processing plants started experiencing employee no-shows and/or employees started to show symptoms of coronavirus, the plants went to 40 percent of capacity.

“That created additional supply issues going to the wholesalers and retailers,” Lacey said.

As to whether Californian meat consumers

11

Studio Gallery 345

Michael Stearns Studio@The Loft

Cornelius Projects

THE ART OF AICHER

Pat Woolley, Tetons

In an abundance of caution, Studio 345, which shows the works of Pat Woolley and Gloria D. Lee will be closed for First Thursday, April 2. 345 W. 7th St., San Pedro.

Details: 310-545-0832 or 310-374-8055; artsail@roadrunner.com or www.patwoolleyart.com.

Take a virtual tour of Pat Woolley’s work at www.randomlengthsnews. com/art/first-thursday

Ko-Ryu Ramen

Michale Stearns, multi-media wall hanging, 14x18.

Due to the threat of coronavirus Michael Stearns Studio will be dark for a few weeks. The gallery has temporarily suspended its exhibition schedule and will be closed for the First Thursday May 7.

The first consideration is for your health and safety and the health of the community.

The studio will be open by appointment only during this time. Contact: michaelstearnsstudio@gmail.com or 562.400.0544. Michael Stearns Studio@The Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro.

362 W. 6th St. San Pedro 90731 310-935-2886

Take a virtual tour of Michael Stearns work at www.randomlengthsnews. com/art/virtual-first-thursday

A gentle giant of a man, Scott Aicher is a much-loved member of San Pedro’s alternative community. His aesthetic has been shaped by Pedro’s punk scene, underground comics, psychedelic art, and skate and custom car culture, and he devotes his talents to celebrating the things he loves. Prepare to have your eyes pop! View the gallery at corneliusprojects. com. Cornelius Projects, 1417 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro.

Details: 310-266-9216 Take a virtual tour of Scott Aicher’s work installed at Cornelius Projects at www.randomlengthsnews.com/art/first-thursday

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Restaurants that advertise for the First Thursday Art Walk are open for takeout and delivery.

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[See Calendar, page 16]

[Meat Supply, from p. 11]

Meat Supply

were impacted to the same extent as the rest of the country, Lacey provided a mixed answer.

Lacey noted that consumers in the Western regions of the United States have significant meat processing capabilities, counting Imperial County’s One World Beef, Harris Ranch Beef in Selma, California in the Central Valley and Central Valley Meat in Hanford, California. Central Valley Meat and one other specializes in harvesting ground beef, supplying restaurant chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Lacey identified a few more processing plants in places like the city of Vernon in Los Angeles County, and states such as Oregon, Washington and Arizona.

But even while these represent significant processing capabilities, Lacey admits in not so many words that it hasn’t been enough to forestall price increases.

There’s big processors like Tyson, Cargill, JBS — their big customers are large retail chains.

Those are your Walmarts, wholesalers like Costco, Sam’s Club (a counterpart to Walmart), Lacey explained. Then there are the large national grocery store chains like Albertsons and Safeway.

When it gets down to it, the large customers get top priority. Some of your smaller retail chains probably won’t get a high priority. That would also go for local restaurants like Ruth’s Chris, which just don’t move as much product and they take a smaller volume so it doesn’t last long. “Just economies of scale that make up the chain and without having other processing facilities out here ... there isn’t a secondary market for these guys to go to,� he said.

The new normal going forward?

Lacey is a bit optimistic. “Higher prices could remain, but the

Nearly 200 workers at Central Valley Meat in Hanford, Calif. have tested postive for COVID-19. File photo

wholesale prices you’re seeing now have already started to come down in the last two weeks,�

Lacey said. “More plants have been able to get more workers online and get up to 70 to 80 percent capacity. You’ll continue to see those prices come down. The record highs [for boxed beef cutout prices] were in the mid-$400 range.�

Lacey noted the elasticity of beef prices is difficult to say the least. “We have challenges when our product gets too high because traditionally our main competitor is chicken,� Lacey said. “[Chicken is] a whole lot cheaper. When it’s an economic decision for consumers, they will choose the cheaper option.�

Lacey admits this scenario poses a threat to the beef industry. From his perspective as a producer, with only the processors making all of their pre-pandemic profit, he believes a number of meat producers aren’t going to make it. “Frankly, we’re going to lose some production capacity because producers are going

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to go broke,� Lacey said. “There’s no telling if any producers will expand to pick up that capacity if the economics on the production side is not there. So we could see some capacity loss.

We could see some distraction due to competing proteins, ( i.e. chicken and pork).�

At The Choriman, Raygoza sees what’s happening with beef as a kind of canary in a coal mine. “I know wholesale prices for beef cuts like chuck [were about] $4 a pound,� Raygoza said. “It’s now $8 per pound and it’s going to continue to go up because every week it changes. We’re wholesalers too, so I’m checking prices every day.�

Raygoza said from what he’s seen, after doubling, the prices are going to keep creeping up for beef and across the wider meat market. “For pork and chicken, which no one is really talking about so much,� Raygoza said. “If coronavirus affects those prices then the prices for pork and chicken is going to go up as well.

That’s really going to hurt.�

Steven Maxey, a member of the Certified Meat Products board, agreed to some extent with Lacey’s assessment.

Maxey reported seeing traditionally cheaper cuts of meat like the round and the chuck and some of the ground beef going at very high prices, while the middle portions of the animal, which have traditionally been the more expensive meats, like the sirloin and the ribeye, have been more value priced.

Maxey explained that in the past couple of weeks, the prices of all cuts of beef have gotten pretty high-priced. Maxey was careful to note that what is being experienced right now is not a shortage of meat but a limited supply of processed meats and that the biggest driver of this limited supply is the fact that processing plants are running at less than full capacity due to labor issues as a result of the coronavirus.

To weather this storm, Maxey suggests that consumers, restaurants and families alike may have to make some changes in the choice of meats they are buying. “They may have to buy the brand or the cut they are not accustomed to buying,� Maxey said. “It’s probably a good time to be a little more flexible in the type of meat you’re looking at early on in this.�

Raygoza noted that he doesn’t have the option of choosing a different cut of meat because changing would mean changing everything on the production side of his chorizo product. “I’ve talked to other people and they say, ‘Well I will just use this,’� he said. “It’s not what we use. It’s an option. But then you take that hit because your customers are like ‘Wait, this doesn’t taste like it did before.’�

A change like that could potentially put an end to the meteoric rise of a San Pedro success story.

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DBA FILINGS Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2020058175 The following person is doing business as: Coastline Coatings, 1279 W 24th Street #1, San Pedro CA 90731. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Dimitrios Tsikiniadopoulos, 1279 W 24th Street #1, 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: 1/2004. 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/.

Dimitrios Tsikiniadopoulos, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 9, 2018. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, were it to expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common

law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 04/16/2020, 04/30/2020, 05/14/2020, 05/28/20

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2020065869 The following person is doing business as: Rudy’s Construction, 1279 W 24th Street #1, San Pedro CA 90731. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Dimitrios Tsikiniadopoulos, 1279 W 24th Street #1, 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: 1/2004. 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/.

Dimitrios Tsikiniadopoulos, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 9, 2018. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, were it to expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner.

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ACROSS

1 Completely chill 5 Cat’s resting spot 8 “Sweat smile” or “moneymouth face,” e.g.

13 Et ___ (Latin for “and others”) 14 Golden ___ O’s (cereal variety that somehow exists) 16 Fix with a needle 17 ITEMS IN THE FREEZER 20 ITEMS IN THE FREEZER 21 Affectionate greeting (that I’m guessing there will be a lot of when this is done) 22 Raphael’s weapon, in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” 23 Gallery offering 24 Raφz c·bica de ocho 27 Long sandwich 29 Makeshift car cleaners 32 Exclamations that have their moments?

34 Ewe’s mate 36 Answer a stimulus 40 ITEMS IN THE REFRIGERATOR 44 Phone maker from Finland 45 “Born in the ___” 46 New employee 47 Degs. for many professors 50 Alternatives to Macs 52 It’s usually due April 15 53 Breakfast hrs.

56 Android program 58 Carp in some ponds 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: 04/16/2020, 04/30/2020, 05/14/2020, 05/28/20

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2020081506 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BLUE ENGRAVERS, 1375 CASPIAN

60 ITEMS IN THE VEGETABLE CRISPER 67 ITEMS IN THE VEGETABLE CRISPER 68 Words before ante 69 It ended on April 9 this year 70 Musk of Tesla Motors 71 Bedding item 72 Get the idea 73 Some TV rooms

DOWN

1 Golden State, informally 2 “30 Rock” star Baldwin 3 Longest possible sentence 4 Go together perfectly 5 With “The,” 2008 Mike Myers flop 6 Carpet calculation 7 Stereotypical ‘80s hairdos 8 Words in the middle of everyone’s favorite Napoleon-based palindrome 9 Alternate nickname for Sporty Spice (as opposed to Scary) 10 Home of Suntory’s headquarters 11 2000 World Series MVP Derek 12 “___ let you down!”

15 Green “Sesame Street” character 18 “It’s either them ___” 19 Karmann ___ (classic VW model) 24 Rhett Butler’s last word 25 The ___ State University 26 Jonas who developed a polio vaccine 28 Actress ___ Ling of “The Crow” AVE, Long Beach, CA 90813 County of LOS ANGELES. Articles of Incorporation or Organization Number: LLC/AI No 1334248. Registered owner(s): MIDONNA INC., 1375 CASPIAN AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90813; State of Incorporation: CA This business is conducted by a Corporation. The registrant(s) started doing business on 04/2015.

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

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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.

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30 “Despicable Me” supervillain 31 “Late Night” host Meyers who’s currently broadcasting from home 33 Omit 35 Initialism for the series of “Avengers” movies 37 “Keep ___!” (“Don’t give up!”)

38 “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” star Michael 39 “Jurassic Park” beast 41 God, to a Rastafarian 42 Preternatural power 43 Make retroactive, like a payment 48 “Hawaii Five-O” detective, to McGarrett 49 Go letter by letter 51 “Bon ___” (good evening, in France) 53 Photographer Diane 54 Transform bit by bit 55 Dealt a sharp blow, in the Bible 57 Asks intrusive questions 59 “The Sky ___” (1950 Italian drama) 61 Hurt all over 62 Rapper in “Law & Order: SVU” 63 Dermatologist’s case 64 Miniature golf goal 65 English school founded by Henry VI 66 1040 IDs

For answers go to: www.randomlengthsnews.com

JOBS

© 2020 MATT JONES, Jonesin’ Crosswords

false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). MIDONNA INC. S/ MICHAEL ROBERT LEONARD, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 05/14/2020.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 05/28/2020, 06/11/2020, 06/25/2020, 07/09/2020

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