Community members weigh in on HCBF report p. 3 The life and hustle of blues man, Southside Slim p. 11 Ports O’ Call Restaurant defiantly dishes out brunch p. 12
Sanders speaks at a town hall in Carson
By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
EXCLUSIVE :
Girardi & Keese Takes on POC Case Legal actions create impediment to the demolition of Ports O’ Call Restaurant By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
[See Sanders, p. 6]
June 14 - 27, 2018
[See Legal, p. 2]
Eggs of migratory birds at Ports O’ Call were destroyed during demolition. Photo by Jesse Marquez.
Although the clock always seems to be running out on the historic restaurant, something always seems to be coming up to postpone and delay the destruction of the waterfront icon. Ports O’ Call and the villagers haven’t gone away quietly. Community activist and founder of Communities for a Safe Environment, Jesse Marquez, announced he had filed a complaint with the California Fish and Wildlife board and the State Water Resources Board environmental regulations protecting the water and migratory birds. This is probably why Jayme Wilson, proprietor of Spirit Cruises and Ports O’ Call Restaurant, didn’t look so defeated on May 23 — the day after a court ruled that his restaurant had to leave Ports O’ Call Village. “I haven’t given up yet,” said Wilson, with a fighting gleam in his eyes.
O
n June 2, Sen. Bernie Sanders came to the Harbor Area to hear first-hand about the struggle for justice by port truckers and warehouse workers. His expression of support brought broader attention to the cause. “These are some of the most exploited workers in America,” said Sanders, in his opening remarks. “The story of what these truck drivers are going through has got to be told from one end of this country to the other. You know, we ended slavery 150 years ago; it’s time we ended it at the ports right now.” Sanders spoke before hearing from a panel of port drivers and warehouse workers, in a “Stop Wage Theft on Wheels” Town Hall sponsored by Justice for Port Truck Drivers at Shipper Transport Express, in Carson. Several Teamsters officials also spoke, most prominently International Vice President Fred Potter, who is also director of the Teamsters Port Division. “The Teamsters’ obligation is to represent its members, but we also work to help the oppressed and to organize unorganized workers,” Potter said. “Without collective bargaining, workers are at the mercy of corporate greed, abuse, and wage theft…. Our mission is to get these workers with tools to fight for justice.” “All of you know that in this country justice in the fight for real change has never come easy,” Sanders said. “You know that back in the 30s, and the 20s and before that, workers put their lives on the line — they went to jail, and sometimes they died
Real News, Real People, Really Effective
On June 2, Sen. Bernie Sanders led the “Stop Wage Theft on Wheels” town hall at the City of Carson’s Shippers Transport Express. Photo by Raphael Richardson
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Community Announcements:
Harbor Area Gerald Desmond Bridge Closures, Detours
LONG BEACH — The eastbound Ocean Blvd. offramp will be closed to Pico Ave., and the southbound and northbound lanes of Pico will be closed at Ocean from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through June 15. Details: www.newgdbridge.com
Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance
The Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance meets the third Monday of every month. Time: 7 p.m. June 18 Details: https://www.facebook.com/wanalb Venue: Veteran’s Park, 101 E. 28th St., Long Beach
Free Spay and Neuter
The Lucy Pet Foundation will offer free spay and neuter surgeries for qualified Los Angeles pet owners. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 23 Cost: Free Details: (855) 499-5829; www.lucypetfoundation.org Venue: Food 4 Less, 336 W. Anaheim St., Wilmington
Live the Parks Life
California State Parks recently launched a new recruitment effort encouraging people to “Live the Parks Life” by working within the nation’s largest state park system. Job opportunities are available statewide in the fields of interpretation and education, recreation, law enforcement, cultural or natural resources, administration, operations or facility maintenance. Details: www.LiveTheParksLife.com
Call for Blood Donors to Fill Missing Types
June 14 - 27, 2018
Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant
As part of an international movement, the American Red Cross is launching the Missing Types campaign to recruit new blood donors to ensure lifesaving blood is available for patients. During the campaign, the letters A, B and O —the main blood groups — will disappear from brands, social media pages, signs and websites to illustrate the critical role every blood donor plays. When A, B and O blood types are missing from hospital shelves, patient care could be impacted. Join the #MissingType movement — make an appointment to give blood Details: (800) 733-2767; www.RedCrossBlood. org/MissingTypes
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Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 30 Years [Legal from p. 1]
Legal Actions Impede Restaurant Demolition For this revival they have hired one of the most feared class action law firms in Los Angeles. Girardi & Keese, the law firm made famous by the film Erin Brokovich, recently took the case and will lead the lawsuit against the Port of Los Angeles with list of environmental violations while forcing the closing of nearly all the small shops at Ports O’ Call Village. Wilson’s Spirit Cruises and Ports O’ Call Restaurant are not parties to this lawsuit, but might be included later, if POLA is successful in closing and demolishing the iconic restaurant. The development is significant. While the port is still trying to serve eviction papers to the restaurateur, sources close to the port, without authorization to speak on the record, say that negotiations continue as to what will become of Ports O’ Call Restaurant and how much longer it will remain open.
Development may go to the birds
Marquez, who has been an advocate for environmental issues for years, has been bending every ear that will listen, recounting the laundry list of environmental issues construction crews have come across since breaking ground to demolish all the buildings from the Ports O’ Call Village property. Girardi & Keese and Marquez allege that the port participated in the harassment, pursuit, killing of migratory birds and destruction of rookeries during the first phase of demolition at Ports O’ Call Village. The black crowned night heron and the snowy egret, two migratory birds of concern, have been identified in the trees at Ports O’ Call Village. Marquez alleges in his complaint that the port
A flattened juvenile snowy egret fell victim to the demolition of Ports O’ Call Village. Photo by Jesse Marquez.
knew of the migratory bird rookery locations, but took no action to prevent harm to the birds before demolition started. He also showed a photo of a dead snowy egret that had been run over after falling out of a shade tree, which he called proof that the birds indeed nest there. He said bird deaths such as these could have been prevented if the port placed a barrier around the trees to prevent visitors from parking beneath the trees and juvenile birds from wandering away. The port could have also placed signage to advise the public. Marquez noted that at least one other person had picked up three live juvenile black crowned night herons, which had fallen out of the trees in the past month. He confirmed that the birds were taken to the International Bird Rescue Los Angeles Center in San Pedro. The significant noise, vibration and fugitive dust created by the heavy duty excavation
equipment cause extreme stress, fear, anxiety, respiratory breathing and food foraging impacts which jeopardize the life, health and well being of these migratory birds and rookeries. Marquez requested that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife intervene and order the Port of Los Angeles to temporarily cease and desist demolition of the remaining buildings at Ports O’ Call Restaurant for a minimum of 120 days, noting this would not stop project activity north of Ports O’ Call Restaurant along the main channel, which represents the majority of new development preparation and construction. Aside from the impacts to the migratory birds, Marquez cited the port’s own findings of asbestos present in the demolished buildings and in underground piping at the village. This may yet present another impediment to the further destruction of the rest of the village. Marquez [See Legal, p. 4]
Croatian Consul General to Leave Post MANHATTAN BEACH — On June 2, Consul General Sinisa Grgic announced that he was being promoted and that he would leave the Los Angeles Croatian Consulate by the end of the year. The announcement took place during a reception at the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach. Grgic was thwarted in his attempt to move the Croatian Consulate to San Pedro this past year by taking over the Croatian Cultural Center at 7th Street and Pacific Avenue, only to find that it was not suitable or secure enough to be used as a diplomatic building. This center, which was purchased during Rudy Svornich’s two terms (1993-2001) on the Los Angeles City Council, has been the subject of a long running dispute with Maya Bristow, leader of the Friends of the Croatian Cultural Center, over the operation, parking and terms of the lease with the Department of Cultural Affairs. Councilman Joe Buscaino has closed the facility.
Croatia’s Consul General Sinisa Grgic is leaving his post.
Not a word was revealed as to where Grgic is going or whether the dust up over the center had anything to do with his pending departure. No replacement has been announced. — James Preston Allen
New Off-Port Study Reignites Deep Concerns Community members weigh in on HCBF report By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
On Dec. 10, 2009, the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners rejected a community proposal for a 10-year Off-Port Impacts Nexus Study, the top recommendation from the Port Community Advisory Committee for spending money from the China Shipping Mitigation Fund. Two of the three original China Shipping plaintiffs, Janet Gunter and Andrew Mardesich, (Mardesich recently died), were among more than a dozen residents who testified in support of the proposal rejected by the board.
development on quality of life aside from air pollution, which would establish a legal nexus between port development and off-port impacts that is necessary for the State Lands Commission to approve off-port spending. It would also create a framework for evaluating such impacts and avoiding or mitigating them in a systematic, rather than an ad hoc, haphazard manner.
In 2009 Janet Gunter and Andrew Mardesich, two of the original plaintiffs in the China Shipping mitigation suit, supported a proposed study of port impacts. File photo.
The more modest Harbor Community Benefits Foundation study was not intended to establish the legal nexus, but it did lay the groundwork by systematically organizing and adding to what is known about the various ways port operations impact the quality of life in Wilmington and San Pedro neighborhoods. Random Lengths News reached out to a wide range of people, seeking comments about foundation’s study and the prospects of building on it in order to achieve the long-sought long-term goal of communityfriendly port development. “It’s extremely important to return to these issues that have been continually dismissed by the port for decades,” Gunter said. “It is vital to [See Port Study, p. 10]
Real News, Real People, Really Effective
Now, almost a decade later, the Harbor Community Benefits Foundation has released a more modest version, Harbor Community OffPort Land Use Study. Though more limited in size and scope, it has identified 11 distinct multipronged pathways through, which port impacts affect residents’ health and well-being, and it has a similar long-term intent: to help guide port development in a new, more community-friendly way, identifying and reducing the wide range of harmful impacts. These have traditionally just been ignored. As Random Lengths News reported in 2009: [The Port Community Advisory Committee]’s top recommendation was for a study of off-port impacts of port
June 14 - 27, 2018
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[Legal from p. 2]
Legal Actions Continue filed complaints with the California State Water Resources Control Board alleging that nothing was done to prevent the water-contaminated soil from going into the waters of the harbor. A forthcoming press conference promises to reveal more but as of this time has not been scheduled.
The Last Important Piece of the Puzzle
Ca
Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant June 14 - 27, 2018
Way M ar illo
a in
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Tom Girardi of Girardi & Keese has joined the environmental fight over Ports O’ Call Village. File photo
have been overridden by the closed-door negotiations between Ratkovich, the Johnsons’ Jerico Development and the port’s legal and real estate team. Mike Galvin of POLA said everything is still on schedule for the waterfront. Even District 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino, at the new Harbor Boulevard opening ceremony excitedly exclaimed, “Ain’t no stopping us now!” He continues to lead the charge of development, no matter the cost to local jobs, historical preservation or community support for the iconic restaurant. Perhaps only Buscaino or Mayor Eric Garcetti could interceed at this late date to save the 150 jobs at this restaurant. Neither has publicly expressed a desire to do so. Even as community support grows for preserving the restaurant as a historical site, the
Spend the day on the waterfront and learn about environmentally friendly boating products and practices. We’ll have ocean critter touch tanks, kids crafts and food trucks! br
Providing clean facilities and protecting our waterways from pollution
drama of destruction and the promise of “new San Pedro Waterfront” with all of Buscaino’s glowing promises, will pan out. At present ,management at Ports O’ Call continues to fight in court and behind the scenes to survive, while customers continue to come in large numbers for what just might be their last supper or taco Tuesday happy hour. –James Preston Allen
Ending the War on Drugs:
Legal actions against POC Restaurant continue
In the continuing saga of Ports O’ Call Restaurant, which lost its appeal in Long Beach Superior Court over its eviction in May, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs appeared at the restaurant’s door recently to serve that eviction. That’s when they discovered that POLA had mistakenly used the wrong address and, therefore, couldn’t be served. This matter was referred back to the court for appeal to extend the eviction 120 days to allow the restaurant to wind down operations and to satisfy its contract obligations to banquet customers. However, nothing is certain at this point. POLA seems adamant in its intentions to demolish the rest of Ports O’ Call, according to the stipulations in the contract with the Ratkovich-Jerico Development partners, who have as of yet, not found a replacement for a keystone tenant nor secured funding for the $100 million project. While all three San Pedro neighborhood councils have passed resolutions asking the port to reconsider the phasing of the project and to adhere to its original promises to keep the existing businesses in operation during development. Those promises to the community
upper echelons of the port seem to be growing more isolated from the mid-level port staff and rank-and-file port police, who are reportedly not in support of the current plans. Even the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department were apologetic when serving the flawed eviction papers, according to one source at the restaurant. It still remains to be seen exactly how the
By Matt Garland, Contributor A bill that would allow financial institutions to offer limited banking services to the California’s legal cannabis industry cleared the state senate in late May. Senate Bill 930, introduced by Bob Hertzberg, a Democrat who represents Van Nuys, passed the Senate on a 29-6 vote and is headed to the state assembly. This legislation is a quiet but significant step toward the end of the war on drugs. Under SB 930, California would allow the creation of limited-charter licenses for banks and credit unions overseen by the Department of Business Oversight, the state’s financial regulator. The special charter institutions would be allowed to issue special checks that could be used to pay state or local fees and taxes, pay rent on property associated with cannabis businesses, or to buy state or local bonds or warrants. “The status quo for our growing legal cannabis industry is unsustainable,” said Hertzberg in a news release. “It’s not only impractical from an accounting perspective, but it also presents a tremendous public safety problem. This bill takes
a limited approach to provide all parties with a safe and reliable way to move forward on this urgent issue.” SB 930 is a small but bold move to treat the cannabis business like any other. The bill could provide access to start-up capital to help existing small cannabis businesses transition from the streets to the legal markets. In the face of massive corporate investment in the cannabis industry, this is a crucial tool for thousands of locally-owned businesses across the state to keep a foothold in the industry they fought to legalize. Bringing banking into the cannabis industry is a fundamental step in gaining control of the drug trade. It represents a shift in cannabis culture from outlaw to tedium. Proposition 64 promised to protect our communities by taking marijuana, the least controversial piece of the drug trade, off the streets and into licensed and accountable businesses, and through taxation, provide funding to educate children and invest in reducing the real causes of addiction.
De Niro at Tonys: ‘Fuck Trump!’
NEW YORK — On June 10, Robert De Niro took his contempt for President Donald Trump to another level — the internationally televised platform of the 2018 Tony Awards. “I’m gonna say one thing,” said De Niro. “Fuck Trump!” The crowd roared in wild abandon, and many people rose to their feet in a standing ovation. De Niro quickly returned to the reason he was on stage — to introduce Bruce Springsteen, another famous critic of Trump — provoking another enthusiastic response. The furor over De Niro’s off-color outburst notwithstanding, few Americans actually heard the words he spoke because CBS censored them. The television network later released a statement that said, “Mr. De Niro’s comments were unscripted and unexpected. The offensive language was deleted from the broadcast.” That’s not exactly an apology.
Supreme Court Suppression
Sanctions
Voter
Carson’s Mayor Albert Robles broke protocol, arguing not only with fellow council member Lula Davis-Holmes, but several ordinary residents, at a public hearing on May 29 regarding a proposed city charter. Rita Boggs, a Carson resident and former council candidate, spoke from the floor and questioned the timing of the charter proposal. “On the heels of a court decision to remove the mayor [from the Water Replenishment District], I get why the mayor is pushing this,” Boggs said. From the dais, Robles reminded her the presiding judge, James C. Chalfant, had declared the Water Replenishment District doesn’t have the power to pass an ordinance that goes against state law. Boggs argued about another statement Chalfant made about Carson being a general law city, not a charter city. The situation escalated to an outright shouting match with Robles and former mayor Vera Robles DeWitt (no relation to Robles) one side and residents Boggs, Judy Sullivan and Jan Schaefer, on the other with all five yelling they heard what the judge said. Davis-Holmes soon reminded the mayor this was a public hearing, “If we’re gonna go back and forth, then all council members can rebut back and forth.” A short time later, she, Robles, and Elito Santarina argued about how to amend a charter. DavisHolmes appeared to be objecting to how any council majority may propose putting an amendment before voters. “In your charter you could have a super-majority,” city attorney Sunny Soltani suggested. The Carson council turmoil has been flaring anew since May 1, when three members of the council created a committee to explore the possibility of a city charter that, if ready by Aug. 2, will be put before voters on Nov. 6. The staff report before that
meeting stated the council “has determined that it would like to explore the possibility of a city charter” although the council had not yet voted. “In 2007, I presented a factfinding, it never got to the [council] body,” providing a possible glimpse into the confusion at the May 29 meeting, Davis-Holmes told Robles, Robles argued about a majority vote to move forward in 2007. When Davis-Holmes said she’d been there and “nothing” had been done, Robles looked stunned. Labor and residents have raised objections. Bob Adams, representing the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, questioned the rush to get on the Nov. 6 ballot. “A charter needs to be tailored to the special needs of a city,” Adams told the council. “We have to have municipal law attorneys take a look at this, not just ASCME but other bargaining units. If you don’t do it right, it’s gonna blow up in your face.” Two main reasons were given by the city council for becoming a charter city, according to a city memo dated May 14, 2018. One was the loss of a proposed football stadium to Inglewood, a charter city, more than a year ago. The second was “local preference to vendors.” At the May 29 meeting RoblesDeWitt advocated a third reason, “The state cannot come and take our money if we’re a charter city.” At the same meeting Soltani adopted a tone and language similar to a sales pitch, speaking about how a charter can help achieve the goals of a developer. She cited a lawsuit, the Kennedy Commission v. City of
Huntington Beach. In that case housing advocates sued when the city wanted to commercially develop an area zoned for affordable housing. The trial court ruled against the city but the appeals court found Huntington Beach was within its rights as a charter city. Soltani insisted the “approved project” was “great” and “jumpstarted” further development. She said nothing about its effect on affordable
More than Sixty Carson Students Receive Scholarships By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter
More than 60 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 were awarded to dozens of graduating Carson High School seniors at a school ceremony on June 6. Carson Complex Senior Awards Night honored graduates from the various institutions housed on the Carson High campus, including the Academies of Education & Empowerment and the Academy of Medical Arts. Fiorina Talaba received perhaps the most generous award, a fouryear full-tuition scholarship from the nonprofit Posse Foundation. The organization identifies, recruits and trains individuals with high leadership potential Talaba also received $1,000 from another non-profit organization, the South Bay Long Beach Society of Health Pharmacists, based in Lakewood. Many students won
multiple awards. Jannely Nunez may have won the most, getting eight awards that together total more than $8,000, from the Boys and Girls Youth Club, Carson Scholars, Charles Schwab, the Council of MexicanAmerican Administrators, the Ross Foundation, Scholarship America, the UC Berkeley Regent, and Kiwanis. Four other students won $500 each from Kiwanis: Janai Bush, Hannah Chan, Jennifer Herrera, and Caprice Jones. The Carson Women’s Club awarded $1,000 to Herrera and three others: Christina Lina, Julissa Real, [See Scholarships, p. 7]
[See News Briefs, p. 6]
By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter
Real News, Real People, Really Effective
Washington, D.C. — In a blow to the civil rights fight against voter suppression, the U.S. Supreme court issued a 5-4 ruling in Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute, et al., that upheld Ohio’s practice of purging voters for simply not voting. In an amicus brief filed in 2017, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, were joined by 19 organizations. They all conveyed that the practice used in Ohio of purging voter rolls of individuals who had not voted in a two-year period, is harmful to communities of color, especially those with limited English proficiency in the Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Latinx communities. In Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissenting opinion she clearly understood the concerns outlined in the amicus brief, which she said explained “how low voter turnout rates, language-access problems, mail delivery issues, inflexible work schedules, and transportation issues, among other obstacles, make it more difficult for many minority, low-income, disabled, homeless, and veteran voters to cast a ballot or return a notice, rendering them particularly vulnerable to unwarranted removal under the Supplemental Process.” “It is important to note that the Court did not green-light purge practices writ large,” LatinoJustice PRLDEF said in a press release. “States may not knock eligible voters off the rolls without providing notice. However, we remain gravely concerned that this Supreme Court decision creates a danger that other states will pursue purging practices that will disenfranchise millions of eligible voters across the country.”
Even Council Members Disagree About Proposed Charter
housing. Discussions at committee meetings have so far focused on compensation for council members, whether to elect or appoint the clerk and treasurer, and their compensation, whether or not council should have authority to hire or fire, and whether to retain the current council-manager form of government or switch to a mayor-council form. The committee voted on June 4 to recommend compensation for council members continue to follow general law. The city council is hosting another public hearing about the proposed charter on July 3. A schedule of upcoming committee meetings and links to pertinent documents are available on Carson’s website.
June 14 - 27, 2018
Divorce $159-$289 + Filing Fee Bankruptcy $695 + Filing Fee Living Trust $375 Will $175 • Probate $299 Basic Prices for Simple Cases
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[Sanders from p. 1] [Candidates from p. 7]
LA County Library Awarded $5 Million to Upgrade Wireless Technology
LOS ANGELES — Public computers and WiFi access are among the most used library resources in Los Angeles County. However, internet connection has been slow with an average speed of 10 to 20 MB per second. That is about to change. LA County Library has been awarded about $5 million through the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate Program. The money will be used to improve internet connectivity and network speed throughout LA County Library locations. The Federal Communications Commission implemented the Schools and Libraries Program, commonly referred to as E-Rate, in 1996. It funds eligible schools and libraries for broadband and internet services. The funding will allow libraries to connect to the California Research and Education Network a high-capacity network that serves the vast majority of research and education institutions in the state. It will deliver faster, more reliable wireless access to library customers, helping to close the technology gap and remove barriers to access. The network installation project is phased for implementation in 2018.
Sanders Addresses Wage Theft — standing up for workers’ rights and justice. And, you also know that real change in this country never takes place from the top on down; it’s always from the grassroots level on up. I want to thank all of you and congratulate all of you for standing together, for dignity, for justice and for workers’ rights.” Sanders acknowledged he was unfamiliar with the plight of port truckers until this past November, when several of them visited his office. “We had workers coming in, talking about working 18 hours a day in the richest country in
an economy that works for all of us,” he said. The drivers who spoke in the following session exposed a broad range of problems. Gustavo Villa is a misclassified trucker, working for Cal Cartage Express, hauling borax ore from the Rio Tinto mine 165 miles northeast of the ports. ”Misclassification denies workers compensation, and unemployment benefits, it denies us Social Security, Medicare and the right to earn the minimum wage … and denies us the right to form a union,” Villa said. “Trucking companies also cheated us out of our pay; we
I have to always be ready to work, in case the company is dispatching me to pick up a container at the port. So, I work about 14 hours a day to make enough money just to cover the costs. That means [that] I won’t be bringing home $500 to $600 a week. It is impossible to survive on this poverty wages. “We live an hour-and-a-half away in Lancaster, because the rents are too high near the ports. Because I work such long hours and the cost of gas is so high, I sleep in my truck to save money so I can pay my bills. So, that means I only get to see my family during the weekends.
Harbor Commissioners Approve POLA’s 2018-2019 Budget
June 14 - 27, 2018
Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant
SAN PEDRO — On June 7, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners approved a $1.3 billion fiscal year 2018-2019 Port of Los Angeles budget. The budget focuses on priorities in the port’s revised 2018-2022 Strategic Plan. It calls for a focus on growth-supporting infrastructure, security, supply chain efficiency and sustainability, improved financial performance of port assets, and building strong relationships with port stakeholders. Operating revenues are estimated at $509.5 million, an increase of 7.2 percent over 20172018. This is mostly due to anticipated growth in cargo volumes and shipping services revenues and higher land rental returns, with shipping services revenues comprising about 83.1 percent of total anticipated operating revenues. Operating expenses over the next fiscal year are budgeted at $280.2 million. In the budget, $91 million is dedicated to capital improvement projects, or CIP, a 6.9 percent decrease over the previous fiscal year. Of that amount, $31.6 million will go toward terminal improvements, primarily focused on upgrades to better accommodate larger vessels and facilitate more efficient cargo-handling processes. Key CIP terminal improvements are targeted for liquid bulk facilities, and at the Everport, WWL Vehicle Services, YTI and the World Cruise Center terminals. Another $13.6 million of the CIP budget will go toward public access and environmental enhancements, including $10.3 million for Los Angeles Waterfront projects including, design work for the downtown promenade and town square. It includes $3.6 million for continuation of work on the Wilmington Waterfront. In conjunction with the budget submittal, the port released a five-year capital expenditure plan, including estimated total project costs. The plan calls for spending about $550.5 million on capital projects throughout the port over the five-year period extending through fiscal year 2022-2023. The approved budget is projected to create about 1,900 direct and indirect jobs (not including Harbor Department employees), of which 1,080 are assigned to capital spending.
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[See News Briefs, p. 17]
Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks on wage theft in the goods movement industry during his June 2 town hall meeting. Photo by Raphael Richardson
the history of the world,” Sanders said. “Working people should not have to work 18 hours a day. I heard from workers – hard to believe – who would work for two weeks and their take-home pay was zero. In America, workers should not be working for zero pay.” Sanders touched on the specific struggles of misclassified port drivers, but also stressed the interconnected nature of their struggle in the larger labor movement. “What we all understand is that when you exploit one worker, when you create a race to the bottom, you are exploiting every worker in America,” he said. “If the work is underpaid here, then why is the employer on the other side of town going to pay workers a decent wage? “I know it takes courage to stand up to power … and they know that many people here have been intimidated and threatened with the loss of jobs. But at the end of the day, if we make sure that we don’t allow [Donald] Trump and his friends to divide us up by the color of our skins, by the country we are born in, by our religion, when we stand together, there are hell of a lot more of us than there are of them.” “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” the crowd chanted in response. “Our job is to continue the eternal fight, the moral fight for justice, for workers rights and for
get paid each container, we move, not by the hour, so if we get stuck in traffic, for hours at the port, we get paid the same, then the companies deducted business costs from our paychecks, that means we have to pay all the track clocks will, insurance, maintenance, new tires, cost thousands of dollars, at the end of the week, we have little left to take home after the companies have taken all of their business expenses. We must work many hours to make enough money to cover the cost of the trucks and still make enough to keep a roof of the benefits to our families.” Luis Zelaya has worked for K&R Transportation for 18 years misclassified as an independent contractor. Twenty-four years ago, he and his wife fled civil war in Honduras, immigrating under the “Temporary Protected Status” program (aka “TPS”), which the Trump administration recently said it was cancelling. “My wife and I have three children [who] were born here in the U.S. and are still living at home,” Zelaya said. “Right now, we are worried about the future and keeping our families together. We want to give our kids the American dream, but we can’t, because we cannot afford it, because port trick companies continue to steal our wages. “I have to pay the lease on my truck and pay for my fuel, and also pay for other expenses.
“I am not alone. There are a lot of drivers who are in the same situation as I am.” “The stories that you have just heard are not stories that should be told here in the United States of America,” Sanders said, after Zelaya finished. “Working people should not have to sleep in their trucks, fathers of three should be able to spend time with their kids, not just on weekends. People should not be asked to work 14 hours a day. If you work 14 hours a day, you should be making a hell of a lot more money than you’re making today!” His voice rose in anger and indignation. “The stories … [we are] hearing today are about some of the most exploited workers in this country, people who are being taken advantage of every single day,” Sanders said. Next to speak was Javier Maldonado, a misclassified port driver with XPO Logistics in San Diego. “[XPO Logistics] has 900,000 drivers and warehouse workers worldwide,” he explained. In Europe, many of their drivers aren’t just workers, they are unionized and well-paid. “[Here, however,] they do not pay us for the hours we wait at the port; we do not have health insurance; we don’t have any unemployment benefits; we don’t have any vacation; and [See Wage Theft, p. 7]
[Wage Theft from p. 6]
Wage Theft
sometimes they pay us every other week,” he said. Maldonado and others have sued for their rights. “They continue to fight us in court,” he said. “I’ve gone on strike five times over the past four years, because it is the only way that we can demand XPO to respect us and give us better working conditions.” Afterwards, Sanders underscored the stark difference between XPO truckers here and in Europe, where they’re protected by strong unions. “At the end of the day, no one worker alone
can get justice,” Sanders said. “People need to come together, we need to sit down and negotiate contracts and that’s what a union is about.” Two other speakers added more variety. Jeremy Holke works at the California Cartage warehouse, but is employed through a temp agency — even though he’s worked there for 13 years. “When I show up to work, I wait in line, like cattle, with my fellow temps to get picked for a job assignment,” Holke said. “Sometimes I have to wait a couple of hours before I get picked up for a job. I don’t get paid for that time. If I don’t get picked, I get sent home without pay. I have to go through this routine every morning.” It’s the exact same kind of cattle-call system that longshore workers were subjected to, prior
to the 1934 strike, more than 80 years ago. But Julio Garcia had a more positive story to tell. After years being misclassified working for XPO Logistics, he now works at Pacific 9 Transport, which recently became the seventh company represented by the Teamsters at the local ports. Even those who own their own trucks are treated employees. “This is how it works, Pac 9 pays me by the hour, plus an incentive for every container I deliver, and they take nothing out of my paycheck,” Garcia said, to the applause of the crowd. “Then they give me a second check for my truck expenses. The company pays for my fuel insurance and my reimbursement, so right now I do not have the stress of worrying about having to pay my truck expenses out of my
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it provides the scholarship money to the nonprofit South Central Scholars while the nonprofit provides additional resources. Sophia Reyes won a $2,500 scholarship from McDonald’s. Former Carson mayor Jim Dear provided a $1,000 scholarship to Clarissa Diaz. Jeisson Pulido got $1,000 from the Beverly Hills Literacy Society Writing Contest. Other scholarships worth $1,000 or more were provided by the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, the Association of Educational Office Employees, Delta Sigma Theta, Team HEAL and the Filipino Community of Carson. Nearly two dozen other organizations awarded scholarships between $100 and $500, including the Carson Boosters, the Boys & Girls Club of Carson, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and ILWU Local 13.
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and Liliana Rodriguez. About 20 students received scholarships worth $1,000 or more. Anthony Rodriguez and Julissa Real received scholarships of $3,750 year for four years each, from Toyota Financial Services. Another major award went to Maya Wedgeworth who was awarded $4,000 through the University of California Chancellor’s Scholarship. Watson Land Co., partnering with South Central Scholars, provided Zure Cantos with $2,500, including a four-year renewal. A spokesperson for Watson, Maria Flores, explains the company is unable to provide financial assistance directly to students. Instead,
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wages…. Pac 9 also agreed to labor peace with the Teamsters, which means we can organize without being harassed or intimidated. The company recognizes us as members of Teamsters local 848 and we look forward to signing our first union contract.” “What Julio just told us was there is no reason why these jobs have to be low-wage exploited jobs,” Sanders said, in response. “If you stand together, if you have a union, if are treated as workers, and not as independent contractors, there is absolutely no reason why people cannot earn good living wages doing this work. So, I want to congratulate Julio, and all of the workers who have begun the process to successfully organize. They’ve made the start, our job is to continue that work.”
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7
Government – Only as Good as the People Who Run It By James Preston Allen, Publisher
Complaining about government is kind of a birthright here in the “Land of the Free.” In fact, it’s probably more of a national pastime than almost anything else, including baseball. The big difference between baseball and politics is that players on the field have no apprehension about scratching their balls and spitting in public and the elected attempt to keep their bad behavior behind closed doors, except when they don’t. The current occupant of the Oval Office is the prime exception to politicians’ civil rule-of-thumb. Others, however, just seem to step into it on their own volition. Our ever-smiling Councilman Joe Buscaino seems destined to the later course of dysfunction as his speech at the San Pedro High School graduation wandered down a path good intentions gone bad. In a Facebook apology, he writes: My intention was to focus on misunderstanding and meaning in our culture today. As a gesture of good faith, here is the text of the entire speech for those who were not there, or for those of you who would like to review. My apologies to those who were not inspired by the intention of the speech.
The full text of Buscaino’s speech and apology can be found at http://tinyurl.comwww\buscainospeech
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Clearly, his “inspiring words” missed the mark after the valedictorian speech by a homeless student who graduated at the top of his class. Buscaino’s words fell flat and elicited boos and groans from the audience, some of whom were visiting from the Midwest and later asked, “Exactly, who is this guy”? To the point of his speech Buscaino said, “You must know the difference between a credible source and propaganda. You must be accurate with your motivations and your intentions.” Does he even follow his own advice? You might ask because his office thrives on the use of social media as a means to circumvent this newspaper and has stopped issuing press releases to our reporters and has completely stopped answering our questions unless we put them into a formal Public Records Act Request to which they must comply. That Buscaino is now being vilified on the same social media platforms that he has used in the past regarding his failure to reopen the Channel Street Skatepark and then complains about this being “credible” is a kind of liveby-the-sword-die-by-the-sword moment.
“Channel Street Skatepark here in San Pedro was built illegally without plans or permits. It had to be closed down to add onto the 110 Freeway above it. The only way to open it legally is to create the missing blueprints in order to get the proper permitting. I fully support reopening Channel Street!” he said. It was, however, just this out-ofnowhere non-sequitur thrown into his speech that was jaw-dropping and head-scratching. Who writes his material or, more importantly, who edits it? Beyond the issue’s irrelevance to the graduating class of 2018 and being less than an inspiring example of hope, all it explains to those who care about reopening the skate park, is the stupidity of demanding blueprints on a DIY project allowed to be built and then retroactively inspected. It reminds me of how the City of Los Angeles once treated the construction of the Watts Towers. This is nothing more than one of several calamities of unintended consequences based on the port’s expansion of the 110 Freeway to accommodate more truck traffic. Rather than inspire the graduates, Buscaino’s speech exemplifies the dysfunction in government that he takes great pains to express in talking about honesty, integrity and communication. And it’s not just the skate park. It’s the abrupt closure of the Croatian Cultural Center, it’s the screw up over Ports O’ Call redevelopment — his failure to protect the workers there — and his continued failure to deal squarely and honestly with the homeless crisis. All of these issues call for leadership, which doesn’t always translate into great photo-ops for social media or a picture for the weekly Buscaino email report with a byline from a sympathetic reporter. It does demand getting government agencies and the aggrieved parties to come together to solve problems. It demands a fair arbiter and often being the advocate for the disadvantaged to help them speak their truth to power. And that, my friend, takes real courage and dedication. In the end, Buscaino deserves some credit for his apology, but it seems quite apparent that San Pedro High School should extend the invitation to someone else to speak at next year’s graduation that is perhaps more up to the job of being inspirational.
June 14 - 27, 2018
Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com
8
Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya Managing Editor
“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it Terelle Jerricks is, but to make people mad enough to do someeditor@randomlengthsnews.com thing about it.” —Mark Twain Senior Editor Vol. XXXIX : No. 12 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.
Paul Rosenberg
Big Reveal Threatens Ports O’ Call Restaurant By Carlos M. Garcia
One recent Friday night I stopped by Ports O’ Call Restaurant to see what all the commotion was about. The place was jumping. A happy local crowd filled the bar and the outdoor dining area. The main banquet room was also at capacity as a family celebrated the birthdays of their mother, grandma and aunt. In another room supporters of Rep. Nanette Barragán were quietly phone banking, trying to get her another term. This is how history is made at the most iconic eatery on the harbor waterfront. By closing time, these single strands of simple life will have been woven into another day in a storyline that winds all the way back to 1963. But time appears to be running out for Ports O’ Call Restaurant, which must get out of the way of a redevelopment project called San Pedro Public Market. Officially, that means closing for three years — a scenario based on a March 6, offer from the San Pedro Public Market to include it in a second construction phase that won’t be completed until late 2021 or early 2022. The restaurant’s proprietor, Jayme Wilson, has publicly stated that the restaurant could not survive a three-year hiatus in operation. On May 17, the Los Angeles Superior Court judge affirmed the Port of Los Angeles’ the restaurant’s March 7 eviction. The judge noted that with respect to the prior commitment by the port and developer, he said that the development
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plans were “fluid” and all the existing tenants knew this. Looking ahead, the port expected there would be an appeal and had planned for six months of litigation. The port will not issue a promenade construction request for proposal until late 2018, followed by five months of proposal review, negotiations and contract award with construction starting in the spring of 2019. So, the immediate demolition of the building is not necessary. In April and May 2018, all three San Pedro neighborhood councils passed resolutions urging the port and the developer to renegotiate the operating lease so that both the restaurant and the Fish Market would stay in continuous operation throughout the construction of the San Pedro Public Market. It seems an easy enough task to accomplish. The Fish Market, instead of remaining in its current location for one year would stay in place a second year before transitioning to the San Pedro Public Market at the site of the restaurant. This location was chosen to take advantage of the existing pier foundation that would be used to build a large outdoor dining area for the Fish Market. The current phasing plan calls for the restaurant building to be demolished in 2018 before the beginning of the first construction [See Big Reveal, p. 9]
Random Lengths News editorial office is located at 1300 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731. 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. 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. For advertising inquiries or to submit advertising copy, email: rlnsales@randomlengthsnews.com. Annual subscription is $36 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 2018 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.
[Big Reveal from p. 8]
Big Reveal
Huerta and Chavez
A bit late yet wanted to reply to the letter regarding Cesar Chavez Day, written by Mark Gonzalez, Chairman of the LA County Democratic Party. It is also a sad and ironic time to write yet appropriate to the subject. June 5th was the 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, and on that day as he celebrated his winning the California primary, there was a woman by his side at one point that RFK acknowledged as his “friend” and a great champion and activist on behalf of farm-workers. That “friend” was Dolores Huerta, who not only became Cesar Chavez’s brother’s life partner, yet was primarily the wellspoken, tough-as-nails-never-
give-up, unacknowledged partner with Cesar Chavez in the fight for farm-workers’ rights. She was the Grace Boggs for human(e) rights.
I would ask anyone with an interest to know more about the woman you’ve never heard of, to watch the documentary/DVD ‘Dolores’, released in 2017. Cesar was a great man, yet alongside every great man is a
great woman who does not get the credit for what they deserve... equally. Sean S. Doyle Corvallis, Or.
Join us on for our monthly meeting on
Monday, June 25 at 7 p.m.
Guest speaker Mel Tillekeratne
from the #SheDoesHomeless women’s support campaign Review of election results and more
At Ports O’Call Restaurant
1200 Nagoya Way, Berth 77, San Pedro For details: (916) 837-0920
Community Alert
Notice of Preparation For Harbor Performance Enhancement Center
June 14 - 27, 2018
The Port of Los Angeles has released an initial study/ notice of preparation. It is the first step in the environmental impact report process for the proposed Harbor Performance Enhancement Center Project at 300 South Ferry St. and 750 Eldridge St., on Terminal Island at POLA. The primary goal of the project is to improve terminal efficiency and enhance container management. It would create a peel-off yard to provide roundthe-clock access to container storage and other uses to improve the efficiency of cargo movement through container terminals at POLA and Port of Long Beach. The study/notice is available for review at portoflosangeles. org. It seeks feedback to help identify potential environmental impacts and possible alternatives. Written comments on the study/notice may be submitted via email to ceqacomments@ portla.org or to the following address until the public comment period ends June 29. Comment letters sent via email should include the Project title “Harbor Performance Enhancement Center (HPEC) Project” in the subject line and the commenter’s physical mailing address in the body of the email. The port will host a public meeting to receive comments on the study/notice. Simultaneous Spanish translation services will be provided. Time: 3 p.m. June 18 Details: (310) 732-3675; portoflosangeles.org, Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro
Carlos M. Garcia is a retired Government Accountability Office senior analyst who monitored the C-17 program at Boeing in Long Beach for several years analyzing the cost and schedule of the program during development and early production. He is a lifelong San Pedro resident and a member of a neighborhood council.
RANDOMLetters
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phase instead of the second phase as originally planned. Since the port has not found a suitable interim location for the restaurant, it would now be closed for three years before reopening after the second construction phase scheduled for completion in late 2021 or early 2022. This plainly contradicted what had been pledged by an earlier port administration in 2009 for an existing tenant that would be included in a new development. Although the judge required the restaurant’s proprietor to pay the port’s legal fees for the nonjury superior court trial, to file an appeal he would have to put up a $50 million bond, all the while hoping that the pressure from the San Pedro community and their neighborhood councils will force the developer and the port to reconsider the phasing plan to keep both the Fish Market and the restaurant in continuous operation throughout construction of the San Pedro Public Market with minimal risk to the project’s cost and schedule goals. The proprietor, if he does not appeal the superior court ruling, may join the recent lawsuit brought by the other already evicted minority tenants. In my estimation, there is no programmatic reason for not renegotiating the operating lease to do exactly what the port promised to do in 2009. In short, successful existing businesses would not be taken out of service until replacement locations were available. If a suitable interim location could not be found for the restaurant, the two actions needed to keep the restaurant and Fish Market in continuous operation were readily apparent: (1) keep the Fish Market in its current location for two years instead of one, and (2) keep the restaurant open during the first construction phase, as originally planned, and then have it transition to the new development at the end of the first construction phase. This alternative phasing plan is consistent with the implicit request in all three San Pedro neighborhood councils’ resolutions. The solution is really this simple and everyone knows it. However, since the superior court ruling, it seems the port is trying to do the opposite by moving quickly to lock the restaurant’s doors and tear down the building. One veteran neighborhood council leader sardonically quipped, “At this rate, the port will be responding
to the three neighborhood councils’ resolutions the day after they tear the building down.” Some in San Pedro contend that the legacy of the Port Community Advisory Committee and Jayme Wilson’s role as its co-chair for many years are factors in the port’s lack of support for rephasing the project since it would benefit him. The port considered the PCAC a thorn in its side and was glad to see the Board of Harbor Commissioners disband it. However, Wilson now sits on the board of the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation. To the displeasure of the port, its board recently recommended re-establishing the PCAC based on the findings of a recent land use study it commissioned to assess the impact of port-related operations on San Pedro and Wilmington. They believe that this history helps explain why the port has not taken steps to keep the restaurant open at least to the end of 2018, much less help keep it in continuous operation throughout the construction of the San Pedro Public Market. If these non-programmatic, political factors are at the root of the port’s unwillingness to rephase the project because it would support Jayme Wilson’s business interests, for whom there is little sympathy at the port or at City Hall, there may be little the community can do. This surely is not what a large segment of the San Pedro community wants to see happen. Will the mayor step in and rescue the situation? Will the port’s executive director let bygones be bygones, reassess the phasing plan and change its onerous conditions — whatever the motivation — for rephasing the project? Will the developer be willing to accept an alternative phasing plan that, while it keeps both the restaurant and Fish Market in continuous operation, delays the transition of the Fish Market to its new site for two years instead of one? Can they all work together to achieve a win-win situation? Many in the community believe they can and should act as trusted public servants and responsible businessmen. Let’s hope they can; there is still time to do so.
9
[Port Study from p. 3]
Port Study
June 14 - 27, 2018
Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant
have the port acknowledge their lack of response and flagrant denial of community concerns. It’s time for the port commission and port staff to reflect on the proven truth and legitimacy of those concerns and for establishing a correction of the port’s instituted policy of ignoring port community residents.” “The year was 2009, and the port wasn’t interested and still isn’t,” said former PCAC cochairwoman June Smith. “How much money could have been saved by both individuals and the port if such a forward looking proposal had been implemented decades ago?” she asked. “How much trust could have been built between the port and the citizens it serves? “That, unfortunately can’t be measured, but the benefits to cooperation rather than constant legal threats and warfare are enormous. Take the current Ports O’Call litigation as an example. Will it take another lawsuit? Or two? Or three?” “The HCBF report validates what has been obvious to residents and officials for decades,” said long-time PCAC member Peter Warren. “The Port of LA practices and institutionalizes environmental injustice. The port externalizes billions of dollars of costs in the form of air pollution (and other impacts) onto the communities of San Pedro and Wilmington, as well as a host of other places up the goods movement supply chain. It does very little to empower those communities or allow them input on decision-making.” Still, it’s not as bad as it once was, notes Slobodan Dimitrov, a former Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council board member, who sometimes contributes photographs for Random Lengths News. “The Port of LA, like any human endeavor, is a work in progress,” Dimitrov said. “I remember the days, when other than labor driven issues, lighting the bridge fueled community activism. It has come a long way since. The bridge lighting issue was noted for being insular and not privy to the likes of the average person. Meetings were often closed, and attended by a select group of council
10
supporters. It felt like one had to ‘buy in’ in order to participate. Thankfully, those days are behind us.” But just how far behind? Given how port leadership turned its back on studying off-port impacts in the past, it’s natural to ask how it should respond now. Former port ottorney Pat Nave began by raising a key point. “The State Lands Commission doesn’t have to give prior approval of spending for offport impacts,” Nave said. “The on and off port impacts dichotomy is a myth…. The Harbor Commission can pay for the costs of port operations and this includes off-port impacts. There are lots of examples of this up and down the state.” “Port staff and the Harbor Commissioners should embrace the study, they should engage in dialogue and debate on the study,” said Angelo Logan, former executive director of East Yards Communities for Environmental Justice, who currently is an HCBF board member. “If folks believe that information is either incorrect, or not fully studied, then they should engage with the study. It’s like anything else. It is one point of information.” Perhaps the most basic accomplishment of the study was to systematize the study of community complaints which have previously only been heard in unquantified, anecdotal form. These fell into five broad areas, with 11 “pathway diagrams” showing industrial impacts on residents’ everyday lives. “The systematic study of port impacts is vital to understanding the present and future state of the port community,” said Carl Southwell, president of the Risk and Policy Institute. “The present study is an important first step.” “In some cases, community comments are valid just on their faces and they need to be taken into consideration,” Logan said. “Other concerns and comments may need more information and that’s why studies like this are important, both for the community and for the port itself.” The study also found far fewer portrelated jobs in Wilmington and San Pedro than [See Port Study, p. 17]
By Melina Paris, Music Columnist
[See Southside, p. 16]
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Blues veteran Southside Slim, who has played at many clubs throughout Los Angeles is kicking off this year’s Long Beach Bayou Festival June 23 on the New Orleans stage. And, young blues phenom Ray Goren who has been touring locally, will be closing the festivities this year. As always, Southside Slim keeps himself busy doing what he loves. Since October 2017, he’s kept a steady pace of work — a routine that includes playing his guitar for five hours a day, as well as lots of studio gigs. And recently, he has been producing talent, too. He plans to start a residency in July at Roscoe’s Seabird Jazz Lounge in Long Beach. It’s called Back to the Blues Showcase at Roscoe’s. The residency nights will also feature performances by other local artists. Slim embarked on a tour through Mexico. He was featured with the Freddie Maguire Blues Band. They performed in cities including Guadalajara, Mexico City, San Miguel and Celaya, where Slim headlined. “It was fantastic!” Slim said. One of the best times he had was in San Miguel during Día de Los Muertos. They partied for weeks, he said. He will return to Celaya again for another festival in October 2018. But he has also begun to produce other artists. He recently started working with new vocalist, CoReathea Marie. He described her as a classical singer who happens to love the blues. “I will always be an entertainer but I like searching for talent,” Slim said. “My goal is to produce both young and older talented singers.” Slim plans to release a “best of” album of his own songs in September, which will also include a couple of new numbers. His motivation is to stay focused and to work on music and projects with others. Slim has an exciting event, which all can tune in
Southside Slim and Ray Goren will be opening and closing the New Orleans stage at the Long Beach Bayou Festival on the weekend of June 22. File photo.
June 14 - 27, 2018
11
T
here is something noble and honorable about calmly accomplishing a vital task when all around you is chaos. There is something well beyond that when you not only do that job, but convey a general sense that at that very moment, there’s no place else you would rather be. All regular readers of this publication know by now about the perilous situation at Ports O’ Call and the stubborn determination of the namesake restaurant to remain in business. I had visited infrequently over the years but always enjoyed the experience, so I decided to stop in for brunch while I still can. I hesitated for a while out of fear it might feel like a wake, but
Defiantly Dishing Out Brunch By Richard Foss, Dining and Cuisine Columnist
A view of the harbor from the patio of Ports O’ Call Restaurant. Photos by Richard Foss
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June 14 - 27, 2018
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decided that even if it did, I’d still have a chance to say goodbye to the place. Driving past the fenced spots where tacky but lively souvenir shops and amusement halls once stood was a melancholy experience. I wondered if any meal could lighten my mood
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sightseeing boats and pleasure craft. There’s an element of romance to a working port: who knows where that Greek-flagged tanker across the water has been or where it will go, or whether it will face storms or sunshine along the way? Our musings on the vagaries of world trade were punctuated by appreciating the items on our plates, which were generally of high quality. I also indulged in a little of the kind of experimenting that you can only do at a buffet, such as topping a breakfast waffle with the seafood Newburg. Doing this at home would involve making two labor-intensive items from scratch and getting it at a regular restaurant would require convincing my server that I really did want something from the dinner menu on top of a breakfast item. Buffets are non-judgmental, so I was free to try it just to see what happened. (I recommend the combination, by the way.) Making a fish taco using the fried tilapia, salad and salsa works too, and may be the best thing to do with it because the bland tilapia had a nice crispy breading. It’s good enough that I ate two pieces of tilapia, and that’s unusual because I don’t particularly like that fish. The fried chicken was good too. It still had a bit of crunch in the crust even though storage in a chafing dish had started to steam it. I made a second trip for the prime rib, some “Korean beef,” nibbles of more seafood and to peruse the Mexican section. The carver at the meat station offered a second slice, so they’re not keeping a wary eyeball on portion control, but I was more interested in variety than quantity. I opted instead to try a tamale,
and why was I going to an all-you-can-eat brunch in the first place, when I’m not generally a big eater in the morning and don’t generally like buffets. I remembered enjoying the experience the most recent time, but couldn’t remember why. Then I got there, and I did. Time had stopped and the restaurant looked like it always had, a bit worn around the edges but still offering charm and the view of the water. The smiles from hosts and servers seemed genuine, even though every one of them had to know that this week, or next week, or next month a legal decision somewhere could send them scrambling for a new job. They were pros, and soldiering on is what pros do. We opted for an outdoor table among birthday and Ports O’ Call Restaurant — brunch with a view. graduation parties, received glasses of sparkling wine, chilaquiles and a taco, the latter made with and headed into reconnoiter the buffet. As is their seasoned ground meat because the person usually the case they balance ready-to-eat items manning the station said that had more flavor with those that can be customized to diners’ than the carnitas. It did, but not as much as the tastes, in this case with stations where the staff chilaquiles, which had a considerable red pepper makes omelets, tacos and pastas. There are also tang. This will be too spicy for some people, servers at the cold seafood bar and the carved like my wife who tried a bite and immediately meat station, who make sure you get exactly what you want from each and cheerfully answer offered me her portion. I was happy to have it, because the zingy sauce was exactly the kind of any questions. You can go back as many times thing I like to start the day with. Whoever made as you like, so you will be able to have your fill the chilaquiles should have shared the attitude of the high-dollar proteins. A nice touch here is with the person who made the “Korean” short the station where flour tortillas are handmade to ribs, because those tasted more of teriyaki than order, which enticed me to consider ordering a garlic and pepper. The pork tamale had decent breakfast burrito. flavor but the masa was a bit heavy, so I had a I didn’t, because those are filling and I few bites and set that aside. I considered topping was interested in sampling as many things as it with some beef bourguignon to see what possible. Instead, I grazed the sushi, cooked happened, but decided to just enjoy that on its and cold seafood options, the rows of chafing dishes and then headed out to a shady table with own. On my way back to my table I took a a view of the harbor. The view wasn’t the kind that usually graces postcards and tourist posters, different route, in the process discovering a salad bar around the corner. Either our server but it was peaceful to watch the occasional [continued on following page] commercial vessel progress deliberately past
hadn’t mentioned this or I was distracted when she did, but I seriously considered being virtuous and having greens instead of dessert. That lasted about a millisecond, so we went back to peruse the flan, selection of cakes and sweet Danishes. The cheesecake had a good filling but was served on a sweet crust, so I enjoyed a taste of the filling and left the rest for my wife to devour. I preferred the rich and eggy flan, but the surprise hit was a German chocolate cake that was delicately but not overbearingly sweet. The chocolate was in harmony with the coconut and chopped nuts rather than a dominant flavor, which is often a surprise to people who are misled by the name. (Fun fact: besides not being a particularly chocolatey cake, it isn’t German either. It was invented in 1852 by a baker named Sam German.) To lazily enjoy a large and varied meal
BIG NICK’S PIZZA
Tradition, variety and fast delivery—you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza. The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pastas and our amazing selection of signature pizzas. We offer a wide selection of appetizers, salads, beer and wine. Call for fast delivery. Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 732-5800 www.bignickspizzasp.com
BRITE SPOT MEXICAN RESTAURANT
BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA
A San Pedro landmark for over 44 years, famous for exceptional award-winning pizza baked in brick ovens. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and handselected ingredients that are prepared fresh. Dine-in, take-out and catering. There are two locations in Long Beach. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Buono’s Pizzeria, 1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 547-0655 www.buonospizza.com
THE CHORI-MAN
CONRAD’S FARM TO TABLE
Conrad’s menu offers cuisine of the Americas, with a fresh focus on local, seasonal selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Conrad’s changing menu represents the best of what’s local and in season. Whether it’s shrimp bruschetta and Oaxacan empanadas, omelettes or chilaquiles, fresh seafood to mole poblano, sourcing the freshest ingredients, combining them with traditional flavors and rewriting familiar recipes into exceptional cuisine is our mission and greatest joy. Open Tues. - Sun. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Conrad’s Farm to Table, 1902 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro • (424) 2645454 www.conradssp.com
HAPPY DINER AND HAPPY DELI
The Happy Diner isn’t your average diner. It’s the idea of fresh creative dishes in two San Pedro locations, and now a third—the Happy Deli. 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. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner: Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro • (310) 241-0917 • Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 935-2933 • Open for breakfast and lunch: Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, (424) 364-0319
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. A full bar with made-from-scratch margaritas and a
martini menu all add fun to the warm and friendly atmosphere. Live music. Open from 11:30 a.m., daily. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, (310) 831-5663, www. sanpedrobrewing.com
SONNY’S BISTRO AND THINK CAFE
Sonny and Carly Ramirez are the husband and wife team behind Sonny’s Bistro and Think Café. Their handson attention to detail makes the restaurants successful, in both quality and service. Sonny’s Bistro’s lunch and dinner menus feature locally-sourced and hand-selected meats, seafood and seasonal vegetables. Try the $10 lunch menu served Mon.-Fri. Think Café serves breakfast in addition to lunch and dinner with egg dishes, omelettes and griddle cakes. Both restaurants have a selection of fine wines and beers. Sonny’s Bistro, 1420 W. 25th St., San Pedro. Hours: Mon.Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. and Sun. from 4 p.m. • (310) 548-4797. Think Cafe, 302 W. 5th St., San Pedro. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. • (310) 519-3662.
TAXCO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
We are proud to serve our community for almost three decades. Generous plates of traditional Mexican fare are the draw at this homey, family-friendly restaurant. For a limited time: Combos #1-12—buy one, get the second for half off (of equal or lesser value, expires 6-30-18). Catering for every occasion, beer, wine and margaritas to your taste. Tony and Vini Moreno welcome you. Open Sun. and Mon. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 9
Waterfront Dining
PORTS O’ CALL RESTAURANT
THE WHALE & ALE ENGLISH RESTAURANT & PUB
The Victorian oak panels & elegant brass fittings will make you feel like you’ve crossed the Atlantic. Featuring popular pub fare such as Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie & entrées of Choice Steaks, Roast Prime Rib, Beef Wellington & Roast Rack of Lamb. Seafood selections include Chilean Sea Bass, Atlantic Salmon, Jumbo Tiger Shrimp & Sand Dabs. International draft beers & ales, as well as domestic craft beers on tap. Full bar; free, gated parking lot. Happy hour five days a week. Hours: Mon. 5 to 9 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. 11:30 to 9 p.m., Fri. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat. 1 to 10 p.m., Sun. 1 to 9 p.m. The Whale & Ale, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro (310) 832-0363, www.whaleandale.com
SPIRIT CRUISES
An instant party— complete with all you need to relax and enjoy while the majesty of the harbor slips by. Dinner cruise features a 3-course meal, full bar, unlimited cocktails and starlight dancing— the ultimate excursion for any occasion. Free parking. Spirit Cruises, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 548-8080, (562) 495-5884, www. spiritmarine.com
June 14 - 27, 2018
Since 1961 this landmark restaurant has extended a hearty welcome to visitors from around the globe. Delight in an aweinspiring view of the LA Harbor while enjoying fresh California cuisine and varietals. Relax in the bar or patio for the best happy hour on the waterfront. With each purchase of the awardwinning Sunday Champagne Brunch, receive the first Spirit Cruises harbor cruise of the day free. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Free parking. Ports O’Call Waterfront Dining, 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor, Berth 76, San Pedro • (310) 833-3553 • www.portsocalldining.com
a.m. to 10 p.m. Taxco Mexican Restaurant, 29050 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes • (310) 547-4554 www.taxcorestaurantpv.com
Fourth-generation artisanal chorizo and meats. Purchase chorizo by the pound or try our burritos and tacos! Menu specials change weekly. Open Thurs., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fri. - Sun., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For catering email: info@ thechoriman.com for catering and special orders. The Chori-Man, 2309 S. Alma St., San Pedro • (424) 287-2414
Details: (310) 833-3553; www.portsocalldining.com Venue: Ports O’ Call Restaurant, 1200 Nagoya Way, San Pedro
Real News, Real People, Really Effective
No matter when your day begins, you can always get a hearty breakfast at a great price at Brite Spot. Breakfast is served all day long. We serve freshly prepared, authentic Mexican food. We offer all the family favorites, from tacos to tamales, from caldo to chile, fresh seafood and much more. Brite Spot Mexican Restaurant is your late-night spot for when you want a night out on the town. Hours: 7 a.m. to midnight, daily. Brite Spot, 615 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro • (310) 833-2599 www.britespotsanpedro.com
with a view of the water gave us the feeling of being on a cruise ship and as we left my wife and I joked about going to our cabin for a postprandial nap. It had been a serene, pampered morning, and though it was a bit pricey at $50 per person, it was worth it. We hope the owners win their fight to stay in business so we may return soon, but if this was a goodbye it was one that will leave us with good memories. If you’re considering going for brunch or dinner, all I can say is, “Do it now!” It will support an embattled member of the community and help keep a tradition alive. In the process you’ll enjoy a one of a kind experience.
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No Clichés, Few Laughs in Love/Sick By Greggory Moore, Curtain Call Columnist
Real News, Real People, Totally Relevant
Love/Sick knows what it wants to be. By stringing together nine short plays, employing SNL-style skit comedy, whose punchlines boil down to the somber reality that the stars don’t always align even for seemingly perfectly matched couples, playwright John Cariani is trying create a night of amusement that won’t be forgotten once the audience heads for the exits. Unfortunately, despite a cast that gives it their all, there’s not much of a takeaway from Love/Sick. The amusement factor may be more of a split decision. While I found little to laugh at, many of those around me were far more enthusiastic. Of the nine short plays (playellas? playettes?), six are lite fare to which Cariani has tacked on final moments that are meant to get at something deeper, even foreboding. Uh-Oh, for example, concerns a young wife (Maria V. Oliveira) who has become bored after only 18 months
Karen Owens (Louise Overbee) and Elijah Douglas (Singing Telegram man) in Love/Sick, which runs from June 9 to July 7. Photos by Michael Hardy Photography
of marriage and spices things up for a trice by pretending to have discovered from a magazine quiz that she is the sort of person who
kills her mate when boredom sets in. To whatever degree, her husband’s (Elijah Douglas) falling for her ruse is funny, the
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proceedings end with his sitting alone brooding on the implications for their future. Another such piece is The Singing Telegram, also featuring Douglas, giving what may be the show’s funniest performance (including delivering what is far and away the best line of the entire show). Karen Owens (Kelly) and Devon DeLamora (Mark) in Love/Sick. Louise (Karen Owens) expects the realities of couplehood, asking, “How singing telegram her boyfriend sent to come when two people meet and fall in be a marriage proposal. It’s anything love and it doesn’t work out they don’t but, bringing a scene of silliness (her misunderstanding, Douglas’s delivery of call it destiny?” Rather than fulfilling the Hollywood dictates of how such the telegram itself) to a somber close. a chance reunion should end, they The problem with such pieces is part ways, presumably for the rest of that Cariani expects too much from the their perhaps lonely lives. Whatever formula. Because the scenes are so lite shortcomings there may be in Love/ (and so brief), we’re not really invested Sick’s script, cliché is not one of them. The production itself is another area where shortcoming is not an issue— although, frankly, there simply isn’t much to the production. Sound and lighting cues are minimal (as per the script), costumes are straightforward (which is fine), and the set is as simple as can be (putting aside a concept seemingly tied to Cariani’s William Jaramillo (Keith), Elspeth Carden (Celia) in Love/Sick. useless convention of tying some of the pieces to a Walmart-ish “supercenter”). in the characters. So, while we may see What’s left are the performances, what we’re supposed to feel at each which are solid across the board, pithy conclusion, it’s not the same as fittingly slapstick when necessary and actually feeling it. mostly avoiding the kind of excessive The last three pieces, while not emoting that might have been applied completely breaking with the formula, to the heavier moments. are the heaviest, and on their own the Contrary to its designs, Love/ first two may be Love/Sick’s weakest. Sick is not going to make much of an Despite a couple of silly lines, Forgot impression on you. However, if you is little more than a woman’s (Holland want some romantic comedy that does Renton) distressed birthday realization not fall into the cliché vat from which that she has reached the age at which her younger self planned to have a baby, the vast majority of romantic comedy is formed, you could do a lot worse. For and that her husband (John Phelan) me, the problem here is that Cariani liked it that way. The intentionally didn’t bring the funny. But to whatever humorless, Where Was I?, concerns a degree laughter can be relied upon as lesbian couple (Oliveira and Elspheth a barometer of internal experience, at Carden) confronting the fact that in the least half the opening-night audience process of building a family, each may disagrees with me. have sublimated her individuality to the Love/Sick will be performed at 8 degree that they have lost each other p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. romantically. Sundays, through July 7 But this darker pair serves as an apt set-up for the finale, Destiny, where Cost: $14 to $24 a long-divorced and since-remarried Details: (562) 494-1014; couple (Renton and William Jaramillo) LBplayhouse.org discover during a chance supermarket Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 meeting that both are once again E. Anaheim St., Long Beach single. Not much is funny here, either, but Cariani neatly incorporates the themes of all previous eight pieces into a meditation on the not-so-storybook
18 0 2 • 7 2 June 14 Deciduous Gods
ENTERTAINMENT June 15
New West Guitar Group, Sara Gazarek John Storie and Will Brahm — the guitarists who comprise the New West Guitar Group — parlayed acoustic-and-electric renditions of jazz standards, covers and originals into a reputation as one of the premier guitar ensembles in the world. Time: 8 p.m. June 15 Cost: $20 to $30 Details: (310) 833-4813; www.grandvision.org Venue: Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St. San Pedro The Aggrolites The Aggrolites are an amalgamation of LA reggae and ska bands, the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors. The band was formed in 2002 to play live shows behind reggae icon Derrick Morgan. Time: 7:30 p.m. June 15 Cost: $10 to $35 Details: www.solvenue.com Venue: El Sol Venue, 313 E. Carson St., Carson
June 16
Diana Ross Celebrate the beginning of summer in a sensational evening with legendary icon Diana Ross, one of the greatest superstar entertainers of all time, performing with orchestra – plus fireworks. Time: 8 to 11 p.m. June 16 Cost: $32 to $78 Details: www.hollywoodbowl.com Venue: Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Los Angeles
June 21
Night Dive 18+ Night Dive is an adults-only event with local bands rocking out right next to the fish, DJs spinning in the Aquarium’s galleries, inspiring works of art, cocktails and drinks and tasty bites from food trucks. Time: 7:30 to 11 p.m. June 15 Cost: $17.95 Details: www.tickets. aquariumofpacific.org Venue: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
Bossa Nova: An Audiovisual Experience This is a multimedia concert delving into the most representative songs, composers, singers and divas of Bossa Nova. Time: 8 to 10:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Details: (310) 833-7538; www.alvasshowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro
THEATER June 15
The Foreigner Charlie, a pathologically shy Englishman, accompanies his friend Froggy on a trip to rural Georgia. Charlie is overcome with fear at the thought of having to make small talk with strangers, so Froggy informs the locals that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, June 15 through July 15 Cost: $25 to $45 Details: (310) 512-6030; www.littlefishtheatre.org Venue: Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro
June 20 The 39 Steps Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theater. Time: 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, June 20 to July 8 Cost: $47 to $49 Details: www.tix4. centerstageticketing.com Venue: International City Theater, 330 Seaside Way, Long Beach
June 24 Fistful of Improv A Fistful Of Improv is a comedy troupe born and bred on the streets of Long Beach. They were founded in January of 2011 and have been performing at many stages across Los Angeles and Orange counties since April of that same year. Time: 7:30 p.m. June 24 Cost: $7 Details: www.lbplayhouse.org/ show/fistful-of-improv Venue: Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
Ongoing
Love/Sick Set on a Friday night in an alternate suburban reality, the John Cariani brings us an evening of nine bittersweet romantic comedies. In Love/Sick, the writer of Almost, Maine, is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone. Time: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays,
June 16
Cornelius Projects presents Deciduous Gods: Sculpture by W.S. Milner. Fashioned through modeling, layering, carving and sanding, Milner’s objects have a patina evocative of once-buried ceremonial relics. Details: www.corneliusprojects.com and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 7 Cost: $20 to $24 Details: www.lbplayhouse.org/ show/love-sick Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
ART
June 16 Through the Lens Volume 4: Jose Cordon See Cordon’s incredible photography and celebrate Los Angeles Beer Week with a tap takeover by Liberation Brewing Co. Time: 6 to 10 p.m. June 16 Cost: Free Details: (562) 433-5478 Venue: The Social List, 2105 E. 4th St., Long Beach Mindscapes Paintings in response to landscape serving as an exploration of space. Closing reception and artist talk 5 to 9 p.m. June 21 Time: 7 to 11 p.m. June 16 Cost: Free Details: www.instagram.com_ flatline Venue: Flatline, 6023 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach
June 21
Soulstice by 0.0 Series Visual artist Lainey Atwood and lighting designer Alvaro Nuñez present their latest collaboration: an interactive multimedia installation featuring original visual art, lighting design, and dance film. Time: 8 to 10:30 p.m. June 21 Cost: $8 Details: www.soulstice. brownpapertickets.com Venue: Space 853-Art Gallery , 853 Pine Ave., Long Beach
Ongoing Uncompliant Acts: The Public Stage Anthony Friedkin’s entire oeuvre can accurately be described as a pursuit of the authentic. His topics include phenomena such as surf culture, prisons, cinema, gay culture,
and, most currently, the art of urban streets. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, through June 23 Cost: Free Details: (310) 732-2150 Venue: Gallery 478, 478 W. 7th St., San Pedro Deciduous Gods: Sculpture by W.S. Milner Angels Gate studio artist W.S. Milner’s Deciduous Gods was born out of a fascination with ancient history and the desire to immerse herself in myth and legend through the creation of contemporary artifacts. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. through July 28 Cost: Free Details: (310) 266-9216; www.corneliusprojects.com Venue: Cornelius Projects,1417 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro El Exploratorio: Zona I Over the course of human evolution, technological and scientific innovation has played a fundamental role in aesthetic development. Exploratorio features works by 19 Latin American and Latino artists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through July 29 Cost: $7 to $10 Details: https://molaa.org Venue: Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach
FILM
June 15 Val Kilmer Live Presents Cinema Twain Val Kilmer presents the film of his hit one-man play Citizen Twain In Person. Cinema Twain has played to sold-out houses across the county, now you can see Kilmer introduce the movie and answer your questions about the film and Mark Twain. Time: 6 and 9 p.m. June 15, and 4 and 7 p.m. June 16 Cost: $40 to $100 Details: www.web.ovationtix.com/ trs/pr/992383
Juneteenth Rhythm and Blues Celebration The event is presented by Councilwoman Lula Davis-Holmes and the Carson Citizens Cultural Arts foundation. Performances will include, Gavin Rhone, Greg and the Greg Rose Band, Donald Hayes Jazz Ensemble, Sophisticated Dance Company, Gerald Rivers and Maestro Timothy Williams and the Christian Fellowship Chorale. All ages welcome. Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 16 Cost: Free Details: (310) 631-3130 Venue: Mills Parks, 1340 E. Diamondale Drive, Carson
June 21
Paint Night Artist Ron Libbrecht will guide guests through the creation of a unique watercolor painting inspired by Rancho Los Cerritos’ gardens. This workshop is open to artists of all experience levels. Registration fee includes materials, wine and cheese. Time: 6 to 8 p.m. June 21 Cost: $35 Details: (562) 206 2040; w w w. r a n c h o l o s c e r r i t o s . o r g / upcoming-event/paint-night Venue: Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach
June 23
32nd Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival Festivities include, Cajun and Creole cuisine, dance instruction and a Mardi Gras parade. Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 23, and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 24 Cost: $25 to $35 Details: longbeachbayou.com Venue: Queen Mary Events Park, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach The Endless Summer Starts Here Check out the new mural by Endless Summer artist John Van Hamersveld. Treat yourself to fun food truck fare; try out some creative cocktails at the no-host bar and dancing. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. June 23 Cost: $10 to $25 Details: www.eventbrite.com Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro South Bay Festival of the Arts Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation hosts its annual festival of
June 24
Summertime and Healing Your Stories of Heat, Havoc, and Happenstance, hosted by Rudy Caseres. All ages. Time: 7 p.m. June 24 Cost: Free Details: Rudy@rudycaseres. com and www.bit.ly/ summertime-healing Venue: The Garden Church, 429 West 6th Street Seal Day This event helps inform visitors to further discover that the work they do not only benefits their marine mammal patients, but also educates the public and visitors about why seal patients are there in the first place. The day consists of guest lecturers, films, narrated rehabilitation demonstrations, and theme related children’s activities and anime pavilion. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24 Cost: Free Details: http:// marinemammalcare.org/ events/2018-seal-day Venue: Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro
June 27
One Man’s Journey in Pursuit of Art in Nature Cuban American artist, Andrés Pruna is a former National Geographic photographer and independent filmmaker. He has combined his love of nature, his training as a painter and illustrator and his skills in both photography and diving into a life of adventure in the pursuit of art that documents nature. In his lecture he will share stories of his experiences, photos, and film clips documenting his travels. Time: 7 to 8:30 June 27 Cost: $5 Details: (562) 590-3100; www.tickets.aquariumofpacific. org Venue: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
June 28
El Dorado Nature Center with Steel Parade Another outdoor summer concert series featuring island style music with a SoCal twist. Bring low chairs and/or blankets and picnic dinner. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, June 28 through Aug. 16 Cost: $7 Details: (562) 570-1745 Venue: El Dorado Nature Center, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach
June 14 - 27, 2018
Make Music Long Beach This Make Music Long Beach show Features Spider and Doll Parts. Time: 9:30 p.m. Cost: Free
June 15
Make Music Day at MADE MADE will participate in the international Make Music Day/ Fête de la Musique and Live After 5 — Make Music Day Downtown by programming 12 hours of free live music. The event includes an art exhibit closing reception, the Wild Chive vegan pop-up dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. and full bar. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 21 Cost: Free Details: www.facebook.com/ makemusicday Venue: MADE By Millworks, 240 Pine Ave., Long Beach
COMMUNITY
June 23
Real News, Real People, Really Effective
Brownout, Money Chicha, Casa de Calacas Austin’s Nine-piece Psychedelic Latin-Funk Masters ‘Brownout’ collective formed 10 years and has become a musical force all its own. Time: 8 p.m. June 16 Cost: $15 Details: www.ticketfly.com Venue: Alex’s Bar, 2913 E Anaheim St., Long Beach
Venue: Long Beach City College, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach
Details: (562) 498-2461 Venue: Dipiazza’s, 5205 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach
Arts extravaganza. Enjoy entertainment and participate in hands-on art, dance, theater, music and craft activities. The foundation will showcase entertainers on four stages and food provided by local restaurants. Time: 11 am. To 5 p.m. June 23 Cost: Free Details: www.torrancearts.org/ festival Venue: Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance
15
Ray Goren Merges Old and New By Melina Paris, Music Columnist
It has been five years since the now 17-year-old Ray Goren played at the Long Beach Bayou Festival. He will be back this year, now with more life experiences. He’s bringing the blues he grew up on to close the festival on June 24. Bets are Ray, a prodigy, will bring a well-seasoned yet, fresh performance along with backup from his longtime blues band. Ray is full of energy as is requisite for his age. He displays a mission when it comes to his music, where he has been busy innovating his own projects in songwriting and playing his own material. “(It) isn’t as much blues but it’s more singer-songwriter stuff and kind of a hip-hop thing,” Ray said. He said it’s about growing as an artist and maturing as a person. Recently, he has applied enough gear to his act to make a one-man band. He has percussion and keys and of course, his guitar. He incorporates a driving blend of rock and a hip-hop beat, along with his voice. “I love it all,” Ray said. “My current solo project is like that but it doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun and play the blues. It’s where I came from so, I don’t want to forget
Ray Goren performs at the Long Beach Bayou Festival June 24. File photo.
about it.” On his latest album, Me, Ray said he wrote many of the songs in “one spurt.” “It’s the most personal album I have out,” he said. “All the songs are based on true events.” He said, it has it all, some sad numbers and some comical ones and some love songs. Ray also wrote some songs with his mentor, Leon Russell, who died November 2016. “He taught me how to write music and lyrics,” Ray said. “And, on this album, we worked on one of the songs together. All my songwriting to this day, even though he’s no longer with us, is inspired by the things he showed me and taught me coming up as a songwriter.” The song they collaborated on is, Fallen Angel “(Slash)” Puzzles. Ray said he flip-flops on the name all the time. One of those comical songs he mentioned is called, Have a Nice Day. Ray has previously made an intriguing comment about some of his goals in which he said, he wants to see himself innovating a new sound in pop music. He said he still stands behind that comment. “[It’s] a combination of singer-songwriter and urban style music and bridging the two together with some electric guitar behind it,” Ray said. “I really find that even now, stuff that is unreleased, I hold in a lot…. I’m going to be releasing some of that kind of sound soon. It’s also very lyrically driven. It’s my little passions and I found a way to blend them all together.” Ray has a summer tour across the United States. He will play all of his own new music and write and release singles as he tours behind them. But for now, at the Bayou Fest, Ray will be on stage with his old blues band. “(I’ll be) with my mentors who really brought me up,” he said. “We’re going to have a great time playing some blues.”
June 14 - 27, 2018
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Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 23, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 24 Cost: $21 to $31 Details: longbeachbayou.com; www.raygoren. com Venue: Queen Mary Events Park, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach
16
[Southside Slim from p. 11]
Southside Slim for right before the Bayou Festival. He will be the guest performer June 17, on the 95.5 KLOS radio show, Breakfast With the Beatles. Paul McCartney’s birthday is June 18 and Slim will perform McCartney’s number, Early Days from his 2013 album titled, New. Slim performed with Sir Paul McCartney in an impromptu jam session, which lasted for 30 minutes, after the filming of the Early Days video. The video also includes Long Beach’s own, Al Williams, the founder of the Bayou Fest and many other Long Beach events. It also includes Johnny Depp among other local blues musicians. You can catch Southside Slim at The New Blues Festival on Labor Day Weekend at Long Beach’s El Dorado Park. Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 23 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 24 Cost: $21 to $31 Details: longbeachbayou.com; www.southsideslim.com Venue: Queen Mary Events Park, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
[Port Study from p. 10]
Port Study
commonly assumed — only a projected 3.5 percent of employed local residents. “Sounds accurate,” Southwell said. “It is consistent with the lack of overall social equity. The history of the area is tied to exploitation — the fishing industry and species collapse; the forced removal of the Japanese village; the oil industry and the subsidence disaster; the port and the air quality disaster.” “The port has been pushing the false concept that jobs are somehow mitigation for the intense negative health and safety impacts levied against local communities by the goodsmovement industry,” said Kathleen Woodfield,
[News Briefs from p. 6]
Robust Support System Plus Millions in Housing for Veterans
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Kathryn Barger to create a countywide support network that will enable veterans to help fellow veterans. It will also allocate $20 million to provide housing for veterans experiencing mental health issues and housing challenges in Los Angeles County. The motion calls for creating the Countywide Veteran Peer Access Network. It will expand the number of veteran peers employed by the County, as well as nonprofit organizations contracted by the County to serve veterans. The motion incorporates $5 million to immediately facilitate access to existing housing stock through the Countywide Veteran Peer Access Network. It includes an additional $15 million to create new affordable and permanent supportive housing units for veterans experiencing homelessness. This past year’s homeless count found almost 5,000 homeless veterans countywide on any given night.
Resolution Reached in Cases Involving L.A. County’s Former Chief Lawyer
board, including reps from residents associations and neighborhood councils to provide direct input to the Board of Harbor Commissioners…. The current port and city leadership has done great harm to the port and community through its failure to gather, heed and empower community leadership with regard to off-port impacts from the goods movement industry.” One crucial question is what should be done next, in response to the report. “The ports themselves should seriously look at the study, really understand it and also be able to embrace this study, and studies beyond this,” Logan said. “The study itself is not a decision, the study itself is information…. Information is good, there’s nothing bad about more information. So … the port should embrace the study.” The same applies to the city as well. “This is an asset to the city,” Logan said. “They should take it and embrace it, and determine the actions to be taken.” But Southwell was more pessimistic. “The port and the city speak in unison,” he said. “In general, the needs of the local community have always been subordinate.” “The port/city should immediately restore a port/community committee that serves as the watchdog for the local communities,” Gunter said. “This committee should not be ‘peppered’ (as was PCAC) with industry representatives…. It should be solely committed to the concerns of those who ‘live’ under the conditions caused by the massive industrial operation and benefit financially in no way from it.” As for neighborhood councils, they “should really embrace this,” Logan said. “It helps to inform community advocates,” he said. “I would encourage folks to be more engaged with the study and others like this… so they can be well-informed, well-engaged, advocates.” Nave took a broader view of who could act. “The county grand jury has the power to look at administrative efficiency in city governance,” he pointed out. “I’d like to see them look at why the port hasn’t addressed environmental and societal impacts.”
Logan looked even farther afield. “The State Lands Commission, the Coastal Commission and … other ports across the country should look at this as an example,” he said. “That is a positive thing and that they should look at ways in which they should study the impacts and how they might addresses things into the future.” In fact, Random Lengths News’ story about the study has been sent out to members of the Moving Forward Network and a leading Kansas City activist, Eric Kirkendall, responded enthusiastically. “I am going to study it closely to try to figure out if and how we could do similar analyses in overburdened communities in the KC metro area!” Kirkendall said. “A purposeful attempt needs to be made in order to establish the nexus to mitigate losses,” Gunter said. “The next step is to the fully employ our public officials to pressure the State Lands Commission to step in to do their job of [ensuring] that public benefits from the use of public trust lands are met without prejudice or favoritism toward industry…. The benefit versus burden strategy is imperative and has clearly been buried for decades.” But, looking back, Dimitrov sees reason for hope. “While some may say we haven’t moved much further, I disagree. By allowing for an entity, like the HCBF, as a lens and tool is as Professor Sloane said, ‘Obvious,’ to further port dialogues!’” he said. “One might say it’s not enough. However, having seen the previous period of aloof arrogance from the district to the port levels, the fact that the existing communities, surrounding the port, have a place at the table is very big win.” The question remains: how and what to build on it. Editors’ Note: Random Lengths News also reached out to others for comments, including the San Pedro and Wilmington Chambers of Commerce, as well as the National Resources Defense Council, but did not hear back before press time. We look forward to including more voices in the future on this new report.
Philip Tondreault
August 12, 1946 - May 18, 2018
June 14 - 27, 2018
Services Department downtown Los Angeles, but always planned to return to the port. In 2004, he was named the new head of the Property Management Division, responsible for planning and coordinating division activities that include negotiating and administering leases, permits, acquisitions, divestitures and condemnations of commercial and industrial land and water
properties. He was also a key member of the team that created the port’s first leasing policy, which formalized the process for the selection of tenants at the Port of Los Angeles. In 2007, he retired. Tondreault’s love of the harbor brought him back to San Pedro, and in retirement, he managed the Cabrillo Way Marina. He was also active in the community and served as treasurer on the board of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. His business associates said Tondreault was not afraid to roll-up his sleeves to make things happen and was always willing to take a leadership role on various committees. Phil was considered a talented property manager with a real knowledge of the port and its facilities. Staff remembers him for his kindness and his genuine interest in their welfare and his willingness to share his expertise. Tondreault is survived by his wife Korla, his daughter Alexis, as well as many friends and colleagues at the Harbor Department, Cabrillo Way Marina and the San Pedro community.
Philip Tondreault, a former Port of Los Angeles employee and manager of the Cabrillo Way Marina, recently died at the age of 71 of a heart attack. Tondreault was born in Boston but raised in Long Beach, where he attended local schools. He graduated from Long Beach State where he received a bachelor of arts degree in history and two master’s degrees in history and public administration. Tondreault started his 35-year city career in 1972 as a junior administrative assistant with the police department in fiscal operations division. He found his true calling when he started taking night courses in real estate, and in 1982, he transferred to the Harbor Department. Tondreault spent 17 years in the real estate division, handling many projects over his tenure, and taking a special interest in marinas and land acquisition. Tondreault’s work acquiring land in Wilmington enabled the the port to build the Wilmington Waterfront Park. During this time Phil met Korla, a fellow port employee. Tondreault and Korla were married and had one daughter, Alexis. Tondreault took a promotion in the General
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Three lawsuits will be dismissed as part of a settlement to end a long-running dispute between Los Angeles County and its former top lawyer, ex-County Counsel Mark Saladino. As part of the settlement, Saladino will pay the county $50,000 and the county will pay nothing. In a separate action that is not part of the settlement, Saladino also has written a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors expressing his regrets for bringing two lawsuits against the county. In the letter, he acknowledged that he was unaware of all the facts and circumstances relating to his allegations and regrets having made statements against the board. Saladino filed two lawsuits against the county, one alleging wrongful termination and the other claiming violations of the Brown Act. The county sued Saladino for breach of fiduciary duty. The agreement is a “global settlement” that will end all three lawsuits. The county already has prevailed in the wrongful termination suit, but under the settlement, Saladino waives his right to appeal. The county welcomes the settlement, which among other things, sends a strong message affirming the sanctity of the attorney-client relationship and underscoring that all employees — especially its legal representatives — must act according to the highest ethical standards.
vice president of the San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners’ Coalition. “But we know that jobs are not mitigation…. Still, some of us took satisfaction in the idea that a significant amount of neighborhood households were at least enjoying the benefits of good-paying, portrelated jobs. Now we know even that isn’t true.” However, Nave urged caution. “Compare this figure with past port studies done by outside consultants, some done to support bond issues and which show far higher numbers,” he said, suggesting, among other sources, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp., which Random Lengths News had sought data from for its first story on this study. Random Lengths News will continue to investigate, but one thing is clear: this longstanding assumption can no longer be taken as a given. Harbor Commissioner David Arian also challenged the new findings — highlighting the important fact that pensioners were not counted — and promising that more accurate data would be gathered in months ahead. Relatedly, the study validated the common perception that Wilmington and San Pedro are unique in having lower home values, the closer one gets to the ocean. “What has been established by this study is that those who have been employed with good paying jobs connected with the port move out of their port communities when given that option for a better quality of life environment,” Gunter said. “It is a simple scenario where they (the port) ‘raped and pillaged their village.’ So, the villagers simply move out when they can afford to do so. The port and City of LA need to unite with the ‘villagers’ in an attempt to rectify this dismal situation.” The study also recommended the reinstatement of PCAC “to assess impacts of Port developments on the surrounding communities, make recommendations to ensure that impacts are sufficiently addressed, and to serve as community advisors to the Port of Los Angeles.” “Most major cities have community advisory boards for major enterprises,” Warren said. “It is past time for the city to establish a new residents
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1 Collaborative website 5 Not as many 10 Sign-___ (farewells) 14 Like fine whiskeys 15 Up and about 16 Sci-fi royal 17 Naomi Campbell or Cindy Crawford, e.g. 19 It might be hammered out 20 Chips go-with 21 Tooth material 23 Article from France 24 Channel with “Wheel of Fortune” repeats 27 “Respect for Acting” author Hagen 28 Primus frontman Claypool 31 Chute opening? 33 It’s a real grind at dinner? 36 Finnish Olympic runner Nurmi 38 Wireless company named after a Finnish city 39 Top of the corporate ladder 44 Practiced 45 Swashbuckler who left his initial as a mark 46 Place to extract some chalcopyrite 49 Business reps. 53 Start of many Quebec place names 54 Opposite of old, in German
55 Pasture mom 57 British isle that sounds like a number 58 Ending of many nonprofit URLs 61 Old voting machine part 63 Box office event 65 2001 Nintendo video game with a really thin premise? 68 Dot on a state map 69 Mushroom in miso soup 70 Holed, as a putt 71 Lion lairs 72 Star-___ mole 73 “___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto)
DOWN
1 “Hey, how’s it going?” 2 Pet lizard 3 Astronomer Johannes 4 March middle 5 Direct relatives, slangily 6 “Mr. Blue Sky” band 7 Expansive 8 Balance 9 Be sympathetic 10 “Ye ___ Shoppe” 11 Prefer 12 Ominous sight in shark movies 13 Took to the couch 18 Dusting item 22 “Silas ___” (George Eliot novel)
25 Email that gets filtered 26 Cal ___ Resort & Casino (Lake Tahoe property once coowned by Frank Sinatra) 29 Tiger Woods’s ex Nordegren 30 Bed frame piece 32 “Not ___ out of you!” 34 Guy with an eponymous scheme 35 Jason who plays Aquaman 37 Impassioned 39 Lines at the checkout? 40 Scheme 41 “Quiet!” 42 Top quality 43 Sprung up 47 Come back after renovation 48 Nissan SUV named for a suburb of Venice 50 “Z” director Costa-___ 51 Advertising promos of sorts 52 Minigolf motion 56 State tree of North Dakota 59 Possesses 60 Mailing centers, for short 62 Facilitate 63 Pt. of PST 64 Long-handled farm tool 66 Make do, with “out” 67 Relieve ©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) For answers go to: www.randomlengthsnews.com
DBA & LEGAL FILINGS Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018106873 The following person is doing business as: Drawings By Ann, 457 W 40th Street, #A, San Pedro, CA 90731. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Ann Whitney Cleaves, 457 W 40th Street, #A, San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business is conducted by an individual. The 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 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)). S/. Ann Whitney Cleaves, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 2, 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. 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.Effectively January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. 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: 05/17/2018, 05/31/2018, 06/14/2018, 06/28/2018
May 4, 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. 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.Effectively January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. 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: 05/17/2018, 05/31/2018,
not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: Date: 6-20-18, Time: 8:30 a.m., Dept.:26 The address of the court is 275 Magnolia, Long Beach, CA 90802. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Daily Breeze Date: May 9, 2017, 2016 Sherri R. Carter Judge of the Superior Court
Order to Show Cause for Change of Name Case No. NS034411 Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles Petition of: Roger Alan Williams for Change of Name To All Interested Persons: Petition :Roger Alan Williams filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Roger Alan Williams to Roger Alan Brimmer The Court orders that all person interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018068183 The following person is doing business as: Excel Funding R.E.S., Inc, Excel Funding RES, Inc., 28924 S. Western Ave, STE 110, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Excel Funding Real Estate Services, 28924 S. Western Ave, STE 110, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This Business is conducted by a corporation. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and
06/14/2018, 06/28/2018
mon law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 03/22/2018, 04/5/2018, 04/19/2018, 05/03/2018
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018112411 The following person is doing business as: Children’s Maritime Institute, Berth 73, STE #2, San Pedro, CA 90731. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Los Angeles Maritime Institute Berth 73, STE #2, San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business is conducted by a corporation. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 04/2018. 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/. Bruce Heyman, CEO. This statement was filed with the
County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 8, 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 to 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: 05/31/2018, 06/14/2018, 06/28/2018, 07/12/2018
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Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018109429 The following person is doing business as: Vista Del Mar Apartments, 535 W. 37th St., San Pedro, CA 90731. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Katica Blaskovich, 6220 Via Canada, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This Business is conducted by an individual. The 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 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)). S/. Katica Blaskovich, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on
correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Frances T. Baldwin, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 20, 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 to 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 com-
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