A progress report: Seven years later— Eliminating the MHF refinery threat p. 3 A Pandemic Report— POLA leadership versus residents exposed to port pollution p. 8
Photos by Chris Villanueva
San Pedro galleries bloom with expanded arts events p. 9
City Attorney Mike Feuer
Councilman Kevin de León
Councilman Joe Buscaino
U.S. Rep. Karen Bass
By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter
R
ep. Karen Bass (D-CA 37th District) may be the early leader in the polls in the race for Los Angeles mayor, but you wouldn’t necessarily know it by attending the forum held at the Warner Grand Theatre on Feb. 27. Neither she, nor any of the other three candidates present did much to stand out from each other. Bass was joined by Councilman Joe Buscaino (District 15), LA City Attorney Mike Feuer, and Councilman Kevin de León (District 14). The four candidates all gave vaguely similar answers to
2022 Homeless Count
the questions that were asked by the San Pedro Democratic Club, which hosted the forum. This included how they would solve homelessness, how they would deal with neighborhood councils, and some things that were very specific to San Pedro, including Port of Los Angeles issues and butane tanks on Gaffey Street. Part of this was because of the questions that were asked by members of the San Pedro Democratic Club, which hosted the forum. No [See Mayoral, p. 15]
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
According to the LA City Clerk’s office, there are 28 candidates who have pulled papers to enter the race to become the next mayor of Los Angeles. While most of the candidates running are relative unknowns, the San Pedro Democratic Club “invited” five of them to make their initial pitch to the residents of San Pedro. These five candidates may have been seen as the front runners, however, the decision to invite just these few out of the many is questionable. All of them of course are registered Democrats, as the likelihood of a Republican candidate actually getting elected in LA these days is slim to none. Yet, the man who was last to enter the race, real estate developer Rick Caruso, hardly has stellar credentials in the blue spectrum of politics — he just registered as a Dem a few weeks ago and said a conflict on this day prevented him from joining the stage this past Sunday. — James Preston Allen, Publisher
San Pedro and LA Hold First Count in Two Years By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter
“While we work to ensure an accurate Homeless Count, we cannot ignore the surging number of positive COVID-19 cases across our region,” said Heidi Marston, executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, in a press release on LAHSA’s website. “Even with safety precautions such as moving training online, developing outdoor deployment sites, and keeping households together, moving forward with a count in January places our unhoused neighbors, volunteers, staff, and the accuracy of the Count at risk.” The purpose of the count is to support applications for federal funding by proving how many homeless people live in different areas. As
of 2020, the count said there were 66,436 homeless people living in the county, with 2,257 living in Council District 15. In San Pedro, there were 575 homeless people, which was a decrease from the previous year, when the count found 614 homeless people. The 2020 count found 226 homeless people in vehicles, 204 in tents or makeshift shelters and 60 living on the street. In addition, there were 83 in temporary or transitional housing. According to LAHSA’s training video, saying that you found zero homeless people is a perfectly acceptable answer. It states that it is important for LAHSA to know which areas do not have homeless people.
March 3 - 16, 2022
Gulch Road, a small section of San Pedro where many homeless people reside. Photo by Terelle Jerricks
I participated in the homeless count this year, but my team did not find any homeless people. The place we were assigned was mainly in a wealthy residential area with little to no public space, so we were not surprised that we did not find anyone. The previous time I volunteered, which was in 2020, we found no one on the street, but only in cars. From Feb. 22 to Feb. 24, the County of Los Angeles held its 2022 homeless count. This was the first time the county held a homeless count in two years, as the 2021 count was canceled due to the pandemic. The 2022 homeless count was originally going to be from Jan. 24 to Jan. 26, but was postponed again because of the pandemic.
[See Counted, p. 13] 1
Community Announcements:
Harbor Area Applications Available for POLA Community Investment Grant Program The Port of Los Angeles has released application information and details about its FY 2022/23 Community Investment Grant Program. The program funds initiatives, programs and events that benefit the communities of the LA Harbor, promote the LA Waterfront and help support the port’s goals related to international trade, the environment, sustainability, public safety and security. Grants are funded through the port’s annual budget, and are entirely self-supported from shipping and lease revenues. Grants will be awarded in two categories: under $100,000 and more than $100,000. Applications are due at 4 p.m. May 9. Grant applicants must reapply each fiscal year. The port has scheduled an online Zoom workshop for interested applicants March 31. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), and provide documentation of their exempt status at the time of application. Time: 6 p.m. March 31 Details: https://tinyurl.com/yrcrmu56
POLB Sponsorship Program Accepting Applications
Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for the Port of Long Beach’s Community Sponsorship Program, which funds community events and activities that help inform residents about the port. The events center on the arts, environment, education, social justice and historic preservation. Community groups may submit sponsorship applications online through 5 p.m. March 31. Applications are judged on how effectively the proposed events and activities can help the port inform the community of its critical role as an economic engine and job creator. Details: www.polb.com/sponsorship.
Neighborhood Purpose Grants March 31 Deadline
The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council is pleased to announce that grant applications are now being accepted. Priority will be given to applications focusing on programs addressing COVID-19, homelessness, domestic violence and education. $10,000 total is available for this year’s distribution. Details: https://tinyurl.com/5n7n8uu5
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
LA County Homeless Initiative Unveils $556.4M Draft Budget
The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative publicly released a preliminary draft spending plan of $556.4 million for fiscal year 2022-2023. The amount represents a 5.5% increase over the $527.1 million approved for the current fiscal year, and includes $465.6 million raised through Measure H, a 1/4 cent sales tax approved by county voters in 2017 to fund a 10-year campaign against homelessness. County residents are invited to submit written comments online from now through May 10 and attend a March 9 virtual public hearing to provide verbal comments. Details: Draft Funding Recommendations: https://tinyurl.com/6srmcw4a Webinar Powerpoint: https://tinyurl. com/4xwbffyj Public comment: https://tinyurl.com/re8hc6a6
March 3 - 16, 2022
FREE Tax Preparation from CSULB
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The California State University Long Beach College of Business is offering free income tax preparation online now through April 9. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or VITA IRS program provides virtual appointments to individuals who qualify as low-income ($58,000 annually), students, the elderly, non-residents and limited English proficiency. The VITA IRScertified tax preparers can assist you in preparing both federal and state tax returns. Schedule a virtual appointment or get more information on the CSU Long Beach VITA site at the link below. [See Announcements, p. 8]
Committed to Independent Journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for More Than 40 Years
Come June 7, There Can Only Be Two
Nine Candidates Line Up to Become the Next Rep for the 15th Council District By Anealia Kortkamp, Editorial Intern
Joe Buscaino looms large in the political imaginations of Los Angeles’ southernmost point. Having served 10 years, it would be impressive if he did not leave an impression, for good or for ill. This impression is coming to an end, however, as the former councilman yields running this year in favor of a mayoral bid. The ticket to replace him is packed, with nine competitors all jockeying for the position and multiple contenders, like Shannon Ross and Christian Guzman, having already dropped out. Random Lengths News has thus compiled an asof-now up-to-date short guide to the who-is-who in this packed face-off. All of these candidates will have to turn in their nomination petitions by March 9 in order to qualify for the ballot. Any registered voter in the district can sign a petition for one or more candidates.
Danielle Sandoval
Danielle Sandoval has served in multiple neighborhood councils throughout Council District 15. She is also a businesswoman and paralegal operating services centered around intellectual property, family law, and civil litigation. Sandoval prides herself as a coalition builder and for the grassroots nature of her campaign, specifically, the rate at which she goes out to meet directly with constituents and how she self-educates on what needs to be done and where money is allocated. In the built environment, Sandoval is very outspoken. She is against increasing the density in District 15, citing that they would increase crowding, that they are often awarded via officials giving the proposals to friends, and that the majority rental market they create is temporary and does not serve to create any generational wealth. To address houselessness and to help create homeownership, instead of density, Sandoval keeps on her an array of other tools. She pushes against the Airbnb market that consumes housing stock and is a proponent of a vacancy tax both for business and residential buildings. Supporting this, she says, is how buildings are often simply abandoned by their owners and that the district’s residents are “being priced out of our community.” Specifically for the unhoused, her program lines up with much of what is being done at first. She is in favor of the container housing, tiny home villages, and micro-housing projects that are springing up throughout LA county. In addition, she seeks expansions and reopenings of mental health facilities and assistance for the unhoused in gaining skills and expungement of tickets. She says she will address governmental
structures both like a business and like a family. On city budgets she said, “The city is a business, I know the business. I started with looking at city budgets and realized it was upside down,” stating further that the current lack of transparency has resulted in major misallocation of departmental resources. Parks and the 15th District’s youth population are a crucial point of her platform. “I am a mom and I grew up in a high-risk area,” Sandoval said. “We need to create buffer zones around our schools and create green spaces.” Sandoval talks about bringing affordability to youth recreation programs and fulfilling the promise of skate parks after-school programs and youth sports. She says that these build relationships and create a sense of community, which seems to be the focal point of her entire candidacy.
Anthony D. Santich
A lifelong San Pedran, Anthony Santich has deep Croatian and Italian roots in the Los Angeles Harbor Area. His grandfather, Andy Trutanich, managed the Starkist Foods cannery that employed 4,000 residents. Santich says role models like his grandfather and parents shaped his sense of civic duty and appreciation for community involvement, engagement and advocacy. A graduate of San Pedro High School and an All-Marine League athlete, he attended Idaho State University on an athletic scholarship. Upon graduation, he took up the professions of sales and marketing in the Los Angeles area. He later joined the business development and marketing group at the Port of Los Angeles. He held several roles and responsibilities at the port, including liaison to the Port Community Advisory Committee where he worked with Harbor Area stakeholders, and port marketing manager — in regards to container and liquid bulk terminals. Santich volunteers for the Harbor Area Pilots Youth Organization, a football program for atrisk youth in Wilmington. He raised $50,000 for new helmets, uniforms and scholarships for financially disadvantaged student athletes who wanted to be on the team. For more than 10 years, Santich has been a volunteer with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, which includes local, state and federal law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and developing effective responses to internet crimes against children. As a volunteer, Santich raised funds for the ICAC. Describing the politics and institutions that animate the Los Angeles City Hall and the Port
of Los Angeles as an elitist system that doesn’t work for the people, Santich has been a witness to unethical backroom deals, dubious lobbyist relationships, and systemic resistance to an open and fair process. He says these practices have led to wasteful spending of public funds, a lack of community benefits, and insider corruption. Santich says his unique qualifications have given him an understanding of how to prevent the misuse of funds and fund employment opportunities, affordable housing, public safety and port pollution mitigation efforts.
Tim McOsker
Tim McOsker is the former chief of staff to ex-mayor James Hahn and a police union lobbyist. Lately he has served as executive officer of AltaSea, an asof-yet unbuilt institute for oceanic research, and sits on the board of a number of local non-governmental organizations. McOsker has deep pockets in the Los Angeles political scene and is close to former CD 15 Councilwoman Janice Hahn. His entering the race to succeed Joe Buscaino is a nobrainer. As of now, he has raised the most of any candidates, leaning heavily on corporate and large union donations and paying out half of all his campaign expenditures and twice that of the total expenditures of the nearest campaign, roughly $50,000 to consulting groups Avila LLC and J&Z Strategies, ensuring that McOsker has a lot of skin in the game. As a candidate, McOsker has five tent pole issues surrounding his campaign, houselessness, jobs, crime, climate change and transparency. McOsker on unhoused Angelenos says he is an advocate of supportive housing and embraces such solutions as shipping containers to housing conversions, tiny homes, and renovation of existing facilities, without discerning between public or private operations. On economic opportunities in CD 15, he proposes an emphasis firstly on local businesses and secondly on the perpetuation of well-paying union jobs. Interestingly, McOsker’s website discusses the uptick in crime and calls for additional police funding. While true in the most micro of sense, violent crime is up roughly 0.4% statewide, he fails to mention that even with a marginal uptick we sit at historic lows since the 1970s, according to the yearly report put out by the California Attorney General’s office. This claim of his is then extrapolated to raise concerns of a lack of enforcement regarding gun laws. In regards to climate and the dangers of climate change, he talks about ensuring a balance of greening our local industries without [See CD 15, p. 4]
Seven Years Later— A Progress Report:
Eliminating The MHF Refinery Threat By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor The seventh anniversary of the explosion at the Torrance Refinery was marked by a burst of activity aimed at finally phasing out use of modified hydroflouric acid, which could have killed thousands of residents if the explosion had happened just a little bit differently. But that phase-out would already be well under way if not for LA City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who blocked regulatory action at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, where he served until recently. “Buscaino had the opportunity in 2018 to speak up for the phase out of HF but was quiet when his voice would have been decisive at that time,” said Steven Goldsmith, president of Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. “Again in 2019 he had the opportunity to vote against the continued use of HF in refineries and require the upgrade to a vastly safer alternative. In fact, he voted against public safety and with these two refineries to allow the continued use of an exceptionally hazardous chemical.” On the federal level, four local U.S. representatives — Nanette Barragán, Karen Bass, Ted Lieu and Maxine Waters — sent a letter on Feb. 10 to EPA administrator Michael Regan supporting TRAA’s call for the phase-out. There are 40 facilities using some form of hydrofluoric acid across the US, and the intention is to gain the support of congressmembers representing all the surrounding communities, according to Goldsmith. (Rep. Liz Cheney’s district office in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is just two miles from one such refinery, he noted.) On the county level, on
Feb. 15, all five supervisors voted for Supervisor Janice Hahn’s motion sending a letter to the governor and state attorney general, seeking similar action from the state. But the most direct responsible authority, the AQMD, failed to act over a two-year period when Buscaino’s lack of support prevented action to require the phase-out. He never explained his reasoning, repeatedly refusing to meet with TRAA. After prolonged delay, an industrysupported alternative was hurriedly approved on Sept. 6, 2019, less than a week after it was first proposed in proffer letters from the Torrance Refinery and Valero Wilmington, the only other refinery using MHF. This action came despite a letter from LA County Department of Public Health reiterating support for the phase-out and citing major inadequacies of the alternative approach. While discussions focused on transition to a sulfuric acid process, there are newer, safer ionic liquid processes, pioneered by Honeywell in the U.S. and Well Resources in Canada, which were routinely discounted, if not ignored. For example, at the June 22, 2019 meeting of AQMD’s Refinery Committee, Torrance Refinery Senior Engineer Adam Webb claimed his refinery would “continue to explore new alkylation technologies but, at this time, it is not economical or technically proven to replace MHF,” according to minutes of the meeting. He acknowledged the existence of Honeywell’s process but claimed Honeywell itself said “it would require five to six years of new technology operation before adopting new
The ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery, which was the site of an accidental explosion that nearly released hydrofluoric acid in 2015. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Chemical Safety Investigation Board
technology on a full scale.” Yet, the day before that meeting, Well Resources sent AQMD a letter, saying that its process, known as “Ionikylation” had been
developed over a 20-year period, with its first commercial demonstration in 2005, going on to say, “Since then, five commercial Ionikylation units have been constructed across the Asia-pacific and a total of 10 units will be built by 2020.” Then there’s the claim of exorbitant cost. “Refineries in their testimony said it would cost about $1 billion — $900 million to $1 billion — to convert,” Goldsmith said. Yet, at the same time Valero was building a refinery in Destrehan, Louisiana using a new low-temperature advanced sulfuric acid process known as CDAlky. “Valero in their annual report said it was completed on time and under budget, and when they originally announced that, the budget was $416 million,” Goldsmith said. Time to complete was just 2 ½ years. But Ionikylation is even cheaper. “All of the Ionikylation process equipment is fabricated using low-cost materials (carbon steel) because the catalyst is non-corrosive. In our most recent publication, the operator disclosed the turnkey capital costs for a 7,400 bpd brownfield new build ($78MM),” Well Resources told Random Lengths via email. Conversion costs are more difficult to establish. “Conversions are assessed on a caseby-case basis because the location, status, and integrity of existing equipment must be considered,” Well said. “At a minimum, a conversion to Ionikylation requires installation of a new reactor and catalyst regeneration system.” Other elements of the production process “may be reused (case-by-case), resulting in significant cost reductions.” But, significantly, they added, “To date, none of the US-based refiners pointing to the prohibitive cost of transitioning away from HF have engaged with our company to assess Ionikylation.” “We’re optimistic,” Goldsmith said. With many ways forward, only one has to work.
Real People, Real News, Really Effective March 3 - 16, 2022
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[CD 15, from p. 2]
Meet CD 15 Candidates sacrificing the retention of workers. His statements on transparency trend towards the confusing. He champions efficiency and transparency yet nowhere does he seem to outline how he seeks to achieve this. McOsker himself could not be reached for public comment, however, his campaign team did get back to us, outlining his positions and informing us on much of this piece. Still, McOsker proves a candidate with a slew of resources and a long history of public service.
Bryant Odega
March 3 - 16, 2022
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
Bryant Odega is a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District, renter, son of Nigerian immigrants, a community organizer for climate justice, and a former member of the Harbor Gateway Neighborhood Council. Aligned with Democratic Socialists of America’s Los Angeles chapter, Bryant affiliates himself with the politically progressive wing of American politics. His campaign runs on a platform of grassroots activism, housing, economic and environmental justice. In his words, his campaign is “rooted in his love of humanity and sense of purpose.” The goals of his city council bid include addressing the 25% poverty rate in the district
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wanting to help mitigate the environmental and health impact of the massive port and urban oilfield in the Harbor Area. Odega prides himself on being a candidate that refuses both corporate and big money donations, emphasizing an urge to get these sorts of interests out of politics. “My theory of change in politics is building people power and mobilizing everyday people into having an impact on the political process,” Odega said in an interview. “In my district 60% of people are renters and they pay on average a third of their income on rent. I want to fight for all people, regardless of where they come from.” Odega says that it was these issues that convinced him to run and that his district “has been struggling for far too long. Because our district has been one of the most hard-hit districts in the city when it comes to these issues, we must have the boldest fighter for justice, who is accountable — not to big money interests — but to the people.”
Rick Thomas
Rick Thomas describes himself as a citizen advocate with a background in both marketing and business. Both in conversations with Random Lengths and on any site he can be found, Thomas emphasizes his mission statement of “Clean streets, Safe streets.” He puts a major focus on ille-
gal dumping and walkability in Council District 15. Walking for 15, Thomas’ campaign can often border on a single-issue campaign in its focus on walkability. He highlights any factor contributing to the contrary and has accordingly fought against them all. Such issues can range from lack of curb cuts and stop signs at street crossings, large haul trucks being routed through residential neighborhoods, and illegal dumping. Thomas has seen some success in his citizen activism, having successfully gotten stop signs and signage preventing large haul trucks installed in his neighborhood. While talking to Random Lengths, Thomas describes himself as solutions-oriented, saying the central question of his philosophy is “how can we be proactive about our problems before they become unmanageable?” He also says that he “plans to do this in one term, no re-election. I want to get this place back where it needs to be and go.” In addition to walkability, his campaign also intends to address a lack of awareness and access to mental health services, COVID-19 resources for low-income communities, and consistent street cleaning to all of CD 15.
Andrew M. Bak-Boychuk
Hailing from Coastal San Pedro, Andrew M. Bak-Boychuk prides himself on the work he does as an educator to special education youth. A recent entrant to this race, Andrew joined out of general frustration with politics as status quo and claims to be in it for a single term, with no aspirations of higher office or any sort of career in politics. When Random Lengths reached out to him about who he was and the reason for his campaign he had this to say: “I always find myself coming back to San Pedro no matter where life takes me. This place has great potential,” said Bak-Boychuk. “We need openminded people, and we should expect more of our politicians. Not magic.” Bak-Boychuk sees his lack of political connections and lack of history in any sort of political machine as a boon to himself, and a reason a potential constituent might pick him. He describes himself as authentic first and foremost. Positioned as an anti-corruption candidate, he also proudly labels himself a man of brutal honesty, willing to speak frankly on issues other candidates may not. “I’m more than willing to call a spade a spade,” said Bak-Boychuk in our conversation. To temper this, however, he says that he is at the end of the day a compassionate man, citing his work in special education to prove that he is here for the benefit of others over any sort of prestige to be found in the position.
LaMar Lyons
A resident of Los Angeles of 25 years, LaMar enters the race with a multitude of credentials under his belt. After graduating from Howard University School of Law, he served on the staffs of Los Angeles City Councilman Gilbert Lindsey, Assemblyman Elihu Harris, California Senator Alan Cranston, California Assembly Clerk Dotson Wilson. In the private sector, Lyons has worked as the administrator for two nonprofits focused on assisting disabled children and the elderly, respectively. In addition to this, he has worked as an investment banker and underwriter of bonds for Morgan Stanley, Rothschild & Co. and his firm I.C. Rideau Lyons. When asked about his reasoning for running, he spoke about his wife’s passing and having to raise his children alone. Due to this and his own working-class roots, he has gained respect for bread and butter issues. Lyons calls specific attention to what he calls the unequal resource development in the district, stating that “I have a format that creates a more equitable distribution to the neighborhoods and their councils.” Crucially, he focuses on three main issues, crime, pollution and homelessness. On the crime front, he seeks an increase in the budget of the Los Angeles Police Department, but only insofar as that the money allocated is allotted to nonuniformed, preventative methods, specifically highlighting mental health professionals in conversation. For housing, he says, “When you look at San Pedro there is not a format to provide housing for the middle class,” noting favorably to both mixed-use and mixed-income developments. He specifically spoke of wanting a public-private partnership and wanting to create a 70, 20 and 10 split in housing, with the split being for those seeking market rate, affordable and fixed income housing respectively. In addressing pollution he cites Flint, Michigan-like conditions in Watts with tap water coming out in light brown hue, pipes in need of replacement, and pesticides being present in the water supply, all needing a firmer hand when being dealt with. This includes the issue of air pollution coming from the various vehicles both on the streets and at the port. On all these fronts Lyons has set himself up as both a coalition builder and someone willing to overturn entrenched power structures. In an interview with Random Lengths, he said “These issues should be top priority, but in the 15th [District] we have vested interests where they have no incentive to solve these issues. [For example] you have a conflict of interest between the port and [the residents of] San Pedro, it’s money-driven.” Mark Contreras, youth and senior advocate
No response and no information available. Robert M. Miller, artist and environmental activist No response and no information were found.
Check out Random Lengths News’ YouTube channel to see interviews with each candidate and their statements on why they are running, https://tinyurl.com/RLN-YouTube
My Recycled Life—
My Father’s JFK “Proof” By Lyn Jensen, Columnist
Regarding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963, my father Dale Jensen had his “theory” and his “proof” according to him. Working for years from his own personal knowledge of engineering and military ballistics, he built an inches-thick file of notes, writings, calculations, and diagrams, which he endlessly and adamantly insisted “proved” that Lee Harvey Oswald must’ve been aiming for John Connally. This angle gets kicked around periodically, but the way my father kicked it could’ve got him on an all-star team. In the decades before the Internet, my father repeatedly tried and failed to get his research into the JFK assassination published in a conventional outlet, and became very frustrated over the lack of interest in his data on the science and technology behind his findings. He was just a small fish in the enormous sea of JFK assassination literature, after all. I know that in his final years, he presented his findings as a lecture at some engineering conference, but I don’t know the details. After my father’s death in 2015, I found his file on the JFK assassination was one of the few meaningful piles of paper he left behind. Most of the papers in his cabinets, crates, drawers, I had no qualms about putting in the recycling bin (or the shredder, or the garbage). Some things I wanted to save for my own use or for family history, but I didn’t share my father’s interest in (or obsession with) the JFK assassination. The file didn’t just contain paper, either, but multiple
The Texas School Book Depository in Dallas, Texas. File photo
transparency sheets intended to be used as visual aids during a lecture. Somewhere in this country, I reasoned, there must be a library or museum with a special collection dedicated to the JFK assassination. I searched using the Internet and found the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository, crime scene of the assassination, is now a museum dedicated to the assassination. The museum has a simple name, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, and it’s housed in what’s now the Dallas County Administration Building. So I gifted my father’s JFK file to the museum. I got a nice response from the museum’s curator and collections manager, Lindsey Richardson, “Thank you so much for sending us your father’s notes, writings, and research materials. His work studying the assassination from an engineering and ballistics angle is fascinating, and as such I know it will be appreciated by our curators and educators, as well as visitors, teachers, and researchers for years to come.”
Real People, Real News, Really Effective March 3 - 16, 2022
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Democracy at Home So you want to be the mayor, but will you fight for democracy? By James Preston Allen, Publisher
March 3 - 16, 2022
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
One of the many questions that went unasked at the recent LA mayoral candidate forum at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro recently was, “If you were mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine would you stand and fight to defend democracy with your life or pack up and move to Poland?” Yes, I know it’s an odd question. But what the question is getting at is what ideal is a candidate willing to lay their life on the line as we’ve seen recently in the embattled city of Kyiv, Ukraine. There we have seen some amazingly courageous acts of patriotism. Not just words or meek pledges of allegiance to the flag, but hand-me-the-Molotov cocktails to defend my city! Now that’s commitment! It’s like grandpa going out with a Kalashnikov to take on the Russian army. Luckily that’s not what we’re confronted with here. Yes, I know the politics of Ukraine versus Russia gets murky at times with various versions of history floating around, but it’s readily apparent that Vladimir Putin is invading Ukraine and not the other way around. So, just ask yourselves, which one of these candidates would stand up to defend our democracy? For we all know that the last U.S. President could only stand up to take ours down while eating a cheeseburger and fomenting division and distrust. He’s still doing it. Now, I’m not indicating that any one of the four who graced the stage of the Warner Grand recently is an acolyte or devotee of the twice impeached idiot moron, but the hardest thing to ascertain in any election cycle are a politician’s core values. You can’t judge a politician’s core values by what they say, by what they do to get elected or even sometimes by what they do when they are elected. I have found that a politician’s integrity is best measured in times of crisis. Do they stand and fight for their principles, or do they move to Poland? I’m not sure Los Angeles has had a mayor in the recent past who truly measures up to that test, but we could surely use one now! There are 27 candidates running to become the next mayor of Los Angeles. Of these, only five were invited to San Pedro via an inept process directed by the San Pedro Democratic Club’s president, Shannon Ross. Four of the five might have this courage. Rick Caruso, the billionaire developer, was a no-show, while Joe Buscaino is often late, a
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dollar short and on the wrong side of history for all of the popular reasons. His response to both the pandemic and the homeless crisis are prime examples of his leadership. That leaves us with three candidates. In handicapping this race, it seems like this is the “year of the Black woman” in which we are about to see if this nation, if not the U.S. Senate will do what’s never been done before with the Supreme Court. So, Rep. Karen Bass looks like the odds on favorite even though LA City Attorney Mike Feuer is the only candidate who has ever won a citywide election. And he has taken on the city’s most formidable legal foes in that role. He also has a sensible multi-point plan to reform a city hall — a city hall that seems resistant to the very idea of reform. We’ll see if he survives the DWP scandal. I like both of them. The former LA City Controller, Laura Chick (who just endorsed Feuer), seems to agree with when she said, “The truest test of leadership isn’t how one leads when times are easy — it’s how one leads when times get tough.” Kevin de León, representative for Council District 14, is also a good choice, yet he hasn’t been in the trenches of LA politics long enough to ascertain his fight or flight instincts. The same can be said of Bass. But I think both are fighters too. Both have the progressive lean on the homeless crisis, union issues and public safety that make them top choices. They are certainly more preferable than Joe Buscaino, who in my estimation is a cheerleader for ineffective policing. It seems his strategy for getting elected to higher office is by criminalizing the homeless again and again. I wonder if he’s the kind who would just wave the flag from the sidelines? Not everyone is built to confront a crisis. Ultimately it comes down to the question of, Who do you trust and What’s needed at this time? If you listen to TV news or the GOP, you’d think the city is under siege by crime and homelessness or that the anti-maskers were going to storm city hall. The fact is crime is slightly up after a 30 year decline, the homeless crisis is endemic like COVID-19, and the looney tunes crying about masks being an impediment to their “liberty” should try living in Ukraine. However, back on point, the only candidate running to become the next mayor of Los Angeles and who has a grasp of the complexity of running Los Angeles is probably Mike Feuer. And Karen Bass should probably make him a deputy mayor as soon as she
“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it is, but to make people mad enough to do something about it.” —Mark Twain Vol. XLIII : No. 5
Random Lengths News is a publication of Beacon Light Press, LLC Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach.
gets elected. He knows where all the dead bodies are buried in a city littered with them and has a real plan to govern. What gets missed most of the time is how homelessness, crime, poverty, job creation and economics overlap each other here in the City of Angels. There’s a five-fold complexity to all of the simple complaints we citizens have about living in this metropolis. The city’s byzantine top down structure is anti-democratic, unresponsive and oppressive to resident needs and complaints. The city is downright reactionary rather than proactive. A prime example is police force’s top down command of 22 divisions, four bureaus, eight specialized units and its Office of Special Operations — plus some others you’ve never heard of like the Office of Constitutional Policing. A citizen police commission appointed by the mayor governs all of this. Yet, when you call 911 you get put on hold. The LAPD is the largest part of the city budget with 9,974 police officers and 3,000 civilian staff. It is the third-largest municipal police department in the United States, after the police departments in New York and Chicago. At this very moment, the mayoral campaign is caught up in a kind of bidding war over adding more officers to the city’s police force. “Two-hundred... 300... 500... do I hear 1,500 from Buscaino?” Yet in a city of some 4 million residents, there’s no number of police we could hire if people don’t feel respected by the government. Police don’t keep the law, they maintain the order. Keeping the law comes from abiding citizens who believe that the laws are self-evidently just. In the final analysis, voting for a mayor, a council rep or anyone else in a democracy is about who do you trust to pass just laws, and who has the courage to lead in a crisis.
Columnists/Reporters Publisher/Executive Editor Melina Paris Assistant Editor/Arts James Preston Allen Community News james@randomlengthsnews.com Hunter Chase Reporter Assoc. Publisher/Production Fabiola Esqueda Carson Reporter Coordinator Photographers Suzanne Matsumiya Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Harry Bugarin, Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks, Raphael Richardson, Terelle Jerricks Chris Villanueva editor@randomlengthsnews.com Contributors Mark Friedman, Lyn Jensen, Ari Senior Editor LeVaux, Greggory Moore, Rob Wilcox Paul Rosenberg paul.rosenberg@ Cartoonists randomlengthsnews.com Andy Singer, Jan Sorensen, Internship Program Director Matt Wuerker Zamná Àvila
Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya, Brenda Lopez Advertising Sales Chris Rudd Chris@RandomLengthsNews.com Editorial Intern Anealia Kortkamp Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 Fax: (310) 832-1000 www.randomlengthsnews.com 1300 S. Pacific Avenue San Pedro, CA 90731
LA In Crisis— My View By Rob Wilcox
Recently, I joined the ranks of the growing number of Angelenos who have become a victim of violent crime. It was a day like thousands of others I have spent in the many years I have worked at City Hall East in Downtown Los Angeles. Just before noon, on a sunny Friday, I walked two blocks to Mike’s Deli to pick up a sandwich. While walking back, in front of the Los Angeles Police Department Communications Center, I was attacked by someone who was clearly mentally disturbed and appeared to be homeless. As he cursed at me, shoved and kicked me, I wondered how badly I would be hurt. After the attack he continued to follow me toward City Hall East before I was able to get away. I was shaken but physically OK. So many others are not as fortunate. At the start of this year, Sandra Shells, a 70-year-old nurse, was beaten while waiting for her bus at a location blocks from my attack. She died three days later at the hospital where she had worked serving the public for over three decades. A homeless man was charged with Sandra’s murder. The root cause of homelessness is NOT mental illness and substance abuse. But we do know that many homeless individuals suffer from these problems. According to a 2020 [See Crisis, p. 7] 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 $40 for 27 issues. Back issues are available for $3/copy while supplies last. Random Lengths News presents issues from an alternative perspective. We welcome articles and opinions from all people in the Harbor Area. While we may not agree with the opinions of contributing writers, we respect and support their 1st Amendment right. Random Lengths News is a member of Standard Rates and Data Services and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. (ISN #0891-6627). All contents Copyright 2022 Beacon Light Press, LLC. All rights reserved.
Community Alert
Disclosure and Clarity Act
State senators Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) and Ben Allen (D-Hermosa Beach) have introduced SB 1360, the Disclosure Clarity Act, to counteract the flood of ads and initiative, referendum, and recall petitions that skirt California’s landmark California Disclose Act in order to hide from voters who really paid for them. SB 1360 will give California the first law in the nation to require online image and banner ads to clearly and prominently show their top funder on the ad itself. It will also require formatting changes to make television and video ad disclosures more readable. It will stop committees from purposefully using extremely long committee names to make it difficult for voters to read the top three funders in the five seconds the disclosure is displayed on screen. SB 1360 will also ensure that voters approached to sign initiative, referendum, and recall petitions are shown an official list of the top three funders of the circulation. Senators Umberg and Allen plus principal coauthor Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) are all former chairs of the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee. The bill will be assigned to the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee and will be heard sometime in March or April.
RANDOMLetters Is This in Reference to the U.S. or Ukraine?
As my father once said, “This used to be a helluva nice country.” At least if you were white and middle-class. And as Kurt Vonnegut noted (in reference to Germany), “occasionally countries seem to lose their minds.” We thought we were immune, but we were not. Imagine an era where ultra-conservatives are on the side of a Russian autocracy against an elected democracy. And calling a domestic near-coup, “civil discourse.” Steven Meloan Sonoma, Calif.
On Ukraine
Why, Why, Why, Why, Why, didn’t anybody tell me? Too many guns. Too many Nazis. Why on earth would anyone use public television to teach the public how to make molotov cocktails? Why would the United States provide weapons to Nazis? Why would MSNBC camp out with Ukranian Nazis? Why do American sources of L.P.S. and oil want to shut down Russian relations with Germany via the shutdown of Nord Stream II? Why aren’t the British imposing sanctions on one of the inarguably largest oligarchs of Russia, Roman Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea football team? Why can I not simply take asof word: demilitarization and denazification? Deliver flowers not guns. Promote peace, do not deliver weapons to Nazi militias. Joe Busciano received a little over half of the 6.5% of voters who could have voted to propel him into a seat as a council mem-
[Crisis, from p. 6]
LA in Crisis
Terminal Island: Erasure or Remembrance?
(RLn Feb. 17, 2022) Heart wrenching to read, yet so important to remember what the RLN story reveals about the reaction to the day of “infamy” (Dec. 7, 1941) when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on Feb. 19, 1942 signed Executive Order 9066 that declared all Americans of Japanese descent were to “evacuated” to the various concentration camps around the U.S.A. for the duration of WWII. Close to home here in San Pedro, hundreds who resided on Terminal Island in the village they lovingly called “Furasato” — home sweet home — were part of that mass exodus. In 2007 the LA Harbor International Film Festival programmed the outstanding documentary The Lost Village of Terminal Island that played to the SRO crowd. We were also instrumental in linking the filmmaker David Metzler with ABC sports broadcaster Rob Fukuzaki who recorded a new voice over narration that added much panache. It was significant that Mr. Fukuzaki had relatives who dwelled in Furusato. My family’s tuna cannery employed dozens of workers of Japanese descent held in utmost respect. For decades there has been a group calling themselves “Terminal Islanders” who have preserved
Rob Wilcox is a candidate for Los Angeles city controller. He has served in key positions in consequential State of California and City of Los Angeles offices, including the Los Angeles City Controller’s Office to the California Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. He now takes that fight to the race for Los Angeles city controller.
The First Black Female Supreme Court Nominee
The White House announced President Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill Justice Stephen Breyer’s seat on the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson is the first Black woman to be nominated to the Court in its 232-year history, and given the fact that Mitch McConnell abolished the filibuster for
confirming Supreme Court nominees, Democrats should have no trouble confirming her, even if it requires a party-line vote (it should not). But you can never be too sure of anything these days, especially when some Senate Democrats have repeatedly stood in the way of President Biden’s agenda. And with Mitch McConnell attempting to stop any and all of our progress. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have already begun their typical smear campaign of Judge Jackson, and it’s important that we stand with her today and in the weeks to come. The fight ahead is critical for the Supreme Court and for our country. Thanks for standing with me and for a balanced Supreme Court. Rep. Adam Bennett Schiff (D-CA 28th District)
A Turning Tide? Putin’s War vs. Ukraine Unites a World Divided. What Will It Take to Stay United? By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
Sheriff Candidates Criticize Absent Sheriff Alex Villanueva By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter
Read these online exclusives and more at:
RandomLengthsNews.com
March 3 - 16, 2022
quential offices in the city, although many people are unsure what role that office performs. In short, the controller is the truth teller, inspector general and taxpayers’ watchdog. The controller asks and answers the questions: How are we doing? How can we do better? I know the power and possibilities of the Controller’s Office because I was honored to serve for over seven years as deputy to City Controller Laura Chick. The controller can scrutinize any city program, department or contractor that receives public dollars. As controller, on day one, building on the work of Controller Galperin, I will begin the first ever comprehensive audit of every dollar that touches homelessness. I will inform the public of the resources taxpayers have provided to city officials via their hard-earned dollars and identify how the money has been allocated. I will then work with homeless advocates, housing providers, mental health professionals, service providers, law enforcement, neighborhood leaders and our local universities to present to the new mayor a strategic road map to address homelessness. LA is on the ballot this election. It is the most consequential city election in nearly 50 years. Excuses and time have both run out. We must act now and get it right.
duced by myself and Jack Baric that can be viewed at the website www.storieslosangelesharborarea. com. The article is an important reminder that we must never forget, rather recall and attempt to understand such draconian actions, so as not to repeat again. Stephanie Mardesich San Pedro
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
survey by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), 25% of homeless individuals identified as suffering from mental illness, 27% said they had substance abuse issues. 45% reported suffering from one or both. The person was one of those who was in need of mental health services. Our response to him and others like him is a failure. In one of the richest and best resourced cities in the world we have not implemented the steps needed to effectively deal with the out of control crisis of homelessness, and the many problems that accompany this issue. As of today, it is estimated that over 40,000 individuals are experiencing homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. This month LAHSA resumed the annual homeless count after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It is feared that the homeless number will be higher. Los Angeles voters stepped up and passed Proposition H, a quarter cent sales tax and Prop HHH, a $1.2 billion housing bond measure to alleviate homelessness. In spite of this, our elected leaders have failed to make meaningful progress on significantly reducing the homelessness crisis. In February, City Controller Ron Galperin released an audit on Prop HHH and found the city falling short. Galperin said, “If the city doesn’t learn from its mistakes, it risks repeating them.” That’s one of the reasons I’m running for LA city controller. The city controller is one of the most conse-
ber. Let’s make sure he never holds political office again. Mark A. Nelson San Pedro
the history of the community though sadly many of that “Greatest Generation” era have passed on. Thankfully the Los Angeles Maritime Museum opened a permanent exhibit Tāminaru is a look back at this lost community. Our family’s tuna cannery Franco Italian Packing Company employed hundreds of Japanese workers over the decades (c. 192460) and held those great workers in high regard. My parents went to school with many who were “shipped off” and told the cautionary tale of how wrong it was; and always honored, remembered and appreciated the dignity and loyalty of those of Japanese descent. Esteemed former public official Warren Furutani remembers his family’s legacy in the Stories Of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (Vol. I) oral history project pro-
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A Pandemic Report —
POLA Leadership versus Residents Exposed to Pollution Overview by Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, port leaders and community residents have been living in two parallel universes, described in a document compiled by Andrea Hricko, a clinical professor emerita of environmental health at USC Keck School of Medicine, and Janet Gunter, communications administrator of San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United. On the one hand, “The Port of Los Angeles has seen huge increases in the number of cargo ships trying to unload goods for U.S. consumers,” but there are also impacts on health. “Emissions in port communities are up dramatically during the past year, according to regulators, who predict more illness and deaths from the idling ships,” which the port routinely ignores or minimizes. Indeed, when invited to respond to this document, port staff explicitly declined to comment, and none of the five port commissioners responded. (Community activist Peter Warren, with the San Pedro & Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, was more responsive.) But ignoring or minimizing the health impacts doesn’t make them go away. Random Lengths News is web-publishing the document, which contains more than 40 links, vividly demonstrating the vast disconnect between the triumphal tone of port leadership and the lived reality of community residents, with contrasting quotes from POLA leadership and the viewpoints of residents and environmental advocates presented chronologically from December 2020 through February 2022. Especially jarring is the fact that Executive Director Gene Seroka received a number of awards,
both international and local, while the port did virtually nothing about the extra pollution, except to shut down vital monitoring. In Oct. 2021, when President Joe Biden placed POLA in the national spotlight, announcing support for opening the port 24/7, E&E News provided a big-picture view of how the port’s pandemic performance echoes its long-term drift. The report first highlights two critical comments: Dr. Afif El-Hasan, an Orange County pediatrician and volunteer with the American Lung Association, said: “there was no acknowledgment for anything except the economy.’’ An Air Quality Management District spokesperson added: “In the long-term South Coast AQMD believes the 24-hour operation will result in increased throughput/ emissions potentially offsetting the nighttime and lower congestion benefits.” Then it gives POLA’s side: The port has taken steps to address air emissions, including clean air action plans and seeking to fully implement a Clean Trucks Program to cut down on diesel PM and other emissions, according to an article on the 24/7 policy. Gene Seroka added: “That conversation with the community … NGOs and environmental groups is ongoing every day here at the port.” Before widening the historical lens:
The two ports “have a history of reducing emissions through implementation of their Clean Air Action Plans,” an AQMD spokesperson added, “however progress has stalled over the past decade, right when emission reductions have needed to accelerate.” Adrian Martinez with Earthjustice added: “… the ports have been coasting on environmental success they had a decade and a half ago.” Further underscoring the disconnect, Peter Warren noted, “When the cargo goes up … they report on their cargo improvements year to year, and month over the previous year’s month. With emissions, they report on improvements from 15 years ago. They wouldn’t do that for cargo. Why are they doing that with emissions?” On top of that, they’re charging $10 or $20 per container (depending on size) for their clean air container fees, “when it ought to be closer to $200. They’re raising a pittance,” Warren said. Per-container shipping costs have skyrocketed, “from about three or five thousand, now it’s fifteen to seventeen thousand, and for that they pay a $20 fee? That’s ridiculous!” More recently, in January 2022, the report notes, U.S. DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured the ports and said, “One of the reasons why Christmas was not cancelled is that the Ports of LA and Long Beach moved records levels of goods… this Holiday season,” while at the same time, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn responded, saying, “While the rest of the country counts on our ports to make sure their flatscreen TV is in stock for Christmas, the communities I represent bear the burden of the congestion, the air pollution.” For the full report go to Randomlengthsnews.com
Community Announcements: Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
Harbor Area [Announcements, from p. 2] Details: www.csulb.edu/college-of-business/income-tax-assistance Venue: Online
IRS Tax Assistance Centers
Various IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers will be offering free in-person help on select Saturdays through May. Details: https://tinyurl.com/2vun34m6
Introducing LAVOTE.gov
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk’s new website is easier to use to provide information and services. You can check your voter registration, request vital records, apply for a marriage license and much more. Details: www.LAVOTE.gov
March 3 - 16, 2022
Find Out If You Qualify for Free Lead Paint Removal Services
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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Development Authority provide lead paint hazard remediation services to eligible homeowners, property owners, and tenants across LA County. This service is designed to eliminate lead paint hazards in your home, as well as provide other related home repairs. Was your home built before 1951? Is the paint in your home chipped or cracked? Are there children under 6 years old in your home? All services are free. There are no costs for tenants, landlords, or homeowners. Details: https://leadfreehomeslaapp.lacda.org/ ServiceRequest/Index
Desmond Bridge Demolition to Begin in May
LONG BEACH — Demolition of the Gerald Desmond Bridge in the Port of Long Beach is scheduled to start in May with the dismantling and removal of the main span, which will require a weekend-long closure of the back channel, the waterway that runs under the bridge, to all vessel traffic. The back channel will be closed to vessels from 6 a.m. May 7, to 6 a.m. May 9, as the bridge’s 527-foot-long main span is disconnected and lowered onto a barge.
Gov. Newsom Proclaims A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Feb. 19, issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 19, 2022, as A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation in the State of California. Details: www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/ Day-of-remembrance-Japanese-AmericanEvacuation
Santa Fe Springs Bakery Workers End Strike
LOS ANGELES — LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn is congratulating the Jon Donaire Desserts workers who have approved an agreement and ended their strike after 113 days on the picket line. “These women and men have spent 113 long days on strike,” said Supervisor Hahn. “They spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, birthdays, and every day in between on the picket line — often in the cold and in the rain. This victory belongs to them.” The Jon Donaire Desserts production plant is located in Santa Fe Springs. The workers, most of them women, are part of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 37, and have been on strike since early November. They primarily mass produce ice cream cakes that are sold at locations including Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone, Red Robin, Walmart and Vons.
Long-Range Electric Bus Technology Will Solve Silver Line Conundrum
SAN PEDRO — Supervisor Janice Hahn Feb. 17, lifted up new, long-range electric buses as a solution to a problem that has threatened the one-seat-ride Silver Line, which goes from San Pedro to Downtown Los Angeles. In 2020, when plans were unveiled to electrify the Silver Line (also known as the J Line), Metro staff said that the limited range of the electric buses available would mean buses would need to be taken out of service and charged at Metro facilities located at the Harbor Gateway Transit Center — forcing riders to disembark and board a new bus to complete their trip to San Pedro. Now, Metro’s operations committee Feb. 17, unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda Solis, Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Mayor James Butts and Councilman Mike Bonin, which will direct Metro to bring forward a change order to extend the range of zero-emissions battery-powered buses for the Silver Line. “Electric vehicle technology is improving so quickly and now we have these electric buses available that can carry riders to and from San Pedro and Downtown Los Angeles on a single charge,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.
By Melina Paris, Assistant Editor Art in San Pedro is in full bloom as spring approaches. Three notable exhibitions will be on view in time for the First Thursday ArtWalk at Michael Stearns Studio @ The Loft — Shifting Ground and TransVagrant at Gallery 478 — Marie Thibeault — Drawings. Additionally, Cornelius Projects continues Dust & Wisps as it celebrates new literature by the exhibitions’ artists. Each gallery will present works by local artists and one, formerly of Los Angeles but who now resides in Northern California.
Cornelius Projects
DUST & WISPS, Drawings and ceramics by Michelle Seo, paintings and ceramics by Daniel Porras
Michael Stearns Studio
Shifting Ground Mirabel Wigon, an exhibition of landscape paintings
These paintings are inspired by Wigon’s immediate surroundings and address the abject setting of the aging industrial landscape, the growing expanse of the American urban-scape and resulting environmental issues. Michael Stearns said initially, in a conversation he had with Marie Thibeault, Professor Emerita of Art at CSULB, the idea to have this exhibition took hold before the pandemic and before everything subsequently shut down. Fast forward nearly two years, as things are beginning to reopen, Stearns and Thibault revived their plans, this time specifically to show Wigon’s works. “She is a gifted young artist,” Stearns said. “She recently graduated and went on to become assistant professor of Art at California State University, Stanislaus which is very unusual.” Stearns said her paintings are colorful, very large and exciting. “They are very much a part of San Pedro with the industrial complex and nature,” Stearns said. “The internal and external energy that moves back and forth combines nicely in her compositions with lots of texture. You get swallowed by them.” Mirabel Wigon’s large-scale landscape paintings depict a vast and complex technological sublime. Wigon writes, “The landscape is a [See Art Scene, p. 11] San Pedro’s art scene in full bloom. Clockwise from top right: Mirabel Wigon, CloudScreen at Michael Stearns Studio @ The Loft; Michelle Seo, Vase (Flower) at Cornelius Projects; Marie Thibeault — Drawings at TransVagrant at 478 Gallery; and Daniel Porras’ On the Way to the Colloquium also at Cornelius Projects.
Real People, Real News, Really Effective March 3 - 16, 2022
Celebrate the release of Michelle Seo’s comic book DUST and Daniel Porras’ show zine, and the continuation of the exhibition, which has been extended through March 26. Daniel Porras and Michelle Seo share a world of color and characters that reflect their respective cultures and experience: Porras elusive and ghostly, Seo maximal and detailed. Michelle Seo’s work balances societal class rage against the happiness and love of the nuclear family. “Korean” in approach but with an “American” core, she turns her reality into a universal fiction with animal figures symbolic of naïveté such as the bunny and teddy, and the turtles and fishes of Korean tradition. Seo’s DUST series is an homage to a long-time admiration for the art of comics. DUST is concerned with what happens after death and is her response to not only the ongoing pandemic, but also to her living together with her grandmother suffering from dementia. Daniel Porras’ work presents anthropomorphic creatures that are engaged in both mundane routines and magical rituals, inspired by ancient Peruvian art. These seductive creatures are modeled after fertility effigies, ceramic vessels and tropical bird plumage. In his latest series, Wisps, Porras imagines a world melting into itself, where creatures emerge and fuse with their surroundings, inviting us to mourn with them, partake in sacred ceremonies, and battle demons. Both Porras and Seo are Angels Gate Cultural Center Studio artists in San Pedro. In alignment with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s policies for indoor public places, face masks are required for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Time: The exhibition is viewable on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. or by appointment. Cost: Free
Details: 310-266-9216; corneliusprojects@gmail.com Venue: Cornelius Projects, 1417 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro
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W
March 3 - 16, 2022
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
ith the invasion happening in real time as I write this, I have no idea how the chips will have fallen by the time you read it. But one thing is clear. President Volodymyr Zelensky, and the nation he leads, are like a hearty bowl of borscht. Vladimir Putin, by contrast, is a tepid plate of Chicken Kyiv. On my desk is a self-published book of memoirs written by my cousin Paul Zavod, who was born in Ukraine, in 1914. My mother’s parents also came from Ukraine, as did my father’s grandparents. Ukraine was a rough place for Jews at that time. Paul’s father was arrested for sneaking to the outhouse after curfew one night. They couldn’t even leave their village without special permission. But the scariest moment, according to Paul’s father, came when a pig escaped from a nearby farm and wandered into the neighborhood. A resident was running a secret, unregistered and highly illegal vodka making operation, and the smell of the alcoholic grain mash had caught the attention of the pig. The mash was hidden in an underground pit that was covered by some old boards. The massive animal broke through the boards and fell into the pit. “Now, drunk as a hoot owl, trying to get out, the pig was bellowing at the top of its lungs,” Paul wrote. “If anyone had reported it, all of us would have been in serious trouble. Luckily we lived in a part of town that was
10
No Chickens in Kyiv:
The Soul Food of Ukraine By Ari LeVaux, Flash in the Pan Columnist
100% Jewish, and everyone knew what would happen if this became known, so no one even dreamed of reporting it. However, the animal had to be gotten rid of before he woke the rest of the people.” Since they couldn’t get it out, they killed the pig in the pit and covered it with dirt. Luckily, it didn’t occur to anyone to search the Jewish neighborhood for the missing pig, and the mystery was never solved. Ukraine has come a long way since then. It’s now led by a Jewish president, which would have been unthinkable, and Borscht with deer neck and supermarket cherry tomatoes. Photo by Ari is a testament to how far Levaux this young democracy has come. Yet in other ways little has changed. Here motion across his femur. we are, a century after my family left, but the You can’t get much more salt-of-the-land neighborhood is still being bothered by a drunk, than borscht, and that is the kind of wholesome, lost pig. earthy image that Putin wants for all of Mother Borscht is often celebrated as a Russian Russia. But he’s acting more like the guy on dish, but that only holds true if Ukraine is part of the train. Zelensky, meanwhile, is walking the Russia, because borscht — and specifically the talk. He is from Ukraine, and was chosen by the kind made primarily with beets — comes from Ukrainians to lead them. He is a deep bowl of Ukraine. If you don’t believe me, ask my mom. borscht with extra-sour cream, with a dill pickle Years ago, seven time zones away from on the side. Ukraine, in the dining car of a train in Siberia, By comparing Putin to a tepid plate of I ordered a bowl of borscht. It was purple water Chicken Kyiv, I don’t mean any ill will to with slices of hot dogs in it. They billed us not that lovely, delicious dish. But its history only for the pathetic bowl of soup, but also for has been rewritten countless times to reflect the use of the silverware. When we protested the politics. It has a French origin — like Putin’s host explained “mafia,” and made a karate chop Napoleonic complex — that began with the
Czars developing a taste for French food. These Russian rules imported the necessary talent to instruct Russian chefs. Kyiv, situated between Paris and Moscow, benefited from this traffic. Kyiv’s Continental Hotel became the nexus for the evolution and development of Chicken Kyiv, until it was destroyed during the second world war. The Red Army mined the building as they retreated, and detonated the explosives when the Germans arrived. The hotel would be rebuilt, and the dish would be renamed by the Bolsheviks so as to strip it of any bourgeois connotation, and was instead called something along the lines of “breaded cutlet with parsley butter.” Fast forward to the present and here we are the brink of World War III, with a chicken-hawk wandering about Ukraine. Zelensky clearly has a backbone that’s up to the task, strengthened by generations of adversity, and borscht, the chunky soul of Ukraine. The only thing more Ukrainian than borscht is telling the Russians to bounce. I was at the farmers market last Saturday, shopping for borscht materials. A cool thing about borscht is that you can get all of the ingredients you need at the winter market. Beets, onions, carrots, garlic, celery and even some meat on the bone — if you are feeling rich.
Meaty Oven Borscht
I make this recipe when I want more of a rich stew than a humble soup. Cooking the stew in the oven heats the house, a nod to the old village, where the cook stove was the center of the action. 1-plus pounds of meat on the bone (e.g., spare rib or shank) 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 lbs beets, trimmed and cut into quarters or eighths 3 stalks celery, minced 3 large carrots, sliced 1 large or several small potatoes, cubed 1 15-oz can of canned tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, chopped or mashed 1 lemon or lime 2 tbsp cider vinegar 2 quarts stock 2 teaspoons salt 2 bay leaves Green herbs like dill for garnish Sour cream and mayo for garnish Turn on the broiler. Put the meat in a lidded baking pan, but without the lid for now, in middle or lower third of the oven, and carefully brown the meat until crispy brown but not burned. Remove the baking pan from the broiler. Put the meat on a plate to cool, and add the oil and onions to the hot pan, allowing the onions to start cooking. When the meat is cool enough to work with, cut it off the bone and cube it, and put it back in the baking pan, along with the beets, celery, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, lime, vinegar, stock, salt and bay leaves. Braise at 350º F with the lid on for an hour, then remove it from the oven to inspect. Sip the broth, and season with salt and pepper. Add more water if the level has dropped near or below half. Chew the meat and see if it’s soft enough. When the meat is done, remove it from the oven and let it sit for an hour or so before serving. Garnish with herbs, and enough of that white creamy stuff to turn the borscht a bit pink.
[Art Scene, from p. 9]
Art Scene in Bloom in San Pedro the energy infrastructure that fuels this continual
stage for the drama of human activity. Painting is a container, a conglomeration of material signs that act as iconographic representations of a particular historic moment. Through these paintings, I explore my place, and space, questioning modernist notions of progress and reflecting on the inherent instability in the built and natural Landscape.” The paintings depict an imagined and constructed landscape, which is fractured and unstable. Wigon states, “The urban system is in a state of continuous change, altering the way we move through – and understand – our physical location and socioeconomic status in relation to the environment. I am particularly focused on
Works by painter Mirabel Wigon are on view at Michael Steans Studio @ The Loft through April 15.
BIG NICK’S PIZZA
BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA
Conrad’s reflects the cuisine of Oaxaca with a focus fresh on local, seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now Conrad’s features Peruvian dishes, as well as an inventive Mexican vegetarian and vegan menu. Dine in, dine al fresco or order online for curbside pick up and delivery. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. S. Conrad’s Mexican Grill, 376. W. 6th St., San Pedro 424-264-5452, www.conradsmexicangrill.com
HAPPY DINER #1
The Happy Diner #1 in Downtown San Pedro isn’t your average diner. The selections range from Italian- and Mexicaninfluenced entrées to American Continental. Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new—take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables prepared any way you like. Dine in or al fresco or call for takeout. Hours: Mon.-Wed. 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thurs.Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro, 310-241-0917, www.happydinersp.com
HAPPY DINER #2
Built on the success of Happy Diner #1, Happy Diner #2 offers American favorites like omelets and burgers, fresh salads, plus pasta and Mexican dishes are served. Order online for delivery or call for pickup. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-935-2933, www.happydinersp.com
HAPPY DELI
The Happy Deli is a small place with a big menu. Food is made-to-order using the freshest ingredients. Breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches include a small coffee. For lunch or dinner select from fresh salads, wraps, buffalo wings, cold and hot sandwiches, burgers and dogs. Order online or call for takeout or delivery. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 am. to 8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 424-364-0319, www.happydelisp.com
SAN PEDRO BREWING COMPANY
A micro brewery and American grill, SPBC features handcrafted award-winning ales and lagers served with creative pastas, BBQ, sandwiches, salads and burgers. Order your growlers, house drafts and cocktails to go (with food purchase)! Open daily 12 to 8 p.m. for indoor or al fresco dining, takeout and delivery through Grubhub, Postmates and Doordash. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-831-5663, www.sanpedrobrewing.com
WEST COAST PHILLY’S
Welcome to West Coast Philly’s Cheesesteak and Hoagies where authentic Philly cheesesteaks meet the waterfront in San Pedro. Along with serving the classic cheesesteak, West Coast Philly’s puts its unique twist on its cheesesteaks and hoagies. Also on the menu are subs, burgers, wings and salads. Happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Indoor dining or order online or call for pickup. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. West Coast Philly’s, 1902 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, 424-264-5322, www.westcoastphillys.com
Support Independent Restaurants • Dining Guide online: www.randomlengthsnews.com/dining-guide [See Calendar, page 16]
March 3 - 16, 2022
Family owned and operated since 1965, Buono’s is famous for award-winning brick oven baked pizza. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected fresh ingredients. Now limited dine-in and patio service, takeout and delivery. Hours: Sun.Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buono’s Pizzeria, 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-547-0655, www.buonospizza.com
CONRAD’S MEXICAN GRILL
Marie Thibeault — Drawings
Liz Goldner, in an Artillery Magazine interview Marie Thibeault: Views of the Harbor, begins: “The artist showed me numerous drawings she began in March at the start of the lockdown.” “I was blown apart by the pandemic,” Thibeault said, “and stuck at home teaching on Zoom, and all I could do was draw, so I did three to four drawings a day.” While their shapes and forms echo those in her paintings, these drawings are more abstract and include medieval illustration, astrological maps and ancient diagrams illustrating serpents, insects and birds. “They also use diagrammatic forms
referencing global mapping and scientific charts,” Thibeault said. Thibeault’s drawings are not only investigations into possible architectures for painting, but also reveal the geography of the artist’s imagination. Whatever its approach, each work embodies a unique consideration of gesture and structure and a deeply felt understanding of the expressive potential of the graphic mark. Thibeault is a professor emerita of art at California State University, Long Beach where she teaches painting and color theory. The exhibition runs March 3 through April 15. Time: Artist reception 3 to 6 p.m., March 5 Cost: Free Details: 310-732-2150; www.spacedistrict. org/a/gallery478 Venue: TransVagrant at Gallery 478, 478 W. 7th St., San Pedro
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
Tradition, variety and fast delivery or takeout—you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza. The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pastas and our amazing selection of signature pizzas. We are taking all safety precautions to protect our diners and staff. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on new developments. Call for fast delivery or to place a pick up order. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.Sun. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-732-5800, www.bignickspizza.com
growth and change in the LA area. These energy structures are the epitome of modernist notions of success, advancement and progress. This body of work depicts the dichotomy between this notion of progress and the environmental crisis.” Upon close inspection, the paintings’ visual elements are repeated, fragmented and coalesce through various painting strata. The resulting image creates a condition in which the viewer cannot pinpoint which layer came first. Mirabel Wigon’s works have been featured in numerous group exhibitions both regional and national. Her recent work has been exhibited in (Per)Mutations at the Gatov Gallery in Long Beach, Insights at the Kleefeld Contemporary in Long Beach, Now Trending at the Palos Verdes Art Center in Palos Verdes, Made in California at Brea Gallery in Brea and Painted 2021: 5th Biennial Survey at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, OH. Wigon is assistant professor of art at California State University, Stanislaus where she teaches drawing and painting. The exhibition will have a soft opening on March 3, during the San Pedro First Thursday Artwalk. Shifting Ground will be on view from March 5 to April 15. The gallery is open by appointment only. The artist talk will also be broadcasted via Instagram Live on the artist’s Instagram handle @mirabelwigon. Time: Artist’s talk, 1 p.m. and reception from 2 to 5 p.m. March 5. Details: 562-400-0544; www. michaelstearnsstudio.com Venue: Michael Stearns Studio @ The Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro.
TransVagrant at Gallery 478
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MUSIC March 3
Lafayette Ben Charlatan and the Charlatones For its First Thursday Artwalk show, Collage celebrates Mardi Gras season by welcoming Lafayette Ben Charlatan and the Charlatones. They’ll bring a hefty dose of Louisiana soulfulness to the Harbor and play tunes from their new album. Their sound has been compared to the great Leon Redbone, but they have a style of their own. Time: 7 p.m., March 3 Cost: Free Details: www.collageartculture. com Venue: Collage, 731 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro
March 4
Caro Pierotto and Wagner Trindade The tropics come to San Pedro for this show by two accomplished artists who perform original music with elements of samba, bossa nova and jazz. Caro Pierotto was nominated for a Grammy for Best Global Music Album in 2020. Opening for her is San Pedro’s own Wagner Trindade, who has released five albums and teaches music at Los Angeles Harbor College. Time: 7:30 p.m., March 4 Cost: $20 to $30 Details: www.tinyurl. com/2p8t6sr5 Venue: Collage, 731 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro
March 5
Rocket Men This tribute band creates the signature sounds of Elton John, bringing audiences a 100% live reproduction of all the Elton songs they know and love. Time: 8 p.m., March 5 Cost: $25 Details: www.alvasshowroom. com/event/rocketmen Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro
March 3 - 16, 2022
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant
Gill Landry Former Grammy-winning Old Crow Medicine Show member plays a mix of bluesy Americana. His critically acclaimed albums have featured Americana stars Laura Marling and Brandi Carlile. Time: 8 p.m., March 5 Cost: $23 and up Details: 310-833-4813; www.tinyurl.com/yfhbchtf Venue: The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
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March 10
Mariachi Quinto Sol The gleefully experimental Mariachi Quinto Sol expands the tradition while breaking its rules. This is a mariachi band that has played its traditional instruments at rock clubs and wowed unbelieving audiences. You’ll hear high-energy classics interspersed with Beach Boys songs, soul burners, Beatles tunes and much more. Come for a night of high energy, awesome harmonies and musicianship, and delightful surprises. Time: 7:30 p.m., March 10 Cost: $15 live/$10 streaming Details: https://tinyurl. com/3erbee9r Venue: Collage, 731 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro
March 11
Chris Stills As the son of Stephen Stills and French singer Veronique Sanson, Stills grew up listening to the music of the late
’60s along with some of the best lyricists of the 1990s. Stills has become a bonafide troubadour in his own right, delivering clear, translucent folk and gritty rock and blues. Time: 8 p.m., March 11 Cost: $28 Details: www.grandvision.secure. force.com/ticket/chris-stills Venue: The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
March 15
March 12
Bunny Brunel’s CAB Internationally acclaimed Bunny Brunel is a two-time Grammynominated bassist who’s toured, performed, music directed and recorded with some of the most iconic recording artists and musicians in the world. A melodic writer, Brunel creates memorable melodic overtones with modal changes that transcend most recordings from the fusion genre. Time: 8 p.m., March 12 Cost: $35 Details: https://tinyurl.com/y2h2dj64 Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro The Sidemen This duo has roots in early folk music with hints of country and Appalachia with soulful vocal harmonies over chiming acoustic guitars. Time: 7:30 p.m., March 12 Cost: $20 live/$12 streaming Details: Live and streaming: www.tinyurl.com/4fcj6b35 Venue: Collage, 731 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro
March 16
Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great? Rob Kapilow explores Frédéric Chopin’s haunting piano Sonata in B-flat Minor with the famous Funeral March. The concert features Vijay Venkatesh, piano and Colburn School of Music. Time: 7:30 p.m., March 16 Cost: $55 Details: cerritoscenter.com; 562-916-8500 Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos
March 18
John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party This is the official live and authentic re-creation of the final tour for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. It’s the only show endorsed by the estates of the trio. Each live performance includes unbridled, high-voltage entertainment featuring all the hit songs of the ’50s era. Time: 8 p.m., March 18 Cost: $40 to $60 Details: https://tickets.cerritoscenter.com/events Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos St. Patrick’s Day Concert — John Kraus and the Goers In addition to being a multi-instrumentalist and lead guitar player for Rose’s Pawn Shop, John Kraus is also a captain on Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s tall ships. After learning traditional sea shanties while hoisting sails, he began incorporating them into his performances. Join him for a St. Patrick’s Day party and sea shanty sing-along 7 to 7:45 p.m. and beer tasting at 7:45 p.m. Time: 8:30 p.m., March 18 Cost: $23 and up Details: www./grandvision.org/ john-kraus-and-the-goers Venue: The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
March 19
A Toast to the Rat Pack & Marilyn In a high-energy show honoring the 1960s heyday of the Rat Pack’s legendary Las Vegas concerts, four acclaimed tribute artists re-create the songs, humor and camaraderie of The Rat Pack. Time: 8 p.m. March 19 Cost: $35 to, $70 Details: 562-916-8500; www.cerritoscenter.com Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos
March 24
Thursday Night with Sondheim The passing of Stephen Sondheim inspired a trio of performers to present an evening of works from across his career. Bob Remstein, Ilan Davidson and Rachael Goldman are noteworthy performers in their own right, and bring their talents together for this extraordinary evening. Time: 7:30 p.m., March 24 Cost: $20 live, $12 streaming Details: www.tinyurl. com/4ej33b5u Venue: Collage, 731 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro
THEATER March 18
For Those Among Us Presented by The CRay Project, a dance tribute for the ones we love and once loved; the ones that have fallen but shall rise again; for the ones that have carved their footprints in the paths that we will soon walk upon; for the ones that will soon be among us. Time: 8 p.m., Mar. 18, 19 and 2 p.m. Mar. 20 Cost: $20 Details: https://tinyurl.com/forthose-among-us Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
March 25
New Works Festival 2022 The annual festival nurtures emerging and established playwrights to develop new scripts. Reading 100-plus scripts a year, the New Works Literary Committee chooses two top plays to receive a staged reading with critical feedback from professional theater critics and an audience talk back.RSVP. Time: 7 p.m., March 25, 26 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/newworks-2022 Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
ARTS
March 3 Forgotten Images: A Traveling Educational Exhibit Forgotten Images features thousands of lost and forgotten artifacts that span two centuries of the African American experience in America. The display highlights
all phases of African American history, both positive and negative with the aim of instilling a sense of knowledge, awareness, and responsibility in everyone who comes in contact with the exhibit. The show runs through March 20. Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 3 to March 20 Cost: Free Details: www.tinyurl.com/forgotten-images Venue: Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach First Thursday Guided ArtWalk Join Guided ArtWalk Tour of 2022. The tour starts at 5:30 p.m. at Sirens Java and Tea and will end up at The Artistry Lounge & Gallery, 491 W. 7th St., Suite #103. Time: 5:30 p.m., March 3 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl. com/2p8jy3j7 Venue: Sirens Java and Tea, 402 W. 7th St., San Pedro
March 5
Marie Thibeault — Drawings TransVagrant at Gallery 478 presents an exhibition of mixed media works on paper by Marie Thibeault, a professor emerita of art at California State University, Long Beach, where she teaches painting and color theory. Time: Artist reception 3 to 6 p.m., March 5 Cost: Free Details: 310-732-2150 Venue: TransVagrant at Gallery 478, 478 W. 7th St., San Pedro Shifting Ground Mirabel Wigon In Mirabel Wigon’s statement on her paintings she says. “Through these paintings I explore my place and space, questioning modernist notions of progress and reflecting on the inherent instability in the built and natural landscape.” The exhibition is open during San Pedro First Thursday Artwalk. Time: 1 to 5 p.m., March 5 artist talk and reception Cost: Free Details: www.michaelstearnsstudio.com/the-loft-gallery Venue: Michael Stearns Studio @The Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro Lauren Halsey Join artist Lauren Halsey’s latest venture in funkified placemaking. This exhibition extends Halsey’s architectural mappings, materializing itself in objects, names, remembrances and colors of home. This spectrum etches out decelerations, provocations, the naming of the dead and the aesthetic genius of Black people. The exhibition will be on view through Dec. 10. Time: 12 to 6 p.m., March 5 artist reception Cost: Free Details: csudh.edu/visit-us Venue: University Art Gallery at California State University, Dominguez Hills, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson
Hung Viet Nguyen Sacred Path features paintings recently featured on the cover of Artillery Magazine. Follow artist Hung Viet Nguyen in an intimate tour of Sacred Path. Learn about Nguyen’s painting technique and subject matter which unites environment, mind, and spirit. Discover how the sacred geometry of the Torus, the cyclical nature of life force and universal psychophysical energies influence the Torrance-based painter. The show runs through May 7. Time: 12 p.m., March 15 Cost: Free Details: RSVP on Eventbrite Venue: Kleefeld Contemporary, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach
FILM
March 9 San Pedro International Film Festival Screening of Oscar-nominated animation, documentary and live action short films over three nights. Ticket price includes entry to all three evenings. Time: 7 p.m., March 9 animation, 6:30 p.m.; March 20 documentary, 7 p.m.; March 24 live action. Cost: $45 Details: https://tinyurl.com/Warner-shorts Venue: Warner Grand Theater, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro
March 10
2nd Thursdays, Open Mic Night Calling all musicians and poets — enjoy some great performances and meet other music makers. Performer sign-ups start at 6:30 p.m., first 10 sign-ups are guaranteed to perform. Cover charge comes with stage time and one drink ticket. Time: 7 p.m., March 10 Cost: $5 cash $6.25 card, Details: www.grandvision.secure. force.com/ticket/open-mic Venue: The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
COMMUNITY March 4
Dance Under the Stars Party with the sea stars and learn about marine life and the environment at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Latin-themed late night, Noche de Estrellas. Guests can dance to cumbia, rock en Español, salsa, and other Latin rhythms with two live bands and a DJ. And journey through the Pacific Ocean to meet over 12,000 animals at the aquarium. Reservations are required for everyone and safety protocol requirements are in place. Time: 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., March 4 Cost: $24.95 Details: 562-590-3100; w w w. a q u a r i u m o f p a c i f i c . o r g / events/info/noche_de_estrellas Venue: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
March 5
ArtLab Science and Art Workshop Learn about marine mammals and create your own artwork. The afternoon begins with a lesson by the Marine Mammal education team, Diving Deep: Marine Mammal Adaptations for Life in the Big Blue. This is followed by an art workshop led by an Angels Gate Cultural Center artist-teacher. Time: 1 to 3 p.m., March 5 Cost: Free Details: www.www.eventbrite. com/artlab-art-science-workshop; colleen@angelsgateart.org Venue: Zoom
March 8
Opera Talk Join an opera talk to discuss St. Matthew’s Passion with LA Opera’s community educator. RSVP by Sunday, March 6 for the invitation link on Zoom. Time: 2 p.m., March 8 Details: To join send an email for the invitation link on Zoom to SBuehler@TorranceCA.Gov Cost: Free Venue: Zoom
March 10
San Pedro Chamber Women’s History Month Reception The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce will honor women who have made significant contributions to the community in business, the arts, healthcare, education and public service. Nominations have been opened and you’re invited to nominate an individual who you believe has been a force for good in the community. Tickets include light refreshments and champagne toast. No host bar is available. Time: 5:30 to 7 :30 p.m., March 10 Cost: $25 to $35 Details: 310-832 - 7272; laura@sanpedrochamer.com Venue: Brouwerij West, 110 E. 22nd St., San Pedro
March 12
Tidepool Walk Attend an informative slide show in the John M. Olguin Auditorium, then come along on a naturalistled ramble on the rocks to see animals in their natural habitat. Outdoor clothing and sneakers advised. Young children must be accompanied by adults. Time: 11 a.m., March 12 Cost: free Details: 310-548-7562; www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro
Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Join to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day along with local participants as they dance, drive, play and walk their way through Hermosa Beach. Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 12 Cost: Free Details: www.hbchamber.net/parade Location: Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach
March 13
The Cacti and Succulents of New Mexico Most of the New Mexican cacti and succulents make great garden plants but can also be very handsome potted specimens. Come travel with Woody Minnich to see the most impressive New Mexican species. Time: 1 p.m., March 13 Cost: Free Details: southcoastcss.org. Venue: Peninsula Center Library, Community Room, 701 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates
March 19
Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild 22nd Annual Spring Arts & Craft Faire More than 40 artists will be selling handcrafted items — ceramics, jewelry, art glass, knitwear and more. Proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for graduating seniors in the Torrance Unified School District. Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 19 Cost: Free Details: www.torrancecraftsmensguild.org Location: Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance
TV REVIEW:
[Counted, from p. 1]
Counted Frontline’s United States of But just because we were unable to find homeless people doesn’t necessarily mean there Conspiracy Doesn’t Tell Us are no homeless people on the streets of San or in CD 15. The last homeless count was Anything We Don’t Already Know Pedro before the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United By Greggory Moore, Columnist
Living in San Pedro
Francis Romero, a 67-year-old San Pedro resident who lives in Section 8 housing, was homeless for more than four years prior to
Volunteers from the 2022 homeless count. File photo
CD 15, including two in San Pedro, the bridge home shelter run by the city, and another shelter run by the county. However, the residents of those shelters will still be counted for the homeless count, as these are temporary housing. A bigger problem for the shelters in CD 15 is COVID-19, as they have had to reduce their number of occupants to prevent the spread of the virus. It hasn’t always worked, and many have had outbreaks. Alexis Lauro, a representative of Councilman Joe Buscaino’s office, said that the bridge home in San Pedro had 32 men and 23 women when she spoke at the CD 15 working group on homeless meeting on Feb. 1. However, she said that quarantine had just been lifted, and they had 19 intakes that day, meaning that more people were coming back in. Lauro also said that in the bridge home in Wilmington, there were 32 women and 35 men. It was still under quarantine, and had 75 residents there, which is a reduced number. The tiny home village in Wilmington had 38 men and 24 women, Lauro said. The residents were also under quarantine when she spoke, as they had recently had a positive case. At the Watts bridge home, there were 38 men and 30 women, and they were under quarantine as well. At that same meeting, Lauro said that the first signs banning homeless people from sleeping in certain areas were finalized, and would be near the tiny homes village in Wilmington and the county shelter in San Pedro. These are specific sites near homeless shelters or facilities, and homeless people are not allowed to sit or sleep within 1,000 feet of them. So far, 11 of these sites have been approved in CD 15. In October 2021, Buscaino pushed for 161 more sites in CD 15, mainly near schools and parks, where homeless people would not be able to sleep within 500 feet. However, the city council has not approved these yet. This is not the only thing Buscaino has done
moving into her apartment. She stayed on 6th Street and Gaffey, near the Jack in the Box. Now she lives in an apartment she has been in for three years. Before that, she lived in a senior citizen center. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health helped her get a Section 8 voucher. “I had to go there, because I was out here on the street all stressed out and stuff,” Romero said. “I’m handicapped, and I have an animal, and it was hard for me out there.” It took Romero a year to be able to get her housing voucher. “It takes longer for some,” Romero said. “I think it took longer because I had four case workers switched on me.” Once she had the voucher, it still wasn’t easy to find an apartment. “A lot of people don’t want to accept it no more, because of the way people are,” Romero said. “When they move in, they destroy it. … They don’t treat it like they really appreciate it. Not all the people either, but some.” The building she currently lives in was the best option she could find. Even then, it’s not ideal, because she’s handicapped and the entrance to the building has stairs. “I got to get someone to help me pull my walker down, and back up,” Romero said. If there is no one to help her go up and down the stairs, she doesn’t leave the building. While the senior citizen building was not in San Pedro, she returned to San Pedro when given the choice. “I got this because I know San Pedro,” Romero said. “San Pedro’s been my town all my life … I had to go to the doctors and stuff, everything was over here for me. So I came back here.”
March 3 - 16, 2022
Jones to back off the Sandy Hook stuff (which serves mostly to make us want to punch them in the face, since they were enabling him up to this point), and his then-wife Kelly, who divorced after finding his Sandy Hook prevarications a bridge too far. This is one of the many times Frontline drops the ball. With Jones’ ex-wife sitting down for an interview, shouldn’t we get an intimate look at someone so opportunistically amoral and/or insane? Instead, we end up with less than a minute’s worth of material: he became an increasingly conspicuous consumer as the money poured in; he was excited by the traction his Sandy Hook comments were getting. That’s it. The meat (such as it is) of United States of Conspiracy is Jones’ inroads with the Republican establishment by way of Stone, whose savvy you almost have to admire despite his despicableness. Seemingly understanding exactly what kind of people — and how numerous – comprised Jones’ audience, Stone made his first appearance on InfoWars in early 2015, and over the course of the next year was a frequent guest. Naturally, candidate Trump followed, and suddenly Trump was publicly echoing Jones’ canards: Ted Cruz’s father played a role in the John F. Kennedy assassination, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton founded ISIS, etc. “I’ll tell ya,” Jones says giddily, “it’s surreal to talk about issues here on air and then word-forword hear Trump say it two days later.” But, again, we know this, just as know that Edgar Maddison Welch drove to Washington, D.C. based on Jones’ claims that Hillary Clinton was running a child-sex ring out of the basement of a pizza parlor and started shooting up the place before realizing there wasn’t even a basement in the place. (The best line of United States of Conspiracy is a reading from Welch’s later statement to the New York Times: “The intel on this wasn’t 100%.”) And if you’ve followed the news more recently, you know that in a 2019 deposition for a defamation lawsuit brought by Sandy Hook parents, in his own defense Jones claims that a form of psychosis caused him to believe that more or less everything in life was staged. Although United States of Conspiracy is only 53 minutes in length, you might be better served using that time to watch the first episode of HBO’s Q: Into the Storm, a six-part exploration of the subterranean fora where the QAnon movement was born and thrived. Although no one’s going to mistake the somewhat gonzo approach of director/producer Cullen Hoback and co. with the Frontline methodology, their dive into conspiracy culture locates the kind of buried treasure for which United States of Conspiracy doesn’t even appear to search. Frontline has done far better in the past and undoubtedly will do far better in the future. But I guess you can’t win ‘em all. Want to see for yourself? Visit the United States of Conspiracy.
Real People, Real News, Really Effective
Let me start by saying I am a big fan of Frontline. Huge. There is not and has never been a better documentary series. The closest is 60 Minutes, but Frontline’s shortest episodes are three times the length of the average 60 Minutes segment — and often longer — allowing for a deeper dive into the issue at hand. Frontline’s Money, Power and Wall Street, for example, devotes four hours to the 2007–’08 global financial crisis, examining everything from the industry deregulation that enabled it to the cozy relationship between government and big business that allowed nearly all the responsible parties to go on their merry way — and does so in a manner thorough enough to please financial experts, yet with sufficient clarity for laypersons to understand the whole clusterfuck. (And as if that isn’t enough, they’ve got a webpage full of additional one-off documentaries and other material on the subject.) It’s that consistent history of compelling reportage that makes United States of Conspiracy (originally broadcast in July 2020 but updated this month) such an oddity. Focusing on how Alex Jones, with help from Roger Stone (or vice versa), “rewr[ote] the playbook on American politics” by way of harnessing the horsepower of conspiracy theories, the Frontline team fail to deliver new information or angles on Mr. InfoWars or the conspiracy theory landscape. After opening with election night 2016, as Roger Stone sits with Jones live on the InfoWars set while the American populace elects Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, Frontline takes us back to the 1990s for a cursory review of Jones’ early career as a minor radio and late-night cable-access TV personality in Austin, Texas, where his small, right-wing audience (along with Austinites who would, according to Austin-based journalist Jonathan Tilove, “sit home and get high in the middle of the night and watch this crazy guy vent about crazy stuff”) ate up his combination of machismo and sounding the alarm of antigovernment conspiracy theories. (Even Ann Coulter says Jones was “not my cup of tea.”) Then came 9/11, which Jones seized on as a “false flag” operation (as he had done with the 1993 World Trade Center and 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombings), a move that got him dropped from two-thirds of the roughly 100 radio stations syndicating his radio show. But rather than ease up, Jones put the pedal to the metal, making ever more increasingly outrageous and unsupported claims (political scientist Nancy Rosenblum calls it “conspiracy without the theory”). The crazier the better, and Jones was soon in demand as a guest on even mainstream shows such as The View. But we already know this, just as we know about the products he shills (supplements, survivalist gear, “Hillary for Prison 2016” T-shirts — “the exemplar of a conspiracy entrepreneur,” says Rosenblum) and his dogged harassment of the parents of Sandy Hook murder victims. The closest we get to anything we may not have heard before is a few former InfoWars staffers talking of how they tried to get
States, and it is yet to be seen what effect the pandemic will have on people losing their homes. To be fair, the LA County Board of Supervisors recently extended the eviction moratorium until the end of 2022. There are also several homeless shelters in
to try to ban homeless people. He is trying to get a ballot measure that would ban homeless people from camping in public areas all over the city, while also making it a priority to have more emergency temporary housing. The city council rejected this measure in November 2021, but Buscaino is now trying to get it approved by gathering 65,000 signatures to place it on the November 2022 ballot.
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CLASSIFIED ADS & DBA FILINGS
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PERSONALS Well-to-do businesswoman seeking good man, 60 to 70.
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PEDRO PET PALS is the only group that raises funds for the City Animal Shelter and FREE vaccines and spay or neuter for our community. 310-991-0012.
Bulletin Board
02/03, 02/10, 02/17, 03/03/2022
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2022017598 The following person is doing business as 1) THE HABITS, 2111 S. Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Sheridan Wolf Bradley, 2111 S. Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business is conducted by an Individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2022. 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/. Sheridan Wolf Bradley,
owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 01/26/2022. Notice--In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not in itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights
(310) 833-8977
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The animals at the Harbor Animal Shelter have ongoing need for used blankets, comforters, pet beds.* Drop off at Harbor Animal Shelter 957 N. Gaffey St.,San Pedro • 888-452-7381, x 143 PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET! *In any condition. We will wash and mend.
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of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 02/03, 02/10, 02/17, 03/03/2022
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“Fenders”— failing to see the significance here.
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ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 22LBCP00026 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles Petition of: Anthony Alexander Ernesto Bernal TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner ANTHONY ALEXANDER ERNESTO BERNAL filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Ratboy Alexander Ka-Thish The Court orders that all persons 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 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: 03-15-22, Time: 8:30 am, Dept.: 26, Room: The address of the court is 275 Magnolia Ave, 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 Commerce and RLn. Date Jan. 28, 2022 Michael P. Vicencia
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RLNews is looking for freelance food and music writers who are knowledgeable about San Pedro and Long Beach area restaurants, culture and music scenes. Experienced writers preferred, but will consider aspiring bloggers. We are looking for writers who have a curiosity for a wide range of cuisines or music in the greater LA / Long Beach Harbor Area. Committment to writing to deadline is a must. Having a strong social media following and bi-lingual skills is a plus. Submit inquiries and any links to your writing to editor@ randomlengthsnews.com or call 310-519-1442 weekdays.
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1. Air marshal’s org. 4. Hilarity, on the Interwebs 8. West ___ (Long Island locale) 13. “Believe” singer 14. Opera showstopper 15. See 22-Across 16. Flag position in remembrance 18. Go inside 19. Holiday visitor, maybe 20. “Along with all the rest” abbr. 22. With 15-Across, “A Change Is Gonna Come” singer 23. Robbie who was Cousin Oliver on “The Brady Bunch” 26. “Famous Potatoes” state 28. Meat and mushroom dish originally made with a mustard and sour cream sauce 33. Notable time division 34. Appear 35. Column style simpler than ionic 37. Bits of work 39. Prepares, as kiwifruit 42. Prefix before “plasmosis” 43. Ancient artifact 45. First-timer, slangily 47. Yes, in France 48. German-born NBA player who appeared multiple times on
“Parks & Recreation” 52. “You ___ not pass!” 53. Gang leader? 54. Mo. for most of Sagittarius 56. Promotional bit 58. Skewered dish 62. Knock for ___ 64. 1986 Fabulous Thunderbirds song (or the album it was on) 67. Neutral brownish color 68. Singer Fitzgerald 69. Low quartet? 70. Adjust to fit 71. Archetype for one of “The Odd Couple” 72. Miss Piggy, for one
DOWN
1. “Easier said ___ done” 2. Put on the marketplace 3. Pound sound 4. Back muscle, in the gym 5. “Kia ___” (Maori greeting) 6. Subject of many toasts 7. Rubenesque 8. Country with fjords 9. “Sanford and ___” 10. What uncramped areas have 11. Furniture store with meatballs 12. Salon do 13. Sox home, on scoreboards 17. Reuben ingredient 21.Org. recommending regular
checkups 24. Instruction part 25. Word after family or phone 27. Owl sound 28. Pub pour 29. Miscalculated 30. Earner of 21 merit badges 31. “Good ___” (Gaiman/ Pratchett novel) 32. Repair 36. Salon do 38. “Revenge of the ___” (“Star Wars” subtitle) 40. Key’s partner 41. “Last Night in ___” (2021 film) 44. Sound-activated infomercial gadget 46. Out of money 49. Joint with a 90-degree bend 50. Grade school orchestra section 51. Justice Kagan and forward Delle Donne, for two 54. Numbers to be crunched 55. Airline with Hebrew letters in the logo 57. Beach bird 59. Osso ___ (Italian dish) 60. Not too many 61. Some partners, for short 63. Unlock, in poetry 65. “Low” rapper ___ Rida 66. Beatles adjective
[Mayoral, from p. 1]
Mayoral Candidates Sound Off in San Pedro one specifically asked if any of the candidates would make efforts to defund the Los Angeles Police Department — and because of this, none of the candidates spoke about it. At previous debates, Buscaino, Feuer and Bass all said they would increase the number of officers in the LAPD, and de León said he would maintain the same number. Conspicuously absent was Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer, who officially joined the race on Feb. 11, but was absent at previous debates as well. Also absent was former Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member Mel Wilson, though not for lack of trying. He came to the event, but said he was not allowed to participate because he had not raised enough money. The primary election will take place on June 7, and the top two candidates will face off on Nov. 8.
Solutions for homelessness
minimum of 15% affordable housing. He also claimed to have housed 50% of street camping in CD 15. Where he is getting these numbers is unclear, as at the Nov. 2 meeting of the CD 15 Working Group on Homelessness, Gabriela Medina, district director for Buscaino, said that as of the 2020 homeless count, Buscaino’s office had housed 40% of people experiencing street homelessness. This does not include people living in their vehicles, which account for 1,038 of the 20,257 homeless people in CD15.
Help for small businesses
Buscaino also said that to help small businesses, he plans to phase out or get rid of the gross receipts tax, which taxes all income from a business over $100,000, regardless of its source. He also said he wants a business source center that would go to businesses to help them, and he will give out more forgivable micro-loans. Bass said she would create a council for businesses that would report directly to the mayor’s office, so they could tell her their problems. She would also gather a group of financial institutions and ask them to create a fund for small businesses. In addition, she would have an office focused on finding money for small businesses. Feuer said he would lead an effort to phase out the business tax. He would also create a deputy mayor who would focus on helping small businesses. He also would create an economic development and job creation team to go through the city and come up with economic strategies. He did not go into specifics about what this team would actually do. De León said he would change the culture within city hall to make it easier for small businesses, but did not go into specifics.
Neighborhood councils
Butane tanks
The candidates were also asked what they would do with two Rancho LLP 12.5-milliongallon butane tanks on Gaffey Street that are highly explosive, and that have a blast radius of three miles if they blew up. Unsurprisingly, each candidate said they would get rid of them, or at least try. Bass said she was still in congress, and would try to get rid of them immediately. She was promptly told that Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA 44th District) and Ted Lieu (D-CA 33rd District) are already aware of the problem. Feuer said that local authorities could not mess with rail lines, and that the federal government had authority over this. But he said he would talk to the federal government about it. Buscaino and de León said similar things.
Port issues
Multiple questions came up about the Port of Los Angeles. Candidates were asked who they would appoint to the Board of Harbor Commissioners, and they all said they would appoint community members who listen to nearby residents. They all oppose further automation of the port. Even though Buscaino couldn’t stop Pier 400 from being automated, he’ll try harder next time.
talk to people, which is what you would expect. Feuer gave the most interesting answer, even if it was only partially related to the question. He said that city council districts should be cut in half to create closer relationships with residents and their representatives. This is probably the most revolutionary idea to come out of this campaign as it would double the number of council reps, lowering the ratio of residents to representatives and cut their salaries in half to pay for it. A full interview with Feuer can be found on RLn’s website at https://tinyurl.com/RLNFeuer. Buscaino, a former LAPD officer, said he would listen to people, but shut down any looting. He didn’t go into specifics of how he would do that, but probably in the same way he would deal with homelessness, as his strategy has always been to over-police them. He is currently gathering signatures for a ballot measure that would prioritize making temporary housing faster, but also make sitting or lying in any public space illegal, essentially criminalizing homelessness. He never brought this up at the debate, nor did any of the chosen few who asked questions challenge him on this point. In the end this event seemed like a carefully crafted exercise to create the pretense of an open debate but failed to ask the kind of questions the media would have asked. And so the report here is more a witnessing of a prepackaged event that felt more like a PR event for the San Pedro Democratic Club.
Community policing
When asked how they would involve the community in policing, they said they would
March 3 - 16, 2022
Doug Epperhart, president of Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council, said that neighborhood councils often had problems with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, and asked how the candidates would help. Bass was the only candidate to give a somewhat interesting answer. She pointed out that she was involved in the creation of the neighborhood council system (Feuer said the same thing), but that she would totally change the system from top to bottom, or at least audit it and reevaluate it. “The development, participation and involvement in neighborhood councils is really
uneven,” Bass said. “In some parts of the city, the neighborhood councils are very organized, involved, and sophisticated. And in other parts, it’s just a handful of people that claim they represent the neighborhoods. And actually, at a lot of times, they’re at odds with the neighborhoods.” Bass said that the councils are a great concept, but that they still have not reached what their original intent was.
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Former Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Vice President Laurie Jacobs said that one of the big causes for homelessness was a lack of affordable housing in the city. She asked the candidates how they would provide more. Bass said that homelessness is the most important issue the city is facing. She said she would declare a state-of-emergency for the city, but that it would not be good enough, and that the city needs a national state-of-emergency, so that the city can get federal funding. She also said there were too many rules around housing vouchers. She also called for the expanding of mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Feuer said he would have 10 general managers who would approve affordable housing, and would force them to speed up their process. He would expand on the transit oriented communities program which incentivizes putting multi-story, mixed use buildings on transit corridors. He also plans on using vacant commercial buildings and vacant school sites to turn into affordable housing. He also said he would change rules, and he gave one example. He said that individual tenants would have their own bedrooms and bathrooms, but share common areas with other tenants. He said this is not currently legal in LA, but he would change that. Feuer also said he wants to preserve affordable housing by having the Housing Authority of the City of LA purchase buildings, and keep the rents low after tenants depart. De León said the city has a housing affordability crisis, as there is plenty of vacant housing that most Angelenos cannot afford. But the only solution he gave was to mandate inclusionary housing, meaning that affordable housing is required for new developments. This is something that’s already required in many developments. Buscaino said he has already pushed for “housing at all income levels.” He provided several examples, including the former San Pedro courthouse (which was not a city project), which will have 80% market rate housing, and 20% affordable housing. He pointed out the various developments in San Pedro, and said he would push for similar projects throughout the city. In addition, he said he will consolidate all decisionmaking departments into one department, including the Department of Building and Safety, LA City Planning, LA Fire Department and Bureau of Engineering. To date none of the projects in Buscaino’s district even have the
Los Angeles mayoral candidates discuss the issues at a forum held at the Warner Grand Theatre on Feb. 27. From left: LA City Attorney Mike Feuer, Councilman Kevin de León (District 14), Councilman Joe Buscaino (District 15) and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA 37th Congressional District). Photo by Chris Villanueva
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March 3 - 16, 2022
Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant