RLn 4-1-21

Recalling Democracy Newsom recall effort: It’s something we’ve seen before

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

Chris Pierce, aka Rev. Tall Tree’s, latest album, American Silence, testifies trauma through grace p. 9

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

On March 24, I watched as the Los Angeles Police Department ordered a citywide tactical alert after hundreds of protesters and officers faced off at Echo Park Lake over the city’s plan to close the park and remove the homeless encampment that had been growing there for months. This comes as Los Angeles County reaches the milestone of 23,000 COVID-19 deaths and both the city and county continue to grapple with the dual crises.

I received the LAPD press release that explained that they had issued a dispersal order calling the demonstration in support of the homeless campers an “unlawful assembly,” but did not explain why a “citywide

tactical alert” was needed.

Council District 13 Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who represents this area of Los Angeles, used the “rehabilitation of the park” as a thin excuse to evict the unsheltered residents, which brought out defenders of the homeless from various community groups. By the end of the next day, after a long standoff, Echo Park Lake was fenced off and some 182 protestors and a few journalists were arrested, detained and cited. This is just one of the latest incidents in the battle over homelessness in neighborhoods all over Los Angeles.

Various media outlets reported that over a dozen journalists were arrested in this action to oust the home-

less encampment. The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Lawyers Guild are up in arms over these arrests.

“Taking militarized police action to displace people who are already displaced is cruel and does nothing to bolster public safety,” the ACLU stated. “Mass arrests of protesters, legal observers and journalists will not keep the city’s brutal, ill-conceived actions from being known. The city leaders who approved this approach should be held accountable.”

CD15 Councilman Joe Buscaino criticized activists who urged people to “fight back” against police. Mean-

April 1 - 14, 2021

Chris Pierce

[See Recalling, p. 13]

Dine Out LB launches fund to support culinary workers with imaginary food p. 10

Tiny Homes Come Full Circle

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

Graphic by Suzanne Matsumiya

LAHSA State of Homelessness addresses pandemic’s impact p. 3

G

avin Newsom was barely two months in office when the first effort to recall him was launched. The current effort isn’t all that different: He stands accused of being a Democrat. But democracy itself is really what’s under attack.

Democracy is under attack across the country and around the world. California might seem immune, but it’s not. Its most seemingly democratic features — the initiative and the recall — have been hacked before and are being hacked again in the attempted recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom. He stands accused of being a Democrat, according to the text of the recall petition, which makes no mention of the pandemic, because it was filed before the pandemic began.

Internationally, the V-Dem Institute recently reported that “The global decline [in democracy] during the past 10 years is steep and continues in 2020,” with a two-thirds majority of the world population living under autocratic rule. Most notable is the rise of “electoral autocracies,” where elections continue to be held, but with very little chance of power changing hands. “Electoral autocracy remains the most common regime type,” V-Dem’s report stated.

“The world’s largest democracy turned into an electoral autocracy: India with 1.37 billion citizens.”

The U.S. is far from being like India on a national level, but the GOP has introduced more than 250 voter suppression bills in 43 states just in the first few months of this year—a wave of activities that indicates a serious state-level threat of moving in that same direction. A new paper, “Laboratories of Democratic Backsliding” analyzes 61 “indicators of democratic performance” from 2000 to 2018 to create a “State Democracy Index.” It tested a range of theories to explain democratic backsliding, and found only minimal evidence for any of them, except for “Republican control of state government, which dramatically reduces states’ democratic performance during this period.” Thus, the current wave of voter suppression laws furthers a broader pattern that was already under way.

In California, Republicans have very little power, so — aside from dreaming of secession, or breaking the state into pieces — what we see instead are largely acts of rebellion, disruption or sabotage meant to make the system more dysfunctional, in hopes of fueling discontent and generating opportunities to gain power. A recall effort with shifting and deceptive rationales fits well within this pattern. What appear to be the most robust expressions of our democracy — the initiative, referendum and recall powers — are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as Richard J. Ellis argues in

[See Full Circle, p. 4]

COVID-19 Deaths in the U.S. as of March 31, 2021: 564,806 • COVID-19 Deaths in Califrornia: 58,789 COVID-19 Deaths in LA County: 23,110 • For up-to-date stats: www.randomlengthsnews.com

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April 1 - 14, 2021

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

Community Announcements:

Harbor Area FEMA Will Help Fund Funerals

Los Angeles County residents can apply for funding for funerals for loved ones that have died of COVID-19. This is through FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program. Applicants can receive up to $9,000 per funeral, and up to $35,000 per application.

In order to qualify, the death certificate must say that the dead person died of COVID-19 and that said death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. In addition, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified non-citizen, and have incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.

FEMA encourages people who are interested in applying to gather relevant documents for proof, including the death certificate, as well as funeral expense documents such as receipts or contracts.

They should also gather proof of information obtained from other sources for funerals, as FEMA will not duplicate funds received from burial or funeral insurance or financial assistance received from voluntary agencies and government agencies.

Details: https://tinyurl.com/FEMAfunerals.

COVID-19 Rent Relief Available to Income Eligible Households

Income-eligible households that need financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities will be able to apply for help through the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program. If you have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income, you may be eligible to receive help to pay past due or future rent and utilities from California.

Details: 833-430-2122, www.housing.ca.gov

Attend Webinar on Core, Community Program Partnerships

Redistricting Commission Meetings

The 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission has posted the agenda for the April 12 to 14 meetings.

To view the agendas: www.wedrawthelinesca. org/meetings Citizens Redistricting Commission Meetings Time: 1 to 8 p.m. April 12 to April 13 Legal Affairs Committee Meeting Time: 1 to 4 p.m. April 14 Public Input Meeting Design Committee Time: 4 to 8 p.m. April 14 California Citizens Redistricting Commission http://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/

LASD Parking Enforcement Resumes

By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter

COVID-19 changed everything in Los Angeles — including where homeless people stay, said Heidi Marston, executive director of Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority at its 2021 state of homelessness town hall on March 18.

While you may see more tents and more encampments in places you have not previously seen them, this is not because there are more homeless people, it’s due to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is largely driven by the CDC guidance instructing everybody to shelter in place, people practicing social distancing and encampments popping up where maybe before they weren’t allowed to, because we want to make sure they’re safe, even if they’re experiencing homelessness,” Marston said.

This message from the LA Homeless Services Authority came only a week before the Los Angeles Police Department forced homeless people living in Echo Park to leave. Housing advocates convinced some of the park’s residents to seek temporary shelter in hotel rooms as part of Project Roomkey. However, the police were not so gentle, and violently clashed with protesters in the process of removing the park’s residents.

LAHSA’s main focus is housing — both interim and permanent. In 2019, LAHSA increased

the number of people sheltered in interim housing by about 25%. This was largely because of new programs like Bridge Home shelters. When COVID-19 struck, LAHSA sheltered more than 10,000 people within three months.

However, because of the pandemic, LAHSA lost about 50% of overall capacity in its shelters because of social distancing guidelines.

“Where there used to be 100 beds in a shelter, we might now only have 50,” Marston said. “For every bed we’re bringing online, we’re losing some as well.”

In addition, it takes a little longer to fill beds, because first the people must be tested for COVID-19 and quarantined.

Despite the challenges, 27,325 people enrolled in LAHSA shelters in 2020, a 5% increase over 2019.

LAHSA housed 20,690 in permanent housing in 2020, an 11% decrease from the previous year. This was because it focused more on providing temporary housing to shield people from the pandemic.

“All of our resources, our energy and our effort went to this life-saving mission of getting hotels and motels online and bringing people inside the shelter,” Marston said.

Temporary housing is actually more expen-

sive than permanent housing and is meant to be a step towards permanent housing, Marston said.

“Permanent housing is what we all know ends homelessness,” Marston said. “It’s the most important part of our system. Once someone is stabilized in housing, they can start to recover in every other aspect of their life.”

LAHSA has helped about 64,500 find housing over the last three years. Based on the 2020 homeless count, there are about 66,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County. Unfortunately, as people become housed, even more lose their housing.

“It’s hard to reconcile that we’re ending homelessness for more people than ever compared to what we see on the streets every day,” Marston said. “The challenge is really, really specific to prevention — that on average, every single day we house 207 people. Two hundred seven people make their way back into housing.

But at the same time, 227 people are pushed into homelessness every single day.”

Marston said that regions that have successfully reduced homelessness have invested in three areas: prevention, rehousing and building affordable housing.

“First, you need to stop people from becoming homeless,” Marston said. “Second, when [See Pandemic, p. 8]

Solar, Storage Project Comes to Wilmington Senior Center

By Melina Paris, Editorial Assistant

Long caught in industry’s shadow of the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — amid the pollution they produce with their mega container ships — Wilmington residents adopted green energy resources in February, utilizing a combination of solar energy and storage capacity.

The Harbor Area has been called Los Angeles’ most burdened residential and industrial neighborhood in environmental health reports.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach Maritime Port Health Impact Assessment Scope cited: 1) continued health inequities in communities impacted by port operations; 2) benefits of the Health Impact Assessment process for the ports; and 3) the possibility of collaboratively understanding project benefits and developing mitigations for adverse health impacts.

port expanded services. In addition to its offerings of meal delivery, transportation, providing activities, education programs and social services, the center aims to offer vaccinations against COVID-19, which has significantly affected low-income areas and communities of color.

“With these savings on our electric bill, we will be able to program an additional part-time staff person to provide direct service,” said Gary Kern, executive director of the Wilmington Jaycees Foundation.

Harbor Area communities have a stake in the transition to renewable technologies, as levels of pollution and the associated health impacts demonstrate.

“Especially during these times, when health

disparities in our most vulnerable communities can’t be ignored, there is powerful symbolism when a mainstay like the Wilmington Senior Center goes green,” said Ashley Christy, GLA Green Harbor’s executive director.

The need for environmental justice in Wilmington is clear. Support for this construction project by The 11th Hour Project (a grant-making organization that works at the nexus of energy, food and agriculture, and human rights) helps further the goals of the senior center’s staff to be both financially and environmentally sustainable. Wilmington Jaycees Foundation staff anticipate a $500 [See Solar, p. 5]

April 1 - 14, 2021

The Wilmington Senior Center became an island of sustainability in an area that is still well known as the “diesel death zone” by way of GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles, also known as the GLA’s Green Harbor Initiative. The project, a combination of solar energy and battery storage, offers cost savings to the center. Plus, the good timing of its arrival during a pandemic is a benefit, providing adaptability during climate disasters and long-term energy independence for Banning Park’s 20-year-old senior community.

For the Wilmington Jaycees Foundation, which operates the Wilmington Senior Center, the money saved by using solar energy will sup-

Solar panels were installed in a week with a battery back-up system which can sustain the Wilmington Senior Center with reserve power for three days in case of a blackout. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Parking Enforcement Detail will again enforce all parking violations and reinstate the issuance of street sweeping citations, expired registration citations, as well as towing vehicles that have been warned via a “Red Tag” or any other vehicle in violation of the parking laws of the State of California as well as the County of Los Angeles.

Resumed enforcement will include: Street sweeping; expired registration; and red tag warnings.

Anyone in need of financial assistance to pay citations can make arrangements through www. lasheriffparking.com; 866-561-9744 or mail: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, P.O. Box 30629, Los Angeles, CA. 90030-0629.

LAHSA State of Homelessness Addresses Pandemic’s Impact

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

Join to learn how your community organization can become a Core Program Partner or Community Program Partner. Los Angeles County Parks will partner with community-based organizations to expand youth access to programming such as: environmental education, youth sports, STEAM activities, arts and cultural programming and community service.

Learn about the new program partnerships and application process. Click on the link for the meeting of your choice to pre-register. Select, “join via web browser” (not an app) from your smartphone or computer.

Time: 10 to 11 a.m. April 3 Details: Via WebEx bit.ly/ParksPartner3 Password: partner or 213-306-3065.

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

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[Full Circle, from p. 1]

Full Circle

while, Councilman Mike Bonin of the 11th District questioned the use of police resources and called for an accounting of the cost for this operation.

Genesis of a Crisis

April 1 - 14, 2021

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

Those who attended the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting on Oct. 20, 2020, were witness to the presentation on homeless housing by Alison Becker, one of Buscaino’s deputies. It was the shortened version of what was presented to the CD 15 homeless working group, but it did answer some questions regarding what the council office has been up to within the prior three years. The last item, Becker explained (to my surprise), was the “pallet housing” project on Figueroa Street for 75 tiny homes next to Los Angeles Harbor College. This is significant — somewhat of a vindication for the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council and a point of departure for Buscaino, who is now running for mayor and up until a couple of years ago was opposed to most homeless solutions except removal by force from public spaces.

What many people don’t remember is the significance of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council’s influence in motivating the entire city to act on the homeless issue before there was any plan except to tolerate, ignore or enforce vagrancy laws. More than five years ago, when I was president of the CeSPNC, we had a very active homeless committee; in fact it was the first neighborhood council in the entire city to actually have such a committee, and for well over a year we lobbied Buscaino’s office to do more than arrest and harass the unsheltered neighbors.

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The site is still under construction, across the street from Los Angeles Harbor College on what was a sports field parking lot. There are 60 to 75 units on site being installed. Each unit is 8 foot by 8 foot and 10 feet high and have power with three electrical outlets, air conditioning, heat and lighting. Each will have two foldout beds to accommodate two occupants. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala.

Our committee was the first to start calling them “unsheltered,” a term more common today.

At that time, the CeSPNC was very united and supportive of addressing the homeless issue; we could see it had grown and had become more obviously a public health problem that was now visibly impacting the business district and residential areas. We pushed for services, sanitation and shelter, not for more enforcement.

Buscaino continued to respond with police enforcement that solved little and only made it harder for people without shelter to actually receive services because of outstanding warrants for failure to appear on misdemeanor charges and

loss of their personal belongings.

After months of trying to work with the council office, CeSPNC was approached by a young man by the name of Elvis Summers, who had built a small portable “tiny home” that would allow some modest shelter, a bit of privacy and a place to store belongings off the public right-ofway. He did this on his own, with his own labor, donations and only wanted our consent or approval. He was not asking for any financial support and none was offered.

The motion to support tiny homes was passed unanimously and the project moved ahead. However, within weeks a small group of people who had never been to our council meetings or shown up to hardly any public meetings started complaining about the homeless getting tiny shelters. They started to attack CeSPNC on social media and they followed up by creating a Facebook page called Saving San Pedro, which was actually usurped from another group fighting the Rancho LPG facility on North Gaffey Street.

What started out as an uprising over homelessness escalated into attacks against our neighborhood council and against me personally as president. It was a vile, nasty and belligerent attack that was based upon little understanding and great ignorance of the complexity of causes of homelessness. However, their attacks and our defense made the news countywide — radio, TV and newspaper reporters were now all covering the tiny homes battle in San Pedro, just as they did today’s Echo Park demonstration. And for the first time, it focused the attention of every elected politician in Los Angeles on the longignored problem of homelessness. Up until this point I don’t think that either the county or the city had an accurate count of homeless persons.

Only then was it called a “crisis.”

Buscaino was in deep denial but realized he couldn’t let a neighborhood council lead on this issue­­ — particularly not with me as the spokesman. He quickly formed the Homeless Advisory Task Force and appointed people who wouldn’t criticize his lack of vision or leadership. Needless to say, no one from CeSPNC was appointed to this task force, which met regularly in private for more than 18 months and came up with a short list of “recommendations” acceptable to Buscaino. But this task force never issued a public report. Buscaino wandered the streets still looking for avenues to enforce the vagrancy laws.

In the meantime, the Saving San Pedro vigilantes came to every one of our meetings for months. They disrupted the meetings, yelled and

screamed at our council and attempted to have me removed as president. They failed. However, as a result, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment instituted a “code of civility.”

This uprising was a precursor to Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign, which was fueled by the same instincts of hate. And for a short moment they even took over CeSPNC, only to have their leadership implode.

Since then, both the city and county have passed bond measures to build affordable assisted housing, most of which will take years to build and cost more than $600,000 per unit. Then the city pivoted. Led by Mayor Eric Garcetti came a proposal to build Bridge Home shelters at a cost of a few million dollars each and more budgeted for operations and services. Only then did Buscaino get onboard with the idea of shelters.

In the late fall of 2019, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn opened the first shelter in San Pedro at the corner of 8th and Beacon streets, right where the tiny homes uprising started, at a fraction of the cost of the Bridge Home — using an existing county building, much to the chagrin of Buscaino. Six months later, Buscaino’s Bridge Home shelter was opened 10 blocks north on the same street. Even with all this, the homeless count for 2020 rose by 12%, and then the pandemic hit.

Shari Weaver, the homeless outreach point person for Harbor Interfaith Services recently confirmed that as of the most recent count, a year ago, there were some 651 homeless people just in San Pedro — and 491 of those were living on the streets. However, because of COVID-19, the two San Pedro shelters can only operate at 40% capacity and Project Room Key, which uses vacant hotel rooms, is now temporarily using 100 rooms.

Weaver fears what will come after the moratorium on evictions ends in June, saying, “I don’t really know what will happen then.”

A curious twist to this story is that after more than five years of searching for solutions to the homeless crisis, after Judge David O. Carter has held the Los Angeles City Council’s feet to the fire to provide shelter before enforcement, Buscaino is now supporting the very tiny homes solution that he once opposed at a fraction of the cost of all the other options.

Seventy-five such tiny homes, capable of sheltering two people each, will make their debut this May using city owned property and yet this still will not cure the problem locally. Even if all the shelters in San Pedro were open to capacity, which they are not because of the pandemic, and even if the 100 Project Room Key hotel rooms continued to be occupied, San Pedro would still have some 250 unsheltered residents. It would take more than three tiny home villages in San Pedro to finally take the known population off the streets.

For the price of just a couple permanent supportive housing developments the city could build tiny homes in every neighborhood council district across the city and shelter some 15,000 of our most desperately poor and homeless neighbors. That’s close to 23% of the last homeless count and could be built now rather than later and can be used while permanent housing is designed and built. Yet, it is doubtful that Buscaino in his aspirations to run for mayor of Los Angeles has that much of a bold vision or that every neighborhood council would embrace this much of a shared responsibility to cure this citywide crisis.

As the end of the pandemic nears one can only imagine what the future of the homeless crisis holds as the moratorium on evictions are lifted and more Echo Park like encampments emerge because the city of Los Angeles has not built enough permanent housing.

[Solar, from p. 3]

Solar Power

per month bill savings through this system. This will be instrumental as meal service programming expands to let five more Wilmington seniors participate daily — matching the growing needs in the neighborhood.

In the Harbor Area, residents live with 100 tons of daily smog emissions coming from two large ports. GRID GLA, which makes solar power accessible for local environmental and economic justice communities, envisions resiliency improvements at Wilmington Senior Center as the first of multiple green projects. Clean power and storage for the only 20-acre open space in Wilmington — unblighted by extractive indus-

try — serves as an environmental justice project model for similar neighborhoods that historically deal with disparities.

Following completion of the 96-panel system with storage, future Green Harbor projects surrounding the ports will include solar and resiliency improvements within council District 15 including San Pedro’s Toberman Neighborhood Center and “cool roof” projects with solar for homes near Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s gas-powered Harbor Generating Station.

“The Harbor Area has a great investment in fossil fuels,” said Danny Hom, project leader at GRID GLA. “But at the same time, if the region doesn’t partner in showing the viability of clean energy, it will get left behind.”

Details: www.GRIDLA.org.

Beachside Marathon

On March 20, Student athletes from the Port of Los Angeles High School in San Pedro and Dodson Middle School ran a 26.2-mile marathon in Long Beach. Los Angeles District 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino ran with them completing the entire course in five hours. Anthony Mancha of the Port of Los Angeles High School finished the marathon first among his peers. Photo by Arturo Garcia-Ayala

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

April 1 - 14, 2021

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Five Lessons from a Year of Pandemic

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

a simple task of recognizing that we are all in this together, an evolutionary consciousness that some haven’t yet achieved.

Thirdly, this past year has exposed just how disconnected our for-profit health care industry is from providing equitable universal health care that is directed by a truly independent, science-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; one that is not politically controlled or covertly sabotaged by an idiot who doesn’t believe in science, medicine or public health. The CDC must be run by medical experts, not politicians, and there needs to be a firewall between the two.

This past year has not only shown the need for, but the adoption of, something greater than the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare by any other name). And if you haven’t noticed, Republican adversaries have stopped using Obamacare for target-practice with their AR-15s. After all, what is it when the federal government pays for the expediting of vaccine research, the enhanced production of vaccines and then gives them away for free to the entire population? This my friends is a form of universal health care, albeit with the pharmaceutical companies holding onto the patents of the vaccines we paid for them to develop. The lesson from this exercise in national unity should be that access to health care is a right and not a privilege.

Fourth, we all thought that when Andrew Yang was running in the Democratic presidential primary on the platform of universal basic income he was smoking some California grass.

Only now during this crisis did both sides realize that this was the only way to keep the Main Street economy from completely imploding and taking capitalism as we know it down the tubes.

It’s curious how far out quasi-socialist ideas get adopted when the bankers begin to panic.

Fifth lesson: For all of those who grouse and complain about big government and the onerous taxes we have to pay, just tell me when did any private enterprise bank loan you even $500 at 1% and then tell you that if you spent it on paying your employees they would forgive the loan? The answer is never. In fact, our for-profit system is so geared in the opposite direction that the banks that are charged by the government to be the middlemen in this deal hardly know how to hand out free loans with any efficiency. And yet they did it for a price of course.

All of these lessons could lead an enlightened Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com

April 1 - 14, 2021

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

Not that the pandemic is over yet, but the end does seem to be cautiously near. I am, however, tired of hearing the cliché “the light is at the end of the tunnel.” From this distance, one can’t be too sure whether that light at the end of the tunnel our leaders are seeing is the end or if it’s the racist Trumpism train that’s bearing down on us from the opposite direction. It has been an exhausting 12 months, but what have we learned?

First in my mind is that most of what goes viral on social media can be just as dangerous or insidiously stupid as the coronavirus was and our initial response to it.

This past year has shown us how vulnerable we are as a nation to fake news, horrific lies and how weak our political system is to self-inflated blowhards whose only goal is to stay in power no matter the cost to the public. The death toll from the coronavirus stands at more than 550,000 dead. I would stop to mourn them all, but it’s still not over.

The second lesson that comes to mind is that this virus has taught us that for all of our differences of race, religion and our places of origin, our most common biology, ribonucleic acid (RNA), is the thing that links us all together.

More than tribe, more than tradition and far more than skin tones. Yet for all the advances in medicine and technology we are as a people left with the vestigial prejudices of our national history that block many from understanding this most obvious of facts. COVID-19 and its variations don’t care what color you are or what god you believe in or not — it just does what it is programmed to do — mutate to survive.

This should be a teachable moment for the entire human race — a lesson taught in real time about evolution and how we’re all interconnected. You see, once the virus infects a body, it starts to replicate itself in the RNA proteins and about once in every million replications, which happen faster than you might think, it mutates­ ­— creating a variant of the original. The variants then multiply. If that strain doesn’t kill its host, then it continues to spread. At one point last year, a Japanese virologist discovered that there were some 5,000 variants. It evolves faster than we do which is obvious because some of our people still can’t seem to evolve to wearing a mask. A mask would seem like

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Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya

“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it is, but to make people mad enough to do something about it.”

—Mark Twain Vol. XLII : No. 7

Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach. Distributed at over 350 locations throughout the Harbor Area.

Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg paul.rosenberg@ randomlengthsnews.com Internship Program Director Zamná Àvila

nation on a course of progressive reforms that would change our economy, our health care system and our sense of national unity. A moment such as this one could make America live up to its fundamental creed of protecting life, liberty

and pursuit of happiness for all. But that light at the end of the tunnel concerns me. It could just be a train coming at us in the wrong direction taking us all back to a place that is neither free or just.

Why Your Mindset Matters Now More than Ever

By Dr. Wayne D. Pernell Our survival as humans depends on taking in bad news. Paradoxically, our individual survival and our ability to thrive depends on blocking out that same news. We’re “wired” to be on alert.

We could walk into the most intricately decorated cathedral with beautiful tapestries and stained glass, but instead of taking in all the beauty, our eyes would find the one tile that’s missing, as if to say, “This is out of place! Alert!

Alert!” Our limbic system provides us with key clues about potential danger.

Adrenaline responds to violations of integrity and fires up in our demands for justice as we prepare to fight what we watch on TV or read online. Cortisol pumps through our bodies in response to that stress. And though the adrenaline abates rather quickly, cortisol lingers for up to a couple of days. Our sleep cycles are thrown off as our nervous systems keep us on alert.

Tightened jaws result in clenching and grinding at night and, as an interesting aside, dental practices are reporting huge jumps in the number of fractures and cracked teeth.

This isn’t all as a result of the media

Columnists/Reporters Melina Paris Staff Reporter Hunter Chase Staff Reporter Send Calendar Items to: 14days@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Terelle Jerricks, Raphael Richardson, Chris Villanueva Contributors Richard Foss, Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Lyn Jensen, Dr. Wayne D. Pernell Cartoonists Andy Singer, Jan Sorensen, Matt Wuerker

bombarding us with bad news. In fact a new malady, COVID fatigue, takes center stage here, serving as the cause of major life stressors.

Our lives shifted.

The routine we maligned as drudgery a little over a year ago became the exact thing we began to miss as “the novel coronavirus” made its way across the globe. The psychological subtleties behind what we’ve experienced and continue to experience are fascinating.

We’re biased. That’s not a surprise, but bears being stated. We filter for things we want, or more accurately, what we expect to see. And that’s a problem. Because, as noted above, we’re wired to be on alert. It’s not that we actually like bad news, we just get fed a lot of it and it creates a kind of subconscious cycle of finding more of it.

We all know the feeling of having purchased something (a cell phone or a car, for example) only to find that we’re seeing more of them around us.

This is the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon which is all a perceptual illusion; your awareness of a product or other image expands which leads you [See Mindset, p. 7]

Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya, Brenda Lopez

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RANDOMLetters Opposition to Park At Waterfront Red Car Right-of-Way

As a representative of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Planning and Land Use committee and a resident of San Pedro I am voicing strong opposition by myself and our council to the planned park to be built in the waterfront Red Car right-of-way along Harbor Boulevard intended for use by residents of Rancho San Pedro.

This opposition is due to the following: 1. Removal of existing track creates a strong financial and inertial deterrent to later redeployment for passenger rail service along the waterfront, be it a renewed trolley/streetcar or LA Metro light rail. The track is standard gauge US rail and despite some port statements to the contrary we have seen no technical reason this track would need to be replaced for future light rail or streetcar service which also uses this gauge rail., 2. With a very large development plan for the waterfront and harbor adjacent areas, including West Harbor retail, a 6,000-seat amphitheater, three

hotels in the south harbor, AltaSea, one or more south harbor cruise ship terminals and substantial residential development downtown San Pedro it is irresponsible to restrict transportation expansion opportunities along Harbor Boulevard for at least 10 years by building a park directly adjacent to the roadway along the only NorthSouth route in San Pedro which has increased throughput potential.

This restriction, created prior to any traffic study, would guarantee excess traffic overflow along Pacific and Gaffey to the detriment of all residents in San Pedro.

3. The park itself is cited along a busy, and soon to be busier, roadway and will subject users to excessive exposure to exhaust fumes from vehicular traffic along its route. This seems to be a very undesirable and unhealthy place for residents to enjoy the outdoors.

4. A park has been planned in complete isolation from and no coordination with this project by the Battleship USS Iowa Museum organization just a few dozen yards away.

5. There has been little opportunity for public comment and feedback during the design of this park outside of the Rancho San Pedro residents.

[Mindset, from p. 6]

Mindset

to believe it’s actually occurring more frequently.

Bad news leads to bad news. We see more of it. We expect more of it. We’ve become acutely aware of and desensitized by the amount of bad news we ingest. It’s a subconscious feed and we’d actually feel a little off if we didn’t have it. If you’re looking for bad news, that’s it right there. We would actually feel a little empty if we didn’t get our daily dose.

Retraining is The Key

Eliminate the Filibuster

In his first few months as Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell has given us a preview of how Republicans will behave for the next four years. They will use every tool at their disposal, like the filibuster, to cling to power and stop progress. The same forces of darkness used it to block civil rights legislation in the 60s. They

In Berkeley, all cops have college degrees.

In Eureka, they hire cops based on stupidity.

Violent, misogynistic morons rule the day.

How many women have these pigs raped?

If you’re a hateful hillbilly, apply to be a cop, Because in Eureka the bigotry never stops.

If you’re a taxpayer, watch what you say!

Because you may get “face shot” today.

Small, little men who were bullied as kids Are the bullies now with guns called pigs.

Hey Eureka pig, just because your IQ is low, Doesn’t mean you should be hired, y’know?

But if you’re someone’s son, the job’s yours!

“Good Old Boys” network to blame for sure.

Bo Duke & Luke Duke from Hazzard County Got a racist looking car from ol’ Uncle Jesse.

That cherry red car is called the General Lee. Because of the Confederate flag, you see.

Watched the Dukes of Hazzard in the 1980s.

One reason only - for that Daisy Duke lady!

Republican David Duke who ran for Pres.

Was once the Grand Dragon of the KKK. Maybe that bigoted, Trumptarded neo-Nazi Will be the new Eureka P.D. chief someday.

Jake Pickering Arcata, Calif.

April 1 - 14, 2021

Dr Wayne D. Pernell is the president of Dynamic Leader®, Inc. He founded the #StartsWithOne™ movement, he is a member of the Forbes Business Council, he is a TEDx Speaker, has been featured in the Amazon Prime Television series SpeakUp Season 2, and is regularly seen on television as well as heard on radio and podcasts around the world. His work can also be found in Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Forbes and the New York Times among others.

Humboldt County or Hazzard County?

and you make a difference to someone. Whether you’re working from home or you’ve lost your job in the midst of all of this, if you’re engaging with anyone else, your presence … your positive presence makes a huge difference in the lives of others. Decide to deliberately, actively, positively lift someone’s spirits by engaging with them positively today. Try that and see how it makes you feel when you lift another!

Second, there’s nothing wrong with asking for your own parade. Call a friend or family member and tell them you’re feeling off. Ask them to tell you something nice about yourself.

It might sound selfish. It might even be selfish.

And, it’s amazing what happens when you do that. Practice asking for what you need. And soon, you’ll be giving others exactly what they need too!

Third, stay curious. Because we tend to leap to judgement, remember that everyone — everyone — has a story going on and we can’t even know the half of it. Instead of leaping to judge others, ask yourself what might have made another person act in a certain way. This will lead you to compassion and even gratitude for your own life. Curiosity squashes fear, doubt, and judgement.

Finally, remember that even through all the takeaways and what feel like infringements on personal freedom, you have choice. Choice still exists in your life and that’s where your personal power, your sense of self, and your positivity can spring from. Use that to leverage positivity to others!

used it to block background checks for gun sales in 2013. And they’ll use it to block EVERYTHING Democrats want to do in 2021.

Republicans have changed the rules to entrench their power and we need to fight fire with fire.

McConnell dropped the filibuster when he wanted to put three rightwing lawyers on the Supreme Court. None of the three — Kavanaugh, Gorsuch or Barrett — could have been approved under the filibuster rule.

None of them received 55 votes, let alone 60 votes, the threshold for ending the filibuster.

McConnell changed the rules in order to pack the courts, overturn Roe V. Wade, declare the ACA unconstitutional, and go after our civil rights, as well as to tilt our system of justice further in favor of rich-monied interests.

Democrats in 2020 won the majority, and we should act like it.

We promised Americans bold relief and we shouldn’t let Republicans use procedural hurdles like the filibuster to block their agenda.

The best chance of keeping Republicans from permanently controlling the levers of power is by passing big, bold democracy reforms -- and the only way we do that is by eliminating the filibuster.

Mitch McConnell is too eager to use it.

Peter M. Warren San Pedro

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

There’s an adage in both child-rearing and in managing team members that goes, “you get more of what you focus on.” If you focus on the “bad” behavior, sure enough, you’re going to see more of it. And if you focus on what’s going right, you’ll find more of that, too.

Seek the positive — recognize that most countries never experienced a true “lock down,” so we need to stop saying that. The countries that did experience that have actually recovered more quickly, but that’s a side story. Here, focus on your reality. Business as usual was shut down, and that’s different from lock down. We feel as though our individual freedoms were impinged upon. We can’t do ______. And that’s true.

With everything that’s been taken away, what’s the mindset we need to have?

Focus on the positives.

First, remember that this pandemic isn’t personal. It might feel that way, but it’s not. No one woke up and said, “Ohhhhh you are the only one who can’t go to grocery stores or restaurants; you must stay in, go without toilet paper (of all things) and if you do go out, you must wear a mask.

Nope, it’s not personal. The absurdity of the situation is that this IS global. You can get through this by remembering a few key points: First, what you do matters. You wake up

6. Our previous letter to this body has received no response.

The NWSP PLC, myself and numerous constituents urge the port to delay any work which inhibits transportation option flexibility along the vital waterfront artery of Harbor Boulevard until after a transportation study has been performed which takes into account all development along the waterfront, linkage with other transportation systems including Los Angeles Metro Rail and Caltrans, considers transportation from Cabrillo Beach to Wilmington in it’s scope, and is coordinated in a consolidated waterfront park plan with other potential green spaces to create a coherent and impactful pedestrian experience along our harbor for all San Pedrans.

Jason Herring Vice Chairman Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Planning and Land Use Committee

7

Life After Mother

Who’ll Feed the Cats?

By Lyn Jensen, Columnist

April 1 - 14, 2021

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

“Who’ll feed the cats?” may have been the one question that truly bothered my mother about what would happen after she was gone. No matter how many assurances I offered, she kept arguing for the sake of arguing.

Finally, I tried some pointless contrariness of my own: “How about I take ‘em to the pound? How about I kill ‘em and bury ‘em? How about I crate ‘em and ship ‘em, no-return, to faraway relatives?”

That stopped the “Who’ll feed the cats?” loop tape playing in her mouth, writer’s mother taking care of one of her many cats when it but it also stopped any further serious The was a kitten. Photo courtesy of Lyn Jensen discussion.

Cats were always a part of my family’s home. house.

Days after I said that, a playful, graceful greyMy mother had as many as eight at a time, but by the time she and I were facing what proved to be her last and-white cat, grown but still kittenish, waltzed Thanksgiving, the population was down to one old in through the pet door and made herself at home.

She was so faithfully affectionate, my mother black tom, Ben. I remarked to my mother how long it’d been named her Faith.

When my mother’s refusal to do any advance since the last time there’d been only one kitty in the

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planning crashed into reality and she went directly from emergency hospitalization to a long-term memory-care facility, somebody had to feed Ben and Faith immediately and for an extended period of time. A neighbor cheerfully accepted the chore until I was able to move into my mother’s home.

Pet care is a part of end-of-life planning that is seldom taken seriously. When I once visited a lawyer in Torrance and explained I wanted to discuss estate planning for myself and my parents, I got an example of how the legal system tends to treat pet care.

I expected the lawyer to first ask about situations and finances. Instead he went immediately into a canned “I can set you up with a trust fund and avoid probate” spiel.

My parents were long divorced, we were all barely on speaking terms, and except for my moth[Pandemic, from p. 3]

Pandemic Impact

people do become homeless, you need to rehouse them as quickly as possible. And third, you need to build housing so that the supply meets the demand.”

Marston said that Los Angeles has invested heavily in rehousing people — but not enough in prevention or in creation of housing.

She said that several things have led to LA’s homeless crisis.

One is the stagnation of income as housing prices rose. In LA County, renters need to earn $41.96 per hour just to afford the average rent, which is $2,100 per month. The minimum wage is $15 per hour.

Another is the ceasing of investment in affordable housing and mental health infrastructure. In 2011, state redevelopment funding was eliminated entirely, when it was given more than $1 billion every year beforehand. In 2011, California also ended the institutionalization of people for mental

er, there wasn’t much property anyway, but this guy only wanted to turn us into one big happy family of trust-fund babies.

“My mother just wants something for her cats,” I explained.

“It’s going to be a rich cat,” he scoffed. He obviously couldn’t think beyond eccentric (as in, crazy) cat ladies leaving everything to their cats, so I ended the meeting.

If only I’d found someone, maybe a stern fatherly type, or a persuasive charmer, who understood how to use my mother’s obsession with cats as a starting point. Maybe that person would have explained to her that the best way to make sure the cats got fed, would be to assure that her daughter would be able to assume cat-care duties with a minimum of financial and legal obstacles. health care with the intent to replace it with something else — which never materialized.

“We allowed tenant protections and land use tools to be undermined, and to discriminate by race in redlining,” Marston said. “We built out a system of mass incarceration and punitive criminal justice systems that have become huge drivers of homelessness, disproportionately affecting Black Angelenos.”

Marston said that more must be done to prevent homelessness, and to eliminate it entirely.

“It’s so critical that we’re grounded in the facts about what’s working and where change is needed, so we can move forward together in ways that will really address the root causes of our region’s homelessness,” Marston said.

“We need to build momentum, we need to build more housing, we need to continue with vaccines and make sure that people maintain their safety.”

C

By Melina Paris, Editorial Assistant

April 1 - 14, 2021

[See Pierce, p. 10]

hris Pierce is a brilliant storyteller. On his fourth album, released Feb. 26, called American Silence, Pierce guides you through narratives of the deep struggle for equity in an America that wants glory and greatness, but still waits to do the work necessary to heal from its atrocities.

Relevant instance: After months of writing, locked down through the events of 2020, Pierce contacted a friend and “basically begged him” to open up his studio to record. The first single, American Silence, was released the week of the presidential election. Pierce wanted the album to feel like a snapshot of this moment. Tragically, it does in the wake of a series of shootings March 16, in three Atlanta spas where a shooter killed eight people, six of whom were Asian women.

His song San Francisco Bay was prompted by a post about racism against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities. Pierce met with a friend and the two examined what the Chinese people were promised and what was in their heads and hearts when they approached American shores from 1865-69 to work on the railroads.

“If you do research on [that] history,” Pierce said, “it’s in all these great promises … ‘everybody’s going to accept you and bring you in and you’re going to make money and be able to buy a home and then one day, you will be part of this great big family.’ It’s the irony and [promises] compared to what actually happened. And the fact that in 2021, we had a president who [fed] these ideas of racism against folks in the Asian community and then folks were acting on it. This song, I hope, can show some empathy to that.”

Distinctive from its name, American Silence sings loudly and poetically to historic injustice. The title song, indeed the album, bears contrasts, harmonizing metaphorically to the complacency that plagues this society. It asks of those who enjoy the works of people different than them, will they stand up for them?

Stripped down to only acoustic guitar, harmonica and Pierce’s vocals — even on chorus, the album’s Americana-folk sounds shine light on complex subjects, striking both your heart and the core of these matters.

One year ago, Pierce, like everyone, found himself suddenly at home.

While learning how to be an “overnight audio engineer,” trying to schedule online shows, and attempting to be productive, he began to write. At the same time amid the usual “violence,” a word he dislikes using, tolerance of it and murder ensuing — highlighted continously in excessive police shootings — he felt the beginning of a great awakening in this country.

“Allies that weren’t necessarily allies before have the time and space to actually admit to themselves that these things were happening and ask what they can do about it.” said Pierce, who sought to add a piece to that conversation. “[I wrote] ... to add to the collective greater voice and higher consciousness of being a voice against inequality, injustice and excessive and inhumane force,” Pierce said. “It was unfathomable at the time to think about putting a record out and not knowing what the future holds.

“The title became the main theme, about complacency but also about reaching out to people who it may be uncomfortable to reach out to.”

As events unfolded, Pierce did research.

“The great John Lewis passed away, I wrote a song about it,” Pierce said. “George Floyd was murdered, I wrote a song about it.

The Fourth of July came and I said, let me write about the prison workforce and how that’s a gargantuan tragedy … prisoners are being exploited while white collar criminals are getting away with things. By September, I had a whole album written. I decided I can’t wait until this pandemic is over … It’s important just like it’s important to raise your voice and get in the streets.”

Pierce has captured the weight of emotions felt from the pandemic and facing the nation’s uncomfortable history, while attempting to be in stillness and silence at home. He also dealt with his own horrific experiences with racism, beginning when, at five-years-old, a cross was burned on his family’s front lawn in Pasadena. “[We’ve] had a lot of time to do a lot of digging in the past 12 months,” Pierce said. “Maybe some things have come up to the surface that we were able to push aside because we were busy. I honestly think that’s a part of the reason that folks were able to find it in their hearts, their spirit and the fire burning inside of their souls to get out and be a part of the uprisings ... it was the time

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

Chris Pierce recently released his fourth album, American Silence.

Photo courtesy of Chris Pierce

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nder normal circumstances, if you order something at a restaurant and it isn’t brought to the table, you’ll probably complain to the manager. You might make an exception during Dine Out Restaurant & Cocktail Week Long Beach, where restaurants will offer one “imaginary food item” on their menu. You’ll pay for it, but it won’t arrive because it doesn’t exist. This might seem like a bad deal for you and pure profit for them, but it’s not — because they won’t be making a dime.

Instead, when you order “Imaginary Fries” at The Pike or “Imaginary Duck Soup” at The Crooked Duck, the $3 that will be added to your tab goes to Restaurants Care, a charity that assists culinary workers idled during the pandemic. (The imaginary items are sometimes whimsical — if you order the “Imaginary Elephant” at Fresh Kabobs you may not be able to finish it, so will need an imaginary take-out box for the leftovers.)

The plan is the brainchild of Elizabeth Borsting, founder of Dine Out Long Beach, which is in its sixth year. Elizabeth explains that the imaginary items program is a change from previous charitable efforts.

“Every year we have a nonprofit component, and in years past it was called Pass the Plate, in which restaurants would donate a percentage of the tabs on specific nights to local charities. And this year, well, I don’t need to tell you what 2020 did. We wanted to help Restaurants Care, which is the nonprofit providing financial assistance to restaurant industry people in need, whether there’s been an

Money For Nothing?

Dine Out LB patrons will be offered a food item that doesn’t exist

By Richard Foss, Dining Columnist

illness or death in the family, they can’t make their mortgage, whatever. I didn’t feel like we could ask the restaurants to donate anything out of their pockets, so we thought, let’s let customers help restaurants help their people.

There’s nothing out of pocket for the restaurant, they just need to create an imaginary item and put it on the menu. They are all three dollars, and 100% of the proceeds will go to Restaurants Care. It’s a public donating, not restaurants having to give a percentage of their sales.”

The annual event is going ahead despite limited seating in most restaurants, and some eateries have changed their menus accordingly.

“Where before the emphasis has always been on dining at the restaurant, this year we’re seen a different approach because of the pandemic. If you’re not comfortable yet dining out in a restaurant, you can get these meals to go. They’ve thought about items that travel well, so they don’t have to create separate menus.

Remix Kitchen Bar is doing that, though. They have a menu geared towards taking out for families and couples, and another designed for dining in. That’s not to say that you couldn’t get the in-person menu to go, but they’ve kind of structured it that way.”

[Pierce, from p. 9]

April 1 - 14, 2021

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

Pierce

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and space to do it.”

About those choir parts, Pierce “called on” his ancestors starting with his dad who was the youngest of 10 children. He called on every one of his aunts and uncles on his paternal side, all of whom have beautiful voices.

“I made an ancestral choir with them and put the choir on most of the songs,” Pierce said.

This includes the American Silence video where he created a vibe by representing many people in it, but all of it was actually Pierce’s voice.

Sound All The Bells is a very personal song. It’s a timeline of Pierce’s own compartmental experiences with racism.

“It calls out to new allies to stay with us, and to stay with me,” he said. “To listen to these [songs] over the gentle melody with

gentle guitar and hopefully be struck by the timeline … from the time I was five, leading up to sitting with my wife at the dinner table and having an [racial] incident and arrest and accusations ... that kind of stuff.”

Chain Gang Fourth of July is about

Dine Out Long Beach founder, Elizabeth Borsting.

Photo courtesy of Dine Out Long Beach

This raises the question of whether people are dining out, no matter how tempting the offerings by restaurants?

“I guess time will tell whether what we employer wage theft and empathy. “[It’s] one of the largest forms of larceny in the United States, and the fact that it’s not even a crime, … [but] if you rob a store, you could go away for decades,” Pierce said. “I’m thinking about the reason that we choose to call one a crime and the other act blameless. It’s this archaic social construct that no longer fits in the society.”

Pierce has been falsely arrested and has had family members who have been put away for a long time that have been falsely accused.

Chain Gang was written the day before the Fourth of July, only days from the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ July 5, 1852 speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

Bring The Old Man Home is another very personal song about practicing what you preach and not turning your back on folks that may be having a hard time.

Pierce has newly been getting to know his father-in-law, a Vietnam veteran who for many years was homeless. He’s been a part of Pierce and his wife’s life for the past few years.

“Getting to know him and seeing my wife with her giant heart take it upon herself to reach out and make him a part of her life and our lives has been a wonderful experience,” Pierce said.

The song asks, if it were family or friend would you stop, lend a hand? Would you see it in your heart to help?

“Hopefully that will prompt folks to make a change internally ...” Pierce said. “In LA, as you know, [the unhoused] basically make up [everyone in] our society. It represents, who we are and yet there’s so many questions about what we can do to actually help … and help them make a change.”

American Silence ends on a positive note with Young, Black and Beautiful, a number that harkens to Nina Simone’s Young, Gifted and Black.

experienced this past year has changed human behavior. But here’s what I saw – I walked around Belmont Shore last weekend and at three o’clock in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner, the outdoor dining areas were packed. I think the people that have had their shots are looking forward to dining out again, inside or out.”

Despite all challenges, participation in Dine Out Long Beach is higher than ever, with sixty restaurants offering special multi-course menus at sharply discounted prices. Elizabeth says that the program offers several benefits, not least of which is that people who are browsing the website for deals may find out about restaurants they didn’t know existed. The restaurants often decide to whip up something a little special to reward those new customers.

“Dine Out Long Beach is a way for restaurants to do a little R&D. Sometimes they put something new on the menu as an experiment, and they keep it because it’s done so well. This is a good time to test it out. Besides the benefits to each place from increased traffic, it builds our culinary community in Long Beach, makes them all a part of something bigger than just their restaurant. They want to attract new guests or remind returning diners to revisit, but there are bigger things.”

Those who are interested in learning all about the program and perusing the menus can get information at dineoutlongbeach.com. When you order, be sure to order an imaginary menu item, perhaps even two. They’re guaranteed not to add calories, and you’ll feel great afterward.

Pierce’s friend posted on social media

sharing how her son was reaching the age where “folks were starting to go from saying ‘your son’s so cute’ to her feeling like people were starting to see him as a threat.”

As events occurred to prove this theory — doors being locked, purses held closer, people crossing the street — Pierce thought about mothers of Black children, his own mother and that threshold. He thought about children who don’t have the capacity at that age to deal with the fact that people are actually, suddenly seeing them as a threat. Their bodies are bigger, they’re growing into Black adults. He wondered if he wrote a song to himself at age 11 or 12, while growing rapidly and feeling those things, what would it sound like?

The Black national anthem, with its sentiment of “lift every voice and sing” was the answer. He wanted the song to have cadence and that feeling of standing tall and marching, something to be proud of.

“Out came Young, Black and Beautiful and my hope is that, not only Black kids and Black parents and parents of Black kids, but it can be a rallying cry for everybody to celebrate Blackness and not fear Blackness,” Pierce said.

American Silence is available digitally, with vinyl and CDs becoming available when touring resumes. Meanwhile, Pierce looks forward to performing at Napa’s BottleRock Festival in September, some east coast gigs this summer and his ongoing project with Sonny War, War & Pierce.

“And by no means am I done with the Blues Opera,” said Pierce, alluding to a revival of his twenty-one song tale following the journey of a fictional street preacher, many years ago in the American deep South, which he performed at San Pedro’s Grand Annex in 2018.

Details: www.chrispierce.com

Artists Depict New Gerald Desmond Bridge Under Construction

By Melina Paris, Editorial Assistant

a way to remember it for myself because it had The Long Beach Creative Group presents been such an important part of my childhood, and Under Construction: The Long Beach Port in growing up.”

Paintings and Photographs. The exhibition Trinidad and Santa Ana both worked on the is a collection of paintings, drawings and construction project, and captured breathtaking photographs created during three of the sevenphotographs of the bridge. “It’s all hand-crafted,” year construction of the new Gerald Desmond Trinidad said. “People just see the finished Bridge connecting Long Beach to Terminal product and forget what it took to get there. This Island. Featured artists include Helen Werner exhibition makes me appreciate the process.”

Cox, Kathryn Babcock, Sarah Arnold, and Liz Talbot and photography by Paul Trinidad and Nick Santa Ana. Through permission from the Shimmick Construction Company, the artists were allowed onto the construction site, both under the bridge and on the top, with unparalleled 360-degree views of the harbor.

Outfitted in hard hats and safety vests, often working hundreds of feet above the ground, they accumulated a collection of paintings and drawings — completed on location — in oil, watercolor, charcoal, ink and pencil. From these observational works several large images were Sarah Arnold, Under Construction: Port, oil on panel, 10 x 8 inches. developed.

The project was deeply personal for Kathryn McDaniel Babcock. “I grew Under Construction also features a tunnel up in the area,” she said in a recent interview, book — a three-dimensional re-creation of the “and have spent many years driving over the harbor that replicates theatrical stage sets. In old Gerald Desmond Bridge. When I heard that response to seeing their work reimagined through they were going to take it down, I needed to find the artists, construction workers were fascinated.

Tradition, variety and fast delivery or takeout—you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza.

The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pastas and our amazing selection of signature pizzas. We are taking all safety precautions to protect our diners and staff.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on new developments. Call for fast delivery or to place a pick up order. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.Sun. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-732-5800, www.bignickspizza.com

BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA

Conrad’s reflects the cuisine of Oaxaca with a focus fresh on local, seasonal ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Now Conrad’s features Peruvian dishes, as well as an inventive Mexican vegetarian and vegan menu. Dine in, dine al fresco or order online for curbside pick up and delivery.

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. S. Conrad’s Mexican Grill, 376. W. 6th St., San Pedro 424-264-5452, www.conradsmexicangrill.com

HAPPY DINER #1

Built on the success of Happy Diner #1, Happy Diner #2 offers American favorites like omelets and burgers, fresh salads, plus pasta and Mexican dishes are served. Order online for delivery or call for pickup.

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-935-2933, www.happydinersp.com

HAPPY DELI

The Happy Deli is a small place with a big menu. Food is made-to-order using the freshest ingredients. Breakfast burritos and breakfast sandwiches include a small coffee. For lunch or dinner select from fresh salads, wraps, buffalo wings, cold and hot sandwiches, burgers and dogs. Order online or call for takeout or delivery.

Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 am. to 8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Happy Deli, 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 424-364-0319, www.happydelisp.com

SAN PEDRO BREWING COMPANY

A micro brewery and American grill, SPBC features handcrafted award-winning ales and lagers served with creative pastas, BBQ, sandwiches, salads and burgers. Order your growlers, house drafts and cocktails to go (with food purchase)! Open daily 12 to 8 p.m. for indoor or al fresco dining, takeout and delivery through Grubhub, Postmates and Doordash. San Pedro Brewing Company, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-831-5663, www.sanpedrobrewing.com

WEST COAST PHILLY’S

Welcome to West Coast Philly’s Cheesesteak and Hoagies where authentic Philly cheesesteaks meet the waterfront in San Pedro. Along with serving the classic cheesesteak, West Coast Philly’s puts its unique twist on its cheesesteaks and hoagies. Also on the menu are subs, burgers, wings and salads. Happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. Indoor dining or order online or call for pickup. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. West Coast Philly’s, 1902 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, 424-264-5322, www.westcoastphillys.com

Support Independent Restaurants • Dining Guide online: www.randomlengthsnews.com/dining-guide [See Calendar, page 16]

April 1 - 14, 2021

The Happy Diner #1 in Downtown San Pedro isn’t your average diner. The selections range from Italian- and Mexicaninfluenced entrées to American Continental. Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new—take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables prepared any way you like. Dine in or al fresco or call for takeout. Hours: Mon.-Wed. 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thurs.Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #1, 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro, 310-241-0917, www.happydinersp.com

HAPPY DINER #2

Family owned and operated since 1965, Buono’s is famous for award-winning brick oven baked pizza.

Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected fresh ingredients. Now limited dine-in and patio service, takeout and delivery. Hours: Sun.Thurs. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Buono’s Pizzeria, 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro, 310-547-0655, www.buonospizza.com

CONRAD’S MEXICAN GRILL

The exhibition will be open for viewing on weekends through May 1. The LBCG will also present the show virtually. Using a webbased system, people can explore the art in a 3-D digital space. No appointment is required.

To schedule a viewing outside these hours, call 562-400-5166.

Time: Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

April 3 to May 1 Details: www.LongBeachCreativeGroup.com; Venue: LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery 2221, E. Broadway, Long Beach

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

BIG NICK’S PIZZA

It affirmed the importance and beauty of their work. The project engineer wrote: “I have said in the past the geometric design of the towers was the essence of form meeting function. [Building the towers from the bottom up] We came up with the octagonal design that goes from eight sides to a four-sided diamond because we wanted to have only four sides varying in width for the ease of forming the concrete placements. ... These paintings also demonstrate the power of form meeting function.”

11

sical Theatre West.

Time: April 1 to 11 Cost: $27 Details: www.musical.org.

MUSIC April 2

Easter Hybrid Digital Rave Experience Hybrid Records presents a digital rave experience in celebration of spring and Easter. This event brings together artists from all over the world, and is full of crazy hybrid tunes and various genres.

Time: 4 a.m. April 2 to 6 a.m. April 4 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ EasterHybrid

April 3

Apr 1 - 14 • 2021 Details: LARockEra

https://tinyurl.com/

April 5

Playful Chamber Music Many of Salisbury Symphony’s principal players will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Maurice Ravel, Walter Piston, Wallace Cheatham and Scott Joplin.

Time: 2 p.m. April 5 to 8:45 p.m.

April 11 Cost: $25 Details: https://www.salisburysymphony.org/concerts-tickets

April 11

Love of Life Italian Style The Verdi Chorus presents the Fox Singers in Amore della Vita, Love of Life Italian Style, a concert embracing the lush world of Italian art songs, as well as Neapolitan favorites.

Details: To watch: go to https:// www.verdichorus.org

LA Music Scene: The Rock Era Begins (1960s) LA Walking Tours is hosting discussions on the various music cultures connected to Los Angeles.

In this installment, it will discuss the beginning of the rock ‘n’ roll era in Los Angeles. It will explore the Sunset Strip, Surf Music, the Folk Scene, Psychedlia and the Laurel Canyon scene.

Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m. April 3 Cost: $10

Tour of Iran Festival Farhang Foundation in partnership with the New West Symphony of Southern California presents a Tour of Iran, its latest installment in the “Global Sounds. Local Cultures” season.

Time: 3 p.m. April 11 Cost: $25 per household Access links to these programs will be emailed to you prior to their online premieres.

Details: https://newwestsymphony.org/2020-21-virtual-season/

F*ck White Supremacy, Let’s Get Free Joining Patrisse Cullors during the six-hour live-streamed event will be two DJ collectives: Los Angeles-based Cumbiatón, and Everyday People. Participants can submit their own Electric Slide dance videos to be played during the event through the Hammer’s website.

Time: 12 to 6 p.m. April 11, 12 Details: www.hammer.ucla.edu/ programs-events/2021/patrissecullors

April 15

DakhaBrakha Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian “ethno-chaos” band DakhaBrakha creates a world of unexpected new music.

Time: 7 p.m. April 15 Cost: Free Details: www.online.cap.ucla. edu/upcoming-programs

THEATER April 1

Keep the Lights On Musical Theatre West’s virtual benefit concert series continues its nine-concert streaming series April 1. Enjoy all concerts from the comfort of your own home with the latest in streaming technology, available to stream via computer, Amazon Fire, Apple TV or Roku devices. All proceeds benefit Mu-

ART

April 1

Armchair ArtWalk Tour The public is invited to join on Zoom, by registering for a onehour virtual, interactive tour with some amazing artists. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The event will be live streamed from Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/SPWArtsDistrict/.

Time: 6 p.m. April 1 Details: Register, www.us02web. zoom.us/j/armchair-art-walk Experience 47: FREESTATE Taking place both inside and outside ESMoA, as well as an online digital revolution, FREESTATE prolifically details and addresses concepts of human rights, the environment, democracy and freedom through a multi-media and publicly activated artistic journey.

Time: Now through Sept. 18 Details: https://esmoa.org/experience/freestate

April 10

Sanctuary of the Aftermath Sanctuary of the Aftermath investigates how art can create new

Features:

FILM

April 11

SPIFF SPIFFest welcomes you back to the historic Warner Grand Theatre April 11, 18 and 24 for the Oscar Nominated Shorts Series — Live Action. Only 100 tickets will be on sale for each night of the Oscar Nominated Shorts series, per City of Los Angeles COVID-19 restrictions. Sales begin April 5.

Time: 6:30 p.m. April 11 Cost: $15 to $18 or $45 for all three dates Details: www.brownpapertickets. com/event/spiff Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

DANCE April 11

Keep Moving Keep Moving, created by Monica Bill Barnes & Robbie Saenz de Viteri in collaboration with 16 dancers from Hunter College, offers insight into the stories of these women dancers and how they are preserving their identity as artists amidst a global pandemic with no studios or theaters to move in.

Time: April 6 to April 11 Details: RSVP https://cap.ucla. edu/rsvp/279 - access details emailed April 5.

COMMUNITY April 2

Creative Storytelling Workshops Running every other week on Fridays through June, creative story-

Environmental Coverage

telling workshops will feature a live story reading by an LA County Library librarian. The story will then be brought to life through a variety of expressive art activities led by a Los Angeles County Museum of Art teaching artist.

Time: 4 p.m. April 2 Details: Register in advance, www.LACountyLibrary.org/LACMAprograms.

April 3

Free Online Music Lessons Cultural Alliance of Long Beach presents a guided Facebook Live music practice with Efren Luna.

Viewers can ask questions via chat and view the live streams as a video afterwards.

Time: 12 to 2 p.m. April 3 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/CALBmusic

April 9

Just Say No to Drugs The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria into the coastal wetlands is the subject of a Zoom webinair

by Dr. David Cummings of Point Loma Nazarene University. Cummings will discuss how many of the transient bacteria that are brought to coastal estuaries from urban watersheds are multi-drugresistant, increasing public health concerns.

Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 9 Cost: Free Details: www.eventbrite.com/e/ free-discovery-lecture

April 11

Plant Staging With Karen Ostler The South Coast Cactus & Succulent Society presents Karen Ostler in a Zoom presentation on “Staging.” Ostler is a master stager of cacti and succulents.

Time: 1:30 p.m. April 11 Details: Zoom, link on Events Page at southcoastcss.org

Earth Day News & Events

Going Green Options

April 1 - 14, 2021

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

David Benoit in Concert The show will explore all facets of David Benoit’s 40 year career in music including a sneak preview from his brand new album, plus perennial favorites and a special tribute to his jazz piano heroes.

Time: 7 p.m. April 3 Details: www.eventbrite.com/e/ david-benoit-in-concert-tickets

tour-of-iran, 805-497-5880

War Horse – National Theatre Live This live stream retelling of the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo features life-size puppets

by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company. These puppets bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on stage in this World War I drama.

Time: April 1 to April 6 Cost: $15 Details: https://tinyurl.com/WarHorseLive

channels for healing and reflection on shared societal traumas through video, installation, and sculpture.

Time: Opens virtually April 10 Details: www.angelsgateart.org/ sanctuary-of-the-aftermath

SIGN UP TODAY:

310.519.1442

rlnsales@randomlengthsnews.com

12 REAL PEOPLE. REAL NEWS. REALLY EFFECTIVE.

[Recalling, from p. 1]

Recalling Democracy

websites and actions by at least two public relations firms hired by Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates,” CNET reported.

The same kind of well-funded online gutter politics will likely play a major role in the attempted recall of Gavin Newsom, expected to be certified soon. According to CalMatters, it already played a key role in helping California Republicans win back four of seven Congressional seats they lost in 2018, via a network of at least 74 “pink slime” websites masquerading as local news, as described in our Project Censored story last year. And, thanks to California’s highly atypical recall process, Newsom could potentially be replaced by someone getting millions of votes less than him.

If a majority votes to recall him, then whoever comes in first to replace him will be elected governor, regardless of how many — or how few — votes they may get. (This happened in State Senate District 29 in 2018, when 66,197 voters [42%] opposed the recall of Democratic Senator Josh Newman, while Republican Ling Ling Chang won the seat with 50,215 votes [34%].)

the last week of the campaign, when the Los Angeles Times published a detailed report on eight different women’s accusations, with two follow-up stories adding seven more.

The Times had tried to be responsible following one model — to investigate exhaustively before going public with an explosive, damaging story, rather than reporting salacious bits and pieces — but in those pre-#MeToo days, it was easily dismissed as the opposite

by Schwarzenegger and his defenders — as an irresponsible last-minute hit job. It was yet another example of how Schwarzenegger anticipated Trump.

In a follow up, author Susan Faludi noted that “Schwarzenegger and Clinton emerged with mirror-opposite gender gaps” when tarred with sexualharassment allegations. The reason was simple: Clinton, “may have been the aggressor, but as a seducer he really meant to seduce, thus exposing an almost feminine sort of desire and vulnerability. For this, he was humiliated.”

Men disdained him, but women empathized. “He was essentially shamed like a fallen woman,” Faludi wrote.

Schwarzenegger was the exact opposite. “Sex isn’t even the prime object here: The women in the Times story were manhandled, not seduced.

There is no warning, no courtship… the hand darts into their underclothes like a bolt from the blue, a preemptive strike.” In short, the same attitude Trump revealed in his Access Hollywood tape — and the same excuse, too. Faludi noted that a Schwarzenegger spokesman had offered the “locker room humor” excuse for one particularly egregious incident.

He also rallied support from women he’d worked with, as well as his Kennedy clan wife, Maria Shriver, and — as with how to pay for the vehicle license fee — Schwarzenegger also promised to deal with the substance of the charges after the election.

But, of course, he never did. In [See Recall, p. 15]

Recalling the Past

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“History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes,” Mark Twain reputedly said. So, it’s worth looking back at Schwarzenegger’s election — as well as his failed initiative campaign (four measures defeated by an average of 15.1%) — to see what light it may cast on what lies ahead. The 2003 recall of Gray Davis was only the second successful gubernatorial recall in American history, but it’s sobering lessons have yet to be learned.

Three major problems revealed with the Davis recall were: 1. Lack of accountability — all the focus on the incumbent being recalled effectively gives a pass to whoever’s elected in their place; 2. The attempted hijacking of California politics to push a rightwing corporate agenda; and 3. The celebrity erosion of political substance.

The combination of the dotcom recession and energy price manipulations by Enron and others plunged California into a severe budget crisis following Davis’s re-election in 2002—made far worse by Republican legislators’ refusal to compromise. The financial situation was dire, but largely due to forces beyond a governor’s control — just as COVID-19 is today.

The recall effort was begun by anti-tax activist Ted Costa, but would not have succeeded without $1.7 million in funding from wealthy GOP Congressman Darrell Issa, who saw the recall election as his way to win higher office. But Schwarzenegger — who was vastly more famous — swooped in and stole the momen-

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

Democratic Delusions: The Initiative Process in America.

“The delusion is that an initiative is an unfiltered pure version of the people’s will and somehow the people speak more clearly or purely through the initiative process than the legislative process,” Ellis told Random Lengths News in 2005, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was engaged in a sweeping multipronged initiative campaign aimed at weakening his political enemies — public sector unions and the state legislature. “It ignores who controls the forces surrounding the working of the initiative process,” Ellis said.

“In California as in most states, it’s the special interests and the politicians.”

The Newsom recall effort is a case in point. The recall petition text is silent on the pandemic, since it was filed in February 2020, but absent the pandemic it would have surely failed. People signing it may have multiple, often contradictory complaints about the pandemic, but the recall effort’s top funder is someone who faults Newsom for not making the pandemic worse. John Kruger, who donated $500,000, is an Orange County entrepreneur who supports charter schools, and opposes Newsom’s restriction on indoor worship during the pandemic, according to Politico.

Such services have been identified as super-spreader events all across the country, and the vast majority of churches have avoided them, out of concern for churchgoers’ health.

Using the power of money to gain majority support for unpopular proposals is the essence of the pseudopopulist hack.

A classic example last cycle was Proposition 22, removing labor protections from app-based workers, under the guise of “freedom” and “opportunity.” The companies who exploit those workers — Uber, Lyft, Instacart, DoorDash and Postmates — outspent the opposition almost 12-to-1: $188,937,777 to $15,896,808. But they stole every penny of that more than three times over from their own workers: more than 2,500 Uber and Lyft drivers had filed $630 million in back wage claims filed as of April 16 last year.

How’s that for hacking democracy?

That 12-to-1 money advantage won 58% support at the polls, but it included a provision requiring a 7/8ths supermajority for any future legislative fixes — a breathtakingly anti-democratic feature almost never mentioned. Plus, a portion of that money was spent harassing a labor law expert Veena Dubal, who the companies set out to demonize. “Dubal seems to have become a target in a complex campaign involving social media harassment, take-down articles on conservative

tum once the signatures were secured.

To help cope with the budget shortfall, Davis reinstated a substantial vehicle license fee, using powers written into the law when it was cut. Schwarzenegger made cutting the license fee a key part of his campaign — but without any plan to replace the lost revenue, much less deal with the larger budget problems, which he never did.

The 2016 election of Donald Trump has weirdly resulted in Schwarzenegger’s recasting as a sensible Republican representing fiscal and moral sobriety lost, but that’s a lie. He a forerunner to Trump, not an opposite, with his bullying, strong-man approach to politics, his faux populism, reliance on celebrity, lack of political knowledge or experience, and open — but trivialized misogyny.

Using his celebrity and taking advantage of the very short campaign period (76 days vs. at least a year in a regular election) Schwarzenegger was largely able to avoid serious scrutiny… until

13

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PLEASE HELP!

The animals at the Harbor Animal Shelter have ongoing need for used blankets, comforters, pet beds.* Drop off at Harbor Animal Shelter 957 N. Gaffey St.,San Pedro • 888-452-7381, x 143 PLEASE SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET! *In any condition. We will wash and mend.

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.

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DBAs $ 140 Filing & Publishing

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Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021029353 The following person is doing business as: (1) Magic Plumbing, 1805 S Alma Street Unit A, San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Gusa Plumbing, 1805 S Alma Street Unit A, San Pedro, CA 90731. This Business by a corporation.

The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2021. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Mladen Gusa, President.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 2021.

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

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 03/04/21,

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 03/10/21. Notice--In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920 where it expire 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code).

Original filing: 03/18/21, 04/01/21, 04/15/21, 04/29/21

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021050433 The following person is doing business as:(1) George’s Barber Shop & Beauty Salon, 725 S. Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731, Los Angeles County.

Registered owners: Gabriela Casique, 725 S. Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731.

This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/.

Gabriela Casique, Managing owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of

04/29/21, 05/13/21

“Gimme a Reason”— when you know...

03/18/21, 04/01/21, 04/15/21

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2021058571 The following person is doing business as: (1) Jasmine’s Day Spa, 28719 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Los Angeles County. Registered owners: KALRUH LLC, 28719 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This Business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 06/2018. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/.

Yasmeen Khan, President.

Los Angeles on 02/26/21.

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

Original filing: 04/01/21, 04/15/21,

© 2021 MATT JONES, Jonesin’ Crosswords

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ACROSS

1 Heat source?

6 “Isn’t that ___ much?”

10 Clinton preceder or follower 14 “Quaking” tree 15 City NNE of Lake Tahoe 16 Capri or Elba 17 Copper-colored coin last minted in 1958 19 Karmann ___ (classic VW model) 20 Part of S&L 21 Knight’s transport 22 My reaction to this ice storm I’m stuck in right now 25 Alfred E. Neuman line 29 Scan in 31 Show announcer 32 Overabundance 35 “March Madness” sponsor, for short 36 Relaxing sound 39 Sport featured in the 2005 documentary “Murderball” 42 Heart-wrenching 43 Actor Bailey of “Band of Brothers” and “Almost Famous” 44 E flat’s alias 45 Skim, like with homemade chicken stock 46 Follow closely, these days 47 “Never in a million years!”

53 Dashboard Confessional genre

23 Singer Bebe 24 Competed at Daytona 26 Renters 27 80 years into the future, in movie credits (will we even have movies?)

28 Animated alternative to mailing a greeting 30 “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” vocalist Kiki 33 Catches some Z’s 34 “Futurama” genre 36 Colorful quartz 37 Former U.S. President James ___ Garfield 38 Prefix with therapy DOWN 40 “Ashes to Ashes” novelist Tami 1 It may be gaping 41 Conversation lapses 2 “Black-___” (ABC sitcom) 45 Crime investigation facility 3 Magilla Goilla, really 47 Collaborative websites 4 Brunch, e.g.

48 Robert who introduced the term 5 Being dragged along “cell” to biology 6 Hockey site, maybe 49 Air beyond the clouds 7 Actor Whishaw 50 Chocolate candy cut into cubes 8 “Newhart” establishment 51 “Summer Girls” boy band 9 Stocking stuffer 52 Succinct letter signoff 10 It may get stubbed 56 Fantasy football figure 11 “The Fall of the House of ___” 58 Kinfolk, for short 12 Comparatively cunning 59 Ending with fluor13 Intoxicating, as liquor 60 ___ de plume 18 Oom-___ bands (Oktoberfest en- 61 Nintendo Switch predecessor tertainment) 62 Channel for buying stuff from 21 Contributes to the jar? your couch 22 Makes some tea 63 By this point 54 Tiniest bits 55 Roswell crafts 57 ‘80s-’90s German chancellor Helmut 58 Discover (or how to determine what the four circled answers have in common) 64 Swedish store to get lost in 65 “My Life as ___” (1985 Swedish film) 66 Add to the pot 67 Macedonian’s neighbor 68 “Ermahgerd Gersberms!”, for one 69 Time on a job

LEGAL FILINGS NOTICE INVITING BIDS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Long Beach, California, acting by and through the City’s Board of Harbor Commissioners (“City”) will receive, before the Bid Deadline established below, Bids for the following Work: ON-CALL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND FENCING SERVICES PORT-WIDE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA AS DESCRIBED IN SPECIFICATION NO. HD-S3117 Bid Deadline:

Applications and other Port forms are available at www.polb.com/business/ permits.

NIB -2 Pre-Bid Questions.

All questions, including requests for interpretation or correction, or comments regarding the Contract Documents, must be submitted no later than May 4, 2021, at 5 p.m. Questions received after the pre-Bid question deadline will not be accepted.

Questions must be submitted electronically through the PB System. Emails,

Prior to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

Bids shall be submitted electronically via the Port of Long Beach PlanetBids (PB) System prior to 2:00 p.m.

Bid Opening:

Electronic Bid (eBid) results shall be viewable online in the PB System immediately after the Bid Deadline.

Contract Documents Available:

Download Contract Documents from the Port of Long Beach PB System Vendor Portal: www.polb.com/sbe Click on the POLB Vendor Portal 1. Register and Log In 2. Click “Bid Opportunities” 3. Double-click on respective bid Project Title 4. Click on Document/ Attachments tab 5. Double-Click on Title of Electronic Attachment 6. Click “Download Now” 7. Repeat for each attachment For assistance in downloading these documents please contact Port of Long Beach Plans and Specs Desk at 562-283-7353.

None.

Project Contact Person:

D. Trang Nguyen, trang. nguyen@polb.com

Please refer to the Port of Long Beach PB System for the most current information.

Copies of all Port insurance endorsement forms, SBE/ VSBE Program forms, Harbor Development Permit

NIB -3 Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit. There will not be a pre-bid meeting or site visit for this project.

The City makes no guarantee that existing construction and site conditions matches construction depicted on record reference documents. It shall be the Bidder’s responsibility to identify existing conditions.

Note that downloading all available documents can be used to satisfy a portion of a Bidder’s good faith efforts to meet the SBE/VSBE participation goals listed below.

NIB -4 Summary Description of the Work.

The Work required by this

NIB -7 Contractor Performed Work. The Contractor shall perform, with its own employees, Contract Work amounting to at least 30% of the Contract Price, except that any designated “Specialty Items” may be performed by subcontract.

The amount of any such “Specialty Items” so performed may be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees. “Specialty Items” will be identified by the City on the Schedule of Bid Items. The bid price of any materials or equipment rental costs from vendors who are solely furnishing materials or rental equipment and are not performing Work as a licensed subcontractor on this project shall also be deducted from the Contract Price before computing the amount required to be performed by the Contractor with its own employees.

POLB expects all Bidders to achieve the combined SBE/ VSBE participation goal.

Award of the Contract will be conditioned on the Bidder submitting an SBE-2C Commitment Plan demonstrating the Bidder’s intent to meet the combined SBE/ VSBE participation goal. If the Bidder’s Commitment Plan does not demonstrate intent to meet the combined goal, the Bidder shall demonstrate that it made an adequate good faith effort to do so, as specified in the Instructions to Bidders. The Port’s SBE Program staff is available to provide information on the program requirements, including SBE certification assistance. Please contact the SBE Office at (562) 283-7598 or sbeprogram@polb.com. You may also view the Port’s SBE program requirements at www.polb.com/sbe.

NIB -9 Prevailing Wage Requirements per Department of Industrial Relations. This Project is a public work Contract as defined in Labor Code Section 1720.

The Contractor receiving award of the Contract and Subcontractors of any tier shall pay not less than the prevailing wage rates to all workers employed in execution of the Contract. The Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California has determined the general prevailing rates of wages in the locality in which the Work is to be performed. The rate schedules are available on the internet at http://www. dir.c a .gov/dlsr/ D Pr eWageDetermination.htm and on file at the City, available upon request. Bidders are directed to Article 15 of the General Conditions for requirements concerning payment of prevailing wages, payroll records, hours of work and employment of apprentices.

This Project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations.

No Contractor or Subcontractor may be listed on a bid proposal for a public works project unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5 (with limited exceptions from this requirement for bid purposes only under Labor Code Section 1771.1(a)). No Contractor or Subcontractor may be awarded a contract for public work on a public works project unless registered

Contractors and Subcontractors must furnish electronic Certified Payroll Records (CPRs) to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, and in addition, hardcopies or electronic copies shall be furnished to the Port of Long Beach.

NIB -10 Project Labor Agreement. This project is not covered by a PLA. NIB -11 Trade Names and Substitution of Equals. With the exception of any sole source determination that may be identified in this paragraph, Bidders wishing to obtain City’s authorization for substitution of equivalent material, product, or equipment, are required to submit a written request for an Or Equal Substitution using the form included in Appendix A together with data substantiating Bidder’s representation that the non-specified item is of equal quality to the item specified, no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after City’s issuance of Notice to Proceed (NTP).

Authorization of a substitution is solely within the discretion of the City.

NIB -12

Not Used.

NIB -13 Bid Security, Signed Contract, Insurance and Bonds. Each Bid shall be accompanied by a satisfactory Bidder’s Bond

or other acceptable Bid Security in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid as a guarantee that the Bidder will, if Conditionally Awarded a Contract by the Board, within thirty (30) calendar days after the Contract is conditionally awarded to the Contractor by the City, execute and deliver such Contract to the Chief Harbor Engineer together with all required documents including insurance forms, a Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and a Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price. All Bonds shall be on forms provided by the City.

NIB -14 C o n d i t i o n a l Award of Contract and Reservation of Rights.

The Board, acting through the Executive Director, reserves the right at any time before the execution of the Contract by the City, to reject any or all Bids, and to waive any informality or irregularity. The Conditional Award of the Contract, if any, will be to the responsible Bidder submitting the lowest responsive and responsible Bid. If the lowest responsive responsible Bidder fails to submit the required documents including insurance forms, bonds and signed Contract within thirty (30) calendar days after Conditional Award of Contract, the Board reserves the right to rescind the Conditional Award and Conditionally Award the Contract to the next lowest

[Recall, from p. 13]

Recall

fact, shortly after he left office seven years later, it came out that he’d cheated on his wife with their housekeeper, fathering children within days of each other by both of them. With the hindsight of the #MeToo movement, Schwarzenegger’s personal pattern is all too obvious, but much of the public was unwilling to see it then.

But his related political pattern — misogyny impacting policy — came through loud and clear. Less than two months after winning election, he was picketed and protested by the California Nurses Association at the annual Governor’s Conference on Women and Families in Long Beach. The reason was his overturning of new staffing ratios set to take effect in January 2004, as required by a 1999 law.

“Pay no attention to those voices over there,” Schwarzenegger said of the protesting CNA nurses. “They are the special interests, and you know what I mean. The special interests don’t like me in Sacramento because I am always kicking their butts.”

“The fact that he would call registered nurses a special interest is just completely insulting and precisely why registered nurses are out here

responsive and responsible Bidder.

NIB -15 Period of Bid Irrevocability. Bids shall remain open and valid and Bidder’s Bonds and other acceptable Bid Security shall be guaranteed and valid for ninety (90) calendar days after the Bid Deadline or until the Executive Director executes a Contract, whichever occurs first.

NIB -16 Substitution of Securities.

Substitution of Securities for retainage is permitted in accordance with Section 22300 of the Public Contract Code.

NIB -17 Iran Contracting Act of 2010. In accordance with Public Contract Code sections 2200-2208, every person who submits a bid or proposal for entering into or renewing contracts with the City for goods or services estimated at $1,000,000 or more are required to complete, sign, and submit the “Iran Contracting Act of 2010 Compliance Affidavit.”

Issued at Long Beach, California, this 22nd day of February 2021.

Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Harbor Department, City of Long Beach, California Note: For project updates after Bid Opening, please contact plans.specs@polb.com.

today,” CNA leader Rose Ann DeMoro responded.

That toxic macho swaggering ended in political disaster for Schwarzenegger. The nurses staged massive protests, successfully sued him for breaking the law, and, along with teachers, formed the backbone of popular opposition to a suite of four initiatives Schwarzenegger promoted in a special election attempt to outflank Democratic legislators he refused to work with — yet another Trumpian move). Every step of the way, he played “champion of the people” against “the politicians” and “special interests.” But he financed the campaign by fundraising all across the country at events the nurses dogged with protests. After losing badly, he still managed to get re-elected, but never did restore the state’s financial footing. That didn’t happen until Jerry Brown was elected to succeed him in 2010, and Democrats made sweeping changes — both through legislation and through initiatives.

Read the remainder of Paul Rosenberg’s story, Recalling Democracy at https://tinyurl.com/recalling-democracy, in which he details the efforts of California Republicans abusing the recall process to take out top statewide officials including Gov. Newsom.

April 1 - 14, 2021

For the link to the Port of Long Beach PB System and for information on this Project and other upcoming Port projects, you may view the Port website at www.polb. c om / bus ines s / bus ines s opportunities.

phone calls, and faxes will not be accepted. Questions submitted to City staff will not be addressed and Bidder will be directed to the PB System.

NIB -6 Contractor’s License. The Bidder shall hold a current and valid Class “A”, California Contractor’s License to construct this project.

The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal for this Project is twenty percent (20%) of total bid value. The combined SBE/VSBE participation goal shall include a minimum zero percent (0%) of total bid value as VSBE.

with the Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code Section 1725.5.

NIB -1 Contract Documents.

Contract Documents may be downloaded, at no cost, from the Port of Long Beach PB System Vendor Portal website. Bidders must first register as a vendor on the Port of Long Beach PB System website in order to view and download the Contract Documents, to be added to the prospective bidders list, and to receive addendum notifications when issued.

NIB -5 Contract Time and Liquidated Damages. The Contractor shall achieve Affidavit of Final Completion of the Project within two (2) years as provided in Paragraph SC - 6.1 of the Special Conditions, from a date specified in a written “Notice to Proceed” issued by the City and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.2 of the General Conditions. FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR TO COMPLETE THE WORK WITHIN THE CONTRACT TIME AND OTHER MILESTONES SET FORTH IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE ENGINEER’S APPROVAL OF AFFIDAVIT OF FINAL COMPLETION, WILL RESULT IN ASSESSMENT OF LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED IN THE SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

NIB -8 SBE/VSBE. This project is subject to the Port of Long Beach (POLB) Small Business Enterprises (SBE)/Very Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) Program.

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Pre-Bid Meeting:

Contract includes, but is not limited to: furnishing, on an on-call rental basis, fully-maintained, fueled, and insured construction equipment with qualified operators, laborers, and supervision for construction and maintenance of general public works including utilities, street and roads, and earthwork; furnishing and installing chain-link fencing, k-rail and fence gates, including post assemblies, and guard rail, including guard posts; soil testing, characterizing and disposal of non-hazardous waste, including non-Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) waste; furnishing and installing materials to comply with regulatory requirements for dust control and storm water run-off; and other related work, at various locations as required by the Long Beach Harbor Department.

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