RLn 8-4-22

Peck Park Shooting —

Out of Tragedy: The Best and the Worst Three Stories, Nine Victims and H a One-Hammer

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Top: Police section off a perimeter at Peck Park after a mass shooting on July 24. Left to right: Councilman Joe Buscaino, Sisters of Watts cofounder and chief operating officer Keisha Daniels, Capt. Brent McGuire of the LAPD Harbor Division. They all spoke at a July 26 town hall at Peck Park about the shooting. Photos by Raphael Richardson

Neighbors say Walker’s Cafe has unpermitted construction, owners say it’s just repairs p. 2

Get ready for the 33rd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival p. 8

I heard similar testimony from witnesses of the shooting who showed up for the morning press conference on July 25 organized by Justice for Murdered Children, San Pedro/Wilmington chapter of the NAACP and community activist Najee Ali. So, what do we know about this incident?

Day of the Event

Sisters of Watts co-founder and chief

Climate Justice Concerns Echo in 710 Fwy Planning

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

On July 24, the world’s first named heatwave — Category 3 Zoe — hit Seville, Spain, with temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, signaling a new level of awareness of the tragic course the world’s climate is headed down. Los Angeles, with more than 2 million people considered “highly vulnerable,” is one of half a dozen cities poised to follow Seville’s example with a new life-saving alert system, but we’re farther behind many European cities when it comes to a deeper response: changing our built environment to a more climate-resilient mode.

Triple-digits heat waves as far north as England blanketed Europe throughout June and July along with North Africa and the Middle East, bringing a wave of wildfires as well. In Portugal and Spain alone, deaths had topped 1,700 according to the World Health Organization, even before Zoe hit.

East Asia and North America were hit as well, with persis-

tent triple digits in the Pacific Northwest.

In the midst of all this, Joe Biden’s efforts to pass climate legislation were abruptly derailed on July 14, when West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin withdrew his support — highlighting concerns about inflation — only to reverse course 13 days later, announcing support for a renamed “Inflation Reduction Act” that contains $369 billion in climate investments — substantially less than the $555 billion passed by the House of Representatives last fall, a figure that was already a compromise.

Using inflation first to kill climate legislation and then to sell it highlights a profound absurdity. Inflation today is a global phenomena, largely resulting from the pandemic and pandemics, in turn, will become increasingly common as a result of further global warming. The shifting of wildlife ranges “poses a measurable threat to global health, particu[See Climate, p. 8]

operating officer Keisha Daniels arrived at the park’s baseball diamond at 3 p.m. The softball game organizers were setting up, attendees were starting to take their seats in the bleachers. As Daniels recalls, “[July 24] was a peaceful Sunday afternoon at the park, with no conflict ... no strife. It remained that way until about 3:40 p.m., when shots rang out.”

On her way to escape the gunfire, she encountered Officer Joshua Rodriguez and a gunshot victim who had crashed his dark colored Hyundai. Officer Rodriguez was one of the first two officers to arrive on the scene and was attempting to assess the situation.

Rodriguez and Daniels pulled the victim from his car. Daniels told Rodriguez she knew CPR, and asked him for direction.

Rodriguez asked her to perform CPR, while he did chest compressions on the victim to get him to breathe.

“I did CPR until the paramedics came,” Daniels said. “The victim was alert and still breathing when the ambulance took him away.”

She recalled that the entire time she was performing CPR, she was praying over the victim.

August 4 - 17, 2022

Jan. 6 Hearings end— Not with a bang, but a whimper p. 6

cidents, we also see the best in humanity.”

McGuire made special note of news footage showing community members working together with law enforcement officers and emergency responders working hand-in-hand, lifting people on stretchers and bringing them to help, getting them aid; regular citizens, cops and firefighters giving CPR trying to help some of the injured victims in the shooting.

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

Councilman

arbor Division Capt. Brent McGuire of the Los Angeles Police Department made the trueist observation I heard throughout the entire July 26 Town Hall meeting about the Peck Park shooting two days earlier where two people were murdered.

“In incidents such as these,” he said, “we sometimes see the worst in humanity, but also, as we have seen in these in-

[See Peck Park, p. 3] 1

Community Announcements:

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

Neighbors Say Walker’s Cafe has Unpermitted Construction, Owners Say It’s Just Repairs

By Hunter Chase, Community News Reporter

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

San Pedro residents say that Walker’s Cafe has been under construction the past few months without permits. However, a representative of Prospect Group, which owns the café, said they are only completing repairs, and that permits are not necessary.

Walker’s Cafe, a beloved San Pedro diner that had been in operation since the 1940s, closed in October 2021. After a campaign and petition to save the café and have it preserved as a historical monument, Prospect Group purchased it in March 2022.

“I just assumed they had pulled permits to do what they were doing,” said Noel Gould, a member of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council who lives next door to the café. “So, I didn’t really say anything about it for a while.

And then we checked and found that they hadn’t pulled a single permit.”

However, Silva Harapetian, a representative of Prospect Group, said this was a misunderstanding.

“It’s not construction, there have been repairs,” Harapetian said. “All of the stuff that we’re talking about have not required permits, there have been repairs.”

2

Harbor Area Artist Registry: Muralist Technical Assistance Workshop

Learn about the Public Mural Program and the Arts Council’s Artist Registry. $135,000 has been allocated to support a public mural program, for which the Departments of Public Works and Parks, Recreation, and Marine have created a list of public facilities citywide that will be made available to artists for mural artwork.

Time: 6 p.m., Aug. 22 Cost: Free Details: RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/535jjvjf Venue: Zoom

Citywide Community Budget Meetings for FY 23

Virtual community budget meetings will be available for residents and community members in August 2022. The purpose of these meetings is to educate the community on what is included in the proposed FY 23 budget and to provide information on how the public can participate in the budget process.

Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 22 Details: RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/bdzpy57c

Centro CHA Citizenship Workshop

Trash and old appliances are left behind at the site of Walker’s Cafe. Photo by Fabiola Esqueda

Harapetian said these repairs were discussed in a meeting with representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the Office of Historic Resources and Council District 15. These repairs included a leaking roof, exposed electrical wires and termite damage that threatened the structural integrity. She said that

the city representatives did not make any approvals of these repairs, but they discussed them.

“These repairs were absolutely necessary, otherwise the integrity of the building was in jeopardy,” Harapetian said. “This property has not been touched in decades. It has been in disrepair for decades.”

In addition, Harapetian said there have been many break-ins and vandalization, so Prospect Group often has people looking after the property even if they aren’t working on it. The city council is currently considering the building for historical monument status, so no major changes are supposed to be made. But Harapetian said these changes would not affect its status.

Nora Frost, public information director of the City Of Los Angeles Department Of City Planning, confirmed that such a meeting took place online on May 25.

“The owners discussed minor maintenancerelated work they were planning to do,” Frost wrote in an email. “The Office of Historic Resources requested an outline of the work to review for conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Since that meeting, OHR has not received such a report or any such communication from the owners.”

Emma Rault, a member of Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council and the leader of the initiative to have Walker’s Cafe declared a historical monument, has heard complaints from neighbors.

“A number of people sort of passed by the site and said just from the level of noise it seems like it’s fairly invasive, not just kind of minor fixing,” Rault said.

Gould has witnessed the work being done on the property, and has taken video by looking over his fence. He has also spoken to an inspector from the Department of Building and Safety.

“He went down there initially, and caught them in the middle of construction,” Gould said.

“He asked permission to gain entrance to the property, but he was denied. And he issued a stop work order on the spot.”

Gould said the workers got their boss on the phone and said they were just doing routine main[See Walker’s Cafe, p. 13]

Centro CHA will be providing free citizenship application completion and USCIS filing fee assistance on Aug. 26.

Time: 2 to 5 p.m., Aug. 26 Cost: Free Details: RSVP, 562-612-4180 or 562-612-1407 Venue: Centro Cha Inc,. 1633 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach

Back to School Fair and Backpack Giveaway

Join Sen. Steven Bradford’s event Aug. 13, and receive one free backpack filled with school supplies per registered student - while supplies last.

The resource fair will have exhibit booths to provide services including health screenings, immunizations, vaccinations, housing/rental assistance, WIC enrollment and haircuts. It will also have programs throughout the event including dance classes, book readings, antibullying classes and other activities.

Pre-registration for this event is encouraged.

For more information, contact Jasmine Leon Guerrero at 310-412-6120 or Jasmine.

LeonGuerrero@sen.ca.gov Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/27hy6hmx Venue: California State University Dominguez Hills (Free Parking in Lot 2 - enter via Birchknoll Dr.) North Lawn, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson

POLA Seeks Input on Wilmington Waterfront: Surveys Ends Aug. 14

The Port of Los Angeles would like your input on the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade project, which is on schedule to open in 2023.

Please take a moment to complete this brief survey and submit your answers no later than Aug. 14, 2022.

Details: Click here to take the survey in English: https://tinyurl.com/wzbxeb52 Pulsa aquí para tomar la encuesta en español: https://tinyurl.com/5c7kzfj3

LA County Mental Health Hotline

Are you concerned about your mental health? This is a free resource that you can use, Los Angeles County’s mental health hotline (available 24/7). Call 800-854-7771.

Not only can you get emotional support by calling, you can also get connected to resources to help. Press extension #1 to get connected to resources and press extension #2 for emotional support.

Join LA County’s Community Action Board

Make a difference by advocating for your community’s needs at the monthly Community Action Board or CAB meetings. Your input helps enhance the delivery of services funded by the community services block grant.

Details: https://tinyurl.com/yc2sekb2

[Peck Park, from p. 1]

Peck Park: The Best and the Worst “I was like, if you know God, just talk to Him. Don’t worry about anything else. Just talk to Him.” The experience was particularly emotional for Daniels because she lost her brother, who was killed due to gun violence.

“All I could think about was that there was someone there to help him [the shooting victim in front of her]. My nephew was shot in the stomach. The bullet went in but it never came out,” Daniels said. “[He] almost lost his life. He was an innocent bystander. So on Sunday, I just ... I just went into action.”

I thought it best to lead this column by focusing on the humanity of the first responders and the community members who assisted the wounded and injured when they couldn’t leave the park for several hours. This offers a different narrative as opposed to what emerged on social media and the vitriol of community residents outraged that outsiders would disturb their peace.

This narrative speaks to a different reading of the tragedy than the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks’ decision to cancel Sunday events through the remainder of the summer would suggest.

Chronology After the Shooting

According to McGuire’s summary of events, 19 emergency 911 calls began pouring in at 3:50 p.m. of a shooting at Peck Park.

Callers described an unfolding chaotic scene of people who had been shot and wounded on the ground. Some were initially describing the shooting as continuing, leading officers arriving on the scene to believe they were confronting an

A town hall meeting at Peck Park about the mass shooting at the park a few days prior. Photo by Raphael Richardson

active shooter.

The LAPD reported that 500 people were fleeing from the park.

When the first two officers arrive on the scene, McGuire paints the scene of 500 people running towards them yelling and screaming, some of them with injuries and blood flowing down their arms and legs as they tried getting to their cars.

Those initial officers were first concerned with identifying the threat, to make sure that there was not an ongoing threat. So there were several officers running against a wave of cars and humanity fleeing the area.

After determining that there was no active shooter, officers arriving transitioned to life preservation mode and a triage site was set up.

Capt. Adrian Gonzalez, South Bureau Homicide Division explained that normally a homicide investigation would have a two-person team who are the primary investigators who come and investigate a homicide. For the Sunday shooting, six teams and more than 20 personnel from South Bureau homicide were assigned.

“The first one was the baseball field and that’s where we believe the shooting actually happened,” Gonzalez said. “It carried over to the second crime scene, which is the parking lot above the baseball field.”

The third crime scene was at the entrance of the community center at Peck Park where blood was found.

Four handguns and 50 shell casings were recovered. Investigators have ruled out rifles being used in the shooting.

Capt. Gonzalez dispelled the rumor that participants of the car show at Peck Park and the participants in the Peace Ride caravan rolling from Harbor Gateway to San Pedro had anything to do with the shooting.

Capt. Gonzalez also dispelled the notion that the violence was the result of an intergang dispute. Rather it was a dispute between two individuals who they have identified. The two [See Peck Park, p. 13]

Real People, Real News, Really Effective August 4 - 17, 2022

3

Rep. Barragán’s Community Projects Advance in House

By Melina Paris, Assistant Editor

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On July 21 Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) voted to pass House of Representatives 8373, the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would make access to contraception a right protected by federal law.

This bill is a preventative measure in light of Justice Thomas’ concurrence in the Dobbs v.

Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which called into question the constitutionality of the right to contraception established in Griswold v.

Connecticut.

“Republicans across the country are moving aggressively to restrict access to family planning services. We already see the terrible impact the loss of access to abortion has had on women and

4

in one case a 10-year-old rape victim. These laws and proposed laws will disproportionately impact Latinas, Black and other women of color — as well as low-income women. We cannot allow women’s access to reproductive care to move backward,” said Rep. Barragán. “Contraception is a critical part of preventative healthcare. The Right to Contraception Act will ensure women across the country are able to continue to utilize this essential healthcare resource.”

Barragán also said she is urging the Senate to end the filibuster and pass the Judiciary Act to expand the Supreme Court to ensure that citizens maintain the rights they have now and that any laws which are passed are protected from the

ideological and extreme current Supreme Court majority.

The Right to Contraception Act would establish a statutory right to obtain contraceptives, engage in contraception, and for providers to provide contraceptives and contraception resources.

It would also prohibit state laws from restricting contraceptive access and establish a private right of action for individuals to enforce their right to contraceptives.

H.R. 8373 now goes to the Senate, where it will require the support of 10 Republicans needed to pass it.

Further, the congresswoman July 20, voted to pass the first six bills in the government funding legislation for fiscal year 2023, which includes more than $13 million in investments for California’s 44th District.

The funding will help create new green spaces and parks, expand vocational training and combat climate change by investing in green energy alternatives.

Barragán said these projects will help reduce pollution by creating more green spaces and investing in green energy, create new education opportunities for children, and fund services for those experiencing homelessness.

The congresswoman added she is urging the Senate to keep these community projects in the bill as they negotiate with the House on the fiscal year 2023 budget.

Below is a list of funding for projects Barragán submitted to the appropriators that were included in the first three appropriations bills that passed July 20. The Senate still needs to pass

its own appropriations bills and the differences in the bills need to be negotiated, agreed to, and passed before the funds would be available.

New Cheryl Green Club Building for Harbor Gateway – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor ($4,000,000) This funding will enable the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor to purchase land and build a permanent clubhouse to replace a temporary site of two modular portals that currently sit on contaminated soil. This will provide a modern, safe facility to serve youth in the lowincome, gang violence-impacted community of Harbor Gateway, where students will have access to academic mentoring, recreational activities and supportive services.

Veterans Park and Sports Complex Energy Resiliency Solar Panel & Battery Storage Installation – City of Carson ($2,000,000) This funding would allow the City of Carson to enhance energy efficiency and reliability at Veterans Park by installing carport and roofmounted solar panels, as well as a battery energy storage system. Veterans Park is an essential facility which provides a wealth of recreational opportunities and public meeting space, while also serving as a regional cooling center during extreme heat events. In the event of a grid outage, this project will enable the facility to remain open and operational.

San Pedro Family Shelter Modernization – Harbor Interfaith Services ($375,000) Harbor Interfaith’s Family Shelter provides [See Barragán, p. 15]

Life After Mother —

Probate Doesn’t End, It Just Fades Away

By Lyn Jensen, Columnist

Probate doesn’t end in a way that calls for marking the occasion. In my case anyway, it looks to be fading away like an old soldier, in a series of overlapping tasks, actions and projects, some of which could’ve been avoided with estate planning.

Probate could be defined as the legal process by which authority and ownership is transferred from the deceased to the living, simple enough, but any complications make for serious stress. My mother’s refusal to settle her own affairs, leaving me to take care of “everything” once she was dead, was largely responsible for what is a fairly small amount of property, all going to one person — me — taking such a long and winding road.

Early this year I noticed my lawyer (my second one) was responsible for a few hitches in the process. I looked into changing lawyers again.

The ones I spoke to, though, all said the final hearing was scheduled for March 24 so, in essence, it was too late to change horses.

After the hearing the judge’s order had to be dated and filed, which took until April 21. When the paper was issued, it took three pages of words to say that my mother’s house, securities, and accounts were now mine, and the lawyers were getting paid. It took until mid-June for the order to reach my lawyer’s office and be forwarded to me.

Transferring neither the securities nor the deed concluded with that court order, though. A

few days after the hearing I had to sign papers with my financial advisor, the one the lawyer had arranged for — someone I don’t know if he’s compatible with my financial goals or not. Those papers were supposed to be the process by which my name was put on the securities and the dividends issued to me.

Weeks are becoming months, though, and I have yet to see a dividend check, even though I requested they be mailed, not electronically deposited, because I want to see them myself. I called the financial advisor, and asked how long to expect the checks, and he answered, a check was in the mail. We’ll see!

I also had to visit my lawyer’s office more than a month ago to sign and get notarized a paper to have the deed to my mother’s house granted to me. The paper had to be sent to the county clerk-recorder, and then, once the grant deed was recorded, the original and a copy sent to me. The grant deed just arrived in my mail days ago.

Now I have to write a letter to the county assessor concerning my claim for Homeowner’s Property Tax Exemption, which I’m qualified for under Proposition 58 that was passed in 1986, which applied to tax assessments on real estate transfers between families. I say “applied” because Proposition 19, which took effect Feb. 16, 2021, applies to transfers begun after that date.

End probate, begin taxes, maybe?

Real People, Real News, Really Effective August 4 - 17, 2022

5

South Pacific Avenue A Metaphor for Post-industrial America James Preston Allen, Publisher

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

In the boom years of San Pedro, from the tween years of the two world wars and the end of the war in Vietnam, South Pacific Avenue was the commercial corridor for this part of the LA Harbor Area. During this period, it had car dealerships, a movie theater, ethnic bakeries and two hardware stores and a men’s clothing store. There was even a Montgomery Ward, a Newberry’s five and dime store and upscale women’s wear store near 8th Street and a variety of ethnic restaurants.

According to one cabbie’s cheat sheet, there were more than 19 different bars, nightclubs and places of ill repute to service sailors and servicemen from the port and Fort MacArthur.

Many locals fondly remember these as the “good ol’ days” for which Pedro earned its rough reputation and Beacon Street as “the toughest four blocks in the world,” with its second floor “bargirls.” The San Pedro history website, My San Pedro, lists San Pedro as one of the world’s [most] famous red light districts which had basement “casinos” and the infamous Shanghai Red’s “café” with its tattooed female bouncers (like Cairo Mary).

When civic leaders attempt to “rebrand” this place, as they have tried to every decade, they have to deal with a waterfront town whose legacy is epitomized by the saying: On Beacon Street money flowed as freely as blood from the open wounds of rolled sailors. The charm of old San Pedro is embedded in this town’s brick and mortar and architectural memory, allowing it to remain a part of this town’s present. You can’t ever change this.

Today along this avenue, like many other places in Los Angeles, the past glories are lost to dreams of gentrification and indistinct multistory high rises. Developers who rarely know much of this history bring architects with less interest in historical preservation and design as if they are working on a blank slate. As one local architect commented, it all looks like Soviet era worker housing that comes out of a computer template to save the expense of actually paying for design.

I’ve witnessed this development cycle before when the civic leaders celebrated the tearing down of the old Beacon Street section in the early 1970s with dreams of bringing new life and a “new image” to Pedro. It took 30 years to build back what was torn down and still this place has a reputation for tattoos, bars and burly waterfront workers. As

6

much as some people wish it to change, the more it seems to stay the same. And yet it has changed.

Gone are the majority of the dive bars that once lined Pacific Avenue. Most of the single room hotels built for sailors have been transformed to Section 8 rentals and brothels and street walkers have all found online dating apps on their cell phones or retired.

The robust retail stores that once thrived along these streets have mostly disappeared while a handful of restaurants catering to longshore workers, artists and gig workers, and a curious selection of retro retail shops and small boutiques have survived.

What has also been lost are many, but not all, of the once famous ethnic restaurants like Olsen’s, Cigo’s, Papadakis and Ante’s and some names even older.

What UCLA professor Natalia Molina writes in her book A Place at the Nayarit, is that ethnic restaurants nourished the community with more than food — they are a cultural oasis, a meeting place, and much more. She goes on, “As a historian, I know the Nayarit [which was located near Echo Park] did a lot more than launch my family in the U.S. It’s a prime piece of what I call underdocumented Los Angeles — overlooked places, people and events that nonetheless make the city what it is.”

She could be talking about almost every immigrant neighborhood in all of this metropolis, but it has a certain resonance here to San Pedro.

Currently on the west side of the two blocks near my office there’s three quarters of each block boarded up waiting for developer gentrification — gone are La Rue’s pharmacy with its old-time soda fountain and the Dancing Waters club. Gone is Kings Bicycle Shop, Cruz Furniture and the independent auto parts shop next door.

When the StarKist Tuna cannery and Todd Shipyard closed and the tuna fishing fleet moved overseas, some 30,000 blue collar jobs were lost in just one decade and were never replaced. The free trade policies of the Reagan-Bush era and then the NAFTA deal signed by President Bill Clinton sealed the fate of the Los Angeles Harbor Area, which is now primarily a mono-culture economy of international trade and 85% controlled by overseas corporations.

Of the $400 billion in trade that flows through the two San Pedro Bay ports annually, only some 12% of the exports carry American products and most of those are agricultural. The majority of the containers you see shipping out through Angels Gate are empties full of LA air

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

—Mark Twain Vol. XLIII : No. 16 Random Lengths News is a publication of

Beacon Light Press, LLC

Published every two weeks for the Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, RPV, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington, Carson and Long Beach.

bound for China.

And currently as the International Longshore Warehouse Union negotiates its contract with Pacific Maritime Association, what’s up next is the automation of some of the best paid jobs left in this harbor.

As reported last month in RLNews by the Economic Round Table, “The International Transportation Forum found that the productivity of automated ports is 7% to 15 % lower than for non-automated ports. Automation, however, enables foreign shippers to deliver their products to American consumers without relying on American dockworkers.”

They went on to say that, “Automation at two San Pedro Bay terminals has eliminated 572 full-time dockworker jobs along with an additional 254 jobs and $50 million in sales at stores

where dockworkers spend their wages.” One of the report’s authors, Patrick Burns, summed up the report by saying, “The wages lost because of automation are devastating for dockworkers and their families. Restaurants in San Pedro, doctors’ offices in Long Beach, grocery stores in Wilmington, and businesses across the state are also hurt by lost wages on the docks.”

When you add all of this up and wonder about the boarded up storefronts or worry about the growing homeless crisis or the lack of a vibrant retail market in your neighborhood and the loss of the historic businesses that once thrived here, look out your window at all the jobs and the profits that are being shipped overseas.

It’s time to build back something better than high priced apartments on over-priced retail space with platitudes from leaders who have no vision.

ANALYSIS

Jan. 6 Hearings End—

Not With A Bang, But A Whimper

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

The Jan. 6 Committee hearings ended not with a bang, but a whimper. “I don’t want to say the election is over,” ex-President Donald Trump whimpered in an outtake of his taping of the Jan. 7, 2022 clean-up attempt.

Trump only made the tape under extreme duress — the entire political establishment had momentarily abandoned him and there was a live possibility he could have been removed from office by his own cabinet members. So he had to say something to distance himself from the carnage he’d caused. But he just could not say the one most important thing: The election was

Columnists/Reporters Publisher/Executive Editor Melina Paris Assistant Editor/Arts James Preston Allen Community News james@randomlengthsnews.com Hunter Chase Reporter Assoc. Publisher/Production Fabiola Esqueda Carson Reporter Coordinator Photographers Suzanne Matsumiya Arturo Garcia-Ayala, Harry Bugarin, Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks, Raphael Richardson, Terelle Jerricks Chris Villanueva editor@randomlengthsnews.com Contributors Mark Friedman, Lyn Jensen, Ari Senior Editor LeVaux, Seth Meyer, Greggory Moore Paul Rosenberg paul.rosenberg@ Cartoonists randomlengthsnews.com Andy Singer, Jan Sorensen, Internship Program Director Matt Wuerker Zamná Àvila

over. It had been over for almost two months and now his attempts to overthrow it were over as well — at least for a time.

He’s since revived those attempts — even to this day. But the final hearing — at least until September — delivered a body blow to those ongoing attempts.

All the basic facts that drove Trump’s second impeachment were back, along with a welter of even more damning details, such as White House Counsel Pat Cipollone’s testimony that he “couldn’t think of anybody” on Jan. 6 who

Design/Production Suzanne Matsumiya, Brenda Lopez Advertising Sales Chris Rudd Chris@RandomLengthsNews.com Graphic Design Intern Noel Tinsman-Kongshaug Editorial Intern Julianna Wright Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 www.randomlengthsnews.com 1300 S. Pacific Avenue San Pedro, CA 90731

[See Hearings, p. 7] Address correspondence regarding news items and tips to Random Lengths News, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733-0731, or email: editor@randomlengthsnews.com.

Send Letters to the Editor to james@randomlengthsnews.com. To be considered for publication, letters must be signed with address and phone number (for verification purposes) and be about 250 words.

For advertising inquiries or to submit advertising copy, email: rlnsales@randomlengthsnews.com.

Annual subscription is $40 for 27 issues.

Back issues are available for $3/copy while supplies last.

Random Lengths News presents issues from an alternative perspective. We welcome articles and opinions from all people in the Harbor Area. While we may not agree with the opinions of contributing writers, we respect and support their 1st Amendment right. Random Lengths News is a member of Standard Rates and Data Services and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. (ISN #0891-6627).

All contents Copyright 2022 Beacon Light Press, LLC. All rights reserved.

RANDOMLetters Peck Park Shooting: Mayberry RFD Reacts to Crime in San Pedro

So, yesterday (July 26) I attended a community forum with the LAPD to discuss the shooting at Peck Park. Joe Buscaino opened the meeting with a forceful campaign speech to vote for ‘law and order!’ in the upcoming mayoral election, and to recall Gascon, naturally. That was followed by 30 minutes of various members of the LAPD and park patrol congratulating themselves for their courage and bravery on Sunday (it was all over when they got there and they have not apprehended a suspect).

Then many more appeals for more resources, even though the LAPD budget is $1 billion, yes, billion. Lots of creepy neighbors complaining about ‘people from Compton’ causing trouble. As the meeting ended, all the brave officers got in their cruisers to drive away while next-door, at that very moment, tires were screeching and rubber was burning from the hoodlums who come nearly every day to run doughnuts behind the CVS parking lot.

Well, I guess I fulfilled my civic duty by attending but there were no surprises. In spite of their enormous budget, a general rule of thumb is that police do not prevent crime, they react to crime, and then they take credit for running to the

scene. Eight people were shot Sunday and two died. This was a serious incident and I felt like I was watching an episode of Mayberry RFD. Buscaino played Barney Fife.

Andrea Serna, San Pedro

Condolences to the Victims

My condolences to all lives lost and the families impacted by the senseless act of violence at Peck Park. We must ensure our parks are safe for all to enjoy at all times.

Surveillance cameras, lighting, more patrols from Park Rangers and LAPD need to be consistent in our recreational areas. We must use all proactive steps before these incidents occur, instead of being reactive. No one, no matter where they reside, should feel it is justifiable to commit any crime, anywhere, especially in recreational areas.

All those involved need to be held accountable to the full extent of the law. Our families, children and community deserve better.

We can have more officers patrolling today by removing them from clerical duties and placing them in patrol vehicles. Added patrols are needed throughout our district, I am committed to this fact.

The permitting process should be analyzed but this much is clear, all should be able to enjoy any

[Hearings, from p. 6]

Jan. 6 Hearings

Open Letter

Dear Councilman Joe Buscaino, On Sunday (7/24/22), at about 4 p.m. we kept hearing sirens and helicopters over Peck Park that lasted past 10 p.m. We later learned that two people were killed and five people still in hospitals for gun shot wounds. This was an unpermitted car show event that did not have any security.

Since Miraflores Home Owners Association is directly below the baseball diamond at Peck Park, it was the location where the shooting apparently took place. This is also where two fires in the canyon took place on April 28 and May 12.

On May 12, it took 81 firefighters and a number of helicopters dropping water to contain the fire from spreading to many homes in the area and was caused by a homeless encampment.

We are very concerned about the homeless taking up residence in the canyon and now we have gangs shooting with automatic weapons and killing people. We are also concerned about the policy of Peck Park Recreation in the fact that they are being too relaxed

What ties all these plots together is Trump’s premeditated criminal intent, which Jan. 6 Committee Vice Chair Liz Cheney highlighted in her closing remarks. She played a clip from Trump adviser Steve Bannon from Oct. 31, 2020, that surfaced shortly before the committee hearing: And what Trump’s going to do is declare victory, right? He’s going to declare victory, but that doesn’t mean he’s a winner. He’s just gonna say he’s a winner. The Democrats — more of our people vote early that count.

Theirs vote in mail. And so they’re going to have a natural disadvantage and Trump’s going to take advantage — that’s our strategy.

He’s gonna declare himself a winner. So when you wake up Wednesday morning, it’s going to be a firestorm. Also — also if Trump is — if Trump is losing by 10 or 11:00 at night, it’s going to be even crazier. Because he’s gonna sit right there and say they stole it. If Biden’s winning, Trump is going to do some crazy shit.

EPA revision to its Risk Management Plan Rule

I live close to two of the roughly 40 oil refineries in the United States that use highly toxic Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) to produce high-octane gasoline. In 2015, one of those refineries suffered an explosion that came close to releasing HF into the surrounding homes and schools, potentially causing thousands of deaths and injuries. I was in the ash plume that day and would likely have died if there had been a release. Similar “near misses” have occurred in Philadelphia, Superior Wisconsin, Bellingham Washington, and Corpus Christi Texas.

Refineries are inherently dangerous places under normal conditions. They are especially vulnerable to earthquakes, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. Using a chemical as dangerous as HF when there are commercially available alternatives that carry no offsite

risk is irresponsible.

I understand that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to release a proposed revision to its Risk Management Plan Rule. I support a strong Rule that requires an audited assessment of safer alternatives, prioritizes conversion away from the use of toxic chemicals like HF, and provides clear deadlines.

Steven Goldsmith Palos Verdes Estates

Errata

Re: Storm Drain Octopus

RLn, July 21 - Aug. 3, 2022 The names of Jay Davis work crew which included his girlfriend Emilynne Mascardo and her daughter Emani were misspelled.

Davis was misquoted regarding the 2017 Department of Cultural Affairs mural competition. He and the artist collective Zapantera Negra submitted a design featuring a Tongva canoe. He was excited that the theatre and the mural’s prominence as a visual landmark could have potentially helped orient the harbor’s ships and boats. Though the design did not win, he hoped it would find a home at the Olguin campus of San Pedro High School. But there are no plans for the mural to be placed anywhere.

We regret the confusion the error may have caused.

Community Alert

SCAQMD Investigates Air Pollutant Discharge in Carson

CARSON — The City of Carson was advised by South Coast Air Quality Management District or SCAQMD in late July that an air pollutant discharge by Parter Medical Products, Inc. or Parter may constitute a health hazard.

Parter, located at 17015 Kingsview Ave. in Carson, is under investigation for ethylene oxide or EtO emissions. EtO is a flammable, colorless gas used to make products including antifreeze, textiles, solvents, detergents and adhesives.

The city council voted unanimously to take proactive measures months prior with AQMD by placing monitors in Hemingway Park and other areas in the City of Carson.

AQMD, with assistance from the California Air Resources Board is conducting air monitoring to determine levels of EtO near the facility and in the surrounding community.

Individual grab samples (air sample collected at one location at one point in time) were taken to confirm elevated EtO levels. The agency will continue to work with Parter to identify the source(s) of EtO from their operations and identify actions to reduce emissions.

Details: https://tinyurl. com/2mjuw9rj

August 4 - 17, 2022

Cheney then said, “And of course, four days later, President Trump declared victory when his own campaign advisors told him he had absolutely no basis to do so. What the new Steve Bannon audio demonstrates is that Donald Trump’s plan to falsely claim victory in 2020 no matter what the facts actually were was premeditated. Perhaps worse, Donald Trump believed he could convince his voters to buy it whether he had any actual evidence of fraud or not.”

The tragic truth is that Trump was right. A CNN poll conducted after the last hearing found that 66% of Republicans still say that Joe Biden’s win was not legitimate.

about over-all security of the park where it is becoming unsafe to walk your dog on the trails.

Peck Park is failing to make it safe for those that want to enjoy the Park. Parks and Recreation needs to take control of the park, as the homeless and gangs are disrupting our quality of life.

I would appreciate a response to this letter. Thank you.

John Winkler San Pedro

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

“didn’t want people to get out of the Capitol, particularly once the violence started.” Anybody except Trump, that is.

At the time of Trump’s second impeachment, those facts led Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to say, “There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” adding that “He didn’t get away with anything yet. We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation.”

That condemnation was McConnell’s way of hedging GOP senators’ cowardly refusal to impeach Trump. But now it appears it’s coming to pass, with the Georgia fake electors investigation coming close to a climax, and Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice showing signs of beefed up investigations as well.

While those investigations remain largely hidden pending trials, the broad outlines of Trump’s culpability are publicly clearer than ever before, as MSNBC host Ari Melber, a former prosecutor, made clear on his July 29 show, as he outlined “8 plots to overthrow the election,” of which “most involved unlawful or criminal acts.” While the first efforts — filing lawsuits, and challenging electors — were perfectly legal, the later efforts were not. These included three distinct plots to overturn votes — through the states, through Congress, and through Vice President Mike Pence — as well as plots to use the Department of Justice toward the same end, and use the military to seize voting machines, before finally sending the mob to sabotage the electoral vote count on Jan. 6.

park, anywhere without violence and discrimination.

We must find the best solutions, ensure this never occurs again, heal from this tragedy so we can once again feel safe and secure in our local parks and community.

Danielle Sandoval, Candidate for CD15

7

[Climate, from p. 1]

Cities Adapt to Climate Change

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

larly given several recent epidemics and pandemics of viruses that originate in wildlife,” according to a recently-published article in Nature. So delaying climate action on account of inflation only increases future harm from inflation — along with the more deadly aspect of pandemics, and the enormous costs they entail.

8

IRA Still Points to Uncertain Future

Although passage isn’t assured, the IRA would easily be the most substantial climate legislation ever.

“This is a game changer,” said Dr. Leah Stokes, a climate-focused political scientist who advised Senate Democrats in negotiations.

“It would get us 80% of the way to President

Biden’s climate goal,” she tweeted. And it would answer Manchin’s concerns: “This bill will cut energy costs for everyday Americans. 41% of inflation is driven by fossil fuels,” she explained. “The bill will help Americans buy clean energy technologies, like EVs, solar and heat pumps, which will lower their energy bills every month.”

But even 100% would not be enough, as this summer’s heatwaves underscore that catastrophic impacts are arriving much sooner than expected, which means an even greater need to invest in mitigation and adaptation in addition to clean energy

transition. Phasing out fossil fuels won’t be enough.

Some of that is addressed in the bill, including good news for us locally. “This bill also contains key environmental justice investments — and at $60 billion it will be the largest EJ investment in American history,” Stokes noted. “There’s funding to clean up ports, set up community grants, and clean up dirty vehicles that hit communities of color the hardest.”

The 710 Freeway as Microcosm

A microcosm of what lies ahead can be seen in the 710 Corridor planning process following the abandonment of the freeway expansion we reported on in June. That decision was monumental, according to Commissioner Joe Lyou, California Transportation Commission, president of Coalition for Clean Air and 710 Task Force member.

“We’re witnessing a profound and systemic shift in how we think about and act on transportation in California. The 710 freeway — both north and south — is a good example of that.” Lyou told Random Lengths News.

“Now we need to deal with the huge backlog of historic projects planned long before our thinking shifted from car-centric freeway building to a much greater focus on mobility, equity, air quality, and climate protection.

Fixing these problematic pipeline projects will require commitment, persistence, leadership, money and lots of hard work.”

But even as big-picture thinking has begun to change, old habits die hard, especially when powerful interests are involved. Although 710 funding is unrelated to the IRA, the struggle to shape an equitable future involves many of the outstanding major issues on a down-to-earth scale. European cities like Munich start off less auto-dependent and plan to become even less so. Munich’s 860 acres Freiham district plan will create an ecodistrict with 15,000 jobs, a mix of homes for 25,000, schools, daycare, cafes, shops, car-free streets, parks and courtyards, all combined with high capacity transit.

No American city plans anything like this, but the revised 710 project represents progress in that direction, with guiding principles of equity and sustainability. The equity principle is stated as “A commitment to: (1) strive to rectify past harms; (2) provide fair and just access to opportunities; and 3) eliminate disparities in project processes, outcomes, and community results.” The sustainability principle is defined as “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

“We see the vision for this project as supporting sustainable communities by enhancing health and quality of life of residents,” Fernando Gaytan, an Earthjustice attorney told Random Lengths. “That for us is the most important guiding principle because it encapsulates each of the other goals of improving air quality, mobility, safety, economy and protecting the environment. But it also centers the critical role that community plays in making sure that each of the goals are carried out in a way that repairs past harms.”

Standing in the way of that, Gaytan said, “The biggest obstacle that we’re going to face, in carrying out that principle is the insistence on really catering to the needs of industries that have really laid claim to the 710 as a freight corridor, without recognizing their culpability in creating the very inequities that we now have an opportunity to address through this re-envisioning of the 710.”

the Caribbean Islands, Cuba and America.

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

To lounge outdoors, on a summer day or night among friends and loved ones, listening to some of the best live music that Los Angeles has to offer, that’s the very experience that the Long Beach Jazz Festival brings annually to music fans.

This is the festival’s 33rd year and it’s coming right up, Aug. 12 to 14. The celebrated event is the only Southern California jazz festival staged on a gorgeous grassy knoll within a beautiful waterfront setting.

Featuring an eclectic line-up ranging from jazz to classic R&B, the festival features top artists of the year as well as luminaries that remain the standard-bearers of jazz. This year’s lineup is testament to that. It includes headliners; Robert Glasper ft. Terrace Martin, Ledisi, Avery*Sunshine, Justin-Lee Schultz, Average White Band, Gerald Albright, Jonathan Butler, BK Jackson, Sergio Mendez, Damion Escobar, Eric Darius and Kandace Springs.

The Al Williams Jazz Society is a group of accomplished jazz musicians: Director Dr. George Shaw (trumpeter, composer), established the Long Beach City College jazz studies program. Keyboardist Ron Kobayasi (pianist, composer) has performed and recorded with a variety of artists including Tom Scott, Mel Torme, Teddy Edwards and Peter White.

Henry “The Skipper” Franklin (bassist) long-time friend and jazz great, has for a long time been in demand to tour internationally. He can be heard on more than 100 albums — and two-dozen as a leader. He was the bassist on Hugh Masekela’s Platinum hit “Grazing in the Grass” and The Skipper has performed with Count Basie, Roy Ayers, Hampton Hawes, Al Jarreau and others. Doug Webb (saxophone, flute) in his career has performed and or recorded with jazz vanguards, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Quincy Jones, Stanley Clarke among many others. Anthony (Tony) Poingsett (percussion, congas) has performed extensively in Las Vegas. He has also enjoyed performing on stage with Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles.

The Al Williams Jazz Society has regularly appeared at beloved SoCal jazz venues including The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach and Spaghettini Italian Grill and Jazz Club in Seal Beach.

As a very special treat, the Al Williams Jazz Society will feature a salute to “The Queen,” Barbara Morrison, who, sadly, the music world lost on March 16, 2022. Barbara was a dear friend to Al Williams and his band as well as The Long Beach Jazz Festival.

Williams told Random Lengths News that Barbara appeared regularly with The Al Williams Jazz Society at the Jazz Sunrise Service — indeed at sunrise — in the City of Carson annually for the Easter holiday. Williams’ band continued her legacy this past April at the sunrise service, which included one of the band’s regularly featured vocalists, Alexis Joy. The Al Williams Jazz Society salute to Barbara will happen near 3 p.m. Sunday, featuring vocalist Hope Diamond, who will perform some of Barbara’s numbers. And in honor of her legacy, videos of some of Barbara’s iconic performances will be featured on the festival’s big screen.

The Al Williams Jazz Society will also feature a few tunes from Then & Now, its latest release.

Described in its liner notes as a collection of songs that are both familiar and new, Then & Now is presented masterfully by Al Williams Jazz Society to illustrate both the timelessness and evolution of the experience we call jazz. Tracks of note include the expansive and soothing Desert Trippin’ and for straight-ahead “heads” dive into Blakey’s Delight. The polished shine of Society Al hits you like a perfect cup of Joe — steaming and percolating — it coaxes your body to rise up and groove to these fresh beats.

Opening for The Al Williams Jazz Society will be percussionist, composer, arranger, producer and fourtime Grammy-winner Munyungo Jackson. His credits are vast in both recording and performing and they all culminate in the music of his latest album Morning Sun, which weaves rhythms from Africa, South America, [See Jazz, p. 11]

August 4 - 17, 2022

9

E

very year, the growers will bring their frizzy-headed fennel bulbs to the farmer’s market. And then they’ve got some explaining to do.

The customers wish to buy this attractive vegetable, but have no idea what to do with it.

Maybe they’ve brought one home before, only to be stumped, and are now twice shy. So they ask, “What do you do with fennel?”

The answers are well-worn. We are told to grill it, braise it, saute it with garlic and olive oil, and other ways to cook the life out of it, because few have the confidence to suggest we eat it raw.

The licorice-like flavor can be intimidating.

You may not think that you want bite after bite.

So we drench it in sauce and try to cook it out.

But when we look forward to grilling season, it isn’t for the grilled fennel. And any cooking technique will ruin some of its better qualities.

Cooking is like forced aging; what’s the hurry?

If you really want to try braising fennel, start with the stumps; you cut off the bottom when trimming the bulbs.

I look for ways to make the most of its stronger qualities and put that aromatic, juicy

Food of Marathoners

By Ari LeVaux, Flash in the Pan Columnist

Fennel Slaw

Fennel coleslaw is so simple that no recipe is even required. You can simply add it to your favorite coleslaw recipe, or substitute it for some or all of the cabbage. My recipe, below, involves no cabbage, but rather a bouquet of fragrant herbs to compliment the fennel aroma. My choice is parsley and mint, but you could also mess around with basil, dill, chives, all in generous quantities.

Marathon Green Salad is named after maratho from the Greek meaning a “place with a lot of fennel.”

Photo by Ari LeVaux

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

crispness to work. Salads, for the most part.

A plate of mere slices, sprinkled with salt and drizzled with XVOO, make a lovely snack.

Fennel may rarely make it as a main course, but as a side it can play an important part in a stellar meal.

Whether in coleslaw or some other raw, salad-like form, fennel really shines alongside seafood. At the Atlantic Cafe in Edgartown, Massachusetts, last week, I had a fennel and arugula salad served alongside octopus. A few days later I served mint fennel coleslaw alongside an eight-pound bluefish that my son reeled in. I added shreds of mint, to round out the fennel fragrance with more complexity, and make it taste less like a piece of black licorice.

Cabbage-based coleslaw might just be a thing

10

bottom direction. You can go with those slices, or hold the sliced half bulb in place and cut the slices crosswise into dice.

Sliced or diced, on fish or your favorite dish, fennel is your Greek friend. It doesn’t speak English, but now you know enough to communicate in fennelese.

of the past.

The city of Marathon, after which the race is named, is itself named after fennel, which translates to “maratho” in Greek, while Marathon literally means “place with mucho fennel.”

This might just be a coincidence, but nonetheless teases the imagination that it might be connected to longevity. It’s high in nutrients and fiber and low in calories, which is a good thing unless you’re starving. Fennel also aids in digestion by reducing bowel inflammation, and is thought to suppress gas-causing bacteria in the gut.

Where none of this is true, it wouldn’t change how I feel about this crunchy zesty plant, or how it performs alongside fish. Now that I know what to do with fennel, I no longer fear it. Instead it’s the fennel that needs to be afraid of me!

To cut a fennel bulb, first slice off the bottom, where the roots were attached, and the stalks, right as they emerge green from the white bulb. The stalks themselves aren’t good for much except in the stock pot, but the thin leaves – often called “fronds” – make a nice garnish, and also work as a fresh herb. I add the chopped fronds to my coleslaw, for the lovely green capillaries in the coleslaw that double-down on that fabulous fennel flavor.

Slice it in half, top-to-bottom, and lay the flat sides down. Many people cut out the core in the middle, but I don’t understand why. It tastes like the rest of the plant, and might be more tender.

Slice the halves thinly, in the same top-to-

1 fennel bulb, trimmed and grated into large shreds 1 medium sized carrot, shredded large ½ onion, sliced thinly 2 cloves garlic, shredded small ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar ½ cup mayo 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 cup chopped parsley 2 tablespoons minced mint ¼ cup chopped fennel fronds Combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust as necessary. Serve with fish, or anywhere coleslaw is served.

Marathon Green Salad

This salad requires some other green with a strong personality, such as arugula or kale, to balance the fruity levity of the fennel. I only use black kale, aka dino kale, aka a bunch of other names. It’s so much more tender, and I also give it a squeeze as I add it to the salad, which loosens it further. The toasted pine nuts really bring it home, with their toasted nuttiness and resin-y flavor complimenting that of the fennel. ½ red onion, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon salt ¼ cup lemon juice ¼ cup white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar 1 cup olive oil 2 garlic cloves, shredded, minced, pressed or mashed 2 tablespoons minced mint One fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced 4 cups other greens, like arugula, chopped black kale, parsley, spinach or lettuce ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds Combine all of the ingredients except the fennel, greens and pine nuts. Taste and adjust as necessary. Massage the kale, if using, by squeezing it vigorously in your hands. Add the greens to a large bowl, and pour the contents of the other bowl over the leaves. Stir gently by lifting from the bottom. Garnish with the toasted nuts and serve.

SP Music Festival Lifts Spirits, Raises Funds

Windy Barnes Farrell and Supervisor Janice Hahn honored music legend Stevie Wonder for his community activism and philanthropy. The award was accepted on his behalf by his son, Mumtaz Morris, center.

Farrell’s Heal My Family, a nonprofit whose purpose is to help families impacted

by gun violence, is raising money for the 15-year-old Compton teen who was killed last month at a birthday party. According to the LA County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting occurred at around 11 p.m. in the 200 block of 233rd Street. The money

[Jazz, from p. 9]

LB Jazz Festival

Another notable appearance on Friday night’s lineup will be Grammy Award-winning Robert Glasper featuring Terrace Martin.

Glasper is a jazz pianist with a skill for mellow, harmonically complex compositions that also incorporate subtle hip-hop influences.

The musician hails from Texas, where he attended Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts. Glasper continued his music studies at the New School University in Manhattan. The Robert Glasper Experiment issued its first stand-alone album, Black Radio, for Blue Note, which sought to blur the boundaries between jazz, hip-hop, R&B and rock & roll. It entered the jazz chart at number one and went on to win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.

A three-time Grammy-nominated artist/ producer/multi-instrumentalist from the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, Terrace Martin is renowned as being one of the top jazz musicians in the world. His noteworthy production has included major collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock and

many other influential artists.

Health & Wellness Pavilion

The festival’s annual feature promises to bring audiences inspirational and expert wellness speakers and leaders, treatment centers, vendors and healthy food sampling stations at Marina Green Park.

Everyone who attends the festival will have the opportunity to come away with tools for a healthier way of living. To help people feel energized, focused, de-stressed and to enjoy an overall sense of pleasure, areas of interest that will be promoted at this event include: healthcare providers, organic and healthy foods, products and lifestyle.

The event also includes VIP seating with the option to rent a cabana during your festival experience. As always, the Long Beach Jazz Festival will offer a great selection of food, art, textiles and much more.

33rd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival Time: 6 to 10 p.m., Aug. 12 through Aug. 14 Cost: $85 and up Details: www.showpass.com/o/rainbowpromotions Venue: Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach

would go toward grief counseling and funeral expenses.

Above, Victor Orlando (on the conga drums) and Fun-Ja-La band and The Habits frontman, left, Wolf Bradley were among many performers who entertained the festival audience on July 31 at the Warner Grand Theatre. Photos

by Seth Meyer

BIG NICK’S PIZZA

BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA

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

HAPPY DINER #2

Built on the success of Happy Diner #1, Happy Diner #2 offers American favorites like omelets and burgers, fresh salads, plus pasta and Mexican dishes are served.

Order online for delivery or call for pickup. Hours: Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Happy Diner #2, 1931 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-9352933, 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

PINA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Pina’s Mexican Restaurant serves traditonal Mexican food from Michoacan for breakfast through dinner, and is known for specialty enchiladas, burritos, tacos and mariscos served in a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere. Pina’s now has a full bar and outside dining, so come on by for a real margarita! Party trays for any occasion. Hours: Sun. Wed. 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Thurs. - Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pina’s Mexican Restaurant, 1430 W. 25th St., San Pedro, 310-547-4621, www.pinasmexicanrestaurant.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.. 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

August 4 - 17, 2022

Family owned and operated since 1965, Buono’s is famous for award-winning brick oven baked pizza. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected fresh ingredients. Now limited dinein 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, corner of 6th and Centre sts., Little Italy San Pedro, 310-547-0655, www.buonospizza.com

HAPPY DINER #1

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

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

The best selection of Italian specialties include hearty calzones, an array of pastas and our amazing selection of signature pizzas. We are taking all safety precautions to protect our diners and staff. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on new developments. Call for fast delivery or to place a pick up order. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Big Nicks’ Pizza, 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, 310-732-5800, www.bignickspizza.com

11

Editor’s Note: Due to the current COVID-19 surge in the Los Angeles area, please be advised to check ahead to confirm if events will still be happening before purchasing tickets.

MUSIC Aug. 6

Electric Blue with Lightning Dan and the Crawdads Bought together by a love of music and the music of the Grateful Dead, Electric Blue plays an extensive catalog of original music, and still enjoys breaking out its favorite Grateful Dead tunes.

Time: 4 to 10:30 p.m., Aug. 6 Cost: Free Details: www.brouwerijwest.com Venue: Brouwerij West, 110 E. 22nd St., Warehouse No. 9, San Pedro

Aug. 7

Long Beach Camerata SingersFront Porch Concerts Every Front Porch Concert is free.

Simply RSVP to the concert you’d like to attend and you’ll be added to that concert’s contact list. A few days before the concert, you’ll receive an email that provides the address of where the concert will be held.

Time: 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 13, 14 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/bdzd53km Venue: Various

Aug. 13

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

Flannel Nation Join a celebration of music of the 1990s.

Time: 11 a.m., Aug. 13 Cost: $25 and up Details: https://tinyurl.com/ y852a8xc Venue: Port of Los Angeles, 3011 Miner St., San Pedro

12

Aug. 14

Sing, Laugh, Hope Roy Zimmerman has brought the sting of satire to the struggle for social justice to stages, screens and airwaves for 30odd years, at times heartfelt and hilarious. It’s laughter and encouragement for progressive-minded people who need a lot of both.

Time: 4 p.m., Aug. 14 Cost: $25 or pay what you can Details: https://tinyurl. com/2huyft6w Venue: Unitarian Universalist

Church of Long Beach, 5450 E. Atherton St., Long Beach

Aug. 19

Rock Legends — Hard Day’s Night Southern California’s Beatles tribute show comes to San Pedro.

The concert is part of the Rock Legends benefit series at the Warner Grand. Proceeds benefit Grand Vision’s Meet the Music program and Love the Lobby.

Time: VIP pre-concert reception 6 to 7:30 p.m., concert 8 p.m., Aug. 19 Cost: $27.50 and up Details: www.grandvision.org/ event/hard-days-night Venue: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro,

Aug. 20

Farhang Foundation Presents Kamyar In partnership with the Farhang Foundation — which celebrates Iranian art and culture — Grand Performances will host international Iranian-born pianist and pop star Kamyar.

Time: 6 to 10 p.m., Aug. 20 Cost: Free Details: www.grandperformances.org/events Venue: Grand Park, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles

THEATER Aug. 5

Stephen Sondheim’s Company With a record-setting 14 Tony nominations, Company, by Stephen Sondheim, focuses on Robert, a confirmed bachelor living in New York City, who is celebrating his 35th birthday with a collection of his married friends. Company was the first play to look at topics like dating, marriage and divorce through a then contemporary lens.

Time: 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 6 Cost: $14 to $24 Details: www.lbplayhouse.org; 562-494-1014 Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach The Cripple of Inishmaan Set in 1934, as a ray of hope spreads over Inishmaan when a Hollywood director sets up shop

on a neighboring island to film his latest project. Inishmaan is abuzz with anticipation, but no one is more excited than disabled Billy Claven, an unloved boy. His dream of getting away from the island seems to come true when he gets the chance to audition.

Time: 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 20 Cost: $14 to $24 Details: 562-494-1014; www.lbplayhouse.org Venue: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach Clue It’s a dark and stormy night and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well … dead. So whodunnit?

Time: 7 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6 and 2 p.m. Aug. 7 Cost: $14 Details: https://tinyurl. com/2p8a65tj Venue: Hughes Auditorium at 3846 California Ave., Long Beach

ARTS Aug. 4

First Thursday ArtWalk A tour of arts spaces will feature the artists of 7th Street: Menduina Schneider Art Gallery, 366 W. 7th St., Cherry Wood at the Back Door Studios, 368-378 W. 7th St., Megan Mickeal Photography, 347 W. 7th St. The Guided ArtWalk Tour will gather in Sirens Java and Tea, 402 W. 7th St., at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy live music on the corner of 6th and Mesa and food trucks on Mesa Street.

Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m., Aug. 4 Cost: Free Details: www.sanpedrowaterfrontartsdistrict.com Venue: Downtown San Pedro 6th and 7th streets, San Pedro Michael Stearns Studio@ The Loft The Colors of Life continues at Michael Stearn Studio @The Loft.

Drop by the gallery and then visit one of the many fine restaurants and galleries along the way.

Time: 5 to 9 p.m., Aug. 4 Cost: Free Details: www.michaelstearnsstudio.com Venue: Michael Stearns Studio @The Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro Nuestra Cultura Group Art Exhibition Gallery Azul highlights art about Hispanic culture. A variety of artists representing all aspects of Hispanic, Latino/a/x, Chicano/a, Afro Latino/a and Central American culture will be participating by creating art that says something, or exposes something about Hispanic heritage. This show is meant to educate the community

about Hispanic people’s contributions, culture, various ethnicities, art, etc.

Time: 6 to 9 p.m., Aug. 4 Cost: Free Details: 562-225-8535; http://www.galleryazul.com Venue: Gallery Azul, 520 W. 8th St., San Pedro

with the entire global economy and our society as a whole.

Time: 7 p.m., Aug. 8 Cost: Free Details: 562-588-7075; www.patmbooks.com Venue: Page Against The Machine, 2714 E. 4th St., Long Beach

The Summer Show The Summer Show is a juried allmedia exhibition hosted by and open for submission only to members of the Palos Verdes Art Center’s seven active artists groups: Artists Open Group, Pacific Arts Group, Paletteers, Peninsula Artists, Photographic and Digital Artists, The Artists Studio and Third Dimension.

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Aug. 4 to Aug. 27 Cost: Free Details: 310-541-2479; pvartcenter.org Venue: Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes

Aug. 5

The Firehouse Community Farm’s Fiber Art Show Harmonious Threads: Creating Sustainable Art for an Endangered Planet. The exhibition runs through Aug. 27. Free parking available in the event lot located around the corner on Orange Avenue between 64th and 65th on the east side of the street at the New Philadelphia AME Church, 6380 Orange Ave. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, or by appointment.

Cost: Free Details: 562-343-3834; www.firehousecommunityfarm.org Venue: Firehouse Community Farm, 6509 Gundry Ave., Long Beach

Aug. 5

Points of Intersection at LBMA Downtown Long Beach Museum of Art Downtown reopens Aug. 5 with the opening reception of Points of Intersection, a site-specific exhibition by Serbian-American artist Daniela Soberman. Soberman references the architecture of her family’s first home in former Yugoslavia. The exhibition will be on view until Nov. 5.

Time: 7 to 9 p.m., Aug. 5 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/yck9pw9d Venue: LBMA - downtown, 356 E. 3rd St., Long Beach

Aug. 7

Transparency II Watercolor is characterized by washes of transparent, luminous color. Transparency II — presented by the Long Beach Creative Group — showcases expert use of this versatile medium. The exhibit features work by artists from San Pedro and Long Beach, some of whom are members of the National Watercolor Society. Through Sept. 3 Time: 1 to 4 p.m., Aug. 7, artists’ reception Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/ vv68ynk9 Venue: Briggs Gallery, 2221 E. Broadway, Long Beach

LITERATURE Aug. 8

Page Against The Machine Book Discussion William I. Robinson discusses and signs Global Civil War: Capitalism Post-Pandemic. This sophisticated yet accessible study provides a big-picture account of how the coronavirus pandemic and new digital technologies have drastically transformed capitalism along

FILM

Rooftop Movie: Troop Beverly Hills Join on the rooftop of Peninsula Center Library for an outdoor screening of Troop Beverly Hills, starring Shelley Long, Craig T. Nelson and Mary Gross. Chairs will be available but feel free to bring your own blankets, chairs and snacks. All ages.

Time: 8 to 10 p.m., Aug. 5 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl. com/2s42c7x Venue: Peninsula Center Library Rooftop, 701 Silver Spur Rd., Rolling Hills Estates PCH Movies & Moonlight: Cars The six-week summer series continues through Aug. 19 with movies beginning at sunset. Aug. 5 features Cars, followed by Sing 2 (Aug. 12) and The Boss Baby: Family Business (Aug. 19). Preshow entertainment will be included on select dates. Self-seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.

Time: 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 19 Cost: Free Details: 2ndandpch.com Venue: 2nd and PCH, 6400 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

COMMUNITY Aug. 5

Fresh Fridays at the Farmers Market San Pedro Farmers Market happens every Friday to bring the freshest local produce and goods right to San Pedro. Join at the new farmers market location.

Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug 5 Cost: Free Location: 6th and Mesa Lot 735 Briny Bloodsuckers Dr. Shana Goffredi, Occidental College, will discuss how to examine whether internal bacteria are present in blood-feeding invertebrates and whether they positively influence the success of this unusual group of marine parasites.

Members are invited to a special reception before the lecture. Attend in-person or to join online via Zoom.

Time: 7 to 9 p.m., Aug. 5 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/Discovery-Lecture Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro

Aug. 7

See The Sea This hands-on trip takes place aboard a specially equipped vessel where you’ll have opportunities to see near-shore animals up close. Learn about the fascinating world of plankton, animals that call mud their home and fish that prefer the sandy bottom. It’s a great chance to see marine life within the comforts of the harbor.

Time: 9 a.m., Aug. 7 Cost: $45 to $50 Details: 310-548-7562; https:// tinyurl.com/see-the-sea Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro

Aug. 9

Self-Discovery Writing Workshop Nancy Lynée Woo leads this six-

part poetry workshop focused on self-expression. Participants will be given a writing prompt, time to write and to share. Participants are encouraged to attend all six sessions to build a sense of community. All levels are welcome.

Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m., Aug. 9, 16 Cost: Free Details: https://tinyurl.com/selfdiscovery-workshop Venue: Zoom

Aug. 12

33rd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival Come celebrate the Long Beach Jazz Festival, the only Southern California jazz festival staged on a gorgeous grassy knoll in a beautiful lagoon setting. Featured artists: Robert Glasper, JustinLee Schultz, Ledisi, AWB, Gerald Albright, Jonathan Butler, BK Jackson, Sergio Mendez, Damion Escobar, Eric Darius, Kandace Springs, and Al Williams Jazz Society featuring a Salute to Barbara Morrison. The festival includes VIP seating, a wide selection of food, art and wellness center.

Time: 6 to 10 p.m., Aug. 12 through Aug. 14 Cost: $85 and up Details: www.showpass.com/o/ rainbow-promotions Venue: Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach

Aug. 13

The CRay Project Community Skate Day Join the CRay Project for an all ages community skate day at 2nd & PCH. Use code: CRAYPROJ15 for free admission for the afternoon open skate.

Time: 2 to 5 p.m., Aug. 13 Cost: $10 skate rental Details: https://tinyurl.com/crayproject Venue: 2nd & PCH 6400 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

Aug. 14

Community Dance Concert by The CRay Project Join the CRay Project’s community dance concert at Rose Park.

Time: 3 to 5 p.m., Aug. 14 Cost: Free Details: 562-230-9863; https://tinyurl.com/dance-concert Venue: Rose Park, 800 Orizaba Ave., Long Beach Feeding Succulents Botanist Jose Sandoval will summarize why you want your plants to receive slightly acidic water, the importance of “soils”/container media, and the details of how you can maximize the root potential for your plants. Sandoval is the director/manager at the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory.

Time: 1 p.m., Aug. 14 Cost: Free for SCCSS members and their guests, and $5 to $9 for public park admission Details: southcoastcss.org Venue: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula

Aug. 20

A Talk by Professor Emeritus Nicholas Lovrich Hear native San Pedran/historian, Stanford University and UCLA grad speak about patterns of civic engagement and political culture found among San Pedro’s immigrant Italians and Croatians among the first and second generations of these ethnic groups.

The event is sponsored by the San Pedro Bay Historical Society.

Time: 1:30 p.m., Aug. 20 Cost: Free Details: 310-548-7618 Venue: Los Angeles Maritime Museum, Brass Room, 600 Sampson Way, Berth 84 at the bottom of 6th St., San Pedro

[Peck Park , from p. 3]

Peck Park

shooters, as of publication, have not been apprehended.

Buscaino’s Town Hall Meeting

This was supposed to be a town hall meeting to answer questions about the July 24 Peck Park shooting. Councilman Joe Buscaino turned it into a political talking point, saying, “What took place on Sunday ... seeing the men and women of the LAPD respond to the threat ... respond to this emergency here in this town. What took place here at our beloved park reminded us of the continued call for more police services, not less.”

He said before making the fantastical claim that such a tragedy will “never happen again” in our backyard.

Since the first years of his long tenure as [Walker’s Cafe, from p. 2]

Walker’s Cafe

Social Media, Rumors and Perception

Ahead of the town hall meeting, local social

at Peck Park ... I raised two babies there ... at the peak of this in 2016, there were crackheads, homeless people shooting up heroin ... I saw a LAPD officer at CVS and I told him about my situation. And his response was, ‘ma’am, move to Orange County.’”

Her point: there are all of these elements that are making her community unsafe and the best and quickest solution the police could offer was to move to a wealthier community. More police officers and increased patrolling at a time when housing isn’t becoming more affordable, and paychecks aren’t stretching far enough. As one member from a neighborhood council in San Pedro said, “He’s been the councilman for the past 10 years and now he wants to talk about more police?”

Buscaino has made it a part of his schtick to place air-quotes around solutions other than more police officers.

A local nonprofit organized the softball league about five years ago to safely bring together members of different Crips sets, according to gang interventionist Skipp Townsend. Sunday’s game — just weeks after the death of the league’s founder in a car wreck — was between teams from Compton.

There have been a number of these softball games at Peck Park over the past five years. Of the eight calls to Peck Park before the shooting, none involved the softball league or the car show.

Nonprofits such as this and more, are the nonpolice components in crime reduction and public safety. We can’t afford to overlook tools that don’t look like a hammer in the tool box. If we could, we’d all just move to the tony neighborhoods of Palos Verdes or Orange County.

August 4 - 17, 2022

foul of the city and the Air Quality Management District. … So [what] we’re looking at is pretty serious, basically completely ignoring the regulatory bodies that exist when you’re doing work on a building.”

Rault has spoken with a man who was in talks with Prospect Group about potentially renting the property, but he said the company was only willing to rent him the front building, not the buildings in the back.

“He said in order for it to be a viable business concept, [he] would need access to the café,” Rault said. “But also think about things like outdoor seating in the back, or having an ancillary building that could be a fully-functioning kitchen if you want to offer a bigger menu. And it was his impression, just from his conversations with them, that they were more interested in using the rest of the parcel and or the buildings that are currently in the back and converting that into some sort of residential units as a different income source.”

Harapetian said Prospect Group will not turn part of the property into residential units.

“There’s been no discussion, no plans, no permitting, none of that has been part of our conversation internally,” Harapetian said.

Rault said that Prospect Group quoted the buyer $10,000 to $12,000 a month for the rent on the front building alone.

“That’s not a sum of money that anyone could recoup with that kind of square footage,” Rault said. “What that suggests to me is that perhaps they are not acting in good faith, and they are not serious about leasing it out as a café.”

While the buyer in question could not be reached personally for comment, Rault shared an email from him, confirming everything she said about him.

However, Harapetian said it’s not written in stone how much Prospect Group will be charging for rent. “[If] we have to change, for example, the kitchen, or get permits, whatever it is, if Prospect Group is spending the money, then the rent and business structure with the operator would be different than if someone came in and spent their own money to bring it up to operation,” Harapetian said.

Harapetian said everyone she has spoken with has been in discussion to rent the entire property.

“Everyone we’ve spoken to, the conversations have been geared towards specifically finding someone who can operate a restaurant that is going to protect the integrity of Walker’s Cafe,” Harapetian said.

media pages were rife with rumors about whether the groups were permitted, that the shooting was between rival gangs, and a number of commenters wondered why these outsiders were allowed to hold events at the park.

Most newscasts were reporting that the shooting was a gang shooting between two parties. This combined with the KTLA newscast of Moneke Howard, the purported mother of one of the victims, turned her into a social media meme.

Howard gave more than one interview for television and print. The more disastrous interview was the one she did with KTLA where she called the shooting a “Compton Massacre,” suggesting that attendees were mostly gang affiliated Compton residents.

From the comments made during the townhall meeting, I had a hard time imagining that that imagery wasn’t what was playing through the minds of community members as evidenced by the continued questions regarding the permits and numbers allowed under the permits. The general sense was that Parks and Recs and LAPD’s Harbor Division should have known that greater police presence was in order given the participants at the softball games were gang affiliated.

And more importantly, this shooting happened against a historical backdrop of which shootings and gang violence had been a recurring issue at the park over the past 40 years — regardless of Buscaino’s rose tinted recollections.

The comment of one public commenter at the townhall was illustrative of the challenges in providing greater public safety. She said, “So, 500 people leaving on Sunday wasn’t a large event?

The permit that was permitted for the baseball game was for 100 people. Okay ... I own a home

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

tenance, but the inspector did not believe them.

Tony Pelaez, senior management analyst for the Department of Building and Safety, could not confirm anything about the inspector, but did say the department is currently investigating a complaint against the property. On the department’s website, it lists a complaint of construction done without permits or inspections, and lists the date received as June 29. It lists two additional violations, that the building is substandard due to hazardous electrical wiring and plumbing. However, it has an effective date of July 14, and says it is under investigation.

Harapetian denies that any stop work order was given.

“The inspector, he showed up to the property, and he wanted access to the property,” Harapetian said. “There was no representative with Prospect to allow him in. … Because of the fact that he couldn’t gain access, he wrote us up.”

Harapetian said that repairs were not still being done, and that they were addressed several weeks ago. However, Rault said this is false.

“I received a video from a community member of work being done on site yesterday,” Rault said on July 31.

Rault and Gould say that construction work has continued even after the stop work order.

Gould said they do not do it as often, but it has happened at least a couple of times.

“They’ve got the place all fenced off and very dark,” Gould said. “But I was able to peer in at one point when they were working and I could see that the floors had been worked out and there was all kind of Romex, you know, electrical stuff, that they were laying on the floors and everything. So, it’s obvious that they were doing major electrical work.”

Gould said they also put in windows in the back where they had not previously been, and did major plumbing work, including replacing a pipe about 40 feet long.

“They’ve kind of struck out on their own in effect,” Rault said. “And we don’t know the extent of the work they’ve been doing. And it’s not inconceivable that they might have at this point done irreparable harm to a historic structure.”

In addition, as of July 30, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, or AQMD, placed a notice to comply on the fence surrounding Walker’s Cafe, asking for proof of a prior asbestos survey, where hazardous waste is being transported to, among other things.

“They didn’t get any permits from AQMD either,” Rault said. “At this point, they have fallen

councilman, he has always been a hammer who looked at every problem as if it were a nail.

He turned even saltier when taking a swipe at recently-elected 1st District Los Angeles councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez when he quipped, “for those local elected officials that don’t want police officers representing them or in their respective districts, bring them here, we will gladly take them, because this reminds us that everything hinges on public safety.”

Buscaino, as had many civic leaders since the shooting, recalled memories of taking his children to the park, and playing there himself as a child in an effort to recall more peaceful days.

Except those rose-tinted memories didn’t jibe with the collective memory of violence at Peck Park over the past 40 years.

13

CLASSIFIED ADS & DBAs

JOB TRAINING TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 866-243-5931.

(M-F 8am-6pm ET) (AAN CAN)

HOME & GARDEN Never clean your gutters again! Affordable, professionally installed gutter guards protect your gutters and home from debris and leaves forever! For a FREE Quote call: 844-499-0277 (AAN CAN)

AUTOS CASH FOR CARS! We buy all cars! Junk, high-end, totaled – it doesn’t matter! Get free towing and same day cash! NEWER MODELS too!

Call 866-535-9689 (AAN CAN)

WANTED Commercial parking space for 40ft. RV. Mail your offer to: V.G. Manufacturing, 1403 W. Gaylord St., LB 90813

CAR WANTED Transportation car wanted, $1,000 any make or model

Call 310-719-8884

FOR SALE 3 crypts in Green Hills Mausoleum: 2 side-by-sides, 1 double in The Cloisters. Motivated to sell, 424-308-2488

MISC. Commercial parking space for 40ft. RV. Mail your offer to: Port Equipment, Inc., 937 N. Henry Ford Ave., Wilmington 90744 PAYING TOP CA$H FOR MEN’S SPORT WATCHES! Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 888-3201052

B AT H & S H O W E R U P DATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!

Lifetime warranty & pro-

Do you owe over $10,000 to the IRS or State in back taxes? Our firm works to reduce the tax bill or zero it out completely FAST. Let us help!

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant

Water Damage to Your Home? Call for a quote for professional cleanup & maintain the value of your home! Set an appt today!

Call 833-664-1530 (AAN CAN)

Call 877-414-2089. (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST) TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos.

877-589-0747 (AAN CAN) 4G LTE Home Internet Now Available! Get GotW3 with lightning fast speeds plus take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/mo! 1-888-5190171 (AAN CAN) DirecTV Satellite TV Service Starting at $74.99/month!

Free Installation! 160+ channels available. Call Now to Get the Most Sports & Entertainment on TV! 877-310-2472 DISHTV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/21/23 1-866-566-1815 (AAN CAN) Spectrum Internet as low as $29.99, call to see if you qualify for ACP and free internet. No Credit Check. Call Now! 833-955-0905 PEDRO PET PALS is the only group that raises funds for the City Animal Shelter and FREE vaccines and spay or neuter for our community.

310-991-0012.

PERSONALS Well-to-do businesswoman seeking good man, 60 to 70.

310-809-0105

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022129592 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JOHNNY ON THE SPOT CARPET CLEANING, 1821 W. Santa Cruz St., San Pedro, CA 90732, County of Los Angeles. Registered owner(s): John Sheridan, 1821 W. Santa Cruz Street, San Pedro, CA 90732. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). S/ John Sheridan, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 15, 2022 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by an Affidavit of

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022124645 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BACK TO ORIGINAL RESTORATION, 1603 Sunnyside Terrace, San Pedro, CA 90732, County of Los Angeles. Registered owner(s): Paul Creig Michaelis, 1603 Sunnyside Terrace, San Pedro, CA 90732. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business

Bulletin Board

Don Marshall CPA, Inc. (310) 833-8977

Call or text

ACROSS

310-561-7811

Don Marshall, MBA, CPA

Specializing in small businesses CPA quality service at very reasonable rates www.donmarshallcpa.com

FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

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.

MKT-P0253

Classified Line ads $3.50 per line Classified Showcase Ads $25 per inch DBAs — Filing and Publishing $155 Public Notary Service available here

(310) 519-1442

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. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions Code).

Original filing: 06/23/22, 07/07/22, 07/21/22, 08/04/22

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022148938 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: REDUX ANTIQUE THRIFT

[continued on p. 15]

“Free-Flowing” — a themeless for #1100!

Various sizes of Peruvian Spiral Cactus, mature Aloe Vera plants and Century plants $10 to $24.95 ea.

1-888-887-3816 August 4 - 17, 2022

07/21/22, 08/04/22

name or names listed above on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). S/ Paul Creig Michaelis, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 08, 2022 NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts

Plants for Sale

If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air.

14

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

Original filing: 06/23/22, 07/07/22,

© 2022 MATT JONES, Jonesin’ Crosswords

RLNews is looking for freelance food and music writers who are knowledgeable about San Pedro and Long Beach area restaurants, culture and music scenes. Experienced writers preferred, but will consider aspiring bloggers. We are looking for writers who have a curiosity for a wide range of cuisines or music in the greater LA / Long Beach Harbor Area.

Committment to writing to deadline is a must. Having a strong social media following and bi-lingual skills is a plus.

Submit inquiries and any links to your writing to editor@ randomlengthsnews.com or call 310-519-1442 weekdays.

fessional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available.

Call 1-866-370-2939 (AAN CAN)

For answers go to: www.randomlengthsnews.com

JOB OPPS

1. Change chips, perhaps 7. Like some feral fur 13. A piano has just over seven 15. No longer on board 16. Permanently 18. Winged Renaissance art character 19. Arizona’s Agua ___ National Monument 20. Exalt extremely 22. “Eek!” 23. Curling inning 24. Word at some taquerias 25. Off schedule 26. Suffix that modifies Vienna and Burma 27. Descriptor that makes it 13 29. Online chatter in the AOL era?

30. Swedish Fish and Candy Corn, once 32. Tools for displaying albums 34. Femur’s position?

36. Words after shake or break 37. Olympic squad for Tom Daley and Matty Lee 38. Fill the silence, maybe 41. Warriors 35-Down Thompson

42. Daughter of an Egyptian pharaoh and ancestor of the Gaels (connected to the Stone of Scone legend) 43. “___ Technology” (hit for 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake) 44. Proportional words 45. Range 46. Palm device, once 47. Disreputable brand 49. Forward to the limit 51. “Bear with me ...”

52. Season for some seafood, it’s said 53. Diamond design 54. “Drag Race” verb

DOWN

1. Joe 2. Hoard in a hollow, maybe 3. Jazz piano style with lots of hand movement 4. Dance performed before some rugby matches 5. “___ Seen It All” (Bjˆrk/Yorke song) 6. Starts flagging 7. “I Try” singer Gray 8. Swisher Sweets remains 9. 1988 cult classic with the line “... and I’m all out of bubblegum”

10. “Professional Widow” singer 11. Hawaiian peak, occasionally 12. Source of the Rhodes Scholarship endowment 14. Diagnostic to check your balance?

17. Morning diner option 21. Just getting started 24. Overhead 28. Words that dispense with formality 31. Single-celled organism, less commonly 32. Workshop activity 33. First French Netflix Original animated series (2021) about a title kitten (title kitten) 34. “So Glad I’m Me” singer and “American Idol” alumna Jones 35. Kind of lineup 38. Dwight’s equivalent on the original “Office” 39. Weekend Edition Sunday host Rascoe 40. Collins of ParliamentFunkadelic 45. Aladdin follower?

46. Altoids purchases 48. “Wie is de ___?” (Dutch reality show of 22 seasons) 50. U.S. radio initials abroad

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILINGS [from p. 14] AND GIFT, 1906A Marshallfield Lane Redondo Beach CA 90278, County of LOS ANGELES. Registered owner(s): GABRIEL FILKOSKY, 1906A MARSHALLFIELD LANE, REDONDO BEACH CA 90278. This business is conducted by an Individual. The registrant(s) started doing business on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)).

S/ GABRIEL FILKOSKY, OWNER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 05/31/2022.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

Original filing: 06/23/22, 07/07/22, 07/21/22, 08/04/22

08/18/22

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022159384 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: MOTORYACHTS MAURETANIA, 210 WHALERS WALK, San Pedro, Ca 90731 County of LOS ANGELES Registered owner(s): MYM MANAGEMENT, 210 WHALERS WALK, San Pedro, Ca 90731. This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company. The registrant(s) started doing business on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars

($1,000)). S/ JOHN BOYT Managing Member This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 07/18/2022.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). 7/21, 8/4, 8/18, 9/2/22

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022140216 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AHHHHH SUKI SUKI 31034 RUE LANGLOIS RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90275 County of LOS ANGELES Registered owner(s): SUSAN FRANTZ 31034 RUE LANGLOIS, RANCHO PALOS VERDES CA 90275. This business is conducted by an Individual. The registrant(s) started doing business on N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true

[Barragán, from p. 4]

Barragán

shelter to 21 families experiencing homelessness. Families are enrolled in the shelter for 90 days while staff work with them to find permanent housing solutions and address their other immediate needs. 90% of the families at this shelter are single mothers with children.

The funding requested will allow Harbor Interfaith to modernize the facility with new exterior windows, refrigerators, and paint the exterior of the shelter, and temporarily relocate the families during the capital improvements.

DRO/CHIRO 1609 W. 25TH ST. SAN PEDRO CA 90732 County of LOS ANGELES Registered owner(s): DANIEL BAUNE 1609 W. 25TH ST., SAN PEDRO CA 90732 This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 04/2022 I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)).

S/ DANIEL BAUNE OWNER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on 07/13/2022 NOTICE-In accordance with

Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). 7/21, 8/4, 8/18, 9/2/22

DBAs $ 155

Filing & Publishing

310-519-1442 Remember to renew your DBA every 5 years

QUICK RESPONSE TIME!

8/18, 9/2/22

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022154757 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 1. PEDRO CHIRO 2. PEDROCHIRO 3. PEDROCHIRO 4. PEDRO_CHIRO 5. PEDRO.CHIRO 6. PE-

Angeles will address drayage fleet operators’ need for charging infrastructure away from home facilities, which will further encourage the transition to zeroemission trucks.

North Long Beach 51st Street Greenbelt on the Los Angeles River – City of Long Beach ($2,000,000) This funding would transform nearly one acre of undeveloped land in a dense, park-poor, community of color into a thriving greenbelt for multigenerational users that improves water and air quality, increases tree canopy and new park acreage, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The project will add a natural walking path and bioswales with native, drought tolerant plants.

United Wilmington Youth Foundation Career Development Center – United Harbor Area Association ($4,000,000) This funding would provide for the building of a new community center for vocational training, STEM research, and evaluation of green technologies. To simultaneously combat toxic air pollution and unemployment, the center will focus on workforce development for local residents to gain the skills needed to support emerging, clean energy technologies utilized in and around the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

COMPLETE PLUMBING SERVICE RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL

831-3138

(310)

Se Habla Español

Lic. #748434

Adoption Information Center

Free, neutral, comprehensive adoption information, resources, referrals and advocacy for the Los Angeles county adoption community

1327 Post Ave., Suite K Torrance • (424) 757-5170 LA_adoptions@yahoo.com adoptioninformationcenter.com Established in 1998

August 4 - 17, 2022

Public Charging Infrastructure for Battery Electric Drayage Trucks – Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator ($1,500,000) This funding would provide for the installation of public chargers capable of fully charging a battery electric drayage truck in less than 30 minutes. The goods movement is the largest source of air pollution in the Los Angeles region. It is of critical importance to families living adjacent to the heavily trafficked corridors and facilities that the thousands of diesel drayage trucks be replaced with zero emissions trucks. The presence of public chargers near the Port of Los

and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). S/ SUSAN FRANTZ OWNER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 06/24/2022.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). 7/21, 8/4,

Real People, Real News, Really Effective

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. 2022116546 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: VALESKA’S INSURANCE SERVICES, 548 E SEPULVEDA BLVD STE A CARSON CA 90745 County of LOS ANGELES Registered owner(s): MARIA VALESKA VALDIVIA 586 W 2ND ST, SAN PEDRO CA 90731 This business is conducted by an Individual. The registrant(s) started doing business on 06/2017. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000)). S/ MARIA VALESKA VALDIVIA OWNER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on 05/31/2022.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from

the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. Effective January 1, 2014, the Fictitious Business Name Statement must be accompanied by the Affidavit of Identity form. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code).

Original filing: 7/7, 7/21, 08/04,

15

16

August 4 - 17, 2022

Real People, Real News, Totally Relevant