Rln 09 04 14 edition

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San Pedro Residents Say Not So Fast to Road Diet at Town Hall p. 2 Nationally Ranked Local Cyclist Competes for Brazil Games in 2016 p. 5

t Mike Watt Talks About New Album and 53-stop Tour p. 11

How Racism Shields Killers By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

The Local Publication You Actually Read

The Los Angeles Police Department has the lessons it learned from the 1965 Watts Rebellion and the 1992 Los Angeles Rebellion to reach where it is today: a law enforcement agency that largely promotes communitybased policing and respect for the constitutional rights of the citizens they are to protect and serve. Community leaders have been seeking answers following the officer-involved shooting of 25- year-old Ezell Ford, a man known to have a history mental illness. The police said he grabbed for their gun, eye witnesses say that he was shot in the back while pinned to the ground. Police Chief Charlie Beck refused to release the names of the officers involved in the shooting until Labor Day weekend, pending a risk assessment. Ford’s death occurred in the same context as a series of deaths nationwide in which young, unarmed, black people were killed by law enforcement or armed shooters who cited Stand Your Ground laws as their defense. Frequently in these cases, local police departments released information with the intention of undermining the victims’ status. And mainstream media outlets followed suit by using unflattering social media photos of victims to either paint them as criminals who “got what they deserved.” In Ferguson, Missouri, Officer Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown, setting off weeks of community protest. The department he works for attempted to obstruct justice and protect Wilson from any consequences. Polls show that most whites don’t think Brown’s shooting raises important racial issues. The effort to protect his killer is the best evidence of how mistaken they are. Los Angeles is not Ferguson. But Los Angeles is not immune to the circumstances that killed Michael Brown.

W Graphic: Mathew Highland

September 4 - 17, 2014

hen Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed, black teenager, Michael Brown on Aug. 9, he lit a tinder keg, but he didn’t build it. In the weeks that followed, three other local police officers have been fired or forced into retirement due to poor judgment and reckless conduct. St. Louis County police officer Dan Page, a 35-year police veteran who pushed CNN’s Don Lemon on live TV on Aug. 14, was first suspended and then resigned in advance of an expected firing—not for pushing Lemon, but for comments indicating an appetite for killing people made on a videotaped speech to a local chapter of the far right Oath Keepers organization. Reactions to Ferguson Run Deep/ to p. 6

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Community Announcements:

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Put Pacific Ave. on a One-Lane Diet? Residents at Town Hall Meeting Say Not So Fast By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

September 4 - 17, 2014

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

Councilman Joe Buscaino hosted an informational town hall meeting on the Pacific Avenue “Road Diet” Aug. 27 in a bid to quash rumors of San Pedro’s takeover by the “Bike Lane Mafia.” “This is not a bike lane project,” Buscaino reiterated almost at the start of the meeting. Whether he was successful or not remains to be seen, but a number of residents are highly upset with the changes. Department of Transportation representative Michelle Mowery said that the bike lanes were never the focus of the road diet project, but were the added benefit that was tacked onto the project later, since it cost little in terms of space and money to implement. Buscaino attempted to cast the road diet as a safety issue. The term “Road Diet” is a Los Angeles Department of Transportation term describing the conversion of two-lane streets into one-lane streets in either direction. Buscaino noted this one-mile stretch between O’Farrell and 22nd streets as having the greatest number of pedestrian accidents in San Pedro. The former Los Angeles Police Department senior lead officer turned councilman cited statistics, such as the fact that there are three schools on Pacific Avenue, including Barton Hill and 15th Street Elementary schools and Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, a recently opened charter high school. Between these three schools, there are 1,900 students. Ninety percent of these students cross Pacific Avenue twice a day, totaling 3,400 crossings every day. The average daily traffic count seen on

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Harbor Area Transgender Ally Training Participate in the next Transgender Ally Training from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 5, at The Center Long Beach. The training incorporates curriculum, developed by youth from The Center’s Mentoring Youth Through Empowerment Program. All are welcome. Details: (562) 434-4455 Venue: The Center Long Beach Location: 2017 E. 4th St., Long Beach Electric Lawn Mower Exchange Program The South Coast Air Quality Management District invites you to participate in its Electric Lawn Mower exchange program, in San Pedro on Sat., Sept. 6. You can trade-in your old gaspowered mower for a non-polluting electric model and save money while helping clean the air. Purchase a rechargeable, cordless electric mower for as low as $100, with the trade-in of a working gas mower. Details: http://nwsanpedro.org/2014/08/ electric-lawn-mower-exchange-program/

The southbound lane of the 1300 block of Pacific Avenue has been reduced to one lane as part of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s Road Diet, which attempts converts two-lane streets into one-lane streets to slow traffic. Photo by Terelle Jerricks.

Pacific Avenue is half of what is seen on Gaffey Street. Data shows that Pacific Avenue has more than twice the number of pedestrian-involved accidents in the city. Between 2006 and 2011, there were 105 bike and pedestrian-involved collisions. Eighty percent of these involved children who were 12 years and younger. The Pacific Avenue Road Diet was at least two years in the making after DOT’s successful application for a grant for the project. DOT

representative Carlos Rios noted that the 2012 application was actually their second application. The first application was filed several years previously by the Community Redevelopment Agency before it was dismantled by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011. “With state money that is a lot of bureaucratic red tape associated with state money that we have to follow,” Rios explained. Buscaino reminded residents of thenCouncilwoman Janice Hahn’s Slowdown San Pedro initiative in the mid-2000s following resident complaints of speeding on San Pedro’s residential streets. Irate traffic foes weren’t having any of it and quickly disputed the numbers, questioning if DOT parceled out the number of jaywalkers, skateboarders and bike riders disobeying traffic laws, while others characterized the new street changes as a downtown Los Angeles attack against San Pedro and its car culture. “I don’t know where you guys are from, but I grew up in Pedro. I’m from here,” lifelong resident Alex Salazar said during public comment. “We’ve always had two lanes on Pacific and there wasn’t a problem before. Now we have more people here, now you’re going to make less space. It doesn’t make sense to me.” Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council member and safe street racing advocate Donald Road Diet/ to p. 5

2014 Long Beach AIDS Ride Kick-off Party A kick-off party for the 2014 Long Beach AIDS Ride will take place, from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at Alfredo’s Beach Club in Long Beach. Meet the 2013 riders and event staff to ask questions and learn about this year’s ride. The Long Beach AIDS Ride is a fundraising event produced by, and benefitting The Center Long Beach and The Comprehensive AIDS Resource and Education program at St. Mary Medical Center. Details: (562) 434-4455 Venue: Alfredo’s Beach Club Location: 5101 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach NWSNC Board, Stakeholder Meeting The Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council meeting is scheduled, at 6 p.m. Sept. 8, at Peck Park. Details: http://nwsanpedro.org/ Venue: Peck Park Location: 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro Economic Development Policy Meeting An economic development and policy meeting will take place, at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 9, at Ports O’Call Restaurant in San Pedro. Guest speakers include Los Angeles Economic & Workforce Development Department General Manager Jan Perry and Assistant General Manager Jenny Scanlin. Details: (310) 832-7272 Venue: Ports O’Call Restaurant Location: 1200 Nagoya Way, San Pedro Foreign Trade Zone Workshop The Port of Long Beach and the City of Torrance are presenting a foreign trade zone workshop, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 10, at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. Learn about the advantages and opportunities of doing business in a foreign trade zone. Attendees continued on following page


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Community Announcements will hear from foreign trade zone professionals about how this important economic development tool can help businesses better compete in global markets. Breakfast and networking begin at 8:30 a.m. Venue: Torrance Cultural Arts Center Location: 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance Spanish As A Second Language for Seniors The Long Beach Senior Latino Club is hosting weekly beginners “Spanish as a Second Language” classes for seniors in Long Beach for 12 weeks, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 10, at the Long Beach Senior Center. Instruction strongly focuses on reading, writing and speaking Spanish. Cost is $25. Details: (562) 570-3514 Venue: Long Beach Senior Center Location: 1150 E. 4th St., Long Beach

PFLAG Southern Pacific Regional Conference The Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and GaysSouthern Pacific Regional Conference will take place, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 13, at Temple Israel in Long Beach. Enjoy a great day of networking, speakers and workshops. Details: Barbara.pflag@gmail.com Venue: Temple Israel Location: 269 Loma Ave., Long Beach Glaucoma Information Join eye care professional and ophthalmologist Dr. Theodore Pasquali for a lecture about glaucoma, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 11, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Learn about symptoms, treatments and research. Check in time is at 9:30 a.m. Details: (562) 491-9275 Venue: St. Mary Medical Center Location: 1055 Linden Ave., Long Beach

About Diabetes Dr. Ingrid Lieu will lecture about the causes of diabetes type 1 and type 2, the risks, treatments, myths, symptoms, and effects of the disease, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 11, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She will also talk about meals and fitness. Details: (562) 491-9275 Venue: St. Mary Medical Center Location: 1055 Linden Ave., Long Beach

Joe Buscaino to Speak at Global Innovation Breakfast Councilman Joe Buscaino will be providing the welcome and attending the Global Innovation Breakfast, at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 16, at the Topaz Building in San Pedro. Chamber members pay $20 and non-members pay $25. Details: (310) 832-7272 Venue: Topaz Building Location: 222 W. 6th St., San Pedro

66th ADDC Fall Meeting The 66th Assembly District Democratic Council fall meeting will take place, at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11, at Sizzler in Torrance. Details: http://democracy.com/66ADDC/default. aspx

Board of Harbor Commissioners Meeting The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners will meet, at 6 p.m. Sept. 18, at the Banning’s Landing in Wilmington. Venue: Banning’s Landing Location: 100 E. Water St., Wilmington

NPH Guatamalan Orphanage Fundraiser Participate in the NPH Guatemalan orphanage fundraiser, at 6 p.m. Sept. 13, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. NHP Guatemala Orphanage music program purchases instruments and hires music teachers to advance the quality of life for less fortunate children. Details: (800) 403-3447; lifepwr@gmail.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Lyrics and Laughter Tickets are now on sale for the Little Sisters of the Poor Auxiliary, Lyrics and Laughter, Sept. 20, at the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion in Rolling Estates. The event will include dining plus a silent and live auction. Reservations are $175. Details: (310) 548-0625 Venue: Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion Location: 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates

September 4 - 17, 2014

Ballet Folklorico dancer was part of the celebration at the annual Labor Day Parade in Wilmington, Sept. 1. Photo by Terelle Jerricks

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Harbor Labor Day Parade

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Green Fleet, Pac-9, TTSI Violate Cooling-off Period Agreement By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

September 4 - 17, 2014

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

Port drivers hosted a press conference on the Friday before the Labor Day weekend, to highlight violations of the “cooling-off period” agreement brokered by Mayor Eric Garcetti to suspend the strike against three trucking companies. The strike ran from July 7 through 11—the fourth such unfair labor practices strike this year. “We cannot put the operations of the nation’s leading port at risk,” Garcetti said, in a statement responding to the new revelations. “That’s why

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I called for a cooling off period during which both sides were to resume normal operations and engage in productive dialogue, not engage in actions against each other.” But, clearly, that’s not what’s happened so far. The truckers charge that workers have been “unlawfully discharged and suspended… for their union activities,” and that pro-union drivers have experienced sharp reductions in the amount of work assigned to them, even resulting in

negative pay for some—evidence of which has been supplied to Random Lengths. But other evidence of continued bad faith and even lawbreaking by the companies arrived almost simultaneously from state and federal labor law agencies. In an email from staff lawyer, Stephanie Cahn, the National Labor Relations Board, Region 21, announced that it was revoking a settlement agreement with Pac 9, due to ongoing violations. In addition the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement issued an Order of Decision or Award for fourteen truck drivers working for Total Transportation Systems Inc., determining that the drivers are employees, not independent contractors and are owed almost $1 million for past illegal paycheck deductions, as well as wage and hour law violations. At the same time, the NLRB was already in administrative law court in a projected threeweek trial of Green Fleet Systems involving a 50-count complaint, which began Aug. 25. “We put down our picket lines because we

trusted Mayor Garcetti when he said that he would investigate the violations that have been going on at our companies,” said Santiago Aguilar, a driver for Pac 9. “Since I went back to work, Pac 9 has continued to break the law by firing several of my coworkers. The mayor has to do something to stop this because if this continues we’re going back on strike!” According to a press release from Justice for Port Drivers: “Pacific 9 excluded two of its most vocal union leaders, Douglas Herrera and Ervin Orellana, from its insurance on August 14, 2014, claiming that their driving records required the exclusion. This is essentially a firing and has led to fear and intimidation across the workforce.” Others may also soon be excluded, the company has told its drivers. At the same time, Pac-9 pay statements show low or even negative pay for some drivers, following the strike. A statement for Daniel Linares showed gross revenue of $3,191.87, but a net pay of minus $296.47 after deductions. A statement for Ismael Portillo Munoz showed

Port truckers at a July 10 demonstration. Photo by Slobodan Dimitrov.

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Cooling-off

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Road Diet

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rofessional indoor cyclist Missy Erickson, brought home two gold, a silver and a bronze medal from the U.S. Elite Track National Championships that took place this past month in Rockville, S.C. Erickson, a new San Pedro resident, has ranked No. 1 in the United States as a sprinter and is in the top 15 in the world in the sprint and keirin (a form of motor-paced cycle racing in which track cyclists sprint for victory following a speedcontrolled start) categories. Erickson didn’t do as well in the timed trials, but she credits that to her singular focus on racing. She hopes to perform at her best from Sept. 8 through 14. It is this race where she will begin competing to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro games of 2016. She has lived in San Pedro for less than a year. Her travels to competitions in Japan, Russia, Texas, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina has made her a virtual ghost in town. “It’s actually nice to come back because we live right by Fort MacArthur,” Erickson said. “It’s quiet and peaceful and it’s nice to come back and regroup rather than coming back to bustling LA. or Florida, where I [have] lived for a bit.” The 24-year-old Erickson has been cycling since the age of 16. Born in Minnesota, Erickson competed well enough to get a full-ride scholarship to Colorado University. After graduating, she turned professional and moved to San Pedro, where she could be close to the National team that’s preparing for the 2016 Olympics. The indoor-cycling team is training at the Velodrome at the StubHub Center adjacent to Cal State University Dominguez Hills. Erickson lived in various places around the Beach Cities until she, her boyfriend and a roommate (all cyclists) moved in together in the Fort MacArthur area of San Pedro. “When I started, I was only a road Neighborhood Council. He voted in favor of it. Allen explained that the trouble is that the city is taking a piecemeal approach to solving the city’s transportation woes and making a bigger problem as a result. However, the disconnect between walkable and livable cities and traffic reduction was most apparent in an exchange between an unidentified public speaker and Mowery. “Traffic is getting worse and worse all the time. You actually believe that this was more a walking, biking community and less commuters. You mentioned that.” Mowery attempted to correct the speaker, explaining that more transportation options (i.e. getting people to walk, bike and utilize public transportation) must be made available as the city’s population density increases. “But we don’t have that at this point,” the commenter cut back. “We can’t hop on the bus and go places. We can’t bus to Santa Monica. We can’t walk to Long Beach to go to school. We can’t do it. We have to drive our cars.” “You keep talking about the 5 percent that ride bikes. What about the 95 percent that commute to work?” a speaker said.

Professional indoor cyclist, a new San Pedro resident, lifts the bicycle she uses to train for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. Photo by Terelle Jerricks.

cyclist,” Erickson explained. “So, I just rode on the streets and did road cycling. And when I got into college, I was a part of the collegiate cycling program where I actually got to race on a track, which is an indoor track, which are usually 250 to 330 meters long.” Erickson noted that there are only about 24 such tracks in the nation and that there are different shapes and sizes. Some are indoor, while others are outdoor. Then, there’s cyclecross racing in which riders get on and off the bike to run up and down stairs and go through mud pits and over barriers in a kind of obstacle course. Erickson said that is more of a winter sport in the United States. She also has competed in a mountain-biking competition, in which she rode on mountain trails and the bikes had shocks and suspensions to minimize the shock of jumps. Just this past year, she also competed in BMX racing, with its shorter track, complete with hills and jumps. It was added to the last summer Olympics—a testament to the popularity of high adrenaline sports. And then, there’s track racing in which there are no brakes or gears. “My build [is what lead me to become a track racer],” Erickson explained. “I’ve never been a super little skinny lean road racer…. I was always a very strong rider but I wasn’t very strong in the mountain stages like where there were hills with a lot of up and down movements. I’ve always had a really good sprint.” When she raced on a track in college, she recalled enjoying it a lot. Figuring that she had nothing to lose, she decided to give it a go. “I’m not going to get sponsorships like pro basketball players,” Erickson replied to a question about financing her bid for the Olympics. “There are endorsements, but we get most of our funding from a national governing body or the Olympic committee or outside grants.” All of their travel and equipment is mostly paid by the athletes themselves unless they secure a sponsor. Erickson explained that since indoor cycling is such a small niche sport, they don’t have big teams or big brand names.

“I’m not going to make money by being a professional cyclist,” Erickson said. However, qualifying for the Olympic Games would mean that all of her expenses would be funded by the Olympic Committee. But getting there is the key. “I’m at a really good place in the U.S. in terms of my rankings right now,” Erickson said. “For the next two years, I’ll have to build up and get more competitive in my national races.” Erickson has been paying her way through grants and a fundraising page on gofundme.com. According to her page, she has raised $4,600 in the past 10 months, a third of the way toward her goal of $13,700. “I’ve been on a couple of groups in San Pedro. I do most of my training in the Velodrome, but I do go on some rides during the week,” Erickson said. “The cycling scene in Southern California in general is pretty big.” Erickson is pleased with the bike-friendly streetscapes that have emerged in the past year, but is cognizant of the tension between motorists and cyclists. She spoke briefly on the stigma attached to cyclists. “I think cyclists are sometimes at fault for traffic accidents because they are supposed to obey the same traffic laws as cars, you know, like stop at stop signs, use turn signals,” she said. Erickson recognizes that obeying traffic won’t necessarily save a cyclist from reckless drivers. Her roommate was injured in an accident on Weymouth near Western Avenue. Erickson noted that there weren’t many bike lanes that would allow cyclists to climb up the hill to Rancho Palos Verdes safely. “I think bike lanes are a good way to keep cyclists safe and out of the way of traffic and drivers don’t have to worry about the 3-feet or 4-feet spacing or whatever the law is in California,” she said. San Pedro residents may not be thrilled with the shrinking of city streets, but at least there’s a local to root for as Erickson makes her way to the 2016 Summer Olympics. 5

September 4 - 17, 2014

Galaz has serious complaints with the road diet and taken this issue up with the Department of Transportation at several neighborhood council meetings within the past several months. Galaz prefaced his remarks by saying he was not opposed to bike lanes or the efforts to reduce traffic accidents. Galaz argued the road diet was more dangerous than leaving it as it was, citing an incident in which his daughter narrowly escaped a near-miss collision when a vehicle evaded the left side of a bus making a stop. The vehicle, according to Galaz, swerved into oncoming traffic nearly hitting his daughter. In previous meetings, Galaz noted that the southern end of Pacific Avenue is in a tsunami zone and that if the unimaginable happens, there will only be two lanes instead of four leading out of San Pedro. Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council President (and Random Lengths News publisher) James Allen recalled seeing the road diet project when it was introduced to the Central San Pedro

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

The Local Publication You Actually Read

gross revenue of $1,366.67, but net pay of minus $111.31. A statement for Jose Flores showed gross revenue of $1,023.65, but net pay of minus $617.06. Finally, Pac-9 signed an agreement with the NLRB, recognizing its drivers as employees. But then, just weeks later, it turned around and told its drivers the agreement didn’t apply to them— which is apparently a major reason why NLRB has revoked the agreement. “My employer Vic La Rosa promised Mayor Garcetti that he would stop retaliating against us and not force us to sign any new contracts or drop our claim,” said Juan Martinez, a Total Transportation Systems Inc. driver. “But now, he’s gone back on his word and is threatening to fire all of us. If the mayor doesn’t hold TTSI accountable, we’ll have to take justice into our hands and do whatever it takes to legally stop these retaliations!” The promises La Rosa made were “a huge deal” for the striking Total Transportation Systems Inc. drivers, Barbara Maynard of Justice For Port Drivers explained. “So, sure enough after the strike, couple weeks later, they’re already violating the terms of the cooling-off period,” she said. Initially, Total Transportation Systems Inc. demanded that they sign new truck leases by Aug. 1, including language that renounces their rights—including claims before the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. The deadline was pushed back, but not withdrawn. These are the same rights that the division just recognized as applying to 14 more Total Transportation Systems Inc. drivers. Another 30 cases are still pending. In addition, an analysis from Justice for Port Drivers showed that drivers’ take-home pay has decreased by 17 percent since the strike. Half the drivers experienced 20 percent decreases or more, even though it was a busy time of year after the strike. “These allegations are very serious and I want to be clear—putting our port operations at risk is unacceptable,” Garcetti said. “Cool off and focus on an agreement.” It remains to be seen if any of the three outlaw companies are listening.

Missy Erickson Wants to Bring Back the Gold from the Brazil Games


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Napa Earthquake Stirs Renewed Fears Of Local Quake Impacting Rancho LPG

NAPA VALLEY—On Aug. 24, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay Area, injuring more than 170 people in the Napa Valley. It severely damaged historic buildings in downtown Napa, while also rupturing gas lines and water mains across Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties, resulting in multiple fires. It was the largest Bay Area earthquake since the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta quake almost 25 years ago. More than 100 aftershocks were recorded in the Bay Area. In San Pedro, there was psychic aftershock, since an earthquake of that magnitude could easily be far more devastating, thanks to the presence of the Rancho LPG facility. Later that evening, a magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck off the coast of San Pedro at 7:50 p.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was reportedly located at a depth of 3.4 miles, 6 miles south-southeast of Rancho Palos Verdes and 11 miles southwest of Long Beach. Residents reported feeling the quake in Lomita, Carson, Torrance, Lakewood and Wilmington. “The recent Napa 6.0 earthquake...along with the recent seismic activity in San Pedro (3.3 quake on Aug. 24) give added anxiety to us all due to the fact that this ultra hazardous gas storage facility is sitting in the only ‘earthquake rupture zone’ in the entire LA Harbor area,” said homeowner activists Janet Gunter, in an email sent to the Los Angeles mayoral staff. “An ERZ is a site where there is a convergence of multiple earthquake faults in one specific area. The largest quake fault in this zone registers a potential magnitude of 7.3 and the facility tanks sit on land identified by the U.S. Geological Survey as ‘landslide’ and ‘liquefaction’ areas. The huge tanks storing this gas were designed to a seismic sub-standard of 5.5 to 6.0. It is imperative that the mayor of Los Angeles pay immediate attention to this matter and take measures to ensure the safety of residents of all communities that would be affected.” Rep. Henry Waxman has arranged a public meeting on Rancho LPG with staff from the Department of Homeland Security on Sept. 10. See “Community Alerts,” p. 9 for details.

ILWU Contract Talks Slowly Moves Forward

September 4 - 17, 2014

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

On Aug. 26, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association released a joint statement announcing a tentative agreement on health benefits. This agreement is contingent on the agreement on others issues still at play in the negotiations, which includes the introduction of new technology. Longshore workers have been working without a contract since July 1. The parties have agreed not to discuss the terms of this tentative agreement as negotiations continue. On Aug. 25, ILWU members Local 8 in Portland, Ore., Local 4 in Vancouver, Local 21 in Longview, Local 19 in Seattle, and Local 23 in Tacoma, Wash., voted in favor of a tentative agreement with Northwest Grain Companies, which includes Louis Dreyfus Commodities, United Grain Corporation and Columbia Grain Inc.. This agreement will be in effect until May 31, 2018. Eighty-eight percent of those that voted voted in favor of the agreement, but did not reveal turnout for the vote. Members voting in favor totaled 1,475; those voting against numbered 193. In an Aug. 12 joint press release, when the tentative agreement was announced, federal mediators characterized the negotiations as being difficult and contentious, but praised the professionalism and cooperation the parties exhibited during the negotiations. If the membership vote in favor of accepting this agreement, all pending legal disputes before the National Labor Relations Board related to this agreement or the labor dispute would be dropped. This agreement also includes and state and federal court lawsuits, though this may not affect criminal cases against protesting Longshore workers from Local 21 that engaged in wildcat actions at the grain terminals in the Pacific Northwest at the height of tensions with Export Grain Terminal. With this agreement, the employer and its ILWU Local Union will discuss and agree on how to address egregious picket line misconduct and/or sabotage. It’s not clear if this will be retroactive.

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Reactions to Ferguson Run Deep A police lieutenant from nearby St. Ann, Ray Albers, was first suspended, then resigned to avoid being fired, after pointing an assault rifle at protesters and cursing them on Aug. 19. A police officer from Glendale, Matthew Pappert, was first suspended, then fired for Facebook comments calling protesters “a blight on the community,” and saying they should be “put down like rabid dogs.” Other officers arrested journalists as well as residents not involved in protests, simply for being in the wrong place. But all these follow police state-style actions that are symptomatic of a much broader sickness in the land reflected on multiple levels. Many people do not believe that, of course. A Pew poll found that only 37 percent of white people (compared to 80 percent of black people) thought that the Michael Brown shooting “raises important issues about race,” while 47 percent said “race is getting more attention than it deserves.” But the tendency to minimize race is itself a part of the problem, civil rights scholars, lawyers and activists contend, as Ferguson itself so richly illustrates. The mayor, James Knowles, repeatedly claimed that there was no racial divide in Ferguson, even though the town’s population is 67 percent black, but its police force is 94 percent white, its city council is 86 percent white and its school board is 83 percent white. Knowles finally modified his stance slightly in an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes on Aug. 20, “There are definitely things that make us different,” but claiming that the community had “been able to successfully—especially over the past couple decades, really live, work and play together and grow together,” he admitted. But neither the ongoing demonstrations, nor a welter of disturbing facts jibed with his happy talk. An Aug. 30 Washington Post story reported that at least five other Ferguson officers had been named in a total of four federal lawsuits over the past decade, as well as more than half a dozen investigations. These included, “killing a mentally ill man with a Taser, pistolwhipping a child, choking and hog-tying a child and beating a man who was later charged with destroying city property because his blood spilled on officers’ clothes.” One of the officers in the last case has since been elected to Ferguson’s city council. The judge in that case originally ruled that the injuries suffered were “too minor to warrant a finding of excessive force,” even though the blood flowing from them was enough to warrant a charge of destroying city property. It’s a classic example of how Ferguson minimizes the harms of race. The case is under appeal. Altogether, 13 percent of Ferguson’s police force have been investigated for excessive force. No comparable national data is available, but one national study, funded by the Cato Institute, found that 1 percent of U.S. police officers will “be cited for or charged with misconduct,” according the Post. Excessive force is involved in half those cases. But this should not be read to stigmatize Ferguson alone, and let the rest of America off the hook. For example, twice a week, a white police officer killed a black person in the United States, throughout the past seven years, according to the most recent accounts

Ferguson, Mo. Police officer Darren Wilson. File photo

of justifiable homicide reported to the FBI. Rather, Ferguson serves to show how white Americans are able to dismiss virtually any level of racial injustice, no matter how bad it gets. In his 2003 book, Racism Without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in America, sociologist Eduardo Bonilla-Silva explained, that “The central component of any dominant racial ideology is its frames or set paths for interpreting information,” and that racial ideology had reformulated itself in the post-civil rights era around four key frames: (1) Abstract Liberalism, using ideas such as “equal opportunity,” choice, individualism in an abstract manner to explain racial matters. (2) Naturalization (“That’s just how things are.”) (3) Cultural Racism (arguments like “Mexicans don’t put much emphasis on education” or “Blacks have too many babies” to explain the condition of minorities.) (4) Minimization of Racism, which simultaneously acknowledges and dismisses persistent racism (“It’s better now than in the past” or “There is discrimination, but there are plenty of jobs out there). All four frames can be seen at work in the wake of Michael Brown’s killing and the demonstrations that followed, but the fact that most whites don’t think Michael Brown’s shooting raises important issues about race clearly highlights how important this particular frame is as a gateway frame, protecting the entire structure of colorblind racism from critical examination, even in the wake of such a galvanizing event. One potent way to break through that frame in the wake of Michael Brown’s killing is to focus on the failure of the first frame—abstract liberalism—to deliver as promised. As Bonilla-Silva’s book makes clear, this frame is used primarily in rationalizing existing forms of racial disparities, primarily in the labor market, education, housing, etc. But abstract liberalism more generally encompasses the idea that individuals are treated fairly and honestly as individuals, regardless of race and this claim clearly fails in the realm of criminal justice. This is not to say it actually works in other realms, but its failure in criminal justice is more vivid, immediate and fundamental, as the police slaying of Michael Brown makes abundantly clear. One vivid signal of that failure is the

filing of a $40 million federal civil rights lawsuit on Aug. 28, naming Ferguson, St. Louis County, their police chiefs, one named Ferguson officer and other unnamed officers from Ferguson and St. Louis County. The suit charges that law enforcement responded to lawful protests with “militaristic displays of force and weaponry,” (and) engaged U.S. citizens “as if they were war combatants.” The suit was filed on behalf of six plaintiffs, including a 17-year-old boy who was arrested along with his mother in a fastfood restaurant. Another plaintiff was shot with rubber bullets, then beaten and pepper sprayed, all while simply trying to visit his mother, according to the suit. Two other plaintiffs allege they were fired on with tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades while peacefully protesting. Another claims police took his camera and arrested him as he was trying to record the protests. “This is a blatant example of how police handle African Americans…how it can go terribly, terribly wrong,” said lawyer Reginald Greene, who brought the case, according to Reuters. “You have a right to peaceful assembly.” This lawsuit, which others are expected to join, is unfortunately a relatively routine demonstration of the limits of abstract liberalism. One reason for this is the general failure of the legal system to effectively deter police misconduct, either on the individual or the systemic level. This is reflected, for example, in the fact that individual officers almost never bear any burden for their official misconduct, as detailed in a recent article, “Police Indemnification,” by Joanna C. Schwartz, a UCLA law professor, in the NYU law review. “Regardless of the means used to tighten the link between lawsuits and police decisionmaking, police misconduct suits will not have their intended deterrent effect on law enforcement officials until governments pay closer attention to the costs and information associated with these suits,” Schwartz writes. Just how far we have to go in this regard, she makes clear in her conclusion: Law enforcement officers employed by the forty-four largest jurisdictions in my study were personally responsible for just .02 percent of the over $730 million paid to plaintiffs in police misconduct suits between 2006 and 2011. Law enforcement officers employed by the continued on following page


37 small and mid-sized departments in my study paid nothing towards settlements and judgments entered against them during this period. Officers did not contribute to settlements and judgments even when they were disciplined, terminated, or criminally prosecuted for their misconduct. [Emphasis added.]

He then noted, “Clearly (1), (3), and (7) – and possibly (2) since the clear intent was to make an arrest of Brown—apply to Darren Wilson and this incident. Thus HE was REQUIRED to file, at minimum, an Incident Report (also a Use of Force statement, which is also pending production upon a request that I have filed…” That’s right. It wasn’t just the incident

By Joseph Baroud, Contributor

Racers kept their heads down. Their eyes pointed straight ahead as they steered their wheels and went for the gold at the All-American Queen’s Cup Soap Box Derby race. The derby took place Aug. 23 and 24 at the parking lot adjacent to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. A ramp was placed at the beginning of the track. Racers were released from the top, gathering enough speed to push them to the

elimination race had drivers race each other, mark the time difference, trade wheels and lanes and go at it again. The time difference was recorded after the second race and the racer with the better accumulated time would advance. The switch was made to ensure a fair game. Eleven-year-old Michael Nuñez placed fourth and brought home a trophy in his first ever race. He said his mom persuaded him to race by

All-American Queen’s Cup Soap Box Derby winners at the Queen Mary. Photo by Joseph Baroud.

finish line. The finish is 40- or 50-feet ahead of the ramp. Haystacks outlined the track to cushion a driver in the event of a crash and cones divided the two lanes. Most of the races were neck-and-neck from start to finish. Some ended with about a secondor a second-and-a-half between them. Some ended with finishes that made your heart skip a beat. That instance alone was enough to fill the gap that separated the racers. Most importantly, none of the races were one-sided, which made for an exciting event. The races began at 11 a.m. There were four different races for each of the three different classes: stock; super stock; masters. The double

promising him a surprise if he did. The trophy he won was the second of two surprises at the end of the day. He said his favorite part of the race was zooming down the ramp at the start. He said he will definitely race again in the future. Regional Director Brian Graham said he was looking for a race director who can find racers and permanent venues in Long Beach who is willing to host annual races. As for the Queen Mary being host to its first soap box derby, Graham wished that the track had been longer, but said they did a great job providing the best possibility of running a flawless event. “As a host site the Queen Mary was perfect,” Graham said. “Everything we could want was provided, maybe some things we had not thought about, too. We are looking into a longer track and longer ramps for future events. With any program the first time out there are always some things to improve. However, with our intention for this race, we hit a home run.”

Contact Graham at rallycomish@aol.com.

September 4 - 17, 2014

Quoting from Ferguson’s own policy on incident reports, Grapski noted that they were required in case of: 1. Violations of law or ordinance 2. Arrests for any charge 3. Use of force 4. Motor vehicle traffic crashes as defined in General Order 486.00 5. Protective custody 6. Damage to city property 7. Any situation which may result in civil action or complaint against the department

Thus, failure to produce this report is not just a violation of law and policy by the individual officer who killed Michael Brown, it’s a violation of law and policy by the entire command structure above him—up to, and including, Police Chief Tom Jackson. Such violations are specifically defined as a “class A misdemeanor” in the policy itself. Given that these facts are required for a possible criminal investigation, it appears to be a clear case of obstruction of justice. “They are supposed to produce the basic facts for an investigation,” Grapski told Random Lengths. “What they’re doing is willfully withholding those facts, so that no investigation can begin, really, into what happened, because nobody is stating what the officer’s side is other than the original press conference, in which the chief made statements as to what had to have come from a report from the officer that should have been the incident report.” On the blog, he wrote: [I[t has become clear that both law enforcement agencies are engaged in UNLAWFUL activities in order to cover up the facts and provide cover for the officer. And this is highly problematic. It has the law enforcement agency declaring that it is “above” the law. This is the relationship that black Americans have always had with the police. The fact that most white Americans still refuse to see it is not a sign of progress, but of exactly the opposite.

Soapbox Derby Debuts at Queen Mary

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Given this general lack of accountability, it’s not surprising that police frequently seem to act as if they’re above the law, particularly when it comes to dealing with blacks or other minorities. But when it comes to how Ferguson police acted in the wake of Michael Brown’s killing, their lawlessness was totally out of control—as was that of the St. Louis County police, as well. This has been exhaustively documented by Charlie Grapski of the blog Photography Is Not A Crime. Grapski has conducted an ongoing public records investigation, begun by trying to get a copy of the police report on Michael Brown’s killing. His investigation clearly shows the Ferguson police department breaking the law and violating its own policies in an ongoing effort to protect Michael Brown’s killer, even as they publicly tried to smear Michael Brown. In an apparent effort to justify his killing, they released a unrelated police report and videotape of an apparent robbery Brown was involved in, which Wilson knew nothing about. As Grapski’s investigation shows the highprofile outrage of trying to smear Brown serves to mask an even more insidious and clearly illegal pattern of police misconduct designed to obstruct justice in the investigation of Brown’s murder. Along with the ACLU and the National Bar Association (the black equivalent of the American Bar Association), Grapski sought basic information about the shooting in the days after it occurred, but was repeatedly put off, at the same time that the department refused to release the name of the officer who killed Brown. When an incident report finally was released, it contained virtually no information. As Grapski explained at length, the report that was released was not the original report required under Missouri law. It was a document specifically created in response to his request, lacking in any of the required narrative detail. Missouri law defines an incident report as follows: (4) “Incident report,” a record of a law enforcement agency consisting of the date, time, specific location, name of the victim and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding the initial report of a crime or incident, including any logs of reported crimes, accidents and complaints maintained by that agency; [emphasis added]

report that was withheld. A use of force report was also required in such a situation and its production (or suppression) involves the entire chain of command. Specifically, Grapski noted that section 410.05 of the Ferguson Police Department’s use of force policy “sets out the procedures required to be followed whenever an officer uses ‘lethal force.’” And, within that section part 4 reads: The watch commander will complete the Use of Force Report F-080 and forward it through the chain of command to the Chief.

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The Path Forward—

Connecting the Harbor to L.A. Road Diets, Stop Signs and Traffic Solutions

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

September 4 - 17, 2014

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

Councilman Joe Buscaino hosted a town hall forum on the Pacific Avenue Road Diet this past week and got an ear full from some unhappy residents about narrowing the roadway. The problem is that the Los Angeles Department of Transportation has already decided, for some very rational reasons, that this is the solution and has already budgeted the money to slow traffic on this roadway. The one small truth revealed by the DOT representatives at the meeting is that the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control traffic signal synchronization system that the city paid millions for hasn’t been working and there’s no estimate of when it will be fixed. So much for great plans and high tech solutions. The problem that the city is solving here is kind of like Councilman Buscaino’s predecessor Janice Hahn’s approach to traffic accidents, more stop signs and traffic signals. When taken individually, these incremental steps are reasonable solutions, until they are implemented with an overall plan. What is needed is a region-wide traffic and transportation plan that takes into consideration port cargo traffic, the impact of increasing commuter traffic on streets like Gaffey and Pacific Coast Highway (both of which feed into the 110 freeway), and the projected impacts of waterfront development from tourists visiting the Harbor. Anyone who drives the designated Great Gaffey Street to work notices the weekday migration of workers, calculated by LADOT at some 63,000 car trips per day. Many of these trips (a good chunk of which originate on the hill of Rancho Palos Verdes) are commuters—commuters due to the dwindling local job base. Our readers commute an average of 15.3 miles daily and if the area population were to grow, so would the rush hour traffic. The problem, however, is not so much the number of cars and trucks, but the amount of time it takes to get anywhere in the Los Angeles basin. Distance for Angelenos is not calculated in miles, but by time. We’ve all noticed how much more time it takes to get anywhere outside of our own neighborhood hamlets. Slowing traffic down only lengthens the distance between ourselves and our

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destination. The other part of this equation that the LADOT doesn’t calculate is the distance between citizens and their city government measured in time. When civic leaders complain about “the people” not turning out to vote, not showing up at city hall or otherwise being un-engaged, they are fundamentally overlooking the sheer hassle factor of getting anywhere in Los Angeles, let alone be engaged in the governing of our city. Before the advent of our “modern” freeway system inspired by Disney’s 1955 Autopia, there were hundreds of miles of Red Car lines that stretched from San Pedro’s Point Fermin to Pasadena in the north and crisscrossed the Southland from the beaches to Riverside. A century ago it took just as long to ride the Red Car to downtown Los Angeles as it does to drive there today in traffic. That’s some great advancement for a nation and a region that put a man on the moon within a decade. You’d think someone would have a better idea. Reconnecting Los Angeles to itself via a modern version of the Red Car is that better idea. The Harbor region needs it now more than ever before. With increased port traffic and the projected traffic impact of waterfront development, there is no better time than now to commit the city and county of Los Angeles to connecting the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor areas to LAX and the San Pedro Cruise terminal through existing rail right-of-ways. By my very unscientific estimate, this could eliminate some 150,000 to 200,000 car trips per year from the 110 and 405 freeways. This could increase access to better jobs for thousands of workers and reduce greatly the cost of commuting to both work and the seats of government. Can you imagine parking near the waterfront and it only taking 35 or 40 minutes to get from there to LAX or downtown Los Angeles and not having to pay for parking? Some might call this a pipe dream and others pure insanity to think driving Angelenos would give up their keys to take public transit. But I suspect many would change their mind when travel times to regular destinations begin to double or even triple. The thing is the City of Los Angeles has already done the studies that show how it can be done. Visit links below. It’s not like Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Suzanne Matsumiya info@graphictouchdesigns.com

“A newspaper is not just for reporting the news as it is, but to make people mad enough to do something about it.” —Mark Twain Vol. XXXV : No. 18

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

Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com Assistant Editor Zamná Ávila zamna@randomlengthsnews.com

we don’t have a solution. What we don’t have is the political will to influence our electeds to move in this direction. Many of us are too busy complaining about the road diet or a useless change on a right-hand turn signal and bicycle lanes. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll probably drive my two classic cars until I’m too old to drive anymore. But would I choose to take a light rail line to Los Angeles to go to city hall or catch a

flight at the airport? You bet I would. And, this should be the option for anyone who lives south of the 405 freeway. It’s time to re-connect Los Angeles to its Harbor region before the 110 freeway becomes an impediment to transportation. Links: http://www.metro.net/projects/south-bay/ alternatives-analysis-study-november-2009/ h t t p : / / p o r t o f l o s a n g e l e s . o rg / p d f / W R C L _ Executive_Summary.pdf

Lift America Up—Raise the Wage Floor

By Jim Hightower The good news is that it’s not all bad news these days. Take the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour—please! That’s a poverty wage, a shameful stain on our extremely rich nation. But don’t count on Washington to lift our wage floor— indeed, pigheaded Republican congress critters refuse to consider it, even declaring there should be no wage floor to sustain America’s middleclass framework. So where’s the good news? Probably right where you live. Millions of low-wage workers themselves—from fast food workers to adjunct college professors—have been organizing and mobilizing, pushing local leaders to take action against the immoral inequality that’s ripping our society apart and sinking our economy. Sure enough, local officials are responding—Seattle, Chicago, New York City, Austin, Providence, San Francisco, and even Oklahoma City, as well as other locales, either have raised their wage

Columnists/Reporters Lyn Jensen Carson B. Noel Barr Music Dude John Farrell Curtain Call Lori Lynn Hirsch-Stokoe Food Writer Andrea Serna Arts Writer Malina Paris Culture Writer Calendar 14days@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Terelle Jerricks, Slobodan Dimitrov, Robin Doyno, Betty Guevara Contributors Jim Hightower, Greggory Moore, Danny Simon,

Cartoonists Ann Cleaves, Andy Singer, Matt Wuerker Advertising Production Mathew Highland, Suzanne Matsumiya Advertising Representative Mathew Highland reads@randomlengthsnews.com adv@randomlengthsnews.com Editorial Intern Joseph Baroud, Justine McCarthy Potter Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 www.randomlengthsnews.com

floors or are battling the corporate lobbyists to get the job done. And here’s a pleasant surprise: Breaking away from the McDonald’s-Domino-Taco Bell herd of low-wage exploiters, several smaller fast food chains are acting on their own, raising their starting pay levels as high as $15 an hour, plus benefits. The Boloco burrito chain in New England, for example, has raised its minimum to $9 an hour, plus subsidizing its employees’ commuting costs and contributing to their 401(k) fund. A Boloco co-founder says, “If we’re talking about building a business that’s successful, but our employees can’t go home and pay their bills, to me that success is a farce.” Exactly! If you can’t pay your workers a decent wage, then you don’t have a legitimate business. The multimillion-dollar executives at poverty-pay outfits like McDonald’s aren’t running a business, they’re running a labor extortion racket. Random Lengths News editorial office is located at 1300 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731, (310) 519-1016. Address correspondence regarding news items and news tips only to Random Lengths News, P.O. Box 731, San Pedro, CA 90733-0731, or email to editor @randomlengthsnews.com. Send Letters to the Editor or requests for subscription information to james @ randomlengthsnews.com. To be considered for publication, all Letters to the Editor should be typewritten, must be signed, with address and phone number included (these will not be published, but for verification only) and be kept to about 250 words. To submit advertising copy email adv@randomelengthsnews.com or reads@ randomlengthsnews.com. Extra copies and back issues are available by mail for $3 per copy while supplies last. Subscriptions are available for $35 per year for 27 issues. 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 to express those opinions. Random Lengths News is a member of Standard Rates and Data Reporting Services and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. (ISN #0891-6627). All contents Copyright 2014 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.


RANDOMLetters Giving Up On Supporting the Health of the Public

It is with a heavy heart that I read your comments. I live in a commercial district—I do not live in an industrial district. A business that has toxic emissions belongs in a industrial area. Also, the area I live in is mixed use, including residential and business. Nonetheless, I have supported your newspaper since you started it. I believed you actually cared about our town and our people....“Just Sayin” I see you are supportive of toxic second hand smoke. J. Olsen San Pedro Dear J. Olsen, My point in responding to your last of several letters was that if you have tried to get compliance and there are no other options left in this issue, then for your own health it might be better to just move. I have not taken any sides in this issue and refrain from doing so now. Previously I was accused of taking your side by printing your letters. You can argue all you like about the zoning and mixed use issues but at this point I don’t see you succeeding in your attempt to

Community Alert

Rancho LPG and the Federal Chemical Security and Safety Programs: A Federal Agency Discussion

One Way Trip to Pedroville

His name was Gentry hereto-for referred to as big Sonny. Big Sonny resided out on North Meyler near the canyon. He was a gregarious bear of a man, weighing in at about 300 pounds. He was a red-faced, freckled Afro-American. Some wanted to call him “Red,” as a name but he wouldn’t have it. Big Sonny loved fishing and hunting. He loved fixing cars and talking about cars. But most of all he loved San Pedro. One of his favorite things was to cruise down Pacific Avenue to Cabrillo Beach in his 1957 Mercury. He would go through the circle head back to Pacific, turn right and head back north—maybe do this two or three times on Sundays. This was his runway American dream. Big Sonny worked in a warehouse off 22nd and Pacific. When the job closed down he was grandfathered into Longshore Local 13. He was one happy man. He had struggled for years to maintain steady employment and he had finally gotten an inadvertent break. He worked the docks until he retired because of his ailing health. Big Sonny did not allow criticisms of his film narcissus at the harbor. He had landed in San Pedro when he was 12 years old. His family came from Holly Springs, Miss. and relocated in a housing project just above Todd Shipyard (now freeway). Coming to San Pedro to Big Sonny was like Christopher Columbus discovering the New World (people already

Correction

In the Aug. 21 edition of Random Lengths, the words “Dear Postmaster General” were omitted from the letter “New Deal for San Pedro.” This was an open letter submitted to the Postmaster General from Rep. Janice Hahn.

raised in Wilmington, attended public schools, here, and graduated from Harbor College. But what is he…about Wilmington’s present state, a community now known as one of color, extremely poor and a toxic hot spot, just like Pacoima, Boyle Heights, according to the recently released report by a UCLA seminar group. Jack Vavvitt, Julien Burger and I are willing to create a second Neighborhood Council for Wilmington that would, specifically, focus on the plight of these thousands of children and their families who are in need

of a gold spur connection with downtown’s Union Station and a short Line Trolley, called, say the Gold Car form Banning Park area to the Waterfront Park on C Street so westsiders can get whole families and their picnic…and supplied to…Park. Jacob Haik knows the demographics for Wilmington, form the 2010 federal Census,… does not talk about what to do for the isolation of most poor residents from downtown that if made an issue would bring the gold spur line from Union Station to Wilmington 60,000 residents so

their kids can learn that downtown is where it’s at, for stores, jobs, venues of all kinds and the Great Cathedral. A second neighborhood council would focus in this, but a second council needs the existing WNC to cede to it some territory to make this happen and so far, the WNC refuses to do so, as if these thousands of poor do not exists at all. Jacob Haik is disloyal to his hometown and refuses to intervene to help. Donald Compton Wilmington

Moved by a Letter

I was moved by Harold Ericsson’s one line letter to RLN in the last issue: “Gaza: Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.” And, so I write. I have spent the past two months checking Twitter day and night for the latest from Gaza, receiving instant messages telling me what child just died, what building just fell, what hospital or school was bombed. I did make a little noise, but the bombs kept dropping. There is a ceasefire now, though apparently Israeli drones still fly overhead. Fishermen are going out. Children play on the beaches. By the time this letter is published, will it still be recognizable as a ceasefire? There are actions we can take that can make a difference. Supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (bdsmovement.net, modeled on the anti-apartheid boycott of South Africa, is one. On Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at 350 W. 5th St., San Pedro Neighbors for Peace and Justice will show the film, Roadmap to Apartheid (Ubuntu Films, 2012), which compares South African and Palestinian experiences. Please join us for the film and discussion. Susannah Roff de la Cruz San Pedro

Refusing Support for a Second Council in Wilmington

Jacob Haik, CD 15’s director, refuses to support a second council in Wilmington. It is a part of the public record that Jacob Haik is the director for Councilman Joe Buscaino CD 15. It is also true that Mr. Haik was

The Local Publication You Actually Read September 4 - 17, 2014

Rep. Henry Waxman’s office (D-L.A.) invites the public to a discussion with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an Overview of Federal Chemical Security and Safety Programs, taking place on Sept. 10, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Peck Park Community Center Auditorium. This event will feature some discussion of the Rancho LPG Holdings, LLC. The House of Representatives is in session so Waxman will not be in attendance, but District Director Lisa Pinto will be, along with senior staff at both DHS and EPA. Both agencies with time for questions from the public at the end. The goal is to allow DHS and EPA to share background on their chemical safety and security programs and allow community members to directly ask questions of both agencies. Pinto will report back to Waxman, who will then evaluate what next steps may make sense. Venue: Peck Park Community Center Auditorium Location: 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro

close or move this Cigar Lounge. That’s just my honest opinion, but then I’m not the one responsible for enforcing the zoning codes. All I can say is that I’ve offered both sides of this dispute the opportunity to air their grievances and it appears that there is no compromise that works for you. Sorry if this makes you feel unhappy. James Preston Allen Publisher

here). He did not see any “whites only” signs or all of the social/ cultural implications that accompany Mr. and Mrs. James Crow. He was now released from apartheid, unfreedom, that revealed black men can jump, really jump. With this newfound realization, Big Sonny was, at an instant, captured by and forever to remain in the bubble of Pedroville. Pedroville is that [which is] subliminally constructed of love, loyalty and faith that provided answers as nebulous as Forest Gump’s box of chocolates… Of course we know where he came from and we knew San Pedro was his complete map of the world. He would then finish his thought by saying, “Where I came from makes San Pedro heaven on earth.” John Gray San Pedro

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Duck Days of Summer

September 4 - 17, 2014

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

About 277,000 visitors came San Pedro’s waterfront for the TallShips Festival this past August to see a 61-foot tall inflatable duck. The duck was so popular that its stay was extended to Sept. 7. The economic impact of this year’s TallShips Festival appears to mixed. Created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, Rubber Duck’s two-day engagement was cut short after strong winds battered down the bright yellow inflatable just a couple of hours after it had been towed from a San Pedro dock to the Wilmington site near Banning’s Landing Community Center. Port officials said they also are scoping out spots adjacent to the Banning’s Landing berth, in case winds kick up again Sept. 7. The oversized rubber duck will stay at the Downtown Harbor through Sept. 6 and finish out the port’s “Duck Days of Summer” tour Sept. 7 in Wilmington. Photo by Betty Guevara.

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TransVagrant@Warschaw Gallery presents

Jay McCafferty, Recent Works September 13 - October 31, 2014 Opening reception September 13, 4 to 7 p.m.

Electing the neutrality of the grid as an organizing principle, Jay McCafferty has been creating artworks by focusing rays of sunlight on its points of intersection for more than three decades. Restrictive by choice, and process-driven, the work has evolved from an orderly array of cigarette-sized burns punctuating the grid to scatters of charred excavations through multiple layers, to near obliteration of the matrix. In this new body of work the grid gives way to the maze. Working intuitively over various grounds—ranging from quiet monochromes to ebullient polychromes incorporating rust—the artist is engaged in a complex mapping of imagination. Monochrome works read as arterial networks, man-made or biomorphic, leading everywhere and nowhere, while rust-inhabited poly-

Rust #8 (detail), 2014, solar burns, rust, pigments on paper, 60" x 60".

chromes appear newly wrested from nature. McCafferty’s peculiar art-making ritual, introverted and intensely personal, yields accessible, engaging works capable of varied readings. Jay McCafferty’s work has been exhibited widely since the 1970s both in the United States and abroad and can be found in many public and private

TransVagrant@Warschaw Gallery

collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Newport

600 S. Pacific Avenue, San Pedro California 90731

Harbor Art Museum. Organized by TransVagrant, JAY McCAFFERTY, RECENT WORKS runs through October 31, 2014. For visuals or additional information please call 310-600-4873.

310.600.4873 www.TransVagrant.com Daily, 11 AM - 5 PM and by appointment


Photo by Terelle Jerricks

that was started here. This was where Mike Watt entered the music world with his first band the Minutemen. The following is a partial transcription of our interview with Watt: Random Lengths: You’ve made this amazing array of friends in various styles of music throughout your career but you like to put these influences into a blender and out comes an album like this one Canto Segundo.

RLn: Some of the new album has a kind of Tom Waits voicing, the cynic’s prayer.

Mike Watt: I got into music to be with my friends. The influence of punk wasn’t a style, it was a state of mind.

RLn: How much of your work is autobiographical and how much is fiction?

“Bass is the greatest thing in the band. It’s still mysterious. The baseline in the music is the heart, the glue, something to stick to.”

MW: The influences of the latest album and some of the other ones like the Minutemen, in a way, I’m coming back to my beginning. This is collaboration and I compose on the base. I work in a semiscripted way at the beginning and then build upon that. I like to leave plenty of room for this trio to invent around the baseline and words. RLn: What kind of rules are you breaking musically with this album?

I

(second song) is an exploratory expression of this boat of memories recorded with music collaborators Andrea Belfi and Stefano Pilla in Bologna, Italy in December 2013. Their 53–stop tour starts Sept. 10 at the Casbah in San Diego and the next night at the Echo, in Los Angeles. Canto Secondo is an assemblage of influences both musical and artistic that references improvisational jazz, 1970s rock and John Cage with a dash of Charles Bukowski. The Vinyl District’s, Joseph Neff described Canto Secondo as “a fresh yet familiar aural breeze combining progressive rock’s instrumental adeptness and expansionist possibilities with a lean punk-derived lack of malarkey.” Still, Canto Secondo, is a boat of memories that references the early days of punk music. Black Flagg was a big part of that movement. Black Flagg had an almost magical influence in the local music scene in the 1980s and they had wide recognition

RLn: Tell me about some of the other influences on this current work. MW: When I first heard John Coltrane I thought he was a punk rocker, I didn’t even know he was dead. Most of what I’ve learned has come from acutely listening to the music and playing with a bunch of people… and learning from everyone. RLn: How do you stay a creative as a musician?

MW: The Engine Room is a metaphor from my father. I use his life in the Navy. I like to use writers and painters for inspiration rather than taking riffs from other musicians. One album I used the Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch, his painting the World of Earthly Delights for my inspiration. When I was a kid I liked astronauts, dinosaurs and Bosch. Friends are like actors in the little plays of my life. I don’t want to be too social. I need people to inspire and encourage me, but I need to have my own space and San Pedro has been as much an influence as the people. It has allowed me to have certain autonomy. RLn: You’ve read the works of Charles Bukowski, you are kind of like him except with a plaid shirt with an anchor around your neck. MW: Yeah, I’ve read a bunch of Bukowski’s work and even met him one time. Bukowski was a punch-drunk to some, other people say his poetry was depressing, but he once told me that ‘writing is for pretending.’ We continued our conversation into the night onto the streets of downtown San Pedro. He blended in easily amongst the throngs of people enjoying the cool evening, who only occasionally recognized Watt for the notorious musician he is. That’s likely a testament to his innate humility. At age 56, he still has the curious eye of a child. An email blast from Mike Watts arrived before we went to press: “In 13 days, Andrea Belfi and Stefano Pilia will sally forth with me as our il Sogno del Marinaio band does its first ever U.S. tour.” September 10 Casbah Location: 2501 Kettner Blvd. San Diego Venue:

September 11 Echo Location: 1822 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles Venue: The

September 4 – 17, 2014 September 4 – 17, 2014

t was First Thursday. The workday had ended and the nightlife at San Pedro’s artwalk was just beginning. Lumbering down South Pacific Avenue to Random Lengths in his white econo-van, Mike Watt, at 56, looks more like an old sailor than punk legend and frontman of the Minutemen. His van has probably tallied more road years touring than younger bands have been alive. Watt was dropping by to talk about his upcoming 53–stop tour, his new album and collaboration with Italian duo, il Sogno del Marinaio (The Sailor’s Dream). However, after 35 years on the music scene, Watt is still Watt with his signature plaid shirt. As his latest album, Canto Secondo, shows, the past is never far from Watt’s mind. For Watt, the past forever rides with him in his econo-van (or “the boat” as he calls it) or hangs like his silver anchor around his neck. Canto Secondo

MW: My fundamentals are from rock ’n’ roll. I’ve been around too long and you know you can’t learn anything by being the boss. I want to learn from everything, — the dream of the bard or Dante’s Inferno. I need the title to start before I write the songs. Bass is the greatest thing in the band. It’s still mysterious. The baseline in the music is the heart, the glue, something to stick to.

MW: I’m always going to hope for something better. I wonder if music is for transcending.

ACE: Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment ACE • Art, Cuisine, & Entertainment

RLn: The influences on this album almost seems like they’re taken from Berthold Brecht, or Dadaist art. Where is this coming from?

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

MW: I’ve never had to submit a demo; never took tour-money. You have to have core beliefs. I did 11 years at SST records and had complete autonomy. I don’t have any nightmare big label stories.

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Recipe

Lobster Tortilla Soup

September 4 – 17, 2014

Independent And Free.

By Lori Lynn Hirsch Stokoe, Food Writer and Photographer

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ith the world’s largest lobster festival right around the corner and in our own backyard (The Port of Los Angeles), it was time to develop a new lobster recipe. Now, while lobster is usually decadent, expensive and reserved for special occasions, I sought to create a more humble lobster dish for everyday enjoyment. These 3.5-ounce lobster tails cost $6.50 each, while the rest of the ingredients are quite inexpensive. This hearty meal in a bowl can be served to company as well as enjoyed for a weeknight dinner. And, in the process of research, I thought it would be neat to share a few interesting tidbits about our favorite crustacean: Are Maine lobsters always from Maine? Not necessarily. The American Lobster, Homarus americanus, is found along the Atlantic coast of North America from Canada to New Jersey, with a very small percentage found all the way down to North Carolina. Maine lobster is another name for the American lobster. American lobsters are a cold–water species. Why does the shell turn red when cooked? American lobsters in the wild are usually a brownish-olive green color with only a hint of red. The shell has a pigment, known as astaxanthin, which lends the red coloring. This pigment, along with other shell colors, helps the lobster blend in

with the environment, protecting it from predators. It turns out that astaxanthin is heat-stable while the other pigments are not, so cooking the shell results in the bright red color that we equate with the delicious meal to come. What is a California Spiny lobster? California Spiny lobster, a warm water species called Panulirus interruptus, is found along the Pacific coast from Monterey Bay down through Mexico. It has large spiny antennae but no large claws, unlike its distant East Coast cousin. Without claws, most of the meat is in the tail.

Lobster Tortilla Soup Recipe (serves 4) Soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 cup white onion, diced • 1/2 cup carrot, thinly sliced • 1/3 cup celery, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup fire roasted green chiles, diced (mild or spicy) • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano • 6 cups lobster broth Continued on next page.


Continued from previous page.

• 1 1/2 cups green cabbage, shredded • 1 large tomato, peeled, seeded, and diced • 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped • juice from 1 lime • sea salt to taste Sauté onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil until softened. Then add chiles and garlic, stirring, and cook for about 5 more minutes. Add ground cumin and dried Mexican oregano. These herbs are important for the authentic flavor. Add lobster broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for about 10 minutes. Then, add shredded cabbage to the soup and cook until the cabbage is just softened. Lastly, add tomatoes and chopped cilantro to the soup and turn off the heat. Add the juice of one lime and season to taste with sea salt.

Lobster Tails:

• 4 to 3.5 ounces of petite lobster tails, thawed • olive oil for brushing • mild red chile powder to taste • salt to taste With a sharp knife, slice the lobster tail shell down the center, leaving the very tail end intact. Insert the knife just deep enough to graze the meat, creating a shallow split. Pry open the shell and lift out the meat, close the shell and place the meat back on top of the shell. Brush with olive oil and season with chile powder and salt. Cook under the broiler until the meat is just opaque, taking care not to overcook.

Garnishes:

• cilantro leaves • avocado, diced • cotija or feta cheese, crumbled

• lime wedges • fried tortilla strips Corn tortillas are cut into thin strips then fried in canola oil. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a bit of sea salt. The fried tortillas are a key component. A bag of tortilla chips is an unworthy substitute.

Assembly:

Ladle hot soup into warmed bowls. Place a lobster tail in the center. Sprinkle garnishes around the lobster. Now, since we taste with the eyes first, the entire lobster is served in the center of the soup. Presentation is everything and lobster must be the star. Make sure to provide side plates with a knife and fork, so guests can remove the meat from the shell, slice it into bitesized pieces and add it back to the soup. Buen provecho!

Live Entertainment Starts Every Thursday First Thursday Artwalk Second & Third Thursday Live Music

ACE: Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment September 4 – 17, 2014

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Art

Openings

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Fine

Dining

R.A. LOPEZ STUDIO ARCHITECTURE AND ABSTRACTS

The Richard Lopez Studio will be open First Thursday Art Walk for a selected show exhibiting works on Architecture and Abstracts. Richard Lopez documents his observations about life’s constant change and movement. The underlying subject of these paintings is life’s ever-shifting balance of chaos and order. Richard Lopez Studio located at 372 W. 7th St., San Pedro Open during the First Thursday Artwalk, also open by appointment. (562) 682-4334

Studio Gallery 345 It’s Summertime

September 4 – 17, 2014

Independent And Free.

Color hot, color cool. Come on down. Pat Woolley and Gloria D. Lee present paintings, cards, books, and monoprints. Open 6-9 pm on 1st Thursday and by appointment. For more information call Gloria at 310.545.0832 or Pat at 310.374.8055 • 345 W. 7th Street, San Pedro

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Live

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S p e c i al

P e r fo r ma n c e s

Michael Stearns Studio 347

Richard Á. Lopez; Yosemite Years

This month I am showing the work of my dear friend Richard Lopez. Richard left us very unexpectedly last year, but he left behind a vast body of work, much that has never been seen. Pieces in this show date back to his artist residency in Yosemite National Park. It is a lush exhibit of landscape and contemporary abstract work. Open during First Thursday Artwalk, Sept. 4 from 6 - 9 pm. at Michael Stearns Studio 347 located at 347 W. 7th St., San Pedro.

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F ood

Trucks

The Loft Gallery 10 Years at Wildcat

Celebrating 10 Years of Figure Photography Workshops. Loft Artists: Candice Gawne, Carol Hungerford, Sam Arno, Daniel Porras, Murial Olguin, Jan Govaerts, Anne Marie Rawlinson, & Nancy Towne Schultz. • Open First Thursday 6–9 p.m. Open Saturdays & Sundays 2-5 p.m. • 401 S. Mesa St. • 310.831.5757


Entertainment September 5

Jay Edwards Blues Band Come for the down-home blues. Music starts at 9 p.m. Details: (310) 833-1589, www.godmotherssaloon. com Venue: Godmothers Saloon Location: 302 W. 7th St., San Pedro Frank Potenza Jazz guitarist Frank Potenza will perform, starting at 8 p.m. Sept. 5, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Potenza is a professor at USC Thornton School of Music Studio/Jazz Guitar Department. He is responsible for the department’s offerings in jazz guitar pedagogy and jazz guitar arranging and improvisation. He also is the director of Trio Ensembles and the Wire Choir Ensemble. Suggested donation is $20. Details: www.alvasshowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro Artist Jay McCafferty is displaying his exhibit All is One, in September, at the Warshaw Gallery in San Pedro. This piece is an example of a solar-burned, process-driven painting that he exhibiting. Courtesy photo

All Is Now By Andrea Serna, Arts and Culture Writer

A decade ago, author Ekhart Tolle brought

September 7

Nuevo Mundos Nuevo Mundos is a collaboration of dancers, musicians, poets and singers inspired by the indigenous traditions of Mexico which transcends each individual’s discipline. The ensemble has performed individually and collectively throughout the Americas, including Canada, Mexico, Central America and Europe. Suggested donation is $20. The show starts at 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Details: www.alvasshowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

September 12

Flamenco Rhythms at Rancho San Pedro Flamenco Fridays at the historic Dominguez Adobe are back by request, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, featuring Sarah Parra with special guest Ricardo Chavez and guitarist Gabriel Osuna. Experience the profound musical expression from Spain with authentic flamenco guitar and an intimate dance performance by first–class Los Angeles artists. Tickets are $15. Details: (310) 603-0088; http://dominguezrancho. org Venue: Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum Location: 18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez

September 13

St. Margaret Mary Lomita Fair Enjoy the St. Mary Margaret Lomita Fair, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 5 through 7, at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church. Details: www.lomitafair.net Venue: Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church Location: 25511 Eshelman Ave., Lomita

September 5-6

Duck Days of Summer The world’s largest rubber duck will remain at port of Los Angeles through Sept. 6. Sept. 5: Downtown Harbor, Sixth St. and Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, 90731 (Event: “Youth Duck Day,” noon to 8 p.m.) Sept. 6: Downtown Harbor, Sixth St. and Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, 90731 (Event: “Duck Dance and Farewell to the Duck,” noon to 5 p.m.)

September 7

2014 Long Beach AIDS Ride Kick-off Party A kick-off party for the 2014 Long Beach AIDS Ride will take place, from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 7, at Alfredo’s Beach Club in Long Beach. Meet the 2013 riders and event staff to ask questions and learn about this year’s ride. The Long Beach AIDS Ride is a fundraising event produced by and benefitting The Center Long Beach and The Comprehensive AIDS Resource and Education program at St. Mary Medical Center. Venue: Alfredo’s Beach Club Location: 5101 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach

September 10

Paper Yacht Challenge The Paper Yacht Challenge tests competitors of all ages on their boat-building skills, from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10, at the Fanfare Fountains. Contestants will race their paper boat creations to the finish line, vying for the win while competing against other paper-boat builders. Proceeds from the event will go to support local nonprofit organizations. Details: portoflosangeles.org.

September 12

Lobster Festival The Lobster Festival, which takes place Sept. 12 through 14, has the Guinness World Record for the most seafood served at an outdoor event, at Ports O’ Call Village in San Pedro. Visitors can feast on fresh Maine lobster and enjoy live entertainment at this three-day event. Details: www.lobsterfest.com Venue: Ports O’ Call Village Location: 77 Berth, San Pedro

Female Hip Hop Honor Awards Comedians Rodney Perry and Melanie Comarcho host a program honoring Oaktown 3.5.7, DaBrat, Michel’le, Charli Baltimore and Sparky D in the third annual Female Hip Hop Honor Awards, at 7 p.m. Sept. 13, at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro. Tickets range from $40 to $150. Details: undergroundgirlsofhiphop.com Venue: Warner Grand Theatre Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Preview of Tri Arts Festival Dance Companies will be coming to Alvas to show you a variety of dance genres and pieces that they will perform at the annual Tri Arts Festival Sept. 27 and 28, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12. The preview is free. Details: www.alvasshowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

September 14

2014 Mr. Long Beach Leather Contest Attend the 2014 Mr. Long Beach Leather contest, at 7 p.m. Sept. 13, at the Mineshaft in Long Beach. Suggested donation is $10. Venue: Mineshaft Location: 1720 E. Broadway, Long Beach,

Cole Marcus Trio The Cole Marcus Trio will perform, at 4 p.m. Sept. 14, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Details: www.alvasshowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

September 13

Calendar continued on page 16.

September 4 – 17, 2014

Continued on page 16.

Sandi Thom at Alvas Singer and songwriter Sandi Thom will still be stateside Sept. 6 following her appearance at the New Blues Festival Aug. 31. Suggested donation is $40. The show starts at 8 p.m. Details: www.alvasshowroom.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

September 5

Sip of Long Beach A Sip of Long Beach is having a cocktail mixer, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5, at Gaucho Grill in Long Beach. A Sip of Long Beach takes place the first Friday of every month in a different location. It is an opportunity to meet, sip, network, laugh, mix, converse, unwind and hang out. Details: www.facebook.com/ASipOfLongBeach, www.gauchogrilldining.com Venue: Gaucho Grill Location: 200 Pine Ave., Long Beach

ACE: Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment

the concept of ‘now’ into popular psychology with his book The Power of Now. Artist Jay McCafferty preceded Tolle with a practice of art that necessitates presence of spirit, focus and mindfulness that would test all but the most dedicated Zen practitioners. In September curator and artist Ron Linden opens an exhibition of McCafferty’s work at TransVagrant @ Warschaw Gallery in San Pedro. The exhibition visits McCafferty’s new solar-burned process–driven paintings. Working outdoors, using a magnifying glass and the sun’s heat, he burns holes of various sizes into stacked sheets of vellum paper. Depending on the intensity of the sun and other atmospheric conditions, McCafferty can create a variety of effects. The burns in the paper leave behind a smoky residue that adds a painterly quality. The resulting works can be delicate and lace-like, or aggressive as detritus in the remains of destructive fire. McCafferty needs to be in the moment, lets the work of art reveal itself through action. He sets the stage mentally and physically with preparation of the paper, then focuses on being present and lets the art unfold and develop. “These works have a certain passivity and tranquility to them,” Linden said. “He is masterful with what he does. There is no preordained design or composition in his work. He begins and works until the sun goes down and next day takes up where he left off.” McCafferty’s choice artwork can be described as ‘Process Art’—art that emphasizes the process of its making. His interest in process and the properties of his materials are determining factors in his aesthetic and has precedence in the abstract expressionists’ use of unconventional methods such as dripping, pouring and staining. McCafferty has always followed his own intuition in his works. “My work originated in the early 70s,” McCafferty said. “The zeitgeist of the time was process–oriented and that was primarily the time

frame that I came out of. It is something that has been part of my work for most of my career. I have a strong theory that everything is ‘right now.’ You can hypothesize about what happened before and fantasize about what is going to happen, but one thing I know for certain is right now is all that exists.” He also believes there are no accidents. The magnifying glass is a device that has become more mysterious to him throughout the years. He has learned, with many years of practice that he cannot use the method unless he is paying complete attention. The artist’s attention is ‘magnified’ by the lens. When we spoke recently, he had just spent six hours on one piece. A completed work can take as much as three months to complete. Sandy Ballatore in Art in America writes that the works are “the gridded, singed, skeletal remains of his own peculiar art-making ritual: sitting on his studio roof, magnifying lens in hand and sun overhead, he ignites papers, plastic, wood, cardboard ... in a mechanical meditative rite.” McCafferty also is a pioneer in the field of video art. However, he became discouraged by the reluctance of galleries to show video in its early days and concentrated on painting. His art is now shown in museums and galleries across the United States and Europe. His trust in Linden is a primary reason that McCafferty is showing his art in San Pedro. “I was born in San Pedro,” McCafferty said. “I never thought there would be an art reality for me there. It wasn’t part of the tradition that I grew up in. The art world was always someplace else. The idea that there is somebody here [who] I like and respect is wonderful. I never thought San Pedro, or even Los Angeles, would ever be a distribution center. Even though most of the major sales [in the past] were in New York, most of the major ideas primarily came from the West Coast. We

September 6

Special Blend Reggae and rock band, Special Blend, will perform at 9 p.m. Sept. 6 be at Godmothers. Details: (310) 833-1589, www.godmotherssaloon. com Venue: Godmothers Saloon Location: 302 W. 7th St., San Pedro

Community/Family

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Calendar from page 15. Salute Our Troops All American BBQ Participate in the first Salute Our Troops All American BBQ, from 12 to 3 p.m. Sept. 13, at Ma Griffe Gallerie in San Pedro. Cost is $25. Details: ( 310 ) 7 0 2 - 47 2 8 , w w w. sanpedropackagesforpatriots.com Venue: Ma Griffe Gallerie Location: 3625 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

September 13

Is that Errol Flynn at the Poker Table? Long Beach Playhouse becomes a stage door canteen for one night, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 13. The Long Beach Playhouse will take a step back in time to 1943 when Long Beach was a Navy Town and Stage Door Canteens were all the rage. The entire downstairs will be transformed into a USO-type canteen complete with 1940s-era celebrities, a floorshow, casino tables, food and many other amusements. The event is part of a yearlong celebration of the 85th anniversary of the Playhouse. It was the city’s first community theatre and it has been operating continuously since 1929. In addition to the floorshow and casino games, there will be a tattoo parlor, a fortune teller and food provided by Naples Rib Company, La Strada, Di Piazza, Crooked Duck and desserts by Rossmoor Pastries and Cookies by Design. Tickets are $100 and include drink tickets and “canteen cash” to use at the casino tables. Details: (562) 494-1014 ext. 506; www.lbplayhouse. org/special-events/stage-door-canteen Venue: Long Beach Playhouse Location: 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

September 19

Out on the Mountain Join more than 6,000 people in a night of fun, starting at 6 p.m. at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Purchase your tickets through The Center Long Beach to have a portion of your ticket donated to its programs. Details: www.outonthemountain.com/CenterLB. html Venue: Six Flags Magic Mountain Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia

Theater/Film

September 4 – 17, 2014

Independent And Free.

September 5

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Pocho in the House Pocho in the House will be performed at 8:30 p.m., Sept. 5 through Sept. 7 at the Found Theatre in Long Beach. The show uses humor to break down stereotypes and promote cross-cultural understanding. It is a one-man show about growing up as a Mexican-American in California. Tickets are $15. Details: (562) 433-3363; foundtheatre.org Venue: Found Theatre Location: 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach

September 6

Twelfth Night Romance, slapstick, pathos, ribaldry and mental torture will take place with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, playing Sept. 6 through Oct. 6, in the Studio at the Long Beach Playhouse. Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies. Its title refers to the 12th day of Christmas, the traditional close of the holiday. Twins - Viola and Sebastian become separated when they are shipwrecked on a mythical island. Countess Olivia is falling in love with Viola (disguised as a boy), while Sebastian is falling in love with Olivia. SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY: • Pay what you can Thursday Sept. 4 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford • Two for One Preview Friday Sept. 5 - Tickets are $12.00 • Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on Sept. 6- Tickets are $27.00 Adults pay $24, seniors $21 and students $14. Details: (562) 494-1014 option 1; www.lbplayhouse. org Venue: Long Beach Playhouse Location: 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

September 12

Long Beach QFilm Festival Tickets for the 2014 Long Beach QFilm Festival are on sale now. The weekend will open at the

Art Theatre the evening of Sept. 12 with the Long Beach premiere of Appropriate Behavior, and the Los Angeles area premiere of My Straight Son (Azul y No Tan Rosa). An opening night party will take place between screenings at The Center. Appropriate Behavior is a New York City-based comedy about the romantic misadventures of a bisexual Iranian-American woman. Azul y No Tan Rosa is an award-winning Venezuelan drama in which a gay man struggles to connect with his teenage son from a previous relationship. An opening night party will take place between screenings at The Center. Other narrative and documentary features selected to screen on Saturday and Sunday include Happy End?!, Letter to Anita, Cupcakes,Out in the Night, Boy Meets Girl,”Blackbird,” Transvisible: The Bamby Salcedo Story and Tru Love. Details: http://qfilmslongbeach.com/ Venue: Art Theatre Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Art September 6

Light and Dark: Photographs From Germany An opening reception for Barbara Klemm’s Light and Dark: Photographs From Germany is scheduled, for 5 p.m. Sept. 6, at the University Art Museum at Cal State Long Beach. This solo exhibition presents photographs by one of Germany’s most distinguished woman photographers. Spanning 40 years, Barbara Klemm’s works bear witness to Germany’s recent history, in a country that was divided for decades. Many of her pictures have become ‘icons of contemporary history,’ shaping the cultural memory of several generations. She has created a body of photographs which combine the documentary and the artistic in a manner seldom encountered in German press photography. The event is free and open to the public. Venue: University Art Museum Location: 1250 E. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach Why America Loved Bob Hope The Queen Mary is hosting a traveling exhibit on Bob Hope, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through January 2015. The traveling, 2,200-square-foot exhibit, Bob Hope: An American Treasure, was created in partnership with the World Golf Hall of Fame Museum with support from the Bob and Delores Hope Foundation. It tells Hope’s story through 15 themed displays that celebrate his comedic contributions; his achievements in entertainment; his relationships with 11 U.S. presidents and his enduring passion – golf. It traces his family’s arrival at Ellis Island, their lives as immigrants in Cleveland, Hope’s effort to strike it big in New York, his success and family life in Hollywood and how his love for the military and golf took him around the world. It was 75 years ago this September, in 1939, that Hope performed his first wartime routine – on the Queen Mary. Hope and his wife Dolores were returning from Europe when war was declared. German U-boats were on the prowl, so the Queen Mary’s captain ordered all portholes painted, windows covered and running lights shut off. Hope helped calm the nerves of frightened passengers, performing his first wartime show in the First Class Lounge, joking that it was hard to dance in a life preserver and singing “Thanks for the Memory,” with the line: “Some folks slept on the floor, some in the corridor, but I was more exclusive, my room had GENTLEMEN above the door.” The traveling Bob Hope exhibit includes reproductions of more than 200 vintage photos, seven videos and more than 170 items. These include an original vaudeville contract from 1922; his Ellis Island medal; the final set of golf clubs used in his life; Emmy and Honorary Oscar awards; an outfit he wore during USO tours; gifts and awards from presidents and other celebrities; his congressional gold medal awarded by President John F. Kennedy; and his “Honorary Veteran Citation” from Congress, which he called the most important honor of his life. Parking is $15. Details: www.queenmary.com Venue: Queen Mary Location: 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach

Since 1972, artist Jay McCafferty has been photo documenting himself as he shaves. Courtesy photo

Calendar from page 15.

All Is Now

have less tradition hanging over our heads.” As a young artist in the 1970s, McCafferty developed a practice that became a groundbreaking trend in the 21st century. In 1972, he acquired a Sony Portapack camera and turned it on himself shaving in his bathroom mirror each day. He has been doing that for the past four decades. He has never stopped.

Decades of technical evolution forced him to adjust his video practice. A recent viewer commented that his work was akin to the Rosetta Stone of video work. He states he has owned eight or nine cameras, moving from the original Sony Portapack to digital as time progressed. During the process he also documented the decades long evolution of Gillette shaving equipment. Richard Linklater’s film, Boyhood, and Michael Apted’s film, Up, are examples of our fascination with documenting our lives throughout extended time periods. Our current access to video technology on the cell phone we carry in our pockets has made us the most highly documented generation in history. McCafferty was essentially a visionary in this field. He was the first video artist to be shown at the Long Beach Art Museum, which in the 70s established a reputation for exhibiting artists working in the experimental medium. Years later, the Long Beach Museum of Art realized they had neither the technology nor the staff to preserve the large video collection gathered. The Getty Museum acquired the collection. It is an important record of the early and continuing history of video art and a crucial component of the region’s cultural history. Containing numerous masterpieces in the medium, the collection comprises the largest gathering of video art works produced in Los Angeles and Southern California. Pioneers of the art form, such as John Baldessari, Bill Viola and Jay McCafferty, are represented. Jay McCafferty, Recent Works, opens at TransVagrant @Warschaw Gallery with an artist’s reception at 4 p.m. Sept. 13. Details: (310) 600-4873 Venue: TransVagrant@Warschaw Gallery Location: 600 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro


Randy, played by actor Julian Walker in the movie Blackbird, kneels and prays at his bedside after having sexual dreams with a male friend. Courtesy photo.

Blackbird Review:

An honest look on being Black, Gay in the South By Viktor Kerney, Guest Columnist

B

and sexual identity is like a war. So much is lost and there are always casualties. It is very difficult to understand what you are fighting and what you stand to lose. Although the times are changing, the idea of being LGBT is still perceived as a threat to the very fabric of African-American families. We are taught at an early age that homosexuality is a sin, or a demon living inside of you. Growing up with those beliefs can be a heavy load to bare. In this film, the viewers witness the power of those beliefs and how damaging it can be for anyone questioning their sexual identity. For Randy, his back-and-forth with his faith and passions take a huge toll, leaving him with limited choices and few solutions. Many viewers will see Randy’s personal battle with his sexuality and possibly identify with his journey. I think that’s the goal of this film. Blackbird puts a face on the on-going conflict with sexual identity and faith, forcing the viewers to see the effects of hate, truth and love. Overall, Blackbird is well-shot and a mustsee film. While it shines a light on the anguish and sadness of a closeted youth, it also provides positive messages about truth and forgiveness. The film is guaranteed to spark more conversations about faith, race and sexuality. Blackbird is featured at the Long Beach QFilm Festival, at 9:15 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Art Theatre. A complete schedule and synopsis of the festival’s 2014 offerings is at http:// qfilmslongbeach.com.

September 4 – 17, 2014

Torrance Mayor Patrick J. Furey (left) and his wife Terry (center) with Chef Shafer (Right) at the Toberman Neighborhood Center’s Summer Fest.

ACE: Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment

eing black and gay is truly living on a prayer. The pressures from family, friends and faith can stretch closeted youth beyond their limits. That amount of burden on one’s shoulders can either come crashing down or eventually make that person stronger than before. These are the issues that writer and director Patrik-Ian Polk addresses in his latest film, Blackbird, featured at this year’s Long Beach QFilm Festival. Like his groundbreaking projects Punks and Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom, Polk continues tackling topics within the black LGBT community. In Blackbird, Polk delivers an honest and passionate coming–of–age story about a young choirboy struggling with being gay in a small Southern town. This film follows Randy (Julian Walker), a young church boy who is beset by host of problems: the disappearance of his younger sister; the separation of his parents; and his budding sexuality. The story opens with Randy waking up from a very sexual dream involving one of his male friends. In fact, it’s just one of many steamy dreams he has every night. Randy quickly gets on his knees and prays for forgiveness, in hopes to be cleansed from these sinful thoughts. This first scene introduces the viewer to the major themes in the film; faith and sexuality. Randy’s struggle with his faith and sexual identity is an all–too–familiar story within the African American community. For many LGBT African-Americans, the inner struggle with faith

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DBA/LEGAL FILINGS Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014204674 The following person is doing business as: Just Fix It, 3538 Mulldae Ave, San Pedro, Ca 90732. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Kenneth Henry Kuhn, 3538 Mulldae Ave, San Pedro, Ca 90732. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Kenneth Henry Kuhn, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 29, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 08/07/14, 08/21/14, 09/04/14, 09/18/14

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014202683 The following person is doing business as: AAD Services, 1038 S. Walker Ave., #6, San Pedro, Ca 90731. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Ashleigh R. Dark,1038 S. Walker Ave., #6, San Pedro, Ca 90731. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Ashleigh Dark, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 28, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 08/07/14, 08/21/14, 09/04/14, 09/18/14

continued on following page


DBA/LEGAL FILINGS from previous page Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014226205 The following person is doing business as: Across the Street, 1124 Dominguez ave., Wilmington, Ca 90744. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Teresa Violante, 1124 Dominguez ave., Wilmington, Ca 90744. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Teresa Violante, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 29, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 08/21/14, 09/04/14, 09/18/14,

10/02/14

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014230794 The following person is doing business as: Girls Gun Club, 12021 Wilshire Blvd #774, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Los Angeles County. Articles

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014233778 The following person is doing business as: Port Nationals, 2049 W. Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste #223, Lomita, CA 90717. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Eddie Greenwood, 1220 W. Cruces St., Wilmington CA 90744. Carly Bolster, 4448 Owens St., #104, Corona, CA 92883. This Business is conducted by a general partnership. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: n/a. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Eddie Greenwood, partner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on August 19, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally

the Compton, San Francisco and Placentia school districts. Kennedy was hired by the California State Department of Education to perform human resources for the state-administered Compton Unified School District, as well as serving as interim superintendent of the Lynwood School District, and assistant superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District. Kennedy was a driving force on the Compton High School 100-Year Committee and was honored in 2012 by his Vanguard Junior High School students, who came together to thank him on his 90th birthday for his contributions and on being instrumental in their success. Many of those whose lives he has touched have gone on to become educators, professional athletes, successful businessmen and women, and other professionals. They now serve as role models to others. I am one of those individuals who have come together to honor a man who has been so instrumental in our success. A celebration of life honoring Dr. Frederick a. Kennedy will take place at Holy Trinity Parish, 1292 W. Santa Cruz St., San Pedro, CA 90732. (310) 548-6535 Funeral services were held on Sept. 2. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Fred Kennedy Scholarship Foundation c/o Jim Newman, 2127 N. Nestor Ave., Compton, CA 90222. —Rev. Michael L. Hopwood

10/16/2014

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014204674 The following person is doing business as: American Rental Services, 2902 Alma Street., San Pedro, Ca 90732. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Michael Joseph Cracchiolo, 2902 Alma Street., San Pedro, Ca 90732. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: n/a. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Michael Cracchiolo, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 24, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 09/04/14, 09/18/14, 10/02/14,

10/16/2014

September 4 - 17, 2014

10/16/2014

10/16/2014

expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 09/04/14, 09/18/14, 10/02/14,

Dr. Fred Kennedy will be remembered for his outstanding contributions in the field of education and Human Relations. Kennedy was the founder and president of the San Pedro-based consulting firm of Fred Kennedy and Associates Inc. and the Fred Kennedy Traffic School. Kennedy was the first African-American teacher in Paramount. He later transferred to Compton Union High School District as a teacher, vice principal and later assistant superintendent of Personnel Services. He was only the second African-American vice principal ever hired when he joined Vanguard Junior High in Compton, as it opened its doors Sept. 11, 1961. With a background of more than 50 years in education, Kennedy was educated at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, took his bachelor of arts from UCLA in 1948, his master of arts from California State University Los Angeles in 1960, and received his doctorate from USC. Kennedy was a football and basketball player in undergraduate school and coached the Alpha Phi Alpha basketball team. In four years as basketball coach at Enterprise Junior High, Kennedy’s teams lost only four games, tied for the league title once and won the title twice. He has served as a consultant to educational institutions throughout the Southland in the area of human resources, management, and personnel services. He had the positions of assistant superintendent Personnel Services in

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2014202777 The following person is doing business as: ABC Electric, 26201 Vermont Ave #102, Harbor City, CA 90710. Los Angeles County. Registered owners: Ferenc Hudak, 26201 Vermont Ave #102, Harbor City, CA 90710. This Business is conducted by an individual. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 7/28/2009. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. Ferenc Hudak, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 28, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 09/04/14, 09/18/14, 10/02/14,

of Incorporation: 2750987 Registered owners: American Defense Enterprises, 12021 Wilshire Blvd #774, Los Angeles, CA 90025. This Business is conducted by a corporation. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: n/a. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) S/. William Beasley, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on August 18, 2014. Notice--In Accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920. A fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 1411 ET SEQ., Business and Professions code). Original filing: 09/04/14, 09/18/14, 10/02/14,

A Tribute to Dr. Frederick A. Kennedy

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September 4 - 17, 2014

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area


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