By David Johnson, Contributing Reporter
G
Special Holiday Parade Edition
alina Crosby smiled at the ground, hands clasped together as she waited in the line that snaked down 10th Street, past Grand Avenue and around the block. All around, families were casting similar furtive looks at the door to Harbor Interfaith Services. The 40-year-old mother of four had registered a month in advance for a Thanksgiving meal. As she crossed the threshold, she was greeted by volunteers on both sides in bright orange shirts, she returned their smiles with an appreciative “thank you” as she was ushered around to the back of the facility. There, she was offered popcorn from a cart before signing in. Volunteer Dick Elingson yelled, “Family of four!” to a crew member behind the pantry, and a basket brimming with food was produced and handed to Crosby. Creamed corn and candied yams, a bag of Idaho potatoes and a frozen turkey filled the basket. She was even given ingredients and a tin pie pan to make pumpkin pie. As she left, the process began all over again until closing, as 350 families—homeless and working poor alike—came to receive a traditional Thanksgiving meal at the 17th annual Feed the Community Day on Nov. 25. Harbor Interfaith Serves Up Big Thanksgiving/to p. 2
December 4 - 10, 2014
Harbor Interfaith Services Executive Director and CEO, Tahia Hayslet, led the 40-year old organization’s annual holiday basket giveaway, Nov. 25. Photo by David Johnson.
1
Community Announcements:
Committed to independent journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for more than 30 years
Harbor Area HCBF Health Care Program
Harbor Community Benefit Foundation is accepting applications for its health care program. The foundation is looking for innovative project proposals designed mitigate health impacts attributed to the Port of Los Angeles or port-related operations in the adjacent communities of San Pedro and Wilmington. Proposals must benefit the residents of these communities and address diagnosis and treatment, medical supplies, and/or health education, outreach and access. Applications are due Dec. 5. Details: http://tinyurl.com/HCBFHealthcareProg
The Pacific Avenue Arts Colony
Pac Arts, a new development in San Pedro, will soon begin accepting applications for affordable housing and will be open for occupancy in early 2015. Pac Arts is a mixed-use development that will provide 49 affordable apartments for artists, including six ground floor live-work spaces. The Department of Cultural Affairs has worked with Meta-Housing to create a true artist colony in San Pedro. Rents start at just $474. This program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town program. Details: (310) 802-2622; www.affordableartisthousing.org
Martin Luther King Jr. Peace & Unity Parade, Celebration
Applications are being accepted for sponsorship, parade participants, vendors, performers and volunteers for the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace & Unity Parade and Celebration, starting at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17, near Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street in Long Beach. Community groups and organizations are encouraged to participate. Parade application fee is $85 and vendor fees range from $150 to $350. Details: (562) 570-6816 Venue: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Location: 1950 Lemon Ave., Long Beach
Winter YouthBuild
December 4 - 10, 2014
Special Holiday Parade Edition
Youth Build is now accepting applications for its winter Pathways to Success for youth 16 through 24 years old. Earn a high school diploma, receive preapprenticeship construction training, enter a union apprenticeship and receive educational and work experience. Informational sessions are from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays. Details: (310) 547-0833; www.winterwomen.org
2
Community Announcements/ to following page
from p. 1
Harbor Interfaith Serves Up Big Thanksgiving The families, all pre-registered with Harbor Interfaith Service were treated to the baskets provided. “It is really the support we get from local businesses and individual people,” said Harbor Interfaith CEO Tahia Hayslet. A total of 329 turkeys were donated from local businesses and organizations, the rest were private donations. Volunteer Dick Elingson, who has been part of the food distribution for three holiday seasons, kept a running tally weeks in advance. He looks down his thick-rimmed glasses at the tally sheet and knows exactly how much canned corn is left and who is getting pumpkin pie. By 4 p.m., the distribution had slowed down immensely, families drifted in with less frequency. Thirty dinners still remained. At about 5 p.m., another shipment came in on the back of two white pick-up trucks. A new rotation of students and volunteers, including some from the ILWU, unloaded the truck within minutes. The rush began again, on a smaller scale, for another hour. The front hall that had been previously empty, was now at capacity with 20 families waiting in line for a meal, and the line filled part of the northwest sidewalk in front. Some families on the list didn’t show up, which meant that the 60 families that were waiting could enter the line and claim the remaining baskets. Sometimes the remaining meals are given out the next morning, other times they are brought over to Beacon House for distribution at one of their food giveaway events. But there are never leftovers. Harbor Interfaith, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, operates during the week
Harbor Interfaith Services will host its next holiday basket giveaway Dec. 23. Photo by David Johnson.
as an emergency shelter, facilitator for job placement and a childcare service center. The pantry, packed high during the holiday with turkey dinners, also serves meals yearround well as offering personal hygiene supplies like toothpaste and shampoo. Other families return to cook their meals at the 90-day shelter across the street. There they receive counseling and financial planning.
Development Director Julie Parrino said not every client is on the streets or even in need of the full time service offered. For them, Harbor Interfaith serves as a pivot for families teetering between homelessness and stability. “Sometimes families come to us who aren’t homeless or working poor, but are on the brink, so if we can pay for a month of rent or food, it keeps them from becoming a client.”
Jim McDonnell Sworn in as New Sheriff
After a decisive victory in the Nov. 4 race for Los Angeles County sheriff, Jim McDonnell was sworn in on Dec. 1 at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles. He replaced interim-Sheriff John L. Scott. Former Sheriff Lee Baca announced his retirement in January, a month after federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against 18 current and former sheriffs deputies accused of beating jail inmates and visitors, obstructing the FBI and other crimes following an investigation into corruption in the nation’s largest jail system. McDonnell, the 32nd sheriff since the office’s founding in 1850, is the first outsider in a century to helm the department. File photo.
Community Announcements:
Harbor Area
from previous page
Venue: YWCA Harbor and South Bay Location: 437 W. 9th St., San Pedro
C.E.R.T Comes to Palos Verdes
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is hosting a Community Emergency Training Response class, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13, at in Rolling Hills Estates. The program provides basic training in safety. Details: (310) 377-8716; cheryldawson@cox.net Venue: Palos Verdes Peninsula High School Location: 27118 Silver Spur Road
Native Garden Workday
season by donating to this worthy cause. They are especially in need of toys for boys and girls ages 12 and up. Monetary donations and/or gift cards are also being accepted through the Long Beach Police Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please mail donations to LBPF, P.O. Box 15418, Long Beach, CA 90815, and mark your donation “Toy Patrol” on the memo line. Details: (562) 570-5299. Collection boxes are available at the below police facilities, as well as all Long Beach libraries, all Farmers & Merchants bank branches in Long Beach and in a variety of businesses throughout the city. Police Facilities: Police Headquarters East Division North Division West Division
Location: 400 West Broadway 4800 Los Coyotes Diagonal 4891 Atlantic Ave. 1835 Santa Fe Ave.
Toberman Toy Drive
Toberman Neighborhood Center is accepting donations of an unwrapped toy (ages infant to 11) or a gift card for older youth ages 12 to 18 to benefit Harbor Area families. On Dec. 20, Toberman is hosting breakfast with Santa Claus and toy giveaway from 9 to 11:30. Children will be able to take pictures with the jolly St. Nick following a wholesome breakfast. Venue: Toberman Neighborhood Center Location: 131 N.Grand Ave., San Pedro
Aerospace Industry Exporting Workshop
Do you have a membership card at your local grocery store? Designate Harbor Interfaith Services as your charity of choice, and your grocery store will donate a percentage of your expenditure to us every time you shop. It’s a completely effortless way to donate. Register your cards below: • To register your Albertsons Preferred Card, enter our Community Partners ID# 49001010820. •To register your Ralphs Club Card, choose Signup and enter our NPO# 82768. • To register your VONS Club card, go to the eScrip website and enter our Group ID# 500003260. Here you can also register your Macy’s card, ATM and credit cards.
The Port of Long Beach is presenting an aerospace industry exporting workshop, from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 11, at the Toyota USA Automobile Museum in Torrance. Join area business leaders to learn about the benefits of going global and how your business can increase sales and profits, reduce dependence on traditional markets, and grow your company’s international reach. Details: www.polb.com/workshops Venue: Toyota USA Automobile Museum Location: 19600 Van Ness Ave., Torrance The Long Beach Police Department has begun collecting donations of new unwrapped toys for the annual ‘Toy Patrol’ holiday toy drive. The ‘Toy Patrol’ delivery caravan will deliver gifts to pre-designated families on Dec. 20, conjunction with the Fire Department’s ‘Spark of Love Toy Drive.’ Police employees, with first-hand knowledge of a family in need, submit the family’s information for consideration. No outside referrals are accepted. LBPD invites you to spread the joy of the holiday
Harbor Interfaith Opportunities
Services
Volunteer
On the days leading up to Christmas, Harbor Interfaith Services will be packaging 350 holiday meal baskets for homeless families and individuals on Dec. 22 from 1 to 5p.m. Distribution of the holiday meals and toys will take place on Dec. 23. To participate, please call (310) 831-0603 ext. 229 or email dramirez@harborinterfaith.org.
December 4 - 10, 2014
LBPD Kicks Off Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Harbor Interfaith Services Grocery Loyalty
Special Holiday Parade Edition
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium invites the public to participate in its monthly Beach Clean-Up and Native Garden Workday, from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 6. Volunteers learn about shoreline habitats and the coastal sage scrub native plant community, while discovering the benefits of protecting these environments. Details: (310) 548-7562; www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Location: 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
3
Ports O’ Call Feasibility Study Reveals Weaknesses All Around Financial Weakness Obscures Deeper Weakness of Missing Vision By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
December 4 - 10, 2014
Special Holiday Parade Edition
The long-awaited financial feasibility study for redeveloping Ports O’ Call, released in early November, concluded that “the Developer’s Initial Concept is not financially feasible.” But that a scaled-down project, anchored by a smaller themed attraction, would be feasible. Councilman Joe Buscaino, who dismissed it as merely “an opinion,” at a special meeting of the council’s Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee, held on Nov. 12, 2014, at Port of Los Angeles headquarters in San Pedro, quickly panned it. “I’m not looking for a scaled-down project,” said Buscaino, in his opening remarks. “My vision is for Ports O’ Call redevelopment project to be an opportunity to pursue an important first step in transformation of our LA Waterfront.” He went on to draw comparisons to “key initiatives that have taken place in the last several months,” starting with “$1 billion that has been earmarked to green the L.A. River.” At Buscaino’s invitation, early waterfront promenade promoter John Papadakis went much further in criticizing the study, blasting it as “anemic” and “intentionally misguided.” But the developers themselves, who Papadakis also blasted, were far more measured, treating the study as a worthwhile, but inherently limited document.
4
“It’s very worthy effort,” said Wayne Ratkovitch, who heads up one half of the development team known as the LA Waterfront Alliance, but there are limits, he explained. “Feasibility studies, however, cannot take into account a number of things. They can’t take into account good fortune. They can’t take into account creativity, entrepreneurship, opportunities that can’t be seen or expected. So our job is to exceed what the model says.” Erik Johnson, representing the other half, took a similarly balanced approach. “I think it was an important step that needed to be taken by the port,” Johnson said. “By the very nature of these types of things, they tend to undershoot the actual mark. I think in many ways it presents a conservative picture. But if you just take it at face value, the original phase of development is almost identical to what we had proposed. That may be all the market can bear today, but we don’t think so.” “Our job is to bring in something better than the standard,” Ratkovitch elaborated. “The standard is simply to look at other projects and compare this one to other projects. We want to do more than that. We have done more than that. I keep thinking about some of our past projects. The Oviatt Building [a 1928-built Art Deco treasure], in downtown Los Angeles, we had not
one, but two, feasibility studies [that] told us to do food-service and building, but keep it very low. We didn’t do that. We we brought in the Rex restaurant, which was the finest restaurant in Los Angeles for 17 years.” And then there was the Wiltern Theatre, which “was about to be torn down, it had no future. We had to recover equipment to put the theater back together. Now, 30 some years later, it’s still functioning as a live theater and doing very well.” All developers may believe they’re exceptional and can defy expectations, but Ratkovitch has the record to prove it—not just a record of financial success, but also of preserving and enhancing heritage. This is why his involvement was so widely welcomed. Johnson, on the other hand, dove into some of the details in order to make a related point, that the big-picture opportunities were being significantly underestimated. “If you just take at what’s modeled at face value, just the RD & E [retail, dining and entertainment] enhancements, will add $28 million in incremental revenue on that site,” Johnson said. “That doesn’t include the themed attraction component, which is $22 million. Add them together that’s $53 million of economic activity that can be made on the base case… which is less than what the developer thinks is achievable.”
But there was more that was being overlooked, Johnson argued. “It doesn’t include the quantification of the incremental tax revenue, property tax, sales tax, business tax. It talks about 500 jobs, but it doesn’t include the multiplier effects, the add-on jobs and the overall economic employment— property value, which is trickier to estimate. But, if you look at this as a project not just with the port, but for the City of Los Angeles, as a whole, the economic benefits are manifoldly increased from those modeled.” Another side that’s apparently not getting the attention it deserves is that of the ongoing concerns that have kept Ports O’ Call alive all these years—alive and growing, according to Mike Galvin, POLA’s director of special projects, who presented the study to the committee. “The existing site has been experiencing very good revenue growth in the last three years,” Galvin said. “It’s up about 28 percent since 2010.” That is, with estimated visitors up from 800,000 to around 1.5 to 2 million annually. In short, it’s already a significant economic force—but an endangered one—two points driven home by Michael Ungaro, whose family owns the San Pedro Fish Market. It is also more broadly supported by Stephanie Mardesich, who spoke up on behalf of “preserving the history of our community,” noting that she had been vocal “on behalf of saving Ports O’ Call” and routinely got expressions of support whenever she spoke out. “That does not mean I’m against the project or what Alan and his team are doing,” she said. But it did reflect a strong concern that historical continuity was being forgotten—one of several themes that long-time waterfront activists continued on following page
from previous page
Feasability
When you need help, think local. Support the Independents.
In Random Lengths News
Coppa Woodworking, Inc. 310.548.4142 www.coppawoodworking.com
Don’t stress out about
Income Taxes & Dieting.
Income Taxes!
Let Just Relax Tax Service help you with your personal or business income tax preparation & filing. Make an appointment today.
At least we can make one of these easier. Van Buren & Associates
Tax & Accounting Solutions •
Palma Mattera Mejia, EA 870 W. 9th St., Ste. 100A, San Pedro
310.221.0034
• Payroll • Tax • Notary Service
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
George A.Van Buren, EA, MBA gavb@cox.net www.vanburenandassociates.com 1536 W. 25th St., Suite K San Pedro, CA 90732 Phone: 310.519.8600 Fax: 310.519.8008
46% of independent shopping dollars goes back into the local economy. Make the Pledge to support independent retailers & services whenever possible.
Special Holiday Parade Edition
June Smith, who also commented briefly, touched upon in later comments to Random Lengths. Ungaro, however, gave these general concerns a razor-sharp focus: “We currently hold four Guinness World Records and attracted over 1 million visitors from all other Southern California in the last 12 months,” he said. “We are also a current tenant the Port of Los Angeles on the LA Waterfront. After more than five decades, our lease will be coming to an end in seven weeks.” That is an extremely precarious position for such an economic powerhouse to be in. “According to the study our company provides the waterfront with over 50 percent of its financial results, 70 percent of its paid visitors, and nearly 80 percent of its year-overyear growth,” Ungaro explained. “We note that all those accomplishments and those of like businesses are lumped anonymously together, while assuming that our company and our peers can provide twice as much financial result. Even after having our net space is cut by 30 percent, our rent is raised by 138 percent,” to match rental rates in the Wilshire district. According to the report, Ungaro said, “We are the only paid tourist attraction in California that attracts over 1 million people annually and has no long-term guarantee of location, lease or lease amount.” But the precarious position of Ports O’ Call’s current tenants is only one facet of a larger neglect of community well-being, as summarized by Smith, a leading community activist on waterfront development issues for more than a decade with the Port Community Advisory Committee. Smith spoke briefly during the oneminute public comment period at the meeting, but gave Random Lengths a more extended reflection on the gap that’s opened up between the port and the community over time. When the Waterfront Alliance development team was chosen, “The port and the developers made it very clear that they were no longer asking for ‘input’ but only for public reaction to their plans,” Smith said. “The port sold this approach by its ‘urgency’ in finally seeing a new development. By this time, both the PCAC and the CRA had been disbanded, and the groups that had been formed and had overseen the numerous plans and attempts at developmental designs for 12 or more years. There was no mechanism, in effect, to properly oversee the proposed development. Essentially, the community was back to doing business with the port in the same way as the good old days before PCAC.” One result, Smith noted, was that “Absent a cohesive knowledgeable community group having the ‘ear’ of the port. The port has quietly been ‘cleaning out’ businesses at POC. The negotiations for new leases drags on and is a critical aspect of what the newly chosen developers can do at the site. Some, like the Art
Association, have simply been cut off because the port no longer thinks it worth subsidizing…. [T]heir plan all along has not been to necessarily keep the current businesses as the new development moves forward. Not keeping successful businesses runs counter to everything professional waterfront developers have told all of us, consistently,” Smith specifically mentioned studies done by the Urban Land Institute, which the port has repeatedly given lip-service to and then ignored. Another window onto the port’s failure of vision can be gleaned from the feasibility study itself. Part of that study involves an inventory of existing nearby attractions and the potential interactions of customer bases. But the only considerations envisioned are pairwise overlap. Concerning Crafted, for example, the study notes, “Annual visitation is approximately 90,000 visitors. Current visitation is generally from the South Bay but due to target market and separation from the Project, there is not believed to be much overlap of visitors.” Concerning the Maritime Museum, it says, “The museum visitation is approximately 80,000 annual visitors. While a redeveloped POC may benefit the Museum, the limited attendance volume and typical visitor profile (youth/school groups) moderates retail spend potential.” Comments are similarly narrow regarding the USS Iowa, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the World Cruise Center, and others. There is no hint of thinking about holistic synergies between all the different elements, which was a key animating concept in the early stages of waterfront development planning, and which the port alone is in a position to nurture and guide. Smith provided a broad overview of what this would entail. “A well conceived coordinated plan should include: a) a completely integrated transportation and parking plan; b) the retention of currently successful businesses; c) addition of businesses that are unique to the Harbor history and culture, including: the fishing industry; the armed services; the labor movement; the Japanese community and all the immigrant cultures who formed the Harbor Area and their colorful contributions in the arts, foods and music.” Going even deeper than Mardesich, Smith continued. “I, frankly, am deeply dismayed that the historical elements that were possible only a few years ago have almost been totally obliterated,” Smith said. “Only the Japanese community seems to have continued to raise funds to assure the awareness of their successful but painful history in the Harbor. We have watched many of the old successful immigrant-based businesses fold, restaurants like Ante’s and Canetti’s, bakeries such as Ramona’s and the Norwegian Bakery, businesses such as Williams’ [Bookstore].” The preservation of such businesses in a rich historical and cultural mix was one of the primary lessons that waterfront activists learned from attending international waterfront conferences in the early 2000s. And, while the obvious common sense of such preservation remains clear to individuals in the community, it seems to have no institutional representation or power to shape the future. “This is of the highest priority to the Harbor Department in non-cargo-related areas,” said POLA Executive Director Gene Seroka in kicking off the discussion of Ports O’ Call redevelopment. But if it’s to succeed, POLA also needs to prioritize rebuilding a framework in which the community can fully participate in shaping its future, with enduring ties to its past.
December 4 - 10, 2014
5
NWSPNC Committee Discusses Buscaino’s Positions on Rancho LPG, GMOs SAN PEDRO—On Nov. 17, the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, Land Use Planning and Public Works Committee discussed Councilman Joe Buscaino’s lone October vote with regards to new city regulations against genetically modified food and leakage at the Rancho LPG facility. Perplexed attendees of the meeting wanted to know why Buscaino voted against the measure that would prohibit the growth and sale of GMO plants or seeds within the city limits of Los Angeles. Buscaino has been quoted as saying this issue should be dealt with on a federal level. The committee also discussed the leaks and minor accidents that have taken place at the Rancho LPG in its 42-year history. The main topic of this discussion was the continued operation of the Pacific Rail line, which transports liquefied propane gas to-and-from the port and the facility, and the lack of insurance to cover a major accident. These issues will be delved into more deeply at the Board and Stakeholders meeting on Dec. 9. Visit www.sanpedrocity.org for details.
City Attorney Feuer Announces Closure of More than 400 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Special Holiday Parade Edition
LOS ANGELES—City Attorney Mike Feuer declared half of the city’s medical marijuana dispensaries closed Dec. 2. “My office has moved aggressively to shut down unlawful medical marijuana businesses, already closing half the dispensaries operating in Los Angeles,” City Attorney Mike Feuer said. But the crown jewel of his announcement was his taking action against Los Angeles’ first smartphone APP for medical marijuana delivery, saying, “today we’re taking action on a new front, tackling medical marijuana delivery.” His office’s enforcement action includes the filing of more than 200 criminal cases against 743 defendants—a group that includes both dispensary operators and property owners. The lawsuit alleges NESTDROP LLC of attempting, “to evade the restrictions on the unregulated and illegal delivery of marijuana by motor vehicles to homes and places of business throughout the City of Los Angeles, in blatant disregard of the strictures of Proposition D, enacted by the voters of the City in the Spring of 2013.”
Groups Bring Legal Action for Federal Ban of Dangerous Oil Tank Rail Cars
December 4 - 10, 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Dec. 2, Earthjustice, on behalf of Sierra Club and ForestEthics, challenged the Department of Transportation’s denial of the groups’ petition for an immediate ban on the most hazardous DOT-111 rail tank cars carrying explosive Bakken crude oil. The National Transportation Safety Board in 2012 called for an immediate ban on using these tank cars to ship crude oil because they are prone to puncture, spills and fires in train accidents. Following the 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail disaster in which a unit train carrying 77 tank cars filled with Bakken oil through Quebec from North Dakota derailed and exploded in the town center of Lac-Mégantic. The accident destroyed 30 buildings and killed 47 people. The explosion was estimated to have a 1-kilometer (0.62 mi) blast radius. According to Earthjustice, two in three tank cars used to transport crude oil in the United States are DOT-111s, yet the DOT has taken no action beyond issuing a safety advisory urging shippers to use the safest tank cars in their fleets to the extent feasible. Earthjustice’s legal action challenges the DOT’s assertion that enough has been done in response to the imminent hazards posed 6 by oil trains.
Cargoland KCRW Radio Focuses on the Port and San Pedro By James Preston Allen, Publisher
It was several weeks ago that KCRW reporter Saul Gonzalez contacted me after reading one of my editorials about the TraPac terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. I was a bit taken by surprise by the call as we rarely receive much “big” LA media recognition around here unless it’s about a cruise ship full of sick passengers or someone jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Do you remember the giant rubber duck during the festival of Tall Ships? The rubber duck was tied up just a thousand yards from where the boatload of sick passengers docked on the main channel. One report called it Port of LA and the other San Pedro. It’s hard getting any respect around here. Gonzalez, however, was interested in something more. His questions followed along the line of what our reporters have been writing about for the past 35 years—the relationship
between the ever-expanding $200 billion-a-year industrial port complex and its impact on the communities that surround it. Finally, I thought, we have some intelligent media folks who are beginning to get the nexus between the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the rest of the Southland in a greater context! Gonzalez spent the better part of an hour interviewing me. I must admit that I felt a bit unprepared as he had only indicated some general areas of interest. But after covering port and community issues for more than three-and-half decades, who better to put current waterfront development in perspective to the history? So, having said so much, I was a bit surprised when the segment aired on Dec. 2, only to find that all of my pearls of wisdom had been boiled down to three sentences. Well, that’s radio for
you and if you’d like to take a listen to what got edited in, go to http://tinyurl.com/KCRWs-SPSearch-for-respect. However, if you go to the website for this project at http://cargoland.kcrw.com/, there’s a lot more for those of you who have never set foot on the working side of the waterfront. There are five more longer segments on the website such as, “The Pilots: Steering Ships the Size of Skyscrapers” and “Automation: Will Innovation Mean Fewer Jobs?” These and other KCRW segments do a better job of putting the waterfront in a context that the average Los Angeles reporter, politician or citizen ever gets to experience or understand. The segment on automation should be a wakeup call to all our friends at the ILWU. In the end, the 3:34-minute KCRW segment pairs my remarks against Councilman Joe Buscaino’s on the question, “Can the community of San Pedro in Los Angeles have both a thriving industrial port and retail and residential development on its waterfront?” That is indeed the crux of the long-term debate of which Gonzalez has only just scratched the surface. It’s a question that only the Board of Harbor Commissioners and those willing to stand up for something greater than what’s proposed in the recent Ports O’ Call feasibility study, can answer.
GOP Doubles Down on Fear and Loathing of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. achieve Latino Immigrants legal status, rather than being deported. But By Jim Hightower, Political Commentator and Columnist Gosh, has it been two whole years since The president of the Senate Twaddle Caucus, Ted Republican leaders vowed to reach out to Cruz, recently explained on Fox News that the Latino voters with “a more welcoming, November election was a referendum on amnesty, inclusive message” and “positive solutions on “And the American people overwhelmingly said, ‘We don’t want amnesty.’” immigration?” Actually, they said no such thing. Exit polls Well, time flies when you’re having elections, and the GOP outreach was on full display by show that 57 percent of voters favor letting their candidates this year. The general message was: “Elect me, because I’ll lock down the whole Mexican border to protect you good Americans from those illegal hordes of diseased, drugconnected Hispanics and Ebola-carrying Islamic terrorists who’re coming across that border to kill you and live on welfare.” Tom Cotton of Arkansas, for example, won a U.S. Senate seat in part by fomenting fear of foreigners. Lying right through his teeth, Cotton warned of a murderous mass invasion by two stereotypical boogeymen: “Groups like the Islamic State collaborate with drug cartels in Mexico,” he said excitedly, then delivered his comic punch line: “They could infiltrate our defenseless border and attack us right here in places like Arkansas.” Yeah, Tom, the secret dream of every Mideastern jihadist is to conquer Pine Bluff. And this guy is in the U.S. Senate? Lord, have mercy. Bad enough to campaign on such twaddle, but a gaggle of right-wing senators actually hope to enact such anti-immigrant, anti-Latino stuff.
“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. 25 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.
forget facts—and forget inclusivity—Republican lawmakers have decided that immigrant bashing is good politics. “Cruz twists election’s message for Obama,” Austin American Statesman, Nov. 23, 2014. “Tea Party congressman: Hamas terrorists might infect themselves with Ebola and sneak into U.S.,” www.salon.com, Oct. 17, 2014.
Contributors Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen Ann Cleaves, Jim Hightower, Lyn james@randomlengthsnews.com Jensen, David Johnson, Lori Lynn Hirsch-Stokoe Assoc. Publisher/Production Coordinator Advertising Production Suzanne Matsumiya Mathew Highland, info@graphictouchdesigns.com Suzanne Matsumiya Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks editor@randomlengthsnews.com Assistant Editor Zamná Ávila zamna@randomlengthsnews.com Photographers Terelle Jerricks, Jessie Drezner, Phillip Cooke, Betty Guevarra
Advertising Representatives Mathew Highland reads@randomlengthsnews.com Richard Olivarez, David Johnson adv@randomlengthsnews.com Display advertising (310) 519-1442 Classifieds (310) 519-1016 www.randomlengthsnews.com
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 350 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 $36 per year for 27 issues. 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.
Special Holiday Parade Edition
December 4 - 10, 2014
7
34th Annual Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade
The Port of Los Angeles Motorcycle Police start the parade off with a bang. Photos from the 2013 Annual Holiday Parade by Jessie Drezner.
Pizza • Pasta Sandwiches Salads Lunch Specials Beer & Wine
15% OFF entire order
Dine-in, take-out or delivery. Must present this coupon when ordering. Exp. 1-8-15
Sports Satellite Gift Certficates Open Daily Mon.-Sat. 11am-9pm Sunday 12-9pm
28635 S. Western Ave., RPV • 310-519-1411
Annual Holiday Parade will take place at 1 have made the 34th Annual Spirit of San Pedro Holiday Parade possible: p.m. Dec. 7 in downtown San Pedro. The parade route will start on Pacific Avenue at 13th Street, head north and turn east on 6th GRAND MARSHAL SPONSORS: Councilman Joe Buscaino, City of Los Street to Palos Verdes Street. Angeles, 15th District The San Pedro Elks Club #966 has been Dr. Richard Vladovic, President, LAUSD named the community grand marshal. There Board of Education will be a special parade tribute to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day and honor World War II HOLIDAY SPIRIT SPONSORS: veterans. Port of Los Angeles The parade will feature more than 88 Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council units, including bands from San Pedro High School, Wilmington Middle School, Gardena High School, Carson High School and Bishop Montgomery High School. The Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums will be performing. The parade will also feature numerous community groups, and equestrian units. City of Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino representing the 15th Council District and his home town of San Pedro will be riding atop the A Merchant Marine veteran on the SS Lane Victory entry at the 2013 Wells Fargo Stage Coach. Holiday Parade. This year’s parade falls on Pearl Harbor Day and will The parade finale will be include a tribute to WWII veterans. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in a 1941 convertible SILVER BELLS SPONSORS: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Friends of the sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Pedro. Aquarium There are three public viewing areas with Cabrillo Way Marina—Westrec Marina parade announcers. They are at the corner of Clean San Pedro 10th Street and Pacific Avenue and in front of Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council the Crowne Plaza on 6th Street. Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Random Lengths News thanks the following parade sponsors who
December 4 - 10, 2014
Special Holiday Parade Edition
continued on following page
8
“Money does NOT Vote, People VOTE”
VOTE HECTOR SERRANO FOR STATE SENATE
VOTE DEC. 9, 2014
Paid for by Hector Serrano for CA State Senate District 35 2014 IFPPC# 1372995
from previous page
Ray Deeters Tire Town San Pedro Historic Waterfront BID SANTA’S HELPER SPONSORS: 22nd Street Landing Seafood Grill & Bar Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton San Pedro Dr. Eric Kordich Managed Career Solutions Marine Clerks ILWU Local 63 Rotary Club of San Pedro SanPedro.com San Pedro Holiday Parade Participants Motorcycles—Los Angeles Port Police Port of Los Angeles, Executive Director— Gene Seroka LA Harbor Commissioner Anthony Pirozzi LA Harbor Commissioner Patricia Castellanos
Los Angeles Port Police Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Commander Bill Scott, LAPD Operations South Bureau Captain Gerald Woodyard, LAPD Harbor Division LAPD Harbor Cadets LAPD Harbor Division Trolley carrying the Neighborhood Council Presidents and Parade Sponsors San Pedro High School Golden Pirate Regiment & JROTC Cheer/PepSquad San Pedro High School Cheer Squads San Pedro High School Air force JROTC Pacific Battleship USS Iowa Honorees
Wells Fargo Stagecoach—L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino, 15th Council District L.A. City Controller Ron Galperin Los Angeles Harbor College President Dr. Otto Lee Los Angeles Harbor College Community Grand Marshal San Pedro Elks Lodge #966 Improved Order of Redmen’s Lodge San Pedro Bay Historical Society Harry Bridges Span School Cheer/ Pep Squad San Pedro Bocce Club Beach Cities Shrine Club Spirit of San Pedro Lineup/ to p. 12
Above, left, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Programs Director, Larry Fukuhara is all decked out. CMA is a Silver Bells Sponsor of this year’s parade. Rep. Janice Hahn, right, at the 2013 Holiday Parade.
www.BaxterHigh.org NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Special Holiday Parade Edition
461 W. 9th St., San Pedro • (310) 221-0430
December 4 - 10, 2014
9
Boxed History: The Story of a Hobbyist JD Hobbies Owner Remembers Robert Sackheim By David Johnson, Contributing Reporter
December 4 - 10, 2014
Special Holiday Parade Edition
It happened this past March; there was no business order or receipt. It was an honor agreement between perennial friends. For Louis Lee, owner of JD Hobbies in downtown San Pedro, the 26 truckloads of aerospace memorabilia blended in well enough with his shop, even if they doubled his stock. One of the largest private collections of its kind was delivered almost overnight to the shop on 6th Street and stored upstairs behind an ‘Authorized Personnel Only’ sign filling it’s expansive upper wing. Certainly, he hadn’t known Robert Sackheim enough to recieve a donation of this size, but Sackheim’s widow Babette insisted, and the deal was signed as Lee says, “With a hug and a handshake.” Almost overnight, the shop, and the collection, began garnering national attention. Men from NASA and collectors with shipping addresses in West Virginia would come in and make offers on rocket boosters. Private collectors and museums would bid on eBay for Space-X prototypes. In the first 6 months, almost 30 percent of Sackheim’s aerospace collection was sold at JD Hobbies. Lee didn’t understand it. That all of this would come as he says, “because of this one man in life I under-appreciated.” Hundreds of people attended Sackheim’s funeral. Aerospace engineers and CEOs, men who had worked with Sackheim for years, but
10
Enjoy our famous brickoven baked crust topped with ricotta, mozzarella, provolone & parmesan cheeses, sautéed fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil & prosciutto. Family owned & operated since 1973
1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro
(310) 547-0655
Order online: www.buonospizza.com
$5
$25
OFF any Purchase
With ad, not valid with other offers. Exp. 12-30-14
JD Hobbies proprietor Louis Lee working on parts for a model plane. Photos courtesy of JD Hobbies.
Lee gave the eulogy. He’s still in awe of that. Lee would still say their friendship grew out of a mutual interest rather than out right understanding. Sackheim was the rocket scientist with a international honors throughout the aerospace community and eight spacecraft propulsion patents to his name. Lee is a man whose passion for aviation grew from a childhood model building club and has spanned 14 years in a dying industry. But Sackheim was one of Lee’s most faithful customers, frequently buying the high-end models. Conversation often ran short and sometimes not at all. Most of the clientele who ventures into the shop is like that. They are stoic hobby men and retirees from Generation X with disposable incomes. There’s no steady battery hum or ring of electronics, but rather rows of model planes, science kits of human anatomy, replicas of the human eye and walls of sports memorabilia. It’s a quiet mausoleum to toys forgotten. Despite the narrowing industry of model toys, clientele at JD hoobies is steady. Lee has already had to move to a larger location to accommodate demand, but he’s still hoping to draw in a newer, younger crowd. “All we’re saying is put your video game aside and get exposed to model building,” Lee said.
His first exposure with model came young. He was 6, maybe six-and-a-half, back then he didn’t understand the big deal with a toy you had to build yourself. It was a bunch of parts from a M-46 Patton Tank his father had spewed across the table that sparked his interest. As he witnessed the first parts come together and make a piece, he was ecstatic. “I told him, dad I want you to finish in the morning,” he recalled. By morning, there was a complete model left for him on the kitchen table. From a mound of parts to a M-46 32 scale tank. The passion was only furthered when a local father hosted a contest. He would give models to a few kids in the neighborhood with two simple rules: They had to build it on their own and they had a month to build it. The best design won a prize. Still inspired by his love of building, Lee is now looking to share this experience on a broader scale. “This Sunday is almost my D-Day,” he said. He is bringing a film crew for the first episode of a show he wants to run. The show, called, History in a Box, is a scripted reality series that seeks to educate and expand the industry. continued on following page
Louis Lee’s collection of model airplanes at JD Hobbies on 6th Street in San Pedro.
The format is simple, “It’s like Cake Boss, but for models,” Lee described. Lee will be the expert builder hired to design and build custom models for clients with interesting storylines. The show will display the shop in full-effect and build on Lee’s extensive knowledge of models and their real life counterparts. It is a dream that has been building for years and has gone through multiple producers. But it wasn’t until this year, on the strength of Sackheim’s collection and maybe a subtle reminder of time with Sackheim’s death, that Lee decided to stop waiting on backers, throw his own money into it and run a pilot episode. Lee still loves seeing build outs come together from a mound of parts into scale model. He says he prefers the method of business his shop offers. “I love when people physically have to come in and do old-school business.” he says. “That’s what I’m trying to do. Not just line our pockets, but so the industry as a whole is uplifted.”
YWCA Worldtots Child Development Center
YWCA
Harbor Area & South Bay
Los Angeles • San Pedro www.ywcaharbor.org
Ages: Infants (6 wks - 18 mos) • Toddlers (18 mos - 21/2 yrs) Preschool & Pre-K (21/2 yrs-5 yrs) YWCA of the Harbor Area & South Bay, 437 W. 9th Street, San Pedro
(310) 547-0831
December 4 - 10, 2014
Days & Hours of Operation M-F, 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 3 Meals—Breakfast, Hot Lunch & Snack
Special Holiday Parade Edition
Worldtots San Pedro 1648 W. 9th St. San Pedro (310) 241-0014
Worldtots LA 100 W. 5th St. San Pedro (310) 732-7697
11
from p. 11
Spirit of San Pedro Lineup
Equestrian Group, Palos Verdes Peninsula Junior Drill Team San Pedro Garden Club Knights of Columbus #1740 United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World II, SS Lane Victory Color Guard, United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II SS Lane Victory Wilmington Middle School, Wilmington Marching Jaguars Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 1203 Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 234
Colorful folklorico dancers grace the parade route. Photos by Jessie Drezner.
Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 500 San Pedro Girl Scouts Boys & Girls Club of LA Harbor Boys & Girls Club of LA Harbor Cheer/ Pep Squad—Diamond All-Stars Float, Bethany Christian Fellowship Bodyrocc CrossFit Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood CouncilPresident, Ray Regalado Peace Dove Puppet San Pedro Neighborhood for Peace and Justice Equestrian Group, Charros de Long Beach Phillips 66 Fire Trucks South Bay Divas All Star Cheer Hawthorne High School Team of Dreams Badfish Roller Derby YWCA of the Harbor Area
December 4 - 10, 2014
Special Holiday Parade Edition
continued on following page
12
Diamond All-Stars Cheer and Pep Squad.
from previous page
Spirit of San Pedro Lineup Portuguese Bend Nursery School San Pedro Co-Op Nursery School Holy Trinity School Bishop Montgomery High School Marching Band Cabrillo Beach Contingent H&R Block Lyons Academy of Irish Dance Cheer /Pep Squad, Tri-City Falcons Scalawag Production Company Folklorico del Mar Bayview Baptist Church American Cancer Society Beach Cities Roller Derby AYSO Soccer Club Region 6 Assembly District 35 candidate Hector Serrano
People’s Place & Palace Gardena High School Band & Auxiliary Marching Band Mary Star Parish Fiesta Encore Entertainers Salvation Army San Pedro Corps New Harvest Christian Fellowship Los Angeles Public Library—San Pedro Regional Branch Carson High School Marching Blue Thunder KiDazzle Art Studios, Inc. San Pedro City Ballet Dana Middle School Marching Band San Pedro Rotary Club Santa and Mrs. Claus—San Pedro Rotary Club
Above, crowds gather on Pacific Avenue. Right, Councilman Joe Buscaino will ride in again on the Wells Fargo Stage Coach.
San Pedro High School Golden Pirate Regiment marching band.
Antiques Make the Right Kind of Recycled Gifts By Lyn Jensen, Contributing Reporter
Unique finds at Memory Lanes Antique Mall in Carson.
New Customers
Receive $20 off your first print or design order of $100 or more*
*With this ad.
December 4 - 10, 2014
Whether you’re looking for fine jewelry, costume jewelry or silver Navajo jewelry, you’ll find it available in a least one booth here. Antiques are not the only gift possibilities shoppers may find. Several dealers have more contemporary collectables—memorabilia from sports, movies and music. At least one booth predominantly features coin collecting. When Martin says customers come here for deals, he’s speaking the language of the antiques world. The prices are higher than what you’ll find in a thrift shop, so come prepared to splurge. The mall will notify dealers about offers on items priced higher than $75. Memory Lanes Antique Mall is open seven days per week, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s at 20740 S. Figueroa St. in Carson. Details: (310) 538-4130
Special Holiday Parade Edition
Recycling may be trendy but antique dealers have been doing it for generations. Heirloom jewelry, silver, porcelain, and glassware—to mention a few popular types of antiques—have value that defies trends. Whether you give antiques over the holidays or acquire them for decorating and entertaining, that’s quite different from digging out the unwanted gift you never took out of its box and secretly passing it along. Contemporary holiday activities include not only Grey Thursday (what used to be Thanksgiving) and Black Friday, but also Small Business Saturday, when shoppers are encouraged to seek out one-of-a-kind businesses. You’ll find about 75 of them—dealers in antiques and collectables—at Memory Lanes Antique Mall in Carson, where shoppers can get away from the major retail chains year around. Marty Martin has run this unique shopping mall for 21 years, just off the 110 Freeway. He says customers who come here, “want a deal or something different, a gift they didn’t see at K-Mart or Macy’s.” Shoppers are free to browse (the pre-Internet way) lanes of booths spread out over 16,000 square feet of warehouse space. This mall is uncrowded and so is its parking lot. The dealers themselves usually aren’t present, so when you find something you want, take it to the central counter. The cashier will ring up your order and the dealer will get credit for the sale. Martin says the mall’s best seller is jewelry.
13
14
December 4 - 10, 2014
Independent And Free.
Pictured are service crafts and pleasure boats in the Los Angeles Harbor Area in the 2013 Holiday Afloat parade. Photo by Jessie Drezner.
By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
D
Special Holiday Parade Edition Special Holiday Parade Edition
ec. 6 will mark the Port of Los Angeles’ 52nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade, lead by the Port Police dive vessel, Los Angeles Fire Department boat Warner L. Lawrence, M/V Triumphant (Grand Marshal Gabriela Medina), Exy Johnson, the Irving Johnson and American Pride and 60 pleasure boats. Gabriela Medina, Wilmington and Harbor City field deputy for 15th District Councilman Joe Buscaino, will preside as grand marshal for this year’s display of boats, celebrating the nation’s busiest international trade gateway with the theme of “Holiday Treasures.” The evening will feature live performances by the San Pedro Ballet and San Pedro High School Glee Club, along with arts and crafts, gingerbread, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus. Downtown Harbor visitors will be in a prime viewing area to enjoy the Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat parade. Also starting at 6 p.m., a festooned Exy Johnson tall ship will remain docked at the public landing for all to enjoy. Officials and community leaders will take part in the parade as judges or passengers aboard more than 60 vessels, including powerboats, sailboats, tall ships and harbor working craft. Sponsored by POLA, the parade starts in the East Basin near Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington and takes about 90 minutes to cover the entire parade route through the Los Angeles Main Channel. Parade goers will be able to see the floating parade from a variety of locations around the harbor, including the deck of the USS Iowa, which will open for the parade at 5:30 p.m. Aboard the battleship, there will be live music, a “Kids Corner,” complimentary hot cocoa, coffee and cookies. Food trucks and Santa Claus will also be in attendance. Continued on page 17.
December 4 - 10, 2014 December 4 - 10, 2014
15 15
Holiday Fare:
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with a Champagne Truffle Cream By Lori Lynn Hirsch Stokoe, Recipe Developer & Photographer
L
December 4 - 10, 2014
Independent And Free.
Pasta & Seafood Grill
16
Neil’s
Neil’s serves Neopolitan and Southern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Neil’s serves the freshest seafood in its traditional dishes, as well as prime meats and pasta. Voted Best Seafood Restaurant, 2009–2010 by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association and is included on Elmer Dills’ list of L.A.’s Best Restaurants. Catering and banquets available. Hours: Sun.– Thurs. 5 p.m.–Closing, Fri. and Sat. 5 p.m.– closing, lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mon.–Fri.
310.548.3495
383 W. 5th Street, San Pedro www.nailspasta.com
ooking for a chic way to begin this year’s holiday feast? Italian white truffles are in season through December. They are rare, perishable and very delicate with an intense savory perfume reminiscent of earth, garlic, shallot and grana cheese. Pair truffles with scallops and Champagne for a luxurious first course. This dish is guaranteed to impress your guests. And, while it is relatively quick and easy to prepare, the result is most definitely swanky and sublime.
Season cold dry scallops with kosher salt. Heat a stainless steel saute pan over high heat. Add canola oil to coat the bottom of the pan. When the oil is very hot and just about to smoke, place the scallops in the pan. Be sure not to crowd the scallops. Cook over high heat for exactly two minutes to form a caramelized crust. Flip the scallops over with a pair of tongs and cook for one minute. Remove scallops and keep warm. Add butter lettuce leaves to the pan. Stir gently until wilted and coated with scallop juices.
Champagne Truffle Cream
Serve one, two, or three scallops per person depending on the size and scope of the rest of your holiday menu. This recipe makes a little more than one cup of sauce, enough for 16 scallops. Plan on one tablespoon of sauce to accompany each scallop.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1/2 cup minced shallot • 1 cup Champagne or dry sparking wine • 2/3 cup whipping cream • salt and pepper to taste • Italian white truffle
In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat then add shallot and cook until soft. Add Champagne and cook until reduced by half, then whisk in the cream. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Turn off the heat, season with salt and pepper, and add truffle shavings.
Scallops and Wilted Butter Lettuce • jumbo sea scallops • butter (bibb) lettuce
Yield
Note: If fresh truffles are too pricey or not available, consider substituting truffle oil. Prepare the recipe without fresh truffles, then finish the dish with a drizzle of truffle oil over each scallop just before serving.
Assembly
Place wilted butter lettuce in the center of each plate. Spoon sauce around the lettuce. Place scallop(s) over the lettuce. Garnish with a few parsley leaves. Finally, shave white Italian truffle over the top. Serve immediately — with Champagne, of course. Wishing you a most elegant holiday season! What sets RLn apart from the rest?
Continued from page 15.
Boats Afloat Parade
Special Holiday Parade Edition
To see the parade from the deck of the USS Iowa, there’s an admissions fee of $20 for adults (ages 12 and older) and $10 for youth (ages 6 to 11). Visit www.pacificbattleshipcenter.com. Spectators may also view the procession from several points along the Main Channel that are free, including: • Banning’s Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water St., Wilmington • Cruise Ship Promenade, Harbor Blvd. and Swinford St., San Pedro • Battleship Iowa parking lot, 250 S. Harbor Blvd, San Pedro • Ports O’ Call Village, 1100 Nagoya Way, San Pedro • Downtown Harbor & Town Square, 504 S. Harbor Blvd, San Pedro • 22nd Street Landing, 141 W. 22nd St., San Pedro • Cabrillo Marina, 200 Whalers Walk, San Pedro • Holiday Harbor Marina, 241 Watchorn Walk, San Pedro • SS Lane Victory, Berth 46 at the end of Miner St., San Pedro Parade spectators are invited to enjoy festive pre-parade activities at Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington at 4 p.m., and Downtown Harbor and Town Square in San Pedro at 5 p.m. Home viewers may also watch the parade on Los Angeles CityView Channel 35. For air times visit www.lacityview.org. The Port of Los Angeles is kicking off “Holidays by the Sea” with the boat parade. The parade will be followed by a series of free and festive weekend holiday events on the LA Waterfront until Christmas. Visitors may return to Downtown Harbor each of these evenings to witness the Holiday Sail Spectacular and light show, turning the public town square outside the Los Angeles Maritime Museum into an outdoor theater venue with holiday movies projected right onto a ship’s sail. The December holiday movie schedule at Downtown Harbor is as follows: • Dec. 7: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. • Dec. 12 through Dec. 14: Jack Frost, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. • Dec. 19 through Dec. 21: The Smurfs Holiday Celebration, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Event dates are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Details: www.lawaterfront.org.
Photos by Jessie Drezner
December 4 - 10, 2014
17
So Much Fun Stuff To Do! >>>
Entertainment December 5
Namhee Han, Rebecca Sjöwall Organist Namhee Han will be joined by Rebecca Sjöwall, at 12:15 p.m. Dec. 5, at First Lutheran Church of Torrance. Playing from the heart defines Namhee Han’s approach to music making. Rebecca Sjöwall has been lauded for her dramatic power as an actress with a voice that is “luscious,” “beautifully crisp” and “a powerhouse.” Details: (310) 316-5574; www.palosverdes.com/ ClassicalCrossroads/BachsLunchtime.htm Venue: First Lutheran Church of Torrance Location: 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance
December 6
Boardwalk Grill
December 4 - 10, 2014
Independent And Free.
C a s u a l waterfront dining at its finest! Famous for slabs of Chicago-style baby back ribs, fish-n-chips, rich clam chowder, cold beer on tap and wine. Full lunch menu also includes salads, sandwiches and burgers. Indoor and outdoor patio dining available. Proudly pouring Starbucks coffee. Open 7 days a week. Free Parking. Boardwalk Grill • 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 519-7551
18
Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria A San Pedro landmark for over 40 years, famous fo r exc e p t i o n a l award-winning pizza baked in brick ovens. Buono’s also offers classic Italian dishes and sauces based on tried-and-true family recipes and hand-selected ingredients that are prepared fresh. You can dine-in or take-out. Delivery and catering are also provided. Additionally, there are two locations in Long Beach. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. • Buono’s Pizzeria • 1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 547-0655 www.buonospizza.com Happy Diner The Happy Diner isn’t your average diner. If you pay attention to their special menu on their blackboards (yeah plural, they have about three), it’s almost a certainty you’re going to find something new from week to week. The cuisine runs the gamut of Italian and Mexican cuisine to American continental. The Happy Diner chefs are always creating something new. They believe that if an item is good, its reputation will get around by word of mouth. You can even find items normally found at curbside lonchera trucks. You can take your pick of grilled salmon over pasta or tilapia and vegetables, prepared anyway you like. Another item that’s emerged from their flair for the creative is their chicken enchiladas soup made from scratch, a soup Roman describes as very thin and flavorful. Happy Diner • (310) 2410917 • 617 S. Centre St., San Pedro Lighthouse Cafe
The favorite local cafe for the point Fermin area of San Pedro great breakfasts, lunches and even dinners. Serving traditional offering for breakfast along with specialty omelets, espresso and cappuccino.
Lunches include a delicious selection of soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches with hearty portions as well as Chef’s Creations. Dinners feature Top Sirloin Steak or Prime Rib as well as a kids menu. Beer and wine are served. Free Wi-Fi and is pet friendly on the patio. Open 7 days a week 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. close to Cabrillo Beach and the Korean Bell, Point Fermin area. Lighthouse Cafe • 508 West 39th St., San Pedro. 310- 548- 3354 Mishi’s Strudel Bakery Mishi’s is a fragrant landmark on 7th Street, where it is possible to find Nirvana by following your nose. The enticing aroma of baking strudel is impossible to resist, and the café is warm and welcoming like your favorite auntie’s house. Aniko and Mishi have expanded the menu to include homemade goulash, soups and a variety of sweet and savory Hungarian strudels, crépes and pastas. Take a frozen strudel home to bake in your own kitchen and create that heavenly aroma at your house. Mishi’s Strudel Bakery and Café, 309 W.7th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-6474 www.mishisstrudel. com Nazelie’s Lebanese Cuisine
Nazelie’s Lebanese Cuisine is a favorite of the neighborhood for the terrific kabobs, beef or chicken shawarma, lamb dishes and falafel. Nazelie’s chicken and rice soup with lemon is like a warm embrace—it takes chicken soup to a whole new level. Nazelie uses a recipe handed down in her family for generations, starting with homemade chicken broth, and adding a refreshing touch of lemon for taste and nutrients. Nazelie’s Lebanese Café, 1919 S.Pacific Avenue, San Pedro. (310) 519-1919 PHILIE B’S ON SIXTH Owner Philie Buscemi welcomes you to Philie B’s on Sixth, where New York style pizza, Sicilian rice balls and pizza by-the-slice are the specialties. Fresh hot or cold sandwiches, gourmet pizzas, and fresh salads are also served. Try the “White Pizza” with smooth ricotta, mozzarella and sharp Pecorino-Romano cheeses topped with torn fresh basil. Extended hours accommodate San Pedro’s unique lifestyle and work schedules. Catering and fast, free local delivery ($15 min.) available. Philie B’s On Sixth • 347 W. 6th Street, San Pedro (310) 514-2500 www.philiebsonsixth.com
PORTS O’CALL WATERFRONT DINING S i n c e 19 61 we ’ ve extended a hear ty welcome to visitors from every corner of the globe. Delight in an awe-inspiring view of the dynamic LA Harbor while enjoying exquisite Coastal California Cuisine and Varietals. Relax in the Plank Bar or Outdoor Patio for the best Happy Hour on the Waterfront. With the Award-Winning Sunday Champagne Brunch, receive the first SPIRIT CRUISES Harbor Cruise of the day FREE. Open 7 days, lunch and dinner. Free Parking. Ports O’Call Waterfront Dining • 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 76, San Pedro • (310) 833-3553 www.Portsocalldining.com San Pedro Brewing Company A microbrewery and American grill, SPBC features handc r a f t e d aw a r d - w i n n i n g ales and lagers ser ved with creative pastas, bbq, sandwiches, salads and burgers. A full bar with madefrom-scratch margaritas and a martini menu all add fun to the warm and friendly atmosphere. WI-FI bar connected for Web surfing and e-mail—bring your laptop. Live music on Saturdays. Hours: From 11:30 a.m., daily. San Pedro Brewing Company • 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro • (310) 831-5663 • www.sanpedrobrewing.com SPIRIT CRUISES
An instant party! Complete with all you need to relax and enjoy while the majesty of the harbor slips by. Our three yachts and seasoned staff provide for an exquisite excursion every time, and “all-inclusive” pricing makes party planning easy! Dinner Cruise features a 3-course meal, full bar, unlimited cocktails and starlight dancing. Offering the ultimate excursion for any occasion. Free Parking. Spirit Cruises • 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 548-8080, (562) 495-5884 • www. spiritmarine.com The Whale & Ale
San Pedro’s British G a s t ro P u b o f fe r s comfortable dining in oak paneled setting, featuring English fish & chips, roast prime rib, sea bass, rack of lamb, beef Wellington, meat pies, salmon, swordfish & vegetarian dishes. Open for lunch & dinner, 7days/wk; great selection of wines; 14 British tap ales, & full bar. Frequent live music. First Thursday live band & special fixed price menu. Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sat. & Sun. 1-10 p.m. Bar open late. The Whale & Ale • 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-0363 • www. whaleandale.com
Jimmy Branly, Otmaro Ruiz Quartet Jimmy Branly and the Otmaro Ruiz Quartet will perform, at 8 p.m. Dec. 6, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Details: (800) 403-3447 Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro
December 7
17th Annual Carlos Vega Memorial Birthday Concert The 17th Annual Carlos Vega Memorial Birthday Concert will take place, at 4 p.m. Dec. 7, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Vega had recorded and/or performed with Freddy Hubbard, Boz Scaggs, Lee Ritenour, Vince Gill, Reba McIntire, Olivia Newton-John (including the “Grease” soundtrack), Larry Carlton, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman, before he died from a self-inflicted gunshot on the eve of a scheduled April 8 appearance with Taylor on “The Oprah Winfrey Show. Advance tickets are $25, and $30 at the door. Details: (800) 403-3447 Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro
December 6
Cliff Wagner & the Old #7 Bluegrass Holiday An annual tradition featuring hoppin’ bluegrass along with sing-along carols and hot cider will take place, at 8 p.m. Dec. 6, at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. Details: (310) 833-4813; www.GrandVision.org Venue: Grand Annex Location: 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro Something’s Funny at the Warner Grand Check out outstanding comics, at 8 p.m. Dec. 6, at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro. Cost is $10 and $15. Details: www.GrandVision.org Venue: Warner Grand Location: 479 W. 6th St., San Pedro
December 11
Lobby Bar Enjoy live music at the Lobby Bar, from 7 to 11 p.m. Dec. 11, at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Details: (310) 265-2800; www.Terranea.com Venue: Terranea Resort Location: 100 Terranea Way Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes
December 19
A Soulful Christmas By the Sea San Pedro at Marina Seafood Restaurant. My Christmas show is with gospel recording artists The Starlights, 5 Tempting Men (Temptation Revue Band) and San Pedro’s favorites “Rick’s Jamnesia.” Tickets are $25. It all starts at 9 p.m. Venue: Marina Seafood Restaurant Location: Ports O’Call Village
Community/Family December 6
Tidepool Wonders Explore low tides on the rocky shore, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6, at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. The area offers a home to a variety of local tidepool animals and seaweeds. Among the organisms are tidepool sculpin, sea urchins, sea hares, hermit crabs, feather-boa kelp, and an occasional octopus. An accessible pathway Calendar continued on page 16.
Calendar from page 15. leads to the edge of the tidepools. Details: ( 310 ) 5 4 8 - 7 5 6 2 ; w w w. cabrillomarineaquarium.org Venue: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Location: 3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro Handmade in South Bay Holiday Boutique Check out the handmade-only crafts from Harbor Area artisans, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6, at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. The event will include a DJ, raffle baskets for charity, demonstrations and an artists’ alley. Venue: Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles Location: 112 E. 22nd St., San Pedro
December 6
A Civil War/Victorian Christmas Be part of a joint celebration, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7, at the Banning Museum in Wilmington. The event will include Santa Claus, trolley ride, crafts, food and tours. Details: ( 310 ) 5 4 8 - 2 0 0 5 , w w w. thebanningmuseum.org Venue: Banning Museum Location: 401 E. M St., Wilmington
December 7
Holiday Spirit of San Pedro Enjoy the 34th annual Holiday Spirit of San Pedro Parade, from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7, in downtown along Pacific Avenue to 6th and Palos Verdes Streets. Details: (310) 832-7272; www.SanPedroChamber. com Venue: Downtown San Pedro Location: Along Pacific Ave. to 6th and Palos Verdes Streets The Living Landscapes of Terranea Walk Take a one-hour hike exploring the lush history of plants around the resort and why they were chosen for the property, starting at 10 a.m. Dec. 7, at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Details: (310) 265-2851; www.Terranea.com Venue: Terranea Resort Location: 100 Terranea Way Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes
December 11
Theater/Film December 5
Taiko Center of LA and Minyo Station Experience a kaleidoscope of traditional Japanese song and dance with a contemporary twist, starting at 8 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Grand Annex in San Pedro. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. Details: (310) 833-4813; www.GrandVision.org Venue: Grand Annex Location: 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
December 13
Bus Stop Experience the Bus Stop, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturday, with 2 p.m. shows Nov. 20 and Dec. 7, through Dec. 13, at Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro. Set in 1955, a bluster winter storm has hit the Midwest, and a busload of travelers from Kansas City must stop and spend the night at a diner outside of Topeka, Kan. Two young lover play out their courtship and discover that part of the journey is not knowing where you are headed. Tickets start at $20. Details: (310) 512-6030; www.littlefishtheatre. org Venue: Little Fish Theatre Location: 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro
December 19
The Christmas Carol is ‘Sung’ this Year in Long Beach Art-In-Relation will produce The Christmas Carol, previously produced by the Relevant Stage at San Pedro’s Warner Grand Theatre, at Long Beach’s Ernest Borgnine Theatre. There will only be eight shows between Dec. 19 and Dec. 27. The Christmas Carol tells the story of a bitter old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge, the curmudgeonly businessman who requires the intervention of a few spectral guides to understand the true meaning of Christmas and life. Tickets are $25 for general seating, with discounted seats at $20 for seniors over 55, and $15 for children 12 and under. Advance tickets may be purchased through Brown Paper Tickets. Details: (800) 838-3006; http:// thechristmascarol.brownpapertickets.com Venue: Ernest Borgnine Theatre Location: 855 Elm Ave., Long Beach, CA
December 3
Boys & Girls Club Arts Academy Showcase The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor presents an evening debuting the rising talents from San Pedro and Wilmington, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, at the Warner Grand Theatre. The showcase will include a fine arts gallery; classical, jazz and rock music numbers; short film screenings and video game demonstrations. The event is free. Details: www.bgclaharbor.org/arts-academyshowcase Venue: Warner Grand Theatre Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro
Special Holiday Parade Edition
Open Mic Nite Mike Rivero emcees an all talent music, poetry and comedy, from 7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 11, at Off The Vine in San Pedro. Venue: Off The Vine Location: 491 W. 6th St. #103, San Pedro
December 6
Arms and the Man Long Beach Playhouse presents a production of George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 6. The classic “antiromantic” comedy features Hallie Mayer, Sarah Genevieve Green, Charlotte Williams, Michael J. Knowles, Doyle Smiens, Mitchell Nunn and Alex Bennet. George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man takes place at the close of the SerboBulgarian war in 1885. Tickets are $24 for adults, $21 for seniors and $14 for students. Details: (562) 494-1014 option 1; www. lbplayhouse.org Venue: Long Beach Playhouse Location: 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
December 4 - 10, 2014
19
20
December 4 - 10, 2014
Independent And Free.