Rancho LPG Reveals Safety Plans Ahead of Public Meeting, Critics Find Mistakes p. 3 Long Beach Time Exchange Provides Opportunities to Give and Receive p. 4 San Pedro Labor Fest Celebrates Workers through Film and Art p. 11
Rediscovering This Harbor-Town From the Outside In By James Preston Allen, Publisher
Spanish. In any case, our being discovered by the rest of Los Angeles, if not the world, feels a bit like the Native Americans watching Juan Cabrillo land at the Bay of Smokes. The foreigners have arrived to give us civilization and religion, only this time bringing hard cash—not beads—for the struggling businesses in the downtown waterfront arts district. The funny thing is much of this redefining of Pedro is being driven from outside perspectives. Most of the Grand Performances, which will pay tribute to the cultures of the San Pedro Harbor Area, are performed by artists not born or living here, as if we don’t have artists of our own. The prime case in point is the Accordion Festival, which we discovered “celebrates the culture” but not one of the performers
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From the Outside In/ to p. 2
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From Joseph Wambaugh’s new police thriller, Harbor Nocturne, about a recovering Croatian longshoreman who falls in love with an illegal Mexican stripper, to the San Pedro Squeeze Accordion Festival at the Grand Performances this summer in downtown Los Angeles—everyone seems to be “rediscovering San Pedro.” Of course, the flagship of this rediscovery expedition seems to be the lauded arrival of the USS Iowa. Thanks to both Wambaugh and the public relations arm at the Port of Los Angeles that would prefer that everyone knows that the battleship is not owned by POLA. However, the big-town media has learned how to say “Pee-dro” not “Pay-dro,” as some non-Spanish speakers often attempt to pronounce it in
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HARBOR AREA from p. 1
San Pedro From the Outside In
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
actually lives or was born here. What? We don’t have a single accordion player? This only reinforces the concept of San Pedro as being one of the colonies of the “great cultural” paradigm of Los Angeles and not an originator of anything significant– paternalism at its finest. What Grand Performances (not to be confused with the Grand Vision Foundation of San Pedro) is doing is attempting to coopt our cultural image, making it and us more bland and palatable to an audience that perceives anything outside of the HollywoodWestside and downtown axis as being less than relevant. So, yes, we get a mention on the weather forecast by Jackie Johnson in her tight skirts saying, “and it’s 70 degrees in San Peedro today,” but in the real world of cultural interests it’s something like anthropology, “Let’s see how the natives dance around the bonfire.” Even Wambaugh gets only skin deep in his portrayal of the Harbor communities relying mostly on secondhand intel from Los Angeles Police Department friends and dinner at a traditional Catholic Croatian home. Well, at least he did get the place names right. But he blew past a lot of rich cultural layers of the onion that, like many parts of the extended empire of Los Angeles that are not easily explained in a TV sound bite.
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Chasing Bukowski’s Ghost and Peedro’s Name By John Farrell, Theater Critic
Charles Bukowski wasn’t from San Pedro. He was born in Germany of an American soldier father and a German mother just after the end of the World War I. He was moved when very young to Maryland and came to Los Angeles in 1930. He did spend his last 16 years in San Pedro, where he died. He is sometimes called a San Pedro poet, but his city wasn’t San Pedro, it was Los Angeles—all of it—especially the poor and struggling part of it. Still, San Pedro gets the credit and on June 30 the Grand Performances in downtown Los Angeles
The community is getting some attention, but many San Pedrans looking at the Grand Performances line-0up are still scratching their heads as to how the arts organization decided on who and what best represents San Pedro.
kicks off four programs about San Pedro, scattered throughout the summer, starting with Tongue and Groove: Charles Bukowski. Conrad Romo brings Bukowski’s poetry, short fiction and personal essays to life with the help of Rebecca DeMornay, Jack Grapes, Joan Jobe Smith, Gerald Locklin, Chiwan Choi, Kenneth Sonny Donato, Wendy Rainey and Harry Dean Stanton (schedule permitting). Bukowski wasn’t from San Pedro, but his poetry, depicting the dark side of work and life, has a resonance that fits well with the working-class ethos of San Pedro, and he lived the last years of his very productive life (six novels, more than 60 books of fiction, autobiography and poetry) as a part of the port community. Tongue and Groove has done many literary performances with Grand Performances. The performance begins at 8 p.m., June 30 at the Grand Performances stage at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., in Los Angeles and is free of charge, as are all performances there. (It’s a great series and a great site: take a look at their website for more information.) Seven other performances and a film are scheduled for the Grand Performances San Pedro series, and a walking tour of Bukowski’s San Pedro is also on the schedule. Details are listed below. (The Hawaiian events, by the way, were included with San Pedro for scheduling purposes, not because there is a vibrant Hawaiian community at the docks). The program on Bukowski that kicks off the San Pedro tribute has been assembled by Conrad Romo, who has been doing literary tributes regularly at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood for more than eight years now and most recently at Grand Performances, put together this past year’s program on Boyle Heights, the East Los Angeles neighborhood that has been undergoing a recent revival. It was after that program that he started working on the Bukowski project. “The Grand Performances were thinking about a series of programs about San
Pedro for this year and I said if we were going to do a San Pedro tribute we had to do Bukowski” Romo said in a recent phone interview. “I’ve been working on this program for a number of months now, trying to get people for the program who knew Bukowski, who drank with him or knew of his life. “There are quite a few persons who are going to read his poems, selections from his stories and tell about his life. I’m going to introduce them and then stay out of the way. They’ll be biographies in the program so I won’t have to do much. And I’ve kept the program flexible because there may be people flying in from out of town, I can’t say who now, but I’ve left room for them. “Bukowski was incredibly prolific. I was reading in one of his books and he had already had 25 printed. I think he can be considered one of the great poets of 20th century America.” San Pedro Squeeze: An Accordion Festival is next in the San Pedro series, Friday, June 6 at 8 p.m. features a celebration of the many ethnic music styles, including northern Mexican, rock, country and salsa played on traditional instruments and digital, with accordion champion Cory Pesaturo, the prodigious Joel Guzman and accordion diva Gee Rabe. The accordion first was valued for its ability to cut through the din in bars, but has become an important instrument in its own right. Read more about them at www.randomlengthsnews. com/blogs/ACE. Master and Legacy: The Music of Hawai’i, at 8 p.m. July 27 offers Kaumakaiwa Kanak’ole, a seventh-generation Hawaiian performer, along with four-time Grammy winner George Kahumoku Jr. on slack key guitar and vocals, Keoki Kahumoku, also on slack key guitar, Bobby Ingano on slide steel guitar, and “Uncle” Richard Ho’opi’i on ukelele and singing Hawaiian falsetto. They’ll be playing music, telling stories and sharing their culture Grand Performances Goes South/ to p. 10
HARBOR AREA
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Rancho LPG: Official Theory vs. Ground Truth—
Safety Gap Expands Into Yawning Chasm By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
Rancho San Pedro’s semi-secret “risk management plan” is riddled with mistakes, some merely humorous, others potentially deadly for tens of thousands of Harbor Area residents, one industry expert says. According to an analysis by 20-plus year oil and gas industry veteran Connie Rutter, who was able to inspect and take notes on the plan, Rancho’s plan shared many errors in common with a previous risk management plan created by Amerigas, the facility’s previous owner, suggesting that Rancho had not actually done a thorough analysis of its own. “I ... was not allowed to have a copy of Rancho’s [risk management plan]; only allowed to ‘make notes,’” Rutter wrote in a summary analysis she recently prepared and submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. “I hardly think that the plan would pass mus-
Community Announcements:
Harbor Area Los Angeles Harbor Commission Meeting
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission will be meeting at 8:30 a.m. on July 5. Agendas can be found online. Details: www.portoflosangeles.com Venue: Port of Los Angeles Administration Building Location: 425 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro San Pedro Bay Historical Society’s downtown museum project will unveil its second window, “Once Upon a Book,” from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 5 at Williams’ Book Store. Members of the Historical Society will be on hand to explain this new project that brings history to downtown San Pedro. Venue: Williams Book Store Location: 43 W. 6th St., San Pedro
Old Fort MacArthur Days
In a separate document, intended for public education, Rutter explained that danger more fully. First, butane and propane are gases at ordinary temperatures and pressures. If released during an accident, they will increase more than 200 times in volume so rapidly that they will create a ‘vapor phase explosion,’ a phenomena “which can do great damage” and that is entirely distinct from ordinary ignition. Two sets of figures describe how uniquely dangerous LPG is. First, volatility, the tendency to vaporize, which is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Rutter lists representative figures: “Propane, 218; Butane, 52; Gasoline, 10, (average); Jet fuel, 0.029; Crude oil, 3.6 (average). Diesel, 0.022, all in pounds per square inch. So, propane is 21.8 times as volatile as gasoline and butane is 5.2 times, the next most volatile substance likely to be stored at terminals.” The second set of figures refers to flammability—how quickly a liquid vaporizes before it
hastens evaporation, and therefore, burning.”
Public Meetings
Rutter’s analysis was completed in advance of a public safety meeting on liquid fuel storage facilities convened by Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino on June 27—hours after this issue of Random Lengths News went to press. Her analysis helped inform a community meeting that took place in advance the previous Thursday at Holy Trinity Parish Center, which also feaSafety Gap/ to p. 4
PTSD Trials Start at Long Beach VA:
Finding Answers to America’s $65O Billion Question By Arthur R. Vinsel, Contributing Writer
Research is flourishing into brain chemistry’s role and new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the single costliest injury in wars spanning America’s history. The $650 billion—the estimated cost for the next 20 years of PTSD disability benefits to men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and came back home scarred by emotional wound—question is how to cope with it. This is aside from the current annual treatment cost of $6,000 (counseling) to $30,000 (medication and other treatment) per man or woman, for thousands more Veterans Affairs patients who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Cost estimates are up to $3.7 trillion to date, for two un-won wars, states Reuters News Service. Modern weaponry virtually eliminates most close personal combat contact, but as the saying goes, “War is hell,” and it still takes a terrible toll. Government records show 761 American troops were killed in action, from the 2002 invasion of Afghanistan until mid-2010, but during the same period, 817 committed suicide, mostly Army and Marine troops. A recent document filed in the 9th Federal Court of Appeals states 18 veterans commit suicide every day in America and one in every four is enrolled in the VA medical system. Every month, 1,000 vets attempt suicide, VA records show. The search for a successful treatment regimen continues on several fronts but there is no magic silver bullet to quell the costly torment that still
hounds aging vets under treatment, 40 years after the Vietnam war, as well as the 1950-53 Korean Conflict. Medication and psychotherapy remain standard, but fail in many cases. Psychotropic drugs perform differently in different patients and prolonged therapy disrupts employment and family life. Many vets finally give up, but no treatment at all exacerbates problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, crime, violence and societal costs including law enforcement and social services, including welfare. One experiment that utilizes a prosaic method is about to begin at the Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center. It involves injecting an anesthetic—buprivicaine—into the right side of the neck, which is called the stellate ganglion block (SGB). It takes about 10 minutes. The buprivicaine is injected into a starshaped juncture of six nerves near the C6 spinal vertebra. The nerves are killed in one to three shots within one to three years. Similar trials at other facilities show promise rather than perfection, although some patients with severe PTSD symptoms claim “miraculous” results with relief in 30 minutes. Back in 2005, renowned Chicago anesthesiologist Dr. Eugene Lipov developed the SGB approach and retitled it The Chicago Hope for Answers/ to p. 5
June 29 - July 12, 2012
The Fort MacArthur Museum is hosting its annual themed fundraiser, “Old Fort MacArthur Days, “from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 7 and 8, in San Pedro. Museum visitors will have a chance to interact with hundreds of living history performers representing time periods from the days of the Roman legions up through the Vietnam War. Guests can also visit the camp sites to see exhibits on daily life, field craft, battle demonstrations, music, vendors and other entertainments. This is a child-friendly event suitable for all ages. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12. Proceeds benefit the restoration, preservation and education programs of the Fort MacArthur Museum. Tickets can be purchased at the front gate to the museum beginning at 10 a.m. on both days and, as always, parking is free. Food and drinks will be available at an additional charge. Details: (562) 577-5052; www.ftmac.org Venue: Fort MacArthur Museum Location: Gaffey and 36th streets
LPG’s Unique Dangers
will burn. “LPG vaporizes instantly or almost instantly, whereas gasoline will vaporize at a rate 1/22 of propane and one-fifth that of butane,” Rutter explains. The difference not only makes LPG fires more dangerous, it renders useless the standard response, fire-fighting foam, which is generally effective against gasoline fires, but is not recommended for LPG fire by the American Petroleum Institute. “The reason is that foam is warmer than the liquid butane which is not yet evaporated, and
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Windows Into the Past
ter for a local body shop, much less for a facility with 25 million gallons of butane,” Rutter wrote in a June 11 cover letter to Mary Wesling, enforcement coordinator for EPA Region IX, headquartered in San Francisco. The most dangerous mistake was the miscalculation of the endpoint of a worst-case scenario release, at half-mile rather than 3 miles, according Rutter’s own calculations. That would mean an impacted area 36 times larger than Rancho’s analysis, with correspondingly more potential fatalities as well—28,000 or even more, if the LPG acts as it usually does, rather than as EPA’s “worst case” scenario dictates. Random Lengths sought a response from Wesling, but did not receive it by press time. Rutter identified 18 other substantive defects in the plan, some of which are clearly life-threatening. For example, she points out, “[U]nder Leak or Spill at Loading/Unloading Rack, it is noted: ‘Consider evacuation of local residents.’ The Fire Department and Police would be the agencies to accomplish this, but they haven’t even been notified under this scenario!” This is just one of several different errors indicating an overall lack of coherence in the plan. Rutter also cites 20 items indicating an “indifference to compliance,” which are less overtly dangerous to public safety, but further indicate an overall carelessness. For example, “On page 3 through 14 there are directions about what to do for a storage cavern leak, but this site has no storage cavern. This is just evidence of the careless use of information from another site without even bothering to proof read it,” Rutter noted. “This shows a general indifference that applies to safety as well,” Rutter reiterated to Random Lengths, “and there’s not that much they can do about safety, because propane and butane are so inherently unsafe.”
Connie Rutter spent more than three decades working in the oil industry—three years as a chemist, 11 as an environmental manager and director, and 20 years as a consultant for ARCO, Shell, Valero and smaller refineries, pipeline and storage companies. Photo: Terrelle Jerricks.
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The Value of Giving By Zamná Ávila, Assistant Editor
Desiree Kannel doesn’t stress too much when she’s in a fix. She knows she can count on more than friends and family. “I feel more secure knowing there is a group of people out there that can help me if needed and I don’t have financial (means),” Kannel, 48, said. “It’s made me feel less alone.” Kannel is a member of the Long Beach Time Exchange, a group of people building relationships within the city by connecting people’s unmet needs with untapped resources. The idea is based on the concept that everyone has something to offer and operates on the premise of time banking. For every one hour one person gives of their time to help someone in the time exchange group, they get an hour time credit so that someone in that group can offer an hour of time for something he or she needs. “We help people exchange services and skills,” said the 32-year-old cofounder, Christine Petit. “But instead of exchanging money as the unit of exchange, we use our time.”
The concept of time banking started in the 1980s, and was officially adopted by the group in September 2010. “We thought it was perfect for Long Beach,” said Petit, a part-time sociology professor at Cal State Long Beach. “Long Beach … is such a diverse community and people have so many different experiences and skills to share with one another. So, from the very beginning our goal was to make our time bank as reflective of the Long Beach community as possible.” These days, the group’s membership has grown to about 280 active members, including organizational groups, such as The Center Long Beach. One way the group makes these connections is during monthly gatherings where members can meet each other and non-members can learn about the group through activities such as “speed banking;” where members pair up and discuss offers and requests they’d like to share within 45-second sessions. After the speed banking, the group participates in a potluck where they can further discuss their interests.
Connections also are facilitated through the groups’ online software Community Weaver, where each member sets up his or her profile and posts offers and requests. “Meeting new people has probably been the biggest benefit; expanding my own community,” said Kennel, a composition teacher. She said this brings back a sense of community that is often lost. “This not the new way; this is the old way: sharing with our neighbors.”
Gift Culture
It’s going back to that sense of community Kennel describes that motivates Long Beach Time Exchange cofounder Tony Damico. While in graduate school, Damico said he often felt isolated, disconnected from the community. Soon after meeting Petit, he became more active in the community and began to meet more people, realizing that there was a resurgence of progressive culture, where people were starting to build sharing networks. To help facilitate communication, Damico started a regional group as of the Evolver Network, a group that explores different themes every month and shares resources. It was at one of those meetings, with the theme “Give It Up,” where the idea for the time exchange in Long Beach was first discussed. “The basic premise for the event was to look at the idea of gift culture and how that is sort of resurfacing around the world,” said Damico, 30. “Basically, it recognizes that tribal and indigenous societies had ways of meeting their needs before we used currency systems. In a gift culture, the gift gravitates toward the place where it is needed. So, there is more of a free flow of resources in a gift culture.” Damico believes that the market economy has divorced people from a more natural way of living because everything has a mon-
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
from p. 3
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Safety Gap
tured a screening of “Before the Ashes,” a 12-minute DVD produced by homeowner activists highlighting the dangers of LPG and Rancho. About 80 people attended the community meeting, including representatives of Congresswomen Janice Hahn and Laura Richardson. “Michael Aguilara was there on behalf of the congresswoman, as we always do to make sure that we know about the concerns of the community on this important matter,” said Hahn’s Communication Director Robert Kellar. “We’ll be attending Councilman Buscaino’s meeting on Wednesday as well.” “After languishing for a year on the city council committee’s agenda, I commend the neighborhood activists for their diligence on the LPG hearing consideration,” said Rep. Laura Richardson. “As a member of the Congressional Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and equally relevant Committee on Homeland Security; I continue to remain resolved for proper assessment and community involvement to ensure that safety is preserved.” My impression from people there was that they were surprised that no one has followed through in protecting the communi-
etary value, basing the economic system on scarcity. So, the things that have value are the things that there is less of. “Time banking kind of calls that into question,” said Damico, a city college communications instructor. “It says, ‘Why don’t we value the things we have in abundance? Why don’t we value the ability to raise children or to be there for emotional support for someone?’ Those things don’t have value in the market economy.” Unlike bartering, time banking is not taxable, because there isn’t a monetary system used to decide the worth of something even if money is not exchanged. And, unlike the pay-it-forward concept, time banking there is more of an incentive to participate and there is a more of an immediate reward. Time banking also has the potential of connecting people from opposites end of the tracks, where the people who may have less might have the most to offer. Plus, members can learn from each other, rather than take services for granted. “I see now it’s about having a balance of giving and receiving, and that’s what think makes for a healthy culture and a really vibrant community,” he said. Petit agrees. “Giving works better when it’s a twoway street,” Petit said. Long Beach Time Exchange also participates in Center Space, where volunteers provide the community with workshops and information, such as yoga, zumba, soccer clinics. They are soon to partner with the Building Healthy Communities initiative, a broadly-defined health initiative funded by the California endowment. For details about Long Beach Time Exchange call (562) 786-6081 or visit http://timeexchangelb.wordpress.com. Their next event is at 3 p.m. July 8 at the Center Long Beach, 2017 E. 4th St., Long Beach. ty,” said Chuck Hart, president of the San Pedro Peninsula Homeowner’s United, Rancho LPG chief critics. “They’re going to be affected too... They’re part of our family.” “Public Safety is my No. 1 priority,” said Buscaino, in a statement released two days before his June 27 meeting. “The 15th District has a number of liquid bulk storage tanks and numerous residents have contacted me concerned about the safety of those tanks. In order to get a clear picture of what we’re dealing with, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. I have invited experts from various federal, state and local regulatory agencies to explain the permitting and safety requirements for these facilities, so we can most effectively address residents’ concerns.” The meeting was scheduled for June 27, the evening after Random Lengths goes to press, so we are unable to report on it in this issue. But activists expressed concern in advance with the wider scope, given the dangers unique to Rancho. “We’re seeing a deliberate dilution of this issue as it pertains to Rancho specifically,” said Janet Gunter, member of the San Pedro Peninsula Homeowners United. “There’s a spin right now, to paint all of these facilities with this ‘hazardous’ brush, so no one will focus on what the main hazard is.”
Lieu: CSU Needs More Oversight By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter
Sen. Ted Lieu argues the California State University system needs more oversight from the state legislature. Speaking exclusively to Random Lengths, the senator, who represents Carson and CSU Dominguez Hills within the 28th Senate District, provided details about his efforts to reform the system, including a change in how presidential salaries are calculated. On May 8, Lieu raised questions in a letter to Chancellor Charles B. Reed, following a CBS investigation by David Goldstein. That report stated that more than $766,000 of expenses on CSU credit cards during 2011. Lieu’s letter challenged such reported expenses as alcohol, catering, transportation and a conference at a Los Angeles hotel. Erik Fallis, a CSU spokesman, responded that the conference in question took place at the Westin LAX and that it actually cost less than $71,000. He added, “This conference was a wide-ranging High School Leadership Initiative event… The California Academic Partnership Program, an initiative created by the state to improve the preparation of all students for college, covered the cost of this conference.” Fallis also disputed the $766,000 figure, saying, “Many of the events the reporter [Gold-
stein] pointed to were not paid for by taxpayer funds. Often, these were paid for by outside philanthropic organizations or grants.” He claimed catering actually reduced meal expenses. He also said CSU trustees are volunteers who live throughout the state and are entitled to claim travel expenses. Fallis said CSU had responded to Lieu’s May 8 inquiry, but Lieu said he knew nothing of any such response. Lieu’s differences with the CSU Board of Trustees began in August 2011, when they hiked the annual tuition for full-time undergraduates by 12 percent to $5,472. Fees are expected to rise again by perhaps 9 percent this fall. At the same meeting, the trustees agreed to pay an incoming CSU San Diego president $100,000 more than his predecessor. Lieu said he found the action “outrageous” and it showed “the trustees at the time were tone-deaf and unresponsive.” In a white paper presented to the board in January, Lieu found the trustees used a salary formula created by the now-defunct California Postsecondary Education Commission. That formula compared institutions with medical schools, law schools, nationally prominent sports programs, and much larger endowments than those in the
Sen. Ted Lieu battle to reign in CSU Presidential salaries continues, but CSU officials believe his attacks are misplaced
CSU system. He recommended the board adopt a new salary formula. “Med schools, law schools, require huge oversight,” Lieu explained. “Those aren’t in the CSU system, and can’t compare.” He said major sports programs also indicate a high level of necessary oversight. “It’s about how much responsibility…and a CSU president has less responsibility,” he added. He argued for a list of different comparative institutions. On Jan. 25 the board voted to adopt a new salary formula, with a list of comparative institutions lacking the responsibilities Lieu pointed to. The trustees also agreed to limit compensation for presidents paid by state general funds to be no more than 10 percent above the previous incumbent’s base pay. Two presidents have been hired
under the new policy, including Mildred Garcia who is now at Fullerton. Fallis explained the CSU action, “The effect of the CSU created list was actually to lower the ‘market rate’ used to compare CSU presidential salaries when hiring.” He added, ”Either comparator list is actually secondary under the current CSU policy that limits state supported president salaries for new hires to the rate of the previous president. Any increase beyond the predecessor’s salary must come from private sources and is capped.” “This is actually stricter than the ‘formula’ Sen. Lieu recommended, which was a 10 percent cap on increases from state funds and no limit on private funds,” Fallis said. He added CSU has lost about $1 billion in state support since 2007 and, “tuition has covered only half this gap.”
from p. 3
Hope for Answers
Dr. Michael Hollifield is a psychiatrist in the Long Beach VA Medical Center’s Program for Traumatic Shock. Photo: Arthur Vinsel
tion. Age will be a study factor, for PTSD never heals and goes away unaddressed, though symptoms may alter. Prior to Long Beach, others have investigated SGB, as well. The U.S. Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. and the Pentagon have all tested or evaluated the nerve block method and were impressed. However, the Department of Defense has turned down four proposals from 2007 to 2011 for funding a large study of SGB efficacy by sim-
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Block, to distinguish a safer method of injecting the anesthetic into the neck. Previously, it was given in the C7 vertebra area closer to the heart and lungs, and without the benefit of X-rays to put the needle on target. Buprivicaine has been around since 1925 when it was used as an epidural shot to ease labor pain during childbirth. That dosage wears off within a few hours. “It’s amazing how many drugs long available turn out to be useful for something else later,” says Dr. Michael Hollifield, a psychiatrist in the Long Beach VA Medical Center’s Program for Traumatic Shock. He and anesthesiologist Dr. Mike Alkire (the needleman) and supervising Dr. Christopher Reist are the three principal SGB researchers in Long Beach, but have other duties as well. “We’re about to start recruiting and interviewing men for our study,” says Hollifield, a tall Southerner who joined the team 15 months ago, just before the hospital Institutional Review Board began vetting its parameters. “All three of us have been interested in PTSD for quite awhile. We have about 3,500 in our department, accounting for 23,000 visits in the past year.” They hope to begin in a few weeks with 12 subjects, six from the Vietnam era and six fresher from the ordeals of war in the Persian Gulf ac-
ply responding that approved PTSD treatments are available now. Specialists including a Harvard PTSD expert say the existing military and VA treatment regimens are not highly effective, but seem to do no harm. Lipov plans to seek private sector grant monies for a study large enough to yield substantive results. Alternative therapies that got a trial hearing from the military include providing veterans recreational and bonding time with dogs and horses, with unknown effectiveness. The Pentagon also approved $3.75 million for a touring theater company to present plays by Sophocles and other tragedians at 50 U.S. military sites on a theory they were used to help reintegrate warriors into society. The Greek play therapy was also inconclusive in helping PTSD.
June 29 - July 12, 2012
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US Supreme Court Strikes Down Major Provisions of Arizona’s SB 1070
On June 25, The U.S. Supreme Court struck down significant portions of the Arizona’s antiimmigration law SB 1070. The Court also held it was premature to rule on the “show me your papers” provision, which requires law enforcement to check the immigration status of individuals stopped and suspected of being in the country illegally. The three major provisions struck down were: • The requirement that all immigrants obtain or carry immigration registration papers • Making it a state criminal offense for an illegal immigrant to seek work or hold a job • Allowing police to arrest suspected illegal immigrants without warrants “State Attorney General Kamala Harris said, “This ruling spotlights the critical need for comprehensive immigration reform. “Laws that target and demonize people are not the answer,” she said. “Stripping people of their civil liberties and humanity is not the answer.” Harris called SB 1070 a cruel and ill-conceived idea that wasted taxpayer dollars and demeaned our country’s values of fairness and freedom.
Benefits of ObamaCare Touted
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
The U.S. Supreme Court is supposed to hand down the Affordable Care Act ruling this week. The White House and other supporters of the law have been ramping up the public relations battle by releasing statistics on the benefits of the new law within the past two years. The Department of Health and Human Services in released statement noted that with the new law more than 5 million seniors and people with disabilities saved $3.7 billion on prescription drugs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also released data showing that in the first five months of 2012, 745,000 people with Medicare saved a total of $485.3 million on prescription drugs in “donut hole” coverage gap for an average of $651 in savings this year. People with Medicare who hit the donut hole in 2010 received a one-time $250 rebate. In 2011, people with Medicare began receiving a 50 percent discount on covered brand name drugs and 7 percent coverage of generic drugs in the donut hole. This year, Medicare coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap has risen to 14 percent. Coverage for both brand name and generic drugs in the gap will continue to increase over time until 2020, when the coverage gap will no longer exist.
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SCOPTUS Reaffirms Citizens United in Montana Case
The U.S. Supreme Court, with a 5–4 vote, supported its Citizens United decision in favor of three corporations that alleged that the state of Montana violated their free speech rights. The decision overruled a century old Montana law that set limits on business spending in political campaigns in the state. The ruling effectively applies to state and local elections and said there was “no serious doubt” the Montana law was covered by same legal reasoning as the U.S. Supreme Court’s January 2010 ruling in the federal campaign finance case known as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. In that case the court split 5–4 along conservative-liberal ideological lines to rule that corporations had a constitutional free-speech right to spend freely to support or oppose political candidates in federal elections, a ruling sharply criticized by President Barack Obama. That decision triggered an avalanche of campaign spending from near untraceable News Briefs/ to p. 22
Bush Ignored 9/11 Warnings Newly-Released CIA Documents Add Evidence of Failed Leadership By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
A new round of declassified CIA documents once again shows that the Bush administration was repeatedly warned in advance of the terrorist threat posed by al Qaeda in the months leading up to 9/11. The documents were obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by the National Security Archives, a private nonprofit affiliated with George Washington University, and posted on its website on June 19, in a collection edited by Barbara Elias Sanborn. These include seven documents collected under the heading, “A Series of CIA Senior Executive Intelligence Briefs (SEIBS) from June-September 2001 Warning of ‘Imminent’ Al-Qaeda Attacks,” were cited in the endnotes of the 9/11 Commission Report. Some examples [italics in the originals]: “[E]xpect Bin Laden to launch attacks over the coming days, possibly against US or Israeli interests... The time frame may be flexible.”—‘Bin Laden Attacks May Be Imminent’, June 23, 2001. “[E]xpect Usama Bin to launch multiple attacks over the coming days [REDACTED] These warnings are consistent with what appears to be a new public threat issued by Bin Laden”— ‘Bin Ladin and Associates Making Near-Term Threats’, June 25, 2001. “[R]esults could still be expected [REDACTED] US security measures would delay operations [REDACTED] but that plans to attack are still in train. [REDACTED] unspecified things were moving at a fast pace,”—‘Bin Ladin Plans Delayed but Not Abandoned’, July 13, 2001 “[R]esults could still be expected* [REDACTED] US security measures would delay operations [REDACTED] but that plans to attack are still in train. [REDACTED] unspecified things were moving at a fast pace,” -- ‘Bin Ladin Plans Delayed but Not Abandoned’, July 13, 2001 [REDACTED] indicate Usama Bin Ladin since 1997 has wanted to conduct terrorist attacks in the US. Bin Laden implied in US television interviews in 1997 and 1998 that his followers would follow the example of World Trade Center bomber Rami Yousef and ‘bring the fightring to America.’…the Millennium plotting in Canada in 1999 may have been part of Bin Ladin’s first serious attempt at a terroirst strike in the us… His attacks on the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 show that he prepares operations years in advance and is not deterred by setbacks…Al Qa’ida members, including some UIS citizens, have resided in or travelled to the US for years, and the group apparently maintains a support structure here.—‘Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in the US,’ August 7, 2001. “The high-level warnings contained in this collection, such as the SEIBs and DCI [CIA Director] Briefings illustrate that the CIA was very much aware of the bin Laden threat prior to September 11. It was sounding the alarm,” Sanborn told Random Lengths. “The documents in the collection from January 2000-August 2001 including the SEIBs and DCI briefings portray the CIA as an organization trying (and failing) to convince the Bush administration’s national security team [to] dedicate sufficient resources and attention to the al-Qaeda threat,” Sanborn added. She told Salon, “I don’t think the Bush administration would want to see these released, because they paint a picture of the CIA knowing
Former counter-terrorism czar Richard Clarke, top, is noted for his criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of the 9/11 attacks in both his testimony before the 9/11 Commission and his memoirs, Against All Enemies. A new round of declassified CIA documents bolsters Clarke’s original claims.
something would happen before 9/11, but they didn’t get the institutional support they needed.” These repeated warnings did come to light during the 9/11 Commission investigation in 2004. “In the spring, reporting on terrorism surged dramatically,” the Commission’s report said, and Chapter 8 was titled “The System Was Blinking Red.” The report also noted, “There were more than 50 intelligence article in the PDBs [Presidential Daily Briefs presented to George Bush] from January 20 to September 10, 2001, that related to Bin Ladin.” But a barrage of partisan spin, accusations and denials, combined with irresponsible “he said/ she said” reporting has left the issue of Bush administration responsibility clouded in the public mind. So, Random Lengths asked Sanborn how the new documents go beyond what we already knew, and to what extent they simply highlight existing knowledge that has been spun, denied, buried or ignored. “Good question,” Sanborn replied. “The vast majority of the information in these documents has already been discussed, at least briefly, in the 9/11 Commission Report... If this were not the case, it is less likely that the CIA would have chosen declassified these documents at all. “However, they are important because: 1) they are the source documents for the 9/11 Commission Report, which provides the public with the opportunity to assess the findings of the report, 2) they provide details such as the distribu-
tion lists for various reports which tells us who saw which warnings and when. This helps hold public officials accountable for public statements and policy decisions being made. 3) Lastly, as a collection they provide balance to biased attempts to shift responsibility because they cover such a lengthy period of time (19922004), providing evidence across administrations.” Sanborn also noted that “the collection does not make the Clinton administration look great either.” The CIA had been frustrated with them as well—though arguably for different reasons. Sanborn would not speculate publicly, but it’s well-known that Republicans were quick to criticize any military action Clinton took. When he responded with missile strikes to the al Qaeda attacks on embassies in Africa in 1998, he was accused of “wagging the dog” to distract from the Monica Lewinsky investigations—the same accusation made with respect to military action in Kosovo and Iraq. In the latter case, GOP House Majority Leader Dick Armey said, “The suspicion some people have about the president’s motives in this attack [on Iraq] is itself is a powerful argument for impeachment.” In contrast, the Bush administration appeared distracted with its own predetermined agenda (Iraq, North Korea, missile defense, etc.) and dismissive of anything coming from the Clinton administration. “These documents strengthen Richard Clarke’s arguments that bin Laden was not the priority he should have been in retrospect for the Bush administration. They show that the CIA knew an attack was on its way when President Bush was inaugurated,” Sanborn said. Clarke headed counter-terrorism under Clinton, and had developed a multifaceted plan to cripple al Qaeda throughout several years. But the incoming Bush administration ignored the plan, along with Clarke’s request for an immediate high-level meeting to discuss al Qaeda—a meeting that was finally held on Sept. 4, 2001. Documents supporting Clarke’s account have previously been obtained and Web published by the National Security Agency, also under Sanborn’s editorship. The documents released contain a wealth of other information as well. A June 21 story in Salon “Did 9/11 change the CIA?” carried the subhead, “New documents suggest the agency hasn’t reformed itself nearly as much as it claims,” for example. It focused on a self-congratulatory CIA self-assessment from August 2001, which Sanborn had highlighted. She also highlighted documents relating to al Qaeda’s early attempts to acquire weapons of mass destruction, and the CIA’s early awareness of al Qaeda plans to hijack airplanes. But when asked what was the most important other new information the documents provide, Sanborn went a different direction, and replied, ‘There is interesting information about the inception of the drone program in Afghanistan,” citing a draft March 2004 report, “The Rise of UBL and Al-Qa’ida and the Intelligence Community Response.” Bush Failure/ to p. 22
Five Days of Celebration—
Can We Stand Another Holiday? By James Preston Allen, Publisher
Vagina Gate—
Will the “V” Word be Outlawed? By Sherry Lear, Miss R*EVOLutionaries Organizer
House member, likened the punishments issued to Brown and Byrum to giving a child a “timeout.” Are these men serious? All joking aside, the most offensive part of all of this is actually the sweeping anti-abortion laws which Michigan is now considering passing. House Bill 5711 is a 45-page piece of legislation; together with two shorter companion bills, it is the largest collection of pro-life legislation ever addressed at one time. Planned Parenthood has described it as “the biggest assault on women’s health in [Michigan’s] history.” The centerpiece would ban abortions 20 weeks after gestation, even in cases of rape or incest, unless the woman’s life is at stake. The draconian measure is modeled after “fetal pain” bills already passed in six states and being considered in several others. The results have already been tragic. One compelling story is that of Danielle and Rob Deaver, from Nebraska. When Danielle’s water broke at 22 weeks, doctors informed her that due to undeveloped lungs, her daughter would not survive outside the womb. Yet, because of the Nebraska fetal pain law, her doctors could not induce labor as Danielle’s life was not in immediate risk. Danielle was forced to carry the baby, who was slowly being crushed by her uterus, to term. The baby died 15 minutes after she was born. Under HB 5711, doctors must be physically Vagina Gate/ to p. 8
“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. XXXIII : No. 13
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.
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Florida: Republican Gov. Rick Scott tried to kick 180,000 people off the voter rolls in his state and is now suing the Department of Justice after they stepped in to stop him. Rick Scott’s racist voter purge, which directly targets Latino voters is so egregious that every one of the 67 supervisors of elections in the state Democrats, Republicans, and independents has so far refused to carry it out. Ohio: Republican Gov. John Kasich signed legislation to eliminate Ohio’s “Golden Week” early voting period, which had allowed for voters to register and vote on the same day and eliminated all in-person early voting on Sundays when large groups of voters, including significant pockets of Democratic-leaning African American voters, often voted together after church. Nationwide: According to the Center for Justice, “the states that have already cut back on voting rights will provide 171 electoral votes in 2012—63 percent of the 270 needed to win the presidency” and could prevent as many as 5 million voters from exercising their right to vote. It seems all to obvious that far more people participate in the celebration of freedom and independence than who actually practice it by voting. Which leads me to the conclusion that what is needed is a second nationwide holiday to celebrate election day with only this caveat—that you wouldn’t be admitted to the party if you didn’t have proof you voted! It is something to consider while you are stuffing your face and watching the rocket’s red glare.
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 #08916627). All contents Copyright 2012 Random Lengths News. All rights reserved.
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Columnists/Reporters Lyn Jensen Carson B. Noel Barr Music Dude John Farrell Curtain Call Assoc. Publisher/Production CoGretchen Williams Entrée ordinator Calendar Suzanne Matsumiya 14days@randomlengthsnews.com info@graphictouchdesigns.com Photographers Managing Editor Terelle Jerricks, Slobodan Dimitrov, Terelle Jerricks Diana Lejins editor@randomlengthsnews.com Contributors Assistant Editor Sherry Lear, Danny Simon, Arthur Zamná Ávila R. Vinsel reportersdesk@randomlengthsnews.com Cartoonists Ann Cleaves, Andy Singer, Senior Editor Paul Rosenberg Matt Wuerker Publisher/Executive Editor James Preston Allen james@randomlengthsnews.com
Supreme justices believe differently. The July 4th celebration is also our official kick-off of political campaigns that end in November in election years, particularly when it’s time to elect a president. No doubt, we’ll be treated to a media smorgasbord of images of Obama and Romney eating hot dogs and speechifying at various flag-waving events. Meanwhile, as we gorge ourselves with barbeque and beer, take a look at what MoveOn.org tells us about the condition of our (dis) enfranchisement to vote:
The Local Publication You Actually Read
I have a confession: “V” is my new favorite letter of the alphabet. For months, I have been wondering what it would take for the mainstream media to pay attention to the onslaught of legislative attacks on women’s reproductive health rights in this country. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect that the words “vagina” and “vasectomy” would become a wake-up call. Vaginagate. National Vagina Day. The Voting Vaginas. John Stewart jumped on the bandwagon. Hell, even my husband (who I would never call an ardent feminist) recognizes it was ridiculous to punish a legislator for using the “V” word when talking about a bill which would severely limit access to abortions within the State of Michigan. Even though the word “vagina” appears literally hundreds of times in statutes, bills, court opinions and Michigan governmental websites (you can do the google search yourself at inurl. legislature.mi.gov vagina), Michigan House representative Lisa Brown was censured for using the word and barred from speaking on the floor the next day on a totally separate bill. Barb Byrum (who used the word “vasectomy”) suffered the identical fate. Both women were accused of violating rules of decorum. Michigan GOP legislator, Mike Calton was quoted: “It was so offensive, I don’t even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company.” Wayne Schmidt, another GOP Michigan
By all appearances, this coming July 4th celebration is ramping up to be one of somewhat historic significance here in the Los Angeles Harbor Area, what with the San Pedro’s First Thursday on July 5, Swing Pedro’s dance party under the moon on a closed off Sixth Street July 6, and the USS Iowa’s grand opening that weekend. On July 4 itself, all of the usual festivities that come along with our national birthday will also be celebrated. The politicians will be giving speeches at the Korean Bell, civil libertarians will read the Bill of Rights at Liberty Hill and Cabrillo Beach will host, once again, a traditional fireworks display—thank you, John Olguin. All of this takes place in the context of 5,000 various barbeques, a whole lot of beer drinking and the unrestrained exuberance of illegal neighborhood fireworks— some of which have become so extensive as to compete with the “official” shows. And then two weekend days to recover. As Americans, we love celebrations and the bigger and more spectacular the better. What, of course, seems to be continually lost for the most part is why we’re throwing the party. In our own convoluted sense of history the idea of ratifying the Declaration of Independence and the pronouncement of these principles being the guiding light of universal human rights does get lost amongst the explosions and political hubris. When you hear one of our leaders speak of American exceptionalism, they are in part referring to this founding document as evidence of being exceptional. However, no where in our revered document of independence is there any reference to granting “person-hood” to corporations, which was recently upheld by our conservative majority “activist” Supreme Court. From the blog Create Real Democracy, this sentiment was posted: “We’ll believe a corporation is a person when: Arizona deports one. Texas executes one. Massachusetts marries two of them [how do you determine if they are of the same sex?]. The U.S. government issues one a Social Security number. The CIA extradites one to Guantanamo [presumably to be water-boarded]. One sacrifices its life in military service.” Obviously a majority of our
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RANDOMLetters Remembering the Iowa
I totally support the addition of the USS Iowa BB6…to the Port of L.A. and the city of San Pedro. It will play a big contribution with the Lane Victory as far as educational and other benefits are concerned. I am a…member of the WWII …and when they need friend they ask for volunteers; so far, has been successful. I sincerely hope the USS Iowa has a permanent home here. During WWII I was in the U.S. Navy 1942 to 1946 and served mostly in the So. Pacific aboard the USS…A.T.F.105 and we operated with different fleets and task forces. The last was with a task force
along with the USS Missouri and the USS Iowa heading for Japan. On the way we were ordered to stand by and destroy a mine that had broke lose from Japan. We destroyed it with one of our 20 mm guns it had a hell of a big bang out of the water. We then proceeded to Tokyo where we escorted a Japanese Patrol… into the port with our guns in position. My daughter sent to the Naval Historical Department and I have a list of all the ships in the port of Tokyo, including the U.S. Navy, merchant ships and other foreign navy ships…there when the treaty was signed aboard the USS Missouri in 1945. Lou Loveridge Carson
Computer Repair Club Needs New Home
Because of the budget cuts in the LAUSD, San Pedro’s own Harbor Occupation Center may have closed its doors for the last time on June 16 of this year. Even if classes resume in the fall, the computer and networking class will probably not be among them. A group of students from the class are looking for a home for a new Computer Repair Club, which will attempt to provide computer novices with the kind of hands-on experience in repairing computers that most colleges (L.A. Harbor College and earned two skills certificates, in Computer Repair Technology and Networking Technology. Although I am a computer
technician now, I could never have repaired a computer if I had not attended Harbor Occupational Center also. The college’s classes were centered on the textbook, but the class at the occupational center focused on actual hardware. The club will attempt to continue the work of this class in its own humble way. Advanced students, who are themselves technicians, will share all that they know with beginning students. This activity is not intended to replace a college education, but to supplement it. What we need is a place where we can meet and set up permanent workstations with computers that have Internet service. It is possible that Angel’s Gate Park might provide us with an old building at little cost, and we are exploring this option. Anyone who has an idea that can help us, or would like to get involved please contact me at jfsandor@gmail.com. James Sandor Acting President of the Computer Repair Club, San Pedro
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
About Sleeze and Secrecy at City Hall
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GOOD Morning, Los Angeles! This is Citizen Sam Sperling, with a message about certain employment practices in the Mayor’s Office and the City Council. The adopted City budget for 2011-12 gave the Mayor’s Office authority to hire staff of 94 employees. It gave the City Council authority to 108 employees. But those figures—94 and 108—were not real; they were phony figures. Based on a January 13, 2012 report from the Controller’s Office, the Mayor actually had staff of 180 employees and the City Council had a workforce of 344 employees. How could that happen? Well, no one seems willing to talk about this situation. But based on their respective Personal Ordinances, it’s clear that the Mayor’s Office and the City Council approved all
those additional appointments. What’s not clear is whether appointing those additional employees violated City regulations. The point is, those two agencies did put over 300 extra employees on the City payroll—in secret and with no indication of the real cost to the public. It’s also clear that, while the Mayor and Council have actually cut City services by laying off civil service employees, they’ve protected the army of Aides they hired to serve themselves! Are those Aides really needed? Does the work they do justify the cost of their employment? To date, those questions have not been answered and the people of Los Angeles are free to ask if this practice benefits only 16 politicians! That’s why I’m writing this letter. And that’s why I’m asking you to tell City leaders you find this employment practice unacceptable—to ask for an explanation! Samuel M. Sperling Monterey Park An Open Response to Warren Fletcher
Urgent Action Needed
This month, UTLA President Warren Fletcher claimed that even though the current LAUSD administration is orchestrating the decimation of the teaching profession, United Teacher’s of Los Angeles needs to act with “restrain and prudence”… If you had cancer (or some other serious illness), wouldn’t you seek medical treatment as soon as possible? That’s what a sane person would do… Well we all know the District has no love for teachers, so what’s keeping our “Union” from defending its members—we all know the prognosis? The following message was sent over a year ago to the media, the press, and UTLA Administration… Please notice UTLA asked its members to “wait” until Spring 2012 for starting a mobilization
from p. 7
Vagina Gate
present to perform a medication abortion, which would prevent a doctor from administering abortion-inducing medication via telephone or Internet consult, and severely limit access to abortion services for rural women. The law would require abortion providers to carry $1 million in costly malpractice insurance while imposing multiple new regulations on abortion facilities, clearly and cleverly designed to regulate them out of existence. Abortion providers must now meet the same standards as “ambulatory surgical centers,” a standard so high that it is anticipated to shut down nearly all abortion providers in the state, meaning that women whose lives are at stake will find it difficult if not impossible to obtain an abortion. If this law is passed, women will die unnecessarily. Now, that is truly offensive. This is why Lisa Brown and Barb Byrum stood on the floor of the Michigan House of Representatives and spoke out. This is why thousands of men and women have protested at the Michigan Capital before and after the House vote to stand up for women’s reproductive rights. Regardless of your personal views on abortion, it is important that the representatives we elect will be free to vigorously and passionately represent our views and concerns while issues
process…and now we are being told that UTLA needs to enforce restrain…and wait some more... until when? Please help me. Write a letter, make a phone call, send a fax— anything! But please let UTLA know that you intend to stop paying monthly dues until they decide to represent you! And when we say, “represent,” we mean the +12,000 teachers that have received a RIF notice since 2008. More Letters/ to p. 21
Community Alert
Wilmington Community on Noise Mitigation
On June 28, the Harbor Community Benefit Foundation (HCBF) is hosting a community meeting regarding the launch of a Noise Mitigation Program in Wilmington. The program is intended to assist in the development and implementation of a noise mitigation plan for schools and residences impacted by the operations of the TraPac terminal at Berth 136. Attend the community meeting and learn more about the program. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Approximately 20 locations will be selected for monitoring this summer. You can help the experts determine the monitoring locations. Provide your input at the meeting or send an email to: info@hcbf. org. HCBF was founded in May 2011 to mitigate off-port impacts, created by existing and future Port operations, in the communities of Wilmington and San Pedro. HCBF funds projects that create a healthy environment to live, work, and play in the port communities. Venue: Wilmington Senior Center Location: 1371 Eubank Ave., Wilmington
are debated in session or on the floor of our legislatures. We are not immune to such concerns here in California. After all, it was Republican Darrell Issa, who represents Congressional District 49 which covers South Orange and North San Diego counties, who refused to allow Sandra Fluke to testify before Congress; and it was Republican Dan Lungren, who represents Congressional District 3, who initially refused to televise her testimony at the unofficial hearing put on by Democrats in response to the all-male panel organized by Issa. Despite the outlash regarding Fluke, Issa still garnered 61 percent of the votes in his district’s June primary. (Lungren’s race is much closer.) All of this leads me to the most important “V” word of all: VOTE. It is more important than ever that everyone (not just women) take the time to get informed on the issues, and VOTE, not just in the upcoming presidential election but in midterms, primaries and every election where we have a chance to choose the officials that make policies and enact laws that affect every one of us.
Editor’s note: Sherry Lear is an attorney and resident of San Pedro. She serves on Janice Hahn’s Advisory Council on Women’s Issues and is Los Angeles co-chairwoman of Miss R*EVOLutionaries, a California-based women’s rights group. This grassroots organization was launched with the April 28, 2012 nationwide rallies for “Unite Against the War on Women.”
The Local Publication You Actually Read
June 29 - July 12, 2012
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from p. 2
Grand Performances Goes South on the 110
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
with the audience. Fruit of the Trees, Salt of the Seas, at 8 p.m. Aug. 2, offers an introduction to olive oil and salt, two ingredients that are much appreciated in San Pedro but have long been taken for granted in culinary circles. They are very important, though, and are a part of everyone’s life.
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Rachael Narins and Suzanne Griswold (famous as Chicks with Knives) will show how these ancient foods have never gone out of style, and are being rediscovered today. For this event seating is limited and reservations are being taken at seantree@grandperformances.org. Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu, the dynamic hula
company, has two performances scheduled at Grand Performances, at 8 p.m. Aug. 10 and 11. When they were last at Grand Performances, in 2005, their trademark thunderous, hip-shaking and theatrical take on Hawaiian dance brought down the house. You’ve got two chances to hear raconteur Patrick Makuakane’s hula that evolves
(hula mua.) Mixing modern musical forms like opera, pop and electronica with the lilting vocals of Hawaii’s traditional dance, they create a whole new experience. Charles Bukowski Self-Guided Walking Tour takes place, at 7 p.m. Aug. 16, in San Pedro. Bu-
San Pedro Squeeze: An Accordion Festival features accordion champion Cory Pesaturo, top and accordion diva Gee Rabe.
kowski was a long-time resident of San Pedro, and this tour takes you to places he lived, worked and played. Check the Grand Performances website for more information. The tour is enhanced by having a cell-phone capable of scanning the QR codes posted at various Bukowski sites. From Wharf Rats to Lords of the Dock is Ian Ruskin’s one-man play about Union-leader Harry Bridges. It will be performed at 8 p.m. Aug. 18, Ruskin takes the story of Harry Bridges from his Australian beginnings to his leadership of harbor unionization, touching on issues of depressionarea politics and the red-scare as he tells the story of Bridges, a man whose name is better known than his accomplishments. He shines a light on current issues of immigration, prejudice and corporate responsibility along the way. All of these performances are free. Details: (213) 687-2159; www.grandperformances.org Venue: Grand Performances Location: 300 Grand Ave., Los Angeles
by: Kevin Walker, Reporter Judi Bari was an environmentalist and labor leader, a feminist, and the principal organizer of Earth First! In Oakland, Calif., 1990, Bari and Darryl Cherney were blown up by a bomb planted in their vehicle. Bari was severely injured by the blast, while Cherney suffered minor injuries. Bari was falsely arrested for transporting explosives while she was still in critical medical condition.
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Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community. Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.
ho Bombed Judi Bari will be screened on July 6 as part of San Pedro’s first annual Labor festival, celebrating the port communities history of organized Labor. The documentary, directed by Mary Liz Thomson and produced by Darryl Cherney, tells the story of Judi Bari, an environmentalist and union organizer who was the target of a car bombing during her campaign to save the redwood forests of Northern California from clear cutting and unsustainable logging. The film is comprised of archival footage taken from news reports and videographers, who followed the environmentalists as they fought to clear their names and ensure the survival of some of the oldest Redwood groves in the world. Cherney and Bari were leading members of the environmental organization Earth First! that waged a battle against the timber corporation in the 1990s to stop their pernicious logging practices in Mendocino and Humboldt counties. In 1990, both were accused of terrorism by the Oakland Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation after a pipe bomb, hidden underneath the driver’s seat of a car driven by Bari exploded as she and Cherney sat at a stoplight in Oakland, Calif. The two survived the explosion. Bari, who died of breast cancer in 1997, is featured prominently in the film through interviews, including a taped deposition, that establish a narrative of her early days as a union organizer in Maryland, her arrival in California and subsequent transformation into an environmental activist. “She was the first one to make labor organizing blossom,” said Cherney about Bari’s efforts to bring loggers into the International Workers of the World. Judi Bari to page 18.
June 29 – July 12, 2012 June 29 – July 12, 2012
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Wilmington’s Real Tommy Burgers by: Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor of Random Lengths News
E
June 29 – July 12, 2012
ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment
verybody has a favorite burger spot. Not the franchise conglomerates like Micky D’s or the Burger Kings. I’m talking about the momand-pops stands that have their distinct recipes to produce their distinct combination flavors rooted in the communities they serve. Mo Better Meaty Meat Burger, Oki Dog, A-1 Burger and once upon a time, Fat Burger.
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The original Tommys Burger is another one. Not that one that started on Beverly Rampart near downtown Los Angeles, but the Tommy’s Original World Famous Burger in Wilmington on Anaheim, between Avalon and Broad. This is a worker’s burger joint where two or three generations of families have come for Tommy’s brand of burgers and chili. Contiued on page 13.
The Original World Famous Tommy Burger family will launch its Penny Saver deal to celebrate 42 years in Wilmington. Buy a burger and get a second one for a penny starts July 17.
“It usually goes over well with the community, they seem to stock up on those two days. We also have bonus specials for those two days as well. For 99 cents you can get a grilled cheese sandwich, a bean cheese burrito, a hard shell taco, taquitos, a corn dog, five piece chicken nuggets and a small order of fries.” The Penny Saver promotions began about 20 years ago. At around the anniversary of the burger stand’s founding, he would do a Penny Sale. “Actually it was originally July 3. Buy one get one free. It’s not just to help us. It’s to help the community.”
Entertainment July 1
Juncal Juncal Street is presented to you by six incredible and renowned performers, prodigies in the expression of their art, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 1, at the El Camino College Campus Theater in Torrance. They are a multi-cultural medley of North American, French, Spanish and Gypsy performers who fearlessly disregard borders to create a dazzling, urban fusion of who they are and what Entertainment Calendar to page 14.
Contiued from page 12.
Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community. June 29 – July 12, 2012
Troy Spiropoulos, Tommy’s second generational proprietor of the longstanding burger stand invited Random Lengths to talk about their Penny Sale to commemorate their 42 years in business. It’s a sale they have every year, but this is probably the first year they’ve attempted to go really get the word out. Until now, only the locals really knew and took advantage of the sale. This Tommys Burger opened July 1970 by Troy’s father, James, and his maternal uncle Tom Papulos. In 1972, Tom sold his share of the business to James, and opened another restaurant on 12th and Gaffey. This was the first Tommy Burgers in Wilmington, after which a few others popped up. “We’re a part of the community, a lot of people know us, and a lot of the customers are return customers,” Troy said. “Some them, we know their order before they even walk in. A lot of people tell me, ‘I was raised on your food,’ which makes me feel good because I was on these burgers as well.” The Supreme Burger is Tommy burger’s fan favorite. Next is the Chilli fries with Tommy’s original recipe chili. “The Colossal burger …turkey and pastrami on a burger. The Supreme burger is really popular with bacon, cheese, and avocado. We also do a chili pastrami on a burger,” Troy explained. The restaurant has always been a family affair. Managed at one time or another by Troy’s father and/or uncles (maternal or paternal). Troy explained that some aunts helped out as well and that his mother was also moonlighted as waitress at the family restaurant. There’s hardly any turn-over at the family restaurant. “We’ve had the same people for a long time,” Troy said. “Alvino Diaz, who’s been here for 12 or 13 years; Mario Chavez, who has been cooking here since 1986; Tony Romero has been here since 1976. He started managing about 1982; Jorge Cruz who has been there for about two or three years. Magdalena Alonzo, has been here at least 15 years. Evagalina Prado has been here for about 15 years, Liz Natividad has been here at least 10 or 12 years. And our newest waitress, Paulina Martinez, has been for about two years now. The majority of them are all from the same village in Mexico, Tacatzcuaro, Michoacan and lot of them grew with each other or with each others families. And then, they are related by in-laws. His uncles, who are also restaurateurs have been the same. Low turn over. They’re launching a very large promotion July 17 to commemorate the 42 years in Wilmington. To celebrate, there’s going to be a Penny Sale special where with the purchase of one hamburger you can get a second burger for a penny.
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Entertainment Calendar from page 13. unites them: their dedication to their craft. The intense and impassioned way in which they feel and perform communicates the essence that this art deserves. Tickets are $25. Details: https://tinyurl.com/juncalstreet Venue: El Camino College Campus Theater Location: 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance George Gershwin: From Broadway to Catfish Row At the start of the 20th century, George and brother Ira Gershwin (Porgy and Bess) created a classical repertoire of songs with a unique and truly American flavor. Experience treasures from the Gershwin songbook, with pianists Alan Chapman and Victoria Kirsch; sopranos Karen Benjamin and Shana Blake Hill; tenor Haqumai Waring Sharpe; and bass-baritone Cedric Berry. Starts at 8 p.m. Details: http://grandperformances.org Venue: Grand Performances Location: 300 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
July 4
Party on the Pier This is going to be the biggest blues bash of the year with White Boy James & the Blues Express headlining the event with Johnny Mastro $ Mamas Boys, Lisa Cee, The 44’s, Mighty Mojo Prophets, Gino Matteo, Mercy 4, and K.k. Martin. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. The all day pier pass, includes a barbecue plate and beverage, and a Kids zone. Venue: Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier Location: 15 39th Place, Long Beach
July 5
Henry Turner Jr. and Flavor Henry Turner Jr. and Flavor are going to turn out the Seabird Lounge with the hottest jazz tracks. Starts at 8:30 p.m. Venue: Seabird Jazz Lounge Location: 730 E. Broadway, Long Beach
July 6
An Accordion Festival Get keyed into a survey of world music through Entertainment Calendar to page 17.
• Happy Hour •
EntréeNews Bastille Day at the Whale & Ale
Blu Bar at Crowne Plaza • $4 Drinks and half off appetizers. (310) 519-8200, 601 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro
Americans aren’t the only ones to celebrate national pride in July. Francophiles the world over will be celebrating Bastille Day July 14, and for Harbor Area residents, The Whale & Ale, will be the place to be. On this day, Whale & Ale will have a $7 per glass ($28 per bottle) wine special, but only for one night. The English gastropub’s proprietor, Andrew Silber will be rolling out the good stuff, including the Fleurie 2007, Joseph Drouhin, a bold and forward wine with a fleshy and generous palate. This wine is known for its intense color, lively berry aromas, and subtle notes of black pepper. Then there’s the Pinot Blanc 2007, Domaine
Pfister, Vin d’Alsace, a refreshing dry white wine. This Pinot Blanc is a light white wine with citrus, melon, pear, apricot flavors with mineral undertones combined with characteristic high acidity. You must try the Mâcon-Lugny 2005 Chardonnay, Regnard. This wine has floral and fruity aromas with touches of lemon and butter. In the mouth, this fruity wine has a good balance between the typical fleshy chardonnay and a pleasant freshness. Also in stock is the Domaine de Givaudan, Côtes du Rhone 2007. Cotes du Rhones are usually a safe bet. Then there’s the Château Le Rauly, Cotes de Bergerac dessert wine. This sweet, luscious wine oozes notes of orange marmalade, sweet jam and honey. And to think you can get a glass of each for only $7.
The Chowder Barge • Try the 34oz. captain’s mug! (310) 830-7937, 611 N. Henry Ford, Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington Godmother’s Saloon • Live jazz from Mike Guerrero Trio: 7 p.m. every Wed. (310) 833-1589, 302 W. 7th St., San Pedro Iron City Tavern • Happy Hour 1/2-price appetizers & drink specials: 4 to 6 p.m. Mon. to Fri. 589 W. 9th St., San Pedro; (310) 547-4766 Ports o’ Call • Happy Hour: Mon. to Fri., 3 to 8 p.m. Taco Tuesdays. Oyster shooter & bloody mary Wednesdays. (310) 833-3553, Berth 76 Ports O’ Call Village, San Pedro San Pedro Brewing Co. • Happy Hour: 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Mon. to Fri. (310) 8315663, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro Whale & Ale • Happy Hour: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mon to Fri., 4 to 7 p.m. on Wed. Late Night Happy Hour: 10 p.m. to Midnight, Fri. Only. (310) 832-0363, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro Happy Hour Listings Are Paid Advertising
478 W. 6th St. • San Pedro 310.548.2493
ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment
Tickets & Info: Williams Bookstore, www.WarnerGrand.org & www.WarnerGrandTheater.org
SUSHI BAR
June 29 – July 12, 2012
Japanese Restaurant Sushi Bar 380 W. 6th St. • 832-5585
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July 7, 7pm • “First Annual Gospel Concert” - Face II Face Productions and KJLH FM deejay TAMI MAC present an inaugural concert of soul-stirring, foot stomping, hand clapping sacred music. Tickets ($60 - $15) and information at brownpapertickets.com/event/247927. July 8, 5:30pm • SAN PEDRO LABOR FEST • “We Are Wisconsin” - SPLF is a celebration of labor through film, visual art and music. The film documents the uprising opposing Gov. Scott Walker’s bill to dismantle collective bargaining in Wisconsin. Special guest speaker MARIA ELENA DURAZO, LA County Federation of Labor. Suggested donation $10 at the door. Information at 310.941.7395. July 14, 8pm • MAGIQUE BAZAAR: “Year of the Dragon” - Majinga the Magician, Magic Genii and recording artists Fontaine’s Muse bring this auspicious year magically to life with astounding illusions, including the revered “face changing” illusion of Asia, exotic music and dance. A fantastic show for the whole family! Tickets ($40 - $25) and information at magictimeproductions.com or call 800.345.3777. July 26 to July 28, 2pm & 7:30pm • “Les Miserables” - Encore Entertainers returns with one of the most award-winning stage musicals of all time. Tickets ($20 - $16) at encoreentertainers.org or call 310.896.6459.
San Pedro’s Original ArtWalk— Fine Dining Event • Live Music Special Performances • Food Trucks! Gallery 345
From Within and Beyond Gloria D Lee and Pat Woolley exhibit mixed media and watercolor paintings, books, small works and more. 6-9 pm 1st Thursday, and by appointment. Please call 310 545 0832 or 310 374 8055 for appointments or email artsail@roadrunner. com; www.gloriadlee.com; woolleybear@verizon.net ; www. teddytraveler.com• 345 W. 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Williams’ Book Store BOOK SIGNING & Reading July 5th • “Wobblies in San Pedro” by: Art Alameida • 6-8pm 443 W. 6th St. • 310-832-3631 williamsbooks@aol.com www.williamsbookstore.com
The Loft Gallery
In The Large Gallery: 2012 California Open Photo Show. In The Small Gallery: Photos by Paul Blieden and Jim McKinniss Open Studios: Candice Gawne, Carol Hungerford, Sam Arno, Marshall Astor, Murial Olguin, Jan Govaerts, Anne Marie Rawlinson, & Nancy Towne Schultz 401 S. Mesa St. • 310.831.5757 • Open 6–9pm & by appt.
Lazy Dog Studio
“San Pedro Labor Fest” featuring: Slobodan Dimitrov, Stephen Mirch, Michelle Meese and Jorge Garcia. Tues – Sat 12-6pm or by appt. 361 W. 7th St. • 310.293.1332
302 W. 7th Street • 310. 833.1589 –Entertainment Calendar– Sun 7/1
Bad Jack
5pm
Thurs 7/5
Harbor Groove
7pm
Fri 7/6
Rick’s Jamnesia Delaminators Rumble Seat Whiskey Flats D*Maggs Down the Hatch So. Bay Blackout
9pm
First
Sat 7/7 Sun 7/8 Fri 7/13 Sun 7/15 Fri 7/20 Sun 7/22
9pm 5pm 9pm 5pm 9pm 5pm
Karaoke Every Tuesday at 8pm with Amorette Jazz Jam every Wednesday 7 - 11pm
– www.godmotherssaloon.com –
Advertise Here for As Low As
$35 per Month!
(310) 519-1442
June 29 – July 12, 2012
Gallery 381 • 381 West 6th St. • 310-809-5082 Dwelling • 387 West 6th St. • 310-547-4222 Neil Nagy • 408 West 6th St. • 310-617-3459 Mike Rivero Studio • 414 West 6th St. • 310-720-3407 Dekor • 445 West 6th • St. 310-831-1800 fINdings Art Center • 470 West 6th St. • 310-489-1362 Arcade Gallery Ovation • 479 West 6th St. • 267-909-0799 Ancient Arts Stained Glass • 333 West 7th St. • 310-832-7613 Studio 339 • 339 West 7th St. • 310-514-1238 Studio 345 • 345 West 7th St. • 310-374-8055 / 310-545-0832 Allyson Vought • 356 West 7th St. 424-210-7475 Human Array Gallery • 357 West 7th St. • 408-475-8867 Nancy Crawford • 360 West 7th St. • 310-732-7922 Gallery Ls • 362 West 7th St. • 310-541-4354 Paul Turang • 364 West 7th St. • 310-547-9771 Gallery Neuartig • 366 West 7th St. • 213-973-8223 Jim Harter • 368 West 7th St. • 310-533-8753 Studio MNX • 370 West 7th St. Meredith Harbuck • 372 West 7th St. • 310-528-7184 Yoon Jin Kim • 374 West 7th St. • 310-514-2143 Julia Strickler • 376 West 7th St. • 310-908-3824 Shannon LaBelle • 378 West 7th St. Hiroko • 382 West 7th St. • 310-514-8881 SP Chamber Board Room Gallery • 390 W 7th St. • 310-832-7272 Gallery at the Vault • 407 West 7th St. • 310-548-6585 Shalla Javid Studio • 407 7th St. Unit 119 A • 918-557-2165 Scott Boren Borenstudios • 412 West 7th St. Yong Sin • 414 West 7th St. • 310-221-0283 Medea Gallery • 445 West 7th St. • 310-833-3831 Gallery 478 • 478 West 7th St. • 310-732-2150 Croatian Cultural Center • 510 West 7th St. • 310-406-9330 Norm Looney • 318 S. Pacific Ave. • 310-548-6293 Warschaw Gallery • 600 S. Pacific Ave • 310-547-3606
Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.
Artist Studios & Galleries
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Big Nick’s Pizza Tradition, variety and fast delivery; you get it all at Big Nick’s Pizza. The best selection of Italian specialties include hear ty calzones, an array of pastas and of course, our amazing selection of signature pizzas, each piled high with the freshest toppings. Like wings or greens? We also offer an excellent selection of appetizers, salads, beer and wine. Call for fast delivery. Hours: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 732-5800
Fancy Melts “Fancy” barely begins to describe it. Our secret recipe old-world bread has been a San Pedro staple since 1975. Now we use it to create the most amazing grilled sandwiches you’ll ever try. Come taste what everyone has been talking about... Delivered right up to your car window if you wish. Fancy Fever... Catch it! Call your order ahead for made–to–order, no–waiting pick-ups! Hours: Tues–Sat 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. 2331 Alma St., San Pedro • (310) 547-4331
Boardwalk Grill
Iron City features a newly renovated dining room and wonderfully restored bar in a modern setting. The most comfortable gastropub in San Pedro, Iron City offers casual dining for lunch and dinner with food service at the bar. Catch all sporting events on seven 50” screens in surround sound and listen to your favorite tunes on our internet jukebox. (Iron City is a supporter of the Black & Gold.) Iron City features authentic Philly cheese steaks, various hot sandwiches and burgers, calamari steaks and a variety of Italian pasta dishes. Hours:10:30 a.m.-2a.m. 7 days a week. Happy hour from 4-6 p.m. featuring 1/2 priced appetizers and drink specials. Free parking in rear. 589 W. 9th St., San Pedro • (310) 547-4766
June 29 – July 12, 2012
ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment
C a s u a l waterfront dining at its finest! Famous fo r s l a b s o f 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. 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 519-7551
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Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria A San Pedro landmark for over 40 years, famous for exceptional awa rd - w i n n i n g pizza baked in brick ovens. Buono’s also o f fe r s c l a s s i c Italian dishes and sauces based on triedand-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. 1432 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro • (310) 547-0655 www.buonospizza.com The Chowder Barge
L.A. Harbor’s famous floating restaurant, surrounded by boats in Leeward Bay Marina. Dine inside by our fire place, or outside on our deck . This unique spot ser ves great sandwiches, burgers, fish & chips, wings and of course, the BEST clam chowder anywhere! Try our sourdough bread bowl and daily specials. Wine and beer on tap or by the bottle, featuring our 34oz Captains Mug! The new owners have kept the “funkiness” of the old barge, and stepped it up several notches. Watch the games on our big screen TVs, utilize our WiFi and enjoy our XM tunes. THE place for your next party. Hours: Mon, Tues 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Wed, Thurs 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri, Sat, Sun 9 a.m.–8 p.m. 611 N. Henry Ford, (at Anaheim) Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington • (310) 830-7937 www.ChowderBarge.com
Iron City Tavern
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 darling café is warm and welcoming like your favorite auntie’s house. Aniko and Mishi have expanded the menu to include homemade goulash soup and a variety of sweet and savory Hungarian strudels, crepes and pastas. The best indulgence is taking 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., St., San Pedro • (310) 832-6474 www.mishisstrudel.com NIKO’S PIZZERIA Downtown San Pedro’s newest restaurant features a full Italian menu, as well as pizza, and a beer and wine bar. We carry a wide selection of beers on tap and by the bottle. Watch sporting events on plasma TV screens throughout the restaurant. Delivery service to all of San Pedro, Port locations, and hotels. 399 W. 6th St., San Pedro (at the corner of Mesa and 6th sts.) • (310) 241-1400 PORTS O’CALL WATERFRONT DINING Since 1961 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. 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 76, San Pedro • (310) 833-3553 www.Portsocalldining.com PRONTO’S FRESH MEXICAN GRILL & PRONTO’S BURGERS
(25th and Western) 2420 S. Western Ave. , San Pedro, (310) 832-4471
Los Angeles 110 W. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 527-7323 Gardena 13890 S. Normadie Ave., Gardena, (310) 327-5615
www.prontosmexgrill.com.
San Pedro Brewing Compnay SPBC has an eclectic menu featuring pastas, steaks, seafood, sandwiches, salads, delicious appetizers, and great BBQ. Handcrafted ales and lagers are made on the premises. A full bar with made-from-scratch margaritas and a martini menu all add fun to the warm and friendly atmosphere. WIFI bar connected for Web surfing and e-mail—bring your laptop. Hours: From 11:30 a.m., daily. 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. 1199 Nagoya Way, LA Harbor - Berth 77, San Pedro • (310) 548-8080, (562) 495-5884 www.spiritmarine.com Taxco Mexican Restaurant We are proud to serve our community for over 25 years. We offer some of the most unique Mexican dishes around, including the best fajitas in town in a great family atmosphere. Catering for every occasion. Beer, wine and margaritas to your taste. Tony and Vini Moreno welcome you. Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 .m. daily. Major credit cards accepted. 29050 S. Western Ave., San Pedro (at Capitol and Western) • (310) 547-4554 www.sanpedro.com, click on RESTAURANTS
Trusela’s
Southern Italian & California Cuisine • Bob and Josephine Trusela have been awarded the “Most Promising New Restaurant 2010” award and three stars 2011 and 2012, by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association. Catering available for all ocassions. Hours: Sun. 5 p.m.–Close, Lunch: Tues–Fri 11:30–2:30, Dinner: Tues–Sat 5 p.m.–Closing. 28158 S. Western Ave., San Pedro • (310) 547–0993 www.truselas.com
The Whale & Ale
San Pedro’s British Gastro Pub offers comfor table dining in oak paneled setting, featuring English fish & chips, roast prime rib, sea bass, rack of lamb, beef Wellington, English pies, venison, salmon, swordfish & vegan/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. 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro • (310) 832-0363 www.whaleandale.com
San Pedro’s Best Guide To —Fine Dining—
Brochure Pick Up Your 2012 Copy Today!
To Advertise in Random Lengths News’ Restaurant Guide for the Harbor Area, Call (310) 519–1442.
Juncal Street Kickstart Project at El Camino College by: B. Noel Barr, Music Writer Dude
O
a Gypsy singer (Cortes) who is going to keep the roots of what flamenco is all about. The other dancer (Gutierrez) he is also from Spain. Then you have Jason McGuire (Irish-American, world music pro) who is a freaking genius on guitar. The other two, Drummer Joey Heredia and bassist Tommy Dades are American and they bring the groove that is from this country. We all have something that we can give as artists to flamenco.” What is significant here is that we have a music that may be changing again, as it has since its very beginning in India. Changing the art form as it traveled the trade route to Spain, now to United States to San Francisco onto the stage of El Camino College. This is a great idea that is fresh and invigorating. This infusion will also bring people to the table those who have never experienced Flamenco and they will look to find the origins, celebrating the legacy of the tradition, while embracing the new. This is a must see performance, starting at 6 p.m. July 1, at the Campus Theater in Torrance Venue: El Camino College Theater Location: 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance
July 7
Jazz Mafia After making their debut with the highly acclaimed Brass, Bows, & Beats, the Jazz Mafia return with their 38 piece symphony No. 2, The Emperor Norton Suite. Starts at 8 p.m. Details: http://grandperformances.org Venue: Grand Performances Location: 300 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
July 12
Mexico: Unexpected (MMM) This program showcases two ensembles that, by fusing international art forms with Mexican influences, exemplify our Southern neighbor’s vibrant contemporary performing arts scene at 8 p.m. July 12 and 13, at the Grand Performances in Los Angeles. Guadalajara-based Pájaro de Nube explores the experimental language of music and dance, capturing the surreal by juxtaposing the measured movements of Japanese Butoh with live soundscapes. Mexico City’s Brujerias de Papel brings Italian-style wooden puppets to life through the telling of sophisticated stories, creating an atmosphere of magical realism inspired by Latin American culture. Start at 8 p.m. Details: http://grandperformances.org Venue: Grand Performances Location: 300 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
Community/Family June 29
365 W. Sixth Street, San Pedro, Calif • 310-547-2348
Friday, July 27, 2012
(Every Fourth Friday of the Month)
Dance Class 7 p.m. • Band Starts at 8 p.m.
Come join Barry Anthony, Sylvia Rodriguez and LA’s hottest swing band, “The Swing Of Things” for SWING PEEDRO, an evening of wonderful music, friends and dancing to your favorite Classic Big Band Swing songs. You’ll hear the songbooks of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Nat King Cole and many more while dancing and socializing with friends at the People’s Palace in the heart of San Pedro! New to dancing? Take the free one hour dance lesson with our pro instructor at 7, learn some steps and at 8, the music and the dance begin! Don’t have a partner? Come along and dance with our instructors, guests and suave Peedro staff dancers. Free light refreshments! Advance tickets available for $17, online at www.experiencesp.com and www.peoplesyogahealthdance.com and Swingpeedro.com Tickets at door $20. Call (310) 547-2348 for info and tickets. Get your tickets early!
Cars and Stripes Forever This crowd pleasing car show and live music event is in its fourth year. Join us for special patriotic themed songs at the fountain, food, love bands, classic cars and fireworks. All activities are free. Cars & Stripes Band Line-Up: 5 p.m.: Main Stage, Riptides. Promenade, Dave Widow Band. 6:30 p.m.: Main Stage, One Ten South. Promenade, Jamnesia. 8 p.m.: Main Stage, Radio Active. Promenade, Daddyos. Location: Harbor Blvd. at Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro Crafted Join in the grand opening of Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. This permanent craft marketplace features a vibrant collection of local crafts and handmade goods Details: www.craftedportla.com Venue: Harbor Blvd. at 22nd St., San Pedro
Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.
n July 1, the air will be filled with ancient music of the gypsy’s at El Camino College. The sounds of one the most exciting, sensually charged music and dance presentations to date, have changed over time and distance across the trade routes. For this program, the element of rock music is infused as a primal element to the more traditional sounds and dance of Flamenco. Juncal Street is a meeting place where the diverse paths of five young all-stars merge to arrive at one destiny: el flamenco. It is a cultural blend of North American, French, Spanish and Gypsy performers. Who, regardless of their stylistic background, create an urban fusion of sight and sound dedicated to a new vision of flamenco. The intense and impassioned way in which they feel and perform communicates the essence that this art deserves. It is also a very bold idea. For the most part flamenco has been relegated to a specific presentation that is quite old. The quintet of performers are Fanny Ara, artistic director, dancer and choreographer; Manuel Gutierrez, a dancer and choreographer; Jason McGuire, a guitarist; Jose Cortes, a vocalist; Joey Heredia, a drummer; and Tommy Dades, the bassist. We spoke with Fanny Ara via phone from her home in San Francisco and asked about her about Juncal Street. Ara explained, “This show for me is pretty unique, besides my dance partner Manuel along with a guitarist and a singer. I’m bringing a drummer and a bassist. It is very urban flamenco. I just wanted to make it more modern. I wanted to bring out the rock ’n’ roll in the flamenco. The goal of the show is to go back to the roots of flamenco, which is the streets. That is why it is called Juncal Street. Like the blues, for instance, it came from the streets.” The idea she presents is fascinating because it is similar to many traditional styles that are divergent from multiple sources leading to a particular end. Usually a form of music that does not take a different path stagnates in growth. Relegating it to one way of presentation, like not allowing a trap drummer to be in flamenco or integrating a rock sound into flamenco would upset the hard core traditionalist. Unfortunately that happens across the board with about everything. We have to remember that in order for growth to occur, new ideas or blending of ideas had to happen. We asked if she was going to have a full drum kit on stage or is going to be a beat box. Ara said, “No, I’m going to have a full drum set on stage. I think it is very unique and we are very excited about it.” Ara, went onto say that integrating the rock with the flamenco is something she always wanted to do. “I’m in love with the bass and with drums,
because flamenco is so raw I thought it a great combination. You see we are friends here and we have talking about this for a long time. I woke up one morning and said, ‘Why not, let’s do it!’ I think the American audience is going to react better to decision makers, rather than the typical traditional flamenco. Living in the U.S. now for 10 years I see it as a melting pot that I wanted to do that with my own career. To go somewhere and have the balls to do it.” I noted to Ara that this is a concept that steps beyond the norm for flamenco. The use of a trap set is very different. I had seen a beat box used by never anything like say conga drums a full drum kit. Ara said that when you have piano flamenco it is very jazzy, so other percussive instrumentation is used. The true flamenco people are not into it, they tend to be very closed minded. “I have never been very closed minded toward the art form,” she said. “I can’t lie to myself. I’m not Gypsy and I’m not from Spain. I’m from France. “I want to do flamenco like I feel flamenco myself. That is the beauty of this group, we have
Entertainment Calendar from page 14. this versatile box, first valued for its ability to be heard above the din in crowded pubs and outdoor gatherings, starting at 8 p.m. July 6, at the Grand Performances in Los Angeles. This evening celebrates the accordion music from the many ethnic communities. Featuring Joel Guzman’s traditional Mexican music fused blues, rock, country and salsa; digital accordion champion Cory Pesaturo; accordion diva Gee Rabe; Jelena Milojevic on the classical chromatic (Bayan) button accordion; and more. Details: http://grandperformances.org Venue: Grand Performances Location: 300 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
Fiesta Corazón del Puerto Enjoy the party of port’s heart, Fiesta Corazón del Puerto, takes place from 2 to 10 p.m. June 30 at the Wilmington Waterfront Park. This free event includes a community resource fair and entertainment by Mariachi Divas U.S.A., Satisfaction Band, food and more Venue: Wilmington Waterfront Park Location: Near C St. and Neptune Ave., Wilmington
June 30
Big Hair Ball Join the International Imperial Court of Long Beach Entertainment Calendar to page 18.
June 29 – July 12, 2012
17
Entertainment Calendar from page 17. for the Big Hair Ball, starting at 2 p.m. June 16, at Hamburger Mary’s in Long Beach. This great event will feature some very unique hair-inspired contests including biggest hair, best color, shortest hair and hairiest chest. Proceeds from this event will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Venue: Hamburger Mary’s Location: 740 E. Broadway, Long Beach
July 7
USS Iowa opens to the Public Come tour this historic battleship at its brand new home along the Los Angeles Waterfront. Commissioned in 1943, the namesake of the Iowa class of battleships took part in every major military conflict, from World War II until the post Cold War period, when it was decommissioned in 1990. Details: www.pacificbattleship.com Venue: Harbor Blvd. at 1st St., San Pedro
July 12
Summer Concert Series Enjoy free live outdoor concerts on Thursdays this summer, from 6 to 9 p.m. July 12 to Aug. 30, at the Los Angeles Waterfront. Each week will feature a different band and genre of music. Family entertainment takes place at 6 p.m. and the music starts at 7 p.m. Bring your chairs and enjoy the show. Location: Harbor Blvd. at Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro
Theater/Film June 29
ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment
Joseph and the Amazing Tec hnicolor Dreamcoat “Joseph” was the first Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical to be performed publicly. Encore Entertainers, one of the Southland’s premier theatre training academies, presents a colorful, fully staged production of this smash Broadway hit, starting at 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 29 through July 1, at the Warner Grand Theatre. Tickets are range from $14 to $18. Details: www.warnergrand.org Venue: Warner Grand Theatre Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro Real Estate Joel, a novelist experiencing writer’s block, retreats to a small town, but the house needs to be sold fast. Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors and students. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through July 21 with additional performances Sunday, July 7 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Thursday, July 19 at 8 p.m. Details: (310) 512-6030, www.littlefishtheatre.org Venue: Little Fish Theatre Location: 777 Centre St., San Pedro
June 30
Tongue & Groove: Charles Bukowski (MMM) Grand Performances kicks off our exploration of San Pedro with another installment of the popular Tongue & Groove literary series. The writings, short fiction and personal essays of Charles Bukowski, the Harbor area’s iconic poet, are brought to life by Conrad Romo and his cohorts Rebecca DeMornay, Jack Grapes, Joan Jobe Smith, Gerald Locklin, Chiwan Choi, Kenneth Sonny Donato, Wendy Rainey and Harry Dean Stanton (schedule permitting). Starts at 8 p.m., at the Grand Performances in Los Angeles. Details: http://grandperformances.org Venue: Grand Performances Location: 300 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles
July 7
June 29 – July 12, 2012
First Annual Gospel Concert Face II Face Productions and KJLH FM deejay TAMI MAC present an inaugural concert of soul-stirring, foot stomping, hand clapping sacred music. Tickets range from $15 to $60. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Details: brownpapertickets.com/event/247927 Venue: Warner Grand Theatre Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro
July 8
We Are Wisconsin Part of San Pedro Labor Fest, this film documents the uprising opposing Gov. Scott Walker’s bill to dismantle collective bargaining in Wisconsin. The special guest speaker Maria Elena Durazo of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor is scheduled to be at the event. Suggested donation $10 at the door. The movie starts at 5:30 p.m. Details: (310) 941-7395 Venue: Warner Grand Theatre 18 Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro
San Pedro Celebrates Labor by: Kevin Walker, Contributing Writer
O
n July 5, San Pedro will kick off its first Labor Fest, celebrating organized labor’s history in the port community with art, music and film. Lead organizer of the festival, Geraldine Hecker-Popov, said the idea for the came from a desire to reveal often overlooked aspects of blue collar life and to educate the public, including union members, about the struggles and importance of organized labor. “There are so many ways we help the community,” she said. “ We wanted to show another side of working people on the waterfront.” That side, it turns out, is creative. The 3-day event will feature paintings, photography and sculpture made by members of the Local 63 and Local 13 chapters of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union on display at the Gallery NeuARTig, Treehouse Gallery & Artcade, the Croatian Cultural Center and the Lazy Dog Studio. The Croatian Cultural Center in particular will show works by members of the Podue family, who have been active members of Local 63 in addition to dedicated artists. San Pedro Labor Fest also will host screenings of three documentaries; Who Bombed Judi Bari, Locked Out, and We Are Wisconsin at the Grand Annex and Warner Grand Theater. Both Who Bombed Judi Bari and Locked Out will feature a question and answer session with directors Mary Liz Thomson and Joan Sekler. We Are Wisconsin will screen with special guest speaker Maria Elena Durazo from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Hecker-Popov hopes that the films, especially We Are Wisconsin will raise awareness about issues facing the contemporary labor movement. She notes that a measure appearing on the November ballot in California called the Special Exemptions Act bears resemblance to anti-union legislation passed in Wisconsin in 2010. “It’s a wake up for people in America, not just LA, not just California,” Hecker-Popov said. “They want to silence the voice of working people.” She believes that labor does have a strong presence in Los Angeles and that the festival will be a gauge of its peoples interest in the culture of organized labor. Hecker-Popov, a member of the ILWU since 2003 and a 15-year veteran of the port, was slightly incredulous to learn that Santa Cruz — not known as a union town — has had a labor festival for 10 years indicating an interest in the subject that transcends union membership. “If Santa Cruz can do it, (then) there’s no good reason why a town like San Pedro should have one also,” she said.
Art Spotlight: Still Life Labor
Lazy Dog Studio Exhibits Labor Photographers, Local Artists for Labor Festival by: Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
L
azy Dog Studio is presenting the work of several labor photographers, including the work of Slobodan Dimitrov, a labor photographer of international acclaim. Slobodan embarked on a 20-year project documenting the work, hands and faces of the Piledrivers Union Local 2375 and Local 34. The results of that endeavor are currently housed in the lobby of the Piledrivers Union Local 2375 in Wilmington, Calif. The portraits that will be exhibited at Lazy Dog Studio are all contemporaneous, taken during a welcome home party for Operations Engineer Leroy “Blacky” Johnson. He had just returned from the hospital from fighting cancer. Two weeks later he died. Slobodan employs the same PN55 Polaroid film for this shoot as he used when he first began shooting portraits of pile driver members in 1991. The Piledrivers Union Local 2375 and Operating Engineers both come out of the AFLCIO. Slobodan explained to Random Lengths the special bond the Pile Drivers union and the Operating Engineers share. “The Operating Engineers operate the cranes which holds the hammer on top of the piles that’s being driven,” Slobodan explained. He described their working relationship as being so close that it nearly required the ability to read each other’s minds. “Its a very special relationship,” Slobodan explained. “[It’s] like the laborers and the Continued from page 11.
Judi Bardi
“Judi, who actually led strikes, was able to blow the embers we had started into a fire.” Unlike most other members of the environmental movement at that time, Bari approached the issue of redwood preservation with a strategy that sought an alliance with labor. The film contains interviews with local loggers and mill workers who voiced discomfort at working for distantly based conglomerates with little invested in the communities in which they lived. “‘I just wish Mr. Hurwitz would go out into the woods and take a day and sit down inside the Redwood grove ... Rather than looking at a dollar bill he’d be seeing a tree for its value,” says John Maurer a former mill worker in the documentary. The film clearly identifies the Maxxam Corp.and its then-President Charles Hurwitz as the chief offenders against the practice of sustainable logging. Maxxam’s 1985 purchase of the Pacific Lumber Co. overturned a 108year policy against clear cutting redwoods in order to maximize short-term profits. “Wall Street punished PALCO [Pacific Lumber Co.],” Cherney said about the company’s 1969 decision to be publicly traded on the stockmarket. The change in management resulted in layoffs and the outsourcing of jobs to independent contractors who worked at a much lower rate of pay than PALCO employees Cherney said. The loggers originally employed by PALCO were not unionized at the time of the buyout. The film makes it clear that Bari and Earth First!’s goal was a return to a sustainable logging of the California Redwoods, a decision that
cement workers. These are very integrated jobs where they work as crews-- crews that work together for decades.” Also exhibiting work at Lazy Dog Studio is Stephen Mirich, an oil painter, born and raised in San Pedro. Mirich studied with the noted artist Theodore N. Lukits (1892-1992) at the Lukits Academy of Fine Arts in Los Angeles and took private studies with artist Julian Ritter. Stephen Mirich’s work is included in several prominent collections, including those of the Los Angeles Country Club, San Juan Capistrano Mission, Mrs. Joan Irvine Smith, Jean and Laura Stern and Oprah Winfrey. The January 2010 issue of American Artist Magazine gave Mirich a full feature story titled “Drawing Upon Local Community and Landscape” focusing on his contributions as a marine and landscape artist. Stephen Mirich is a founding member of the Portuguese Bend Artists Colony, and a lifetime member and past president of the San Pedro Art Association. He is a signature member of the California Art Club, past vice president from 1997 to 2003 and currently a member of its advisory board. Another photographer, Michelle Meese, will exhibiting work. She specializes in taking photos of life in San Pedro. Her work is often displayed at the Beach City Grill restaurant in downtown San Pedro. Jorge Garcia, a graphic designer by trade, will be exhibiting mixed media on acrylic. Gallery hours are from 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, until the end of July or by appointment. Details: (310) 293-1332 Venue: Lazy Dog Studio Location: 361 W. 7th St., San Pedro they believed would have allowed the industry to maintain a long-term presence in the area. Thomson, the director of Who Bombed Judi Bari, also noted that the fight to save the old growth redwoods resulted in an economic future for coastal northern California after the logging industry left the region. “‘Thank God the hippies did what they did, because now we have tourism,’” said Thomson, quoting a chamber of commerce member she interviewed while researching the documentary. The filmmakers believe that the public must take a more active role in encouraging environmentally responsible behavior on the part of the private business. “Personally I think that when we say we should have clean coal, or whatever, we should pay for it,” Thomson said. “Lets help them pay for what they need to do it differently ... We should be more supportive of it and not make it just a private market thing.” They connect the abuse of the environment by conglomerates like Maxxam with the abuse of labor and deny the claims that strong regulation necessarily impedes the creation of new jobs or economic expansion. “If you do regulate things in way that are going to promote sustainability, you’re going to create new jobs.” Thomson said. “We don’t have to sacrifice jobs … We have to adapt, the structure we have isn’t sustainable.” While efforts to unite labor and environmental interests have waned in the years since Bari’s death, Cherney and Thomson believe that bringing her story to new audiences will help reinvigorate the movement against corporate greed and malfeasance. “We resurrected Judi,” Cherney said about the film. “Here she is, teaching and inspiring everybody like she used to.”
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BUSINESS FILINGS Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012088229 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Century Motorcycles,1640 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Gwendolyn Rutherford, 630 W. 24th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. Timothy Hickerson, 525 W. 22nd Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by a general partnership. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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. Timothy Hickerson, Partner/Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 9, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement
pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/17/12, 05/31/12, 06/14/12, 06/28/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012089406 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Das Boot, 2317 S. Gaffey, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Eric Swanson, 2317 S. Gaffey, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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. Eric Swanson, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 9, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/17/12, 05/31/12, 06/14/12, 06/28/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012082131 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) RDS Consulting, 1180 W. 7th Street Apt #1, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Rodel Filio , 1180 W. 7th Street Apt #1, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants
commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name
continued on p. 20
June 29 - July 12, 2012
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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS FILINGS 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. Rodel Filio, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 9, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/17/12, 05/31/12, 06/14/12, 06/28/12
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Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012082130 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Wingstop, 1685 Pacific Coast Hwy, Harbor City, CA 90710. County of L.A. Articles of Incorporation #: 3351374. Registered owner(s): B&S Ventures, Inc.,1199 Rancho Rd., Arcadia, CA 91006. This business is conducted by a corporation. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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.) B&S Ventures, Inc, S. Barjar
Pithawalla, President This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 3, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/31/12, 06/14/12, 06/28/12, 07/12/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012100260 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Mr. Big’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, 655 W. 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Articles of Incorporation #: 3456745 Registered owner(s): Big’s Gourmet, Inc., 1536 W. 25th Street #275, San Pedro, CA 90732. This business is conducted by a corporation. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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.) Big’s Gourmet, Inc., Edward Nunez, President This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 23, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally
expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/31/12, 06/14/12, 06/28/12, 07/12/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012091567 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) A-Delta International, (2) LA Express Appraisals, 15915 Ventura blvd., #303, Encino, CA 91436. County of L.A. Articles of Incorporation #: C0797611. Registered owner(s): Kraakevik Corporation, 15915 Ventura blvd., #303, Encino, CA 91436. This business is conducted by a corporation. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name listed above 5/22/2007. 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.) Kraakevik Corporation, Patti Kraakevik, CEO This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 15, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the
facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/31/12, 06/14/12, 06/28/12, 07/12/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012092847 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Amerigold Group, (2) Amerigold Realty, (3) Amerigold Appraisal, (4) Amerigold Appraisals, (5) Amerigold Appraisers, (6) Amerigold Exchange, (7) Amerigold Films, (8) Amerigold, (9) Amerigold Financial, (10) Amerigold Investments, (11) Amerigold Mortgage, (12) Amerigold Productions (13) AmerigoldProperty Management (14) Amerigold Realestate, (15) Amerigold Realestate Services (16) Amerigold Realty Advisors, (17) Amerigold Estates, (18) Amerigold Securities, 7420 Alida Place, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): John R. Aube, 7420 Alida Place, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name listed above 2007. 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.) John R. Aube, Owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on May 15, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 05/31/12, 06/14/12,
June 29 - July 12, 2012
06/28/12, 07/12/12
20
Abandonment Fictitious Name Current File No. 20101227912 Dated Filed: 9/01/2010 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Studio 343, 343 W. 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Sheila Eunice Harrity, Inc., 343 W. 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. 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. Sheila Eunice Harrity/owner This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles
on June 5, 2012. Original filing: 06/14/12, 07/12/12, 07/26/12
06/28/12,
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012108934 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) What’s Sup, Nutritional Supplements by Design, 1840 S. Gaffey Street., #324, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Janet L. Trevino, 1840 S. Gaffey Street., #324, San Pedro, CA 90731 . This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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.) Janet L. Trevino, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 5, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 06/14/12, 06/28/12, 07/12/12, 07/26/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012116119 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) The Shop, 365 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): John Machado, 365 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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.) John Machado, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 13, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 06/28/12, 07/12/12, 07/26/12, 08/09/12
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012116224 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Insurance Center Associates, (2) Harbor Insurance Agency, (3) C&S Insurance Services, 1622 S. Gaffey, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Insurance Center Associates Inc., 1622 S. Gaffey, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by a corporation. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name listed above 12/31/1988. 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.) Insurance Center Associates Inc, Michaeil J. Randles, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 13, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 06/28/12, 07/12/12,
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012122010 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) San Pedro Yachts, (2) Pacific Sailing and Motor Yacht Sales, 210 Whalers Walk Ste# 123, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): The Shoreline Yacht Group Inc, 210 Whalers Walk Ste# 123, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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.) The Shoreline Yacht Group Inc., Louis N. Friedman, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 19, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920,
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012125619 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Artisan Eyes by Ixta, 1826 S. Elena Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277. County of L.A. Registered owner(s):Ixta X Flores, 1286 W. 22nd Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name listed above 6/19/2012. 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.) Ixta X Flores, owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 22, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 06/28/12, 07/12/12,
Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012123124 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) RGI Insurance Services (2) Rosalie Gonzalez Insurance Services, 317 W. 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. County of L.A. Registered owner(s): Rosalie Gonzalez, 1415 W. Santa Cruz Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrants commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name 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.) Rosalie Gonzalez, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on June 20, 2012. Notice-In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 06/28/12, 07/12/12,
07/26/12, 08/09/12
07/26/12, 08/09/12
a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name statement must be filed before the expiration. The fil-
ing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business name in violation of the right of another under Federal, State, or common law (See Section 14411et seq., Business and Professions Code). Original filing: 06/28/12, 07/12/12, 07/26/12, 08/09/12
07/26/12, 08/09/12
RANDOMLetters from p. 8
United Teachers Los Angeles 3303 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Phone: (213) 487-5560 or (800) 556-8852 Fax: (213) 368-6256 Tell them you spoke with David R. Garcia, they
can use the incentive! Please forward this message to as many teachers as possible. Only together can we force our so-called “union representatives” into action. Don’t re-elect any of these crooks who take your money if they're not willing to fight for you! Dave Garcia Los Angeles
The Power of Projection
Just an update on my most recent experiences with
the HAARP/voice-to-skull projection tool. Several months back, I sent a letter detailing my 3-year ordeal with HAARP, which was precipitated by my firing the Sundance Institute and apparently involves several Hollywood and tech personalities as well as many from my (even remote) past. Recently, a new matter regarding projection was brought to my attention that I wanted to pass along. I have been aware that it is possible to over or underproject (or inadvertently create an unreasonable and disadvantageous subconscious belief for quite some time. However, it was been brought to my attention that this is even easier to do than I had originally thought. For example, the projection “I am always happy my optimal amount” is evidently far preferable to “I am always happy” because not only does it refrain from over-projecting into the future, it doesn’t go too narrow and specifies an amount. Strangely, this is often used in conjunction with the affirmations “I am doing my best projection” and/
or “I always have my most optimal belief” (listening to meditation while projecting is viewed as being particularly helpful, and listening to certain songs repeatedly and viewing some programs on television are quite popular). Although projecting to ones wildest dream may release some charge and clarify where the more exact projections are going, it is overall not as efficient. As some are evidently trying to go to these positive affirmations with some individuals, this is some key. Also of concern to me is the fact that my storage unit has been gone through, and some of my clothing, books and other personal effects taken, possibly an attempt to take bits and pieces of my history. It is also claimed that my school records have been tampered with, event back to early years. I thank you again for your assistance with this matter and appreciate your concern, as I have often struggled to communicate in my condition. Cindy Miller Pleasant Grove, Utah
The Local Publication You Actually Read June 29 - July 12, 2012
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from p. 6
Bush Failure
“This is noteworthy not only in retrospect, considering how important this technology has become for American foreign policy in the region, but also because it is a rare admission by the CIA of their leadership in running the program,” Sanborn explained. Finally, in light of the extensive redactions in the documents released, as well as the existence of many more documents not yet released, Random Lengths asked about future efforts to uncover hidden truths surrounding 9/11. “The National Security Archive will continue to use all available legal means to get all important U.S. government materials pertaining to Sept. 11, 2001 declassified and available to the public,” Sanborn said. “Significant portions of these CIA documents have been withheld, and there are still at least 300 relevant CIA documents referenced in the 9/11 Commission Report that have been withheld entirely. We hope to get more materials relating to CIA failures (which are conspicuously absent in this collection), reports related to CIA interrogations, White House decision documents from both the Clinton and Bush presidencies, details regarding U.S. attempts to apprehend bin Laden using the Northern Alliance or Afghan tribal leaders, as well as the role of Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan in events leading to Sept. 11.” More than a decade after 9/11, there’s still far too much about the attacks that remains unknown…or buried under mountains of misleading spin.
June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area
from p. 6
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sources such as political action committees and tax exempt 527 groups, affecting the 2010 congressional election as well as the 2012 presidential and congressional elections. The Montana Supreme Court upheld the state law, ruling the 2010 decision did not control the outcome because Montana’s law was different and justified by the state’s interest in preventing corporate corruption and influence in politics. The state court cited Montana’s history when the voter-approved law was adopted in 1912, with mining and other corporate spending resulting in political corruption.
UN Says Occupy Protesters’ Rights Must Be Protected, US Stays Mum
American officials have yet to respond to two United Nations human rights envoys who formally requested that the U.S. government protect Occupy protesters against excessive force by law enforcement officials. The request was sent in December 2011, but was only publicly released earlier this month in connection with the 20th annual U.N. Human Rights Council meeting, according to a report by Dan Froomkin in Huffington Post. The letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was sent by Frank La Rue, U.N. special rapporteur for the protection of free expression, and Maina Kiai, the special rapporteur for freedom of peaceful assembly. It called on U.S. officials to “explain the behavior of police departments that violently disbanded some Occupy protests last fall” and expressed concern that excessive use of force “could have been related to [the protesters’] dissenting views, criticisms of economic policies, and their legitimate work in the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The envoys also reminded the U.S. government of its international obligations to “take all necessary measures to guarantee that the rights and freedoms of all peaceful protesters be respected.”
The Local Publication You Actually Read
June 29 - July 12, 2012
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June 29 - July 12, 2012
Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area