RLn 07-12-12 Edition

July 13 - 26, 2012 • FREE • RandomLengthsNews.com LB Eyes Ordinance that Allows Goats and Chickens in Residential Areas p. 2 PTSD: A Survivor Tells His Story p. 4

s Grand Performance Pays Tribute to Gil Scott Heron July 20

p.11

MOLAA’s Gregorio Luke Examines Mariachi Music & Murals Under the Stars p. 16

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Summertime weather makes visible the invisible.

That’s particularly true for Los Angeles’ most invisible population: the homeless.

In the Harbor Area—San Pedro in particular— 10,000 visitors kicked their summer off at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles’ grand opening and 20,000 at Cars and Stripes that same evening. The following weekend, the USS Iowa welcomed 2,500 visitors.

Becoming Visible/ to p. 9

Rancho LPG Concerns Continue—

Public Safety Meeting Raises Hope, But Fails to Reassure

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Not surprisingly, locals began noticing an over-abundance of homeless people walking around, some panhandling, some lining up for food, some with mental health challenges and others coping with addiction. Perhaps what is most noticeable is that many of them appear to be new to the area, leading community members to the conclusion that the homeless are being dumped in San Pedro.

The conversation so far is only taking place privately in coffee houses and long comment threads in local Facebook groups. Merchants and residents alike have grown concerned about perceived increases in panhandling and increased incidences of

By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor

Public Safety Still at Risk/ to p. 19

July 13 - 26, 2012

“Nobody’s looking at the big picture.”

That was Diana Nave’s conclusion after hearing from a parade of federal, state and local agencies at a Public Safety Committee meeting on liquid bulk storage facilities convened by Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino on June 27.

Nave, president of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, was not alone in her assessment. Councilwoman Jan Perry, who serves on the committee with Buscaino, repeatedly stressed her desire for a single focal point of accountability. But that was nowhere to be found. In public comments, Alfred Satler characterized the situation as “a lot of different agencies, each looking at a small bit of the puzzle.”

Still, residents seemed genuinely appreciative that some sort of effort was being made.

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HARBOR AREA

Committed to independent journalism in the Greater LA/LB Harbor Area for more than 30 years

Long Beach Considers Backyard Farms

By Kevin Walker, Long Beach Reporter

July 13 - 26, 2012

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

Long Beach residents may soon have more options when they run out of household essentials like milk and eggs than just going down to the neighborhood grocery store.

Proponents of locally grown food are pushing the city to amend its municipal code to relax limits on the keeping of goats and chickens on private residences, arguing that existing rules are outdated and overly restrictive.

“We grow a lot of our food, it’s just a natural extension of wanting food independence and freedom,” said Donna Marykwas, founder and director of Long Beach Grows, an organization dedicated to supporting urban agriculture initiatives in the city.

In 2009 Marykwas, herself a backyard farmer, began circulating a petition to reduce the setback requirements needed in order to lawfully keep goats and chickens in Long Beach.

“You can have four great danes up to the fence, but you can’t have one goat 50 feet away?

It doesn’t make any sense,” Marykwas said. “Fifty to 100 feet are untenable distances … in reality most residents can’t do that.”

Title VI of the municipal code allows resi-

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Community Announcements:

Harbor Area

dents to keep one goat, which must be kept at least 100 feet from their neighbor’s property. The proposed change would eliminate the 100-foot requirement and allow for the keeping of two female goats on a single property.

Long Beach City Council is awaiting a proposal from This would bring Long Beach into the Long Beach Environmental Committee that would line with other cities that have loosened allow residents to keep goats and chickens. restrictions on small livestock such as San Diego and San Francisco, which both allow two goats to be kept for companion- municipal code that would remove the setback requirements on goats, chickens and bees. ship and milk production.

“The idea is that producing local food is more The revision would also allow residents to keep sustainable,” said sustainability assistant Tiffany up to four chickens with no setback requirement.

By 2011, Marykwas had attained more than Chen. “The ordinance that says goats are to be 1,000 signatures and begun working with the kept 100 feet from other residences was put in Long Beach Office of Sustainability. In October place in the 20s, so its a bit dated.”

Supporters argue that the municipal code of that year, 2nd District Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal instructed Sustainability Coordina- revision will increase access to healthy organic tor Larry Rich to draft a change ordinance to the Urban Farms/ to following page

Commissions Could be Cut, Combined

By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter

As Carson enters another fiscal year, the city is once again struggling with a projected budget shortfall, a symptom of a still-struggling economic outlook.

City Manager David Biggs said that the proposed budget is about $65 million, but the city must close a gap of about $5.2 million. The Carson City Council is expected to approve a budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal Year at its July 17 meeting.

Biggs says the gap will have to be closed with a combination of cuts, tapping into city reserves and some increases in revenue. He says that with city reserves of $26 million, the city could close all or most of the gap and still have $20 million left.

One proposal for cutting city expenditures is to combine or eliminate several of Carson’s commissions, boards and committees. The city has 20 of them, considerably more than comparable communities. Budget items include member stipends and overtime or comp time for those staff members who must attend meetings. The budget package for the fiscal year 2012-2013 suggests revising the commissions, boards and committees as follows: Make no changes to the public safety, public works, citywide advisory, economic development, youth commissions, the Mobilehome Rental Review Board, the Utilities Users Tax Citizen’s Budget Oversight Committee and the Relocation Appeals Board.

Reorganize the beautification and environmental commissions into the existing Planning Commission.

Combine the veterans affairs and senior citizens advisory commissions.

Combine the women’s issues and human relations commissions, both of which work with discrimination issues, into a Community RelaCommissions/ to p. 4

CSPC Seats New Board Stakeholders of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council District selected 17 at large board members to serve through June 2014. The members sat at the July 10 meeting at the Port of Los Angeles High School.

The members are: Marcey Abrons, Linda Alexander, James Preston Allen, Frank B. Anderson, Pat Carroll, Sue Castillo, Harvey Contreras, Mark Contreras, April Jappert, Leslie Jones, Annette McDonald, Kali Meredith, Carrie Scoville, Andrew Silber, Ron Tanimura, Phillip Trigas and Allyson Vought.

Details: www.sanpedrocity.org Professional and Personal Growth Seminar

Personal Best Whole Life Warehouse is sponsoring a day of learning, coaching, mastermind techniques, and more, on July 13 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A “Wellness” seminar will touch on leadership, self improvement, peak performance and living your life’s purpose to its fullest potential. RiZe Global founder Ted McGrath will speak at the free event. RSVP. Details: (310) 548-5984.

Venue: Personal Best Location: 643 W. 6th St., San Pedro

How to Get a Business Loan for Your Business Workshop Learn how to get financing for your business at no cost to you, from 9 to 11 a.m. July 18, at Brown Brothers Building in San Pedro.

By completing this workshop, you will learn about: the benefits obtained from borrowing in terms of cash generation and its importance for company growth; how a bank evaluates a loan request, and what needs to be included in the loan application; and what the SBA is and the eligibility requirements Venue: Brown Brothers Building Location: 455 W. 6th St., San Pedro San Pedro Bay Historical Society Wine Tasting/Silent Auction Sample wines and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, at 1 p.m. on July 21, on the Muller House patio and join in the fun of the silent auction. Tickets are $25.

Details: (310) 519-3613 Venue: Muller House Location: 1542 S. Beacon St., San Pedro San Pedro Democratic Club Meeting

The San Pedro Democratic Club will meet with Los Angeles Mayoral Candidate Wendy Greuel, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. July 23, at The Whale & Ale Restaurant in San Pedro.

Details: (310) 367-7186 Venue: The Whale & Ale Location: 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro

City of Carson, VA Job Expo The City of Carson Parks and Recreation Services and the Veterans Affairs Commission arehosting a Veterans Job Resource Expo on July 26.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission is free and open to all job seekers.

There will be several organizations involved such as: local businesses; schools; staffing companies; Veteran’s resource organizations; and local trade schools and colleges.

Details: (310) 847-3570 Venue: SouthBay Pavilion, Location: 20700 Avalon Blvd., Carson

Urban Farms

foods that are typically found only in expensive higher end grocery stores like Whole Foods and Bristol Farms.

“There’s a wealth issue to food quality,” said Marykwas. “ Most people can’t afford to eat food from animals that have been treated with love and respect. It’s not widely available and when it is it’s expensive.”

The effort has also received support from the Long Beach chapter of the Sierra Club, which has lauded the proposal for its environmental benefits.

Gabrielle Weeks, chairwoman of the Sierra Club’s Long Beach Area Group wrote in a statement that, “it empowers residents to be more self-sufficient and sustainable...[and] helps communities to be more resilient to environmental impacts like the rise in pesticides, hormones and chemicals.”

Both Weeks and Marykwas gave public testimony in support of the revision at a June 26 meeting of the Long Beach Environmental Committee where the proposal was referred back to the Office of Sustainability for further research instead of the city council.

Chen said the committee delayed forwarding the proposal to the council in order to address implementation issues involving complaints, lot size requirements and health requirements.

These concerns are echoed by Madeline Burnstein, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles.

The organization, which operates four facilities in Long Beach, has remained neutral on the proposal but has expressed worries that its po-

tential impacts, including disease, noise and the potential for increased animal abandonment have not been fully studied.

“I got a feeling that there was a lot to be learned,” said Burnstein about the June 26 meeting. “Thinking it through makes a better ordinance…if there’s a line of pygmy goats at the door in the morning then you’re going to hear from me.”

Marykwas, however, notes that only a tiny mi-

nority of residents would likely be interested in keeping chickens and goats and believes that the overall impact on the city would be negligible.

Other groups, like the Farm Animal Rights Movement, are opposing the revision on grounds that backyard farming is in of itself a form of abuse.

Supporters, however, argue that groups like FARM represent the extreme wing of the animal rights movement and will oppose any change that is contrary to a vegan lifestyle.

The Local Publication You Actually Read

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Pre-order your FasTrak now at metroexpresslanes.net. ®

July 13 - 26, 2012

All you need to use ExpressLanes is a FasTrak account and transponder in your car.

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from previous page

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PTSD: One Survivor’s Story

By Arthur R. Vinsel, Contributing Writer “I cried myself to sleep that night, praying, ‘Oh God, God, what the f... is happening here?’”

—Adam S. War is no video game.

There was no military purpose in pursuing them.

No matter how a bloody battle may end, wea“We caught a whole Iraqi regiment in a highry, surviving fighters trembling with spent adren- way convoy,” Adam recalls. aline, reeking of sweat and smoke, are wounded A regiment is 1,200 men. Crammed into dozby what is seen and done. ens of trucks like sardines in a can, they were Healing has taken nearly 20 years for Adam sitting ducks for supersonic fighter bombers.

S.,whose surname is abbreviated to protect his The U.S. jets roared in strafing, firing rockets privacy. He survived the explosive cloudburst of and dropping bombs, as the target area erupted Desert Storm, the swift 1990 invasion of Iraq as in explosions, fireballs and choking smoke, with a U.S. Army infantry foot soldier.. shattered steel truck debris and torn, seared enAdam, a burly, soft-spoken former pipefitter, emy body parts raining from the sky. recovering addict and victim of post traumatic It was surreal and horrifying. stress disorder (PTSD), remembers the exact day “I cried myself to sleep that night, prayand precise nightmare event that triggered its on- ing, ‘Oh God. God. what the fuck is happening set. Many do. here...?’” Adam recalls.

“We had been attached to the VII Corps, proHe remembers waking up the next day, deviding perimeter guard for graves registration de- void of any feelings whatsoever. tail, referred to also as ‘Bag ‘em and Tag ‘em.’”

“It was like I became animalistic,” he said. “I Their task was recovering and identifying felt no compassion for other humans. Just kill’em U.S. soldiers, who died on the battlefield, for all. Let God sort ‘em out. I had shut down emoshipment home. tionally.”

The duty was not pleasant, but Adam, a speOnce back in the states, the Long Beach huscialist 4th class and other guards were distanced band and father of three was moody, irritable, anfrom it on patrol. gry, insomniac and began drinking heavily. He tried “Then, we were involved in ‘the highway illicit drugs for relief, all PTSD characteristics. deaths,’” he says, as though perhaps mentionUnemployment and divorce followed evening a fatal traffic accident, but it was far worse, a tually and finally, Ward L-1 at Long Beach Vetpanorama of horror. erans Medical Center, for patients considered a Retreating Iraqi invaders were on the run af- danger to themselves and others. This is no picter the operation’s mission was accomplished. nic in the park.

Once stabilized in 2008, VA advisors suggested he enter San Pedro’s Beacon House nonprofit alcohol and drug recovery program, while still in the hospital’s intensive day PTSD treatment.

Kittens have arrived and are looking for new His demons of war were dug in for a fight, but homes. All kittens have been tested, vaccinated, Adam, now 43, equally battled for his life. spayed/neutered, dewormed & microchipped.

These days, he is a staff intern at Beacon Special discounts when adopted in pairs.

House and also at the Long Beach VA Medical Center, trained as a PTSD counselor and servSEE US JULY 14th & 15th AT PETCO-SAN PEDRO ing as a case manager at Veterans Court in Long 852 N. Western Ave., San Pedro, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Beach, a new system for vets cleaning up their Visit www.southbaycats.com for further information mistakes and building new lives.

“I get to help guys who are just like I was,” Adam said. “I’m clean, serene, sober and off all drugs, even VA clinic prescriptions. I’m at peace with myself and God. And my kids are back in my life again.”

South Bay Cat Adoptions

Assisting veterans find employment or desired trade. This expo will include staffing companies and veterans resource tables in collaboration with the Employment Development Dept. and the California Dept. of Rehabilitation.

THURS., JULY 26, 2012

July 13 - 26, 2012

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

10 A.M.-1 P.M.

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FREE to all job seekers

For information, (310) 830-9991 or email cityofcarsonjobexpo2012@gmail.com http://recreation.carson.ca.us • Like us on facebook CITY OF CARSON PARKS AND RECREATION

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Commissions

tions Commission.

Combine Parks & Recreation and Cultural Affairs into a single commission.

Make Civic Engagement part of the Public Relations Committee.

The Historical Committee, which is a volunteer group, would be eliminated upon the formation of the proposed Carson Historical Society.

Speaking at the June 26 council meeting, resident Ron Shimakaji pointed out that many of the commissions are established under city code and the council will have to vote to make any changes on them.

“I don’t like to combine commissions,” Councilwoman Julie Ruiz-Raber said. She suggests downsizing some of the larger commissions by attrition.

Several years ago a suggestion was floated to fold the Youth Commission into the Parks and Recreation Commission, but it was never acted on.

Jensen serves as secretary of the Women’s Issues Commission in Carson.

LBPD Asks for Help in Solving Murder Long Beach—The Long Beach Police Department is asking for the community’s help with a case involving a murder that took place July 5.

At about 10:38 p.m. on that day, officers responded to the 1300 block of Temple Avenue after a shooting was reported. Officers found 43-year-old Jasper Dukes, of Las Vegas, with multiple gunshots to the upper body inside a parked vehicle along the curb.

Paramedics pronounced the man dead on the scene.

There are no suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call (562) 5707244 or anonymously at www.tipsoft.com.

The Long Beach City Council voted July 3 to refer a resolution opposing the “Paycheck Protection” initiative to the State Legislation Committee.

The council voted 8-1 in support of the resolution.

District 3 Councilman Gary DeLong cast the sole “no” vote and commented that he thought the initiative was a balanced attempt to address the problems of special interest money in state elections.

“I have a different perspective, I think what this is an effort to try and restrict the amount of special interest money that’s currently in elections... I think this is a very even handed initiative that impacts large corporations as well as unions,” DeLong said. “I would be opposed to sending it [the resolution] anywhere” The November ballot initiative, also known as the “Stop Special Interest Money Now Act,” would curb the ability of labor unions to use member dues to con-

tribute to political campaigns in the state of California.

District 7 Councilman James Johnson, who sponsored the resolution, criticized the Paycheck Protection initiative as a thinly veiled attempt to stifle organized labor’s voice in the political pro-

cess.

“I think democracy works best when everybody has the right to speak up, regardless of whether you agree with them on a particular issue,” Johnson said.

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July 13 - 26, 2012

Media Ignores Global Warming Connection as Wildfires Devastate American West Recent wildfires have devastated Colorado, New Mexico and other parts of the American West, but the connection between the fires and global warming have largely been ignored, according to a study released

by Media Matters. The study covered the period from April 1 to June 30, 2012.

This is despite the fact that seven of nine fire experts contacted by Media Matters agreed that journalists should explain the relationship between climate change and wildfires. (See the “Fire This Time and Next” in Random Lengths, Nov. 2-15, 2007 edition).

By Kevin Walker, Long Beach Reporter

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Numbers Assigned to November Ballot Measures SACRAMENTO—On July 9, Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced the assigned proposition numbers to the 11 measures set to appear on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot. This followed after Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael P. Kenny ruled against Molly Munger, proponent of a rival tax proposal to Gov. Jerry Brown’s. Munger contended in a lawsuit that Los Angeles County election officials and state legislators violated California law to make the governor’s plan first among the 11 fall ballot measures.

The propositions will appear in the Secretary’s Official Voter Information Guide. The November list of ballot measures includes one referendum and 10 initiatives: Proposition 30—Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Proposition 31—State Budget. State and Local Government. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

Proposition 32--Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 33—Changes Law to Allow Auto Insurance Companies to Set Prices Based on a Driver’s History of Insurance Coverage. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 34—Death Penalty Repeal.

Initiative Statute.

Proposition 35—Human Trafficking. Penalties. Sex Offender Registration. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 36—Three Strikes Law. Sentencing for Repeat Felony Offenders. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 37—Genetically Engineered Foods. Mandatory Labeling. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 38—Tax for Education and Early Childhood Programs. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 39—Tax Treatment for Multistate Businesses. Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Funding. Initiative Statute.

Proposition 40—Redistricting. State Senate Districts. Referendum.

For more details visit www.sos.ca.gov/ elections/2012-elections/nov-general.

LB City Council Opposes Anti-Labor “Paycheck Protection”

5

Deficits and Democracy The fallacy of balanced budgets

By James Preston Allen, Publisher

July 13 - 26, 2012

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

There has been a grand display of hand wringing lately about deficit spending. So much so, that three cities in the state of California have committed civic suicide and voted to file for bankruptcy rather than face the music of declining revenues.

Every Republican, from Mitt Romney on down is crying about the national debt, now topping $15.8 trillion, and the news media only amplifies the conservative mantra “the sky is falling” without ever putting it in historical perspective.

Nary a word is spoken about how a $9.5 trillion deficit (http:// zfacts.com/p/1195.html) was created under President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush Sr. or that the national debt was, in magnitude, much larger during World War II (http://zfacts.com/node/107). Even the Democrats on the Los Angeles City Council and the state legislature in Sacramento are spooked into this twisted mindset—a mindset pushed by the likes of Los Angeles’ chief administrative officer, Miguel Santana, who was busted for a DUI a while back. Who can blame him for drowning his sorrows while facing a $200 million shortfall?

He, like others, blames the pension funds for creating a “structural deficit.” They are wrong.

The pension contracts do need adjusting, but are only the easiest target of a far more complex deficit fueled by bond rate swaps, fiscal mismanagement and even fraudulent actions by certain investment banks like Northern Trust, who hold billions of our city’s debt and control the investments.

Let me explain one simple fact. Reach in your pocket and pull out all the paper money you have and examine them carefully. These are IOUs issued by the U.S. Treasury. That’s why it says “In God we trust.” We have been honoring these IOUs for more than 150 years.

Back during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln was spending more on the war than was coming in, probably because of war profiteering by Northern industrialists. However, at a critical point in the war, the banks just stopped lending the government “real” money. The troops needed to be paid or the war would be lost. So the president ordered the printing of “green back” IOU’s. In other words, Lincoln basically created an entire credit line based upon the faith of the people in the ability of the republic to pay them back. Or you might see it as raising the debt ceiling. (In those days you could actually turn in the paper money

6

for gold coins.)

So what does this little factoid have to do with us now? Just think about it. We have been running, not one, but three wars (two in the Middle East and one on drugs) for more than a decade.

The war profiteers, currently called civilian contractors, have been draining the treasury at lightning speed and the cost of waging war has grown since 1861. Although the banks, the Saudis and Chinese are still loaning the federal government money by buying treasury bonds, the bond raters have dropped the credit ratings for many states and cities.

This of course costs citizens millions more to finance their debt.

The manipulation of bond rates couldn’t be more criminally explained than the recent example of London’s Bank, which was fined more than $450 million for manipulating the Libor index, the interbank interest rate that underpins hundreds of trillions of dollars in transactions around the world. You probably only recognize the Libor index as the rate that determines the mortgage on your home or commercial properties.

What even further exacerbates the deficit woes of our city and state are bond swaps. This is something I discovered this past year when I was studying the roots of the Los Angeles city pension fund losses. Like most cities, we are losing millions each year by this form of legal robbery.

In short, what firms like Goldman Sachs do is buy a city’s bond debt at a fixed rate—5 percent in this case—even though normally a bond’s interest rate is determined by rating agencies and the bond market. The fixed rate is a hedge for the city against rising bond rates, while giving it a predictable pay out. What has been happening for the past four years is that the Federal Reserve has been charging nearly zero percent interest on the monies loaned to banks, who in turn use these monies to purchase city bonds, thereby collecting the difference between the fixed rate on those bonds and the near zero interest on those federal loans. This cost the city millions in interest payment, particularly with this current low market rates. Some cities are starting to wake up, but not Los Angeles.

If the city were to save even one percent of interest on a $20 billion bond they would save $200 million per year or an amount equal to this current year’s deficit.

In Oakland, Calif. the city council voted to demand Goldman Sachs re-negotiate with the city to get out of a 1998 interest rate-swap deal without having to pay a $15 million penalty. A recent report explains that because of the locked-

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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The Billion Dollar Divide

Just a side note for the 99 percenters. This past week, after JP Morgan’s CEO Jaime Dimon wrapped up his testimony about his bank’s $2 to $9 billion mistake in front of the House Financial Services committee, he was confronted by Adriana Vasquez, a janitor at one of the many buildings the bank leases.

She reportedly asked him, “Despite making billions last year, why do you deny the people cleaning your buildings a living wage?”

According to her union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Vasquez a single mother of three makes the minimum wage of $8.35 an hour­—not even a living wage in Texas.

And we ask why it is that Wall Street has recovered and the rest of America hasn’t?

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 Pat Nave, 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

“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. 14

in rates, the deal was costing the city $4 million a year. Oakland estimates they have lost $17.5 million on the deal so far, even though the city bought back the underlying bonds four years ago.

But as a result of that $15 million penalty, the city will have to continue losing money on the deal until 2021.

This is only part of the reason why cities like Los Angeles are losing revenue in ways that can’t be easily pinned onto retirement contracts or overpaid employees as Santana’s office or others in City Hall are trying to do.

Oakland, however, is on the right track— structural renegotiation of its bond debt. Then they should be looking at how their pension funds are managed. Los Angeles should do the same before they end up jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge screaming bankruptcy like Stockton and San Bernardino.

In Search of a Visionary

By Pat Nave, San Pedro Resident

“Big Willie” Robinson died last month.

Willie Andrew Robinson III founded the National and International Brotherhood of Street Racers and was its president.

He earned his nickname because he was huge. He could as easily have earned it for the size of his heart and his vision of how things should be.

Once in a while someone comes along that has a vision, who inspires others, who actually affects change. Willie was one of those persons.

For years, Willie found places where kids could race their cars legally, and for years the Street Racers operated a track on Terminal Island. He would set up races between the Bloods and the Crips, between sheriffs and Hell’s Angels. Once he even challenged Harbor Commission President Steve Soboroff to a foot-race on the drag strip [Willie tripped in his combat boots and Steve won].

But Willie wasn’t really about street racing.

Ask him how things were going, he would say, with distress and sadness, “Oh, another kid got shot on the corner last night. We have to do something.”

Street racing was just a way to try to fix some of those problems. Vision took him part Visionary/ to p. 8

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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.

RANDOMLetters 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 under-project (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

Community Alerts

Water Board Seeks Public Input on Oil Clean Up

POLA Master Plan Update Workshop

Dear Mr. President, I heard you say you would not guarantee SS checks if the debt ceiling isn’t raised…Why is it the scare always has to do with SS, our soldiers pay and Medicare?

Why not stop your pay, your staff’s pay, or Congress? Let’s hold the pay checks of all House and Senate members and see how fast they resolve this mess.

Lee Boek Los Angeles

Prosecution of Wall Street Bankers

I thought you might be interested in this.

Attorney General Eric Holder: formerly of Covington & Burling law firm, in 2008 Holder himself represented big banks such as UBS and MBNA Bank. Holder was Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign cochairman and raised $50,000 for the president’s campaign.

Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli: a managing partner at Jenner and Block law firm, whose clients include Merrill Lynch, Perrelli stepped down from his number-three position at DOJ in March. A former member of Obama’s National Campaign Finance Committee, Perrelli bundled$ 500,000 in campaign contributions.

Deputy Associate Attorney

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at Gateway Crossroads Center in Gardena Where the 110 freeway crosses Redondo Beach Blvd. between Figueroa and Vermont 727 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.

Gardena, CA 90247 (Next to Anna’s Linens)

Friday, Saturday & Sunday July 27th, 28th & 29th

What Stinks at City Hall?

This letter is about a questionable employment practice now used in Mayor Villaraigosa’s Office and in the individual districts of the Los Angeles City Council.

The adopted city budget for 2011-12 gave the Mayor’s Office authority to hire a staff of 94 employees. It gave the City Council authority to hire 108 employees.

But those figures—94 and 108—were not real; they were phony figures. Based on a January 13, 2012 report form the Controller’s Office, the Mayor actually had a staff of 180 employees and the City Council had a workforce of 344.

How could that happen? Well, no one seems willing to talk about this situation. But based on their respective Personnel Ordinances, it’s clear that the Mayor’s Office and the City Council approved all those “AS NEEDED” appointments.

What’s not clear is whether appointing those additional employees violated city regulations.

It is clear, however, that those two agencies put more than 300 extra employees on the City payroll— without any public discussion, and without indication of the total cost to the public.

It’s also clear that, while the More Letters/ to p. 8

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Drawing to be held close of business on Sunday, July 29th. Winner need not be present to win. Goodwill staff and affiliates not eligible. ©2012 Goodwill. Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County.

Agency:

Creative Productions

Contact:

Erin Knuth

Goodwill’s Online Auction Site

www.ThinkGood.org

Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County

Description:

11GDW124.

RALE.H.C.r02.indd

July 13 - 26, 2012

Attend a public workshop to learn about and provide comment on the Port of Los Angeles Master Plan Update, starting at 6 p.m. July 19, at Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington.

Details: (310) 732-3850; www.portoflosangeles.org/ planning/masterplan.asp Venue: Banning’s Landing Community Center Location: 100 E. Water St. Wilmington

Hold the Paycheck

General Karol Mason: Karol Mason of Alston & Bird previously chaired the firm’s public finance group. She also bundled $500,000 for Obama. Holder awarded her a “Distinguished Service Award” for her work at the Department of Justice. Now, after almost three years at the Department of Justice, she has returned to Alston & Bird to work on their real estate finance and capital markets group.

Associate Attorney General Tony West: West was a partner at Morrison and Foerster law firm, whose clients include MF Global, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America. West was also co-chairman of Obama’s campaign and, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, “was instrumental in helping the candidate raise an estimated $65 million in California.” Formerly the head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, West is now number three at the DOJ and bundled$ 500,000 for the president’s campaign.

Despite Holder and Obama’s “get tough” rhetoric against Wall Street, to date, there has not been a single criminal charge filed by the federal government against any top executive of the elite financial institutions.

Don Gaudard Professor of Law Emeritus

The Local Publication You Actually Read

Carson—The Los Angeles Regional Water is seeking public comment on a proposed oil clean up of leak discovered this past year in the Dominguez Channel.

The leak, found in January 2011, included crude oil and hydrocarbons seeping into the channel and underground drain pipe near Carson and the 405 Freeway. The leak has been contained with booms and socks to soak up the spill. The leak seems to have originated from petroleum pipelines near the area, but could not determine exactly which pipeline(s) caused the problem. However, British Petroleum, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, Plains All American and Shell Oil—the companies that operate the pipelines—are being held responsible.

Once clean up and abatement is complete, the companies must stop the leak, which may take more than a year.

Community input will be accepted through July 17.

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

7

RANDOMLetters from p. 7

July 13 - 26, 2012

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

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 all those Aides really needed? Who are they, and what do they do? 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 speculate that this employment practice was designed primarily to benefit 16 City politicians!

Samuel M. Sperling Monterey Park

from p. 6

Visionary

of the way towards his goal. His courage, his inspiration, his determination took him the rest of the way.

Willie’s life got me to thinking about vision, inspiration, courage, and determination. These days it seems so rare. Rare, because it is these traits that become the star in the sky--the hallmark that helps us make the day-to-day decisions that help make change. It is the visionary who lives on long after their mortal life is over.

Take Rancho Holdings on

North Gaffey for example—the butane tanks. Where is the visionary who sees a future without those butane tanks and has the power and the will to make our community better? Where is the leader who says to British Petroleum and Valero, “Do not come to us for permits of any kind until you store the butane on your own refinery property”?

Where is the leader who says to the Port of Los Angeles, “Do not come to us for Homeland Security grants until you do something about moving those tanks”?

Who will be that person?

Ahh, Summer.

Perfect Time to Break Out the Winter Clothes.

Turning Donations Into Jobs.

As you’re clearing out your closet for summer, consider donating to Goodwill. Your donations help those who need it most. In fact, 88 cents out of every dollar generated helps provide jobs and job training services for individuals with barriers to employment.

Plus, your donations are tax deductible.

Drop off your donations at any one of our retail stores or attended donation centers 7 days/week. Visit our website at www.ThinkGood.org for all drop-off locations, or call (562) 435-7741 for more information.

www.ThinkGood.org

©2012 Goodwill. Serving the People of Southern Los Angeles County.

8 Agency:

Creative Productions

Contact:

Erin Knuth

Description:

12GDW125.Summer Donation.

Hanger.RALE.H.C.indd

from p. 1

Becoming Visible

least four episodes of homelessness in three years.

A family is considered chronically homeless if at least one member meets the definition of chronic homelessness.

The remaining adult homeless are considered episodic, experiencing episodes of homelessness that last less than a year. These individuals are physically and mentally able to work, but either do not have a current job or do not make enough money to afford housing.

Harbor Interfaith Services and Harbor View House are the only two organizations in San Pedro that provide emergency and/or transitional housing to homeless families or individuals. Harbor View House, with its 287 beds, primarily specializes in homeless clients with mental health challenges, while Harbor Interfaith operate shelters for single mothers and families, as well as provide motel vouchers. Wilmington has three such shelters, while Long Beach, south of Pacific Coast Highway and west of Alamitos has six.

In terms of distribution of homeless services, they’re clustered largely around downtown Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Venice Beach areas, and downtown Long Beach.

The remaining services are widely distributed throughout the county.

The county’s report noted that a difficult economy could exacerbate mental illness and increase the rate among already vulnerable homeless populations. But more specifically, many individuals may lose their ability to pay for and maintain critical prescriptions to stabilize their mental illness.

Additionally, the county’s chronic homeless population is aging. Those aged 55 and older now make up 33.8 percent of the chronic homeless population, compared to just 20.1 percent in 2009. The aging of the county’s chronic homeless population will increase the public cost of homelessness, if left unaddressed.

And, as if that weren’t enough, we have an increasing number of homeless veterans. According to a report to congress, Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homelessness Assessment, 18 percent of the homeless in Los Angeles County are veterans—a 3 percent increase from the 2009 count. Thirty-

Homeless Subpopulation Prevalence Rates, City of Los Angeles, 2011

Homeless Count/ to p. 19

The Local Publication You Actually Read

human waste left at the doorstep of local businesses.

Before the July 4th break, Random Lengths News reached Caroline BradySinco, director of development for Harbor Interfaith Services noted that the increased visibility of the homeless could be due to the fact that in warmer months, more would be outdoors rather than in winter shelters.

There is no evidence that the homeless are being dumped in San Pedro.

What is substantiated is that there has been an increase in the number of homeless in Los Angeles’ Council District 15.

A perusal of the county’s distribution map of the homeless would reveal that the places with the most public spaces followed by locations with access to services tend to be the places with the highest homeless concentrations.

According to the most current numbers available in the 2011 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Report— provided by the County’s Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority —Council District 15 saw 17 percent increase in homelessness from 2009 to 2011, contrasted with city’s 9 percent decrease and the county’s 3 percent decrease in the homeless population.

When compared to other districts, Council District 15 is one district out of eight that has seen increases in the homeless population while seven others have seen declines, particularly around the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood Hills.

The county identifies homelessness as people who reside in shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, or abandoned buildings. In 2011, the county counted 51,340 homeless, although many service organizations felt this was a gross undercount compared to anecdotal evidence that there’s been an expansion of need.

According to county statistics, nearly a quarter of the county’s homeless population are chronically homeless. Chronic homelessness is defined as an unaccompanied disabled person who has been continuously homeless for more than one year or has had at

July 13 - 26, 2012

9

Crafted at the Port Opens At its grand opening on June 29, 10,000 visited Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles. Pictured, left, is Harbor Commissioner, David Arian, who spoke on the the importance of assets such as Crafted, Ports O’ Call, Cabrillo Beach and the USS Iowa. But he also reminded the grand opening’s attendees that “while these developments are good, the main job of the Port is to move more cargo containers to make money and create jobs.” Photo: Terelle Jerricks.

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Jonathan Rudnick, producer of the Peace Be with you, Gil described Los Angeles as a hotbed of talent and pulled some unbelievable artists for this July 20 show to prove it. The artist includes: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Nia Andrews (photo by Melodie McDaniel), and Rich Medina (Courtesy of richmedina. com) amongst others.

by: Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

any artists, who are practicing musicians, hold debts that are never paid off.

It’s why they pay dues to get to where they are. But what about a fan’s debt? It seems that all too frequently, fans, American ones particularly, walk away from that debt, causing artists to disappear from their consciousness.

That was my epiphany after talking to the producer of the “Peace Go With You, Gil” a celebratory tribute concert in honor of poet and spoken word artist, jazz musician, and cultural icon Gil Scott Heron at the Grand Performances. The concert is on July 20.

On this day, Rudnick intends for this show to reflect on Gil’s versatility and depth through music, spoken word (including his own original work of poetry), as well as a visual narrative projected onto a large screen.

To pull off this show, Rudnick brought on Heron’s closest collaborator, Brian Jackson who worked with Heron for 10 years after meeting in college. They produced notable albums such as Free Will (1972), Pieces of a Man (1973), and Winter in America (1974). Rudnick wanted to bring a number of others who have worked with Heron over the years, mainly from New York, but he wasn’t able to make scheduling and logistical issues work.

“We are delighted that Brian is on there and I think pretty much everyone else in the line up are incredible players and are huge fans of Gil and his work,” Rudnick said. “We are all just really humbled to be able to just celebrate Gil in this way.”

Rudnick notes that though he doesn’t have superstar roster performing at Peace Go With

Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.

Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.

M

Gil Scott Continued on page 14.

July 13 – 26, 2012 July 13 – 26, 2012

11 11

Pictured are “Mi Rinconcito” Juice Bar proprietors Silvia and Juan Sanchez. In addition to their specialty fruit drinks, you can cool off with their ice cream specials too.

July 13 – 26, 2012

ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment

Mi Roconcito Juice Bar and El Coyote Restaurnat

12

by: Gretchen Williams, Cuisine Writer Plan a stop at 8th and Pacific in San Pedro en route to sea or shore to find ‘Pedro’s secret jewel – Mi Rinconcito (my little corner) Juice Bar. Close your eyes and feel your toes in the sand under a palapa, next to the blue Pacific swells of coastal Mexico as you savor pico de gallo fruit cocktail.

Colorful with watermelon, pineapple, mango, jicama and cucumber and seasoned with fresh lemon, salt and chile powder; citrus and slight heat sharpens the flavors’ focus. Pico de gallo

fruit cocktail is also the best bargain in town at $3.50. Bionico heads a healthy list of gorgeous fruit cocktails.

Cantaloupe, papaya, apple, banana and strawberries are arranged in a beautiful juicy mountain, peaked with Rinconcito’s special cream sauce and garnished with granola, coconut and raisins.

This splendid berg is a great deal for the small cocktail at $4.50.

Continued on page 13.

Continued from page 12

July 13

David Witham, Jeff Gauthier & Norton Wisdom David Witham and Jeff Gauthier join forces with Norton Wisdom in a night of acoustic and electronic creative music, at 8 p.m. July 13, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Keyboardist David Witham, violinist Jeff Gauthier and painter Norton Wisdom creates spontaneous works of art on his light board. Watch images and scenes magically come into being in response to the improvised music, suddenly shifting and changing according to the whims of the artist, and the creativity of the musicians. Starts at 8p.m. Ticket Price $20 Details: (800) 403-3447 Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Jonathan Garcia, El Coyote’s co-proprietor holding a breakfast special, a carne asada omelet with hash browns and frijoles.

Breakfast finds a generous three eggs and carne asada for $9.25, served with beans and coffee. Huevos rancheros sports spicy sauce and perfect frijoles and coffee for $8.45. All day wet omelet specials feature a choice of steak, chorizo, chicken, ham, and carnitas, Spanish or Denver, including rice, beans, tortillas and coffee for $8.45.

Monster Burrito is $8.75 with a choice of meat, enough for even your savage beast. Note the Burrito Challenge, a test meant for real trenchermen, pitting a truly huge burrito against time for a pass/fail grade – you eat, you pass. You pass out, you fail and end up paying full price, $15.95 for the tortilla wrapped giant.

El Coyote, 800 S.Pacific Ave., San Pedro Details: (310)519-0375

July 14

Sunday–Thursday 10am-11pm

Friday & Saturday 10am–11:30pm

1110 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Fast Delivery!

310–732–5800 Fax: 310-732-5804

Rufus PHILPOT TRIO Ten years ago, bassist Rufus Philpot moved from his native of London, England to the United States to pursue his musical vision. His first port of call was New York City. Whilst there, he rapidly became a much sought after bassist, with a reputation for his complete versatility, musicality and total command of the instrument, whether on fretted, fretless, four, five or six string. Rufus was also invited to join the faculty of the world renowned Drummers / Bass Collective. In addition to teaching advanced classes with Tania Maria drummer Kim Plainfield, he performed regular seminar concerts with his own trio, JVR-featuring Spyro Gyra & Michel Camilo drummer Joel Rosenblatt.

8 p.m. Price is $20.

Details: 1(800) 403-3447 Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W 8th St., San Pedro

July 14

NITIN SAWHNEY In his first live North American performance, cultural pioneer Nitin Sawhney shows why he is one of the most distinctive and versatile musical voices emerging from a new generation of Indian-British artists, at 8 p.m. at the Grand Performances.

A world-class producer, songwriter, DJ, multiinstrumentalist, and orchestral composer, the evening presents material that reflects Sawhney’s myriad of influences including Indian classical, electronic, jazz, and flamenco - all backed by an incredible array of vocal talent, fierce tabla playing, and dholak grooves.

Details: http://tinyurl.com/NitinSawhney Venue: Grand Performances Location: 350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles Loretta McNair Take in the sounds of the talented Loretta McNair, starting at 2 p.m. July 14 in the at Shoreline Village outdoor mall in Long Beach.

Venue: Shoreline Village mall Location: Long Beach Bain Wolfkind See Bain Wolfkind starting at 8 p.m. July 14 at Que Sera in Long Beach.

Details: (562) 599-6170 Venue: Que Sera Location: 1923 E. 7th St., Long Beach

July 15

Fred Schreuders Group Fred Schreuders is performing, at 5:30 p.m.

July 15, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Ticket price is $20.

Details: www.brianczach.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

July 19

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Enjoy free live outdoor concerts, from 6 to 9 p.m. this and every Thursday through Aug. 30, at the Los Angeles Waterfront. Each week will feature a different band and genre of music. Bring your chairs and enjoy the show.

Venue: Near Fanfare Fountain Location: Harbor Boulevard at Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro

July 20

Ed Gerhard ED GERHARD - Grammy AwardWinning Guitarist Entertainment CalendarContinued on page 14.

July 13 – 26, 2012

El Coyote could be in Mexico City, with soaring ceilings, embossed tile floors, slowly stirring fans and gurgling fountain in the entry. Open big windows stream with light and offer vistas of the street scene on Pacific. Party decorations tell of preparations for fun and celebration. Aromas of home made chile verde perfume the air with savory anticipation.

Albondigas soup is packed with hand made meat balls and tender vegetables. Rich broth carries the beef flavor, and a full compliment of chopped onion, oregano, cilantro and lime to garnish the soup is served alongside. Ask for special soups – menudo is a must at El Coyote, Monday and Tuesday only for caldo de res (beef soup).

Shrimp ceviche tostada is the best deal in town, a huge pile of good shrimp in fresh citrus juice and spices atop a crispy corn shell for $5.75.

Pair with great El Coyote salsa and chips for excellent summertime snacking.

Home made is the key at El Coyote. The quality of ingredients set this quaint café apart. Chile verde sauce is thick with fresh tomatillos and green chilies. Colorado beef’s sauce is a deep red color, dense with dried chili flavor and cumin. Beans show old fashioned preparation, long simmered and smooth.

Entertainment

Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.

Mi Rinconcito is bright with color, yet holds the serenity of another time and place. The hidden location at the rear of the building holds the traffic noise at bay and the outdoor terrace is quiet and sunny. Relax into summertime.

Cynthia Rios calmly squeezes piles of fresh vegetables and fruit into invigorating juices, shakes and smoothies. Passion is aptly named as the blended carrot, beet and celery juice becomes a lusty crimson color. Natural shakes blend milk, fruit and sometimes ice cream for smooth and flavorful satisfaction. Wild Berry Shake is packed with blackberries, blue berries and raspberries, a taste of summer in a glass. Hawaiian smoothie will carry you to the warm beaches of the Big Island, sending pineapple, mango, papaya and banana into a swirl of tropical taste. Waffles with bananas, strawberries or ice cream are a crispy surprise, wonderful with Rinconcito’s fresh coffee, for $4.75.

Mi Rinconcito is Tostiloco Central for San Pedro. Watch out for this phenomenon from the border districts, a walking feast of salty, hot, sweet, crunchy and juicy, with extra hot thrown in. Tostito chips are the foundation of the dish, with individual serving bags sliced long ways and the other ingredients added to the bag of chips.

Tastes vary on the type of chips required, though flavored with ranch, chili or onion does not hurt.

Some favor Dorito chips or Fritos or even potato chips as a base.

Cheetos are considered by some to add color and flavor to the mix. Finely chopped jicama and cucumber are added, with a good slug of Chamoy (sauce made from pickled fruit and chilies) and hot sauce. Pickled pork bits made from skin and tamarind candies are favorite additions, as well as traditional Japanese soy coated peanuts. Drenched in lime juice, the entire concoction becomes an ideal treat to enjoy outdoors. Tostilocos are best known as favorite snacks for dedicated drinkers and devoted partiers, though a swim suit may be the most appropriate attire for Tosti-maniacs.

Mi Rinconcito, 800 S. Pacific Ave. #A, San Pedro Details: (323) 610-6006

13

Calendar from page 13.

Continued from page 11

Grammy award-winning guitarist Ed Gerhard performs, starting at 8 p.m. July 20, at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro. Ed Gerhard’s music has touched audiences all over the world. Performing on 6-string, slide guitar or Acoustic Hawaiian Lap Slide (Weissenborn), Gerhard’s virtuosity, generosity and humor shine through. His distinctive touch is unmistakable. Whether performing a lush, sensual ballad or a haunting, bitter lap steel melody Gerhard will mesmerize. His connection with his audience is palpable. Ticket price is $20.

Details: www.virtuerecords.com Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

July 20

Haim Haim combines folk, and rhythm and blues, in a style that is deeply rooted in classic rock and 90s R&B and pop on which the three sisters were raised, starting at 12 p.m. July 20 at the Grand Performances in Los Angeles Venue: Grand Performances Location: 350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles Peace Go With You, Gil This celebration of the late great Gil Scott-Heron’s legacy explores the soul, vitality, power, humor, social activism, humanity, and dynamic messages of the artists’ music and poetry through an enthralling musical, visual and interactive arts journey, starting at 8 p.m. at Grand Performances in Los Angeles. Performers include Gil’s long time collaborator and friend Brian Jackson; Rich Medina; Mark de Clive Lowe; Miguel Atwood Ferguson; Leon Mobley; Dwight Trible; Kamasi Washington and musical director Dexter Story; with very special guests and surprises. Produced

by Jonathan Rudnick, co-founder of Giant Step, and one of the creative minds behind exciting projects like SCORED music in film; theLIFT and NOISE POP Culture Club - stay tuned for updates as the Revolution is Revolutionized.

Venue: Grand Performances Location: 350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

• Happy Hour •

Blu Bar at Crowne Plaza • $4 Drinks and half off appetizers. (310) 519-8200, 601 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro 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

ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment

July 21

Jim “kimo” West ...slack key guitarist Spend a special evening with Hawaiian slack key guitar master, Jim “Kimo” West, starting at 8 p.m.July 21, at Alvas Showroom.

West is recognized as one of the world’s top “slack key” guitarists and he brings his own unique musical perspective to this great acoustic guitar tradition. The enchanting sound of “ki ho’alu” as it is known in Hawaii is heard throughout the recent Oscar-winning film, “The Descendants.”

Ticket price is $20.

Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

July 21

¡VAMOS AL MAMBO! Grand Performances honors the legendary Cuban musician Israel “Cachao” López, at 8 p.m. July 21.

Come dressed in tropical finery, and sway to music from the man credited for inventing the mambo by introducing African rhythms to Cuban’s Danzon in the late 1930s. The all-star band features an unmatched ensemble of Latin musicians, most of whom recorded and played with Cachao throughout his career: Danilo Lozano, Rene Camacho, Alberto Salas, Richie Marquez, Papo Rodriguez, Oréstes Vilató, Justo Almario, Luis Eric González, Nelson González, Federico Britos and Lázaro Galarrága. Bring a mojito, and we swear you’ll feel the tropical breeze!

Details: http://tinyurl.com/VamosAlMambo Venue: Grand Performances Location: 350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

July 22

July 13 – 26, 2012

Robin Adler & Mutts of the Planet Tribute to Joni Mitchell music by vocalist Robin Adler and her talent-rich ensemble, Mutts Of The Planet. Starts at 4p.m.

Details: http://www.robinadler.com/press.html Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

14

July 25

Spare Parts for Broken Hearts Experience Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, starting at 9 p.m. July 25 at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach.

Details: (562) 434-8292 Venue: Alex’s Bar Location: 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach.

Continued on page 15.

Breakfast at The Barge Weekends 9am Eggs Benedict Best Chowder in the LA Harbor!

Hours: Mon, Tues 11am - 3pm Wed, Thurs 11am - 8pm Fri, Sat, Sun 9am - 8pm

611 N. Henry Ford, Leeward Bay Marina, Wilmington 310-830-7937 • www.ChowderBarge.com

from page 11.

Gil Scott

You, Gil, and all of them are crazy-talented with a reputations spreading globally. And, that’s no exaggeration.

“LA right now is like what New York used to be in the early 1990s,” said Rudnick, noting the line up that is performing on July 20. “It’s not as obvious here as it is in New York, where the energy all around you,... The level of talent of musicians and artists in general, in LA and California, ... is mind blowing.”

Among them is Los Angeles-based Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, a multi-instrumentalist, DJ, arranger, composer, music director, producer and educator. He’s performed with hip hop duo Outkast, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, John Legend and Kirk Franklin.

Dwight Trible, performs with his own group, the Dwight Trible Ensemble, but is also the vocalist with the Pharoah Sanders Quartet and vocal director for the Horace Tapscott Pan Afrikan Peoples’ Arkestra in Los Angeles.

Writer, songwriter and singer, Nia Andrews, has sang backup for artists such Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige, Common and many other. She stepped out on her own as soloist in 2010 and has been making waves ever since.

Rich Medina, a DJ, producer, and spoken word

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

poet has been making club dance floors shake the world over from New York to Los Angeles, and from London to Tokyo. In addition to his own events, Rich has performed in front of crowds of thousands, DJing shows with artists like Lauryn Hill, De La Soul, Erykah Badu, Seun Kuti, Tony Allen, Nathan Haines, Roy Ayers, Gil Scott-Heron, The Roots, Jill Scott, Antibalas, Zap Mama, and Femi Kuti.

Even Gia Heron, daughter of the legendary spoken word artist, will be there. Though a product of Gil Scott’s genes, Gia has been making her own way on her own terms publishing poetry books and recording music.

“Twenty years later a lot of these young artists were inspired and still are inspired by these legends,” Rudnick said. “And companies like Giant Step help show how all the dots connect since 1988.”

Which brings me back to my original point about debt and dues paying and the importance of fans supporting their musical heroes. Giant Step was built by two music fans, Jonathan Rudnick, who grew up in South Africa and his former partner Maurice Bernstein, a native of England.

They met in 1988 and discovered they shared a similar vision on how music should be presented Gil Scott Continued on Page 16.

San Pedro’s Best Guide To —Fine Dining—

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1950s and 1960s ICONS Exhibition

Calendar from page 14.

July 26

Arden Park Roots See Arden Park Roots, starting at 7 p.m. July 26, at DiPiazza’s in Long Beach.

Venue: DiPiazza Restaurant and Lounge Location: 5205 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

by: Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

Community/Family The work of the late artist, Harold Plople, is one of dozens of San Pedro’s internationally recognized artists featured in PSST: Art in San Pedro 20002012

July 14

Garden Party at the Point Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly activities at the Pt. Fermin Lighthouse, including Victorian cottage garden tours, gardening tips, tours of our historic 1874 lighthouse and activities for the children, from 1 to 4 p.m., in San Pedro.

Special guests include Designs by Boonmee Thai fruit carving, The Knot Guy marlinespike artist and Melanie’s Collectible Hats. Admission is free.

Venue: Point Fermin Lighthouse Location: 807 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro

July 28

Legends of New Orleans on the Queen Mary On this Saturday afternoon, legendary artists Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, and the Rebirth Brass Band are going to get folks highsteppin it on the Queen Mary. Don’t wait to the last minute to get your tickets.

Details: www.legendsqm.com Venue: Queen Mary Location: 1126 Queens HWY, Long Beach

Elvis by Cora Ramirez-Vasquez of Gallery Azul.

July 13

QSpeak 2012 Go behind the scenes at the annual International Mr. Leather competition, where men from all over the world gather to compete for the coveted title. Join QSpeak for this screening featuring an introduction by director Mike Skiff, panel featuring internationally recognized leather leaders, and after-party featuring leather vendors and demonstrations of some of the community’s most popular techniques. After party featuring music, no host bar and demos including: -Boot blacking / boot worship - rope suspension - brute play - flogging - mummification and sensory deprivation - trampling.

Venue: MADhaus Long Beach Location: 624 Pacific Ave., Long Beach Real Estate Experience Real Estate by Allana Harkin, at 8 p.m.

July 13 through 19, at Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro. Joel, a novelist experiencing writer’s block, retreats to the small-town family home that his father built; but the house needs to be sold and fast. Enter Emma, an incredibly determined realtor, who decides that Joel is as much of a “fixer upper” as the house he lives in. With the addition of Joel’s soon-to-be-ex looking to get divorce papers signed and her man-purse-toting beauty entrepreneur boyfriend in tow, hilarity ensues. General admission is $25, seniors and students pay $23.

Details: (310) 512-6030; www.littlefishtheatre.org Venue: Little Fish Theatre Location: 777 Centre St., San Pedro Calendar to page 16.

July 27 (4th Friday Monthly) • Free Dance Lesson 7pm • Barry Anthony Live Music 8pm • Free Refreshments • No-host Bar • $15 Advance • $20 Door • Volume Discount $10 Each* (*table of 10 or more)

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July 13 – 26, 2012

PSST: Art in San Pedro 20002012 TransVagrant and Warschaw

Gallery opened its latest exhibit, PSST: Art in San Pedro 2000-2012, this past month. The exhibit features selected works by internationally recognized artists who just happen to live and work at the southern end of LA’s 110 Freeway.

The artists featured includes Craig Antrim,

Theater/Film

Shop Local. Dine Local. Support Your Community.

On July 21, Gallery Azul is opening 1950s and 1960s ICONS Exhibition, a show that exhibits 1950s and 1960s iconic imagery as they pertain to actors, political figures, musicians, cars, furniture and metaphors of the times.

The ‘50s and ‘60s were decades full of inventions, rebellions and renegades.

Gallery Azul will be presenting this art show at Warehouse 1333, a vintage/antique retail store. Warehouse 1333 leverages the retail environment, bridging art buyers with artists so that art is integrated within the home design process.

The exhibit is so retro that attendees will be dressed in 1950s and ‘60s attire at the artist reception. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served along with some good music The exhibit runs from July 21 to Sept. 7. Warehouse 1333 is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Philippa Blair, Ray Carofano, William Crutchfield, Michael Davis, Linda Day, Eric Johnson, Austin and Lyda Lowrey, Ron Linden, Jay McCafferty, Danial Nord, Harold Plople, Peggy Reavey, Fran Siegel, Maggie Tenneson, Marie Thibeault and Ted Twine. Visit http://wp.me/p2rAJB-U to see more of their work and links to more information about each artists.

This exhibition reveals the variety of viewpoints and subject matter as well as the technical and conceptual concerns that define the visual arts in San Pedro. An exhibition catalog is available with contributions by Peter Frank and Peter Plagens.

PSST runs through August 4. Warschaw Gallery hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This exhibition funded in part by generous support from the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles.

Venue: Warschaw Gallery Location: 600 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro

15

Calendar from page 15.

July 14

The Magique Bazaar: Year of the Dragon Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the cast of the Magique Bazaar as they bring this auspicious year to life with powerful illusions from around the world starting at 8 p.m. at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro. Included in the show is the revered “Face Changing” act of Asia. On stage, Majinga the Magician and Magic Genii with Billboard recognized recording artists Fontain’s M.U.S.E., the alluring Alela, and special guest artists, including Marguerite Kusuhara with her breathtaking Kiss of the Dragon dance. This vibrant show, led by a quick-witted master of illusion is in town for one night only! Prepare for a magical and hilarious evening. See feats of levitation, unrivaled sleight of hand, mysteries from Asia and beyond, and the scintillating vocals and music of Fontain’s M.U.S.E. Cost is $25 to $40.

Details: www.warnergrand.org Venue: Warner Grand Theater Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

Murals Under the Stars at MOLAA by: Andrea Serna, Contributing Writer

S

tarting July 22, lecturer Gregorio Luke will present Mariachi Music at the Museum of Latin American Art. On this evening, Luke, with the help of a live mariachi band, will demonstrate the distinct role each instrument plays in the mariachi ensemble, as well as the varying traditional rhythms like son, canción ranchera, polka and bolero. In 2011, UNESCO named the mariachi a “Cultural Patrimony of Humanity” recognizing its intangible cultural significance.

The same year “Fado,” the urban popular song of Portugal was also honored.

from page 14.

Gil Scott

On July 29, Frida Kahlo will be the focus.

Luke will share recently discovered photos and film clips of the legendary artist. Kahlo, famously married to Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, was able to create some of the most original and powerful surrealistic paintings of the 20th century. This lecture presents a kaleidoscopic portrait of Kahlo. Using more than 300 slides of her paintings. Of special interest to those afflicted with “Fridamania,” will be a short film

by Manuel Alvarez Bravo that is the only known

July 15

Monty Python’s Spamalot Experience Musical Theatre West’s Monty Python’s Spamalot through July 15, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Tickets start at $20.

Details: (562) 856-1999 ext. 4; www.musical.org Venue: Carpenter Performing Arts Center Location: 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach Tour De France Do or Die Mountain Stage in Big Screen HDSagan, Schleck, Evans-Bonus Giveaways, starting at 12:30 p.m. July 15 at the Art Theatre in Long Beach.

Details: www.arttheatrelongbeach.com Venue: Art Theater Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

July 18

Shut Up and Play the Hits Watch Shut Up and Play the Hits starting, at 9 p.m.

July 18, at the Art Theatre in Long Beach.

Details: www.arttheatrelongbeach.com Venue: Art Theater Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment

July 19

Les Miserables Encore Entertainers, an incomparable company of youth and adult performers, bring to life Victor Hugo’s epic tale of the nature of law and grace – focusing on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption, July 19, 26 and 28, at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

Tickets range from $14 to $18.

Details: www.warnergrand.org Venue: Warner Grand Theater Location: 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro

July 21

Bill W. See Bill W., starting at 1 p.m. July 21 at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro. A Q-and-A also has been scheduled with the director.

Details: www.arttheatrelongbeach.com Venue: Art Theater Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

July 22

Ride In Divide Experience the Long Beach premier about the epic transcontinental 2,500-mile bike race, starting at 12:30 p.m. July 22, at the Art Theatre in Long Beach.

Details: www.arttheatrelongbeach.com Venue: Art Theater Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

July 24

July 13 – 26, 2012

The Who Quadrophenia

Get the complete story of The Who Quadrophenia, starting at 9 p.m. July 24 at the Art Theatre in Long Beach.

Details: www.arttheatrelongbeach.com Venue: Art Theater 16 Location: 2025 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Museum of Latin American Art lecturer Gregorio Luke will be leading a Murals Under the Stars lecture on Mariachi music with a live band July 22.

The lecture will be illustrated with projections of art inspired by the Mexican music, such as the murals in the ruins in Bonampak, Chiapas. This ancient monumental temple hints at the haunting sounds of pre-Colombian instrumentation. More recently, mariachi music is portrayed in Rufino Tamayo’s murals, which are housed in Mexico’s national Conservatory, or Diego Rivera’s Teatro de los Insurgentes (Theater of the Insurgents), among others.

Luke’s outdoor presentations mixes summer breezes and neighborhood sounds while projecting images onto a 100-foot wall, blending powerful visuals and narratives into seamless, intriguing, productions.

After 13 years, Luke’s a pro at this. When preparing for lectures he completely immerses himself in the subject matter, much as an actor for a role.

“I was scared about being an artist,” Luke says. “I avoided it for a long time, but then I started doing these lectures when I was a diplomat. Eventually, it became an all consuming passion. It became like a jealous lover. I had to tell the story right and make it a fantastic lecture.”

Luke has served as consul of Cultural Affairs of Mexico in Los Angeles, he has served a term as first secretary of the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C. and as director of MOLAA before becoming an international guest lecturer.

But his muse, his love art, led him back again to MOLAA as lecturer in residence.

Luke began this series with a vision of bringing the great muralists of Mexico to the streets of America. Over the years, the subject has broadened beyond “Los Tres Grandes,” muralists Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco and Dávid Alfaro Siqueros. This year the subjects include Mexican mariachi music, the iconic artist Frida Kahlo, and the multi-talented but obscure intellectual, Miguel Covarrubias.

color film of Frida and her husband.

The lecture series ends on Aug. 5 with Miguel Covarrubias. He was one of Mexico’s most versatile artists: a painter, a cartoonist, a filmmaker, an anthropologist, an author and a dance promoter. Covarrubias, who traveled and lived outside of Mexico, depicted many different cultures and united many worlds. He was among the first to paint the world of jazz and blues during the Harlem Renaissance in New York City.

Later, while living in Bali, he would create beautiful images of that culture and continue to similarly document cultures in China, Latin America and most spectacularly, Oaxaca and Southern Mexico. His pioneering spirit led him to venture not only into archaeology and anthropology but into dance as well. He had a critical hand in initiating the Golden Age of Mexican dance, becoming its most ardent promoter. In addition to projecting Covarrubias’ murals paintings and cartoons, the presentation will include live performances evoking the many cultures that impacted Covarrubias’ work.

Murals Under the Stars has been presented to thousands across the United States and Mexico. If you are attending for the first time, buy tickets ahead and arrive early. The lectures frequently sell out. The museum will host a mercado (market), with a variety of food and product vendors, before each lecture. Bring a sweater or even a cushion for your chair (think outdoor movies) and plan for an memorable evening.

Tickets range from $10 for students to $30 for preferred seating. For complete ticket info call (562) 437-1689 or go to www.molaa.org.

Murals Under the Stars, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., July 22, 29, and Aug. 5 Venue: Museum of Latin American Art Location: 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach

and what people weren’t being celebrated (but should be) in New York at the time which was where were the funk and jazz heroes.

“We both grew up listening to all of these artists and there we were in this supposed music mecca of the world or rather jazz or rhythm and blues mecca and none of these artists were available or performing,” Rudnick explained.

“So on a purely naive-selfish in a good way reason, we were like there’s stuff being done in England, there’s stuff being done in France and Germany... and a lot of other places that have huge respect for American music.

There’s something wrong here. Where are these artists?”

Rudnick found that these artists weren’t working regularly and if they were, they were doing it over seas. Rudnick and Bernstein essentially stepped into a vacuum and created a space and marketing machine that reintroduced the likes of Heron, Bootsie Collins, George Clinton, Roy Ayers, Maceo Parker, Isaac Hayes and The Ohio Players-- artists that they revered as teenagers.

“It was just a matter of starting to make phone calls,” Rudnick explained. “Maurice had met with people working with Ted Wesley, Maceo Parker. And, so few people knew who they were as opposed to places like London, or Paris.

“The only way people knew any of these artist was through Kool and the Gang, The Roots, P-Funk, the whole hip hop generation only knew these artist as a sample in a song.”

Groove Academy was the first company or the first sort of identity that tried to bring back classic rock and R&B artists for a generation that grew up with live instruments. And sure enough, Gil was playing the drums, the piano, singing, poetry and again being celebrated much more in Europe than in the states.

For Rudnick, a show like Peace Go With You, Gil, is a process that came full circle.

“To be able to do stuff like Peace Go With You, Gil or that so many more hip hop bands work with live bands and vinyl is back at the fore. There’s much more understanding of where the music comes from and where it’s going,” Rudnick said.

At the end of the day everybody is involved because of Gil.

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BUSINESS FILINGS 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 com-

continued on following page

July 13 - 26, 2012

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS FILINGS from p. 17 menced 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

July 13 - 26, 2012

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2012092847

18

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, 06/28/12, 07/12/12

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, 06/28/12, 07/12/12, 07/26/12

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, 07/26/12,

08/09/12

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, 07/26/12,

08/09/12

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, 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 fi ling

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. 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

Fictitious business Name Statement File No. 2012134893 The following person is doing business as: Encino Law Center Suite 201, 151915 Ventura Blvd., #303, Encino, CA, 91436, Los Angeles County.

Registered owners: Patti Kraakevik, 15915 Ventura Blvd. #303, Encino, CA 91436. J. Patrick Francis, 15915 Ventura Blvd., #303. Encino CA 91436. This Business is conducted by a general partnership. The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 1979. 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.) Patti Kraakevik, Partner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on July 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. were to expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration.

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

Original filing: 07/12/12, 07/26/12, 08/09/12, 08/23/12

from p. 1

Public Safety Still at Risk The vast bulk of the meeting consisted of agency representatives responding to three main questions posed by Buscaino: what is the general nature of the rules and regulations your agency enforces for liquid bulk facilities? How often are facilities reviewed? And, what actions are taken if there are violations? Although the answers generally conveyed a sense of competence, thoroughness and dedication to their jobs as defined, the end results did not add up to a feeling of security.

“If you feel safer after the meeting, please stand up,” asked Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council President June Smith during public comments.

Not one person stood.

“I notice you didn’t stand up, either, Joe,” Smith slyly said to Buscaino.

“I’m new to this office, and I believe in taking a comprehensive and systematic approach to the public safety issues raised by our residents,” Buscaino said in his opening remarks. “My training as a police officer is useful. First we learn the laws, then we gather evidence, then we make an arrest. The first step is to understand the rules and the laws regulating liquid bulk storage. The second step will be to see if anyone is violating these laws. The third step will be to enforce the laws and penalize the violators. Tonight is all about the first step—what are the regulations?”

While this approach sounded eminently reasonable, many residents felt it missed the point of their urgent concern about one particular facility: Rancho LPG. “The Rancho LPG facility has a unique potential for a mass casualty incident, namely multiple victims with extensive critical burn injuries,” said Dr. John Miller, an emergency room physician for 30 years, during public comments. “The potential off-site impacts of this facility are huge.”

Miller also is president of the San Pedro and Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, and chairman of the environmental impact report review subcommittee for the Port Community Advisory Committee.

“By virtue of its property to become a highly

flammable heavier-than-air vapor as soon as it’s released from a containment tank, LPG is a totally different animal from diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel and gasoline,” Miller warned.

The mood of most residents was captured by Los Angeles Unified School District board member Dr. Richard Vladovic, who struck a very different tone from Buscaino in opening remarks.

“I feel very passionate about this,” said Vladovic, who has lived in San Pedro for more than 65 years. During that time, he said, there had been four major explosions. “Four times there were accidents. If there were an accident with that tank, there’d be no more San Pedro, no more port, no more United States economy for a long time.”

“People say, ‘Accidents don’t happen,’” Vladovic continued. “In the Army, I saw when those tanks exploded in Texas, what happened to a town—totally flattened. Well, accidents do happen and since that time we’ve added a new variable, and that those who want to do harm to our great nation.”

“As a community person…somebody who represents every child in this district, I’m afraid of those tanks and what they can do. I just needed to say it,” he concluded.

Similar attitudes from the community were filtered through a wide range of experience, as critical comments went on for almost an hour.

“I’ve been a longshoreman for 34 years,” said Nick Geech, “Unfortunately, things aren’t implemented until people die.”

Sherry Lear had her son, JD, in tow.

“He plays soccer at field of dreams, right across the street from these tanks. And he’s afraid of them, and I tell you a lot of the soccer parents and moms such as myself are and we’re concerned about them,” she said. “I don’t believe for a minute the blast radius is only half of a mile.”

Marcelan Fontaine, a chemistry teacher most of his life, talked about the potential dynamics during an earthquake, which would leave the fire department helpless so far as Rancho was concerned.

“The only thing you could do is keep other structures from inflaming,” he said.

“This is deja vu for me. We did this back in 1978,” said Robert West, who was president of the Rolling Hills/Highlands Homeowners Association as it existed at the time, when Los Angeles Times reporter Larry Prior exposed the dangers and inadequate regulatory process involved. Among other things. “We thought the earthquake fault was active. We were pooh-poohed. And it is.”

“Either the city of Los Angeles was extremely naive, or in collusion” when it initially approved the facility said Ben James, a systems engineer.

“There’s no other citing of those tanks, anything of that size in the United States.”

While distrust of existing protections was almost universal, residents’ attitudes towards Buscaino and his efforts were more positive, pushing him hopefully to break new ground.

“I’m very grateful that, Joe, you’ve taken leadership and finally we see something happening,” said Lear, while Jody James urged him, “please use your subpoena power and require this facility to have insurance that will make them tell us the risk.”

A number of residents beside Lear specifically echoed Connie Rutter, the retired oil industry consultant who has become Rancho’s most knowledgeable community critic.

“Their risk management plan is completely bogus,” Rutter said in her public comment. “They did not do the calculation correctly.” Instead of one-half mile, “It’s three miles in a radius, which is 28 square miles. So we’re talking about 27,000 lives,” she concluded. “If the stuff gets out, it’s from p. 9

Homeless Count

one percent of them are chronically homeless— up from 19 percent in 2009. The number of female veteran homelessness has increased by 51 percent to 909, from 601 in 2009. Male veteran homelessness increased by 22 percent to 7,221 from 5,939 in 2009. According to the report, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at significant risk of becoming homeless.

In the report, the county gives itself a pat on the back for its efforts at expanding homeless prevention programs. In fact, it has done an incredible job. This past year, the county’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Pro-

all over.”

Random Lengths tried unsuccessfully to interview Environmental Protection Agency staff on this point. But EPA did release a short statement supporting Rancho’s plan.

“Based on EPA analysis, the facility’s calculation is consistent with the requirements under the CAA Section 112(r)(7) and 40 CFR Part 68,” it read.

Rutter responded with a detailed rebuttal, concluding, “One wonders how well they know their own regulation and guidance.”

The most positive news from any agency came from the city planning department. Haydee Erita-Lopez, the department’s community liaison for San Pedro, announced that the new community plan, to be unveiled this summer, calls for an end to citing new liquid bulk facilities in the community.

“This is a very emotional issue for many of my neighbors and friends, especially those who have young children, and I want to ensure our community is safe,” Buscaino said after the meeting. “The first step is to determine the potential threat to the community. The Public Safety Committee will form a working group to study these threats and provide recommendations to improve the safety of above ground storage tanks in the Harbor area.”

Buscaino further intends to set up a Wikipedia-style page, sharing information as his staff gathered it, relying as much as possible on academic sources free from special interest bias. gram brought $29,466,304 into the city of Los Angeles and $12,197,108 into the county. This funding enabled eligible shelter clients to move to permanency, while at the same time creating shelter vacancies to be filled by other homeless persons living on the streets.

Also, between the county’s $100 million Homeless Prevention Initiative, the City’s Housing That Works Plan and the expanded Section 8 voucher programs that specifically target homeless individuals and families, 961 new permanent supportive housing has been created since 2009.

But even with these successes, the fact remains: there’s still too few beds for the thousands that are homeless.

The Local Publication You Actually Read July 13 - 26, 2012

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July 13 - 26, 2012

Serving the Seven Cities of the Harbor Area