June 17, 2021 | Vol. XLIII No. 25

Signal Tribune Your Weekly Community Newspaper

VOL. XLIII NO. 25 SH COUNCIL

INSIDE: Rental assistance deadline extended, will prioritize residents facing eviction see page 4

Serving Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos, Wrigley and Signal Hill

COMMUNITY

Friday, June 18, 2021 STREET VENDORS

Image Courtesy Pam Dutch Hughes

The Signal Hill City Council honored commissioner Pam Dutch Hughes (pictured) with the 2021 Outstanding Older American Award on June 8.

SH City Council honors commissioner Pam Dutch Hughes with 2021 Outstanding Older American award Anita W. Harris Senior Writer

“Do you want help?”

Pam Dutch Hughes has spoken these four words many times during her 18 years as a Signal Hill resident, she recounted in an interview with the Signal Tribune.

On June 8, the Signal Hill City Council recognized her years of service to the city by granting Hughes the 2021 Outstanding Older American Award.

The annual award coincides with Older Americans Month observed in May and Older Americans Recognition Day on May 25. Both stem from the federal Older Americans Act of 1965.

In a May 3 proclamation, President Joe Biden said this year’s Older Americans Month was especially important given the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic among senior citizens, representing 80% of all those who died.

“During Older Americans Month, we honor these citizens and their continued contributions,” Biden proclaimed. “We commit to learning from them, and we pledge to support their futures.”

In a video marking Older Americans Recognition Day in Los Angeles— which highlighted the 2021 Outstanding Older American awardees, including Hughes—Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced a new Department of Aging and Disabilities to help seniors access housing, see DUTCH HUGHES page 7

Kristen Farrah Naeem | Signal Tribune

Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune

Horticulture student Jason Steinhauser identifies a western monarch butterfly caterpillar living on and eating some of the narrowleaf milkweed planted in his yard on June 15, 2021.

Long Beach City College horticulture student sells milkweed to alleviate declining monarch butterfly population

D

Kristen Farrah Naeem Staff Writer

ecades ago, visitors to the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach would have been able to see eucalyptus trees with branches completely covered in western monarch butterflies during the fall and winter months.

“We haven’t seen a heavy migration in at least eight years,” said Meaghan O’Neill, Community Services Supervisor for the El Dorado Regional Park and Nature Center.

While a western monarch may still flit through the nature center occasionally, the large swarms that once filled the trees are no more.

“We still get monarchs in the area, but not to where they would actually cluster on trees,” O’Neill said.

The same dramatic decrease in western monarch populations has taken place all across California, where the orange-and-black butterfly would historically gather to spend the winter.

According to the Xerces Society, in the 1980s, an estimated 4.5 million western monarchs spent the winter in California and Baja, Mexico. Last year in 2020, only 2,000 western monarchs were counted, less than 0.01% of their former population.

Although their harsh decline is not fully understood, there are believed to be numerous contributing factors including pesticide use, climate change, and the loss and degradation of habitats.

“Due to human development in the Los Angeles Basin and San Fernando Valley, a huge amount of see BUTTERFLIES page 2

The wounds that two thieves inflicted on street vendor Bililfo Fernández during a June 29, 2020 assault are still visible on July 2, 2020.

Long Beach City Council votes unanimously to form program to protect street vendors Kristen Farrah Naeem Staff Writer

Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune

Horticulture student Jason Steinhauser identifies a western monarch butterfly caterpillar living on and eating some of the narrowleaf milkweed planted in his yard on June 15, 2021.

During the Long Beach City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, June 15 council members unanimously decided to begin developing a program to protect street vendors.

“We must protect these members of our community from robbery and physical attacks that have risen against them in recent years, and [in] the past year,” Councilmember Suely Saro said. “We should support these vulnerable workers who are trying to make an honest living and support their families.”

The item sets out to prevent vendor harassment before it can occur, while supporting the economic development of vendors in the city.

This proposed program comes after multiple videos showing Long Beach street vendors being attacked or harassed have been widely shared online and in the media.

“Instances of robbery, assault and harassment towards our street vendors are not new,” Councilmember Mary Zendejas said. “What has changed is see STREET VENDORS page 2

2

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • COMMUNITY/NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

BOOKKEEPING & TAX SERVICES

TAXHave SEASON a IS

HERE

TAX EXTENSION? Call the experts and get started NOW! Individual and business taxes Year-end Tax Planning Payroll • Quickbooks Setup 1099 Preparation • Sales Tax

Let us help you with your BOOKKEEPING NEEDS! Cambodian Khmer • + Spanish speaking!

MadKat, Inc

LIVES LIVED

Alice Rudolph 83 Paul Bokor 89 Rachel Hernandez 82 Diane Hickman 70 Ike Ugochukwu 88

STREET VENDORS

BUTTERFLIES

continued from page 1

continued from page 1 grassland, oak woodland, and riparian As human society continues to enhabitats that historically supported a croach on natural habitats in Califorvariety of plants and animals, includ- nia, conservationists recommend that ing milkweed and western monarchs, people take steps to replenish the nahas been transformed to support the tive population of milkweed if they massive human population of Los An- want to save the western monarch. geles County,” Richard Rachman, Los “I would recommend planting it in Angeles Regional Coordinator for the every yard,” Steinhauser said.

Western Monarch Count, said in an Rachman also suggested that local email to the Signal Tribune. residents grow native milkweed variMilkweed is the only plant west- eties in their yards, or in containers if ern monarch butterflies lay their eggs they only have access to balconies or on, and its leaves serve as their cater- paved ground. pillars’ only food source for the first According to Rachman, the main weeks of life. varieties of milkweed native to Los “That’s one of the Angeles County are: reasons the butterfly narrow leaf milkMilkweed is the loss has been so weed (Asclepias drastic, because the fascicularis), Calonly food only plant they have ifornian milkweed monarchs eat to lay their eggs on (Asclepias californihas pretty much ca) and woolly-pod as caterpillars. gone missing,” Jamilkweed (Asclepison Steinhauser, a as eriocarpa). horticulture student Even when growat Long Beach City College, said. ing native milkweed varieties, location To combat the loss of habit suffered is important: growing a native variety by both native varieties of milkweed in the wrong place can be just as harmand western monarch butterflies, ful to monarchs as planting imported Steinhauser took action. For the past milkweed varieties. year, he has been focusing on growing “Not right on the coast, but a couple and selling narrow leaf milkweed to miles inland it should be everywhere,” community members.

Steinhauser said.

The narrow leaf milkweed grown The temperate climate found close and sold by Steinhauser is one of the to the beach will also cause native varieties native to Southern California, milkweed to live longer than they norand is crucial to the survival of western mally would inland, and they can exmonarchs. perience a similar build-up of parasites Not all milkweed plants are the as tropical milkweed varieties in these same, and planting the wrong kind can cases. potentially do more harm than good to Western monarchs also need access the monarch butterfly population. to fresh water, and won’t lay their eggs “The ones you buy at Lowe’s and on a plant that doesn’t have close acHome Depot […], that’s a tropical va- cess to a water source, according to riety. And the problem with that is it Steinhauser. doesn’t die back to the ground,” SteinEnsuring western monarchs still hauser said. have native milkweeds to lay their Because the plant lives longer, para- eggs is an important step in preserving sites are able to build up in the leaves, the species. eventually stunting the growth of any “Otherwise our great grandkids caterpillars that eat them. are never going to see these monarch The narrow leaf milkweed sold by butterflies. It’ll be something we talk Steinhauser once grew abundantly about like woolly mammoths and saacross California, in spaces now occu- ber tooth tigers,” Steinhauser said. pied by manicured lawns and imported “They existed, but they’re gone now.” plants.

Blackbird Cafe has food to go!

Everyday from 7am - 2pm.

Visit Blackbirdlb.com to see our Menu

Sally Sands 74

Call (562) 490-2473 to place your order

John Cosley 72

We’re fully reopening on Monday, June 21!

Humberto Tovar Chavira 58 Fritz Schnacknies 51 Jack Chacon 88 Tryphina Petersen 88 Janet Van Emon 93 The families were assisted by McKenzie Mortuary.

For more details on service dates and times, contact (562) 961-9301

Until then, you can enjoy your favorites to-go! We’re excited to see you.

We appreciate your continued patronage!

3405 Orange Ave. LB 562.490.2473 • blackbirdlb.com • @BlackBirdCafeLB

Kristen Farrah Naeem | Signal Tribune

A protest was held on July 2, 2020 in response to the attack on street vendor Bililfo Fernández. more of these cases are being recorded and shared on social media, and that has helped encourage more street vendors to make police reports when otherwise they would not do so.”

The council recommendation mentions that, due to the nature of their business, the tendency of street vendors to carry cash on them makes them a target for robberies.

Jessica Quintana of Centro CHA reminded the council that vendors should have a say in the type of payment they receive.

“It’s important that, as we look at this initiative and start the discussion, that the vendors are included in the discussion, and when we’re talking about their carts, and cash, and money, making sure that we’re listening to them and what’s going to work for them,” Quintana said.

According to the proposal, helping vendors access the technology needed to accept different forms of payment, such as credit and debit cards or online payments, may make them less vulnerable to thieves.

Similarly, potential signs that state the vendor does not carry cash could demotivate anyone hoping to rob them.

Other suggested safety strategies in the proposal include using funds from the Long Beach Recovery Act to help vendors purchase security cameras, and to compile a summary of City and State street vending laws.

Long Beach isn’t the only area in the region where street vendors have been targeted by criminals. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that crimes against street vendors have increased by nearly 337% between 2010 and 2019.

According to the data, nearly 45% of the recorded crimes against street vendors were robberies and 28% of them involved some type of physical assault.

Nearly a year ago, community members marched to Long Beach City Hall in protest after a security camera recorded local street vendor Bililfo Fernandez being attacked and robbed at gunpoint by two male suspects on June 29, 2020.

-AVOID PROBATE-

RETIRED COUPLE

Set up your trust today to avoid probate and to prevent Medi-Cal recovery.

V.I.P. TRUST DEED COMPANY

A complete estate plan package includes a living trust, pour over will, durable power of attorney and advance health care directive.

Flat fee prices include deeds to transfer your real estate to your trusts.

Has $$$$ to lend on California Real Estate*

OVER 40 YEARS OF FAST FUNDING

Principal

(818) 248-0000 Broker

WWW.VIPLOAN.COM *Sufficient equity required - no consumer loans CA Department of Real Estate License #01041073 Private Party loans generally have higher interest rates, points & fees than conventional loans

The attack put Fernandez in the hospital for two days, and left noticeable lacerations on his nose and face.

Two male suspects attacked and robbed Gerardo Ivan Olmeda Del Pilar on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 as he was trying to sell fruit, leaving his face and shirt visibly bloodied in a video taken by a bystander that stopped to help him afterwards.

Most recently, on May 24, 2021, two vendors, Jose Euguenio Vivanco Bruno and Eliu Ramirez, were attacked and harassed by a female adult and four children.

The group destroyed Ramirez’s wares, snatching them off his cart and tossing the items to the ground.

When police were called to the scene, they ticketed the two street vendors with $900 citations each for not having licenses to sell food. The adult female was cited for vandalism, according to a statement by the Long Beach Police Department.

“This has been ongoing for a very long time because vendors don’t come forward,” Quintana said. “They fear for their status, and [they fear] police in the local government. They won’t go through with testifying against perpetrators who have assaulted them.”

After the story gained media attention and public outcry, the LBPD redacted the tickets.

“This is against our Department’s practice and the citations will be voided. Department employees will be reminded of this to ensure there is no confusion with our officers regarding this practice,” an LBPD statement said.

The proposed strategies in the recommendation include informing vendors of ways they can safely report crimes against them to authorities, the rights undocumented immigrants have when speaking to LBPD, and the protections they are given under the Long Beach Values Act. The city manager will now have 60 days to collaborate with all relevant City departments and report back to the City Council with the plans for a program to keep street vendors in Long Beach safe.

Seeking Partner

Make things easy for your loved ones.

SINCE 1961

3900 Kilroy Airport Way Ste. 240 Long Beach, CA 90806

YOUR GO-TO SOURCE FOR WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE

Always no charge consultations for Signal Tribune readers!

Jennifer Sawday, ESQ | (562) 923-0971 | jsawday@tldlaw.com

Well to do, successful business woman seeking a partner Call 310-809-0105

3

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • COMMENTARY/OPINION • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

FROM OUR ONLINE READERS: LETTERS, EMAILS, COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY

In response to: “‘I had years of this creativity that I just needed to let out.’ Looking through Jose Cordon’s lens:”

“

Jose is the best! He reps hard for our city and captures the best moments.

A Father to His Community

T

Claudine Burnett Local Historian

here are many fathers of all ethnicities to remember this Father’s Day. The list of those who contributed to making Long Beach and Signal Hill what they are today is vast, including those I mentioned in my latest book “African Americans in Long Beach and Southern California: a History.” But what of those who never became a father, but left so much love and devotion behind? Such is the story of Reverend Thurston Lomax, minister of the Second Baptist Church of Long Beach, who became a beacon of hope in the Long Beach African American community.

One of Long Beach’s best-loved ministers, Thurston Lomax, took over ministerial duties of the Second Baptist Church in what was then known as the “Negro District” (today Central Long Beach) in February 1939. The church, founded in 1903, had moved from Atlantic and 10th in 1912, following a property dispute with the Second Baptist Church of Los Angeles. The congregation’s new home at 943 New York, would not become part of Long Beach until 1923. The Second Baptist Church, and later Grant AME, became the focal points of the African American community.

The popular minister was born January 7, 1913, in Ocean City, New Jersey, the first child of Preston and Estelle Lomax. After Preston’s death, Estelle moved 14-year-old Thurston, 8-year-old Randolph, 3-year-old Gertrude and 2-year-old Lillian to Los Angeles in 1927.

When Reverend Harris, the family’s minister, and good friend, left his pastorate at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Ocean City, New Jersey, the new widow followed. Estelle found a job as a maid in a private home but moved in with Grant and his wife Gertrude because she needed help financially and in looking after the children.

Reverend Harris and his wife, who had no children, became like parents to the Lomax children. Taken under the wing of Reverend Grant Harris, who went on to become minister of the

”

Image Courtesy Claudine Burnett

The Second Baptist of Long Beach in 1934,

Zion Hill Baptist Church in Los Angeles, young Thurston decided to follow a religious career. In 1936, he became assistant minister to the Zion Hill church.

Many single female parishioners hoped the handsome African American bachelor would take an interest in them, other than religiously, but that was not to be. The 26-year-old minister was in love with 20-year-old Charlie Mae Crawford, who was choir director of the Zion Hill Baptist Church. Romance blossomed. The two were engaged in August 1938 and wed April 9, 1939, on Easter Sunday.

The two decided to honeymoon at Murray’s Dude Ranch in Apple Valley, one of the few places open to African Americans at the time.

Celebrities and prominent members of Southern California’s African American community flocked to the ranch. Joe Louis, who loved the place, returned there to train for upcoming matches. However, Louis was not one to hinder the path of love, and when he heard the Lomaxes wanted the cottage for their honeymoon, he readily agreed to vacate the bungalow for the newlyweds. He could train elsewhere on the ranch before his bout with Jack Roper in Los Angeles on April 17.

It was an exciting time for the young pair. Besides meeting Joe Louis, they hoped they might run into Lena Horne, Hattie McDaniel, or Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, escaping Hollywood to enjoy the desert. They were anxious to discover the places filmed at the ranch and seen in the films “Bronze Buckaroo,” and “Harlem Rides the Range,” which hit the theaters earlier that year, when the two were courting. The couple liked the ranch so much they returned in October 1940 for a short stay, the price was affordable only $5 ($92 today) a night.

Following their honeymoon at the dude ranch, the popular pair returned to Long Beach where Reverend Lomax continued to serve the church and community. In September 1939, the newlyweds went on a second honeymoon…sort of.

Reverend Lomax was asked to speak at the National Baptist Convention in Philadelphia. With

the financial aid of the church ($175 then, $3,215 today) they decided to travel by car, along with his mother, Estelle. While in the east, Reverend Lomax was guest speaker at the convention, extending the stay when Lomax was asked to speak at churches in New York and Chicago.

On his one-year anniversary as pastor at the Long Beach church, his accomplishments were touted: nearly 100 new members had joined the church; the debt had been reduced by 65%; the parsonage had been completely renovated and refurbished; a gospel choir of 30 voices had been organized; an Orgatron electric organ purchased, and many other improvements made. In July 1940, the church celebrated paying off the mortgage with a party.

In early October 1941, Reverend Lomax and wife Charlie retreated to Murray’s Dude Ranch, a place they loved. The busy couple were given a month-long vacation to recover from their arduous church duties. In late October Reverend Lomax was granted 6 months leave. He was dying.

Family and friends visited him at the ranch and prayed the healthy, dry desert air would improve his health; however, the tuberculosis which he had been fighting for eight years, proved too much. He passed away on December 6, 1941; he was only 28 years old.

In November 1942, the newly installed Baptistery of the Second Baptist church was dedicated to the memory of Reverend Thurston Grant Lomax, a man who had accomplished much in such a short time on earth.

– @loveyoulongbeach via Instagram

In response to: “$2.5 million approved for operation and design plans for Queen Mary, which needs nearly $400 million in longterm repairs:”

“

If you would like to learn more about African Americans and their contributions to our city, please sign up to hear my Zoom presentation at Long Beach Public Library on Saturday, June 26, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Local History Lecture Series @ The Miller Room -- “African Americans in Long Beach and Southern California: A History” Saturday, June 26th, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. To register, please visit https://www. eventbrite.com/e/local-history-lecture-series-african-americans-in-long-beach-socal-tickets-156731609463.)

Help the homeless in Long Beach instead.

”

– @afewburnthairs via Instagram

In response to: ‘Waterfront fireworks will return to Long Beach for Fourth of July:”

“

What a priority, why don’t ask the PD to shut down the nightly fireworks here in the 6th District, they just have to station a cop with binoculars and up at Hilltop Park.

”

– @donaldcolleenmc via Instagram

Signal Tribune MANAGING EDITOR

Emma DiMaggio

DIGITAL EDITOR

Karla M. Enriquez

PHOTO EDITOR

Richard H. Grant

LEGALS COORDINATOR

Katherine Green

SENIOR WRITER

Anita W. Harris

STAFF WRITER

Kristen Farrah Naeem

COLUMNIST

Claudine Burnett

The Signal Tribune welcomes letters to the editor, which should be signed, dated and include a phone number to verify authenticity. Letters are due by noon on the Wednesday before desired publication date. The Signal Tribune reserves the right to edit ­letters for grammar, language and space requirements. Letters must be 500 words or fewer. The Signal Tribune will publish no more than one “pro” letter and one “con” letter on a particular topic in a single issue. The Signal ­Tribune does not print letters that refer substantially to articles in other publications and might not print those that have recently been printed in other ­publications or otherwise presented in a public forum. Letters to the editor and commentaries are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Signal Tribune or its staff. Although the editorial staff will attempt to verify and/or correct i­ nformation when possible, letters to the editor and commentaries are opinions, and readers should not assume that they are statements of fact. Letter-writers will be identified by their professional titles or affiliations when, and only when, the editorial staff deems it relevant and/or to provide context to the letter. We do not run letters to the editor submitted by individuals who have declared their candidacies for public office in upcoming races. This policy was put in place because, to be fair, if we publish one, we would have to publish all letters submitted by all candidates. The volume would no doubt eliminate space for letters submitted by other readers. Instead, we agree to interview candidates and print stories about political races in an objective manner and offer very reasonable advertising rates for those candidates who wish to purchase ads. The Signal Tribune is published each Friday. Yearly subscriptions are available for $100.

1860 Obispo Avenue, Suite F , Signal Hill, CA 90755 (562) 595-7900 www.signaltribune.com newspaper@signaltribune.com

4

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • NEWS • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

COVID-19/HOUSING

Kristen Farrah Naeem | Signal Tribune

Protesters driving down Daisy Avenue in downtown Long Beach during a caravan protest for renters’ rights on Aug. 22, 2020 organized by the Long Beach Tenants Union and the Housing Organizing Committee.

Long Beach will prioritize rental assistance payments to residents with active eviction notices, application period extended to July 11 Emma DiMaggio Managing Editor

As California’s eviction moratorium is set to expire on June 30, the Long Beach City Council looked to adjust its rental assistance program to prioritize residents with active eviction notices at its Tuesday meeting.

“It’s of paramount importance that we identify and prioritize residents who are in immediate danger of eviction, so that they can receive the support they need to stay in their homes,” Councilmember Roberto Uranga said.

Just a few days ago, the City announced that it expanded the application period by an additional 30 days.

Applications are now due by July 11, 2021.

Thanks to a combination of state and federal funding, the City of Long Beach has over $50 million to allocate towards emergency rental assistance, of which nearly $40 million has been requested by tenants and landlords thus far, according to City Manager Tom Modica.

The rental assistance program comes with a list of requirements doled out by federal and state regulators. The council cannot change the eligibility requirements, but the item can allow staff to put eligible residents facing eviction “at the front of the line” for payment, Modica said.

Tenants will be prioritized if they’ve been served a notice of termination of tenancy, an eviction, a notice to vacate, a notice to pay or quit, or any other eviction notice.

Deputy Director of Development Services Christopher Koontz said that processing times on applications are relatively short—only taking about ten days—but incomplete applications have stalled the process.

In addition to proving financial need, tenants must also prove that COVID directly affected their ability to pay rent. These include the contraction of COVID-19, loss of work due to health mandates on businesses or “some complicating factor tied back to the pandemic,” Koontz said.

Even if residents are unable to file tax documents, Koontz said they can sign a “sworn declaration” to confirm their income level. He stressed that the City is accepting applications at “any level of completeness.”

Though the item’s goal is to prevent evictions, it may have come too late.

The council’s next meeting will take place on July 6, six days after the eviction moratorium ends.

To learn more about the program’s various income and eligibility guidelines, visit longbeach.gov/erap.

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

5

Beer and Wine Delivered!

OVER 200 SALES IN SIGNAL HILL

A Place for Smoked Meats and Steaks

NEW HOURS!

Tuesday- Sunday 11AM-9PM

Open 7 days a week! 11 AM to 10 PM 401 W. WILLOW ST. (562) 595-6138 TOP SIGNAL HILL AGENT

562.857.1965 brokerrichard@gmail.com FindRichardOnline.com

250 W. OCEAN BL. (562) 432-2211

Curbside Ordering and Pick-Up available through our website.

Delivery options include GrubHub, Postmates and UberEats.

Have a lunch meeting? Give us a call 24 hrs in advance!

3502 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA • derricksonatlantic.com

More coupons at buonospizza.com

562-337-8131

MORE STORIES ONLINE AT

www.signaltribune.com

When emergencies can’t wait.

Let’s face it: No one wants to go to the ER. But if you need emergency medical care, it’s reassuring to know that Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center is taking every precaution to keep you safe. And with our online arrival system, our emergency care team will be alerted that you’re on your way. So you can spend less time in our ER—and more time at home. See available arrival times at DignityHealth.org/ER.

INDOOR DINING IS BACK 20 BEERS ON TAP / HAPPY HOUR DAILY 2:00-5:00 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK AT 11 A.M. @JIMMYESBARANDGRILL

JIMMY E’S BAR + GRILL

2591 CHERRY AVE, SIGNAL HILL, CA / (562) 612-3456 / JimmyEsBarandGrill.com

6

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • LEGALS • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

EYE ON CRIME CRIMES REPORTED BY THE SIGNAL HILL POLICE Thursday, June 10

3:26 a.m., Grand theft – motor vehicle; possessing cannabis; felony warrant, 2000 block St Louis Ave. (suspect arrested) 1:14 p.m., possessing paraphernalia & controlled substance, E. 19th St./Junipero Ave. (2 suspects arrested) 1:24 p.m., Inflict corporal injury on Spouse/Cohabitant, 1100 block E. 25th St. (suspect arrested) 1:34 p.m., Spousal abuse, 1100 block E. 25th St. 7:41 p.m., Petty theft, 900 block E. 33rd St. (suspect arrested)

Friday, June 11

10:52 a.m., Stolen vehicle – recovered, 2700 block Gundry Ave.

Saturday, June 12

12:31 a.m., Grand theft – motor vehicle; misdemeanor warrant, Cerritos Ave./Nevada St. (suspect arrested) 7:28 a.m., Robbery, 1600 block E. Willow St. 12:40 p.m., Spousal abuse, 2200 block E. 21st St. 6:52 p.m., Indecent exposure, Gardena Ave., north off, E. 28th St.

Sunday, June 13 None reported.

Monday, June 14

1:20 a.m., Inflict corporate injury on Spouse/Cohabitant 6:51 a.m., Elder abuse, 2000 block Orizaba Ave. 9:22 a.m., Battery, 1900 block Stanley Ave. 12:02 p.m., Grand theft, E. 27th St./Gundry Ave.

Tuesday, June 15

1:50 a.m., Possessing paraphernalia & controlled substance, 2300 block Dawson Ave. (2 suspects arrested) 10:34 a.m., Grand theft – motor vehicle, 2800 block Walnut Ave. 10:57 a.m., Burglary, 3200 block E. Willow St. 11:09 p.m., Battery, California Ave./E. Burnett St.

Wednesday, June 16

6:27 p.m., Identity theft, 2300 block Lewis Ave.

LBPD reporting area is too extensive to report here.

Have a leak?

LET US CHECK! FREE LEAK ASSESSMENT! Pete’s Plumbing • BATHROOMS (562) 425-2373 petes-plumbing.com

• KITCHENS • LANDSCAPING LINES

We’re in a drought... don’t leak it out!

DRIVEN TO BE THE BEST

Be Your Own Boss, Choose Your Own Routes!

Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks Starting in Sacramento and / or Perris, CA. Experience helpful. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in the last 10 years, clean MVR.

Apply Online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023

TST6447: CNS: 3475112 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: VIRGINIA LOUISE O’BRIEN CASE NO. 21STPB05015 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of VIRGINIA LOUISE O’BRIEN. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed

by BARON URBANO COVARRUBIAS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that BARON URBANO COVARRUBIAS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/01/21 at 8:30AM in Dept. 67 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner TRENT C. MARCUS, ESQ. - SBN 227772 TRENT C. MARCUS, A LAW CORPORATION 19900 BEACH BOULEVARD, C-1 HUNTINGTON BEACH CA 92648 BSC 220006 6/4, 6/11, 6/18/21 CNS-3475112# THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE TST6453/ 2021 111842 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1. MED ART, 2. NEXUS ENTERPRISES, 4432 Montair Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808. Registrant: CAROL A. BECKERMAN, 4432 Montair Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Carol A. Beckerman. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name.

The registrant began using this fictitious business name in March, 2021. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on May 17, 2021.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 TST6454 Case No. 21LBCP00153 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, GOVERNOR GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN COURTHOUSE, 275 MAGNOLIA, LONG BEACH, CA. 90803 PETITION OF: IRIS CRISSMAN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioners: IRIS CRISSMAN has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:Present Name: VINCE NEIL CAVALIDA to Proposed Name: VINCE NEIL CRISSMAN. Present Name: VANNESSA LOVE FLORES to Proposed

Name: VANNESSA LOVE CRISSMAN 2.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: July 14, 2021; Time: 8:30a.m., Dept. 26.. The address of the court is the same as above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1860 Obispo Ave., Ste. F, Signal Hill, CA 90755, June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2021 _________ Michael P. Vicencia, Judge of the Superior Court Dated: June 2, 2021 TST6459 / 2021 124857 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: WONDERBRETT, 314 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Mailing address: 3030 Walnut Ave., Suite 160, Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: 314 LA BREA, LLC, 314 N La Brea Ave., 314, Los Angeles, CA 90036. This business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: David Judaken, President. The registrant has not begun to use this fictitious business name. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on June 3, 2021.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 11, 18, 25 & July 2, 2021 TST6460 / 2021 109181 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: MONE’S DAYCARE, 4142 Mendez Ave. Unit 429, Long Beach, CA 90815.

Registrant: BEVERLY NELSON, 4142 E. Mendez Ave., Unit 429, Long Beach, CA 90815. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

Signed: Beverly M. Nelson. The registrant has begun to use this fictitious business name. The registrant began using this fictitious business name in April, 2021. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on May 12, 2021.

NOTICE: This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed prior to that date.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code). Pub. The Signal Tribune: June 11, 18, 25 & July 2, 2021 TST6452 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: DIEN THI HOANG AKA DIEN T. HOANG AKA DIEN HOANG CASE NO. 21STPB05339 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of DIEN THI HOANG AKA DIEN T. HOANG AKA DIEN HOANG. A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed

by AN BUI in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that AN BUI be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 07/02/21 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing.

Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent,

you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner THOMAS W. DOMINICK - SBN 120525 FULLERTON LEMANN SCHAEFER & DOMINICK 215 NORTH “D” STREET, FIRST FLOOR SAN BERNARDINO CA 92401-1712 6/11, 6/18, 6/25/21 CNS-3478305# THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE TST6461 Case No. 21CMCP00077 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT, 200 W. COMPTON BLVD., COMPTON, CA 90220 PETITION OF: CORRINA INEZ GONZALES TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioners: CORRINA INEZ GONZALES has filed a petition with this court for a decree changing her name as follows: Present Name: CORRINA INEZ GONZALES to Proposed Name: LILITH GONZALES. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: August 19, 2021; Time: 8:30a.m., Dept. A, Room 904. The address of the court is the same as above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county, THE SIGNAL TRIBUNE, 1860 Obispo Ave., Ste. F, Signal Hill, CA 90755, June 18, 25 & July 2, 9, 2021 __________ Kristin S. Escalante, Judge of the Superior Court Dated: June 9, 2021 TST6462/Order No: 9466 Auto Lien Sale On 07/05/2021 at 1856 E 65TH ST LOS ANGELES,CA a Lien Sale will be held on a 2016 MERCEDES-B VIN: 55SWF4JB8GU103385 STATE: CA LIC: 8SJC781 at 8 AM

Pet of the week:

Smitty

Smitty’s long, pink tongue is hanging out in anticipation of a cool bowl of water he can call his own and a face he can lick that belongs to a human he can call his own! Smitty’s a Lab/ pit bull mix who’s 90 pounds light and just 2 years old. He’s young, big and energetic, and he’s ready to lap up a good life in a loving home! Our shelter’s adoptions are conducted through appointment only, so call 562-570-PETS or email PetAdopt@ longbeach.gov to meet Smitty. Ask for ID#A657311. (This rescue is encouraged by the usual suspects.)

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • ARTS • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

DUTCH HUGHES

PHOTOGRAPHY

continued from page 1

Chicana Soul by Frankie Orozco shows a family of Mexican American women in a low rider who were part of a cruise day.

Photo Courtesy Flatline Gallery

An LA Story exhibition connects the community with street photography depicting life in the City of Angels

W

Karla M. Enriquez Digital Editor

hile cruising down Los Angeles in a lowrider, a woman with a razor-sharp stare looks out the passenger window. Her dark hair acts as a shield around her face, her fedora sits on top of her head like a crown. Another woman’s identical stare peers out from behind. On the driver’s side sits the matriarch, from whom you know they’ve inherited their stare.

They are suspended in time. They exist in black and white.

“Chicana Soul,” by photographer Frankie Orozco is just one of the photographs depicting Los Angeles culture as part of “An LA Story” on exhibition at Flatline Gallery.

“An LA story is about cultures that were born in Los Angeles, cultures that are original to here,” Orozco, who curated the exhibition, said.

The exhibition features four photographers whose work gives an inside look into lowrider culture, gang life, and other cultural subsets of the streets of Southeast LA. Work by Orozco, Suitcase Joe, Gilberto G, and Merrick Morton—who has captured gang life in LA since the ’80s—hangs in the gallery.

Orozco chose to showcase Morton’s photography for its historic value.

“He caught a time period that doesn’t exist anymore in any way, shape or form,” Orozco said. “The photos that he has are straight-up historic, and they can’t be duplicated, and it tells a very deep story of what that part of Los Angeles was at one point in time.”

As both curator of the exhibit and artist, Orozco wanted to showcase these photos as a way to preserve cultures born out of Los Angeles.

“Gentrification is a huge thing that I’m concerned with,” Orozco said.

“I know that these cultures are in danger of being erased, whether that’s a good thing or bad thing, they might not be here tomorrow.”

According to a report by listing website Rent Cafe, rent in Los Angeles rose by a dramatic 65% in the last decade. However, family income didn’t rise just as fast, only growing 36%— one of the factors that led to the displacement of Angelenos.

Research from Urban Displacement Project, a group based out of UC Berkeley, showed that Los Angeles County indicated the highest rates of gentrification—with 10% of census tracts classified as “At Risk of Gentrification,” “Early/Ongoing Gentrification,” or “Advanced Gentrification.”

The exhibition also explores homelessness in Los Angeles, a subset of LA’s makeup that Orozco says is ignored.

Capturing life on Skid Row, Suitcase Joe’s photographs detail everyday life in the Downtown LA neighborhood.

Although he has visited the neighborhood for a decade, he began documenting it seven years ago. The more he visited, the more he started getting to know its residents and was eventually entrusted with their stories.

“My perspective on everything changed,” Suitcase Joe said. “I just held a deep connection, basically a deep calling to help give the people a voice down there, because I felt like they are overlooked and misrepresented.”

One of the residents he got to know is Amber, a trans sex worker in Skid Row. She is the subject of one of Suitcase Joe’s photographs titled “Amber at Work.”

In it, Amber stands next to a tagged dumpster as she dons a black crop top and light wash denim shorts. A long white beaded necklace adorns Amber’s neck. She looks down at her balled-up fist.

“Amber has been out here for a few years now working the streets to support her habit,” the photo’s Instagram caption reads. “She says she doesn’t get bothered too much for being transgender but that’s because she can hold her own.”

Suitcase Joe hopes that exposure from the show will help bring awareness to Skid Row and the work of his foundation, which he started to help

7

Photo Courtesy Flatline Gallery

18th Youngsters by Merrick Morton shows two young boys in the Pico Union neighborhood in the early 1980’s.

eliminate homelessness and support mental health reforms for Skid Row. 100% of his profits go to the foundation.

“There’s a lot of local talent here that isn’t represented at these main galleries or museums. And I think it’s a shame,” Orozco said. “As a local I just want to break in and bring as many local artists who still need a platform along with me.”

The photographers are now part of a collective called The LA Six. Part of the collective is also renowned LA photographer Estevan Oriol and Angela Boatwright, director of the documentary film “Los Punks.”

Part of the allure of Flatline Gallery for Orozco was that its owner, Elizabeth Munzon, is a Chicana local who is “letting people like me into the art world,” Orozco said.

Flatline Gallery is located in North Long Beach, an underserved area, whose residents have resonated with the exhibit, according to Munzon, the gallery’s director.

On Sunday, a girl and her mother passed by the gallery and stopped when the girl recognized Suitcase Joe’s photographs. Munzon quickly opened up the gallery to let them browse.

“She really connected with Suitcase Joe because it sounded like at one point, I believe, her and her mom were both homeless on Skid Row,” Munzon said.

The mother was captivated by Merrick Morton’s street photography, often capturing gang life in LA since the 80s.

“The mom was like ‘Oh, yeah I remember back in the day, I used to dress like that, I used to look like that,’ It was nostalgic,” Munzon said.

It was Munzon and Orozco’s mutual admiration for each other’s work that brought this exhibition to the North Long Beach community.

“It’s been a really great response to see how the community really connects to these photographs,” she said.

An LA Story is showing at Flatline Gallery through June 27, by appointment. To keep up with Flatline Gallery, follow them on Instagram @__flatline. To keep up with the LA Six, follow them on Instagram @thelasix

support services and healthcare.

In conferring the award to Hughes last week, Signal Hill Mayor Edward Wilson said many older adults are actively involved in volunteering, mentoring, cultural activities and civic engagement, and pass on their knowledge to subsequent generations.

He recognized Hughes’s long-time involvement as a community volunteer, noting that she currently serves as vice chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. She is also a member of the city’s Sustainable Cities Committee, active with the nonprofit Friends of the Signal Hill Library and a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member.

“Pam is always seeking ways to better her community, and is the first to lend a hand when called upon,” Wilson said.

Members of the council congratulated Hughes for the award and thanked her for her dedicated service.

Councilmember Lori Woods said Hughes has been highly involved in many aspects of Signal Hill life since she moved to the 2.2 square-mile city 18 years ago.

“We’re so small, our volunteers really matter,” she said.

Councilmember Robert Copeland called Hughes a “busybody” in a positive way.

Wilson concurred that Hughes is very active in the community.

“When you need something done, give it to a busy person,” he observed.

“20% of the people do 80% of the work.”

Hughes expressed appreciation for the award and the flowers from the City she received. She ultimately laid them on the grave of her husband Joe—a podiatrist, former Navy photographer and former special-effects designer for 20th Century Fox—who passed away in January.

“You’re the oldest woman I’ve ever been out with,” Joe told her on her 30th birthday and every year since, Hughes recounted.

Her interest in volunteering stems from a philanthropic sense and simply liking people, she said, noting she always wanted to be a twin.

“The worst thing for me is to be alone,” Hughes said. “I like a variety of people.”

Everyone just wants to be included, befriended and accepted for who they are, she said, adding that humans are social animals not meant to be alone.

Besides volunteering, Hughes’s journey includes a degree in photography and four grown sons, two of whom still live with her in Signal Hill.

“It’s wonderful when you can love where you live,” Hughes said. “This is a great city.”

WWW.SIGNALTRIBUNE.COM • FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

8