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Serving BixBy KnollS, California HeigHtS, loS CerritoS, Wrigley and tHe City of Signal Hill Vol. 33 No. 41
Your Weekly Community Newspaper
March 16, 2012
Recently moved to Signal Hill, Food Finders continues its goal of getting food to the needy Nick Diamantides Staff Writer
Many people lament the fact that in the United States tons of good food is thrown away while so many people are
going hungry. In Southern California, there is at least one group that is doing something to change that scenario. It’s called Food Finders, and it recently moved its headquarters from Long
Courtesy Food Finders
Food Finders, now located in Signal Hill, collects surplus food from various companies and distributes it to shelters and other nonprofit groups that feed needy people. Pictured are Patti Larson, Food Finders executive director, and Diana Lara, vice president of operations.
Beach to 28th Street near Junipero Avenue in Signal Hill. The organization obtains donations of food from a variety of companies and delivers it to agencies that distribute it to people in need. “Our organization was founded by Arlene Mercer in April 1989,� said Patti Larson, executive director. “She saw somebody digging in a dumpster and was troubled to realize that food people could eat was being tossed into garbage bins.� According to Larson, Mercer (who is now executive director emeritus) started Food Finders in her Seal Beach home by first contacting the Long Beach Rescue Mission to ask if it would accept donated food and distribute it to its clients. When the Mission said “yes,� Mercer began forming a network of donors and agencies that fed hungry people. “One of the first donors was Souplantation,� Larson said, explaining that Mercer arranged for food from that restaurant chain to be delivered to the Mission. “As time passed, Arlene was able to get donations of overages, and food that was about to expire but was still perfectly good,� Larson said. “Between see FOOD FINDERS page 6
Red Cross emergency drill commemorates anniversary of 1933 Long Beach Earthquake Nick Diamantides Staff Writer
The Red Cross remembers March 10, 1933. That was the day the infamous Long Beach earthquake rumbled through Southern California. The 6.4 temblor caused an estimated $50 million (1933 dollars) worth of damage, and 120 people died as a result of the catastrophic event. Most of the damage and death happened in Long Beach and Compton. To commemorate that day and to help train volunteers for what they will have to do when the next major earthquake strikes, the Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross conducted an earthquake drill last Saturday– the 79th anniversary of the killer earthquake. The drill took place at Hill Classical Middle School near the intersection of Anaheim Street and Studebaker Road. About 135 Red Cross trained
volunteers participated. Lisa Marie Harris, a Long Beach resident and Red Cross volunteer, helped plan and organize the drill along with two other volunteers: James Dower and Ian Whyte. Harris explained that a variety of Red Cross volunteer teams participated in the drill. “The Rio Honda and Long Beach chapters of the Red Cross came with their Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) stocked with food for the event,� she said She explained that drill participants included those who had recently received free disaster training on shelter management, health services teams and other teams that performed every task necessary to running a shelter. “Setting up and operating a shelter in a disaster is like trying to create calm in a sea of chaos,� she said. “The drill was a wonderful see RED CROSS page 9
Photos courtesy Tom Bryan
Red Cross health-services volunteers and a Southern California Edison employee volunteer practice what to do with a health-related issue.
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California Heights intersection’s new traffic lights expected to promote safety
Stephanie Raygoza/SignalTribune
New traffic lights were unveiled on March 10 at Orange Avenue and 36th Street in the California Heights historic neighborhood district. Stephanie Raygoza Staff Writer
After several years of waiting, residents in Long Beach’s California Heights historic district finally received new traffic signals on Orange Avenue and 36th Street that will enhance safety at the busy intersection. At the March 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony, 7th District Councilmember James Johnson, the Department of Public Works and the California Heights Neighborhood Association (CHNA) helped unveil the traffic lights that were designed to complement the character of the California Heights area. The signals include classically styled poles and historic top-of-pole lights that match those installed throughout the neighborhood. Johnson praised the community for coming together to ensure that the much-needed installation got completed. “This project will enhance safety and improve the quality of life,� Johnson said. “I want to thank the California Heights Neighborhood Association for their help and all of the residents who have advocated for so long to realize this improvement.� According to traffic engineer associate Kevin Riley, who began work on the project last year, an issue with funding was preventing the project from getting its jump-start. The traffic light was eventually made possible through funding from gas taxes. Residents lobbied for the traffic signal in an effort to slow speeding down along Orange Avenue. In the situation that there is a driver who is speeding, the signal is timed and will trigger a signal change in order to slow
traffic speeds. While studying the intersection, Riley confirmed that the cross streets were identified as a busy intersection that had a heavy flow of traffic. He also learned that fatalities and accidents had greatly affected that area in the past. “Residents are happy because this traffic signal was long overdue, and we were able to match the historical society’s existing historic [seal],� Riley said. He also had a resident share with him that this traffic signal is dedicated to those who lost their lives. Neenah Foundry donated the castiron ramps for the neighborhood, which stands as the largest historic district in Long Beach. CHNA President John Royce said the association adopted every lamppost on Orange Avenue back in 2007 and that they were paid for entirely by the association's Home and Garden Tour proceeds. “We're honored that the 7th District Council Office asked us to work with Public Works to see that effort reflected in the new signals’ design,� Royce said. “We all share in the value it represents.� Royce added that in the coming months the dynamics would be monitored to see if adjustments are needed to correct or mitigate any other issues that may arise. “Pedestrians, cyclists and drivers will all benefit from the enhanced safety aspect of a controlled intersection to connect the east and west sides of the neighborhood, definitely something to celebrate.�