ST3429

Signal

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“Match Dot-The Inseparables”

by Cynthia Evans Story on page 8

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Vol. 34 No. 29

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SERVING BIXBY KNOLLS, CALIFORNIA HEIGHTS, LOS CERRITOS, WRIGLEY AND THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL

Homelessness, families in need remain ‘invisible’ crises in LB area

December 21, 2012

Fallen soldier remembered for ‘daunting courage’

Your Weekly Community Newspaper

Winter shelters, food banks, charities and government agencies tasked with providing ‘Continuum of Care’

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Hector Esquivel, 14, of the Millikan Jr. ROTC Color Guard places a Christmas wreath at a memorial at Rosie the Riveter Park in honor of the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. The ceremony last Saturday, Dec. 15 was part of the national Wreaths Across America project.

Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

A new winter shelter operated by the Long Beach Rescue Mission provides for up to 140 beds at an industrial warehouse that was the previous location of Jesse James’ West Coast Choppers motorcycle shop.

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Just as rain started falling last Friday evening, Alicia Porcho prepared for intake inside the Long Beach Rescue

Mission’s new winter shelter set up in a warehouse at 702 W. Anaheim St. The 12,000-square-foot building, once famous for housing Jesse James’ West Coast Choppers motorcycle shop, officially opened its doors to homeless

clients on Dec. 1.

“The first day we only had about 20 clients… but after that, we started to get more as it got colder and later in the

SH City officials bid finance director farewell, review year-end finances CJ Dablo Staff Writer

Signal Hill Finance Director Maida Alcantara managed to smile, but weakly and kept her voice in check during her brief farewell address to the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting, just two days before she retired this week.

“It’s been a very good five years,” Alcantara said, thanking the Council and the other City staff for their support.

Even before Tuesday’s Council meeting, the Council has often praised Alcantara for her focus on fiscal prudence.

The Council has also often thanked her for maintaining the City’s “rainy-day fund” during tough economic times. Mayor Tina Hansen read aloud a proclamation that outlined how

see HOMELESS page 18

Alcantara put into action the Council’s policies of budget reductions, which essentially saved the City $1.2 million.

The proclamation also acknowledged Alcantara’s leadership when she recommended that the City use $2.4 million in the Economic Uncertainties Reserve Fund to balance the fiscal-year 2009-10 budget.

“I cannot imagine how we would have done it without her,” Hansen said as she extolled Alcantara’s expertise in managing the City’s finances.

The mayor’s proclamation emphasized Alcantara’s role in rebuilding the reserve fund back to $4 million and returning financial stability to the City.

CJ Dablo/Signal Tribune The mayor added that the Maida Alcantara (left) retired this week from her role as finance director presented bal- finance director for Signal Hill. Mayor Tina Hansen see COUNCIL page 4

(right) presented her with a proclamation at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Friday

65°

Saturday

Sunday

Sean Belk Staff Writer

Sgt. Thomas R. MacPherson, a 26-year-old Long Beach native who was killed on Oct. 12 during a firefight while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan, was one of 15 fallen U.S. soldiers from Long Beach honored and remembered in an annual ceremony at the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center last Saturday, Dec. 15.

The ceremony was arranged in coordination with the national Wreaths Across America project that aims to have Christmas wreaths placed on every gravesite of those who served in the U.S. military and those buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and 600 other locations, starting on the second Saturday of December.

The third annual Long Beach event, hosted by 5th District Long Beach City Councilmember Gerrie Schipske, was organized by the “Hometown Heroes Project,” an initiative established by Schipske and the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation to recog-

nize military personnel from Long Beach who lost their lives while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The project prominently displays banners in and around Rosie the Riveter Park, including the latest banner that honors MacPherson and now hangs at the entrance of the park.

During the ceremony, members of the U.S. Army National Guard provided a Humvee that was accompanied by Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Murphy, First Sgt. Jerry L. Shultz, a former Long Beach city councilmember, and Sgt. John Linder of the California State Military Reserve. The Millikan Jr. ROTC Color Guard placed wreaths at a historic memorial to dedicate each of the branches of service and prisoners of war.

MacPherson, a Los Alamitos High School graduate known by friends and family as “Tommy,” was a “family man” who had strong beliefs about God, according to Pastor Chris Lankford of Long Beach Alliance Church who gave the invocation. “He truly manisee WREATHS page 19

December 21 through December 25, 2012

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Tuesday

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:10 AM Page 2

NEWS

2 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

DECEMBER 21, 2012

‘Living-wage’ supporters protest hotel downsizing, layoffs in LB Sean Belk Staff Writer

Union members and hotel workers staged a protest in front of the 173-room Golden Sails Hotel on Pacific Coast

fo a Best Wishess for d Happy H H l h and Healthy ay Season S and Holiday Prosperous New w Year.

Ye r.

Bonnie Lowenthal Assemblymember, 70th District

Highway last Friday to rally against the hotel management’s decision to close down rooms and layoff employees in the wake of Long Beach voters passing the so-called “living-wage” measure.

The Long Beach City Council, which has expressed a majority support of Measure N, acknowledged the passage of the initiative last week. According to the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder/Clerk, 64.32 percent of voters approved of the measure that requires hotels with 100 rooms or more pay their workers at least $13 an hour and mandates a 2-percent annual pay raise. The citywide ordinance officially becomes law today, Dec. 21.

The protest, attended by city and state officials, was sparked by Golden Sails Hotel General Manager Matthew Daniels sending a memo to front-desk, housekeeping, maintenance and sales employees on Dec. 10, the day before the City Council certified election results, that the hotel would be downsizing.

According to the memo obtained by the Signal Tribune, the independently owned and operated Best Western hotel is closing down the “tower” section and portions of the “garden” section. “We have been running the hotel with low room occupancy for the past few years due to the bad economic conditions and we have been thinking all these years to downsize the hotel with fewer rooms to stay in business,” states the memo.

“Time has come now and we have reduced the size of the hotel.”

The memo also states that, “All hotel employees will be considered terminated” after their last shift on or before Dec. 15 by Long Beach Golden Sails, Inc., the corporation that operated the hotel. The hotel will now be running under a new corporation.

The memo goes on to state that,

Courtesy UNITE HERE

Christine Petit, a community activist who was a volunteer on the campaign for Measure N, speaks to the crowd during a protest in front of the Golden Sails Hotel off of Pacific Coast Highway. Also in attendance in the background are Long Beach City Councilmember Patrick O’Donnell, State Sen.-elect Ricardo Lara, City Councilmember Steven Neal, City Councilmember Al Austin and City Councilmember Suja Lowenthal. while the new corporation will retain “most of the employees… unfortunately, some employees will not be hired by the new corporation.”

Each employee not hired on to the new corporation will be paid by the old corporation a sum of $1,000 as severance in addition to his or her regular pay as due on the day of termination.

Employees must sign a waiver of claims to receive a severance, the memo states.

Disgruntled hotel workers said some Long Beach hotels with 100 rooms or more are now reducing to 99 rooms or below to not have to follow Measure N’s regulation. In addition to Golden Sails Hotel, it was announced recently that Hotel Current, also independently

owned and operated, is now offering 99 “lifestyle” rooms instead of 143 rooms.

However, hotel management said the decision was made nearly three years ago and that the measure is only “one of many economical concerns.”

Some outspoken employees brought up the issue during the Dec. 11 City Council meeting, stating that hotels are trying to “undermine” the intent of the initiative, including looking into hiring outside contractors for banquets and special events so as to not have to pay employees higher wages.

The measure, as currently written, gives no law-enforcement authority to the City Council, and only hotel workers are able to enforce the law through

Paid for by Friends of Ellen Ward. ID# pending

an individual or class-action lawsuit against an employer. Still, some city councilmembers vowed to come up with legislation to “remedy” any “evading tactics” by hotels.

Although supporters of the measure say the initiative is not an instrument of unions, opponents, including the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, have called the measure a “strong arm” attempt to unionize hotels in Long Beach since the ordinance includes a clause that the wage mandates would be void for hotels that enter collectivebargaining agreements.

Leading the protest last week was UNITE HERE Local 11, a union representing more than 20,000 hospitality employees in Southern California. The union, which financially backed the campaign, has tried to unionize hotels downtown for years but has failed. The only union hotels currently in Long Beach are the Hotel Maya and Queen Mary Hotel.

Long Beach City Councilmembers Patrick O’Donnell, Steven Neal, Al Austin and Suja Lowenthal, along with State Sen.-elect Ricardo Lara, who all have expressed support of the measure, also attended the protest.

Leigh Shelton, spokesperson for UNITE HERE, said via e-mail that as of late last week four workers from the Golden Sails Hotel had lost their jobs, adding that the hotel’s management would not respond to any of the union’s requests for information.

“We seriously hope the hotel is not closing down the hotel or a portion of the hotel to avoid having to pay workers a decent wage that doesn’t require them to live on food stamps,” Shelton stated. “Sixty-four percent of Long Beach voters said “Yes on N” so low-wage hotel workers could earn a little bit more. We do not believe Long Beach voters would look kindly upon a hotel looking for a loophole to undermine the democratic process.”

Wishing our residents !"#$%%&" '(%)*+,!*-".!//&".!0122!(-".!//&"34!05!!" !06"!"7$%&".!//&"8$4"9$!%: ;$*$!06<"01$*+%<*"%$*)6$0+$*"10"=$>)5"8!7)6!6-" =$>)5".!0122!(-"=$>)5"34!05!!"&"10"?%<*/$%<" @A<"81$7<B" " C64!%6"D)>*<0-" E)F0!>".)>>"'<10G)>,$,H$% Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Ed Wilson Committee ID: 940841

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:10 AM Page 3

NEWS

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

LB City Council allows Port to purchase office building near airport for temporary headquarters Sean Belk Staff Writer

The Long Beach City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Port of Long Beach’s fiscal-year-2013 budget that allows the Port to purchase an eight-story office building near the Long Beach Airport that will serve as a temporary headquarters for the Port’s 350-member administrative staff.

At its Dec. 11 meeting, the City Council increased the Long Beach Harbor Department’s budget by more than $18 million to allocate for the purchase of the vacant high-rise at 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, located roughly 12 miles from Port facilities.

The purchase price of the building, last occupied by Boeing, is $14.25 million. The Port expects to spend another $10 million on renovations, including installing security and a boardroom on the first floor, for a total cost of $24.3 million.

The Council’s action comes after the Long Beach Harbor Commission approved entering into a purchase and sale agreement with OC Investors, Inc. and Long Beach Airport Business Park II on Nov. 5. The motion passed in a 4-1 vote, with Harbor Commission Vice

President Thomas Fields dissenting. The Port plans to close escrow on the deal on Dec. 27.

The relocation allows the Port to move out of its current 53-year-old administration building, located at 925 Harbor Plaza, which is overcrowded and poses safety risks due to it being seismically outdated.

Fifth District Long Beach City Councilmember Gerrie Schipske welcomed the Port to the new location. “I want to welcome you to the fifth council district … now the home of the Port of Long Beach as long as you’d like to be there,” she said.

Port officials, however, reassured the City Council that the move is only temporary and that the Harbor Commission is “committed” to move the Port’s staff into a permanent facility in the downtown area. Port officials said a plan to identify a long-term facility should be approved sometime early next year.

“I think the Board has made it very clear that is the intention … to be downtown for our permanent headquarters,” said Port Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle. Harbor Commission President Susan Wise said the determination of whether to build a new port facility or

purchase an existing high-rise for a permanent home would be done in an “open and transparent process that’s inclusive.”

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster said moving the Port’s staff to an empty building near the airport was “the right decision” and the fiscally “prudent” thing to do, even though the Port’s staff may have to endure a “little bit of inconvenience” by being somewhat distant from the Port complex. Schipske noted that purchasing the 750,000-square-foot building is cheaper than leasing the space until a permanent, new building is constructed.

For several years now, the Port has being searching for a place to relocate its staff, but disputes, allegations and drawnout arguments have stalled the large move.

After the Port’s $300-million proposal to build its own complex inside the Port was vetoed by Mayor Foster in 2010, Port staff came forward with plans to purchase the 27-story World Trade Center building downtown in November of last year. However, the Harbor Commission failed to come to a consensus after two commissioners brought up concerns about security and the purchase price, and the deal fell out of escrow.

LB port cargo volumes jump 20 percent in November as ocean carriers add services

Container volumes at the Port of Long Beach rose steeply in November with imports up 20.2 percent and exports up 24.6 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

Port terminals handled 555,513 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) overall, an increase of 20.8 percent from November 2011.

The rise in container traffic came as more ocean carriers added services to Long Beach in recent months, including CMA CGM and MSC, two of the world’s largest con-

tainer shipping companies.

Import container traffic rose to 278,534 TEUs, the highest November volume in five years. Export container traffic rose to 138,312 TEUs, the second highest November volume in five years. Empty container volumes rose 18.4 percent from a year ago to 138,667 TEUs. With imports exceeding exports, empty containers are sent overseas to be refilled with goods.

After mostly declining traffic in the middle of the year, the late boost

has helped bring Port cargo volumes closer to 2011 levels, according to the Port.

For the first 11 months of the year, imports are virtually flat compared to the same period a year ago, down 0.3 percent, and exports are up 2 percent. Overall container volumes are down 1.2 percent through November due mainly to a decline in empty container traffic, which is down 5.9 percent in the same period.

Fifth District Long Beach City Councilmember Gerrie Schipske invites residents to the 7th Annual State of the 5th Council District to take place on Jan. 10 from 6pm to 8pm at the Long Beach Water Treatment Plant, 2950 Redondo Ave. at

Spring Street.

Schipske will be joined by representatives from the police and fire departments, public works and city management to review the accomplishments of 2012 and what to look forward to in 2013. In addi-

tion, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the Long Beach Police Department’s new East Division Commander Paul LeBaron.

To register for the event, call (562) 570-6932 or email district5@longbeach.gov .

Source: POLB

LB Councilmember Schipske to host State of 5th District event Jan. 10

WISHING

YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Best wishes!

Congressman-elect Alan & Debbie Lowenthal

3

Metro Briefs

GATEWAY CITIES

Holiday Eve Free Fares To help you enjoy the holidays safely, all Metro buses and trains will o=er free service on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Speci>cally, no fare will be charged from 9pm on Monday, December 24 until 2am Tuesday, December 25 and from 9pm on Monday, December 31 until 2am on Tuesday, January 1. Have a safe holiday. Go Metro.

Go Metro To The Rose Parade To really enjoy this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, use the Metro Gold Line and skip the tra;c and parking hassles. All Metro Rail lines will run overnight on December 31 to help you make your connections. Plan your trip at metro.net.

Medical, Dental, Metro Pass Start the New Year out right. Now is the time to get your company involved – asks your boss to buy Metro passes for all employees as an employee bene>t. Employees save money riding Metro and the company enjoys tax savings, reduced parking demands and improved employee morale. >nd out more at 213.922.2811.

Metro Runs Weekends ‘Til 2am All Metro Rail lines, along with the Metro Orange and Silver lines, provide extended service running until approximately 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. Catch the overtime action, stay for the encore or take time for a bite to eat and still count on Metro for your ride home! For exact schedules, check metro.net.

Metro ExpressLanes Now Open Join thousands of motorists who are getting through tra;c faster by using the new Metro ExpressLanes on the I-110 Harbor Freeway.

Solo drivers can use the lanes for a toll, while carpools, vanpools ® and motorcycles travel toll-free. All need a FasTrak account and transponder; to get yours, visit metro.net/expresslanes.

If you’d like to know more, visit metro.net.

13-1050ps_gat-ne-13-007 ©2012 lacmta

DECEMBER 21, 2012

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4 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Council

continued from page 1

anced budgets from fiscal-years 2011 to 2013, when the City didn’t have to rely on the reserve. The mayor praised Alcantara’s efforts to address the $2.7 million loss of redevelopment-agency revenue when State legislators suddenly ended the City’s redevelopment program last year.

Later that night, Alcantara and City Manager Ken Farfsing together presented a preliminary year-end financial report, which also underscored the finance director’s emphasis on the rainy-day financial reserves. According to the report, the City will have a $1.26-million surplus at the end of the 2011-2012 fis-

NEWS

cal year. The Council ultimately approved a staff recommendation to put $1 million in the reserve fund.

Farfsing said that the reserve level is projected to reach 59 percent in June, 2013.

Alcantara acknowledged the qualifications of her successor as the outgoing finance director hands over the responsibility to oversee Signal Hill’s coffers to the City’s new finance director, Terri Marsh.

“I know you will be in good hands with Terri,” Alcantara told the Council in a voice that trembled at times with emotion. “You have also the….best finance staff I have ever worked with, and I know that everyone in this City has worked so that we maintained this bit of good

Thoughts from the Publisher

by Neena Strichart

With time and money running more than short for holiday gift shopping, many folks are desperately grabbing for not the perfect gift – but any gift! Please stop and think a moment before buying just any old random item to wrap and stick under the Christmas tree. My motto is “Don’t do unto others what you wouldn’t want done unto you.”

Last year, my dear sweet mom made it more

news.”

Other City officials praised Alcantara for her leadership at the finance department.

“We’re doing so well because of you and because of your tremendous dedication to this city,” Councilmember Ellen Ward told Alcantara, as she recalled the outgoing finance director’s professionalism. The councilmember contrasted the health of Signal Hill’s finances with other cities which are planning to go bankrupt.

Vice Mayor Noll acknowledged that the last two years at Signal Hill were especially difficult.

“I have been on the Council for 20 years, and I’ve never seen the changes that the State puts on in the

OPINION

than clear that she didn’t want any more “things.” No bubble bath for her – she doesn’t own a tub; please no perfume – she has all the Shalimar she could ever use; and please, no more decorator pillows or lap blankets, note cards or stationery. She especially asked for no magazine subscriptions – she gets enough reading material including junk-mail catalogs to keep her endlessly entertained.

With all of that in mind, I want to remind our readers to think thoughtfully of your seniors before bestowing presents on them. Don’t further clutter their lives with stuff. Most of these folks would rather have time with you, their loved ones, than to have you spend money on more junk that they don’t need.

last year or two,” Noll said as he recalled the State’s decision to dissolve the redevelopment program throughout California.

“It was a challenge,” he told Alcantara, “and you came up to the challenge. And working with the great team that we have, we succeeded. We had money back in our reserves...It’s exciting to see us move on. And, again, you can think about that and you’re part of it. You will always be part of it. So thank you very much and enjoy your retirement.”

The night was also a time to welcome the new finance director.

“Big shoes, Terri, but we know you can fill them,” Hansen told Marsh.

How about buying season tickets to a local theatre like Long Beach Playhouse, Musical Theatre West or the Carpenter Center and taking your loving senior family members with you to see some live entertainment on a regular basis? Think about offers to gas up Grandma’s car or take it for a car wash. How about going to the driving range with Grandpa? How about buying a brick in Signal Hill’s Hilltop Park with your loved one’s name emblazoned for all to see!? Call (562) 989-7330 for details. Just a thought.

This year we gave Mom her gift early. We bought her a unit from greatcall.com. It’s kind of like a hybrid of a “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” wrist contraption combined with a personal

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Not a sign of the times

The photos from earlier editions of the Signal Tribune show Vons grocery store in the Bixby Knolls Shopping center in what appears to be the late ‘40s and early ‘50s. I know from an aerial photo taken May 31, 1947, that this shopping center was a vacant lot then, but that by the early ‘50s it was bustling. The original store was demolished when the Osh complex was built.

The local Vons is now located in what was originally a Fed Mart, then a Home Depot, one block north of the old store.

Vons proudly displays a sign above the checkout counter that it has been serving Long Beach since 1960, as seen the recent photo. Their credit does not include the time Vons served at the old location.

I have tried to point this out to a succession of managers at the local Vons and even contacted the main office of Safeway in Northern California to try to get this corrected, but to no avail. I suspect that the source of the error is that Safeway operated a competing store where the Post Office is now located from around 1960. That store was renamed Vons when Safeway acquired Vons, and both stores were open for a period, at least until the present store opened.

DECEMBER 21, 2012

Marsh has 26 years of experience of finance and accounting in both public and private sectors, and most recently served as the finance director for the City of Stanton, according to a statement from Mayor Tina Hansen.

“There was much talk about how blessed I was to be coming here,” Marsh told the Council. “You’ve really made it such a beautiful City over the last 20 years and [have] done so much. I was never able to give good news at Stanton. I left before I got to do that, and I’m hoping that the good years of my stay outweigh the bad.”

Marsh is a resident of Signal Hill. see COUNCIL page 6

GPS. As her gift, we picked up the tab on the unit and will take care of the low monthly payments for her for as long as she has the unit.

Oh, I have a few other things for her as well, but I won’t ruin the surprise – she DOES read my column, you know!

So, be thoughtful with your gifts to one another, love and squeeze those in your life who make you happy. Together we can make the world a better place. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa to you, our loyal readers and advertisers. We love you all! When all is said and done, all that matters is that we give the gift of love, and for me I ask that we all remember the reason for the season – Happy Birthday Jesus.

It is even possible, perhaps likely, that Safeway operated stores in Long Beach prior to opening the one in 1960. I think that the building on the North West corner of Orange and Wardlow was a grocery back in the 30’s and 40’s, but I don’t know if it was a Safeway.

One would think that Safeway/Vons would want to take accurate and full credit for their service to Long Beach, and correct their sign.

Ken Slater Bixby Knolls Long Beach

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:10 AM Page 5

NEWS

DECEMBER 21, 2012

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

79-year-old LB resident killed while crossing Atlantic Avenue on red light On Wednesday, Dec. 12, at approximately 10:42 p.m., Long Beach police responded to the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Burlinghall Drive in Bixby Knolls regarding an injury traffic collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian.

The collission ultimately resulted in the death of a male adult pedestrian.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle, a 1997 Ford pick-up truck being driven by a 59-year-old male Long Beach resident, was traveliing southbound on Atlantic Avenue. The pedestrian,

identified as 79-year-old Donald Phillips of Long Beach, had been attempting to cross westbound on Atlantic Avenue at Burlinghall Drive against a red light when he was struck.

The driver indicated that he had observed the victim at the last moment, but was unable to avoid the collision. The wet roadway due to rain may have also been a factor.

Long Beach Fire Department paramedics performed life-saving efforts on the victim and transported him to a local hospital with serious injuries

where he was listed in stable condition.

The Long Beach Police Department received notification from the hospital that Phillips was pronounced deceased on Dec. 13.

There are no charges pending against the driver at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Long Beach Police Accident Investigations Detective Richard Birdsall at (562) 570-7355.

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) has been awarded a $112,800 grant for DUI checkpoints and other programs aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on local roadways. The funding is from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“DUI checkpoints are effective because they specifically target impaired driving offenders, and they also educate the public on the dangers of driving under the influence,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster.

The DUI Checkpoint grant will assist the Police Department’s ongoing efforts to reduce the number of people killed or injured in alcohol and other drug-related accidents.

“The partnership that we have with OTS enables us to maximize the level of enforcement we provide, while raising the awareness of a serious issue that directly involves the safety of our residents,” stated Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

Drunk and drugged driving is among America’s deadliest crimes.

In 2010, 791 people were killed and over 24,000 injured in alcohol and drug-impaired crashes in California, according to the LBPD. That same year, seven people were killed and 139 people were injured in these types of crashes in Long Beach.

Checkpoints have proven to be the most effective of DUI enforcement strategies, reducing alcoholrelated crashes by an average of 20

percent and yielding considerable cost savings, according to the LBPD, which states that the department is “dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.”

DUI checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we witnessed from 2006 to 2010 in California, said Christopher J. Murphy, director of OTS, who added that “since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Long Beach needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that this grant will provide.”

A jury has convicted gang member, Jose Meza, 24, of Harbor City, for assaulting his girlfriend in May 2012, according to an announcement from the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office released Dec. 13. Meza was immediately sentenced by Judge Laura Laesecke to one year in jail, the maximum punishment for misdemeanor battery.

“This was a terrible act of violence and I’m grateful the judge imposed the maximum sentence,” said City Prosecutor Doug Haubert. “In this case the punishment really should be much greater, but I am pleased with the jury’s verdict of guilty.”

On the morning of May 19, 2012, Meza got into a verbal argument with his girlfriend outside a party in Long Beach. During the argument, Meza began punching his girlfriend multiple times in the face until she fell on the ground, at which time Meza kicked her.

The two left the party together and drove in Meza’s car toward Harbor City. In Wilmington, Meza pulled over at a gas station and told her to get out and walk home. The victim, bleeding and unsure where she was, asked a nearby resident to borrow his phone and called a friend. When the friend arrived, the victim was taken directly to Harbor/UCLA Hospital where she was

treated for lacerations to her hands and a contusion to her right jaw.

The victim did not cooperate with police and did not show up for the trial, which took four days. The case was handled by Deputy City Prosecutor Arturo D. Sanchez.

Although Meza was sentenced to one year in Los Angeles County jail, it is unclear how much of that time he will spend behind bars, according to the city prosecutor, who added that, due to prison realignment, many of those incarcerated only serve a fraction of their sentences.

Three cargo-shipping terminals at the Port of Long Beach that were closed by an eight-day strike will have some cargo fees waived to provide financial relief and to expedite the movement of containers.

“We are relieved to return to full operations and we want to do our part in getting things back to normal as soon as possible,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle. “Hundreds of thousands of jobs are dependent on our local ports, so the work now begins to clear the backlog and to get our economic engine humming again.”

A clerical-workers union launched a strike against marine-terminal operators that halted goods movement from Nov. 27 to Dec. 4. Before the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit came to a tentative labor-contract agreement, the strike closed three of the six container terminals at the Port of Long Beach and seven terminals at the Port of Los Angeles. The impacted terminals in Long Beach were LBCT (Pier F), ITS (Pier G) and TTI (Pier T).

Long Beach port officials is now planning to waive its portion of cargo

LBPD receives $112,800 grant for DUI checkpoints Source: LBPD

Source: LBPD

Gang member sentenced to one year in jail for beating girlfriend

Source: LB City Prosecutor

LB Port to waive fees for terminals impacted by strike

fees incurred or impacted by the forced closures. Ports assess fees on cargo containers that linger on its terminals beyond a certain grace period.

Importers, exporters or their agents should contact service providers such as ocean carriers or terminal operators for more details on cargo fees.

“What we want to do is minimize the impact of the closure on our customers,” Lytle said. “We will continue working closely with all the stakeholders for a smooth transition to normal operations.”

Source: POLB

5

BRIGHT AND EARLY What Sunrise Meditation Who Everyday Zen Where Everyday Zen Relaxation Studio, 3740 Atlantic Ave. Studio 201 When Friday, Dec. 21 from 6am to 7am More Info Sunrise meditation to celebrate the Winter Solstice. This is a donation-based meditation, attendees are encouraged to pay as much as they would like. Call (562) 424-2444.

IN MEMORIAM What Candlelight Vigil Who Cal Heights Neighborhood Association Where Corner of Bixby Rd. and Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach.

When Friday, Dec. 21 from 6pm to 6:30pm More Info Event seeks to offer gentle camaraderie and neighborly support as attendees contemplate the tragic events in Connecticut. Local pastors, Amy Aitken and Danny Bradfield, will offer an interfaith message. Candles will be available for purchase at Bella Cosa (bring your own foil or cup to catch the wax) or bring your own LED candles.

STROLLIN’ AROUND What Neighborhood walking club Who Bixby Knolls Strollers Where Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 4105 Atlantic Ave. When Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:30am More Info Weekly walking club. LaunderPet will provide bags to attendees with dogs. The walks last for about an hour. Route changes each week. Visit bixbyknollsinfo.com .

IT’S IN A BOOK What Monthly community book club Who The Bixby Knolls Literary Society Where Elise’s Tea Room, 3924 Atlantic Ave. When Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7pm More Info Next month, the club delves into Appointment in Samarra by John O’Hara. Parking is available along Atlantic Avenue. Refreshments will be provided. Call (562) 595-0081 or email info@bixbyknollsinfo.com .

OPERA AT THE LIBRARY What LA Opera Series Who LA Opera and the El Dorado Neighborhood Library Where El Dorado Neighborhood Library, 2900 Studebaker Rd. When Saturday, Jan 12 at 2pm More Info The LA Opera Lecture Series will present insightful talks that address history, literature, philosophy and fine arts within the context of opera. The series is presented by LA Opera’s Community Educators, a team of trained volunteer experts. The LA Opera offers a chance for attendees to be entered into a drawing for an opera-related gift to be given out at the end of the presentation. Call (562) 570-3136.

HEART OF THE MATTER What Women’s Heart and Stroke Seminar Who Long Beach Memorial Where Long Beach Memorial, 2801 Atlantic Ave. When Saturday, Feb. 23 from 7:30am to 2:30pm More Info Full day of women’s heart and stroke lectures. Blood pressure, carotid ultrasound, cholesterol and blood glucose (non-fasting) screenings will be provided throughout the day. Cost is $25. Call (888)794-9466.

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Pay-on-death Accounts are similar to naming a beneficiary in that the bank account owner completes banking paperwork which names the person(s) who will receive the bank account upon the bank owner’s death.

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6 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Council

continued from page 4

Other City Council highlights: Santa’s Workshop: Police Chief Michael Langston commended Sgt. Brian Leyn and other volunteers from the department for their work to provide Christmas presents for young patients and their families during the Santa’s Workshop at Miller Children’s Hospital.

Applebee’s Restaurant: The Council voted 4-1 in favor of a resolution that approved a conditional-use permit to Applebee’s Restaurant to operate a restaurant and bar at 899 E. Spring Street. Councilmember Ed Wilson voted against the permit, citing concerns that the plan did not incorporate a patio restaurant that took advantage of the city views. The plans do have outdoor bench seating, according to Jim O’Keefe of Apple American Group, the franchise company that will be in charge of the restaurant.

Sign: Three residents spoke out

COMMUNITY

against a new electronic sign board, citing safety concerns that the board lights would be distracting to drivers.

The sign board was set to replace an old message board for City announcements near Cherry Avenue and Hill Street.

Wireless telecommunications facility: The Council unanimously voted in favor of a resolution that approved construction and operation of a wireless telecommunications facility at 2230 Lemon Avenue. The facility will be made to look like a palm tree.

Taxpayers’ Right to Know and Vote: Signal Hill Community First representative Maria Harris announced that her community organization gathered more than 1,000 signatures for what the organization has named the “Taxpayers’ Right to Know and Vote” petition.

She said that the petition is with the Los Angeles County registrar of voters for signature verification.

Next Council meeting: The next Council meeting will take place at the Council Chamber in Signal Hill City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7pm.

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LB’s ‘greatest storyteller’ to be determined by judges, audience at LB Playhouse on Dec. 30

The second season of “Long Beach Searches for the Greatest Storyteller” ends next Sunday, Dec. 30 at 7pm at the Long Beach Playhouse, when the winner will be determined by the audience and judges.

The spring, summer and fall shows each produced two finalists who had the winning five-minute story of the night. Ben Peters, Robbin Fortier, Kori Denis, Justin Ezzi, Catherine Close and Jason Bowes, will compete on the main stage to determine who is “the greatest storyteller” during the winter final show.

Cost is $10.

Andrew Vonderschmitt, producing artistic director of the Playhouse, said, “Last year, the finals sold out; it was a great night. Our Playhouse

is for the community and this event is a chance for anyone, not just actors using scripts, to perform.”

Throughout the year, story topics ranged from Fortier’s poignant cancer-survivor story to a different kind of medical experience, as Ezzi spun a hilarious tale about his visit to the doctor for an examination of the “bathing suit area.” For finals, each storyteller must come up with a new tale.

Local Oscar-winning, Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams will be on hand to open the show with his own true story. “Actually, Paul will tell a new story too," said show producer Mariana Williams, Paul’s wife. Opening second half will be comedian Wayne Federman, who has appeared on Curb Your Enthusi-

asm and other sit-coms, Williams said.

Six judges along with the audience will vote, and the winner is awarded $100. The judges are all luminaries in Long Beach, representing many facets of the arts community, including Novelist Darlene Quinn, Long Beach City College English Professor Charla Howard, Drama Coach Frederick Ponzlov, educator and host of Straight Talk Art Levine, Editor of the Grunion Gazette Harry Saltzgaver and Moth Competitive Storyteller of renown Bill Ratner. Each judge’s vote counts for five points and each audience member’s vote is one point.

The El Dorado Nature Center is offering a series of workshops for children on winter break this holiday season. The programs are for children ages 5 to 8 with kindergarten experience.

Sessions are available from 9:30am to 11:30am or 1pm to 3pm, with a fee of $12 per child per class. Pre-registration is required for each class.

• Monday, Dec. 24: Children get a chance to celebrate the “gifts of nature” with holiday creations made from materials found on the trail.

• Wednesday, Dec. 26: Can you smell your way home or find your dinner in the dark? Children will

investigate the mysterious sensory world of nature and experience their surroundings in a different way.

• Thursday, Dec. 27: Children will go on adventures at the Nature Center and learn more about the powers of animals.

• Friday, Dec. 28: Children will discover the wild world animals found in own backyards, including opossums, bugs, sparrows and slugs.

• Monday, Dec. 31: Creativity abounds as children will create an outdoor masterpiece from natural items found along the trails.

• Wednesday, Jan. 2: How do living things make it through the win-

ter? Children will explore extreme survival techniques used during the "Big Chill."

• Thursday, Jan. 3: It’s not the Island of Lost Boys, but children will go for a ride to the land of imagination and darkened spaces and find friends in watery places.

• Friday, Jan. 4: What do birds, butterflies and whales have in common? Children will investigate the migration of animals.

To register for these programs, call (562) 570-1745 or visit the Center at 7550 E Spring St.

The University Art Museum (UAM) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) has announced three upcoming exhibitions, “Chockablock,” “Significant Ordinaries” and “I AM UAM,” running from Jan. 26 through April 14, 2013. Admission is free.

“Chockablock” is a group exhibition that shows how the influence of the digital activities of surfing, sampling and aggregating can be discerned in the creative process and the visual characteristics of artwork, social practice or performance by the participating 16 regionally based artists. Participating artists include Anthony Carfello, Alice Clements, Evan Higgins, Roya Falahi, Amir H. Fallah, Asad Faulwell, Janice Gomez, Julia Haft-Candell, Ashley Hagen, Jonathon Hornedo, Ichiro Irie and Lucas Kazansky, Anna Mayer, Prumsodun Ok, Lisa Tchakmakian, Devon Tsuno and Jemima Wyman.

“Significant Ordinaries” is an exhibition from the Museum and Curatorial Studies CSULB Graduate Program. Curated by David De Boer, Eamonn Fox and Mary Grace Sanchez and organized as a part of the graduate program, Significant Ordinaries explores the practices of artists that use curatorial techniques in their artwork and invites visitors to participate in the story, connect the

dots and complete the artworks.

“I AM UAM” is an ongoing engagement research project that will be displayed in an exhibition space designed as a casual “think tank” reading room. For the duration of the exhibition, visitors will be invited to review, respond and contribute new data in “real time” and become important participants in the research. In October 2012, the UAM gave a survey to more than 770 undergraduate students at CSULB, asking them to share what they thought about art and their experiences at art museums. The goal of the survey was to better understand how museumgoers, especially the “millennial-age adults, engage in the arts. Ultimately, the intention is that the data from the I AM UAM survey will help the UAM to “think about the best ways to devise innovative exhibition, interpretive and educational programming to enhance visitor experiences in the future,” according to the UAM.

MORE INFORMATION (562) 494-1014 Ext. 503 lbplayhouse.org

El Dorado Nature Center offers workshops for kids on winter break

MORE INFORMATION (562) 570-3100 lbparks.org

CSULB’s University Art Museum announces upcoming exhibitions

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:10 AM Page 7

NEWS

DECEMBER 21, 2012

LBPD receives additional LoJack computers to track stolen vehicles The Long Beach Police Department will add eight LoJack tracking computers, provided by Henry Caruso owner of Pacific Ford, to its fleet and enhance Long Beach’s stolen-vehicle recovery capabilities.

The tracking computers installed in law enforcement vehicles are designed to receive silent signals emitted from a small radio transceiver hidden in a LoJack-equipped vehicle.

Officers deployed in patrol vehicles and helicopters equipped with the LoJack system follow these signals, which can lead officers directly to the stolen vehicle.

The LoJack system is a time-tested radio-frequency based theft-recovery solution, according to the LBPD. It enables area law-enforcement agencies that use the computers to track down and recover not only LoJack equipped

cars, but trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and construction equipment as well.

“This partnership provides a measurable benefit to the community, by fighting crime and making our streets safer without spending additional City funds,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster.

“We’re always looking to maximize our ability to locate stolen vehicles and partnering with Pacific Ford affords us the opportunity to increase our number of LoJack equipped vehicles to 35, at no cost to the taxpayers,” said Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

Long Beach has realized a 15.6-percent increase in auto thefts in January through November 2012 compared to the same time period in 2011. Special operations, which target auto-theft crimes, are conducted on a regular basis.

However, the LBPD encourages the public to help to report suspicious activity and reduce opportunity.

The following are tips on how to prevent auto theft: • Report suspicious persons or vehicles by calling 9-1-1.

• Secure vehicles by closing and locking all doors and windows.

• Equip your vehicle with an alarm or other anti-theft device.

• Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even if you will only be gone for a minute.

• If you have a garage, use it and keep it closed and locked.

• Report auto theft immediately.

• Be prepared to provide the make/model/license plate and vehicle identification number.

Reservoir Park in SH renovated Source: LBPD

Photo courtesy City of Signal Hill

The City of Signal Hill recently completed new additions and upgrades to the 2.78-acre Reservoir Park located at 3315 Gundry Ave. An Eagle Scout candidate led a volunteer effort to install plant identification signs and build an information kiosk in the “sustainable demonstration garden” located on the 33rd Street side of the park, and a new restroom building replaced the old one and is now open for public use, according to Pilar Alcivar-McCoy of the City of Signal Hill Community Services Department. Pictured, from left, are Signal Hill City Councilmember Ed Wilson, Signal Hill City Councilmember Ellen Ward and Signal Hill Vice Mayor Mike Noll.

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

7

SHPD to conduct DUI/drivers license checkpoint this Saturday, Dec. 22

The Signal Hill Police Department’s (SHPD) traffic unit will be conducting a DUI/drivers license checkpoint on this Saturday, Dec. 22, in the eastbound lanes of Willow Street at Cerritos Avenue from 8pm and 2:30am.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes, according to the SHPD, which adds that “research shows crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.”

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily.

Specially-trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension and/or insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes and/or other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

“DUI Checkpoints have been an essential part of the phenomenal reduction in DUI deaths that we wit-

nessed since 2006 in California,” said Christopher J. Murphy, director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). “But since the tragedy of DUI accounts for nearly one third of traffic fatalities, Signal Hill Police Department needs the high visibility enforcement and public awareness that checkpoints provide.”

Funding for the checkpoint is provided to the SHPD by a grant from the OTS through the NHTSA. Source: SHPD

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CULTURE

8 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

DECEMBER 21, 2012

Bixby Knolls artist revived from ‘painter’s block’ now works for Walt Disney Imagineering Ariana Gastelum Editorial Intern

Many artists do not succeed the first time they approach the art world. However, if they have the same drive as Cynthia Evans, they will keep trying until they finally reach their desired success.

Evans, a mixed-media painter, was born in White Plains, New York. She received her Masters of Fine Arts degree at Claremont Graduate School and her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of La Verne in California.

Evan’s pieces also include elements of collage. “This way of working – cutting out images and moving them around – has always captivated me,” she noted. “It allows for a very exploratory process in which the images form by unanticipated discoveries. Once the subject emerges, it can be refined into a highly detailed, artic-

ulate representation with paint.”

Some of the content of Evan’s paintings are personal issues that she is confronted with in her everyday life. “Making the paintings provides me with an arena to discover and work out issues of concern,” she said. “Ultimately, when the viewer experiences the images they make their own discoveries and find their own meanings.”

Today, she lives in Bixby Knolls and paints for Shanghai Disney for Walt Disney Imagineering, the designers of Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation and construction of Disney theme parks worldwide. Currently, her art is also being displayed at Koplin del Rio art gallery.

How did you become interested in art?

Oh, I remember painting like in second grade– doing a painting of

the Bronx River in New York, and I don’t know…I just always wanted to be an artist.

When did you start taking professional classes?

Well, I had a really good teacher in high school… and he was really, really encouraging to me. He told me to be an artist... and to pursue it.

So, right from high school, I went to the Art Institute of Boston, and I only lasted there about six months because all of a sudden, I realized that there was a lot of stuff I didn’t know. I was used to being the best artist in the class or the group, and then I went to art school, and it [was] like, wow, there [were] a lot of people that [were] better than me.

So, I first dropped out for a couple years, and I worked at jobs. Then I decided to go back to it. I went to a number of different colleges– mostly Claremont colleges. I started in 1970– going to school. I ended up graduating from graduate school in 1982 at Claremont Graduate University.

Do you ever work outside of your studio?

Irregularly, a friend has workshops, and we paint from the models– like nude models. And I have a whole bunch of those paintings.

And it’s really fun. We just paint all day and eat snacks and paint some more. Right now, I’m working. I just got a job a week and a half ago– a full-time job. I haven’t worked at a full-time job in like five years. I’m working for Walt Disney Imagineering. I’m painting for Shanghai Disney. I’m actually getting paid to paint. It’s a really good job.

Courtesy Los Angeles Metro

Cynthia Evans, a mixed-media painter, also includes elements of collage. The subject of her art is mainly influenced by personal issues that she is confronted by in her everyday life. Today, she lives in Bixby Knowles and paints for Shanghai Disney for Walt Disney Imagineering.

What are your inspirations?

My inspirations are just my life.

The people around me... and the environment– that’s an inspiration to me too. I like doing paintings like that. Oh, Frida Kahlo (Spanish surrealist). Oh, I like Gonzalo Cianfuegos (Chilean visual artist). And, I’ve been looking at Pompeii (ancient Roman mural painting). I love the backgrounds where the paint is all falling off.

Do you have any favorite pieces?

Yeah, I prefer some over others.

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“Distance” by Cynthia Evans

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I don’t really have them up in my house or anything. There is one painting I have up because it’s a really personal one I have about my family. I really like that one. I don’t get really attached. I’m not one of those people that are sad to see them go. I like it when people buy my work. It makes me feel like I’ve touched them or I’ve made a difference in some way.

What is meaningful about the painting you made that is held in your house?

It was done from a photograph.

It’s not like my other works. The photograph shows my uncle, my aunt and me, as a little girl, and my grandmother all sitting on the beach. We used to go to this beautiful place in Long Island when I was a kid. Everyone is on the beach, but everyone is looking a different way.

I’m looking out towards the water, and my aunt is sleeping with her head facing away from me. My grandmother is looking a different way, and my uncle is looking a different way. It’s like everyone is in their own world, but we’re still together. I did the piece as collabo-

ration with a writer. He had written a story [and was working on] finding an old faded photograph about what it meant to him. It was so similar. When I read his story, I just thought about that photo. In his story, it was about how everyone was in their own world. So, I made that painting from that.

Do you have any other hobbies?

I like walking my dog, riding my bike, just reading and listening to music.

What are you currently working on?

I have like three paintings that I’m working on called Match Dot. I’m hoping to get those done once I get used to this job. Maybe I could come home and work in my studio after being at work. I hadn’t painted for a while. I [kind of had] painters block for a few years. [I’ve] just finally started getting back into it in [the] last year or so. And then, of course, I have this job. We will just see how much energy I have.

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Things to

DECEMBER 21, 2012

DO…GIVE…EAT 2012 HOLIDAY IDEAS

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas– in California When not in Rome...

Andrea Ciccolini Staff Writer

[Ed. note– The following piece, written by Signal Tribune intern Andrea Ciccolini, was only lightly edited, in an effort to preserve his “voice” and writing style, as he makes the transition into learning English while interning here from Italy.]

It’s Christmas. It is impossible to prescind from Christmas during Christmas time; it is like a social unwritten rule. I am talking about the most famous, important, celebrated and consumerist festivity in the world.

To run away from Christmas is almost impossible. Paying a lot of money, you can travel during Christmas days. Doing this, you can run away from relatives and friends (it can be a good thing), but you cannot run away from Christmas. The red hat with the white pompom will follow you everywhere. Maybe you can be safe from Santa Claus just in some Arabic country.

But most people love this period, and they don’t want to run away.

They want to enjoy and feel every moment of the magic, white atmosphere, which covers everything during December.

Before Christmas lights and wreaths start to decorate streets and stores. The music changes, and the people begin to croon Christmas carols. Commercials become red and white, like Santa Claus’s clothes. The snow, real or fake, it does not matter, covers trees, houses, gardens and stores. Children, and not only them, start thinking about presents. At the same time, Santa Claus’s elves start overworking, and commercial companies start calculating profits. And someone affirms to take in the smell of Christmas. Children are excited, adults less.

A few days ago after cooking lasagna with and for some friends, I was in the balcony of my apartment watching the Christmas lights inside the complex and I was thinking about this strange period of the year. I was thinking that this will be my first Christmas far from Italy. As I kept thinking about Christmas, I felt that there was a big difference between the Christmas period in Italy and that in California.

For example, in Italy, Santa Claus has to share the lights of the stage with newborn Jesus. The influence of the Vatican is very strong and powerful in my country and we give much more importance to the religious meaning of Christmas than in the U.S. where there are a lot of different religious confessions.

It is possible to see this influence in the fact that in every Italian house there is the Christmas tree but also the Christmas crib. And several times the Christmas crib is much more important than the tree. In every church there is a Christmas crib and it is not rare to find someone who acts in the animated crib.

Another example of the Vatican influence in Italy is the midnight Christmas ceremony. Every church, from the oldest to the newest, is crowded.

The strong religious dimension of Christmas in Italy does not mean that it is not a consumerist festivity.

Like here, in this period, stores are full of people who are looking for presents to give, often times to pesky relatives. The streets are full

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of traffic, and the people are full of stress.

Another big difference between Italian and Californian Christmas is that here everybody wears something that refers to this period. This is more true in the places where there is contact with the customer and in the parties. Yes, the Christmas parties, totally different from one side to the other of the Atlantic Ocean. Here there are just normal parties, the difference is only in the Christmas environment and in the exchange of presents– the moment when “recycling presents” becomes an art. In Italy, it is not so common to wear Christmas clothes, and the most important moment of the party is the gambling. There are gambling games with traditional Italian cards that we play only in the period of Christmas. We play with money also in the traditional, and, boring, according to me, is Christmas Bingo.

But, these are not the big differences I was feeling in the balcony of my apartment.

Watching the Christmas lights, I have noticed that in Italy there are much more lights on the streets and less outside of the houses.

But this is not the difference I was looking for.

In Italy, there is not a Christmastree lot on every corner of the streets.

If you want to buy an Italian Christmas tree, you have to know where a place is that sells firs.

But this is not the difference I was looking for either.

winter of cold and snow.

Anyways, it can be cold or warm, you can wear typical clothes or not, you can hate it or love it, but it is really coming. And it is Christmas. So, get ready.

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:10 AM Page 10

10 SIGNAL TRIBUNE SATURDAY

DECEMBER 22

(FAM) Disney’s Prep and Landing Elves known as 10 a.m.

Prep & Landing prepare homes around the world for Santa’s arrival.

(HALL) Movie “All I Want for Christmas” (2007, Drama) Gail O’Grady.A nine-year-old boy enters a contest to find a new husband for his mother.

10:30 a.m. (FAM) Prep and Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice Wayne and his estranged brother, Lanny, race to recover classified North Pole technology.

(FAM) Mickey’s Christmas Carol The three ghosts 11 a.m. of Christmas visit Scrooge McDuck to teach him the spirit of the holiday.

(NBC) Big Fish 11:30 a.m. (FAM) Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too! Pooh and Piglet play Santa when their Christmas letter doesn’t make it to the North Pole.

11:45 a.m. (TCM) Movie “Bush Christmas” (1947, Drama) Chips Rafferty. On their way home from school five children encounter horse thieves.

(FAM) A Chipmunk Christmas Alvin gives his harNoon monica to a sick boy and must find another for his Christmas concert.

(HALL) Movie “Help for the Holidays” (2012, Family) Summer Glau. A woman sets out to teach her employers what it means to be a family at Christmas time.

(LIFE) Movie “A Very Cool Christmas” (2004, Drama) George Hamilton. A teenager helps Santa Claus recapture his spark by giving him a makeover.

12:30 p.m. (FAM) Movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys” (2001, Animated) Voices of Jamie Lee Curtis. Rudolph and his friends must stop the evil Toy Taker who has taken all of Santa’s toys.

(FOOD) Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Guy visits 1 p.m. some local joints in North Pole, Alaska, which has an allyear Christmas feel.

1:15 p.m. (TCM) Movie “Carol for Another Christmas” (1964, Drama) (FAM) Rudolph’s Shiny New Year Rudolph must 2 p.m. find Happy, the missing baby new year, before midnight on New Year’s Eve. (HALL) Movie “Baby’s First Christmas” (2012, Romance) Casper Van Dien. Feuding colleagues must learn to get along in time for their nephew’s birth on Christmas.

(HGTV) White House Christmas Nostalgic look back at what makes 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. favorite place during holidays.

(LIFE) Movie “Holiday Wishes” (2006, Drama) Amber Benson. After a visit to the mall with Santa, a rich girl and an orphan switch bodies.

(FAM) A Miser Brothers Christmas It’s up to broth3 p.m. ers Heat Miser and Snow Miser to come together and help save Christmas.

(TCM) Movie “The Man Who Came to Dinner” (1942, Comedy) Monty Woodley. When a lecturer injures himself outside a family’s home, they are forced to take him in.

(TNT) Movie “A Christmas Carol” (1999, Drama) Patrick Stewart.A miserly old man is visited by three ghosts in order to learn the meaning of Christmas.

(FAM) The Year Without a Santa Claus Santa 4 p.m. decides to take time off because he feels people have lost the spirit of Christmas.

(HALL) Movie “Moonlight and Mistletoe” (2008, Drama) Tom Arnold.A woman must return to her hometown of Santaville to help her father.

(LIFE) Movie “Crazy for Christmas” (2005, Drama) Andrea Roth. On Christmas Eve, a single mother finds herself having to chauffeur an eccentric client.

(FAM) Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town Kris Kringle 5 p.m. overcomes an evil ruler and delivers toys to children all over

HolidayTV

the world.

(FOOD) Iron Chef America Two Iron Chefs face off in this Holiday Battle: Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon.

(TNT) Movie “Four Christmases” (2009, Comedy) Vince Vaughn.A couple struggles to spend Christmas with all four of their divorced parents.

5:45 p.m. (AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947, Family) Maureen O’Hara. A Macy’s store Santa Claus causes furor when he claims to be the real Kris Kringle.

(FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause” (1994, Comedy) 6 p.m.

Tim Allen. When a father mistakenly kills Santa Claus, he is magically recruited to take his place.

(HALL) Movie “A Christmas Wish” (2010, Family) Kristy Swanson. A woman, left destitute by her husband, faces a bleak Christmas with her children.

(LIFE) Movie “Dear Santa” (2011, Drama) Amy Acker. A young woman finds a letter from a girl asking for a new wife for her dad.

(EWTN) Living Right 7 p.m.

(TLC) Holiday ER An elf is in distress and a boy has a blue leg that defies diagnosis.

(ABC) Prep and Landing 2: Naughty vs. Nice 8 p.m.

Wayne and his estranged brother, Lanny, race to recover classified North Pole technology.

(AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994, Drama) Lord Richard Attenborough.A young girl’s mother hires a department store Santa who proves that he’s genuine.

(EWTN) Theater of the Word (FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause 2” (2002, Family) Tim Allen.

After being Santa Claus for a few years, Scott Calvin must find a wife and help his son.

(FOOD) Unwrapped Marc takes a look at holiday treats, including an edible snowglobe and gingerbread.

(FOX) Cops The Portland Police Bureau catches a man and a woman engaged in lewd activity in a car.

(HALL) Movie “The Christmas Card” (2006, Drama) Edward Asner. Moved by an anonymous Christmas card, Captain Cody Cullen searches for the card’s sender.

(NBC) Mister Magoo’s Christmas CarolA musical adaptation of the classic story ‘The Christmas Carol.’

8:30 p.m. (ABC) A Chipmunk Christmas Alvin gives his harmonica to a sick boy and must find another for his Christmas concert.

(FOX) Cops A police officer in Las Vegas poses as a taxi cab driver to catch prostitutes in the city.

(ABC) CMA Country Christmas Country’s biggest 9 p.m. superstars join together to celebrate the holidays.

(FOOD) Unwrapped Marc discovers what is in Grandma’s fruitcake and why it enjoys a special reputation.

(FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape 10 p.m.

Clause” (2007, Family) Tim Allen. Santa Claus prepares for a busy Christmas with his in-laws and the mischievous Jack Frost.

(FOOD) Unwrapped The best treats from this festive time of the year.

(LIFE) Movie “Finding Mrs. Clause” (2012, Drama) Mira Sorvino. Mrs. Clause heads to Las Vegas to help a little girl with her Christmas wish.

(TBN) Movie “Love’s Christmas Journey” (2011, Romance) Ellie Davis.A woman’s brother goes missing while she’s visiting him during the Christmas holiday.

10:30 p.m. (AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994, Drama) Lord Richard Attenborough. A young girl’s mother hires a department store Santa who proves that he’s genuine.

(FOOD) Iron Chef America Two Iron Chefs face off 11 p.m. in this Holiday Battle: Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon.

Midnight (FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause 2” (2002, Family) Tim Allen. After being Santa Claus for a few years, Scott Calvin must find a wife and help his son.

(FOOD) Unwrapped Marc discovers what is in Grandma’s

fruitcake and why it enjoys a special reputation.

(HALL) Movie “All I Want for Christmas” (2007, Drama) Gail O’Grady.A nine-year-old boy enters a contest to find a new husband for his mother.

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 23

(HALL) Movie “The Night Before the Night Before 10 a.m.

Christmas” (2010, Family) Rick Roberts. Santa Claus loses his memory and his magical bag two days before Christmas.

10:30 a.m. (EWTN) Theater of the Word (HALL) Movie “The Christmas Card” (2006, Drama) Noon Edward Asner. Moved by an anonymous Christmas card, Captain Cody Cullen searches for the card’s sender.

12:30 p.m. (FAM) Movie “Fred Claus” (2007, Comedy) Paul Giamatti. Santa bails his criminal brother out of jail and brings him to the North Pole.

(EWTN) Catholic University of America’s Christmas 1 p.m.

Concert A fabulous Christmas concert by the Catholic University of America.

(FOOD) Chopped The holiday-themed battle features spiral ham, Italian cookies and eggnog.

(TCM) Movie “The Three Godfathers” (1948, Western) John Wayne. Three desperadoes risk everything to get an orphaned newborn to safety.

(ABC) CMA Country Christmas Country’s biggest 2 p.m. superstars join together to celebrate the holidays.

(FOOD) Unwrapped The best treats from this festive time of the year.

(HALL) Movie “Eve’s Christmas” (2004, Drama) Cheryl Ladd. An executive about to become a partner in her firm re-evaluates her life on Christmas Eve. 2:45 p.m. (COM) Movie “Bad Santa” (2003, Comedy) Billy Bob Thornton. A conman poses as a mall Santa in order to rip off department stores during the holidays.

(FOOD) Unwrapped Marc takes a look at holiday 3 p.m. treats, including an edible snowglobe and gingerbread.

3:15 p.m. (AMC) Movie “A Christmas Carol” (1984, Drama) George C. Scott.An old man who hates Christmas is taught its true meaning and spirit by three ghosts.

(FOOD) Unwrapped Marc discovers what is in 4 p.m.

Grandma’s fruitcake and why it enjoys a special reputation.

(FAM) Movie “The Polar Express” (2004, Animated) 5 p.m.

Voices of Tom Hanks.A doubting, little boy boards a magical train to visit the North Pole on Christmas Eve. (LIFE) Movie “Christmas on Chestnut Street” (2006, Comedy/Drama) Kristen Dalton. When a store mistakenly orders 60,000 Christmas lights, they promote a decorating contest.

(TCM) Movie “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947, Comedy) Cary Grant. An angel comes to Earth to help a bishop and his wife raise funds to build a new church.

5:45 p.m. (AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947, Family) Maureen O’Hara. A Macy’s store Santa Claus causes furor when he claims to be the real Kris Kringle.

(FX) Movie “Deck the Halls” (2005, Family) 6 p.m.

Gabrielle Carteris. An eight year-old boy begins to think his neighbor may be Santa Claus.

(HALL) Movie “Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas” (2011, Romance) Gil Bellows. A man and woman find love at the most unexpected time and have the best Christmas ever.

(COM) Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Spe7 p.m. cial Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, sounds like Christmas is here for Jeff Dunham.

(FAM) Movie “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000, Fantasy) Jim Carrey. The Grinch disguises himself as Santa to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville.

(LIFE) Movie “Holiday High School Reunion” (2012, Comedy) Harry Hamlin. A woman returns home for Christmas just in time her high school reunion.

(TCM) Movie “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (1947, Com-

edy) Don DeFore. While a family is away for Christmas, a hobo and his friends live in their mansion.

(AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994, 8 p.m.

Drama) Lord Richard Attenborough. A young girl’s mother hires a department store Santa who proves that he’s genuine.

(FX) Movie “Christmas With the Kranks” (2004, Comedy) Tim Allen. Luther and Nora Krank scramble to create the perfect Christmas for their daughter.

(HALL) Movie “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (2008, Drama) Brooke Burns. A single mom who has lost all faith in Christmas finds answers when her uncle visits.

(TRAVEL) Christmas to the Extreme Join us as we celebrate Christmas with those who truly take Christmas to the extreme.

(COM) Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Spe9 p.m. cial Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, sounds like Christmas is here for Jeff Dunham.

(FOX) Family Guy When Lois’ dad falls asleep at the wheel, the family decides it’s time for him to retire.

(TRAVEL) Christmas Crazy We dash from coast-to-coast to find the most decked-out holiday homes and stores.

9:30 p.m. (FAM) Movie “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000, Fantasy) Jim Carrey. The Grinch disguises himself as Santa to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville.

(FOX) American Dad Father Donovan holds a Christmas play, casting Stan as Santa Claus and Roger as Jesus.

(FX) Movie “Christmas With the Kranks” (2004, 10 p.m.

Comedy) Tim Allen. Luther and Nora Krank scramble to create the perfect Christmas for their daughter.

(HALL) Movie “The Night Before the Night Before Christmas” (2010, Family) Rick Roberts. Santa Claus loses his memory and his magical bag two days before Christmas.

(TRAVEL) Christmas Crazier The ultimate guide to over-thetop Christmas attractions.

10:30 p.m. (AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1994, Drama) Lord Richard Attenborough. A young girl’s mother hires a department store Santa who proves that he’s genuine.

(EWTN) In Concert 11 p.m.

Midnight (FX) Movie “Deck the Halls” (2005, Family) Gabrielle Carteris. An eight year-old boy begins to think his neighbor may be Santa Claus.

(HALL) Movie “The Case for Christmas” (2011, Comedy/Drama)Amanda Barker.A lawyer and recent widower takes Santa on as a client and lets love back into his life.

(TRAVEL) Christmas Crazy We dash from coast-to-coast to find the most decked-out holiday homes and stores.

MONDAY

DECEMBER 24

(FX) Movie “Christmas With the Kranks” (2004, 10 a.m.

Comedy) Tim Allen. Luther and Nora Krank scramble to create the perfect Christmas for their daughter.

(TBS) Meet the Browns Brown and Curtis battle over who gets to be Santa when they put on a play at the hospital.

(TCM) Movie “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947, Comedy) Cary Grant. An angel comes to Earth to help a bishop and his wife raise funds to build a new church.

10:30 a.m. (TBS) House of Payne Ella cancels the Hawaii trip so she and Curtis can spend Christmas with C.J. and the kids.

11:15 a.m. (AMC) Movie “Prancer” (1989, Family) Sam Elliott.

A girl finds an injured reindeer and decides to nurse it until she can return it to Santa.

(FX) Movie “Deck the Halls” (2005, Family) Noon Gabrielle Carteris. An eight year-old boy begins to think his neighbor may be Santa Claus.

DECEMBER 21, 2012

(HALL) Movie “The Night They Saved Christmas” (1985,

Family) Jaclyn Smith. Santa has very little to be jolly about as his toy factory is threatened with demolition.

(FAM) Movie “The Polar Express” (2004, Animated) 1 p.m.

Voices of Tom Hanks.A doubting, little boy boards a magical train to visit the North Pole on Christmas Eve. 1:45 p.m. (AMC) Movie “White Christmas” (1954, Musical) Bing Crosby. Entertainers stage a musical show to save their commanding officer’s inn and find romance.

(FX) Movie “Christmas With the Kranks” (2004, 2 p.m.

Comedy) Tim Allen. Luther and Nora Krank scramble to create the perfect Christmas for their daughter.

(HGTV) Holiday Inc. Iconic sites around New York City are transformed for the holidays.

(EWTN) Mysteries of the Rosary The magic and 3 p.m. wonder of the third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.

(FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause” (1994, Comedy) Tim Allen. When a father mistakenly kills Santa Claus, he is magically recruited to take his place.

(HALL) Movie “Naughty or Nice” (2012, Drama) A 4 p.m. young woman receives a book that reveals the good and bad about everyone in her life.

4:30 p.m. (AMC) Movie “A Christmas Carol” (1984, Drama) George C. Scott.An old man who hates Christmas is taught its true meaning and spirit by three ghosts.

(CMT) Roseanne Christmastime brings Darlene a surprise visit from Bev and DJ; Becky gets a demeaning job.

(FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause 2” (2002, Family) 5 p.m.

Tim Allen. After being Santa Claus for a few years, Scott Calvin must find a wife and help his son.

(TCM) Movie “The Shop Around the Corner” (1940, Romance) James Stewart.A pair of co-workers do not realize that they are each other’s lonelyheart pen-pals.

5:30 p.m. (CMT) Roseanne Roseanne gets a job playing Santa Claus at the local department store.

(HALL) Movie “Eloise at Christmastime” (2003, 6 p.m.

Family) Sofia Vassilieva. It’s Christmastime and Eloise gets mixed up with wedding plans at the Plaza Hotel.

(TBS) The King of Queens Doug is convinced that a ‘little person’ stole his wallet while he was out shopping.

(AMC) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947, Fam7 p.m. ily) Maureen O’Hara. A Macy’s store Santa Claus causes furor when he claims to be the real Kris Kringle.

(FAM) Movie “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” (2007, Family) Tim Allen. Santa Claus prepares for a busy Christmas with his in-laws and the mischievous Jack Frost.

(HGTV) Lightmares Two separate homeowners struggle to decorate their homes for the holidays.

(ABC) Disney’s Prep and Landing Elves known as 8 p.m.

Prep & Landing prepare homes around the world for Santa’s arrival.

(CW) Christmas Is Here Again Sophianna, a young orphan girl sets out on a journey to recover Santa’s magical toy sack.

(HALL) Movie “A Princess for Christmas” (2011, Family) Katie McGrath. A young woman falls for a dashing prince when she visits England for Christmas.

(NBC) Movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946, Drama) James Stewart. An angel shows a suicidal banker how important he has been in the lives of others.

(TBS) Movie “A Christmas Story” (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the ‘40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

8:30 p.m. (ABC) Shrek the Halls Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss In Boots and all their fairytale buddies celebrate Christmas.

(FOX) Raising Hope Virginia is convinced that the world is going to end on December 21, 2012.

(FAM) Movie “Home Alone” (1990, Comedy) 9 p.m.

Macaulay Culkin. A young boy must fend off burglars after his family accidentally leaves him home alone.

(TNT) Movie “A Christmas Carol” (1999, Drama) Patrick Stewart.A miserly old man is visited by three ghosts in order to learn the meaning of Christmas.

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:10 AM Page 11

DECEMBER 21, 2012

9:15 p.m. (AMC) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Miracle on 34th Streetâ&#x20AC;? (1947, Family) Maureen Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara. A Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store Santa Claus causes furor when he claims to be the real Kris Kringle.

9:30 p.m. (CW) Second Star to the Left A hamster, a rabbit and a guinea pig deliver a lost present from Santa to a little girl.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Songâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Family) 10 p.m.

Natasha Henstridge. The fate of two music teachers is to be decided in a city-wide Christmas carol contest.

(TBN) Jason Crabb Christmas At HLE Seasonal music.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

(COM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Santaâ&#x20AC;? (2003, Comedy) Billy Bob Thornton. A conman poses as a mall Santa in order to rip off department stores during the holidays.

11:30 p.m. (AMC) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prancerâ&#x20AC;? (1989, Family) Sam Elliott.

A girl finds an injured reindeer and decides to nurse it until she can return it to Santa.

(TCM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Man Who Came to Dinnerâ&#x20AC;? (1942, Comedy) Monty Woodley. When a lecturer injures himself outside a familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, they are forced to take him in.

11:35 p.m. (CBS) Christmas Eve Worship Service (NBC) Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica in Rome Midnight (FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;National Lampoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Vacationâ&#x20AC;? (1989, Comedy) Chevy Chase. A man plays host to numerous dysfunctional relatives during the Christmas holidays.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thomas Kinkadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home for Christmasâ&#x20AC;?

(2008, Drama) Jared Padalecki. A look at the inspiration behind Thomas Kinkadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s painting The Christmas Cottage.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

TUESDAY

DECEMBER 25

(COM) Futurama The Planet Express crew learns 10 a.m. the true meaning of Christmas, Robanukah, and Kwanzaa.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas, Carol!â&#x20AC;? (2012, Fantasy) Carrie Fisher. A ruthless tycoon is visited by the ghost of her old boss to help her change her ways.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

10:30 a.m. (FMC) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jingle All the Wayâ&#x20AC;? (1996, Comedy) Arnold Schwarzenegger. A father frantically searches for a last-minute Christmas gift for his son.

(COM) Jeff Dunhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Very Special Christmas Special Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, sounds like Christmas is here for Jeff Dunham.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Santa Clauseâ&#x20AC;? (1994, Comedy) 11 a.m.

Tim Allen. When a father mistakenly kills Santa Claus, he is magically recruited to take his place.

11:30 a.m. (TBN) Christmas with a Capital â&#x20AC;&#x153;Câ&#x20AC;? A man tries to rid his town of a 50 year old Christmas tradition.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Help for the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Family) Noon Summer Glau. A woman sets out to teach her employers what it means to be a family at Christmas time.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Santa Clause 2â&#x20AC;? (2002, Family) 1 p.m.

Tim Allen. After being Santa Claus for a few years, Scott Calvin must find a wife and help his son.

(TBN) A Christian Ebner Christmas Featuring engaging carols and arrangements to get you in the holiday spirit.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hitched for the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;? (Romance) 2 p.m.

Joey Lawrence. A man and woman agree to pose as each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant other to their families.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter

HolidayTV

Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Santa Clause 3: The Escape 3 p.m.

Clauseâ&#x20AC;? (2007, Family) Tim Allen. Santa Claus prepares for a busy Christmas with his in-laws and the mischievous Jack Frost.

3:30 p.m. (COM) Jeff Dunhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Very Special Christmas Special Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, sounds like Christmas is here for Jeff Dunham.

(CMT) Roseanne Roseanne gets a job playing 4 p.m.

Santa Claus at the local department store.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Matchmaker Santaâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Romance) Lacey Chabert. A mysterious Santa strands a baker and her boyfriendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend in a small town.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

(CMT) Roseanne Christmastime brings Darlene a 5 p.m. surprise visit from Bev and DJ; Becky gets a demeaning job.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Carolâ&#x20AC;? (2009, Animated) Jim Carrey. Spirits visit Ebenezer Scrooge and show him the errors of his ways by revisiting his life.

(TCM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love Finds Andy Hardyâ&#x20AC;? (1938, Romance) Mickey Rooney.A young teenager is caught between three romances and he does not know which one to pick.

5:30 p.m. (COM) Futurama The Planet Express crew learns the true meaning of Christmas, Robanukah, and Kwanzaa.

(COM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bad Santaâ&#x20AC;? (2003, Comedy) Billy 6 p.m.

Bob Thornton. A conman poses as a mall Santa in order to rip off department stores during the holidays.

(EWTN) TAJCI: Christmas Concert Seasonal music.

(TBS) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Storyâ&#x20AC;? (1983, Family) Peter Billingsley. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;40s, a young boy wants only one thing from Santa: an official Red Ryder BB gun.

(EWTN) Urbi et Orbi Message and Blessing Pope 7 p.m.

Benedict XVI gives the traditional message and blessing Live from St. Peters Square.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Home Aloneâ&#x20AC;? (1990, Comedy) Macaulay Culkin. A young boy must fend off burglars after his family accidentally leaves him home alone.

(ABC) Dr. Seussâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; How the Grinch Stole Christmas 8 p.m.

The story of the Grinch, who decides to steal Christmas from the citizens of Whoville.

(EWTN) Catholic University of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Concert A fabulous Christmas concert by the Catholic University of America.

(TBN) Crabb Family Christmas (COM) Jeff Dunhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Very Special Christmas Special Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, sounds like Christmas is here for Jeff Dunham.

8:30 p.m. (ABC) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dr. Seussâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; How the Grinch Stole Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2000, Fantasy) Jim Carrey. The Grinch disguises himself as Santa to steal Christmas from the people of Whoville.

(FOX) New Girl The gang attempts to juggle multiple holiday parties in one night.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;National Lampoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas 9 p.m.

Vacationâ&#x20AC;? (1989, Comedy) Chevy Chase.A man plays host to numerous dysfunctional relatives during the Christmas holidays.

10 p.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naughty or Niceâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Drama) A young woman receives a book that reveals the good and bad about everyone in her life.

(TVLAND) Everybody Loves Raymond A Christmas letter written by Marie and Debra causes problems among the Barones.

10:30 p.m. (EWTN) In Concert Midnight (FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Santa Clause 2â&#x20AC;? (2002, Family) Tim Allen. After being Santa Claus for a few years, Scott Calvin must find a wife and help his son.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come Dance With Meâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Romance) Andrew McCarthy.A financial executive learns to waltz, but

falls in love with his dance instructor.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26

10 a.m. (EWTN) Catholic University of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Concert A fabulous Christmas concert by the Catholic University of America.

(TBN) The Perfect Gift Tells the story of the Advent 11 a.m. with a cast of talented and anointed singers.

(TBS) House of Payne Janine takes the kids out for a fun day without C.J.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permission.

12:30 p.m. (TBS) American Dad Stan learns the true meaning of the season after he has a near-fatal mishap.

1:30 p.m. (EWTN) The ChimesA London porter finds comfort in the towerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chimes and later, in helping strangers.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Christmas Heartâ&#x20AC;? (2012, 2 p.m.

Drama) Teri Polo. A boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhood bands together when he is hospitalized and in need of a transplant.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Town Without Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2001, 4 p.m.

Drama) Patricia Heaton. A reporter and a novelist try to locate a child who wrote a disturbing letter to Santa.

4:30 p.m. (FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fred Clausâ&#x20AC;? (2007, Comedy) Paul Giamatti. Santa bails his criminal brother out of jail and brings him to the North Pole.

(TBN) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faithâ&#x20AC;? (1979, Religious) Blanche Baker. Examine the courtship of Mary and Joseph and their early life before Jesus was born.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;November Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2010, 6 p.m.

Drama) John Corbett. Neighbors band together to create Halloween and Christmas moments for a young girl.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Santa Clause 2â&#x20AC;? (2002, Fam7 p.m. ily) Tim Allen. After being Santa Claus for a few years, Scott Calvin must find a wife and help his son.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Debbie Macomberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mrs. Miracleâ&#x20AC;?

8 p.m.

(2009, Family) James Van Der Beek. Mrs. Merkle, a nanny, changes the lives of a father and his six-year-old twins.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elfâ&#x20AC;? (2003, Comedy) Will Ferrell. A 9 p.m. man raised as an elf at the North Pole travels to New York to find his true father.

10 p.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Debbie Macomberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Call Me Mrs. Miracleâ&#x20AC;? (2010, Drama) Doris Roberts. Mrs. Miracle, a magical lady turns the lives of a group of New Yorkers upside down.

10:30 p.m. (EWTN) Mysteries of the Rosary The magic and wonder of the third Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.

Midnight (EWTN) TAJCI: Christmas Concert Seasonal music.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Town Without Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2001, Drama) Patricia Heaton. A reporter and a novelist try to locate a child who wrote a disturbing letter to Santa.

THURSDAY

DECEMBER 27

(EWTN) Urbi et Orbi Message and Blessing Pope 11 a.m.

Benedict XVI gives the traditional message and blessing Live from St. Peters Square.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Angel in the Familyâ&#x20AC;? (2004, Drama) Noon Meredith Baxter. Sisters separated by a lifetime of misunderstandings come together for the holidays.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our First Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2008, 2 p.m.

Drama) John Ratzenberger. Two widows try to please their children so the two families can spend Christmas together.

2:30 p.m. (EWTN) Living Right (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once Upon a Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2000, 4 p.m.

Family) Kathy Ireland. Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughters must infuse a family with holiday spirit or lose Christmas forever.

(FAM) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elfâ&#x20AC;? (2003, Comedy) Will Ferrell. A 5 p.m.

man raised as an elf at the North Pole travels to New York to find his true father.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fallen Angelâ&#x20AC;? (2003, Drama) Gary 6 p.m.

Sinise. A big-city lawyer returns to his small hometown and reconnects with a childhood friend.

6:30 p.m. (COM) Futurama The Planet Express crew learns the true meaning of Christmas, Robanukah, and Kwanzaa.

(FOX) The Mindy Project Mindyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eager for her 8 p.m. coworkers to meet her new boyfriend at her Christmas party.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farewell Mr. Kringleâ&#x20AC;? (2010, Comedy) Christine Taylor. A journalist writes about a Santa Claus impersonator who lives in a Christmas-themed town.

10 p.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Most Wonderful Time of the Yearâ&#x20AC;? (2008, Drama) Brooke Burns. A single mom who has lost all faith in Christmas finds answers when her uncle visits.

Midnight (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Annie Claus is Coming to Townâ&#x20AC;?

(2011, Family) Maria Thayer. Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Annie Claus travels to Los Angeles in search of love.

FRIDAY

DECEMBER 28

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Battle of the Bulbsâ&#x20AC;? (2010, ComNoon edy) Daniel Stern. Two men compete to see who can make the best Christmas display in the neighborhood.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Most Wonderful Time of the 2 p.m.

Yearâ&#x20AC;? (2008, Drama) Brooke Burns. A single mom who has lost all faith in Christmas finds answers when her uncle visits.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twice Upon a Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2001, 4 p.m.

Family) John Dye. Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Kristin Claus, has lost her memory and does not know who her father is.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Annie Claus is Coming to Townâ&#x20AC;?

6 p.m.

(2011, Family) Maria Thayer. Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter Annie Claus travels to Los Angeles in search of love.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Wishâ&#x20AC;? (2010, Family) 8 p.m.

Kristy Swanson. A woman, left destitute by her husband, faces a bleak Christmas with her children.

10 p.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Magicâ&#x20AC;? (2011, Drama) Lindy Booth. An angel-to-be must earn her wings by watching over a despondent man and his daughter.

Midnight (EWTN) The Footprints of God Follow Mary on her extraordinary journey.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cancel Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2010, Family) Judd Nelson. Santa must teach two incorrigible children the importance of charity.

SATURDAY

DECEMBER 29

10 a.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Magicâ&#x20AC;? (2011, Drama) Lindy Booth. An angel-to-be must earn her wings by watching over a despondent man and his daughter.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eloise at Christmastimeâ&#x20AC;? (2003, Noon Family) Sofia Vassilieva. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmastime and Eloise gets mixed up with wedding plans at the Plaza Hotel.

(EWTN) Feasts and Seasons Joanna Bogle dis2 p.m. cusses the 12 Days of Christmas leading up to Epiphany.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Dog Who Saved Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2009, Comedy) Mario Lopez. A guard dog reaches his full potential when his house is broken into during the holidays.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Wedding Tailâ&#x20AC;? (2011, 4 p.m.

Comedy) Shawn Ardalan. Two dog owners owners fall in love and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to the pets to perform a Christmas miracle.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naughty or Niceâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Drama) A 6 p.m. young woman receives a book that reveals the good and bad about everyone in her life.

(EWTN) Living Right 7 p.m.

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

8 p.m.

(EWTN) In Concert

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas, Carol!â&#x20AC;? (2012, Fantasy) Car-

rie Fisher. A ruthless tycoon is visited by the ghost of her old boss to help her change her ways.

10 p.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Santa Jr.â&#x20AC;? (2002, Comedy) Nick Stabile. Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adult son learns the spirit of Christmas when he takes over the family business.

Midnight (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hitched for the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;?

(Romance) Joey Lawrence. A man and woman agree to pose as each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant other to their families.

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 30

10 a.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naughty or Niceâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Drama) A young woman receives a book that reveals the good and bad about everyone in her life.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Christmas Pageantâ&#x20AC;? (2011, Noon Comedy) Melissa Gilbert. An overbearing theater director begrudgingly takes a job directing a Christmas pageant.

(ABC) Rudolphâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shiny New Year Rudolph must 2 p.m. find Happy, the missing baby new year, before midnight on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Christmas Songâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Family) Natasha Henstridge. The fate of two music teachers is to be decided in a city-wide Christmas carol contest.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Santa Incidentâ&#x20AC;? (2010, Family) 4 p.m.

James Cosmo. Santa is marooned in a small town when his sleigh is mistaken for a UFO. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hitched for the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;?

6 p.m.

(Romance) Joey Lawrence. A man and woman agree to pose as each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant other to their families.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Holiday Engagementâ&#x20AC;? (2011, 8 p.m.

Comedy) Haylie Duff. A woman hires a man to come home and pretend to be her fiancĂŠ over the holidays.

10 p.m. (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Christmas Heartâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Drama) Teri Polo. A boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhood bands together when he is hospitalized and in need of a transplant.

Midnight (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Wishing Treeâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Family) Jason Gedrick. A professor brings students together through a Christmas tree decorated with wishes.

MONDAY

DECEMBER 31

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Help for the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Fam2 p.m. ily) Summer Glau. A woman sets out to teach her employers what it means to be a family at Christmas time.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Christmas Heartâ&#x20AC;? (2012, 4 p.m.

Drama) Teri Polo. A boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighborhood bands together when he is hospitalized and in need of a transplant.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Wishing Treeâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Family) 6 p.m.

Jason Gedrick. A professor brings students together through a Christmas tree decorated with wishes.

(ABC) New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eve Celebrates Dick 8 p.m.

ClarkA tribute to the legendary television personality who rang in the New Year for 40 years.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mistletoe Over Manhattanâ&#x20AC;? (2011, Family) Tricia Helfer. When Santa considers retirement, Mrs. Claus tries to prove that his work still brings joy.

10 p.m. (ABC) Dick Clarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Primetime New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eve With Ryan Seacrest Spotlighting some of the yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest artists, groups and songs.

(HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Help for the Holidaysâ&#x20AC;? (2012, Family) Summer Glau. A woman sets out to teach her employers what it means to be a family at Christmas time.

(NBC) New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve With Carson Daly 11:35 p.m. (NBC) New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve With Carson Daly Midnight (HALL) Movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Case for Christmasâ&#x20AC;? (2011, Comedy/Drama) Amanda Barker. A lawyer and recent widower takes Santa on as a client and lets love back into his life.

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 12

THINGS TO DO...GIVE...EAT

Top 10 Holiday Movies

12 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

today, it was considered a box office flop at the time of its release.

2. The Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992

Kermit and the rest of the Muppets put their own spin on Charles Dickens’ holiday tale in this adaptation starring Michael Caine as Scrooge. This was the first Muppets movie to be filmed after the deaths of creator Jim Henson and puppeteer Richard Hunt.

Will Farrell as seen in Elf

1. It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946 3. Home Alone, 1990

Jimmy Stewart stars as a downtrodden banker whose guardian angel shows him what life would be like without him in this quintessential holiday masterpiece.

Although the film is a timeless classic

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Laugh out loud as young Kevin McCallister shows a couple of burglars he’s no helpless child in this holiday comedy. When his parents accidentally leave for their Christmas vacation without him, Kevin fends off crooks with booby traps.

alum portrays Buddy, an averagesized person who was raised as an elf after he climbed into Santa’s toy bag as an infant.

5. The Santa Clause, 1994

Tim Allen made his big-screen debut in this holiday comedy about a father who reluctantly takes on the mantle of Santa Claus after the real St. Nick falls off his roof. He undergoes a dramatic transformation and develops a taste for all things Christmas.

6. A Christmas Story, 1983

Nine-year-old Ralphie petitions his parents, Santa Claus and anyone else who’ll listen for a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas in this spirited holiday classic. Set in small-town Indiana, the film was based on the works of author Jean Shepherd.

7. National Lampoon’s Will Ferrell pokes fun at the Christmas Vacation, 1989 4. Elf, 2003

lighter side of the holidays in a Christmas comedy with real heart. The “Saturday Night Live”

Holiday antics abound as Clark Griswold and his wacky family celebrate the season with numer-

Sunday, Dec. 23 on AMC

DECEMBER 21, 2012

ous dysfunctional relatives.

Chevy Chase reprises his role as the Griswold patriarch in this third installment of the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” film series.

8. Miracle on 34th Street, 1947

A Macy’s store Santa causes an uproar when he claims to be the real Kris Kringle and attempts to rekindle the Christmas spirit in a young girl. Considered by many to be the best Christmas movie ever, the film celebrates its 65th anniversary this year.

9. The Polar Express, 2004

Enjoy a holiday adventure in this film based on the classic Chris Van Allsburg book about a skeptical boy who’s transported to the North Pole on a magical train.

Tom Hanks lends his voice to the computer-animated film, which employs cutting-edge motion-capture technology.

10. Holiday Inn, 1942/ White Christmas, 1954

Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Crosby belting out “White Christmas” in two beloved Christmas films, 1942’s “Holiday Inn” and 1954’s “White Christmas.” Composed by Irving Berlin, the song won an Academy Award and has been associated with Crosby ever since.

Enjoy the sweet sound of Bing

Tuesday, Dec. 25 on ABC

dmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his role as Kris he favorite on Kringle in the perennial holiday Miracle miserly which celebrates its 65th anniversary Grinch 34th Street, plots to steal this year. The Christmas classic tells the taleChristmas of a kindly older gentleman who takes a job as a departmentaway store from the Santa and causes a ruckus when he insists he is theperpetu ally positive real deal. After an altercation with a psychologist lands Whos in a him in court before a judge, Kringle and his lawyer holiday spe cial must prove he s really Santa. The 1994 remake of thethat has stood the test film airs after the 1947 version, with Richard Attenbor of time, Dr. ough as Kringle and Mara Wilson in the role originated Seuss How by a the Grinch Stole Christ young

E

T

mas. Narrator Boris Karloff first brought the story of the green old meanie to life in Chuck Jones animated short in 1966. Despite the Grinch s efforts to ruin Christmas, he learns the true spirit the season doesn t lie in the gifts under the tree, but in the Wh hearts. In 2000, director Ron Howard and actor Jim Carrey put their own spin on the tale in a feature-length movie version,

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 13

DECEMBER 21, 2012

A scene from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

THINGS TO DO...GIVE...EAT

13

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas D

espite being known the world over as the poem “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” this Christmas classic was actually titled “A Visit From St. Nicholas” when it was first written in 1822. Although there have been some recent claims to the contrary, the poem is generally attributed to Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863), a wealthy Manhattan aca-

demic whose scholarly work was eclipsed in fame by this beloved tale.

The poem became an instant success following its first anonymous publication in 1823 in a Troy, N.Y. newspaper. Many also credit it with changing the popular view of St. Nicholas, from a stern patron saint to the jovial, magical giftgiver known today as Santa Claus.

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

The reading of the poem has long been an annual yuletide tradition in many households – including the Griswolds’ in the film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (1989). Indeed, it’s been immortalized in everything from comic books to music to television specials, allowing new generations to relive the magic of that first encounter with the jolly old elf himself.

Think you know the poem well? Fill in the blanks below to test your knowledge of this classic, including all eight original reindeer names! (hint: Rudolph isn’t one of them)

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And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the __________ The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the __________ St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in __________, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with __________ and soot; A bundle of __________ he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His __________ – how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like __________, his nose like a __________ !

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as __________ as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his __________, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round __________, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of __________.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old __________, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his __________ and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to __________; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his __________, And giving a nod, up the __________ he rose; He sprang to his __________, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight — “__________ __________ _____ _____, _____ _____ _____ __ __________ __________!”

EDCO observing Christmas holiday

In observance of the Christmas holiday next Tuesday, Dec. 25, EDCO Disposal, a family-owned and locally operated waste-disposal and recycling-services company, wants to remind its customers that the company will not be performing any collection services in the cities of Lakewood, Rancho Palos Verdes and Signal Hill. The Signal Hill public disposal site and buyback center and all customer service offices will also be closed. As a result, all regularly scheduled collection services the remainder of the week will experience a oneday delay in service.

Customers are also encouraged to recycle this holiday season.

Paper gift wrap, gift boxes, greeting cards, cardboard and glass, metal and plastic beverage containers may all be recycled in the commingled recycling containers.

Holiday trees, wreaths, garlands and cut flowers can also be recycled. Holiday trees, wreaths, garlands and cut flowers can also be recycled by simply placing these in the designated green waste cans after all lights and decorations have been removed.

MORE INFORMATION edcodisposal.com

Answers:

house; mouse; stockings; chimney; Nicholas; snug; sugarplums;‘kerchief; cap; winter; lawn; clatter; flash; shutters; snow; eyes; sleigh; reindeer; driver; St. Nick; Dasher; Dancer; Prancer;Vixen; Comet; Cupid; Donner; Blitzen; toys; roof; chimney; fur; ashes; toys; eyes; roses; cherry; white; teeth; belly; jelly; elf; eye; dread; nose; chimney; sleigh; Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the __________ Not a creature was stirring, not even a __________; The __________ were hung by the __________ with care In hopes that St. __________ soon would be there; The children were nestled all __________ in their beds, While visions of __________ danced in their heads; And mamma in her __________, and I in my __________, Had just settled our brains for a long __________’s nap, When out on the __________ there arose such a __________ , I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a __________ , Tore open the __________ and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen __________ Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering __________ should appear, But a miniature __________, and eight tiny __________ , With a little old __________ , so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be __________.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: Now, __________ ! Now, __________ ! Now, __________ and __________ !

On, __________ ! On, __________ ! On, __________ and __________ !

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of __________ , and St. Nicholas too.

Searching for answers?

Christ Jesus’ spiritual foundation of healing brings answers as you discover more about God’s power and presence in your daily life.

!

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Beat the crush– don’t holiday rush!

You are invited to learn more about God and His Beloved Son:

The Reading Room/Library is open to visitors: IFE” OK FOR L O B E C N E “A REFER

Mon. - Fri................................10AM - 5PM

Visit www.Spirituality.com, a website based on the ideas in this book.

Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist 3629 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach (562) 424-5562

show your support for local businesses this holiday season by shopping & dining in your neighborhood!

A Reminder om the signal Tribune

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 14

14 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

DECEMBER 21, 2012

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Merry Christmas & happy holidays from the Chamber!

Wishing you a healthy and Prosperous new year!

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ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 15

CULTURE

DECEMBER 21, 2012

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Local first-time writer publishes children’s book to teach kids about family differences and relationships Ariana Gastelum Editorial Intern

Once children develop the ability to talk, constant questions immediately follow.

Why is the sky blue? Why are there stars?

Are there people up there? Why don’t you know? Why? Why? Why? At the age of 2 and a half, Layne Mancini developed the same trait. However, her questions were a little more unusual. She wanted to know why her family was different from her friends’ families, because Layne has two moms.

This inspired her mother Aly Mancini to write a children’s book called Layne at Home about Layne’s life in Long Beach with her two mothers Karyn and Aly Mancini, along with her friends at school.

Mancini wrote the book for her daughter and children in similar circumstances.

“But I really think the audience should be more mainstream because children of gay and lesbian parents, children of single parents and children of all different family structures are becoming more prevalent,” she said. “I think it is good to have all children be exposed to this in literature, on TV and in movies. While, yes, I do think its meaningful for people who are in this situation to share it with their child, I also think that it is important that other kids who don’t see it in their everyday life be exposed to it.”

Mancini was shocked when Layne had noticed a difference in her family at such a young age. “We kind of expected that around five or six, but she started noticing it really early,” Mancini said. “We always figured that as soon as she was ready to ask the questions, we needed to be ready to provide the answers. We talk about it a lot. To this day, she asks questions all the time about other families. Luckily for us, we [know] examples of all types of families.”

Mancini had never written a book before nor has she ever had any training to do so. “I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book,” she said. “I never really had a passion for it until I had a child.”

Mancini based much of the book on experiences that Layne has been through.

Olivia, Layne’s friend, had her dad pick her up from school sometimes. “He’d lift her up and do all these typical dad things,” Mancini noted. “And [Layne] would think it was funny, but she was also intimidated because we don’t play with her like that. I didn’t ask her about that, but I definitely tried to think about her experiences and sort of think about how men and women are different.”

The book was published on Nov. 27.

Although the process of publishing a book took a few months, the manuscript only took about an hour to write. “I really knew what I wanted to say,” Mancini said. “I’ve read a lot of children’s books. I love children’s literature. So, I understand what sort of language appeals to kids and how you need to describes things in a way that captures their attention.”

To find a publisher, Mancini only had to search “self publishing” on Google. “There was a website that [had] about five questions that asked, ‘What kind of book are you writing? What are you looking to do with this book?’- just to see where your goals were,” she explained. “If you needed illustrations, if you wanted to print on demand, or if you wanted it in book stores or online, then it would spit out which publishing company was best for you. It was like matchmaking.”

From this website, Mancini found Xlibris, an Indiana-based self-publishing company. “I loved them right away,” she said.

“They were great. They were very supportive.”

Xlibris provided an illustrator for Mancini. “Basically, you start on the manuscript, and you send them descriptions of what you want the illustrations to look like on each page,” she noted. “I sent pictures of myself, my wife, my daughter and her friends.”

At first, Mancini was dissatisfied with the first illustrations she was given because the pictures had been drawn to look realistic. “I kept trying to make changes that I thought would make it better, but I had to call and finally tell them I needed them completely redone,” she said. “And they charged me next to nothing. They understood that I needed to be happy.” Marvin Tabacon, the illustrator, then redrew the artwork, to Mancini’s delight, in a colorful, animated fashion.

Around the same time Mancini and her wife explained to Layne about the differences between families, they had connected with five other families that had the same sperm donor as Layne’s. They decided to all meet in New York City, NY and spend a weekend together. “So, these were her brothers and sisters basically, but they’re donor siblings,” Mancini explained. “And so, that kind of brought up the whole– how are we going to explain that these are her brothers and sisters, but not brothers and sisters in the way that most kids think of brothers and sisters?”

Initially, this was the story that Mancini wanted to write about. “I started to write a

Courtesy Aly Mancini

Layne at Home by Aly Mancini

book about us flying to New York City and meeting her donor siblings,” she said. “And then I thought, I need to go backwards from the beginning about her sort of realizing that she doesn’t have a dad because that’s how it all really started.”

Mancini plans to write a series of children’s books as Layne gets older and learns more about families and relationships.

“Things that she will deal with are the things that I want to write about. That’s my inspiration,” she said. This includes possibly writing a book about transgender children and another about having parents with different religions. The manuscript for her second book is already finished, and she hopes it will be published by June.

Mancini encourages everyone that has a story to write a book about it. “I know writing a book can seem really intimidating, but self publishing is really easy and very rewarding to know that you are in control of your destiny,” she said. “It’s kind of like making your own dreams come true. It would be more beneficial for kids if people are willing to put themselves out there and share their story.”

Layne at Home is available at amazon.com or xlibris.com .

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Karyn Mancini (left), Layne Mancini (center) and Aly Mancini (right) live in Long Beach. Aly discovered a passion to write children’s books once she a child of her own.

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TST4258 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE TS No. 11-0119685 Doc ID #000908565192005N Title Order No. 11-0101580 Investor/Insurer No. 90856519 APN No. 7215-014-065 YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 03/04/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. Notice is hereby given that RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A., as duly appointed trustee pursuant to the Deed of Trust executed by STEEN D SPROUFFSKE, AN UNMARRIED MAN, dated 03/04/2005 and recorded 3/10/2005, as Instrument No. 05 0552500, in Book , Page , of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Los Angeles County, State of California, will sell on 01/17/2013 at 9:00AM, Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles-Norwalk, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650, Vineyard Ballroom at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash or check as described below, payable in full at time of sale, all right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust, in the property situated in said County and State and as more fully described in the above referenced Deed of Trust. The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2209 BAY VIEW DRIVE, SIGNAL HILL, CA, 90755. The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. The total amount of the unpaid balance with interest thereon of the obligation secured by the property to be sold plus reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $929,132.15. It is possible that at the time of sale the opening bid may be less than the total indebtedness due. In addition to cash, the Trustee will accept cashier's checks drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. Said sale will be made, in an ''AS IS'' condition, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession or encumbrances, to satisfy the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, advances thereunder, with interest as provided, and the unpaid principal of the Note secured by said Deed of Trust with inter-

est thereon as provided in said Note, plus fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. If required by the provisions of section 2923.5 of the California Civil Code, the declaration from the mortgagee, beneficiary or authorized agent is attached to the Notice of Trustee's Sale duly recorded with the appropriate County Recorder's Office. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on a property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder's office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 1-800281-8219 or visit this Internet Web site www.recontrustco.com, using the file number assigned to this case TS No. 11-0119685. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site.

The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A. 1800 Tapo Canyon Rd., CA6-914-01-94 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063 Phone: (800) 281 8219, Sale Information (626) 927-4399 By: Trustee's Sale Officer RECONTRUST COMPANY, N.A. is a debt collector attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. A-4340125 12/21/2012, 12/28/2012, 01/04/2013

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TST4255 Trustee Sale No.: 20120159900612 Title Order No.: 1153934 FHA/VA/PMI No.: NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 01/12/2006.

UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. NDEX WEST, LLC, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 01/27/2006 as Instrument No. 06 0203326 of official records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of CALIFORNIA. EXECUTED BY: MICHAEL CARESS, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER'S CHECK/CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States). DATE OF SALE: 01/07/2013 TIME OF SALE: 9:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: DOUBLETREE HOTEL LOS ANGELES - NORWALK, 13111 SYCAMORE DRIVE, NORWALK, CA 90650. STREET ADDRESS and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2008 2010 2012 CHERRY AVE, SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755 APN#: 7216-009-010 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any , shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $415,200.85. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest

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bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder's office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 800-280-2832 for information regarding the trustee's sale or visit this Internet Web site www.auction.com for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case 20120159900612. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. FOR TRUSTEE SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: AUCTION.COM, LLC 2 ONE MAUCHLY IRVINE, CA 92618 800-280-2832 www.auction.com NDEx West, L.L.C. MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NDEx West, L.L.C. as Trustee Dated: 12/06/2012 P1006981 12/14, 12/21, 12/28/2012

TST4249 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE Trustee Sale No. : 20120159902722 Title Order No.: 120291415 FHA/VA/PMI No.: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 09/19/2005. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. NDEX WEST, LLC, as duly appointed Trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust Recorded on 10/03/2005 as Instrument No. 05 2376831 of official records in the office of the County Recorder of LOS ANGELES County, State of CALIFORNIA. EXECUTED BY: JOHN DEATHERAGE, WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER'S CHECK/CASH EQUIVALENT or other form of payment authorized by 2924h(b), (payable at time of sale in lawful money of the United States). DATE OF SALE: 12/27/2012 TIME OF SALE: 11:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: BY THE FOUNTAIN LOCATED AT 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, POMONA, CA 91766. STREET ADDRESS and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 2599 WALNUT AVE #215, SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA 90755 APN#: 7211-026-106 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust, with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is $296,992.17. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property.

You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder 's office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.

NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call 714-730-2727 for information regarding the trustee's sale or visit this Internet Web site www.lpsasap.com for information regarding the sale of this property, using the file number assigned to this case 20120159902722. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. FOR TRUSTEE SALE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: AGENCY SALES and POSTING 2 3210 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE 200 IRVINE, CA 92602 714-730-2727 www.lpsasap.com NDEx West, L.L.C. MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. NDEx West, L.L.C. as Trustee Dated: 11/29/2012 NDEx West, L.L.C. 15000 Surveyor Boulevard, Suite 500 Addison, Texas 75001-9013 Telephone: (866) 795-1852 Telecopier: (972) 661-7800 A-4331891 12/07/2012, 12/14/2012, 12/21/2012 TST4261 / 2012 249886 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1. NOBLE CARE PARTNERS, 2. NOBLE CARE SOLUTIONS, 3. NOBLE CARE LEARNING SOLUTIONS, 4, CARE GIVING LEARNING SOLUTIONS, 5.

CARE GIVING TRAINING INSTITUTE, 1845 Raymond Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: NOBLE CARE PARTNERS, INC., 1845 Raymond Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Irene Clemente, CEO. The registrant has

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not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on December 18, 2012. 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: December 21, 28, 2012 & January 4, 11, 2013.

TST4262 / 2012 249887 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: A&G CONSULTING, 4009 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrant: GALINA SHTERN, 4009 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Galina Shtern. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on December 18, 2012. 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: December 21, 28, 2012 & January 4, 11, 2013.

TST4257 / Case No. NS026272 oRDER To SHoW CAUSE FoR CHANGE oF NAME SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.

PETITION OF Alfonso Vazquez For Change of Name.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner ALFONSO VAZQUEZ, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: ALFONSO VAZQUEZ to Proposed Name: ALFONSO VASQUEZ. 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, shy the petition for change of name should not be granted.

NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: January 18, 2013; Time: 8:30 A.M.; Dept. 11, Room 31.

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, 939 E. 27th.

Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755: December 21, 28, 2012 & January 4, 11, 2013. ___//ss//___ John A. Clark, Clerk of the Superior Court Dated: December 05, 2012

TST4260 / 2012 234058 STATEMENT oF ABANDoNMENT oF USE oF FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME The following person has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name: JOHNSON CONSULT, located at 841 W. Cameron St., Long Beach, CA 90810. The fictitious business name referred to above was filed on May 11, 2009, original File No. 2012 234059, in the County of Los Angeles. Registrant: BRYON JOHNSON, 32 Esperanza Ave. #210, Long Beach, CA 90802. This business is conducted by: an Individual. Signed: Bryon Johnson. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 26, 2012. Pub. The Signal Tribune: December 21, 28, 2012 & January 4, 11, 2013.

TST4248 / 2012 231850 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: AFFORDABLE TAX SERVICES, 2727 E. Anaheim St. #4097, Long Beach, CA 90804. Registrant: PATRICIA HARRIS, 2727 E. Anaheim St. #4097, Long Beach, CA 90804. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Patricia Harris. The registrant has begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. The registrant began using this fictitious business name on November 20, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 21, 2012. 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: November 30, & December 7, 14, 21, 2012.

TST4243 / 2012 227837 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: RIKA86, 2997 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrant: 1.

DOMINICK EAV, 2. GAURIKA EAV, 2997 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Husband and Wife. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Dominick Eav. The registrants have begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. The registrants began using this fictitious business name on November 14, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 14, 2012. 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: November 30, & December 7, 14, 21, 2012 TST4244 / 2012 217298 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: LIFE ON THRIVE, 2997 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Signal Hill, CA 90755. Registrants: 1.

GAURAV BAJAJ, 2. BRENDA SINGH BAJAJ, 2997 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Husband and Wife. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Gaurav Bajaj. The registrants have begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. The registrant began using this fictitious business name on October 1, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on October 31, 2012. 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: November 30, & December 7, 14, 21, 2012.

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 17

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TST4252 / 2012 240821 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: ALFRAY PRODUCTS CO., 13624 Stanbridge Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706.

Registrant: PATRICK RILEY, 13624 Stanbridge Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Pat Riley. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on December 4, 2012. 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: December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2012 TST4256 / 2012 242526 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: YESTER YEAR MUSIC, 12918 S. Cookacre St., E. Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. Registrant: BRENDA LEE GERTMAN, 12918 S. Cookacre St., E. Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Brenda Lee Gertman. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on December 5, 2012. 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: December 14, 21, 28, 2012 & January 4, 2013.

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TST4250 / 2012 238637 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: 1. EVE INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC., 2. EVA INSURANCE-VEHICLE REGISTRATION SERVICES, 4000 E. Anaheim St. #C, Long Beach, CA 90804. Registrant: EVA INSURANCE BROKERAGE INC., 4000 E. Anaheim St. #C, Long Beach, CA 90804. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Eva X. Juarez, President. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 30, 2012. 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: December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2012.

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TST4251 / 2012 240165 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: DEVLOSTI, 53 Outrigger Ct., Long Beach, CA 90803. Registrant: MICHAEL DAILEY, 53 Outrigger Ct., Long Beach, CA 90803. This business is conducted by: an Individual. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Michael Dailey. The registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on December 4, 2012. 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: December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2012.

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following persons have been nominated for the offices designated to be filled at the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Signal Hill on Tuesday, March 5, 2013:

TST4247 / 2012 234355 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following person is doing business as: ADVOCATES IN ACTION, 2510 E. Willow St. Unit 101, Signal Hill, CA 90755.

R e g i stra n t: AL OH I EN TER PR ISES, IN C ., 2 5 1 0 E. Wi l l o w St. Unit 101, Signal Hill, CA 90755. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Robert M. Schlesinger. The registrant has begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. The registrant began using this fictitious business name on November 1, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 26, 2012. 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: November 30, & December 7, 14, 21, 2012.

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TST4246 / 2012 231006 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following pers o n i s d o i n g b u s i n e s s a s : D I R E C T S T O R E DELIVERY, INC., 7400 E. Slauson Ave. Unit ES3, Commerce, CA 90040. Registrant: DIRECT STORE DELIVERY, INC., 7400 E. Slauson Ave. Unit ES3, Commerce, CA 90040. This business is conducted by: a Corporation. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Wenceslao Zavala. The registrant has begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. The registrant began using this fictitious business name on September 12, 2012. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 19, 2012. 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: November 30, & December 7, 14, 21, 2012.

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TST4245 / 2012 226867 FICTITIoUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT The following persons are doing business as: SOLOZPLEASURE, 3900 Lewis Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Registrants: 1. SOLOMON MUTH, 2. VI THUY VO, 3900 Lewis Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807.

This business is conducted by: a Husband and Wife. I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. Signed: Solomon Muth. The registrants have not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the county clerk of Los Angeles County on November 13, 2012. 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: November 30, & December 7, 14, 21, 2012.

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EYE ON CRIME Crimes reported by LBPD • Council Districts 6, 7 & 8

Thursday, Dec. 13 Auto burglary 2am– 1900 block Cedar Ave.

Attempt residential burglary 11:30am– 2100 block Daisy Ave.

Friday, Dec. 14 Auto burglary 11:20am– 500 block E. 33rd St.

Saturday, Dec. 15 Grand theft of property 10:43am– 2300 block Atlantic Ave.

Commercial Burglary, shoplifting 3:50pm– 300 block E. Willow St. Monday, Dec. 17 Robbery - Person 10am- E. 19th St./Atlantic Ave.

Crimes reported by SHPD • Citywide

Thursday, Dec. 13 Residential burglary 12:30pm– 1800 block Orizaba Ave.

Friday, Dec. 14 Commercial burglary 3:30am– 900 block E. Willow St.

Petty theft 11:35am– 900 block E. 33rd St. Suspect in custody

Child abuse 4:31pm– 2800 block E. 19th St.

Saturday, Dec. 15 Stolen vehicle 6:30am– 1000 block E. 32nd St.

Stolen vehicle 8:53am– 2700 block Signal Parkway

Sunday, Dec. 16 DUI 12:36am– 2700 block E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Suspect in custody

Grand theft of property 10pm– 3200 block E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Monday, Dec. 17 Recovered stolen vehicle 7:35am- Orizaba Ave./E. 29th St.

Petty theft with a prior 9:45am– 2400 block Cherry Ave. Suspect in custody.

Residential burglary 12pm– 2100 block E. 21st St.

Auto burglary 2:10pm– 2100 block E. 21st St.

Tuesday, Dec. 18 Disorderly conduct, under the influence 2:08am– 1800 block Stanley Ave. Suspect in custody Residential burglary of apartment/condo 7:30am– 2700 block E. 20th St.

Unauthorized use of ID to obtain credit/goods 11am– 3200 block California Ave. Wednesday, Dec.19

Obtaining/possessing false government issued ID 1:03am– 2500 block Cherry Ave. Suspect in custody.

DUI 2:07am– E. Willow St./Signal Parkway Suspect in custody

Petty theft 4:16pm– 2400 block Cherry Ave. Suspect cited.

Injury hit-and-run 5:51pm– E. Willow St./Town Center West

Disorderly conduct, loitering, prowling and wandering 8:10pm– 2100 block Crescent Dr. Juvenile subject in custody

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 18

18 SIGNAL TRIBUNE

Homeless

continued from page 1

month,” said the part-time manager for the shelter. “The majority of these people do have some sort of income, and so they’ll usually come later, in the middle of the month or the second week of the month… We’ve actually had quite a few people.”

The building’s red floor is now lined with rows of cots, and a storage room is filled with more than 200 bundles of blankets. But to many people, the full scale of homelessness in the Long Beach area remains hidden.

“Sadly to say, the homeless become invisible when you’re on the streets because you don’t realize how many there are,” said Chaplain Robert Probst, associate director of the Long Beach Rescue Mission who filled in for the mission’s CEO Jim Lewis this week. He added that only clients picked up in buses at the shelter’s designated sites are admitted to the shelter and no “walkins” are allowed.

Porcho said the shelter regularly takes in about 100 clients per night, which is just a little below the shelter’s limit. The shelter, which remains open until March, hasn’t had to turn clients

away due to reaching capacity so far, she said, but that was the case last year at the former shelter site in North Long Beach.

“We haven’t gotten to that point yet,” Porcho said.

In California, which has the largest homeless population in the country, there were 130,898 homeless people sheltered or unsheltered on a single night in January this year, representing a 3.7-percent drop from the count last year, according to a report released on Dec. 10 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

On the local level, however, winter shelters, food banks, charities and government agencies continue to be stretched thin as the need for services continues to rise in recent years, according to statistics and homeless-services providers.

A homeless count conducted in January 2011 by volunteers and the homeless-services division of the Long Beach Health & Human Services Department found that there were 4,290 men, women and children experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, representing a 9 percent increase from the count conducted in 2009. The increase, according to the City’s homeless-services advisory committee report, is a

NEWS

“trend that is consistent across the Southern California region.”

The face of homelessness, according to the City’s report, has changed over the years due in large part to high unemployment brought on by the lingering economic recession. Long Beach had an 11.2 percent unemployment rate as of November statistics, which is higher than the rates of Los Angeles County, California and the United States.

Joining the ranks of those experiencing homelessness, whether living in temporary housing, in motels, in shelters or on the streets, are senior citizens or disabled persons on a fixed income, veterans returning from war, single parents with children and families displaced by foreclosures.

HUD requires that the Long Beach Continuum of Care, a jurisdiction of several local homeless-service providers, including some 15 non-profit agencies primarily funded by the federal government, conduct the citywide survey every two years in order to better understand the city’s homeless needs and to better allocate local and federal resources. The next biannual homeless count, which is the sixth such survey, is set to take place Jan. 24.

Elsa Ramos, coordinator for the cityoperated Multi-Service Center located at

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Alicia Porcho, part-time manager for the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s winter shelter, stands in front of more than 200 bags of blankets that homeless clients have reserved.

1301 W. 12th St., where volunteers meet on the day of the count, said it’s important to note that the census is just a “snapshot” of homelessness and can change from day to day. However, she said to get a more accurate calculation, the survey is conducted at the end of the month, when people typically run out of resources.

Ramos said that more than 300 volunteers are needed this year to canvas the city’s 52 square miles that are broken up into 47 map segments. Sometimes, the homeless are hard to locate, she said, but surveyors are told where to find certain homeless “hotspots” in the area.

“Homeless people are very mobile, but they tend to reside in very inconspicuous locations,” Ramos said. “We do make sure that we are counting individuals residing inside of shelters, [and] we do have a large population of folks who are pretty much along the LA River bed and in certain pockets around the city.

We have outreach staff [members] that are very acclimated and aware of these locations to provide that information to folks that are being deployed… We know where people are known to camp; sometimes at parks or particular locations where people are a little more hidden.”

During the holiday season, families are especially in need, whether homeless or not. According to statistics, this year the Salvation Army Long Beach Citadel provided for the most requests for assistance in five years, filling a total of more than 10,000 grocery orders in 2012, which is over 10 times more than the amount in 2007, not including Operation Christmas and seasonal assistance, which represents more than 30,000 bags of groceries. Last year, the Salvation Army provided services for a total of 14,831 people compared to only 3,618 people in 2007.

On Dec. 17, the Long Beach Citadel began its five-day Christmas distribution, where members of the Citadel who pre-registered for “holiday assistance” will receive food and toy distributions.

The Salvation Army is also geared up to serve more than 1,000 families through the Angel Tree Toy & Joy Center, Adopt A Family and Christmas at The Reef Restaurant.

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Gail Crandell, social services coordinator, said she has seen more families asking for assistance on a regular basis, and the gap between the wealthy and those living in poverty in Long Beach is widening. Crandell said she has taken 15 calls from homeless families in just the past two weeks. “One of the big problems is that there are more and more [homeless] families,” Crandell said. “I’m taking a new call a day …

They’re calling because they want to make a nice Christmas for their children … It’s great we can give them toys and food … [but] where will they go and what will they do?”

Winter shelters, primarily funded by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which provides funding through HUD, don’t accept families. However, Christina Lyon, program manager for the shelter, said case managers often direct homeless families to the Long Beach Multi-Service Center, where they are either given vouchers to stay in a motel or provided with temporary housing assistance.

She said LAHSA is trying to focus more on temporary housing and other support services to help families to transition off the streets. “We’ll get them to the right place they need to be,” added Probst. Families seeking assistance at winter-shelter locations are connected to 2-1-1, the county’s free information and referral line, as part of LAHSA’s family transitions project.

Dora Jacildo, executive director of Children Today, a non-profit that provides childcare and family services, said homeless families, including moms with children who often have been affected by domestic violence, go unnoticed by the public. However, more awareness needs to be focused on helping family members transition from the “trauma” of homelessness into society, she said.

“What makes you homeless does not mean that you just don’t have a house,” Jacildo said. “For our families, we have the greatest opportunity to impact their future. If the children can move into a stable environment, a child at such a young age has an ability to be resilient when they go to school and be with their peers and function like any other child.”

Despite the wide range of care offered through a multitude of services, including assistance for drug- and alcohol-abuse treatment, government funding to support the winter shelter program was cut back, according to homelessservices officials.

Peter Griffith, spokesperson for LAHSA, said via email that the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s program is operating for 91 days compared to the normal 105 days for the 2011-2012 period, primarily due to overall “reductions in funding available for the county-wide 2012-13 winter shelter program.” He said the mission’s funding level was $328,750 in 2011 compared to $293,020 this year, representing a reduction of $35,730.

Lyon added that the Rescue Mission’s beds were cut from 200 down to 140 this year.

For more information on volunteering for the Long Beach homeless count and other services, visit longbeach.gov/ health/fss/homeless_services or call (562) 733-1147. For information on volunteering to the Salvation Army, call (562) 426-7637. For more information on the Long Beach Rescue Mission, visit lbrm.org or call (562) 591-1292.

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:11 AM Page 19

NEWS

DECEMBER 21, 2012

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

19

Military personnel, community members and government officials attend the third annual ceremony remembering fallen U.S. soldiers from Long Beach hosted by 5th District City Councilmember Gerrie Schipske at the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center.

Wreaths

continued from page 1

fested a love for God, family and country,” said Lankford, who added that MacPherson often prayed with his wife, Claudia, and his son, Brayden, every night when he came home from duty.

Colonel Peter Kim, a Long Beach commander of the U.S. Army National Guard, said MacPherson, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2007, was a highly decorated soldier who led what his colleagues described as “daunting courage” and was known by his unit as “someone who never hesitated to take charge in firefights and who laid down his life protecting his comrades.”

According to a statement form the U.S. Army’s special operations command, MacPherson was leading an assault against an enemy position when

he was mortally wounded by small arms fire in the Ghazni Province of Afghanistan. For more than four years, MacPherson served as a mortarman and a ranger team leader with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment of Joint Base Lewis in McChord, Washington.

MacPherson is survived by his wife and son of Tacoma, Washington and his parents, Troy and Diona, of Long Beach who attended a simultaneous memorial ceremony in Washington. MacPherson is also surby his paternal vived grandparents, Donna and Raymond MacPherson and his maternal grandparents Patricia and Robert Tanner, who were expected to attend the ceremony in Long Beach.

MORE INFORMATION lbhometownheroes.com wreathsacrossamerica.org

A “hometown heroes” banner honoring Sgt. Thomas R. MacPherson, who died in combat in Afghanistan, is the latest banner that now hangs at the entrance of the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center.

Sgt. Thomas R. MacPherson

Courtesy U.S. Army

ST3429 - December 21_Layout 1 12/21/12 10:12 AM Page 20

SIGNAL TRIBUNE

DECEMBER 21, 2012

20

‘A Holiday Celebration’ at Las Brisas in SH The Las Brisas 1 Community Center at the affordable housing community in Signal Hill provided a bevy of food, toys and activities for children during the 2012 Holiday Season Community Celebration on Tuesday Dec. 18.

Each child in attendance got a chance to meet Santa Claus (Mel Pinkham, a successful businessman, former child entertainer and local legend) and receive a gift. Each resident household member received a raffle ticket and was eligible for gifts and prizes.

Hundreds of toys were donated to the event by the Las Brisas community,

the American University of Health Sciences and Knights of Pythias Youth Camp, according to Imani BradleyCamacho, services coordinator for the Las Brisas community housing.

The event also included music, arts and crafts presentations, and a holiday feast.

“This is an important thing for [the center] to bond the community together and teach the children that there’s a better part of life,” said Pinkham, a member of the Long Beach-Lakewood Knights of Pythias, a charitable organization that promotes “friendship, charity and benevolence.”

Photo by Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Santa Claus (Mel Pinkham, a local legend and member of the Long Beach-Lakewood Knights of Pythias) is surrounded by Las Brisas 1 Community Center staff during the center’s 2012 Holiday Season Community Celebration in Signal Hill on Tuesday Dec. 18.

Happy Holidays!

‘Tis the season for ‘giving back’

Members of the Bellflower/Long Beach Elks Lodge #888 dropped off bags of stuffed animals and toys last Friday, Dec. 14 during the club’s annual event to lift the spirits of children and adults with developmental disabilities during the holidays at AbilityFirst Long Beach Center at 3770 E. Willow St. The annual event, first started in 1997, according to Elks member Joe Muñoz, also included a visit from Santa Claus and the Long Beach City College Carolers. Food was provided by McDonald’s.

“It gives so much back,” said Betty Woodson, one of Santa’s “helpers” and the wife of Elk member Dennis Woodson, who both assisted in giving stuffed animals to the members of the center.

AbilityFirst, formerly known as the Crippled Children Society, offers programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and epilepsy. The center serves Long Beach as well as Lakewood, Torrance, Seal Beach, Carson, Bellflower and Los Alamitos.

Betty Woodson, the wife of Dennis Woodson, a member of the Bellflower/ Long Beach Elks Lodge #888, helps distribute stuffed animals during an annual Christmas holiday event at the AbilityFirst Long Beach Center at 3770 E. Willow St. last Friday, Dec. 14.

Photos by Sean Belk/Signal Tribune

Santa Claus (Steve Ytreus) gives a gift to Carlos Pineda (right) of AbilityFirst Long Beach Center during an annual event put on by the Bellflower/Long Beach Elks Lodge #888 to lift the spirits of children and adults with developmental disabilities during the holiday season.